We stopped at the Red Lobster for lunch in Wichita, Kansas, today to be met by our waitress Grace. She started off with, "How are WE today?" This WE business happens to be a pet peeve of mine, and I replied, "I don't know about you but I am .........." Then I explained how often one hears the WE business in nursing homes, and it again sounds to me like the care giver is taking care of a second class citizen. Ms. Grace said she thinks she does it because she is a mom and has small children and talks like that to them. The meal was good, and we left on a good note with Grace, but I wonder how the WE thing strikes you, the reader, and would love to hear what you think. Am I being too touchy?
To add to our woes with the motor home, we stopped in Wichita at an RV dealership to have them check out the slides, and, of course, they worked this time. Onward we went, to have a warning light come on the dashboard signaling low water and found a Freightliner shop here in Wichita, who will start this evening to look into our problem. It could be a bad engine seal or some system is putting air into the cooling system. It all sounds expensive. We have checked into a motel nearby after walking in a mall and have settled down to wait a phone call on the MH. Hopefully, we can be on our way tomorrow. Happy travels, WE have been better!!!!!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
On the Road Again
We got going early this morning. It was 27 degrees outside, and we unhooked the motor home in the still dark hours, but turning to daylight, and started off. The car got towed as usual, and we headed north by way of Fredericksburg and then cross country to Austin, where we picked up I-35 heading north. The motor home gulped down diesel fuel and sailed onward. It seemed like no time, and we were skirting Waco, Fort Worth, and Denton. We left our very dry state of Texas and crossed into Oklahoma. I almost broke into song but resisted singing the Roger's and Hammerstein's song, as I was afraid that Shirley Jones would not approve of my singing. HW2 whiled away the hours by doing lots of sudoku, solitaire, and surfing the net on her computer. We stopped for lunch at a truck stop after giving more diesel to the M H. Finally, we stopped north of Oklahoma City, being slightly more than half way on our trip to Omaha.
We pulled into a RV campground and learned that our bedroom slides are still not working. Battery problems??? We will stop in Wichita and see if an RV repair place there can help us. This may mean that we get into Omaha a day later, but we have to get this slide thing fixed. It is very frustrating to us both to have these problems, but problems happen, and you have to roll with the punches. So we shall see, but the MH did travel well today otherwise. I will keep you posted.
We pulled into a RV campground and learned that our bedroom slides are still not working. Battery problems??? We will stop in Wichita and see if an RV repair place there can help us. This may mean that we get into Omaha a day later, but we have to get this slide thing fixed. It is very frustrating to us both to have these problems, but problems happen, and you have to roll with the punches. So we shall see, but the MH did travel well today otherwise. I will keep you posted.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Cars I Have Owned
This may seem a bit crazy, but I was thinking about the cars I have owned and will list them here: 2 Trailblazers, 3 Suburbans, 2 Mustangs, 1 kit car, 3 Chryslers, l Mitsubishi, l Mazda truck, l Mercury wagon, 3 Volkswagens, l Ford, 1 Rambler, and 1 Datsun. The Ford was the first car and needed constant repair. The Chryslers were the most fancy until we got into Suburbans. The Mustangs were the most fun to drive, although the kit car caused a lot of attention since it looked like a 1929 convertible with a long bonnet, but it needed engine work. The Volkswagons were practical until the family grew too large. They all had their good and bad points. The Suburbans were the most comfortable ride although the Trailblazers are a close second. The most I owned at one time was three but we are down to one these days and do not need to have more.
I remember as a kid cutting out cars pictures from magazines and dreaming of the day when I would get my own car. I love to dicker and to trade cars but did not always like the endless car payments that were part of the process. I think that I like red or maroon colors for cars the best and six of these cars fell into that category including the current one. I do think a black Cadillac would be very classy but have never owned a Cadillac or a black car. One of the Chryslers was an Imperial and with its 484 horsepower could really tool down the road. That was a fun car to drive. When it was driven between a light pole and a fence and died, I was very sad and wanted to kill my son, who took the blame but was not driving, his friend was. That is another story, and I can get sad to this day over the demise of that car.
