Friday, April 20, 2007
ANOTHER day in the yard......
Isn't THAT an interesting title???? Doesn't that just excite you beyond belief???? Well, the entire was just that exciting.....hahaha!!! Yep....I can still laugh after almost the entire day being spent in the yard.
Breakfast was on the patio for both the 1st Lady and myself. The French Roast coffee was even better than usual just because we were sitting outside, enjoying the morning sun!! We really love to eat outside......just makes everything taste better.....doesn't it?
Then as we sat there we decided that today should be the day we try to get as much finished as possible today. I did quite a bit of "detailing" around the edges.......and following that, with the wind blowing about 2 mph...I decided to get the "burn" pile going. ALL of the left over leaves, fallen limbs and branches, etc., etc needed to be burned. I had been "told" by my neighbor that it was still legal this month to burn yard waste materials, soooooo I kept hoping he was correct.
The burning took about an hour as I stood there with hose and rake to keep any sparks from moving to an unwanted place. And then......it was time for another cup of Fr. Roast!!
The 1st Lady then began to trim out the dead/brown grasses and plumes on some of the decorative grasses we have around the yard. Sooooo, I knew I wasn't through with the burning. She said she wanted to do it herself, sooooo......I decided to grab a bite of lunch.
Following lunch I thought that is was about time to install our towel rack/bar, TP holder, and robe hook in our new master bathroom. We have had them laying under the custom made vanity.......but with our departure right after the 1st of January, I never did get them installed.
Sooooo, I got both the TP holder and robe hook installed, but needed the assistance of the 1st Lady for the leveling, measuring, etc., etc that requires a second person to do. Soooo, after mucho discussion, I got the positions marked on the wall....CAREFULLY....and then finished up the job. Well.....this entire episode of installation took over an hour......more than I thought it would!
The 1st Lady continued to cut....carefully....until 5pm!! She finished all of the grasses and then I began the final burning of the "yard waste". It went quite a bit easier since I had paused about 3:30 pm........quoting Jimmy Buffet: "It's 5 o'clock somewhere"........and so I uncorked a fresh bottle of my dark red medicine from Pepperwood Grove.....and enjoyed the late afternoon on the patio waiting on the 1st Lady to finish "her job".
I had also visited with our backyard neigbor.....since we hadn't visited since we returned from our winter journey. It was GREAT to see her.......and we had more to discuss than time would permit this afternoon.
Dinner was a light one......fresh salad with chicken tenders laying on top of the salad. Need a light supper often......my sagging hulk seems to have MORE to SAG!!! Got to start monitoring my intake a bit more closely!!!
And soooo, another day in the Life of Me has passed successfully! How about you???? Was it a great day for you???? For me.....
Life is GREAT.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Breakfast was on the patio for both the 1st Lady and myself. The French Roast coffee was even better than usual just because we were sitting outside, enjoying the morning sun!! We really love to eat outside......just makes everything taste better.....doesn't it?
Then as we sat there we decided that today should be the day we try to get as much finished as possible today. I did quite a bit of "detailing" around the edges.......and following that, with the wind blowing about 2 mph...I decided to get the "burn" pile going. ALL of the left over leaves, fallen limbs and branches, etc., etc needed to be burned. I had been "told" by my neighbor that it was still legal this month to burn yard waste materials, soooooo I kept hoping he was correct.
The burning took about an hour as I stood there with hose and rake to keep any sparks from moving to an unwanted place. And then......it was time for another cup of Fr. Roast!!
The 1st Lady then began to trim out the dead/brown grasses and plumes on some of the decorative grasses we have around the yard. Sooooo, I knew I wasn't through with the burning. She said she wanted to do it herself, sooooo......I decided to grab a bite of lunch.
Following lunch I thought that is was about time to install our towel rack/bar, TP holder, and robe hook in our new master bathroom. We have had them laying under the custom made vanity.......but with our departure right after the 1st of January, I never did get them installed.
Sooooo, I got both the TP holder and robe hook installed, but needed the assistance of the 1st Lady for the leveling, measuring, etc., etc that requires a second person to do. Soooo, after mucho discussion, I got the positions marked on the wall....CAREFULLY....and then finished up the job. Well.....this entire episode of installation took over an hour......more than I thought it would!
The 1st Lady continued to cut....carefully....until 5pm!! She finished all of the grasses and then I began the final burning of the "yard waste". It went quite a bit easier since I had paused about 3:30 pm........quoting Jimmy Buffet: "It's 5 o'clock somewhere"........and so I uncorked a fresh bottle of my dark red medicine from Pepperwood Grove.....and enjoyed the late afternoon on the patio waiting on the 1st Lady to finish "her job".
I had also visited with our backyard neigbor.....since we hadn't visited since we returned from our winter journey. It was GREAT to see her.......and we had more to discuss than time would permit this afternoon.
Dinner was a light one......fresh salad with chicken tenders laying on top of the salad. Need a light supper often......my sagging hulk seems to have MORE to SAG!!! Got to start monitoring my intake a bit more closely!!!
And soooo, another day in the Life of Me has passed successfully! How about you???? Was it a great day for you???? For me.....
Life is GREAT.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Thanks for your concerns......
Yep......I "played hooky" last night and didn't post .....as you know! It had been a rather ho-hum day with nothing really, really going on in my Life, sooooo I just didn't write last night. THANKS to all of you who wrote, emailed, called, etc......expressing your concerns and worry for me. I am just fine!
Now.....for you, Cory (my outstanding piano student)......your lesson and discussion with me yesterday was NOT "ho-hum"!! He is a student to be very proud of.........and I certainly am!!!
Today??? Another catch-up day here at the stick and brick.........I really out of breath from doing this game of "catch-up"........there are so many things that need attention. The yard has been tamed, the windows have been washed, the patio has been cleaned, my herb garden has been weeded and "cleaned out", and I did get the new carpets vacuumed. I did some necessary shopping at the wonderful WallyWorld here in town....and then returned to be here when the 1st Lady arrived back.
She had been with her mother at home about 15 minutes west of Hannibal for the past few days. Then this morning she had an appt. with her dental/oral surgeon who has put in some teeth implants.....and it was time for some more "equipment" to be inserted. After that she came on down to our stick and brick. The afternoon went quickly.........I finished some of my "chores" and then about 3pm.....I decided that: "It is 5 o'clock somewhere" and when the 1st Lady returned from a hair appointment, I had some Mexicano salsa(green) and some chips with a "hint of lime" on them, along with a Corona and lime waiting for her on the counter.
We moved out onto the patio in the warm sunshine and bright blue skies and enjoyed OUR "5 o'clock" libations. A bit later I began preparing dinner........made a great little potato salad, sliced some tomatoes, and then grilled some juicy hamburgers and onions.......ummmmm, good!! Dinner on the patio.......a great way to spend a beautiful later afternoon.
And sooooo.....another day in the Life of Me has about come to a close. I am counting....silently....the days until we can hook up TheHowserHouse and head up the road to Wisconsin for the International Cedar Creek RV Owners Club Rally!!!! After a week there......we believe we will go on up to Michigan and do some relaxed touring....wineries, etc., etc.
With plans like that roaming through my balding head.....of course:
Life IS Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!
Now.....for you, Cory (my outstanding piano student)......your lesson and discussion with me yesterday was NOT "ho-hum"!! He is a student to be very proud of.........and I certainly am!!!
Today??? Another catch-up day here at the stick and brick.........I really out of breath from doing this game of "catch-up"........there are so many things that need attention. The yard has been tamed, the windows have been washed, the patio has been cleaned, my herb garden has been weeded and "cleaned out", and I did get the new carpets vacuumed. I did some necessary shopping at the wonderful WallyWorld here in town....and then returned to be here when the 1st Lady arrived back.
She had been with her mother at home about 15 minutes west of Hannibal for the past few days. Then this morning she had an appt. with her dental/oral surgeon who has put in some teeth implants.....and it was time for some more "equipment" to be inserted. After that she came on down to our stick and brick. The afternoon went quickly.........I finished some of my "chores" and then about 3pm.....I decided that: "It is 5 o'clock somewhere" and when the 1st Lady returned from a hair appointment, I had some Mexicano salsa(green) and some chips with a "hint of lime" on them, along with a Corona and lime waiting for her on the counter.
We moved out onto the patio in the warm sunshine and bright blue skies and enjoyed OUR "5 o'clock" libations. A bit later I began preparing dinner........made a great little potato salad, sliced some tomatoes, and then grilled some juicy hamburgers and onions.......ummmmm, good!! Dinner on the patio.......a great way to spend a beautiful later afternoon.
And sooooo.....another day in the Life of Me has about come to a close. I am counting....silently....the days until we can hook up TheHowserHouse and head up the road to Wisconsin for the International Cedar Creek RV Owners Club Rally!!!! After a week there......we believe we will go on up to Michigan and do some relaxed touring....wineries, etc., etc.
With plans like that roaming through my balding head.....of course:
Life IS Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Another warm day.......
Well.....for some strange reason I was wide awake at 5am.....AGAIN! This is going to have to stop as by 8:30pm each evening, I am blinking and yawning....and ready to fall into bed. NOT the way I want to spend the evenings!!
By 8am, I was at the Post Office and was mailing in my state and federal taxes......and the check that had to go with the forms. Each year I almost become physically ill when I see just how much money I pay in taxes......UGH. But then......I look around and see all of the things that need to be done and paid for by the state/federal governments......and then I don't feel quite as upset.
I also made a trip to the Supt of Schools here in F'town for a brief visit........as well as drop off ANOTHER check for the 1st Lady's and my own monthly health insurance coverage......UGH!!! Another check for my Life's requirements.......
Back home.....and I hit the "yard-gone-wild". And what a task I had in front of me. SOOOO many limbs/sticks in the yard which all had to be collected and hauled to the corner of the yard where my yard crap is piled for a later burn job. Well.....the yard project took almost the entire day.....but the yard is now under control.
