Happy New Year

Happy Holiday!                                     We wish you a new year beyond                                                                                                                     yourdreams!  

Several years ago, I worked with a women who would always remind me to put out a jar with money outside my door each New Years Eve.  She told me it would  give me money throught the year.  Well, I don't know if you believe in this type of thing or not, but it's worked for me .  So thanks Roz, my jar of money will be outside my door Saturday night.

  I want to take a monent to wish you all a Happy New Year, may you be blessed with peace , happiness in 2006 .

Here is a special card for our friends.     http://www.banjobunny.com/pages/view.php?CardID=386  

I bring you good tidings

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for:behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the  city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the lord.

Merry Christmas

A very Merry Christmas & A Happy New year 2006

From sunny Arizona Love to all,

Dawn & Bob

There is A Black Cloud over Boston Today

There has been a dark cloud over hovering Boston, New England and I know in my heart all the way to Mesa AZ.   The reason being that Johnny Damon, the sweetheart of the Boston Red Sox has signed with our arch rival New York Yankees.  The prize for Damon is a four-year sweet deal of $52 million.   For that he will cut his flowing hair and start wearing pin stripes.   He sold us out.   Yes, Johnny be gone.  And the Sox are in trouble.  He will be missed.    

   

Click here: YANKEESHATER.COM :: OFFICIAL Yankees Hater WEBSITE | PHOTO GALLERY

A Christmas Card For You

    http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=AE30359068                                                                  

Getting Rest While He Can

Jesus is the reason for the season. To delete Him is like making applesauce without apples

There is a problem with the FTP Space , so I am not able to put in a lovely Christmas picture.  Just picture one in your mind as you read this.  

 I don't often haul myself up on a soapbox, but I'm up there now and here goes.    

 I'm tired of hearing "Happy Holiday."  What is wrong with a simple "Merry Christmas"?   Bob went to Safeway yesterday to pick up some groceries that we needed.  While greeting the check out person, he said "Merry Christmas" and they replied "Happy Holiday."   OK, one person's thought, but on the way out,  another employee said "Have a nice day" to Bob and he answered "Merry Christmas."   To this he got a "Happy Holiday."   It seemed they had been told by management to use these words. 

  Last Sunday's sermon at church was just about this issue.  The priest ended up suggesting to  us all to take our grocery business to Basha Market as they were not afraid to play religious Christmas songs as well as humorous Christmas.  We smiled at the time hearing this.   But you know as this week went on, we decided to wake up and speak up.  

 Polls show that 96 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas, and to most of us, it is our most sacred holiday.  So let's stand up together and fight back.  Wish everyone a Merry Christmas and flood the ACLU with Christmas cards.  See yesterday entry for address.  Come on now, only cost you 37 cents and two minutes of your time.  Don't let anyone take your Christ out of Christmas.  

 Love to all.   I'll step down now.     Thanks, and by the way....if nobody has told you yet: "Merry Christmas!"

  Click here: Jewish Group Defends 'Merry Christmas' Greeting -- 12/01/2005

Wanna Have Some Fun?

Wanna have some fun this CHRISTMAS? Send the ACLU a CHRISTMAS CARD with no return address! As they are working so very hard to get rid of the CHRISTMAS part of this holiday, we should all send them a nice, CHRISTIAN, card to brighten up their dark, sad, little world. Two tons of Christmas cards would freeze their operations because they wouldn't know if any were regular mail containing contributions.. So spend 37 cents and tell the ACLU to leave Christmas alone, be sure to say Wishing You Merry Christmas. I did! "

Here's their Address:                                    
                                                                        
ACLU
125 Broad Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10004          

Woe is me.

  Sorry I have not been updating, but I have a good excuse.  

 We had a computer problem.  Really!    Our DVD-CD ROM driver just disappeared.   Some little thief in the night sneak in our motor home and must have taken it.  I questioned all the neighbors and of course they all pleaded innocent.  The thief even took the icon.  

Well it took a few trying days to find out that it had become corrupt and needed to be installed with the start up CD, but here's the catch, the CD won't work without a driver. So we had to take it to the local computer shop, "Serving On-Line Seniors" and within 48 hours, we were back on line, for a reasonable fee.

   Here's a link to my favorite Advent calendar.   I thimk you will enjoy it.

Click here: 2005 Advent Calendar Presented by Q-Creative Multimedia :: Advent Calendar, Susan Preston, Qcreative advent calend

Cave Creek

Today, with friends, we visited Cave Creek, a little town, situated in the foothills north of Phoenix.   In the 1880's it was a mining camp and still caries over the mining/western atmosphere today.   Cave Creek's chief draw is tourism offering many small independent shops, several restaurants and some art galleries.    No big name stores or eateries here, just plain folk.  

 We had lunch at the Buffalo Chip Saloon, just because we like the name..   To give you an idea of the menu Bob had the "Big Buckin Burger". Oh well.  

 Later as we were strolling around we discovered the Norby Gallery.   As Monday is a slow day in Cave Creek, we were able to spend time in the gallery talking with the owner and artist, Arthur Norby.  He was a gracious host giving us the tour,  answering all our questions, knowing  full well we were not going to be a customer.   We had questions concerning  a full size sculpture he is working on, and some of the paintings.   The mood of the gallery shifts from very high priced items to the rather whimsical paintings and garden sculptures.  

It was a fun day checking out all the little shops with a variety of western themes.   One of the shops offered pieces of peanut-brittle free and water $10. a bottle.   I thought this was odd until I tasted the candy and boy was that HOT.  They also sold chili beer.  We could see a chili pepper in each bottle.

Togetherness

  The Joy  of Togetherness  

Happy Thanksgiving

  HAPPY THANKSGIVING DEAR FRIENDS       Our holiday feast  will be much like the first Thanksgiving dinner with a different groups of people coming together to celebrate the day.   Our table will sit eighteen, all neighbors and snow birds.  We will all share stories of Thanksgivings past with our families and a joke about how much snow some state just got.  We will talk about what  is going on in the park and about our children and grandchildren.  Some of us will bring pictures of new great grand baby twins.  Each will bring their best dish to share.  Of course there will be turkey, dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, whipped potatoes and assorted pies.  What a feast it will be.   And at the end of the day, all the threads of our past will be entwined to make up a happy winter family.  

Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings every day
Be they great or small.
Bow your head and humbly pray
To our Savior, Lord of all.

For life and health, and all good things,
For love and friendship, too.
For all the joy each new day brings
We give our heartfelt thanks to You.

