Sunday, December 27, 2015

This was a lovely peaceful Sunday.  I spent much of the 

day trying to download instructions for using a recording

device Jeanne sent.  I have one page and spent 2 or 3 hours

trying to get the next page and/or the rest of the page one.

The recording device is no longer sold so getting

documentation from the vendor is not an option.  I'll 

hope to get another page tomorrow.

I had planned to frame the lovely pictures of the Stapletons,

but didn't get to that.  I think I'll make a collage of this

years pictures and mount them along with last years. Perhaps

make a collage of last years and date each one.  

That about sums it up for today.  I did put the flag out since

it clearly was not going to rain nor snow.  It never got very warm

and now at 10 PM or so it is +7F out there. Brrrrrr.  I hate cold

weather.  It wasn't that cold when I went out to take the flag

down, thank goodness.

SATURDAY, December 26, 2015

I haven't written here since October.  It's hard to get excited
about a blog when you stay home all the time.  I shall try
and add a little each day, for my own benefit, if nothing else.

The ground is covered with fresh snow, about 3 inches,
I would guess.

At 2:00 PM Carl, Martha and Arren arrived to take us
to Connie's for our Christmas dinner.  

I was a little surprised to note that Arren had full make
up on and looked very pretty, as a girl, I suppose.  She keeps
us guessing, doesn't she?

Alan and Meara were home from California.  They both
looked good and were obviously happy to be home, but
it is clear they like what they are doing; Alan in the second
(I think) year of his career as an aerospace engineer and Meara
in her last year of Art School.  She has been teaching

an elementary school art class and taking Yoga lessons
to soon become a certified Yoga instructor.

Martha had packed a board game which she pulled out; she,
Carl, Alan and Arren played that while dinner was getting finalized.
They seemed to be enjoying the game which ended shortly before
dinner was ready. Alan won, it was announced.

Greg was not talking about his work, I suppose because we didn't
ask.  He did seem relaxed and enjoying having the family around.
He commented on how it was to have a family that got along together.

Connie was busy putting together the finishing touches of
Christmas dinner. Alan had made an apple pie and Connie was
making a pecan pie as we arrived.  Carl put together a green
salad which was graced with sweet potato cubes, red and black
raspberries  and perhaps something else.  He also had

cooked a large quantity of baked potatoes.  

At roughly 5 PM we gathered around the kitchen center to a
lovely buffet and enjoyed all the above plus a lovely prime
rib roast, done to perfection. It was a beautiful dinner and a
lively conversation was held as we ate.

We were all able to sit around the dining table to enjoy
the repast and had, in addition, a lovely dessert.  I had pecan
pie and caramel ice cream. Others had apple pie; Robert
had apple pie and pecan pie and ice cream.

All in all it was a very pleasant afternoon and at 8 PM I
suggested we  should probably be heading home and so
we did.  We arrived home safely at 9 PM.  It is 7 degrees F. 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2015

Laundry, laundry and more laundry!  I had most of it piled
on the bed after it was dry.  I have taken care of that and
just have a laundry basket full and over-flowing and one
last load in the driver.  This last load is all Robert's
perma-pressed shirts and slacks.

We seem to have gotten rid of the mice, sealed up the hole
where they were getting in.  Today, I went to Target to
get Contact "paper" to put in the drawers that the mice
had been in.  I have cleaned out the drawers and used
chlorox on them.  They are ready to be re-filled.

It took me 20 minutes of waiting to get across the bridge
over US36, but the traffic coming the other way was
moving well.

Target was set for Haloween. Tables of junk candy were
set up all over the store such that finding a staff person
to ask for help was almost impossible.  I found the
contact paper pretty easily; I looked a long time to find
hair dryers, but finally found them and purchased a
brush dryer to do the back of my head.  I also looked
at vacuum "brooms" and found and Electrolux that I
had been looking for so I put that in my basket, too.
Finally, I found a flatware holder for my clean drawers.

I ran into Maureen in the Pet department (don't ask
what I was doing there???).  It turns out that one of
her little dogs has gone blind.  It turns out to be a
genetic defect; the retina just wizened up and fell
off.  She was looking for something she had seen
on the Internet to help blind dogs which she couldn't
describe, but wasn't finding.  I left her to look.

I checked out and headed for home, I thought.
However, when I got to the bridge my way across
was blocked.  They waved me onto US36!  I
could get off at Flatiron Crossing, but decided to
go on to Broomfield and 287 and take that to
S. Boulder Road.  I had seen that Dillon Road
was backed up, at least when I went by earlier.
There was an "Event" going on off of 287, but
it wasn't backing up traffic at least not when I went
by. The State Patrol was out, but I didn't see as
they needed to do anything.

I finally got home 3 hours after I had left, to go
to Target and King Soopers.  I never made it to
King Soopers.  I'll go tomorrow.  That will be
better, then I can get everything I need for
Robert's birthday. 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015

It's good to be home and Lorena has done her magic just before
we arrived.  The house looks lovely.

Kat has been busy while we've been gone.  She looked for the
red ground cover her other garden has, but didn't find it.  She
bought and planted 3 more perennials for the rose garden.

She e-mailed or texted me, don't remember which.  It doesn't
matter because we spent most of our time where we got
neither phone reception nor e-mail.  Anyway, she asked if
she should cut back the peonies.  I answered and emphatic
NO, but she didn't get it.  The peonies have been cut to the
ground.  I don't know whether they'll come back in the
spring.  I wish she had cut the iris on the east side of the
house.  I'm sure they would come back.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015

We had breakfast with Betty and Janice and then we got out
of their way.  They had a busy day ahead and would be gone
most, if not the whole day.  And we headed home.

We arrived home mid-afternoon and dutifully called Janice
and left a message that we were safely home.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015

It rained most of the night, but we were cozy.  Our Van does
not leak, TG.  We would be pretty damp by now if it did since
it has rained almost continually since we arrived in Utah and
now in Colorado, too.

We started out to drive the Rim Road to enjoy the view, but as
we got started we realized that it was so foggy we wouldn't be
able to see any view.  We turned around and headed back the
better route down to Grand Junction.

We went to a City Market (Krogers by another name) and I
did some grocery shopping.  I bought some swordfish at the
butcher shop.  I knew Betty and Janice would enjoy that.
After groceries and filling up at a gas station, recommended
by GasBuddy, we headed for Betty's and arrived mid-afternoon.

I had planned to cook the swordfish, but Janice said she would
like to do it, but I would have to tell her how to do it since she
had never cooked swordfish before.  She did a great job and it
was well received by all.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

We left Pack Creek mid morning and went on to the
Colorado National Monument.  There were a few
people there, but it wasn't crowded.  It looked like
rain again.  It had been sunny when we left Moab,
a first for this trip!  We found a good camp spot,
there were so many it was hard to choose; we
walked to the Sign in and Information area and
paid out $10.00.  It's half-price for us.  I love that.

OCTOBER 21, 2015

I forgot to mention that on the 20th, before we went to Moab, we
toured Arches.  We stopped and walked up to the two windows.
It was a very busy place.  I can't imagine what it is like in the
summer when the crowds are at their worst.  Even now the
campground was full, before noon.

After the tour of the Arches National Park we went on to
Moab.  It was busy, but not as bad as the last time we were
here.  We passed the Riverside Oasis and went on to the
Pack Creek Campground where we spent the night.

