Working on some photos this morning and WHAMMO -- computer died - I mean really died -- 4 legs up -- like an armadillo taking a nap, belly up, on the highway in TX!
I tried, I re-booted, I cursed, I used words I haven't used since I left the military!! NOTHING!
Setting out on the truck, my ancient $300 Acer, WalMart special! It works, but has absolutely NOTHING on it - and no space/memory to put anything on it! So here I am -- working in the "dark ages" of the computer world...BUT only until this weeked.
Ran into the office supply place in town -- ordered a new one - will take the old one in tomorrow AM -- they will try to save what they can -- I hate to loose all of those pictures. Oh, well - I knew better -- I have some backed up on external hard drives but not all of them.
But life goes on - however, I think I'll take a few moments to cry!!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Is This Heaven? No, It's Iowa!
Daytime temps in the mid-to-upper 70’s; night temps in the upper 50s – lower 60s for the rest of the week. This is why I head north for the summer! I guess I can brag about this weather -- I bitch enough about the rain and tornados!! There is one little draw-back -- winds are sustained at 15 mph and gusting 25-30 mph – too windy to put out the awning or read the newspaper outside!!
Oh! Lordy! I'm one Happy Camper! Life is Good and I am Blessed!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Lunch at the Tremont Inn on Main Street
The Tremont Inn on Main Street is one of Marshalltown’s historic buildings. Recently renovated, the three story hotel was originally built in 1874. Devastated by fire in 1902, it was rebuilt in 1904. With the modernization and restoration over the past few years, it now consists of 11 hotel rooms overlooking Main Street, three restaurants and some private condominium apartments. http://www.tremontonmain.com
Three restaurants cater to anyone’s taste – the Sports Café, the Tremont Grille and the dining room. Lunch today was at the Grille for the specialty of the house – the Cap Anson Sandwich. Served on marble rye it is piled high with ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheddar and Swiss cheeses, and Thousand Island dressing. I chose the house potato salad as a side order, a wonderfully creamy boiled red potato with the skin on potato salad. Topped off with ice tea, it was wonderful! A very relaxing lunch after my morning of plumbing chores.
Three restaurants cater to anyone’s taste – the Sports Café, the Tremont Grille and the dining room. Lunch today was at the Grille for the specialty of the house – the Cap Anson Sandwich. Served on marble rye it is piled high with ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheddar and Swiss cheeses, and Thousand Island dressing. I chose the house potato salad as a side order, a wonderfully creamy boiled red potato with the skin on potato salad. Topped off with ice tea, it was wonderful! A very relaxing lunch after my morning of plumbing chores.
My Sister is No Longer For Sale!
This morning I decided to go out with Li'lBit and empty the black tank while she was emptying her "black water tank." While standing there, I noticed my water hose was leaking -- when I tried to tighten it -- it broke. Water, water everywhere!! I was SOAKED!!! Turn off the water -- down on my hands and knees to reach into the little pit where the turn-off is....in the house to change clothes.
Emailed my sister to let her know I was in the middle of a plumbing "situation" and not sure I would be finished and ready to meet her for lunch at 11AM....I still wasn't sure how extensive my repairs would be -- 'cuz I knew something broke, but not sure what.
The morning started with no water for coffee (not a good way to start the day!) -- but medicines go down quite well with root beer! By the time I had dried off, here comes my sister to the rescue to help with the plumbing! My sister the plumber! So, I've decided to keep her!!
Emailed my sister to let her know I was in the middle of a plumbing "situation" and not sure I would be finished and ready to meet her for lunch at 11AM....I still wasn't sure how extensive my repairs would be -- 'cuz I knew something broke, but not sure what.
The morning started with no water for coffee (not a good way to start the day!) -- but medicines go down quite well with root beer! By the time I had dried off, here comes my sister to the rescue to help with the plumbing! My sister the plumber! So, I've decided to keep her!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Anybody Want a Sister?
