Adventure, Awe, and Abundant Life: Our Day at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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August 14-15, 2025. Finding Joy on the Trails, in the Shadows, and in Christ

What if I told you that a diagnosis, even one as sobering as metastatic (stage 4) breast cancer, doesn’t have to mean the end of adventure? That it might, in fact, be the beginning of a new kind of abundant living? Different, yes, but abundant. I want to share one story of joy, love, and a little mystery from a recent trip with my husband to Cuyahoga Valley National Park—a place where wild nature and the whisper of hope wind along every trail.

The Ledges Trail: Where Wonder Meets Stone and Sky

We started our day with the Ledges Trail, a 2-mile loop famed for its dramatic rock formations, sun-dappled moss, and secret caves. My husband and I laced up our tennis shoes and set off with hearts full of anticipation.

Tip: Come prepared! I would have pulled out my hiking poles and worn my hiking boots if I had realized how many rocks we would scramble over. It’s not a difficult trail, but can be a little tricky for someone with balance and joint issues.

Nevertheless, while I didn’t expect the rocky terrain on the trail, it became a chance to adapt and push my limits. Instead of being discouraged, I embraced the challenge, and we managed to boost our daily steps while discovering new strength in ourselves.

Stepping into the quiet cathedral of pines, it struck me: this is what it means to live—really live—even with cancer as a quiet companion. More importantly, I get to live this life with the best caregiver as my hiking buddy, who stretches out his hand to catch me if I stumble.

The trail meandered through forests that felt ancient and wise, the scent of earth and leaves mingling with laughter and the promise of adventure. We ducked under boughs, hopped across roots, and marveled at the towering cliffs, their sandstone faces streaked with green and gold.

At the overlook, we caught our breath, gazing out over a patchwork of treetops. The world felt big and beautiful, and at that moment, thoughts of cancer or medical appointments slipped away.

Holding hands with the one I love, I was reminded: abundant life isn’t found in the absence of trials, but in the presence of Jesus Christ, guiding and sustaining each day. In every moment, we have the power to create memories, to savor the light filtering through the trees, and to claim joy on this side of life. Let us walk on, hearts open, knowing that each step is a testament to courage, faith, and the unwavering will to live abundantly.

Every step forward is an act of hope, no matter where you are in your cancer journey. With each breath of fresh air and every stride—even when challenged by neuropathy and fatigue—the Holy Spirit prompts, the heart grows stronger, and the soul more resilient. Life is still full of wonder worth fighting for.

Down the Eerie Canal Towpath

Of course, we couldn’t resist the allure of the Erie Canal Towpath. Echoes of history lace this path, where mules once pulled canal boats, the Underground Railroad was actively present, and the shadows seem to hold a thousand secrets. It was the perfect atmosphere for a little playtime.

Eerie Canal, rushing water in front of the Canal Exploration Center.

Canal Stop and Tavern (Currently the Canal Exploration Center)

Hi, I’m Blossom. During the canal days, mules like me walked the towpath, pulling heavy boats behind us. We were strong engines, able to haul 60 tons or more of freight. Mules worked in teams of two or three. Cargo boats had a middle cabin to stable a second team The two teams switched every six hours.

Some people say mules are stubborn, but I think we’re just smart. Horses can work themselves to an early grave. Mules have sense enough to stop when we’re tired. And we refuse to do anything dangerous. Over time, horses will get mouth and harness sores. Not mules. We are also cheaper to feed. Now I’m not saying horses are all bad. They are faster than mules. Early passenger boats used teams of horses when speed was more important than endurance. After the Civil War, canal boats became family businesses. One of the captain’s children was often the muleskinner, leading the team along the towpath.

I got my intelligence from my father. He’s a donkey. I got my athletic ability from my mother. She’s a horse. What is the best trait that you inherited from each parent?
Mule Power: Towing Canal Boats, from the placard at Cuyahoga Valley N.P.

Tim whispered in my ear as the towpath curved between thick stands of trees, their branches creaking in the gentle breeze. The path met the boardwalk into Beaver’s Marsh where wood ducks greeted us. He grinned while squeezing my hand. Even if you don’t get to see what you had hoped for (in this case, beavers), there’s something thrilling about embracing the unknown.

Cancer brings its own shadows—uncertainty, fear, the uninvited “what ifs.” Yet I’ve learned that through faith, even the darkest paths can glow with hope. Jesus walks with us, turning every challenge into an opportunity for courage, laughter, and connection.

Abundance in Every Step

The most beautiful part of our day wasn’t just the scenery, but the sense of freedom and joy. We climbed stairs, walked through a covered bridge, witnessed butterflies and colorful flowers, ate farm fresh corn while swinging on the double swings, swapped silly jokes, and learned that adventure is less about where you go and more about who walks beside you. Whether you have a caring partner on earth or not, Jesus is there each step of the way.

I want to say this, to anyone facing a difficult diagnosis or season: abundant life is possible—yes, even now. Through my journey with metastatic breast cancer, I’ve discovered that life with Jesus is not about scarcity, but overflow. He gives peace that surpasses understanding, and joy that bubbles up in the least-expected places—like a trail at sunset, a beautiful waterfall, or a quiet moment on the towpath with someone you love.

Come, Take the Next Step

If you’re ever near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I encourage you to lace up your boots, grab a loved one, and walk the Ledges Trail. Let the stones steady you, the trees shelter you, and the adventure—yes, even the eerie ones—remind you that life is still here for the living.