The colors of a rainbow,
A sunset in the sky,
The sun, the moon and stars which glow
Are things we cannot buy.

The laughter of a child at play,
The miracle of birth,
A friendly smile along the way,
What are these blessings worth?

We see the flowers bloom in spring,
The colored leaves of fall.
We hear the birds so sweetly sing,
And thank God for them all.

Be thankful for each blessing,
And when you kneel and pray,
Give thanks at the beginning
And the end of every day.

                                                 ©1993, Dee Remade

 

AOL and the ADS

  Please Don't Click Any Ad-Banners on This Blog.  I do not  endorse them.  They were put there by AOL without my permission.      Dawn

  I have given this ad problem some thought and have decided to stay put for now anyway.   Many of the journals have explained how to get rid of or at least not see the animated ads.  If you haven't seen the directions , here they are direct form Barb's journal, HEY, LET'S TALK.  

  Click Pop-Up Controls, then click on Block animated
media from AOL. Exit the page you're on, then access it again.
The ads should be gone. *** They are there as the page appears, then will be gone. At least they are so far.  

The journal community will never be the same again.  Some wonderful writers have left for another blog community and some have switched to UK AOL, which will probably have this same fate in the future. Did anyone see the article in BusinessWeek's Blogspotting?    Here's the link if you are interested, Angry AOL bloggers now push boycotts  

 I hope that we can all visit back and forth like neighbors moving out of the neighborhood, but still remain friends.   Time will tell.          Dawn

Mary's Birthday Lunch

HAPPY   BIRTHDAY    MARY   

          Today was our friend Mary's birthday.  I won't tell her age, but I will tell you that she is still a spring chicken.  To celebrate this occasion Bob and I, Mary and her hubby Chuck went to Anzio Landing Italian Restaurant.

  This is a award winning restaurant and is a favorite of Mary's and myself.  It is  romantic dining with  white table clothes and has a unique decor of the 40's with an interesting bar made from a Cessna aircraft.  Anzio's is located at Falcon's Field, which is owned and operated by the City of Mesa, and serves as home base to more than 900 aircraft.  We were given a window table with a panoramic view of the mountains and runway 22.   Many diners fly in to eat at Anzio's.  

The food is so good here starting with the wonderful salad with a variety of greens, dried cranberries, olives and mandarin orange slices, served with hot garlic rolls.   Next was Creamy Garlic Pork  tenderloin with cranberries, mandarin oranges, onions & penne pasta in a creamy garlic alfredo sauce........and Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken Marinated chicken sautéed with red and green peppers, zucchini, & yellow squash, in a garlic alfredo sauce with fettuccini ........   And to celebrate her day, Mary was given a very large piece of double layered fudge cake topped with vanilla ice cream, smothered with raspberry and vanilla sauces and four spoons.   So yummmy.  

 I hope I didn't make you all hungry!!

Six months on the road.

    We often get asked questions about our cost to travel in a motorhome.   

 Well today I tallied up the cost of diesel from Arizona to Massachusetts and back again.  Holy crap!  This does not include gas for our toad car.    

 When we get into a chosen area, we use the car for sightseeing  within an hour's drive or so.  Going East , from Arizona, we took the northern route and returned the southern route. 

The trip took six months and took us about 7,354 miles.  Going to Massachusetts was not such a straight line as our return trip.  From April 21st to Oct. 14th, we spent $1866.21 on diesel for the motorhome.   

 The map above follows our route from Massachusetts to Arizona.

   We belong to several camping clubs that offer up to 70% off a night rate.  The total cost for sites for the six months was $2,425.21, plus yearly membership fees.

Any more questions, just ask.

Have a good weekend.

My Name is Maggie

  My Name  is Maggie

    This is Maggie, a recent member of our family.    We have been looking for her for the past two weeks and finally found her with the Arizona Humane Society at Petco.   We wanted an adult, stay in the house cat.  We found her Saturday and bought her.  The elder gentleman who, we believe is a volunteer??, went to cut off her paper collar and instead cut off one quarter of her ear.  Can you believe that?  No one, other than us found this to be a big deal.  She had been in a second level cage and he put these sharp scissors in there to cut the collar.  Did he think she would not move, holy crap, what a stupid thing to do.  I guess we are lucky he didn't put her eye out.

Even though she was off to a rocky start, she has adjusted well to her new home and roomies (me and Bob).  She is a laid back type of a gal who enjoys company and an occasional belly rub.   Maybe I could learn something from her!

Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Oh,  I miss the trick or treater's and all that left over candy!  Because we are in a over 55,  gated community, we see no little ghosts or goblins.   I was tempted to buy some candy, but I resisted the urge.   Yah  Dawn.  

 Did you know the custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates.  I knew my grandpa was a fun loving guy.  

   Have a happy day.

Arizona State Fair

  Corn dogs, candy apples, fennel cakes, and pepper, onion and sausage    Yikes, where do we start?    I almost forgot, they had fried cheesecake on a stick too.. 

   Ok. I don't want you all drooling on the keyboard, so I won't tell you any more about the food.   They had lots of animals there and you could ride a number of them, including elephants and camels.  There were zebras, goats, barn animals, and a rat as big as a small dog.   Isn't that just so gross??  But there he was, a giant rat!  After seeing him, I was ready for a Margarita!  

 When we first got there we took a ride on the skyride to check out the scene from above, and get the layout of the land.  There was the usual agriculture center with all the fruits and veggies, flower building, midway games, pig races, and continuous entertainment on different stages around the park.  

 They had a cow sculptured out of 600 pounds of butter.  That's a lot of butter.  They also had other sculptures made from butter, a wolf and a cowboy.  Pretty cool.  

We walked out feet off, ate more than we should have, rode the carousel and enjoyed the friendship of our friends.  What more could we ask for?  

VIVI Awards

    Hey,   I thought I was happy yesterday, BUT today I'm ecstatic.  Why you ask?  Because I was nominated for a  VIVI 2005 award.  

 Thanks to Barb from  HEY! LET'S TALK , who nominated my journal.   Barb herself was nominated for two categories, MOST EMOTIONAL JOURNAL and MOST INSPIRATIONAL JOURNAL.

  If you have not checked out this impressive list, please take the time to do so.  You won't be disappointed and you have interesting reading as well. 

 You really have to commend the committeee and Patrick for giving  so much of their time for us.  

