Waking in a horse corral

July 28, 2017

I woke up early this morning (3:30 AM) in the horse corral, which was very interesting,  I did my devotions and started preparing for leaving.  As the dawn was breaki8ng, I looked outside and saw the horses sleeping, standing up, motionless, amazing!  Then slowly, as it became lighter, they began waking up, switching their tails, slowly nodding their heads, slowly looking around.  Each corral had two horses and after they got themselves awake, they slowly walked over and greeted each other with a kiss and a neck rub.  Wow, maybe we can learn something from horses.  Do we hug and greet our loved ones when we wake up in the morning?  Just something to think about.

5:45 AM, One of the young girl "hands", arrived with bails of hay on a jeep, with a bed on the back, to accommodate the bails.  She drove around to each of the Corrals and placed the hay in the troughs.  Now all the horses were awake and began eating. Good morning, and have a blessed day.  This is one that the Lord has made for you, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I drove back to Myrtle Point, and the drive was lavishly glorious.  The sun rising, playing it's colors so wisely over the deep green, tree-covered mountain side, occasionally spot lighting jutting rock formations, above rushing rivers in the valley below.   Wow, God is so awesome!

Friends of my Sister's had invited us to breakfast at their house at 11 AM and I got back just in time, couldn't take a shower to wash off the horse and dust, but a wash-up will have to do.  My Sister, who has an amazing sense of smell, said I was OK.  That was the ultimate test!

When we arrived at Sandy & Denise's, they had the table set up on the patio, set for 8.  They had invited 3 other friends, all I knew and we had a lovely fellowship while they were preparing the meal.  They served hash browns, toast and marmalade and omlete cooked in a plastic bag.  What?!  We put two raw eggs, and fixings like mushroom, cheese, real bacon crumbles, red bell pepper, onion, etc... into a zip-lock bag with our name on it.  We let all the air out of it and sealed it.  When each of us had filled out bag with what we wanted, we mixed them up in the bag, mashing it with out fingers, and then Sandy placed them all, at the same time in a big turkey cooker of boiling water, and we waited for them to cook.  Wallah, a wonderful custom made omelet, with no pans to wash!  It was delicious!

After breakfast, we went back home and I took  nap before Carol, her daughter and 17 year old grandson came for the weekend.

Carol arrived first, and we fixed dinner.  When her daughter and grandson arrived, we ate and enjoyed the fellowship.  All of them are brilliant, her daughter is an accomplished writer and her grandson has a scientific mind and can expound on most any scientific subject.  It is so wonderful to see how God has made each of us with different, but purposeful gifts for one another.  I used to think that those gifts were about ourselves, and what we could accomplish with them, for "me".  Not so, we can only, be really fulfilled when we use them, as God intends, for the benefit of others. It took me many years to "get" that.

We had a wonderful weekend with beautiful weather.  Saturday night we had a cook-out with uncured hot dogs cooked over an outdoor fire-pit on sticks and ended it with "smores", what fun!

Sunday, July 30, 2017

I watched the streaming live, of my church in Maryland, which was awesome.  Then Carol invited us out for breakfast, the first place was packed with people that were in town from the County Fair.  The only other place in town was crowded but, there was room for us in the back.  We had a wonderful breakfast and 3 of my class-mates from High School were there and we got to talk for awhile, that was great!

Monday, July 31,2017

I am preparing to leave tomorrow, to fly back to Maryland, arrive Wednesday, spend a few days, see my friend Ronnie, celebrate my Daughter's birthday, attend my Grandaughter's graduation party, then drive to Atlanta, Ga.,(in my car) to the Shaklee Convention the following Week.  Then, I may drive back to Myrtle Point in my car from there.???  I will keep you posted, but probably not until I get to Maryland.

Back on a horse!

July 27, 2017

Back on the horse!  I am spending the night at a horse corral at Diamond Lake, Wow, what a day.  After falling off a horse in 1957, finally, 60 years later, I got back on a horse and rode around the parking lot!  I DID IT!

 The first and last time (until today), I rode a horse, my best friend and I took a bridle up the hill to fetch a tame horse.  We caught the horse, which wasn't hard as the horse stood still while we put the bridle on. We stood on the high side of the hill and it was easy to get on and we rode bareback down the hill, together on the same horse..  The horse walked very slowly down the hill, clop, clop, clop, all the while the two of us were slowly sliding forward on the horse, inch by inch.  When we came to the barn yard, we both were sitting on the withers (shoulders) of the horse.  Clop, clop, stop!  The horse was standing still and both of us fell off together, boom on the ground!  We both were laughing so hard, (neither one of us were hurt), but the horse looked around and said something like this, with his eyes..."What is your problem",  Today was the first time I have been on a horse since!

I spent yesterday and the day before, staying in my RV at a perfect site, near the Lodge, of a Thousand Trails RV park near Bend.  I was close enough that I could get their Wifi from the Lodge, and I was able to stream FTHCM Church for Bible Study on Tuesday night.  I was catching up on my blogs and didn't even go outside until my Nephew and his wife came for dinner on Wednesday evening.  I fixed taco soup, salad, guacamole' dip and chips for appetizer and they brought dessert.  Desert was an awesome berry pie and watermelon.  We never ate the watermelon so they left it with me, and the rest of the pie (which is gone now,oops!)  I made a 5 qt. crock pot of  Taco soup and a huge salad and there was a lot left over.  I now know why. 

