Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

April 11, 2020

Temperature 65 Degrees

Happy Easter

How Different It Was A Year Ago

Sight and Sound:  Jesus

As we prepare to celebrate Easter Sunday tomorrow I’m reminded of the words of the Bill Gaither song He Lives.

God sent His Son
They called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives

Then the chorus which really speaks to me in light of the challenging world we are living in today.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives

Then there is this reminder hanging in Elvira which, indeed, reminds us daily that we need not fear tomorrow because God holds our future in His hands.  Daily, we are reminded that no matter what is waiting for us around the next corner we need not fear because He will be waiting there to see us through.  Daily, we are reminded that He has a plan for each of us, a plan to give us hope and a future.

This is where we celebrated Easter Sunday last year.  This is the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida.  We have nothing but good memories of our time spent in worship with this congregation.  Everyone was warm and inviting, the choir music was stirring and the message was uplifting.  If we are ever back in this area on a Sunday we would be thrilled to worship here again.

That was then, this is now.  How different the world is today, just a year later.

Tomorrow we’ll celebrate Easter Sunday with our home congregation in Colts Neck, New Jersey.  No, we don’t have a magic flying carpet to take us there but we do have a strong internet connection and that is all we need.  They’ll be live streaming worship as they have ever since the stay at home order in New Jersey has been in place.

Today we were thrilled to discover that Sight and Sound was presenting JESUS on TBN.  Sight & Sound Theaters is an entertainment company that produces Bible stories live on stage. They operate two theaters: one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the second in Branson, Missouri

Filmed in front of a live audience, JESUS is a state-of-the-art theatrical stage production. During the two hour presentation we were able to witness many of the  miraculous events in the gospels as Jesus sets sail with fishermen, challenges the Pharisees, and heals the hurting. From the bustling streets of Jerusalem to the raging Sea of Galilee it was a spectacular presentation that kept us glued to the screen.

That was our simple but enjoyable day on The Road of Retirement.  My big decision today was what to wear to take the trash to the dumpster!  The rest of the day was spent just relaxing, watching TV and listening to Gospel concerts.  A perfect day in so many ways.  We hope yours was equally enjoyable.

Let me leave you with this.

Thanks for checking in with us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

April 10, 2020

Temperature 68 Degrees

Walk A Bout

I’m told I can’t complain about our cold weather any more.  So I won’t say it was only forty nine degrees when we awoke this morning.  I’ll say nothing about the chill in the air when I first went out and took my usual morning walk around Elvira to check on things in general.  Nope, none of that from my mouth.  I’ll just say it was a pleasant morning that led to another beautiful day.

Breakfast this morning was a delightful plate of pancakes, a glass of juice and a couple of cups of coffee.  It was the perfect way to start the day.

Yes, Barbara finished her puzzle, not today but last night before she went to bed.  Microsoft now considers her a Grand Master.  She is now on to another puzzle.

Today we went on another walk a bout around the park.

One, small ,puffy cloud hanging out all by itself.

Let’s start with a walk through the Catus Garden.

I wonder where I’ll be in 2028?  Maybe I’ll set a goal for ourselves to be back here when they dig up the time capsule.

Over at Flamingo Park we have our two resident greeters

doing their part by wearing their masks when out in public.

Don’t want to wear a mask?  Refuse to practice proper social distancing?  Forget to wash your hands?  Here is what can happen to those who fail to follow the guidelines.

Roy and Dale are all dressed up for Easter.

Cathy is busy building bird houses.

Come on, we’re now going to walk through a part of the park to see what we can see.

Some driftwood, a rock and a kettle turned on its side.

A baggage cart, a wheelbarrow and a couple of burros.

Not sure who this is a statue of – maybe a missionary to this part of the country?

A rock garden with an old, left over water pump as its center piece.

A couple of old wagon wheels.

The following are pictures from just one yard.  There is so much here.  If I were to put a title on this I would call it The Culture of Congress.  Enjoy.

 

A couple of houses down,

Around the corner.  Think maybe someone once lived by the ocean?  Maybe they used to fish off an ocean pier?

Last but not least, a bunny.  We always consider them, for some reason, a symbol of good luck so we are delighted when we find one.  Actually, we found several of them but this is the only one who stopped to have his picture taken.

This is what we have been thinking about.  A lot, a concrete pad with full hookups, and a ramada over Elvira.  Just thinking, nothing definite yet.  Not even near that point of making a decision.  Again, just thinking about down the road.

So ended out walk.

Back home, in the kitchen it was time to start making my favorite – potato pancakes.  Our agreement is, I do the preparation and Barbara does the cooking.  A perfect division of labor that has always worked out well.

