Family Day this weekend, what's it mean to you?

     Pollys creation turned out beautiful 

Away from family on a long weekend that has been declared Family Day, how do we celebrate? How to celebrate Family while Away? 

Chuckle, I just did to myself. Well we celebrate as we do everyday, a video chat with some of our family, or a text message, messenger,  snapchat, from or to them, or with some an email.  Whatever works, that how we celebrate with our family today. Reminds me of what I often say, "do the best you can, with what you've got!" 

Away from family, gives way to planning for get togetherness when we return.  Like the request for a get together in July,  as a Christmas 🎄 in July get together, as we, (our family dynamics) has changed since Memere (Polly's Mom) passed. We all met at her place for family celebrations, so now we have realized we have to change it up to get that family time in. 

Here in Yuma,  Away from all our family,  we just do the best we can, and connect as able. People are all busy,  weekends and weekdays so we celebrate with friends here, which became like family. A friend here said once, "I have family here, and family there" describing his life, i agreed,  and I'm loving all of them. 

Here we have friends we've known for a long time, and friends we've just met, all our part of our family here. Yesterday we went to a friend's place for dinner, 3 couples, all getting to know each other just a little more. 

Was a fun evening,  dinner was great, a different way of cooking a roast, was very good, souvie is hot water with the meat in sealed plastic cooking, it takes a long time, but wow, was it ever good. Everyone brought something,  veggies by Ivo & Patti, meat and potatoes from Gord & Glenda, Polly  made a cake. All was very good, a little wine, and conversation that covered so much. Then playing cards after gave to some fun. Perfect 👌 evening with our other family ❤️ here.

Polly just said to me "Oh, it's President's day here this weekend!"  There, I learned something new again, so celebrating here this weekend is happening too. 

Today going to a brunch, as Gord gave an invite yesterday, said they been going to brunch at the VFW here, so today try something new. 😋 

That's how well celebrate Family Day, the best we can at a distance, and plans for closer ties when we return home. 

Love our life ❤️ 

How fortunate we are.

          I need more honey, Honey!

Polly and I went grocery shopping Friday evening as less people then at Fry' plus we get 4x the points for our fuel discount we were informed by Pat, so let's try it. We've learned to turn and go behind the store and around the other side where it's less busy to get in and out of parking. On our way past we see this black truck we have seen before, camper on it, with a flat deck trailer towed behind parked close to the back corner of the building. Looks grubby, kinda beat up, and we had seen it here before a couple time's, just this time it was different. Pulled up wheels right up to the curb, in what's a difficult way to backup. We didn't think to much on the way in, just a comment that there it is again. They're staying the night.

We park, go in and get our groceries,  always joking with each other, about something, and get all we need as we travel between the isles, Polly always moving ahead this time, as I stop here and talk with someone, and then again, meet the newfies we met while walking by at Sundance. Finally I met up with Polly again at the vegetable area, "get some brea, you pick it out." Polly says, then off we went to checkout. Shopping always an experience 🛒🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️Polly shopping, me just lookin around.

On our way out of the store we go towards the door we came in and another couple is coming towards us, they say "can't get out that way, doors closed, they close them at 7pm"  We've never shopped this late here before, we didn't know. So out the main door,  and make our way to the truck. We load all the groceries on the back seat, and floor, then off we go home. 

As Polly was getting into the truck I noticed the parking lot was almost empty,  and say "we got to do this all the time, almost nobody here at this time" then I noticed a little red car in the parking lot with a blanket over the front window, tucked into the doors and some boxes or something on top. I know, as we have seen this before, somebody is staying the night in the car, and thinking now I realize their not just staying the night, they are living in their car. 

It was a very small red car, and I said to Polly as pointed out the car to her, how fortunate we are to be living as we are. 

We started on our way home, behind the store again,  and past the truck with camper, and trailer,  and I see a guy at the back of the camper as we go by, he closes the door. There's water on the ground all around the camper. Yep there staying night here again. 

I say to Polly it's odd how they are parked, like they are there to plug in or something, as getting so close to the building. The trailer has pallets, and junk in the back, a way to possibly scrape out a living im thinking. 

On the other side of the lot there's a couple of newer motor homes, parked for the night. Then I think how really fortunate we are, as these people are just one step away from on the street living. 

I say to Polly now that I remember a saying "But for the grace of God, goes I" 

I don't believe god, but I do see the sadness in our society now, how so many are living with so little, when our society has so much. 

People believe government should "fix it" do more, make it right. I'm not sure the people in government can, or even really want to. I just know what I've seen, in all corners of our travels, homelessness is a growing trend.  

We talked on our way home about it, about how we both were fortunate to be born in a country that had a decent living possible, if you worked for it, and how we both did. Our talk became a realization that as we already knew, how fortunate we were. 