Late this afternoon, as I was finishing a cool one on the patio, the phone rang and it was a cousin of the 1st Lady's in Chicago who was calling to offer his condolences. We hadn't talked in ages and so it was really good to talk to him again. Then a friend of ours brought by a potted plant........I am really overwhelmed at the outpouring of flowers/plants, cards, emails, phone calls, etc., etc. that I have received in the past week!!!! To all who read this who have offered their sympathy/condolences.........thank you so much. How great is to know that there are sooooo many who have wanted to support the 1st Lady and myself during this past week of roller-coaster emotions. THANK YOU!!!
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
By 8am, I was at the Post Office and was mailing in my state and federal taxes......and the check that had to go with the forms. Each year I almost become physically ill when I see just how much money I pay in taxes......UGH. But then......I look around and see all of the things that need to be done and paid for by the state/federal governments......and then I don't feel quite as upset.
I also made a trip to the Supt of Schools here in F'town for a brief visit........as well as drop off ANOTHER check for the 1st Lady's and my own monthly health insurance coverage......UGH!!! Another check for my Life's requirements.......
Back home.....and I hit the "yard-gone-wild". And what a task I had in front of me. SOOOO many limbs/sticks in the yard which all had to be collected and hauled to the corner of the yard where my yard crap is piled for a later burn job. Well.....the yard project took almost the entire day.....but the yard is now under control.
Late this afternoon, as I was finishing a cool one on the patio, the phone rang and it was a cousin of the 1st Lady's in Chicago who was calling to offer his condolences. We hadn't talked in ages and so it was really good to talk to him again. Then a friend of ours brought by a potted plant........I am really overwhelmed at the outpouring of flowers/plants, cards, emails, phone calls, etc., etc. that I have received in the past week!!!! To all who read this who have offered their sympathy/condolences.........thank you so much. How great is to know that there are sooooo many who have wanted to support the 1st Lady and myself during this past week of roller-coaster emotions. THANK YOU!!!
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Spring....again!
The warmth of a spring day was on display today........again, and finally. After the past two weeks of WAY BELOW normal temps.......all of the flowers, plants, leaves, bushes, etc., etc. were frozen when the temps plunged to 20 degrees and lower. Will they recover???? I suppose we will have to just "wait and see".
The 1st Lady left this morning to visit her mother who lives a few miles west of Hannibal, MO. After she left, I had some more Fr. Roast coffee as I had awakened this morning at least by 5AM......DAMN! I just can't sleep through the night any more.....been that way for about 10 days. Guess I am just thinking way toooooo much spurred on by the past week...........
I spent a lot of time outside.....in the spring temps and sunshine.......working in the yard-gone-wild!! There were/are enough sticks and small limbs there to provide campfire wood for several camping trips........and my back is proof tonight that I picked up a LOT!! It is a little stiff from the constant bending over........ugh.
Roll with the punches..........a phrase that I have used for decades with my students, my tour groups that I have taken to Europe 12 different times, and with myself as Life has presented surprises and barriers in my pathway. BUT......this past week has made me put this phrase to work overtime and I have not been very successful with following the phrase's instructions.........
This past week has quickly made me a part of the "older generation"........once your parents are both gone, then you(I) become that "older generation".....there is no one in the immediate family that is older than ourselves. I am now thinking about this frequently. It is sooooo odd that when you/I reach this age we do not feel THAT age........my mind will not accept that I am 64 years old. My mind thinks "young" thoughts, my body...while not attractive at this stage of my Life....still seems young to me......and I find it really difficult to think that I am fast approaching the age of my father when he passed away. He seemed sooooooo old to me when he died, but I am almost that age now and I do not feel that way! I have begun to wonder: what has happened to my Life, where has it gone??? I am NOT ready to be this age......I am NOT ready to accept that both of my parents are gone.......I am NOT ready to accept that my friends are now beginning to leave this world......I am NOT ready for this, but there is no choice, is there?
Even with all of these thoughts running rampant through my mind.......I still find that.....
Life is Great.........and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!!
The 1st Lady left this morning to visit her mother who lives a few miles west of Hannibal, MO. After she left, I had some more Fr. Roast coffee as I had awakened this morning at least by 5AM......DAMN! I just can't sleep through the night any more.....been that way for about 10 days. Guess I am just thinking way toooooo much spurred on by the past week...........
I spent a lot of time outside.....in the spring temps and sunshine.......working in the yard-gone-wild!! There were/are enough sticks and small limbs there to provide campfire wood for several camping trips........and my back is proof tonight that I picked up a LOT!! It is a little stiff from the constant bending over........ugh.
Roll with the punches..........a phrase that I have used for decades with my students, my tour groups that I have taken to Europe 12 different times, and with myself as Life has presented surprises and barriers in my pathway. BUT......this past week has made me put this phrase to work overtime and I have not been very successful with following the phrase's instructions.........
This past week has quickly made me a part of the "older generation"........once your parents are both gone, then you(I) become that "older generation".....there is no one in the immediate family that is older than ourselves. I am now thinking about this frequently. It is sooooo odd that when you/I reach this age we do not feel THAT age........my mind will not accept that I am 64 years old. My mind thinks "young" thoughts, my body...while not attractive at this stage of my Life....still seems young to me......and I find it really difficult to think that I am fast approaching the age of my father when he passed away. He seemed sooooooo old to me when he died, but I am almost that age now and I do not feel that way! I have begun to wonder: what has happened to my Life, where has it gone??? I am NOT ready to be this age......I am NOT ready to accept that both of my parents are gone.......I am NOT ready to accept that my friends are now beginning to leave this world......I am NOT ready for this, but there is no choice, is there?
Even with all of these thoughts running rampant through my mind.......I still find that.....
Life is Great.........and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Returned to the stick and brick....
As I drove to Eldon yesterday for the funeral of my best friend while in high school and then remained there as I began the task of sorting through a few things at my mother's house, visited with my sister to make some plans for the weeks ahead, and then simply crashed and burned last night.
I returned to F'town this morning......it is only 200 miles. BUT.....I am really physically and emotionally drained......even more so after the funeral yesterday! The passing of Raymond Bond was so unreal.....: He and I were in the "early morning" choir which met an hour before school began each day of the four years we were in high school. Because he lived way out in the boondocks and had no way into town other than by the ride of a relative VERY early, he would be dropped off at our house, lay on the sofa until I was up, have breakfast with us, and then we would go to school. Soooo, he became a part of our household both mornings and weekends......much like a brother to me during those four years.
When we received word that he passed away about 12 hours after my mother.......well, it was almost unreal. Both he and her were at the same funeral home. I am still not quite believing all of this.........I had anticipated my mother not living much longer as she had been sliding downward for the past three months. But Raymond.....I knew he had cancer but it was supposed to be under control.........and then he just went quickly. For both him and my mother it is certainly a blessing, even though the loss is still difficult to cope with right now.
This afternoon I muddled through my tax preparations........think I have it done, but need to check it in the morning when I am a bit more alert......is that possible???
The 1st Lady is leaving in the morning to go visit her mother.....and I have many, many, many things to get done in the next few days to catch up after being gone for the past three months. Right now it seems like some terrible chores, but perhaps by morning I will feel differently about it all..........????
Anxious to get on the road again in TheHowserHouse!!!!! The time will go quickly now that I have sooooo much to do with disposing of my mother's belongings and her house before we leave!!! Whew..........makes me even more tired than I was, just thinking about it all!
Soooooo,
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!! (Ok...yeah....you read between the lines.....I am a bit depressed)
I returned to F'town this morning......it is only 200 miles. BUT.....I am really physically and emotionally drained......even more so after the funeral yesterday! The passing of Raymond Bond was so unreal.....: He and I were in the "early morning" choir which met an hour before school began each day of the four years we were in high school. Because he lived way out in the boondocks and had no way into town other than by the ride of a relative VERY early, he would be dropped off at our house, lay on the sofa until I was up, have breakfast with us, and then we would go to school. Soooo, he became a part of our household both mornings and weekends......much like a brother to me during those four years.
When we received word that he passed away about 12 hours after my mother.......well, it was almost unreal. Both he and her were at the same funeral home. I am still not quite believing all of this.........I had anticipated my mother not living much longer as she had been sliding downward for the past three months. But Raymond.....I knew he had cancer but it was supposed to be under control.........and then he just went quickly. For both him and my mother it is certainly a blessing, even though the loss is still difficult to cope with right now.
This afternoon I muddled through my tax preparations........think I have it done, but need to check it in the morning when I am a bit more alert......is that possible???
The 1st Lady is leaving in the morning to go visit her mother.....and I have many, many, many things to get done in the next few days to catch up after being gone for the past three months. Right now it seems like some terrible chores, but perhaps by morning I will feel differently about it all..........????
Anxious to get on the road again in TheHowserHouse!!!!! The time will go quickly now that I have sooooo much to do with disposing of my mother's belongings and her house before we leave!!! Whew..........makes me even more tired than I was, just thinking about it all!
Soooooo,
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!! (Ok...yeah....you read between the lines.....I am a bit depressed)
Friday, April 13, 2007
THANK YOU!!!!!
Home in the stick/brick again......briefly.
I want to express my appreciation to ALL of you who have written, made comments, sent cards, called, sent flowers and plants to me and my family during this very emotional week. The concerns that you have had for us have really helped in making this time in our lives much easier. Thank you sooooo very, very much!!!
When it rains, it always pours.....doesn't it? On Tuesday while we were dealing with all of the arrangements and plans that had to be made for my mother's services, I received word that my best friend from my high school days.......and who had remained a very good friend all of my/our lives........had passed away rather suddenly. Quite a shock to myself......and to all of the many others who knew him.......and there are many. He was a minister all of his life and had many church families around the state.
So.......since I had a couple of appointments that had to be kept today here in F'town, the 1st Lady and I returned LATE last night.......following my mother's services. Now....I am going to leave to return to my hometown late tonight so that I can be there in the morning for his funeral.
Things seem to always happen "in threes"........so this is on my mind today.......what mind I have left at this present time. I am totally drained....emotionally and physically.......so, I will close now and take care of the things that I need to do today......so that I can get back on the road this evening.
My very good friend who officiated at the funeral yesterday paraphrased my "sign-off" line during his eulogy for my mother......and I will never again type the following without having warm and wonderful thoughts for my mother......and for Michael for using the phrase in the services. ......thank you!
