The Class-less Class

[JRP]

"" Jim2, did you sell your place here in Deming or did you keep it for winter headquarters? I'm keeping all your cowgirls happy for you. I drove out that way last February but couldn't spot your gate or your truck. ""

 

Lee, yes I still have my winter ranch outside Deming. I use it as my winter base and do some southern trips from there. yes, its hard to find without specific directions. During the summer the local den of western diamondbacks keep guard.

Last winter I stopped by the Low-Hi ranch to see you (I'm still a member) but they said some cowgirls had kidnapped you for the afternoon.

[Wanderin]

Hi guys!

We're doin' great and haven't posted in a while so, here goes...

Been very busy catchin' up with the docs and friends/family here in the QC area. Moving from Iowa City to Davenport, IA today for our final couple of weeks before heading out to our friends cabin in MN for a week during the 4th. Got a busy day...stopping at an RV service place on our way to West Lake CG to see if they can refix that nagging slide out leak. They caulked it when we first got in the area end of April and seemed to take care of it but, after a couple rains we have noticed it's back. At least it doesn't leak with the slide in! Then hopefully, we can get a good full hook up site so that we've got plenty of tank to start my "night of a thousand rains" clean out for my colonoscopy the next a.m...fun! Colon cancer killed my dad and could've been prevented if he'd only known what I do now about getting those scopes.

On Weds. a mobile mechanic is coming by to replace our awning motor that cost $1100 just for the part. Then the other day while checking out the generator I discovered that my house batteries are shot and had to order a new set for $1300. Glad that I discovered that before heading west for some dry camping with all of our friends there. In anticipation for that I've ordered $300 worth of LED lights to replace some of the halogens inside the Beave. Trying to stay philosophical about all this in that if we owned a house without wheels we'd still have to do repair/upgrades on it. The rig is eight years old and bound to have some bugs that pop up. All worth it because we really do like the Beave!

Really looking forward to hitting the road west and seeing all of our full timer friends...it's been too long!

Keep on truckin'...your friends Roger & Lynn

It has been too long. That's a ton of money you've unloaded. Hopefully, that's it for the year. We'll look forward to seeing you again.

[IYQ]

Well I got good news from the Doctor (FNP) today. She took me off all of my prescriptions except the Iron sulfate she just prescribed and the OTC Vitamin D. She had cut my blood pressure meds down to once every 3rd day and when I went in this morning to have my blood pressure monitored it was still behaving so she told me to stop taking it completely but monitor it twice a day at home. She said if it gets too high she will give me a new med that is kidney friendly at a much lower dose. She also said to stop using the Advair inhalers and continue to use the dry salt pipe I made because it was doing a better job than the inhaler bringing up the phlegm. And continue the low salt diet iv'e been on. She wants to continue to monitor me for the blood iron and vitamin D every other month and said she would take me off them as soon as my levels got back up to normal. The lung specialist hasn't called me so evidently he didn't see anything he could make a buck off of. If it took this long for him to get around to reviewing my records I don't want to go to him anyway. I'll take my chances. I am feeling a lot better and my breathing is improving but slowly. Watch out Cowgirls here I come.

[Lavinmh]

IYQ that is good news indeed. Sometimes those FNP's are better than any doctor.

[IYQ]

I took my laundry in then went back and got it a little after noon. Then came the hard part. Putting the clean linen on the bed. I have a big thick comforter that is real light. I have no place to store it so It stays on the bed. At night I just fold it back to the far side of the bed because it would be too warm in this weather. BUT, trying to put a double sheet in a travel sack when it's covered with a big comforter is challenging to say the least. By the time I got the bed re-made I definitely needed a Steve.

Yesterday one of the men I know from the slabs was found dead in his rig. One of the gals had taken him to a specialist over in Las Cruces and they had diagnosed him as having Gastritis and sent him back home. Some of the gals were taking turns checking on him and seeing that he had food. He has a dog that is aggressive but one of the other slabbers that knows him had been taking care of the dog. The dog wouldn't let anyone in the rig so we called 911 and also the guy that was feeding the dog who was working in town at the time. By the time he got here to handle the dog the Police and ambulance had arrived and were waiting to get in. The man was on the bed with no sign of any struggle so I think he died in his sleep. That's three people who have died here since last fall. One of those was a suicide. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm in the right place. But when I look at the fact that the gals were taking care of him and they didn't even know him. I guess it would be hard to find a better place to be.

[soos]

Lee,

no matter what is happening, you always make us smile

[dlcarsonak]

Hi gang

 

We are in Toledo, Ohio for the summer if the heat doesn't kill us. if you are in the area give us a call.

 

Glyn

[Sandie & Jim]

Lee - having folks around to take care of you is one of the best blessings ever. I found that out with all of Jim's problems. Love the family we have formed in AJ. However, I know about that struggle to make the stupid bed by yourself. I'd have to start in the morning and hopefully by that night I might hav3e the sheet on. What a pain.

