SOCIAL MEDIA


Camping with Groups

Monday, August 31, 2015

Many women enjoy camping, and feel most comfortable when with a group of like minded women. I am a member of three women's camping groups...and a private group of 4 women. The private group seems to be the best fit for us. We might allow others into the group, but it is only by invitation only, and agreement with the others. No dropping by, or inviting oneself to the group.

I talked with the "leader" of one the groups recently, and she expressed the problems that have been occurring with the group. She finally experienced firsthand the excessive consumption of liquor. She now agrees with me that the person(s) need to be told that they are no longer allowed to participate.

The drinkers flaunt their booze in front of others, just to annoy people. The bullies want everything for their personal interests. The dog owners with the barking, biting, horrible beasts...........ignore the fact that the group hates their dogs. The non-paying non-members weasel into the camping weekends, when they "con", naive, new members into inviting them. They then expect the group to accommodate them, and allow them to share personal campsites. These are the main problems. What to do? Rules....and members willing to enforce the rules and follow the rules. Do I see that happening with this group? Well.....not really...the women seem to be fearful of saying anything to the offenders.

The private group is good, we all enjoy each other and a smaller group is great. We can share campsites with our small trailers, or camp near each other. 

I want to ask my followers who camp with groups, how do you do it?

To Be Thankful

Saturday, August 29, 2015

I find sometimes that there is a stressful situation that I am in...and I am still emotional about a situation in my life. That said, I must be doing pretty well with the problem, because...my skin always tells me when I am not doing well. My skin tells me by breaking out in blemishes, and I am 63. Age doesn't stop my face..........Last summer when I was really stressed out I came down with shingles. That was truly horrible.

There is always something to be thankful for...so true. I say prayers of thankfulness regularly. I have gratitude and am thankful for the good things in my life. I have learned that it is important to let go of the situations, problems, and people that drain the life from you. Brave Girls Club is important to me...I have been taught some important facts of life.

What am I thankful for today?  Something very simple...that we finally had a little rain, and there is some small rainfall coming our way. The drought is far from over but....The sky is clear of the forest fire smoke that has been here for several weeks.

The drought has been difficult for a long time.The Pacific NW USA normally has abundant rainfall, and a fabulous climate. This year is quite the opposite. Hot, and very dry.

Did you read my post about the Owl? I am still haunted by the incident...I am so very thankful. There could have been a terrible wildfire started, and I could have lost everything....

What I Know For Sure.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Most people would be surprised to know how much time I spend alone. Not lonely, Just alone. With myself. Being alone with my thoughts.

Yes, I often am. I crave silence. It is how I balance my mind. Being with people is sometimes stressing to me.

What makes me me is being able to enjoy the stillness. Like now, sitting inside the house with no sounds except the hum of the house. Nothing to distract me, no TV, no other people, and the quiet. 

I have made decisions to skip events, because I would rather be home.

Now I know for sure: The only thing you shouldn't miss is what matters to you. What some consider a quirk, I fully accept as a part of being true to myself.

from Oprah magazine, October 2014

I, like Oprah, find that quiet time...alone time...is important to my well-being. I enjoy myself.

Loving, Kind, Grateful

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

From my Friend, Joanne Sharpe


She is going to have a new coloring book coming out. I can't wait.

What? A Banjolele!

Sunday, August 23, 2015



This small instrument is a combination of a Ukulele and a Banjo. They were very popular in the 1920's and 1930's...as these vintage photographs show. I have been fascinated with them, and I tried one out a music store, a few years ago. However, I was really shopping for a ukulele...and I found a very nice Mahalo, one of the upscale instruments. I still have it and love it.

The banjolele still is in the back of my mind. A new fun thing to learn...and, the chords are the same as a ukulele, so the transition will be easy.

Hum...what's up?




Wildfire! NO, but a close one!

Friday, August 21, 2015

This is a Great Gray Owl. The species is the largest owl in the world, length from 24" to 33". The owl is surprisingly light for the size...due to the plumage. This owl is a year around resident in the forests around my home.

