Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 65 degrees, high 87 degrees, clear skies
After my morning walk, I stopped at McDonald's and picked us up a couple of sausage biscuits for breakfast. These biscuits don't come close to matching what my sister Janie can make, but they'll do in a pinch.
Traffic in town was much lighter, since most of the people going to the game last night were already gone home or slept in late. It was an easy drive, and made me yearn for some of the small towns in Texas.
After an easy morning and no work yesterday, I was starting to look around for something to do. I decided to go out to the house and do some more yard work. I had just started down the hill next to the woods when I noticed a pile of limbs that had fallen out of a tree. Most of the limbs that fall are rotten, so the mower can run over them with no damage. However, I always check them out to make sure I don't run over one that will cause damage. Just before I started over the limbs, one of them started moving. What the... Whoa!! Rattlesnake!!! @%&#**?/%$#! Now, I don't like snakes. Period. I was within four feet of this one, and he was just to my left side. I immediately started hitting the accelerator as hard as I could and steered away from the snake. He appeared to be just as startled as I was, and was trying to go the opposite direction. I didn't have anything to kill him with, and I knew he would be gone by the time I went and got something, like about a ten feet long stick with a sharp blade.
Once I was over my initial fright (that's right, I was scared!!), I rode back around where I saw the snake and saw his tail disappearing into the underbrush. It might seem like exaggeration, but he was at least five feet long and as thick as my forearm. That was not a pleasant time.
Once my heart settled down, I continued mowing, working my way out to the driveway. While doing the driveway, a car came down to the house. The people said they had seen the realty company sign for the house, and would like to look at the property, if possible. I said sure, come on in. My feeling was that you don't turn anyone away, because all you need is one buyer. Showing the property and talking to them took an hour, and they loved the property. The only sticking point was the price, and I recommended they talk to the Realtor to see what might be worked out.
After the lookers left, I finished mowing along the driveway. Then it was back home, where I rested a few minutes, then cleaned up the truck, inside and out. After taking a short break, we ate some very good soup that Carolyn prepared.
Overall, a good day, except for my little fright.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Eureka, California: Queen City Of The Ultimate West
Not all who wander are lost.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Easy Day
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 72 degrees, high 81 degrees, mostly cloudy
Today was one of those rare days we have when we didn't have a lot of work to do. Let me re-phrase that: we had work we could do, but decided not to do anything. Wow, that sounds strange, considering how busy we have been.
After my morning walk, I filled the truck up with diesel for $3.999 per gallon. That's the lowest we have paid since the middle of April. I hope the price keeps coming down.
The rest of the morning was spent taking life easy and reading. After we ate lunch, we went out to the house to make sure everything was okay there. No problems were found. On the way home, we took a short ride down a couple of roads we had not been on before. It was a surprise to find some beautiful views that close to town.
Upon getting home, I watched a little college football, then did some meditating. Then we went over to Terri's apartment and had supper with her and Thomas. He is getting over the virus he has been suffering with, and was able to eat a big supper. By the time we finished, it was time to come back home so I could watch the Miami versus Florida football game. The game was close until the second half, when Florida's strength took over and they won the game handily, 26-3.
As I said at the beginning of this post, we didn't do much, and it felt great. Now, let's build on that.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Willacoochee, Georgia: Easy Living Where Good People Count
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 72 degrees, high 81 degrees, mostly cloudy
Today was one of those rare days we have when we didn't have a lot of work to do. Let me re-phrase that: we had work we could do, but decided not to do anything. Wow, that sounds strange, considering how busy we have been.
After my morning walk, I filled the truck up with diesel for $3.999 per gallon. That's the lowest we have paid since the middle of April. I hope the price keeps coming down.
The rest of the morning was spent taking life easy and reading. After we ate lunch, we went out to the house to make sure everything was okay there. No problems were found. On the way home, we took a short ride down a couple of roads we had not been on before. It was a surprise to find some beautiful views that close to town.
Upon getting home, I watched a little college football, then did some meditating. Then we went over to Terri's apartment and had supper with her and Thomas. He is getting over the virus he has been suffering with, and was able to eat a big supper. By the time we finished, it was time to come back home so I could watch the Miami versus Florida football game. The game was close until the second half, when Florida's strength took over and they won the game handily, 26-3.
As I said at the beginning of this post, we didn't do much, and it felt great. Now, let's build on that.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Willacoochee, Georgia: Easy Living Where Good People Count
Not all who wander are lost.