The past couple of days it has been quite hot and humid with heat index near or over 100. All of the radio and TV stations are reminding people to check on others.
My sister emailed stating, "The news stations said to check on old people and pets!!"
My question to her -- "Which one am I?"
FOR SALE: One slightly used sister - CHEAP!
My sister emailed stating, "The news stations said to check on old people and pets!!"
My question to her -- "Which one am I?"
FOR SALE: One slightly used sister - CHEAP!
LP Gas
Evidentially I don't cook enough. Of course, if you took one look at me, you would think I cook too much -- and eat all of it! Today I had one of my 30 pound LP tanks empty -- so, in the middle of cooking macaroni for salad, I had to switch tanks -- but I could not believe, this is the tank I had filled in Rockport in January. Not Bad!!! Of course, I don't use my furnace alot and my water heater is electric....but I can live with 30 pounds of LP lasting 5 months!
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Convoy Comes To Marshalltown
Today the 2009 reenactment of the Transcontinental Military Convoy came to Marshalltown, Iowa. In recreating the 1919 convoy, their trip across the country started on June 13th in Washington DC. Approximately 150 vehicles - some traveling the entire route, some joining in for short distances -- is following, as closely as possible, the original route along the Lincoln Highway. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association website, www.MVPA.org/ states the vehicles must be in "excellent mechanical condition' and can be "any restored military vehicle from a Model T to a HumVee."
After WWI, the military realized it had not been prepared when it WWI came along. Use of motor vehicles was new, not only to the military but to the world. The Army activated the Motor Transport Corps and this new Army on Wheels had to prove/show that motorized vehicles could replace horses! And be ready to be on both coasts for the nation’s security.
The Lincoln Highway, started in 1913, the first transcontinental highway, from New York City to San Francisco, was not as we see roads today. Much of the travelway in 1919 was gravel, pounded mud, tire ruts in mud and sand, oxen/wagon trails, and cattle trails. The convoy would test the ability of the military vehicles to make it to the west coast. Some of the trials and disasters of this first convoy are mentioned on the MVPA.ORG website……
“The Lincoln Highway presented a roadway "damaged or destroyed" over much of its length. Besides plowing through mud holes and continually getting stuck in sand, vehicles fell through 100 bridges which could not stand the strain and often had to be rebuilt or repaired by Army Engineers as the convoy was underway. Over 230 road accidents, such as vehicles sinking in quicksand or mud, running off the road or over embankments, or overturning, were recorded. Sleep was limited to about five and one-half hours per day. According to one report, much hardship was experienced due to the excessive amount of strenuous work, lack of shelter, ration difficulties, lack of bathing facilities, and at times the scarcity of even drinking water. The Ordnance Observer reported that during the early weeks discipline among the enlisted men was "conspicuous by its absence." Eisenhower was to state in his own report to the Chief of the Motor Transportation Corps that "This lack of discipline was largely due to inexperienced, and poor type of officers. It resulted in excessive speeding of trucks; unauthorized halts; unseemly conduct, and poor handling of trucks in convoy." Adding to the frustrations of the trip was the fact that although all drivers had claimed to be experienced, Ike suspected that they had never handled anything more advanced than a Model T: "Most colored the air with expressions in starting and stopping that indicated a longer association with teams of horses than internal combustion engines."
This morning the convoy left Cedar Rapids Iowa, arrived in Marshalltown for lunch at the fair grounds and will proceed to Jefferson Iowa for the night..about 175 miles. I suppose I should mention, the line of pick-ups, RVs and Motor Homes following the convoy was probably longer than the convoy!! I guess they aren’t setting up camp quite like the 1919 convoy did!
The convoy is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco July 8...
11 states, 3300 miles in 26 days.
God Speed Convoy!
After WWI, the military realized it had not been prepared when it WWI came along. Use of motor vehicles was new, not only to the military but to the world. The Army activated the Motor Transport Corps and this new Army on Wheels had to prove/show that motorized vehicles could replace horses! And be ready to be on both coasts for the nation’s security.
