Up at 7:30, and did stair stepping, resistance band, and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and before I went upstairs to get ready for the day, I washed Venus grapes, and Mother removed them from the stems.
Once I was dressed, I helped bag the grapes for the freezer...we got five quarts. Then I washed Reliance grapes that Mother also removed from the stems. We got three quarts of those. Later, in the fall, I plan to make jellies from the grapes.
By now it was lunchtime, so I heated Ramen noodle soup for Mother, and Hubbie and I had pimento cheese sandwiches and chips. For dessert, we had watermelon that Hubbie had cut up this morning.
After lunch, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran a couple of errands. I wasn't needed on these errands, but Hubbie just wanted me to accompany him. We went to a supply store, where Hubbie bought filters for the well, and then we went to a farm supply store to pick up a couple of bags of sunflower seeds for the birds.
Back home, we didn't accomplish much except reading newspapers, playing on our tablets, and watching TV.
Later, Mother helped make bran muffins for supper. This was really a one-person job, but she likes to help, so I gathered the ingredients and read the recipe to her while she put it together and filled the muffin tins.
We had the muffins with bowls of potato soup. Mother was ready to go home shortly after supper, so Hubbie accompanied her. Later, I went over and put drops in her eyes. Then Hubbie and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife."
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014
Friday, August 1
Hubbie and I both had trouble going to sleep last night, so 6 a.m. came quickly. But I wanted to get up early to go to water aerobics this morning, since the college will be closed for the next two weeks in a break before fall classes begin.
Only eight of us showed up today, but we had a good time, despite the rather chilly pool. I was back home by 9 a.m.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house soon after I got home. Before I went upstairs to get ready for the day, we went to the kitchen, where I washed zucchini squash from our garden. Mother sliced it, and I blanched the squash and let it drain and cool while I got ready for the day.
It was close to lunchtime by the time I was dressed, so I fixed Ramen noodle soup for Mother, and potato soup for myself. Hubbie opted for a ham sandwich.
After lunch, I bagged the zucchini, and got five quarts for the freezer. Then I washed Venus grapes, which Mother removed from the stems. We bagged three quarts of those for the freezer.
Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle after that, and while Hubbie went upstairs for a nap, I relaxed with the newspapers and my tablet. After a while I decided to make a recipe of macaroni and cheese for supper. Mother helped with this simple project.
Hubbie finished his nap by them time the mac and cheese was ready for the oven. So we ran a few errands...first to the auto shop, because as I was traveling to the pool this morning, a light came on the dashboard, followed by a warning signal. We were told the signal was a computer alert that probably means nothing. But if it doesn't go out in a couple of days, we should bring the van back for an inspection.
From there, we went to a grocery store to pick up milk and this week's free item.
Our last stop was to the Catholic Church to request a mass for my friend who died.
Back home afterward, I put the macaroni and cheese, and dishes of leftovers, in the oven for supper. The pasta, with sides of green beans, scalloped tomatoes, and steamed yellow squash, was pretty tasty for supper.
Afterward, I changed clothes and went downtown to attend an artist reception at the gallery. Hubbie opted out of going, since he's doesn't feel up to par.
The exhibit was very different. Entitled "All You Can Eat," it featured gray, yellow, and white plastic forks laid out on the floor in a highway design; and an entire wall of brown and blue school milk cartons, with the blue ones forming the words, "It Does Nobody Good."
There was also a large stack of fast food burgers, dripping cheese and special sauce, a stack of the icing centers of a popular chocolate cookie, with the a chocolate cookie at each end (the display was called "stuffed"); nutrition information enlarged onto large panels; and oddest of all, a welcome mat, with the word "welcome" fashioned from cockroaches. Yuk! This artist won the 2013 National Juried Exhibition with a piece called "Home Sweet Home," which looked like an aged cross stitch, but was in fact dead flies on flypaper.
Glad I'd had my supper before attending the exhibit. I did indulge in a chocolate chip scone at the event, though, and brought a couple home for Hubbie and Mother.
At home, Hubbie and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Around 8:30, I went to Mother's house to put drops in her eyes.
Only eight of us showed up today, but we had a good time, despite the rather chilly pool. I was back home by 9 a.m.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house soon after I got home. Before I went upstairs to get ready for the day, we went to the kitchen, where I washed zucchini squash from our garden. Mother sliced it, and I blanched the squash and let it drain and cool while I got ready for the day.
It was close to lunchtime by the time I was dressed, so I fixed Ramen noodle soup for Mother, and potato soup for myself. Hubbie opted for a ham sandwich.
After lunch, I bagged the zucchini, and got five quarts for the freezer. Then I washed Venus grapes, which Mother removed from the stems. We bagged three quarts of those for the freezer.
Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle after that, and while Hubbie went upstairs for a nap, I relaxed with the newspapers and my tablet. After a while I decided to make a recipe of macaroni and cheese for supper. Mother helped with this simple project.
Hubbie finished his nap by them time the mac and cheese was ready for the oven. So we ran a few errands...first to the auto shop, because as I was traveling to the pool this morning, a light came on the dashboard, followed by a warning signal. We were told the signal was a computer alert that probably means nothing. But if it doesn't go out in a couple of days, we should bring the van back for an inspection.
From there, we went to a grocery store to pick up milk and this week's free item.