Because abundance isn’t measured by days, but by the love, faith, and wonder we choose. Through Jesus Christ, I am learning to live—truly, joyfully, abundantly—one trail at a time.

We added another stamp to our Passport on this trip, and checked off our 18th National Park.

Pro tip: The America the Beautiful Access Pass is free for anyone who has a disability (terminal cancer is a disability, even if you don’t “feel” disabled). It provides free entry to all National Parks and Historic Sites for the pass holder and family who travel with them. It’s a great way to live life without the added pressure of the financial burden of entrance fees. Check it out!

Just One More Thing

Having terminal cancer is a different experience for everyone, and I do hope this blog is accepted as it is intended. Not everyone can do the things we can do. I get that. Depending on where you are with your diagnosis and whether you are the patient or the caregiver, you will make those determinations. Given the thousands of types and subtypes, cancer treatment is challenging. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. I am fortunate to have cancer treatment that works!

I don’t say this lightly, as not everyone is as fortunate to add years to their life. My mother was in a Hospice House for two weeks at the end of her life. This disease does take people’s lives. Yet even there, in her setting, we enjoyed the beautiful gardens outside her window together. She also enjoyed life with what energy she had as they brought in therapy dogs, listened to people read Scripture, held hands and even encouraged people who came to visit. She taught me how to live life abundantly now as well as when we transition to our eternal Home. That is why I say, as long as I have breath, I intend to live!

Ask God to give you energy. He will provide strength to walk, even if it is just a few steps to your backyard.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

August 6, 2025August 10, 2025

Unofficial Adventures of the DIY Travel Agent!

Welcome to the Wild Ride

Friends, make sure your seatbelts are securely fastened, and your tray tables are in their upright and locked positions! Adventure (and a wild spreadsheet or two) awaits! As full-time Airstream explorers, my husband and I bring fresh meaning to “taking the scenic route.” We chase dreams, dodge sketchy WIFI, and treat every day like a grand celebration, all while facing metastatic breast cancer with defiant joy. Who says you can’t have a road trip that’s one part epic, two parts heart, and a sprinkle of red candy for good measure?

In our world, planning isn’t just about logistics, it’s about dancing with the detours and throwing confetti at every U-turn. Our journey is a testament to turning the unexpected into something delightful, weaving flexibility and curiosity into each curve in the road. As we chart our course, we’re not just making a trip. We’re gathering stories, collecting laughs, and redefining “trip of a lifetime” on our own deliciously unpredictable terms.

The Road Less Traveled—With Extra Snacks

Imagine this: boundless highways glimmering, the endless blue sky spilling sunshine through our panoramic sunroof, the Airstream humming behind us, and there I am riding shotgun, masterfully orchestrating our calendar and strategizing our next move like I’m playing a chess match against Oscar the Grand Master, a Diet Coke in one hand and a fistful of Hot Tamales in the other. As the self-appointed travel agent for West Airstream Adventures, my trusty laptop is always within reach—because, truth be told, organizing our travels is my happy place.

Spreadsheets are my not-so-secret superpower. (They even earned me a rocker patch on my old motorcycle vest!) With my husband behind the wheel, we set out to conquer bucket lists: national parks, state capitols, presidential libraries, Airstream dealers, and of course playing golf in all fifty states (Tim). An occasional side trip may also include eating local cuisine, gawking at waterfalls, photographing landscapes and lighthouses and life in the wild, hand feeding songbirds, and visiting whatever additional site happens to show up in the current location on our Apple Maps. Every stop is a new spin on our adventure playlist.

Work Hard, Play Hard

While Tim juggles remote work including Zooms with church leaders and auditioning men and women for their next starring role as pastor, I’m the travel wizard—plotting our meals, mapping out must-see spots, wrangling chores, and always on a quest for that perfect snooze spot so he’s ready for his next big call.

Mid-spreadsheet, I’m suddenly inspired and declare, “Let’s detour to see the world’s largest jackalope!” One click and my carefully color-coded itinerary is now an explosion of side quests. At this point, my travel-planning style is somewhere between a caffeinated squirrel and a game show host—spinning the wheel, rolling the dice, and making grand proclamations like, “Next up: Mystic Pizza or bust!” Who knew trip logistics could feel like a road trip reality show, with bonus points for every quirky roadside attraction we actually discover?

RV Park Planning: The Good, the Bad, and the Wi-Fi

Researching RV parks is like dating: you swipe through countless profiles (websites), trying to find *the one* knowing the pictures you see will most likely fail to match reality.

And the hours spent? Let’s just say our search history could make Siri throw up her hands in confusion. The stakes are high because, let’s face it, no one wants to end up in an RV park where the “quiet hours” sound like a karaoke competition! Prior planning is far superior to letting Chaos take the wheel.

