2023 is now in the books, internet & TV.

A photo of the 4 of us after Chris's name's added to our trailer.

Was a glorious year 2023, our lives changed drastically, from what we knew or thought we knew, to a realization of acceptance of what is. Life is not fair!

People don't play by the rules. Or better yet, the rules are only for some, others just do what they want. 

We have traveled so much this last year as I look back, flew to Africa from Miami, and back, met so many new friends there, African & Canadian. Explored Florida, met some more wonderful people there as we stayed at Crooked Hook RV park.

Traveled on a route from there to Memphis, through Alabama with a stop in Montgomery, we learned much there. Then a drive through Mississippi into Memphis, Tennessee. This we had on our radar for a very long time, was a real learning being there, and seeing what the city is really like.

 Then we wiggled our way down through Mississippi to Shreveport, Louisiana to meet up with friends we met there a few years ago. We didn't learn enough there, I believe we have to go back again.  

Then we made our way to Port Arthur, Texas for a vist there with a friend that was soon to move back to Canada. 

I'm starting to see a theme here, we're always stopping where we know someone. That's life isn't it, a destination is only place, until you have a friend there, then it really is something, then you have connection to the place. 

Groves Texas will always be a great memory as when we stopped our first time for a visit with a friend I'd known from so many years before, we were treated so good. Polly always says we were treated like royalty. 

Groves, and Port Arthur will always be special,  not because of the place, but because of the people we met, and how we got to know the place through them. 

To really get to know a place, I believe it's important to have people that have lived there show you around. Then you get a feeling of the essence of the place. 

From Groves/Port Arthur we traveled towards Fortworth Texas, another place we had on our radar for awhile. Again we learned alot here, about the stockyards, and how it came to be unused once the railroad became the trading place for shipping cattle. We met people there camping, that gave up a little insight to the area as they had lived there most all their lives. We are connected on FB as most all of our friends are. I realized this morning after looking at their family photos over Christmas how we are all staying connected.  FB is our way of staying connected with ya'll, (that's another thing we've learned, how to say ya'll) 🤠 and ya'll don't have to be a cowboy to use it. 

From Fortworth we traveled towards Roswell, New Mexico for a look at the Aliens 👽,  we didn't see any, but had a real good look around, and found out that the government scooped up what landed there, and took it to area 51, not to be seen of talked about for years. We learned that somethings are just to darn interesting for the rest of the world to know or see. 

From Roswell we traveled to Tuscon Arizona, and had a vist with a friend we had met while in Goshen, Indiana a few years ago, a friend that had lost his wife a year back then. Was nice to stop in, have a vist, and get to know Larry just a little better. You see, just knowing someone on FB and following them, that doesn't really get you to know them well. In person is where we really get to know people. 

We have an invite to come spend time at Larry's place when we can, he's going to have an RV site available in his yard. I'm looking forward to that one day.  😀 

From Tuscon we traveled towards Yuma, to vist with friends there, and stay a month. April now,  and it was beginning to get really warm now.  Our friends were mostly leaving now,  so met new friends here, and stayed the month anway too much heat for us though. We talked about the next year's plans we had made, and changed our plan to come back here and stay a full winter on one place for a change, then we headed north after the month.  

Home was on our radar now, been gone long enough now. Spent the spring and part of the summer in Port Alberni, reconnecting with friends and family there, had our daughter in law come spend 10 days close to us, and gave our little Colton many hugs as we visited back and forth closely. We had all our grand children and children come vist at one time or another, was a really good homecoming. We stayed till end of June,  then we traveled to the east coast of Vancouver Island for a little ocean views, and camping kinda. Visits with many on the other side of the island was nice. 

Next towards Grande Prarie, Alberta for some visits with Ciara, Chase & Colton,  along with building a few things while we stayed with friends there that I went to school with, the we reconnected with, thanks to FB. I'm seeing 👀 a theme here, FB,  is what helps bring people together ❤️,  and helps keep them connected. 

We spent almost 2 months there at Jack & Wendy's in the late summer early fall, until weather turned cold, then we started back towards Yuma again.  

What a year we've had, looking back now.  Was nice to have some travel this last week to LA and San Diego, and why, friends. We traveled to vist with friends, friends we keep in contact with using FB & Messenger.  

