Cheap Throwaway cups…

  Car of the day:

Times were slower (and harder) then:

 

So for today:

I am guilty of holding on to a good solid plastic cup to reuse.  Also at times we hold onto one or two because of memories that are attached.

This comes about because we are staying in our OLD coach as we visit our son Mark.  He bought our coach and the trailer here in Leesburg.  Since this was going to be a short 2 week visit he is allowing us to use the old motor home, of course it is like home to us we lived in this coach for 15 or more years.

We did not bring a lot of stuff and are getting by with what was here,

In front of me is a plastic cup. It is from ‘The Lucky Dill’.  At least one person reading this KNOWS that restaurant.  Myra once recommended it as a good place to stop for a snack or sandwich.  We did and loved it.  

We made several trips to The Lucky Dill  with our sons when visiting Port Richey, FL on the West coast of Florida.

Funny how that plastic drinking cup has kicked in so many memories for our family.  I love it when someone recommends a place and it meets all expectations. Thanks Myra.

Speaking of Throwaway cups, we met a man a couple weeks back known as, The Cup Guy.  Art Cozart is amazing. He drew a perfect picture of one of our nieces while we had dinner for Nephew Rick, home from Saudia Arabia.

Samples of his work:

 

I just read of a guy in California who does this and his cups sell for up to $1250 each.

Anyway, we do keep some ‘throw away’ articles.

Stay cool, and try to laugh today.

 

Nite Shipslog

San Antonia and Paula

  Car of the day:  Our first MOTORHOME! ;-)

So for today:

We’re asked many times what places were the best to visit? It is hard to top driving the Top of the World Highway, ref. the Yukon and Alaska. One thing about that drive, it is a once in a lifetime occurrence. We will NEVER forget: Dawson Creek, panning for gold, Chicken, Tok, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Seward and other places up that way. Even landing a King Salmon on the Kenai River.

 

Some places in the USA have more ‘Points’ of interest than others, San Antonio is one. I cannot count the times we have ‘wandered’ thru there. Once we stayed at an RV park in a pecan grove, it was harvest time and we had all the pecans we could eat and pick up.

Above sons Jack and Mark on Riverwalk below the boys and Sherry.

Oh yes! The Riverwalk. A great exercise in slow walking, people watching and shopping in the various unique shops/stores. 

Some people get romantic and kiss on the Riverwalk:

Your first time there you MUST take a tour boat.

The FAMOUS Alamo is walking distance.  The Little Red Barn Steak house is a great (HUGE) place for a dinner. (Paula told me of another Steak house and I cannot remember it!)

 

Waitress carrying  her 45 and the menu of the Red Barn.

Ahhh, here I am reminded of Paula (Late of Bloggersville); we enjoyed tales about her late hubby Mel.  She was known for her tales of driving the back roads in that area, and for solving mysteries of strange signs and gates she ran across.

We were fortunate to take her and John out to dinner there and she was just as sweet in person. Note here I thought was hilarious: John and Pauline shared the same ranch then the same house. She let me know once that they were not married, BUT THERE IS NO HANKY PANKY going on here. LOL That girl was special and allowed me permission to use some of her ‘silly’ poetry (Her words) in one of my books, The book ‘Toby’s Tales’ was adapted because of a turtle she talked to in her back yard.

You might like the Missions’ Tour, we did (A tour of all the historical Spanish Missions in the area, the Alamo being one). There is a Zoo, and a couple famous museums.

Interested in fun parks, “Six Flags Fiesta and A Sea World” Park.

We miss those ‘extended rides.’ L

Nite Shipslog

 

Dishonesty or the check is in the mail!

  Car of the day:

Things are not always as they appear.....

So for today:

I have always been a trusting person.  I do not look for crooks or someone who MIGHT take me to the cleaners.  Of course like many others, I have met the crook and it was no good experience.

Like the man who approached our coach At the Flying J truck stop with a sad tale of a stolen wallet. He was an Airline pilot being transferred to Florida. It was a good story, we only had $200.00 dollars in cash and went to the ATM to take out $300 more for him. He would mail us a cashier’s check as soon as he got to Florida.

