Whew...I'm tired.

And I have good reason to be. I was up at 5 again this morning but Judy beat me to the coffee making this morning. I must admit, her coffee this morning was better than mine yesterday.

I read my newspapers on line this morning and was out before sunrise washing the motorhome. It may have been cool but boy the humidity was tough. Makes a fat boy sweat. I started to call my buddy Wayne and let him know I was sweating enough for both of us but decided I really didn't want to hear about him having to use the heat pump in the mornings.

I finished up the maintenance I wanted to get done on the beast, thats what I call her when I have to wash and work on her, and was pretty much finished by noon. I sure can get a lot more done when I don't laze around in bed till all hours of the morning.

Judy is cleaning or should I say sanitizing the house before we leave so I'm kind of laying low, you know like staying out of the way. I gave Roxie a bath and for a dog that will find a mud hole to romp in or a lake to swim in I have to sneak up with the leash when I get the shampoo and towels . Crazy dang dog that I love.

We only have three things left to do. Attend church in the morning to honor God. One last stop for fresh vegetables at Krogers. Take Roxie to my sons. I dreamed about her last night and I know I will miss her but she will be happier...I hope. I bet you anything she is laying under the motorhome in the dirt right now and she just had a bath. Oh well, at least she smells good.

Next post will be from the road where we will be chasing fall. I'll post pictures during our adventure so you can get an idea of the fall beauty we hope to find.

Oh my goodness. I almost forgot. We went for Mexican food last night as we're trying to get our fill cause its hard to find good tex-mex once you get away from Texas. They had a guy singing and he was really entertaining. I finally did it, took Judy by the hand and said "lets dance". She said "where?". I said "right here between the tables". We got a big round of applause both when we started and again when we stopped. Golly it was fun. Its too bad there are no places to go dancing anymore.

More from the road. Blessings to all...

Close does count in something other than horseshoes!

I can say that because we're getting closer to chasing fall.

I actually got up before Judy this morning. I woke up at 5 and tossed until 5:30 before I decided to get up and make coffee. I hate to tell you this but it was one of the few times I've made the coffee. Hey, I can't help it she gets up earlier than me. Of course I failed to put in enough coffee so it was a little weak. I don't think its a secret but Judy loves to get up early and sit in her chair in the living room praying. Its her special time of the the day and I always try to give her all the time she wants. Of course thats a perfect reason for me to stay in bed awhile longer but you know you can smell coffee just so long and then you gotta get up.

I made a quick trip to the country this morning just to check on things. Thanks be to God, no hog or armadillo damage. I pray that continues. I'm suppose to be getting a price for fencing around the house area to keep those suckers away but my fence builder apparently is a democrat and is getting enough welfare he doesn't need to work so I've not been able to get him to give me a price in three weeks. You know, he's busy not having to look for a job. Dang liberals. Maybe I should have been one and not worked so hard but then I'm not sure I would have the "stuff" I have today. Enough on the perils of being a believer in working for what you get.

We have the motorhome just about loaded. I may need to increase the air pressure in the tires to carry the additional weight we've added over the last week. Tomorrow is wash day. I know it will be Saturday and your first thought it was bath time for me...not. I have to wash the motorhome and this is the only time I refer to her as a beast. Thirty eight feet long and twelve feet tall and don't forget the roof. I estimate it would equal washing five Suburbans. I'll try to start soon after sun up. Any volunteers?

I guess thats about it for today.

Blessings to all...

Is today Thursday?

We are busy little beavers (oh boy is that a story in of itself) this week cleaning and packing the motorhome for our upcoming meandering around searching for fall.

We'll leave sometime Monday morning heading in a northeasterly direction because thats where we heard fall could be found. We are not going to make any reservations this trip, kind of a seat of our pants type trip I guess. Like I mentioned earlier, our friends Wayne and Earlene are trail blazing for us and said the campgrounds are not near capacity but then of course some of the places they stay wouldn't be busy most times of the year. Wayne did call yesterday from someplace in Mass. just to let me know he had washed his motorhome and never broke a sweat. Now Wayne is a big ole boy and usually breaks out in a sweat just thinking of work. That is really the only reason I'm Wayne bashing is because he called to brag about the temperature. Jerk! Don't worry, I'm not talking behind his back. I used much stronger words when he called.

