A Different Life II

[westcoastas]

You never cease to amaze me, Maggie. Your bucket list must have a leak - you keep adding to it.

[Lily&Me]

I've been wanting to do this for a long time, actually, just decided it is time to make it a reality.

Again, not getting any younger.

Also on the bucket list is a small boat cruise into Alaska.

That's about it for the list, right now, but I may add to it......

Maggie

[Rocinante]

My parents once did a small boat cruise to Alaska, after having done a big-boat cruise. They liked both, but absolutely loved the small boat trip. Highly recommended.

[Lily&Me]

We spent a week on a small wooden schooner off the coast of Maine 12 or so years ago.

A truly memorable experience, in spite of the fog, and we wanted to do the same to Alaska, but Doug died before we got there.

We had planned on returning to France in 2015, rent a car, see the countryside, Versailles, etc.

We'll see....counting on capitol one miles for the ticket over....

Maggie

[Rocinante]

At his suggestion, we had planned to join Dad on another small-boat Alaska cruise after Mom passed away. It would have been a wonderful experience, and someday we will probably make that trip on our own. Perhaps the same arrangement (a kid + spouse/SO/partner joining you for the trip) would be fun for you as well. Anyway, lots of great plans for excellent trips. Go get 'em!

[Lily&Me]

Not much going on here...hot again today, appointments, volunteer work, and turned in another prayer shawl.

Finished Longmire last night, with Henry staked to the ground in the sun, Victoria pregnant and Walt under political fire.

I will look forward to the final season beginning later this year, to see how they wrap it all up.

Need to get propane in the Interstate and get it ready to leave Friday morning, in and amongst two evening school functions for the grands, an eye exam, my final dental appointment for the caps , Needlework group, an electrician coming to put in a 30 amp outlet for the garage door opener, and inumerable other small tasks ...a full week.

Looking forward to a little time away from choring...leisurely coffee mornings, a little grilling, and a lot of walking Miss Lily.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Took the Interstate up to Cummins Crosspoint this morning to get the propane filled...at about $2 a gallon, that is the cheapest I have seen for awhile...and made an appointment for them to scrape all the old caulk off the roof and replace.

Not done since the spring Doug died, tho not leaking it seems prudent to get ahead of that, and I have no business trying to do it myself as I don't belong on a ladder, nor on the roof.

Going thru things in the Interstate, readying to leave on Friday, I am still carrying lots of stuff from my-life-and-travel-with-Doug that have not been used since he died.

I brought a basketful...which is a lot out of an Interstate...in to the house to sort thru and leave behind, one way or another, what I don't want nor need for solo travel me.

It's time...Doug would say "its past time", and he would be right.

My black canvas Duluth bag, great for odds and ends, things needed but seldom used...like the solar showers we bought for our Colorado exploration...has been washed and is drying in the sun on my patio....to be much less full when it goes back out.

My nifty Son of Hibachi grill does fit, exactly and perfectly, in the space behind the driver's seat, and I am looking forward to using it....expanding my travel diet and giving me a nudge to sit outside.

Sweet son will be here shortly to put some things out of the house into the garage attic, and Emma has a school concert tonight.

A busy week, and then we're going to have a break.

Can't wait.

Maggie

[ColoradoLady]

Hi Maggie. You are such a busy bee! Where is your trip taking you? I look forward to following along. We are still experiencing up/down temps here. 80* past 2 days....Thursday and Friday.... Possible wintry snow/rain mix and low 40's for highs.

I will not think about trips till this crazy, unpredictable weather settles on spring or summer, leaving winter and snow behind. Some of the ski resorts are still open...with plenty snow!

[Lily&Me]

Hi Evelyn....I have been busy, but looking forward to a bit of down time.

Not taking an exciting trip, just following the antique dining room furniture north to its new home, spending the weekend with them...my favorite of the extended family members ...then 3-4 days somewhere, haven't decided exactly where, but should have my choice of sites on weekdays as school is not yet out here.

There are some gorgeous state parks in Northern Illinois...I will find a nice place to land, and to chill a bit.


Maggie

[xrvr]

Chillin is good.!

[Lily&Me]

This is a solar bird globe that my kids gave me for Mother's Day...purple.

My daughter asked me yesterday if it lit up nicely at night, and I told her I didn't know as I am asleep before it gets dark enough that I could see it.

Got the permanent veneers on my two front teeth this morning...it took four trips to Peoria.

Who knew it was such a process...certainly not I..but the chip is fixed and I am glad of that.

I picked up my usual pink impatiens at the nursery yesterday, plus a few native grasses and will get the latter into my south bed a bit later today...ones for the corner will get up to 6', the others only 3', but will be camo for the aged meter in there.

Then, I am done digging holes for this year.

Maggie

[DIR1]

Hey!! It's almost Friday!!! Xoxox

[Lily&Me]

Hi there, Miss Gail!

It is indeed almost Friday, movers picking up the oak in the am has been confirmed, and I am packing to leave.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Had an eye exam this morning, determining that cataracts in my left eye have increased which is why I am noticing changes in my vision.

No need for surgery, yet, but that apparently is inevitable.

The Dr. did tell me that cataract surgery might restore my vision to the point that I would not need corrective lenses. What??!!??

I've been legally blind since I was a young child, so that would be amazing....getting up in the morning and having real vision is hard to imagine.

Modern medicine...yikes.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

My solar garden bird, early dawn this morning....yes, we were up.

[ColoradoLady]

Good morning Maggie. I hope your weather is better than mine. Today....May 18th....heavy constant snow since about 7pm last night, and projected to continue over next 2 days. A cold and dreary day here in the lovely Rocky Mountains!

Have a safe trip.

[Lily&Me]

Hi Evelyn, and I do think the weather is better here.

We've had temps in the upper 80's and sunny, high of 82 today, and going to cool off just a bit but still pleasant and camping-worthy.

I'm even thinking about getting some firewood and having a campfire or two.

Mornings, perhaps, with my coffee....


Maggie

[mimiandrews]

Yes, they can fix vision during cataract surgery. I'm actually looking forward to it, having been very nearsighted since childhood. It'll have to wait until the moving is done, though.

[Lily&Me]

Yep, it's pretty amazing.

He said the best thing is to do both eyes, one at a time, about a week apart.

I will put it off as long as possible, tho, as a stronger correction in the weaker eye should improve things enough that it won't be necessary.

Started raining in the night, and apparently is going to rain all day, but we needed a bit and the farmers will be happy as crops are in the fields.

My new plantings will love the rainwater, too, and keep my son from having to make too many trips over here to water.

Really, really, really looking forward to getting away for a few days.

Maggie

[mimiandrews]

I'm already noticing a sensitivity to glare, and I had to struggle with the color vision test on my flight physical for the very first time in my life. I just need to do some very, very careful research to select a surgeon. I've always been very picky about my vision--it's a pilot thing, I guess. I still correct to 20/20 or better when measured against an eye chart, so I might have to wait a bit before the insurance people will pay for it.