The holidays this year have been great, but glad it is about over and we get back to normal, for whatever that is. If you find out, please let me know. Had a great Christmas, got a stuffed dog from my daughter Tina. His name is Col Spicket II, little history there with him and my kids. Needless to say was a nice gift and a rather emotional one there. It is something I will cherish. Next gift was from my daughter Becky, my son David, and grandkids Christian and Sean. It is a photo slideshow with over 225 pictures of kids/grandkids etc. I was really surprised to get it. Both really nice gifts this year. Had dinner with my daughter, her boyfriend Joe and two other friends. A great meal of ham and all the trimmings. Then watched the kids open their gifts which is always fun. Off to the watering hole that nite.
New Years eve with my daughter up at the Hangar One. A great meal with good friends, beer and cigars, a great way to top off the evening. Today, a quiet day, temp of 25 degrees, we had 68 on Thurs then the bottom fell out and cold it got. Last nite coming home from bar was 15. Space heaters have proved their worth and furnace to help out and keep the belly warm. Nice and cozy in here today, a good day to catch up etc.
Short entry today, hopefully more tomorrow. Cat may howl again tonite. My gals at the regular watering hole are missing me.
Home
Home sweet home
Cathouse in the Snow
What a lovely day in Paradise
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
Well, bout time I make a post here. I will try to do better, just a lot going on. 27 degrees here in ICT with clouds, trying to snow or whatever. We have not had snow yet, not that it breaks my heart. After growing up on the farm with it, was a lot of work, boy does that bring back memories. Sometimes things were a lot simpler then. The good old days where as kids, Christmas was with family, school, and church.
Our grade school would put on a Christmas Program every year in Marvin, SD and man did we ever pack that old hall. Folks from all around would come and support us and the school and it was all good. There would be full days we would practice, good news is no school work, but we learned how to work together under the careful guidance from our teacher Mrs. Lisa Halverson. She was a good one, God rest her soul. I think of her often especially at this time of year. The best teacher I ever had!!!
After the school program and always on a Saturday, we would have Santa Claus day. I would help Dad set up the PA as he was the announcer for the event. Dad was great at those sorts of things with a loud voice and a great gift of BS and humor. Kids and parents from all over would gather to get a chance to meet the "old boy" Santa that is, and it was great. We all got a big bag of Christmas candy and peanuts in the shells. Remember that old crunchy candy. After Santa left we had a big drawing with donated items from the merchants in town and most walked away with a prize. What a great thing to grow up with.
Then off to the Church Program, where we dealt with the true meaning of Christmas, the "Christ Child." Too many times we get caught up with the season and forget what it is all about. Again we packed the house here and we gave gifts to our Sunday School teachers and we got gifts from them. One of the best was from Bob Stewart who gave us a box of .22 shells as he knew we all loved to shoot and hunt.
Christmas eve was with family from my Dad's side and that is when we would open presents. I remember one Christmas eve when it was snowing so thick our guests could not make it down the driveway and the steep hill into the farm yard. So what did I do, well we hooked up the manure spreader to the old Massey tractor, drove up the hill, got them with all the gifts, and head down to the yard so we could have Christmas. Yes, the spreader was empty. Afterward we would brave the "elements" and head back up the hill and up the driveway to their car so they could go home. Great memories. Christmas eve of 1968 when Apollo 8 was in lunar orbit and we listened to the astronauts read about the creation from the bible. One of the best quotes, "Merry Christmas to all of you, All of you on the good Earth." Another fine memory!!
On Christmas Day it was always to my Grandma and Grandpa Quale's home and have Christmas dinner there with all the family from Mom's side. Grandma was always a great cook and we never went away hungry. Got rest her soul along with my Mom and other Grandparents. The world is a lessor place without them. Christmas has never been the same since but we move on.
Now it is my turn to carry on as I will be with my daughter Tina, her boyfriend and his kids who are my "other grandkids." As we know life goes on and we learn to cope. Let us be thankful for our health, family, and friends and not forget our roots.
