RV Chuckles

Front-Porch Family-Style Music

2012-02-05T16:25:00.010-07:00

The Haining Family with parents Mike and Peggy Haining, James age 20, twins Ruth and Pearl age 19 and Grace age 16, played a wonderful hour-long concert for our church service in Emerald Cove today. The “Front Porch” music that was both inspirational and harmonious was hard to describe. Their literature calls the music “Family harmonies, Bluegrass instruments, Fiddle tunes, and Yodeling.” They sang traditional hymns and country gospel as well as songs written by the family as they played fiddles, guitar, auto harp, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and brass fiddle.

Their choreography was amazing as they smoothly moved closer to the microphone to perform the solos, duets, trios, and quartets. You never knew who was going to going to play which instrument next since they each played several instruments.

I asked for permission to take photos and put them on my blog. They are hoping and praying for more dates for their concerts. If you would like to know if they could perform for your church or activity, you can go to www.HainingFamily.com/ or to info@hainingfamily.com.

General Patton Museum

2012-02-04T10:52:00.012-07:00

Terry Hager and I were classmates for three and a half years in Hudsonville, Michigan. He wrote “Death on the Night Watch” and has had several articles in Escapees Magazine. Two of his articles are in my book, “More Chuckles and Chuckholes -More Confessions of Happy Campers.” Look for his article, "Picture This" to be published in the March/ April issue of Escapees Magazine.) The background in the photo is a 1930 trailer.

Terry Hager suggested that we meet and visit the General Patton Museum. Terry and Ruth traveled east and my husband Terry and I traveled west and met at the Chiriaco Summit Café exit 173 on Interstate 10. Training for the troops was done in this geographical area. Lunch was good and we had no problem conversing about our father and teacher’s participation WWII, our writing and RVing in general. The museum was very informative about this time in history.

I knew that they had rationing during WWII but didn’t know about recycling. The poster reads:

“UP HOUSEWIVES AND AT ‘EM”
“ PUT OUT YOUR PAPER- METAL- BONES.
THEY MAKE PLANES, GUNS, TANKS AND AMMUNITION.”

Boomerville

2012-01-27T15:16:00.010-07:00

When we left Boomerville, a temporary town without electricity located 6 miles from Quartzsite on BLM land, there were 130 RVers, which had signed in as residents.

What did we do there? Every afternoon was Happy Hour at 4 pm where we joined the other RVers to meet each new arrival, get the news and next day activities from Pam and Steve and eat snacks.

Many of our activities centered on food such as the Pancake breakfasts, potlucks and chili cook-off. My contribution, the second pot from the right, was one of over 30 entries in the chili cook-off.

There was a morning walk to counteract all the food. Each evening there was a bonfire.

Seminars were held on such topics as solar power, boondocking 101, and RVing to the Maritime Provinces.

Many Boomers helped each other with technical RV questions. Terry helped Wendy and Vic with their questions about solar power in their rig.

The PACE theater, shown on side of the PACE RV, showed such topics as Travel to the Holy Land, Travel via Amtrak, Decorating for the Rose Bowl parade, and Traveling to the Panama Canal Zone.

The traditional Jeraldine contest had five “ladies” participating. One wife said that she saw a side of her husband that she had never seen before.

The auction for the Escapees CARE facility in Texas netted over $2500.

Tom took some bird’s-eye photos of Boomerville but Terry took several photos of Tom flying overhead. I took a view from the ground but no blog can show everything that happened. With so many active Escapee RVers, you will get many stories of fun. You ask the cost of this rally? Everything was free. Even the sunsets.

Quartzsite, AZ

2012-01-26T21:10:00.012-07:00

Terry and I parked at Boomerville along with 130 other campers who were boondocking in the desert about six miles from Quartzsite, AZ. I’ll write more about Boomerville in the next blog since I have too many photos to include it with this blog.

I sold my “RV Chuckles. . .” and “More RV Chuckles. . .” books at the Author’s Fair at Paul’s Reader’s Oasis Bookstore. He was most gracious to the two to twelve authors who showed up to sell their books.

Paul Winer, the man in the stocking hat but no pants, is the owner. Paul prefers to wear no clothes but the mornings were too chilly. However he dressed in a tux, and then changed into a three-piece suit, jeans, vests, shirts and jackets on stage as he joked and sang at his sold out family style QIA concerts. Did I mention that he plays the piano? The keys bounced as he played the ragtime, boogie-woogie blues. Jaimie and I had a great time at the two and a half hour concert.

Terry and I also went to the "Big Tent" where we saw everything that you would want in an RV and some things like a twenty pan set that you would never fit into a RV kitchen.

Of course, a visit to Quartzsite isn’t complete without going to Celia’s Gardens. It has nature paths, and many cacti and semi-precious stones in a park that began as a tribute to Paul and Joanne Winer’s eight and a half year old daughter Celia but is now a quiet peaceful garden where many people have memorialized their friends and relatives.

Aren’t the sunsets spectacular in the desert? I love them.

Purple Ladies Tea

2012-01-12T18:53:00.007-07:00

Little girls aren’t the only ones who like to dress up. Even great grandma’s dress up and have tea. The Purple Ladies of the River went to First Impressions in Lake Havasu City on January 11 and had fun trying on clothes and hats in the boutique and of course eating and drinking high tea.

Yuma Desert

2012-01-07T15:01:00.009-07:00

We have been camped in the desert around Yuma, AZ since the end of Nov. except for the week we flew to Raleigh, N.C. We had fun with the Boomers near Mittry Lake as we ate Christmas and New Year dinners with them and visited at Happy Hour and the Z Circle.

The only bad thing is that I’ve been quite sick the last few weeks with coughing, congestion, fever around 100 degrees, night sweats and fatigue. Terry was very concerned about the fact that I didn’t get better so he made an appointment with a pulmonary specialist in Lake Havasu City. The doctor ordered a chest x-ray, and four vials of blood. The hour-long pulmonary tests were done in phone booth appearing apparatus that was connected by tubes to a computer. All tests were negative or normal. No, I don't have Valley Fever.

The best guess is that I have some kind of immune response to dust and the spray they do on vegetables to prevent weeds in the winter vegetable area of AZ. I’ve had similar response to concentrated cigarette smoke. The good part of this is that I’m not considered to be contagious.

Yes, we moved to the Colorado River area near Parker but hope to see the Boomers again at Quartzsite.

Christmas in Raleigh, North Carolina

2011-12-16T11:48:00.012-07:00

Christmas in Raleigh during December 7-11 was so many good things. Starting from the bottom of the page it was 1. smiles, 2. hugs, 3. secrets, 4. cooking and baking, 5. food with friends and family, 6. fun with family, 7. dressing up, 8. creating pictures, and cards and paper chains, 9. Christmas music, and 10. opening gifts. We wish you all a Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of the babe in Bethlehem in your own way.

Terry and Darlene Miller

Phi Masters Living Windows

2011-11-18T12:46:00.008-07:00

I took my great granddaughter Mercedes and grandson Nathan to the Living windows celebration in Knoxville last night. First we saw the live animals. Then they appeared in my sorority's window. Here is the "story" that I wrote for the Torch magazine of Beta Sigma Phi.

Storybook characters came to life on November 17 when Phi Masters chapter of Beta Sigma Phi participated in Living Windows in Knoxville, Iowa as each storefront had a different Christmas book setting. The book, “Counting to Christmas” by Nancy Tefuri, was spot lighted on an easel. Members of the sorority decorated a Christmas tree with stuffed animals and numbers in the background scene. An advent calendar and posters of the book surrounded the other window as Maxine Pritchard’s grandson, Kaden Smith, and Darlene Miller’s grandchildren Nathan Klein and Mercedes Druliner demonstrated the activities of the book by making paper chains to decorate the Christmas tree, wrote letters to Santa and mailed them in the delightful mailbox. The children did more drawing, cutting and pasting as they made Christmas cards. Each child was surprised to learn that a gift box they wrapped was for them. Then they each wrapped a stuffed bear to give to a friend to demonstrate the sharing aspect of the book.

Early Thanksgiving

2011-11-14T12:43:00.006-07:00

Because we are getting ready to leave Iowa and head south, we had an early Thanksgiving with our family on Sunday. All the women helped prepare the food. The guys ate and watched movies, not football, on the wall in the living room. They darkened the room but not enough for the flash to come on. (That’s why the photos are dark.)

Dad was the oldest person there. Grandson Nathan was the youngest of the eighteen people who ate dinner. The food was great. The conversation was fine and it was so nice to relax afterwards with all the cleaning-up finished.

Triplets

2011-11-03T09:23:00.008-06:00

After nine weeks on bedrest at the hospital, my niece, Mindy, gave birth to triplet girls on July 12. They were extremely fragile since they were only 27 weeks into gestation and weighed 1 pound 8 oz. To 2 pounds.

Teagan, Rianne, and Brielle came home one by one a few weeks ago. Saturday night Brielle had another episode of projectile vomiting which occluded her airway and put her into resp. arrest. Tony, the father gave CPR. An ambulance was called and they rushed her to Blank Children's Hospital. They diagnosed pyloric stenosis.

I spent the last couple of days with Joy, Mindy and the triplets.

Quote from the family "Tues 11/1/11 7 AM - Brielle went in and had a successful one-hour surgery at Blank Children's Hospital to lance a rather large bulge in her pyloric valve. Because her lung function is compromised (why she's on oxygen at home) it took her a little while to come to. She is still intubated at 11 AM as a precaution, she needs to wake up a bit more before they will extubate her. Thanks for your prayers, we are so thankful she's out and hopefully this will make her much better and she can come home in a few days."

They wanted her awake before they removed her from the vent. At 11: 45 AM.the doctor, nurse and resp. came into the room to extubate Brielle. I took the photos of her before and after she was taken off the vent. She did just fine.

I just called Joy who is my sister and the grandmother. She stayed all night Tuesday with Brielle at the hospital. Brielle ate well and didn’t vomit but was restless so Joy held her all night. The family still needs your prayers for these precious miracles.

Top photo is of Grandma Joy and Mother Mindy comforting Brielle after the vent was removed.

Next is Brielle on vent. Teagan is at home but continues to be on O2. Look at the way Rianne is holding her head up for Grandma Joy. The bottom photo is of me holding Rianne.

Miller's Windmills

2011-10-29T03:43:00.016-06:00

Terry is always asking me to photograph windmills that we see in our travels. When we went to Indiana, we saw windmills for about 40 miles from Illinois to Reynolds, Indiana along Highway 24. They were placed in fields where the farmer planted around them.

He bought a little windmill that he placed in our front yard but really wanted one that would generate electricity. The first step was to get a permit from Marion County. Their main requirement was that it must be positioned at least as far away from all buildings as it is tall.

