Friday, May 23, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Family Events we Missed
We want to make all the major events in our large family but that is hard to do. We missed the marriage of Matthew Klein, our grandson, to McKayla Muniz on April 26 in Pleasantville, Iowa. This is a picture of the bride and groom.
We missed the graduation celebration for daughter, Joy Miller, who received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, on May 10. Joy lives in Sea Brook, Texas. Joy will go to law school in August.
The Graduation Open House for our niece, Melinda Block Guerra, was May 17 in Des Moines, Iowa. Mindy graduated with a degree of Doctor of Pharmacy. We did go to her wedding last November.
My sister, Angie Rheuport, had a knee replacement surgery on May 12 in Des Moines, Iowa.
My father, Rev. Clarence Hoven, had major abdominal surgery on May 15 in Ottumwa, Iowa.
We even missed the birth of Sara Mercedes Miller on April 30 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The good news is that we will fly to Robert and Nathalia Miller’s home in Raleigh, N. C. on June 12 for the baptism of Sara. We will also see Joy Miller and have a graduation party too. Our plans are to fly back to Anchorage on June 17.
We missed the graduation celebration for daughter, Joy Miller, who received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, on May 10. Joy lives in Sea Brook, Texas. Joy will go to law school in August.
The Graduation Open House for our niece, Melinda Block Guerra, was May 17 in Des Moines, Iowa. Mindy graduated with a degree of Doctor of Pharmacy. We did go to her wedding last November.
My sister, Angie Rheuport, had a knee replacement surgery on May 12 in Des Moines, Iowa.
My father, Rev. Clarence Hoven, had major abdominal surgery on May 15 in Ottumwa, Iowa.
We even missed the birth of Sara Mercedes Miller on April 30 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The good news is that we will fly to Robert and Nathalia Miller’s home in Raleigh, N. C. on June 12 for the baptism of Sara. We will also see Joy Miller and have a graduation party too. Our plans are to fly back to Anchorage on June 17.
California to Alaska Trip – People
On our trip to Alaska, Terry and I met and had a nice visit and dinner with Joanne Alexakis and her husband, Nick. She is the coordinator for Penwheels and was the editor of that publication. She wrote reviews for the covers of both of my books. I wondered if I would recognize her since I only met her in person one time and that was five years ago. I knew her right away.
We also visited with Adrienne Kristine each of the three days we were at Fairfield, CA. She not only edited my new book, “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers,” but also wrote three articles that are published in it.
During book signings, I also met a chap from New Zeeland who wanted me to autograph my book to “me Mate.” He said that he is RVing through the south of the United States and returning home. I told him that I was pleased that my book is going to New Zealand.
I was invited to Elizabeth’s RV to see her ten cockatoos. She is home-schooling her grandson as she travels. Kay Kennedy, who is another Penwheeler, (Penwheels is a club of writers who are also Escapees) visited with me.
J.A. Valle traded me her well-written novel called “An Arrangement” for my book “RV Chuckles”.
A few people told me that Darlene Miller is an RV friend from Montana. When she approached me saying, “My name is Darlene Miller,” I surprised her by saying, “You must be from Montana.”
After wintering in the deserts of Arizona and California, the lush green of the mountains and fields of Oregon was appreciated. We had an adventure on our way to visit my niece Heidi and her family in Willamina. We followed the directions of our GPS zig- zagging across the countryside when the voice on the GPS said, “in two tenths of a mile keep left and board the ferry.” We watched the swift current of the Willamette River as we floated on the ferry. We also saw something growing that we had never seen before which we learned were hops vines growing up poles that were 10 to 12 feet tall. The green flowers are harvested for the production of beer.
Heidi and Mark welcomed us to their home and fed us dinner. Alax made me a card in which she wrote, “I Love you grat ant.” Alax also loved the Barbie doll clothes that I made for her. The children are pictured L to R Chris, age 11, Jonathon, age 9, Alax age 7 and Justyn age 4 and ½.
When we arrived in Eagle River, Alaska on May 15, we were greeted with hugs from our son Raymond and his wife Teresita.
We also visited with Adrienne Kristine each of the three days we were at Fairfield, CA. She not only edited my new book, “More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers,” but also wrote three articles that are published in it.