I think that many of us are tied up in some ways with our cars in terms of color, speed, and prestige of the name. I guess as we get more concerned with global warming, the new bragging points will become gas mileage and alternative fuel abilities. Change is a fact of life, but I will continue to dream of the 1967 gold Mustang convertible I once owned. I do miss that car.
I remember as a kid cutting out cars pictures from magazines and dreaming of the day when I would get my own car. I love to dicker and to trade cars but did not always like the endless car payments that were part of the process. I think that I like red or maroon colors for cars the best and six of these cars fell into that category including the current one. I do think a black Cadillac would be very classy but have never owned a Cadillac or a black car. One of the Chryslers was an Imperial and with its 484 horsepower could really tool down the road. That was a fun car to drive. When it was driven between a light pole and a fence and died, I was very sad and wanted to kill my son, who took the blame but was not driving, his friend was. That is another story, and I can get sad to this day over the demise of that car.
I think that many of us are tied up in some ways with our cars in terms of color, speed, and prestige of the name. I guess as we get more concerned with global warming, the new bragging points will become gas mileage and alternative fuel abilities. Change is a fact of life, but I will continue to dream of the 1967 gold Mustang convertible I once owned. I do miss that car.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
My Bloggy Friends
I have links to blogs that I enjoy reading, and today I have added Beth's blog. She is the bat Dr. that has been featured several times in my blog, and her husband Harold is another great friend.
Several years ago we agreed to participate in a Suppers Eight group at church, which would meet for dinner on the fifth Sunday of any month that had five Sundays. Our granddaughter Keilah thought it would be funny if we were put in the same group as her parents. Well, the selection was random, and we did get into the same group as our daughter Kristy and husband Tim. In addition, we found out that other members would be Beth and Harold, and Rachael and Dennis. The group was to function for one calendar year, and then we would get put in a new Suppers Eight group. Well, on the second year we were put with a new group, and they also became good friends, but we kept the old group going, as well.
Since Beth has decided to start a blog, all of us now are bloggers and now have become two of Beth's "Bloggy Friends." Congrats to Beth and welcome to this growing and fun way to communicate!
Several years ago we agreed to participate in a Suppers Eight group at church, which would meet for dinner on the fifth Sunday of any month that had five Sundays. Our granddaughter Keilah thought it would be funny if we were put in the same group as her parents. Well, the selection was random, and we did get into the same group as our daughter Kristy and husband Tim. In addition, we found out that other members would be Beth and Harold, and Rachael and Dennis. The group was to function for one calendar year, and then we would get put in a new Suppers Eight group. Well, on the second year we were put with a new group, and they also became good friends, but we kept the old group going, as well.
Since Beth has decided to start a blog, all of us now are bloggers and now have become two of Beth's "Bloggy Friends." Congrats to Beth and welcome to this growing and fun way to communicate!
1421: The Year China Discovered America
Gavin Menzies has written a blockbuster book on China discovering America in 1421. Zhu Di, a Ming Dynasty Emperor relocated the Chinese capital to what is now Beijing from Nanjing, rebuilt and extended the Great Wall of China from 5000 to 6400 kilometres. In addition to this and other major works of canal building, he decided to build and send out thousands of ships to explore and map the world. He sent this armada out in 1421. In the following two and a half years the fleet would circumnavigate Antarctica, map the shorelines of all of the continents, and develop an understanding of latitude. They had already correctly calculated longitude. While they had no way to measure currents carrying these ships, when the currents are taken into account, any discrepancy between today's maps and their maps disappears.
They left many settlements on the coasts of many lands, buildings that still exist today including lighthouses. Wrecks of ships have been discovered and dated to the 1420's and Ming china shards are located over wide areas. European explorers discovered people with Chinese coloring and clothing styles, and they actually found one small group that spoke Chinese.