Friday, September 5, 2008
MRI And Dye
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 74 degrees, high 91 degrees, mostly cloudy
We spent most of the morning at the doctor's office having an MRI performed on the nodules on Carolyn's left calf. Yesterday, I mentioned that the radiologist felt the wrong procedure had been ordered, and he would not need to inject a dye for contrast. Well, he did the MRI, but the contrast was not good enough, so he had to inject the dye after all. Carolyn was really frustrated with the experience. She will have to wait until Monday or Tuesday to get a report.
After leaving the doctor's office, we stopped by Terri's apartment to see how Thomas was. She took him to the doctor late yesterday, and he was diagnosed with a virus. He is taking medicine for it, and should be better soon. For the next couple of days, he has to eat a bland diet, which means he can't eat most of the things he likes. Torture.
In the afternoon, I went with Terri to take care of some business in Tuscaloosa. Traffic was absolutely terrible. The University has a football game tomorrow night, and it is amazing how many people come to town for the games. Most of the people will not have tickets, but come to take part in tailgate parties, walk on campus, park their RVs in designated areas, and just be a part of the experience. It should be better Monday.
Usually, we don't watch the political conventions because most of the time it is the same old politics. Wednesday night, we watched Sarah Palin's speech, and I have to say we were impressed. This lady seems to have her stuff together. In an election campaign that is marked by both parties talking about the changes (meaning same old stuff) they are going to bring, she is like a breath of fresh air. If she is elected vice president, I hope she doesn't get corrupted by Washington, like so many before her have.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Tifton, Georgia: The Reading Capital Of The World
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 74 degrees, high 91 degrees, mostly cloudy
We spent most of the morning at the doctor's office having an MRI performed on the nodules on Carolyn's left calf. Yesterday, I mentioned that the radiologist felt the wrong procedure had been ordered, and he would not need to inject a dye for contrast. Well, he did the MRI, but the contrast was not good enough, so he had to inject the dye after all. Carolyn was really frustrated with the experience. She will have to wait until Monday or Tuesday to get a report.
After leaving the doctor's office, we stopped by Terri's apartment to see how Thomas was. She took him to the doctor late yesterday, and he was diagnosed with a virus. He is taking medicine for it, and should be better soon. For the next couple of days, he has to eat a bland diet, which means he can't eat most of the things he likes. Torture.
In the afternoon, I went with Terri to take care of some business in Tuscaloosa. Traffic was absolutely terrible. The University has a football game tomorrow night, and it is amazing how many people come to town for the games. Most of the people will not have tickets, but come to take part in tailgate parties, walk on campus, park their RVs in designated areas, and just be a part of the experience. It should be better Monday.
Usually, we don't watch the political conventions because most of the time it is the same old politics. Wednesday night, we watched Sarah Palin's speech, and I have to say we were impressed. This lady seems to have her stuff together. In an election campaign that is marked by both parties talking about the changes (meaning same old stuff) they are going to bring, she is like a breath of fresh air. If she is elected vice president, I hope she doesn't get corrupted by Washington, like so many before her have.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Tifton, Georgia: The Reading Capital Of The World
Not all who wander are lost.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
No C-T Scan Today
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 76 degrees, 91 degrees, cloudy, showers in the late afternoon and evening
Carolyn went to have her c-t scan performed today, and the radiologist said that the doctor had ordered the wrong procedure. The radiologist felt that a MRI would be the best exam to show what her problem is, but the doctor could not be reached to order the change. So, we'll go back tomorrow and have the MRI performed. The radiologist feels the MRI gives a better view of the problem area, and takes away the possibility of having to use a dye for definition. That's important, considering Carolyn's issues with being allergic to so many things involving medicine.
Thomas missed the last two days of school because of a stomach virus. He probably picked it up from another kid. I think he'll be ready to go back to school after two days of inactivity.
After taking care of our business in town, we went out to the house to do some more mowing. After about 2.5 hours of that, I was ready to hang it up. The area I was mowing is the roughest on the property, and riding that mower was like riding a bucking bronco. Another two hours will finish the mowing out there, and then it's on to the weed eating. Yuck!!
After getting home and resting a few minutes, I mowed and used the weed eater on our yard around the RV. I was just finishing up when it started raining. In fact, I didn't even have time to straighten out the extension cord. I just gathered it up and threw it in the basement. I'll straighten it out another day.
After all of that, I had an errand to do for Terri at 2100 hours tonight. That meant the blog didn't get posted until almost 2330 hours. I hope it reads okay, because I'm wore out.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Little Rock, Arkansas: Rocktown
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 76 degrees, 91 degrees, cloudy, showers in the late afternoon and evening
Carolyn went to have her c-t scan performed today, and the radiologist said that the doctor had ordered the wrong procedure. The radiologist felt that a MRI would be the best exam to show what her problem is, but the doctor could not be reached to order the change. So, we'll go back tomorrow and have the MRI performed. The radiologist feels the MRI gives a better view of the problem area, and takes away the possibility of having to use a dye for definition. That's important, considering Carolyn's issues with being allergic to so many things involving medicine.