During book signings, I also met a chap from New Zeeland who wanted me to autograph my book to “me Mate.” He said that he is RVing through the south of the United States and returning home. I told him that I was pleased that my book is going to New Zealand.
I was invited to Elizabeth’s RV to see her ten cockatoos. She is home-schooling her grandson as she travels. Kay Kennedy, who is another Penwheeler, (Penwheels is a club of writers who are also Escapees) visited with me.
J.A. Valle traded me her well-written novel called “An Arrangement” for my book “RV Chuckles”.
A few people told me that Darlene Miller is an RV friend from Montana. When she approached me saying, “My name is Darlene Miller,” I surprised her by saying, “You must be from Montana.”
After wintering in the deserts of Arizona and California, the lush green of the mountains and fields of Oregon was appreciated. We had an adventure on our way to visit my niece Heidi and her family in Willamina. We followed the directions of our GPS zig- zagging across the countryside when the voice on the GPS said, “in two tenths of a mile keep left and board the ferry.” We watched the swift current of the Willamette River as we floated on the ferry. We also saw something growing that we had never seen before which we learned were hops vines growing up poles that were 10 to 12 feet tall. The green flowers are harvested for the production of beer.
Heidi and Mark welcomed us to their home and fed us dinner. Alax made me a card in which she wrote, “I Love you grat ant.” Alax also loved the Barbie doll clothes that I made for her. The children are pictured L to R Chris, age 11, Jonathon, age 9, Alax age 7 and Justyn age 4 and ½.
When we arrived in Eagle River, Alaska on May 15, we were greeted with hugs from our son Raymond and his wife Teresita.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Joshua Tree National Park
March winds and February and March showers bring many flowers in the desert. (These cacti and desert flowers don’t bloom unless they have enough water.) My friend, Marcy, said that the Yucca and Joshua Trees were in bloom so Terry and I took a trip to Joshua Tree National Park to see for ourselves. Even though there was snow on the mountains, it was peak season for flowers! The weird, giant rocks, shown with a yucca plant, invited young climbers.
Another reason to be thankful that we are of retirement age is that we didn’t have to pay the $15 per vehicle to enter the park. It was free with the Golden Age Pass.
The Yucca plants are beautiful to me. The yucca plants in the Mojave Desert have a tree trunk unlike the decorative plants we see with the leaves coming out of the ground. On a trip to Mesa Verde several years ago, a ranger told us that the natives used the Yucca leaves and roots for medicine and food. Terry asked, “What do they taste like?” I replied, “I don’t know but it probably is yucky.”
Another reason to be thankful that we are of retirement age is that we didn’t have to pay the $15 per vehicle to enter the park. It was free with the Golden Age Pass.
The Yucca plants are beautiful to me. The yucca plants in the Mojave Desert have a tree trunk unlike the decorative plants we see with the leaves coming out of the ground. On a trip to Mesa Verde several years ago, a ranger told us that the natives used the Yucca leaves and roots for medicine and food. Terry asked, “What do they taste like?” I replied, “I don’t know but it probably is yucky.”
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Route 66 Arizona
We returned to our RV by taking historic Route 66 much of the way. The loop in the Williams historical area was especially fun. No, we did not eat at the Road Kill Café.
We were at the train station when the old Grand Canyon train departed and watched three cowboys follow it. Were they planning a hold-up?
We enjoyed the Burma Shave signs and nostalgic old buildings. We thought that we might see deer or elk since the road signs said to watch for them. What we didn’t expect to see were these antelope.
We were at the train station when the old Grand Canyon train departed and watched three cowboys follow it. Were they planning a hold-up?
We enjoyed the Burma Shave signs and nostalgic old buildings. We thought that we might see deer or elk since the road signs said to watch for them. What we didn’t expect to see were these antelope.
Jerome, AZ
We took the car on this trip because Route 89 A to Jerome and Flagstaff has too many hairpin curves for our RV. Jerome is the largest ghost town that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The large white building in the picture was built in 1916 as the home of the Douglas family and is now a museum. We went to it and saw a ghost tell the story of the mining town and how over a billion dollars in copper, gold and silver were mined from here. Before the mines closed in 1953, the population was over 15,000. The large mercantile store was the T.F. Miller Company. (Unfortunately we are not related.)
