Better late than never - Memories of 2021

As I open this draft that I began over two years ago, I try to convince myself that I must stop procrastinating and "git er done." I almost thought of ending my blog since it is a lot of work, but I don't want to lose the memories, so I will be brief as I go way back to 2021 to recap what I remember before they fade like a well-worn pair of jeans.  

I am including descriptions of the photos below to make this huge process a little less daunting. This will be a "Photo Novella" and each photo brings back all the memories....the good, the bad and the ugly.

PHOTO BELOW: In July, we were at Black Bear Campground. 

We got to spend a day with cousins Lisa and Maurizio 

(who makes the most amazing pizza). We are NOW ready to plan our visits for 2023!  

While still at Black Bear, a great day was spent with my dear friend, Berni, her husband, Ron and Charlie. I think our smiles explain it all.

Most of the summer we were parked at Croton Point due to its proximity to our NY house. There is always something to do to a house you don't live in - although there is a lot to do in an RV when you full-time, so, the summer was twice as busy.

Some of my time was spent caring for Georgia when her mom and dad had events to attend 

Not many memories remain of 2021, except for those in my last blog written about my dear friend, Laurie. 

Our northern visit ended and we made several stops to break up the monotony of the I-95 boredom. We had planned an extended stay in Myrtle Beach, so we looked forward to relaxing for a couple of weeks.

Below  Stella checking out campground 1. 

Here is campground 2.

Myrtle Beach, SC was finally a reality. We stayed at three different campgrounds, Lakewood Camping Resort, Ocean Lakes Family Campground and Myrtle Beach Travel Park. I liked all three resorts for different reasons.  Lakewood was older and dustier, but it had very easy to access to a rather empty beach. Ocean Lakes' beach was very crowded, yet it was a bit more physically appealing. Myrtle Beach Travel Park was the most modern with a lovely pool. We didn't have the best weather, but we enjoyed whatever sun we received.

 

We took a day trip to deserted, yet gorgeous Pawley's Island in South Carolina. Since George was a good boy, he got an ice cream. Unfortunately, the Ice Cream wasn't that good. 

While in Myrtle Beach, we were able to meet up with friends, Shirley and Tom Kelleher. We spent a lovely lunch together chatting about our kids and of our years working together. 

The time at the beach ended without the weather improving that much.

As the photo below will attest, we finally made it to our first Buc-ee's! If you haven't been to one, imagine a Cracker Barrel on crack. It's an upscale Truck Stop where no trucks are allowed. This Buc-ee's housed 104 gas pumps and 1,000 parking spaces.  You really need to see it to believe it.

Beautiful Big Bertha at Buc-ee's.

We arrived back at our home base in October and Big Bertha was treated to a hot shower and wax by Jose, the only person allowed to touch Bertha besides George. He asked us where she got all the sand! He did such a great job making her sparkle and shine.

We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in Oldsmar with the Tampa Crew. 

December brought slightly cooler nights. I got to bake "Grandma's Cookies," with some help, and they were a hit.

We all went to the Tampa Convention Center for the "Enchanted Lights" show. The photos didn't come out all that well, but the night was a great way to get in the mood for Christmas.

Still masking-except for photos. My lightbulb cup is still working!

COOKIES

My mom's Pecan Sandie recipe

Grandma's Cookies the lazy way, but still as good.

Christmas dinner minus the cook.

Our baby!

The year 2021 ended quietly. Neither George, Stella or myself were able to remain awake, but at midnight, the crazy Florida tradition of fireworks woke us in time.

Finally...2021 is completed. The next blog entry will be full of many different places and memories. I hope it doesn't take me as long to get it composed and posted. 

Deep thought for the day: If you've gotten this far, choose your favorite "Deep Thought" from below and let me know in the comments your choice for the Deep Thought.

1. "Tis a lesson you should heed Try, try again. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again"......Popularized by William Edward Hickson (1803-1870)
2. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." W.C. Fields' Legendary Counter quote.
3. "If at first you don't succeed, you may be at your level of incompetence already." The Peter Principal (Dr Laurence J. Peter)
4. "As my old Pappy used to say, 'If at first you don't succeed, try something else." Pappy Maverick's Wisdom, as per Bret Maverick (James Garner-see below).