Life in the RV is good. Finally figured out the heat situation with the space heaters along with help from the furnace as needed to keep warm. Cheaper with the space heaters. Got the Christmas tree up, just a small one, a gift from my Mom of which I will cherish along with her memory. Also some stockings and Santa on a Harley, got to have that. Oh, one other thing which I consider to be a great idea is I got an indoor/outdoor temp gage. I have the outdoor sensor in the compartment where the water pump and lines are and keep tabs on the temps there. Good way to make sure we don't have freeze-up problems. Also got a heated outdoor water hose and it seems to work good. It had better for 90 big ones.
So as another Christmas comes and goes we have to thankful for our blessings in life and keep the "Stray Cats" under control. I will talk about the trip back from SD, blown tire, and Sept 15 hail storm that damaged my roof etc. Just need more time in front of this thing.
Our grade school would put on a Christmas Program every year in Marvin, SD and man did we ever pack that old hall. Folks from all around would come and support us and the school and it was all good. There would be full days we would practice, good news is no school work, but we learned how to work together under the careful guidance from our teacher Mrs. Lisa Halverson. She was a good one, God rest her soul. I think of her often especially at this time of year. The best teacher I ever had!!!
After the school program and always on a Saturday, we would have Santa Claus day. I would help Dad set up the PA as he was the announcer for the event. Dad was great at those sorts of things with a loud voice and a great gift of BS and humor. Kids and parents from all over would gather to get a chance to meet the "old boy" Santa that is, and it was great. We all got a big bag of Christmas candy and peanuts in the shells. Remember that old crunchy candy. After Santa left we had a big drawing with donated items from the merchants in town and most walked away with a prize. What a great thing to grow up with.
Then off to the Church Program, where we dealt with the true meaning of Christmas, the "Christ Child." Too many times we get caught up with the season and forget what it is all about. Again we packed the house here and we gave gifts to our Sunday School teachers and we got gifts from them. One of the best was from Bob Stewart who gave us a box of .22 shells as he knew we all loved to shoot and hunt.
Christmas eve was with family from my Dad's side and that is when we would open presents. I remember one Christmas eve when it was snowing so thick our guests could not make it down the driveway and the steep hill into the farm yard. So what did I do, well we hooked up the manure spreader to the old Massey tractor, drove up the hill, got them with all the gifts, and head down to the yard so we could have Christmas. Yes, the spreader was empty. Afterward we would brave the "elements" and head back up the hill and up the driveway to their car so they could go home. Great memories. Christmas eve of 1968 when Apollo 8 was in lunar orbit and we listened to the astronauts read about the creation from the bible. One of the best quotes, "Merry Christmas to all of you, All of you on the good Earth." Another fine memory!!
On Christmas Day it was always to my Grandma and Grandpa Quale's home and have Christmas dinner there with all the family from Mom's side. Grandma was always a great cook and we never went away hungry. Got rest her soul along with my Mom and other Grandparents. The world is a lessor place without them. Christmas has never been the same since but we move on.
Now it is my turn to carry on as I will be with my daughter Tina, her boyfriend and his kids who are my "other grandkids." As we know life goes on and we learn to cope. Let us be thankful for our health, family, and friends and not forget our roots.
Life in the RV is good. Finally figured out the heat situation with the space heaters along with help from the furnace as needed to keep warm. Cheaper with the space heaters. Got the Christmas tree up, just a small one, a gift from my Mom of which I will cherish along with her memory. Also some stockings and Santa on a Harley, got to have that. Oh, one other thing which I consider to be a great idea is I got an indoor/outdoor temp gage. I have the outdoor sensor in the compartment where the water pump and lines are and keep tabs on the temps there. Good way to make sure we don't have freeze-up problems. Also got a heated outdoor water hose and it seems to work good. It had better for 90 big ones.
So as another Christmas comes and goes we have to thankful for our blessings in life and keep the "Stray Cats" under control. I will talk about the trip back from SD, blown tire, and Sept 15 hail storm that damaged my roof etc. Just need more time in front of this thing.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
South Dakota Trip
Well bout time I update this journal. It has been a while. I will start with my SD trip in August. I combined a trip to my hometown of Marvin, SD and annual trek to Sturgis for the rally. Trip was great except as we all know time spent is just too short. Started out and spent time with my Dad which is always good to do. I lost my Mom 3 years ago this month so the month of October is not always the best of times, but we all learn to cope.