The next step was to get a trencher to dig a hole to fit the wires to the batteries in the basement. There were many trips to Des Moines to find all the poles, batteries and parts that he needed. Then he had to weld the pipes together and paint them. He built forms for the guide wires and center pole to cement into the ground. (I thought that it looked like a sailboat structure on the ground.) Then I drove the car, which was connected to the cables and poles, to bring the structure up in the air.

The nine bladed windmill works!!! It even looks pretty silhouetted in the night sky with stars shinning around it.

Covered Bridges & Reenactments in IN Folks in MI

2011-10-26T00:40:00.010-06:00

The weather was perfect for the Mississinewa Reenactment with temps in the 50’s in the morning warming to the early 80’s in the afternoon. Terry wore his tricorn hat and American frontiersman outfit while I wore a chemise, westcot and petticoats. I also had a cape and shawl but in this photo I wore Terry’s hunter’s coat since it was lighter than my cape.

We visited with many of the people that we had seen in other reenactments. In fact, it seemed like we were in the same time warp as five or six years ago when we last visited the Mississinewa River Reenactment. Terry’s childhood friend, Wayne and his friend Liz, came to the reenactment to spend several hours with us.

If you want more details on the reenactment, go to my book “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers” and read about reenactments. You will be able to read about this trip in the December issue of Smoke and Fire News too.

We left the RV in a campground and traveled to Michigan by car. Aunt Margie welcomed us to her house where we stayed for two nights in Zeeland. We visited with Uncle Bern and Aunt Jean in Wayland and Aunt Etta in a nursing home in Cutlerville. My cousin Roger, who lost his mother two weeks before we visited, was glad to see us. On the return trip, we stopped to see a flock of sandhill cranes who had flown into a field.

We picked up our RV and traveled to Parke County for the Covered Bridge Festival. The Bridgeton bridge has been rebuilt after an arsonist burned it several years ago. We saw about 30 covered bridges and went to flea markets in Bridgeton, Rockville and Mansfield. I ate such things as pumpkin ice cream, buried beef,( which was slow cooked in a pit for 16 hours), and crullers. I got some pretty fall photos but most of the leaves had muted colors.

The Albia Follies

2011-09-06T01:45:00.010-06:00

The Albia Follies, held in the King Opera House on Benton St. were in the tradition of vaudeville last weekend. The theme of the show was a 1911 reunion of Civil War veterans at the farm of a moon shiner who were surprised by a WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) group of ladies.

The cast of twenty members (not counting the pit orchestra.) performed in a chorus as well as dancing and the use of pantomimes, which were called “Sketches.” One of the numbers in the show was performed by the Albia Boy Scouts with it’s leader- Dave. The show was hilarious.

Prior to the show, Dave popped the popcorn for the performance. Then he sang in the chorus, played the guitar and banjo and co-directed the show with Dan. Dave’s wife, Jan, was one of the WCTU ladies and a member of the chorus. Their son, Ben, operated the lights and sound system. Their granddaughter, Maia, was a “lovely card girl” who walked across the stage with a sign, which announced the next number.

Earlier in the day, Dave was the Grand Marshall in the parade who didn’t ride in an open convertible but in an open truck bed. Then he took photos of the high school band, which will probably be in the Albia Newspaper.

Since there were two performances of the Follies, the family had to be tired but they also hosted the speaker for the Methodist morning church service.

I’m not sure if this is a blog about the Follies or about the Dave’s family but the Follies wouldn’t be the Follies without them. Albia would also be a different place without this family.

Albia Restoration Days

2011-08-31T10:08:00.012-06:00

Saturday, August 27, had temperatures in the 80’s with sunny skies for the Albia Restoration Days parade. (The monies collected during this festival help to renovate the buildings and artifacts in Albia.) It had the usual elements of an Iowa parade, which are clowns, fire trucks, bands, horses, floats, and tractors. The unusual element was the man who carried hundreds of “pop” cans on his motorcycle. These cans are valuable since you pay a fee of 5 cents a can when you purchase soda pop, which can be redeemed when you turn in the empty cans.

If you look beyond the parade in several of the photos, you see a Civil War statute, which reads “erected to the memory of our fallen heroes 1861-1865.”The flags are the US flag and the Iowa flag.

After the parade, I wandered around the square. There were food concessions, a band played in the bandstand and various artists displayed their art. I purchased the watercolor of red tulips from Ken Smith who painted it when he was 89 years old before I went to a display of quilts in the Methodist Church Family Life Center. Then I went to the “Follies” which I will write about in my next blog.

Our 2011 - Yard Work

2011-08-28T14:35:00.014-06:00

After mowing, the first thing that needed to be done to our six plus acres of land was the removal of junk from inside the shed and beside it.

We discovered hundreds of what the exterminator called “Burrowing Wasps” in the dirt floor of our shed. Their holes are the size of my index finger. Surprisingly, these wasps don’t sting when you disturb them. The exterminator said to put two inches of gravel on the floor of the shed to prevent the wasps from returning.

We wanted to make a pad for the RV and add gravel to the driveway so we ordered about 50 tons of gravel. We also needed dirt to cover the paths the kids made in the yard with their bikes, cars and four wheelers. Terry borrowed my brother Jim’s tractor to move all this soil and gravel around.

My brother Clare has operated Hoven’s Lawn Care for about 30 years. We were glad to have him come to sow the grass seed.

The western side of the property has about 20 oak and walnut trees that my former father-in-law planted in the late 60’s or early 70’s. The hibiscus is a perennial that grew huge red flowers.

Last fall I planted tulips along the western edge of the driveway and put blocks along the edge so the grandchildren wouldn’t drive over the tulip bed. Because we have planted grass seed along this area, my tulip bed will now be on the eastern edge of the driveway.

From the front door, you can see the sun rise. From the patio you can see rabbits and sometimes deer. From the highway you can see that we have plenty of room for friends and family to park their cars. We even have space for an RV if you want to visit us but call first because we might have gone RVing.

Our 2011 Housework

2011-08-26T12:15:00.018-06:00

The painting and application of sheet rock “mud” is finished. Yeah! The pounds of plaster that Terry applied to the walls and then sanded off caused volcano like dust covering everything.

The library/spare bedroom (which doesn’t have all my books in it yet) was the most improved. Purple and yellow/green paint was pulled off the walls, patched and painted a creamy pale yellow. I refinished the woodwork and the carpet was replaced.

Terry thinks that his study with its holes in the walls and new doors is the most improved.

The ceiling in the bathrooms had large places from the old skylights that needed plastering and painting. Since I pulled the old wallpaper off the bathrooms, they needed fixed.

Maybe the living room with the sheet rock replaced under the leaking window and its new carpet is the most improved. (We have a new window but haven’t replaced it yet.)

Since the laundry needed the appliances replaced and Terry’s research said that the front-loading washer was the most efficient, I asked for the appliances to be put on pedestals.

The kitchen, dining room, and master bedroom didn’t need anything done except for cleaning and touch up painting.

What do you think was the most improved? The yard work was another project. I have enough photos of it for another blog.

Iowa State Fair

2011-08-21T21:30:00.014-06:00

Temperatures in the low 80’s brought record crowds to the Iowa State Fair. We headed up the hill to the area of alternative energy tents and buildings but were disappointed in that we didn’t learn anything new.

This year honored 100 years of a sculpturing a life-sized cow made of BUTTER. The bright lights on the glass refrigerated cases made it difficult to photograph the sculptures but I took pictures anyway. I was more impressed with the early 1900’s cow, calf, milkmaid and farmer life sized creation that was on a revolving stage than I was with the recreation of the first cow. About 100 fancy small sculptures made of plaster were located throughout the fairgrounds; the most unusual that I saw was entitled “ Pirates of the Cowibbean.” We walked through a barn with real live Holsteins but I didn’t get any good photos.

We saw many old time exhibits including Terry with a Case tractor. You could buy almost any food on a stick including my favorite- a thick Iowa Pork Chop on a stick.

My favorite part of the fair is the contest of “The Talent Sprouts.” Kids from 2 to 12 compete locally in dancing, singing, playing instruments, baton twirling and acrobatics before they come to the fair. Everyday there is another competition. On the final day of the fair, the top contestants perform again for thousands of dollars worth of prizes.

July in Iowa

2011-08-01T10:04:00.009-06:00

My granddaughter, Jamie Delacruz of Texas, gave birth to a 3 lb. 1 oz. son Alex on July 5. If you think that’s small, my niece gave birth to triplet girls on July 12 who ranged from 1 lb. 8 oz to 2 lbs. All the babies are doing well. I hope to see Alex when we go to Texas next winter and the triplets when they get home in August or September.

We didn’t see the THOUSANDS of bikers who participated in the 39th RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) even though we went to Altoona later in the day. We did see a few bikers and some buses but didn’t have our cameras. Lance Armstrong rode on Tuesday. My sister Joy rode on Wednesday and Friday of the race. My nephew, Jon Klein came from Kentucky to ride and dipped his bike into the Mississippi River, which is the traditional ending of the weeklong event.

We did go to the National balloon Festival in Indianola on Saturday night and sat in the park across from the church. The balloons are launched from the campus of Simpson College, which are just below the church grounds. The panda was air born but didn’t get over the church steeple while the eagle appeared to be tethered. However when we got home we saw this pile of . . . ah “dirt” in our yard that wasn’t there when we left. Terry said that the eagle wasn’t responsible for it.

Iowa Tractors

2011-06-15T18:46:00.012-06:00

I heard on the radio that there was going to be a tractor celebration in a nearby town. I asked Terry if we could go to see what it was all about but he said there was too much work to do in the house and yard.

We didn’t need to go anywhere. Yes, that’s our house behind the parade of orange, red, tan, silver and green tractors. They drove past the house for three hours, in groups of a couple of hundred or so. The largest number that I saw was #732.

Most drivers waved at us, a few honked or tweeted their horns and a couple even threw wrapped candy at me.

Most of these tractors were old restored but reliable antiques which didn’t have enclosures. It was a good thing that the day is cool. The rain didn’t start until after the parade was over at our house but I don’t know where the tractors were located when it stormed.

We have done many family things while in Iowa. My grandson, Joshua graduated from high school. My niece, Mc Kensie graduated from college. Our son from Alaska visited for a couple of days and helped Terry. Our son, Richard and daughter-in-law, Shelly and grandson, Marcus helped us tape and “mud” walls and take off wallpaper and thick paint. Then they took time to shoot Rich’s bow and arrows in the back yard.

Yes, we are living in the house but still have a lot of work to do before it is organized. Yes, we still are planning on RVing so that means we need two of most things for activities of daily living. We are visiting the thrift centers and buying new and used things.

To those of you who have asked about my niece who is expecting triplets, Mindy and babies are doing okay but Mindy is in the hospital on bed rest. She is in her 23rd week of pregnancy.

