Paddling around ............

We had our favorite company last week.    Becca and Lizzie left snowy Colorado and came to visit.   We got a bit of their time but mostly, they spent their days with Mickey and Harry Potter.    Becca left her heart at Disney after her intern days and her joy at returning is so obvious.   Lizzie wants to go to school at Hogwarts but it seems that Northern Colorado State accepted her instead.      Seems strange that they are so grown up that we just give them the keys to the car and off they go.

 On a perfect day, we did join them for some kayaking.    Altho there are many springs and lakes recommended for this venture, Weeki Wachi Springs seems to be the favorite.   The water was a cool 72 but didn't seem to bother the many younger kayakers as they jumped from rope swings or swam near a sand bar.    We chose to stay mostly dry.     The water is so amazingly clear.   No alligators in this river but we saw turtles and assorted herons and osprey along the jungle-like waterway.    As the river neared the Gulf, we saw a few manatees and one mother with her little calf.

 We were captured in Becca's selfie as we paddled DOWN river...

 Weather was pretty nice while they were here, with only a few showers and low humidity.    Meanwhile, looking out the back of the western manse, the day was not good for golf.









I'm constantly on the look out for new recipes and I found a winner.    Called "nice cream", it is a creamy delicious frozen treat.   Made with only frozen bananas and a few added berries,  we would be hard pressed to differentiate between this and ice cream or sorbet.   And it's so guilt-free.    I am an avid proponent of this whole food, plant based way of eating that we are committed to but I try not to be too preachy and obnoxious about it.    I came across this article today and because many of our friends and family are of a certain vintage and might just have some creaky joints, I decided to share this informative bit of info.    I understand that many are skeptical of claims that seem to good to be true, but the sources that we use have backed up their claims with proven studies and reliable credentials.    So, peruse if you want ....or not.    I just wanted to share.........AND, my achy joints are gone and I feel pretty limber and flexible for this stage of my life.     AND, the pickle ball player in the family is even more obvious proof as he has all that metal holding him together.
:  https://www.drmcdougall.com/…/articles/diet-only-hope-for-…/

And now, we are in full pre-travel mode.    We leave in 4 days.     We've been cleaning inside and out.....unless we power wash the lanai and walks and furniture at least every 6 months,  the green will take over.   I'm trying to pack up  less this year, having learned that i don't have to take everything I own with me.   We always leave something behind but usually manage to have the important stuff.... like each other.

We will try and wander westward at a reasonable pace and stop along the way.    We need to be in Casa Grande AZ on the 10th for a big Tiffin (the brand of our motorhome) rally.    Then it's up to Jeff and Jen's beautiful new home in Scottsdale for a few days before heading farther north to Montrose.  We'll be there at least a month earlier than usual but the social calendar is already getting filled in because it's that kind of happening place.         Stay tuned..........

R & R

Because  the day job is so taxing and stressful, we had to get away from it all.......

Besides Pickleball daily and dealing with a stressful golf game, we also had to spend way too many hours waiting for the launch of the newest Space X rocket.    Many nights, we consulted the clouds, measured the winds and hovered over the live updates on the laptop.   But time and time again, the launch was cancelled at the very last second.   One time the countdown had reached ZERO and then they cancelled......must be like stopping your golf swing right before you hit the ball and about wrenching your arm.    But, we were finally rewarded with a spectacular sighting as it lifted upward at sunset.   Now, you'd think if we'd waited this long for this spectacle, I would have stepped beyond the lanai to get a picture sans screen.....but I am basically lazy and the grass was wet. 

 

I am totally frustrated by my inability to find a working can opener.    And I've tried.    I remember way back when, there were the electric can openers and they got all gooey and messy but they worked.   A few years back, well maybe 10+ my mother raved about the battery operated one at the top of the pic.    It worked amazingly well... I set it on the can, it zipped around and the lid came off.   It lasted a long time without frequent battery changes and when it did give up, I went to Target and got another.    And then it started slowing down and we started eating differently and apparently it isn't made anymore.     Cans  needed to be opened.... beans, beans, beans and veggie broth and tomatoes and ROTEL.    So, I tried a couple of different manual openers....they all failed quickly or became too hard to operate.   I even tried different colors hoping for a miracle.    Nada.      Then, at Christmas, I wandered into Williams and Sonoma and there it was.... a smaller black battery operated gem.    I bought 3, convinced it would make a good gift in a stocking.  
 

