We have a white frozen Wonderland for this New Year and I have been out exploring tracks in the snow. I think this white carpeting means the end of my Rosemary plant that thrived in the small back flowerbed. Now if pics will upload from this tablet, here goes.
I created this blog to record our RV trips and ;morphed into life in our retirement lane and telling my tales of life. Now my tales of life are on widowhood, my new and probably my last phase of l I have migrated to Facebook where I communicate daily, instantly with family/friends all over. I write here sometimes. COPYWRIGHT NOTICE: All photos, stories, writings on this blog are the property of myself, Patricia Morrison and may not be used, copied, without my permission most often freely given.
Other blog dominating
Blogger insists on showing my posts and comments to others as my Books Blog, You can click on it to get here and vice versa....the Book blog is just that while this one, my first, original has miscellany
Link to BookBlog https://patsbooksreadandreviewed.blogspot.com/
Saturday, January 2, 2016
2016 Happy New Year new blog post
We have a white frozen Wonderland for this New Year and I have been out exploring tracks in the snow. I think this white carpeting means the end of my Rosemary plant that thrived in the small back flowerbed. Now if pics will upload from this tablet, here goes.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
PA trip in June
One evening sky at Mt Top |
Hill incline to Mt Top |
This trip we had the sad but not fully unexpected death of one of my classmates who had been ill with cancer and congestive heart failure for some time. We had almost a mini class reunion yesterday at the funeral home. So goes life, or so it ends, he was 70 and as another friend comment"drew the short straw."
PA gals back seated ,Carlie; front seated Pam, back standing Dayna, front standing me We are the Golden Girls of Ken Hi |
Family memorial granite bench at Greenwood. |
paczki, fresh tomatoes and straw berries from farmers mkt |
This is my erratic blog posting, much more on FB. This is my reminder too why I will be unlikely to journey to PA for another year and not for as long a time. It's time to count my blessings for not staying here my whole life. I would have known nothing different and would not have become who I am today. There is a reason for everything though we seldom know it at the time and though we may continue to wonder why this side of the grass. Life goes on and forward and we flow with it or we are swept under and away, twisted and turned and not ever content or satisfied with our new challenges and what we have overcome. Huh? Where'd that come from? One last photo, PA puddles, seems to fit this last paragraph...
Some puddles after the PA rains, Mt Top RV, my inner Patty had to splash |
Saturday, May 23, 2015
May 23, 2015 and Memorial Weekend
Steve two months old |
So Memorial Day weekend when we decorate graves here for relatives who have passed on and we pause to remember, it stirs deeper. His birthday was not often over Memorial Day weekend as it is this year. We remember and always will and wonder. We remember those long Memorial weekend camping trips to Stumpy Meadows in Georgetown, California with many friends to the group campsite that we reserved annually. Many of those friends have also ended their earthly journey.
1966, Jinx, Baba, Mom |
Day, along with flowers to the graves and observance of military taps played at the cemetery, why remains the unanswered question. No answer it just is and so it will be for us to remember always.
I found this mournful yet fitting verse online, no author was cited......I know we did our best and as a friend said, Steve was a happy little boy.
Steve 1974 Van Damme State Park |
I will lend you, for a little time,
A child of mine, He said.
For you to love there while he lives,
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?
He'll bring charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief.
You'll have his lovely memories,
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there,
I want this child to learn.
For you to love there while he lives,
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?
He'll bring charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief.
You'll have his lovely memories,
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there,
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Techie gadgets and more access to my mind
Back when I created this blog I never thought I would run out of things to say or write here, but changes happen and as quickly as technology changes sooner or later the change flows to our habits. If we are wise and want to keep up. we go with the flow. If we want to cling to old times, ways, habits and not learn we dig in our heels and proceed in our old familiar rut and we become as obsolete as the black and white tv's of yore. The changes remind me of my late mother in law who was always behind the times, having stalled somewhere in the early 1950's and refusing to learn more or expand her horizons. She muddled through the rest of her life up to 96 years in a muddle of being out of touch, backwards, left behind, bewildered.
Old habits like this blog do not give up easily and from time to time, the blog specter haunts me, as a thought crosses my mind, "now that might be worth blogging." It was once an easy way to communicate and ponder or to document my ponderings. Not so today as I have changed tactics to accommodate these mental flashes in the moment. It is easier to snap the photo with my smart phone and share on Facebook in the moment and are we not supposed to practice being in the moment? I don't have to sit down at the keyboard and log in to the blog, type and edit and ponder, all I do is snap, click, share the photo and the thoughts and into cyberspace, sharing with many more than ever frequent the blog.
