Thought once we left 2021 behind us that things would get back to our normal and we would be carefree again. We had enough of hurricane force winds, trees blowing down and fires in Boulder, we were ready to party. But not so fast!
As soon as we came to Florida, picked up unfixed Wanda, said bye to John and Sandy, COVID hit Ty. Put him down for a couple of days with the aches and pains (are not these the same?) then couple more days of just sleeping away. I only had a scratchy throat and maybe a little tightness in the chest but nothing I would call “sick”. Can’t believe I didn’t get it, as it is hard living in 275 sq ft of living space to not to breathe in the sneezing crap that flying thru the air. I spent the first 8 days trying to be as far away from Ty as possible, so I sat outside next to rig not wanting to expose anyone in case, I was a carrier.
While Ty was sick the weather was nice and hot and humid. Oh, how I long for that weather now; anyway, Ty got better and now we are ready to party then that weather maker that hurled itself across the mid-west reached its windy cold arm down our way. That means TORNADOS WIND and RAIN! Let me be the first to run into the tornado shelter, if I could find it, so had to settle for the kitchen of the community center while a Baptist service was commencing. I haven’t been to a church gathering where we are all packed into each other like sardines since pre-Covid days. I suspect a lot of people were not Baptist, but actually seeking shelter. But we all sang, waved our hands about and prayed like mad that the Gods that be would not let a tornado strike this little mobile home park. Ya know, that is the first place tornados like to strike – trailers. Well, all is good at IW (that lingo for Imperial Wilderness) as all that was shaken was me (and a few others) and the palm trees.
Then the January weather decided to be like the rest of the county; all that snow in the “north county” (any state north of FL is “north country”) has seen fit to also send clouds and cold winds down this way. I am not prepared for this t I have very few winter clothes; nothing to do so I decide to wash clothes forgetting that I had bought a red item and now all of the whites (Ty’s) are now a nice hue of pink. Ughhhh.
Remember that cute little dog, Dulce, that belongs to John and Sandy. Ty doesn’t think so cute anymore. Dulce was curled up behind Ty’s legs, and Ty stood up stepping on the Dulce, she thanked him by biting him in the big toe. Ouch! For such a little dog, she sure does pack a mean punch. Toe got all swollen and looked nasty for a couple of days. All better now.
John and Sandy Hill, our FL address people, came down to Naples and off we went to see some old guy, I mean old – in his 80’s play at a Japanese Steak House. He actually is really good, plays anything without any sheet music. Get this: a patron of the restaurant, with shaven head except for a mohawk patch, all tatted up with a girlfriend in Goth mode made a request. I couldn’t wait to hear what he had in mind and he asks “Do you know any Chopin?” CHOPIN? I didn’t see that coming, not what I pegged this guy to ask for. Reminds me, todays sermon at church was all about putting people in boxes – that’s what I did; note to self: need to work on that. Back to the story, so this 80+ piano player starts in and plays a couple of tunes by Chopin all without the benefit of sheet music. He was wonderful, and his wife sings too.
What else has been happening this month? Not much really – went to the ocean for this first time we have been here (day 25 to be exact) on the one and only day that it has been in the high 70’s. Still cloudy, windy and no sunset to be had.
Wanda is not completely fixed, she did get a new fireplace, but the grease fittings are back ordered. She continues to squeak driving me perfectly insane. Me, LazyDays and Grand Design have a thing going, not in a good way.
The fabric on the chairs didn’t wear out, they UGLIED out. After 3 years of sitting on a off-white fabric you can imagine the grime that just doesn’t wash out. While weather was not nice, we made the most of it by recovering chairs. Only 3 trips to Joann Fabrics for material and foam, 2 to hardware for the correct size stables. also had to borrow a staple gun (not something we carry around with us, thank you brother Willy for knowing somebody) and lastly a gazillion hours on YouTube trying to figure out just how to get the old stuff off. There are a million staples on the underneath. Finally, Ty thinks to call his brother Dave who is an unholster, for gosh sakes, who told us to leave in staples and just cut off material. Duhhh. And trips back to hardware and Joann’s to return unwanted stuff.