Thomas missed the last two days of school because of a stomach virus. He probably picked it up from another kid. I think he'll be ready to go back to school after two days of inactivity.
After taking care of our business in town, we went out to the house to do some more mowing. After about 2.5 hours of that, I was ready to hang it up. The area I was mowing is the roughest on the property, and riding that mower was like riding a bucking bronco. Another two hours will finish the mowing out there, and then it's on to the weed eating. Yuck!!
After getting home and resting a few minutes, I mowed and used the weed eater on our yard around the RV. I was just finishing up when it started raining. In fact, I didn't even have time to straighten out the extension cord. I just gathered it up and threw it in the basement. I'll straighten it out another day.
After all of that, I had an errand to do for Terri at 2100 hours tonight. That meant the blog didn't get posted until almost 2330 hours. I hope it reads okay, because I'm wore out.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Little Rock, Arkansas: Rocktown
Not all who wander are lost.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Complainers
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 76 degrees, high 81 degrees, cloudy
In preparation for her c-t scan tomorrow, Carolyn had to have a blood sample taken today. This is in the event the doctors have to inject a dye to gain the proper contrast in the pictures of her nodules. Apparently, the dye can cause some problems with 1% of people who may be allergic to it. With the allergies she has, it would not be surprising for her to react negatively to the dye. Hopefully, it will not have to be used.
Speaking of the blood sample Carolyn had to give, her arm looks as though the lab tech used a drill and syringe to take the sample. The tech did one of the worse jobs we have seen.
After giving the blood sample, we went to the laundromat to wash our clothes. It was the busiest we have ever seen it be. Most of the people were from Louisiana, and they were talking among themselves about the weather and when they might be able to go home. There is some talk here about some interviews that were given by people from down there. Most of the interviews were of people complaining about their lot while here. Now, let's think about this a minute. Free transportation out of the storm, free housing, free food, free entertainment. Am I missing something? The more you give people, the more they want. To be fair, many people have not asked for help, and probably would not accept it if offered. However, the bad apples sure do leave a bad taste.
When we finished the laundry, we went home and rested for a couple of hours. Then it was out to the house to mow for awhile. It's nice to not have to spend all our time out there. Now, if we can just get that thing sold.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Lufkin, Texas: The Heart of The Texas Forest Country
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 76 degrees, high 81 degrees, cloudy
In preparation for her c-t scan tomorrow, Carolyn had to have a blood sample taken today. This is in the event the doctors have to inject a dye to gain the proper contrast in the pictures of her nodules. Apparently, the dye can cause some problems with 1% of people who may be allergic to it. With the allergies she has, it would not be surprising for her to react negatively to the dye. Hopefully, it will not have to be used.
Speaking of the blood sample Carolyn had to give, her arm looks as though the lab tech used a drill and syringe to take the sample. The tech did one of the worse jobs we have seen.
After giving the blood sample, we went to the laundromat to wash our clothes. It was the busiest we have ever seen it be. Most of the people were from Louisiana, and they were talking among themselves about the weather and when they might be able to go home. There is some talk here about some interviews that were given by people from down there. Most of the interviews were of people complaining about their lot while here. Now, let's think about this a minute. Free transportation out of the storm, free housing, free food, free entertainment. Am I missing something? The more you give people, the more they want. To be fair, many people have not asked for help, and probably would not accept it if offered. However, the bad apples sure do leave a bad taste.
When we finished the laundry, we went home and rested for a couple of hours. Then it was out to the house to mow for awhile. It's nice to not have to spend all our time out there. Now, if we can just get that thing sold.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Lufkin, Texas: The Heart of The Texas Forest Country
Not all who wander are lost.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Doctor's Visit
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 80 degrees, high 89 degrees, cloudy, windy
The weather continued much as it has for the last few days. The good thing about it is that it is a little cooler, and no rain. The rain we got last week will last another week or two at least.
We were busy again today (is there anything else?). We helped Terri take care of some little errands in Tuscaloosa. The traffic was terrible because the college students are back in town. While in town, we went by the library and changed our books out. After lunch, we went out to the house to make sure everything was okay there. No problems were found, and we headed home to rest a few minutes before Carolyn had to visit another doctor about the nodules on the calf of her left leg.