The Lincoln Highway, started in 1913, the first transcontinental highway, from New York City to San Francisco, was not as we see roads today. Much of the travelway in 1919 was gravel, pounded mud, tire ruts in mud and sand, oxen/wagon trails, and cattle trails. The convoy would test the ability of the military vehicles to make it to the west coast. Some of the trials and disasters of this first convoy are mentioned on the MVPA.ORG website……
“The Lincoln Highway presented a roadway "damaged or destroyed" over much of its length. Besides plowing through mud holes and continually getting stuck in sand, vehicles fell through 100 bridges which could not stand the strain and often had to be rebuilt or repaired by Army Engineers as the convoy was underway. Over 230 road accidents, such as vehicles sinking in quicksand or mud, running off the road or over embankments, or overturning, were recorded. Sleep was limited to about five and one-half hours per day. According to one report, much hardship was experienced due to the excessive amount of strenuous work, lack of shelter, ration difficulties, lack of bathing facilities, and at times the scarcity of even drinking water. The Ordnance Observer reported that during the early weeks discipline among the enlisted men was "conspicuous by its absence." Eisenhower was to state in his own report to the Chief of the Motor Transportation Corps that "This lack of discipline was largely due to inexperienced, and poor type of officers. It resulted in excessive speeding of trucks; unauthorized halts; unseemly conduct, and poor handling of trucks in convoy." Adding to the frustrations of the trip was the fact that although all drivers had claimed to be experienced, Ike suspected that they had never handled anything more advanced than a Model T: "Most colored the air with expressions in starting and stopping that indicated a longer association with teams of horses than internal combustion engines."
This morning the convoy left Cedar Rapids Iowa, arrived in Marshalltown for lunch at the fair grounds and will proceed to Jefferson Iowa for the night..about 175 miles. I suppose I should mention, the line of pick-ups, RVs and Motor Homes following the convoy was probably longer than the convoy!! I guess they aren’t setting up camp quite like the 1919 convoy did!
The convoy is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco July 8...
11 states, 3300 miles in 26 days.
God Speed Convoy!
Friday, June 19, 2009
And Life Goes On......
This past week has been on-again-off-again rains and storms – but nothing like I experienced last year…and much cooler and more pleasant than my friends in central TX are experiencing with their triple-digit temps. My weather radio has only gone off a couple of times since I've been here. Of course, one of those times brought 94 mph straight line winds! That's a little more than I'm comfortable with - and when the rains come, according to my little rain gauge, we get 2 or more inches in less than an hour.
With the temps in the 50s and lower 60s in the morning – going into the upper 70s or lower 80s during the day – if the rain isn’t ruining my outside time, Li’lBit and I spend our days out at the picnic table -- morning coffee, brushing Li'lBit, lunch, brushing Li'lBit, reading, brushing Li'lBit...You get the idea! Since my eye is still pain free, I’m reading, reading, reading. And, not wearing my tinted lens or the sun glasses as often – the eye is less light sensitive….and I’m grateful for all I can get.
As the weather permitted, I worked on my ‘flower garden.’ I found some good sales on plants and repotted my cookie jar planter with a red geranium. Found some really nice spreading petunias, pink and white, for my flower boxes.
I survived the transfer to digital Hi-Def TV without any problems – managed to get the converter box hooked up and working just like I knew what I was doing. But I do have to say, sometimes technology Ain’t So Great! The one time I really enjoy (and use) the TV is during storms to watch the Doppler radar weather – and when does this digital Hi-Def TV go bonkers – when it is storming. I lose the picture, the sound goes crazy….WHEW – bring back Analog! Fortunately, weather radar is also available on line with the computer.
Lately I’ve become quite a crockpot ‘cooker’! I consider it my modern day Dutch oven. Put my meal in the crockpot in the AM and let it go all day long and I don’t have to worry about it – basically, it doesn’t interfere with my time outside enjoying the weather and the surroundings.
