After

Just to let you know we made a little more progress on the battery project on Jim's coach.  He still needs to attach the new hold-down brackets then it will be ready for the road.

Almost finished

and

Still livin' the dream

Phil

Good old days

We worked in a little trip to Pensacola today to meet with more friends from the north country. Jerry and Kathy, joined John and Linda, and Sharon and me at McGuires Irish Steak House for lunch. Yes I know you all think that’s all we do is eat out with friends but it’s simply not true. Take today for instance… actually this was not just a lunch but an in-service for four Intermediate School District retirees.

As if they were still on the payroll, they picked up old times as if they were yesterday. As an outsider it was plain to see they enjoyed the banter and hashing over the days gone by. With probably over 90 years of combined seniority they had many topics to jabber about. Thankfully Jerry and I didn’t have to sit idly by as we retired from the same outfit so we too could join in on the trip down memory lane. Another good day with friends. 

With friends around ... we’re still livin’ the dream.

Phil

Go figure

We purchased a webcam the other day with the thought that we could visit with our family and friends live, in person and in living color. I hooked up the MS LiveCam Cinema, loaded the software and, with the help of my neighbor Jim, attempted to get the little gadget working. After a few fits and starts we finally had a jerky audio and an equally jerking video. Not exactly HD quality with Dolby 6.1 sound, but I could see the possibilities … but still stumbled on the execution. The past two night we’ve tried linking up with my daughter and son-in-law but the results were the same. And it seems so easy on paper. Am I expecting too much?

Is anyone out there listening to my dilemma? Should I use MS Live, Skype or ManyCam or what? Help!

Still a little jerky but still livin’ the dream.

Phil

The Cake

I forgot to tell you the other day that when our good friends John and Linda paid us a visit they brought a local delicacies ..Mardi Gras King Cake. They joined us at the ‘loaded potato’ luncheon in the resort clubhouse and the cake was the crème de la crème to finish off a great time.

The traditional King Cake of the Mardi Gras season, and the way it’s made, makes it quite unique. The colorful cake is made with a light, rich Danish dough then frosted with toppings that represent the traditional Mardi Gras colors. Gold representing power, green representing faith, and purple presenting justice. The cake’s dough was swirled with a sweet strawberry filling on one half, the other with a pecan cinnamon nut filling.

The Mardi Gras King Cake has something else that is as special as it’s taste. Buried within the cake is a small plastic baby figurine that is a symbol of this holy time of the year. The person who finds the baby in their piece is crowned ‘King’ or ‘Queen’ for the day and is obligated to host the following year’s holiday party. I guess this a a pretty neat idea as long as you don’t choke of the little thing. As it turned out no one choked or even divulged they’d found the baby. Apparently they knew of the tradition and didn’t want a bunch of strangers over for lunch next year.

Just in case you didn’t know … Mardi Gras (a French word meaning ‘Fat Tuesday’ or the English version ‘Shrove Tuesday’ or the German ‘Fastnachtkuchen’) wasn’t invented in New Orleans but some say was celebrated as far back as the middle ages sometime around when the Romans accepted Christianity. Apparently the Mardi Gras celebration was of a carry-over from the more ‘paganesque’ times before that the church could now tolerate. Anyway its a great excuse for a party. One of many I’m sure.

Still livin’ the dream.

Phil

Mama said we'd have days like this ...

Oh yes … it’s been quite a day. Actual physical exertion too. Well not much, but some.

You see my new older, newly adopted brother Jim had a little battery problem so I fooled him into thinking I actually knew something about those sparking little boxes and volunteered to help replace them. (see before poto) His Winnebago batteries were shot so after a couple of days researching on the net, and a little advice from my old friend Corky in Michigan, he settled on three new Optima AGM’s (see after photo when I get around to taking it). First class units but do have a first class price to match. Anyway Jim and I got out our tools, thinking caps, and finished a normal 1 hour job in about two days. We again re-discovered a well known fact that any job worth doing will require at least 7 trips to various hardware and auto supply stores to really do the job right and get all the parts. We could have thought the installation out thoroughly and made only one trip, but we really like kicking around tools and stuff. At least the story we’re sticking to. Success was soon at hand as the engine fired and all the little gizmo lights lit up around his coach and … we could not smell any smoke. Always a good sign.