[steved44]

Well, Carol's surgery went fine yesterday. She now has a new knee and is on the healing road. The anesthesia made her sick, and it took her a while to recover from that, but now she is much better and ready (maybe) for rehab. She'll probably be back home to BessyBus on Friday. At least there are only six steps to get her in here and if she has any problems I can always drive the house to the doctor I know she was relieved to finally "get er done"! Now all I have to do is bring her coffee, bring her food, bring her kindle, bring her phone, did I say bring her coffee!! Must head for hospital, see you later.....Steve

[IYQ]

Carol I'm rooting for you. Hope you recover from the operation fast. We need you to keep Steve in Line. When the exercises hurt just make believe your directing your cuss words at Steve and keep right on exercising. They really help. We won't let him get too far out of line.

 

I just took my walk and am at the shop resting. I got in a race with a horny toad but he won. Darn, how am I going to keep from getting caught by one of those Cowgirls if I can't even out run a horny toad. It's cool this morning and not too much wind so far. maybe I can get a few chores done. Then again maybe I'll think of a good excuse for not doing them. I don't have any appointments I have to go to so that won't work. I still have a bunch of stuff in the trailer that needs to come over here to the shop for storage. I sit over here and call it but it don't listen. My GG niece sent me a Father's Day card and boy was it ever bragging about my merits. Now if I can just get my head through this door I'll go on home and start thinking about those chores.

[Striper]

Well, Carol's surgery went fine yesterday. She now has a new knee and is on the healing road. The anesthesia made her sick, and it took her a while to recover from that, but now she is much better and ready (maybe) for rehab. She'll probably be back home to BessyBus on Friday. At least there are only six steps to get her in here and if she has any problems I can always drive the house to the doctor I know she was relieved to finally "get er done"! Now all I have to do is bring her coffee, bring her food, bring her kindle, bring her phone, did I say bring her coffee!! Must head for hospital, see you later.....Steve

Hey Steve,

 

Tell Carol I'm pulling for her. Another friend had her knee replaced about a month ago and is doing great. Her words were that even though it hurt to do the damn exercises it has really paid off that she did them. Actually she did them more than required and is way ahead on her recovery. Actually I'll hoist a glass, or 3, of some BAAAAAAAAAD Whiskey for her quick recovery.

 

Supposed to meet up with Jeri and Terry as well as the Lavins tomorrow. You can bet we're gonna talk about the whole bunch of you guys.

 

Joe

[sandsys]

Yesterday one of the men I know from the slabs was found dead in his rig. One of the gals had taken him to a specialist over in Las Cruces and they had diagnosed him as having Gastritis and sent him back home.

Chest pain from gastritis and from heart attack can look a lot alike. When I have chest pain I take an anti-gas tab or two and wait to see if it works. Sometimes it takes awhile but I have not yet awakened to find myself dead. I'm surprised they didn't keep him long enough to see if the gastritis remedy worked, though.

 

Linda Sand

[Onthego]

Steve- Glad the surgery went well. Praying for a speedy recovery.

 

We're in Cody, Wy. and went to Yellowstone for a day trip today. Before we got to the east gate it started snowing. The roads were just wet. When Old Faithful start to erupt a snow squall came through and you could barely see it. Tried to post a picture but couldn't figure it out. Hope we find summer temps soon.

 

Safe travels everyone.

 

Jeff

[IYQ]

CORRECTION:

The other night I said that it appeared that the man that died hear died in his sleep. That was because the gal that was checking on him and called the police when the dog wouldn't let her in saw the cop come out and cross his arms on his chest and say he's on the bed. The police had the rig blocked of with yellow tap so nobody could go in. This morning one of the gals decided to take his dog to keep it from going to the pound. The manager called the police to get permission to go in and get the dogs food and dish. They told him to go ahead but he might not want to look in the bedroom because the man had shot himself in the head and the wall behind him was a pretty gory sight. So that's two suicides and one natural death since fall. The other suicide was a gal that hung herself. She stayed drunk all the time and was very abusive to her Mother who was living with her. Her mother was the one that found her and cut her down. The odd thing is that the two suicides were in two spaces beside each other but separated by 6 months. The second one didn't know about the first one. And that's about all this old head can handle for tonight. I still like the place and think it's great that the gal took the dog to keep it out of the pound. Being aggressive it was not adoptable. The gal has already won the dogs trust with two slices of ham and just sitting near by and talking to it. The dogs aggression was more because of fear than anything. He is still not safe to walk up to but I think the gal will win him over and get him socialized.

[Sandie & Jim]

Steve- Glad the surgery went well. Praying for a speedy recovery.