You can guess we never heard from him, he was good though and convinced us.

Then the contractor who duped our neighbor, a sweet widow lady. HE was going to make an addition to her house. She asked him, “Do you need any money up front?”

“Oh no mam, we never take any money until we deliver materials!” he stated humbly.

The next day they delivered about $100 of materials and collected $2000.  She never saw him again. She had no idea the value of the materials and asked me a few days later when he did not return.

It is a shame that there are crooks in this world. We have been cheated I am sure, but we survived.  It is the other person who has to live with what they have done in their lives.

I also like to think that churches should be up front with the finances of the church. When monies are raised for certain projects, it should be spent for that or an explanation given why.

 MANY people feel once they have given their money they are not accountable, but I want to know my donations/ tithe/ and gifts are going for the work of the Lord. Handling God’s money is serious business (According to my Daddy!)

I have heard ministers say, “The last church I pastored raising money was like pulling teeth, Thank goodness none of you are like that.”  I get the feeling at the next church he pastors, it will be me (us) that did not give enough. LOL

Y’all take care, watch for ‘em scammers, but always keep an eye but not so much that you miss that one who really needs a helping hand.

Nite Shipslog

Zat skeer you?

 Car of the day:

(Please do not use the cell phone and drive! It scares us other folks!)

So for today:

In the south that means: Does that scare you? When Matt was a cute kid one of his statements I remember was, ;Kere me! Was : Scares me! When surprised or blinded sided as a kid.

I just did something that I was afraid to do all my life, “I touched my eyeball.”  I was always afraid it was too delicate of something, I just did it to see if it still bothered me. It didn’t.

When a friend was telling me about having to get an injection in his eyeball by a physician, it made my skin crawl, eewe.

I have often told friends and loved one when they were facing a tough situation, “Pray about it and leave it in HIS hands.!”  As I said in a past blog, that is “Easier, easier said than done!”

Due to the pressing problem on our minds, I have “ALREADY” did that very thing myself, HOWEVER,,, I take it back so I can worry over it some more, I tell myself you are a ‘glutton for punishment!!’

My  best time IS: Sherry & I here in the RV, in the mornings after breakfast is the one on one talks.  I just told my girl this morning, That is it, I am thru being worried about what if’s. It is a proven fact that 90% of the things we ‘WORRY’ about never happen, HE takes care of it..

Now honestly, right now I believe that and am at peace.  Imma try not to be ‘SKEERED’ and start worrying again.

Does anything actually scare you?

There I said it,  pray , cause it is proven, I am very hard headed.

Love you guys that read this stuff. WE appreciate all the prayers that have gone up for us in this tough time.

Nite Shipslog

 

PS:

Septic tank

  Car of the day:

So for today:

Mark bought this home from us earlier this year.  When we purchased it a couple years back the previous owner said the tank was serviced that year.

Over the years I have learned that pumping the tanks does no good if the drain fields are blocked, which was the problem with this one.

Both son Mark and I have built homes that the tank was required.  They are subject to stiff codes in NC.  We neither have had a call back.

 

Son Jack Jr had a very tough problem at his home a couple years back, that TANK had a GIANT root system that had invaded.  I helped with that one a little, too.

 

A lot of work in hot weather went into this, but we got-er-done.  Mark replaced two drain field lines We all ‘enjoyed’ shoveling SAND. Much easer than NC red clay, but very frustrating because it is not stable and slides right back into the hole you are digging. LOL

 However some sand is fun to dig in when it is called 

"A Beach."

I feel better, probably needed that tough work out in the sun. OF COURSE I am continually reminded of MY AGE of 84. The boys made sure this OLD MAN got water and shade all during the 2 days work. Sherry supervised.

Nite Shipslog

 

PS:

Family

  Car of the day: The 79+ Crysler Cordoba  A beautiful car in it's time.

