Let’s see, the last time I had to get up and go to work was way back in May of 2017.  For Barbara it was back in December of 2017.  Yet here we were up and at it at 6:15 am getting ready to head out the door to work/volunteer.  What a really weird feeling it was.  The worst of it is we’ve committed ourselves to this kind of schedule, four days a week, for the next 2 1/2 months beginning Jan 19th.  Ugh.

Where will we be?  At one of our favorite locations that being Dade Battlefield.  Today

was their annual Dade Battle Reenactment between Major Dade’s army and the Seminole Indians.  By the end of the battle only two of Dade’s men would be alive.

No, we were not part of the reenactment.  Ours was a more mundane role.  We were assigned to the mess hall otherwise known as Major Dade Lodge along with a group of other volunteers.  Our job was to see that the multitude of volunteers involved in the

reenactment along with other volunteers in period garb were well fed during breakfast and lunch.  This is the picture of the hall after breakfast and before lunch.  Empty tables

waiting for the hungry to gather for lunch.  This is the sign telling all what we would be

serving for lunch.  Here is the same hall with the first wave of the hungry.  All

total we served about 150 to 175 at breakfast and lunch.  Here is our serving line staffed

by some of the teenagers who make up the Dade Battlefield Youth Program.  This is the

refreshment table.  Less I forget here is Barbara with another volunteer in the kitchen.

Moving outside here are some pictures from this day’s event.  Here are Major Dade’s 

men gathered together before the reenactment. Here are Major Dade’s officers.  Note the

colorful plumes on two of the senior officers, one being Major Dade.  The Seminoles knew of their practice of wearing these on their hats so they were the first ones they targeted and killed during the battle. Here is a picture of some of the Seminole Indians.

Some of those who were part of the reenactment are descendants of those who participated in the actual battle.  Along with the reenactment there were a number of vendors selling their wares on the grounds of the battlefield.

There was a booth dedicated to the history of the Seminole Wars.

There was also a Frontier Church Service Tent.

How did we make out?  Thankfully we were able to get home by 3 pm.  The first order of business for both of us was – PJ’s and naps!  When it comes to my knee let’s just say I was constantly aware of it from beginning to end.  I’ll ice it up tonight, keep it elevated and hope for the best tomorrow.  All in all it was nice knowing we were making a meaningful contribution to an important event in the life of the park.  One more day to go – for now.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  Another first in the books for us.  Maybe, just maybe this whole workcamping gig will not be as bad as I first thought.  Only time will tell.  At the very least we’ll be doing it our way hand in hand, side by side, singing our song.  

Thanks again for joining us today on our journey.  We hope you had a great day like we did.  If not, then grab hold of tomorrow when it rolls around and live it to the fullest.  Time to go but before I do a thought for each of us to think upon:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  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 not been before

See you on down the road

Not much going on in these parts.  Projects are caught up.  The temperatures remain mild.  There is, however, a cold front moving through in the next day or so.  Meaning, night-time temperatures in the 40’s.  Really tough, just kidding.  I can and have gotten use to this kind of Florida life real quick.

We’ve restocked the refrigerator and the storage cabinets.  A day ago there was nothing in either but empty space.  Not so anymore.  We’re good to go for at least two weeks now.  What’s even more amazing is this time I was actually able to walk the stores with Barbara from beginning to end.  That’s what we always used to do.  But as my right knee became progressively worse I was not able to do that.  I would drive her to the store and wait outside.  No more.  Now I can actually go shopping with her once again.  I am thrilled.  Yea, it is still a bit painful but I’ll live.

Early night for both of us tonight.  Tomorrow we’ll be working at Dade Battlefield and the day starts at 7:30 am.  I must admit to having mixed emotions.  Part of me is thrilled that we’re finally getting involved and making a meaningful contribution.  The other part of me is a bit scared as to how my knee is going to hold up.  Ah well, too late now to back out.

That is where we are at on The Road of Retirement.   Time now to get ready for tomorrow.  We hope you had a great day and enjoyed every minute of it.  I’ll say goodnight now but before going I’ll leave you with this though:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  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 not been before

See you on down the road

The new year has begun and we’re slowing moving into it.  We awoke this morning to pleasant temperatures and a clear sky.  Had it not been for Marti needing to go for his morning constitutional I probably would have slept until 7 am.

I’ve also been checking the temperatures in Yuma each day and I must say I’m concerned.  Maybe it’s not such a good idea to spend the winter out there.  Temperatures range between the high 30’s to the mid 60’s.  Not my kind of lay over weather.  Time will tell.

First order of business was my appointment for physical therapy.   Or as I often call it, learning to see the stars.  They are pushing hard these last couple of weeks and I understand why.  Knowing that though does not make it any easier.  Yet each day I’m able to do things I haven’t been able to do for years.  Therefore, I’ll grin and bear it.

On the way home we stopped at Dade Battlefield to scope things out.  Our site is a decent one and we’ll have a clear view of the southern sky which will keep Gertrude happy.  We also volunteered to work there this weekend for one of their big events.  But get this, we have to be there Saturday and Sunday morning by 7:30 am!  Two full days of work, the first real test of the rebuilt knee.  It should be interesting.

Back home I finally had enough of the old shade in the bedroom.  The new blind arrived the day before I went for surgery and has been begging since then to be installed.  Today was the day.  I gathered together the few tools I needed and within the hour the blind was up.  Finally, all of our rooms now have 1 inch slat blinds.

Yet another project yet to be tackled will be replacing the patio awning.  I don’t know if I’ll tackle this myself or get my favorite tech to do it.  I understand it’s not that complicated as long as you have two or three people to help you.  So I either need to figure out how to clone myself, twist a few arms, or just let my tech do it.  Why replace it?  We have to date about a dozen pin holes in it and they are increasing in number by the day.  Let’s face it, it’s eleven years old and it’s just worn out.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  A slow but steady push forward into the new year.  Time now to call it a day and get some shut eye.  Before I go as always a thought for each of us to ponder:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  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 not been before

See you on down the road

 

And so, another New Year begins.  Another 365 opportunities to do your best.  Another 365 opportunities to make life count.  Another 365 opportunities to love, smile, hope, dream, pay it forward, to do amazing things and to live each day to the fullest.  My hope and prayer is that in the New Year you will do something more significant than put on more pounds, watch ballgames or Hallmark, or whatever other ridiculous program comes up on the boob tube.

So, what did you do last night?  Did you party hardy?  Stay up to watch the ball drop?  I got to see the ball drop but only because I happened to wake up ten minutes before it happened.  More importantly  Barbara and I spent the evening the way we like to do things, together, hand in hand, looking forward this time with eager anticipation to the new year God has given us.

So, here’s to a new year with a clean slate.  Maybe some things didn’t go the way you wanted in the old year.  Maybe you’re still dwelling on some What If’s.  I say throw all that old baggage overboard and concentrate on the infinite possibilities for love, life, happiness and good health that God is presenting you with in the new year.

So, go to it.  Go spend time with family and friends.  Go make some new friends.  Launch out and test the waters.  Begin living that dream you’ve only till now been toying with.  But most of all spend this first day of this new year with someone you love.  And let them know even now how much they mean to you

Happy New Year my friends!

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  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 not been before

See you on down the road