This is big news. We aren't taking Roxie with us. Sniff, sniff. She has really gotten to the point she hates traveling or more factual, she hates being left alone in the motorhome all day while we're out having a good time. My son Mike agreed to keep her while we're gone. He has two daughters that love Roxie and it'll take us awhile to straighten her out once we get back cause she'll be spoiled rotten. Thats okay, they love her. Boy I'll sure miss her though.

Well my sweat has now dried so I need to get back at it. Judy is having lunch with her best friend (no not me) today and will leave me to continue continuing. I'll go get the oil changed in the toad, thats what we motorhome people call the vehicle you tow. I think it comes from the word "towed" but somehow the spelling got goofed up.

Before I go, will y'all pray with me for the United Sates? This country is in a world of hurt and like this little signs we see around..."Prayer is our only hope".

Blessings to all...

BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART!

I was doing okay with the blog this summer while touring Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and other great states until I got those poems and then things really changed for me. I don't have a clue what but for sure I didn't want to write anymore. It wasn't until my grand daughter Ashlyn started sending me more stories she had written and asking me to send her some things I had written did I realize the importance of this blog. I went back and read many of them and realized it makes no difference if anyone other than me and Judy ever read them because I was reminded of things I had forgotten as I read through the stories so I decided I would be more diligent in writing on our next trip. That begins next Monday.

We are going to go find fall and some of those cooler days. Our friends Wayne and Earlene are blazing the trail for us. They left a couple weeks ago and the last I talked to them they were leaving Gettysburg headed to Massachusetts. High temps of mid sixties and of course Wayne had to rub it in that he has needed the heat pumps a few mornings. That's okay, we're not to far behind them.

Y'all stayed tuned if your interested in our fall trip. I hope Ashlyn enjoys reading it as much as I enjoy reading her stories.

Blessings to all...

Some clarification please

Please read the following:

Thanks for reading the letters. Lauren also wrote them. So you have to give her the credit as well. Hope to see you soon!

love you,
Ash

On Jun 25, 2010 10:50am, Jim Sims > wrote:
> Ash...did you really write the Persuasive Letters by yourself? It made me happy and it made me sad but most of all it made me glad to know how much you love the country.
>
> Love, Pops

Out of the mouths of babes...

We are in southeast Missouri at a full service campground adjacent to a small casino. $18/night and the washing machine in the motorhome hasn't stopped.

I wrote yesterday about one of my sons and his family are spending some time at the country place while we are out adventuring. Most of you know I have the place on the market but I needed to share three poems my 11 year old grand daughter e mailed me yesterday. She titled her e mail "Persuasions". In her own words...

Poem 1
The Country is our home,
The country is our life,
I’d like to bring my kids here when I’m a wife.
If you sell it,
If you leave it,
The Sims family with never forget it.
It was our childhood,
It was our playground,
It was many, many things.
But if you leave,
And never come back,
We definitely will put our memories in a sack.
We wrote this poem,
While hearing the birds coo,
We hope this poem will persuade you.

Poem 2
I recall the memories
Of making ourselves clowns,
I recall the memories
Of putting on the gown.
I recall the memories
Of you tucking us into bed,
I recall the memories,
“Don’t you love this house?” that is what you said.
And I recall the memories
Of looking at the new house.
When I saw the house,
Thoughts swirled in my mind,
Now when I look at the pasture
They’ll be easier to find.
The new house it cool,
The new house it tough,
The new house is leaving,
I’m guessing we’ll have to be tough.

Poem 3.
Different emotions mix in my heart
I’m guessing we’ll find a new place to have a new start.
Many things have happened
Past the many years,
Now when you are leaving the house,
All you’ll find are tears.
Tell me once again why you’re leaving it,
I honestly think I’ll miss it,
More than a little bit.
New things are coming,
We still have to be strong,
New challenges we’re facing,
Are going to be endless and long.
I hope this letter persuades you,
I know it does to me.
Tears will fall from my eyes,
When I never see the trees.

Nuff said...

Blessings to all and continue to pray for your friends and for our great country. And yes, I continue to believe its great, we're just going through some trials.

I'm tiried...

We left the beautiful Arkansas state park this morning and drove four hours because Chuck wants to stop often and I have to stop often...diuretics you know.