After dinner, they walked me around the RV park.  The pool was closed, but I had seen a lot of young people going by with floaters and tubes and coming back wet.  We figured it out.  When we walked down behind the Lodge there was a small river where they could launch their floaters and canoes.  Next time I come, I will have a floater!  It looks like so much fun.  We enjoyed the walk and the fellowship.  They are so special, and if you ever want to buy a house in Bend, Chris Bellardi, Broker, is your man (208-818-2453).  He has the amazing ability to listen to your needs and find the perfect fit for you.  This area is beautiful and people are beginning to "discover" it.  It has so much to offer.  If you want to sell your house in Bend, he's your man too!

The Eclipse on August 21st, is all the rage around here.  People are coming from all over to see the eclipse from Bend.  It is supposed to be the best place to see it in Oregon.  Businesses are closing, they are closing the road, people are renting their extra bedrooms for $2.000 for that night, selling eclipse glasses and tee shirts.  All the RV parks and Hotels are booked up, and have been for some time.  It is happening in other parts of Oregon as well.

My Nephew helped me unhook the water, then, we said our goodbyes.  I left the electric hooked up until this morning. 

Today, I left the RV park about noon, after dumping the sewer tank (Black water).  I had a nice drive back down to Diamond Lake, this time, I got to go to an overlook, and saw the royal blue lake, beautiful with a snow covered mountain in the background, nestled among the tall fir trees.  After I saw the lake, a half a mile later, was the Diamond Lake horse Corral, where I stopped before. I saw Scottie and Wayne and others that were working there.  We talked a while and I rode the horse and took some pictures.  I didn't need to go far, just getting back on the horse was enough.  After I rode, they closed the operation and I fixed dinner for everybody  and we ate outside.  There was enough for 8 people, not everyone showed up to eat, which was great because now there is still enough food to take back and help out my Sister with her guest this weekend.  God is so good!  I served the Taco soup, green salad, and a fruit salad with watermelon, cantelope, strawberries, and blackberries.

Wayne, as I mentioned before, is 79 and still running this establishment.  He has 19 horses and a buckboard wagon that came across the plains from Missouri in a wagon train.  He has a small carriage from the 1900's.  They give pony rides for children, as well as trail rides and hunting trips for elk and deer.  Wayne is a true cowboy, growing up on a horse ranch, he "broke" horses (taking a wild horse and "breaking" his will to his will, allowing the horse to be ridden.)  I saw pictures of him on a bucking horse. 

I adopted his son Scottie (the paraplegic who shares Jesus and the dangers of drugs).  I was impressed to give him 3 CD's of  FTHCM teachings.  He was grateful that I came, and came back, because he was going through, some stuff, and needed encouragement.  Pray for Scottie, he is a remarkable young man and God has a mighty work for him.  He has a lot of good ideas for this place and is the PR man.  

After dinner, they made a campfire, the weather was great.  They said it sometimes goes down to the 30's in the Summer at night, and in the 80's during the day.  They invited me to stay in the parking lot (near the horse corral) and hooked my RV up to electricity.  I checked the weather and it will only go down to the 60's tonight, thank God!  I will head out in the morning for Myrtle Point as I have been invited to Breakfast at 11 AM.

I will have to leave here by 7 AM, it is 10:30 PM now. Good Night

Finally caught up!

July 26, 2017

I seem to always be catching up, hopefully, I can stay caught up on my blog from now on. (Don't count on it) smile.

I told you about the start of my trip, but I didn't tell you about my stop at Diamond lake.  My brother-in-law suggested that I stop for a break, to see Wayne Watson, who used to live in my home town and I went to school with.  He owns and runs Diamond Lake Corrals, where he boards horses and has wilderness guided trail rides, by horse back through the beautiful mountain and lake country and chuck wagon suppers. (real western stuff).

 July 23, 2017- When I arrived, Wayne was on his way back from Klamath Falls, Oregon. with a load of hay.  I met his son Scott and his daughter and we got to talk.  Scott called him on his cell phone and told him, I was there.  He estimated when he would be back and I didn't think I could wait that long, so I said I would stop by on my way back through.  I got to talking to Scott, who was in a wheel chair, paralyzed from the neck down, because he had broken his neck (while on drugs).  He had some use of his arms, and was well versed on his Dad's operation and could use the cell phone well.  The main thing was, he knew Jesus, and was sharing Jesus and the dangers of drugs with everyone he met!  I also met the brother of my Dad's caregiver, who was working with Wayne.  As I was leaving, Wayne pulled in with the hay.  We hugged, I had not seen him since I left High School, he is 79 and still running his operation.  We didn't have much time to talk, so I told his I would be back through.

I traveled on and arrived at my Nephew's and delivered the chair. It has a home in the corner of the living room, near the family photos, so I know it is happy there.