Finding the perfect RV park? It’s my least favorite game show! Oh, we’re picky, er, at least one of us is. Here’s what makes us cheer:

Location: Must-have proximity to adventure, attractions, nature, and at least one good café.
Parks that don’t demand their ransom (err, full payment) upfront: We like our finances as untangled as our extension cords.
WIFI that’s faster than a jackrabbit: Buffering on a Zoom call is not our idea of a thrill ride!
Honesty: I asked if one site had shade and the park owner replied, “Yes, but only from 11:15 to 11:29 a.m. when the neighbor’s satellite dish throws a shadow.”
Landing our Airstream near an airport: When life or work calls, we answer—quickly. Proximity to airports is the sweet spot we need. Too close, and you might feel like you’re parked on a runway. Too far, and suddenly your “quick flight” feels like a cross-country relay. Ah, balance is everything.
Road size: Can we park without causing a major traffic jam or an existential crisis? Essential.
Concrete pads with full hook-ups: Stability is key when your house rolls on wheels. Forego full hook-ups on occasion if we are able to use the bath house to shower and go #2.
We don’t like to park next to fifth wheels: They look down on us—literally.
Space: Not just enough room to open our Airstream door without smacking the neighbor’s flamingo lawn ornament, but enough distance so we don’t mistake their snoring for a bear attack. Tim’s still recovering from last time—Will the site fit our Airstream without a stressful game of Tetris?
Quiet: Please, spare us from the “Campfire Crooners” who can’t build a campfire without thick, black smoke delivering a nauseating punch, and their five yapping chihuahuas who try to sing along.
Give us a lake or a mountain view over a neighbor’s fence any day: Mother Nature is our favorite backyard!
Last but not least—Amenities: Laundry machines that don’t feel like ancient artifacts = bonus points.

We may not always hit every item on our list, but getting close means we enjoy the best of both worlds—peaceful nature and everyday comforts. Plus, everyone appreciates having a quality pizza joint nearby.

Living Fully, Laughing Often

Metastatic breast cancer is a tough companion, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t get to take the wheel. (That belongs to Jesus.) Travel is our therapy, our joy, and our way of saying, “Hey, life, God’s got this.” We embrace every sunrise over a desert plateau and every ocean or lake sunset like it’s the star of its own movie.

We’ve become masters of adapting and celebrating small wins. Need a quick detour for work visits or cancer treatments? No problem! Navigation skills and AAA Trip Tik swoop in to save the day, plotting the details onto spreadsheets with precision.

Then there’s the GPS drama…

Look, if you’re towing a 30-foot silver Twinkie behind your truck, your route options are:

The scenic way,
The interstate,
Or, the panic-inducing, “Why is this a dirt road?” and “Are we in a cow pasture?”

“Sorry honey, I tried.” We may never make a YouTube episode out of those moments—but let’s be honest, they’d break the charts on “Comedy of Errors.” Seriously, if you’ve never U-turned a 30-foot Airstream Classic in a Cracker Barrel parking lot while your partner is yelling, “You’re going to hit the rocking chairs!” — you haven’t lived.

When trip planning and living life start feeling less like an adventure and more like a pop quiz, my husband’s always there to lighten the mood with a funny joke, a goofy face, or some wild idea that sends us both into fits of laughter. Who knew playing the role of travel agent could turn into a daily comedy show?

Travel Therapy: Powered by Wanderlust

For me, the road isn’t just asphalt—it’s medicine for the soul. Every curve, every turn, every surprise destination, and even the potholes remind us that life is meant to be savored. Our Airstream isn’t just a home; it’s our sanctuary—a place for laughter, cozy dinners, afternoon naps, and the occasional dance party.

Those parks? Whether they’re nestled in forests or perched near buzzing cities, they’re perfect for recharging. Stargazing, reading under the awning, hiking, or simply soaking in the serenity—these moments are golden. And those presidential museums? Let’s just say they’re packed with enough oddball trivia to make us honorary time travelers.

Rolling Into the Next Adventure

We’ve been reminded on many occasions that patience is a virtue, Wi-Fi is a necessity, and planning ahead makes life smoother (while spontaneous detours are still the best). We’ve also learned that travel agents deserve a standing ovation. Seriously, someone send them a big bouquet of flowers.

Each park we discover, every capitol we wander, and every museum or church we step into adds a vibrantly illustrated page to the story of our lives. With my husband at my side and faith in the Lord lighting our path, we are not just journeying—we’re rising above every obstacle. Together, we are weaving a legacy of courage, wonder, and boundless hope, proving that even in the face of challenges, adventure and joy are always within reach.

So, here’s to the open road, bucket lists, and living life as a celebration. We will forge ahead, not merely checking off destinations in a passport booklet, but commemorating the richness of another day of life with every mile we travel. Let’s keep rolling!

May 24, 2025May 24, 2025

Medical Updates

Our next big trip starts in two days, Memorial Day, so we have been busy getting all of our medical appointments out of the way, haircuts and color, purchases that are too hard to get on the road, etc. In this blog I’ll share some updates from my medical journey. And a little bit of Tim’s as well.

Dec. 23, 2024. Scan for Bone Density, known as DXA BONE MINERAL DENSITY BOTH HIPS AND SPINE. I continue to show scores in the “osteopenia” range. It does appear that my bone density is (significantly) better than previous bone scans. The bone specialist continues to do bloodwork to determine the level of Zometa I need. This is an infusion about every three months, and just adds about 15-20 minutes to my normal infusion routine. Based on recent scan and bloodwork, continue with treatment.

April 23rd. MRI of the brain. AND fasting bloodwork (CTX Beta Crosslaps). Since my vision has been changing (increased double vision mostly), my neurology oncologist has been watching my brain again. They scan it about every three months. They always find some little something, but it’s all good. If you’re into the medical lingo, here’s a snippet from my test result. No changes. No new lesions. The spots they follow are residual effects from the radiation in 2019.

