Alex - the first hurricane of this season

Alex is about to reach landfall this time in northeast Mexico and maybe a touch of southern Texas. We expect to get some rain and wind here since this is a big hurricane that will cover hundreds of miles. Fortunately, the hurricane did not travel into the Louisiana area and interfere with the oil spill clean-up. Here we need the rain and so will happily be in some part of the path of this storm. Since this is to be an especially active hurricane season, I wonder exactly what will transpire over the next few months.

Years ago in the 1950's, we lived through Hazel, a hurricane that traveled up the east coast of the country and then veered inland and went up through the center of New York State. Hazel did much damage, flooding, and knocking down trees. At our farmhouse we had newly installed picture windows in the kitchen that were large for those times. Dad held a yardstick against a north window for seemingly hours as the storm seemed to pop the window in and out. I am sure that his efforts enabled our windows not to break and flood the kitchen. After the eye of the storm passed, he moved his efforts across the room and worked with the south window in the same way. He must have been exhausted at the end of it all.

Will such a storm come our way this summer? I hope not, as motor homes might be quite vulnerable in such a storm. I guess we will find out in due time. Happy travels and stay safe.

Our winter buddies are having a get together.

Tonight we got a call, and it was Jan on the phone. She and Vince live in Wisconsin and are hosting our winter buddies. Dick and Linda drove their motorcycles from their home in Michigan all the way to see Julie and Ron, who live in Minnesota. Then the four of them got on their bikes and went to see Jan and Vince in Wisconsin to spend the weekend. We have all been keeping in touch by e-mail ever since they left this resort to return home after spending several months here in the winter.

They love to ride their motorcycles. Jan and Vince have a three wheeler, as well. The day trips out of here always ended in a great place to eat, preferably barbeque. Even though we do not have a motorcycle, they included us in many happy evenings with drinks and, later, dinner. Ron has a tri-pod which he uses to grill over wood coals, and he is a great cook, too. We had many memorable evenings and got to be such good friends.

Some of them have had their medical challenges this year, too, and it was so nice of them to think of us and include us by calling. Thanks, Jan for starting the call, as it made our day to talk with each of you. Safe travels as each of you returns home. Happy travels.

Walking

I am trying to walk a bit more each day. Today I made it around two of the three sections of this park. I walk slowly but this gives me time to look about and try not to fall. The cane helps and Max does not. We are a bit overcast this morning and I am hoping for rain. It is dry right now and we could use some. As I walk about I wonder what could make me more steady and to go a bit faster. I believe the answer is time, time, time.

It is such a good thing that we stayed put this summer and did not go to Colorado as planned. Our support system is surely in place here. On Sunday several friends inquired about progress and the head usher wanted to know if we could usher next Sunday. We shall certainly try to do so. John, our head pastor, was kind enough to inquire about progress as well. Between church members, friends in the community and friends in the park, who could ask for more. I thank my lucky stars for all the support and for the continuing progress back to health.

On the 'warm feeling' front, things are improving unless one sneezes, coughs, laughs, stands too quickly, and items like that. I know, TMI. I just had to let you know. In time, this too will get better. In the meantime, thank goodness for pull-ups. Happy travels.

Max or The Colonel

Recently Max met some of the new work campers, Clyde and Dorrie. Now whenever Clyde drives by, he says hi to Max, but doesn't call him that. He calls him "The Colonel." Tonight after I took max out for his constitutional, Gordon waved at us, and so we slowly walked over to Gordon's place to see that he and Diana were welcoming Clyde and Dorrie with hors d'oeuvres and drinks. What a nice thing to do. Dorrie then called to Max, and he appreciated all the attention, since he thinks that everyone in the park is here to see him anyway. Then Diana gave Max a taste of her beer. Max loved it. He hated to leave the party, but we needed to stagger home.

I did inform Clyde that Max was named for Foxy's dad, Max, who was, indeed, a Colonel in the Air Force. So Clyde's new nickname is very fitting for our Max. Happy travels.

Bubba's pizza

Tonight we bought two of Bubba J's all meat pizzas, and Foxy cooked them in the pavilion kitchen, and we shared them with several work camper friends. I haven't had pizza in a long time, so it was a real treat, even though I could only eat a piece and a half. Bubba's is a local place that makes pizza to order that you then take home and bake when you want to enjoy it. It is very much like a chain that makes the same offer, and yet this is a local guy trying to make his mark in a very competitive business. We like to support the locals where possible and have sampled his pizza in the past. We recommend his pizza to one and all. Happy travels.