Our last stop was to the Catholic Church to request a mass for my friend who died.
Back home afterward, I put the macaroni and cheese, and dishes of leftovers, in the oven for supper. The pasta, with sides of green beans, scalloped tomatoes, and steamed yellow squash, was pretty tasty for supper.
Afterward, I changed clothes and went downtown to attend an artist reception at the gallery. Hubbie opted out of going, since he's doesn't feel up to par.
The exhibit was very different. Entitled "All You Can Eat," it featured gray, yellow, and white plastic forks laid out on the floor in a highway design; and an entire wall of brown and blue school milk cartons, with the blue ones forming the words, "It Does Nobody Good."
There was also a large stack of fast food burgers, dripping cheese and special sauce, a stack of the icing centers of a popular chocolate cookie, with the a chocolate cookie at each end (the display was called "stuffed"); nutrition information enlarged onto large panels; and oddest of all, a welcome mat, with the word "welcome" fashioned from cockroaches. Yuk! This artist won the 2013 National Juried Exhibition with a piece called "Home Sweet Home," which looked like an aged cross stitch, but was in fact dead flies on flypaper.
Glad I'd had my supper before attending the exhibit. I did indulge in a chocolate chip scone at the event, though, and brought a couple home for Hubbie and Mother.
At home, Hubbie and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Around 8:30, I went to Mother's house to put drops in her eyes.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Thursday, July 31
Last day of a relatively cool month for a state in the south. We were up around 7:30 to get ready to go to the hospital to meet Hubbie's appointment for a CT scan. His appointment was scheduled for 10:30.
We arrived at the hospital around 10:15, and it was around 30 minutes before he was called back. The test didn't take long, and he was back in the waiting room around 11:15. We stopped by the hospital cafeteria to see if breakfast was still being served, but it wasn't, so we headed home.
At home, Hubbie was in the mood for eggs, so I scrambled some, adding leftover sautéed potatoes from last night, and a slice of American cheese. Served the eggs with toast and homemade jelly, and cups of coffee.
Mother stayed home this morning, of course. She has containers of leftovers in her freezer, and she chose what she wanted to microwave for her lunch today.
After lunch, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and she went to her jigsaw puzzle, while Hubbie and ran errands. First we went to the library to take a DVD back and pick up to that were being held for us. A library staff member called yesterday to tell us the DVDs were available.
From the library, we went to the newspaper office to drop off this week's word search puzzle contest. Then we went to the post office to mail a package of coupons to Granddaughter; to the pharmacy to pick a prescription for Mother; and lastly to the WDCS for a few groceries.
Back home, Mother and I went to the kitchen to start a recipe of potato soup. Naturally, I promptly discovered we didn't have celery, so Hubbie went back to the grocery store to get a stalk. He picked up a bag of sugar while he was there, because I used the last of ours making a large container of lemonade (Hubbie is supposed to drink lots and lots of fluids to flush the dye out of his system).
After making the soup, Mother went back to her puzzle, and Hubbie and I relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. Later, I served the soup with slices of toasted rye bread topped with melted baby Swiss cheese.
Mother was ready to go home soon afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. I went over there later and put drops in her eyes. Hubbie and I spent the evening watching "The Good Wife" episodes.
We arrived at the hospital around 10:15, and it was around 30 minutes before he was called back. The test didn't take long, and he was back in the waiting room around 11:15. We stopped by the hospital cafeteria to see if breakfast was still being served, but it wasn't, so we headed home.
At home, Hubbie was in the mood for eggs, so I scrambled some, adding leftover sautéed potatoes from last night, and a slice of American cheese. Served the eggs with toast and homemade jelly, and cups of coffee.
Mother stayed home this morning, of course. She has containers of leftovers in her freezer, and she chose what she wanted to microwave for her lunch today.
After lunch, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and she went to her jigsaw puzzle, while Hubbie and ran errands. First we went to the library to take a DVD back and pick up to that were being held for us. A library staff member called yesterday to tell us the DVDs were available.
From the library, we went to the newspaper office to drop off this week's word search puzzle contest. Then we went to the post office to mail a package of coupons to Granddaughter; to the pharmacy to pick a prescription for Mother; and lastly to the WDCS for a few groceries.
Back home, Mother and I went to the kitchen to start a recipe of potato soup. Naturally, I promptly discovered we didn't have celery, so Hubbie went back to the grocery store to get a stalk. He picked up a bag of sugar while he was there, because I used the last of ours making a large container of lemonade (Hubbie is supposed to drink lots and lots of fluids to flush the dye out of his system).
After making the soup, Mother went back to her puzzle, and Hubbie and I relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. Later, I served the soup with slices of toasted rye bread topped with melted baby Swiss cheese.
Mother was ready to go home soon afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. I went over there later and put drops in her eyes. Hubbie and I spent the evening watching "The Good Wife" episodes.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Wednesday, July 30
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready to go to water aerobics. Cool morning, but not cool enough for long sleeves. The pool was cool, too, but heavenly once I got used to it.
Twelve of us attended today, and we had a good workout. Learned that one of our members, who is now at an independent living center, recently fell and broke her hip. I hate to hear this and hope she mends okay. Hip fractures are dangerous for the elderly. I'm glad that my recent bone scan showed I still have strong bones. I constantly fear that Mother will one day fall and break something, since she has obvious osteoporosis.