Now to the story....one night at 2:20 am...bang, bang! No electricity! Flashes of orange electrical light from the utility pole on the fence line. One of these birds had decided to land on the top of the power pole...on the "hot" wires. Yes, it did die instantly.

I was very concerned with the possibility of wildfire.The grass is completely dead from about 90 days of no rain and a hot summer. I was extremely lucky that no sparks started a fire. Why? When there is no electricity, there is no water from the well. The fire station would take a long time to get here, and by then everything would be on fire. I could try to bucket water to the location from the pool, and wet down some old towels. The grass is still standing dead, and waist high. I should have nagged hubby to cut it last June.......

About the Owl, it makes me sad because the birds are rare and that bird probably used many utility poles to hunt from, and they are good hunters. The feathers were pretty burned up, but the body stayed on top of the pole....and that is why there wasn't a wildfire.

Boundaries


OK, are you out there? No Comments about the Skunk!!

Monday, August 17, 2015

The Skunk and Me

Friday, August 14, 2015

This post is about my close encounter with a Striped Skunk a few days ago. My Internet has been out for the last 12 days...so I am a bit behind in blog posts. 

Now...back to my story. I let the dogs outside for a pre-bedtime pee. The three cats were outside at the time. I opened the front door for this normal activity, and all is well until I see the skunk fleeing the dogs....and it is running straight for me and the open front door. I start shrieking and in a panic state I run into the house and slam the front door behind me. I had so much momentum that I fall backwards across the foyer...and landed on my rear end...feet in the air.

OK, OMG! The skunk sprayed as it was running. Opening the door, the cats and dogs came inside. They are given the smell test, OK they are not smelling. I however, am slightly stinky. My shoes went into the garbage can, as well as all the outdoor decorations and door mat.

My clothes washed well and the smell gone. I am left with a bruise on my backside, and a GOOD STORY!

1960's Therm a Chest Cooler

Saturday, August 8, 2015

A perfect find, a 1960's era metal cooler. I found it a a thrift store. It is in good condition considering that it is 55 yrs old. There is a small bit of rust, that is something to be expected...in this wet climate...and people store them in damp garages.


The size is about 18" long, by 10" wide, by about 15" tall. It is all metal and made in the USA. The red drain plug is really cute, and I am happy that it is still in good condition.



It is mouse proof, and I am currently putting non-perishable food inside it.


There is some type of foam insulation around the upper lid. It is crumbling, and I removed it. I will be able to find an alternative at the building supply store...some kind of home weatherization product will work.

No more plastic tubs for mouse proof storage...that I keep inside the SUV when camping. This is a classic, era appropriate container.

I think that if I had a summer party....this would be fun with crushed ice and cold drinks!!

Cute Little Trailer

Thursday, August 6, 2015

I was driving thru a small town, Brownsville, Oregon...down Main St...and look what caught my eye. I have no idea what brand of trailer this is. I would guess it is 1960's era. I wish that the owner had not parked right beside a speed sign.


This paint is very cute. It is nicely done...with the fun shapes in green. I am inspired to paint my trailer myself. Note that each side of the front window there is a plate sized metal ornament attached with sheet metal screws. Over the back window there is a name Wabai Sabai.


I think that this trailer is 6 ft wide and about 9 ft long. Small and light...and it can be towed by a jeep. The back window had the curtains open...I do that when towing so I can see right thru my trailer. I peeked in the window, and there is a tiny kitchen across the front, and bed/table combination across the back. It is very small....and very cute. I wish the owner would have been around so that I could have talked with her/him.

I stopped at the building supply store, got some custom tinted paint made to match Prairie Flower. I am going to touch up some spots...someday I will do the entire trailer.

Update on Stouts Fire

Wednesday, August 5, 2015
I have not had internet service for a while now. Hughs Net says that it should be fixed sometime soon. I am at the pizza place writing this post,on their free internet. The Stouts Fire has blown up to over 17000 acres. Huge! The smoke is better today. I really dislike wildfire smoke...it keeps me indoors. No rain, and it is so dry.