   VIVI Awards 2005  

Tombstone

Thursday Oct. 13th

Crazy Horse Saloon, daily gunfights, rattlesnake crafts, O. K. Corral, Boot Hill and the main reason for this visit to Tombstone is Big Nose Kate Saloon.  This is where I will get redemption for breaking Bob's Big Nose Kate  glass.  Praise God, they are still selling those damn  glasses.  Bob is a happy camper.   We had a nice lunch there and mission was accomplished.  

 We heard a sad but true story about Tombstone when we were there.  It seems they just finished building a beautiful new high school, but don't have enough money to finish the road into it.  So it sits unused.  

 Big Nose Kate's Saloon Main Page  

We also found a monastery on our way back from Tombstone that we checked out.  

 From the street all that could be seen was a large beautiful cross.   The Monastery's composition is unique. It is made up of 3 communities, the monks, the sisters of Holy Family Convent and satellite oblates who live in their own homes on the grounds. There is also a growing group of RVers, who come each year to assist the community in many ways. They have been nicknamed "The Holy Hoboes".  

 Living in community in a monastery is a simple way of life, living with the necessities of life but without excess frills. Having and using what is needed to maintain one's self. Living in community requires sharing prayers, household responsibilities, interests as well as assisting and supporting one another.  It is not an easy life, but to many it offers one a chance to enhance his or hers spirituality   The chapel and grounds are open to the public for personal time of prayer and solitude.

Palmos, Mexico

Tuesday the 11th

     We are in Deming N.M. and today visited Palomas, Mexico, about 30 miles from us.
  This is what they would call a one horse town in the olden days.  There is not much to see there, but a pharmacy, dentists, and The Pink Store.  Here you can shop, eat, drink and I suppose be merry.   This is a large trinket shop and a pretty good sized restaurant.   It's a depressing  little town with wide spread poverty.  Women and children begging or trying to sell you some small item as you walk by.  There is a heavy security visibility all carrying large size billy clubs.

Despite our lack of interest in Palomas we did enjoy the ride there.  The town on the border is Columbus.  Another poor town.  Check out their Police Station to see where we came up with that idea.

Along the way there was a lot of border patrols, some on horseback, some setting up inspection stations along the road.  When we were walking across the border, we saw a border patrol car releasing about 12 Mexicans back  into Mexico.  At the inspection station each car had to stop and were questioned about citizenship.  They also looked in the back seat. 

Along this road we also spoted farms growing watermellons and red chili peppers.    We also found a historical landmark along the road.  It stated that the last invasion of the U.S. by a foreign country was the Pancho Villa Raid in 1916.  He killed everyone in town and then burned it down.

Wednesday,  Oct. 12th

  Today we traveled to another SKP park in Benson, AZ. and will be here for only two nights and then on to Mesa for the winter.   We have been getting emails this week from from other snow birds who are flocking to Mesa. It will be a good winter!
We crossed over the continental divide today too.  Oh, and wait till you see the pictures of the Texas Caynon (in AZ)

The reason we stopped here instead of going right through is that several months ago I broke Bob's Big Nose Kate  drinking glass.  Well, excuse me, you would have thought I'd taken a knife to his heart.  Well, it's time to pay the fiddler, we have to go to Tombstone and get another one.

Better Late Than Never

I'm so glad to be able to get these pictures downloaded here.  They go with the entry below.        Take care all.  I'll be settleing in Arizona this Friday sometime.  See you all then.

Texas

TEXAS    Our adopted state

We left Louisiana at 7:30AM with a lovely rising sun peaking in our window.  We stopped for diesel at $3.20 a gallon.  Holy crap!  We hold 100 gallons. We traveled US 59 down to Livingston, TX, where we need to get our vehicles inspected and pick up our mail.  This is a secondary road, in very good condition.  We pass though a town named Bobo and Garrison, which advertises itself as the "biggest little town in Texas".  As we near Lufkin, we begin to see storm damage as many trees are down, roofs lifted off, tent campers in a church parking lot and abandoned cars along the road.  We also past a burned motorhome on the side of the road.  Diesel in Lufkin is up to $3.39 a gallon.  As we came into Livingston there again are all the signs of a major storm.  Our home park, Escapees,  have lost many trees and a few of then landed on  homes. Today, Tuesday, there are still over 5400 families that do not have electricity yet. 

Wednesday  Oct. 5th

   We are off to San Antonio today.  Still traveling on I-10.  We are seeing more signs stating "Don't Mess With Texas" or "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You".   We found that Texans are very proud of their state and them don't mind telling you what a great state it is.   We often tell them that we were not born there, but got there as soon as we could.  LOL   When we became full timers , we needed to declare a domicile for tax purposes.   We choose Texas as they acknowedge our existence  by making special rules applying only to us.  They welcome RV'ers with no state income tax, unlike Taxachusetts.  They also have a booklet giving step by step instructions to become a Texan.   They make exceptions for us when we are traveling and not in town for a jury duty.    The RV club that helps full timers is called The Escapee Club.  When we joined our membership number was 64227.  Membership now, five years later is 89,941, that's a lot of people running around this great country in an RV.

Thursday   Oct 6

On our way today to Fort Stockton.   We are hurring to get across Texas, it just seems to go on forever.  We are in what seems to be hill country.  Long dirt roads  off   the highway leading to heaven knows where.  The road are like ribbon candy going up and down endlessly.  It has started to rain, we really don't like driving in the rain.  We just drive a little slower.  A few miles further down the road we see two 18 wheelers completely on their sides.  This really slows us down.  Very sad.

Friday Oct 7th..

El Paso, Texas just across the Rio Grande River from Juarez, Mexico.   The Mexican influence in is imediately recognizable with the people, radio stations and language.   The sight at night from our front window looking over the river is lovely with all those lights.

We will be in until at least Sunday.  Next stop New Mexico.   We plan to be in Mesa Arizona by the 15th.   Called the phone company today.   Want it turned on the day before I get there.   YAH.

I was going to download some photos, but my connection is to slow.   Tomorrow we are moving on to New Mexico, maybe it will be a bit faster there.

Leaving Vicksburg

  We have been in Vicksburg for the last five days and have seen quite a bit of this small city.  The weather has been warm, but breezy.  Last night we were able to leave the windows open , love that. 

   There is a fine mixture here of the old and the new.  We were more interested in the old and enjoyed the historic downtown section with its specialty shops.   Some of the streets here are made with the old red bricks.

  No visit to Vicksburg would be complete without a ride through the Vicksburg National Military Park.   We found the park itself not very well cared for, grass needed cutting and  in general  the appearance was shabby.   Perhaps it has been let go as they are closing in two days until next April.  