Back home after aerobics, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and I washed more peaches for her to peel and slice for the freezer, while I got ready for the day.
Back downstairs, I helped her with the peaches...we bagged five quarts today. So now we have twelve quarts in the freezer.
It was time for lunch by this time, so we had sandwiches...pimento cheese for Mother, and ham and baby Swiss for Hubbie and me.
Hubbie went upstairs for a nap after lunch...he awakened in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep, so he was sleepy.
Mother and I continued working in the kitchen. I washed green beans from our garden, and we snapped them to be cooked for supper. She diced and onion and banana pepper to go in them, and I added spices and broths and set them to simmering.
Then Mother diced leftover baked potatoes, while I worked on a recipe of scalloped tomatoes. I sautéed onion in olive oil and butter, added flour, then the tomatoes, and a tablespoon of brown sugar, then simmered the mixture for about fifteen minutes. Added spices ...paprika, pepper, no-salt seasoning, a little salt, a little basil, a little oregano, and a little parsley...and three slices of toasted and cubed bread. Poured the mixture into a buttered baking dish, and topped it with shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Baked it later at 350 degrees for an hour. This was a way to use up tomatoes left from the camping trip that had already been sliced and diced.
Before supper, I sautéed the diced baked potatoes with onion, and served them with the green beans, scalloped tomatoes, and the steamed squash from last night, along with the remainder of the homemade wheat bread.
Mother was ready to go home soon afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. I went over to her house later and put drops in her eyes. Then Hubbie and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife."
Tonight, Hubbie had to drink a gosh-awful solution in preparation for his CT scan tomorrow. Then he's to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight, according to written information he got at the hospital. But he called the tech today and was told he could have a little water, or even some coffee in the morning, just no solid food.
Twelve of us attended today, and we had a good workout. Learned that one of our members, who is now at an independent living center, recently fell and broke her hip. I hate to hear this and hope she mends okay. Hip fractures are dangerous for the elderly. I'm glad that my recent bone scan showed I still have strong bones. I constantly fear that Mother will one day fall and break something, since she has obvious osteoporosis.
Back home after aerobics, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and I washed more peaches for her to peel and slice for the freezer, while I got ready for the day.
Back downstairs, I helped her with the peaches...we bagged five quarts today. So now we have twelve quarts in the freezer.
It was time for lunch by this time, so we had sandwiches...pimento cheese for Mother, and ham and baby Swiss for Hubbie and me.
Hubbie went upstairs for a nap after lunch...he awakened in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep, so he was sleepy.
Mother and I continued working in the kitchen. I washed green beans from our garden, and we snapped them to be cooked for supper. She diced and onion and banana pepper to go in them, and I added spices and broths and set them to simmering.
Then Mother diced leftover baked potatoes, while I worked on a recipe of scalloped tomatoes. I sautéed onion in olive oil and butter, added flour, then the tomatoes, and a tablespoon of brown sugar, then simmered the mixture for about fifteen minutes. Added spices ...paprika, pepper, no-salt seasoning, a little salt, a little basil, a little oregano, and a little parsley...and three slices of toasted and cubed bread. Poured the mixture into a buttered baking dish, and topped it with shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Baked it later at 350 degrees for an hour. This was a way to use up tomatoes left from the camping trip that had already been sliced and diced.
Before supper, I sautéed the diced baked potatoes with onion, and served them with the green beans, scalloped tomatoes, and the steamed squash from last night, along with the remainder of the homemade wheat bread.
Mother was ready to go home soon afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. I went over to her house later and put drops in her eyes. Then Hubbie and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife."
Tonight, Hubbie had to drink a gosh-awful solution in preparation for his CT scan tomorrow. Then he's to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight, according to written information he got at the hospital. But he called the tech today and was told he could have a little water, or even some coffee in the morning, just no solid food.
Tuesday, July 29
Slept late, until around 8 a.m. Checked my e-mail and learned that my friend from the capital city with whom I worked years ago died. I was shocked and saddened by this news.
I knew she'd been having health problems the past few years, but since we had lost touch the past couple of years, I didn't know how seriously ill she was. I tried several times to contact her, without success. She was 83 years old. Her visitation is Friday night, and the funeral is Saturday, but of course I can't go. I need to be here with Mother and Hubbie. I'll show my respect in some other way.
After breakfast, I did stair stepping, resistance band, and weights exercises, then got ready for the day, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house.
Today, Mother and I prepared half of the peaches for the freezer, and then I washed yellow squash from our garden, which Mother sliced for the steamer.
The temperature was nice today, with lower humidity, so Hubbie finally went out and parked the camper in its spot. He's not up to par, by any means, but he felt a little better today. His stomach is still bothering him, especially right after he eats. I would have thought this indicated ulcers, but his upper GI series recently showed no ulcers.
He also felt up to mopping the new tile in the sunroom. The tile looks great...dirt colored so it won't show foot traffic as much. Now I need to look for patio furniture. But that'll have to wait until we know more about Hubbie's health problem.
Mid-afternoon, I put the squash and an onion in the steamer, and scrubbed potatoes for the oven. I was little put out with myself, though, when I turned the oven on at 4 p.m., then failed to put the potatoes in. At 4:30, I discovered my error, so supper was a little later than usual.