But all work and no play makes for loose trousers so to stop from buying all new clothes; we accepted an invitation to dinner at the clubhouse tonight. A small group had planned to gather and was kind enough to ask Jim and Carol and Sharon and I to join them. I was expecting steamed shrimp but they added in prime rib, potatoes, salad … the works. Bubba and Mary hosted (and cooked) the affair and several others kicked in side dishes. Carol (Dave’s wife) made a Tiramisu dessert that any restaurant would be proud to serve. No shortage of good cooks at this camp.

So as we wind down our stay at Bella Terra, we’re a little sad about leaving. With so many great people in one spot it has set the bar pretty high in our winter travels. Yes the resort is first class but it’s still the caliber of people we’ve met that made the difference.

We’ll depart this coming weekend headed east then south into Florida. Hopefully finding a little warmer, dryer, and calmer climate to finish out the winter.

But still livin’ the dream in Alabama.

Phil

Back to normal

It finally had to happen.  Everything fell into place.
 

Not a cloud in the sky... temperatures in the high 60's ... little wind.  A dozen Johsonville Cheese Brats, chips, drinks and good friends.  Time to Picnic.  We've been here since the middle of November and it was the first legitimate date we've had to grill out and enjoy the outdoors.  So with the chance of lobsterizing my smooth pate, I fired up the Coleman, set out the lawn chairs, and cooked my little heart out.  Our new friends from Iowa, Jim and Carol joined us and we managed to polish off most of the big tube steaks.  Ambrosia it was.  Nothing like grilling out with good friends on a beautiful day.  We're looking forward to many more as this kind of fun as winter rolls on.  My new friend and, adopted big brother Jim, and his wife, Carol.  They wave a lot in Iowa in case you wondered. 

Talk about a small world.  Our friends from Iowa ran across a couple down here who lives near them backhome. It's always seems good to connect with local folks when your away.  I think there are only three or four dozen families who actually live in Iowa so I thought this was a pretty big deal.  As we were finishing our cookout, another couple were walking their big Weineramer dogs.  Apparently headed over to the local 'drop zone', (if you get my drift) I commented on what a nice day it was to them.  We exchanged pleasantries and soon discovered they were from Michigan.  Not only from Michigan but from our home town ... and to top it off ... he retired from the same place I did.  I began having one of the Rod Serling moments.  As they parted I asked if the dogs would like the two remaining brats cooling on the grill.

At that very moment I knew dogs understood the English language.  Without hesitation or direction from their owners, those cool eyes were riveted on me like a shark on a California surfer as I walked over to the grill. Two 80- pound dogs straining at their leashes, as they were trying to get to me, does not make one comfortable.  I asked the owner if I should throw it to them or perhaps they would take the treat from my hand.  He mentioned something about I might need to count my fingers if I did, so I chose not to press my luck and tossed them.  The little brutes sort of met me half way in a semi lunge that was about waist high.  My whole life quickly passed before my eyes but I quickly re-focused as the brats disappeared instantly into their little white tooth lined mouths.  Nice dogs.

So good friends, frozen Margaritas, Johnsonville Brats, and a blue-sky day.  A perfect mix for 'livin the dream'.

Phil

p.s. ... We can thank Sharon for the photos this episode.  Nice job I'd say.

p.s.s ... On a purely political note ... as I write this there is a caliope of air horns blaring around the park as the results of the election results in Massachusetts are announced.

Gumbo and B-52's

We had a little gathering at the club house tonight.  Sharon and I commented to each other afterwards that one of the neat things about the RV community is meeting new people, trying new things, and seeing new places.  Tonight was no exception.