Friday, October 16 - Tuesday, October 20

Friday, October 16, 2015--Betty's in New Castle, CO

We left home this morning about 10 AM. and didn't arrive

here at Betty's until after 4 PM!  It is less than 200 miles.

The traffic was horrific, added to continual construction

which restricted traffic to one lane--it was SLOW.

Janice, Betty's daughter and middle child , is here caring for her mom.

The plan, that is Janice's plan, was to have each of the sibs take a

month such that they would have one month on and two months

off.  That hasn't worked so Janice has been here the lions  share of

the time.  

Sunday, October 18, 2015

We spent all day Saturday at Betty's.  Janice and I took a walk up the

road and had a nice chat.

Betty and I talked and talked both Friday afternoon and Saturday.

We left right after breakfast today and drove to the San Rafael Reef.

and are parked where we have parked many times before and

certainly the first time that Robert brought me here.  After we 

parked we took a short walk.  I am disappointed to have had 

such trouble on the Slick Rock.  My depth perception is bad because

of my bad Shingles eye.  That makes it very difficult to walk on 

the Slick rock.  I can't tell the difference between a slight step up

and a slight step down.  Robert took my arm and helped, but I'm 

not sure we'll be able to take much of a hike tomorrow, at least

not on the rocks.

Monday, October 19, 2015

We woke up this morning after a humongous thunder/lightning/

rain storm.  The first thing I knew was Robert saying, "Oh, my

God!!!"  I woke in a hurry and asked what was wrong.  He said

we are in the middle of a lake.  I was sure he was exaggerating, 

but I, too, looked out the window.  He wasn't exaggerating.  We

were, indeed, sitting in the middle of a lake that had turned up

overnight.

Robert was able to get out his side, stepping in only 3-5 inches

of water; my side was a different story.  We weren't sure how

deep that was.  I would either have to wade across the lake or

wade around the Van to get to land.  I didn't try. It was time

for me to make the bed and then make breakfast.

After breakfast, Robert was able to back the Van out of the lake. 

He drove close to a new spot and then I drove while he gave

directions so that we could get out and on to a dirt road.  We

then proceeded to another dry area and he drove (backed up)

while I gave directions.  That is where we are now.  Once

that was done we took a walk along the road that goes through 

the reef, to the Wash.  We didn't make it to the Wash.  I was

concerned that if we walked far I'd be in trouble getting back.

I suggested we walk the creek bed, which would be shorter.

Despite the huge thunder storm and drenching rain, which

made the lake we had been in, the creek was dry except for

an occasional puddle in a rock.  We easily walked back to 

the Van.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

We decided to head for Moab.  We hadn't really been there in

years; turned off by the crowds.  I made a reservation at the

Riverside Oasis (an RV park with grass between each RV

slab and right on the river--very pretty).  But, Robert said

he didn't want to pay $44.00/night if the old place was still

in business.

We drove to the old place, the Pack Creek Campground. 

The last time we were there the new owner said that she 

had plans such that the next time we came it would be

much nicer, less junk and more grass.  Well, it is still

a dump!  But, Robert was happy because it was only

$22.00/night.  There was no grass and no slabs.  There

were signs that there had been gravel on the RV area,

but now we were just in mud and if you stepped out

you stepped in mud.  We had lots of mud at the reef,

but it was sand such that when it dried you could just

sweep it out.  This was not sand.  Most of the campground

is a trailer park.  And that is where all the junk is that

makes the place look like such a dump.  But, we were

only going to stay one night so I put up with it.

The next morning another couple came over to see the

Van.  They were staying several more days in Moab, 

but they were not staying at Pack Creek.  Actually,

I was disappointed for the people who owned the 

place because they probably wanted to make it nice,

but it takes a lot of dollars to do that.  They did build

a new shower/toilet building and it looked nice from

the outside.  I used the shower in the Van.  I almost

always do that.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Yesterday Robert spent 6-8 hours in Salina at our former
home.  The young couple who bought the place are not
good caretakers.  They don't seem to know how to do
anything...I thought he was a Water Engineer??  But,
he certainly isn't anything like Robert.  They had two
plumbers look at the water system, but they were no
help.  They had no water for a week!  Robert talked
with Chris at Russell's birthday party last Saturday.
We were in Salina for that..more about that later.
Robert showed Chris how the high pressure tank
works and how to add air and why and when this
might be necessary.  He also taught him how to
measure the water in both cisterns and on and on.
Eventually Robert got everything working again
without buying a new pump.

Saturday afternoon we went to Salina to celebrate
Russell's 80th birthday.  Michelle Grainger had
talked to Russell to find out just what kind of a
celebration he would like and that is what was
arranged.  We all met in the Little Church in
the Pines for a Vesper service and the official
was Kate Cook who lives in Salina and is also
an Episcopal pastor.  She read a very short 
piece and then Marti played a prelude on the
old organ which sounded a little strange.  The
poor organ has survived a fire and 2 floods.
Then Russell played several pieces with his
sound equipment; Steve LeGoff read a
summary of Russell's history with interjections
from Russell.  Russell played several more
pieces interspersed with Readings and the
congregation singing.  Kay gave the Benediction.

After the service we went into the back room
of the church for the party.  Russell had a
very impressive turn-out for his party.  There
were about 40 people present.  The refreshments
were also ordered by Russell and consisted
of small triangular sandwiches, soft drinks
and carrot cake.  Michelle made the sandwiches
and Karen, a Salina resident, made the cakes
which were delicious!!!

It was good to see everyone having a good
time and being together again.  The two
new-comers that have caused all the trouble
were not invited.

While Robert was in Salina yesterday I called
people we haven't seen in years like the
fellow who took over the square dance group
that Robert had started, when Robert and I
quit dancing.  It was good to talk to him and
hear all the news of the "gang."  He cc'd me
on the e-mail he sent out to the group. 

What I told everyone was that Robert didn't
want a hullabaloo, meaning party, for his
90th birthday, but I new that people would
like to celebrate for him in one way or
another so asked for a "shower of messages"
whether cards, texts or phone-calls. I
really enjoyed talking with so many friends!

Last evening Robert received a Text from
one of my nephews (oooppps), but Robert
was happy to hear from him and answered
him asking about how things were in Oregon.
Today I was cc'd on a note an old friend
had e-mailed to Robert congratulating him
on his 90th and she also mentioned that I
had contacted her about it...so I went to
Robert's e-mail and archived her note and
will resurrect it closer to his b-day.

This afternoon I got to watch a squirrel try
and try to get seeds from the bird feeder
hanging by my office window.  He
manages, somehow, to get on to the window
sill by my office window and then leaps,
and it is a leap, to the feeder.  As soon as
he lands, the weight of his body, causes
the feeder to close all the feeder holes.
He tried everyone, no luck.  He finally
gave up and jumped off.

So far we are having a gorgeous fall. 
Yesterday it was 81 and very windy,
today it is in the mid-70s and not so
windy.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

We walked the loop, Kate came by at 10:15 as we were finishing
breakfast.