 We are staying at the Isle of Capri RV Park.   This is a park that we have stay in before.  It is operated by the casino and is priced very reasonable.  They have phones connections at every site, which is a bonus for me, Yah, internet!   They also have a shuttle to take you to the front door of the casino. After making our  usual contributions, we went to the buffet, which I really came for.  On Friday nights it's seafood, including all the crab legs you can eat.  The only problem here is that Bob doesn't do crab legs, says it's to much work.  Well me on the other hand feel its worth the work.  So by the time I'm through with my plate of legs and ready to see what else is there, he has had a salad and a plate of food and looking for dessert.   Oh well, If that's all I have to complain about , I'll shut up.  

We also discovered the Riverside Murals , which we had not seen before.  The brochure says life like murals grace the waterfront wall: enjoy a peak into old Vicksburg, the steamboat era, the great bear hunt and African American history.   It was a beautifully way to view the city's history.

  Tomorrow, we are off to Louisiana and Monday we should be in Livingston, Texas . Y'll take care now.

SOX GOT EVEN

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, Children of all ages...

The Boston Herald Red Sox Forum proudly brings to you..
The 2004 Baseball Champions of the WOOOOOOORRRRRLLLLLLDDDD!!!!!

The Boston Red Sox!!!

and if you ain't DOWWWWNNNN with that, we've got 2 words for ya!!

Go Sox

SO........Get out all your lucky Sox hats and shirts, or lucky underware and put the whammy on those YANKS.

Go Sox

GO SOX     Beat those Yanks!!!!!!

Where did the summer go?

    Where did our summer go?    Sept. 14, 2005  We have left coastal New England, Beverly,  with it's cooling breeze off the ocean which allowed us to avoid the extreme heat and humidity that other regions suffer from at this time of year.  It was a high light summer with very dear friends, despite Bob's brief medical problems.  My only complaint is the condition of the New England roads.They are really awful, probably the worse in the country.  My other complaint, if you really want to know, is that we no longer can get on the Internet with our new phone.  This is a serious problem for me, which will have to be resolved before we leave Arizona next April.  So anyway, I writing this on the road, not knowing when I will get to post it in my journal.   It may be when we get to Arizona when we get a land line.   OH poor me!!   

"Cotton isn't king in the South anymore.
Kudzu is king!"

  As we are driving though Tenn., we begin to see Kudzu again.  we don't have kudzu in Massachusetts, I suppose because of the cold winters.  This leafy vine, if not controlled, will cover everything in its path, including trees, small buildings, and I believe, along with poet  James Dickey, who wrote a poem about Kudzu,  that if you leave a window open at night it will come inside.

  Georgia on My Mind

 Wed. Sept 21st.  

 We have been  here at Bald Ridge in Georgia for a week now.  This is one of our favorite stops, Lake Lanier,    One of the greatest thing about our nomadic lifestyle is that we are able to meet and spend time with good friends and that is what it is all about, don't you agree?  The weather has been perfect .   I took my last dip in the laketoday as tomorrow, we leave for Alabama.  

 Saturday Sept. 24th.  

 Rita's on my mind today  

 We are still in Pell City Al.  Waiting for Rita to get out of Texas.  This camping area is also a marina.  We have been here before and it's always interesting to see all the bass boats  coming and going.  Being Saturday, there are at least 100 trucks and boat trailers over in the adjoining field..  We have a water front site and can see all the action.   Here's a little story for you..  As most of you know, we are originally from Ma. In Ma. most people do not have shotguns.  We are city folk!!  Well this lovely motor home moves in at the site beside us early in the morning Friday.   Their tags told us they were from La.  The man disconnected the car, went back in the coach and drew all the blinds.  We figured he and whoever else was with him had traveled all night to evacuated from La.and had gone to sleep.  Anyway, about 5PM, he, his wife and the three kids  emerged from the coach and went out.   They also have a dog with them.  About an hour later two other cars show up with them with three guys, 2 women and three kids and 3 more large dogs.  Then the women  bring out fast food to the outside table and the men start unloading shotguns from one of the cars.  All in cases, we watch gun after gun being placed in the bottom of the motorhome.. Our initial thought was they were a terrorist group, disguised as normal people.  And then after we thought about it, we just realized that they must be hunters.  They also had bows with them.  Oh well, have a nice day. 

  Tuesday Sept. 27th 

We are now in Vicksburg, Miss. and have a phone line in the coach.  Yah, I can finally add an entry. Will add more tomorrow.

Hurricane Katrina

  As you may know or not know, we have been parked in my forever friend Carol's yard, in  between her house and one of her son's house and his family.  Without any legal process, we have been adopted by this family many years ago.  Through this union, we have gained  four more sons and their families, grandchildren, aunts , uncles and the concern and love of a large connected family.  All of her boys have been in the service and three of them are career men of the Air Force, Navy and the Army. 

   One of Carol's sons, Dan, and his family live in New Orleans, where he is stationed in the Navy.  Needless to say their home is gone with everything in it.  His two sons will be arriving in Boston Sunday to stay with Carol and his brother's family.   Together they will see that the boys are taken care of and continue their education. Dan has not seen his wife since he was evacuated before the storm hit.  She is a nurse and was not allowed to leave the hospital. Thursday a police officer took her down the road 40 miles, so that she could use her cell phone to call Dan and the boys.  It was a joy full  phone call to receive for them all.  For now they are all separated and doing the best that they can to get through this.

This is a time that we all must give as much as our hearts  and pocketbooks will allow.  Most of the folks there didn't have much to begin with.  One cannot imagine what these people are going through.  God bless them.

The Salvation Army National Headquarters

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

This is me doing the happy dance.   Bob's angieogram proved him to be as fit as a fiddle and ready to diddle!  Can't beat that.   We have been blessed with so many  friends here that took care of us well.  We never can repay them for their kindness.   We love you all.

HOBO PIES

  I love week-ends here in Beverly.   Every Saturday and Sunday Bob, Mike (Carol's hubby) and Steven , Carol's son meet out under our awning for morning coffee.  After a while Carol joins then, then Sue comes out (Steven's wife) and then me.  We ladies are still in our pj's, but no one cares.  After a hour or more we all head off on our own to get choirs done.  We come together for church at four and then some type of community supper, tonight it's pizza.   We often have visitors or Gerrie drops by (Carol's aunt).  Saturday night is often a game night including the children.   Life is good.  