1. No new or recurrent intracranial metastases. 2. Stable scattered intrinsically T1 hyperintense lesions in the calvarium may represent hemangiomas and can be followed. Scattered intrinsically T1 hyperintense lesions in the calvarium show no worrisome interval change and appear to suppress on fat saturation techniques which may reflect osseous hemangiomas.

As for the bloodwork, she looks for certain numbers to determine when we need to get my next dose of Zometa. She did another fasting CTX in May, and the numbers went up, so it’s time for another dose.

May 1. CBC (full panel bloodwork) and Hip X-Ray. I saw the doctor on this date. I’m having some hip pain, ever since I drove my daughter to her surgeon’s appointment (4.5 hours away). She ordered a full blood panel in addition to tests for my hip. The blood showed some abnormalities including low hemoglobin, low red blood cells, and low platelets. This probably explains some of my fatigue lately. However, I was sick with a stomach bug from April 28-29, so this was likely the reason for the low blood counts (and fatigue). The X-Ray was normal, with this snippet. “Focal trabecular thickening of the intertrochanteric right femur. These features were present on the radiographs of 10/27/2022 and are considered benign. No evidence of metastatic disease.” That’s good news. They did find “Osteitis pubis” which is basically an inflammation which causes pain. Rest is the treatment for that.

The doctor noted this in my chart, “No fracture or evidence of cancer on the x-ray from yesterday. We’ll wait for the results from your CT and bone scan and go from there.” She scheduled my whole body bone scan and CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. It has been eleven months since my last body scans, and since we are traveling soon it’s probably good to get those done anyway.

May 8. Whole body scans. Also known on MyChart as CT CHEST ABDOMEN PELVIS W CONTRAST and NM BONE SCAN WHOLE BODY. This is a half-day long process, as they have to access my port, insert the nuclear medicine contrast for the bone scan (then wait two hours to do the scan). In the meantime I have to drink the CT contrast, wait about an hour and they do the CT. There’s about an hour in between scans where I typically go and eat something, since the CT is a fasting exam. If I have enough time I go off-campus, but usually there’s no time for that. I brought my breakfast this time and ate in the Marketplace on the 2nd floor.

Results: CT states “No evidence of active metastatic disease.” Also known as NEAD. They always find a few nodules in my lungs or other places, but they are stable and of “unknown origin,” so as long as we continue with the current treatment plan, there shouldn’t be any progression. Bone scan states, “Stable bone metastases involving the left fourth rib and the right iliac bone.” Mind you, the reports are much lengthier, but seeing the words “stable” and “NEAD” are what we hope for.

May 15, 2025. MOHS (Tim). Tim had surgery on his nose to remove basal cell carcinoma, and on this day he had the stitches removed. It was right by his eye, so a bit scary. However, the surgeon did an excellent job! She didn’t have any trouble closing it up, and she was able to get clean margins. You can’t even tell it was there. This is an ongoing issue for Tim as he has fair skin, thanks to his Irish blood. I believe this is his third surgery. Many of you have had this done as well. The older we get, the more we regret not wearing sunscreen as a kid.

May 15, 2025. Dental Crowns. I had two crowns put in the right molars (top and bottom) due to cracks in the teeth. I have to be very careful about what I allow dentists to do, as the Zometa can cause necrosis in the bones if they do any deep work. This dentist was well aware of my situation, and the crowns were not only the best option but they fit perfectly! I am very happy with those results.

Whew! Quite a month. Or two. We are now primed and ready for our next big adventure! More on that in the near future.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

April 16, 2025

“I Wish I Could See…”

Sometime in February our daughter called to tell us her eye doctor had diagnosed her with detached retinas in both eyes. She needed surgery. Her left eye was worse than the right eye, and they considered it an emergency. She had no center vision in her left eye.

They made some referrals, and the referral made another referral, so that she ended going to a university hospital several hours from their home. Long story short, they did the surgery on the first eye the first week of March, and the second one two weeks later. They put a “buckle” in both eyes, but fortunately she didn’t need the “bubbles,” which is a very long and arduous recovery. Almost immediately she could see better, but it’s still a very long healing process. Initially she couldn’t lift anything over five pounds. She has been unable to drive since the first surgery, as her vision is so blurry it is akin to not wearing glasses before the surgery (she’s very nearsighted, which is most likely the risk factor causing the detachment). She is also warned not to strain her eyes.

She’s in college, has a family with two elementary aged children, and she still can’t drive.

What does this have to do with my metastatic breast cancer journey? Or traveling in an Airstream as full-timers? It connects to my story because we never know what might pop up along the way that can change the trajectory of our path. It could be a new lesion, or side-effect of the medication. It could be a break-down in something Airstream related. We just have to be willing to be flexible and go with the flow. That doesn’t come easy for a planner, but God’s still working on me!

The patient becomes the caregiver.

We were in Florida when we received the call, and we immediately started thinking about how we could help her. Should we leave immediately and fly up, or take the Airstream, or wait and see? We had plans to go back to Texas visiting capitol buildings along the way, attend some rallies (which were already paid for in non-refundable payments), check on the new house build, and stay in Texas until June or later depending on the progress of our house. How might this change those well-made plans? Sometimes, the cancer patient becomes the caregiver to someone in their family or circle of friends. It’s what we do. It’s called life.