My sister woke up with a good case of bronchitis and pink eye a few days ago and stayed away – figured I didn’t need either with my lungs and my eye! But, we met on the 14th for supper. She definitely needed a break – it was her last week in school with the kids there! She was ready for a ‘get away.’ We stopped at Perkins for their ‘senior’ menu – and had breakfast for dinner – and I drank WAY too much coffee for that time of day – didn’t sleep much that nite and was up early in the AM – but it gave me an early start of all this work I have to do being retired!! Laundry being one of them. AND, since I was awake most of the nite on my ‘coffee high,’ I realized that my quilt smelled like wet dog feet. So off to the laundry.
My crazy parrot, Tinga, has a ‘thing’ for buttons – she will pop a button off of a shirt in a flash! So, on these rainy days, I’m working at getting buttons put back on shirts and sweaters!! Doesn’t this sound like a really exciting life!
The morning of the 17th brought fog – and I mean FOG -- lasted well into the morning. Makes it a ‘bad air’ day for ‘lungers.’ Later in the day Bea brought ice cream out – and of course, Li’lBit gets her share.
Mary, the owner of the park, stopped by to tell me that the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (http://www.mvpa.org/) will be coming by the park Monday. They are recreating the Transcontinental Convoy to commemorate the 1919 Army Convoy across the US on the Lincoln Highway. They will be stopping at the fair grounds for lunch. I’m hoping the weather cooperates so I can get out to the road to take pictures. This RV park is on the old Lincoln Highway.
Today, June 19, Bea and I went to Colo, IA for lunch at the Twin Anchors Café – had a really great breaded pork tenderloin – don’t ask what my cholesterol is! Then off to the county park to meet and visit with some cyber-friend RVers camped over there for the week. On the way back stopped at the RV service place and picked up a few odds and ends for the RV – life doesn’t get much better than this!
With the temps in the 50s and lower 60s in the morning – going into the upper 70s or lower 80s during the day – if the rain isn’t ruining my outside time, Li’lBit and I spend our days out at the picnic table -- morning coffee, brushing Li'lBit, lunch, brushing Li'lBit, reading, brushing Li'lBit...You get the idea! Since my eye is still pain free, I’m reading, reading, reading. And, not wearing my tinted lens or the sun glasses as often – the eye is less light sensitive….and I’m grateful for all I can get.
As the weather permitted, I worked on my ‘flower garden.’ I found some good sales on plants and repotted my cookie jar planter with a red geranium. Found some really nice spreading petunias, pink and white, for my flower boxes.
I survived the transfer to digital Hi-Def TV without any problems – managed to get the converter box hooked up and working just like I knew what I was doing. But I do have to say, sometimes technology Ain’t So Great! The one time I really enjoy (and use) the TV is during storms to watch the Doppler radar weather – and when does this digital Hi-Def TV go bonkers – when it is storming. I lose the picture, the sound goes crazy….WHEW – bring back Analog! Fortunately, weather radar is also available on line with the computer.
Lately I’ve become quite a crockpot ‘cooker’! I consider it my modern day Dutch oven. Put my meal in the crockpot in the AM and let it go all day long and I don’t have to worry about it – basically, it doesn’t interfere with my time outside enjoying the weather and the surroundings.
My sister woke up with a good case of bronchitis and pink eye a few days ago and stayed away – figured I didn’t need either with my lungs and my eye! But, we met on the 14th for supper. She definitely needed a break – it was her last week in school with the kids there! She was ready for a ‘get away.’ We stopped at Perkins for their ‘senior’ menu – and had breakfast for dinner – and I drank WAY too much coffee for that time of day – didn’t sleep much that nite and was up early in the AM – but it gave me an early start of all this work I have to do being retired!! Laundry being one of them. AND, since I was awake most of the nite on my ‘coffee high,’ I realized that my quilt smelled like wet dog feet. So off to the laundry.
My crazy parrot, Tinga, has a ‘thing’ for buttons – she will pop a button off of a shirt in a flash! So, on these rainy days, I’m working at getting buttons put back on shirts and sweaters!! Doesn’t this sound like a really exciting life!