The battle of the mice continues.  I didn't catch any mice yesterday,
but found one today.  Also, they have been in the potato/onion
drawer and ate the last sweet potato in its entirety!  But, worse
Robert and Kate removed a drawer under the sink, in the Van.
They were trying to fix a leak in the sink drain, The drawer
had mice droppings and a partially eaten cake of soap.  Later
in the day, I cleaned all the drawers in the Van and checked
all the upper cupboards and found no sign of mice in them.
But, there were droppings in all the drawers! 

I went to make our bed this morning, but got distracted by
a 2013 Cook magazine which I hadn't really looked at since
I wasn't cooking in April 2013!  I clipped 3 recipes: "Fluffy
Omelet", " Beef Burgundy Makeover" (an easy way to
make beef burgundy), and the "Best Chicken Parmesan"!
I'm not making any of the recently clipped recipes.  The
mice are too much!.  I'm tired fro cleaning all the kitchen
drawers and all the Van drawers.

So, Kate and Robert, managed to fix the leak in the Van
kitchen sink.  I'm not sure what else Kate managed to do
without hurting her back.  She really did something to
her back while weight lifting at the gym.  I said that if
she went to see Olaf, I would pay for the first visit.  He
is so good at diagnosing muscle and tissue damage.  Kate
has Medicade, but isn't sure if that would pay for PT.
I think it probably does, but Olaf would have to agree
to accept Medicade payments.

Kat arrived at 1:30 and Kate left at 2:00.  Kat is working
on the snowball bush in the front yard.  It is so ugly and
could be lovely if it had been trimmed along the way.
In any case, she is taking out the old and too tall limbs
and we hope the new ones that are coming up will make
a more reasonable bush.  She has been at it all afternoon
and with Robert's help since Kate left.

Viki stopped by today, just as Robert had stopped for a
break.  She stayed for a while and commiserated with
us about the mouse problem.  She suggested, but not
seriously, that she should loan Zoro to us.  Zoro is her
cat and I guess he is a really good mouser.  Robert
said, Maybe we should get a cat.  I don't think he
meant it, but I'm at the point when I would like to
have a cat, but because of t 76th street and its
volume of traffic, we would have to make it a
house cat and I'm not sure either of us would like
to do that to a cat.  But, if we got a cat and let it
out I would have to stop feeding the birds, so I
guess IF we got a cat it would have to be a
house cat.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

This morning I had an appointment with my dermatologist,
Dr. Stephen Ho.  He used to be in Louisville and I drove
from Salina to Louisville when I went to see him.  I
thought, how nice, Dr. Ho is very close now only to find
he had moved to Denver, actually to Englewood.  I tried
his replacement, but I really trust Dr. Ho.  If he says
something needs attention, it does and if he says not
to worry, I don't.  In any case I was really worried by a
red area on my leg.  He determined it is just an inflamed
place, probably I rubbed it without thinking, or hit it
on something.  In any case the trip to Englewood was, in
some sense a waste of time, but in an other it was worth
it so I don't continue to worry.  Connie, my sweetheart,
met me at the Dr's office.  She is my memory.  She
remembers all my past ailments, better than I.  And,
she walked me to the parking garage to help me find
my car.  Actually, I think I could have found it without
help, but it gave us a chance to talk while we walked
the distance from the office to the car.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

On Saturday I re-potted the remaining orchid and brought it
inside for the winter.  It had finished blossoming and was
more than ready to be re-potted.  Actually, as I look at it
now, I see a new plant that is hanging outside the pot.  It
looks quite happy so maybe I'll just leave it alone.

In the evening we went to Salina for a meeting of the
Film Club.  The film was Sunset Boulevard starring
Gloria Swanson and William Hurt.  David Gatten
did an introduction to the film and a follow-
up after the end.  Robert commented that if we had
watched that film on TV we wouldn't have thought
much of it, but thanks to David it was pretty interesting.
He told us to look for familiar faces at the bridge table
and that Cecil B DeMille played himself in the movie,
as did Hedda Hopper.  Cameo appearances included
Buster Keaton, H.B.Warner and Anna Q. Nilsson.  I
recognized Hedda Hopper and Buster Keaton, but
missed the others.  There was quite a discussion of
the movie after it ended, too. 

After the discussion there were all sorts of goodies
to eat and wine or water to drink.  It was really nice
to be with the Salina folks for an evening.

This morning Keating called, but I was still asleep
and she didn't want Robert to wake me up; we'll
talk later in the week.  I look forward to that.

Friday, October 2, 2015

We walked the loop without the extension and without me
using my cane!  I am delighted to be able to walk without it. 
I will use walking sticks if we  should walk on trails that
aren't paved.

Kat arrived as we were eating breakfast (9:00 AM).  I
made her a cup of coffee.  She had been to McGucken's
to pick up irrigation supplies.

Later:

Robyn and I had a good talk.  She was at the entrance
of the ranch and was on her way home and not happy
to leave Alyssum and Aspen, but happy to leave
"that place."

SUMMER IS OVER

October 1, 2015

The hot weather seems to be on the way out and cooler
weather is promised.

We walked.

Kate didn't come.  Hurt her back while working out at
the gym, she tells us.

Kat did come and fixed the leaky irrigation system and
is going to pick up a pressure reducer for us at
McGucken's. She planted the spring bulbs I had
purchased and the 2 milkweed plants.  Planting the
milkweed was a chore.  I recommended she use the
pickax to dig the hole and then put manure in the
hole and plant them with top soil around them in
the hole.  Some sand mixed with the top soil because
the soil there is awful clay and rocks.

A NORMAL DAY

We walked.

Milkweed Plants Arrived

 September 29, 2015

We walked.

New Milkweed plants came. They are natives of S & NE US,
not the milkweed of which I am familiar, however.

I'm fighting mice!!!  I caught one, but its baby or babies are still
around! UGGGG! 

I'm really pleased with Kat.  She is a hard worker and very
dependable, much like Rebecca.  If she says she'll do
something, she does it.  Kate is charming, but not
dependable.  I'd have a hard time writing a recommendation
for Kate.  We are thinking about keeping Kat on
through the winter so she'll be around next spring.


 

September 28, 2015

We walked.  Kat helped Robert and me.  Robert is anxious
to remove the leaky water-proof faucet.  It turns out the source
for this faucet is very deep.  Kat continued working on digging
the hole.  She also learned how to run the log-splitter.  For me
she checked all the plants to make sure they had water and
planted the new plants from High Country Gardens.  I'll
never buy plants from them again.  One plant was just sticks
and the leaves were not in the package so it was clear they
sent me a dead plant.  I also had paid for 7 plants and received
6 and none were the ones I had ordered.  I ordered the Paradise
Pollenation  Garden which had advertised a list of plants
included in that garden.  They did say they might substitute
a plant.  They sure did; they substituted all of them.  Kat has
planted them all and she has made sure they are being watered
by the system.  She is really attentive to the irrigation system.
I am very happy with her; we're trying to figure out how we
can keep her busy all winter so that she might be available
next spring. 

September 26.

We walked the loop.

I cleaned the Van frig which means getting down on my knees
so that I can reach the back of the bottom shelf. Uggg.  I also
mopped the floor and laundered all the rugs.

Mopping the floor is much easier since we bought a mop for
that purpose just before we left for Minneapolis.  It's just a
simple sponge mop, but it sure is easier than getting on my
hands and knees to clean it.

September 25

We walked the mile loop this morning.

Lorena came to clean the house.  She arrived
shortly after 10:30 and stayed until 1:30.  We waited
for her to leave before I made lunch.