Yet I believe many of the people on the streets did too, started out with a future,  and worked and had some good times. I believe many have fell on hard times, and just have no path leading them to a better life. Everyone has a story, yet as we look around, many of the stories are being told out in public, on the streets. 

Polly says as we talked "it's hard to believe with so much work available that people are living like this". Polly got offered a job last night as we were shopping, of course she declined, but that's about how easy it is. I believe many living in their cars, are working, just can't afford the rents as the going rates are unbelievable. 

Was a different shopping trip, and left me thinking. I didn't take photos, I have the scenes in my mind, very well imprinted.  I've seen it before, but somehow it struck me hard yesterday, harder than ever before.  

We are fortunate to wake in our trailer safe, warm, coffee ☕️ in hand, of course we had to do the very hard work of brewing it. Phone in hand, connected to the internet, maybe that's why the camper was so close to the building, internet? 

Who knows,  but I'm happy we are living as we are, at the same time, I'm sad people are living so poorly. Could it be worse? Yes I believe it could be. Will I do anything about it? Not likely. Is that the problem, that we don't care enough to do anything? I mean society? All of us? 

Deep thoughts, I laugh to myself now. Even too deep do me. 

Yesterday morning after Polly was awake awhile she asked me "do you want bacon and eggs today?" It didn't take a long thought process to get to "Yes, thanks" I shouldn't be surprised,  yet I was a little for some reason. Gifts we give each other in life, aren't we fortunate. And on life goes, one gift after another. 

I don't take em for granted, life could be a whole lot different. 

Love ❤️ our life!

Rambos back.

We got our pickup 'Rambo' back last Friday late afternoon. As I was told by the owner of Ramco Transmision here in Yuma the wires that were causing the transmission to operate erratically were sealed, the front driveshaft was replaced as the joints were shot, and the battery cables were replaced. All this added up to a hefty bill, just over $3000. 😳 Polly is more OK about this than I am, but on the positive Rambos operation is repaired,  and likely no more issues with the transmission.  

Having a problem on the highway while towing is not something we want, so good to know we've taken care of the problem. What led to the problem was so minute, yet affecting the transmission in a big way. A wire that rubbed on another finally wore through so contact with the ground strap caused it to short out,  then the transmission was getting the wrong signal, making it shift up and down from second to drive, and drive to overdrive.  

The whole process took over 2 weeks. The shop has loaners for its repairs, so we had a little car, that made it easier. I was surprised at the time it took, but diagnosis took time, and they didn't have to take the transmission out, that makes me happy. Feeling secure in the knowledge that we'll have a dependable ride again is nice. 

Ready we are for traveling again in March, the truck needs to be dependable,  as our only means of transport. Polly's sister Lyn will be here on 22nd, be a change-up for us, got her bed in living room ready, Polly has been arranging this for awhile now,  and she's very excited about having Lyn here. I'm happy too, but Polly's over the 🌙 moon.  

The last few months have gone fast, and the next month will just go poof I'm sure. 

Superbowl weekend now, we have a party invite for Sunday, will be fun I'm sure. Polly has a plan for the cake she'll be building. I can't reveal, but will be a hit I'm sure. Cinnamon buns too, that I can reveal. We haven't seen these friends much as at a different resort,  across the way, but we did camp across from each other one year, and got to know them well, 4 couples that all were connected since high school,  and still good friends. A fun group to hangout with.  

We do have much busy time here poker during the week, even a poker tournament once a month on a Saturday. I have woodshop on Friday morning,  other than that not too much we attend. Some are busy all the time, we do like our down time, tv, a vist with friends, a walk about the park, and of course shopping for groceries. Today we have to go, as like always there was something that got forgotten yesterday 😆

A woman died here this past Tuesday,  was a shocker for many,  we didn't know her, but many did. I went to a card game here Thursday,  and people said they were very upset about it. One person asked if there would be a memorial, and a woman that had been here for a very long time said they have one at the end of the season for all that have passed in the year. It's expected that some will pass each year, and having been here along time, this lady knew. 

Saturday morning is mostly quiet, today no difference, a little cloud in the sky, I heard a small bit of rain during the night,  but clearing out now. More rain this year than past years here in Arizona, and more predicted for this coming week. 

That's OK, still mostly shorts and tee shirt weather. The wind pounded our tent on Wednesday,  had a really strong southern wind, gave one heck of a strong gust after we left for early morning haircuts,  I came back was all blown all over the place.  Not too bad, one hole in the tent, and the tucan was broken,

but that was bound to happen sometime. I put it all back together,  not thinking to take a photo to show Polly, all good, will glue the tucan today.  

