how is it possible

That a child could be so cute!  

Vovo bought Paige these adorable sunglasses.  Paige didn't even mind having them on and when we went outside she didn't squint and squirm from the sun .... 

Rick and Arlo had been at Pat and Beth's since Thursday.  I finally "rallied" enough to feel safe leaving the house and went over Saturday.  I got some of the planting done that I'd bought stuff for last week ~ still have some more to do, but at least I made a bit of progress.  We have to go back today (Rick left his bike there) so I may finish it up then .... we shall see.

Check out this guy on Rick's back!  He was huge (with a wing span of about 3 1/2 inches) and must have been on a couch cushion when Rick sat down or something.  

That's the brief post for today.  

Friday

Sister Candy was here last night and this morning with me before she headed off to Brayden land.  I so badly needed a Candy "fix".  This has been something less than a great week for Rick and I - I've tried to get out and go and do, but with the exception of our day to Sunapee, I haven't been able to stray far from the coach.  

Candy just has this soothing, understanding about her - Thank you for being here Candy and not criticizing but offering comforting suggestions. ~ I love you.

We walked the campground late yesterday afternoon to see the lady slippers - we saw many lady slippers for sure.  Along the way, we came across this campsite - vacant during the week I believe, but I'm sure it's occupied now, but isn't it so cute how these sand toys are lined up so precisely.  It reminded me of days gone by, raising two boys and their digger trucks!  We were never so organized though that we had a bin for them to go in!  Even if we had had a bin I doubt they'd have been in it often!

Last night we went out for a "fine dining experience" and fine it was!  We went to Cafe Andre in Sunapee, which from the outside just doesn't look so fine dining'ish, but Rick had stopped there a few years ago when he was out on his bike and Andre had shown him the magnificent gardens out back of the "cafe" and we sat next to Andre and his partner Mary the other day when we were on "Tracey's big day out" at Anchorage in Sunapee Harbor (remember disgusting mussels?).  When Mary and Andre were leaving Andre came over and introduced himself to us and we were "kabitzing" that we'd just gone by their place. 

I was familiar with the Cafe only from Rick's tale and having passed it a few times but it doesn't open until 5:00 or so in the afternoon, so I'd never been there.  Well I went on their website after our meeting and was impressed by the menu.  So off Candy and I went (hoping to see a moose along the way - NOT).

OMG what a meal oh oh oh what a meal.  Andre's is quite tiny on the dining side (don't know about the other side, as we didn't go in there) white table cloth place with maybe a dozen tables, but we were the only people there.  Oh the food was fabulous and we sat looking out at Mary's beautiful, absolutely gorgeous, gardens.  

Crummy, lousy photo below ~ Candy wanted me to capture the yellow bird (just above the tubular feeder) and the yellow pansies ("pansies aren't pansies" are they Charlie) that are pretty much center of the photo.  Well, I was taking the picture through a screen I believe AND the flash is reflected ... but I did get the yellow bird and the yellow pansies!

After we left the restaurant (we needed to head east) but of course as I was pulling out, I checked traffic from the west and saw this sunset - you know me and sunsets!  Not too bad huh?  Not the Keys, but not bad!

Rick and Arlo are at Pat and Beth's - I was there for a while yesterday, working on the Paul Bunyan crew as best as I could and left early to come home to be here when Candy arrived.  I intend to go back there (Pat and Beth's) tomorrow.  

My day started at 2:00 AM today so after Candy left for Brayden land I "futzed" and napped and napped and futzed and did the 10 foot dash in between ....  Haven't eaten a lot today so hopefully things will be "good" tomorrow and I'll be gardening in New Boston .....

Two in twenty four????

So I was brave enough to get away from the coach and get on my bike ... hopefully putting a smile on Richard's face that I ventured out of my current, oh so personal, comfort zone  (for obvious reasons to those of you that read the blog) .

We did head up to Sunapee (Lake) today.  Story (of course) here.  

Many years ago when we were in the area, on probably a long weekend, we headed north to the Sunapee (lake AND mountain) area (gorgeous) and just happened upon a restaurant that served food AND  alcohol (there are, after all, only TWO restaurants on the SHORES of Lake Sunapee).  On that ride we found the Anchorage at Sunapee Harbor.  The barmaid, way back then, was "Waverly" (isn't that a great name).  Well, Waverly owned property (many acres) out in the middle of ...... UMMM ... I don't remember where, but she gave us directions and told us how lovely it was and please, when we left the restaurant, head out there (with very very specific directions in pocket) and tour the many acres.  Well, sort of unlike us, we did just that.  