Served the squash and potatoes with sautéed cabbage (made from a package of slaw mix that we didn't need at camp). Slices of Sis's homemade wheat bread rounded out the meal.
Mother was ready to go home afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. I went over later and put drops in her eyes. Then Hubbie and I watched TV for the evening. Hubbie did a lot of dozing during this time.
I knew she'd been having health problems the past few years, but since we had lost touch the past couple of years, I didn't know how seriously ill she was. I tried several times to contact her, without success. She was 83 years old. Her visitation is Friday night, and the funeral is Saturday, but of course I can't go. I need to be here with Mother and Hubbie. I'll show my respect in some other way.
After breakfast, I did stair stepping, resistance band, and weights exercises, then got ready for the day, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house.
Today, Mother and I prepared half of the peaches for the freezer, and then I washed yellow squash from our garden, which Mother sliced for the steamer.
The temperature was nice today, with lower humidity, so Hubbie finally went out and parked the camper in its spot. He's not up to par, by any means, but he felt a little better today. His stomach is still bothering him, especially right after he eats. I would have thought this indicated ulcers, but his upper GI series recently showed no ulcers.
He also felt up to mopping the new tile in the sunroom. The tile looks great...dirt colored so it won't show foot traffic as much. Now I need to look for patio furniture. But that'll have to wait until we know more about Hubbie's health problem.
Mid-afternoon, I put the squash and an onion in the steamer, and scrubbed potatoes for the oven. I was little put out with myself, though, when I turned the oven on at 4 p.m., then failed to put the potatoes in. At 4:30, I discovered my error, so supper was a little later than usual.
Served the squash and potatoes with sautéed cabbage (made from a package of slaw mix that we didn't need at camp). Slices of Sis's homemade wheat bread rounded out the meal.
Mother was ready to go home afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. I went over later and put drops in her eyes. Then Hubbie and I watched TV for the evening. Hubbie did a lot of dozing during this time.
Monday, July 28
Up at 7 a.m., but skipped going to the pool this morning, because I wanted to be available when Hubbie called his doctor for an appointment. Turned out he wasn't scheduled until 2 p.m., but it was too late to go to the pool by the time I learned this.
I was already showered and dressed, so I went ahead and did things around the house for the morning. There's always a lot to do after a trip, like laundry. Spent some time downloading photos from the trip, too, and uploading a few to my social network page. I'm just learning how to use my new laptop, so this process took a while.
Lunch was a pimento cheese sandwich and macaroni salad for Mother, and the rest of the Dragon Soup for Hubbie and me. For the next day or two, we will concentrate on using up the food left from the trip.
Just before 2 p.m., we went to meet Hubbie's appointment. The doctor doesn't know what is causing Hubbie's problem, so he ordered a CT scan. The hospital called shortly after we got back home to inform Hubbie that he was scheduled for the scan on Thursday morning at 10:30. He was to drop by the hospital and pick up a solution to drink before bed on Wednesday night. So we went over there right away and picked it up.
Hubbie didn't have the energy to do much else this afternoon, so he spent time in his recliner.
Later for supper, we naturally made a meal of leftovers from the camping trip. Mother spent the day over here, and was ready to go home after supper, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched TV for the evening.
I was already showered and dressed, so I went ahead and did things around the house for the morning. There's always a lot to do after a trip, like laundry. Spent some time downloading photos from the trip, too, and uploading a few to my social network page. I'm just learning how to use my new laptop, so this process took a while.
Lunch was a pimento cheese sandwich and macaroni salad for Mother, and the rest of the Dragon Soup for Hubbie and me. For the next day or two, we will concentrate on using up the food left from the trip.
Just before 2 p.m., we went to meet Hubbie's appointment. The doctor doesn't know what is causing Hubbie's problem, so he ordered a CT scan. The hospital called shortly after we got back home to inform Hubbie that he was scheduled for the scan on Thursday morning at 10:30. He was to drop by the hospital and pick up a solution to drink before bed on Wednesday night. So we went over there right away and picked it up.
Hubbie didn't have the energy to do much else this afternoon, so he spent time in his recliner.
Later for supper, we naturally made a meal of leftovers from the camping trip. Mother spent the day over here, and was ready to go home after supper, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched TV for the evening.
Sunday, July 27
Up around 7 a.m. to get ready to head home after a great camping trip. Had a breakfast of muffins and fruit before breaking camp. Visited for a while with Son, Daughter-in-Law and the boys, then posed for group photos before leaving. Son and family planned to stay another day and go home on Monday.
We were on the road by 9:30, and arrived at the town where Nephew was to meet Sis shortly after 11 a.m. We decided since it was so close to lunchtime, we'd go ahead and have sandwiches and chips, with ice cream sandwiches for dessert, before finishing the two-hour trip to our town.
The trip home was uneventful. When we arrived, we immediately began unloading the camper. But it was such an intensely hot and humid afternoon, that we wilted before we could complete the task. So I made a batch of lemonade, and Hubbie and I downed the whole thing...two 12 oz. glasses apiece. I guess we needed the fluids and electrolytes.
Hubbie just wasn't feeling well, so he napped on and off in his recliner, and while he did, I continued to unload the camper. Got most of it out before dark. Usually, Hubbie is anxious to get the camper parked in its spot shortly after we get home, but he wasn't up to it tonight. So it remained in the driveway.