I emptied the van, called Connie, left a message for
Carl and txt to Jeanne to let her know we made it
home safely and that I enjoyed Pipestone National
Monument.

September 24

Arrived home about 10:30 PM.  We listened to
audio books all the way.  Makes the miles fly by.

September 17  Thursday

We are headed for Jeanne's in Minneapolis.
We had a late start.  Both Kat and Kate were working
which required us to spend time with them.  We
stopped about 8 PM and dinner was at 10 PM.

September 18  Friday

If we keep going, we won't arrive at Jeanne's before
10-11 PM.  I've called her to warn her that we'll be
very late and they shouldn't wait up; we'll manage on
batteries for one night, no problem.  She suggested
we stop somewhere and come on in the morning. We
didn't do that and arrived at 12 AM and were glad
to just go to bed.

September 19-20 Saturday, Sunday

Jeanne and I talked and talked and talked.  It
felt so good!  She and/or Jay fixed lovely meals
for all of us.  A very nice vacation for me.

September 21  Monday  INR=2.3

Jeanne had to go to work this AM.  I took a shower and
washed my hair.  Doesn't look very nice.  We are going
out to dinner this evening to an Italian restaurant, Broders.

later--

We had a lovely dinner.  I, of course, had an eggplant
dish.  Robert had rigatoni because they didn't have
lasagna.

September 22 Tuesday

We left Minneapolis this morning, late in the morning.
Now we are at Pipestone National Monument
campground.  We'll do the Monument tomorrow.

September 23 Wednesday

This morning we went to the Monument.  We took a ~1 mile
loop walk ; it was a lovely walk.  Perfect weather.  The
ranger said that he went out the back door to do the walk,
he preferred that way.  It turned out that all the interesting
sights were on the first half of our walk.  The second was
just a long loop through the prairie.  That part of the walk
would be miserable in the summer!  I think if we ever go
back we would walk to the waterfall and turn around
to walk back the way we had come.

Having gotten going very late we made less than 200 miles
today, but I really wanted to stop by 7 or very shortly thereafter.
We stopped in Rudolph, Nebraska at an old motel along
US 20.  I went into the office and was greeted by three
elderly folks, but not as elderly as we.  I had cane, in hand, at
Robert's urging, but I think my wrinkles speak for
themselves.  In any case, I asked if we could stay in the
Van and plug in somewhere to get electricity and how much
would that cost.  The woman said $2.00, but the gentleman
behind the counter said, no, it'll be $5.00.  I agreed to pay that
and pulled out $5.00before he could change his mind.

The gentleman came out to help and Robert got to hear his
life story.  They were really lovely people.  They did all
the work of cleaning, making beds, etc, themselves and
they hoped to sell the motel and retire.

We had stopped to get groceries at a HiVee store.  They had a
wonderful deli and I bought broiled chicken, 2 huge (as it
turned out)enchiladas, pickled beets, sticky buns and a
chocolate torte.  The torte when cut in 1/4s provides a
small, but rich dessert for Robert.  I also did a little more
shopping so that we are set until we get home and for
breakfast, at least, after we get home.

September 24 Thursday

We got home at 10:30 PM.  We took a few things in
for tomorrow's breakfast, but didn't stay up very
long.

September 25 Friday

Before Lorena arrived to clean the house I brought
in all of the food in the frig.  I managed to do that in
2 trips, using dishpans to put things in.  It's amazing
how much you can fit into a dishpan.

I sent a txt to Kat to let her know we were back and
she said she'd come about 1 PM if that was okay.
Kate also turned up, about 9.  So we were busy
keeping them busy.

September 26 Saturday

We were going to sleep in today, but didn't.  We
got up about 7:30, dressed and went for a walk.
The weather is gorgeous!  Perfect temperature
although I expect it'll get hot later in the day.

I sorted out the mail; of course 90% of it is
junk.  What a waste of resources to send all
that stuff. 

Robert put the Van in the garage and that was
good.  It didn't get too hot and I was anxious
to clean it.  The frig had some ugly brown
stuff that I can't figure out what caused it.
But, it is all clean now; the floors have been
mopped and the rugs washed and hanging
out on the porch.

I also received, in the mail, an offer from
American Express to get a new card that
will give me 3% on groceries up to
$6,000.00.  Another offer from Capital
One to get a Visa card that will pay 2% on
ALL purchases.  I'll probably go for both
and use the American Express until I've
hit the $6,000.00 mark.  It won't pay 3%
on groceries at Costco, though.

Monday, September 7, 2015  Labor Day

Today we headed for the hills, ending in Estes Park.
What a mistake that was.  We should have gone to
the Louisville Parade instead.  Sadly, I had forgotten
all about it and Arren was in it.  In any case there
we were in Estes Park along with a zillion other
folks.  Every block was a parking lot, but we
were in now hurry and did a lot of looking and
watching the folks on the crowded sidewalks
and all the shops were open.  No celebration of
Labor today. 

Finally, hours later, it seemed.  We arrived at
the visitor center for Rocky Mountain Nat'l
Park.  We stopped there to use the facilities.
We'd been in the car THAT long!  It started
to rain as we arrived and was really pouring
when we headed for the car.  Part of the
reason for us being there was to see how I
did at a higher altitude.  We had been at
8000 feet and now were closer to 7000. But,
I had had enough.

Robert spotted a restaurant so of hidden
behind a shopping center and since it was
now 1:00PM we stopped for lunch.  It
was not busy in the restaurant, but a few
folks were still having lunch.  The wait for
service was minimal and the lunch was quite
good.

After lunch we slowly got through Estes park
and went on home.

Sunday, September 6, 2015
I forgot to mention, on Friday, 9-4, I interviewed and hired
Kat, to work 6 hrs/wk in the garden, to fix and maintain
the irrigation system and take care of the gardens.  She
seems very happy to take on that responsibility and will
start on Tuesday, Sept.8th.

On Thursday, over lunch, I told Kate I was planning to
hire a gardener to take care of the gardens and the
irrigation.  She was clearly VERY, VERY happy with
that news.  She was tired of working on the system and
was not good at garden work; does not know a thistle,
dandelion from a columbine.  The columbine are gone
and the thistles and dandelions are still in the garden.
I hope Kat works out.

This afternoon we met the Mossburgs at the Dairy
Center to see Misalliance, a play by Bernard Shaw.
It started at 2 PM and we didn't get out of there
until 5 PM.  The first act was all talk and no
action and both Shirley and I had trouble staying
awake.  We took turns snoozing.  The second
act had enough action to keep us awake.  I have
to admit I was negatively impressed with the
play although I admired the actors for the number
of lines they had to remember and delivered
without a hitch.

We came home and ate as soon as I was able
to get it ready.  We'd skipped lunch because we
had a late breakfast.  We had pizza and peaches
for supper

September 4, 2015

I had coffee with Jo this morning.  We sat on her front porch which
it turns out, is very pleasant.

I was pleased to find Robert had found something to eat; plain pasta
with hot sauce, and cut-up peeled peaches.  I didn't get home until
after 1:00 PM.

Shortly after I got home, or as I got home he was on the phone with
Tim.  The Longmont house has lost its power.  R. asked him to do
something and shortly he called back.  Robert is there now hoping
to get them going in some fashion.  Robert had told Tim to call an
electrician.  He did and the electrician wanted $250.00 to just to
come over and look.  What ever it cost to fix the problem was over
and above that!  Tim didn't feel that was right, nor did Robert nor
did I.