Yesterday we visited the "Village" which is a really neat place. Its a group of people that live in the same community, attend the same church and own various businesses in the "Village". First stop was a leather shop. Chuck and I visited with the proprietor for some time and learned the history of the "Village" while Judy and Maggie browsed the magnificent leather items he had for sale. Excuse me, Maggie browsed, Judy bought. One hat and one purse and actually it was very very reasonably priced. We also visited a taxidermy shop and oh my. It may the most unique taxidermy shop I've ever been too. They had all sorts of game mounted. Their ducks were unbelievable but the best was a white bobcat catching a white pheasant...awesome. Of course all these places have bakeries and this one was no different except for the egg custard pie. Judy bought one for dessert last night and I don't mind telling you, the two pieces I had were magnificent. The crust was awesome and the custard was well, custard except it was maybe the best I'd ever had and Mrs Sims (my mother) made a pretty awesome egg custard pie.

Now remember the subject of this post? I'm tired. I have a good excuse. I fixed breakfast this morning for the group. Of course Judy helped. Lets see, we had eggs, bacon, potatoes, bisquits and Edith's friend John's homemade blackberry jam. You see why I'm tired now don't you? Then I had to drive 190 miles...dang traveling anyway. Good to our plan, we stayed off the interstate and dad gone we saw some beautiful country. I never knew Arkansas raised as much rice as they do. There were miles and miles of rice paddies.

As a side note...one of my sons and his family is up at the country place for a few days. We got an e mail from the grand daughters telling us they had seen the little four point buck standing in the yard today. He has been hanging around for about three months now and will not run even when I yell and walk around near him. Silly dang deer. I keep telling him he is going to get his brains blown out this winter if he doesn't wise up.

Blessings to all of you and keep those you love and care about in your prayers.

On the road again....

I gotta get y'all up to date on the goings on we have going on.

Judy and I left Conroe late Saturday morning and drove up to Mansfield, TX to overnight with Chuck and Maggie at their house. What a friend. Chuck has full hook ups including 50 amp service and provided us with a steak dinner to boot.

We left around nine Sunday morning and drove to Hope, Ar, Bill Clinton's hometown and other than a huge sign out on the interstate we never saw another mention of him Maybe they are waiting for Monica to show up with some juicy gossip-or not. We over nighted in the city fairgrounds. We located two shady spots with lots and lots of room around and settled in for some relaxation. I guess it worked because I got so relaxed I can't remember doing much. I guess that's what we're supposed to be doing anyway.

The next morning I took Roxie for a walk through the woods and when I got to a large clearing I heard that call that could only be one thing and sure enough it was. There were two eagles soaring over head and one came gliding down within maybe 75 feet and landed in a dead tree. Seconds later the other followed and settled in a tree not far away. I have seen eagles several times and my heart still races each time. They are magnificent birds and always remind me of the courage and greatness of our nation. By the way...don't forget to pray for our country, its our only hope. Back to the eagles. I watched them for several minutes and decided to go get Judy as she's the real bird lover but by the time we got back they had left the area.

We loaded up and headed for Cane Creek state park in Star City. It was a beautiful drive (183 miles) as we are mainly going to stay off the major roads this trip to see more of the scenery.

We were all set up before noon and ready to sit out and enjoy the breeze blowing in from a 22,000 acre lake. Our side by side 90 feet long paved sites back up to the lake and we sit maybe 50 feet above the lake. Typical of state parks, the distance between Chuck's motorhome and ours is probably about 50 feet. Heck, that's room for at least one more space in one of those fancy campgrounds. On the other side is room for 8-10 sites but instead they have a nice boardwalk down to the fishing pier and boat docks. Fifteen bucks a night, what a rip off.

Now the good stuff. The summer tanagers are here by the co-zillions. And noisy, man are they loud. Judy set up a feeder and I put a water drip out and the carolina wrens are enjoying the bath. We noticed something fun(kinda) today. The wrens are busy building a nest on top of one of the motorhome slides. Its late for nesting but maybe its just the perfect spot for them.

Judy is back napping right now and Roxie is in her place next to me dreaming that she's chasing something. At least she's asleep and her legs are running and she's whimpering.

I'll quit my rambling by telling you about dinner last night. Fried green tomatoes, purple hull peas, fresh tomatoes, macaroni cheese and Maggie's bread and butter pickles. It would have made a bull dog break his chain. Tonight will be more fresh veggies along with bread pudding and egg custard pie. I don't know what the bull dog will do about this meal!

Judy just came in, Roxie rolled over with her feet in the air so I guess I better listen to them. I'll talk to Judy and rub Roxie on the belly or maybe talk to Roxie and ...

Blessings to all and continue to keep all our friends in your prayers. God knows who they are.

Packed and ready!

What a shame...

I realize its been several months since I've made a post on my blog and I have several excuses. All of them are excellent too.