Gordon's walking sticks and canes

I have solved my unsteadiness on my feet which comes and goes. First of all, I have to concentrate when I am walking. Today Foxy and I went to our storage unit to get rid of some stuff and bring other stuff back to the coach when she saw a cane I had bought from fellow work camper, Gordon.

Gordon is a very talented woodworker and makes canes and walking sticks that are just beautiful. Last year I bought a cane from him that had been, in a former life, a stick that had a vine growing around it and that gave a lovely spiral knotted look to the stick. He put a piece of cholla cactus skeleton on it for a handle and sealed the ends of this handle with a fifty cent coin and a silver dollar. It made a perfectly lovely cane, and now it is coming in very handy. I feel that when I am walking that I have just enough support to not feel quite so wobbly. Each day I try to walk a bit further to help get my strength back and tighten up abdomen muscles where the surgeon did his work. This is taking time, but I can gradually see improvement. As niece Joan commented, it all takes time and patience. Happy travels.

It is hard to be 71 and feel like a toddler

It really is hard to be 71 and yet feel like a toddler. I walk quite slowly and am not as steady on my feet as I would like. I manage but actually have to pay attention to my walking. This will take time, and if I work at it each day, it will get better I am sure.

Now you know about toddlers. They frequently have a warm feeling, and when you get a bit too close or decide to hug them, they can share their warm feeling with you. I was never very happy with the toddler stage in my kids and glad when they finally grew out of it. Maybe this is advice I give to you about me at the moment. Don't get too close, and for heavens sake don't hug. I would hate to share my warm feeling with any of you. This may well prove to be the most trying part of recuperation. I have to get my friends who have had similar problems to share how long this takes. Dwayne and Ken, we need to talk. Happy travels.

Good news

This morning we made another weekly trek to nearby Fredericksburg to have the catheter removed. After that was done the nurse shared the biopsy results, and there was no more cancer. All was clear. Wonderful news for sure. I had been hoping but wanted to see the results. We then drove into this small city and walked several blocks one way and then crossed the street and walked back to the car. I saw a lovely Swarvoski crystal heart and knew that Foxy needed it for her business, especially since she has taken such good care of me these past weeks. I told her it could be an early anniversary present. I can't wait to see her wearing it.

Then home and a nap for this intrepid adventurer. Later in the afternoon I drove the car, and we went to Penny's to get me some walking shorts with a smaller waist since my current shorts have this habit of falling off at inopportune times. Not a pretty sight I might add. Then to Office Max for a new smaller printer and Albertson's for groceries where I GOT TO DRIVE A CART. It was fun and I was tired so it was good to tour the store by cart. I didn't even hit anyone. Home and more resting for me, and Foxy started emptying boxes and filling the new cabinets. What a joy not to have to go through boxes when needing food or cooking utensils.

Later I invited Foxy to walk to the River Rock Saloon for a little something. Brother Maurice had suggested that it was time. Now home and fish and salad for dinner. Happy travels.

I'm In a rut

I need to get out of my comfortable rut here. I get up, walk Max, do some sudoku puzzles, walk a bit, play solitaire, blog, write a note or two, nap, eat lunch and do it all over again in the afternoon. I think I need some excitement in my life. Now what does that mean?

Tomorrow at 10am we get the cabinets installed and also at the same time Chris, who does RV repairs, will extend our electrical boxes to accommodate the new cabinets. That should be enough excitement for one day. Then we can maybe get some of the boxes out of our bedroom and rearrange the storage areas. This is clearly Foxy's territory and since I am limited to lifting ten pounds only, may turn out to be her happy helper boy. I think I would clearly be helpful but Foxy may think differently about it. Then there are a few decorative touches like crown molding and the like and we should be done with this part of the restoration. I still have some more storage cabinets to make and install in the bedroom but this will wait for another day when my ten pound limit has been extended.

Thursday we return to the doctor in Fredericksburd to have tubes removed. Then I have to learn all over again how to p__. Very indelicate to put this comment here but it is a fact of life after prostate cancer surgery. I expect to have several warm feelings until I get this under control. I know! TMI, TMI. Oh well it is interesting to me. Happy travels.

