Children of the Corn

When you camp in private or public areas, you are bound to run into some "less-desirable" types every now and then. Up until now, we haven't had any complaints about any of our neighbors.  Most people are quite considerate, honest and friendly.

Three nights ago, at 9:45 pm, 2 large, older, modified-types pulled into spaces to our left. Their license plates claim they are from the great state of Arkansas, however, we think they are the Nebraskan demons that were the inspiration for Stephen King's book, "Children of the Corn." They are unfriendly, unkempt, dark and a bit scary. So far, two other RV'ers have complained to the office about their behavior and language.

Last night, when I went to dispose of our trash in the dumpster, I walked past their rigs and I waved to the group at each space. Not one, of a total of eight people, acknowledged my wave, even though they were quite obviously staring directly at me. I will take a different route back from the dump and won't be making corn on the cob anytime soon.

This turns out to be my last entry for the month of May. Thirty-one days blew by in the blink of an eye.  

Today, I needed to drive by our home, and while driving down Tate Avenue I started laughing at the condition of the road.  I've nicknamed it Varicose Vein Lane due to all the liquid tar filling the cracks. It makes me want to remain in Gracie all-the-more, despite the gravel, dirt, ants and creepy neighbors.

Deep thought for the day: Even when people do not look or act like us, it doesn't mean that you can't treat them with respect.  However, if your respect is not returned, cut your losses and move along.  Quickly.

New favorite spot

Memorial Day

Yesterday, we commemorated Memorial Day with a barbeque.  Along with us, my in-laws and neighbors we celebrated the birthday of our "Man of Honor." It was a beautiful, sunny and warm day. "K" and I put out quite a spread and we enjoyed barbecued burgers, dogs, shrimp and salmon. Of course, we had all the side salads and veggies to round out a delicious feast. We were able to christen "The Clam," and it sure lived up to its reputation by keeping the food safe from the sun and bugs.

The special birthday menu

Ketchup being poured by the nephew wearing camo...Now we know why.

"K" and "G"

Robert Burns described the day best in his poem called, "To a mouse," with the line, "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men." Due to someone not communicating in a clear and concise manner (name withheld to protect the guilty party), the big birthday bash was enjoyed by everyone, except the birthday boy! He did manage to get here in time for cake and ice cream, but he missed the fabulous spread. We were sure to let him know, often, how good everything tasted.

The highlight of the day was getting locked out of the RV and discovering that we don't have roadside assistance! Best for it to happen here, while still close to home. A phone call to a local locksmith solved the problem right quick. Thanks to our quick-thinking neighbors, all the food was saved from the warm temps and stored in their refrigerator.

Birthday boy, "R" and "K"

Today, we are heading out to pay our lock picker, as we had no checks, not enough cash and he didn't take credit cards. The locksmith turned out to be someone who knew my family, so he agreed to wait until today to receive his payment. Nice to know there is still a fair amount of trust and honesty left in the world.  All-in-all, it was a learning experience that could have been much worse had we not taken our maiden trip so close to home.

So, how did we get locked out? We are not absolutely sure, but the consensus is a certain "nephew" may have accidentally hit the lock switch before exiting. I only mention it because he is one, of only a few people, who would just love to have done it or take the blame. Regardless, we are almost glad it happened.

After cake and coffee, the day came to a close, friends returned home, our family drove off, and we spent about an hour masacaring Mosquitos and other annoying insects that made their way into the RV after dark.

It was a fun day, spent with good people, good food, good conversation and gorgeous weather.

"G" and "Me," with eyes closed

Making a wish...

"C" and "L" AKA: My in-laws!

Deep thought for yesterday: Being human, entitles us to make mistakes. Making the same mistake twice is, as Judge Judy says, "ridiculous."  Keys are being ordered tonight!

I will end here with a "thank you" to all of our service men and women, past and present, without whom we could not enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Oooh, that smell. Can you smell that smell?

There is an old Lynyrd Skynyrd song called "That Smell," that is actually about drug addiction and bad life-choices that rot a person.  Today, I uttered those lyrics to "G" because there was a terrible odor coming from "la toilette."  It seemed we made a poor life-choice and it was rotting in our holding tank. We were able to quickly narrow down what was causing the disturbance, and it turned out to be Lucy's, so-called, flush-able litter.  It seemed to have clung to the tank walls and was fermenting. Oooh, that smell....

Our neighbor gave us some advice, and "G" set out on the sewer job without hesitation. At one point during the process, there were four of us staring at the draining pipe and saying, "Oooh.....Ahhh."  We laughed at how ridiculous we must have looked to our other neighbors.

I'm happy to say that all's clear now and we are up and running just fine.  Good thing we had an expert on board Gracie and a helpful friend.

On this gorgeous, sunny and warm day, we had to move out of space 37 and across the road to space 40.  We were told that 37 was booked, yet no one has shown up and I doubt anyone will. We don't think the lady in the booking office likes us. Moving caused Lucy to revert back to hermit-like behavior and she will probably need a couple of days to adapt again.

I was unable to take a walk today, but I did get a good workout making the move.  So many things needed to be moved, re-set up and re-organized.   I think we shall both sleep well tonight.

I am ready to head off to bed...I have a Scentsy heating up in the bedroom.  Tonight's scent is lavender. Oooh, that smell, can you smell that smell?????  It's much better than this morning's!