Life is Great( for me a bit down right now)......and I hope it is GREAT for all of you, also.
I want to express my appreciation to ALL of you who have written, made comments, sent cards, called, sent flowers and plants to me and my family during this very emotional week. The concerns that you have had for us have really helped in making this time in our lives much easier. Thank you sooooo very, very much!!!
When it rains, it always pours.....doesn't it? On Tuesday while we were dealing with all of the arrangements and plans that had to be made for my mother's services, I received word that my best friend from my high school days.......and who had remained a very good friend all of my/our lives........had passed away rather suddenly. Quite a shock to myself......and to all of the many others who knew him.......and there are many. He was a minister all of his life and had many church families around the state.
So.......since I had a couple of appointments that had to be kept today here in F'town, the 1st Lady and I returned LATE last night.......following my mother's services. Now....I am going to leave to return to my hometown late tonight so that I can be there in the morning for his funeral.
Things seem to always happen "in threes"........so this is on my mind today.......what mind I have left at this present time. I am totally drained....emotionally and physically.......so, I will close now and take care of the things that I need to do today......so that I can get back on the road this evening.
My very good friend who officiated at the funeral yesterday paraphrased my "sign-off" line during his eulogy for my mother......and I will never again type the following without having warm and wonderful thoughts for my mother......and for Michael for using the phrase in the services. ......thank you!
Life is Great( for me a bit down right now)......and I hope it is GREAT for all of you, also.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
A sad day for it to be Easter
I received a call this afternoon that my mother had passed away. I will be leaving for the Lake of the Ozarks early in the morning with my own family for the planning of the services. Therefore....I will not be posting for the next few days.
My mother's LIFE WAS GREAT........a positive energetic lady that gave me my wonderful outlook on life and made me what I am today. May we all enjoy our lives just as she did her 93 years of living!!!!!!
My mother's LIFE WAS GREAT........a positive energetic lady that gave me my wonderful outlook on life and made me what I am today. May we all enjoy our lives just as she did her 93 years of living!!!!!!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Sat: I'm LATE..........!!! (Second post below)
Just a quick little post.......as I am beginning to receive emails asking if I, or my family, have become ill or if some disaster has happened.
NO......but our stick and brick is throbbing with the sounds of two little granddaughters as they run from one end of the stick/brick to another playing and having a good time. Dr. Jeni, Darrel and daughters arrived yesterday evening for the weekend. Our son, Jeremy, also arrived from Indiana for the weekend, so last night we went out for the local favorite around here on a Friday night: all-you-can-eat fried catfish and hushpuppies!!!! Then by the time the little ones had been put to bed........and after mucho conversations about our 3 month/13 week winter journey......well, I was not concentrating very well, so I just turned out the lights!
TheHowserHouse on wheels is having severe withdrawal symptoms........the furnace had to be left on all last night AND today, so far.....as the temps dipped down to 20 degrees with 25 mph/Texas winds. SURE hope that I have no problems with the water connections inside the rv!!!
Soooo......will update things more....later this evening.............
SECOND POST:
The day flew by with Meghan and Ava here enjoying the piano, the "new" (new to them) toys to play with, and other varied activities. Dr. Jeni worked on some bookkeeping for her dental business, and before long.......it was time for dinner.
Just prior to dinner, the traditional eggs for Easter were boiled and the girls dyed a few of the eggs.......they just didn't seem to get into the "spirit" of doing the egg business on the day before the Easter Rabbit was to come!! Times change.............don't they????
Dr. Jeni and Darrel and the girls went out this evening to visit some friends from high school. The 1st Lady and I went to visit our friends, the Hanner's, whose home was filled with their family. As their youngest daughter married a man from Turkey a few short years ago, they were here from Chicago and their oldest daughter and children were here from Tucson. Ozzie's parents from Turkey had flown over and so they were at the Hanner's also. They do not speak any English, so Ozzie had to translate all weekend....hahaha. But....guess he is used to doing that!
And soooooo, the evening flew by, just as this day did.......and as I have said so frequently, so are our lives flying by......QUICKLY!!!!! Amazing......when you are retired and do not have a tight schedule to keep up with.......the time seems to just go faster and faster!!!! UGH.......that means before long....another year will have passed and then I will have do deal with ALL of the paperwork for Medicare!!!!!!!
The 1st Lady and I feel like we are only here because we have a few responsibilities to take care of......... Isn't that a different feeling???? It doesn't really seem like "home" after being gone for the past 13 weeks.......and you know......after only four days of being "home", I REALLY DO MISS being out on the road!!!!!! Not certain I can wait until the end of May to leave again!!!!!! But......
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
NO......but our stick and brick is throbbing with the sounds of two little granddaughters as they run from one end of the stick/brick to another playing and having a good time. Dr. Jeni, Darrel and daughters arrived yesterday evening for the weekend. Our son, Jeremy, also arrived from Indiana for the weekend, so last night we went out for the local favorite around here on a Friday night: all-you-can-eat fried catfish and hushpuppies!!!! Then by the time the little ones had been put to bed........and after mucho conversations about our 3 month/13 week winter journey......well, I was not concentrating very well, so I just turned out the lights!
TheHowserHouse on wheels is having severe withdrawal symptoms........the furnace had to be left on all last night AND today, so far.....as the temps dipped down to 20 degrees with 25 mph/Texas winds. SURE hope that I have no problems with the water connections inside the rv!!!
Soooo......will update things more....later this evening.............
SECOND POST:
The day flew by with Meghan and Ava here enjoying the piano, the "new" (new to them) toys to play with, and other varied activities. Dr. Jeni worked on some bookkeeping for her dental business, and before long.......it was time for dinner.
Just prior to dinner, the traditional eggs for Easter were boiled and the girls dyed a few of the eggs.......they just didn't seem to get into the "spirit" of doing the egg business on the day before the Easter Rabbit was to come!! Times change.............don't they????
Dr. Jeni and Darrel and the girls went out this evening to visit some friends from high school. The 1st Lady and I went to visit our friends, the Hanner's, whose home was filled with their family. As their youngest daughter married a man from Turkey a few short years ago, they were here from Chicago and their oldest daughter and children were here from Tucson. Ozzie's parents from Turkey had flown over and so they were at the Hanner's also. They do not speak any English, so Ozzie had to translate all weekend....hahaha. But....guess he is used to doing that!
And soooooo, the evening flew by, just as this day did.......and as I have said so frequently, so are our lives flying by......QUICKLY!!!!! Amazing......when you are retired and do not have a tight schedule to keep up with.......the time seems to just go faster and faster!!!! UGH.......that means before long....another year will have passed and then I will have do deal with ALL of the paperwork for Medicare!!!!!!!
The 1st Lady and I feel like we are only here because we have a few responsibilities to take care of......... Isn't that a different feeling???? It doesn't really seem like "home" after being gone for the past 13 weeks.......and you know......after only four days of being "home", I REALLY DO MISS being out on the road!!!!!! Not certain I can wait until the end of May to leave again!!!!!! But......
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Spring OR Winter?????
GLOBAL WARMING?????? Well, it certainly is not happening this week in Missouri!!! Record lows are about to be set tomorrow and Saturday nights here in this area........a deep freeze is about to occur. And the 1st Lady and I thought it was "safe" to return to Missouri from our winter in the desert and the Rio Grande Valley!!! HA!
Today was the day we had selected to go visit Mike and.......so we did. He seems in good spirits and is enjoying his latest position as a "facilitator" for special programs. Some new challenges in teaching some special classes and programs.....and that is good for him. Of course, this took up most of our day.......and that does not bother us when it is doing something to assist him.
We returned around supper......and shortly afterwards, our good friends and "house sitters"....Michael and Melissa Goldsmith.... called and later came over to the stick/brick. They had our mail for the past month or so and so I had plenty to do in sorting out the trash mail from the letters, bills, and invitations that we needed to read and respond to. It was sooooo good to see them......and I realized that we just need to spend more time.....MAKE more time for the four of us to get together more often!!!! They are very special people............very special to the 1st Lady and myself!!!!!! Life is tooooo damn short to not spend more time with good friends!!!
I have the heat/furnace turned on in TheHowserHouse (on wheels)......and hopefully it will be enough to keep things warm so that nothing will freeze. Hmmmmmm........sure hope it works. I also have the tank heaters turned on.......they keep the various holding tanks from freezing...and the furnace does heat the basement where many of the items that could freeze are currently stored.
DAMN........I sure miss being on the road!!!!! January, February, and March just simply flew by......and now it almost seems like a dream that happened. I could EASILY sell my stick and brick....but the 1st Lady is a bit more attached to it than I am. She needs to have some type of permanent place to call "home"......rather than something that is rolling on four wheels. I am certain that in a previous Life that I was an explorer.........I just love to see what is around the curve or over the next hill.........the lure of the unknown down the road, the thrill of seeing and experiencing some unexpected place or thing..........I need that to satisfy my soul!! And now.....my soul is experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the things that I need to be doing........traveling around this beautiful world and learning......learning about, and from, the many different cultures that can be found wherever I/you go! Life is simply way tooooo short to just stay in one place and become a veggie!! ( EIGHT weeks until we leave again..)
And so........no matter how depressing it is to not be "on the road".....
Life is GREAT......and, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Today was the day we had selected to go visit Mike and.......so we did. He seems in good spirits and is enjoying his latest position as a "facilitator" for special programs. Some new challenges in teaching some special classes and programs.....and that is good for him. Of course, this took up most of our day.......and that does not bother us when it is doing something to assist him.
We returned around supper......and shortly afterwards, our good friends and "house sitters"....Michael and Melissa Goldsmith.... called and later came over to the stick/brick. They had our mail for the past month or so and so I had plenty to do in sorting out the trash mail from the letters, bills, and invitations that we needed to read and respond to. It was sooooo good to see them......and I realized that we just need to spend more time.....MAKE more time for the four of us to get together more often!!!! They are very special people............very special to the 1st Lady and myself!!!!!! Life is tooooo damn short to not spend more time with good friends!!!