Well, it worked about once !   I changed batteries, shook it, cleaned it and occasionally, it moved at a snail's pace half way around the can and then would die....forcing me to wrench it off the can with fury.    I hope the gifted ones have had a better life.....    Last week, I found the white one at Publix.   It was $16.95 and it turns easily.   BUT, altho the lid is cut off, it won't lift off without brute force, often causing the contents to spray about and once, it left a tiny metal spear which sliced thru my thumb and caused a mingling of my blood and tomato sauce so I didn't know which was which....nor did I much care at that point.      Finally, there is the one at the bottom.   This belonged to my grandmother and I remember her using it.    It worked slowly but efficiently as she nudged it around the can lid.   Notice how the paint is worn from where her thumb would be.     It is a bit rusty and I'm not sure if that is healthy but at this point, it can't be worse than my stress and my lacerated finger and it cleanly lifts off the lid.  

And that is why our escape from the bubble was imperative.  
 

We headed over to Anastasia St Park, a couple miles south of St Augustine.

The beaches are vast and vacant.
    

The gulls are quiet and relaxing as well.

We wandered over to St Augustine ..... if you haven't been there, we recommend it highly.   Very historic, many many B&B's and interesting restaurants.     Flagler College was once  the mighty Flagler Hotel, built for the rich and famous to stay in as they traveled down to FL by train.    It is impressive in its opulence.
 

The entry was designed to impress the millionaires.

The dining room, with copies of the original hand carved chairs, is now the student dining hall.
 

Mostly, we hung around the campground and walked a lot .    The nature trail was quiet and cool and the only wild beasts that we saw were the birds.

We spent our days walking, reading, lounging at the beach and de-stressing around the campfires.   It was quite lovely.   

 My efforts to even out the golf tan..........( Yes, I know about the sun and aging but I think I've passed that point and I saw the dermatologist last week to see if there was anything growing on me ...and there wasn't so it was back to the hard work of tanning.)

We did go to an excellent Farmer's Market on Saturday, right next door to the campground.   We found good vegan food ! and enjoyed vegan tamales and bought some Korean kimchi to add a bit ( or a lot ) of spicy goodness to our burgers and burritos when we get home.    We also bought a wonderful red lentil soup that is now frozen and will make us happy when we are on the road.

We came home yesterday.    It is getting hot over here and more humid.    Life will get much busier in the next couple weeks.   Lizzie and Becca will be here in a few days to make us very happy.    And they will be happy getting their Disney fix.      Then, it's last minute stuff to get done and in about 2 weeks we head WEST !!      Stay tuned............

How sweet it is..............

The glow and a bit of disbelief is still hanging around.    The angst was palpable prior to the big day and part of me just wanted to read the headlines the next day.     Plus, we were on a get-a-way a few hours south and didn't have the Bronco man with us and somehow left the orange crush T-shirt behind as well ...... BUT, the Connecticut contingent came thru and carried the banner high........!    A memorable  night.     Lady Gaga was amazing and don't we all wish we had (and could wear) that Gucci sparkly suit?   But the red glitter eyelids are within reach !!     Young Mr Newton won't forget this for awhile and with his mighty talent he will be back but maybe with a bit more grace and humility.    ( and now I have to go order a #58 Bronco jersey)

We loaded up the MH and drove down to the Fort Myers / Naples area for a few days.    We had 2 hot and humid and sweaty days (and worry about Zika mosquitos) and then the temperature dropped, the breezes came and we bundled up.    We wandered the nature trail at our campground at Koreshan State Park and enjoyed a guided tour of the Six Mile Cyprus Slough.     We did some window shopping in the high end outdoor mall and  tried to escape the never-ending drum of political noise.  

 A very colorful African Tulip tree..... new to me and quite lovely.  

But mostly, we gathered with old friends and enjoyed the comfort of a long history of friendship and times remembered.  

Janet and I go back about 30+ years in Connecticut.    She and Bruce are two of the smartest people I know and I always have to practice with my thesaurus before we gather.  

We last caught up with Mark and Annette when they came to our western home.....so good to catch up once again.     We go back to high school days (well, Annette is MUCH younger).   

