Oh, My goodness

Is it ever raining!!!! And we had a tornado warning!!!! AND i fell down right in front of Winn-Dixie in the pouring down rain, in the mud puddles, everyone ran out to see if i was all right, all ok.... just really, really embarrassed.... At least i have a use for the umbrella i bought not long ago... Use it to take Luci out to potty, picture if you can- me holding it over her as she tries to do her business :) Funny-Funny!!!!
Then when i came back i had left two windows open facing North, rain usually comes from the South, well, not this time, water all over the bed and floor, books, purse, computer case, at least the computer was not in it!!! So had that to clean up, and have towels all over trying to get dry in the humid/wet air, like that will happen. Guess when i leave will just have to close up everything, just in case. When i got up this morning it was 75/humid and rather nice, then all of a sudden while i was waiting in the Post Office it all changed and temperature went down like 20 degrees and rain came. I just don't know this weather or what to expect, but i am learning, why is it always the hard way ??? :)
Have a sunny day!!!!

exciting day

Cleaned house, wiped out the bathroom floor with a paper towel, it is such a small space!!! so my cleaning does not take awful long, all in all. Did the laundry, only one load this time!! And worked on my Xmas cards!!! Ordered some with my pictures on it from Snapfish.com and they turned out really cool, if i do say so myself. Yes, it is this time of year. Ho-ho ha-ha for a month now, with sparkles and spangles all over the place. We had Rain, Rain, Rain off and on all day, and now the wind has picked up, so should be a rock and roll night!! :)
Yesterday and part of today watched "Pillars of the Earth" an HBO special i think it was made from Ken Folletts novel of the same name, it is about the building of a cathedral North of London in medieval times, it was pretty good, pretty bloody/gory and muddy/dirty, they did not do much to romanticize the living conditions of the common folk and the machinations of Church and State.
Take Care and God Bless

Ooooo

This is what i am seeing on the beach!!! It was on the news last night that the purple flags are up for the 'man of war' jellyfish also known as Cuban or Portuguese Man of War and they are all dried up by the time i see them, but the inky like residue is left, saw a good one the other day tho that must have been new and there were tentacles attached too!!! They can have tentacles 20-30 feet the article said. Soooo i was completely wrong about it being oil, i know nothing, it is jellyfish!!! And i am no longer going to go around them or try poking them with sticks :)
(i got this picture off the Internet)
We are having wind from the North it is 56 out, tide is out, so i am going to go see what the beach looks like today.
Y'all have a good week-end!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving potluck yesterday! The owners supplied the turkey and ham. Everyone brought a dish, everyone can really cook!!! I sat next to a guy from Ohio, lady from Ontario, Canada, whose 2nd language is English, and a couple from Houston. Talked about everything, weather being prominent, dogs, rigs. It was a fun, good time. Today we have leftovers at 5:30p. It is 75 out. little cloudy, little windy.
Take Care all!!

Plunder

Ttook a picture of some of the shells I found! Yes I did. Don't know what it is, but just LOVE looking for shells and can walk for hours & hours. Just keep picking them up. Everyone I had to bend over for and pick up! Just know that around the next bend just a little further on, there will be that perfect, huge one, that is a once in a lifetime find... It is good if you can get up early and be the first one on the beach, and that is not likely to happen for me, so it will just take longer and more and more beaches. In the days to come I will show more that have found. Today was one of the biggest ones yet for finding some really good ones. Need to get a book tho that shows what they are and what lived in them. Got some pieces of ones today, that if I found a whole, perfect one, it would be wonderful.
Tonight went for a swim in the unheated pool too!. Let me tell you it was pretty darn cool, but it is humid and it felt pretty good and am all cooled down after cooking the bacon & hamburger for the beans I am making for tomorrow's potluck. Had the air on and the stove fan, so did not get too overheated, but it was warm and rather sticky in here, so the swim was great!

the Beach

The waves were beautiful, People were even out surfing, even tho there was a yellow and purple flag flying...
When I got there it was all foggy
When I left it had cleared off and gotten HOT!!
This looked like it was coming in, but the colors were amazing!
I found all kinds of shells but not the elusive whole sand dollar, lots of chips...
Keep forgetting to say that one day, I think last week, when I was out there I saw a pod..clutch?? of sting rays, there were 5 of them right close to shore, think they were curious about Luci, when I saw them out of the corner of my eye, I was in the water, and ran up on the sand, don't know what I thought, that they might come up to get her, don't know. But then thought maybe I had been seeing things, so talked to a couple that were sitting with chairs/ sun umbrella right at waters edge and they saw them too!!! It was pretty neat, actually.....
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!!