 Last night we had a fire in the outside fireplace and all sat around the fire.  We ended up making pies , often called hobo pies, over the fire and topping them off with whipped cream.  The kids loved them, so did the dads!  We had a choice of blueberry or raspberry.  Next.... bring on the samore's.  

 Bob has to be at the hospital Monday morning at 6:30AM.     Please keep him in your prayers.   Love to you all.        Dawn

Lobster Singing The Blues

Recently this blue beauty was trapped in Pigeon Cove by a lobsterman.  This type of dark blue-purplish lobsters tend to glow in the water or so the lobsterman say.   This one weighed about one pound.  I guess they cook up just about the same as their red cousins.

This and That

  We have friends, Pat & Bob, from Beverly that left here many years ago and settled in Lake Havasu, Arizona.   Lake Havasu is know for the having bought the London Bridge and reassembled it there.   Well, our friends have recently moved to Golden Valley, AZ which is further north near Laughlin, which is a gambling community.  In Mesa, AZ. where we winter, there is always a bus trip to Laughlin somewhere in the  Valley offering a special to the snow birds.  Getting back to Pat & Bob, they sent us some wonderful pictures of their new area and I thought you might like to see them too.  I also included a picture of Bob's fishing trip to N.H. last month.  What a catch!

  We played a new game last night called LCR.  There were 11 of us and it was a hoot.  It's a very simple dice game played with chips or money.  We played for money.. Now this game could be played all night with as little as $1.00 playing for pennies or a little more using nickels, and the more that play the better.  Anyone every play this?  

We are still in Massachusetts and Bob's neurologist wants him to see a surgeon and discuss having a coronary angiogram.  This sounds rather scary to us.  So now we wait for the appointment.   

 It was great seeing you Rosemary!  

Seafood Galore

    Fried clams, haddock, lobster and flounder, this about sums up what we have been up to.  We are just social butterflies!!   Renewing old friendships and visiting with relatives has kept us busy.  

 We are parked in my forever friend's back yard and beside her son and his family's home.  There is no where  in this world that we would be more welcome.  We are humbled by their love and concern. 

  Bob is doing well, but our Doctor want a few more tests done.

Last week we  went to our favorite "eat-in-the-rough" restaurant in Essex.  Vacationers to this area all seemed to make it here to Woodmans, which is a family run business for over 90 years.   Grandpa Woodman invented the fried clam and you can count on it still being delicious.  They have won many dining awards through the years as the best of almost everything, including onion rings.  The best  I've every had.  Woodmans is always on my list to visit whenever we are in the area.  They also do clambakes.  

No visit to Essex would be complete without a ride over to Gloucester.  Just the smell of Gloucester with its strong salt air breeze is very special to me. Gloucester is also America's oldest fishing port.  

Praise the Lord.  The Discovery team is home safely.

  I'm sorry it has been such a long time since my last entry.  Will try to do better. Love to all.

Fun Day

  The family picnic was a great success at Lynch Park.  By 7 AM bacon was frying and tables were decorated.   The early walkers enjoyed the aroma as well.  The menu was bacon, eggs, home fries, pepper and onions, fruit, juice, donuts and coffee.  

The weather was perfect with a light sea breeze.  Before long the kids were in the water or scurrying around the rocks looking for crabs. 

Later in the day a softball game worked off some of those extra calories we had enjoyed.  

 Lynch Park was left to the city in a trust of some sort.  It's a  lovely park with a beach on each side of it and large grassy field on the middle.  Lots of shade trees can be found and a beautiful garden on to the side.  There is often a wedding in the garden.  

The picnic was originally planned for Saturday, but because of rain we postponed it to Sunday.   Bob and I had planned  to go over to Marblhead to see the start of the Marblehead to Halifax race start Sunday but because of the change in plans were not able to.  We did get a few pictures of the start, but we were so far away they are not recognizable .This race ranks among the most prestigious boating events.    This year 135 boats have registered.  The festivities started July 4th and will finish up July 15th, even thought the race will be over by Tuesday.

BLUE ON BLUE

  BLUE ON BLUE     

   The Blue Nose ll was here in Gloucester this weekend.  The Blue Nose is a world famous  reproduction of a Nova Scotia fishing schooner, pictured on the Canadian dime, natch.  The Bluenose ll cost $300,000 to build and the original Bluenose cost $35,ooo in 1921.  Bluenose has a long term relationship with Gloucester with a 18 year racing career and her remarkable sailing abilities.  

  Gloucester is the oldest fishing ports on the East Coast and was settled soon after the  Pilgrims landed in Plymouth in the early 1620's. Because of an abundant fish supply, the city quickly grew to one of the largest fishing ports in the world.  \

I just love the smell of Gloucester, between the salt air and the fisheries, it's great.  

Tomorrow we will be going to a family fun day at the beach.  By 7AM, breakfast will be ready, consisting of bacon, eggs, homefries, donuts and coffee.   What a great way to start off the day.    I'll bring my camera.    Catch you all later.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

                            HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
 

 

                 God Bless America
                             And May God Bless All of Our Troops

       http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=BS24207271 

  

Almost Home

 

    Friday,  July 1st...  Up at 4 this morning and on the road by 6.  It's supposed to be very hot and humid today, combine that with holiday travel, we wanted a head start through NY    Our goal today is the Mohegan Sun Casino in Conn.  From there it's a three hour trip into Beverly, Saturday morning.

   Last night we spent the night in Kutztown, Penn. at the Pine Hill RV Park.  As we approach New England, the cost on everything is going up.   The cost to park was  $37.50, double the average cost.   Diesel was $2.40 a gallon for our 100 gallon tank.
The RV parks in New England generally are not as good as other areas  in the country.

  The scenery here is spectacular, in spite of the terrible road, I-78, coming in.   It is in need of repair.  Extreme care was used opening cabinet doors when we arrived.  The park itself is located  on a hill, providing a wonderful panoramic view of the
Pennsylvania Dutch countryside.   We stay here every time we travel to NE, usually spending  more time enjoying the local attractions and activities. 

  Gotta go.  Bob is ready to start the engine!

 

  
 

      Tuesday,  June  28 

   We have finally left Indiana feeling eager to get home to Massachusetts before the 4th of July.   The weather is very warm and Bob is concerned with the long climbs over the mountains tomorrow.   We had some thunder and heavy rain here tonight, maybe this will cool it down a bit.

  We are staying in  Wheeling, WV tonight, but are not unhooking the car,  no sightseeing this week.