We came back a few days early.    It is cold and very windy here and time to bundle up by the fireplace (yes, we have one of those down here in the Sunshine state !)     I'm knitting an Icelandic sweater !!? because with the weather changes , it may come in handy wherever I live..... !

Dear Diary,

 I apologize for my lack of enthusiasm in keeping your pages filled with titillating tidbits but to be honest, I think you'd be pretty bored if I entered our daily doings.

But, needing to update the past month is a requirement if I want to remember what I did yesterday.....so I'll jot down a few highlights.

Connecticut was all decked out for Christmas and the boys were as excited as ever.    Despite TWO grandmothers, the cookies barely made it to Santa's plate on Christmas Eve....but we did have carrots for the team.

The hats were knit  and wrapped.

 We had to play catch-up and watched the previous SIX episodes of Star Wars before we could see the 7th.   Fortunately, Andy and Mason were able to help us figure out the bad guys and the relationships and the history.    So we were all smart  when we trooped into the movie.   But glad we still had a kid near us to help us thru a tricky part.

Boys playing their new and improved XBOX while sitting in their new and updated bean bag chairs while I keep warm in  my new slippers.   

I guess Santa ran out because he did not bring a NEW LAMP for this house!

 Meanwhile, out on the snow-less grass, Granddad is getting a lesson in drone flying.    No, he didn't get one for Christmas.
 

And so diary, I'm not sure when the pencil will hit the paper again but as long as we are healthy and active and able to remember our names, I suspect I will have something to say.  

Remember me ??

I'm the one who had a blog......actually, it wasn't a very reliable blog.    And it won't keep my loyal followers  following loyally unless I actually write the blog.   A blog needs dynamic content and thoughtful prose and blog worthy photos.      Mine lacks all of that but it does provide us with a memory jog when we can't remember what we did and when we did it and where we did it.    But, we welcome any and all who have a bit of a voyouristic tendency and want to look in on the daily  monthly activities of the elderly.      

So, lets talk about food.     Tis the season after all.   

 

 We opted to enjoy our own Thanksgiving dinner, homemade to our specifications.     I finally found the best gravy recipe.   No animals were harmed but we did damage to a lot of mushrooms and onions.    It tastes EXACTLY like the real thing but has NO OIL as well.  

 We added it to the usual fare.....baked potatoes instead of mashed and altho the beans look pretty naked,  by the time you mix it all up, we didn't miss the turkey and fat and sugar at all.......

 Yes, I'm rather smug and righteous about the whole effort...........   We eat really well in our own way and don't feel deprived.  Panera has great fresh items that we enjoy and now one of our favorite Club restaurants has two delicious veggie options......  If you invite us to dinner, we'll eat anything you make....well, not the slab of ribs or the rare bleeding meat but otherwise, we'll play nice and be good guests.

The holidays are in full swing and I am right on schedule.....that is, I'm about 2 weeks behind.     I have a lovely wreath on the front door.    We bought a 6 foot lighted snowman for the yard but it's still in the box and I suspect that it will be returned.        Our neighborhood (about 100 homes) has monthly gatherings.      Bob Evan's restaurant catered a Christmas dinner at a nearby Rec center.     I offered my elves as decor since mostly they just sit in their boxes.       I have 10 of them and collected them over the years, mostly highly marked down after Christmas.    They are "The Elves Themselves" made by Zims out of Salt Lake City.   I don't know if they are still made.  

Unfortunately, Eunice, my favorite elf,  isn't able to help me with this project.  

We are getting out in the sun and trying to resurrect our golf games.    This one, Pelican, is a beautiful course but very challenging with the large oaks, water, natural swampy areas and Spanish moss that grabs your perfect tee shot and sends it to a hidden place.

Yes, I play from the forward tees and proud of it !!


Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas with those you love !!    

One week back.............

According to Mark and Annette, it's been NINE days since I updated the blog !!!   It's very nice to know that I have a couple of loyal followers and that there were concerns that we were stuck in SC with a sick RV.    But truth be told, the hiatus had no such drama, just one very lazy author and one week of nothing too exciting to share.    We have been here exactly one week, almost to the hour.   

It was good to finally land but then it's the unloading and the finding room for the "stuff" that we haul back and forth.    That part of it still isn't done altho the closet has been purged and the kitchen is organized but the outlying areas are looking a bit unsettled .    