So for today:

I made up my mind to try to explain as close as I can our present extended ‘situation.’  A lot of prayer has gone into this. There are folks near and far praying, you will never know what it means to us. I mentioned prayer because awhile back I called Sherry’s attention to a cloud formation I was seeing from where I sat. She saw it. A hill formed and strangely the perfect cross stood on top.

As we watched the hill stayed and the cross rose above and was gone. Spiritual? A message?  I have no idea other than it made me feel good all over. WOW such a pleasure under the present strain……

Having only two sons, this family has still grown to a size I never dreamed of.  EACH member of this family knows Sherry & I care deeply for each one.  When one hurts, WE HURT.

One, very DEAR, has a HUGE legal problem. It began with a drug related arrest OVER 18 months ago Resulting in a $100,000 bond. One charge is correct, the others are not so, or very doubtful. If anyone knows us, they know we immediately dropped everything got involved and are trying to help.

For most of this 18 months the end result hanging over us was $125k fine and 20+ yrs in prison. Each month, court was a mystery but always resulted in a continuance. The Attorney has been on the job. Everything he asked for from our family was provided. This last court date, still no plea, but the Atty tells us now that most likely ‘extended’ lock-up time is gone (thank God), The fine still high, $100,000.  The last continuance brings us to a court date next month.

I am beat, but to make this a little more clear, DRUGS are a curse on our nation (world) I remember when the words Heroin and Cocaine were the blight, now if FENTANYL hasn’t touched your family or someone you know; sadly it most likely will touch you or someone you care for in the next 2 years.

Nite Shipslog

PS: Another month another month and another 1100 mile drive, prayers are still needed and appreciated.

Shucks.....

We could use one of these about lnow!

For now:

Another delay,  The longest in court wait so far and still no settlement or decision.  

 

In the mean time we digging a clogged septic tank,  At least it is something productive. BUTT a stinking jpob!  LOL

Take care, maybe more tomorrow.  Stay cool,

My sister Shirl was known for her line, "Live is just a bowl of cherries, BUT you have a pit every once in awhile.  So I guess I am spitting pits.  ;-)

Nite Shipslog

'em dirty Dogs , should be----

Vehicle of the day:

Some dog owners should be in here instead of their dogs...

(I am posting this around 9:30 Mon evening. We hope to be on the road to the court house on Tues. Morning when I would normally post. Prayers appreciated)

Now  For today:

I had the love of 3 dogs in my life. Bingo, ACE, and Purina.  Although my dad was a preacher he was raised as and became a farmer first.  His approach to animals and pets was love and what he considered common sense.

None of my dogs were house dogs.  Dad’s view was, they are pets but also protection.   They let you know if someone is on your property that should not be there especially at night. I never knew there were ‘housedogs’.

During my childhood  I had to chain ACE my favorite dog when I wasn’t around, because he loved to chase chickens, and in our area there were a lot of ‘free range’ chickens. Ace was an English Water spaniel (referred by me and most as a Cocker Spaniel).  Therefore a lot of bird dog in him and anything with wings got his attention.  He could crawl, sit and retrieve on command.

This could have been my Ace!

 

In my youth many dogs ran free. I was never challenged nor bit by any dog. My nature allowed me to befriend ANY dog. I even petted a man’s dog that let me know I was very fortunate that Chow will eat you up and has bitten many.

The dog population has increased in this world. ALL parks and RV places require dogs leashed, some even limit a dogs weight at 40 pounds or less.

Therefore the bone of contention. AFTER being bit at our home while taking out the trash by a dog still on a leash but pulled the woman trying to hold him and bit me on the chin, neck and arm, I AM VERY LEERY OF ANY LARGE DOG NOT ON A LEASH AND A BIG PERSON HOLDING THEM.

 

 So I have noticed as we travel that MANY owners have decided “My dog is trained, and does not need a leash!”  OR “This dog is big and looks bad but would not bite a flea, unless I tell him to!”  I do not smile at those attitudes, and it upsets the owners…

 

Nite Shipslog

PS: Imma thinking if I get a pet when I get old it will be a Yorkshire or a shi t- I mean Shih tzu