Simple things

Today was spent witnessing an array of interesting weather.  We had a repeat of yesterday, with a mixture of sun, clouds, thunder, and torrential rain.  I decided that I needed to come up with a reason to be happy about all the wet weather we are having and, boy, was I able to come up with a good one: "G" and I continue to get along and laugh often, despite being inside the RV so much. You only really know, and get closer to someone, when things aren't going perfectly.

During my daily walk, I came upon several groups of "real" campers - those in tents. Since is is Memorial Day Weekend, more people have arrived at the campground. About 4 out of the 12 cabins are occupied and 4-5 tent sites are bursting with tents, grills, tables, cars, fishing gear and a bunch of excitedly happy young families.  It made me think of my son and grandchildren who recently camped out in tents in North Carolina. I guess being young helps. I think I'm too old to be the "roughing" it type anymore.

Back in 1972, I spent the summer on the west coast and camped in Oregon and Northern California.  Part of the time was tent-camping, but the majority was spent camping out of a pop-up trailer. Those are memories that have made lasting impressions upon me, and of which I am so grateful to have experienced.  I'm hoping for the same with my son, and his family.

While torrential rain fell during dinner tonight, forcing us to eat inside, I kept thinking about the people in the tents.  I was hoping that they were having fun, laughing and making the best off their damp situation.  Guiltily, I enjoyed the warmth from the heat I was treated to when "G" turned on the furnace to take the chill out of the RV.  Oh, I'm so spoiled.

Cute little driftwood craft store.  Closed for awhile.

Interesting "face" staring out at me during my walk.

Deep thought for the day:  Sometimes, the simplest things make the biggest, and longest lasting impressions.  May you have many simple pleasures.

Bird Watching

Today's weather was quite interesting.  It started with rain, the sun broke through for a couple of hours, I began this post during a thunderstorm, and now it is just raining lightly.

I decided to take advantage of that break in the rain to get in some exercise.  I tried a different route today, daring myself to be adventurous, and believing I knew how strenuous of a trek I would encounter.  Throw Type I diabetes into the mix, and any exercise at all becomes more challenging. I followed my normal routine of testing my glucose levels and packing up my backpack with a snack and cell phone.  "G" was not at camp, and I wanted to feel independent, so off I went into the wild blue yonder.

The walk was breathtakingly beautiful.  I climbed up to the highest point of the park and was able to see far up and down the Hudson River due to the clear skies.

I met up with a couple of bird watchers and we exchanged small talk about birding.  I was in awe at how they identified so many birds just by their songs, like Barn Swallows and Thrushes.  I was able to narrow down one or two, but there was one that sounded just like a cricket, except it only "chirruped" once instead of twice. The birding couple didn't recognize it either. I have seen a Baltimore Oriole, while here, that literally took my breath away. Birds are so entertaining to the  visual and auditory senses.  Have I mentioned that before?????

Once our pleasant chat ended, they headed east, while I ventured westward.  About 20 minutes into my walk, my blood sugar began to drop, so I suspended my insulin pump, had my snack and continued walking, but more slowly.  I ended up walking another half-mile before reaching the campground and I felt my level dropping lower and lower.  I had thought about stopping, but that wouldn't have prevented my blood sugar from dropping.  I made it, but just barely.  Next walk will find me hauling a heavier backpack loaded with snacks and a juice.  My conundrum....eating causes me to gain weight - exercise results in my needing to eat.  Hummm. As Kermit The Frog sang, "It ain't easy being  green."

Lucy update:  Today, she was out for two hours this morning and about 5 hours tonight.  She has made her favorite spots known; two of them being the dashboard and back window sill.

Deep thought for the day:  Don't be afraid to take risks or push yourself.  Just always be prepared!

Croton Rain Forest (?)

Today was another rainy day that only afforded a few moments of sunshine, but when it did shine, it was noticed and appreciated.  I spent most of the day back at the house doing laundry.  The whole time there, I kept thinking about Gracie sitting at the park.

Yesterday, "G" ordered a little screen room and it was delivered today!  It's remarkable how I could mail a priority letter to Albany and it took 4 days (it went to Alaska first), yet a box containing a screen room arrives in less than 24 hours.  Click HERE to see it!  It's a really cool addition to RV life, because eating outside, in any weather, is almost impossible due to bees, bugs and flies. I don't think "G" or I would be well-suited to tent camping.  We are too spoiled by all the creature comforts of home.

At times, I feel as if I'm in a deep rain forest, surrounded by birds of every species.  Just walking back and forth to where the trash is dumped provides a cacophony of tweets and chirps.  The biggest pay off of the rain (besides providing sustenance) is that the birds seem to sing so much louder once it stops. I fear we will never stay in a place as peaceful and serene as this one.

Walking back from throwing out the trash.

Approaching our rig

Where's Waldo

There is a cute children's book called "Where's Waldo" that had the drawing of a man, named Waldo, on each page dressed in a red and white striped shirt and blue pants.  He is hidden among other people and things of similar colors and it is no easy task to find Waldo, but when you do find him, you feel like you accomplished a major fete.

Finding Lucy (a.k.a. Vampira, a.k.a. Waldette) out and about and enjoying the RV are moments that are just as exciting as finding Waldo.  She is getting better, but still has a long way to go.

A big step!

Eavesdropping on Ray

Where's Waldette?

A bit of catnip did the trick here.

Today was spent taking a lovely walk and admiring the trees and sounds of the birds.  I've yet to use my ear buds when walking, because I don't want to miss out on all that is going on around me. I feel that the music would detract from all the beauty that is found in the auditory sense.

The needles of this pine tree are, surprisingly, as as smooth as silk.

A magnificent pine tree.

The sounds from the campground.