Well

Paid for another month here and it was a revelation that i have to pay sales tax and hotel tax too! Almost another whole $100 for those and Electricity was $45, wasn't that much in Iowa and ran the air conditioner alot more there than here. So rather scared about heating this winter, if have to do that, or if i do need to run the air :(. There are all of these little added things that seem to add up and go on and on.
BUT it was 80 here today, worked on the tan some more. Made some more cards, as i need some for the next couple of months, birthdays and what not, and have to get all of this 'stuff' out of here and back in the basement, there is just too much sitting about and making me anxious. There is not all that much room in here, right? So the best thing to do was to DO something so i can put things away. Which i accomplished and tomorrow can store things back where they belong.
Tomorrow going to the beach again, another beach day is due, see if things have changed there. We are supposed to get some rain at the end of the week, so have to jump on the beach thing while i have the chance.
Everyone have a Good Thanksgiving, Take Care and God Bless
I KNOW i have alot to be thankful for...............

Slowness

Not much going on, just made some cards today, walked Luci, laid on the beach, workin on the tan! High 70's here... Read some, watched a movie on TV. And time goes by.
Hope you all had a good day too!!
Take Care and God Bless

Groceries

Old guy next door came back from the store with Coors and ice cream, what more can a person want!!! :)

Oh, Dear

I think i may be wrong! The yellow flag is for medium risk in the water and the purple flag is for Dangerous Marine Life, I think those things that were on the beach day before yesterday was NOT in fact oil, but some sort of jellyfish?? maybe? I don't really know, but it was the only thing that was on the beach that day and alot of them, and there i was poking them with a stick, but i am sure whatever it was was no longer living....And the purple flag was out that day too!
It was a wonderful day at the beach, the ocean (do you call the gulf an Ocean? it is a gulf?) anyway the water was no longer growling, and was not grey and angry, but was coming back to it's beautiful tri-colored blues and foaming white surf. lapping at the shore. There were all sorts of little gulfs, as it were, the surf was not in a straight line, sun was out, took Luci with me today and she was pretty good, there were about 6 fish ashore and she was interested in them, but not to the point where she thought they were food! and i did not not let her linger over them, cuz why were they there? died from something.....

This is what the beach looked like today, it was GREAT!!!! But no exciting shells...:(
Take Care and God Bless all!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Sunset

Here is our sign at night... pretty, huh?
Then there was SUCH a cool sunset i ran out after Oprah to get pics... It is rather fleeting and you have to shoot fast to get all the different changes, but it was really something tonight
Take Care all!!!

Oil

Sea Grass













These appear to be balloons/air pockets of oil and have come ashore in the wind and wild water. I popped one with a stick, felt like a little kid playing with the ick found at the shore, you can tell the jelly fish and these are nothing like that. I have also found shells that have oil residue on them, little spots you can wipe off, but it smells and leaves itself on your hands or towel. But as you can see it is here and there, rather isolated and not all over. It is not like you have to step on them or have no where else to walk, but it is distressing to see.
(as always you can left click on the pics for enlargement)
Have an oil free day
Take Care and God Bless

Can you see that surf??? It looked alot different than it has when i have been out before, nothing calm about this! It was roaring, the wind blowing, and that black sky finally over took me. I got soaking wet before i was able to waddle back to the car. Fortunately i left Luci in the car and did not have to carry her back too!!! AND i never found any really good shells either. do you think i ever will? I try and try......
Finally got the computer to where it finally does what i want. Lost all my favorites and am still trying to find the blogs that i like to follow. Called the comp-guy this morning to find out how to get a toolbar i needed in my pictures so that i could move them about the way i want, 'control panel' does alot of things :)
So now we are both settled in the RV all warm and cozy watching Oprah and reading (well Luci is sleeping) so all is well.
Have warm days, Take Care and God Bless All!!!