A quiet Sunday

We managed to go to church, and both really wanted to do this. Eric was giving the lesson and sermon on a difficult topic of 'Legion', the bad spirits inhabiting a man and his cleansing of them. Eric did a good job, and we thoroughly enjoyed being there. We miss this service when we have to work. Reportedly there is a new work schedule coming out, and we hope that we continue to have Sundays off.

Foxy fixed chicken salad for lunch, and then I had a nap. Wonderful institution, the nap. I got up refreshed and then enjoyed several phone calls from kids and grands. It was so nice to be able to talk with them even when I cannot understand the conversation. I don't hear as well as I used to do, and high voices are exceedingly difficult to sort out. A young girl read the Bible in the early part of the service today. It was nice to have a young person take part in the service, but I had no idea what she said. Of course, I could have looked up the passage in the pew Bible and read along. Didn't do that.

For dinner we had fresh corn roasted on the grill, home grown tomatoes, and hamburgers. Just lovely. For the evening we watched a four hour movie (lots of ads) The Phantom. It was on the SciFi channel, which was a good choice, since the movie was fantasy at best. A lovely quiet day. Happy travels.

Father's Day

I remember my dad fondly. His large hands could make a naughty boy wish otherwise. I deserved every one of the spankings I got as a child. My father did not put up with a smart mouth on a child. We quickly learned to do what was asked and to do it willingly. He taught us many lessons as we grew into young adults and kept setting his fine example throughout his life for his children and grandchildren. He was reserved but had a terrific sense of fun which typically emerged when he was playing cards. He was a formidable card player and very hard to beat. He once said that no one ever knew if he did not like them. When he died, his funeral was attended by many many friends and family. He knew how to live and how he wanted his life to be. When I was young, I remember him making us lawn chairs and marveled that he could make them without seeming to have a pattern. They lasted for years and were quite comfortable. He enjoyed having automobiles. During WWII he drove a 1936 Ford for many years, and finally after the war we got a new 1947 Plymouth, He was very proud of that car. It was followed by a series of new Desoto's and then Chrysler's. His favorite car color was red. I miss his fine example to this day but can quickly remember what dad would do when I need his advice. I only hope that I set as half a fine example to my children and grandchildren. Happy Father's Day and happy travels.

Actual Writings on Hospital Charts

Foxy's sister Susan sent the following. We thought they were very funny. Enjoy!


Actual writings on hospital charts

1. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.

2. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

3. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.

4. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.

5. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

6. Discharge status: Alive but without my permission.

7. Healthy appearing decrepit 69 years old male, mentally alert but forgetful.

8. The patient refused autopsy.

9. The patient has no previous history of suicides.

10. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.

11. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.

12. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.

13. She is numb from her toes down.

14. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.

15. The skin was moist and dry.

16. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.

17. Patient was alert and unresponsive.

18. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.

19. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce.

20. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy.

21. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.

22. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.

23. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.

24. The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stock broker instead.

25. Skin: somewhat pale but present.

26. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.

27. Patient was seen in consultation by Dr. Blank, who felt we should sit on the abdomen and I agree.

28. Large brown stool ambulating in the hall.

29. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.

Happy travels.

Thursday update

This morning we traveled back up to Fredericksburg to get my staples taken out and also learned that the biopsy information had not yet gotten back to the doctor. They promised to call when they have information. I return in a week to have the catheter removed.

We returned to Kerrville with enough time to visit our favorite antique mall, The Sunrise Antique Mall, and visited with Vicky and her mom Rosetta. We also met Vicky's son and daughter-in-law who recently moved here. We escaped with one purchase and went up the street for a sandwich for lunch. We ate at the Water Street Cafe, which friend Lois had recommended. There was too much food to eat, and we have half sandwiches awaiting us in our refrigerator for tomorrow. The waitress was very personable and the food good.

On the way we saw a sign that read: "If we call it tourist season, why can't we hunt them?" Don't you love it? Happy travels.

New work campers arrive

We have two sets of new work campers now. One couple, Bill and Sandy, came to us from the Florida coast. The other couple, Clyde and Dorrie,, came to us from work camping in Colorado. They apparently got tired of the snow and wanted a warmer work situation. They will find it much warmer in Texas in the summer. Since I am not currently working and others of my mates are planning vacations, the newcomers are most welcome. Happy travels.