I got there after they had eaten, but they saved me a plate and it was good. Her son and two of his college friends were there, and they looked me straight in the eye and gave strong hand shakes, very impressive!  I stayed on the street in front of their house for the night.

July 24, 2017- After a good peaceful night's sleep and a little blogging, my Nephew came to take me to the RV Park.  We stopped to get gas, $2.40 per gal., very good pricing for Oregon, it is usually around $2.64.  We also stopped at Costco, he wanted to get some of the Wedding pictures for my Sister and I got some groceries. 

The RV park is nice, but THE POOL AND HOT TUB IS CLOSED UNTIL AUG. 5TH.!  He helped my hook up, they only have water and electricity and a dump station somewhere in the park.  The view from the park is of Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sister's mountains, ALL WITH SNOW! Awesome!

My Nephew then took me to a nearby recreational area and we walked up a trail by a beautiful river, sometimes calm, and sometines rushing white water. Gorgeous!  We walked up to the waterfall, the whole river dropped off into a pounding caldron of white water, awesome!  As we were coming back down the trail, a couple stopped to talk, asking us where we were from.  One of them was from Bend and since my Nephew is in real estate, I ask him if he had a card with him, he did and gave it to the lady.

 When we returned, we tried to go to the Lava Cave.  It was a self-guided walk that required a flashlight and jacket, we didn't have either one so we decided not to go.  We did interview a lady and her 3 year old son who had just returned from the cave.  They thought it was great, the little bay was telling us how is was rough to start but it smoothed out later and that they came to a STOP sign and had to come back.  We then saw a sign that said if you had been in another cave that day and were wearing the same clothes, you could not enter because you could contaminate the BATS!  WHAT?!

We then went back, picked up his wife, to wash our feet, they were very dusty, and headed for Red Robin restaurant which was located right on the river.  The city had converted an old mill district, into shops and restaurants, with a river walk along the river, where no motorized boats or vehicles were allowed.  It was great, we sat outside and enjoyed a delicious meal and watched "floaters" going down the river in various tubes and floating devices, canoes, stand-up-paddle boards, long boats, kayaks, were going by regularly. The weather was very pleasant, it was threatening a storm, but it blew over with no rain.  After dinner, we walked the river walk, we saw wild bird habitats, cicylers in bicycles made for 1,2,4,6,& up to 12, they looked like surreys, and they were having fun.  We walked to an area where the river was split in3 areas, one for the wildlife habitat, one for the "floaters" and the middle was channeled to make a rushing short waterfall where surfers were surfing. WHAT? Surfing on the river?  They got on the surfboards from the side of the falls, right on the perpetual "wave" and could surf as long as they could still stand on the board, then the next person tried.  Some of them were pretty good and could ride the wave a long time.  All in all a great day and when they returned me to the RV, they said, I had walked at least 4 miles!  Wow, haven't done that for awhile, but I felt great and could keep the pace.

I stayed in all day yesterday writing my blog and cooking taco soup for my Nephew and his wife, who are coming tonight for dinner. I talked to LaVonne for awhile, her Concrete Inspired business is doing well and her son, Dion is"taking charge", which is making her very happy.  She was just appointed Member Care Ministry head at her church.  She will be over at least 12 other Ministries.  Wow, it is exactly what her Dad did at out Church.

WOW! You are now caught up to date!  It was overcast yesterday and this morning, now it is raining, so I didn't feel like going to the pool, even if it was working.  See how God works, he provided exercise when I needed it, without a pool.

I plan to leave from the RV park tomorrow and head back to Myrtle Point and get ready for my next adventure; flying to Maryland and driving to the Shaklee Convention in Atlanta, the next week. Woopee! Ain't life grand!

Catching you up is a job!

July 24, 2017

Yesterday, after streaming my church service, I left Myrtle Point, Oregon for Bend, Or.  It was a spectacular drive!  Beautiful green mountains, winding road along rivers with white water, waterfalls, just down right Amazingly wonderful.

Before I tell you about the rest of the trip to Bend, I want to catch you up on the trip to the Coast with my Sister.

Wednesday, July 19th, the third day we were there, one of her best friend's from High School, Carol Summers, came to pick us up.  She took us to an Art Exhibit in Florence, Ore. where she had some water color paintings, she is very good!  Then we went to a local library where there was some art hanging from the ceiling.  The decor was made from felt.  An octopus, star fish, blow fish and Jelly fish, very well done, I got some pictures. There was also a display of Oregon Covered Bridges and a map of where they all were.

We then visited a quilt shop which was fascinating, very well organized and colorful. (Carol does quilting too)  Then Carol took us to lunch at an English Tea House called "Lovejoy's".  It was in the tradition of the tea rooms of Great Britain and it had been providing a warm and friendly atmosphere for tea since the 1990"s.(So the literature said, and they were right!)

Carol had reserved our table, which was a round table in the corner with two wing backed chairs.  It was very cozy with all kinds of English Tea Pots and Cups on the wall as decor.  We had "Blooming Jasmine tea",  and cucumber sandwiches for an appetizer.  The tea was served in clear, glass decanters with the dried Jasmine bloom in the bottom, which actually "bloomed" as it hydrated in the hot water. (What fun!).  I ordered Shepherd's pie, (made with lamb), it was good. 