So after pecking this all down now,  I realize how thankful I am for FB, as this is what helps keep our connection intact,  along with the effort of reading and watching what's happening in other's lives. I'm very greatfull this year for being able to track our trips, and show our sights we've seen, our visits with friends & family as we travel, as well as seeing what others are up to. What a gift 🎁 

I know many complain of the ads, and the control, the invasion of privacy, the way our phones track us, listen to us, place ads that we've talked about. Yes there are things that we just don't like about the whole process we are using now, but my take has always been, if "they" wanna listen to me, watch me, trac me, "Fill your boots" I say. I'm using the service for free, enjoying all the benefits of this really good connector. I'll scroll by, I'll put up with some inconvenient BS,  along with the bad, there is so much good that comes from this FB connection, that I'll overlook the other things. 

So this last year, the post's we've made will come up in the future to remind us of our past experiences. I say that's way better than photo albums we used to use for memories, they were good, but ya had to pull em outta the storage place to take a look. I have a few of these albums,  I might even know where they are, but I don't pull them out, not nearly enough. FB really fills this void, by sending reminders every day almost, about a time in our past. I love this. ❤️  

Looking forward to 2024 now 😀 I'm sure more post's of the past will come up, and our travels will continue,  I'll post even if "they" trac us. Life going forward, as I believe it should, will have just a little more! More fun, more intrest, more beauty, more friends, oh yes, and more baking 🤣 😋 

I peck here while Polly starts making muffins 😋.  Lucky me hey!

Early morning again, I'm not sure we'll make it to midnight this year,  I don't remember what if anything we did last year on New Year's Eve, was a tough beginning of the year. 

This year a dance, will be fun I'm sure, will be with friends, friends from our home town, friends we didn't really get to know until they retired and decided come here, and try out what we've been doing. Friends we are now connected to on FB. 

I laugh.  And it goes on, one friend at a time we move through our lives, developing new friendships as we go. Yesterday we talked with a couple here, and they invited us to play a game of bochi with them, we agreed on a time, met them there, and had a fun time learning a new sport. Polly played at one end of a felt alley, kina like a bolling lane   and partnered with Dennis at my end of the lane, I was partner with Terry. I was sunny and very warm, we had a good time getting to know each other,  I'm sure we'll get to know them a little more as time goes on. 😀 

If we left it there, just knew each other here, and didn't get connected somehow,  that would be it, no continuing. FB if we connect, will keep us connected, otherwise we just meet and part. That's OK too, but sometimes we really wanna stay connected.  So we do, with FB. 

Now I've got to have a muffin,  just because.  lucky me 😊 

Our propane ran out this morning,  so had to put the BBQ tank on, I knew I shoulda filled it yesterday, but I didn't, so today we adapted. Always have a plan "B" I say, always! 

Love ❤️ our life we do. 🤗

Between Christmas and New years

Thinking as I do in great depth in the middle of the night when sleeping evades me, I thought about how we often try to be someone we are not. I smile about it often now. If we have straight hair we desire curls, if we are short, we want to be tall, if we are skinny we want more weight, if we are heavy we want less weight. 

I notice this, along with much more. 

What I've learned this year, and many before, is that we often discount what we are, as we search for what we are not. 

I think it's very normal to want what we are not as we travel through life, yet what we are gets missed. Knowing yourself, and capitalizing on this is where it's really at. 

Taking advantage of knowing you well enough that you use the attributes you have to the fullest as you travel through life. I've read before others say you "embrace you" kinda like hug yourself,  more like knowing yourself well enough to run with the person you are, not wish you were someone else. 

This thought is not something new, philosopher's have been pecking at this for eons, yet every person has to travel their own road to get to this realization.  

This we have all heard is one of the hard knocks in life that once accepted, life becomes easier. Just knowing yourself is a part of it, capitalizing on you, now that's the real trick. Or as I hear young people say "That's really sick!" 

I laugh to myself when I hear that, as in my time, sick wasn't what it is now 😅 

When you know the person you are well, you act on your strong points, and leave what you struggle with for others that find this easy. A painter or other artist, just does it is what I see, they create. I don't see me as that, yet I do create, just different stuff. I'm fortunate to have the mechanical ability to repair most anything.  Yet I know my limitations,  and leave much of the mechanical work to others, even if I might think I know what the fix might be. 

I love to meet people, I love to engage young, old, all kinds of people ❤️  I love to pet a dog, as well as talk with the very proud owner, tell them how beautiful their dog is. Or a parent how Fantastic their child is, or listen as they tell me just how great their child, or grandchildren are. 

Conversation where I listen actively,  that's realy great. I love to watch as others hug, express there love, like watching Polly give big hugs as she hasn't seen someone for along time. I hug too, but I'm not as quick to it as Polly. 