The canyons along the way to Flagstaff are as scenic to us as the Grand Canyon. We spent the night in a motel in Flagstaff, which is over 7000 ft. in elevation, and woke up to temperatures in the 20’s. We did not have snow on Route 89A itself but did see it along the sides of the road. We also saw wreckage from the 20 to 30-vehicle accident from the day before.
The canyons along the way to Flagstaff are as scenic to us as the Grand Canyon. We spent the night in a motel in Flagstaff, which is over 7000 ft. in elevation, and woke up to temperatures in the 20’s. We did not have snow on Route 89A itself but did see it along the sides of the road. We also saw wreckage from the 20 to 30-vehicle accident from the day before.
Millers in Prescott Arizona
The day was cool with temperatures in the 60’s when we left the Colorado River area (Arizona and California border) on a two-day trip northeast in Arizona. We stopped to take pictures of tiny wild flowers and prickly pear cacti that were taller than me. Although the cacti are in bloom at our low campground elevation, it was too cold for blooms further north.
Terry’s parents were buried at the VA National Cemetery in Prescott. We had visions of dead dry grass covering the flat headstone like the last time we found it so Terry bought a garden trowel to clean the gravesite of his parents. We didn’t need it. All the sites were as clean as you see here.
The picture of Terry’s parents was taken about 1957; his dad’s was taken about 1967, which was a year before he died while his mother’s picture is from 1976.
Terry’s parents were buried at the VA National Cemetery in Prescott. We had visions of dead dry grass covering the flat headstone like the last time we found it so Terry bought a garden trowel to clean the gravesite of his parents. We didn’t need it. All the sites were as clean as you see here.
The picture of Terry’s parents was taken about 1957; his dad’s was taken about 1967, which was a year before he died while his mother’s picture is from 1976.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Victory Garden Friendship Tea
The Church of the Cove had the above theme for this year’s annual tea at the clubhouse. Jo Ann, Marla and I received favors and posters for the ten tables from the recruiting station in Lake Havasu. (No, we were not recruited. They thought we were too old.)
Each table was for a different branch of the service. My table was the Navy table. I wanted to get pictures of Terry in his Navy uniform but the only family member with a good picture was Terry’s brother, Bill. Terry’s brother, Dennis, and my son-in-law, Mike Rhoads were also in the Navy. I did find an award given to my father-in-law, William Charles Miller, which I put in the Lasting Impressions wave shaped photo holder along with a picture we took of the twin towers at sunset in 1986 and a picture we took of the Vietnam Memorial.
The award reads, “During the years 1941-1945, the United States being in a state of war,
W.C.Miller, served with the submarine forces of the United States Navy. Those submarine forces wrought severe destruction upon the enemy. They sank many million tons of his merchant and naval shipping, they interrupted and severed his trade and communication arteries, they aided every amphibious assault, supplied constant military intelligence of the enemy, and performed numerous acts of rescue. They participated in many phases of antisubmarine development and hastened domination of Pacific waters by navies of the Allied powers. In these ways the submarine forces of the U.S. Navy, and all who served with them, contributed heavily to the successful and complete prosecution of the War. This statement is in evidence of the United states Navy’s pride and gratitude for duties well done.”
Each of the 90 women gave $5 or more for the Quilts of Valor foundation. To quote the program guide, “ A quilt symbolizes comfort and warmth. It can signify home, family, and love. And it can mean a whole lot more to a wounded soldier, returning home from the war in Iraq. The quilts of Valor Foundation’s goal is to provide a homemade quilt to every soldier wounded in service, to show them gratitude and welcome them home.” For more information you can go to http://www.govf.org/.
Each table was for a different branch of the service. My table was the Navy table. I wanted to get pictures of Terry in his Navy uniform but the only family member with a good picture was Terry’s brother, Bill. Terry’s brother, Dennis, and my son-in-law, Mike Rhoads were also in the Navy. I did find an award given to my father-in-law, William Charles Miller, which I put in the Lasting Impressions wave shaped photo holder along with a picture we took of the twin towers at sunset in 1986 and a picture we took of the Vietnam Memorial.