After lunch we walked along the water ( a marina and an inlet to the Ocean) and watched the herons and the Egret's fish.  I got some great pictures.  Carol said she would paint one of my pictures, I was so honored.  We went to dinner at a great Chinese food place.

We headed back to the RV Park and went past it, to see the sand dunes.  Dune buggy's (ATV's) go up and down the dunes, looks like fun.  We also saw the South Jetty.(A strip of man made rocks that stick out into the ocean to break up the rough water so boats can come and go safely over the "bar")

The next day, July 20, Carol took us to Yachats, Or., where she lives.  The trip up the coast was beautiful, could not ask for better weather, for the whole trip! 

We stopped just beyond the Sea Lion Caves.  This is a tourist attraction, that required a long walk down some stairs or an elevator ride down the cliff, into a cave in the rocks, right off of the ocean.  All three of us had been to the caves years earlier and we did not care to experience the "smell" again, We chose an over-look, so we could look down from a cliff, on some Sea Lions that were lying on rocks, sunning themselves.  We got to see them move from the water, laboriously, hunching themselves up onto the rock and playing "King of the rock" as others would wiggle their way off the rocks when a bigger one would arrive. 

After watching a while, we moved our position to be able to see directly down onto a rock, that was white with bird droppings. There were hundreds of black birds nesting there.  But the greatest thing, was that right off from that rock were two bull Seal lions, who got into a fight!  We could hear them bellowing at each other and lunging at each other in the water.  A short while later, they resolved their conflict and swam off.  It was great!  Right off from where we were Seal watching was a lighthouse, and I took some more pictures, it was amazing. 

We moved on up the Coast and the road was very curvy as it followed the ocean.  Every turn was a wonderful scene of the rugged coastline of  Oregon, wow!  (You must understand, this was quite a miracle, as usually it is cold, foggy or rainy and windy, even in the summer).  We were so blessed!  We went through the town of Yachats, a quaint little Sea town with lots of little shops with banners on each side of the light poles, along the street.  One banner said Yachats and the one on the other side of the light pole was a rendition done by a local artist.  We saw Carol's, she had one of a fish. (Very nice) 

We went by Carol's house and saw her husband's wood shop that he had built by himself.(With Carol's help).  He had an interesting set up that allowed all of the sawdust to be sucked out from every machine and delivered to barrels in the next room to be hauled out. Cool!  It was very neat and tidy.  I saw a lot more of Carol's paintings and she gave me an original!  I love it!  I found a perfect place to put it in the RV!  She also gave me some prints that I will hang up also.  She does such great work and she has only been painting about 10 years.  

You can see her work on Facebook.com, in the upper left search space type in: yachats arts guild summers album,

Scroll down and you will see her pictures and then it says "See All"
You will see all but her latest art which she hasn't posted there yet.

After that, we drove up to Walport to the Pacific Sourdough Bakery.  We got there a little before noon, and there was a line.  WALPORT IS A SMALLER TOWN THAN YACHATS AND THERE WAS A LINE!!!  They didn't have a lot of left, but we were able to get what we wanted.  They have a big glass window in the front where you can watch them make the bread etc...  They said you had to get there early (they open at 10 AM)  and there is always a long line accross the parking lot, before they opened and a line inside at anytime. WOW! It was good, wholesome bread with little if any sugar and lots of choices of nuts, seeds etc..., great stuff.

We left there and went to a fabric shop that also sold Carol's Art.  She was excited because her Art-on-fabric was in, she hadn't seen it yet.  They had printed her Art on fabric, making 8"X8" squares for quilt making.  Carol said she would quilt a pillow case for me with a piece that she painted; it will fit so well in the RV.

We had packed a cooler with lunch so we took it down to the ocean on my Sister's deluxe walker (with a seat, that would hold it).  It fit perfectly and she pushed it along the trail, until we found a bench right along the shore.  We Iate salad (we forgot the dressing) and cantaloupe. It worked, and we enjoyed watching the seagulls fishing, the waves and boy's playing Frisbee on the beach.  It was overwhelmingly great!

We left the beach and went to a quaint little shop called "Toad Hall".  There was a lot of unique gifts and Carol's Art too.   I was able to get a gift for my Sister and Brother-in-law's Anniversary.  Then we went to another little tiny shop called "Just Local", and my Sister got a gift for her husband.

Carol took us back to the RV and we decided to unhook so we would be ready to go in the morning. 

Friday,July 21, we left South Jetty RV park ad tried to get the RV looked at for the former "flap, flap", noice,  It was running smooth and nothing else worked out so we headed back after getting a Subway sandwich.  We stopped half-way back to eat the sandwich, and got back in time to park the RV at my Sister's and take their car to get my nails done.  As soon as I returned we were ready to go to Camp Myrtlewood for dinner at the Church of the Brethren Church Camp which was going on.  The Church of the Brethren was my home church, as I was growing up, and I knew some of the people there.  Some I hadn't seen in years.  It was great to catch up too.  I got a Camp Myrtlewood Tee shirt, (my very first one.)