We Polly and I sat at the edge of the water on a realy nice wooden bench yesterday, lookng out on the sailboats in the wind, was warm, and sunny, just a almost perfect day. We both realized it too. Polly even said just how great it was, and how it looked so beautiful the view, with the sailboats in the wind. 

    doesn't look like much here now. 

Ya know, it's really great to share these exact moments fully with someone at anytime in your life, yet as we travel through our lives only a few times do we realy have the exact same thoughts as we see something.  Polly and I have them often, we are fortunate. Yet yesterday's thought, as we looked at that beautiful view was really special for me, we stopped. Sat longer than usual, really took it all in. I'll remember that moment for along time. 

We took a few photos, and laughed as we took them. 🤣 

        looking down lol 😆 

         looking up lol 😆 

         then somewhat normal 😅 

We sat and talked, watched others taking photos,  some for others, some selfies,  some I thought might fall off the edge. 

We really took time with each other yesterday along the waterfront,  a little shopping,  and little dog petting,  a little conversion with others we would meet, a few photos for others. Polly said as we sat, how friendly the town was, she really thought this was a friendly place. I agreed,  as all of our experience had been great. 

Yet we had seen much homelessness here, bums I used to call them, I see them differently now. Some were mentally challenged,  they had exceptional problems. On our way back to our hotel we saw one guy that had his own two police escorts, along with another cop further behind, looking like he had done something, or they were expecting him to.

I'm guessing this is why we come to the conclusion is a very nice city, there is much security here, I also noticed this at the public bathroom by the park had 3or 4 or more security all around, two women in an office just controlling entering and leaving washrooms with a button that unlockedthe doors. I think now,  as so many different homeless people,  and many not right in their heads, this security was, is needed. 🤔 

So it's not a perfect place,  yet if you looked past the imperfection, or just passed by, all seemed very nice.  Thinking back at our walk along the waterfront, there wasn't many people that hung out,  homeless looking there. Controls there I'm guessing now. I'll have to go for another walkabout there sometime again and look just a bit differently as I walk.

We both really liked this statue of lovers kissing 💋 as they came back, or were going? 

        I just had to have a better look 😆 

The aircraft carrier was huge

Lobsters all going to China worth Big $$$$ there the fisherman said.

Once we got home to our air B&b, we were both really tired, with sore feet, and backs. Was along day. Polly said she was really sweaty,  didn't know why. She said this a couple times.  I was concerned, kinda scared me abit, but after she was fine she said.

A snooze,  and a little TV,  then dinner at the best Taco 🌮 place around,  El Gordos was mmm good.

We didn't go to the casino we had planned,  we just took a short walk to the seven eleven for a few goodies before going to our room for the night. We realized our limitations,  and gave in to being just to tired to go out tonight.  

Travel is great, as long as you take the time to enjoy it, and realize your limits.  Today we will travel back to Yuma, knowing we had a really good visit with friends here, as well as a good day on our own too. 

Lucky us hey. 

❤️ our life 

That's a wrap! Christmas day's done ✔️

  The sky was beautiful as we left dinner 

We had a very relaxed Christmas Day. Wished each other Merry Christmas,  then Coffee ☕️ and reading fb as many started the unwrapping before we got up, posts came faster as the morning went. Polly got busy with decorating the cake she made the day before, it turned out beautiful.

We had texts and calls from family and friends, read posts from many as the day went on. I took a walkabout here, had a vist with a few people here that were out and about.  

I fulfilled my wish on Christmas day,  a swim and hot tub on sunny warm Christmas day 😎, what more could I ask for. 

We had dinner with Dwane & Elaine Lingel at the resort next to us, along with 2 other couples, one couple from Saskatchewan,  and one from. Manitoba. We went early,  happy hour is traditional here in Yuma. Met everyone, and laughed and joked till dinner was ready. Dinner was great, turkey, ham, brussel sprouts, cranberries,  potatoes, gravey,  all was great. Then desert too, mmm😋  was a really nice way to spend our Christmas. 

Today we wake to the day after Christmas, Boxing day. This used to be so full of hype to shop, door crashing sales, and people would run out, line up for these pushed and advertised fantastic sales. I laugh now thinking of this making news, the lineups, pushing, shoving, and really greedy behavior right after the gift giving of Christmas. I'm happy to say I've never taken part in this. 