  While driving, last week we noticed a stapled road.  Boy, they used staples for everything nowadays.  Check out the picture above.

   Wednesday,   June 29

   Tonight we are on the Maryland/Penn. Line.  Getting closer!    I'm so excited.    We were on the road before 8 this morning, trying to beat the heat while climbing those lone hauls up the mountain grades.  We were here by noon time which gave  us the afternoon to meet our neighbors and go out to dinner.

 Our plan is to be in Conn. Friday night at the Mohegan Sun
Casino and into Massachusetts on Saturday morning.  

Be kind to each other.

Happy Days

  We want to thank you all for the kind comments and emails with good wishes for Bob.  We are blessed with good friends.    We still don't know what caused the numbness , but with any luck we will be cleared to leave here next Tuesday, June 28th.

   
    Friday night Bob complained that his vision was blurry.  By this time, I had no sympathy and said "you are probably just tired, It will be better in the morning." 

Saturday  June18     Bob left eye is still blurry, so he calls the doctor.  Doctor tell him it could be something to be concerned with or it might be a side effect of the Plavix.  Go to the hospital and get your eyes checked.  From the hospital, they sent him to see another eye doctor in Indianapolis.  He found that Bob needed laser eye surgery and it would be done on Tuesday, June 21st.

June 21st.   Bob had what they call YAG Laser Surgery. This was pretty amazing.    What happen was a membrane   had formed behind his lens implant  from a previous cataract.  The membrane acts like  hazy or wrinkled cellophane.    He was in and out within twenty minutes or so.  They marked the eye to be done, dilated it, and zapped the center of  the membrane with the laser and we were out of there with no restrictions what so ever.  Drove home and could see the road signs better than he had in years.    Now isn't that amazing?

Still in Indiana

Friday,  June 17

Bob saw the neurologist today and they still do not know what is causing him to have numbness in his hand and arm.  We will leave here Monday and continue east to Massachusetts.  We have an appointment with our family doctor July 7th  and will see what he suggests.

Tonight we went to a concert in the square here in Greenfield featuring  the Banjo Buddies from Chicago.  The neighbors invited us to go with them.   Tomorrow night we are going to a fish fry with a few  other campers.

Monday, June 20

      The saga continues,  We are still here and Bob will be having eye surgery tomorrow.  No connection to his other medical problems.  Just unbelievable.   Follow up visit next Monday, the 27th.  Still no  diagnoses from other.

   Our phone/Internet connection is very slow, almost nonexistent.   Sorry I have not been able to update. 

   Be kind to each other.

Still in Indiana

Sorry I have not kept  up with my journal, but Bob has been in the hospital all week and just got home today.   He has  to see the neurologist next Friday, so we will be staying in Indiana for a while longer.    I'll catch  up with all your journals this weekend. 
Thanks for stopping by.

Indiana

    We are on our way to Indiana for our son's wedding this week-end. It will be good to be back in a city again and have good telephone service.  
Sorry this is so short, but I am being knocked off the air more often than not.
Take care of each other.   

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne WY.  The name itself speaks of legends and history.  Rugged cowboys, and I mean rugged cowboys still roam the streets.  Very nice scenic town. LOL   Walking downtown you can't miss seeing the old Union Pacific Depot.  It's now houses a restored 1920-era lobby,  a museum, restaurant  and a visitor center.  There is a park out in front with colorful painted western boots, all differently decorated.  Cheyenne is also home to a very large Wrangler store.  

The Nelson Museum of the West was  just full of exhibits including Indian aretifacts, cowboy trappings, early weapons and outlaw memorabilia.

Just before the Nebraska line in Pine Bluff there is a shrine  to
Our Lady of Peace.  It is five stories tall and is the largest statue of the Virgin Mary in the US. 

We also stopped at Cabela's national headquarters along I-80 in Sidney.   The store is above the High Plains and can be seen for several miles in every direction.  The grounds are lovely with a 3 1/2-acre pond and a 16-foot, three ton bronze sculpture of two battling bull elk.  They also have an RV park there, a dog kennel, and even  a horse corral!   This store is designed to help both the traveler and the avid outdoor enthusiast.

Our next stop was in Ogallala, NE.  This town is called Nebraska's Cowboy Capital".  Again with the cowboys.   I tell you ladies, this has been my week.

While we were in the area we wanted to see the Lake McMonaughy Recreation Area.   It is hailed as Nebraska's biggest playground.  This is 100 miles of shoreline, used for fishing, swimming, camping, boating and the 50 megawatt Kingsley Dam Hydro-electric Plant.  This lake is stocked with 35,000 trout yearly.

Be kind to each other.

Happy Anniversary To Us

HAPPY
            ANNIVERSARY
                                       TO US

47 YEARS  Holy Cow!

Happy Anniversary to our friends Shirley and Gary also.

Salt Lake City

  Our primary reason for this visit to Salt Lake is to do research at the History Center.   This library is the largest repository of genealogical records in the world.  Just entering the door, I feel like a kid in a candy store.   On this visit I concentrated on my mother's English heritage.    She was orphan at a young age and sent to the states to be raised by an aunt.   I found out my grandmother died in childbirth at the age of 37  and when my grandfather died six years later at age 44.  

 On the way home from the library we stopped at Chuck-A-Rama for dinner.  It was delicious.  

 One  of the amazing sites to see here is the Kennecott Utah Copper's Bingham Canyon Mine.   This is a copper, gold and silver mine.  It has been nicknamed "the Richest Hole on Earth."  

Bingham Canyon is also the biggest hole on earth. As the largest of all man-made excavations, Bingham Canyon is more than a half-mile deep. If the world's tallest building, the 1,454-foot-high Sears Tower, were placed at the bottom of the pit, it would reach only halfway to the mine's rim. The Bingham Canyon open pit stretches more than 2.5 miles across at the rim and covers 2,000 acres. Its immensity makes it the only manmade feature visible to the naked eye from the orbiting space shuttle.   The only other man made object visible from space is the Great Wall of China, or so I'm told.

Take care of each other, we're off to Wyoming tomorrow.

The Great Salt Lake

  Yesterday we went and  checked out the great Salt Lake.  The Salt Lake is four times saltier than the ocean and is 11,000 Square miles.  It is a shallow lake averaging 13 feet deep, and it goes without saying that it is no place for powerboats.  Sailboats and canoes rule here. 

 There is an island on the lake, Antelope Island, home to antelope and bison.   There is also a marina here catering to the saltiest sailors on earth".  LOL   Seriously though, there are about 360 filled slips at the marina.  

