Beauty in Photo

I really do enjoy taking pictures as we travel and especially when I go for my walks.  Will try from now on to do a weekly post with pictures of the week.

          

These pictures above were taken at Williamsburg, Virginia.  My nephew Robert and his wife Chrisse drove us there to enjoy the history of Virginia.  We had a delightful day.

Robert and Chrisse took us to Virginia Beach and out to the Naval Base where Robert is stationed.  We enjoyed a wonderful seafood dinner with them too.

While we were in North Carolina Precious Husband drove me to Blowing Rock where Jan Karon lived when she wrote the Mitord Series.  Father Tim is the central character and ministers in the Episcopal Church.  We visited with a nice gentleman that was caring for the grounds in front of the church and he encouraged me to take all the pictures I wanted to.  He said "Jan" fellowshipped there about seven years and based Father Tim's church on it.

Episcopal Church of Blowing Rock, North Carolina

This little gal sits beside the Blowing Rock Library where I was able to find a children's book by Jan Karon on sale for $3.  I was happy to find such an appropriate souvenir to take home with me.

We had a wonderful lunch at the Six Pence Pub where it is rumored Father Tim had his daily lunch.

The flowers in Blowing Rock were all so pretty.

Of course we had to have ice-cream before we headed for home.

On another day trip we visited Salisbury and the train museum.  We rode the train and walked and walked through several large buildings to view the history of the train there in Salisbury.

We had lunch at a little place in Salisbury and saw this mural.  It is beautiful and covers a large old building.

This colorful mural was painted by Cynthia Arthur-Rankin, a native of Salisbury, North Carolina.  It was begun in the late seventies and completed in 1981 after three years of work.  It represents many famous Salisbury landmarks at the turn of the century.

Hope you have enjoyed my photos of our travels.  Precious Husband and I constantly find ourselves saying what an amazing country we live in.

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

Yellow Bowl Travels to EKU!

We headed to Kentucky in May to attend our oldest grandson Tristan's graduation from high school.  We are so proud of him.  Tristan has studied hard and graduated Summa Cum Laude.  He began classes this week at Eastern Kentucky University with a full scholarship and hopes to get into law enforcement.  He will be living on campus in Burnam Hall, the honors dorm.

Friday Tristan's dad and mom helped him move into his dorm room and Michelle sent me this photo.  

Do you see it?  The yellow bowl!  It seems when getting ready for his move Tristan informed his mom that he was only taking the practical and useful things he felt he would need.  He was packing light.  When they arrived and unpacked, low and behold Michelle spotted the yellow bowl.  "Why did you bring this?" Michelle asked.  "You can't make cookies in your dorm room."

Tristan's answer to his mom, "It reminds me of Mèmére.  I can eat popcorn out of it."

Be still my heart.  Boy did I smile big when Michelle sent me the picture and text.  

The yellow bowl continues to make for blog posts and for precious memories.

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

New Boots!

Not too long ago I mentioned "never say never".  Well here is an example of never say never.  I never would have imagined wearing a pair of waterproof hiking boots!  

For years in attempting to be as feminine as possible all I wore were skirts and dresses and shoes that would appropriately go with those skirts and dresses.  I enjoyed my skirts and feminine attire.  But you know what? Femininity is more than wearing skirts and in my opinion it is more a matter of heart and character than in choice of apparel.  Two or three years ago I added jeans back into my wardrobe.

In our new motor home lifestyle I am enjoying the beauty of our country and whenever I can I try to walk and enjoy our surroundings.  Yesterday I purchased my new hiking boots so I could trudge through the greenery and off the paths to capture a photo or two.  Feel so much safer now having my feet well covered and protected from the rain drenched grounds and any little critters I may come in contact with.

So my advice is never say never.  Life changes and you just may find yourself making some new choices and changes too.

Hugs and Love,

Mèmére

What???

This sign totally tickles me and makes me smile.  It sends a message to people that are driving down the dirt road to our campground and also to the lake.  I have never seen a sign with this message so I guess it took by surprise and hence made me smile as I anticipated what would be ahead at the end of the road.

Hugs and love,

Mèmére

Made It To Kentucky

July 2, 2015
Guist Creek Campgrounds
Shelbyville, Kentucky

We have been on the road for nearly 2 months!  We have a beautiful country and we are enjoying seeing the variety and beauty it offers.  

In Utah we were able to spend time with family and meet some new family members.  Lots of fun reconnecting with family for sure.  

Dutch Belt cattle, something I had never seen before.  Had to call my brother, the cow guy and ask him what these unusual cattle were.  A friend on FaceBook said her family calls them Oreo Cows.  Cute.  This picture was taken near my brother-in-laws home in Utah.

From Utah we headed to South Dakota where we established residence.  I can't believe my drivers license and license plates know say South Dakota!

While we were in South Dakota we drove over to Mount Rushmore.  Amazing!  I have seen pictures before of this but it truly is amazing to see it up close and personal.  

After seeing lots of bill boards for Wall's Drug along the highway we had to stop.  Tourist trap for sure but now we can say we had coffee at Wall's Drug.  Because Precious Husband is a veteran he even received free coffee and a donut made in the drugstore.

A few more state lines were crossed before we made it to Kentucky.

One of the neat things about traveling like this in a motor home is that when we get hungry we can stop and eat whenever and wherever we want.  I will close today with a photo of a cute little house in Kanab, Utah where we pulled over and ate some lunch one afternoon.  I know you can only see the tree and picket fence in this picture but can you spot the red door?  I loved that.