They have two 120 lines to the house and one 220.  The 220 is working
and one of the 120.  Now all the "important" things have been moved
to the one 120 line that is still working.  That means Jesse is OK!!
They are willing with that arrangement (it includes one of our
very long thick extension cords plugged in at the street and at the house.
I have talked a couple of times with Teri; the first time just to
calm her down and assure her that  we would manage somehow to
be sure that Jesse's bed is OK.

September 3, 2015

Rhoda Torrance Denison's 113th birthday.

What a busy day yesterday.  We went to the weekly lunch
with some of my NCAR buddies.  Then to the court house
to hear a 90 min. defense speech by Wayne Smart, but we had
the wrong date.  The real date is 9/30/15.  We spent a while trying
to find where this was happening.  We finally gave up and went
home, found our error.  At 3:30 we headed to the Tree House
for dinner with Alice.  Trav was also there.  We had an
excellent dinner and conversation.  We got home about 9:30 PM.

August 31, 2015

Walked 1 mile this AM

Worked on orchids, getting ready to transplant.

Went grocery shopping, Lorena came and cleaned the house and
made the over look like new!!!

August 30, 2015

I forgot to mention that we visited Bob Gray last

Sunday.  He seems about the same as he was at

our last visit.  He demonstrated the elevator he has

built to get him from basement to main floor and

main floor to second floor.  It is really pretty 

niffty.  He has also modified the bathroom so he

can get on and off the toilet seat by himself and

take a shower by him self.  He is, obviously,

still very sharp mentally.  He, of course, had to

have helping hands in building the thing and

getting it installed, but he has it now.  And

every thing he has added he has been careful

to have it installed in such a way it can be 

removed with only a little putty and paint

to cover up what was there.  He has been

very careful not to do anything that would

cause modifications to the house later.

After we left Bob's, we went to Longmont

to the Dougherty Museum to see the old-

time farm equipment display.  I loved the

old-time kitchen equipment.  If people still

canned they would be happy to have those

appliances..apple peelers, pea schuckers,

and so forth.  I loved them and enjoyed 

them being worked at this late date.  By

the same token, the tractors didn't look so 

different, to me, from today's.

August 30, 3015

Gosh, I forgot my blog again!  Sorry!

It continues to be hot and very dry.  When it does rain

doesn't last long and isn't enough to do much if any

good.

On Wednesday we had 5 people over for dinner.  

Jo, the Mossburgs (Earl and Shirley)  and the Estins

(Art and Matty.  The Mossburgs we have known 

for a long time and I remember they would come 

and visit when I was not feeling well enough 

to go out to socialize.  We understood that 

Earl was in that condition so we made a call 

on them last Sunday and discovered that Earl 

is not well, but he is still sharp and getting around

a little, with the help of oxygen.  Art Estin

we have known for a long time,but have

never socialized with him since his first wife

died.  He has had at least two more since

she died; one of them died in a vessel fire

when she was sailing from Venezuela to

the Galapagos.  The boat sank and she

with it.  His current wife was Alph's

first wife and, of course, Jo was his 

second.  But Jo and Matty get along

well and have become friends since Alph's

death. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Robert has been working on installing a

second battery into our van.  This requires

considerable redesign of the van under

the sofa/bed.  The batteries, each weigh about

60 pounds according to the UPS guy who

delivered them. That ads an extra challenge.

I have walked, with Robert, every morning.

We walk a mile before breakfast because it

gets too hot by the time we have breakfast.

Today I started re-potting my orchids and

discovered the one Robyn gave me,

pictured at the beginning of this blog,

is in blossom.  I have them all out doors

and thought Kate had fixed the little

soaker hoses to water them, but discovered

she hadn't.  That means they haven't

really been watered since we left on our 

trip east.  Perhaps that is what it takes to

get Robyn's orchid to blossom?

Saturday, August 22, 2015

The smoke has gotten much worse.  It has been

very windy today and I hoped it would cause

the wind to dissipate, but it hasn't.

I call Martha to see how she was doing and

she isn't doing well.  She's not a happy

camper.  She's going to stay inside and

hope the smoke goes away.  I offered

her my oxygen Concentrator since I

am not using it; she'll send Carl if she

decides she needs it.

Today is the annual block party at 

Tamm's.  It is at 5:30 PM.  I hope the

wind subsides a bit and the smoke, too.

The smoke seems to be getting worse

here.

I am taking mac and cheese as my

contribution.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Connie and I went to Murphy's South for lunch today.

Since it is Friday, I had a salad.  It was too big for

me to eat at one sitting so I brought half of it home.

We had a good chat.  And we won't get together

next Friday because she and Greg are going to

be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary!

They are going to Breckenridge to a beer bash.

From our house we can't see Boulder or the

Flat Irons.  The smoke from all the fires in

the west has settled up against the mountains.

We have a little of it here, but not bad.

In the evening Robert and I went to Jo's

for dinner.  We came early so I helped

Jo by putting together a salad.

After supper the three of us sat on the

front porch.  That was fun, an urban

experience.  

Thursday, August 20, 2015

I already wrote a lot about this day and thought it

had been saved, but I see no sign of it.

At 10 AM I had an appointment with Kim; a 

check up to see how my heart was doing. It

is doing just fine.

At 1:30 PM we went to court to hear more

of the testimony of Mitchell VS Brady.

All in all Mitchell managed to have 4

folks who he subpoenaed to speak for

him.  Brady, represented by Eric Sims,

had close to ten. 

The final result was that Katherine Moore,

the judge, basically said that she hadn't

heard any reason why Peter Brady should

have an injunction against him so it was

dropped.

Of course Marti is still stuck living next

door to them. Gupreet lives with them, 

but she was not a witness.  I find that

very interesting.

The court session went until 6 PM so we

were late for Liza's 28th birthday party at

Viky's.  I called Viky as soon as we got

out of court to tell her we were on the

way.  She was very nice about our

tardiness and said that she'd start cooking

when we got there.

It was a lovely party.  Liza is really a

beautiful person as well as being

very attractive.  She hopes to finish

up her PhD by the end of summer.

August 19,2015 Wednesday

Robert and I stopped as we started our walk to admire the sunflowers.  I started removing dead leaves
and when I wasn't looking, Robert snapped this picture.  It shows, I hope, how very tall the flowers are. We did walk our morning mile.  It is lovely
and cool today.  It was only 47F when I got up
this morning!  But, it is supposed to be 90F
tomorrow.  Only mid 70s today.

I go to my last gym session at Frasier Meadows
today until November when I shall start again
for the winter.

As I write this I see dozens of starlings in the
tree.  They are too big for the feeder, but I have
put seeds on the ground for the doves, but I
don't think any doves are going to get them.
Some of these black birds are huge.  Actually,
kind of scary.  Usually we don't have starlings
time of year.  They go east to raid the corn
fields or some such.  For some reason this year
they have stayed.  Maybe because of all the
feeders around?