Ty has a few new injuries to his head as he continues to bump his head on open kitchen cupboards. Refuses to wear the helmet Jason gave him, of course. And he wasn’t too keen on wintering in FL, did it to appease me, so he not his usual cheery self, just a little more than grump I would say. But hey, he got off to a rough start and if he would just close a cupboard door!
Met up with our friends, Kit and Denise, at Fort Myers Beach for fun at LaOlas although it is a Covid petri dish of 60-70’s year old just wanting to have some fun. We met them 2 years ago at LaOlas and my liver will never be the same. This time, we won’t be meeting them at the bar 3 times a week!
Oh do I have Tiffin envy. For those of you unaware, Tiffin is a top of the line Motorcoach – it doesn’t get any better than a Tiffin: marble floors – which are heated, granite counter tops, lightening and heat controlled by your phone. Full size refrigerator, induction cook top and I could just go on and on (4 TVs!!)
“K&DRP” Kit and Denise Rolling Palace is a befitting name.
Brother Will and wife Pam also have a condo in Naples which they rent until April sometime. It is nice to have them down here with us and we are trying to make the most of it. Went to local theatre to see “Silver Alert”, about the kids taking away the old folk’s car keys. Been there with my parents, too close to happening to us.
There are some activities that I have tried to engage in. Hand and Foot which of course has it own rules and tweaks. I haven’t been back, too painful. Did play Pinochle, 3 handed, and that was fun. Haven’t played that card game in a long time. They play a game called “Pitch”, which I hope to try soon.
So that was January and I have Amazon Fever.
I must say I enjoyed my mental picture of you two singing and waving your hands while praying for the tornado to spare your RV park. And you’re right, they do seem partial to trailer parks. I’ve always wondered what particular law of physics causes that phenomenon. One that is as yet undiscovered, I think, although no doubt the Tiffin people have teams of scientists working on the problem. I don’t suppose they have come up with a tornado shelter for their RVs, marble of course.
About aches and pains: I think of aches as those nagging spots that either constantly or sporadically send messages of discontent to your brain, pleas for mercy or drugs, or at least a change of position. Whereas pains are those sudden flashes that alert you that you have somehow violated the laws of Old People Moving Body Parts. For example, you are doing the same gentle stretch you have been doing for years when suddenly all the muscles in that appendage freeze into a knot of radiating pain for no reason at all. Arbitrary, capricious and just plain mean.
I’m sorry we didn’t get to play cards on your last trip to CO, maybe next time.
Kumbaya my friend! Truer words never spoken
How soon is your Tiffin going to be delivered?
Free shipping from Amazon? Can’t wait to see pics. Gotta be cheaper than buying property in Boulder.
And ty. — close those cupboard doors. We already have enough mental things to worry about.
Take care. Have fun you two
Thank goodness Amazon isn’t in the Tiffen business cause I would!!! Don’t know about the cheaper cause the base price starts at 1/2 mill
Be careful about how you talk about 80+ folks. You have a brother that is 80 ++ and a sister 80+.
Looks like you do not need grease fittings, you need new shackles or the rubber inserts that go into the shackles.
BYW, who is this Chopin guy? I knew a Charlie Chopin that was in silent movies. I did not know he wrote songs though.
That was awesome. Wishing you a wonderful, exciting 4th year full of new adventures. Stay warm. Sending love and hugs.
It’s always great to hear from you!!
Fours years that is wonderful just keep on going.
Making memories and great adventures.
Sending our very best.
looking to winter in AZ again this year
Not sure where but some place where the humidity is low and Ty can find some hiking
will be spending the rest of this year wrapping up east of Mississippi, catching those places we have missed. So no Buena Vista this year.
Take care and catch you next winter
Sounds like its a good thing you are thru Janurary and it is behind you…Sure miss our happy hours and hikes with you 2….Its been cold and windy here in Texas also. Hope to hook up with you 2 maybe in Wisconsin? Sounds like Bob wants to go back to seek out the ever eluding ‘Hanson house hunting. Bob and Cruzer send greetings. Miss you and hope to see you sometime this spring/summer….