 

We're in Cody, Wy. and went to Yellowstone for a day trip today. Before we got to the east gate it started snowing. The roads were just wet. When Old Faithful start to erupt a snow squall came through and you could barely see it. Tried to post a picture but couldn't figure it out. Hope we find summer temps soon.

 

Safe travels everyone.

 

Jeff

 

No snow up here yet but it's been really cold and rainy. No fishing yet for Jim. I think we came back too early.

[steved44]

Sorry that had to happen there Lee, that's a little unsettling at best. That was really nice of the lady to take the dog. Now, what is that snow word still doing on the forum, I thought we were all done with that. Aren't Paul & Sue chasing that stuff back to Alaska. Hmmmm

[IYQ]

Did good on my walk this morning was able to zip right along at a fairly good speed. (For me that is) I'm sitting in my shop resting now but have to complete the trip and go to the bank to deposit a check from the IRS. Which is a story in itself. It's fairly cool this morning and only about a 5 mph breeze. I'll take my roll of rabbit fencing back to the rig with me. I need to do some modifications on my bird feeder. Yesterday I mounted a large tray under the feeder to catch all the seed the house sparrows rake out of the feeder that would normally go on the ground. In so doing I made it possible for the Doves to hang onto the edge and eat the seed out of the new tray. They keep the little birds from getting at the feeder. So this morning after I come back from the bank I'll make a new dove guard that comes over the edge of the new tray to make them stay on the ground. Such is all the decisions one has to make in this RV life style. LOL Hey Steve go get me a pair of pliers. I figure you're the official go get man now. Keep him jumping Carol.

[td12class]

Seems a lot going on out there with our little rv family. Many interesting locations and fun to follow along with blogs... we're traveling along through Alaska with you, Sue & Paul. Would love to get to the Pacific Northwest and explore the coast like you are, Jeri & Terry.

 

Glad to know Carol is off to a good start after her surgery!

 

Sorry, Lee, to hear about some of the events in your "neighborhood," but glad you are feeling better and getting your meds/health back on track.

 

Some of you are in hot country... we here in Wyoming and Montana are still waiting for summer! Think it's just around the bend Sure was fun to have time with Sandie & Jim and Tina & Jeff here!!!

 

Wondering about you, Julie and Mike??? All moved in and settled in your new home?

 

Delcie & Freddy... we picture you there in your campground and wish you well. Much warmer there than here! Remember fondly our time there with you last summer... hug our little grandsons for us, please, if they come by.

 

Others of you that I haven't mentioned... we think of you all fondly and do keep tabs. Looking forward to Lynn & Roger here in another month or so. I think Linda & Ed are dropping by, also, at some point. Nancy & Dave are just up the road in Jackson... have had some quick visits when in town.

 

Well, that's about all the catching up for now. Tom is finally out fishing today!!! Be well, everyone! Dianne & Tom

[coupleonboard]

IYQ (or may I call you Lee?),

 

Al & I have always taken solace in the irony that our life's woes, including deaths, have always seemed to come in bouts of three. My hope is that this is the last of any tragedies in your neck of the woods for some time to come!

 

Another irony is that I was just daydreaming yesterday about bird feeding and here you've posted about it today. You see, when we moved to the mountains of NC, the black bears here ended that joy (though they are a wonder themselves!). I was just pondering if bird feeding is a hobby I will be able to take back up once we begin our full time RV days? And I suppose that will depend greatly on if we are traveling through bear country! Is there any other problem wildlife (other than doves and squirrels?!) I am missing? Just thinking about the various bird species in other parts of the US and Canada, their migratory patterns, how I can entice as many as possible...ah, it gets me all giddy!

 

Shauna

[Lavinmh]

We had a great day today with Terry, Jeri and Joe Spiker. We rode the ferry over through the San Juan Islands to Friday Harbor and had lunch with them. Not the best lunch but any meal with friends is always a joy. Jeri, don't believe anything Joe tells you. You'd have been proud of us. No politics on the ferry back!!

 

Dianne, we are planning on stopping by to see you. It will probably be toward the end of July sometime. Hope it warms up too. After spending almost a month in the Pacific Northwest, we are looking forward to some warmer weather.

[IYQ]

IYQ (or may I call you Lee?),

 

Al & I have always taken solace in the irony that our life's woes, including deaths, have always seemed to come in bouts of three. My hope is that this is the last of any tragedies in your neck of the woods for some time to come!

 

Another irony is that I was just daydreaming yesterday about bird feeding and here you've posted about it today. You see, when we moved to the mountains of NC, the black bears here ended that joy (though they are a wonder themselves!). I was just pondering if bird feeding is a hobby I will be able to take back up once we begin our full time RV days? And I suppose that will depend greatly on if we are traveling through bear country! Is there any other problem wildlife (other than doves and squirrels?!) I am missing? Just thinking about the various bird species in other parts of the US and Canada, their migratory patterns, how I can entice as many as possible...ah, it gets me all giddy!