After my March 31 health scare, I became even more of a rabid fitness freak and decided one of the monitors for activity would be my next techie purchase. So it happened that I have acquired my fitness watch monitor, also by Samsung, my Gearfit. My simple post onto Facebook asking for recommendations about a month ago gave me rapid responses that most of my friends were using the Fit Bit wrist monitors. Several gals at zumba use that and yet wear a watch besides. That very day as I would head off to purchase my new gadget, Fit bit issued a massive recall on their wrist monitors, some had burns from the applications. Again several Facebook friends alerted me about the recall and I had read that morning's news from my Wall St Journal, also on my smartphone, that Fitbit was recalling these particular devices. Either there was a sensitivity to the nickel in the stainless steel or some claimed they had a radiation type burn from wearing their wristbands.
Nevertheless I was sure as I drove to Sam's and Best Buy that I would buy the Fitbit and one that would sync to my smartphone where I already had a Health app to monitor steps, track health indicators, etc. I do not always carry the phone with me and really a wristband would be so much handier. Sam'sClub was my first stop where there were several options and I was still favoring the Fit bit but decided to drive over to Best Buy where even more varieties awaited. Yes the Fitbit would sync with both my PC and my smartphone android. There were so many options but do I really need to check my Facebook notifications and email on my wrist? Probably not, yet I saw no sense in wearing a wristband and watch so I would get that combination and of course wanted the heart monitor and the various fitness applications. Something about the fitbit besides the black strap was not attractive, the watch option was bulky looking and the smaller one would be difficult to read without cheater glasses. Then I saw the Samsung Gear Fit and decided it was for me, I am quite happy with my Samsung Galaxy phone and have been impressed with quality of our Samsung TV's. The Samsung display is much more attractive, a touch screen and I can change the wallpaper to match my outfits. All it lacks is some bling on the plain black wristband, but it also is small enough to adapt to my wrist and does not look bulky nor require reading glasses.
I have had it now for almost a month and really like it, in fact wear it all the time, addictively. It can even monitor my sleep patterns but I have decided I am not comfortable wearing it to bed. I already know I am an active sleeper, I travel in my sleep as well as getting up and down several times a night for bathroom calls. I check my progress and find most days I rack up over 11 or 12 thousand steps where my goal was 10 thousand. It does prove that one burns way fewer calories than expected and that is why many who claim to be exercising are puzzled when their weight stays the same. We really need to work our bodies hard for long periods of time to burn up calories, for example 3021 steps or 1.3 miles only consumes 83 calories for my body. Proof that both food restriction and exercise are needed to maintain a healthy weight. I congratulate my self on my physical over achievement. The Fitgear also gets my text messages which is handy and runs 3 to 4 days without needing plugged in to recharge. And so another techie gadget has become a part of me and taught me more applications and fitness awareness. By the way, the cardiologist gave me a good to go and keep it up on Thursday and said to come back after a year.
Old habits like this blog do not give up easily and from time to time, the blog specter haunts me, as a thought crosses my mind, "now that might be worth blogging." It was once an easy way to communicate and ponder or to document my ponderings. Not so today as I have changed tactics to accommodate these mental flashes in the moment. It is easier to snap the photo with my smart phone and share on Facebook in the moment and are we not supposed to practice being in the moment? I don't have to sit down at the keyboard and log in to the blog, type and edit and ponder, all I do is snap, click, share the photo and the thoughts and into cyberspace, sharing with many more than ever frequent the blog.
After my March 31 health scare, I became even more of a rabid fitness freak and decided one of the monitors for activity would be my next techie purchase. So it happened that I have acquired my fitness watch monitor, also by Samsung, my Gearfit. My simple post onto Facebook asking for recommendations about a month ago gave me rapid responses that most of my friends were using the Fit Bit wrist monitors. Several gals at zumba use that and yet wear a watch besides. That very day as I would head off to purchase my new gadget, Fit bit issued a massive recall on their wrist monitors, some had burns from the applications. Again several Facebook friends alerted me about the recall and I had read that morning's news from my Wall St Journal, also on my smartphone, that Fitbit was recalling these particular devices. Either there was a sensitivity to the nickel in the stainless steel or some claimed they had a radiation type burn from wearing their wristbands.