The morning of the 17th brought fog – and I mean FOG -- lasted well into the morning. Makes it a ‘bad air’ day for ‘lungers.’ Later in the day Bea brought ice cream out – and of course, Li’lBit gets her share.
Mary, the owner of the park, stopped by to tell me that the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (http://www.mvpa.org/) will be coming by the park Monday. They are recreating the Transcontinental Convoy to commemorate the 1919 Army Convoy across the US on the Lincoln Highway. They will be stopping at the fair grounds for lunch. I’m hoping the weather cooperates so I can get out to the road to take pictures. This RV park is on the old Lincoln Highway.
Today, June 19, Bea and I went to Colo, IA for lunch at the Twin Anchors Café – had a really great breaded pork tenderloin – don’t ask what my cholesterol is! Then off to the county park to meet and visit with some cyber-friend RVers camped over there for the week. On the way back stopped at the RV service place and picked up a few odds and ends for the RV – life doesn’t get much better than this!
Friday, June 12, 2009
REMEMBERING
Yesterday, June 11, was the anniversary of the tornado that ripped thru the Little Souix Scout Ranch, Boy Scout camp, in western Iowa, near Omaha, killing 4 scouts and injuring 48. That was just the start of a tornado filled night of horrible storms and flooding.
A year ago today, the dike near DesMoines, IA was breached and the flooding began...not only in DesMoines, but throughout eastern and central Iowa.
But life goes on in Iowa -- programs are still readily available to deal with emotional and financial problems. Proud of the work that has been done to date, celebrations abound this weekend with walking and driving tours of the damaged areas -- proud to show off the improvements. Band concerts and other civic events will make the weekend complete...a way to say thank you to all of those that came from so far away to help. Of course, you know, they will still be 'passing the bucket' to get money, still needed, for many.
And Life Goes On In Iowa!
A year ago today, the dike near DesMoines, IA was breached and the flooding began...not only in DesMoines, but throughout eastern and central Iowa.
But life goes on in Iowa -- programs are still readily available to deal with emotional and financial problems. Proud of the work that has been done to date, celebrations abound this weekend with walking and driving tours of the damaged areas -- proud to show off the improvements. Band concerts and other civic events will make the weekend complete...a way to say thank you to all of those that came from so far away to help. Of course, you know, they will still be 'passing the bucket' to get money, still needed, for many.
And Life Goes On In Iowa!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Spring in Iowa!
Made it thru my first tornado watch/warning of this summer in Iowa!
Had a really nice day -- a little on the humid side, but sunny -- supposed to get rain this evening, but the day was really nice. Li'l Bit and I did our thing out on the picnic table -- she begs to be brushed and I try to read my book -- when things don't quite go her way, she jumps up on the table and lays across my book -- so much for reading until the brushing is complete!
Went into town with my sister for a bite to eat at The Junction -- I had a really good patty melt with their home made potato chips -- too good! As we were headed back to Shady Oaks, that look and feeling was in the air. I turned on the TV for some weather reports, pulled the dopplar radar up on the computer and there it was -- big as life -- tornado warnings/watches for the entire area.
Fortunately most of the severe stuff passed by -- semi was overturned by wind down on Highway 30 but I seemed to take most of the wind as a direct hit on the rear end of the RV so handled it quite well. Never sure if I'm being pelted with hail or acorns falling from the oak trees all around.
Holly did her thing during the storm -- begs to get into the base cabinet under the kitchen sink. That is her 'tornado shelter,' I guess. Everytime the wind and rain picks up, if the cabinet door isn't open, she sets in front of the door meowing loud enough to wake the dead. What a horrible whining, pleading meow she can make! Li'l Bit heads to the bed and dives under the comforter and doesn't come out until I go get her!
And, in the midst of all of this -- my weather radio started working -- it hasn't worked for months. Don't even ask me to try to explain that one!