We considered taking the trailer as we didn’t know how long she would need us, but the RV parks in this area have yet to turn on their water, due to freezing temperatures. Her husband decided to take off work until the beginning of April, so that gave us time to attend the rallies and find a place to settle in Texas. We booked flights and headed north to help her out once we got the Airstream settled in at a gated RV park in Montgomery. Tim had a work visit with a church, and it’s not too far from her, so that helped defray some of the costs. We really miss our home!

Aside, we are happy to have made the decision to purchase the Airstream Classic. It has a multiplex system that allows us to turn the A/C or Heat on and off as needed. It doesn’t have an “auto” feature (yet), so we have been checking the internal temperature and turning it on as needed.

Hanging out with Dad before he flies home.

We originally planned on flying back to Houston yesterday, but Elizabeth still doesn’t have new glasses so she can barely see. She needs a ride to the hospital for her follow-up consult now that Anthony is working. Tim has a biopsy scheduled for a spot on his nose that he has put off for way longer than needed, so he went back on the original flight. Getting him there was a bit of drama in itself, as we had a rental car from the airport three hours away and one of us would need a ride. Tim found a local guy who transports to the airport, and they had a nice chat all the way there. I stayed behind for another week and I’ll return the car when I get there. Logistics!

I was fortunate to get the exact same flight schedule at no additional charge. I can change the flight again if necessary, but that would require missing medicine (I didn’t bring enough to go past Monday), and rescheduling appointments at MD Anderson. At this point we are praying Elizabeth will have glasses on Friday so she can get used to them over the weekend and then I can head home the day after Easter. I took her to her local eye doctor who gave her a prescription. She will be able to see 20-20 out of her right eye with new glasses. That’s progress! Her left eye still has a ways to go.

Tomorrow we pack up the kids in the car rental and head to Iowa City for Elizabeth’s follow-up appointment with her surgeon; we hope to get her new glasses there. Iowa City has a same-day eyeglasses store in town that can make her a cheap, temporary pair until her vision settles and she can get a new more permanent prescription. That should be about three to six months from now, but at least she will be able to drive!

I’m sitting in her community college lobby as I type this, feeling a bit reminiscent of my own college days. I’m watching young students come and go while waiting for Elizabeth to attend two of her classes so I can once again be her seeing eye dog and chauffeur for lunch. I went with her to Bible study last week, which she attends on Wednesdays, and one of the students who goes to it just walked by and acknowledged me, asking if I would be there again today, saying that they enjoyed having me. That was a good feeling as I thought I added some depth to the room with some of my comments, but you never know how students will react.

Looking at illustrations in poetry books for children, in our hotel lobby.

I have enjoyed helping with her children’s literature class!

As I have been reading her book chapters and poetry aloud, typing what she dictates, and helping her finish assignments, I sometimes have to turn the screen away so she does’t squint and try to read what’s on the page. While her attitude is positive, she keeps saying, “I wish I could see,” usually with a laugh of frustration.

We never know how much we use our sight until we no longer have it. Don’t take it for granted. Holy Week, leading up to Easter, is a great time to remember to thank God every day for the ability to see, hear, walk, talk, and everything else He has given you for free. Especially remember the sacrifice of His one and only Son. His arms are stretched out for you. Can you see?

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

February 5, 2025February 7, 2025

Another Update on the New Home Build

After my last update blog we learned our new house build would be delayed a bit longer, due some county related issues. They are anticipating a finish date in June or July, but we believe the closing will be closer to August or September.

Based on this knowledge in November, we made a decision to purchase a new Airstream Classic — which we picked up in December — so we could have a bit more elbow room for the time we are living in it full-time. We’ve made some videos about that, and we put them on our YouTube Channel.

We didn’t expect much movement after that, until further into the new year. However, things started picking up in January. On January 7th, the builder held our pre-construction meeting. Soon after that we started seeing forms, footers, plumbing, foundation, and then framing taking place. It’s moving along!

January 5, 2025 – Form is in place. Ready for the pre-construction meeting.

January 20, 2025 – We have some plumbing.

Jan 20, 2025 – King of his garage LOL. That was a cold day, the night before the big snowstorm. Our property didn’t get much, fortunately, but it did delay pouring the foundation by a few days.

February 1, 2025. We are leaving for Florida in a few days, so we took another drive out to the property. We were surprised to see so many sticks in the air! Here’s a picture from the last time we went out to the property, about four days ago.

Now we are heading to Florida for a month, and we are anticipating some real progress by the time we get back into town. I will be flying in for treatment a couple of times before then as well, so maybe, just maybe, I’ll have enough time to drive out and check it out while I’m in the area.

This reminds me of a verse in Isaiah (40:31, NKJV). We are encouraged to be patient, allowing God to do things in His own timing. I don’t mind the wait, to be honest. I love our current life and I look forward to making some more great memories.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

January 21, 2025January 22, 2025

Snow! In Texas!

We had planned to leave for Florida today. Our plans were to spend a week in Panama City Beach at St. Andrews State Park, and then travel on to Melbourne where we would stay a month at Land Yacht Harbor (an Airstream only park). But the closer today approached, the more our uncertainty as to what to do expanded.

A few events lead to our decision.

Weather. We checked the weather. Daily. Hourly. Sometimes even more often. As you are probably aware by now, the weather forecasted a major snowstorm for the entire southeast. Unless you live under a rock, you have probably read about this or seen it on the news. It’s making national and international news.