Today I'll fill the propane bottle if the filling stations open, make a call and cancel an appointment a Dr made for me in January,  I won't be home till April 🙂 

I'll go to the woodshop and let Tim know I won't be there Friday, as we will be in San Diego for a few days.  

I'll take a walk again, see some new people out and about, have a talk, another visit with someone as we walk, and talk. 

Then all going well Polly & I will go play poker and see all the familiar faces again. See how everyone's Christmas was as we play the game, and laugh some more. A jovial group we are as we all play poker.  

Soon we will celebrate the New Year, the stores already have Valentines stuff out for sale, before Christmas was here they had it on the shelves, they just can't wait! 

Polly and I didn't participate in the traditional card buying this year at Christmas. It did feel a little different, we did stop by the card rack on one of our shopping trips in LA, took a look at a few. I said this is the one I give you, Polly said this is the one I give you, then we left them on the rack. Was all in fun, but we just did it differently this year. 

The whole Christmas was different this year, as was last year. Our traditional Christmas changed once Memere, Polly's mom passed. The memories of our past get togetherness with family has changed. We spend winters south, and our family's are all north. Some of them get together, but in smaller groups. It feels a little sad, but it's this way with many people as life moves forward, it changes. 

Penny my daughter asked if this summer we could have a celebration,  like Christmas 🎄,  as then more of us could be together that once a year. I said yes, why not, that would be great. So summer will be different this year, as Christmas was. 

Change is the one thing we can count on, even if we really like it the way it is, changes happen. Like it or not! 

Coffee ☕️ is cold now,  I'll go get another cup, turn off the pot so Polly will have good tasting coffee.  I'll read a little more,  then the walk, just a little earlier today,  just as the sun's coming up I'm thinking.  

And on we go.

Love our live I do ❤️🤗

PreCovid prePandemic it's a thing now.

I'll keep this photo, a list on a list & a mug nobody really wanted to use 😆 

Pre Pandemic!

Our friend mentioned this this morning, it kinda took me by surprise, just like the saying pre 911, or pre Vietnam, or pre any of the events we have lived through. Yet pre pandemic is something closer in time, yet we have a memory of what it was like before the crazy 🤪 times of our covid scare, panic, well just crazy! Pre was when we were all just moving forward in life and enjoying our adventures, now we are trying all of us to continue after that time. 

I just never thought so clearly about this until Linda made that statement. Here we are now, continuing our lives after this time, trying to move forward again.  I ask now "what's next?" What will be the next even that'll put the fears back into us, to change our direction,  or make us put the brakes on? 🤔 I wonder. The war in Ukraine,  the war in Israel?

I love ❤️ the time it'll take to get home 🤗

Today we'll shop a little,  getting ready for Christmas 🎄 as we move forward in life. Got a message from our granddaughter today, she's outta debt ✔️checked off her list she's saying.  That is such a good feeling for her I'm sure. Were very proud of her. Communication with friends and family will be text or video talk during Christmas 🎄 now.  We've been through this before many times,  this year be just a little different.  

I'm looking forward to Christmas, a jump in the pool, then warm hot tub, shorts all day, dinner with Duane & Elaine Lingel & another couple at their home in Fortuna. 

Other than that time with Polly, and calling our families and friends be a big part of the day.  

Then, Christmas will be over for another year.  I always have thought so much

 ta-doo then we go on with life. No job to return to for us, so poker be our go to, and friends in Yuma to vist with, the New Year's Eve dance should be fun. Then what? Well Polly's hoping her sister be coming to stay awhile,  I hoped our friends C&A would come too, but not this year. 

Well do a little traveling yet this winter,  want to get over to Phoenix for a visit there too with good friends. Tombstone is on our radar as well. Looking like our rest of the year south be enjoying the resort,  and friends here. 

Today we shopped again, just the last few things, got all we wanted and both happy with our purchases.  We leave tomorrow for Yuma, been a very nice time here with friends, will meet them again in San Diego after Christmas with all their children, will be very nice.  

What more could we hope for, friends here, friends there, family on the text or call. Dam life is really good,  even after the pandemic. 

Love our life ❤️ here and everywhere we go.

Thursday today in L.A. rain comes.

Today we see the rains coming again,  yesterday was a rainy day, we stayed in, Polly baked her cinnamon buns early, nothing like fresh cinnamon buns in the morning. Later another just for good measure (I'm thinking of having another now).

 

We watched the end of a series that Polly started earlier, then played cards in the afternoon was fun, then the $ came out for a game of poker, serious fun now. Dinner was also great, spaghetti & salad thanks to Linda. Now for a little snooze,  then some phone searches.  