The award reads, “During the years 1941-1945, the United States being in a state of war,
W.C.Miller, served with the submarine forces of the United States Navy. Those submarine forces wrought severe destruction upon the enemy. They sank many million tons of his merchant and naval shipping, they interrupted and severed his trade and communication arteries, they aided every amphibious assault, supplied constant military intelligence of the enemy, and performed numerous acts of rescue. They participated in many phases of antisubmarine development and hastened domination of Pacific waters by navies of the Allied powers. In these ways the submarine forces of the U.S. Navy, and all who served with them, contributed heavily to the successful and complete prosecution of the War. This statement is in evidence of the United states Navy’s pride and gratitude for duties well done.”
Each of the 90 women gave $5 or more for the Quilts of Valor foundation. To quote the program guide, “ A quilt symbolizes comfort and warmth. It can signify home, family, and love. And it can mean a whole lot more to a wounded soldier, returning home from the war in Iraq. The quilts of Valor Foundation’s goal is to provide a homemade quilt to every soldier wounded in service, to show them gratitude and welcome them home.” For more information you can go to http://www.govf.org/.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wild Burros and Cibola National Wild Life Refuge
We took two trips last week. The first was to the Parker Dam and the Black Meadow Campground. On the trip we saw the wild burros silhouetted on a hilltop. These are descendants of mules that were used many years ago when mining was common in the area.
The dam on the Colorado River is one of the deepest in the country because they had keep going down to get to bedrock.
No, the birds aren't from the wild life refuge but from a pond in the town of Cibola. We were disappointed in the area. Scarred trees show there was a fire in the area. Even though they have developed the road system with tons and tons of gravel, and wild life have plenty of water from the Colorado River, we only saw about four flying birds in an hour.
We also planned to see the museum of Red Schneider but everything was locked up.
Next year we hope to see more and visit with RV friends who plan to volunteer in the wild life area.
The dam on the Colorado River is one of the deepest in the country because they had keep going down to get to bedrock.
No, the birds aren't from the wild life refuge but from a pond in the town of Cibola. We were disappointed in the area. Scarred trees show there was a fire in the area. Even though they have developed the road system with tons and tons of gravel, and wild life have plenty of water from the Colorado River, we only saw about four flying birds in an hour.
We also planned to see the museum of Red Schneider but everything was locked up.
Next year we hope to see more and visit with RV friends who plan to volunteer in the wild life area.
Barbie and Ken Doll Clothes
Around Christmas I made Barbie doll clothes for Laura, Angelina and Mercedes but not Emily. I thought she had outgrown playing with them.
In February, I received a phone message and heard a youthful voice say, "This is Emily.I have an urgent message. I need Barbie and Ken doll clothes. I know you make good ones." Since this is the first "urgent message" that I have received from a grandchild, what could I do but get my dolls out and sew?
I made her doll clothes when Emily was five years old. She kept commenting, "there is one button on the shirt." After the second time, I got the hint and asked, "How many buttons should it have?" Emily said "five". I took the shirt with me, bought teeny tiny buttons and put them on the shirt and mailed it to her. Later, when I phoned my son Mark, she asked, "which grandma is it? Is it five button Barbie grandma?"
Here are the doll clothes. Ken's jacket is reversible. Barbie is holding her detachable train. No, I do not want to go into business making them. They take too many hours to sew by hand but are appreciated by my grandchildren and even their parents. Laura's father said, "They are priceless."
In February, I received a phone message and heard a youthful voice say, "This is Emily.I have an urgent message. I need Barbie and Ken doll clothes. I know you make good ones." Since this is the first "urgent message" that I have received from a grandchild, what could I do but get my dolls out and sew?
I made her doll clothes when Emily was five years old. She kept commenting, "there is one button on the shirt." After the second time, I got the hint and asked, "How many buttons should it have?" Emily said "five". I took the shirt with me, bought teeny tiny buttons and put them on the shirt and mailed it to her. Later, when I phoned my son Mark, she asked, "which grandma is it? Is it five button Barbie grandma?"
