Dog Tired

Need I say more?!

Tonight's the Night

Sitting by tonight's campfire and my neighbors a couple of sites over have the good taste to be playing Neil Young, who is currently singing 'Tonight's the Night.'  It is so relaxing to be by the campfire and having so many stars twinkling above. So relaxing however that I am having a hard time keeping my eyes open - might have to join Sedona in the camper sooner than anticipated. 

 

Today!

Slept well last night and didn't roll out of the camper until 9:15. I was bummed, however because I left Columbus with out knowing for sure how to hook up the propane canister to my cook stove. One of the things I had most looked forward to was using the cook stove to percolate my coffee and make some breakfast - you can imagine my consternation! So, this morning I snapped a photo of where the canister should connect and a photo of the canister and was just about to hit 'send' to my brother-in-law when I heard a "good morning!" I looked up to see a couple of morning strollers. I replied with a good morning and they said something about my camper. I invited to them over to inspect and they said, "oh, no, we just wanted to say we have one of those campers, too." Well, I no sooner heard that and I was rushing up to them asking if they could show me how to attach the propane! I tell you, God provides in abundance. Had a wonderful conversation with them, Bryn and Mel. They said they were just back from a six-week, 7,200-mile trip with their teardrop that included CA, ID, IA, MT, SD, etc. Before heading back to their campsite they invited me over. Sedona and I headed their way after our delicious breakfast of coffee, eggs, sausage and a bagel with cream cheese.

waiting on breakfast!

There is more to tell about Mel and Bryn, but I am going to wait for another post to tell that tale.

The Adventures Begin

Sedona and I hit the road late this afternoon for Deer Creek State Park. Following snugly behind us was the new teardrop camper. It is nearly 9:30pm now and we are all settled in at our campsite. A cozy fire is burning, the crickets are serenading and Sedona is tucked away in bed! I think she wore herself out wondering and worrying about where we were going and 'didn't I know it was past her bedtime?!' The stars are spectacular tonight and I want to take a walk. Shall I wake my sleeping golden girl?

Today is a loaded day: 1) Ron's mom died two years ago today.  2) Today is Ron's birthday. He would have been 56. He would have loved this camper. I love them both and I miss them so.

On the way here, just a hop-skip from Columbus, I was very cautious about changing lanes and yielding to those hell bent on weaving in and out of traffic. It occurred to me that 'yielding' is something I need to be better at in a variety of places in my life, not just on the highway. Right now, I am trying to yield to the moment, to breathing and not thinking about anything but the wonder of creation and the peace it brings.

Time to say good night to Bosomhundheit and walk into the night.

It Goes Where It's Towed To!

Cruised up to Massillon on Saturday and left 1,200 pounds heavier! Yep, picked up my Silver Shadow Teardrop camper and what a beauty. It's everything I thought it would be and more, and it tows like a dream. Backing up the camper, well, let's just say I am going to become a fixture in the church parking lot over the next several evenings as I practice that maneuver!

Had a lot of fun setting up the camper, especially the chuck wagon. My red enamel coffee pot looks great on the cook top and I know it's going to brew up some kick-butt java. I didn't do a lot to the inside other than removing one of the twin mattresses and storing items such as bungee cords, a fishing pole, solar lights, jumper cables, umbrella, etc. Did I say that I have an air conditioner? It's built-in and takes up very little room. Oh, the camper also has a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher.

Sedona and I, we're going places. We'll explore Ohio the next couple of months -- a sweet way to celebrate the one year anniversary of wrapping up kicking the CBitch. And, after we've made our rounds in the Buckeye State, we'll point our wee caravan south and go beyond Ohio's borders. I fully admit, the camper and the travels that will ensue are part of my mid-life reflection.

SIDE NOTE: While I picked up the camper in Massillon, it was manufactured in Sugarcreek by Amish craftsmen. Little Guy Worldwide is the country's largest manufacturer  of teardrop-style campers. Pretty cool that they are an Ohio company. 

A Good Day, A Sib Day

At the Beached Whale

Kirk headed back to OH on Wednesday. So, at his request, the three remaining sibs visited one of his favorite FMB haunts: The Beached Whale. And, also in his honor, we ordered extra crispy wings. It was a sacrifice, I can tell you, but we suffered through it some how. ;)

Tonight's sunset

 Mary Ann wings her way north on Saturday. John and I head home on Sunday. Hard to believe the week is already over. It would be good hanging another seven days with the parents. Ah, well, at least we had this time together.

Miss my Girl

Saw a golden on the beach and got homesick for that unconditional love waiting for me more than 1,100 miles away. This pup's name was "Blue" - kind of appropriate. 

FL

Today we celebrated my mom's 80th birthday. The "we" being my dad, my three siblings, me, and more than 40 of my parents' friends here in Fort Myers Beach. The four of us kids flew down from Ohio on Saturday morning to spend a week at the beach with our folks - all of us under one roof - something we haven't done since we all were very young. If my brother Andy was with us, it would be perfect. Yet, even with that loss, we are a truly blessed family.

My mom has been a tremendous positive influence on all of us and I can say without a doubt that I am the person I am today thanks to her love and guidance. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. Thank you, God, for the gift of a great mom and this week together.

Dad & Mom

(Bill & Mickey)

A Done Deal

BB, you must be psychic -- in response to your well-timed inquiry from this morning: "SOOOOO......Did you break down and go for the camper yet?"
The answer: YES!!!  In fact, just yesterday I put a deposit on a 6x10 Silver Shadow teardrop camper that will be built just for me by Little Guy Worldwide in Sugarcreek, OH. By mid-September, Sedona and I will be camping in style; the open road our oyster.

Shamed

So, a friend has given me a gentle reminder that regularly posting to the blog is still a good thing -- for me mentally and, apparently, for those of you who care about me and are wondering: whazzup?!

Here's the dish: Work has been all consuming since my quick jaunt to George and Martha's place in mid-May. I'm not complaining about being so busy especially as I strongly believe in the mission of JobsOhio and have deep affection for the people with whom I work. However, I'm not sure that the long hours and accompanying stress are exactly compatible with long-term good health -- not that there's anything amiss with me other than not getting enough sleep. It just makes me wonder if last year's challenge and the life losses I've experienced aren't together suggesting it's neither "living to work" nor working to live," but simply "living to live." don't know if that makes any sense, but those thoughts perhaps played into what I did a week ago Saturday ...

My gal pal Susie from the Div. of Wildlife and I got an early morning start and, with Sedona in tow, headed for Sugarcreek, which is about 30 miles south of Massillon in northeast Ohio. The object of our quest? To visit the manufacturing facility of the Little Guy Teardrop Trailer. I've been mulling over getting one of these things for about two years, but had never seen one up close let along been inside one. The short of it is, I'm thinking it's not if I buy one, but when I buy one of these Amish-made gems!

Collage Pic o' the Day

This teardrop trailer is called a Silver Shadow 6x10. From the ground
to the top of the trailer it is 63"  Just perfect for me and Dona! :)