A day in L.A. was quiet, and very laid back. I'm feeling like as we are here in this big metropolis we should be doing something,  yet I'm totally happy to be here with our good friends,  and enjoy their company 😊 staying put.

We are going to a hockey game here tonight,  Calgary Flames vs L.A.Kings. I'm sure this will be fun, been awhile since I've gone to a game, and Polly's thinking she's going to have to get some long pants 👖 lol. Polly loves hockey 🏒 👌

What's the day hold? I'm not sure, but I am sure we will enjoy whatever we decide to do. Venice Beach was on the list, but if it rains likely be a no go. Shopping I'm thinking is going to be the fix for today.  Mike's already talking ⛳️ golf today, so be the 4 of us go shopping, Michael, their son is here now, and he needs some clothes.  Polly she's always up for a shopping trip. I tag along, no real wants shopping, but I'll tag along just for fun. 

How fortunate we are to have the city amenities available,  yet no desire to take it all in. Inside knowing we should be going here, going there, yet really content to stay put. Well I have to say the fact that anywhere you go here is extremely busy does give to the stay put desire too. 

I wake early as usual,  10pm to bed = up at 4, only 6 hours sleep needed.  Today was 4:19, a time most all know is an emotional memory for us, as Chris was all about the 4:20 and 4:19 is the warning ⚠️ time for a "Safety Meeting", I've learned alota new jargon the last few year's. 

It's funny, when I looked at my phone as I got up 4:19, it was a comfortable feeling, not sad now. I've accepted this is the reality we all live in now, so the meaning of the time has a good feeling now, not sad. Chris will always be with us in our thoughts, and reminders like 4:19 will always be a good feeling for me. 

Once in awhile a few tears, but not as painful as we had before. Christmas comes and goes soon, it will be different again, but calls home, and visits on the phone are so good now, almost like being there.  

I started looking at our possible routes home to Yuma, will be another travel that is enjoyable for us, kinda relaxed, no pressure to get somewhere in a certain time. Maybe a few stops along the way. 

December 21st already,  like usual time flies when your having fun. Mondays Christmas 🎄,  today's Thursday, wow I think. I get a message from Penny,  she has covid, so Christmas will be alone she's saying. I sure hope not, that's tough, but alone at Christmas is how many are. 

I have never really been alone at Christmas 🎄 😕  Yes, I'm fortunate. Our phones will help us to be connected with each other, but is always nice to have a hug, and share this time with Family & Friends. Some travel home for Christmas,  but many stay south and give a call to connect. That's us this year and the last few years. 

7am now, the day will begin here soon, people will start getting up, then the house will come alive with voices 😀 telling stories about what's next, what happened when, who did what, just the lives of all of us laid out. The daylight is here, I'll open the shutters now,  and just maybe have another cinnamon bun 😋 🤣

Today is a gift 🎁 I'm going to be present. 

As always 🤗❤️

Love our life ❤️ 💕

Sunday morning early up thoughts.

Waking early is normal. Sunday is quiet, quieter than most days. Coffee ☕️ is good, fb has a few good snickers, and a couple good posts. Now to write, just because I have time this morning,  just because.  

We had a good day yesterday,  Polly was busy change the sheets, couple loads of laundry,  getting her ingredients together for some cinnamon buns on the road. I on the other had was not so up yesterday,  I went for a walk here, met a woman from Chilliwack with a dog that has a disease in her hips, was having a very hard time walking, until she got close to the trailer, then a short sprint to a treat. 

Polly made me breakfast too, bacon and eggs. Yep Polly was busy yesterday. We went shopping in the afternoon for a few decorations, and a roast,

    Yuma Market,  good meat selection here.

   Butcher gave good advise to grill the roast

then we went home for the afternoon. Polly kept busy all day,  me I just had a nap, bacon and eggs kicked in, no jump in me. I watched a bit of YouTube,  I remember our grandchildren saying "I'll watch a bit of YouTube" never understanding,  I get it now. My go to channel, so many different things to watch there. 

We had a quiet day, lazy for me, busy for Polly. We talked with our friend Linda in the afternoon, our friend we are going to vist today, she and Mike had shopped, and were ready, coulda, shoulda, left today, but was good to have the day to get ready, all of us. We could have left today, but Linda & Mike just got in last night, so give em a bita time first. 