Since the Europeans wanted to be the first to find and explore the new worlds, they looked at any discoveries through the self-imposed lens of what they wanted to see rather than what they actually found. Chinese poultry and an indigeneous rose is found in the Americas. Chinese took back unusual animals for their zoo and recorded them at the time. I have found this book to be fascinating, if a bit tedious, to read and wonder if it is not time to set the historical record straight, giving credit to Chinese and Viking explorers rather than just celebrating Columbus (who thought he had traveled to India).
This book was on the New York Times Best Seller List, published in 2003 by Harper Perennial Press. It is well worth your reading. Have you found a book that you feel others must read? Let me know since I like to read about and learn new ideas and things.
They left many settlements on the coasts of many lands, buildings that still exist today including lighthouses. Wrecks of ships have been discovered and dated to the 1420's and Ming china shards are located over wide areas. European explorers discovered people with Chinese coloring and clothing styles, and they actually found one small group that spoke Chinese.
Since the Europeans wanted to be the first to find and explore the new worlds, they looked at any discoveries through the self-imposed lens of what they wanted to see rather than what they actually found. Chinese poultry and an indigeneous rose is found in the Americas. Chinese took back unusual animals for their zoo and recorded them at the time. I have found this book to be fascinating, if a bit tedious, to read and wonder if it is not time to set the historical record straight, giving credit to Chinese and Viking explorers rather than just celebrating Columbus (who thought he had traveled to India).
This book was on the New York Times Best Seller List, published in 2003 by Harper Perennial Press. It is well worth your reading. Have you found a book that you feel others must read? Let me know since I like to read about and learn new ideas and things.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Call 911 Road Kill
Call 911, there is road kill! This is a frequent occurrence here in the Texas Hill Country. Speed limits even on the two lane roads frequently are 70mph, and when a deer or small animal attempts to cross the road, there can be a sad end for the animal. Today we were driving into the Hill Country to the west of Kerrville, visiting in the Hunt area. The drive is beautiful following the Guadalupe River as it twists and winds through the hills. We spotted a young deer that had been recently killed, and what made it so different was the 12 to 15 vultures waiting alongside for lunch. We had another run in with a vulture when traveling from Texas to Albuquerque, where not all the vultures got away quickly enough, and one landed on our front window and smashed it. How he managed to stay outside the vehicle was a mystery, but he severely damaged the window, and it had to be replaced. With that experience in the back of my mind, I drove quite carefully by the deer and his lunch party of vultures. They barely even looked up and certainly did not take to the air. Down the road, less than a mile later was another animal, this time a raccoon, and he was being lunch for another group of 8 to 10 vultures.
It was as though the vultures had a direct line to 911, had heard the call, and decided to check out the poor animal for their next meal. I guess this is nature's way of cleaning up the environment, but it did seem quite bloodthirsty. I never expected to see so many of these birds in one place, but when 911 calls, frequently you get multiple responses. How do these birds communicate???? Happy travels, but watch out for and try not to kill innocent critters trying to cross the road.
It was as though the vultures had a direct line to 911, had heard the call, and decided to check out the poor animal for their next meal. I guess this is nature's way of cleaning up the environment, but it did seem quite bloodthirsty. I never expected to see so many of these birds in one place, but when 911 calls, frequently you get multiple responses. How do these birds communicate???? Happy travels, but watch out for and try not to kill innocent critters trying to cross the road.
Five Favorite Foreign Cities
I have been fortunate to travel abroad several times and to be able to visit cities in other countries. My top five picks for favorite cities include: London, Paris, Rome, Victoria, and Florence. If I had been able to travel even more, I am sure that other cities would make this list, but I have not made it to all the places I would like to visit. We have a long list of places we would like to visit, and slowly we travel our way through the list.
London is a favorite to visit because you get to see Parliament, Big Ben, the London Museum, Buckingham Palace, lots of pubs, and the tube (where you are reminded to, "Mind the gap.") You can ride double decker buses and visit with friendly people, chat up bobbys, ride in black cabs, but best of all sample good beer, bangors and mash in the pubs.