I have the heat/furnace turned on in TheHowserHouse (on wheels)......and hopefully it will be enough to keep things warm so that nothing will freeze. Hmmmmmm........sure hope it works. I also have the tank heaters turned on.......they keep the various holding tanks from freezing...and the furnace does heat the basement where many of the items that could freeze are currently stored.
DAMN........I sure miss being on the road!!!!! January, February, and March just simply flew by......and now it almost seems like a dream that happened. I could EASILY sell my stick and brick....but the 1st Lady is a bit more attached to it than I am. She needs to have some type of permanent place to call "home"......rather than something that is rolling on four wheels. I am certain that in a previous Life that I was an explorer.........I just love to see what is around the curve or over the next hill.........the lure of the unknown down the road, the thrill of seeing and experiencing some unexpected place or thing..........I need that to satisfy my soul!! And now.....my soul is experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the things that I need to be doing........traveling around this beautiful world and learning......learning about, and from, the many different cultures that can be found wherever I/you go! Life is simply way tooooo short to just stay in one place and become a veggie!! ( EIGHT weeks until we leave again..)
And so........no matter how depressing it is to not be "on the road".....
Life is GREAT......and, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
WHAT happened to the warm Missouri weather???
BRRRRRRRR.......it is cold here!!!! WHY am I HERE?????? Perhaps we should have stayed out for four months until we were assured that it would not be cold upon arriving at our stick and brick!!! Tonight....down to 26 degrees. I have the furnace on and the tank heaters on in TheHowserHouse as it sits there all alone in our driveway......looking lonely and sad with no one inside enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. I did NOT re-winterize.....DAMN....I am NOT going to do that in April. Of course......hahaha...I may find I have some freeze damage. I think with the furnace on, the tank heaters on, and the heat from the furnace going into the basement, I will be alright.....????
Today??? Well.....it was clean-up day in TheHowserHouse on wheels. I continued to carry in the items we need in the stick and brick......and then I really got down on my knees and cleaned. Did the shower, bathroom, and cleaned out the refridge.......washing everything down, shower glass on all three sides, etc., etc. Needs to be done so when it is time to go again, everything will be clean and ready to go.
My azaleas are in bloom!!!! And, so I went out and looked at them and then said "good-bye" as they will freeze tonight and there will go the pretty little flowers. And.....many of my plants may suffer tonight. These flowers are all WAY ahead of the annual schedule.....usually blooming in late April or early May........
Been looking at rv parks online.......wishful dreaming!!! Trying to get some idea of where we might go after the 2nd International Cedar Creek RV Owner's Club Rally which is the first ween in June very close to the Wisconsin Dells. We will be there almost the entire week for this really fun rally.........ALWAYS loads of laughs and great food and fun events. We also have to decide about where, and for what length, we will be going for next winter. Anxious already!!!!!
And so.......a rather boring day here at the stick and brick. OMG.....was that a negative statement from me?????????? Guess I'm guilty........ But, nevertheless......
Life IS Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Today??? Well.....it was clean-up day in TheHowserHouse on wheels. I continued to carry in the items we need in the stick and brick......and then I really got down on my knees and cleaned. Did the shower, bathroom, and cleaned out the refridge.......washing everything down, shower glass on all three sides, etc., etc. Needs to be done so when it is time to go again, everything will be clean and ready to go.
My azaleas are in bloom!!!! And, so I went out and looked at them and then said "good-bye" as they will freeze tonight and there will go the pretty little flowers. And.....many of my plants may suffer tonight. These flowers are all WAY ahead of the annual schedule.....usually blooming in late April or early May........
Been looking at rv parks online.......wishful dreaming!!! Trying to get some idea of where we might go after the 2nd International Cedar Creek RV Owner's Club Rally which is the first ween in June very close to the Wisconsin Dells. We will be there almost the entire week for this really fun rally.........ALWAYS loads of laughs and great food and fun events. We also have to decide about where, and for what length, we will be going for next winter. Anxious already!!!!!
And so.......a rather boring day here at the stick and brick. OMG.....was that a negative statement from me?????????? Guess I'm guilty........ But, nevertheless......
Life IS Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Day 91: THIRTEEN WEEKS and home......8000 miles!!!!
With all of the bad weather due to cross Missouri today, I was up and had my Fr. Roast by 7 this morning. Then......it was time to get things put away, unhooked, wrapped up, and on the road. The 1st Lady was up before 8 and by 8:50am we were on the highway and headed back to F'town.....after 13 very, very SHORT weeks.
We stayed ahead of all of the storms and arrived in our driveway at 1pm ....with only one attempt necessary to get TheHowserHouse in the proper location!!!! We drove only 150 miles less than 8000 miles!!!!!! WOW.......that was many more miles than I had anticipated when we left here on January 3rd. This has been our second longest trip.......the longest being our trip to Alaska in the early '80's when we drove 11,000 miles during the 8 weeks we were gone.
We had to search a bit to find the keys to the stick and brick.......hahaha....couldn't remember where we had stored them for the three months we were gone.......but, we found them! Our neighbor had mowed the front lawn.....now only the rest is left for me. The house was clean as a pin........some little elf must have crawled in and put the house in the proper order for us while we were gone!!!!????
Well.....it took almost all afternoon to get most of the things out of the rv and into the stick and brick. And.....we are still not finished yet. THE STORMS ARRIVED.....and we had to quit running back and forth. THIS is the worst part about using the rv......the loading and unloading of it, but it sure is mucho better than carrying stuff in and out of a hotel each night!!!!! I still have the refridge to empty tomorrow. It has been drizzling ever since the storm passed.....so I gave up for the evening.
Of course, we had to reprogram all of the tv's as we had lowered the cable and wifi to just the bare minimum while we were gone. The TIVO took the longest......as it had been disconnected for the three months. Then when I attempted to get all of the food items, minus the cold ones, back into the kitchen.......I HAD NO IDEA WHERE ANYTHING WAS SUPPOSED TO GO!!!!!!! We had left sooooo soon after the remodeling of the kitchen was complete that I still hadn't become used to the new locations for everything in the kitchen.......so I SURE didn't know where they were to go today....after three months. What a confusing task it was!!!!!
And so.......our journey for the winter months has come to an end!!! Where did the time go???? It was a trip that will not be matched......or at least will be very difficult to match. A very brief outline:
Overnighting in: Texarkana, TX
San Marcos, TX
January was spent in the Rio Grande Valley, Mercedes, TX
Trips to Progreso, Mexico during these four weeks
Trip to South Padre Island
Overnighting in: San Antonio, Tx for two nights: Riverwalk
Ft. Stockton, Tx
Las Cruces, NM
5 weeks in: Casa Grande, AZ
Trips to Phoenix, Mesa, etc., during these 5 weeks
1st Lady flew back to MO for a "granddaughter fix"
2 nights in: Quartzsite, AZ boondocking in the desert
Day trip to Lake Havasu, AZ
5 nights in: Las Vegas, NV
Day trip to Hoover Dam
4 nights in: Williams, Az
Day trips to: Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona, Sunset Volcano NP
2 nights in: Meteor Crater, Az
Day trip to: Petrified Forest NP, Painted Desert NP
3 nights in: Santa Fe, NM
3 nights in: Amarillo, TX due to severe storms and winds
1 night in: Joplin, MO
3 nights in: Osage Beach, MO
Home after almost 8000 miles!!!!
We have many things to catch up on before we leave at the end of next month........not certain how long we will be on the road then........plans yet to be made! But........how can I say anything else but:
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND....I HOPE IT IS FOR ALL OF YOU, ALSO!!!!!!!!
We stayed ahead of all of the storms and arrived in our driveway at 1pm ....with only one attempt necessary to get TheHowserHouse in the proper location!!!! We drove only 150 miles less than 8000 miles!!!!!! WOW.......that was many more miles than I had anticipated when we left here on January 3rd. This has been our second longest trip.......the longest being our trip to Alaska in the early '80's when we drove 11,000 miles during the 8 weeks we were gone.
We had to search a bit to find the keys to the stick and brick.......hahaha....couldn't remember where we had stored them for the three months we were gone.......but, we found them! Our neighbor had mowed the front lawn.....now only the rest is left for me. The house was clean as a pin........some little elf must have crawled in and put the house in the proper order for us while we were gone!!!!????
Well.....it took almost all afternoon to get most of the things out of the rv and into the stick and brick. And.....we are still not finished yet. THE STORMS ARRIVED.....and we had to quit running back and forth. THIS is the worst part about using the rv......the loading and unloading of it, but it sure is mucho better than carrying stuff in and out of a hotel each night!!!!! I still have the refridge to empty tomorrow. It has been drizzling ever since the storm passed.....so I gave up for the evening.
Of course, we had to reprogram all of the tv's as we had lowered the cable and wifi to just the bare minimum while we were gone. The TIVO took the longest......as it had been disconnected for the three months. Then when I attempted to get all of the food items, minus the cold ones, back into the kitchen.......I HAD NO IDEA WHERE ANYTHING WAS SUPPOSED TO GO!!!!!!! We had left sooooo soon after the remodeling of the kitchen was complete that I still hadn't become used to the new locations for everything in the kitchen.......so I SURE didn't know where they were to go today....after three months. What a confusing task it was!!!!!
And so.......our journey for the winter months has come to an end!!! Where did the time go???? It was a trip that will not be matched......or at least will be very difficult to match. A very brief outline:
Overnighting in: Texarkana, TX
San Marcos, TX
January was spent in the Rio Grande Valley, Mercedes, TX
Trips to Progreso, Mexico during these four weeks
Trip to South Padre Island
Overnighting in: San Antonio, Tx for two nights: Riverwalk
Ft. Stockton, Tx
Las Cruces, NM
5 weeks in: Casa Grande, AZ
Trips to Phoenix, Mesa, etc., during these 5 weeks
1st Lady flew back to MO for a "granddaughter fix"
2 nights in: Quartzsite, AZ boondocking in the desert
Day trip to Lake Havasu, AZ
5 nights in: Las Vegas, NV
Day trip to Hoover Dam
4 nights in: Williams, Az
Day trips to: Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona, Sunset Volcano NP
2 nights in: Meteor Crater, Az
Day trip to: Petrified Forest NP, Painted Desert NP
3 nights in: Santa Fe, NM
3 nights in: Amarillo, TX due to severe storms and winds
1 night in: Joplin, MO
3 nights in: Osage Beach, MO
Home after almost 8000 miles!!!!