 Right down the road from the marina is the Saltair resort, which is a modern-day remnant of the original Saltair, which was much more elaborate.   The first was built in 1893, intended to be the Western counterpart to Coney Island.    It even had  train service and a roller coaster.  It's not as glamour's today as in the past, but the new owners are working hard to complete the renovations. More info on Saltair  http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7736/saltair.html

Happy Days Are Here Again

Happy Days Are Here Again

  I wish you could see the big happy face I have today. 

   Back to civilization and I am one happy camper.   We have a telephone signal, a laptop and a Walmart.  Yaaa Whooo.  Today we went to the Walmart with a long list.  It is a new one with a regular parking lot and a  second level parking lot.  When you enter the store you must take the escalator down.  When you are finished, there are two escalators side by side going up.  One for you and one for your shopping cart.  The greeter hooks it up and you pick it up at the top.  Pretty cool.  She told us this was the first in the country.  

Yesterday I went to the History Center here in Salt Lake.  It'd the best  in the world for genealogy.  Guess what  I found?    My elusive grandfather in England.  He died in 1908.   From there I found his parents .  You see, I never knew any of my mothers family as she and her sister were sent to the states when she was 11 and her sister was 6.  They were sent, all alone on a 10 day  trip to Massachusetts.    I still do not know what orphanage they were in, but am working on it.  

 Tonight after church we went to Chuck O Rama.  Yummy.  Tomorrow we will do some sightseeing.     I'm so happy to be back in the fold.          Catch you later.

Zion National Park

Last week we visited Zion National Park but was unable to post an entry.  Better late than never,  I always say..

The weather is rainy but just like the mailmen we must go on.   You see we are sure the weather man must be wrong.  Well, today he wasn't and we are in shorts, DAH,  why are people looking at us.

We on our way to Zion National Park where they charge $20 to get in but we have our handy dandy senior pass, so free for us!
Cars are not allowed in the park but they provide a shuttle around the canyon taking the scenic route.   These shuttles stop along the way at different trails and sightsseeing areas.  The park is  a haven for hiking, canyoneering, horseback riding, camping, and rock climbing.  The trails vary in length and skill ability.   One of the trails lead to  Weeping Rock..  This is a short but steep trail ending at a rock alcove with dripping springs.  Now the interesting part of this is that the water dripping out took 4,ooo years to get to that point.  So the rain that hit the top on that particular mountain route will not get to the weeping rock for 4000 years.  Isn't that amazing?

Be good, take care of each other.v

Heading to Salt Lake

This morning we left Delta for Salt Lake, and I am so happy to be on our way.   I have had enough of no phone signal and no internet.

 We had  a memorable visit here meeting several townies and other travelers.  Parked to our right were Lee and Lanora from Parker, AZ.  Their card says "If we are not here, we are probably somewhere else."  Pretty cute aye?   On our other side we had visitors from England and Germany.  For their 60th birthday, their children gave them this trip to the states.  She is going to email me for details of my English heritage and see what she can find for me. 

While food shopping we ended up talking with the President of the Senior Center here.  She and her husband invited us to come to lunch there, can't go wrong here folks, $2.25 each and lots of friendly faces.  In fact we got a write up in the local weekly paper.   On one of our visits there they had gentleman who many years ago worked at the Topaz Relocation Camp.    He was extremely interesting  and brought pictures to pass around.

We  also had a young man Kurt, who camped in a tent across the way from us.  We became friends  for the few days he was here.  He came  from Minnesota to dig for fossils.  We invited him in for dinner and to play cards one night and he brought a delicious cake his wife had made him for the trip.  Before he left he gave us a fossil and a gem from Topaz Mountain he had found there.  He left this morning for home and promised to email us of his safe arrival home. 

Bob played a lot of golf here at the Sunset View Golf course, which is one of his favorites. Two years ago he had made friends with a Dan who retired from the Air Force and hooked up again with him.  Dan and his wife Linda went with us to get the best ribs in Utah.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

     We are sitting here in a parking lot, in our car, about 15 miles from Delta, the only place I can get a signal on our phone.   I just had to  say hello to you all and ask that you forgive me for not visiting  your journals.  By next weekend, we should be able to go on line without any problems.  We are planning on leaving here next Friday.
  Being from Massachusetts, we are enjoying the beautiful Utah Mountains, still snow capped, I would add.   
  After church we went out to dinner with another campers.  Bob is pampering me as he knows that Mother's Day is  most difficult for me.  Well, before I start babbling and feeling sorry for myself I will say so long for now.  Happy mothers Day ladies.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Ladies.  Hope you are all treated as Queens.   Love to all. Dawn

Out InThe Boonies

Hi Everyone,    Thanks for visiting me.  We are in Delta Utah and there uis no phone service here.  The cell phone is just not receiving any signal.  I'm at the library now.  Catch you all later.   Dawn

I-15 From Arizona to Utah

Today, Wednesday, we drove on one of the most scenic roads we have been on.  I 15 north from Arizona to Utah.   A small section as highway goes but so beautiful.

The weather is cooler here than we have been in since I don't remember when.  As  I type this my eyes wander upward toward  our front window
and see the  snow covered mountain towering over us.

The above pictures were taken while we were driving along, but the scenery was so nice I thought you might like to see them anyway.

Stay safe, take care of each other.

It's a Small World

It's a small world after all.  Yesterday we took a cruise  around Lake Mead on  a Mississippi River-style paddleboat.  The weather was wonderful with bright sunshine, lovely blue skies and big fluffy white clouds.  It was there  we met two different couples from Massachusetts, one from Attleboro and the other from our home town Beverly.   How about that!  

Lake Mead  has 550 miles of shoreline.  We didn't see it all but had a nice afternoon.  We went down as far as the Hoover Dam and returned.  After a while the Attleboro chick and I went  up to the bridge and tried our hands at steering the boat.  We had a lovely talk with the Captain while our guys basted in the sun.     

Be kind to each other.

Vegas

We are just gluttons for punishment.    We were sucked in again  by the Vegas glimmer and by greed to win piles and piles of money.  Instead we got a kick in the butt and a so-so dinner.  Oh well, you know the old saying "unlucky in cards, lucky in love," well that's us.

I took a few pictures going in from the car and then forgot the camera in the car when we parked.  I just couldn't wait to make my contribution!

Take care of each.

Lake Mead, NV.

Friday, April 22.   We are just outside of Vegas in Boulder City.   The drive here was highway 95.  The road for the most part was isolated, very dippy, and lovely scenery of desert flowers and mountains.  The faraway mountains were still snow covered.
 
