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![]() I haven't had many camping posts this year because I haven't had many trips. My downsizing and move has swallowed up most of the last three months. Plus Agatha, in RV years, must be about the same age as me because she has certainly had several aches and pains. And she doesn't have Medicare. But last week, we managed to overcome our impairments and headed north for the annual Franklin County Fair/impromptu Class of 60 reunion. ![]() Last year the stars aligned fortuitously and we managed to get fourteen class members out of the original 72 together for a last minute lunch. This year we managed four, but it was till a great time. We are long past much reminiscing--our memories aren't that great any more, but the old friendships never die. ![]() As usual, I camped at Beed's Lake, a beautiful state park near Hampton. Like many of our parks, the big old trees have been decimated in the center loops of the campground, and the weather wasn't conducive to appreciating full sun. So this time I had a great spot in some of the remaining trees near the lake. The shade plus a nice breeze off the lake made the area very pleasant on Thursday and Friday. I did a walk one morning over to the beautiful old bath house and continued a ways out on the Old Dam Trail. In our youth, the trail was quite overgrown with shrubs and trees. It was very conducive to jumping out and scaring our friends. But unfortunately it's been cleaned up and wouldn't hide a three-year-old. I also enjoyed the sunsets--always a treat there. We did take in the Fair for a few hours on Thursday and then a short stint on Saturday due to the heat and humidity. Of course we had homemade ice cream in the Pioneer Village and fresh rhubarb pie at the Lutheran stand. All in all, a great trip!
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![]() I spent much of my early life moving--sometimes to a different house, sometimes to a new town. By the time I graduated from high school, I had spent Christmas in a different house every year. In the 56 years of my marriage, the moving slowed down. Two apartments and four houses. The last house we spent twenty years in. People said "But you have wonderful memories there." Yes, but the person I share those memories with isn't there. My family is spread across the country and I needed a change. Over the last couple of years, I realized that I badly needed to downsize. I began picking away at that and this spring decided to put the house on the market. I had begun checking out apartments in the Quad Cities and narrowed my choices to a couple. I started with the plan for a two bedroom, but wondered where I would put my office, sewing machine, and craft activities. I decided to go for a three bedroom, but the complex I was most interested in didn't often have those available. The house went up for sale and sold immediately, scheduled to close on June 14. Luckily, the same week, a 3-bedroom was posted but not available until July 3. During the three week gap I would need to store my stuff and basically have to move twice. Yikes! But a few days later, I got a message that the present tenant was going to be moving earlier and I could have the apartment in early June! The downsizing had to switch into high gear. I planned to move boxes and totes beginning June 3 and movers to bring the furniture June 6. That would give me a week to "finish up." Surely that would be plenty of time to decide what else I wanted to move and get rid of the rest. How wrong I was! I never would have made it without the help of my tribe. In the ten days from possession of the apartment to closing on the house, we brought about 17 or 18 carloads of stuff. Andy especially stepped up and made numerous trips before going to work in the afternoons. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ken and Harriet, made several trips. My 'baby' sister-in law Mary, neighbor Joy, and old friend Joanie also hauled stuff. Grandson Steven came out from Iowa City and put his Marine training to use cleaning the garage. The last day, Mary and Joy cleaned while I continued to tackle the chaos in my craft room and other areas. What to do with all of the stuff? Joy again came to the rescue with the offer of her second garage to store anything we couldn't get moved or hadn't decided what to do with. The closing came off on Friday and I then headed to Des Moines for my great-granddaughter's dance recital. I think my new place is going to be delightful. Chateau Knoll was built in the 70s before developers felt the need to fill every square inch of real estate. Grassy areas and established trees surround every building in the complex. There are two pools, tennis courts, and a fitness center. The photo at the top of this blog is the view from my little deck. People have been very friendly and a couple of maintenance calls has received quick response. ![]() Am I settled? I have a ways to go. One glitch in the move was that my desk is too big to go around the corner into the office. Andy and I may try to cut it down; otherwise I will find something smaller. Meanwhile it's pretty hard to empty the boxes in the the office. And I have numerous other boxes I'm working on, but there's no deadline. I took time last night to go to a poetry reading in a branch of the Davenport Library by Salvatore Marici. Sal took part in several of the writing workshops we had at the West Liberty Library. I look forward to more of these events, no home maintenance, and more time to enjoy. One of the most useful things we have learned from technology: sometimes the best fix is to unplug and start over. It's that time of the year again. Several weeks ago I took Agatha through the dewinterizing