Her husband was there and we explained our presence (and I'm sure he is still scratching his head over that)  and sort of had a self guided tour of their many many acres - which included a very steep slope down a very washed out dirt road (keep in mind we were on the bikes) ... it was an adventure for sure, BUT it is one we fondly remember and obviously still speak of. Anyway, we were back at the Anchorage today, in hopes of reconnecting with Waverly.  Not to be - she is no longer there, but at an Italian restaurant down the road (about 25 miles from where we are staying so not likely we'd be there anytime soon because it opens at 4:00 or 5:00  daily which could prove to be a loooooong ride home).  

We did partake, today, of wonderful views, not so great mussels (my polite review) and a decent clam roll (Richard's review).  Since I don't do restaurant review or pretend to be a food "critic" I won't continue in that vain, but ummmmmmmmm..........

Chester, you may want to consider property in this area, rather than Vermont (my home state), (as I mentioned in our conversation an hour ago, a photo for you and Honey).  I have some real estate brochures ready to go out to you within the next few days, with notes attached.  As I recall you want mountains .... these white mountains are great Paulie AND the lakes in the area ~ I just know you would love to spend a season (or two or ten) here.

So, I am awaiting (with such excitement) my sister's arrival here within the next few days.  I am so close, yet so far (for whatever reason) from my family and friends.  What's up with that anyway ~ I am thinking about venturing out in a rental car next week .... In the meantime Sir needs his rabies vaccination (need to find a local Vet) and a tubbie (he really doesn't smell all that great after all his play time with Snoopy and Casey, not to mention the swim I took him for yesterday here in a pond at the campground), but, I'm sure that can be handled with one person.  Most campgrounds do, however, require a current rabies vaccination certificate for dogs coming on their property.

We've been in this campground now for two weeks (and I do, and always have, liked this campground) but I feel "trapped" here .... like I said, so near but so far (to my Chad, my Carol Ann, my Moelicious etc), especially knowing we won't be back here in the next few years and there are so many people I want to see and whose company I want to enjoy.  So, ALL bodily systems get healthier cause I need to be travelin' for a few days ..... gotta go gotta go gotta go right NOW ... OH YEAH ... GOTTA

Casey Casey Casey

The recent excitement was CASEY!  Arlo got to play with his best friend on Saturday!  

Arlo and Casey haven't played since August of 2007 ~ they made up for lost time I think.  They seem to have slowed down a bit in their playing (well I guess what I am trying to say is that Arlo doesn't drive Casey as crazy as he used to).

But the play, for Casey, is still always about a tennis ball!  Casey lives for tennis balls.

And Auntie Mary provides snacks too!  Thanks Auntie M!

That's about all from these parts.  Not a very exciting read is it ... sorry, I've been "laying low" with a bout of this digestive thing.  Rick was at Pat and Beth's (and Paige's) yesterday, but I don't venture far from the coach right now so that is where I stayed.  I thought I'd get out on my bike and head up to Sunapee but at the moment I'm not sure that will happen today either!  UGH.  

On a high note, my sister Candy is stopping by at the end of the week to spend a night or two with us - don't remember exactly when but I think it may be Friday ~ yippee.......

How would YOU feel??

Tonight we went to the local American Legion for dinner ("a tour of Italy") ... an opportunity to meet the "locals" and get a story or two (although this blog is certainly missing those great human stories lately isn't it!!).  

For quite some time I've been anticipating someone asking me when I'm due, but tonight a different "situation" presented itself ... we were given the senior citizen (62 and older) rate for our dinner ~ no questions, no identification requested, just given!!!  HMMMMMMM   I was seriously stunned, like I wrote, I expected the when are you due question but not this!!

Anyway, we are in Deering, NH still and likely will be for a few more weeks (although we are looking at a campground in New Boston today).  In Deering is the "Tom Rush Forest".  Tom Rush is our favorite folk singer and he used to live here.  He donated 300 acres of his property to The Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests.  There is a You Tube  video of Tom singing his I Remember song ~ it's pretty funny and one most of us at this age can truly relate to!  Watch it if you get a chance and need a laugh.

We've been spending time at Pat and Beth's.  Arlo and Snoopy are getting along famously and Arlo comes home absolutely exhausted and it usually takes him an entire day to get rested and back to "normal".  They are pretty darned funny to watch with their constant antics.  

Over the winter (and especially one major ice storm I guess) Pat and Beth's yard suffered great damage - trees down all over the place.  Patrick bought a chain saw (and all the gear that goes along with it) the other day.  So Patrick, Rick and I had at it for three hours or so. We did make a "dent" in the project but there is so much more to do!  I am still aching from that workout ~ tough work for an over weight "senior citizen"!  AND I was working on a quilting project last night and managed to sew through my finger (with the machine)!  Not too smart huh and typing is a challenge today for sure.