Once I was all awake I put the decorations together,  was a test I'm thinking,  blowing up so many balloons 🎈 🎈🎈🎈🤣 and getting them all in order, was OK once I got my thinking cap on. 

Then all at once Polly was ready, and the night had come we left to do some decorating. Polly and I work well together, even in decorating,  we know what each other wants as we work. I'm usually the director,  with suggestions from Polly, and if she's not happy with the look, she let's me know.  All was good when we finished.  Looking great 👍 

Now let's go for dinner,  off to Applebee's,  as we had a gift certificate we bought a month or more ago, so Polly said tonight is the night, she didn't want to have dishes after, even though she had created some making the desert 🍰 😂, so we go out. 

I kept off the phone at the restaurant, after a check. Saturday nite, was really busy there, our meal took awhile,  and like two oldsters,  we both ordered water to drink. Kinda funny how we have transitioned to older ways, yet we still don't really see ourselves as old. Polly was so into her mode yesterday,  as I watched, she had a list written, and in her mind of all that she wanted to accomplish before we left, her bag is packed, and I still even now as I write,  have not packed a thing. 🙄 silly me hey.

Dinner was great, once it came, we had time to talk before, was nice. Polly had a huge salad kinda thing, with chicken,  I had pork riblets & chicken breast, with mashed 🥔 and broccoli 🥦. We both enjoyed our meal. Polly was right, was a good idea to go out tonight.  

Fuel top up before we went home, make sure we're full, Fuel in California is a premium price.

5:38 now, I hear the coffee pot heating then off, heating, then off, other than that quiet, Polly breathing a deep breath every once in awhile,  but really quiet. A car goes by, the clock ticks, but really quiet Sunday morning.  

Sipping my coffee ☕️  and listening as I peck away here, that's a pleasure for me, a deep breath in kinda pleasure. I'll shave, shower, pack a few clothes, then soon we'll be out the door. That's just how fast it will happen once Polly's up, she's ready. 

We are both looking forward to travel, funny how we are kinda hooked on it, looking forward to the trip, a different way to LA,  we are going towards San Diego, then up the coast, I-5 is really the best way I'm thinking.  No huge plan for our time with Mike and Linda, just to be together is enough.  Dinner is planned for one night sure, tonight is Linda's plan. Tuesday going to vist with others in LA we wanted to see, Patty, Sarah & Matthew. Been awhile since we've seen these friends 🤗

We booked a couple nights in San Diego after Christmas last night too, as Mike & Linda are there for a football game with their family,  will be our chance to see all of them. We'll get a chance to see down town San Diego too, always wanted to check it out.

Christmas 🎄 will happen fast now,  like every year, hurry hurry,  then done! 

Cars going by a little more now, a truck with its Jake brake in the background, Sunday is just starting to come to life here. Coffee ☕️ #2 now, I'm getting used to the new keyboard on this Samsung phone finally.  Change isn't easy for me, I get used to something, then have to adapt to something else, just not happy completely yet. 😒 

Content,  that's how I'd describe my this morning, I'm content in this moment in time.

Lol I snicker now, Polly's asking from our dark bedroom,  "What time is it Brent?" "6:24" I say 😁 and just like that the day begins.

Happy with our life, very happy 😊

Love our life! 🤗❤️

Murder most foul, by Bob Dylan.

I started my morning out thinking as I woke, kinda between a dream and awake,  a mix as I woke. Was interesting,  as I woke I was pissed as my wife parked my truck in a hole that made it so my door would only open a small amount for me to get in, and the water rushed in as I opened the door.  This was my ex wife,  Polly would never do this. 

I was pissed, and yelled out why would you do this as she laughed 😅 

I'm happy to say I got over it quickly as I woke 🤣 up. Was a funny start to my day. The clock read 4:23, I passed the 4:20 mark, so my thoughts are good I'm thinking, no grieving.  I make coffee ☕️,  read a little on fb, then I get to a post that has snow falling on a beautiful setting,  with John Lennon singing the Happy Christmas song (war is over). I watched and listened, was real nice.  Then I thought what's the real song video look like?

Onto the Google search, comes up on YouTube, there it is. I listen to a few videos, then somewhere I got the scroll on, and into the abyss of YouTube lol. Then comes up Murder most Foul by Bob Dylan. I plugged in the earbuds now, and listened to this again, I heard it a few times before,  but this time I really listened, as I had before, to the Christmas song by Lennon. 