Memorial Days

2011-06-01T18:35:00.003-06:00

Except for a ten-day trip to and from N.C., we have been busy in Iowa since the 28th of April. We bought the house from our daughter Karol. We have spent much time visiting with family, especially my mother, so I have not been on the computer much.

My mother became ill in February and has been in the hospital or a nursing care facility since then. We have visited her three times a week while in Iowa. On Saturday she was coherent and visited with us. We spent Sunday morning at church for a Memorial Day Celebration of the lives of those who died serving our country and of those of the congregation who died in the last year. Then we went to the Monroe County Care where my mother, Agnes Hoven, died peacefully at 1pm. The morning of Memorial Day was spent at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 10:30 am at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa on Wednesday, June 1. Burial was at Liberty Cemetery near Bussey.

Part of her eulogy is as follows:
Agnes Hoven was united in marriage with Clarence Hoven on August 20, 1941. She assisted her husband in many churches throughout their ministry. She taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, was a Ladies Bible Leader, and also helped in missionary work from 1953 to 2000 in Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Canada. Agnes had 7 children, 28 grandchildren, 47 great- grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

I’m sure that Dad will miss her most of all.

We plan to stay in Iowa this summer. There is a lot of work that we still need to do on the house, especially painting and lawn care.

From California to Iowa

2011-05-05T20:06:00.006-06:00

The Joshua trees were showing off their ice cream cone flowers and poppies were blooming with temperatures in the upper 80’s when we took a trip to the Beaumont area in CA. When we got to Iowa, the tulips I planted last fall were blooming but we received freeze warnings on May 3, 2011. The oak trees were only beginning to bud.

The trip from the campground to Iowa was an eventful one with winds as high as 60mph. two flat tires, and a dead battery on the car that I was driving for Frank and Opal. Gas was as high as $4.29 a gallon. Our schedule changed accordingly.

We will be busy this summer fixing the lawn and mowing it, painting the walls, getting new carpet, and buying appliances and furniture for our house in Iowa. We plan to move south in the RV before the snow falls.

Sunday, my brothers and sisters and their husbands and wives met at the rest home where my mother is living. She is planning on getting her cataracts removed next Monday. Dad moved to an apartment about a mile from her, which is in the renovated old hospital building where my sons Steven and Mark were born in the 1960’s.

Tomorrow we plan to take a day off and go to Pella and see the Tulip Festival.

Close Friends

2011-04-18T18:15:00.012-06:00

We have close friends who have lived so close to us since October that if I stretch from fingertip to fingertip, I can touch the back of Opal and Frank’s RV and the back of our RV. You have seen Opal and Frank for years on my blogs when I write about Birthday parties, Red Hat gatherings, Pot Luck dinners and Church activities. I even wrote four pages about them in the book, “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes – More Confessions of Happy Campers.”

This month they celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary and Frank’s 85th Birthday. We saw the movie, “The Great Escape,” last week with them. Frank also escaped from a POW camp in WWII by riding a motorcycle for 180 kilometers across the German countryside but he said that was the only familiar thing about the movie. His barracks weren’t as good and the rations were so poor that he lost 57 lbs during the 6 months that he was imprisoned. Frank lost his hearing from a grenade that was thrown into his trench just before he was imprisoned.

Opal not only has a wonderful singing voice but also a well-modulated, pleasant speaking voice which you hear as she sings in the choir, leads a Bible study and is the liturgist for the church services. What you don’t realize is that she became deaf following pneumonia, scarlet fever and mastoiditis when she was seven years old. When she was a sophomore in high school, she was fitted with hearing aids, which allowed partial hearing.

Opal, and her husband, Frank, raised a son and a daughter and now have two grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was employed for forty years at a casualty insurance company when she asked to retire. Instead of approving her retirement at age sixty-five, the company asked her to stay one more year. Opal agreed to work longer.

Opal is a precious gem who I’m happy to call my friend and Frank is a wonderful man who really shouldn’t work as hard as he does. It will be hard to leave them so we won’t leave them for awhile. I will drive with Opal to Kansas. Terry will meet with us there and we will spend some time at their home.

Campground Salmon Party

2011-04-14T21:58:00.009-06:00

Even though there are fewer and fewer RVs in the campground as most of our friends are leaving for northern areas, we had eighteen people on the pastor’s patio for grilled salmon from Alaska. We took all of the salmon from our freezer for the party. Others brought salads, vegetables, fruit and cookies.

We laughed, sang, and had fun. Many of the group made faces at the camera.

It was a blessing to us for Jack and Bill to grill the salmon but I still don’t know how Jack managed to have a halo around him.

Pajamas Party

2011-04-13T16:43:00.009-06:00

Dressed in pajamas, nightgowns, and robes, the Purple Ladies of the River met for their April meeting. Included in the setting were teddy bears, Easter eggs and a quilt. A mural of the bridge dividing AZ and CA over the Colorado River completed the scene. Gifts were given for several categories such as the sexiest, the prettiest, and the most color-coordinated ensemble.

Marla read a letter from the VFW thanking us for the $261 we raised for phone cards, snacks, and personal items that were sent overseas to our military personnel with receipts from the March 9th Tea.

If you want to see better views of the photos, double click the left side of each photo.

We had several people look twice at us but mostly they just smiled at our group. It was fun!

2011-03-27T23:04:00.005-06:00

Saturday was one of those book signings that you dream about. Pete, a manager at Hastings, placed a funny sign was on the table in the front entrance of the bookstore. At Pete’s suggestion, I took a copy of my latest RV book to the newspaper in Lake Havasu City. They published the photo of me that is on the cover plus the front of the “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes – More Confessions of Happy Campers” book along with these words,

“Author shares the highs, lows of life on the road in an RV

STAFF REPORT

Darlene Miller, author of “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes – More Confessions of Happy Campers ”, will be at Hastings 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday to autograph copies of her book. With 14 years of full-time RVing with her husband, Terry, Miller has plenty of experiences to draw for her book. The couple has traversed the U.S. And Canada, and made several trips to Alaska. A retired nurse, this is her second self-published volume. In Chapter One, she explains the book’s title, “The chuckles are the fun things we do and the chuckholes are the anecdotes that are not funny until later when you relate them to other RVers.”

As a result of this article people came into the store to see me. At one point, they even stood in line to talk to me. One woman was interested in buying books wholesale to put in her gift shop in a campground in Idaho. A gentleman wanted the ISBN numbers to order my books on the Internet. Another wanted to purchase the book on Kindle. I spoke to many RVers and autographed and sold many books.

I got a notice that I am asked to write more children stories for the Radiant Native Health, which is a publication for the native Indians in British Columbia that is used by the missionaries. It will also be broadcast on the radio. I will write children's stories on various assigned health subjects.

More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes became an eBook last week. See my eBook at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S87PNK. I would love for you to write a comment on the book.

Friendship Garden of Flowers Tea

2011-03-13T08:57:00.021-06:00

My RV was filled with tulips in preparation for the 6th annual tea in our campground but Terry gave the 24 roses to me for our 24th anniversary.

This year, Opal Jones, Marla Marrs, and myself were the committee for the Friendship Garden of Flowers Tea. Since we are all members of the River of Life Church at the Cove and members of the Purple Ladies of the River, we used both groups to assist us.

The appliquéd tulip was my contribution to the quit that Marla made as the grand prize. The program had two singers and myself who gave a short speech on snowbirds. Terry took the photos of the beautiful tea tables, groups of ladies and the other photos you see here. I’m sorry but I can’t include all the photos but there were just too many of them.

I really felt like a lady and loved the beautiful afternoon. I even enjoyed it that the men served us and assisted in setup and the take down.

Fun in the Sun

2011-03-12T14:25:00.014-07:00

While Terry was playing in the snow, I was showing my daughter and granddaughter sunny areas along the Colorado River where our RV is located.

We explored the CA side looking for wild burros but didn’t see them in the usual spots along Highway 62 so we traveled on to Black Meadow RV Park where we saw them on the golf course. Kari fed carrots to these wild donkeys so they were attracted to her. She even petted them. I never got that close. These are descendents of donkeys that the miners used when they were seeking AZ/CA gold.

Karol and Kari didn’t go 4-wheeling on the sand dunes but Karol took a photo to show her son Ryan. We rode over the Parker Dam, which is the deepest dam in the US and maybe the deepest in the world. They saw more than one oasis. The London Bridge was the attraction in Lake Havasu City. But the activity they most enjoyed was the ride down the Colorado River with Captain Jack and his first mate Bev. My friend Marilyn and Pastor Bill also came with us. We stopped and moored up for breakfast and then rode into the canals where the rich and famous live. Lucy Arnez from "I Love Lucy" lived in the white house on the hill in the photo on the top of the page.

Yellowstone Trip

2011-03-11T17:33:00.014-07:00

Someone picked up Terry’s camera and took this photo of a masked rider. Who is he? Why it’s Terry, my husband. Robert decided that another snowmobile trip was a good idea for the first week of March so he, Terry, Joy and Mike met at the airport in Bozeman, Montana and went to Yellowstone National Park. They not only snowmobiled in the park but also into the states of Wyoming and Idaho.

I thought that there wasn’t much wildlife in the area in the winter except buffalo but Terry photographed deer, elk, muskrat, coyote, and even pine marten. He was happy with his video of the swan-mating dance.

And it seems strange to see both snow and steam from hot springs in the same picture but Joy caught this on her camera. They said that they had a great time playing in the snow.

The Haining Family

2011-03-08T10:13:00.012-07:00

Sorry that it has taken me so long to put this blog on the computer but Terry went to Yellowstone to go snowmobiling and I had company here in AZ and CA. I’ll write more about that in the next blog.

Terry and I went to a concert in Quartzsite that was a benefit for a cancer patient who is a gospel singer. The 300 to 500 people gave Lou over $10,000. When we heard the Haining family, we were so glad that they were coming to our campground church the next day on February 27.

The family included the father Mike, mother Peggy, and their teenagers James who is almost 20, Ruth and Pearl who are 18-year-old twins, and Grace who is 15 years old.

The wonderful hour-long concert they gave was inspirational and harmonious. The type of music was hard to describe. Their literature calls the singing “front porch family style music” but I didn’t know what that was. The instruments they played; fiddles, guitar, auto harp, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and brass fiddle made me think of blue grass music but that didn’t really describe it either. I heard a little bit country, gospel, barbershop, and James, even yodeled. (Grace yodeled in the Saturday Quartzsite concert.)

Their choreography was amazing as they smoothly moved closer to the microphone to perform the solos, duets, trios, quartets or the whole family as a sextet. You never knew who was going to going to play which instrument next since they each played several instruments.

I asked for permission to take photos and put them on my blog. They not only said “yes” but also asked for copies of the photos. If you would like to know more about them, you can go to http://www.hainingfamily.com/ or to info@hainingfamily.com.