Here are the doll clothes. Ken's jacket is reversible. Barbie is holding her detachable train. No, I do not want to go into business making them. They take too many hours to sew by hand but are appreciated by my grandchildren and even their parents. Laura's father said, "They are priceless."
Boondocking on BLM land
My daughter was surprised that we can just go to the BLM (U.S. Bureau of Land Management) and park our RV for two weeks. We use fresh water from our fresh water tank and our dirty water goes into the gray and black tanks. The refrigerator, hot water heater and furnace work on propane. Solar power furnishes the power for the batteries. We use an inverter to supply limited power for TV, computer, satellite receiver and freezer. If we haven't enough sunlight for the power we want, we can turn on the generator and use the converter to charge the batteries and run the equipment.
We drove 11 miles to the BLM site you see in the picture. There are so many patches of beautiful wild flowers here. Spring has come.
On Sunday, we woke up to wind, which Terry says was about 60 to 65 miles per hour. We closed the awnings and put the slide/out in and went to church. (Later Terry took the solar panels down but it was too windy to get on the roof in the A.M. He is now designing a control so he can switch the angles and height of the solar units inside the RV.)
After we arrived at the church services, the electricity went out. We had church anyway but pastor Mike missed his mike. Kathy played the piano. I sang with the choir. They didn't get electricity in the campground until 11 A.M. on Monday. How's the weather where you are? What do you do when the electricity goes out?
We drove 11 miles to the BLM site you see in the picture. There are so many patches of beautiful wild flowers here. Spring has come.
On Sunday, we woke up to wind, which Terry says was about 60 to 65 miles per hour. We closed the awnings and put the slide/out in and went to church. (Later Terry took the solar panels down but it was too windy to get on the roof in the A.M. He is now designing a control so he can switch the angles and height of the solar units inside the RV.)
After we arrived at the church services, the electricity went out. We had church anyway but pastor Mike missed his mike. Kathy played the piano. I sang with the choir. They didn't get electricity in the campground until 11 A.M. on Monday. How's the weather where you are? What do you do when the electricity goes out?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
President’s Day Fireworks
In Lake Havasu Sara Park, the pyrotechnic dealers put on a superb fireworks show every President’s Day weekend. Terry did photograph some good videos but it is difficult to photograph these fountains, flowers, and shooting stars of fire with still photography. A young girl danced with fire batons but caught the seat of her pants on fire. Someone sprayed her with an extinguisher while she kept on performing. One point five million firecrackers made a continuous noise. It was a night to remember. The only fireworks that we have seen to top this was when we saw the continuous one hundred and eighty degree display around Battery Island in New York City in 1986 at the dedication of the Statue of Liberty.
Carnival Cruise to Cabon San Luis
My daughter, Karol Rhoads, and I had a wonderful time on a cruise to the tip of Baja in Mexico from February 4 to 8. (I had never been on an overnight cruise before.) The service on the Carnival Elation ship was great, the gourmet food was superb, and the company was delightful. Pictured are Laura and Gordon Bornkamp and their niece Mirah, who were our dinner companions.
When we reached Cabon San Luis, we decided to take a rubber boat to go whale watching. We not only saw whales but also had one breach in front of us! We got good pictures of seals but when the captain saw a whale, he speeded up and we were holding on the side of the boat with both hands for dear life. It was exciting but next time I will be on a catamaran or larger boat.
Karol said that the trip was “awesome” but she had to make her own bed and coffee and the temperature was below freezing when she returned home to Iowa.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Boomers
While in Quartzsite, we met with the Boomers. (For more information on Boomers, see the chapter on Boomers in my new book, More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes- More Confessions of Happy Campers.) Terry went to several seminars and was co-host to a seminar on solar power. Richard made this oven from clay and sand that he found around our campsite and demonstrated baking bread. Terry went to the chili lunch but I missed several things because I was selling my books. I did attend the great potluck dinner and we went to dinner with Lynn and Jim, and again with Marshall and Ulle for salmon. Carroll and George went to dinner with us at Sweet Darlene’s restaurant.
