Been a while.. time to catch up.

 Cullman, AL

Yes, it's been over a month.   What's been happening?   A lot.

We are still hosting Boondockers Welcome/Harvest Host guests.    Up to over 470 hosting of guests.  Still enjoy it.   It makes it so much easier when we have return guests, of which we frequently have.   They know the routine.  Just pull in and hook up and we will catch up you later.

A funny thing happened a few weeks back.   We had groceries plus other still to unload so decided to back up to the front porch instead of the back porch as we usually do.  It was then we realized we had locked the front porch door from the inside so I had to walk around to the back door to get it.   As soon as I put the key into the lock, an alarm went off.

I ran through the house to the front porch and asked Len if he set the alarm.  No.   A few months we changed alarm systems from ADT to SimpliSafe.   We frantically pushed both keypads. The alarm continued and seemed to be bouncing all over the house.   

I wondered why the alarm went off even before I opened the door, just by putting the key into the lock.   I started looking for whre I tossed the keys as I would try putting the key back into the lock.   We found them on a chair.

See that cord?   Put that cord out and an alarm goes off.  A REALLY LOUD ALARM.   There on the chair were my keys, minus the cord.   It was laying on the porch floor.  It must have hooked on the door knob and pulled out.    Won't do that again.

We have had some heavy rains the past few weeks.  In a residential area in town is near a lake.  From the lake there is a waterfall.

Houses sit across the street from the falls.   One has a lovely deck the overlooks this scene.  I realize I could not live there and use the deck.  I am old.  The sounds of running water.  If you know what I mean.

A few weeks ago was the great grandsons, Jordan, birthday.   We all had a lovely time at dinner at Logans Steakhouse.   I think there were 15 of us.    That is Jordan on the left.

Our very first BW guests returned a few weeks ago for their 3rd visit.   Here are Bonnie and Earl and first time guest Jim.    We wanted to take them all someplace special.   So..... Rattlesnake Saloon.  We didn't prewarn them that at this restaurant you leave your vehicle and hop into the back of a pickup truck for the fun ride DOWN to the restaurant.   

For those that don't know, it is built into a cave overhang.  One of our favorite places in the area.  Well, almost in the area.  About an hour and a half drive but well worth it.

Our Senior Center has different events over the year.  One is the Senior Prom.   This year it was advertised as a 70s theme.   We did not know by that they meant the decorations and the music.  NOT HOW TO DRESS.   No one told us:

We were a hit in seems.    They always have a King and Queen of the Prom.

Life is not all fun and games.   We know.   A couple of weeks ago, I woke at 4 am to a shoulder pain.  I tried to get comfortable but it continued to hurt.  I got up to feel the pain moving into the chest.  Then it became a pressure on the chest.  Then a clammy feeling.  Then nausea.  To be sure it was what I suspected it was, I Googled my symptoms   Yup.  I woke Len.  To the ER.   

They did a chest X-Ray and MRI.   Blood work.  About an hour after we got there, in comes the cardiologist I see once a year for a checkup.  He said there had been an event with my heart.  He would be back later for an ultrasound of the heart and a right heart cath.  Bottom line.... I had something called an Acute Coronally Syndrome.   Causes the blood flow to the heart to slow.    Now on meds.  I see him again tomorrow for a checkup.   Feeling good mostly, tired at times.   Still dancing 3 days a week, just not as much.   

The worst part.     They had a tough time getting the IV into a vein.  Tried 7 different pokes.  Finally got it in the left arm, making it impossible to bend that arm.   After the heart cath, I had to lay flat for 3 hours.   So, that seemed a good time to bring me dinner.  Compound laying flat and not able to bend my left arm I AM LEFT HANDED.    I ate nothing that meal.   Could not see the food, attempted to stab something with my useless right hand.  Never the less, I survived.  

Until next time

Weather, Birds and Trees

 Cullman,   AL

I knew when we moved to north Alabama to expect some crazy weather.   More than once we have gone to the basement when they call a Tornado Warning.    We thought this would be the case a few days ago.   Severe weather was all over the country.    Many tornadoes touched down in MO, MS, KS, AR  etc and continued north and east.   

 The closest one to us was several miles.   Our sky didn't even darken.  The winds blew but we were prepared for that.    Back a couple of months we had strong winds.   This is the only damage we incurred:

No need for an insurance claim.  I managed to pick up the grill cover and replace it myself.  

Last year when we put in a small garden, we first covered the ground with mesh ground cover.  The weeds took over anyway.    This year we thought we would try a plastic ground cover.   We carefully laid it out and placed stakes in several locations.   Along came the wind.  Cover blew off.   More stakes in more areas.   Along came the wind.  Cover blew off.   SO MORE AND HEAVIER STAKES.   Along came the wind.   This is how it looked following the recent winds.   

It doesn't look like that now.   The plastic cover is somewhere at the landfill.   I guess I don't have a choice.   Replace the ground cover with a hoe. 

We had a pear tree in the side yard.   We ate some of the pears after the deer feasted on it.   Two years ago we got few pears along with a lot of dead limbs.   Last year more dead limbs.   If fact, mostly dead limbs.  What to do.   

The tractor does the heavy work.

No pear tree and Leonard enjoyed himself.

For Christmas Leonard gave me a bird feeder   It includes a camera and solar panel.  Supposed to be able to get notifications on my phone when birds are on it.  Also has an app that identifies the bird.  When we were in PA at daughter Terris house at Christmas she uploaded the app.   (She had researched and actually ordered the bird feeder).  Len got it set up last week.