The first week home was road trips during the day and evenings at the Marvin Bar gotta get up there for the evening cocktail hour as we like to call it. In the meantime two of my friends Russ and Carolyn came through, they were on the way back from Alaska. They managed to ride their Honda Trike all the way up there and back and had a good trip. They worked with me here in Wichita. So while we were there, gave them the tour of the local area and then off to the bar at night.
The night before we left for Sturgis, my friend Joe, his brother Larry and another friend showed up so we all had a great old time. Drinking beer, shaking the dice and just telling lies etc. On Friday morning we left for Sturgis and spent the next few days out there. If you have never been to the rally, it is a sight to see with all the bikes, RV’s, you name it-you will see it. By the way all the young ladies etc. will add a special treat. It is hard to describe, you just have to be there. The riding in the Black Hills is some of the most beautiful country you can ride through. But a word of warning, you have to be careful as there are thousands of bikes on the roads. It is not something to take lightly. With over half a million folks there you can see why. And this year being the 70th rally it was a huge event.
The entertainment at night is something else to see. I have seen some of the best top name rock bands ever. Just to name a few that I have seen: Steppenwolf, Jethro Tull, Whitesnake, Heart, ZZ Top, Journey, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx, Kid Rock, Nickelback, Tesla, Toby Keith (not a rocker but a great country artist who loves this country). My favorites were Jethro Tull and Styx. Jethro Tull is not an individual but a British band, Ian Anderson is the lead singer and one heck of a flute player. Very unique style of music. Styx also great with the keyboard player who spins that keyboard around, he makes the show. Course there are many others, just too hard to remember them all. The ones above really stood out. Of course the "parade" as we like to call it is also a sight. You will have to ask me about that one.
Also went down to Crazy Horse and met my friends Mike and Leslie. We had a nice lunch there then off to where they were staying in Custer, SD. A very nice campground and I know they liked it a lot as evidenced by their journal entries. So a brief summary of the August trip. I will make a separate entry for the trip home as that is another tail and I need to tell it as it has some important lessons there.
The first week home was road trips during the day and evenings at the Marvin Bar gotta get up there for the evening cocktail hour as we like to call it. In the meantime two of my friends Russ and Carolyn came through, they were on the way back from Alaska. They managed to ride their Honda Trike all the way up there and back and had a good trip. They worked with me here in Wichita. So while we were there, gave them the tour of the local area and then off to the bar at night.
The night before we left for Sturgis, my friend Joe, his brother Larry and another friend showed up so we all had a great old time. Drinking beer, shaking the dice and just telling lies etc. On Friday morning we left for Sturgis and spent the next few days out there. If you have never been to the rally, it is a sight to see with all the bikes, RV’s, you name it-you will see it. By the way all the young ladies etc. will add a special treat. It is hard to describe, you just have to be there. The riding in the Black Hills is some of the most beautiful country you can ride through. But a word of warning, you have to be careful as there are thousands of bikes on the roads. It is not something to take lightly. With over half a million folks there you can see why. And this year being the 70th rally it was a huge event.
The entertainment at night is something else to see. I have seen some of the best top name rock bands ever. Just to name a few that I have seen: Steppenwolf, Jethro Tull, Whitesnake, Heart, ZZ Top, Journey, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx, Kid Rock, Nickelback, Tesla, Toby Keith (not a rocker but a great country artist who loves this country). My favorites were Jethro Tull and Styx. Jethro Tull is not an individual but a British band, Ian Anderson is the lead singer and one heck of a flute player. Very unique style of music. Styx also great with the keyboard player who spins that keyboard around, he makes the show. Course there are many others, just too hard to remember them all. The ones above really stood out. Of course the "parade" as we like to call it is also a sight. You will have to ask me about that one.