The Purple Ladies of the River

2011-02-09T22:33:00.012-07:00

I'm busy, busy, busy. Monday, I went to a writer's meeting in Lake Havasu City. Tuesday, I went to craft time at the clubhouse and started a 3-D place card of tulips for the tea. Then I made brownies and peanut butter cookies, which I took to Ladies Fellowship. Wednesday, I went to Bible study and then to a luncheon. We voted to be called the Purple Ladies of the River. After the luncheon, I bought supplies to finish the place cards for seating at the Friendship Garden of Flowers Tea in March. Tomorrow is craft day where I'll get help to make the place cards. Friday is a blank now. Saturday is the crafts show in the clubhouse where I'll sell my books. Sunday is church where I'll sing in the choir.

On the way to and from the luncheon at Tommy’s Paradise Cafe, the Purple Ladies of the River Club saw shaggy wild burros. There are no buts about it; we had fun dressing up in purple and red.

Friends in Arizona

2011-01-25T13:35:00.012-07:00

For the people who think that we “travel all the time” and don’t spend time with other people, let me tell you, “It isn’t so.”

Terry and I left our friends at the Emerald Cove Campground Resort to see other friends at a huge Escapee meeting in Quartzsite last week. Then we went to the Grubstake Restaurant for “all you can eat fish” with the Elks group of Escapees. Hugs, conversation, entertainment and food were fun. We even met other Millers who aren’t related to us.

The Boomers group welcomed us at Happy Hour. I left them the book, More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers, for the auction for Escapees C.A.R.E. Yes, I even went to Reader’s Oasis Books and sold my RV books for a few hours.

You can see from the blue sky, the short-sleeved shirts, and the shorts that the meetings in Quartzsite were in ambient weather. I even got a little too much sun but I didn’t blister or peal. I’m not complaining. To you northerners who are suffering in snow and wet conditions, I confess. I’m bragging a little.

Back at the campground, we enjoyed a concert from Ron and Opal Erickson from Branson, Missouri. We went to Tommy’s Paradise Café with a group after the concert.

Ron and Opal are seated to the left. Jack and Bev are next with Tricia and Bill seated to the right. Terry and I are sitting next to Ed and Helen. (Doris took the two top photos. Thanks, Doris, for the use of your photos.) To enlarge the photos, double click in the lower left of it.

Birthday and Early Christmas

2010-12-17T11:14:00.012-07:00

Laura was six years old on December 11 so the Miller family went to her home in North Carolina to celebrate her birthday and have an early Christmas. Yes, I made Barbie doll clothes again this year as a birthday gift.

A year brings many changes especially when you are only two. Sara had changed from a toddler into a little girl who loves to dress up and pretends to prepare food and tea for her aunts and grandmother.

Christmas is a time for good food, gifts, friends, and sharing family stories. I went to a wonderful Christmas Sorority meeting at the home of my friend, Maryann. You can see that we had a great time. Grandpa Terry is in the photo with granddaughters Laura, Sara, and Victoria.

It is also a time to remember the birthday of the Christ child. What fun to go to the Christian School and attend the Christmas program in which our granddaughter Laura sang about His birth.

May all of you have fun, fellowship, food, family and friends with you this holiday season.

It’s Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas

2010-12-04T11:32:00.018-07:00

Although we have very limited space in our RV, we decorate using most of the symbols of Christmas. We have a Christmas stocking, package, tree, lights, stars, angels, a live poinsettia, candles, a tiny crèche and even a music box. The empty box has a decorated lid so Terry can fill it on Christmas Eve.

Terry and I love to see Christmas decorations, parades, movies and programs with music. Here are two of the decorated golf carts that were in the parade in the park.

We went to Lake Havasu City last night for a lighted ship parade under the London Bridge.

We are leaving on Wednesday of next week, the 8th of December, to fly to North Carolina for the Miller Christmas. I will have some wonderful grandchild photos and memories when we return.

Animals and Nature Murals

2010-12-02T19:44:00.008-07:00

At dusk and early dawn you need to watch for moose on the Highway east and north of Anchorage, Alaska. South of Des Moines, Iowa, you need to watch for deer. Driving north of Parker, Arizona on Hwy 62, beware of wild donkeys. The gray donkeys are especially hard to see as you travel around a curve. Unlike deer eyes that reflect back to you when you use your headlights, the donkey’s eyes do not reflect.

We took a trip in the early morning hours in search for a dentist and saw this beautiful rosy salmon color on the mountains at the entrance to Lake Havasu City.

All Terry wants for Christmas is his two front teeth. A couple of weeks ago he lost the front tooth which had been a permanent bridge. Since the tooth holding the bridge was in poor condition, he needed an expensive repair. Now we are waiting for the new tooth to arrive to replace the temporary one.

I was given permission to photograph the beautiful murals at the dentist office that were painted by a gentleman named Harlan. Although he died this year, Harlan left these wonderful murals of the area around Lake Havasu City for us to enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T13:43:00.006-07:00

Yes, I know that Thanksgiving is over but how can I put photos on the blog about our Thanksgiving until I’ve taken them? Hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving. We are especially thankful for our family, friends, food and good health.

Before our thanksgiving dinner, we put two tables together with twelve chairs at each table, placed white tablecloths on all the tables and decorated the table where we were eating with the church group. (See the pilgrims and pumpkin that Terry and I furnished.) There were 20 tables at the 1 PM seating and another 20 tables at the 4 PM seating with all the spaces occupied. Emerald Cove provided turkey, dressing and gravy and each of us brought another dish to serve twelve. Frank brought two of his famous pies.

Then it was time for clean up but that wasn’t difficult since Bev and I and the four men on the clean-up crew all helped.

No, we didn’t get up early on black Friday to shop. We were tired.

Nicodemus

2010-11-22T13:01:00.012-07:00

Seventy-seven people had a wonderful church service at Emerald Cove yesterday with special guests, Don and Dorene Foster. Dorene introduced her husband as Nicodemus and read scripture about him. I felt like I was transported to Jerusalem five years after Jesus went to heaven. Nicodemus was no longer a secret Christian who visited Jesus by night but was now telling everyone that he had seen the body of Jesus and assisted Joseph in burying Him. Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus had risen. If you ever get a chance to see this dramatic presentation, you will be pleased that you did.

The cross that was used in the presentation was given to the church for future services.

After our special music and communion, everyone was invited to eat birthday cake that Linda and I bought to celebrate the birthdays of our husbands (Jerry and Terry) plus everyone else who had a birthday in November.

Birth and Death

2010-11-19T13:56:00.001-07:00

In case you didn’t read the comment from Jerry and Suzy about Uncle Don, I’m quoting it now. “Uncle Don lived his heaven while on earth, now has another heaven to wander through and enjoy. You were undoubtedly as much a blessing in his life and he was in yours.” Thank you, Jerry and Suzy. What a beautiful way to express your thoughts!

I also lost Uncle Jake during the last month. He was also a Christian and I’m sure that he is in heaven. The photo was taken at Aunt Margie’s 75th birthday party. Uncle Jake is wearing a plaid shirt and standing by his wife, Aunt Margie. My parents are sitting in the foreground.

A great memory of Uncle Jake is when Terry and I did some sight seeing with him and Margie in AZ. Jake delighted in telling everyone we met that it was his 21st birthday and laughed at the startled expressions on people’s faces. He was right. Since his birthday was on February 29, he had only had 21occurances of his birthday even though he was 84 years old.

My niece, Megan and her husband had a baby girl named Ellie on Oct. 19. My nephew, Ben and his wife had a baby boy named Joseph on November 18. Isn’t it wonderful the way life balances out? I look forward to meeting the new babies when we go to Iowa next spring or summer.

Food and Exercise

2010-11-18T11:49:00.003-07:00

Life, where we are camped, seems to center around eating. Last week I went to the Red Hat Luncheon, Blue Water Café for prime rib for Veteran’s Day, the Early Bird Café for brunch, and the Golden Corral for a buffet. Tonight we are going to eat at Lake Havasu Springs to celebrate Terry, Jerry, Bill and Bev’s birthdays. Sunday I will bring a large cake to serve as refreshments after the church service. Our closest neighbor, Frank, made an apple pie with the apples from my son’s yard and gave me the first piece.

Terry only wanted a cupcake for his birthday. There is no way to put 70 candles on it so I only used seven candles. All he wants for his birthday and Christmas is his two front teeth. He lost his front tooth bridge and needed much work done on an adjacent tooth. He has a temporary tooth on it now.

You may have heard that traveling is broadening. To combat this, Terry takes hikes into the area around the river. I walked 3,000 steps with my women friends this AM. I also go to water aerobics on Monday and Fridays.

Uncle Don Hoven

2010-11-18T11:26:00.002-07:00

Some things are hard to write about so I’m just going to quote myself from the last pages of my first RV book, “RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- The Confessions of Happy Campers.” My opening paragraph on page 93 reads, “The first member of our family to fulltime – was Uncle Don. He was also the most romantic person in my young life. I don’t mean the man/woman hearts and flowers meaning of the word but in the heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious or idealized sense of the word.”

Uncle Don usually wore his black Stetson hat. His silhouette reminded me of the Marlboro man except that he smoked a pipe instead of a cigarette. I wish that I had the photo in my RV but it is stored in Iowa. I found this photo that was taken when Terry and I and mom and dad visited him several years ago. Uncle Don is in the left side of the photo with the purple sweatshirt on.

We last visited Uncle Don in May of this year. As my father put it, “You don’t have to go to Lake View anymore.” Sadly, Uncle Don died of pneumonia in Oct. I miss him.

Winter Quarters

2010-10-28T20:39:00.008-06:00

Some RVer’s think that the four letter word “work” is a dirty word. Others retire early and work to maintain their lifestyle. We have helped our kids and “worked” on occasion. This winter we are “staff” or “church staff” as the other staff refers to us. We have really been working.

Our project this week is to remove wax on the clubhouse vinyl tile floor, reapply it and then buff it. The tables and chairs were pressure washed in addition to being scrubbed. The men all traded jobs and worked hard for five days on the approximately 62 by 56 foot building. Us ladies got to scrub the perimeter of the floor with a foam wax remover, water, a putty knife and then rinse. Other work will be to arrange tables and chairs for the various activities in the clubhouse. Bill is the pastor. Opal is the linguist and will lead the Bible study. Bev is the music director. Terry will also prepare the master copy of the church bulletin (or program) on the computer. I’m sure that they will also use us to do other things but we are the new kids on the block. The other three couples have worked for the church activities for 1 to 8 years. Yes, we are the youngest too. I’m the youngest person and Terry is the youngest man.

Emerald Cove Campground has over 800 sites on a mile of sandy shoreline on the Colorado River and is located on the CA side of the CA/AZ border. Since the nearest towns are Parker and Lake Havasu in AZ, we are on AZ or Mountain Time. We have a site that overlooks the mountains and rocky desert floor. See the photo that I took from our window. Live palm trees shade the two heated pools and two hot tubs. The hot tub felt very, very good after using muscles that aren’t used to such vigorous activity.