 

Shauna

Just about anything you call me is better than what most of my friends Call me. I see you lived in the mountains of NC. I lived near Linville for 33 years in a place called Linville Land Harbor. I was a Square Dance caller and started the SD program there. Linville is at the foot of Grandfather Mountain in the Boone Blowingrock area. And yes we had bears but I managed to feed the birds anyway. Full timing is wonderful for a birder. They make feeder out of empty milk cartons and just about anything else you can imagine. When you get on the road make sure you schedule a trip to the Texas Rio Grand area. Especially near Mission Texas. The Green Jay is plentiful down there. It's really a beautiful bird. I hardly qualify as a birder I just like to watch them at the feeder especially at breakfast time. Here in Deming we have the Pyrrhuloxia or Mexican Cardinal. They don't go any farther north than this area. Other than dove, road runners that will eat birds if the can catch them and house sparrows that scatter seed all over the place about the only other threat to birds are owls, hawks, eagles, fox, coyotes, feral cats, rattle snakes and people. You will see Prong horn antelope and deer while driving and if you go to the mountains you'll see Elk and bear. Wild animals are hard to spot in the desert but they are there. I used to go through 50 lbs of oil sunflower seed ever week in Linville and an additional 10 lbs of millet and thistle seed. Especially in the winter when all the Floridians went home. I had bears scare the day lights out of my wife but they never tore down the feeders. They used to get my neighbor's feeders but not mine. Well it's time to go site out In back of my rig and do a little star gazing and singing to myself. I hope my singing don't disturb you way back there in NC.

[coupleonboard]

Lee,

 

What a beautiful area of NC you lived in! It isn't too terribly far from us and we always loved the drive to Avery County HS for sporting events. We've trekked areas including Linville Caverns, Linville Falls, etc. but can you believe we still haven't made it all the way to Grandfather Mountain? We've been so close! The Highland Games there have always intrigued us. Maybe someday!

 

You actually probably know the area we live...right at the top of the I-40 climb on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest, before Black Mountain, as you head to Asheville.

 

I am Googling and ogling the birds you mentioned. The Green Jay is breathtaking and the Pyrrhuloxia is absolutely adorable! Al came home last night to tell me he'd like to take up photography and I told him I'd like to take up birding once again...the two hobbies should go good together.

 

Your evening yesterday sounds like perfection. One thing I miss here, being so hemmed in with the mountains and the trees, are the big skies filled with stars!

 

Shauna

[sandsys]

I see you lived in the mountains of NC. I lived near Linville for 33 years in a place called Linville Land Harbor. I was a Square Dance caller and started the SD program there.

Wow, Lee! I'd sure need a GPS to find my way around Land Harbor but I can see why that would be a good place to start a square dance group--lots of people in a small area from which to draw dancers. I miss square dancing. It was one of the few forms of exercise I enjoyed. We lucked out in getting the best caller around here to teach us. There was one caller who would put together a series of moves that wouldn't work and he was always surprised to see us all confused. Fortunately, there were several other good callers besides our teacher so we could find a decent dance pretty much anytime we wanted to go. I'd love to get back into dancing if my body would let us do that again.

 

Linda Sand

 

Linda Sand

[steved44]

Well, Carol won't be dancing any "reels" right away, but we did get her home today with her new knee. She was able to climb into the bus on her own, so I guess she's doing really good. Pain level is good and we can use the stretching machine in the bus so now we are in the healing process. Glad to have it behind her and she is almost ready for the tennis court!

[IYQ]

Other than take my walk about the only thing I did was take one of the cowgirls who don't have a car to an appointment. Then when she was done I tried to win her fance by taking her to McDonald's for as soft ice cream. It almost worked LOL. Oh yeah, I did get the bird feeder dove proofed. Now I can sit and laugh at the antics they go thru trying to get in. Some of the small birds like House Finch are very cautious about landing on it but they will get use to it in time. The tray works good for catching the scattered seed.

 

Shauna;

The Scottish game are a mad house on Grandfather mountain. People park as far as 5 miles away and catch a shuttle bus to get there. If you drive up US 221 which goes past the gate during the games it takes all morning to get past the gate. It's an interesting place when nothing like the games or music on the mountain is scheduled. Especially the wild life zoo. And the swinging bridge is always a favorite. Tom Wolfe who is a very well known wood carver has a shop and store up there. I use to take a picnic lunch up there and just enjoy the solitude ans scenery. And yes I'm very familiar with the black mountain grade as every truck driver in the US knows every inch of it.

 

Carol; that trick of challenging people to a tennis game with you even with your new knee, isn't going to work. I wouldn't accept that challenge even if you tie an arm behind your back and say you have tennis elbow in the other arm. I know a shark when I see one. Here's wishing you a very speedy recovery and better range of motion than you had at 16 years old.