PUT ON A SMILE

The last few weeks have been quite busy with renovation on the coach, working, and medical stuff. However, a funny thing happened along the way, and I thought I would share it.

When I first visited the hospital to have blood drawn and early admission paperwork, I was fascinated by the lady who did the paperwork. She was overweight and seldom left her chair but kept up comments as we went through the stuff. What tickled me was that she would apparently sleep a small bit as we went along, wake up and continue as if nothing had happened. I suspect she has a sleeping condition like sleep apnea, whatever that is, and is unaware of her condition. I did wonder whether the paperwork was complete, and if her boss knew she was napping here and there. When I appeared for the surgery, she remembered me, and things progressed, so I guess the paperwork was correct. I wonder if she naps while driving. Happy travels.

Days of recuperation

This was my first full day home and after getting breakfast crashed with a two hour nap. It felt great to be able to rest without a nurse taking my blood pressure. Foxy came home for lunch and then in the afternoon I took a slow walk around one loop in the park. I decided to rest by watching a movie, The Hobbit, first part of the Trilogy of the Rings. I liked the way the Hobbits were portrayed in the movie. I also filled in my day with some Sudoku puzzles and finally tonight a trip through the park in our golf cart.

I have truly appreciated the support I have received from phone calls and cards. It make me want to get well quickly. I do return to see the doctor on Thursday to get the staples out and learn any additional information he has. I feel blessed to have such kind and supportive family and friends. Happy travels.

I am home

Yesterday was not an easy day. It took quite awhile for them to straighten out medications for pain, but they finally got it all fixed, and I appreciated it very much. That evening even sleep went better, so I woke up in good spirits on Sunday morning.

In the middle of the morning Dr. Michael J. stopped in and discovered that I was right on track with bodily functions and decided we could go home this afternoon. I could even have real food instead of a liquid diet. At lunch I had turkey and all of the fixings, including pecan pie. I was able to taste everything and then, too full, stopped. It was great to eat real food.

Now home again and resting with one nap undertaken, I am ready to enjoy the rest of this day. Happy travels.

Getting unplugged

I have been hooked up with tubes and wires going all over the place. Frequently I get so wound up in the whole paraphernalia that it takes two or three of us to get untangled. This evening they began the process of unhooking me. First, the epidural came out. I must assure you that I am not pregnant and that epidurals also can be used to deliver pain medication. This worked very well, and I really was not in much discomfort at all. Then they unhooked the heart monitor, which was a bit bulky, and made me tilt to the right. I really got those wires mixed up with bedding and my night shirt.

Night shirts are not a thing of beauty, and you can expose yourself without really trying. Not being in the flashing business but also not very modest, I merely feel sorry for anyone I inadvertently flashed. I just got clean bedding and some version of cleaned up, which did feel good. I have had great attention and feel that this hospital is superb. I have no idea when I will be released but expect that might happen early in next week. Foxy has been my faithful companion throughout. I could not ask for a more devoted spouse.

I am glad to have the operation behind and look forward to the biopsy results. Then home to recuperate. Thank you all for your prayers and support. I marvel to have such wonderful friends and family. Happy travels.

Progress Report

Hello to all of you, from both of us from Room 222-A. Since 1HW is temporarily out of commission for blogging or much of anything else, I will give daily updates on how he is doing in my blog. So please check out AHappyWandererTwo.blogspot.com . Thank you! Happy Travels!

Work continues

Our new schedule involves us working Monday through Wednesday. One couple recently departed leaving us short handed. This week George has gone on vacation, so there have only been two of us on for the first two days of this schedule. This means that special projects take a back seat to regular daily work like cleaning pools and checking on who is in the park and mowing. It has been hard to try to get regular work done, much less anything that comes along. But we persevered, and the days have flown by, and we are doing the best we can. Am I complaining? Probably.

However we did replace a pool pump, replaced blades on the mowers, fixed a vandalized light, filled a trailer with wood from the recent storm and unloaded it at the saloon for future firewood needs, filled about 30 bags of ice for patrons to buy, and the list goes on. You can see why we go home tired at the end of a work day. I do enjoy working with the other fellows, especially Roy, as he teaches this novice as we work through problems. I treasure our time together. It is hard for me to realize that we are the two old guys in our seventies, and the others are younger. In fact as we hurried in our golf carts to help drag dead limbs out of a tree, we enjoyed the race like little kids. It put a smile on both of our faces. Then back to business. Happy travels.