Nevertheless I was sure as I drove to Sam's and Best Buy that I would buy the Fitbit and one that would sync to my smartphone where I already had a Health app to monitor steps, track health indicators, etc. I do not always carry the phone with me and really a wristband would be so much handier. Sam'sClub was my first stop where there were several options and I was still favoring the Fit bit but decided to drive over to Best Buy where even more varieties awaited. Yes the Fitbit would sync with both my PC and my smartphone android. There were so many options but do I really need to check my Facebook notifications and email on my wrist? Probably not, yet I saw no sense in wearing a wristband and watch so I would get that combination and of course wanted the heart monitor and the various fitness applications. Something about the fitbit besides the black strap was not attractive, the watch option was bulky looking and the smaller one would be difficult to read without cheater glasses. Then I saw the Samsung Gear Fit and decided it was for me, I am quite happy with my Samsung Galaxy phone and have been impressed with quality of our Samsung TV's. The Samsung display is much more attractive, a touch screen and I can change the wallpaper to match my outfits. All it lacks is some bling on the plain black wristband, but it also is small enough to adapt to my wrist and does not look bulky nor require reading glasses.
I have had it now for almost a month and really like it, in fact wear it all the time, addictively. It can even monitor my sleep patterns but I have decided I am not comfortable wearing it to bed. I already know I am an active sleeper, I travel in my sleep as well as getting up and down several times a night for bathroom calls. I check my progress and find most days I rack up over 11 or 12 thousand steps where my goal was 10 thousand. It does prove that one burns way fewer calories than expected and that is why many who claim to be exercising are puzzled when their weight stays the same. We really need to work our bodies hard for long periods of time to burn up calories, for example 3021 steps or 1.3 miles only consumes 83 calories for my body. Proof that both food restriction and exercise are needed to maintain a healthy weight. I congratulate my self on my physical over achievement. The Fitgear also gets my text messages which is handy and runs 3 to 4 days without needing plugged in to recharge. And so another techie gadget has become a part of me and taught me more applications and fitness awareness. By the way, the cardiologist gave me a good to go and keep it up on Thursday and said to come back after a year.
Labels:
blogging,
Fitgear by Samsung,
fitness monitoring,
Technology
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Not the same today
Blooms at FL Grande RV in Webster |
One of the lakes here at Indian Forest RV St Augustine, FL |
Although I am ready to go home, because I do miss my house and routine, we will remain south and await a decent break in the weather on the road home. We are currently in St. Augustine, FL watching the weather through the mid of the country and trying to figure how long this endless winter can continue while rejoicing we are not in Boston, New England or the other polar northern regions. I have enjoyed the sunshine and even the cooler days or nights at the 40 degrees remind me that could be lots worse, could be in the frigid part of the country. We have seen much and likely found an area in central east coast FL for future winters that is unless next year we choose to go over to Texas where we have yet to venture snow birding. We shall see. One of the RV resorts cautioned me to book no later than August to assure a spot next year, similar to other traveling where one has to book a year in advance.
For the next several days we will explore all the activities and sights of St. Augustine. One big disappointment has been the lack of visibility and access to FL beaches on the east Atlantic coast where hotels, condos and the like occupy the space and block views, giving the impression that photo's FL beaches are a myth.
Jerry at entrance Kennedy Space Center |
Missile garden at Kennedy |
Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center |
Labels:
FL,
Kennedy Space Center,
snow bird life,
snowbirds
Monday, January 12, 2015
Remiss posting
Pensicola RV Park |
Pensacola RV Park trails and walking path |
I have had bouts of "I want to go home and why are we doing this...." This is nothing new because once I am away from my comfy home and routine for a few weeks I am done. I feel that way in this motor home, where life is lived on a reduced scale, things have to be kept tidy or I would burst, laundry is done in small batches in our coach washer dryer combo or in the case of sheets, walked to the RV laundromat, if it is cold and I am kind of stuck, to me it is boring to sit and I do not do so for any long time. Jerry on the other hand can sit back in his recliner and is perfectly content, watching the boob tube. Not me. Blah, I think of all I could be doing at home including all the mail that is piling up. A friend forwarded some to us but of course I wonder what more sits? Once we get to our destination in Tampa I will ask her to send another batch.