I watched the image's go by as he sang, I thought what was it all about? this song? What was he trying to pass on throughout the video? After it finished I searched around for what the song was about, and got to an article on the meaning, about the change in our lives we have had happen over the last how many years. 😳 

I know I've gone from watching the news regularly,  to not wanting to view it, as I'm not wanting to insert crap in my life. I don't trust most of what I see there, where before I trusted most I saw, I'm realizing that most we see has an agenda we don't see if we are not looking closely.  

I haven't finished the article that came up when I searched "what is murder most foul about" but the first few lines helps answer my question.  I'll finish in a few minutes.  

Last night after a good leftover dinner,  Polly and I watched a movie she thought would be good, I was not really wanting to, as I kinda thought it would have a predetermined, underlying motivation to it, I said as we started to Polly, "I wonder how long before the anti logging will come out here?" Polly was more optimistic.  The show is in episode's, called "Island of the Sea Wolves". 

I could see what was happening in the way the stories were told about all the cute animals that they named as they went, and how they told of their battles in their lives, and tied the stories together with emotion being the theme asking the viewer to be tied to the tough lives of the animals,  and how important it is that we act sympathetically towards all their lives. How we are all tied together on the earth, and what we do as humans causes irreversible damage to their way of life. 

The film ended with this message;

I believe this is crap, rolled up in the same bunch of BS peddled by environmental groups for years now,  same groups that think our earth is being beat down by humans, and we should be taxed on the amounts of carbon we produce. Although the film has some very nice video of beautiful animals and coastal forest, if you watch and think about what is being thrust on you, subtly, is the guilt of humans operating in our nature. 

If we didn't touch anything here on earth, we would die. 

So my thoughts at the end of the 3 episodes were that its a very fancy way of turning public opinions towards the environmental side of no logging, something I'm against.  I was and have been involved in logging most all my life, my living was and is provided by the earnings created by logging.  I don't apologize for this, I believe that the logging is not only needed, but is good. As for the poor animals, if you look in the renewed forests, planted, and growing healthy, there are many animals that live there too, dragging fish from the ocean, and having young, and surviving just fine. 

The people that made this film series want to stop all old growth logging. Even though there is so much old growth that has been made into park already on the island. What's really being promoted is no logging,  anymore,  anywhere. 

I'm not going to rant, I'm just saying that this underlying motivation for not only this movie series,  but many other forms of persuasion Has me carefully limiting what I watch now.  

Garbage 🗑 in equals Garbage 🗑 out. 

I keep this in mind as I read, watch, and just pay attention to what's being blabbed about.

I drive a diesel truck, I don't believe I'm damaging the environment, or killing the world because of this. 

Happy we are as we travel here in Arizona.

Love ❤️ our life 

Transition or Transmision what day is it today?

Christmas will be here soon 😃🎄

Yesterday our truck, "Rambo" we call it, went to the transmission shop here in yuma. The transmission has been acting odd, not shifting properly, so made an appointment last week for a repair. Darcy followed me there to drop it off and give me a ride home after. When I went to the shop last week and made the appointment I talked with the owner, Stan's his name, he seemed very knowledgeable and I felt comfortable he would resolve the problem. In talking with him I found out he was 76 years old. No retirement for him, he's going to keep working as long as he can he said. 

I wondered to myself if that's the magic in life, keep working? I say keep busy, and doing what you love will keep you busy and happy.  Stan has all he wants I believe, he's happy working, and he controls his destiny. He can work lots, or little, although he seemed busy, no lack of work here in Yuma. 

I was surprised when he said he was 76, he looked more like 50! I did a quick assessment on me, and that got me thinking, did I quit to early? I know I didn't, I had a mission to fulfill,  travel the world, well at least some of it, still so much to see. 

I'm happy to say Stan fixed our Rambo up just fine, shifts great again, maybe even better than before. The bill was reasonable, he installed a part that I was told to get a couple years ago, and I did, but never got it installed as I was waiting to get to the guy in Indio that told me about it. I'm thinking maybe I should have done this awhile ago, but I'm always "If it ain't broke, don't mess with it". 

On our way back from the transmission shop in the morning talking with Darcy,  I said how being without my truck gave me a helpless feeling,  he agreed. I said I compared it to a woman without her purse! We both laughed a little,  but it does give me a helpless feeling,  as ya just can't get up and go where or when ever you want. 

I think now of all the traveling we've done, and Rambo has taken us to most everywhere we've gone. Polly, she pats the dash and talks to Rambo every once in awhile, says "Good Job Rambo" and says it with gusto! We have been fortunate, Rambo has given us many wonderful miles, or in Canada Kilometers 🇨🇦 lol. Still when our trucks tied up or having a problem,  I feel 😕 grounded. 