The nodules were first noticed about three months ago, and Carolyn saw a doctor a couple of weeks ago about them. That doctor sent her to the specialist she saw today. The specialist said the nodules were not like anything he had seen before, so she will have a number of tests performed to try to narrow down what they are and how to treat them. She will have a c-t scan on Thursday, then go back to the specialist to see if he is going to do a biopsy. He does not want to do the biopsy until he has a better idea of what we are dealing with. If surgery is advised, we will let everyone know the details on when and where.
Has anyone noticed how fast time flies the older you get? We have been here a little over five months, and it seems like it was yesterday that we got here. Well, most of the time it seems that way. Sometimes, the hard work we were doing here seemed like it was never going to end. Thank God things are a little easier. I was starting to think maybe I should go back to work for money so I could get some rest.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Willits, California: Heart Of Mendocino County
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 80 degrees, high 89 degrees, cloudy, windy
The weather continued much as it has for the last few days. The good thing about it is that it is a little cooler, and no rain. The rain we got last week will last another week or two at least.
We were busy again today (is there anything else?). We helped Terri take care of some little errands in Tuscaloosa. The traffic was terrible because the college students are back in town. While in town, we went by the library and changed our books out. After lunch, we went out to the house to make sure everything was okay there. No problems were found, and we headed home to rest a few minutes before Carolyn had to visit another doctor about the nodules on the calf of her left leg.
The nodules were first noticed about three months ago, and Carolyn saw a doctor a couple of weeks ago about them. That doctor sent her to the specialist she saw today. The specialist said the nodules were not like anything he had seen before, so she will have a number of tests performed to try to narrow down what they are and how to treat them. She will have a c-t scan on Thursday, then go back to the specialist to see if he is going to do a biopsy. He does not want to do the biopsy until he has a better idea of what we are dealing with. If surgery is advised, we will let everyone know the details on when and where.
Has anyone noticed how fast time flies the older you get? We have been here a little over five months, and it seems like it was yesterday that we got here. Well, most of the time it seems that way. Sometimes, the hard work we were doing here seemed like it was never going to end. Thank God things are a little easier. I was starting to think maybe I should go back to work for money so I could get some rest.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Willits, California: Heart Of Mendocino County
Not all who wander are lost.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Convoys
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 78 degrees, high 91 degrees, cloudy, windy
It was cloudy and windy all day because of Hurricane Gustav's influence on our weather. There was a sprinkle or two, but no rain that amounted to anything. It appears that New Orleans missed the really bad weather from the storm, but areas west of there were hit. Hopefully, it will not be too bad.
We went with Terri to pick up Thomas in Birmingham this evening. The traffic was not bad, probably because of the Labor Day holiday. What was interesting was the number of convoys of power company vehicles we saw headed south on I-59, apparently bound for the storm areas. We saw at least six convoys of those types of vehicles, and also saw three convoys of tree trimming equipment. In addition, we saw a large number of big generators being transported in that direction, as well as trucks loaded with cases of bottled water. On top of all that, we saw at least five large convoys of military vehicles and personnel headed the same direction. It appears that some valuable lessons were learned in the last couple of years on how to respond to emergencies. The response should be much better this time around. Now, if we can get people to help themselves, the recovery should be easier.
I have heard that many of the states and the federal government have adopted Florida's model for dealing with these types of emergencies. It doesn't matter where the model comes from, as long as it is timely and effective.
I hear there is another storm about to hit the gulf later this week. Let's hope if fizzles out.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - New Orleans, Louisiana: The Queen of the Mississippi
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 78 degrees, high 91 degrees, cloudy, windy
It was cloudy and windy all day because of Hurricane Gustav's influence on our weather. There was a sprinkle or two, but no rain that amounted to anything. It appears that New Orleans missed the really bad weather from the storm, but areas west of there were hit. Hopefully, it will not be too bad.
We went with Terri to pick up Thomas in Birmingham this evening. The traffic was not bad, probably because of the Labor Day holiday. What was interesting was the number of convoys of power company vehicles we saw headed south on I-59, apparently bound for the storm areas. We saw at least six convoys of those types of vehicles, and also saw three convoys of tree trimming equipment. In addition, we saw a large number of big generators being transported in that direction, as well as trucks loaded with cases of bottled water. On top of all that, we saw at least five large convoys of military vehicles and personnel headed the same direction. It appears that some valuable lessons were learned in the last couple of years on how to respond to emergencies. The response should be much better this time around. Now, if we can get people to help themselves, the recovery should be easier.
I have heard that many of the states and the federal government have adopted Florida's model for dealing with these types of emergencies. It doesn't matter where the model comes from, as long as it is timely and effective.
I hear there is another storm about to hit the gulf later this week. Let's hope if fizzles out.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - New Orleans, Louisiana: The Queen of the Mississippi
Not all who wander are lost.
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