Doggie Parade!!

Our Leader!
Mutley



Luci and Oscar









We had a fun time and all the doggies got a bag of treats! Luci was so exhausted from the socializing that she came home and stretched out on the rug....
They do fun things at this park!

More planes

Yes, these planes are going, really fast, and they are upside down!! These were 3 guys from the US flying Russian planes made for aerobatics, they were really good.
Today was chore day, why did i leave it for a week end??? just worked out that way, all week has been more or less playing and now i had to do 'stuff' like laundry. Run to Camping world, yet again. this time to get the propane tank. finally screwed up my courage and asked for help from the people in the office and 'Joe' was more than happy to do it, after his wife volunteered him! HA!! He got it figured out and the auxiliary tank is hooked up, guess i still had 3/4 of a tank left, but now i know how to read the gage :) geez!!! and will have more than enough propane if nights turn cold and i need it. That and the laundry were about all i did, i guess, but i did alot of puttering. Made the bed, getting that bottom sheet on there is a REAL hassle, knuckle bruising, swearing affair.
Now i am ready for mindless TV and starting another book.
Have a good Sunday all, take Care and God Bless

Blue Angels Air Show

This was the neatest thing to see!


Left about 9am and got to Pensacola NAS about half an hour later. Wandered about looking at things, they had lots of vendors and planes sitting about, it was about 1/2 mile walk, not bad. They had the parking and driving arranged very well & cars moved right along getting out. Didn't really know where i was going, coming and leaving, but drove straight there and straight back and did not get lost to where i was not sure where i would end up :) Luci survived. The lady sitting next to me took pity on me and offered me some sun screen, which was really nice as i left mine in the truck and was burning up. Had my sweatshirt hoodie draped over me most of the time tho and was not too sweltering. I swear i don't know how those pilots do it, i would have been tossing my cookies so many times!!!! It made my stomach lurch just watching!
Got back, fixed my salad, walked Luci, then went and had an excellent pot luck and good talking with new people i met!! Everyone is paired off, no other singles here, but i don't feel too out of place, everyone is very nice.
I don't know why just sitting out there watching the show was tiring, but i am exhausted, glad i get to sleep in tomorrow :)
Take Care and God Bless

Okay

One of the many, many hotel towers in the Destin area....Huge!!!
Destin area....
Fort Pickens


Have calmed down a bit and figured out some of the things on the computer...
Yesterday i Went to the Destin area and it is really a touristy place, i am much happier in my little Navarre area that is more my speed and homey, BUT i did stop at Panera bread and get some good bread. You know you get spoiled by the things where you live and what you are used to and have been having a problem getting the foods that i normally got in Bend, the great bread and fresh produce, farm raised at the farmers markets and roadside stands, which they have none of here. Today we went to Fort Pickens and walked on the beach there and I really scored a couple of different shells, even went into the surf for a couple that i saw being tumbled about, Luci just stayed on the shore with her ears back, like she knew Mom was going to die!
Have been finding little gobs of tar on the beach and oily residue on some of the shells, It is distressing but does not negate to power and beauty of the place.

Oh Dear

I have had horrid computer problems, took it somewhere, got it fixed, and now i can't find anything! My Google account is just gone and all my favorites, will have to go back to him and admit ignorance and make him get all my 'stuff' back, Can't find my e-mail. It is a mess (well apparently NOT a mess as there is nothing there to make a mess!)and won't be able to get into him until Monday as i have the Blue Angels to go to tomorrow :) Toolbars, everything is just not there... Icons on my desktop.
But Fort Pickens was great. Built in 1834! Geronimo was kept there along with other Indians, it would have been sad to be there for them, on a spit of sand between the ocean and the bay, I don't imagine they would have wanted to lay in the sun and look for shells back then! Hopefully have some pics and will catch up next week, then i will have something to talk about huh?
Take Care all

Today

Well, i got nothing...