W also have a new appreciation for the “work” that is done in campgrounds. Thanks Mike and Jo Ann for the work you did last year. We hope that you are happy in your new assignment in Texas.

My Busy Summer in Iowa

2010-10-26T17:11:00.011-06:00

I have been asked why I didn’t put photos and blogs on the Internet this summer. I was in Iowa while Terry was in Alaska for July, August and half of September. My busy summer in Iowa included many activities that didn’t get photographed. When I had photos, I needed Terry to put them on his computer, and then put them on my hard drive in order to for me to put them on the blog.

Starting from the top of the blog, here are the photos. The little boys who are spitting watermelon seeds are at Fifield Shelter House near Pella, Iowa for the Hoven Reunion.

Grandson, Nathan Klein, blew huge bubbles when he stayed overnight with me.

Grandson, Jake Klein, had never been to Iowa. He came from Texas and stayed three weeks with me. We are pictured on the church steps where my nephew, Travis Hoven, married Samantha. Jake visited the historical village and windmill where his Great, great, great grandfather was a founding father of Pella. We had lunch at Applebee’s in Pella with two other grandsons, Matthew and Joshua Klein. I took Jake, Emily and Nathan to the Balloon Festival in Indianola. At the Klein Reunion, Jake met many of his cousins and Great grandmother, Carol Klein.

After Jake returned to Texas, I went to my father’s 90th Birthday Party, niece Megan’s baby shower and visited with some of the girl classmates of 1960. Since I attended Pella Christian High for three years and graduated from Pella community high school, I was invited to both 50-year class reunions. It was a great time to visit with class members and renew old acquaintances.

Des Moines Costco Book Signing

2010-08-22T15:43:00.002-06:00

It was exciting to see my books included with the assorted books in Costco in Des Moines, Iowa but I was concerned that I might not sell 62 books in my three days of book signing. Also, the other employees told me that there weren’t as many customers because of the Iowa State Fair. Thursday, August 19, was okay but I needed to do better. Friday was great! Saturday was awesome! I sold out of books four hours early!

John and Kay made my day when they told me that they bought both books on Friday, read the first book and decided to return 40 miles one way to Costco to buy another six books for gifts. That only left one book for me to sell.

Summer in Iowa

2010-08-13T14:57:00.002-06:00

I'm in Iowa. Terry is in Alaska. We will meet again in September. I've taken photos but don't have my commuter tech with me to help put them on the internet.

Good things I've done are spent 3 weeks with Texas grandson Jake aged 15, saw my classmates at a high school reunion, attended my nephew's wedding and joined a family reunion.

Bad things that have happened are my 16 grandaughter was burned on her face and left leg and foot from a bonfire. My 12 year old grandaughter was shocked from a electrical outlet and is in intensive care because of a heart arrythma .

Future events in Iowa are my father's 90th birthday party, a book signing at Costco in Des Moines, and another class reunion.
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Karol's Alaskan Trip

2010-07-10T15:01:00.020-06:00

After the book signings, my daughter Karol visited Alaska. She wanted to see things that she couldn’t see in Iowa. There are no mountains in Iowa so that was the easiest of all to see. Mountains are everywhere. We hitched a ride with Raymond in the big dump truck and walked down the mountain road beside his place. Karol couldn’t believe the size of the flowers that grow in almost 24 hours of sunlight. Even the dandelions were hip high to her.

The Miller apartment is over the three-car garage with the deck overlooking Upper Fire Lake. Of course we wanted a ride around the lake. We followed the Little Susnita River where Karol decided to test the water temperature on our way to Independence Gold mine. I remembered the mine in much better shape. Even the visitor’s center was permanently closed. A marmot decided to check out an abandoned building. We drove further up the mountain where there was still snow by the side of the road.

No trip to Anchorage is complete without driving around Turnagain Arm. At the Portage Visitor’s Center, Karol saw an iceberg for the first time. We decided to drive the long, long, tunnel to Whittier even though it was raining. The train had already gone through so we didn’t have to wait very long but we took too much time driving around and photographing the water falls so we needed to wait about a half hour before returning to the main road. Cars were parked on the edge of the road so we stopped to see what was happening. A few feet from the road, we saw this Bull Moose.

Raymond and Teresita let us use their slide-in camper for our trip to Seward. Since we were camped along the water, we could sit outside the camper and watch waves, boats, and sea otters. We walked to the aquarium where Karol photographed the horned puffin.

The next day we took the Kenai Fjords eight and a half hour boat ride. Here we saw glaciers, humpback whales, porpoises, puffins, and sea lions and otters.

Since we booked our cruise online, we even got a free pass to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Since I have already placed a number of photos on the blog from my last trip here, I won’t use more space except for this photo of the wood buffalo.

More Book Signing

2010-06-22T11:09:00.006-06:00

Evan Swensen, who is a distributor for my books, took the photos in Costco on Dimond St. There were as many as ten authors at the store at one time. The tables were set up in a huge U shape with the authors sitting in the middle of the U. It was very interesting to meet the Alaskan authors who wrote children’s stories such as “Alaskan Animals, We Love You” historical books such as “The Buffalo Soldiers,” personal experiences such as “Why Alaska” and novels such as “the Fraternity.” The youngest author was 10-year-old Sam Allred who wrote about his experiences with his kidney disease called IgM Nephropathy in a book called “Opening Hearts.”

La Von told me about going to an RV park and selling books there. I asked Evan about it. He called the Golden Nugget RV Park who were having a soup supper with music afterward that evening. They wanted me to give them some jokes and anecdotes and set up a table so I could sell my books after that. I said, “Yes”.

Instead of going back to Eagle River after the Costco, I headed for the RV Park. The people were very welcoming. A teenager took the photos of me. The “talk” went well and I sold a lot of books.

Two Events in one Day

2010-06-16T12:54:00.005-06:00

Besides visiting with family and going on cruises, I have been doing book signings of my books, “RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- The Confessions of Happy Campers” and “More
RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers.”

June 5, I was at the BX at Edmonton Air force Base. They had a fire at the commissary and evacuated everyone. This is a first for me. I never before had a book signing where the place caught on fire. No it wasn’t a book-burning event. They said that a toaster caught fire. Everything was back to normal after an hour.

On June 12, I was able to do two events in one day. In the morning was the author’s meeting upstairs. It was good to see everyone again. (Some of the chapters in the More Chuckles. . . book had been critiqued by this writing group.) In the afternoon, my book signing was from 1 to 4. Pictured are some of the women from the group who also took the photos. Yes, I took my glasses off for the pictures because of the glare.

On June 17, 18, and 19, I will be with other authors at the Costco store on Dimond St. in Anchorage from 10am till 5 pm for Costco Road show event.

Kenai Fjords Tour from Seward

2010-06-15T15:48:00.014-06:00

We enjoyed the 8-½ hour tour through Kenai Fjords National Park with dinner at Fox Island. Not only did we see wildlife but also had a wonderful meal of salmon and prime rib as the entrees.

Shortly after we left Seward we saw mountain goats with their kids on the mountainside. This time they were close enough to see which end was front and which was back. They don’t have the curved horns of the mountain sheep but little spiky horns.

It was fun to see the otters play in the water. Another name for seagulls is kittiwakes. Their nests were lower on the rocks while the puffins burrowed higher up.

Sea lions played at the bottom of the rocks.

The Aialik Glacier sounded like thunder or a shotgun blast before huge chunks calved or broke off and fell into the water.

The blowhole of humpback whale was seen before we saw the side and fins.

We saw more wildlife on this cruise than on any cruise that we have taken. I would recommend this cruise to anyone who goes to Seward.

On the Way to Seward

2010-06-14T13:46:00.013-06:00

If you have a limited time and want to see Alaskan animals, I suggest you visit the “140-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, jaws drop in awe-even those of longtime Alaskans who've studied grizzlies and other animals up close. AWCC's mission is to provide refuge for orphaned, injured, and ill animals-those that can't survive in the wild.” This quote is from their web page.

The only place we saw musk ox in the wild was close to Dead Horse-Prudhoe Bay area. Then they were only seen afar off.

The brown bear was not hurting the other bear but playing with him. The shaggy bison is loosing his winter coat. The black bear is scratching his head.

Jerry, here is another eagle. He is located in a large wire cage that presents a challenge to taking photos.

On the road again, we stopped at Exit Glacier. The brown flat area in front of glacier is where Terry walked in 2000 or 2002. A moose crossed in front of us on the walking path.
A far off shot of her shows a large white scar. I wonder what happened to her.

Robert, here’s your photo of a magpie.

Joy's Pics

2010-06-14T00:05:00.011-06:00

These are photos from Joy’s camera. When she is included, the camera was handed to someone else.

Ray is looking for the dall porpoises who are playing in the stern of the Lu-Lu Belle.

As you can see, we are having lots of fun!!!

Trip to and from Valdez

2010-06-13T14:44:00.017-06:00

Starting at the top of the page, Raymond, Robert and Joy are enjoying the wonders of nature and fun being together on our travel to Valdez. Terry took photos but had trouble with his camera shutting off so I took most of the pictures.

Between Palmer and Glennallen is the Matanuska Glacier. The moose are camouflaged but we saw seven of them. One crossed the highway in front of us.

Joy is taking Robert’s photo at Thompson Pass. The snow on the mountains is thawing and creates fast flowing waterfalls such as the Bridal Falls. Raymond and Joy got a little wet climbing the rocks at the bottom of Horsetail Falls.

One museum in Valdez shows mockups of the town of Valdez before and after The 1964 Earthquake while a video shows interviews of the survivors. The other museum shows artifacts of the town in the gold prospecting era when the town was located four miles away.

We took many pictures of eagles but Robert was the first to spot this black bear as we drove around the inlet to Valdez.

The path to the Worthington Glacier still has snow on it so I only ventured part way. Of course no travelogue about this area is complete without photos of the pipeline.

A side trip on the way home to Eagle River was to the Copper River area. Only Alaskans can dip net in Alaska while only native people can operate fish wheels.

Remember to double click in the left bottom corner to enlargen photos.

Lu-Lu Belle Cruise

2010-06-11T17:08:00.013-06:00

Robert Miller from North Carolina and Joy Miller from Texas surprised their brother Raymond for his birthday and their father for Father’s Day by arriving in Alaska.

We decided to go on the Lu-Lu Belle to show them Alaskan wildlife in the Prince William Sound. The funny little otters weren’t afraid as they played together or lay on their backs and watched us. There were hundreds of Steller Sea Lions who looked clumsy as they lay on the rocks and basked in the sun but appeared more aerodynamic when they swam. We saw an eagle swimming and fishing. At two different times, we spotted Dall Porpoises as they dove into the wake of the stern of the ship but they were too fast for my camera. Captain Fred Rodolf sailed his ship into the mouth of a cave so we could see the puffins sitting on their nests. By Glacier Island we saw icebergs float around us.