process, guided by very detailed instructions. I knew the propane was low so in preparation for this weekend's opening Glampers' camp out with possible frost forecast, I planned to take it in Thursday to get the propane filled. When I opened the camper that morning, I found the dash (which is very large) covered with water puddles. Evidently I have a leak along the top of the large windshield. I mopped it up and headed to Iowa City to the propane dealer. Refilling the tank was a quick process, but when I went back inside, there was a strong smell of gas. The service guy and the boss both could smell it. The boss said they didn't deal with internal workings of RVs and I should take it to the nearest RV dealer, about six miles away, in case there was a leak. By the time I arrived, I felt nauseous from the strong smell, in spite of having windows open on that rainy day. I went in, explained the problem, and waited about 20 minutes for a technician to look at it. We stepped inside the camper to fresh air and no gas smell at all. The technician said it was probably fumes that got in through the slide seams and should be fine now. On the way home, I reevaluated my plans for the weekend. The propane was filled and the gas smell gone, but I still had a leaking window. However the forecast was no rain and I decided to chance it. On Friday, I finished loading and headed north to Palisades-Kepler State Park between Cedar Rapids and Mt. Vernon. Despite the best efforts of Mother Nature to blow me off the road, I made it in one piece. ![]() I filled the fresh water tank and proceeded to my campsite. With the bitter northwest wind, I got set up and pulled a couple of lawn chairs out of the storage compartments, but that was it. Once inside, I turned on the water pump and checked the faucets--all working. I turned on the furnace--also working. I plopped in my recliner with a blanket and book and recuperated for an hour or so. I still needed to reconfigure the water heater valves and turn the water heater on. This process requires unscrewing a grill down near the floor and fishing through heating ducts to close the bypass and open the intake and outflow valves. I think when they design RVs, it's a little like packing for a long trip when you pack the major items and end up stuffing small items or forgotten necessities in every corner you can find. ![]() So as I did this, the water pump came on to fill the 6 gallon water heater but seemed to be running an inordinately long time. When I finally went out side, I noticed water under my camper and the gauge for the fresh water tank showed EMPTY! I rechecked all of other valves (which are under one of the beds) and everything that was supposed to be closed was. Time to call on my tribe. After consultation with several Glampers, Carla's husband Jason came up to take a look. He agreed that I had every valve positioned correctly...until he checked the outside water heater compartment. The pressure release valve was still open. In my defense, it wasn't on my list of instructions. So that problem was solved, but now I had an empty water tank. I could unhook everything, pull the slide in, and drive over to the dump station to refill the fresh water. Or, there is a water hydrant across the road and a few sites down, so we decided on a team effort here. I have two hoses, Betty and Ann have two, and Carla and Jackie each contributed one. We were still short. Another camper across the road came out with another and said he needed to refill his tank also because he had been here several days. Soon we both were up and running. Ironically, one of the other women in our group had exactly the same experience a couple of years ago in the same campsite. She had just had her camper dewinterized before she camped here and someone had forgotten to close the pressure release valve. Lost all of her fresh water. We have decided it was the campsite's fault. ![]() So the day ended well with a beautiful sunset and I was reminded once again of the wonderful supportiveness of campers. All of these women (and one manper, as we call them) did what they could to get me up and running. Even a complete stranger pitched in. It enabled me to enjoy the rest of the evening and weekend, even thought the weather was not ideal. Still a wonderful getaway! ![]() In 1975, we built a large addition onto the kitchen in the Calhoun Street house. I ordered an unfinished pine trestle table from Penney’s catalog. I think it was about $100. I stained it dark to match the woodwork in the kitchen. That table hosted thousands of family meals, hundreds of homework assignments and craft projects, papers to grade, birthday cakes, coffee with Butch and neighbors, and planning discussions. The photo shows a makeup party Katy had for her birthday when she was about in third grade. Many of the discussions at our family meals dissolved into what the boys named and numbered Pointless Arguments. For example, one that stands out, and was maybe designated Pointless Argument #37: Would you rather freeze to death or boil to death? ![]() In 1997, we built a new house in the country with an eating bar as part of the kitchen so we relegated the trestle table to the screen porch. I painted the base green and refinished the top natural. The porch had lovely views of the pond, creek, and woods beyond and was a delightful place for morning coffee and evening meals. ![]() Then twenty years ago, we moved to this house and the enclosed front porch was a natural place for that table. We enjoyed eating supper out there so Butch could keep tabs on the occasional traffic on Highway 6. It became the Kid's Table for holiday gatherings--it easily holds all eight of the grandchildren. ![]() Last year about this time, I