We have enjoyed the shore, the Naval Air Museum, the very old forts such as Ft. Barrancas founded by the early Spanish settlers in the 1600's and the Pensacola lighthouse, where we climbed 177 steps up to the top, 150 feet to overlook the gulf.
Yes we did climb all the way up to the top of the lighthouse behind me |
Hearty meatball soup with spinach & canneli beans |
Tomorrow we go another 300 some miles to Lake City for two nights before we drive southward to Tampa, the Fleetwood RV rally and warmer temperatures. Hope to keep my sandals and shorts ready to wear. And I will try to post more, I get ideas but don't get the laptop set up and write. Perhaps I should hook my blog up to my Google talk, hmm, suggestion?
Thursday, December 25, 2014
No partridge but other birds, Merry Christmas from Dixie
This year we tried to do something different, be on the road south before Christmas heading for the sunnier south; we barely did so. I was too busy with too many activities yet again including a hair appointment December 16th which I could not miss. Well, so then we could leave the 17th? Nope, again, I was too hectic. I thought not decorating our home as we would not be there would add all sorts of time, but not so. I tried to set up small decor to travel along, such as our small tinsel tree, but left hose behind in my skeltered readying. I did miss getting out some decor that I only see once a year, a and although I do far less than the displays I used to put out in the past. If the 2nd market ever returns I have a massive collection of exquisite and pricey decor to sell, but for now they reside in the closet until this time of year. I found that the limited shopping I do, gift wrapping, mailing with all those 80 some Christmas cards we send consumes lots of time and continuing my physical activities all morning at the Y consumes hours in my day.
Cardinal in a pear tree this morning a red splash on my walk toward the beach. |
This holiday on the road enhances my independent perspective, and gratitude for what we do have, health and comfort to travel and reason to do so--curiosity. So far, we have driven 1209 miles in 19 hours and 45 minutes driving time, spent $627.26 for diesel fuel.
The local Christmas stork at the conservancy marsh |
Labels:
Bay St Louis,
cardinal,
Christmas 2014,
family,
friends,
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 5, 2014
Sepia Saturday December 6 Horse rides
This weeks theme evoked many possibilities, but truth be told, where ever else can I share a photo of my first horse rides and where else would people would look at the photos?
So here I am with my first horsey rides; my grandpap, Teofil was not a woodworker but somehow somewhere with help from his friends he made this rocking horse for me. It doesn't look like much today but it was really all I needed to keep myself entertained and then some. My Uncle Carl who was the artist of the family painted it.
In this first photo I am on my premier ride, the year is early 1946, flowers in bloom to the side in this very Sepia small print that my grandparents and later my aunt kept framed over the years, though much is faded on it. They said I had just begun walking all about and this was my next challenge. They said I had a grand time but they had to put the horse away into a corral else I would climb on it when someone wasn't around and they did not want me to hurt myself. I was about 16-17 months old in this first photo. It must have been a cool spring day because I was dressed in bonnet and coat.
Funny thing is I remember having this wooden rocking horse, I wonder what ever became of it? It was quite rudimentary but no one could have convinced me of that.
Happy to have Sepia for my own Sepian memories. To see what others have taken to theme from this weeks's prompt, go here to the primary site.
http://sepiasaturday.blogspot.com/2014/12/sepia-saturday-257-6-december-2014.html
So here I am with my first horsey rides; my grandpap, Teofil was not a woodworker but somehow somewhere with help from his friends he made this rocking horse for me. It doesn't look like much today but it was really all I needed to keep myself entertained and then some. My Uncle Carl who was the artist of the family painted it.
In this first photo I am on my premier ride, the year is early 1946, flowers in bloom to the side in this very Sepia small print that my grandparents and later my aunt kept framed over the years, though much is faded on it. They said I had just begun walking all about and this was my next challenge. They said I had a grand time but they had to put the horse away into a corral else I would climb on it when someone wasn't around and they did not want me to hurt myself. I was about 16-17 months old in this first photo. It must have been a cool spring day because I was dressed in bonnet and coat.
Funny thing is I remember having this wooden rocking horse, I wonder what ever became of it? It was quite rudimentary but no one could have convinced me of that.
Me about 2 1/2 years old...1947, same horse This girl loved the ride There were no fancy get ups yet, no hats, no chaps. |
1947 same as above, better view of the horse |
http://sepiasaturday.blogspot.com/2014/12/sepia-saturday-257-6-december-2014.html
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