After Boomerville, Terry took the RV to Yuma. I picked up Karol from the Phoenix airport. We drove to San Diego where we joined the Boomers for a cruise to Carbon San
Luis. Here is a group picture of us on board the Carnival Elation ship. The woman in the pink sash that reads “Birthday Girl” is Laura Bornkamp. She and her handsome husband Gordon, were our dinner companions aboard ship. Not only was the gourmet food wonderful but we had so much fun with Gordon and Laura.
Quartzsite, Arizona
The pictures show me selling my books in the Quartzsite library and at the Reader’s Oasis Bookstore.
Quartzsite, Arizona is where about 700,000 RVers come to see friends, shop at the RV vendor’s booths and camp free in the desert BLM land. When we came to Quartzsite in 2000, we saw a town of adobe buildings and dusty tents. Uncle Don, dressed in his black Stetson hat, dark long sleeved shirt and what he called his $2 pants with a $500 belt buckle, walked along the dusty path to the grocery store to buy his morning newspaper. He would pause and turn around and look at the large tents of Mc Clouds that sold precious and semiprecious stones and tell his dogs to go home. Mom and dad would drive from Mesa to see him and eat at the Stagecoach restaurant. Quartzsite had an elementary school and churches but no bank or dollar store. If you changed the RVs in your mind’s eye to horses and stagecoaches and wagons, you would picture a mining town of the Old West.
Today the streets are wider and are lined with new concrete sidewalks. Uncle Don lives in Oregon. In place of the tents of Mc Clouds, you see rows and rows of shiny new RV dealers. Aluminum buildings house the gems and rocks and other vendors. Most of the little specialty mom and pop vendors are replaced by huge establishments in aluminum buildings. The Stagecoach restaurant is closed. Quartzsite now has a bank and dollar store but you can’t buy a daily newspaper. While progress has changed Quartzsite to better serve the needs of residents and visitors, it seems that it lost some of its charming ambiance.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Dome Mountain Mine and Museum
Parking free in the BLM land is fun since we meet so many friends. Since we are around Quartzsite without electricity for about six weeks, I will not be posting my blog for a while. Our refrigerator, heaters and furnace are using propane and we have enough solar for important things like watching TV.
We caravanned with a church group to Dome Mountain Mine and Museum. I did not realize that most of the silver and lead found in the area was found along fault lines. The mine tour was mostly looking at holes in the ground and being very careful not to get too close to the unstable sides.
The museum was recreated to the height of activity in the 1880s when the site had a greater population than Yuma, Arizona. Since the museum owners used 90% original materials, the result is excellent. I liked all the tin ceilings.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Food
We are in Yuma for the New Year! No, we did not make resolutions to lose x # of lbs. We mix our eating with healthy food and food that tastes good. I also enjoy it when I don't have to cook.
Breakfast at the clubhouse is served but Terry prefers the FREE donuts and coffee that the RV vendors bring to the campground Mon.-Sat. Yes, we walk through the 6 to 10 models of RVs they are demonstrating and return to our motor home very pleased with our own RV. We find that we already have the features that we really want. Some RVs have pretty options but they also include fancy price tags.
Monday is potluck at the clubhouse. Tues.- Sat. they serve different meat each night, such as roast beef, fried fish, or meatloaf. This meal includes potatoes, a vegetable, salad, roll, and coffee or tea for $4.50.
As we drove through the Arizona dessert, we came to groves of date palms. We stopped at a building that sold date products. I had a date ice cream shake. Yum-yum!
Yuma has acres and acres of flat green fields of vegetables, which are irrigated by the Colorado River. You don't find many vegetable stands but can buy these fruits and veggies at the flea markets. I bought 10 grapefruit, 5 oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, green cabbage, red cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, a green pepper, green onions, a cucumber and radishes for a total of $12.40. I wish that I could preserve these veggies and take them to Alaska with us.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Christmas Greetings
This is a picture of a Christmas ornament sent to me by Joan Pomeroy. Did you know that Santa or Sinter Klaus has already arrived? He goes down the chimney on Dec. 5 so the children get gifts on Dec. 6. The Dutch Santa rides a white horse and puts bad children in his sack and sends them to Spain.