Also went down to Crazy Horse and met my friends Mike and Leslie. We had a nice lunch there then off to where they were staying in Custer, SD. A very nice campground and I know they liked it a lot as evidenced by their journal entries. So a brief summary of the August trip. I will make a separate entry for the trip home as that is another tail and I need to tell it as it has some important lessons there.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
House Closing
I have been wanting to discuss the closing of the house. Been a while since I commented on this. I am amazed at how fast the sale went. I listed the place in January 2010 and closed in June 2010. I fully expected it to be a lot longer, but I am glad to be rid of it. Amazed at how I got rid of bills every month, especially when I hear of rate hikes etc. The folks that bought the place seemed to be good people and really loved the place. It was a brother and sister along with their mother. There were some issues as we got close to closing which I commented on in earlier posts. They agreed to what I offered on the window replacement and that was a good thing. Saved me a lot of work. The delay on the closing had to do with money for new homebuyers from the government. Once they got that squared away and the down payments were covered, we finally got to close. It was around 2 weeks later than planned, but it all worked out good. Couple of times I was getting anxious on whether we were going to close. But, it finally worked out and I am glad for that.
I love living in my rig, I do not feel closed in even with long times spent in it. If they ever say about fulltiming that you won't spend much time in the rig, think again!! That is why when you look at rigs, take your time, look at lots of models and floorplans. Get the one that has the "it" factor for you. Every one of us is different on what our desires are, likes and dislikes. I strongly feel this area is very important for one to be successful in this lifestyle. Football season is upon us and winter will be here before we know it. That will be the test here on how well I survive it. Being from up north, I understand what the cold can do and should be able to take precautions as needed. I have also had the pleasure of having some mentors in this undertaking which has been a huge help. So thanks to Ed and Marilyn, Mike and Leslie, and Howard and Linda. The one downside is I wish I had someone "special" to share it with me.
Speaking of football, I hope the Dallas Cowboys can pull it off this year, especially since the Super Bowl will be played in "Cowboys Stadium." So lets hope they can do it. "Go Cowboys!!" Yes, I am a Cowboys fan and proud of it!!!
Ok, enough for this day, am going to get out of here for a while, then on to the bar for a cold beverage and enjoy a good cigar. Now we have to smoke on the patio or outside due to the recent smoking ban. That will be a rant for another day. I have made my point clear at times but, guess we will have to accept it for now. Last thing I will say is make sure you vote in November. The right to vote is one of the greatest freedoms we have and I cannot emphasize the importance of exercising that right. Holiday tomorrow, so this cat may hiss and howl a bit.
I love living in my rig, I do not feel closed in even with long times spent in it. If they ever say about fulltiming that you won't spend much time in the rig, think again!! That is why when you look at rigs, take your time, look at lots of models and floorplans. Get the one that has the "it" factor for you. Every one of us is different on what our desires are, likes and dislikes. I strongly feel this area is very important for one to be successful in this lifestyle. Football season is upon us and winter will be here before we know it. That will be the test here on how well I survive it. Being from up north, I understand what the cold can do and should be able to take precautions as needed. I have also had the pleasure of having some mentors in this undertaking which has been a huge help. So thanks to Ed and Marilyn, Mike and Leslie, and Howard and Linda. The one downside is I wish I had someone "special" to share it with me.
Speaking of football, I hope the Dallas Cowboys can pull it off this year, especially since the Super Bowl will be played in "Cowboys Stadium." So lets hope they can do it. "Go Cowboys!!" Yes, I am a Cowboys fan and proud of it!!!
Ok, enough for this day, am going to get out of here for a while, then on to the bar for a cold beverage and enjoy a good cigar. Now we have to smoke on the patio or outside due to the recent smoking ban. That will be a rant for another day. I have made my point clear at times but, guess we will have to accept it for now. Last thing I will say is make sure you vote in November. The right to vote is one of the greatest freedoms we have and I cannot emphasize the importance of exercising that right. Holiday tomorrow, so this cat may hiss and howl a bit.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
How we doing
Will make it short, been trying to update my email etc and getting this account to work. Think I finally got it. Nice cool nite tonite, cold front blew in and low should get down in the 50's. Will write about my vacation when I get the urge, hang in there it will be soon. Guess I had better before I forget all about it. But for now this lazy cat is going to call it a night.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Marvin SD
Back in SD and great to be here. Only got to 85 yesterday, 109 in Wichita yesterday. Having a great time here. More freinds from Wichita will be here tonite and back to the Marvin Bar. Two days we leave for Sturgis and the rally. This is the 70th year of the rally so should be a big one. We shall see. Short post today, got some things to do before we leave.
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