I went to FaceBook and asked, “stay and play in the snow, or leave early?” Of course, my Florida friends said, “you have to ask???” Our Airstream friends were mixed, and extremely helpful in terms of making sure our Alde heating system was working. Some of our northern friends had already come south, but at least one of my friends experienced snow in the deep south after they left clearer skies up north.

Houston doesn’t get snow. In fact, KHOU-11 (our Houston news) said in a recent blog post, “Snow is so rare in Houston that we cannot even discuss the top ten recorded snowfall events in Houston’s history, because only eight of them exist.” Well, now there will be nine.

The NPR is talking about it. Winter storm “Enzo” is wreaking havoc all along the I-10 Corridor. Pictures and videos are flooding the internet of Beaumont, downtown New Orleans, Galveston Beach, and the panhandle of Florida. It’s a HUGE blizzard of “epic proportions.” (Now I sound like a weatherman.) I even saw a video of a cowboy in Texas riding his horse through the snow, pulling someone on a makeshift sled behind him. Classic.

Medical concerns. In the meantime, Tim received some disturbing news from his dermatologist. He has a few skin concerns, and the medicine would come in the mail for some of them. More importantly, he needs to schedule surgery on a spot very close to his eye (right on the corner by his nose). She’s about 95-99% certain it is basal cell carcinoma. He is waiting for the MOHS center to call back with an appointment, and whether we can afford the cost.

Work concerns. In addition to his regular work obligations, Tim is now scheduled for a presentation trip to Minnesota the first week of February (2-4). It’s easier to fly out of Houston than all the places we had planned to visit in Florida.

I also have some work to catch up on. I’m still supervising some LMFT Associates in Texas, and I need to complete some CEUs for my AAMFT supervisory status as well as licensure. I can do this better with the solid internet we have here as well.

Sometimes, it’s less hassle to go with what you know.

All that being said, we decided to “hunker down” and stay where we are. We were able to cancel our reservation at the State Park for a small fee, and delay our reservation at Land Yacht Harbor by a week (no fee). Both of these were paid in full, and LYH has no refunds, so we were glad to make these changes. We did try to reschedule St. Andrews, but it’s really hard to get in Florida State Parks this time of year. There are only one or two days available here and there (across the state).

We did end up getting between an inch or two of snow. The pictures are pretty. It stuck to the ground, but not the concrete. I was hoping for a total blanket. You know the kind that turns the trees to a solid white? The kind you see in all the other pictures from up north? However, this was pretty exceptional for our neck of the woods.

When stuck inside, it’s a good time to bake bread. There’s a little heat coming up from behind the sink, so my einkorn starter rose really well.

If you look closely, you can see the icicles hanging from the front of our Classy Girls, looking like fangs. She kept us nice and toasty warm inside! It warmed up to the 40s later in the day and most of the snow melted.

As it turned out, Panama City Beach Florida ended up getting more snow than we got in Willis Texas. Go figure! Looks like we made a good decision.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

September 17, 2024September 19, 2024

UTI ON THE ROAD

Life on the road is quite unpredictable. One has to be flexible. Travel can be full of ups and downs. Currently, we have several ongoing issues with our Airstream. Mostly small, but a couple are potentially bigger ticket items. We have scheduled an appointment with the Mothership in Jackson Center, Ohio. It will be late October when we get the warranty work done. I wrote about that in another blog.

This blog is about my most recent medical issue. For a few days I had been noticing symptoms. I developed a UTI (IYKYK), and while AZO was providing temporary symptom relief, it had been long enough that I knew I needed an antibiotic. It was a challenge to travel all day, stopping at every rest area along the way only to experience the thrill of “I have to go NOW” to … “oh, maybe I didn’t have to go after all” to … “oops.”

As you know we are far from home. My primary care doctor can’t send a prescription across state lines, so I needed to find a walk-in clinic. Because we were just passing through when Tim had an important Zoom meeting, he had providentially booked us into a hotel in Sidney Nebraska. He needed to ensure his Internet would be working, and he didn’t want to be stressed out with Roamy.

We got to Sidney fairly early in the day, just before lunch in fact. We had traveled a bit further the day before to make this a shorter day. The timing and location could not have been more perfectly aligned. As it turned out, there was a walk-in clinic just a mile or two from the hotel. The staff were wonderful! Very warm and supportive. I had no paperwork to complete (imagine that!), as they are on the EPIC online medical system. MD Anderson also uses EPIC. The Nurse Practitioner who saw me had my medical history in front of her as we talked. That really helped speed up the process, and I felt like they knew what they were doing.

Only one person was in front of me in line. They got me in, out, and I had in my hand a prescription from Walmart–also a mile away–all within less than an hour. I do believe this was a God-thing, because my prayer partners were in their closets petitioning Him to rescue me from this ailment. Within 24-hours I felt much relief, and was definitely on the road to recovery. They sent me a survey via text after the visit, and I gave them very high marks. I would definitely recommend this clinic if anyone is passing through Sidney Nebraska and needs medical attention.

I wasn’t going to let a UTI stop me from my plans.

After Tim’s meeting, I surprised him with a (very small but albeit memorable) birthday party and card shower in the hotel lobby. This is his BIG 60, so I wanted to do something special. I had been secretly asking for birthday cards from our Facebook friends. We have been traveling so much it was hard to connect to everyone we know, but Facebook is a pretty good sweep. I picked them up at the mailbox the last time I went home for treatment, and had the rest mailed to the hotel.

The cards were so clever, hilarious, heartwarming, reminiscent, and just plain fun. I have never seen any of these great cards in all the times I have looked for his birthday cards (I also gave him a card every day this month leading up to his birthday, which I have been buying in various places over the past year). We laughed and continue to laugh as we think back on each card from our family and friends.

In addition to all the cards, he also got a t-shirt from me with an RV and tow vehicle that says, “I’m sexy and I tow it,” as well as a Louis L’Amour book that he can add to his very large collection.

It’s good to be on the mend, and seeing life returning to “normal” as we know it on the road.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

Reload

Things you might hear while waiting for MDACC nurses to call your name for chemo… (Old cowboy wearing boots and hat, on his phone with a stereotypical Texas drawl):

“I have a .22 and I was wondering if you have a night vision and scope, and can you put it on there?” 😂😂

Long chemo day. One bag down, one to go. Whenever I go more than three (Trastuzumab) or six (Pertuzumab) weeks without treatment, we have to reload. That means one bag is an hour instead of thirty minutes and the second bag is ninety minutes instead of thirty. It’s been a while since I had to reload, so I kinda forgot how long it was. The infusion time is in addition to accessing the port, flushing, heparin and de-accessing the port, with a prayer that we get good blood return or additional processes have to take place. My appointment was scheduled for 12:30. I’m still here at 3:13, and just started on the ninety minute bag.

Before lunch I also saw my oncologist and his nurse, who were particularly chatty today, about books, family stuff, Netflix series and they were eager to hear about our Airstream trip. And of course we discussed medical updates, time for scans, yada yada. Honestly, I enjoy seeing them. It’s like visiting with old friends every time I go in. Today is the first time I have seen their faces without masks for over three years. (They took them off inside the room.) That was an especially nice change of pace!

Before the doc was the blood draw, which took a while to get in. This first visit to the building came with an interesting surprise as well. Funny how much can change in just a few weeks; we were greeted by large, green construction fences all along the north(?) wall. They are expanding their handicapped parking next to the building. They should have done that all along. Apparently the patients were complaining about having to walk too far from the current handicapped parking. I’m happy. More spaces for me as well.

As if that isn’t enough, we got up early this morning to take our son to the airport and then Tim went to the dermatologist (he needs another biopsy) while I sat in Panera Bread and read my book and ate breakfast. We decided to drive together, which Tim might be regretting now that he has decided to sit here in the room with me. Usually he drops me off and picks me up, a habit we never changed after the pandemic.

This evening, I’m taking two of my grandkids to dinner while Tim will be in a church meeting. We will wrap up the day saying hello to our overnight guests, who are staying at our house while we all go to the Texas General Assembly meetings this weekend.

Whew. 🥴

Funny how you can have a whole week without much to do, and then multiple things seem to all converge on the same day. Has that ever happened to you, or is it just me? That’s the way of life sometimes. Keeps us on our toes, for sure. I’m just grateful to the good Lord for giving me the energy to do it all, tenacity to keep going, and a passion for enjoying life.

Might be time for a nap. I do have my pillow and blanket while getting infused, after all. 🤪🤩😁🥴

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Isaiah 40:29; Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

July 2, 2023August 6, 2023

Summer Vacation 2003 – Part 2 (AIC)

If you read my previous blog, you already know we started our summer vacation on May 19th. Our original intent was to leave Texas and head up to Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, then on to visit Devil’s Tower, travel north through the Dakotas, east across North Dakota, continue south and east through Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and back home via the Natchez Trace Parkway. It would have been a two and a half month journey taking us through the end of July, as that’s how long it would necessitate to do it all.

But, best laid plans are often interrupted, and you just have to go with the flow. 🤪🥴

When our daughter-in-law went into preterm labor at 28 weeks and was put on bedrest, we decided to cut our trip in half so we could go home and help out. We came straight home after the Rally, saving the rest of the road for another time, ending our trip just before Independence Day.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21

Our seventh grand baby Olivia Jade was born on June 30th, over two months early (29 weeks gestation). It happened the day we left Rock Springs Wyoming for home. She was 2 pounds 14 ounces at birth, and 11.5″ long (the size of a sheet of paper). She is soooo tiny. She’s a fighter. All her APGAR scores were normal, her lungs were strong, and she was born with hair. It is mandatory at this point to share her sweet little picture. 🥰🥰

Happy Campers, 66th Airstream International Rally in Rock Springs Wyoming.

Back to the trip. Everything after the baby pales in comparison ❤️❤️❤️, but maybe you’d like to hear about the second half of our summer vacation.

This was our first Airstream International Rally and their 66th! It was quite an event. Over 1,100 Airstreams were lined up in the Sweetwater Events Complex parking, with full hook-ups. We met a ton of new friends, attended conferences, learned about products from various vendors, saw foxes and osprey and bald eagles, drove the Wild Horse Scenic Loop (yes, there really are wild horses there! We came upon a bunch!) We saw the White Mountain Petroglyphs, and watched some amazing sunsets. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our week in Rock Springs.

Wild Horses of Pilot Butte on the Wild Horse Scenic Loop

Wild Horses of Pilot Butte, Wild Horse Scenic Loop

Pronghorn in the sagebrush. Wild Horse Scenic Loop.

Looking down from the Wild Horse Scenic Loop.
Airstreams fill the entire Event Complex, and look like shiny jewelry from up here.