Hugs and Love,

Mèmére

Home

This is now the truth for us.  Home is where we park it.  We left Mesa, Arizona Tuesday, May 12th.  First night we slept in Page, AZ.  Arrived at Precious Husband's brother George's home in Ogden, Utah Wednesday.  

We arrived here in Ogden and put the turtle planter filled with peppermint and geranium with bright red flowers out next to the steps.  Coffee made and sun tea brewing in the sunshine.  We are home.  Today we are living in Ogden, Utah.  Next week? Not too sure.  

Precious Husband in the pilot seat and me in the co-pilot seat blowing bubbles as we begin our new adventures.

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

The Baby Quilt

Some more family history for my kids.  I have had this baby quilt hung on my wall for many years.  It was actually my quilt and my mother told me years ago that my father's grandmother made it for me.  That would have been my great-grandmother.  It is various colors of blue.  Was she hoping for a boy?  Did they designate blue for boys and pink for girls back in the day?  Don't know the answers but it was my baby quilt.  

In this picture you can see the damage in the corner of the quilt.  It is torn because my little sister used it to wrap her cat, Bonnie in.  No respect at all, right?

I guess I am just glad it made the journey through the years with me.  It is a simple quilt and yet must have taken lots of time and patience to produce. 

Now I have to find a new home for it as we continue to lessen our possessions.  

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

We Are Off Like A Turtle!

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Well, we are getting down to the nitty gritty.  We have "practiced" the RV life for nearly 3 months now here in Mesa and this Sunday we will pull out for the first maiden voyage in Miss Adie.

What an experience going from a two story 3700 square foot house to a 40 foot motor home.  Deciding what to take and keep and what to pass on.  Oh, the emotional pain it has brought a few times.  In the scheme of things what we are doing to live this adventure will be well worth it though.

Mom gave me the little turtle you see above years ago.  It is a poor picture but she is holding a planter with flowers on it and it is filled with mint from my yard.  Once upon a time I collected (among many other things) turtles.

The RV life demands that you carry only that which is necessary but in my case also that makes me smile and this little turtle makes me smile.  

Next week we start out headed to Ogden, Utah where we will visit Precious Husband's brother and his family.  From there we go to Kentucky via South Dakota where we will take up residency with driver's licenses and license plates.  Oh my, who would have thunk it :-)

Before I close I want to remind you that one of my main reasons for blogging is to communicate to my family and with that in mind I want to tell my children something today.  My precious husband, your father,  is the most generous and most kind man in the whole world and you children are blessed to be able to call him "dad"!

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

Monday Memo: "Never Say Never!"

View through motor home windshield on our way to Yuma FMA rally.  The desert was so green and beautiful.

Don't know who to credit this quote from, "Never say never".  I have come to the conclusion that the author of the quote is very wise.  Such good advice.  Never say never cause I for one will tell you that life changes and you just may after all.

Love and Hugs,
Mèmére

God's Amazing Handiwork

I wish you could see the size of the flowers on this cactus!  They were amazing.  Last night as Precious Husband and I walked through the RV park we came across the blooms in front of a park model.  The residents have left for the summer so I felt free to snap away at these short lived beauties.  At first sight I actually thought they were artificial because they were so large.  God's creativity and handiwork never cease to amaze me!

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

Life In East Mesa (Again)

Huge sunflowers spotted last night in a neighbor's yard - beautiful!

Precious Husband and I have been living our new lifestyle for over 2 months now.  Wow, 2 months?  We have been busy moving things from our house in Maricopa where we lived for over 8 years to our new home on four wheels.  We love being back in the east valley.  

I have given up the "fru-fru" life I once enjoyed for being more sensible.  It is a hard change I must admit :-(  There is only so much room for vintage doilies and rosebud china.  The decision of what to take and what to pitch has been hard I will tell you!

42 years ago this summer I moved to Arizona from California to live in East Mesa.  East Mesa - home to SNOWBIRDS!  How I remember back then seeing the influx of winder visitors at the grocery store and post office each year from October till about April.  Full time East Mesa residents would "sigh" at this influx.

Guess what? Now I am a SNOWBIRD!  We are living in an RV park in East Mesa.  I have returned to my Arizona roots as has my Precious Husband who has lived in Mesa since he was a teenager.  We love being back in an area where there are lots of stores and places to eat.  My shopping in Maricopa was pretty much to Walmart only unless we drove 25 miles to Chandler.  Now it is easy to go have our favorite Mexican food at Rositas.  Whoooo!

We will leave in May for Kentucky where it is cooler but more importantly where our daughter, son-in-love, and 4 grandkids live.  Our trip will also include seeing our oldest grandson, Tristan graduate from high school and pack his bags to attend Eastern Kentucky University, with a full scholarship I may add.  

I love our little RV park.  So much variety in the residences here and lots to see and enjoy as I walk around the park.  There are lots of park models here but also quite an array of recreational vehicles.  It is amazing to see all the personality shown in peoples rigs and their patios.  All the people are so friendly and out going which adds to enjoyment here so much.

Henrietta and Henrietta came with us along with Wilbur, our pig and Timmy Tim, our turtle.  Feels like home on our new patio.  Oh, yes Mr. Frog came too.  They will all ride snuggly together in a bay under the motorhome when we travel.  

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére