Oh.... vintagegreenjeans, how I have missed you!!!

I have been amiss in posting!!! Last post...back in August...can't really explain or justify! Watched the movie "A Dog's Year". Oh yes, I see, it was writer's block! I have to break free, have to write again!! I can't sing, I wish I could play the piano better and I haven't won any beauty contests lately...however, I try really hard! Author, yes, I must try!!!

I know, it must seem absurd! I am a writer at heart! Ever since my college freshman professor offered me "literary support" ( did he know I was only 17?) I have been a author wanna be! And I am depending on all my blog-ers and facebookers to support me, to the extent possible, of course, in this endeavor!!! Thanks to all for your continued support!

Sunflower City!

Driving back home today, after a weekend at Perry Lake, we spied this field of gold! Acres and acres of sunflowers growing with abandon! All facing east but starting to turn their pretty heads to follow the sun moving to the western sky.

I envisioned pound upon pound of tasty sunflowers seeds! Just last evening my husband was munching on sunflower seeds, while sitting at the picnic table drinking a glass of white wine... seems like an odd scenario but may I remind you...
we are talking about Kansas, the Sunflower State!! What could be better?!

Camping at the Crawford!

We had a wonderful weekend at Crawford State Park, which is near Fort Scott, Kansas. Beautiful, very warm weather until Saturday evening, when an exciting thunderstorm and heavy rain hit. I am never disappointed by the falling barometer, as it gives me a chance to check my camper for leaks and to wear that spiffy raincoat I bought at the Goodwill for just $2.00!! We were just finishing dinner, taco salad and margaritas, when the black clouds moved in...we picked up and headed for shelter under the RV awning, just as the sky opened up and bucketfuls of rain fell!

Earlier in the day, I met up with a nice couple, Claudia and Jim. Jim was very interested in my 1959 Winnebago, as he was in the process of trying to determine age and model of his own Vintage trailer...he had narrowed it down to Comet vs Winnebago. We had a lot of fun comparing notes about our campers. I also gained some info about the frame, as Jim had reinforced his recently, when he noticed it flexing and "porpoising" during tow... I have not noticed mine doing this but will be keeping an eye out, now that I know what to expect and the probable cause! Always something with these vintage trailers.

Next stop Roaring River State Park... a repeat of a trip we took last year that was so successful we added it to the list again this August. Can't wait to wade in the cold stream..hopefully, but not likely, catch a trout!

It has been such a busy summer! Time to slow down and enjoy what is left of this hot weather!! Soon it will be winter coat time!

Click on my grroveshark link to the right "A Summer Place"

Murphy's Law

What happens when you are scheduled to have a houseful of company, family that you haven't seen in ages! The refrigerator quit, the air conditioner in the car pooped out and the washing machine died! It was a very expensive week! I did go to the laundry-mat today to catch up on some washing..we had been swimming or boating every day, coupled with lots of showers, the dirty towels were piling up!!!

My new washing machine is coming tomorrow, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to my favorite laundry. Located at the corner of 40 Highway and 7 Highway in Blue Springs, Missouri. It has been there as long as I can remember. When the kids were small, I could always convince them to go along. There were a couple of arcade machines, a candy machine and pop for sale. Mom always had a lot of quarters saved up for the trip, so the children knew they were in for fun...after they helped me lug the clothes baskets and laundry powder inside.

Today I brought my laptop along for the first time...much better then reading the outdated magazines left behind by other customers! I got some strange looks as I sat by the machines typing away!!

My new fireplace!

A lot of the gals in my camping group have been talking about putting fireplaces in their vintage campers...you know the ones, little electric, fake fireplaces that give off heat and ambiance!

Well, today I found the perfect fireplace for my 1959 Winnebago...and it was only $5.96!! The Salvation Army Store, my favorite shopping place, was able to provide me with just what I needed!! There is a little switch to turn on/off the red bulb that simulates the "fire"!! And the electric clock is working and keeping accurate time, although it sounds like it is sending Morse code signals as it ticks along...the sweep second hand moving smoothly, thanks to the miracle of electricity!!

I need to do a little research to find out how old it is....I suspect the late forty's, maybe early fifty's...it says "Manufactured Exclusively by the United Clock" Corp. Brooklyn, New York and the lettering has that vintage look!! If anyone has seen one of these before..let me know, I am curious about it!! I laid the modern night light next to it, to give you a idea of scale...it uses a little bulb like that light.

Turtle Soup

We were camping at Lake Jacomo this weekend and noted how bold the "wild-life" ( LOL) at the Park had become!! First thing Saturday morning the drunken campers that were in the site across from me were evicted from the campground by the Sheriff and the Park Ranger!! They were camping in a mini van from which they had removed the seats and were using them to lounge around the fire. At ten o'clock their site was quiet and peaceful....they were resting up from the party they had all afternoon and preparing for one that would last throughout the night!!!

I suppose someone complained...after all we all needed to be quiet and asleep so the huge raccoon could raid our trash cans! I swear, he was the biggest raccoon I have ever seen, living on all the some- mores and hotdogs left behind by campers, There was also a huge bunny who frequented our site, looking for the diet conscious campers who would provide him with a lettuce leaf!

This baby Snapper was really a find!! I saw movement on the road in the hot afternoon on Saturday.....I had plenty of time to find my camera as this little fellow was going as fast as he could, which was VERY SLOW!!! He made it to the grass..I am sure he was seeking relief from the hot pavement to the cool, damp grass!! I couldn't belief my luck when then I noticed the Lady Bug!! It gave such great size perspective to the picture....but I was curious about the intent of the Lady Bug...didn't she realize she needed to fly away, fly away, fly away home??!!

After the Storm...

Last night we got hit with a terrible storm...rain, thunder, lightning and wind. This morning when I checked on Mother Duck she was walking about our yard, looking at the carnage. Then suddenly, she flew off. There were broken eggs scattered about although the nest was still intact, with four dirty eggs. I am not sure what happened over night. Possibly the storm flooded the nest, maybe a snake found it, maybe a dog...there are many possibilities. Mother Duck has not returned to the scene of the crime this morning. I am wondering if she has abandoned the nest in fear of her own safety. I wish I could have offered more protection. My husband was sympathetic this morning, what he doesn't yet know....he will have to be the one to dispose of the eggs and nest, if mama doesn't return in the next day or so. I couldn't stand to do it....it made me queasy seeing the duck eggs open and no babies. I am getting more and more squeamish as I age, what's up with that!? Being a nurse, I used to be fairly thick skinned, now I feel almost every ache, pain and sorrow, of others, to my inner core. I guess that is why God provided retirement....so we could be absolved of our duties, to be able to "stand down".

COME ON RETIREMENT!! Unfortunately, I have a long way to go!!!

Still on the Nest!

Mamma Duck is still on the nest! I first discovered her, quite by surprise, on
May 28th. She is under my kitchen window...every morning, ever so quietly, I raise the window and peer down at her. She is well hidden in the fern garden aka weed patch, next to the north side of the house. It probably stays cool there, even on these hot afternoons. I have been vigilant about neighborhood cats and dogs, hoping to fend them off, if necessary. My husband has been repeatedly warning me...."often many of the ducklings "don't make it".

It has been ten days plus..I have no idea where we are in this gestation process. I have really enjoyed watching from a distance and have marveled at Mamma Duck's quiet patience and determination to see this through!! Will keep you posted and hope to be showing cute baby duck pictures soon!

"The Unsinkable Legend"

The Boston Whaler! Whalers have been a part of our boating life for a while. My husband was first introduced to the boat when he served in the United States Coast Guard. Later, when we moved to Lake Lotawana, we learned it was the "boat of choice" for that community. When sailing in Florida on our beloved "Serendipity", a 27 foot Compac Yacht, I discovered a 13 foot Whaler for sale in Naples, Florida.
When we arrived back in Kansas City, I loaded up the station wagon for a road trip south, to haul home the boat which I had enthusiastically convinced Doc to buy!

We had a lot of fun in that boat and then graduated to the bigger one you see here, bought at a boat show on another, not sufficiently thought out, whim! However, we never had buyer's remorse, albeit debtor's remorse, for that 10 year note we took on it back in 2005!!

We love her!! She is a great safe boat, especially now that we frequent the bigger, rougher Perry Lake.

Originally manufactured in Massachusetts, the Boston Whaler is now manufactured in Edgewater, Florida. In 1961, an advertisement in Life Magazine featured the 13 foot boat, sawn half-way through with a crosscut saw....still floating...known as "the unsinkable legend"! But don't attempt this at home, especially not until the 10 year note is paid!

Just Ducky!

Friday morning as I was cleaning my kitchen window, I splashed some water around on the window sill letting it run down the groove to wash out the dirt. I heard a startled "quack" and glanced down just as a duck flew up and over the house. A second look revealed the source of her concern..she had a nest full of eggs and I had startled her!! Closing the window, I went about my work and soon she returned to sit on the nest.

I looked again this morning, she is still sitting quietly and patiently, keeping her babies warm and cozy. It is going to be such fun watching and waiting for the ducklings. I generally dislike the mess they make around the yard, especially the geese, but ducklings.....that is something special.

I did a little Google research and found that Mallards are the most predominant duck in North America. The females usually lay 11 or 12 eggs and the incubation period is approximately 28 days. The males stays close after mating but once the eggs are laid and momma duck is sitting on the nest, he flys off to join the other males. Hmm..interesting parallel to some humans!!

Click on the Grooveshark link for "Rubber Ducky..you're the one"

kaua'i...constant beauty!

We saw so many amazing things in Kaua'i. On Thursday evening we treated ourselves to a boat trip to the Na Pali Coast....it was a sunset cruise. Dinner was served, delicious drinks at the bar and the crew were very accommodating. Three very nice young men...taking care of a crowd of about 30 people, of which 8 were our group of ladies. As the Captain steered the boat, the two crew members tended the passengers....assisted by carrying drinks, steadying us as we walked about the decks( the sea were rough that evening) and even took care of the few seasick tourists.Fortunately I had remembered to take the sea sickness pill. I often succumb to Mal De Mer, but I evaded it this trip and had a wonderful time.

I take back everything bad I ever said about "buttcracks". Kaua'i seems to have a completely different variety then the ones seen in Kansas City! I photographed it, of course, for purely scientific and educational reasons! Enjoy!!

PS this is one of the crew members! He didn't mind!!

Goodbye...Kaua'i..it makes me sad to leave!

Our bags are packed, we are ready to go....leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...

Wrong..I have a goal... coming back in one year to hike the trails and pack in to areas only accessible by foot or kayak..my training plan for the next year is under development. There are two of us that are planning and possibly a third coming in by kayak....will keep you posted ..anyone else interested??

Kaua'i...paradise!

Wow! Kaua'i is awesome..our weather has been beautiful, warm and sunny. Last night we went to a Luau..more about that later..now leaving to go on a Heli ride!!

Baby Love!

Here they are ..my pride and joy....sweet little grandchildren. Growing older does have it's rewards. The babies make up for my wrinkles, gray hair and mid drift bulge! David and Krysten are doing such a great job raising these little ones. After spending a week in Kodiak, all the memories came back. Sleepless nights, endless laundry, meal times and burps, with every shirt or sweater smelling like baby spit up. I wish I could bottle that fragrance and market it...I bet lots of Gammaws and Pawpaws would be lining up for it!!! And the smell of baby lotion can reduce me to tears!!! A new twist on Aroma Therapy..I could teach a class!

Spring has Sprung!

Our little camping club has a tradition...we always collect some flowers or foliage from our yards at home to bring on the trip. However when we camp in March, it is usually pretty slim pickin's from the growing beds!! This is an example of what is available in March...dried sedum, vinca, evergreen, pampas grass, ivy...but just wait a few weeks!!! The flowers are coming up and we will have beautiful color in just a few weeks. This past trip, after the snow I thought the "flower arrangement" looked amazing! But now I am ready for warm weather..no more snow please..let's have spring!! Soon!!!

"I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden" Click on the Grooveshark link to hear it!

The Wall

Well, here we are! The last time all of us "kids" will be together at the old house!

On Saturday March 27th, we loaded cars, trucks and dumpsters. We hauled, swept and painted. We drank a little beer and ate sliders. ( White Castle burgers) I am ashamed to say that we demolished the box of thirty..that is an average of five each...a family tradition. Luckily this tradition is only celebrated about every ten years..I don;t think our coronary arteries could withstand more.

Mom is cozy and settled, quite happily, in her new digs, a retirement apartment. My brothers can heave a sigh of relief...they no longer have to worry with this house that has been falling apart since Dad passed 30 years ago!! All is well!!!

And whoever hits the Alton Goodwill in the next few days will score some major vintage treasures!!!!

The wall heighth chart is my dad's art work....still fresh after 30 years..he took great pride in measuring how tall we were getting. We had to poke fun at my older brother who is actually shorter now then when last measured!!! And how my younger sister was very short!!!

Time flys when we are having fun! Click on my grooveshark link..."Who says you can't go home?"

You can't go back!

This is the little playhouse my dad built for my sister and me many years ago! It was a pretty thing when it was new. We spent lots of fun times in that miniature house. Playing with our dolls, coloring, sewing and hiding from our brothers!!!

Mom loved that we had a playhouse..it was out on the edge of the lot..far away from the main house. She was able to enjoy the peace and quiet of her own home when my sister and I were out there. She used to even pack a lunch for us!! Now I understand and I remember doing the same thing for my kids!! Packed a lunch and sent them down the lake in their little fishing boats!! AHHHH!!!!

Reality Check! The end of an Era...Dad has been gone for years..passed away even before my first child was born. And now...we have moved Mom into a retirement apartment. She loves it and I can't blame her! It is beautiful, new, clean and the food is good! Plus she has a housekeeper every week. Hey..I want a retirement apartment!!!

So this weekend, we empty out the house and the new owner takes possession in just a week. And I feel really good about it..I have never had problems saying good bye..in fact, I have never figured out if it is an asset or a fault...being able to cut your losses and move on. I lived in that house, with the playhouse, longer then anywhere I have ever lived! And that was only 17 years...what can I say, I have wanderlust! I think that is why I so love to camp. It is that mobility, the change, new surroundings....a drop of Gypsy blood perhaps in my genetic makeup...right along with my French and German heritage.

"There is always a few little pieces you can't find...." Toby Keith "You can't go back" click on the Grooveshark link, please

"I swore I'd never do this anymore. There is always a heartache behind each door"

I love you Toby! This song is soulful!!!

The Second Day of Spring!!

The second day of spring finds us building snowmen and measuring the depth of the snowfall..looks like 6-8 in inches! All in all, it has been a swell weekend!

I think it is serendipitous(definition:lucky in making fortunate discoveries by accident) that this same group was camping during the first snowfall of 2009. We were surprised by snow on Saturday morning of our Bridges of Madison County weekend. You can see pics of that weekend by looking in my archives. It was also a beautiful snowfall but only 2-3 inches, hardly compares to the major storm we had this past Saturday. We are looking forward to warm weather so we can fish, swim and enjoy the great outdoors, instead of huddling under a blanket in the trailer!

The First Day Of Spring!

The first day of Spring has arrived! I just couldn't wait to have our first campout of the year and sit in my Adirondack chairs and have a cool drink!!

Wow, was I surprised when I looked out my camper window at this fluffy, white stuff!! It continues to snow the entire day and into the night!! Just wait until you see the pics tomorrow ...we have had at least 8 inches of snow in the past 24 hours! Beautiful and cold....but I have a cozy camper complete with electric blanket, flannel sheets and space heater!!! No problem, just hope I can get back home by Monday to go to work!!!

Downnorth vs Downeast

Here is my latest addition to the "The North Face" wardrobe I am building, spending the money that would normally be left to one's offspring. As soon as I saw this coat, I had to have it..it is the warmest, lightest winter coat I have ever owned! It is soft and cozy like wrapping yourself in a blanket. Most coats are annoying and uncomfortable, restricting your arm movement and just plain old bulky! Often winter coats add at least ten pounds to haul around on your shoulders.....not this sweet little down coat! I bet it doesn't even weigh a pound...matter of fact, I am going to go weigh it... I'll be right back!

Okay..it weighs two pounds..but oh so light and fluffy...probably no hydrogenated fats or preservatives, but I digress. And by the way, when I was on the scale, weighing my coat, I noted I need to knock off about ten pounds myself!!

Anyway...order it online, if you are lucky enough to still find one...the Metropolis ladies coat....it almost makes me hate to see winter come to an end!!

Sizing? Crazy thing but it is pretty generous sizing..not at all like most Northface clothes that are cut for the extremely streamlined body....I ordered a small..I am about 5'3'', 123 (gulp!) It is a close fit but not tight..it would be hard to layer over a heavy sweater but it is perfect over those nice thinner fleeces. Mine is Bittersweet Brown, it is beautiful in Black ( I've seen it!) and I think it comes in a few other colors too!!!

Go for it!!! Hey I am out of room but I really set out to write about Downeast. (Maine) That word always fascinates me..so I will blog on it later, just in case you are curious too!

Hey, "How bout them Cowgirls?" click on my grooveshark link!