Now you are caught up, except today, I didn't even go outside, (busy doing my blog),smile.  Oops, I didn't tell you about Bend and the trip up.  OK, you will have to wait until tomorrow.

I did get my tickets to go back to Maryland on August 1, arriving Aug 2. (Red Eye). 

Heart shaped pizza

July 22, 2017

I promised you a catch-up blog, I hope I can stay awake for it.  It is hard keeping up with 80 year old's!  We just got back from celebrating my Sister and Brother-in-law's 22 Wedding anniversary with a heart shaped Pizza and salad at Dave's Pizza (Very Good) and stopped to get a McDonalds ice cream cone, on the way home.

Before we went out to dinner, we stopped by to see an old friend, who had had a stroke.  He was in a nursing home and the last we heard, he was paralyzed on his leftt side, couldn't talk, swallow or feed himself.   He is in his late nineties and my Mother "adopted", he and his wife when they first came to America from Switzerland and Gernany, shortly after WWII, so we are like family.  They had three children, who now have children.  When we first stopped, he was in the cafeteria eating, so we didn't see him or stay as his wife was not there.  We made a stop at the store and thought about coming back another day.

 After we went to the store, my Sister suggested we just go by, give him a little love and I should say a prayer, then we could leave.  When we returned, we saw his wife and son outside waiting for the nursing staff to prepare him for bed.  We had a nice visit with them while we waited and I hadn't seen their son since he was about 10 or 12 years old and he was in his 50's.  When we got to his room, we were so pleasantly surprised.  He recognized each one of us and talked, asking about where I was living now, and also asking my Brother-in-law's name. 

They had given him his evening med's and he was beginning to wind down, but not before he sang us a concert!  He sang very articulately, German hymns that he knew from his childhood.  He sang about Jesus,  God's love and going home to heaven.  He sang loudly, all the while waving his right arm in the air, like he was leading singing.  It was such a blessing to see how much he had improved and how well he was doing and he wasn't ashamed to praise the Lord!  When he had finished several songs, all six of us, joined hands and I prayed.  It was such an uplifting visit. His wife told us that he sings a lot in German and is feeding himself and can carry on conversations.

Well, this is it for tonight, I will try to catch you up on our wonderful trip to the coast later.  I plan to leave tomorrow for Bend, Oregon to deliver the nursing rocker to my Nephew and his new wife.

Bear Alert

July 18, 2017

My Sister and I drove to the RV Park on the coast after stopping to get stocked up on food.  We arrived about 2:30 in the area but missed seeing the turn, so had to make a U turn.  We pulled into a closed store that had a in and out driveway to make the turn, about a half mile down the road from the road we were supposed to take.  As we turned, we heard a flap, flap, flap sound and we couldn't tell where it was coming from.  I stopped and it was still flapping and then, when I turned the engine off, and it stopped.  I looked under the hood, didn't know what I was looking for and didn't see anything out if order so I closed the hood and started it up again and it was purring like a kitten.  Ok, we decided to go on to the Park and deal with it later.

We arrived and had to check in at the Ranger station.  Guess who was there, my adopted Grandchildren, Jason and Heather! They were turning in some stuff at the Ranger station.  It was good to see them and they will be here awhile.  We found out where their site was, and we went to find ours.  There were 2 sites left, that had full hook-ups and the most sun, (my Sister loves the sun) and we backed into one (with no problems) and soon after, the other site was taken.  It was right next to the bathrooms and on a hill among big fir trees, (which is why the sun was so scarce). 

The weather was perfect, sunny and a gentle ocean breeze (we are 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean and the sand dunes.  It was nice for sitting outside, so we decided to set up the outdoor stuff first.  There was a picnic table nearby, that we drug over, to put on our mat, which we put down to cover the dirt.  We then set up two chairs and a table and we were all set!  The awning would have defeated the purpose of getting a sunny spot , so we didn't put it out.  My Sister sat in the directors and read and I hooked up the water, electricity and sewer.  That went pretty smoothly except my 20 foot sewer hose was too long so I had to wind it around a bit to get it to work.  The water was leaking because I couldn't get it tight enough, but with effort, that seemed to be OK.  After dinner outside on our newly created patio, my Sister walked me down to check out the pool.  She used her big wheeled walker and was able to navigate the hills real well. 

We found a beautiful, inviting, heated pool with two hot tubs, which we will take advantage of today.  Oh, I forgot to tell you.  As soon as we arrived, we started to read the literature they gave us at the Ranger Station.  There was a two page warning about bears.  WHAT?!!  Oh, well, we now know what to do if we see one.

BEAR ALERT

          Avoid surprising bears at close range, whistle, talk, sing, or otherwise make noise when hiking in areas where visibility is limited or bear sign is present.

          Be alert to signs (bear droppings, diggings, fresh tracks, etc.) sounds or other indicators of bears. 

          Food and beverage should never be left unattended.