Craig from Minnesota asked me if I wanted one of the brownies that we smelled baking. It was covered with whipped cream and had chocolate drizzled over it. Of course, I said “yes.” It was as delicious as it looked.

During our conversation, we remarked on the beautiful patina of the teak and mahogany interior of the ship that even has oriental carpets on the floor. Craig commented that the ship was “comfortable and homey. It is as though he invited us into his home for the tour,” Craig stated.

His friend Glen said that the highlight of the tour for him was experiencing the glacier icebergs as the captain had the ship floating among them. Craig’s son Mac said the cruise was “fun.”

Captain Fred Rodolf has a vast knowledge of the wildlife and the history of Valdez and loves to tell you about it. An advantage of having the Captain as the owner of a ship is that he could extend the time of the cruise to over 7 hours instead of the 5 and ½ hours.

Glen commented, “The cruise exceeded our expectations.” I agree. Each of the four cruises on the Lu-Lu Belle that I have taken has been great. Thank you Captain Fred Rodolf.

Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-01T11:42:00.008-06:00

What do you think would be the perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day?

I thought about my father, husband, son, uncles, brothers-in-law, nephew, and son-in-law who served in the Army, Navy, Marines and National Guard. I have been to funerals where taps were played and airplanes flew overhead in salute to my relatives. Yesterday, my daughter placed flowers near the flag on her husband’s grave. I honor the service these men gave to our country but our family was blessed because none of these family members died while on active duty.

To celebrate Memorial Day, Teresita and Raymond decided to have a barbeque on their patio overlooking the lake. The rain the evening before washed away all dust leaving the air fresh, clean and with a temperature of 70 degrees. A flag fluttered gently in the light breeze.

Teresita created her usual magic with tablecloths, flowers, tableware and great smelling food to provide a gracious ambiance. Colin and Melissa, the young couple who live next door, joined us in feasting on the barbequed chicken, sausage, vegetables, and desserts.

Our usual conversation was about places we have visited in “the lower forty eight” but we also talked about places we have lived. The young couple talked about their dreams of owning land and growing cattle, vegetables and flowers. Our party broke up when the young man returned home, put on his uniform and went to work at the Richardson Army Base.

2010-05-27T12:26:00.005-06:00

We arrived safely in Alaska at Raymond and Teresita’s apartment. It finished out great! Somehow, they have created ambiance that is both comfortable and genteel. The snowshoes, bonker and photos of black bear show a touch of Alaska. The ice left their lake last week and the trees started to leaf out.

Teresita gave me the most wonderful meal for my birthday! I requested salmon so she fixed baked salmon as the entree. There was fresh asparagus and a medley of vegetables. Even the multigrain bread was homemade. Pictured is the wonderful chocolate cake that she made from scratch. (No one but my mother has made a cake from scratch for my birthday.)

Terry bought me that dozen roses and gave me the gold nugget and a pair of earrings from Jade City. Raymond and Teresita gave me a traveling bag and a live flowering plant.

Teresita is an avid gardener. She has planted flowers in window boxes and made a mini flower garden on her deck that overlooks the lake. Her vegetable garden is enclosed in railroad ties. If her cabbages grow as large as those in nearby Palmer, she won’t have room in her garden space for them.

Wild Animals and Birds

2010-05-26T12:23:00.012-06:00

Wild animals were quite plentiful on our trip through Canada. From Kitwanga to the border of the USA, we saw 24 black bear, 7 caribou, 5 moose, 2 porcupines, 1 fox, 1 wolf, 3 and several rabbits. In the bird family, we saw 3 pair of nesting swans plus eagles, herons, snipes, and Canadian geese.

Three times horses ran along the RV without riders, or harnesses. I don’t think they were wild but just thought the grass was greener on the other side of the highway.

In the distance we saw about a dozen wild goats by Little Atlin Lake and a dozen or so wild sheep by Kluane Lake. We could see legs and they moved so they were alive but they were too far away to distinguish what was front and what was hindsight.

We smelled skunk but didn’t stop to investigate. The beaver that we photographed in 2008 were not in residense anymore but we saw several dens and dams that beavers built.

When we crossed into Hyder, Alaska, we didn’t see bears since the adult salmon haven’t moved from the ocean into the creeks but we did see small hatchling salmon swimming in the creeks.

Yukon and Alaska Photos

2010-05-25T12:31:00.008-06:00

Since Terry downloaded more photos that I have taken on our trip, I now have the sunset photo from Little Atlin Lake in the Yukon. It was taken at 12:01am on May 17. Yes, I had to get up to take the picture. I awakened again at 3:45 am to full daylight. Yes, we were far enough north that you go to bed in daylight and awaken in daylight.

You would almost think that our towed Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV, had preceded us through the bridge but this is another car pictured on this bridge in Teslin in the Yukon.

The roads were patched but very uneven in the Yukon. We hoped for better roads in Alaska but a few feet from the border we met this scene. Yes, Terry had to drive the RV and our toad through this soft mess.

The road that was in construction for 4 years by the Matanuska Glacier is finished and beautiful. This photo of the bluish glacier shows that it is receding fast and leaving the charcoal murrain.

The “big five” animals that you see in the north are Elk, Grizzly Bears, Black Bears, Moose and Caribou. We didn’t see any elk or grizzlies on this trip but here are photos of the three of the “big five” wild animals that we saw on the trip.

Remember that if you double click on the bottom left of a photo, it will get larger.

Visit with Uncle Don

2010-05-24T17:38:00.009-06:00

Do you remember Uncle Don from my first RV book, “RV Chuckles and Chuckholes – The Confessions of Happy Campers?” He is the long time RVer who we met in Quartzsite each year and is now living in an apartment in Oregon. It was good to visit with him on the day after we left Nevada.

Even though my hair was cut too short and Don’s was too long, I wanted a picture. Don told Terry to keep the lens protector on the camera but he took Uncle Don’s picture anyway.

It was good to hear him say, “You kids have fun.”

We traveled in many places where we saw snow topped mountains. Some had melted snow that became waterfalls with fast moving milky silt water flowing into creeks, rivers and lakes. Some lakes still had melting ice in them. We saw glaciers in Alaska and British Columbia that are receding leaving charcoal gray murrains.

The wild animals are in the next blog.

Gold Fever

2010-05-22T14:04:00.006-06:00

We drove through the traffic in Las Vegas and didn’t stop overnight until we saw a sign for Miller’s Rest stop. Another sign said that RV’s were welcome to stay overnight. Surprise! The temperature was 95 in Arizona and got down to the early 40’s that night.

Terry had signed up for the Escapees Prospectors and Metal Detector’s Event so we stayed at the RV Park in Mill City, Nevada for five days. (Terry said that he wanted me to have a gold nugget.)

We saw old friends and met new ones at happy hour each night as we discussed activities for the rest of the week. Terry didn’t want to go to the dry washing event so he and Glenn (Griz) Anderson spent a day prospecting for gold. (Griz has spent 50 years in the US including Alaska and in Australia prospecting for gold.) Terry’s metal detector didn’t hear the minute particles of gold so he didn’t find any but Griz had four tiny pieces.

The next day we went on a tour of the Florida Canyon Mining Company where they find about 1.4 ounces of gold per each load of dirt. The trouble was that each load was 150 tons. (The dump truck’s tires were so big that they reached the top of the van in which we were riding. We were told that the tires cost $20,000 each.) The gold they found was in such small size that many times it was microscopic.

Jason Hirt, a geologist from the mine who lived at the campground, took us on a 4-wheel trip into the mountains on Wednesday. We found fossils plus green, lavender and clear fluorite crystals, and cinnabar semi- precious stones. Jason also had found root beer colored agates in Nevada that he allowed us to clean up from the dirt and keep.

Thursday was the coin hunt. I spent an hour with my detector and found over three dollars and tokens which gave me a key ring with a measuring tape in it and potatoes.

Friday Terry went out to spring valley where the group did dry washing, dredging, sluicing, and metal detecting. No, Terry didn’t bring any gold home.

Unfortunately, Terry can’t download his pictures since my computer can’t handle the size of his photos and Terry’s computer needs a new hard drive.

Besides playing in dirt, we enjoyed the food. We had snacks at happy hour, a potluck and a catered dinner by Dusti. I also enjoyed talking with the other women and had free lessons in charcoal and watercolor painting by a professional artist in town.

The last event was a Bonanza Drawing. There were about six gifts for 35 to 40 people. Terry got some Nevada silver leaf in a little container. Then they put the names back in the drawing for the 1.3 gram gold nugget donated by the Reno Prospectors Supply. Terry won! He gave me the nugget for my May birthday!

The Wonders of Nature

2010-04-20T12:17:00.009-06:00

While at a book signing of my RV books, I asked a ten – year - old girl what she liked about RVing. She answered, “To see the wonderful things that God has made.” I can’t think of a more perfect answer.

I viewed a rainbow with a mountain background. I watched a wary coyote move toward the fish - heads the fishermen had discarded. I wondered how a delicate purple flower found enough soil among the rocky area and still grew beautiful blossoms. A scavenger bird soared gracefully through the sky. I saw the wild burros forage grass along the creosote flowering hillsides. The desert sunsets are absolutely amazing! Then sings my soul, “How Great thou art!”

Arizona Desert Flowers

2010-04-19T22:59:00.011-06:00

Because of the rainy weather in January, the desert became green. Large amounts of flowers decorated the desert in March and April. I’m not sure what name is given to the round green plant, which has yellow daisy like flowers pop up about five inches above the green foliage, but the roadsides are full of yellow blooms.

The purple lupine reminds me of Texas blue bonnets. The cacti change color or have delicate flowers.

It’s unusual for nature to have orange wild flowers but the desert globe mellow is abundant along Interstate 10. The golden poppies are more abundant in California than in Arizona.

We have always called the cactus with the pear shaped leaf the prickly pear cactus but I’m told that most of them are actually the beaver tail cacti because of smaller spines. I just know that you must be very careful not to touch a cactus. I didn’t see any thorns but after photographing a beaver tail, it looked like the palms of my hands grew hair. The tiny barbs on the ends made them difficult to remove.

Gentleman at our Red Hat Luncheon

2010-04-06T16:21:00.007-06:00

Most of the activities at the Emerald Cove campground stop after Easter. This means that I don’t play cards, do crafts or craft sales, have fun at the Red Hat Luncheons, attend the Church of the Cove or it’s women’s group, or choir until next year. Jo Ann and Mike plan to be chaplains in Texas next year so it means good-bye to them too. She is the lady with a red hat and purple shirt. Okay, we all do. She is the one with two heads in the background.