We have many things to catch up on before we leave at the end of next month........not certain how long we will be on the road then........plans yet to be made! But........how can I say anything else but:
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND....I HOPE IT IS FOR ALL OF YOU, ALSO!!!!!!!!
Monday, April 02, 2007
Day 90: Last day in Osage Beach....
Another great morning!!! Enjoyed watching the river flow downstream......and watching the ducks and herons searching for some vittles to enjoy.
About mid-morning we went to the Osage Beach Outlet Mall......and spent more than two hours there looking and a bit of purchasing for our youngest granddaughter's 2nd BD which will be later this month.
Then.....we went to my sister's again to spend the afternoon with my mother. She will not get any better.......and so it is not easy to see her slowly make the decline...and it may not take very long. She does not want to eat(and doesn't)....and takes very little liquid each day......and we all know she cannot continue long doing no more than that. Her will to continue is just not there any more....she is tired, certainly depressed with her inability to do anything at all for herself, and so she sleeps the majority of each day.
Leaving my sister's house, we decided to stop at a new....new to us.....Mexican restaurant in Osage Beach: "El Jimador". And WOW......this place is really quite good!!!!! The Margarita's during "happy hour" are only $1.95.....and worth more than double that price. The food was quite authentic.......and the service was very good. WE WILL RETURN!!!! And.....I recommend it to anyone in the Osage Beach area......!
Back at the Riverview RV Park....we took a walk around the park.....and visited with several others staying here in the rv park. It has been a nice evening and so we enjoyed the river....and the conversations with the others who are here.
Tomorrow we return to our stick and brick......and the responsibilities that await us with that stick and brick. We have had EXCELLENT help in watching and caring for our home while we have been gone for 13 weeks.......we couldn't have made this extended trip without this help from Michael Goldsmith and Melissa. I have known them since they were both in high school and in leadership positions in my band during their hs years.........and we have faced many problems together as student/teacher....and as friends as these years have swept swiftly by. How lucky can a teacher be to have had such wonderful students as I have had during the 30 years of teaching that I experienced.....and loved!!!!
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!!.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
About mid-morning we went to the Osage Beach Outlet Mall......and spent more than two hours there looking and a bit of purchasing for our youngest granddaughter's 2nd BD which will be later this month.
Then.....we went to my sister's again to spend the afternoon with my mother. She will not get any better.......and so it is not easy to see her slowly make the decline...and it may not take very long. She does not want to eat(and doesn't)....and takes very little liquid each day......and we all know she cannot continue long doing no more than that. Her will to continue is just not there any more....she is tired, certainly depressed with her inability to do anything at all for herself, and so she sleeps the majority of each day.
Leaving my sister's house, we decided to stop at a new....new to us.....Mexican restaurant in Osage Beach: "El Jimador". And WOW......this place is really quite good!!!!! The Margarita's during "happy hour" are only $1.95.....and worth more than double that price. The food was quite authentic.......and the service was very good. WE WILL RETURN!!!! And.....I recommend it to anyone in the Osage Beach area......!
Back at the Riverview RV Park....we took a walk around the park.....and visited with several others staying here in the rv park. It has been a nice evening and so we enjoyed the river....and the conversations with the others who are here.
Tomorrow we return to our stick and brick......and the responsibilities that await us with that stick and brick. We have had EXCELLENT help in watching and caring for our home while we have been gone for 13 weeks.......we couldn't have made this extended trip without this help from Michael Goldsmith and Melissa. I have known them since they were both in high school and in leadership positions in my band during their hs years.........and we have faced many problems together as student/teacher....and as friends as these years have swept swiftly by. How lucky can a teacher be to have had such wonderful students as I have had during the 30 years of teaching that I experienced.....and loved!!!!
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!!.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Day 89: Lake Ozark and a varied day
A beautiful day dawned this morning as we awoke beside the Osage River a half mile or so below Bagnell Dam. The rear end of TheHowserHouse sits on the edge of the bank right above the river and it makes for a nice view.
At 8am....my phone rang and it was my former student Mike who is the Asst. Principal here at the Osage High School. He used to be the Director of Bands but went into Administration.......and I don't blame him because that is where the $$ are in the field of education. He was an excellent band director though......and the kids lost a wonderful friend as well as their band director.
He wanted me to meet him for breakfast, so about a half hour later we met at Denny's and spent an hour eating.....well, we didn't eat as much as we talked!!!! He had a golf tourney to play in so we only had that hour to catch up on many months of not being together. We have lots in common and after all of these many years....he graduated from HS in 1982......we still have sooooo much to say to each other.
Merrie.......I missed not seeing you this morning.......wish you had been able to come with Mike and have breakfast with us!!!!
After returning to TheHowserHouse the 1st Lady and I decided to go to the huge Outlet Mall that is here.....and we spent about 2 hours just looking but not buying. After that we went to my sister's house to spend the afternoon there visiting the family....and with my mother. My niece brought her twin grandchildren to visit with all of us........hard to believe that I am the great-great uncle of those two little tots!!!
My mother remains the same......confused at times and then she is "with us"....and then the cycle repeats itself. She has her 94th birthday at the end of this month. We spent all afternoon there and then returned this evening to have a light supper outside overlooking the river.
We will remain here until Tuesday when we will return to F'town after 13 weeks of being on this winter journey. As I have stated before.....I could continue to go on down the road........for as long as I am healthy, but.....we do have a stick and brick to take care of.....so we will return home for a few weeks before we head down the road again. And so........as always.....
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
At 8am....my phone rang and it was my former student Mike who is the Asst. Principal here at the Osage High School. He used to be the Director of Bands but went into Administration.......and I don't blame him because that is where the $$ are in the field of education. He was an excellent band director though......and the kids lost a wonderful friend as well as their band director.
He wanted me to meet him for breakfast, so about a half hour later we met at Denny's and spent an hour eating.....well, we didn't eat as much as we talked!!!! He had a golf tourney to play in so we only had that hour to catch up on many months of not being together. We have lots in common and after all of these many years....he graduated from HS in 1982......we still have sooooo much to say to each other.
Merrie.......I missed not seeing you this morning.......wish you had been able to come with Mike and have breakfast with us!!!!
After returning to TheHowserHouse the 1st Lady and I decided to go to the huge Outlet Mall that is here.....and we spent about 2 hours just looking but not buying. After that we went to my sister's house to spend the afternoon there visiting the family....and with my mother. My niece brought her twin grandchildren to visit with all of us........hard to believe that I am the great-great uncle of those two little tots!!!
My mother remains the same......confused at times and then she is "with us"....and then the cycle repeats itself. She has her 94th birthday at the end of this month. We spent all afternoon there and then returned this evening to have a light supper outside overlooking the river.
We will remain here until Tuesday when we will return to F'town after 13 weeks of being on this winter journey. As I have stated before.....I could continue to go on down the road........for as long as I am healthy, but.....we do have a stick and brick to take care of.....so we will return home for a few weeks before we head down the road again. And so........as always.....
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Day 88: Joplin to Lake of the Ozarks......
It was a quiet night in the RV Parking area of the Joplin Flying J, except for the storm that rolled in sometime during the night. Awakened sometime during darkness......even though we were sandwiched in between several other rv's......only about 3 feet apart on each side.....I felt the wind shaking TheHowserHouse rather strongly!! My first thought was that thank God we were so close to the other rv's or we would REALLY be rocking and rolling. It didn't last over 25 minutes, but it rained and the wind howled for the entire time and without any damage.
We were up a bit after 7am.....and then sometime after 8 we went inside to have the Buffet Breakfast at the Flying J. Not tooooo bad......the biscuits and muffins were the best part of the entire buffet. Just rather ordinary.....
I had to put fuel into the truck....and be 9:15 we were on the road. It was only about 160 miles up to the Lake.....and shortly after arriving we were unhooking the truck and attaching the umbilical cords to the power sources. It was VERY windy trip up here....and the wind continued all afternoon! Really strong and gusty.
Our RV Park is the Riverview RV Park just below the Osage River bridge.....and down from Bagnell Dam. Our large picture window at the rear of TheHowserHouse looks out and over the Osage River which flows by our campsite. A wonderful site......and not a bad rv park. We have a great view.....unbeatable cable TV with TONS of channels, and outstanding Wifi!!!! The sites are gravel.....perhaps could be a bit more level.....but he gravel is new and just needs to be packed down more. Not many pull thru spots....but the back-in spot we are in was at a 45 degree angle to the road which made it really easy to get all 38' put into the proper place.
After a bit of freshening up, we went to my sister's home to visit her and my mother who is not doing very well. She is pretty much bedridden........and I doubt that anything changes. She has nothing really wrong with her other than she is just tired, frail, and almost refuses to eat or take liquids........she is strong when it comes to having her own way!
The 1st Lady and I spent most of the afternoon there.....and then upon leaving we decided to dine at Chili's. Another good meal at a very reasonable price.....and the desert chocolate/caramel cake was very good! The in-house wine had a bit of the open-bottle-for-too-long syndrome.....but it was drinkable to accompany the Penne pasta with grilled cajun spiced shrimp with fresh tomatoes over the pasta and cream sauce. REALLY quite tasty....and the shrimp were excellent. Not over cooked, but not mushy either.......an excellent grilled taste with the cajun spice applied in just the correct amount......a very good choice the next time you eat at Chili's!!
Back to TheHowserHouse.....and several phone calls to discuss my aging more today! Great to hear from all of you....!!! Thanks for calling!! And for those that sent emails and email cards......a big thanks to all of you, also!!!! With all of this going on today and this evening........
Life is GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
AN ADDED COMMENT: Thanks to my very good "younger" friend, Mike Goldsmith for his birthday wishes to me along with the picture of my new shower door at our stick and brick.....which he posted in his own blog. What a GREAT birthday surprise!!!
