September 2nd a classic car from the late 50’s/early 60s pulled in to the RV park; I couldn’t see who was driving. I didn't know who they were or what they wanted -- nosey me -- setting at my picnic table, I decided when they stopped down on the lower drive and I heard a door open and close, they must be up to ‘no good!” so went inside to get pencil and paper and get their license plate number (Oh, how trusting I am!!!) – the owner of the park was gone for the day.
When I came back out the lady was walking up the road and the car was following. Then I realized it was an older couple (about my age). I hollered and asked if I could help them -- had no idea what they were doing. He pulled the car in and they both came over and we chatted for awhile. They are from Pennsylvania, traveling the old Lincoln Highway in their old classic car. A couple of years ago they did Route 66. They had a book on the Lincoln Highway and were taking their time seeing the sights. They had stopped in the back so she could get out and take pictures of the Shady Oaks cafe sign. They were sorry they missed a chance to see the tree house but needed to get on down the road. He did say it was time to stock up on some supplies and wanted to know if there was a WalMart (she said that was the exception they made when it came to sticking with the OLD Lincoln Highway stuff!) They try to eat in the little diners and stay in the older travel courts when they can find them. Could have spent more time visiting with them but they wanted to get on their way. I did mention stopping at Niland Corners in Colo!
Seems like all I do lately is run into WallyWorld to pick up meds or critter food! Bea and I have to stop eating out so much – I miss grocery shopping!
Weatherman talks about a ‘chill in the air’ – haven’t seen it come thru here yet, but I did make a run into the Salvation Army Thrift Store to see about some winter clothes since I’ll be here until mid-October. I planned out being out of here right after Labor Day so didn’t pack sweaters, jackets, long sleeved shirts or warm blankets!
My retirement plan changed insurance providers so needed to make sure I got copies to all of the docs here in Iowa that I use and Lincare since they provide my oxygen. New carrier was effective September 1.
Bea and I planned on going to Reiman Gardens, the botanical gardens at the State University on Saturday the 1st until we found out it was a home football game at Ames! So we went shopping in DesMoines! Stopped for pie and coffee and used one of the Groupons to eat at a BBQ rib joint. In a way, I was a little relieved we didn't go to the gardens since I did a little too much walking last week on my day trips, up hills and up and down steps -- and then the walking Saturday in Des Moines – I spent a few days sucking down aspirins and sticking close to home. Of course, I probably walked just as much shopping!
Now that most of the corn and bean crops are nearly ruined from the lack of rain this spring and summer, we are getting rains on a regular basis – nice gentle soaking rains – the kind the fields needed a couple of months ago. At least it will replenish the ground water.
Bea and I went to the local Mexican restaurant and, as usual, they pile way too much food on the plate – so I eat the beans and rice and salad stuff and bring the rest home in a ‘to go’ box. Then, in the AM, I fry up an egg and pop it on top of the left over burrito or whatever is in the box. Can’t say most folks would enjoy sharing my breakfast but it always tastes good to me!
Had a good rain the Thursday nite and when I woke up Friday AM, I kept hearing a drip. At first I thought there was something wrong with the water pump since I’m parked next to the pump house. Couldn’t find it inside or out but it was driving me crazy. Had to make a walk around twice to find where a drip was coming from --inside it was really loud -- but outside I couldn't hear it. As I was walking around the trailer, I noticed that the water was dripping frm the gutter thing on my roof onto the metal rear bumper -- could barely hear it outside, but inside, it sounded like a jack-hammer! Couldn't seem to adjust the drip spout, so I just sat a flower pot on the bumper, That took care of it!
Too damp and chilly to set outside and read, even Li'lBit was using her papers INSIDE! Went out first thing in the AM and wouldn’t go out again - no matter how many times I went to the door and say "Out?"
Monday the 10th the weather warmed up enough that Li’lBit and I spent most of the time outside, even ate our lunch at the picnic table! I’m finally getting used to reading from my Kindle – but I swear those kindle books are like the old Reader’s Digest condensed version. They are the shortest books I’ve ever read! Bea and I met Jim and Kathy at the Pizza Ranch – pizza buffet but they also have a great salad bar and fried chicken!
Holly and Li’lBit have already started getting into their ‘winter habits.’ Don’t crawl out of bed or pester me to get up so early! Doesn’t break my heart any to have them ‘sleep in!’ Still having problems with my knees/legs – a trip to Brown’s Shoes to see if they had anything on sale that would help since my old tennies were really worn. Nothing I needed – or could afford!
Kathy came by and dropped off some more Midwest and Iowa magazines. I love those! Another trip to town – ran out of bird seed so they had to settle for bread crusts. They must be getting ready for winter, as much as they are eating. Haven't seen any hummingbirds for a couple of weeks so took down their feeders and put up some suet blocks for the winter birds.
Had some left over rotisserie chicken in the freezer so pulled it out to make some chicken vegetable soup with dumplings….when the north wind blows, drag out the crock pot!
I think life is getting a little boring when the most exciting thing on the list of “things to do today” is put more time on the Tracfone!
Thursday the 13th - Rain, Rain, Rain! Only 50 degrees in the AM. Holly and Li'lBit went right back to bed after Li'lBit went out (really fast - didn't know she could move that fast!) Then, when I started getting out my meds, I had Holly on my lapm it's the new fish oil caps (different brand than I had.) Must smell more like fish or at least she can smell it (I can't!) Supper at Perkins – I love their tomato basil soup and salad! YUMMY!