Our last Red Hat Luncheon was one that no one wanted to miss but Opal had an optometrist appointment and wouldn’t be able to drive after the doctor dilated her eyes. That meant that her husband Frank would need to drive after taking her to the doctor in the afternoon. Our Queen Marla suggested that he join us but Frank didn’t have a red hat. Doesn’t he look good in the hat that I loaned him?

You have met Frank before if you read about him on pages 100-103 in “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes – More Confessions of Happy Campers.” He and his wife Opal have been friends of ours for eight years. This octogenarian always has a smile or a joke for you. He is physically active. I’ve seen him handle the big mop as he cleans the clubhouse floor. He makes good coffee or tea if you visit him. I liked the apple pie he made but his lemon pie was outstanding. He even makes his own crust for the pies.

Emerald Cove Tea

2010-03-12T11:39:00.014-07:00

Terry was the “official photographer” for the annual Emerald Cove tea with the theme for this year as “Holidays Around the World.” Some tables were elegant. Some were just fun. The seventy-nine ladies who attended were dressed both elegant and for fun.

Joanne read a piece about each of the holidays. Can you tell which holiday each table represents?

Just double click at the bottom of each photos if you want to enlarge them.

I decided to bring items for the buffet table that represented Marla’s table, which was the Queen’s Birthday so my contributions were cheese, chocolates and almonds. The orange cheese represented the House of Orange. Most Dutch receipts that I have used call for almonds when nuts are in the receipt. Although the chocolates were not from Holland, the Dutch are noted for their chocolate. I used the cup and saucer from my Newfoundland friend, Gertie and the tea set from Teresita from Alaska for my place at the table.

The bountiful six tables of finger foods were delicious and every lady received a door prize. It was hard to choose which grab bag item to you wanted.

Valentines Day and Winter Blast

2010-02-14T22:36:00.008-07:00

Happy Valentines Day! Terry bought me these tulips, candy, and gave me a Valentine card.

Yesterday we went to a Boomer potluck in Sara Park in Lake Havasu for the birthday of Duane. Last year when his wife Betty tried to find a cake, all she could find was a cake that said "Happy Birthday to Ed." The bakery said that the family didn't want the cake because Ed had died so Betty bought the cake. This year Betty bought a cake and had them write "Happy Birthday to Ed." We sang, "A horse is a horse of course . . . unless it is Mr. Ed" and then "Happy Birthday to Ed." It was silly fun.

After dark, it was time for the amazing fireworks for Winter Blast. We saw continuous fireworks with as many as six fireworks going off at one time in syncopation to music. The falling flowers of fire were awesome. Terry took these photos.

Tomorrow we move back to BLM land for a week.

Colorado River Trip

2010-02-08T22:57:00.010-07:00

Sunday it rained and rained but Monday was beautiful with sunny skies. Our new friends, Captain Happy Jack and his first mate Bev, invited us to ride down the Colorado River on their pontoon boat. The water was clear enough to see fish swimming below us. It was fun to watch the Coots walk on water but my favorite duck is the beautiful Mallard.

Captain Happy Jack stopped at the Roadrunner restaurant and tied the boat to the restaurant dock as we ate tacos made with left over Sunday prime beef.

We slowly rode through the canals between the expensive homes. A man waved at us. Happy Jack called to him. “I like your wife.” “Yah,” the man answered. “She doesn’t talk back, either.”

We could see our RV parked in the second row as we returned to the campground.

Gum Gallery

2010-02-06T09:56:00.011-07:00

When my friend Debbie invited me to visit her mother’s gum museum, I didn’t know what to expect. What I saw was rows and rows of glass cases filled with gum. In fact, Joanne Brunet, the owner of the museum, said that there are 110 glass cases. I took a deep breath and smelled the gum filled room. It reminded me of my childhood. It’s a fun filled history. Joanne has gum from before I was born to the 21st century. There are gum cards, bubble gum, gum -ball machines, and so much more. I saw gum from over 30 countries. She even has the word for gum in many languages.

If you are traveling to another country or see old gum for sale, call Joanne Brunet at 928-927-7566. She would love to add to her collection. If you are traveling to the south western part of Arizona, she’d love to show you her museum in Quartzsite. But please call her first.

Readers Oasis Bookstore

2010-02-05T18:31:00.009-07:00

I went to the Authors Fair the last two weeks of January to sell my books, “RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- The Confessions of Happy Campers” and “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers” at the Readers Oasis Bookstore in Quartzsite. Of course, when the big storm came, I was safe in my RV. Since the booth for the Authors Fair blew down and the bookstore needed other repairs, the bookstore was closed for two days.

The number of authors who participated varied from day to day but Debbie, Ceil, Dick, KayD, and Joe, were the ones who were with me most of the time.

Debbie Hilbish, the lady in the shawl, was the hostess for the event. She is an artist and poet whose book is “Bits and Pieces.” She also sold cards featuring her paintings and photos of Arizona. For more information go to hil_ster@yahoo.com.

Ceil Stetson, the woman in sunglasses, sold her book, “Dear Sergeant Honey” which can be “classified as a love story, a historical WWII story, a diary of a WAC or a biography.” (These words are from the back of the book jacket.) Go to http://www.dearsergeanthoney.com/ for more information.

Dick and KayD Johnson wrote “Our Journals of Cruising the World on the S/V Mermaid.” This book is a fun and informative journal about an Alaskan couple that lived for five years on a sailboat that wasn’t as large as our RV.

Joe Gerard, the man who has his hands out, wrote “Flight from Tokura” which is a novel about the experiences of three young men who survived on a Japanese held island in World War II and flew a plane to safety. Joe is waiting for confirmation on a possible movie contract.

Debbie, Joe and Ceil met me in Lake Havasu at a writer’s meeting that Sharon Poppen gave at the Senior Center. Not only did she give us valuable information on writing but we also met for dinner at the Black Bear restaurant. Sharon has written “Hannah” about a young woman in the 1870’s who seeks revenge for the death of her husband and “After the War, Before the Peace” about four South Carolina brothers who attempt to avenge atrocities from the Civil War.

Meeting and conversing with these authors has been not only informative but a fun and fascinating time. We all thank Paul Winer, the man in the beard and long hair, for allowing us to use his bookstore and encouraging us.

Writers at Boomerville

2010-02-03T11:46:00.004-07:00

Pat sent me an email which read “72 blogs in 2009 and nothing yet in 2010??? What's happening in your world??”

We have been living on BLM land, which is Bureau of Land Management land where we can park our RV for two weeks in one location before moving 25 miles or more to another location. When we do this, we do not have hook-ups. Without electricity, I can’t spend hours choosing photos and writing on the computer. We do have lights, TV, a stove for cooking, refrigerator and hot water but we use propane and solar power.

Why would we choose to live like this? We camp at CRA (Colorado River Adventure) where we need to be out of the system for one week before we can return for two weeks. We were out of the system at the beginning of January. We only stayed five days at the Yuma CRA Campground before we went to Quartzsite and camped with 134 RVs at a BLM spot called Boomerville. I also went to the Readers Oasis Bookstore to sell my RV books.

Betty Prange led a writers group in Boomerville on Saturday, January 16, 2010 in our RV. Using the writer guidelines of Natalie Goldberg from her book, “Writing Down the Bones,” we wrote using the words “They loved the surprise.” The surprises were all different but delightful. Introductions were given as we exchanged what type of writing each of us is doing along with our future goals.

On January 21, 2010, the writers group met at the fire pit in Boomerville and quickly adjourned to the Miller RV because of the wind and spitting rain. Jaimie spoke to us about the new

e-book, which is a guide for beginning fulltimers that she and Alice are writing. George read us his short story, which he named “The Prospector.” After rolling up the carpets, and bringing the slide- in inside the RV, Terry took photos of the windblown and damp group. You can see the difference the slide out makes since we had much more room with the slide out expanded.

Later in the afternoon, the worst storm that hit the area in 20 years, pelted rain and wind throughout Quartzsite. Our weather gauge measured 3.84 inches of rain in one hour. Wind gusts up to 80 MPH were reported in the little desert town. Fortunately, Boomerville received only a lost windsock, a missing front rug and a torn topper over a slide-out RV.

The storm was also a blessing since we didn’t have dust and in March the cactus will have more flowers in bloom.

　

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T15:26:00.000-07:00

The next to the last day of 2009 was an adventure. Even expensive RVs can be in trouble. We followed a half million dollar plus RV when we left our campground yesterday. When it turned a corner, the storage door came open. We had an exciting time trying to notify the RV driver that he needed to stop.

In a half hours time we entered California and then Mexico. We spent about 45 minutes of walking quickly about the area to find the dentist where Terry had an appointment. While Terry was having the dentist examine his teeth, the whole building started shaking. The earthquake was a 5.9 but we were close to the epicenter.

Our plans for 2010 include two high school 50 year reunions, a trip to Alaska, Terry's trip to the EAA airplane show in Wisconsin with his two sons and grandson Jake flying to Iowa to see his relatives when I am there in July.

Have a Happy New Year not just tomorrow but all through the year!!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T19:27:00.014-07:00

We celebrated Christmas all during December. I had fun at two Red Hat Christmas parties. We drove around looking for Christmas lights in Texas, and later on the trip west in New Mexico and Arizona. Ann and Baylee drove from Carthage, Texas to Livingston. Grandson Jake has grown too tall to be called “Tiny Tim” but he said “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night” while leaning on his crutches from his broken foot. Our hostesses, Shirlee and Christine, provided great holiday food for the Miller Christmas. Of course, Christmas is also the tree and the giving of gifts and the excitement of grandchildren. We also sang Christmas carols and listened to them on my new Ipod. Today we received mail with over twenty cards and letters. Tomorrow we will have a Christmas banquet in the clubhouse in Yuma, AZ. From the last blogs, you know that we also celebrate the birthday of the Christ child. May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year!!

A Walk Through Bethlehem (part 1)

2009-12-10T17:25:00.010-07:00

While in Livingston, Texas, Terry and I saw a sign that said that they were having “ A Walk Through Bethlehem” in the park.

We drove to the park along Hwy 59 where we came to a large tent. A couple of shepherds were outside discussing with a girl that they had heard angels and the news that a baby was born.

Upon entering the tent, we were handed a green piece of paper that had a scroll on it and were told that there was a census. We had to put our name on the census form. To our right were cookies, coffee and punch. There were a lot of chairs so we sat down and ate while listening to the choir sing. The men’s quartet was awesome.

An announcement was made that those persons who had green census sheets could enter. We walked into an area that had booths set up for trade days except that we were in a time warp. I judged the time to be over 2000 years ago. The signs were written in a foreign language that I think was Hebrew as well as in English. Some richly clothed men demanded our census forms and said that we would have to pay taxes.

In the booths, we met a young apprentice blacksmith, and a sandal maker. I tasted wine which was not fermented, sweets like candy, and bread with fresh olive oil.