Had a really nice day -- a little on the humid side, but sunny -- supposed to get rain this evening, but the day was really nice. Li'l Bit and I did our thing out on the picnic table -- she begs to be brushed and I try to read my book -- when things don't quite go her way, she jumps up on the table and lays across my book -- so much for reading until the brushing is complete!
Went into town with my sister for a bite to eat at The Junction -- I had a really good patty melt with their home made potato chips -- too good! As we were headed back to Shady Oaks, that look and feeling was in the air. I turned on the TV for some weather reports, pulled the dopplar radar up on the computer and there it was -- big as life -- tornado warnings/watches for the entire area.
Fortunately most of the severe stuff passed by -- semi was overturned by wind down on Highway 30 but I seemed to take most of the wind as a direct hit on the rear end of the RV so handled it quite well. Never sure if I'm being pelted with hail or acorns falling from the oak trees all around.
Holly did her thing during the storm -- begs to get into the base cabinet under the kitchen sink. That is her 'tornado shelter,' I guess. Everytime the wind and rain picks up, if the cabinet door isn't open, she sets in front of the door meowing loud enough to wake the dead. What a horrible whining, pleading meow she can make! Li'l Bit heads to the bed and dives under the comforter and doesn't come out until I go get her!
And, in the midst of all of this -- my weather radio started working -- it hasn't worked for months. Don't even ask me to try to explain that one!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
HOORAY!
A full day without eye pain!!! Don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but the change in eye medicine seems to have relieved some of the pain! YIPPEE!!! My sister and I went out to eat tonite to celebrate!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Eye Appointment Report
I had my appointment with the eye clinic today. Doc was nice - did a really thorough eye exam -- even took pictures of the eye -- basically said there isn't much to do right now -- the way the blood vessels are growing across the cornea, a transplant would be kinda risky and the chance is high that it wouldn't take due to the herpes virus in the eye and the blood vessels would eventually regrow over the lens. OK -- that was the bad news,
Initially, I don't think he wanted to do much other than give me a "second opinion" until he realized that I was here for several months. Then he offered to refer me to VA in DesMoines, who in turn could refer me to their surgeons in Iowa City for another evaluation. He did change two of my eye meds and wants to see me in a month.
Right now, I'm going to try the new meds, see him in one month -- and probably ask if he would accept my care since I plan on being here "quite awhile" -- I'll just leave it at "quite awhile" until I see what he says.
I have been seen by VA hospital/clinic in Temple TX for several years with the eye problem -- not sure another VA could offer me anything else.
Did have a nice lunch with my sister at a Mexican restaurant here in Marshalltown after the appointment, then headed to WalMart to pick up my new prescriptions.....WalMart is everywhere I go -- so the RX will be available.
Right now I'm setting here in Visual Limbo -- not knowing much more than I knew this morning before the appointment.
Initially, I don't think he wanted to do much other than give me a "second opinion" until he realized that I was here for several months. Then he offered to refer me to VA in DesMoines, who in turn could refer me to their surgeons in Iowa City for another evaluation. He did change two of my eye meds and wants to see me in a month.
Right now, I'm going to try the new meds, see him in one month -- and probably ask if he would accept my care since I plan on being here "quite awhile" -- I'll just leave it at "quite awhile" until I see what he says.
I have been seen by VA hospital/clinic in Temple TX for several years with the eye problem -- not sure another VA could offer me anything else.
Did have a nice lunch with my sister at a Mexican restaurant here in Marshalltown after the appointment, then headed to WalMart to pick up my new prescriptions.....WalMart is everywhere I go -- so the RX will be available.
Right now I'm setting here in Visual Limbo -- not knowing much more than I knew this morning before the appointment.
Today's The Day
WHEW! It's finally here -- June 1 -- the day I see the doc at the eye clinic here in Marshalltown. Have no idea what kind of news I will get -- but it has been driving me crazy for a few days -- can't remember the last time I have worried this much about something I basically have no control over the outcome.
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