Later, for supper, I took a bowl of soup over to Mother, and Hubbie and I had sandwiches and chips. After showers, we crashed in front of the TV for the evening.
We were on the road by 9:30, and arrived at the town where Nephew was to meet Sis shortly after 11 a.m. We decided since it was so close to lunchtime, we'd go ahead and have sandwiches and chips, with ice cream sandwiches for dessert, before finishing the two-hour trip to our town.
The trip home was uneventful. When we arrived, we immediately began unloading the camper. But it was such an intensely hot and humid afternoon, that we wilted before we could complete the task. So I made a batch of lemonade, and Hubbie and I downed the whole thing...two 12 oz. glasses apiece. I guess we needed the fluids and electrolytes.
Hubbie just wasn't feeling well, so he napped on and off in his recliner, and while he did, I continued to unload the camper. Got most of it out before dark. Usually, Hubbie is anxious to get the camper parked in its spot shortly after we get home, but he wasn't up to it tonight. So it remained in the driveway.
Later, for supper, I took a bowl of soup over to Mother, and Hubbie and I had sandwiches and chips. After showers, we crashed in front of the TV for the evening.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Saturday, July 27
Up around 7 a.m., and after a breakfast of banana bread, blueberry muffins, and fruits, Hubbie, Sis, and I, along with Son, Daughter-in-Law, and great-grandsons, went to the Grape Festival grounds to buy grapes.
We were interested in Reliance grapes, but when Hubbie and I stopped by there yesterday afternoon, I bought two cartons of them, and then was informed that that was the last of them, because rainy weather had ruined a lot of the crop.
This morning, though, the vendor said he was able to harvest some more of them, so I bought four more cartons, plus a couple of cartons of Venus grapes for making jelly. Sis and Daughter-in-Law also bought cartons of grapes.
From there, we went to a roadside vendor to buy peaches. The biggest reason for our going to the festival each year is to buy these succulent fruits. Today, Sis and I split a bushel of peaches, and later in the day, Sis went back and bought a basket of Venus grapes. We'll both be busy freezing peaches and making jelly when we go home.
Went back to camp after that to have a lunch of deli meat sandwiches and chips, before returning to the festival, where Great-Grandson was scheduled to participate in a grape stomp. I'd signed him up for the event yesterday, when Hubbie and I went there to buy grapes.
While we waited, I went to the food court to buy a cup of soft serve ice cream for Mother, and a couple of large cups of shaved ice for Hubbie and me. Son bought a wine glass and went off to sample wines, while Daughter-in-Law and the boys went in search of lemonade. Sis also bought a wine glass and sampled a spumante wine.
While we enjoyed our treats, a very attractive African-American woman running for state auditor stopped to talk to us. She happens to have the same name as my daughter. We spent quite a while chatting about this and that, and then she asked if she could get a snapshot with us. We agreed. She also asked if it would be okay to post the photo to her website. We agreed.
At 1:30, Great-Grandson went up to the grape stomp stage and participated with three other people (a man and two teenage girls) in 30 seconds of stomping grapes. The girls won in a tie, but each participant was given a certificates.
After that, Son and family headed off to take the boys to the bounce house, and for a ride in a train (several barrels made into cars pulled by a lawn mower). The mower quit working about a block away, so that everyone had to walk back to the festival.
By this time, we were ready to go back to camp. It was an incredibly hot and humid afternoon, so a few hours outdoors was plenty. And Son family were really overheated after having to hike back to the festival.
At camp, we adjourned to our separate campers for a nap in air conditioning...which was heavenly until the power went out. We were snoozing when Son knocked on the door to ask if we had power. We soon learned that no one in our end of camp had power.
A power company worker finally arrived to repair damage to lines caused by trees limbs falling on them in a Wednesday storm. Campers at that end of the campground said they'd seen sparks on the lines.
Hubbie and I went down to the area and talked with the ranger, who said the campground is served by three different power sources...a local company, a company in another town, and through power generated at the river dam. This is a very small campground, so I'm not sure why it's necessary for three power sources to serve it. Naturally, the power company that came was the one farthest away.
I was glad that power was restored in time to heat food for supper...baked beans, barbecue, and hot dogs. Served the meal with macaroni salad, coleslaw, and sliced tomatoes.
Afterward, we spent time visiting outside, and then near sunset we went to the dam site overlook to a take sunset photos. We weren't there long before Son and Daughter-in-Law began being bitten by mosquitoes. Hubbie hurried to the van to retrieve the repellent, but Daughter-in-Law had had enough by then, and retreated to the truck.
The rest of us stuck around and enjoyed the beautiful sunset, and snapped lots of shots of it. Afterward, we traveled back to the campground to view and take photos of the lighted bridge.
We weren't long heading to bed after that.
We were interested in Reliance grapes, but when Hubbie and I stopped by there yesterday afternoon, I bought two cartons of them, and then was informed that that was the last of them, because rainy weather had ruined a lot of the crop.
This morning, though, the vendor said he was able to harvest some more of them, so I bought four more cartons, plus a couple of cartons of Venus grapes for making jelly. Sis and Daughter-in-Law also bought cartons of grapes.