          Keep back packs and personal gear on your person.  IT IS EASY TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM BELONGINGS LEFT LYING ON THE GROUND.WHEN A BEAR UNEXPECTADLY APROACHES.(No kidding!)

          DO NOT APPROACH BEARS. (Duh...)

The minimum safe distance from any bear, is 50 yards, from a sow and her young it is 100 yards.  These are the MINIMUM distances, there are many times that a greater distance is required. (What!)

          Regardless of the precautions taken, you may come across a bear.  Usually, they will run away. (Usually?) A bear standing on his hind legs may only be trying to sense you better. (What?) not preparing to attack. (Whew!)  Even a charge is often only a bluff, ending abruptly short of physical contact. (WOAH, WHAT?)

          If you see a bear at a distance, turn around or make a wide detour.

Keep upwind if possible so the bear will get your scent and will be aware of your presents.(Are you kidding?!) Remember to talk in assured tone to communicate your presence.(What? assured of what?).  Treat the bear as if the cubs are near by, and always assume the bear will be on the defensive side.  Do not approach closer in order to scare the bear. (NO KIDDING!!) Doing this, will show you being a threat toward the bear.

          Avoid actions that interfere with the bear movement or foraging activities.

          Be satisfied with a distant photograph, or use a telephoto lens if you decide to take a picture of a bear.

          Do not corner the animal, allow them plenty of space, and an escape route.

OK, there you have the rules.  Oh, and there was a disclaimer, that they would not be responsible if any Member or guest gets injured if approached by a bear.(very comforting).

My Sister and I had a good talk and then we walked to the pool and enjoyed the hot tub too.  We met some people who had been in the same parks where I had been in the Winter, but I hadn't met them before.  We came back to the RV and had dinner outside again, it is strange to be sunning ourselves here.  Most of the time it is foggy and cold here on the Coast.  The weather is beautiful!

After dinner, Jason and Heather came by on their way to the pool and fixed my water.   It needed a washer, and it was fixed.  Jason also helped to lift the bed in the back so I could get to the storage.  The hydraulic hinge broke loose, and the bed is very heavy.

My Sister's friend, Carol Summers, from High School is coming over tomorrow.  She lives near by, and we will have a sleep over, after she takes us to some Art Galleries and fun stuff tomorrow.   She is a wonderful accomplished artist and has her works in many of the local Art Galleries.  I love her work.

To be continued... I am having too much fun to talk about it.  Will blog later.

We did get back safe and Sunday I am off to Bend, Ore. to see my Nephew who got married in Janurary.  Will fill you in later.

Off to the Coast

Monday, July 17, 2017

Tea on Friday was wonderful!  We sat in their beautiful, lush yard, watched the birds feeding all around and had a good visit with the English couple.  They also have a Motor Home.

Saturday, I mostly got ready for my trips.  As you know things change.  I will not be driving the RV back to Maryland and Atlanta.  I counted the cost of just the fuel for the round trip with the RV and it was $3.500.  So, I will probably fly back one way to Maryland, get my car and drive to Atlanta and then probably drive it back to Oregon.  (Well, you know how that goes by now.)  I do have Hotel reservations in Atlanta, and including all of the fuel, flight and Hotel, it is a third of the cost.

Yesterday I streamed FTHCM of Maryland, it was awesome!  I also went to m go-to Church in Coquille where my friend, Rosemary is the Praise and worship leader.  (She will also be flying to Atlanta and staying with me for the Shaklee Convention in Atlanta)  It was a great message on telling others what Jesus has done for us. ( We shouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed.  Jesus wasn't when he was beaten and ridiculed, suffered nails hammered through his wrists and feet, hung on a cross for hours, died and arose again, just so we could have access to the Father.  It is embarrassing that we don't share what he has done for us!) That was my take on it.

After Church I went to my High School, All Class Reunion.  It was good to see some of my schoolmates although I didn't know a lot of them personally.  I wore my woven sleeveless vest with cowboy boots woven into it, (that I got the last time I attended, for coming the farthest.)  I also dressed it up with my Sister's dark red cowboy hat and her sandals that matched.  A lot of people took my picture; I guess I was a sight. (I also wore it to Church, because I was going straight to the reunion).  I was fairly well dressed as folks on the West Coast don't dress up for Church.

Today is my grandson in Chicago's birthday.  I had sent him a Bible (he didn't have one) and some Church CD's.  I ask my grandson, Tyrone, in Maryland to mail them for me as I didn't have time before I left.  He not only sent them, but he put in a Birthday card and wrote some encouraging words to Joseph.  Then Joseph called him to thank him and they connected and will tslk again.  I called and sang "Happy Birthday Child of God", to Joseph.  He will be going to work for the first day today, which is a great Birthday gift.

My Sister is ready to go on or trip

Life is good

July 14, 2017

The weather s beautiful!  Sunny 65 degrees, feels like 72 with a slight breeze.  My Sister is busy working in the garden, which she loves.  I am preparing for my trip to the Coast with her and my trip to Maryland/Atlanta.  I thought I would have to get the oil changed but I looked up my records and realized that I had he oil changed on site atg the RV park in Palm desert, 1,000 miles ago, so don't need it done yet.  I guess it doesn't make sense to get something done, just because it is a good price.  I will remember it for the future.