Houses need care and attention and 6 months of Florida's unrelenting heat and humidity and rains were not kind to the exterior surfaces.    The power washer went into overtime for 2+days and now everything is sparkling again.    The Annual Gecko War is still ongoing but at least the only thing we found inside was a  desiccated one.     We'll repeat this entire process again in the spring.   

One more Colorado picture, a beautiful sunset the night before we left. (zoomed in....they are really not that close)   And Bronco man standing tall and proud  before he came east.     Sheri wanted her picture taken with him..... she's recovering well from major back surgery.      

 And so, the day after we arrived, Bronco Man stood tall and proud prior to the game ......part way thru, I checked on him and he wasn't doing so well.........a perfect metaphor for the game...

 And this is how we all felt......very deflated and discouraged and wondering what tomorrow will bring when Peyton isn't even getting on the plane !  

 The golf game is getting another chance to shape up......Pickleball is again a daily affair for the other half..... there are 164 PB courts here in TV.....with 12 more being built.    Largest number IN THE WORLD!!

And so the settling in keeps going on..........weather is hot and humid and the morning walks are an exercise in wiping sweat.    It's good to back among friends and the familiar but the mountains are always calling my name............

Thoughts while rolling downhill..........

We're almost there............I could say that we're almost home but then I could also say that we're almost NOT home.....where is home ??       Maybe I'll just say that we're getting closer to the rest of our STUFF.

Before we left the mountains, we had a gathering of friends and neighbors at our house.  Great people, good times.       Then we headed East.

Our departure was based on weather and leaving Montrose in the sun for the beautiful drive over the mountain passes was a smart move.  

Time spent in Denver with family is always a highlight but seeing "Lion King" on stage was over the top.

Kansas is flat and I  visualized the tribes of the plains roaming free.    The prairie grasses are being restored in the middle lands and it is a good thing to see.

Long days through the heartland but we were ahead of the weather all the way.  

Lexington is always a beautiful stop ..... rolling hills with miles of fencing to contain the magnificent horses and spending time with family once again.     Watching a baby navigate upright is always a time of wonder and smiles.

The view through the windshield from Knoxville to Asheville is worthy of repeating in all seasons.   Following the white water rivers, it is a roller coaster ride thru the Tennessee mountains.   And rather white knuckle if you're driving a moving house.....

Time in SC while the rolling house gets its yearly maintenance is a much needed break.  

And then it's southward towards the sun and palm trees and good friends.    

Out where we belong..............

I am now a woman of leisure.    Thanks to the arrival of this clever Roomba, I no longer have to worry about dust bunnies under the beds and crumbs in the kitchen.     I had my doubts and couldn't get too serious about thinking that this was worthy of my $$$$ but I might be a convert.    I have no idea how it works.   The cleaning  seems totally random with no logical pattern.   It slows down when it comes near an obstacle, goes over area rugs (not our shaggy ones), maneuvers over most cords, sweeps up stuff in corners ( I deliberately put stuff down) and then goes back to it's dock when its done or low on battery.     It is a bit noisy so I close doors or run it when we are gone.    I can see how it would totally freak out a dog or cat.    It was a total extravagance and it wasn't MY idea !!!    (The best thing is the under the bed cleaning!)

Because we have so much extra time on our hands ..... well it's not that I actually spent a lot of time vacuuming, but you get the drift .....    we headed to the mountains.      Snow has come to the high country and we needed to be up close and personal. 

This is the gate to the Ralph Lauren ranch, 17000 acres of prime cattle country.    Last Dollar Road is a scenic unpaved backroad over to Telluride.  

  

 We passed by the iconic ranch barn featured in "True Grit".

Around 9000 ft we found snow and bare aspen and snow laden pines....and a muddy road.

 The snow became deeper ....  (and more blurry)...

 ....and then our plans had to change !    Where's  that chain saw when we really need it ??

 The aspen stands were worthy of remembering even without color..........

Cows by Lauren











We are watching the weather closely and preparing for departure.    I think we've shifted our leaving to a few days earlier due to predicted snows on the passes on the way to Denver.    We are, if nothing else, very flexible and not foolish about driving the house in snow and ice.     Time to get organized............