We've traveled several miles and have experienced everything from Landon's Eagle Scout Court of Honor to watching a Caracara along side the road in south Texas and meeting the state Ornithologist at Rockport that took us to see the pair of Whooping Cranes that were still at the Aransas Wildlife refuge. We were privileged to watch the bird banding of the Neotropical birds at Quintana. We've spent many nights in state parks and private campgrounds and we still agree, state parks are the best. We have friends that love a fancy smacy rv park in the Woodlands, TX area and pay about twice what it cost to stay in a state park and of course have the neighbor close enough to shake hands good night while lying in bed. Of course since we have lived in the wide open spaces, the best neighbor is at least 500 yards away.

We are preparing to hit the road for several weeks with another couple. Two different motorhomes by the way. I will try to update this blog on a more timely basis.

Blessings to all and keep our good Texas Boomer friends that are having health issues in your prayers.

Its been way to long...

We've been busy.

Getting two houses ready to put on the market and adjusting to married life takes time, energy and effort. Now that both homes are listed, we can concentrate on continuing our great adventure. We did manage a five day trip about a month ago to Pedernales Falls state park. The birding was great.

Tomorrow we are going to Landon's Eagle scout court of honor. Wow! What an achievement. I first met Landon a little over a year ago at a RV rally and learned that he had been working towards his Eagle scout badge but was kinda stuck. Well, I tried and I am going to take a little credit for unsticking him. He is a fine young man. He's involved in his church, makes good grades and has been accepted into Texas A&M University. Gig'em! I thought and thought about an appropriate gift and finally decided to have a flag flown over the US capitol in his honor. He will get a certificate and of course the flag once its been flown. Wouldn't it be interesting if it is flown the day the congress passes the obamanation health care bill.

I'll try to get back on track here because I've got stories to tell. Water lines freezing, record snow falls in the country, the dreaded hogs and some great adventures Roxie has had.

Blessings to all....

Time marches on...........

Wow!!!! Its been over a month since I blogged and what a difference a month makes.

Since my last post the most important thing that happened was we had another opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Second most important was a republican won the senatorial seat in Massachusetts. For the first time in a long time, I have a positive feeling that maybe we the people can wrestle our republic back from Obamnation and his henchmen. The man (Obamanation) make me ill sometimes. I just heard him speak while in Ohio and he literally stood in front of an albeit partism audience and say that "jobs" and creation of "jobs" had been his major agenda last year. Today is the first time I've heard him comment on jobs except maybe quit yours and come to work for ACORN or the federal government. Either the man is a liar or just plain stupid and I don't think he's stupid.
Enough on politics...

I'm adjusting to "married life" but we're still struggling with where our stuff is. You know, the country house, the city house or is it in the motorhome. We seem to end up with three jars of mustard and they are all at the same place. I did find my cell phone charger, finally. I just keep buying underwear and socks and someday that will end up all at the same place. Oh my! Thirty pairs of shorts or none. What a revolting situation that could be.

We've only been out in the motorhome once since the Christmas rally. We spent the New Years weekend with friends on Lake Conroe at a great park. Fifty amp, water and sewer-$10/night with the Golden Age pass. I wonder when the henchmen will take that away? Nope, I ain't gettin back in to politics.

I don't know if I've told you that Judy is really into birding and she is getting me indoctrinated. While at the park on Lake Conroe, we saw several Red Cockaded woodpeckers. Just so you know, they are on the endangered list so it was pretty darn exciting to see them. Actually they are easy to locate because they love to feed on "stuff" under the bark of pine trees. If you see bark flying from the trees, start looking cause its one or maybe two of those little suckers chunking bark. They also have a very distinct call. Did you hear it? I just made the sound but didn't know how to type it.

We are back in the country, wonder if I have socks here, and waiting for the realtor to show the house again. We've had lots of "lookers" but nobody has yet to show up with a large case of hundred dollar bills. Maybe this will be the one or then maybe not. Only God knows for sure.

And a blessing of the cold weather. Roxie hasn't gotten a tick since the hard freeze. See, we do serve an awesome God.

I'm going to stop this mindless wondering, proof read this diatribe and then hit enter. I do pray that 2010 will be the most blessed and wonderful year of our lives.

Ya'll don't know my friend Dianne, but she lost her husband a couple weeks ago just five months before they were turning in their time cards for their life long dream of becoming full time rver's. We never know when the Lord is going to come get us. We should live each day as it is our last. If you're so inclined, remember Dianne and her family in your prayers.

Blessings to all... from the country (sock-less)