From there, we went to a roadside vendor to buy peaches. The biggest reason for our going to the festival each year is to buy these succulent fruits. Today, Sis and I split a bushel of peaches, and later in the day, Sis went back and bought a basket of Venus grapes. We'll both be busy freezing peaches and making jelly when we go home.
Went back to camp after that to have a lunch of deli meat sandwiches and chips, before returning to the festival, where Great-Grandson was scheduled to participate in a grape stomp. I'd signed him up for the event yesterday, when Hubbie and I went there to buy grapes.
While we waited, I went to the food court to buy a cup of soft serve ice cream for Mother, and a couple of large cups of shaved ice for Hubbie and me. Son bought a wine glass and went off to sample wines, while Daughter-in-Law and the boys went in search of lemonade. Sis also bought a wine glass and sampled a spumante wine.
While we enjoyed our treats, a very attractive African-American woman running for state auditor stopped to talk to us. She happens to have the same name as my daughter. We spent quite a while chatting about this and that, and then she asked if she could get a snapshot with us. We agreed. She also asked if it would be okay to post the photo to her website. We agreed.
At 1:30, Great-Grandson went up to the grape stomp stage and participated with three other people (a man and two teenage girls) in 30 seconds of stomping grapes. The girls won in a tie, but each participant was given a certificates.
After that, Son and family headed off to take the boys to the bounce house, and for a ride in a train (several barrels made into cars pulled by a lawn mower). The mower quit working about a block away, so that everyone had to walk back to the festival.
By this time, we were ready to go back to camp. It was an incredibly hot and humid afternoon, so a few hours outdoors was plenty. And Son family were really overheated after having to hike back to the festival.
At camp, we adjourned to our separate campers for a nap in air conditioning...which was heavenly until the power went out. We were snoozing when Son knocked on the door to ask if we had power. We soon learned that no one in our end of camp had power.
A power company worker finally arrived to repair damage to lines caused by trees limbs falling on them in a Wednesday storm. Campers at that end of the campground said they'd seen sparks on the lines.
Hubbie and I went down to the area and talked with the ranger, who said the campground is served by three different power sources...a local company, a company in another town, and through power generated at the river dam. This is a very small campground, so I'm not sure why it's necessary for three power sources to serve it. Naturally, the power company that came was the one farthest away.
I was glad that power was restored in time to heat food for supper...baked beans, barbecue, and hot dogs. Served the meal with macaroni salad, coleslaw, and sliced tomatoes.
Afterward, we spent time visiting outside, and then near sunset we went to the dam site overlook to a take sunset photos. We weren't there long before Son and Daughter-in-Law began being bitten by mosquitoes. Hubbie hurried to the van to retrieve the repellent, but Daughter-in-Law had had enough by then, and retreated to the truck.
The rest of us stuck around and enjoyed the beautiful sunset, and snapped lots of shots of it. Afterward, we traveled back to the campground to view and take photos of the lighted bridge.
We weren't long heading to bed after that.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Friday, July 25
Up fairly early so we could get ready to go to another town to tour attractions. After a breakfast of Sis's banana bread, blueberry muffins, and a variety of fruits, we took turns getting dressed and ready.
Headed to the other town, about 35 miles away, around 10 a.m.
Our first stop was a brothel turned visitor's center. The Victorian house was selected in 1973 for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places
.
The furnishings inside the building are much the same as when the madam owned it. In 1992, the building reopened as a Visitor's Center, where tours of the rooms are conducted by docents.
The town where the brothel is located was once one of the wildest in the Southwest. The likes of James Dalton, the Younger Gangs, and Belle Starr were outlaws who frequented the town. This brothel wasn't the only one in town, and one night in 1910, a freak accident happened when an oil storage tank near the houses exploded, engulfing brothels in flames. The incident became known as "the night of the lingerie parade," since "ladies" of the houses ran out into the street in their unmentionables. The house we visited was spared from the fire, though.
Life, we were told, was full of song, dance, gambling, and "other pleasures." Champagne was chilled in a bathtub upstairs and served at no charge. The house features a player piano, the first in this town. There are several exits in the house...designed for men to escape when the house was raided. One room features a pair of men's boots, and clothing, as if the owner has recently fled the house.
The ladies of this house were known as "daughters of joy," the most refined and healthiest of the town. Proof of their health was certificates issued by the state, which the girls prominently displayed above their beds. At the end of the tour, Mother, Sis, and I were given certificates of health and told we could return anytime for a job. "We don't pay anything, but we have a lot of fun," the docent said.
From the brothel, we went to a national historic site that included a building that housed a barracks/courthouse/jail. Because we have a Golden Age Passport, we were admitted free...otherwise, the fee would have been $16.
The second floor features what was called a "Hell-On-The-Border" jail. A journalist of the day said, "This dark, crowded underground hole is noisome with odors of every description...horrible with all horrors - a veritable hell upon earth."
Upstairs, too, is Judge Issac C. Parker's courtroom. He was a reformer who had a reputation as the "hanging judge." It is said that this was an unfair term, though, because he tried to rehabilitate prisoners, and he made the court system honest. But no federal judge hanged more criminals.
On the grounds is a replica of the gallows, which today featured a rope and noose. Information at the site stated that there is only a rope and noose on the anniversary days of when there was a hanging. Today was one of those days.
Tickets were sold to hanging, and large crowds vied for them. I can't understand why people viewed hangings as an entertainment event.
Before we toured the site, we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grounds. We'd brought along pimento cheese sandwiches, chips, and puddings. The birds were interested in our lunch, hoping we'd drop something for them, so Hubbie crumbled tortilla chips and scattered them on the ground. This suited the birds just fine, and we enjoyed watching them. We also enjoyed watching a train, with a bright red engine, slowly pass very close to the picnic area.
From this area, we went to a nature center...once we found it. The maps provided at the visitor centers are just not adequate, so thank to me, we headed down a street that I thought was supposed to go past an airport, and then on to the road we needed, but it did not. A deer with twin fawns leaping across the road made the detour worth it, though.
Hubbie finally had to ask for directions at a gas station. At last, we found the nature center, and spent some time browsing the exhibits that focus on a variety of animals and birds of the area.
After this, we were ready to head back to camp. We got back mid-afternoon ready to nap. Later, for supper, we had deli meat sandwiches on rye bread, with baby Swiss cheese, lettuce, Vidalia onions, and tomatoes, and a side of macaroni salad.
Son, Daughter-in-Law, and two great-grandsons arrived afterward. They had already eaten supper, but the boys wanted a sandwich, so I fixed some for them. Son spent a time setting up their pop-up camper, then we enjoyed sitting around outside and visiting until bedtime.
It was a good day, but an exhausting one, so we were ready for bed by 10 p.m.
Headed to the other town, about 35 miles away, around 10 a.m.
Our first stop was a brothel turned visitor's center. The Victorian house was selected in 1973 for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places
.
The furnishings inside the building are much the same as when the madam owned it. In 1992, the building reopened as a Visitor's Center, where tours of the rooms are conducted by docents.
The town where the brothel is located was once one of the wildest in the Southwest. The likes of James Dalton, the Younger Gangs, and Belle Starr were outlaws who frequented the town. This brothel wasn't the only one in town, and one night in 1910, a freak accident happened when an oil storage tank near the houses exploded, engulfing brothels in flames. The incident became known as "the night of the lingerie parade," since "ladies" of the houses ran out into the street in their unmentionables. The house we visited was spared from the fire, though.
Life, we were told, was full of song, dance, gambling, and "other pleasures." Champagne was chilled in a bathtub upstairs and served at no charge. The house features a player piano, the first in this town. There are several exits in the house...designed for men to escape when the house was raided. One room features a pair of men's boots, and clothing, as if the owner has recently fled the house.
The ladies of this house were known as "daughters of joy," the most refined and healthiest of the town. Proof of their health was certificates issued by the state, which the girls prominently displayed above their beds. At the end of the tour, Mother, Sis, and I were given certificates of health and told we could return anytime for a job. "We don't pay anything, but we have a lot of fun," the docent said.
From the brothel, we went to a national historic site that included a building that housed a barracks/courthouse/jail. Because we have a Golden Age Passport, we were admitted free...otherwise, the fee would have been $16.
The second floor features what was called a "Hell-On-The-Border" jail. A journalist of the day said, "This dark, crowded underground hole is noisome with odors of every description...horrible with all horrors - a veritable hell upon earth."
Upstairs, too, is Judge Issac C. Parker's courtroom. He was a reformer who had a reputation as the "hanging judge." It is said that this was an unfair term, though, because he tried to rehabilitate prisoners, and he made the court system honest. But no federal judge hanged more criminals.
On the grounds is a replica of the gallows, which today featured a rope and noose. Information at the site stated that there is only a rope and noose on the anniversary days of when there was a hanging. Today was one of those days.
Tickets were sold to hanging, and large crowds vied for them. I can't understand why people viewed hangings as an entertainment event.
Before we toured the site, we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grounds. We'd brought along pimento cheese sandwiches, chips, and puddings. The birds were interested in our lunch, hoping we'd drop something for them, so Hubbie crumbled tortilla chips and scattered them on the ground. This suited the birds just fine, and we enjoyed watching them. We also enjoyed watching a train, with a bright red engine, slowly pass very close to the picnic area.
From this area, we went to a nature center...once we found it. The maps provided at the visitor centers are just not adequate, so thank to me, we headed down a street that I thought was supposed to go past an airport, and then on to the road we needed, but it did not. A deer with twin fawns leaping across the road made the detour worth it, though.
Hubbie finally had to ask for directions at a gas station. At last, we found the nature center, and spent some time browsing the exhibits that focus on a variety of animals and birds of the area.
After this, we were ready to head back to camp. We got back mid-afternoon ready to nap. Later, for supper, we had deli meat sandwiches on rye bread, with baby Swiss cheese, lettuce, Vidalia onions, and tomatoes, and a side of macaroni salad.
Son, Daughter-in-Law, and two great-grandsons arrived afterward. They had already eaten supper, but the boys wanted a sandwich, so I fixed some for them. Son spent a time setting up their pop-up camper, then we enjoyed sitting around outside and visiting until bedtime.
It was a good day, but an exhausting one, so we were ready for bed by 10 p.m.
Thursday, July 24
Up around 6 a.m. to get ready to go on a camping trip to the northwest part of the state. It was 9:30 before we finally headed out, taking both the truck and camper, and the van, because Mother can't climb into the truck anymore.