Church

Yesterday we went to church. Since we have been working on weekends, including Sunday, it has been impossible to attend. In fact, we have been unable to go since Easter when we could attend the early service and then go to work. Lots of friends came up to greet us, and we did our usual thing of ushering on the first Sunday of the month. It was coming home, and the reception was warm and welcoming. Alejandrina wanted to know, "Where have you been? I have missed you!" She is such a dear and facing her own medical problems. We explained, and she has added us to her prayers. John W. and Rob L., ministers, knew this is the week of the surgery and wanted us to know that we would be in prayers and could have visits if we would like. In a church of this size it is comforting to realize that all parishioners are cared for in a personal way. It was good to be home. Happy travels.

Tiling done

Yesterday we finished fitting and cutting the tile for the bedroom. Then I got busy and glued it to the floor and nearly everything else. It was an interesting thing to do in a small space, and I felt that I got glue all over me. Later I discovered a small glob of glue on my shirt. Where else did it land? So we have a bit of cleaning of the tile and maybe a bit of grouting, and this is over. Happy travels.

Support from friends and family

We have been struck by the outpouring of support we are receiving from friends and family. It is very much appreciated by both of us. This truly is a situation where not just one of us has cancer. Foxy, in her supportive loving wifely role, has to deal with it as well. Fortunately, she does not have an operation. She has been wonderful throughout and nesting her heart out as we get ready. The motor home really is different and lovely. Thank you, Foxy, for everything you have been doing.

We have no family in the area, but the kids and other family members are keeping in touch weekly. What more could you ask? We also expect to see three of them and their families this summer. A lovely thought and truly a blessing to look forward to.

Friends here look out for both of us, giving support to Foxy, who also needs it, and by kind caring thoughts and prayers for me. We lead a very rich life here in this caring community of friends. The outpouring of support is appreciated in ways that I only hope I can pay forward in the future. Thanks from the depth of my heart. Happy travels.

JB's restaurant and brewery

Yesterday while in San Antonio we had lunch at a newly opened JB's Restaurant and Brewery. It reminded us of a Cheesecake Factory restaurant. Tastefully decorated and wait staff dressed in black. The food was good, but we split a salad and sandwich. The dark beer tried by Foxy was a bit too sweet for her taste. Guinness is still number one. I kept to my non-alcoholic drink and had and orange creme soda, which was acceptable but not to be tried again.

We would recommend this restaurant located at the Rim. However, it is very noisy inside, and we sat side by side at our table so that I could hear Foxy's conversation. The food was good and plentiful, so sharing makes sense. Happy travels.

The ugly green carpet is....

You guessed it, the ugly green carpet is gone. I am sure that there are remnants hiding in dark mysterious places, but all visible pieces of the carpet have been excised from the motor coach. Yeah!! We have started to put down tile in the bedroom area, but more pieces have to be fitted. We did put down some new carpet next to the bed. This completed, we went to San Antonio for decorative touch shopping.

Accent colors are in the red range. We now have a red or maroon comforter and pillow shams. My in-house NESTER is happy with her work, says it is bright and cheerful here, and the motor home is now ready for my recovery. All along Foxy has been doing the nesting thing just like getting ready for a baby, which we are NOT having. I guess that makes me the baby, as she is planning the environment for my recuperation. Bless her kind heart! Happy travels.

Final touches on the motor home

Today we had a day off and of course went out to breakfast once we were both up and coffee consumed. We ran a few errands and checked on our new shelves which are in process but getting there. Then home for some last touches. We spray painted the steps that go into the coach and put some metal edges there as well. Then we glued down carpet by the accelerator and brake pedals. Foxy touched up woodwork and masked off the steps for painting. Later she spray painted one of our folding tables. It is looking quite finished. Several folks have stopped by to see the finished product and to enjoy the fireplace (a novelty in motor homes). Max likes the area rug and spends much time there either stretched out or chewing on a bone.

Tomorrow I have one more drawer to repair, replacing the slides so it will work more smoothly. I also plan to put down more rug in the bedroom area. This has been quite an undertaking, and we are glad to see it coming to an end. During our terrible wind and rain storm on June 2nd, we had no leaks. That was a wonderful test of the new roof for sure. Maybe we can include some pictures of the finished product. Happy travels.