Welcome to followers, my beautiful niece, Sacia,
Randy and Pam Warner over at Roadrunner Chronicles and Levonne. thank you so for showing an interest.

The days just go by, the weather has turned really nice, did not have to use heat last night, and am back in shorts today. There is Bingo tonight, Tomorrow is Fort Pickens and Friday is the Blue Angels, so there is stuff to look forward to, but the last couple days have just been about life and getting on.

Take Care all and God Bless

Sunset

Emerald Beach RV Park (our beach, pretty huh?)

Our walk last night was JUST at the right time and I took the new camera with me. The colors in all direction and on the water were just marvelous, hope I captured some to a degree that is acceptable.

Well this morning BOTH people on either side of me left at 7:30am! AND they needed to have my car moved so they could get out, you can't object too much as it is for your own good to get out of the way and these Southern boys/men are SO polite!!! I can never believe it.

So then of course Luci was awake, such an uproar, and had to go potty, then needed to eat, RIGHT NOW, then I had to potty, so just as well get up and go take a shower and start the whole process, geez......

Welcome to followers Kimbopolo and Four Windows With a View!!! I can honestly never get over that someone wants read what I say or an thinking. This really started as a way for friends and family to know I was ok and keep track of me, turned into a sort of journal, so that I could remember from day to day week to week what I had done, to show myself I had accomplished something after all cuz I feel so often that I don't. So thank you all for thinking of me, that I am not alone here.

Take Care and God Bless to you all.

Lots Doing Today

Here are the five flags that have flown over Pensacola: Spain, France, England, the Confederacy and of course the United States.

Here is a not very good pic of a crane, pelicans and of course the ubiquitous sea gull.... the closer i would sidle up, the more that crane would move away, and i thought i was being so stealthy too!!!

First there was a pancake breakfast at the club house! Yummy!!

Then i went to Pensacola and rode the Trolley Tour. It was fun, Informative. Nashville one was better. But....Pensacola is only about 35 minutes away, so not to far. Had to go over the Bay Bridge which was 3 miles long, geez. their bay averages a depth of 33 feet, so it was a very good place to settle for shipping. It was settled in 1559, but then 2 hurricanes destroyed it and people did not go back until 1565. Many of the buildings are new as Ivan destroyed much of the downtown area with a 27 foot sea surge and winds up to 120 mph September 16, 2004. There were many 'shotgun' houses which are very narrow with not much property as the original tax lots were charged by the foot and how by many rooms and they counted hallways and closets as rooms! So they wanted all the doors going off to one side with no hallway and no closets. Saying was that you could shoot off a shotgun and it would go right from the front and out the back door without hitting anything.

Then I drove back thru Pensacola Beach, picked up Luci and went to a church bazaar in Fort Walton about 29 minutes east. Did not find anything, guess i was not in the mood and they were closing up shop at 3pm! Big traffic snarl there as the Church it was at was right on the main hwy 98 to Destin. We got back about 3:30p to feed Luci and go for a walk.

Since it was down into the 40's last night and i had to use my furnace a bit this morning to warm up i asked in the office about propane. Cuz i only have a teensy bit left. WELL i have to move the RV to where the propane is, which means unhooking everything and stowing all my 'stuff' to move about what- 300 feet? then BACK into my space again, aack!!!! OR i have to go buy a propane tank, preferably a 30 gal that would weigh about 52 # filled, i can maybe lift that and an auxiliary hook up hose to hook to the existing tank in the rv (which is not removable) a 4o gal tank would weigh about 70 # and i don't think i could lift that into the bed of the pick up to transport. No, no one delivers to the park, for insurance reasons.

Hey guys, this is all stuff you have to think about, especially when staying in one place for a period of time, were i moving, i could just get some at the next gas station stop.

It was a good day, saw new sights and places, even if it did leave me thinking about propane :)

Take Care and God Bless

Angels Around Us

My new Angel...I saw this in a cute little store in East Davenport, Iowa and had to add it to my collection. Usually I find Angel's with red hair in honor of my paternal Grandmother, but this one, said what needed to be said at this time in my life, and every time I pass it hanging near my little hallway to the bedroom, I remember!!!!!