We were not far down the road when I had to honk at Hubbie to pull over. He'd left the camper steps down. He also discovered he'd forgotten to lock the door.
The trip was uneventful after that, and we arrived in the town about two hours away to meet Sis, who took over driving the van, while I joined Hubbie in the truck.
Before we left the strip mall parking lot, we went ahead and had a lunch of pimento cheese sandwiches and chips, with individual cups of chocolate pudding for dessert. Afterward, we transferred a couple of watermelons and a couple of cantaloupes to Sis's truck for Nephew to take home. Sis had asked me to buy the melons for her, since she, like us, prefers the melons from our favorite grower about 20 minutes from our town.
We were soon on the road again, and except for Hubbie hitting an orange barrel in a road work area, the trip to the campground was uneventful. Fortunately, those barrels are made to smash and bounce without damaging vehicles. I just hoped the thing didn't fling itself onto the van hood. Luckily, it did not.
We arrived at the campground around 2 p.m. The weather was okay for setting up the camper...not as hot and humid today as it could have been for a July day.
Once we were settled in camp, Mother was ready for a nap, so she laid down on the couch, while Hubbie, Sis, and I went to the town where the Grape Festival was to be held over the weekend. We toured the wineries to sample a few of the wines.
At the first one, we were fascinated with a tree that grows outside the tasting room. The woman inside told us the tree, an ornamental orange, with thorns, is a hundred years old. The fruit is inedible, but the tree is used for rootstock for orange cultivars. It is particularly pretty in the fall, she said.
As for sampling, this winery is noted for its fruit (other than grape) wines. We tried the blueberry one, and bought bottles of that. Today, Hubbie wasn't able to wine taste, because he is taking antibiotics. He wasn't very happy about it, but it couldn't be helped.
At the next winery, we tried a new wine...sparkling spumante. Pretty good, so I bought a bottle of this, too.
Finally, we visited a winery that has this year decided to charge for tasting...$5 for five samples. Guess not. I just opted to buy a couple of bottles of my favorites from this winery. Maybe they are charging for samples to help foot the bill for a new roof...today, stacks of boxed wines were covered with plastic sheeting, and buckets were everywhere. Obviously, the building leaked copiously during a driving rainstorm last Wednesday.
We toured the vineyards while we were here, and were surprised to see how much of area appears inactive...no vines. Maybe they are starting vines on some other part of their property.
Before we went back to camp, we stopped at a roadside vendor to pick up a few peaches for tomorrow's breakfast.
Supper tonight was Dragon Soup, with slices of Sis's homemade wheat bread. After supper, we played a couple of games of Skipbo, both of which I won.
Time for bed after that, and we were all very ready...long day, and we were all tired.
We were not far down the road when I had to honk at Hubbie to pull over. He'd left the camper steps down. He also discovered he'd forgotten to lock the door.
The trip was uneventful after that, and we arrived in the town about two hours away to meet Sis, who took over driving the van, while I joined Hubbie in the truck.
Before we left the strip mall parking lot, we went ahead and had a lunch of pimento cheese sandwiches and chips, with individual cups of chocolate pudding for dessert. Afterward, we transferred a couple of watermelons and a couple of cantaloupes to Sis's truck for Nephew to take home. Sis had asked me to buy the melons for her, since she, like us, prefers the melons from our favorite grower about 20 minutes from our town.
We were soon on the road again, and except for Hubbie hitting an orange barrel in a road work area, the trip to the campground was uneventful. Fortunately, those barrels are made to smash and bounce without damaging vehicles. I just hoped the thing didn't fling itself onto the van hood. Luckily, it did not.
We arrived at the campground around 2 p.m. The weather was okay for setting up the camper...not as hot and humid today as it could have been for a July day.
Once we were settled in camp, Mother was ready for a nap, so she laid down on the couch, while Hubbie, Sis, and I went to the town where the Grape Festival was to be held over the weekend. We toured the wineries to sample a few of the wines.
At the first one, we were fascinated with a tree that grows outside the tasting room. The woman inside told us the tree, an ornamental orange, with thorns, is a hundred years old. The fruit is inedible, but the tree is used for rootstock for orange cultivars. It is particularly pretty in the fall, she said.
As for sampling, this winery is noted for its fruit (other than grape) wines. We tried the blueberry one, and bought bottles of that. Today, Hubbie wasn't able to wine taste, because he is taking antibiotics. He wasn't very happy about it, but it couldn't be helped.
At the next winery, we tried a new wine...sparkling spumante. Pretty good, so I bought a bottle of this, too.
Finally, we visited a winery that has this year decided to charge for tasting...$5 for five samples. Guess not. I just opted to buy a couple of bottles of my favorites from this winery. Maybe they are charging for samples to help foot the bill for a new roof...today, stacks of boxed wines were covered with plastic sheeting, and buckets were everywhere. Obviously, the building leaked copiously during a driving rainstorm last Wednesday.
We toured the vineyards while we were here, and were surprised to see how much of area appears inactive...no vines. Maybe they are starting vines on some other part of their property.
Before we went back to camp, we stopped at a roadside vendor to pick up a few peaches for tomorrow's breakfast.
Supper tonight was Dragon Soup, with slices of Sis's homemade wheat bread. After supper, we played a couple of games of Skipbo, both of which I won.
Time for bed after that, and we were all very ready...long day, and we were all tired.
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