Last trip this year to Huddle House

It is a cold and rainy day but I needed to get off the couch after yesterday's bout of laziness. I made a list of things to do, starting with visiting my belongings in storage one last time. I rearranged a box or two so that the stacks were more stable, and picked up my Coleman 2-burner propane stove to take with me. I bought the Coleman back in 2003 when I first moved into my house here in Swannanoa, upon realizing that absolutely everything in the house ran off electricity, including the water pump. I tried to imagine how I could get along with no water, electric or generator, and quickly bought several gallons of water to store for an emergency. I also bought the Coleman stove because I wouldn't want to have to heat water on a charcoal grill first thing, as well as a tiny little jar of instant coffee. I have to have coffee in the morning, and at that time I hadn't even thought about a Melitta coffee maker which worked so well for me at Lassen. I hooked up the canister of propane and test-fired the Coleman one time, but never needed it or used it since, so it is still brand new. Being the organized person I used to be I kept a file folder in which I dropped instruction manuals, user guides and plain old starting-up diagrams for everything I bought. I don't have the file folder any more, or else it is packed away inside one of those boxes at George's Stor-Mor, so I don't have a clue how to hook up and light up this stove. I suppose I can just do it by trial and error, although I'm not enthusiastic about doing anything connected with propane by trial and error. I'm not sure under what circumstances in my RVing life I would ever use the Coleman, but I feel better just having it along with me.

Instead of wandering around looking at things I don't need at Walmart or the Mall, I drove back to Huddle House for a late breakfast. I got my old standby including the delicious and nutritious "G" word food, and as always, got a terrific meal for the money. I will miss that place and the friendly folks who work there, but I am certain to find equally good breakfast fare in the Savannah area.

I am meeting a dear old friend for lunch tomorrow and am really excited about seeing her again. She and I worked together on several projects for the local genealogical society, and had great fun while getting the work done.

Now to try to stay warm for the rest of today. I am on the 2nd tank of propane so I don't want to run the furnace continually. I'll have both tanks filled on Wednesday or Friday which should last me quite a while in coastal Georgia. I also hate to run the electric heater continually, so I'm bundled up in a fleece robe and when my hands and nose get too cold I switch on the heater for a short while. I must remember this if and when it gets hot and humid in Georgia, or next summer if I'm in an extremely hot and arid place.

My laziest day in a long time!

By 8:00 a.m. this morning I had my coffee brewing, took the dog for a walk, and came back to see what had appeared in my inbox overnight. I have basically been at the computer ever since. It started with a notification from Escapees forum of a new topic, which I read, and then responded to. I provided the poster with a link to a website and online magazine that I enjoy reading once in a while, although I haven't looked at it since before I volunteered at Lassen this summer. Of course, I had to go back and catch up, and was again fascinated with some of the articles, forum discussions, etc. The site has little or nothing to do with Rv'ing, but more to do with self-sufficient living. It also has a definite libertarian perspective. As you may have figured out from my posts, I am wildly Liberal but find I have a teeny bit of a Libertarian streak that I normally keep buried. But it's the "downsize, economize, be free" philosophy that I truly hold dear.

I had planned to go out and do something today although I never did get around to deciding what that would be. About mid-morning I came to the conclusion that whatever I go out for will involve spending money, and since this is close enough to the end of the month and the costs associated with moving to another location, I decided to just stay home. It's a pity because the sunshine is spectacular today. Another reason to refrain from spending money is that if I have any left over at the end of the month I intend to buy a good bread machine. I have my eye on a Zojirushi mini bread machine that will allow me to make one small loaf at a time, which I hope I can eat before it goes stale. The downside to that is the weight gain that is sure to follow, which if allowed to go unchecked could result in having to buy new clothes. The thought of fresh, good tasting bread made with just a few pure, additive-free ingredients, outweighs all other objections.

Did I mention that my passport arrived in South Dakota yesterday, and was immediately mailed to me so that I hope to get it here in North Carolina by Monday. So that's the end of that drama, although there is always something going on to keep me stirred up.

A day to be thankful for

I picked up my mail at the Post Office this morning, and it included the results of the blood tests I recently had done. My total cholesterol has always been in the neighborhood of 240, so imagine my surprise to find it is now 175! The "Normal Range" is considered to be 100-199. Every single item on every single thing tested for was in the normal range - a lot of these these I haven't a clue about, but at least now I know I'm "normal". I've been walking on air ever since.

I have been taking glucosamine and chondroiton for years and it is no longer nearly as effective as it once was. Therefore I was thrilled to find a package at the P.O. containing some new supplements I ordered - basically coral calcium - which is said to hold back and even reverse bone loss, as well as to lessen the effects and pain of arthritis. So I'll give it a try for 3 months. Several years ago I took coral calcium for a while and it was fantastic - I could really notice a difference. The darn stuff was expensive though, so I reluctantly switched to regular calcium tablets.

The sun is shining today and everything looks bright and sparkly to me. I hope the feeling lasts for a while, and that everyone who reads this entry today will grab some of the bright sparkly for themselves. There is enough to go around!