The lives of the not so rich, and not so famous hey! Lol 😆 

Love ❤️ our life 

Complaints about commercials on FB

   The sky as we left Mr Fish restaurant 

I read many that think too many adds on FB, and I think "Hey, maybe you should try posting something interesting, rather than complain about what's coming up." I believe if we'd all put interesting photos, or interesting thoughts up on fb there would be something interesting to see and think about. Doesn't have to be earth shattering,  just something interesting.  We all have something interesting to put forth, just make a post, then we'll all have something to enjoy, maybe even learn something.  😉 

A friend suggested I join a sight called 'The view from my window'. I've enjoyed so many photos from many people from all over the world. Such an eye 👁👁 opening experience this has been. So much in this world that we all see out our windows. Things, and places that others find interesting, beautiful, and just great to see. 

      My leftovers was a whole meal 

Don't want to see so much adds,  be the person that posts what's interesting,  beautiful, something to learn from, we can all do this, click, click, click! Done! Easy Peasy,  just a few clicks away from making a difference in someonse life. 

Am I pushing you? Do you feel the push? The pressure? Well don't just think about, get that clicking finger, that easily clicks complaints in gear, flip your thoughts to what's interesting out your windo, or in your life. Thoughts, photos, or just make an add, that you'd like to see. It's easy, and we'd all enjoy the fb experience a little more.  

Scroll by the adds, get to what you want to see, and if this propels any of you to post, that's what I was hoping for. 

Life is short, get involved in your own happiness, tell a story, take a photo,  be involved in your happiness 😊 🤗

Love ❤️ your life

Love ❤️ our life

Freedom comes, more or less.

"Houses for us, and our life, only drag us down. We truly have a freedom that owning property held us back from getting. When we sold, and started out this journey, we both felt a freedom like only we had when we were children."

I messaged this to my daughter just now,  and when I did, I copied and pasted here, as it struck me how true it was. The moment we started our new life with less, we both felt the weight of so much stuff being lifted off our shoulders, weight we didn't even know we had.

Today we have gathered some more small additions as we get just a little more comfortable with our lives, all inside our trailer, and some left at our northern town. Getting rid of much of our belongings when we sold our home was a decision we made as we planned our retirement change in our lives. 

No house, no cabin, no boat, no property,  except our trailer Charlotte and our pickup Rambo, that's how we started out. 

"Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to loose, and nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free"

A line from a song most of us have heard, Bobby McGee. 

We all have our own ideas of what free is, as for freedom, well also there's many ideas what that is too. When we retired we thought freedom was that, we'd be able to go where we want, stay as long as we wanted, and stay most everywhere with our mobile home on wheels. 

Surprise, the rules follow along retired or not, there are rules as you travel. 

We have learned many of them as we went, I'm sure there are more that we'll learn yet, but most we obey, as fighting them be a mistake.  Still, we have less to worry about, or manage with less stuff. 

We carry more in our truck and trailer than what others do that just camp, we have all we need, and then some. We learned that we can have all the comforts of a regular home, in a much smaller area, that we can move around the country at the drop of a hat. It takes a bit to pack up if we have stayed anywhere for a longer time, but mostly we can be packed up, and ready to travel in less than half a day. 

We are planning to leave Yuma the last week in March,  heading back to Vancouver Island. Polly has plans for the trip back already, wanting to give her sister, who will be traveling with us, a good tour about on our way home.

 I'm sure will be a good trip back home, we are all booked at our campground of choice in Port Alberni, Arrowvale, it's s a very good place for us to stay. We feel like we have some freedom there.

 Campgrounds still have rules, and we know most of them at Arrowvale, but other campgrounds come with different rules as we travel, and some of the rules surprise us, but regardless, we try always to stay within the rules, not to ruffle any feathers. Makes life easier, also helps us if someone else isn't obeying the rules. 

As I sit here now and type, or peck as I call it, it's very quiet, 6am now on Sunday morning. I woke early as usual, watched a bit of a movie I've seen many times on my phone, High Plains Drifter, got about 1/2 way through, then decided to write here instead. 

I had started this a few days ago, as I talked with my daughter, thinking about when we started out in retirement, believing we would be free. I'm thinking we are to some degree free, still having to live in society,  and close to others, we have to be considerate of others, as they are to us. That's just how living close is, no matter if in the wilderness or close to each other,  have to consider others in our decisions. 

My daughter messaged me yesterday,  worried that a war was about to start, and that I'd better get home. I said turn off whatever you been watching,  or reading,  and go on with life as before,  as what comes will come, and you just keep living as before.  The TV and news, we can't control,  and worry will only hurt you. She did agree, and is getting on with her life. 

Freedom to choose, within the rules, that's what we have, and that's good enough fir me. I'm not going to write a song, but I do like to listen to one, especially Bobby McGee. 

I think I'll listen to it now with my earbuds, as Polly is still sleeping, and I am considering her freedom too. 

I know I'll have a sleep later,  and Polly's going to be quiet for me too. 

Love this retired life ❤️ especially on Sunday morning.