We were up a bit after 7am.....and then sometime after 8 we went inside to have the Buffet Breakfast at the Flying J. Not tooooo bad......the biscuits and muffins were the best part of the entire buffet. Just rather ordinary.....
I had to put fuel into the truck....and be 9:15 we were on the road. It was only about 160 miles up to the Lake.....and shortly after arriving we were unhooking the truck and attaching the umbilical cords to the power sources. It was VERY windy trip up here....and the wind continued all afternoon! Really strong and gusty.
Our RV Park is the Riverview RV Park just below the Osage River bridge.....and down from Bagnell Dam. Our large picture window at the rear of TheHowserHouse looks out and over the Osage River which flows by our campsite. A wonderful site......and not a bad rv park. We have a great view.....unbeatable cable TV with TONS of channels, and outstanding Wifi!!!! The sites are gravel.....perhaps could be a bit more level.....but he gravel is new and just needs to be packed down more. Not many pull thru spots....but the back-in spot we are in was at a 45 degree angle to the road which made it really easy to get all 38' put into the proper place.
After a bit of freshening up, we went to my sister's home to visit her and my mother who is not doing very well. She is pretty much bedridden........and I doubt that anything changes. She has nothing really wrong with her other than she is just tired, frail, and almost refuses to eat or take liquids........she is strong when it comes to having her own way!
The 1st Lady and I spent most of the afternoon there.....and then upon leaving we decided to dine at Chili's. Another good meal at a very reasonable price.....and the desert chocolate/caramel cake was very good! The in-house wine had a bit of the open-bottle-for-too-long syndrome.....but it was drinkable to accompany the Penne pasta with grilled cajun spiced shrimp with fresh tomatoes over the pasta and cream sauce. REALLY quite tasty....and the shrimp were excellent. Not over cooked, but not mushy either.......an excellent grilled taste with the cajun spice applied in just the correct amount......a very good choice the next time you eat at Chili's!!
Back to TheHowserHouse.....and several phone calls to discuss my aging more today! Great to hear from all of you....!!! Thanks for calling!! And for those that sent emails and email cards......a big thanks to all of you, also!!!! With all of this going on today and this evening........
Life is GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
AN ADDED COMMENT: Thanks to my very good "younger" friend, Mike Goldsmith for his birthday wishes to me along with the picture of my new shower door at our stick and brick.....which he posted in his own blog. What a GREAT birthday surprise!!!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Day 87: Amarillo to Joplin, MO
Up in the dark……about 7am…..Amarillo is soooo close to the west boundary of Central Daylight Time that the sun is soooo late in rising it really bothers me. Anyway…..up and began getting the inside of TheHowserHouse ready to roll. There are always many items that must be stored away, my glasses for my dark red medicine must be laid on their sides, and other items such as the bottles in the shower must be placed on the shower floor. Just little items that need to be taken care of in order to keep a disaster from happening……and a mess to clean up later.
We left the Amarillo Ranch RV Park at 8:45 am…..and jumped onto I-40 for the trip to Tulsa and the Cherokee Casino parking grounds. Well……well…….the winds began the minute I left Amarillo…..and it got worse and worse. I had to take the overdrive off as it didn’t have enough power for me to get past 50-55 mph and then the winds began to REALLY blow from the north and just kept slamming against the side of the trailer.
Sooooo, we traveled for 253 miles like that…..all the way to Oklahoma City. Stopped for diesel fuel just before we got into the suburbs and as soon as we left there and got into OK City, the winds abated. From there on to Tulsa…..it was smooth sailing. We decided to not stop at the Casino…..it was way too early to pull over for the evening, and so we just kept driving up the Will Rogers Turnpike and finally reached the Missouri line…..and pulled into a Flying J just east of Joplin on I-44.
The RV parking appeared to be full, except for a couple of lanes in the middle of some rv’s, and there was a fellow standing there as if he was waiting for others in this group to arrive…..so I thought. Soooo, we went to the back of the parking area where the Big Rigs go…..and where they sit there and make sooooooo damn much noise with their gennies running, etc., etc. We pulled in beside a motor home and talked to the owner for a few minutes and he said he was staying there overnight, so we decided to just stay there.
After some looking at all of the interesting items that Flying J sells inside their store, we took a walk and wound up back in the front parking area. I went over to the fellow standing there by the empty spaces and asked him if he was the Wagon Master for a caravan. NOPE….he wasn’t……so I said I thought I would go get TheHowserHouse and bring it around in the front where it is soooooo much quieter. He said he would save the space for me….and so, I backed out of the space I was already in…..came around the front and then pulled into the space.
After that we all got out and had a great 30 minutes of rving conversation before it began to sprinkle. There was another Cedar Creek owner who is a full timer and he was on his way back to the factory for some repair work on his rig…..a 2006 CC. The same model….exactly….as mine! Lots of talking and comparison with him and myself.
It is now 8pm and I am writing this with no spare battery for the lappie…..and I will be brief and get this turned off. At 9pm, I can get on my phone and then online…..and then I will hopefully get this posted.
It has been a really tiring day…….457 miles from Amarillo to here…..more than I usually drive towing TheHowserHouse, and my body is screaming a bit at me. Of course, it knows full well…..that it will be another year older tomorrow, the 31st. My aging hulk is sagging a bit more tonight just knowing that I will be 64 years old tomorrow…….DAMN!!!! Where is my Life going to???? How long will it last??? When will this aging body begin to break down???? Hmmmmm…….lots of thoughts going thru my head tonight……hahaha.
What the hell……..I am having a great time right now……my rebirth (retirement) has been going on for almost 6 years…..and each day is a new adventure which brings on new experiences for me to enjoy, or to tackle and solve. I have soooooo much living to do and soooo many things I WANT to do….and I WILL get them done!!!!! Because…….
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
We left the Amarillo Ranch RV Park at 8:45 am…..and jumped onto I-40 for the trip to Tulsa and the Cherokee Casino parking grounds. Well……well…….the winds began the minute I left Amarillo…..and it got worse and worse. I had to take the overdrive off as it didn’t have enough power for me to get past 50-55 mph and then the winds began to REALLY blow from the north and just kept slamming against the side of the trailer.
Sooooo, we traveled for 253 miles like that…..all the way to Oklahoma City. Stopped for diesel fuel just before we got into the suburbs and as soon as we left there and got into OK City, the winds abated. From there on to Tulsa…..it was smooth sailing. We decided to not stop at the Casino…..it was way too early to pull over for the evening, and so we just kept driving up the Will Rogers Turnpike and finally reached the Missouri line…..and pulled into a Flying J just east of Joplin on I-44.
The RV parking appeared to be full, except for a couple of lanes in the middle of some rv’s, and there was a fellow standing there as if he was waiting for others in this group to arrive…..so I thought. Soooo, we went to the back of the parking area where the Big Rigs go…..and where they sit there and make sooooooo damn much noise with their gennies running, etc., etc. We pulled in beside a motor home and talked to the owner for a few minutes and he said he was staying there overnight, so we decided to just stay there.
After some looking at all of the interesting items that Flying J sells inside their store, we took a walk and wound up back in the front parking area. I went over to the fellow standing there by the empty spaces and asked him if he was the Wagon Master for a caravan. NOPE….he wasn’t……so I said I thought I would go get TheHowserHouse and bring it around in the front where it is soooooo much quieter. He said he would save the space for me….and so, I backed out of the space I was already in…..came around the front and then pulled into the space.
After that we all got out and had a great 30 minutes of rving conversation before it began to sprinkle. There was another Cedar Creek owner who is a full timer and he was on his way back to the factory for some repair work on his rig…..a 2006 CC. The same model….exactly….as mine! Lots of talking and comparison with him and myself.
It is now 8pm and I am writing this with no spare battery for the lappie…..and I will be brief and get this turned off. At 9pm, I can get on my phone and then online…..and then I will hopefully get this posted.
It has been a really tiring day…….457 miles from Amarillo to here…..more than I usually drive towing TheHowserHouse, and my body is screaming a bit at me. Of course, it knows full well…..that it will be another year older tomorrow, the 31st. My aging hulk is sagging a bit more tonight just knowing that I will be 64 years old tomorrow…….DAMN!!!! Where is my Life going to???? How long will it last??? When will this aging body begin to break down???? Hmmmmm…….lots of thoughts going thru my head tonight……hahaha.
What the hell……..I am having a great time right now……my rebirth (retirement) has been going on for almost 6 years…..and each day is a new adventure which brings on new experiences for me to enjoy, or to tackle and solve. I have soooooo much living to do and soooo many things I WANT to do….and I WILL get them done!!!!! Because…….
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Day 86: Not able to post on wed...STORMS
I will catch up later.....not able to post last night(Wed) as we were in storm shelter due to severe outbreaks of tornadoes in the Texas panhandle. We did not go to Ok City yesterday because of severe winds here in Amarillo and east with 35-40 mph winds ALL day long. Couldn't pull TheHowserHouse in those winds. TERRIBLE all day long.
ADDENDUM #1
It is now 2:30 in the afternoon.....Thurs......and we are in Amarillo with bright blue skies and full sun. Yep........after much discussion and consternation, we decided to remain one more day in the hope that the storms which are now affecting Oklahoma will not be as severe tomorrow as they are expected to be today.......so we are still in Amarillo.
Yesterday we shopped, looked around the town....and returned to TheHowserHouse with horrific winds blowing....upwards of 45 mph during the afternooon.....sustained winds, not gusts!!! Sure glad we didn't try to drive yesterday.
THEN....the storms began to roll upwards from the south and into this area. By 8pm we were in the clubhouse/restrooms in a concrete block building......not the more secure, but one HELL of a lot more secure than TheHowserHouse would have been in a tornado. The tornadoes began to drop all around Amarillo......and we became more concerned. Soooo.....
We gathered up our important paperwork, the camera, both computers, and a backpack of "goodies" and went to the restroom building. We joined others there who were as deeply concerned as we were.....and with weather radios blasting we listened as the storms began to take their toll with 15-30 miles of us. Then we received word that just 30 miles east of here a tornado had touched down at a trucker's rest area.....and many semi's were blown all over the highway, with one being completely crushed by flying steel beams. We heard this morning that the driver was killed. I-40 eastbound was shut down for some time during that....and during the night.