sold the dining room set we had bought for the house in the country, because it was so large with heavy chairs. I brought the old trestle table in to the dining room. It needed refinishing but I procrastinated until now. This last week, I stripped and sanded the top and painted the base and chairs a rusty red. We will christen it this evening when my sister Gretchen and her husband arrive from Georgia. Andy will join us and there could very well be some pointless arguments. I was finally motivated to rehab the table because of plans for new life for some other old stuff--namely me. I plan to put the house on the market this spring and move to an apartment in the Quad Cities. There are several reasons; I should have done this a couple of years ago. The care and maintenance of this house is more than I want to deal with at 81. And I certainly don't need the room. It will be closer to Andy; he actually works in the Quad Cities and lives forty minutes away. It will be close enough to easily come back here for visits. I'm also eager to more actively participate in the Midwest Writing Center in Rock island. I have been a member for several years but not taken advantage of their many programs, including regular critique groups. It will be a new life. ![]() Not according to my plans anyway. However, I don't have much control over Mother Nature or other natural phenomenon. We did manage to meet my cousin and his wife for lunch on Sunday and had a great visit. But by the time we headed back to Joanie's place, the rain had started again. In the half-hour drive back, we didn't encounter any completely covered roads, but the ditches and gutters were full and it was starting to cover the outside lanes. We hunkered in for the rest of the day. However, that night, after a nice supper with Jen and Jeff, Joanie's daughter and son-in-law, I ate a caramel. Bad decision. The caramel removed a filling from a left molar. By morning, my jaw and gum were sore, and by noon I had a sore throat and earache. I made an appointment with my dentist at home for next week, but meanwhile was getting concerned about infection. We headed for the nearest Urgent Care Clinic. Three hours and $150 later, we emerged with a RX for an antibiotic. Since then, I have eaten applesauce, cream soups, and eggs. Waaa. We met Jen for lunch on Tuesday at a place called the Royal Bakery. Cases full of wonderful looking desserts that I couldn't eat. ![]() But other than the sore throat, ear ache, and swallowing difficulties, I feel pretty good, so yesterday we took advantage of some midday sunshine and went down to the Ventura Pier. This 1600 foot structure, built in 1872, sustained considerable damage in the the high seas and storms shortly after Christmas and I'm sure the recent rains haven't helped the ongoing repairs. So we weren't able to walk out on it but we did take a stroll along the promenade. Except for a stiff wind it was a lovely day. It was sad to see all of the debris on the beach from the storms, However we enjoyed the scenery and looking at the memorial painted rocks people have put in several of the planters. Shortly after we returned home, it started raining again. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be sunny and high 50s, but I don't think I'll bet my house on it.
![]() We are awaiting a predicted deluge today, although the radar indicates most of it is going to go north. Apparently, all it takes to cause street flooding is a couple of inches of rain so they give the same STOCK UP! STAY HOME! warnings we get in Iowa for blizzards. Friday morning, we met some of Joanie's friends for breakfast and ran a few errands. It was sunny but with a chilly wind. That evening we had a great supper at Joanie's daughter and son-in-law's home. Yesterday, we journeyed downtown for the local farmer's market and vendor's fair. It was a beautiful day to amble down the street and enjoy the offered wares. ![]() I especially enjoy the variety of architecture here. The Spanish colonial buildings, Craftsman bungalows, and quirky individual styles make for interesting neighborhoods--built before HOAs decided to impose their taste on all residents everywhere. We had lunch at an Irish pub with very good food, although my turkey burger and sweet potato fries probably aren't very Irish. In the plans today is lunch with my cousin Dave and his wife, but it will depend on which way the storm tracks. Monday and Tuesday are supposed to be rainy and then perhaps a respite to get back out and do some exploring!
![]() But, girl, don't they warn ya? It pours, man, it pours. That was certainly our experience this week. My friend Joanie and I flew out here to Ventura Wednesday where she has a mobile home near her daughter Jennifer. Jennifer picked us up in Santa Barbara and delivered us to Joanie's second home. After a long flight from Iowa with a layover in Denver and the two hour time change, we were beat and hit the hay early. About 1:00 am, I woke up to the sound of rain. It was pouring and continued to do so until about 9:00 am. They said it was about three inches and the national news covered the storm last night--the Pineapple Express. The forecast was for more rain during the day but that never materialized. Today is supposed to be dry, but the predictions for the next week until my departure on Saturday include rain every day except one. Especially heavy rain is forecast for this weekend. So we will make plans day by day. We were able to get out yesterday for much needed groceries and take a walk around the mobile home park. We waited until the rain quit for the grocery run, since Joanie's 'California car' is not designed for any deep water driving. Meanwhile, the weather is low 50s and sunny in Iowa. Go figure.