2nd Post, Thursday Nov. 19

I've been thinking about the passport being issued and realize that Department of Justice probably took one look at the file on me and just stamped the app! As a career federal employee I have been investigated many times in the course of getting clearances, but that was before Dept. of Homeland Security, which I have never made any pretense of liking or approving of its creation. I'm happy about getting the passport though, and if I want to visit Alaska, Canada, or Mexico I can do so. I plan to stay on the North American continent, however.

I'd like to again say thanks to the newest readers of my blog, as well as those who have stayed with me through all my joys and troubles. Sometimes I'd like to write a personal answer to the comments but there is no way to do it unless the individual has a blog of their own, and have an email link on their blog. But know that I appreciate each and every reader, and I take your comments and suggestions very seriously.

Several people have suggested that I should see a doctor about my sore hand, and I probably should. I can tell you how it will go, though. First it will be strongly suggested I go for a stress test on the treadmill to make sure there isn't an underlying heart condition. Then various other time consuming and costly tests will be recommended, including complete uppper gastrointestinal workup, to be followed by a colonoscopy. All because I have a sore hand. Seriously, this exact scenario took place about 2 years ago when I had a sore shoulder which ended up sending spasms down my entire arm and even affected my breathing it was so painful. After every medical test they could get by with and still charge my insurance, I was finally sent for an MRI of my shoulder, leading the doctor to pronounce, "Gosh, you must really be in pain." She sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who realized at once I had a frozen shoulder with complications including several bone spurs, and scheduled me for surgery as quickly as he could. The recovery was a long painful process but I'm fairly ok now. So maybe you can understand why I'm not chomping at the bit to see a doctor about my hand - it may get worse and I may have to eventually seek medical help. But it doesn't hurt THAT bad yet, and I am NOT going to get a colonoscopy!

My Passport is Ready!

I just received an email from the Passport office saying that my application has been processed and the passport is in the mail! I am so relieved to have that out of the way for another 10 years, at which time I don't think I will be much concerned about a passport! Yesterday was week #3 from the time my application was received in Philadelphia, so I take back every mean thing I've ever said about Homeland Security & whatever they call INS now. (Well, almost everything.)

Shivering

Even though I'm sitting right in front of the electric heater I'm still cold. I don't think it's that the temperature is so low, but it is rainy and windy and I'm ready for some warm weather!

I may get my wish but not at the time of year I need it - I had a telephone interview today with the volunteer coordinator at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah about a summer position. She promised to let me know in about three weeks. I think the temperature in that part of the country gets to 100 or higher during July!

All the RV's that were in pull-through sites left by mid-week and I'm sitting here all alone, which is ok by me. Of course there are RV's in the back-in sites around the perimeter, but not many of those either. Only us hardy souls aren't yet on our way south!

I took the truck out today to go to a nearby convenience store and found I am able to turn the key in the ignition by reaching over and through the steering wheel with my left hand. That is a relief to know as I'd like to rest my right hand and let whatever injury I have heal for a while. The pain occurs at the strangest times - like trying to tie my shoes in the morning before taking the dog out. Just a simple motion, but it triggers some muscle that doesn't want to be triggered at all.

More trouble

I am getting a little worried about my hand. You may remember that I complained about my hand hurting when I turned the ignition in my truck. This morning I was emptying waste tanks and running in and out of the rig. At one point I opened the door to the 5ver and nearly fell over with the pain in my hand. The large joint just below my index finger is what is affected, and I just took two ibuprofen so I will see if that helps. I've been setting the Mac on a small table in front of the couch, so maybe the angle is not helping. My right hand, of all things!

Earlier this morning I went out to close the grey water valve so as to collect the shower water to rinse out the hose after emptying the tanks. The valve came loose and I thought it was broken, so up to the office I went to see Rex. He came by soon after and got it back in place, but said if it happened again I might have to replace the valve. It was one year ago that he fixed the galley tank valve, and wouldn't charge me for fixing it either time. I will miss him when I'm gone from here!

I need to run some errands but am afraid I won't be able to start my truck. I should see if I can reach my left hand over to do it, but more likely this is an indication I should stay home and stay off the computer for a while. Other than my hand, I feel great and I feel energetic!

I called a local locksmith from Black Mountain that I had used in the past, and he came out very soon after to fix some locks for me. The good folks at Nu Wa in Chanute had removed the entire lock from the front storage bay leaving a little round empty hole, but fortunately the former owner of my rig had left me a bunch of spare locks and keys and I had just the part needed, so now I can lock the storage bay. He also replaced a lock on the door to the living area which had been giving me trouble, especially with my problem hand. Then he fixed a problem with the lock on the kitchen door. All this for a very reasonable amount, I might add. If you are ever in or near Asheville/Swannanoa/Black Mountain, NC and need a locksmith, I highly recommend Steve Fox of "Fox on the Run Lock & Key". He's a good locksmith and a good person.