It was a wine and cheese party followed by a special dinner prepared by one of the lot owners and his friend (a cook) from Louisiana.  Not just any dinner ... but a Louisiana down home cookin, pot of Gumbo.  All kinds of stuff  wonderful  were simmering in this huge pot big enough to wash your Springer Spaniel in.  Sausages, chicken, vegetables, and whatever else from the bayou filled the room with the smell goodness.  The cook forewarned us that he had not spiced up the mix much but if you wanted, he brought along a big bottle of red hot witches brew that would help if you need more 'kick'.  After some wait to reach the caldron of goodness, I peered into the bubbling concoction as the cook scooped two large ladles of the goodness onto a bed of white rice.  The waiting was over and it was well worth waiting for.  Not too spicey but oh so good.  Didn't see one bowl that wasn't that wasn't figurativly licked empty.

When all guest bellies were filled, I noticed out the corner of my eye, the cook making himself up a bowl of the goodness.  Heaped high he showed his Louisiana colors by grabbing that big bottle of red hot witches brew and doused the goodness with the fire and heat percolating in that bottle.  I didn't see the flames but they must have been there. Surely the smoke alarms were on the verge of going off.  He polished off the bowl as if it were Wilford Brimley's oatmeal.  Michigan mortals would have sought medical assistance.  Gotta get that recipe for my South Haven friends.

Conversation after dinner was entertaining.  A perfect example of the variety of people you meet when travelling.  Sitting across from me was a man and his wife who have been married 52 years.  Quite an accomplishment in itself but they have been rv'ing for 50 of those years.  From tents, to pop-ups, to trailers, to 5th wheels, to a motor home ... they'd seen it all ... done it all.  They've camped in every state of the union (except Hawaii) and most of the Canadian provinces.  They'd been on river barge caravans. They been to Mexico.  Name a place and they'd probably been there.  Living enclyclopedias of travel.  He a former B-52 navigator who vividly remembers the ramp up to war during the Cuban missile crisis and she,  a former nurse.  I can only imagine what stories they could tell from living such a rich life.  This is what I wanna' be when I grow up.  Never content to sit and watch life pass by ...  but being a participating member.  I've got a feeling I'll meet more of these types along our path.  And looking forward to it.

So another day that started out cold and windy and ended with spending time with some very engaging people. 

This is what livin' the dream is all about for us. (unfortunately it's still cold and windy however)

Phil

Brrrrrrrrrrr

25 ... 21 ...  20... 32   HIKE. 

No I'm not a quarterback calling a football play on Sunday afternoon folks.  We're hiking up our long johns as these are the expected low temperatures here in Foley Alabama for the next several evenings.  Well- diggers and brass monkeys beware.  Protect what's precious.

It seems like the social director here likes to get everyone together now and again to do a little mingling which usually includes some eating and drinking.  Fortunately two skills we are both good at.  What's neat about these gatherings is that many bring a dish to pass.  Be it something purchased at the store or something from the family cookbook it's all good.  Yesterday's special was black-eyed peas with ham.  My first exposure to these little orbs was indeed a good one.  Seconds were required.  This morning was a pre-football game party beginning with Bloody Mary's, Mimosa's, and a ham, sausage, cabbage, corn, potato, and carrot soup that was very special.  All kinds of other goodies were present with Sharon adding a scrumptious frosted pumpkin bread.  Now that the holidays are over we're now looking another reason to gather and do it all over again.  I think the month of January is national oatmeal, national hot tea, national popcorn, national cheese, and national squirrel appreciation month ... so who knows what will be on the menu.  

Our plans for cooking out on the old barbee are scrapped as the wind keeps blowing out the flame.
I guess we'll have our steaks (tube) in the microwave.  I know our northern friends are having a rougher time of it so maybe I'd better shut up and at least enjoy the much needed sunshine down here.  Now if any of our western friends would like to release any of that heat they're hanging on to and send it east, we'd be oh sooo happy.

Shiverin' in the south but still livin' the dream.

Phil