Oooo, today was a chiller, even tho it was clear blue skies, don't think it got above 60 and tonight it is dipping too, inland they are talking about frost!!! In Florida!! but in a couple days night time temps to get back to the 70's,, yeah!!! Today was spent cleaning and picking up. No mail.... I had sand in my bed!!! long, stupid story and not even Luci's fault.

Elgin Air Force Base has been practicing bombing the last two nights, it is disconcerting to say the least, they are really loud, far off, but still loud! And I only know that as a gentleman out walking his dog this evening also, told me....He said the last time he heard that was in Vietnam.....

Good Night all.....

Navarre Beach!!

This place was weird, had to stop & take a picture!

Luci is so patient, today turned out really nice, in the 70's and really windy tho BUT no RAIN so was happy. She is not welcome on the beaches and there were policemen out there today, so, she stayed in the car. Besides it is so windy the sand is blowing horizontal and right down where she is and is not too pleasant for her, so she was happier being left in the car. I got my souvenir sand in a jar and a couple tiny shells, but there was nothing on the beach, all been swept away, i expect to go down there and find a whole one of those huge sand dollars, that would complete my visit! they are like a cross have notches in the tops and sides, not completely round like we find on the Oregon Coast. so I am on the lookout....

It was a nice day, little ride, sun, beach, some shells and got back in time for Oprah!!

Hope you all had a nice day too

Take care and God Bless

RAIN

It rained, RAINED, really rained, almost all day!!!! Everyone has those days. Rain, rain, go away. come again another day! Did i mention it rained? Luci does not like the wet, any kind of wet, had to DRAG her outside this morning, for first time out, i KNOW she had to go, did her duty and ran back to the house (RV) spent all morning under her blanket on the couch, what a wuss... the RAIN slowed down a bit so went to the grocery store, seems like i spend alot of time going there. think it is because you have limited storage space for food and you can't really stockpile, which is something i have gotten from my parents, who lived thru the Depression. And always have lots of foodstuff in the house, basics to make other things from, but here, you only have enough for a couple days at best, so you run to the grocery again. then we got home b4 it rained some more, suppose to be like this until the week end, so that is only 2 more days, of, yes, RAIN... the retention pond was half full and the swimming pool was even high, they have good drainage here tho and little gullies of it all go down to the pond, which was a really nice depressed grassy area to walk the dogs, but no more as it is filled with rain... :)
So, hope you are all dry, Take Care and God Bless
(one good thing is i have not found any leaking places, knock on wood)

Well, i say "What the Heck?" and was alarmed when i saw this on hwy 87 when coming into town, but the ladies in the office said they had lived here all their lives and never seen a bear!! AND last night on the local news, there were 4 yes that is FOUR bears, 3 cubs and mama in a subdivision north of here!!! In a big old pine tree. All 4 of them up the tree, babies highest, mom on the lowest branch. no one knew what to do with them, just left them alone and eventually they meandered away, but they had a neighborhood meeting to learn all they needed to do to keep their kids and themselves safe, I mean really??? There are big expanses of land undeveloped here, swampy looking and under military control and an Indian reservation, so i guess there would be some wildness, but you just don't expect that in Florida! But there you go.
Have a safe and happy!!! Take Care and God bless

COTTON: The Fabric of Our Lives

I was just amazed by this cotton!! I saw it coming down here, so today i drove back inland- 30 miles!! it was, to get to another cotton field to take some pictures... It would be so interesting to see this process, because this way, it really is hard to believe that it turns into clothes, and how did they ever think of that, to do that anyway? i took a little puff of it. there were all kinds of flying buggy things around there and did not want to stay out too long, ick! can't believe that people pick this, when coming down here i did see a machine in a field, so don't know if they have to do it by hand like they had to in the' good old days'. Guess this is not really a very informative blog, just asks alot of questions. But it was sure neat to see it up close and personal. It even has blooms on it. One field was all dead and not very much left on it, maybe it had been picked, but the one across the street was full blown, lots of cotton and still green bushes and blooms too.

(remember you can right click on the pictures to make them bigger)