I'm doing so much better with the breathing. At least I don't have the chest pain. Occasionally I'll have a hard time catching my breath and need my inhaler - especially now that the fall pollens are blowing. But it has been a long time since I didn't avoid going somewhere 'cuz I'd have to walk. I walked up a small hill to see a statue of a cow and calf,walked up and down steps to get down to an old cabin and walked around the cabin! Been a long time since I've been able to do simple things like that. I didn't get everywhere I wanted to this trip. It was sooo hot during the summer that it was just too hot for me to wander about - then I was without the truck 'cuz of the air conditioner problems. But I have moved the things I missed on my list for next year!
I plan on leaving Iowa on Oct 15 and staying in Gatesville until Thanksgiving and going back to Rockport the Monday after Thanksgiving. I won't be getting into Gatesville until Oct 17 and so I might as well stick around and vote and have Thanksgiving with Johnnie Williams and her family. I'll probably make a quick run into Rockport for a memorial service for Ron Hanson that is planned for the end of October. Ron and his wife are full-timers in the RV park and he passed away following a broken hip. Thought I would plan on diving down (without the trailer) the day before the service, spend a couple of nites in my RV and then go back to Gatesville the day after. I'll take Li'lBit with me but leave Holly at the trailer in Gatesville. The manager of the RV park there can check on her - and she sleeps so much, she may never know I'm gone! Of course it will depend on when the Memorial service is, but my mind is working and I’m filling in my October calendar!
Coming to the middle of September and it took until nearly 3 PM for it to make it up to 60 degrees -- damp and dreary! Not good weather for me to still be stuck in Iowa! Had to dig out my space heater. The furnace in this little camper is so loud! Works just fine, but I guess 'cuz the trailer is so small, it sounds like a jet is about to land! The space heater is a little too big for the trailer so I think I’ll trade it out with a smaller one I have in the 5th wheel when I get back to Rockport. Never thought I’d need a space heater in my SUMMER home, but I never thought I was staying until mid-October, either!
Friday the 14th I had lab drawn at the doc’s office – knew it was going to be an interesting report with all of the Iowa BEEF and Iowa PORK I’ve been eating!!
After the lab, I decided to stop at the gas station and picked up a donut, cup of coffee (it had been fasting lab!) and Des Moines Register and when I got to the truck, decided to treat myself to breakfast at Cecil's instead of eating the donut! But they were so busy there wasn't a place to park without having to go back with the trucks, so, I headed to OJs Diner. I got there just after the place emptied from the early rush - only a couple of cars in the lot. By the time I ordered my breakfast and got my coffee, the place was filled up again! Must have squeezed in between their two morning rushes! So, I filled my belly with steak and eggs!
Sunday the 16th Bea and I headed to Reiman Gardens. I managed to walk over 1/2 of it but when it came to the part that went uphill near the end, I called it quits. Loved the butterfly room! Then we stopped at the Hickory Park BBQ place and it's a good thing I walked before I ate 'cuz they darn near had to roll me out AFTER I ate! Had to save room for one of their yummy ice cream sundaes so brought most of my meal home in a box! Would like to go back to the gardens next year while I'm here - maybe I can see the rest of it! Sure did sleep good Sunday nite after all the walking and the fresh air! Didn't crawl out of bed until 7:30!
Monday’s Dr appointment went better than I thought!! Cholesterol and other ‘glyceride’ levels up at the upper norm or just over – Thank You Iowa BEEF and PORK! It’ll be OK when I get back to Rockport and get back to my seafood and fish!
Maybe I need to start considering a hearing aid! I got to my appointment in plenty of time. My appointment was 1:50 instead of 1:15...guess I need my hearing checked! Always pays to carry a book to an appointment! But, they took me right way. I went into the office with 66 degrees and sunny weather and came out 54 degrees, rainy and windy! Did NOT go running around looking for lawn furniture! Did stop at that Chinese buffet to have lunch and came home. But I do have my mind made up about looking for a recliner/lounger for outside so I don’t have to set at the picnic table all the time and that would give me a way to get my feet up. Still having some hip/knee trouble. Maybe a lounger type chair will help.
Was kinda worried about Li'lBit. She decided to start acting like she was going to have a seizure about the time I was ready to leave. I put her up on the bed and covered her with the quilt. She was in the same spot when I got home. But she went outside, pottied and came back into the bed. I should have known the weather was going to change – I can almost correlate her seizure activity with weather changes.
Mexican food with my sis for supper! And typical for Mexican suppers, I had the left overs for breakfast the next day. It was a little spicy – had chili rellenos and they didn’t take all of the pepper seeds out of the pepper before they stuffed the ground beef in…..nippy on the tongue! Glad I had some milk in the fridge!
Tuesday the 18th the kids and I didn’t crawl outta bed at 7:30...nites are too chilly and I'm too warm wrapped in the blankets to crawl out of bed! Li'lBit made a fast run outside so I figured it must not be too cold! At least it isn't windy. 44 degrees – brrr! Supposed to go into the mid 30s before the week is out!
Back to Pizza Ranch with Jim and Kathy for supper! Love that place! I can eat all the salad I want and they have all the good stuff to go on the mixed lettuce/spinach greens.
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