For the last two hours traveling we saw hundreds of motorcyclists, all kinds from Harleys to what I call make believe motorcycles and some had sidecars.  We found out later they were all going to The River Walk Rally in Laughlin.  They expect 70,000 bikers.

Saturday the 23rd.   We  visited Lake Mead today.  We had been there before remembering the park as eye candy in every direction, and today's trip did not disappoint us.  

Lake Mead is a National Recreation Area, offering tons of things to do  year round.  It's huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers and fisherman.  If water is not your thing how about hiking, photographers and just roadside sightseeing.   If you are into plants, this seemingly barren area contains a large variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else on earth.  They have a very educational visitors center with many displays of interest to children of all ages, including me.

Besides all this, we were surprised to find out you could purchase a park model on grounds and live there for 180 days. 
The camping area is primitive offering no hookups, but  that didn't seem to bother anyone here today. 

There are several marinas here, one offering Lake Mead cruises up to the Hoover Dam.   Hopefully in the next few days we will take that cruise.   

We're Off

We're leaving Arizona today for our six months on the road.  I will check in as often as possible.  Tonight we'll be in Blythe CA. and Friday we plan to be in Boulder City, NV. about 10 miles from Vegas.    Catch you all down the road.

The Great Cardboard Regatta

  Yesterday  we went to The Great Cardboard Regatta in Tempe, AZ.   The object is to construct a cardboard boat that will not only float by itself but will also hold two people.  These two people had 15 minutes to complete as many laps as possible before sinking or running out of time.  The boats were human-powered from within the boat.   Each boat was made from 1/4 inch corrugated cardboard and water soluble glue, such as Elmer's.    If you have never seen one of these races, you should.  They are fun to watch.    

Race winners in various classes, youth, human powered. etc.,

The People's Choice Award for the boat most popular with the public,

Pride of the Regatta, Vogue, Best Dressed, Team Spirit

And of course, the Titanic Award

  It was really fun to watch the children's division all under 14.  Too lots of pictures. Hope you like them.   By the way, the weather is in the high ninety's.  Time to get out of here!

Where We Will Spend our Refund!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Time Is Near

 As income tax time approaches,
did you  ever notice:
When you put the two words
"The" and "IRS"  together
it spells "THEIRS"?    

This and That

I'm back from the dentist and I am all done with them for a while hopefully.  In spite of where we were going we had a fun two days away, but now we have to play catch up.  If all goes according to plan we will be leaving here next Sunday for six months of travel.  We have been lax on keeping the cabinets organized and leaving appliances on counters and such.  Now we must pay the fiddler as the saying goes. We still have a few things to do on our list.  We need to have blood tests done, repack the basement, put the car hitch on the car, and last minute lunches with friends. 

   Our friends Mary and Chuck are leaving in the morning for MN.  Inez is leaving Thursday for VT, as have other friends  left for IN. and Michigan. Most of the Canadians have also already left for home.  The pool and the pool room are almost empty now most of the time.  

 I took a few pictures on the way to Mexico the other day from the car.  Didn't come out bad considering.  

 Arizona has rubberized asphalt pavement on some of their roads and is adding more as we speak.  I love them!  They are so quiet!  Arizona is spending  $34 million in the next three years on this type of road.  Seems to me a great way of using up old worn out tires. Recycling make sense to me.  It is said also to give smoother rides and handles better in rainy weather.  

 Have a good day and you all stay out of trouble.    Later.

Have A Good Day

I'm sick tonight with a bad cold or allergies.  Don't know which one but my nose and eyes are constantly running.  Probably more than you wanted to know.  But anyway.    That cute little rabbit in the first picture is no afraid of anyone.  He visits several times a day and naws on our rug it.  If Bob catches him he will get a size 9, you know where.  The rug was new when we got here in October, now it's junk.  Bob took it to the trash today and Mr. Rabbit is looking for it.  He's been sitting there most of the day.  

We are going to Mexico early tomorrow morning to finish up my dental work and will be back Thursday night.  Take care of each other.  Love to you all.

JOHN PAUL II 1920-2005

  Pope John Paul II will be remembered as a strong-willed, energetic religious leader who left a profound mark on both the Roman Catholic church and world history.  He is now with his loving father.

Odds and Ends

  Hey Everyone...I've been busy the last few days.  We had to replace the water heater,  fitted for new glasses, ordered new sheets and puff, went to the movies and went to Bingo. 

   The cactus are really starting to bloom now and there are beautiful.  If I have time tomorrow, I'll snap some pictures.  

 We are saying good-by daily to friends that are heading home for the summer, and looking forward to seeing them again in the fall.  

 The Minutemen are coming to Arizona.  They are called by some vigilantes, gun nuts or crackpots in camouflage.  Others call them fairly effective.  I see that both sides make some sense. With the announcement that they were coming, Arizona was suddenly getting 534 more Border Patrol agents and 23 aircraft to patrol the boarder.  Sounds pretty effective to me. 

  Please keep the Pope in your prayers.

"You can keep the ball."

HAPPY EASATER

I went to the eye doctor yesterday for my six month exam.  Several years ago I got shingles and they landed in my left eye.  What a pain in more ways than one.  Ten years later and I still need three different eye drops daily twice a day.    Anyway  one of my eyes has changed and I need new glasses.  I want to use my same frames as they were comfortable and expensive to purchase before.  Now  I must wait about two weeks before they will be ready.   This should be fun!  So don't be surprised  if the spelling is off for a while.  So, in two weeks I'll have a new tooth and new glasses.  Waaa Whooo!   You won't recognize me.  Now if I could grow a few inches, I'd be looking good.  

It's hard to believe Easter is here already.  The last five months have just flown by and soon we will be on the  road again.   When we get that ansy feeling, it's time to start rolling again.   We are going to Easter service tonight and will join friends having a Easter brunch poolside tomorrow.  If I think of it, I'll bring my camera.    Later afternoon we are having a traditionally Easter dinner.  

 

    Bob and I wish you a blessed and happy Easter. 

Easter - the resurrection of Christ

Holy Moly

Here's a picture of a public toilet in HOUSTON

 
Now that you have seen the outside view of the Toilet,

Just spend another moment scrolling down to see how it looks from inside.!

 

 
 That's made entirely out of one-way glass. No one can see you in there, but when you are inside, it looks like you're sitting in a clear glass box.

Would you / could you use it ???