Today is another cold rainy day here in New Hampshire.  UGH.  I'd rather sit out in the sun and read a book than stay in the coach reading!  Hopefully the "weather man" is correct and there is only one more day of this nastiness.

another saturday night ....

This afternoon I spent some time with my cousin Cheryl and her husband and many friends.  Cheryl and I haven't seen each other in years (other than funerals, and several years ago at my Dad's 80th birthday party).  Weren't we just so "adorable" in the photo above ~ yeah it was taken a couple years ago!  Thanks for a great afternoon Cheryl and Don ~ I really had a nice time and it great to spend time with you and "catch up".

The other day Rick and I went to see Bethie and Princess Paige.  Grampa fed Paigie in the same chair he used to rock Patrick in many years ago!  I hope it brought back many good memories.

Look at Paige looking at me - I think she likes me!!!

AND, the other day while we were riding (heaven forbid we should walk) around the campground look what I found!!!  I was so excited, I haven't seen one in several years!

That's it for tonight folks - I'm off to never never land - it's been a long day and when I got back to the campground my gate card key didn't work so I had to leave the car up by the office and the gate and walk to the coach (in the dark of course because it would make far too much sense to have a working flashlight in one's car wouldn't it) and to top it all off I left the book I'm reading in the car - I can't possibly walk back up there for it ... 

Wifi - ya gotta love it .. yes?

This morning I posted a blog post that I had started last week (uploaded the photos then at least) and intended to complete and post last Friday morning before we left the KOA we were staying at in Dummerston, VT (they had wifi there which was great because our satellite was blocked by trees).  Well, I obviously never got around to completing the post.  We left that morning to go to a marvelous rustic, wooded campground in Springfield, VT (Tree Farm Campground).  Now this is MY kind of campground - Candy you would LOVE it as well.  I will post pictures of our site at the end of this one.

While we were in Springfield we visited the local Elks Lodge (as well as the local Moose Lodge), but no rv room at either.  What wonderfully friendly lodges they were.  

The Vermont Elks main goal is support of Silver Towers Camp.  Well, as it happens my sister was a counselor there many years ago.  It was at Silver Towers that she met her future husband ....  When we visited the Springfield Lodge they were having a "macaroni and cheese" cook off whose proceeds were to benefit Silver Towers.  It seems so often like such a small world and the connections one has to others just are so far reaching.  Needless to say, we returned to the Lodge to partake in the fund raiser.  Candy, I so wish you could have been there with us.  Above and below are a couple pictures of the "event" - hopefully you can click on them to enlarge so you can see the collage of Silver Towers - please forward to Sandra if you desire (I don't have her email address).

Also, in our travels around the area (yes we did put on many enjoyable miles) we came across this "historical marker".  As I've mentioned before, Rick has a great interest in planes (and particularly military planes) so this was particularly interesting to him.

Below, are a few pictures of the old factory buildings in Springfield.  It appeared to me that Springfield was at one time a very lovely, thriving town.  Now, sadly it seems like a town that was wounded and no one even bothered to try to heal it.  There are so many abandoned old brick factories, and lovely old buildings in the downtown area that are just crumbling away.  We have seen so much of this in this area - it is so distressing.  Also, we have noticed lately the roads we are traveling on are just a mess - particularly route 5 in Vermont.  I got very annoyed and frustrated thinking about the state of these roads and the fact that we are building roads in a country that would prefer we not be there .... oh don't go on that rant Tracey ~ don't go there.....

I believe it is the Black River that runs through town.  Check out how it goes under these buildings!

One of the days we were there we headed over to Claremont, NH (12 or so miles east) to do a few errands.  We took the "long way home" (quoting Nora Jones???) and came across this pretty water fall along the side of the road in Ascutney, VT.  Nice??

And this great looking moose fella - looking for you Candy??  Nice ass on him huh!

And finally, views of the campground area.  Our site during a relaxing fire!  Darn I love a nice campfire.

Down one of the "hiking trails" there was this lovely, quiet pond - with this pretty home across the way (way across the way).

This is a fish camp club's clubhouse or something there - not to mention outhouse!

As you can see, the beavers have been very busy beavers in the area!

We are in Hillsboro/Deering, NH now for some weeks.  Today we went and played with Princess Paige (aka Paigie Pie, Muffin Face) and will be spending lots of time there in the coming weeks etc.   Too cute that grand baby ... so smiley and happy she is with a very calm and loving Mommy.  Patrick was at work so we didn't get to see him playing with Princess. We did, however, get to feed and rock her in the chair that Patrick's Mom and Dad fed and rocked him in.  So nice, so good, so wonderful these grand babies ....