A Walk Through Bethlehem (part 2)

2009-12-10T17:03:00.012-07:00

I smelled frank incense and myurr and other spices. A little girl gave me a basket. I saw a potter working her wheel and a grandmother, mother and child making bread. There were goats and donkeys in one booth. A strolling centurian stopped and spoke pleasantly with me. I saw a brick maker and another booth selling fruit.

The inn was closed because there wasn’t any room in it but the inn keeper said that there was a baby outside if I wanted to see it. The shock of black hair on the child made it look as though it was a doll, wrapped up to keep it warm. On further inspection, I saw the beautiful face of a child about a week old.

We could see our car from where we were so we returned home to our RV amazed by what we had just felt, smelled, tasted, heard and seen.

Post Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-29T11:54:00.007-07:00

"Happy Thanksgiving from across the miles" was written on the Thanksgiving card that my friend Pat sent me. It was used in the table decorations at the Escapees Activity Center on Thanksgiving Day. After learning that Terry had Diabetes, the ladies at our table brought sweet potatoes without sugar and a no added sugar pumpkin pie for him. We had a delicious meal. Ninety nine people ate the Thanksgiving meal here in Livingston. In the afternoon, we went to my grandson's home for leftovers.

We are thankful to God for food, our relatively good health and family and friends. We are blessed. We hope that you had a great Thanksgiving too.

I made these Barbie doll clothes for my granddaughter Laura who will be five years old on December 11. Plans have been made for her and her parents and sister to fly to Houston for her birthday and an early holiday celebration. Ray and Teresita will fly from Alaska and Joy will return to her home in Seabrook, Texas from Colorado where she is spending her Thanksgiving vacation.

Lifestyle Changes

2009-11-19T01:54:00.010-07:00

Yes, we still live in our RV. We still visit friends and I play Bingo, Sticks, and Crazy Rook at the clubhouse. I lead the singing for the church service in the clubhouse.

Side trips have taken us to see muted russet and golden leaves although most of the deciduous trees are still green in Sam Houston State Forest. Since we are in the “piney woods” area of Texas, we see many evergreen trees draped with Spanish moss. I think that it is strange to see deciduous trees, palms, and evergreens in the same forest.

We watch osprey, hawks, cranes, herons, pelicans, and geese on the look out for fish in Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston.

Our daughter, Joy Miller, was our tour guide in the Bay of Houston and Clear Lake area last week. The ducks and catfish both tried to catch the breadcrumbs and pellet food near Laundry’s Restaurant where Joy treated us to lunch.

We viewed the area where Hurricane Ike caused wind and flood damage last year. Many areas were cleared of broken houses and now are empty lots with "for sale signs." Other houses have been rebuilt or are still in the process of rebuilding. We even saw a couple of houses, which were on a fountation in 2008, and are now on basements since the houses have been raised above the previous flood level.

I marveled at the realistic sculptures created a century and a half ago while Terry was more interested in the antique guns and tools in the museum in the Sam Houston Park in Huntsville. Margaret Houston made a pleasant home for the seven Houston children in the home that is now located in the park.

Brahmas, Long horns and horses are seen in the Texas ranches along the highway.

All these things we did last year when we were parked in Castaways Campground near Willis, Texas. What has changed our lifestyle this year is that Terry has been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Now he is on meds and sticks his finger twice a day to check his blood sugar. He takes a walk everyday. We eat smaller amounts but eat more frequently. Terry also has stopped eating donuts, cookies, pie, candy bars and ice cream.

Yes, life changes. We grow older. Terry had another birthday on November 16.
I wonder what we happen this next year.

Jay Jay

2009-11-07T07:40:00.006-07:00

Do you know why God planned for children to be born to young adults? When you get to be my age, you don’t have the energy to chase after them.

Jay Jay, my great grandson, had a wonderful time in the park! He was under, on top of and inside the play equipment. He understands what his mother says when she speaks English or Spanish. Although his vocabulary is limited, the words he does say are spoken clearly.

He is one step ahead of you when you speak to him since he says “Welcome” before you can say “thank you” when he gives you something.

In other words, he is a healthy, happy child who will be two years old in December. I was very worried about him when he was born since he was over two months premature and weighed a little over 3 pounds.

Halloween Fun

2009-11-02T07:18:00.010-07:00

The RV clubhouse had more decorations than you can believe for the Halloween party. Terry and I were the cutest couple there. (Okay, many women dressed up but we were the only couple that wore costumes.)

I asked a woman at the campground Laundromat if she was going to the Halloween party. She answered, “Yes, but we aren’t going to dress.” My response was, “That should be interesting!” The jellyfish lady won the best costume prize.

About half of the group were kids but Terry didn’t get many pictures of them. They had fun bobbing for apples, going on a hayride and eating candy. We ate Frito pie and desserts and candy. The pumpkins are from the carving contest. Don’t you think that they are artistic?

SCARY TEXAS

2009-10-30T16:13:00.011-06:00

Although Texas is our home address, we weren’t in Texas in 2009 until the 21st of October. The weather was scary since we drove through the heart of Dallas in the fog and rain with accidents happening all around us.

We spent six days with our friends Jerry and Joan who bought a beautiful new home this year with an RV pad and 50-amp service. The six days were busy with visiting, shopping and sightseeing. Joan took me to her writer’s class at the senior center. We met with Joanne and Bill, Terry’s cousins, at the Red Lobster. Jerry and Terry had a great time speaking RV language and talking “techy talk”.

Joan took her grandchildren, niece and myself on a scary drive through a campground that was decorated for Halloween.

As we drove our RV south to Lake Conroe, we saw many places where water was over the side streets and overflowing in ponds and ditches. Yesterday, there was thunder, lightning and it rained about three more inches. Yes, that’s scary.

We drove by Huntsville with a statute of Sam Houston that is as big as the trees around it. Is that scary?

What picture is most scary to you? Don’t be too scared but have a FUN Halloween!

Fall in Iowa

2009-10-12T15:35:00.005-06:00

Yes, we like to watch the deer running free but the deer are so numerous that they are a nuisance in Iowa. We were driving around the Red Rock Lake area when we saw nine deer in a couple of hours. Before Ryan shot his small deer with a bow and arrow, a deer jumped in front of the car he was driving, smashed the windshield and put dents in the car. Since the car belonged to his sister, she wasn’t a happy camper. Saturday, Ryan shot a seven-point buck with his bow and arrow. Many farmers think that it is great to harvest the deer that have been eating their corn and soybeans. When the corn and soybeans have been harvested, some deer have a hard time making it through the winter since their food source is gone.

We expected to see fall foliage but most of the leaves are green. It is a photographic occasion when you see a tree this red.

Along the Red Rock Lake area, we saw white pelicans and these strange birds. Do you know what kind they are? (If you want to see any photo made larger, click on the left bottom of the picture.)

Iowa Wedding

2009-10-12T14:54:00.002-06:00

Never before have I wore all black to a wedding. A person of my generation thinks that black is for funerals but I’m happy that my nephew Ben is getting married. It’s just that black clothes are the warmest clothes that I own and it was snowing on Oct. 10, 2009, the day that Ben and Shawna got married in Moravia, Iowa. The picture is of the front yard at my daughter’s home.

The wedding ceremony was traditional with the bride in a beautiful white satin strapless gown decorated with red embroidery and the traditional long white train while the groom wore a dark suit with a rose in his lapel. The three bridesmaids and maid of honor wore brown strapless gowns with flounces of red, or orange or gold and carrying bouquets of flowers of the same hue. Then they covered up with coats, hats, scarves and blankets while the whole bridal party mounted a wagon with hay bales on it to be driven to the reception. To be sure you knew what occasion had occurred; the wagon was decorated with a big red heart and flowers and the words “Just Married” on the back. Don’t you wish that I had taken a picture?

The women in the bridal party wore scarves to cover their bare shoulders and traded their thin slippers for long socks and boots. Many relatives and friends changed into pants, boots and comfortable warmer clothing until they looked like a bunch of farmers out for winter fun just before doing chores.

Actually the huge white tent with propane heaters wasn’t as cold as I imagined it would be. There were salads, chips, dips, crackers, fresh vegetables and fruit, cookies, and buns to fill with hot ham or roast beef. I even had a strawberry dipped into the chocolate fountain. There were cans of “pop”, coffee and another fountain of punch followed by the traditional cake and ice cream accompanied by nuts and mints.

Of course, the best part of the wedding for me was joining my relatives in a joyful occasion and to welcome Shawna into the family.

Family News

2009-10-04T14:43:00.007-06:00

We had our grandchildren, Emily and Nathan, visit at my daughter’s house and our RV. Emily and Nathan made peanut butter cookies and learned that if you need 1 and ¼ cups of flour and your 1-cup measuring cup is wet, you can use the ¼ cup five times. Following recipes is a good way to learn fractions.

Nathan made a birthday card for my mother’s 90th birthday. He wanted to draw 90 candles with a flame on each candle but was spending more time counting the candles than drawing them. Then he started to write on another sheet of paper. When I asked what he was doing, Nathan answered, “I’m keeping track of the number of candles.” He wrote 32 and drew a candle and then 33 and drew another candle. I’m proud of him not only for his persistence but also that he was able to finish all the numbers and all the candles without any help.

Mother was proud of this five-generation picture that was taken at her Birthday party. Pictured are my parents, my son, Rich and his wife Shelly and their daughter Heather with her children, Shawn, Marcus and Mercedes.

Our family picture shows brother Jim seated on the left, my mother Agnes, my father Clarence, and brother Clare in the front row. The back row includes is my sister Angie, myself, and sisters Clara and Joy.

It’s bow-hunting season for deer. Grandson, Ryan, asked me to take pictures of the deer he shot before he ground the meat into ground venison. He sliced the rest of the meat as thin as possible, added spices and is drying it for venison jerky.

Autumn in Iowa

2009-09-25T11:37:00.003-06:00

I love autumn in the Midwest. My son gave us fresh homegrown tomatoes, apples and zucchini squash. I like zucchini best in a bread so I tried a new recipe for pineapple zucchini bread this morning. Tomatoes were used in salads and for BLTs. The cinnamon applesauce is great too.

The corn and soybean fields are turning yellow but we are waiting for the leaves to change. From our living room window, we watched two deer walk the fence line.

The weather is mild with temperatures in the 50's Fahrenheit at night and 70's during the day.

We are in Iowa visiting with kids, grandkids, brothers, sisters and my parents. We will help my parents move into Fair Haven in Pella. It is an independent living facility but the next building is assisted living and another building is a nursing home.

It’s a good time to do fall cleaning since we can store things in my daughter’s basement. It’s fun to go shopping with Karol and redo the RV. I bought the flowers at Michaels and new rugs at Kohls. The bedspread was bought in Shipshewana, Indiana at the Amish flea market a month ago.

We will help mom to celebrate her 90th Birthday on Oct. 3 and go to my nephew's wedding a week later. When we move, it will be to go to Texas.