Today,  even if I don't need to drive anywhere,  just knowing Rambos OK,  I feel good, complete, knowing I can go and get back from where I want at my discretion. 

This weekend we will travel to Los Angeles to spend time with friends that will have traveled from Ontario. They have their family coming to join them for Christmas, so catch them before the Christmas time starts, be nice to catch up with them. Also other friends that live in LA,  a vist with them too be nice. 

Christmas will be here soon, and the funny thing is, the day will pass and like many before POOF it's done. The stores will start the next day advertising,  the doors will stay open longer, the deals will be advertised,  just like Christmas never happened. The machine continues,  and the people that direct this just keep looking for more,  and better ways to sell us more of what we don't need.  

I remember not long ago going through stuff another man had after he was gone. Tools he had bought, and never used, stuff he thought maybe he'd use. Made me think then as now how we are, shopping for what we always wanted, yet in our later years may not need now, but always wanted. 

I bought a few tools this year before Christmas,  I believe I'll get to use them, at least I hope so this spring on our return trip to Port Alberni.  

I'm kind of rambling today,  sun's up now,  days going to be sunny,  not as warm early,  but nice afternoon 😀  poker game at noon, with many friends around the table joking with each other.  Polly brought cookies yesterday to poker,  she was so glad that all the cookies were all eaten 😋  Polly gives love with her baking,  that I know for sure. She also gets enjoyment watching the cookies disappear,  knowing people loved what she made. 

We all get in life what we want, or need, by our efforts that we put into what we do. I'm doing this, I enjoy it, if you do, that's 👍 great. 

I heard Polly stirring,  8:24 now, and here she comes, that was a good sleep 😴 

Another day in our blissful existence here in Yuma, all's good now, Rambo is good to go, suns up, quiet right now,  but people out walking already,  guess that'll be my next move, a walkabout,  and a swim before poker today.  

Life's good, Love ❤️ our life! 

Sunday morning late start today

Dinner was chicken and salads from Fry's and a glass of wine last night, and a Movie 🎦 

Sundays always special, usually a family day, call family and friends at home or where they are. Have a nice dinner with friends or just Polly and I & watch a good movie. Oh and empty the sewage from the trailers tank, my weekly job that has to be done.

Has been a good week for me in poker, not a loosing day, and some I made a few $$, but the best part is the laughing we have been doing. The whole room is just so alive with fun, all here to enjoy ourselves, and dam we sure are. Polly on the other hand, not so lucky, she's been funneling her 💸💰💲🤑✈️ away.

Cards, not getting cards Polly keeps saying, I understand, I've been there too. Advice I have, but her play and mine is different, I say have to play the table if no cards, or play the small cards if no big ones come. 👍 Hopefully she does better this week. No matter, we will both laugh alot, and that's what we love about the games. 

Polly is planning a dinner here with friends Wednesday, be fun to have a bunch of Port Alberni friends all gather for dinner, the conversation will be so fun. Maybe a game of crib after, see how it goes. Polly loves to entertain, and dinner a special time with friends will be fun. 

Polly just making her shake thing as I peck here on the phone, pineapple 🍍, ginger, almond milk, beet powder, banana 🍌, nutmeg, cinnamon so much stuff. She's been doing this a few months now, I tried it, but way to much yuk for me. I'm a coffee ☕x2 then cereal guy, with banana.

I'm slow this morning, just taking it easy. Had a chat with Chris, a friend in Port earlier, weather is coming at them,"atmospheric river" the weather chanel calls it now, we remember it as November rains lol. I don't miss this time in town, I remember the year after we retired we were staying at the golf course rv park in November, waiting till after Christmas to go south. It rained the whole month, so late in the month I booked a week in Cabo San Lucas, and off we flew. Best decision, was warm, and pool was great, just perfect time to getaway.

Since then we have only stayed home at Christmas 2 times, during covid, but likely stay south during Christmas as many times as we can from now on, just not a fan of the rains, or snow, we did that for a long time now don't have to so will stay south each year if possible.

Polly has "Castaway" on now as I write, some beautiful looking areas on this show, but alone on an island in the middle of nowhere, not for me either. I could do OK there, but away from everyone would be terrible.

Well breakfast growl, growl calls, I'm going for a walk first, then breakfast. Pool later I'm thinking, and oh yeah, sewer 😂 

Love our life so much 🤗❤️