About10pm we returned to TheHowserHouse and then received the word from TV that another severe thunderstorm was moving into east Amarillo with golfball to baseball sized hail and winds up to 70 mph. Well......we decided to just wait and see......and the hard rains arrived, small pea sized hail....and then it was gone.....THANK GOODNESS!!!!
Around midnight we went upstairs to bed........and this morning after seeing the weather report we finally decided to not start east and drive into the storms there.....that we had suffered with last night.
Yep.....it was 1966 when I was last here in Amarillo, doing my Basic Training.....and now I am stuck here again....hahaha! I WILL never return to Amarillo for any reason!!!!
More later......
ADDENDUM #2
It continued to be an outstanding clear afternoon.........and the 1st Lady and I decided to take a swim, so we went over to the Clubhouse to the indoor pool and hot tub. It is a really large pool....much larger than most rv parks.......and so we really did enjoy out time there.
We have met some great people here.....and especially the couple next door to us. They, too, are heading east....to Massachusetts(sp?).....and so they have remained here for the same amount of time that we have these past two days. There are several other rv rigs who also have stayed here rather than face the horrific winds yesterday and the horrible storms in Oklahoma today.
Next door, Alan and Janet have been full-timing it since 1989........and really enjoy this lifestyle. They are a great couple and we have had such a good time getting to know them through many, many conversations over the past couple of days.
The weather is NOT looking good for tomorrow and for crossing Oklahoma. Storms are predicted....and severe ones at that......DAMN!!!!! We would like to get over to the east side of Tulsa and stay overnight at the Cherokee Casino where we can park for free in their parking lot. Hopefully......hopefully.....we will not have any problems in transit!!!!
On Saturday, the 31st we will go on to Osage Beach, MO......so that we can visit my mother who is slipping farther down with each passing week. I have not reserved a site.....could be a problem on a weekend in March at the Lake of the Ozarks........will call tomorrow when I know WHERE we will be spending tomorrow night.
We have now been gone for OVER 12 weeks.......WOW and WOW!!!!! The time has gone toooo damn fast, as I have said before......but don't all great things happen to quickly????
With everyday going by so rapidly.......each day must be enjoyed to the fullest.....and having said that.......I must repeat:
LIFE IS GREAT.....and, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
ADDENDUM #1
It is now 2:30 in the afternoon.....Thurs......and we are in Amarillo with bright blue skies and full sun. Yep........after much discussion and consternation, we decided to remain one more day in the hope that the storms which are now affecting Oklahoma will not be as severe tomorrow as they are expected to be today.......so we are still in Amarillo.
Yesterday we shopped, looked around the town....and returned to TheHowserHouse with horrific winds blowing....upwards of 45 mph during the afternooon.....sustained winds, not gusts!!! Sure glad we didn't try to drive yesterday.
THEN....the storms began to roll upwards from the south and into this area. By 8pm we were in the clubhouse/restrooms in a concrete block building......not the more secure, but one HELL of a lot more secure than TheHowserHouse would have been in a tornado. The tornadoes began to drop all around Amarillo......and we became more concerned. Soooo.....
We gathered up our important paperwork, the camera, both computers, and a backpack of "goodies" and went to the restroom building. We joined others there who were as deeply concerned as we were.....and with weather radios blasting we listened as the storms began to take their toll with 15-30 miles of us. Then we received word that just 30 miles east of here a tornado had touched down at a trucker's rest area.....and many semi's were blown all over the highway, with one being completely crushed by flying steel beams. We heard this morning that the driver was killed. I-40 eastbound was shut down for some time during that....and during the night.
About10pm we returned to TheHowserHouse and then received the word from TV that another severe thunderstorm was moving into east Amarillo with golfball to baseball sized hail and winds up to 70 mph. Well......we decided to just wait and see......and the hard rains arrived, small pea sized hail....and then it was gone.....THANK GOODNESS!!!!
Around midnight we went upstairs to bed........and this morning after seeing the weather report we finally decided to not start east and drive into the storms there.....that we had suffered with last night.
Yep.....it was 1966 when I was last here in Amarillo, doing my Basic Training.....and now I am stuck here again....hahaha! I WILL never return to Amarillo for any reason!!!!
More later......
ADDENDUM #2
It continued to be an outstanding clear afternoon.........and the 1st Lady and I decided to take a swim, so we went over to the Clubhouse to the indoor pool and hot tub. It is a really large pool....much larger than most rv parks.......and so we really did enjoy out time there.
We have met some great people here.....and especially the couple next door to us. They, too, are heading east....to Massachusetts(sp?).....and so they have remained here for the same amount of time that we have these past two days. There are several other rv rigs who also have stayed here rather than face the horrific winds yesterday and the horrible storms in Oklahoma today.
Next door, Alan and Janet have been full-timing it since 1989........and really enjoy this lifestyle. They are a great couple and we have had such a good time getting to know them through many, many conversations over the past couple of days.
The weather is NOT looking good for tomorrow and for crossing Oklahoma. Storms are predicted....and severe ones at that......DAMN!!!!! We would like to get over to the east side of Tulsa and stay overnight at the Cherokee Casino where we can park for free in their parking lot. Hopefully......hopefully.....we will not have any problems in transit!!!!
On Saturday, the 31st we will go on to Osage Beach, MO......so that we can visit my mother who is slipping farther down with each passing week. I have not reserved a site.....could be a problem on a weekend in March at the Lake of the Ozarks........will call tomorrow when I know WHERE we will be spending tomorrow night.
We have now been gone for OVER 12 weeks.......WOW and WOW!!!!! The time has gone toooo damn fast, as I have said before......but don't all great things happen to quickly????
With everyday going by so rapidly.......each day must be enjoyed to the fullest.....and having said that.......I must repeat:
LIFE IS GREAT.....and, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Day 84: Travel day, lunch with friends, great news from the home front...
WOW….what an absolutely stunning sunrise this morning!!!! Could barely take my eyes away from it!! Oh yeah…..I was up at 6:15 this morning to get things ready to move east to Amarillo, TX today. And…..we were on the interstate at 7:50, one and a half hours later. It was an easy trip as we went south on US 285 until we reached I-40 and then headed east. It took only 5 hours from the time we left Santa Fe, NM and then we found the Amarillo Ranch RV Park where I had made a reservation for tonight.
Called and reached our friends from F’town who were on their way west and they arrived in Amarillo an hour later. We met at the Big Texas Steakhouse on the east side of Amarillo, a mile from our rv park. It was great fun to spend almost two hours with them catching up on their news and the news from home. Then they had to get on their way to a small town northwest of here across the border into NM.
We returned to TheHowserHouse and before long we were taking a walk and as always……we spent more time visiting and talking to other rver’s than we did walking. Of course…….they were all “full timers” that we visited with. It is sooooo much fun to meet all of these people, hear THEIR stories, here where they have been, listen to them tell why they love being full time nomads…etc, etc. It sure gives us some thoughts about the nomadic way of life in TheHowserHouse!!
Ahhhhh……damn!!! The weather report for tonight and tomorrow is HIGH WINDS!!!!!! Perhaps 50 mph…….well, to say the least….I will NOT pull TheHowserHouse in that kind of wind……NO DAMN WAY!!!! And so, we are having to rethink our travel plans……and just wait to see if these high winds materialize…….??? I have already made reservations for a new RV park in Oklahoma City for tomorrow night so we can visit friends that we made in the RGV in Texas……..
GREAT NEWS from F’town!!!! My h.s. piano student in F’town called me this afternoon and he had performed in the South East Missouri District Music Festival this morning…..AND…..he was the only pianist who received a I+ on a solo!!!!!!!! WOW…..what a tremendous accomplishment……I am sooooo damn proud of him and the hard work he has done….on his own….while I have been gone the past three months. He is such a wonderful pianist with such a wonderful talent. He performs with so much emotion as well as wonderful technique……and is always soooo modest about his abilities. Through cyberspace I say: CONGRATULATIONS CORY!!!!!
It has been a good day……a good 300 miles over here……a fun time for our late lunch with Betty and John…..and loads of interesting conversations and laughs with the nomads we met here in the RV Park, and the news about Cory, my piano student. And…….with all of these great things going on today…….
LIFE IS GREAT!!!! And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Called and reached our friends from F’town who were on their way west and they arrived in Amarillo an hour later. We met at the Big Texas Steakhouse on the east side of Amarillo, a mile from our rv park. It was great fun to spend almost two hours with them catching up on their news and the news from home. Then they had to get on their way to a small town northwest of here across the border into NM.
We returned to TheHowserHouse and before long we were taking a walk and as always……we spent more time visiting and talking to other rver’s than we did walking. Of course…….they were all “full timers” that we visited with. It is sooooo much fun to meet all of these people, hear THEIR stories, here where they have been, listen to them tell why they love being full time nomads…etc, etc. It sure gives us some thoughts about the nomadic way of life in TheHowserHouse!!
Ahhhhh……damn!!! The weather report for tonight and tomorrow is HIGH WINDS!!!!!! Perhaps 50 mph…….well, to say the least….I will NOT pull TheHowserHouse in that kind of wind……NO DAMN WAY!!!! And so, we are having to rethink our travel plans……and just wait to see if these high winds materialize…….??? I have already made reservations for a new RV park in Oklahoma City for tomorrow night so we can visit friends that we made in the RGV in Texas……..
GREAT NEWS from F’town!!!! My h.s. piano student in F’town called me this afternoon and he had performed in the South East Missouri District Music Festival this morning…..AND…..he was the only pianist who received a I+ on a solo!!!!!!!! WOW…..what a tremendous accomplishment……I am sooooo damn proud of him and the hard work he has done….on his own….while I have been gone the past three months. He is such a wonderful pianist with such a wonderful talent. He performs with so much emotion as well as wonderful technique……and is always soooo modest about his abilities. Through cyberspace I say: CONGRATULATIONS CORY!!!!!
