Pictures With Captions

Had a lovely long walk in North Carolina before we left.  Snapped several delightful pictures.  These all have beauty that speaks for itself.

On down the road I cam to these scenes and had to snap a picture but also add a caption.

I wonder if they sat down and enjoyed the beauty before they dumped the old couch in the midst.

Did they have any qualms at all when they saw this big clear sign?  So sad that people have no regrets about trashing and defacing our beautiful countryside.

Think they want us to know something?

I don't think they live here anymore.  Seems clear to me!

This last picture I snapped as I walked by I captioned:

"No, No, No I do not want to talk to you!"

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

Truth Be Told

Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: 

for his mercy endures for ever

Psalm 136:1

This plaque was given to me when Aunt Jo lived with us 6 years ago.  Little did I know then that it would minister to my heart now.

When we bought the motorhome I decorated and furnished it by shopping from my stucco house.  I removed the above plaque from the wall in our hallway and hung it on the wall in my bathroom in the motorhome.  At the time I didn't realize the significance of the verse it displays based on Psalm 136:1 With God's hands beneath us we need not fear what lies before us.

As we have traveled in the coach now over 6 months I can not begin to tell you how often people have said to me, "Oh, you are living the dream!"  Yes, we are living a dream and I do not for one minute want to take that blessing for granted but the truth be told?  I have experienced more anxiety and stress living this dream than I care to admit to.

Because I am not normally a person given to anxiety and stress maybe this is taking a little more toll on me.  It definitely has effected the quality of life I am experiencing and has in turn then effected my Precious Husband too.

Truth be told?  I am meditating a lot on these facts:

1. God's hands are beneath me and they are strong and trust worthy
2. God's mercy is amazing
3. God wants me to live one day at a time, moment by moment
4. I can trust God for my outcome

Truth be told?  God is patient with me!  He is trying to teach me and I am a slow learner.  Someone asked me, "Where is your faith (in God) Dorothy?"  Truth be told?  My faith is growing daily because I know that even though I may still appear anxious and stressed as I "live this dream" God is doing a work in me and HIS HANDS are underneath me every step of the way.  I will trust Him and He will continue to be merciful and good to me.

Note to self:

Each morning and each evening when I brush my teeth, take some extra time and read the verse again: 

With God's hands beneath us we need not fear what lies before us.

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

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