For many years, we entertained at least one side of the family and some years both sides. There were 15-30 people involved, games, food, puzzles, music, more food, and a myriad of desserts. I decorated the house from top to bottom. We almost always had a few extras; girlfriends, boyfriends, exchange students, and friends of siblings who couldn't get home for the holidays. I finally made a 'Miscellaneous' stocking for those individuals. ![]() But now everyone is more spread out and competing in laws have entered the picture. The grandchildren all have jobs and limited time off. (Of course the jobs are a good thing!) So this year, I celebrated with each of my kids individually. For Thanksgiving, I was in Dallas at Pat's and since all of his kids were home, on the Friday after we did our Christmas. Two of my great-granddaughters, Olivia and Jordan, added extra spice and fun to the gathering and gifts. Three days before Christmas, I flew to Kate's in West Virginia. Unfortunately, only one of her three boys was able to be there, but I got to meet Ty and Aimee's new daughter, Claire. It was a quiet Christmas but, besides a wonderful supper at a Korean BBQ place the first night, Ron fixed a couple of great soups and we did enjoy a few cookies and snacks. And Kate and I managed to do a puzzle of Asian noodle dishes. A week later, I am at Andy's because his son Elliot has a short leave from the Air Force and we did Christmas here on New Year's Eve Day. It turned out to be a "hat Christmas.' Sophie enjoys her sock monkey hat from me and both kids modeled the Patrick Mahome hats from their dad. Elliot also got a cap from Hawaii from his girlfriend Bethany and a Chief's sunhat, also from his dad. We had a a nice meal and visit before the kids headed out for New Years Eve. So, I think that's it for 2023. No particular resolutions for 2024 except to downsize drastically and finish the book I've been working on too long, Grilling the Suspect. I also have ideas for another Frannie book, a fourth time travel book, and a stand-alone historical fiction.
![]() I mentioned in my last post that Harry and Jackie invited the Glampers to a fish fry on Saturday night--sort of a wrap up to our 2023 camping season. In the pre-camping posts, Jackie suggested Halloween decorations and costumes. I forgot, but I don't think I could compete with these entries. Jackie said she found her outfit at Goodwill and Shelly, a diehard gardener and plant person chose a sunflower in a pot--very fitting. Betty settled for just a purple wig. And of course, there's Harry's 'pumpkin pi' outfit. Don and Harry had spent several hours fishing that day, but it was a good thing Harry had brought plenty to feed the group. The fish was excellent, with plenty of sides and followed by warm apple crisp. Since we were still battling winds, we opted for a propane fire in a partially enclosed tent. ![]() We had used the tent also in the afternoon for a painting session. Several Glamper artists used their talents to adapt thrift shop paintings to the Halloween season. ![]() Sunday morning, the rest of the group headed home--I guess some of them still have jobs. The weather was improving, so Don and I went out on the river but with no better luck than the men had on Friday. The scenery was beautiful but the wind was still determined so we surrendered about noon and decided on a road trip in the afternoon to a nearby apple orchard. We snagged a couple of bags of apples, some jam and syrup, plus a few apple cider donuts. We finished off the day with some excellent steaks and sweet corn. Because of some pressing appointments, we headed home on Monday morning on a beautiful drive. The wind had died down and the bluffs were beginning to show color. It would have been a good day to stay but all in all, a fine, fun weekend.
![]() A little rain must fall. At least that's what we hoped all summer long without much luck. So as we looked forward to our last Midwest Glampers' camp out of the year, we expected blue skies and a riot of fall color at Wisconsin's Black Hawk Park along the Mississippi. Don hooked up his boat behind his camper and I alerted Harry, one of the groups diehard 'manpers' and an avid fisherman, to be ready. ![]() So of course it rained. Yesterday, the downpour lasted almost all day. When it wasn't raining, gusts of wind threatened every campsite and black clouds roamed all around. We made field trips to Cabelas, orchards and cheese outlets. Some went to Lansing for supper, but I had beef stew in the crockpot so we returned to camp. Afterwards, we took advantage of a brief dry spell to celebrate Ann's birthday with a fire and cupcakes. It was a little chilly. Lydia was the last to arrive and brought a bucket of mums, some thing you are likely to only see at a Glampers' fireside. Today, the black clouds still threaten and the wind gusts are persistent, but there have only been a few sprinkles. Don and Harry are out pursuing the wiley walleye. Later, Harry is going to do a fish fry for the group, not dependent on today's catch. I think he brought a freezer full. Meanwhile, I'm doing some writing and some of the Glampers are modifying thrist store paintings for their own use.
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AuthorSome random thoughts about writing, camping, and eating. Archives
June 2024
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