It has been a good day……a good 300 miles over here……a fun time for our late lunch with Betty and John…..and loads of interesting conversations and laughs with the nomads we met here in the RV Park, and the news about Cory, my piano student. And…….with all of these great things going on today…….
LIFE IS GREAT!!!! And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Day 83: Santa Fe's Art Galleries........
A beautiful day......what more can we ask for! After a rather leisurely morning Fr. Roast coffee and the 1st Lady's tea.......we headed into town. Following the map, we soon were driving up Canyon Dr, the home to almost 300 .....YES, I said 300 art galleries!!!! This entire city center of Santa Fe and the 3/4 mile of Canyon Drive is soooo filled with art and sculpture.......WOW......what a place, what a place!!!!
So, we found a place to park on the narrow street and began wandering in and our of the open doors of the adobe, pueblo-styled buildings housing galleries of modern and traditional art, sculpture, baskets, and fabric works of art. Superlatives of the works of art pale beside actually being there and seeing them! Some we liked, some we didn't, but the enjoyment of being able to just view them in a wonderful setting was fabulous.
There were many of the entrances, patios, etc., etc. that also served as venues for bronzes, copper, marble, etc., etc. of statues and various new designs of wind twirlers. My biggest disappointment????????? That I didn't have nearly enough money to purchase some of these so that I could enjoy them on a daily basis........the lowest item we saw was $2000.....and the most expensive that I actually saw was for $153,000. Out of my league, I'm afraid.......damn it!!!!
After about three hours of wandering and enjoying and making this day even brighter than the weather made it, we went to the truck and drove to the city center around the Plaza for lunch.
OK........we made an EXCELLENT choice as we once again had been advised by several people where we should eat today. And our choice????? Pasqual's Cafe!!!!!! OMG.....what a wonderful place, ambience, and food was discovered there by the 1st Lady and myself!!!!!
The cafe/restaurant was located on a corner.....and the door opened right on the diagonal. The looks from the outside my lead one to question this place as one where you might to dine, but......looks are deceiving, as I learned from my 12 trips to Europe. As there were others standing around on the sidewalk, I went inside to leave my name with the young man at the computer.
Returning to the street, I began talking with others waiting for a table. I noticed while inside that the seating was really VERY limited, but the aromas........what can I say??? I was intoxicated by the time I had just left my name! Everyone waiting for a seat were from out of town....and all had heard of Pasqual's.....and heard of the great cuisine here. It wasn't long before the three member family from Chicago that I had been visiting with.....discussing the Berghoff closing and our trip to Chicago just for dinner at Berghoff's last year......well, they were called inside as well as the 1st Lady and myself, and two young ladies that we later discovered were from Denver.......educators.
AND....we were all seated at the same oval table, as well as one gentleman who was "known" by the restaurant staff who was seated next to me. Before long we were all introducing ourselves and learning more and more about each other and the lives we are currently leading. Just the kind of conversation I most enjoy!!!!! As it turned out, the gentleman next to me eats lunch at this cafe 4-6 times EACH WEEK!!!!.
Of course.....we asked him for recommendations on what to order. But......when the last couple whom we had not met..... was seated at our table.......we were in such animated conversation and discussions that we had to quickly make decisions as to our choices. Pasqual's serves New Mexican cuisine using the spices, herbs, and chiles of the northern area of the state. As I have said, the aromas emanating from the kitchen......well, they were almost erotic.
I ordered "Mole Enchiladas".....which was the chef's "free-range organic chicken wrapped in white corn tortillas served with Cilantro rice and cotija cheese"........and the entire ensemble was covered in the Mole sauce......chocolate and chile sauce.......and.......well, what can I say??? This was the best meal we have had during the 12 weeks we have been on the road.....and THAT is really saying something!!!! The Mole is a sauce that comes from the Oaxaca area of Mexico.....and WOW.....what an intense experience this particular rendition provided!!!!!
The 1st Lady ordered "Plato Primo".....and she was literally oohing and ahhing with each bite which she consumed. This dish is "Chile Relleno with a Tamal served with Cilantro Rice with a free-range organic chicken mole tostadita"......and after sampling it myself.......the one bite was another experience that I just can't describe.......I just don't know what to say.
Other than........get yourself to Pasqual's Cafe in Santa Fe!!!!! Write it down someplace where you can refer to it when you have the time to get out here for a few days. The service was outstanding....quick, pleasant, and business-like servers who seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. As you can imagine, our table conversations turned to the flavors, the preparations, the presentations(gorgeous), and the entire dining experience that we were enjoying. Everyone's food was perfect!!!!
The entire experience of the hour and a half was one of the most pleasant that the 1st Lady and I have had in many years. What helped that??? Not only the incredible meal, but the sitting at the table with so many others from different areas of the country, as well as backgrounds which made for such great conversation.
We all left the table at various times to continue the day.....and the 1st Lady and I did some last minute shopping/looking in the stalls on the sidewalks and the shops around the Plaza square. We left a bit later and returned to TheHowserHouse.........and just relaxed and enjoyed the remainder of the day. Sort of a warm glow from the meal continued to affect us for the afternoon......
Tomorrow, we leave for the night in Amarillo, TX. Hopefully, we will be able to meet up with our friends from F'town for a late lunch.......it all depends on the trip ahead of us and them so that we arrive at approximately the same time coming three hundred miles from each direction. This should be interesting..........
A great day, a great dining experience, a wonderful place to spend a couple of days........and....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!! And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
So, we found a place to park on the narrow street and began wandering in and our of the open doors of the adobe, pueblo-styled buildings housing galleries of modern and traditional art, sculpture, baskets, and fabric works of art. Superlatives of the works of art pale beside actually being there and seeing them! Some we liked, some we didn't, but the enjoyment of being able to just view them in a wonderful setting was fabulous.
There were many of the entrances, patios, etc., etc. that also served as venues for bronzes, copper, marble, etc., etc. of statues and various new designs of wind twirlers. My biggest disappointment????????? That I didn't have nearly enough money to purchase some of these so that I could enjoy them on a daily basis........the lowest item we saw was $2000.....and the most expensive that I actually saw was for $153,000. Out of my league, I'm afraid.......damn it!!!!
After about three hours of wandering and enjoying and making this day even brighter than the weather made it, we went to the truck and drove to the city center around the Plaza for lunch.
OK........we made an EXCELLENT choice as we once again had been advised by several people where we should eat today. And our choice????? Pasqual's Cafe!!!!!! OMG.....what a wonderful place, ambience, and food was discovered there by the 1st Lady and myself!!!!!
The cafe/restaurant was located on a corner.....and the door opened right on the diagonal. The looks from the outside my lead one to question this place as one where you might to dine, but......looks are deceiving, as I learned from my 12 trips to Europe. As there were others standing around on the sidewalk, I went inside to leave my name with the young man at the computer.
Returning to the street, I began talking with others waiting for a table. I noticed while inside that the seating was really VERY limited, but the aromas........what can I say??? I was intoxicated by the time I had just left my name! Everyone waiting for a seat were from out of town....and all had heard of Pasqual's.....and heard of the great cuisine here. It wasn't long before the three member family from Chicago that I had been visiting with.....discussing the Berghoff closing and our trip to Chicago just for dinner at Berghoff's last year......well, they were called inside as well as the 1st Lady and myself, and two young ladies that we later discovered were from Denver.......educators.
AND....we were all seated at the same oval table, as well as one gentleman who was "known" by the restaurant staff who was seated next to me. Before long we were all introducing ourselves and learning more and more about each other and the lives we are currently leading. Just the kind of conversation I most enjoy!!!!! As it turned out, the gentleman next to me eats lunch at this cafe 4-6 times EACH WEEK!!!!.
Of course.....we asked him for recommendations on what to order. But......when the last couple whom we had not met..... was seated at our table.......we were in such animated conversation and discussions that we had to quickly make decisions as to our choices. Pasqual's serves New Mexican cuisine using the spices, herbs, and chiles of the northern area of the state. As I have said, the aromas emanating from the kitchen......well, they were almost erotic.
I ordered "Mole Enchiladas".....which was the chef's "free-range organic chicken wrapped in white corn tortillas served with Cilantro rice and cotija cheese"........and the entire ensemble was covered in the Mole sauce......chocolate and chile sauce.......and.......well, what can I say??? This was the best meal we have had during the 12 weeks we have been on the road.....and THAT is really saying something!!!! The Mole is a sauce that comes from the Oaxaca area of Mexico.....and WOW.....what an intense experience this particular rendition provided!!!!!
The 1st Lady ordered "Plato Primo".....and she was literally oohing and ahhing with each bite which she consumed. This dish is "Chile Relleno with a Tamal served with Cilantro Rice with a free-range organic chicken mole tostadita"......and after sampling it myself.......the one bite was another experience that I just can't describe.......I just don't know what to say.
Other than........get yourself to Pasqual's Cafe in Santa Fe!!!!! Write it down someplace where you can refer to it when you have the time to get out here for a few days. The service was outstanding....quick, pleasant, and business-like servers who seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. As you can imagine, our table conversations turned to the flavors, the preparations, the presentations(gorgeous), and the entire dining experience that we were enjoying. Everyone's food was perfect!!!!
The entire experience of the hour and a half was one of the most pleasant that the 1st Lady and I have had in many years. What helped that??? Not only the incredible meal, but the sitting at the table with so many others from different areas of the country, as well as backgrounds which made for such great conversation.
We all left the table at various times to continue the day.....and the 1st Lady and I did some last minute shopping/looking in the stalls on the sidewalks and the shops around the Plaza square. We left a bit later and returned to TheHowserHouse.........and just relaxed and enjoyed the remainder of the day. Sort of a warm glow from the meal continued to affect us for the afternoon......
Tomorrow, we leave for the night in Amarillo, TX. Hopefully, we will be able to meet up with our friends from F'town for a late lunch.......it all depends on the trip ahead of us and them so that we arrive at approximately the same time coming three hundred miles from each direction. This should be interesting..........
A great day, a great dining experience, a wonderful place to spend a couple of days........and....
LIFE IS GREAT!!!!! And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
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