My Sister and I went to do some errands and attend a meeting yesterday.  Had lunch with some of the meeting people, and met an interesting man that had just come back from camping for the weekend.  He had not done it before his stroke, which allowed him to retire and do stuff he always wanted to do.  His speech and arm was affected, he could say yes and no, but he used his cell phone by typing like a text and he could either show it to you, or play it and it would speak.  Cool!  He went camping by himself in a small pop-up tent in a public camp ground.  They had bathrooms and showers for campers, there is a lot of that done around here.

My Cousin came by and brought some transparent apples and plums he got from his trees.  That is done a lot around here.  People bring extra stuff from their gardens to their neighbors.... nice, and they were good..

I discovered that two of my adopted Grandchildren will be in the same RV park where my Sister and I are going next week. Woopee!  It will be good to see them again.  I met them is Southern California.  They are a young couple I met, from Northern Virginia, full time and working from their RV, selling stuff on Amazon and E Bay.  They are the ones that gave me the 2 Teddy bears on Valentines day. 

My plan (you know how that goes) is to leave here on the July 24th, head to Bend, Ore., deliver the Wedding present of the nursing rocker, to my Nephew and his wife, which is way over-due. Then head east to eventually be in Atlanta, Ga, by August 9th.  Like I said, that is my plan. 

My Sister, Brother-in-law and I are going to an English neighbor's house (friend of theirs) for Tea, this afternoon, it should be fun.

Home sweet RV home

July 9, 2017

Good morning, I am not "home" yet, but in Oregon.  I had a wonderful visit with my friend, Judy.  She is so creative.  She makes catnip mice out of fabric and sells a lot of them, cats love them.  She makes beautiful baskets, creating her own designs and she makes over the shoulder or around the neck holders for cell phones, water bottles, glasses etc... and back packs from old jeans  She paints and teaches crafts, sings and plays the guitar too.

She took me to the bus stop to catch the bus to Eugene where my friends that take in wayfaring strangers (and friends) live.  They picked me up from the bus station and I slept on their comfortable couch, as they already had a house guest.  I had wonderful dinner and fellowship with all three of them and a good night sleep.  Leslie and Dale are also very talented.  Dale is a photographer with a great sense of subject matter.  Leslie's house is filled with loving crafts she has made.  She is always working on something interesting.  They recently discovered lot's of sheet music from 70 -100 years ago and she is working on a creative way to make wreaths out of the music for decoration and memories.

I streamed our Maryland FTHCM service at 6:30 AM (Awesome!).  

Be Established in What I have Been Taught.

When I am established in what I have been taught:

          1.  I can lead a fruitful life and be a blessing, not a burden.

          2.  I can find favor with God and Man.

Trust is built over time, and a simple act can destroy it instantly.

My faith (Jesus) should be the only option for my life.

To be established in the faith, I should make my faith (Jesus) my Gospel.

I should live in the knowledge of my faith,

          There is a difference between knowing and living in the knowledge.  Just knowing, doesn't give you the benefits, living it, does.

At 10:30, we are going to the Church of the Brethren.  This was the denomination I was raised in and I have not been to the church here, since I was in high school.  After church, they are having a pot-luck fellowship, then they will take me to the bus station to get the bus to Coos Bay (30 miles from my Sister's) and my Brother-in-law and Sister will pick me up from there and take me "home" to my RV.   It is really beginning to feel like home to me (which it is).

July 10,2017

I went to church at the Church of the Brethren in Springfield, and got a pleasant surprise.  They are meeting in the community center of a low-income housing development which the church had built. They are planning to tear the old Church building down and are cleaning it out, Which is why the sheet music was available.  The message ( taken from the Annual Conference) was given by Sam, from Belize, South America; 

"I am tired of apologizing for Churches I don't belong to"

We are covenanted together as the Body of Christ, we need one another.

As perfectly as God made us, we are still flawed, that is why we need each other.

Divided we fall.

We re responsible for any injustices in the body.  we are the light of the world.

People read us, we should speak the truth in love.

The parable of the Prodigal son: The younger son, when he took his inheritance and left, basically said, "Daddy, you are dead to me."  But the family was incomplete until the son came back.

Speak against the things they do that is not of God, but love them, not just in word, by deed also.

We must be our Brother's keeper.

Everybody can get so busy "doing" Church work, that we forget nto love each other.

                                                 

After church we had a sufficient "pot luck" fellowship.  It was a very small, loving, church service, 11 of us around a table, but the Lord was there. 

After the fellowship, Leslie's house guest, Barbara, took me to the bus station and I rode to Coos Bay.  I met another 74 year old lady who rides a bicycle, and a motor cycle and has a kayak.  She lives on the water, 8 miles from the ocean in New Hampshire.  She was very adventurous.  She was coming to visit her daughter in Coos Bay who was full time in a travel trailer.

Met my Sister and Brother-in-law at the bus station and then HOME!  Wow, this was the first time I had been away from my RV home and it was good to be back and it really feels like home.