Such a handsome guy.

THE END. For now.

June 2021

It has surely been a long break since my last blog entry.  Life has been flying by as we traveled and the memories have already begun to fade away.  My initial reason for creating this blog was to keep our friends and family in touch with us while we were on the road. Once I started it and looked back upon the entries I wrote, I realized I'm writing and documenting our lives and it's as much for George and I so we don't forget the important where's, what's and why's.

 As I begin to transfer my thoughts into words, I needed to start with a blog dedicated to two very different and memorable moments of the year 2021.

Nancy and James Soutar (notice small hand by mommy's waist)

As soon as we arrived in late May, we had just enough time to attend the June 3rd wedding of George's niece. It was held in a beautiful barn and was a lovely event. Every detail was planned and carried out to perfection. She made a beautiful bride and the groom was just as handsome. Such a nice beginning to our stay at Croton-Point-Park. 

The month of June was also one filled with the minutiae of life: hair cuts, manicures, doctor appointments and such. I complained about little things and got caught up in mindless details, but that came to a halt when I learned that a dear friend of mine, Laurie, had little time left after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an inoperable cancerous tumor located in her brain stem. I no sooner was settled into Croton when I received the sad news of her passing.

The colors of life took on a different perspective and time seemed to be moving in slow motion. It is a hard pill to swallow when this happens to someone so young, full of life, so vibrant and giving. The thing that gave me comfort was the fact that I told her exactly what I thought of her while she was alive. 

I told her I respected her opinion. We were co-presidents of the Hendrick Hudson Educational Secretaries Association and together we often needed to present information to our group. Between the two of us  over a cup of tea, we were able to express our opinions and come up with just the right thing to say and how to say it superbly. She gave me the courage to stand up and speak out loud to our group, something that I had always been petrified to do most of my life.

I told her I admired her ability to speak so eloquently in front of a group of strangers. I had a talent for writing and Laurie had no fear of addressing a group of strangers. So while Co-Presidents, she read the strong, controversial statement I wrote to the School Administration and the Board of Education. I will forever remember the one word in the document that she kept getting hung up on - "misnomer." She had me re-write that sentence and it became our private joke.  

I often reminded her that she was my hero. She never swayed from doing what she set her mind to, like learning how to ride a Hog when she turned 50.

Nothing stopped Laurie. I admired her so much for that fearlessness and strength. All the strength in the world, though, could not compete with such a deadly and debilitating cancer. It would need to be something this strong to take her down.

Recently retired, she was looking forward to the completed upgrades on her beloved townhome in the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she planned to spend her summers with her soulmate, Bill. George and I had spent a weekend there years ago and it is a slice of heaven that will be missing an angel, but will gain the laughter of her grandchildren. 

It took the difficulty of verbal communication to lead her to the deadly diagnosis of Glioblastoma. She fought with debilitating chemotherapy until the end, for her family, thus continuing to make her my hero.

Before her fight was over, her friends got together and formed a parade that drove past her home. It consisted of Buchanan Fire Trucks, Emergency Vehicles, a Rescue Vehicle, a Police Car and dozens upon dozens of friends in trucks and cars. 

Her front porch was overflowing with her loving family, and I knew, while driving by, waving and hollering her name, that she had already been robbed of her knowledge of those of us who drove past. The parade was more for the family and those of us who gathered to see her once more. A few days later, she quietly passed on and a bright, new light now illuminates the sky.

Blue and silver balloons on the Jeep.

So I end this blog entry with two dedications. One to the newly married couple. That their love and commitment last for a lifetime and their family grows closer with each and every day.

The other dedication is to Laurie Small, my co-worker, my friend, my hero - I will miss you.

Thought for the day:  Daylight brings forth a new day, new possibilities and new opportunities to be the best "you." Sunset brings an end to the day. May all your "daylights" be spent being the kind of person for how you would like to be remembered in your "sunset." ~ vc