Paris is simply beautiful, graced by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Seine winding through the city with a river life of its own. Who can pass up cafe au lait and freshly made croissants? You can sit at an outdoor cafe for breakfast or have a drink later in the day and watch the passing scene. Flowers seem to grace stalls everywhere and perfume the air. The city is loaded with magnificant art museums, historical buildings, and commemorative arches to explore. The subway system is easy to understand and quickly enables you to get anywhere you want. Of course, you have to see the Eiffel Tower and see a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty. One time while we were there and shopping, Queen Elizabeth was driven by in her car after completing a state visit to France. We waved as did many others.
Rome is all about history. If you ever studied Latin, you heard about the forum, Colliseum, Agora, Appian Way, Catecombs, Vatican, and so much more. To be able to visit the Sistine Chapel is a once in a lifetime treat. Everywhere you are treated to fountains, and you have to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain so that you will return to this beautiful city some day. Then there is the wonderful Italian cooking, which is very reasonable and magnificant. The beer is only so-so since wine-making is the passion both here and in France.
Victoria is a gem of a city in Western Canada on an island in Puget Sound. The easy way is to get there by ferry, and then you get to visit fabulous Buchart Gardens and sample the excellent food. Everywhere there are vistas with the ocean as a backdrop. The pace of life is delightful, as no one seems to be in a hurry.
How can you not fall in love with Florence? There are statues everywhere and magnificant museums and churches to visit. The roar of the ever present motor scooters adds to the din but does not detract from the environment. If you want to purchase fine leather goods, this is the city in which to do that. Afternoon spent in a cafe with a beer or glass of wine is only enhanced by being able to watch the lively passing scene. I think if I were a painter of fine art, I would have to study and live here for as long as my budget could support me.
As I said earlier, you could easily add other cities to this list as your travels unfold and you were able to visit them. Many cities have an ambiance that seems to define them in a unique way and frequently draws you to return to furthur sample their unique way of life. Travel, travel, travel!!!!!!
London is a favorite to visit because you get to see Parliament, Big Ben, the London Museum, Buckingham Palace, lots of pubs, and the tube (where you are reminded to, "Mind the gap.") You can ride double decker buses and visit with friendly people, chat up bobbys, ride in black cabs, but best of all sample good beer, bangors and mash in the pubs.
Paris is simply beautiful, graced by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Seine winding through the city with a river life of its own. Who can pass up cafe au lait and freshly made croissants? You can sit at an outdoor cafe for breakfast or have a drink later in the day and watch the passing scene. Flowers seem to grace stalls everywhere and perfume the air. The city is loaded with magnificant art museums, historical buildings, and commemorative arches to explore. The subway system is easy to understand and quickly enables you to get anywhere you want. Of course, you have to see the Eiffel Tower and see a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty. One time while we were there and shopping, Queen Elizabeth was driven by in her car after completing a state visit to France. We waved as did many others.
Rome is all about history. If you ever studied Latin, you heard about the forum, Colliseum, Agora, Appian Way, Catecombs, Vatican, and so much more. To be able to visit the Sistine Chapel is a once in a lifetime treat. Everywhere you are treated to fountains, and you have to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain so that you will return to this beautiful city some day. Then there is the wonderful Italian cooking, which is very reasonable and magnificant. The beer is only so-so since wine-making is the passion both here and in France.
Victoria is a gem of a city in Western Canada on an island in Puget Sound. The easy way is to get there by ferry, and then you get to visit fabulous Buchart Gardens and sample the excellent food. Everywhere there are vistas with the ocean as a backdrop. The pace of life is delightful, as no one seems to be in a hurry.
How can you not fall in love with Florence? There are statues everywhere and magnificant museums and churches to visit. The roar of the ever present motor scooters adds to the din but does not detract from the environment. If you want to purchase fine leather goods, this is the city in which to do that. Afternoon spent in a cafe with a beer or glass of wine is only enhanced by being able to watch the lively passing scene. I think if I were a painter of fine art, I would have to study and live here for as long as my budget could support me.
As I said earlier, you could easily add other cities to this list as your travels unfold and you were able to visit them. Many cities have an ambiance that seems to define them in a unique way and frequently draws you to return to furthur sample their unique way of life. Travel, travel, travel!!!!!!
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