This is going to be short because I have
promised Robert I would help him with sharing
on his computer so that he can get to mine.
I have no trouble getting to his, but he can't get
to mine.

a

August 18, 2015, Tuesday

We were up early and arrived at the VA in Denver about

8:05.  The traffic was terrible!!  It usually takes us 45

minutes to get there, or less.  But it took more than an

hour this time.  I dropped Robert at the front door and

went to the parking garage.  I had my handy handi-

cap placard, but I didn't use it.  I found a spot on the

2nd floor and that was fine.

I met Robert and we went to the cafeteria for 

breakfast.  We had cheese omelets which were

good and Robert had a scoop of hash, too. We

shared a bottle of juice.  I forgot to get coffee,

but don't miss it when I do.  I guess I could

just stop drinking it, but I would miss it.

Robert is still doing fine!!!! His blood counts are

okay and he feels fine.  He certainly has more 

energy than I, but that was the way it was most

of our life together.

Yesterday we went to the Justice Center to 

watch court proceedings.  Our friend Pete had

an injunction taken against him which forbid

him from getting to Marti's house except from

the back way.  Actually, the thing was

ridiculous because, if enforced, he wouldn't even

be able to drive on Gold Run Road.  It was an 

interesting afternoon.  Bradley Mitchell brought

the injunction and Pete is trying to have it removed.

Bradley had only 3 witnesses for him and one of

them obviously didn't want to be there.  He had been

subpoenaed.  Pete had about ten witnesses and would

have had four more except that one other couple,

besides us, was out of town when the proceedings

started.  We would have gladly spoken for Peter.

The whole thing really got tense back in, I think,

February.  We all went to a Town Meeting to

listen to the County's plan for Salina.  We still

owned our house there although we were not

living in it.  In the middle of the meeting Pete

asked a question of the county as to why so

many yards of dirt had been dumped at Brad's

rental house.  At that, Brad in a very nasty tone,

said, "He's just jealous because I bought the

little house before he had a chance to do it."

And as he said that he jumped up and headed

for Pete.  I didn't see what happened next, but

apparently Bradly pushed Pete and Pete pushed

back and by the time I turned around they 

were at it tooth and nail.  They ended up

rolling around on the floor; Bradley's head

smashed the window at some point (I didn't

see that, either).  Eric broke the choke hold that 

Pete had on Brad and someone pulled them apart.

I said to Robert, Please get me out of here.

And so we escaped and didn't see the end of

the whole thing.

In any case, feelings have been strained since

then.  Bradley's injunction which he knew if

he got it through would make it impossible

for Pete to drive to Marti's.  

Thursday, the 20th, we go back again to see

the rest of the story and hope Bradley loses.

Robert and I walk, most days, before breakfast.

We do the Brockway Loop which is the road

through the neighboring little community. The

loop we take is just a mile long which at this

point seems to be perfect.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Kate came today and took care of a multiple of little 

chores that have been piling up.

I have been sleeping without the CPAC and recording

my O2 and pulse.  I am realizing I already went

into that yesterday.

Today I did laundry.

We walked the Brockway loop.

I also finished printing and framing the pictures of

Renee's kids; Walker, Emmy and Orion.  Also,

James and Tamara.  I need a picture of Ellie.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Robert and I were up at 6 AM this morning.  My CPAC is not 

working consistently. I went to bed without it, but with

an Oximeter that records.  That was interesting.  I was at

90% or above 95% of the time and plummeted to 80% once.

I zoomed back up to 94% almost immediately though.  

I wonder what Kim will make of it and Dr. Hickey, if anything.

We walked the Brockway loop before breakfast and that

is a mile.  Yea!

We finished breakfast at 9 and I remembered I had a

10 AM appointment to have my teeth cleaned.

This afternoon I am off to have Hannah work my upper

body.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

I went to Dr. Boehm's office to get a blood draw to 

check to see if I'm still anemic.  Then to the Thrift

store to leave 2 bags of slacks that are for a much

thinner me.  I will only get that thin if I'm ill.

On to King Soopers to get groceries.  This is a

great time of year because there are so many fresh

vegies; corn from Olathe, CO, Peaches from 

Palisades, string beans from Boulder and blueberries

and organic strawberries from California.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Lorena and her niece came yesterday and cleaned the house.

Hannah and I talked yesterday and I told her of the crash

and the resulting hematomas. I also assured her I would

be at the center at 3 PM Monday, the  10th.

I played a bit with my tablet today.

The website for the RVCamp discounts was quite 

interesting,.  I printed the 26 pages of directories of

campgrounds so we'll be ready for the next trip. The

next trip I would like to take is to Yellowstone

Nat'l park and there are no campgrounds near

there on the list.

Robert and I went to Salina late Sunday morning.  Robert,
to chat with Vernon and I to chat with Marti.  Marti was
baby sitting Darwin who is Erin's and David's little girl.
Marti is Darwin's God Mother.  Darwin is a sweet little
girl of 7 months.  Very verbal and shall be an early
talker, I am guessing. 

I was curious how the court appearance of Pete vs Bradley
Mitchell went.  Bradley had gotten a court injunction
against Peter that said that he couldn't come within
300 feet of Bradley's house.  Strictly, that would mean
he couldn't even get to Marti's house.  Pete went to
court to try and get the Injunction quashed.  But, Bradley
had a Lawyer and a Private Investigator.  All in all I
would gather it didn't go well for Pete.  But, it was
postponed a few days and then postponed again until
August 17th.   Marti couldn't talk about it because
she hadn't been to the court and she is going to be a
witness on the 17th.

But, the good news is that Erin and David are back to
Salina to stay.  No more commuting to Duke U. in
North Carolina.  Erin is an Assistant Professor in the
new Film department in the new Media, Communication
and something else College at CU.  David is a Full
Professor and Head of one of the schools of the new
College.  They are thrilled, of course.  They have a
Nanny who comes during the week to care for Darwin
and when I was there Marti was there to care for her
while David did some work for his new position.  But,
while I was there he didn't get anything done. Erin
was in California at a wedding and would be home
that evening.


Carl, Martha and Ariel came over for dinner on Sunday.
I had thought I had rib eyes in the freezer and I did, but not
enough for 5 of us.  I did have a boneless sirloin roast and
cut that into six steaks and that worked well.  We had
mashed potatoes, green salad, corn-on-the-cob and the
steaks.  I did the steaks on the grill and I am still learning.
They weren't black, but they were well-done.  Fortunately,
they were tender enough so that didn't matter, but I was
disappointed.  I'm learning.

Yesterday was a do nothing day.  I did a little garden work,
but not much else.

Today Lorena and her niece came to clean.  I was happy to
see her.  I had made a real mess of the kitchen floor with
my two dinner parties.  She now cleans for Erin every
other week and is delighted to have a job in Salina again
even if it is a long way to go.

Sunday August 2, 2015

It always gives me quite a start when I write "2015." I remember,
as a kid, figuring how old I would be when the  year 2001 came
along.  I would be 70, then figured how old I would be in 2011.
I didn't know anyone who was 80 and assumed that I wouldn't
make it to that age.  And now we're  in the middle of 2015.

Friday evening Fred Clare, Dick and Betty Valent, and Jo
came for dinner.  All except Jo were surprised that Cindy
wasn't bringing dinner.  I assured them that I was feeling
so well that I didn't require Cindy's help any more.  That
is so great!  I had no trouble fixing dinner for six although
was delighted with the help I got before dinner from
Betty and the clean up Dick and Fred did after dinner.
I served fresh corn on the cob, picked up from Munson's
earlier,  and a choice of Red Fin Tuna or Mahi Mahi and
a large green salad with carrots, tomatoes, cukes and
celery.  It was a lovely evening although I missed part
of it because I was outside grilling the entrees.