But, since I am really bad at technology, I couldn't get it to work.   I was instructed to input our WIFI.  I did.   It keeps reverting to Terri's WIFI and indicates we have a weak signal.  I would expect so as we live more than 800 miles apart.    I called daughter in law, Lois, for help.    She worked at it to where the instructions said to scan the code.  Nope.  Would not scan.    And it is back to Terri's WIFI.  Give up.  It is a pretty feeder but not cooperating further. 

Ok...... everything in life is not as this post indicates.   Just because the cover blows off the grill, just because the plastic ground cover won't stay put, just because we will not have pears, just because I can't get the bird feeder to work, just because off all these things..... does not mean that life is not good.    So looking forward to Spring.  Will use the grill again.   Will grow some veggies. Will buy our pears. Will continue to feed and watch the birds.   Will continue to enjoy life!

Until next time.....

Winters End? Spring Soon?

 Cullman,  AL

We have had an extremely cold winter here in north Alabama.  But far from what our families have endured in the Northeast and especially Louisiana.

The heaviest snow was on January 10.   Biscuit is re-thinking about going outside.

Then he looked around some more.

Ok, let's give it a try.   Look closely.   That is him out by the shop,

The snow only lasted a few days.   What was interesting was the ice sliding from the roof

We can hardly wait to get outside and be more active.   Len did get out a couple of days ago and turn over the garden.   While he did that, I cut back some dead flower stalks and plantings around the house.

The last few weeks we have hosted several RVers.   Not nearly as busy as previous years.

Also in the last few weeks we took two trips to the ER.    Early in the month Len was feeling poorly.  Chest congestion, difficulty breathing.  They kept him one night just to be sure it was nothing more than a chest cold. 

Then last Saturday he woke to a fierce backache.   He could hardly walk or move.   Same thing Sunday so off to ER again.    He was not admitted this time but given a shot and told to see family doctor.  He needs back surgery but due to other issues the cardiologist will not approve him for surgery.   He saw our doctor on Tuesday.  She suggested muscle relaxers.   

Len woke up Wednesday.   Even before getting the muscle relaxers with NO PAIN.  Still no pain.  Strange.   He has his regular check up at the pain clinic later this month down in Birmingham.   We will talk about acupuncture.  

We still go to 55East on Fridy nights and meet up with friends.   Len will still dance until legs give out.   He keeps on trying.     Not us but a view of the dance floor.

Since 2019 we had attended a local Senior Center once or twice a week.    We enjoyed our time there and met some wonderful people.   All good things come to an end.  Our time at the Center, sadly, has ended.    

Over the years they have implemented more and more regulations. We went along until the last one.   Starting in January the only items members are allowed to bring into the Center are car keys and phone.    No bags, no purses, nothing.   They are concerned people might take some food out that they have been served.  This is the same food that is delivered to shut-ins.   My feeling is that if this is a regulation, talk to the person seen removing food from the premises.  Don't punish the whole group.  This decision deeply saddens us but we will get over it.

We still go to a center run by Parks and Recreation on Monday afternoons.   We enjoy a lunch there then a Jam Session by local folks.  Oh, and a dance or two too.   Different restaurants provide the main dishes.   Folks bring desserts, etc.   A favorite is my jalapeno poppers.   I will be taking them on Monday.  So, we are still active.

Thats it folks!  Until next time.

Quick trip then home again.

 Cullman, AL

We wanted to spend Christmas with some of those we love.  December 20 we left Alabama and drove a bit over 400 miles to nephew Jason and his Kelly who live close to I-81 near Wytheville, VA.  This is our usual stop over.   We appreciate their hospitality,    

Next stop was in Cumberland County NJ for two nights at a Red Roof Inn.  Biscuit is getting used to motels.  On Sunday morning we surprised our friends at our old church in Upper Deerfield, NJ.  Forgot to take pics except for one of the church.

We met up with my sister Debbie and my nephew Norm and his wife Vandra for lunch.   Again, forgot pics.

That night we had dinner with friends Jim and Janice and Dan and Judy.   And you won't believe this but again forgot pictures.

On Monday, in keeping of always planning ahead, we ordered our headstones.   We do own property in NJ.  Two VERY SMALL plots behind the church where I grew up.  My family all the way back to maternal great grandparents also rest there.     Here it is.   We got a discount as it was already engraved.

We figured it's cheaper to change our names and get the discount.

After that bit of business it was to daughter Amys in Maryland while we stayed until late Christmas morning.   A PICTURE:

Amy, Abby, Charlotte and Scott

Next stop daughter Terris in Pennsylvania.   Her hubby gave her a coat.   She is ready for a cold winter.

Here is that family

Steve, Terri, Karlie, Grandson Jusitn and Leonard.

Karlie, grandsons girlfriend, had been at Myrtle Beach in a Christmas shop.   She saw this ornament.

She bought it before Biscuit was missing.   So she did not plan on giving it to us.  By luckily, we got Biscuit AND the ornament.

The trip home on the 28th meant another overnight in VA.   While there we went to dinner with Jason and Kelly and another nephew Jimmy and wife Wanda with their son Hunter and wife Renee and grandson.   NO PICTURE!!!

We had a quiet new year's eve.  Two RVs were parked here but neither felt like partying.  Neither did we.   They told us they heard gunfire and fireworks at 12.   We were zoned out.

A few days ago we had a major blizzard.    Here is what our yard looked like.  Scary.

Then on Tuesday we had carpets laid in our office and guest room.  Wish I had taken a "before".  Here is the after.

We actually are expecting snow tonight and continuing into early Sunday.  They say 4 to 7 inches.  If everything was shut down on the 6th, imagine what it will be tomorrow.   We have some ice already on the pond.     On our local town Facebook page it shows completely empty shelves where bread would be and empty milk cases.   Typical.   Wondering about the toilet paper situation.

Have a great 2025.  Until next time.