Joan said that she bought the ornament when she was in Pella, Iowa. Joan is a fulltime RVer writer whom I met several times in the past years. This summer we toured Pella, ate at the Strawtown Inn Restaurant, and saw a Shakespeare play. She also accompanied me to the Ladies Birthday Tea in June. We met again in Ft. Worth Texas at my Camping World book signing and went to dinner at Red Lobster with her and Jerry.
The youngest and smallest member of our family is a new great grandson. He is the child of Jamie and Juan. (Jamie is the daughter of my son Steven.) Juan Jose Valacruz Junior was born by C-section Sunday morning Dec. 9. (His name is pronounced Wan Hosa Val a Cruise.) He weighed 3 pounds and 14 ounces. He is breathing on his own and appears healthy. He will remain in Houston Northwest Hospital until he reaches 5 pounds.
We are celebrating Christmas in Yuma, AZ. We went to a Living Christmas Tree where a church choral group of 80 persons performed a program entitled "It Happened in Bethlehem." Christmas dinner will be at the Clubhouse with Yuma Lakes Campground furnishing the turkey and ham, stuffing and gravy and each of us providing the other dishes.
Merry Christmas and may you receive the blessings of love, laughter, good health, good food, good friends, and good fortune in 2008!
Love,
Terry and Darlene Miller
Joan said that she bought the ornament when she was in Pella, Iowa. Joan is a fulltime RVer writer whom I met several times in the past years. This summer we toured Pella, ate at the Strawtown Inn Restaurant, and saw a Shakespeare play. She also accompanied me to the Ladies Birthday Tea in June. We met again in Ft. Worth Texas at my Camping World book signing and went to dinner at Red Lobster with her and Jerry.
The youngest and smallest member of our family is a new great grandson. He is the child of Jamie and Juan. (Jamie is the daughter of my son Steven.) Juan Jose Valacruz Junior was born by C-section Sunday morning Dec. 9. (His name is pronounced Wan Hosa Val a Cruise.) He weighed 3 pounds and 14 ounces. He is breathing on his own and appears healthy. He will remain in Houston Northwest Hospital until he reaches 5 pounds.
We are celebrating Christmas in Yuma, AZ. We went to a Living Christmas Tree where a church choral group of 80 persons performed a program entitled "It Happened in Bethlehem." Christmas dinner will be at the Clubhouse with Yuma Lakes Campground furnishing the turkey and ham, stuffing and gravy and each of us providing the other dishes.
Merry Christmas and may you receive the blessings of love, laughter, good health, good food, good friends, and good fortune in 2008!
Love,
Terry and Darlene Miller
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Book Signings and Fun in Texas
I had three book signings at Camping World stores on our way from Iowa to Castaways RV Park in Willis, Texas. Pictured is one of my fans who wanted to meet a “real author.” The charming young man, who has a wonderful imagination, is showing me sketches of his “inventions.” Terry's cousin, Bill Miller, and wife Joann from the Ft. Worth area met us in Ft. Worth. We also met some RV friends and the six of us went out to eat at Red Lobster.
On Monday, November 12, Carol Weishampel and I went to the CARE-A-THON in Livingston, which was a fund raising for CARE. Besides setting up a book table and giving a portion of our receipts to CARE, we each donated two books to the auction.
Since arriving at Castaways, we have gone to a senior’s lunch, played Bingo and won a pie and some brownies. We went to a potluck supper and jam session at the clubhouse. Last night, we dined with Dick and Irene Madlung who grilled salmon for us as a pre-birthday celebration for Terry. I have played Sticks, Bingo, Skip-Bo and Crazy Rook. Yes, we are having fun meeting with friends that we have not seen for two years.
On Monday, November 12, Carol Weishampel and I went to the CARE-A-THON in Livingston, which was a fund raising for CARE. Besides setting up a book table and giving a portion of our receipts to CARE, we each donated two books to the auction.
Since arriving at Castaways, we have gone to a senior’s lunch, played Bingo and won a pie and some brownies. We went to a potluck supper and jam session at the clubhouse. Last night, we dined with Dick and Irene Madlung who grilled salmon for us as a pre-birthday celebration for Terry. I have played Sticks, Bingo, Skip-Bo and Crazy Rook. Yes, we are having fun meeting with friends that we have not seen for two years.
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