Max and single words

Max has learned a lot of single words. He is especially good with: treat, sit, walk, and potty. He is good with: come, no, and stop. His trouble begins when we use more than one word like: no jumping, get down, lie down, and come here. His lack of understanding begins with: rollover or play dead.

He just looks at us and tries to get us to understand his needs. "I am good with: bathroom outside and someone is here." It is fun to try to figure out what is going on in his doggy mind. Probably he is thinking, "What is going on in their minds? Can't they get it?" He sure knows when Frances is in the area. She took care of him last December, and he just loves her. You don't think she spoiled him a bit, do you? We may never really get much beyond single words but keep trying anyway. Happy travels.

Pick up sticks

Do you remember the childhood game, Pick Up Sticks? It came in a cylinder and contained lots of multi-colored plastic sticks like long extended toothpicks. There was one black stick, and the whole idea was to pick up as many sticks as you could without moving the others. If you moved another stick, then you lost your turn. The winner had the most sticks at the end of the game. We played this game by the hour.

Well, today as Foxy and I started out after last night's bad storm, we picked up sticks. Actually, while there were uncountable sticks everywhere, there was also many tree limbs big and small. Several of the guys had chain saws, and we went to work. By 3:30 this afternoon I was exhausted and glad to go home and get my second shower of the day. I also went through two complete sets of work clothes. It was very humid here today, and this made the work more difficult.

Gordon started a fire, and we kept it going all day and barely made a dent in all of the limbs collected. We filled trailer loads and loads. Now we also have wood for burning once it cures. I think that the game of pick up sticks would be much more fun especially if played with grandchildren. What a mess and hard work caused by this storm. Happy travels and stay out of nasty wind and rain storms.

Quite a birthday

Here at the park both Gordon and Foxy have a birthday on June 2, which makes them Gemini. Gordon claims she is the bad twin, and he is the good one. That remains to be seen. Wednesday turned out to be a work day for us, as there is a new work schedule out starting just then. So Foxy had to work on her birthday. We will then be getting the next four days off so we can actually go to church on Sunday. Yeah! It has been quite awhile since we have been able to attend.

After our work day was over, we got cleaned up and went out the a favorite restaurant, The Cowboy Steak House. Foxy ordered rack of lamb, and I ordered blackened prime rib. Both turned out to be excellent choices. Salads and baked potatoes were good as well. At the end our waitress brought Foxy a birthday brownie drenched with whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate. We found room to share this birthday treat.

We left the restaurant about 7:15 and noticed that it had become quite windy. Our car was close to the front door, but we managed to get a bit wet from the gathering storm. We had barely driven from the parking lot when we got the full fury of the storm, gusty winds, a downpour, some hail, and water everywhere. I think it was the worse rainstorm I have ever tried to drive through. It was almost impossible to see the side of the road or keep in our driving lane. I drove quite slowly the entire 3-5 miles home and was very glad to arrive and see that our gazebo and motor home were all right.

A few minutes later the phone rang. It was Gordon telling us that a tree had partially blown down on Lois and Dave's fifth wheel trailer. So we all went to see if there was damage and decided it could all wait until the morning. Then Gordon and I drove about in his golf cart, and Foxy and Diana did the same in our cart. The tree damage was terrible, umbrellas were blown away and smashed, and several lost their gazebo covers.

It was quite a storm, but we were safe and no vehicle was damaged. The amount of cleanup will take days. Foxy will remember this birthday as the one with that awful storm. Happy travels.

Tuesday - A day off

We got up late and did a few things to get ready and then off to run several errands. I bought more edging for the stairs coming up into our motor home and installed it. Foxy prepared one more wall for painting, getting the base or primer coat on. I continued to cut a rug roll into sections to be used under the fireplace, in an area where the coach is driven and an area in the bedroom. These got cut but not glued down yet, as we decided the rug under the fireplace needs a finished edge.

Finally, we cleaned up and drove to Fredericksburg for the final meeting with the surgeon before the operation scheduled for June 10. We also found time to do a bit of shopping and found birthday and Father's Day presents. We could not find a place to eat so drove back home, picked up prescriptions, and ate at home. It was a good day off, and many little things got done. Happy travels.