Once I was done and before my feast began I was treated to shrimp cocktail.  My sweetheart was so good to me.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  Excuse me, but my potato pancakes are done and waiting for me so it is time for me to sign off.  Keep safe, wash those hands often and remember to always keep six feet apart.

On the lighter side.

Thanks for coming with us on our walk with us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

April 9, 2020

Temperature 65 Degrees

Just So Unreal

I came across this quote and wanted to share it with you

We’re Not Stuck At Home, We’re Safe At Home

This is so true of our current situation.  We’re sheltered in place in Elvira our own little home where we are safe and healthy.  We hope you are are the same wherever you call home.

I sit here at times and sometimes find it hard to believe what’s really going on around us.  Without the daily news we would have no idea of the tragedy constantly unfolding in our country today.  We live, as it where, in our own little protected world.  Even when we go into town it’s like there is nothing wrong, no virus, no people struggling to live and survive.  People around here go about their daily business as if all is right in the world.  It seems like no one is staying home.  Hardly anyone practices keeping a safe distance, no one wears a mask let alone gloves.  Other than the local bars and restaurants all other businesses are open and usually have crowds of people in them.  It’s just so unreal as well as unnerving.  Especially when you consider what is really happening today throughout our country.  But I know the truth and my heart breaks for all those who are not as fortunate as we are; as well for all those in this area who I’m afraid will one day discover the hard way what is happening to so many others.

On to other things.  See that big streak on the passenger side of the windshield?  I turned the wipers on to wash the windshield and I lost the wiper on that side!  No problem I though we’re going in to CVS to pick up Barbara’s prescription so I’ll get some new wipers.  Right!  What a hassle this simple chore became.  Several hours and as many stores later I finally was able to get new ones installed.  What can I say, we have an odd ball car!

Today Barbara found a new way to pass time.  She started downloading jig saw puzzles from Microsoft.  This is a six hundred piece puzzle that she began working on earlier today.  I say by this time tomorrow she’ll have it finished.  One interesting fact, Amazon announced today that it has witnessed a sixteen hundred per cent increase in the purchase of puzzles!

This picture says it all.  Oh, how we long to be On The Road Again.  Yet, we are so thankful for this Escapees Park and their policy of letting full time RV’ers shelter in place for as long as is necessary.  We’ll be back out there.  We’re making plans already to go.  Until that time we’ll find ways to keep busy and we continue to give thanks that we are safe and healthy.  Daily, we also continue to give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy each day.  The biggest blessing being we have each other and our love for one another to see us through.

So much for yet another day on The Road of Retirement.  Keep safe everyone.  Continue to keep six feet apart.  Wear your mask.  When you come home scrub those hands.  Remember also to count your blessings day by day.  Yes, they are there if you just stop to think about them.

Food for Though

Thanks for checking in with us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch your tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

April 8, 2020

Temperature 53 Degrees

An Unusual Day, Cold and Windy

Haircuts For Both Of Us

The day started out with abundant sunshine and a crystal clear blue sky.  It was not to stay that way.

First, breakfast.  This morning we had scrambled eggs, home fried potatoes, fried spam, juice and coffee.  A great way to start the day.

Breakfast also came with a really loud KABOOM!  The cause?  About 40 or so miles south of us is Luke Air Force Base.  The Base is home to the 56th Fighter Wing.  It is the largest fighter wing in the world with more than 188 aircraft and over 6,000 military and civilian personnel.

Well, this morning we had a jet from the base come screaming over us that decided to go supersonic about the time it was right above us.  The result?  A sonic boom.  It literally sounded like someone’s rig or maybe a house in the park had blown up.  It definitely got our attention as well as the majority of those around us.

Remember how I said the day started out?  Well, this is how the day ended up.  Looking out the living room window you can see the heavy cloud cover.  In addition, we had winds all day in the vicinity of 20 to 30 mph.  Rain was also forecast but never materialized.  However, it was cold from noon on and the wind made it that much colder.

Today was definitely a day to stay inside.  Which suited us just fine.

Barbara gave me a haircut.  Much needed I might add.

Then it was my turn to cut her hair.  Oh what a trusting soul.  This was the first time I had attempted to cut her hair.  In the end she was pleased with my efforts.

I also found something else to do inside.

I made labels for all the switches in my command center up in the front.

Later in the afternoon we decided to again play Mexican Train.  This is our go to game and we never tire of it.  I was on a roll winning every game until Barbara turned the tables and went on a winning streak.  Ah, there is always tomorrow.

That is about it for our day on The Road of Retirement.  A very normal day but one which we enjoyed in every way.  No matter what happens, no matter the weather, we still have each other and we continue to travel along, hand in hand, singing our song.

On the lighter side.

Thanks for checking in with us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!