Yesterday, I admit, I was happy not to have anything on
the calendar.  I cleaned up the kitchen from my dinner
party and didn't do much else except talk, at length
separately with Alyssum and Robyn.  Alyssum sounded
very up beat.  Aspen will be starting pre-school in
September and Alyssum has a job cooking at a
Wilderness school for adults.  She is happy she'll
have the chance to work with a professional chef and
even happier that she will earn $200/day.  Robyn was
putting in an irrigation system.  She has become very
conscious of the fire danger since the recent fire came
so close that she was under the threat of evacuation.
It certainly won't do any harm to have her house
surrounded by moist lawn and garden. The daily
temperature in Bayview seems to hover into the
3-digit range; not nice. Our temperature hovers in the
mid to high 80s, but the house stays in the low 70s.

Robert and I are planning to go to Salina this morning.
I'll visit with Marti while he visits with Vernon.  Marti
will be at David's and Erin's taking care of baby Darwin.
Marti is Darwin's God mother. I'm anxious to hear
how the court proceedings went.  Bradly filed for
an injunction against Peter, but the court proceedings
happened while we were away.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Finally I am caught up, unpacked, etc.  All in all it was a good trip.

It was too hot in Kansas, but fortunately we don't have to spend

much time in Kansas.

The Van went to the RV repair shop today.  Hoping to get the

stove repaired and the AC in the house part of the RV
working again, too!

Jo came for dinner last Sunday.  She is always fun to 

entertain, especially because she is so bright and interested

in so many things.  

On Tuesday I mailed the elephant costume to Alyssum for

Aspen.  I hope she hasn't outgrown it already.  I am sure

it wouldn't fit her by Halloween.

Tomorrow Kevin, a licensed arborist is coming to look at

our Ash trees.  The one in the backyard looks pretty 

healthy, but the one in the front yard looks very sick!

We are hoping Kevin will have some suggestions to

help and/or delay its death.

Connie is coming tomorrow.  I think we'll go to Boulder.

I'd like to go to the Wild bird Center to get some shelled

sun flower seeds.

Speaking of sunflowers, the ones in the back yard are

really tall, but some of them have been eaten just at

the fence-rail level such that there tops are bent. I'm

not sure whether they'll make it or not.  We may 

not get any blossoms at this rate.

Lorena comes to clean tomorrow.

Also tomorrow, Dick and Betty Valent, Fred Clare and

Jo are coming for dinner.  I have three pieces of frozen

Red Fin Tuna and three pieces of frozen Mahi Mahi which

I plan to grill outside.  Today I picked up corn at Munson's

on our way back from delivering the Van to the RV place.

We'll have that tomorrow and a big salad. Strawberries

and ice cream will be offered as dessert. I'm looking

forward to having them here.

22-25 July, 2015  Saturday

Arriving home Tuesday afternoon was a delight.

It was cool compared to any place we had been in

the recent past.

I emptied the Van frig and made supper from various

leftovers.

Wednesday, I brought in the mail..reams and reams of

paper.  Kate had brought in most of it, but the box was

stuffed full.  I'm sure the mail lady will be relieved to

see that it has been emptied.  

 It took me a while to sort all of the mail.  Kate had

sorted it, but I did find first class mail put in with the

junk so felt I had to sort through all the piles.  After

that was accomplished I had a huge pile on my

desk. 

Thursday, I opened all the mail and sorted it into

piles to file and piles needing attention; mostly

late payments to various agencies.  We walked

today.

Friday, started to transcribe my hand-written notes

into my on-line blog.  We went for a walk this

morning.  Same distance as yesterday, about 1/4

mile.

Saturday, All the blogs pieces have been entered.  

I talked with Jo and she'll be coming for supper

tomorrow afternoon.

July 1, 2015  Sunset RV Park

This one is on Lake Ontario and sitting in the front seat

we have a great view of the lake.  And the sun is out;

maybe the rain has finally stopped.  

I talked with Renee today and they are in Iowa and have a

camping trip planned when they get back--we'll plan to 

arrive there on the 13th or 14th.  I'll call her when time is 

closer.

July 2, 2015  Near Cazenovia, NY at Walt and Trudy 

Moore's.

Walt is the same old Walt, but older; he'l be 90 soon?!

Trudy seemed much happier to see me than the last 2

times, but she is much diminished, in that she is very 

dependent on Walt and/or her care givers.  She is

walking only with a walker, but prefers the wheelchair.

July 3, 2015

On the road to Elizabeth Tsanger's home in Holden,

Mass. (near Worcester, Mass).  WE left the Moore's

about 1 PM.  It was hard to leave because we will

may never see them again.

Trudy was more welcoming than either of the last 2 

times we stopped there.  She had one hip replaced, 

but fell and never recovered.  There was no mention

of stroke, but she has lost some mental ability, but

sure remembered me, Robyn, Connie and Jeanne.

Carl was concieved in Hamilton, but born in Oswego.

Trudy walks around the house, a little, using a walker. 

Her caregiver walks her in a wheel chair down the 

road so she can get some fresh air and get to Neal's

house which is the nearest house.

We spent the day, after we left Moores at 1 PM driving

through Berkshire Mts.  We actually got up to > than  

2000 feet.  We stopped along the Hoosic River for 

supper.  Now on our way again to Elizabeth Tsanger's

home in Holden, Mass.

July 4, 2015  At Elizabeth Tsanger's in Holden, Mass

Robert and Elizabeth went site-seeing around Worcester,

Mass and Leister, Mass.  After supper we went to a

special Ice cream stand for ice cream cones.  It is a

very popular place!

July 5, 2015

Liz took me grocery shopping this morning.  We're set for

4-5 days.

This afternoon I put my foot up and read.  Somehow I

have injured my left foot.  I have a bad bruise on the 

area where the toes hook on to the rest of the foot.  I

bought new socks while we were shopping because all 

my socks are "supersocks" and thicker at the toes such

that I can't wear my shoes very comfortably.  The new

socks are just thin and my shoes and swollen foot work

fine.

I guess we'll leave in the morning and head for Maine.

July 6, 2015  Monday.  Minute Man RV Park

Today we are in Boston and have spent several hours at

the Isabelle Gardner Museum.  Isabelle collected paintings

and her house is full of fantastic pieces.  Calling the palace

a house is a misnomer.  It is palacial..many floors and wings

and each floor is extensive.  I can't imagine living in such a

place.

July 7, 2015 Tuesday.

I fell today when Robert made a panic stop.  I was standing

up, in front of the sink.  Both the oven and sink glass covers

were in place so there was no good place to grab.  Instead

I flew and landed bunched up against the lower dashboard.

I have huge bumps on both thighs, the larger lump is on my

left thigh.  I have a bump on my right hip and a sore spot

on the left side of my scalp. 

July 8, 2015 Wednesday, Old Orchard Campground. Maine

I measured my INR today and it is 2.4. 

July 9, 2015  Lake Pemaquet

July 10, Friday Damarescotta, Maine  11:55 AM

We arrived here yesterday.  It's a family campground and it is

big.  We have a lovely spot very near the lake, about 50 feet from it.