July 11, 2017

Settled in at home and my Sister and Brother-in-law had fixed some things on and in the RV.  My Sister had a bouquet of flowers and the refrigerator, cleaned out and new food placed (Vegan food) in it.  Fresh salad from their organic garden, veggie burgers, sprouted grain bread and fruit.  Frozen black berries and blue berries that they had picked.  They are so thoughtful!

They are both in their 80's and still working a beautiful, productive garden.

Bill has made raised beds so they don't have to bend down to work some of it.  They also now have some help too.

July 12, 2017

Today my Sister and I went to Coquille to dump the tank in the motor home.  It needed it before I , but the sewer hose had sprung a leak and the new one I got had to be attached to the ends on the old one, and I didn't have time to do it before I left.  We fixed it yesterday and it worked great!  Best dump ever!

After we ran some other errands, I went to a meeting with her and saw some old friends.  I also got an appointment to have the oil changed in the RV for only $45 on Friday.

My Siste4r and I are planning an RV outing to the coast Monday-Thursday and will see one of her best friends, who lives near by the RV park where we will be.  She has a car and will chauffer us around.

Landed in Oregon!

July 8, 2017

Landed in Oregon!  Arrived in Portland at 12:30 AM pacific time (3:30 AM Eastern).  My friend Judy, (that I met in Palm Desert, Ca), picked me up t the Airport and drove the hour to Mollala, where I stayed last night.  She stays with her son here, (they were gone on a camping trip for the weekend and they invited me to stay the night. It just happens to be the area where my Mom grew up and my Great, and Great Great Grandfathers  arrived by covered wagon in 1848.  They also are buried here. 

I had a great night's sleep and we are chillin' today.  I plan to catch the Amtrak bus to Eugene and then stay with my friends in Eugene and then get the Amtrak bus to Coos Bay Sunday, where my Sister will meet me.

On the plane, I met Kyle from upstate NY who was going to Denver to hike in the Rocky Mountains (500 miles) for 6 weeks, by himself.  He was a teacher of special needs children and was off for the Summer.  Very interesting!  I also met Jasmine, from Ohio, who was on her way to a conference in Portland and we had a great conversation on the way, she is evaluating Shaklee for her options.  Didn't get much sleep on the plane, but they were good flights and even though we were rerouted via Texas, back up to Wyoming to avoid the storms, we were only 15 minutes late getting into Denver.  Since the storms caused a lot of other delays my next flight left late and arrived a hour late in Portland.  All is well and this leg of the adventure has begun. Woopee!

Happy Independence Day!

July 4, 2017

Happy Independence Day!  Well, here are my plans, I will leave Maryland to fly to Portland, Oregon on Friday July 7th.  I intend to get my RV and drive it back to Maryland, or fly back and/or drive  to Atlanta, Georgia where the Shaklee Convention is being held.  Just so you know, these are my plans and you know the rest of that story.(smile) Stay tuned.

I have enjoyed my family here in Waldorf, MD.  I didn't get to see much of them the time before.    They are such a perfect family, they love God and they work hard at loving each other, and others.  If all of us worked hard at loving each other, the way Jesus Christ loved us, we would have the key to peace and contentment, comfort and joy and true life-abundance!

What an example they are!  A family of 3 teenagers, a Mother and Father. They hug and kiss each other every night before they go to bed and greet each other in the morning the same way.  No rebellion, fussing or fighting.  Any disagreements are dealt with peaceably, with patience, love, and respect for the other's opinion.  There is so much order in the household, each person has their responsibilities and they carry them out quietly, and in a timely manor.  In all the time I have spent in their house, (8+ months) I rarely see them clean, but the house is kept organized, spotless and in perfect order.  They always are making sure the area they mess up, is cleaned up, what they use is put away and if it is not being used, or not functional, it is either stored in it's proper place, fixed, given away, or disposed of properly.  Shoes that have been worn outside are taken off at the door (everybody's).  It is a good way to keep the floors clean.  I am constantly amazed, seeing an example of Christ-like living in action and I so much appreciate their love and kindness toward me.

Home again

July 1, 2017

Well, this is blog #100, and I am back in Maryland where I started from!  Wow!  It is so interesting and amazing following the Lord.  He always will keep you, when you are in His will. 

As you know, I was headed for Chicago, Ill, and eventually Oregon.  I got as far as Belpre, Ohio and Parkersburg, WV (they are 1 mile apart) and ready to head out for Chicago and He turned me around and headed me back to Maryland. 

It was a beautiful, stress free, 9 1/2 hour trip and I am currently with my adopted family, that I stayed with while my house was being sold.  I keep reminding myself that, "You don't need to know how, when or where you are going, when the Lord is leading!"  And it is such an adventure.  In case you are wondering, yes, I planned my trip, did the trip-tics, did my due diligence in what I thought was "my" trip and here I am, and satisfied that I am in the perfect will of God.  I don't know the why yet, but there is one, and I will know, on a need-to-know basis.

Today is also my 43rd Anniversary of starting our Shaklee business.  Time flies when you are having fun!