This time of day it's a very busy place.  Kids riding on bikes 

(all sizes), small electric scooters and golf carts.  Many are out

on one of the docks; you can rent canoes or kayaks at one dock and

small moter boats at another.

My bruises are very painful today.  This is the third day so I am hoping

each day they will improve.  The worst one is on my left

thigh, my right thigh is painful when I walk, but not so bad

as the left.  The bruise on my lower abdomen is colorful, but 

not painful, likewise the the wound on my right arm and left hand.

I can't see anything on the back buttock, but they are sore.  

Very strange, but there are  so many levers that stick out, I 

guess I hit them all.

We used the laundry mat today.  It costs $3.00 for the smaller,

upright washers and $3.50 for the very large front loader

machines.  We used one of the larger ones.

11 July, 2015 Saturday, Rivers Edge campgd.

We are heading for Sue's in Vergennes, Vt.

12 July, 2015 Sunday Staying at David Crowne's

We drive in to visit Sue and back at night.

13, July 2015 Monday in Vergennes

I slept until 9:15 AM.  I got up at 7:30, but Robert was sound

asleep.  I went back to bed to wait for him to wake up.  

I am still sore, very sore on both legs, but especially the

left one.

15-16 July Burlington, VT

We are at Renee's.  Jon has the summer off so is being a

full-time dad.  They do something every day, often it is

swimming.  The kids are very active and very intelligent.

It is fun to listen to them.  We enjoyed have dinner with

the family each evening.

16-18 July, Newtown, CT

We are visiting Joy and Walt.  They are such fun to visit.

I am enjoying taking it easy and just visit.  Joy fixed

dinner for  us except for Friday evening when we

all went out to dinner, on us.

July 18-19, Emlenton, PA

We left Joy's on Sat, July 18 and drove ~400 miles and

ended up in "Gaslight Campgd" which is huge with plenty

of empty spaces.

July 19 Sunday 450 Miles  Cloverdale, IN

It's plenty hot this morning and Robert is really suffering 

from the heat. But, he did manage to get ready to dump.

We came 450 miles today.  It has been really stinky hot.

We ate lunch while we drove.  Apple and beef Jerky. 

We drove on and stopped at Arby's for supper and then

decided to stop overnight in the same town.  We are in

a section by ourselvs at the RV park which is mostly 

empty.  Our house AC has quit which is why we are not

eating in the Van.

July 20 Monday  Independence, MO

We are in Kansas City or close to it.  We'll probably push to

get home tomorrow.  Our AC has quit and it has been really

hot today, upper 90s.  We'll probably eat breakfast

tomorrow, but we're out of mile.  I think we'll eat 

cereal in the AM.  R. will have to eat my fake milk.

WE ate in a Mexican Restaurant for dinner.  We're in an 

RV park, Autumn Rest.  I think we'll drive til we make it 

home tomorrow.  It's too hot in Kansas!!

July 21  Tuesday  

We were both up before 6 this morning.  We didn't get to

bed until about 11 last night, We were waiting for Dan to

show up so that we could pay our $20.00.  We have 700+ 

miles to go to get home.  We are both anxious to get home,

but not sure we can manage.

Finished "Forgotten Room" by Lincoln Childs.

We made it home late in the afternoon.  Lovely, cool

Colorado!!!

June 19,2015

I am filling in from my penned journal.

Rochelle's b-day.

I cleaned up all the cupboards in the Van this morning.  Now it is getting

hot!  Lorena is cleaning the rest of the van and then the kitchen.  She'll 

clean once while we're gone.

June 20, 2015

Going to a race of autonomous robot vehicles.  We are taking Bob 

Gray with us.  Bob has ALS and it has him in pretty bad shape and

in a wheel chair most of the time.  He can no longer drive.  

The race was fun; many teens some with fathers and some completely

on their own.

Came home and had lunch.  Then loaded the Van with stuff I had laid 

out earlier. 

June 21, 2015

Got up late, showered, Finally read to get groceries at 11:00.

At KingSoopers, looking for a 12 oz. cheese dip that ass't 

manager said was in aisle 8. I couldn't find such a size.  

Paul, manager, came along and asked if I was finding everything.  

I told him my problem and he picked up a package I had missed

and since it was 8 oz. I said I'd try it.  He then said "Try it for 

free"  and wrote his name and "no Charge" on the package,

so I'll see how we like it.

June 22, 2015

Finally off, at noon.  We stopped at Phillipsburg, KS 

campground, city park.  It was $10. including electricity.

June 23, 2015

We spent the night at Prarrie Dog State Pk.  We've stopped their 

many times; the first time was probably  close to 30 years ago.

Little sticks and of trees and they are now lovely mature

trees; locust and cottonless cottonwood trees.

We stayed up way too late last night because it took so long to get 

dinner and we needed to take a walk.

My 2-burner stove is broken; one burner works, but the flame is

very low.

June 24, 2015

We spent the night at Beacon RV Park.  Roger,our neighbor, 

recommended a "Mr. Fixit." He manaaged to find the problem 

valves.  It will have  to wait until we get home.  I'll have to use the 

micro-wave.  

June 25, 2015

I called George and he is expecting us tonight.

AT GEORGE'S.

Terrible thunderstorms during the night.

Lunch with Janice and George at Taffie's.  Then on 

our way.

Overnight at France Park near Logansport, IN.  The

site of morning races, ATVs and motorcycles.

June 26, 2015,  Ohio, RTE US 6, McClure

We are in Mary Jane Thurston State Park, Clearly, until

very recently the whole place has been under 2 feet of

water.  It's still planty muddy in spots and water standing

marches elsewhere.

We'll walk over to the Maumee river and see how high

it has been.

Tonight, I am cooking corn and some kind of meat in the

micro-wave.  Learning how to cook without a stove top, nor 

a grill.

June 27, 2015  Grand Rapids, Ohio

River Maumee, Riverside.  Late start; playing Scrabble.

Finally off at 11 AM.

It rained and rained, a gentle rain, all night.  Everything

is saturated.  The high water line in the area where we camped 

was 2 feet above the ground where we were!

Stopped at Walmart in NE Pennsylavania and bought a 

really cheap 2-burner camp stove and 2 bottles of propane.

Hopefully, I can cook dinner to night on stove and perhaps

micro-wave, too.

June 28, 2015   Webster, PA

We spent the night at Locust Lake campground.  It was

private and full.  But George, with OK from Boss offered

us a spot in the front yard of his unit and let us hook-up to

and outside outlet.

June 29, 2015

In Pittsford, NY at the Owens'.  This morning between 

showers we walked along the Erie canal and went to the

Science Museum.  We had lunch in a little cafe, very good

food.  Ann had previous commitments so Jim took us

without Ann.  He and Robert could talk "shop" all they

wanted.

June 30, 2015

I called Cazenovia and talked with Walt.  He said they

had had a lot of company and Trudy was exhausted.  But he 

wants to see us.  I said we'd try to stop back later.

We are in a county park near Webster, NY.  It is nice

enough, but I thought it was on the edge of Lake Ontario and

it is not. 

I did my INR today and reported it to Kim.  I'll wait

until next Wed. before taking another reading.  In the 

meantime no warfarin today and only 5 mg the rest of the week.