Picnic lunch overlooking the city with my favorite caregiver. On the Wild Horse Scenic Loop in Wyoming.

We saw a lot of mule deer on our various excursions.

While Tim was working one day, I went on a day trip with the Swarovski binocular vendors. We saw a family of foxes, osprey, bald eagles, and more mule deer. They loaned us binoculars and let us look through their high powered scope as well. Very cool excursion! Here are a few pictures from that morning adventure.

A pair of foxes are coming back through the fence to their den where they will check on their pup.

I’ve never seen a fox this close. I could have stayed there all day.

The foxes built their den near a construction site. They didn’t seem to mind the people.

I would have never thought to look here for a fox’s den.

Mule deer. Doe with her two babies crossing the water.

Cactus were blooming in the White Mountains

At the White Mountain Petroglyphs. A very hot day, but nothing compared to Texas heat!

LOTS of decorated golf carts.

On the way home, we boondocked at a Harvest Host farm stay in Gothenburg Nebraska. it was probably one of the best Harvest Host spots we have been to. The hosts were so kind, greeted us when we arrived, gave us a tour of their working farm, and fed us popcorn from the crop in their corn fields. They provided a gathering spot where we sat and chatted, played with dozens of cats, and met the other campers around their fire pit. This was a great way to end the trip. We ended up driving straight home from there…a long day indeed.

The only house cat on property. Many, many barn cats (and a dog) as well.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!

June 6, 2023August 6, 2023

Lady Clementine – A Book Review

I belong to a book club at The Canopy in The Woodlands. This beautiful facility is located at Memorial Hermann, and is devoted to the education and support of cancer survivors. I think most of us in the group have or have had breast cancer, but it doesn’t seem to matter what type of cancer. It’s just a great group of ladies who like to talk about books.

I joined to help nudge me to read more. I recently heard that the prisoners of Alcatraz read more books in one year than most people read in a lifetime. I guess they have a lot of time on their hands, but I also imagine their brains were much sharper as a result.

Anyway, this month’s book was Lady Clementine. It’s historic fiction based on the story of Winston Churchill’s wife. I wrote a review and sent it to my book club leader, because Tim and I were on vacation. Here’s what I sent her.

On our trip out of town, I read the first chapter to my husband while he drove. He liked it so much we decided to read the whole book together. It was such a captivating book, from the very beginning. Unlike many books, it didn’t take several chapters to get into it. We sat by lakes in Colorado and Utah, under the mountains, by a gorge, in lovely cafés, and everywhere in between. Every chance we got we pulled out the book and read a chapter or two aloud to each other.

We both enjoyed engaging with the stories from Winston and Clemmie’s life together. Their “Meet-Cute” was especially fun and intriguing. From that first moment we wondered which parts of the book were true and which parts were fiction. Either way, it seems the author captured their personalities and spirits rather astutely, from the other accounts we have read or movies we have seen of the Churchills. They seemed to be made for each other, in their pursuit of the greater good, and Winston’s political career.

It was fun reading it together as he knows a lot about history and we could bounce ideas off each other. Also, when we forgot who someone was (as there were a lot of names to remember), we could ask. Sometimes we had to go back and look. He laughed with me, shared his disappointment as well as upset when bad things happened, and we both enjoyed seeing the more complex yet intimate relational side of the Churchills. Watching her matriculate his change of political views, when they aligned and misaligned, was interesting as well. I thought the whole Terrence episode was interesting. We differed on what we thought would happen. An emotional affair can be just as devastating as a sexual one, so it seems this took some time for her to work through as well. In the end, she stayed true to her Pug (loved their pet names).

I didn’t know about all the motherly concerns Clementine had for her children, or the problems they had with their grown children, or that they had lost a child at such a young age. It helped me to witness her humanity. I could sort of relate to Clementine, as I pursued my degree and career while raising my children. It was always a mind battle between taking care of the kids and doing what I wanted/needed to do to better myself (so that I could help others). I related to her sense of urgency in fulfilling a bigger purpose in life. I could also relate to her feelings of inadequacy as a mother, especially now that our kids are grown and I look back on our child-rearing days.

I doubt there is a mother out there who doesn’t look back and think of ways she could have (should have?) done things differently. None of us are perfect, but perhaps some of us really did put priorities in other places. I could not relate to her leaving her kids for months at a time, however. I can’t imagine what that must have been like. I had a hard enough time dropping them off at day care each day! I also could not relate to losing a child. That tragedy would be hard to overcome.

Her strength as a woman, wife of a very strong political figure, and basic human aspirations made for a great story. Watching how they handled not one, but two, wars was fascinating. I did a little weary of the technical side of the war(s), but it was interesting to read all the different aspects of the war that I was not previously aware of. We learned more about the British view of the war, as well as their view of the American side. I would read other books by this author, and in fact just read a Quora post about Hedy Lamarr, and it intrigued me to consider reading more about her.

I asked my husband what he thought of the book, especially since it had a strong female protagonist. He enjoyed the book. Tim truly appreciates it when a woman is revered, and is given the ability to show her true self. I agreed with him on that.

Oh, and how I wish I knew how to pronounce Clem-en-TEEN earlier in the book. 🙄🙄
We give it an 8.5 rating.

Here’s the group’s review.

Eleven of us gathered yesterday, June 14th to discuss Lady ClemenTEEN by Marie Benedict. It was an interesting read because some of us had immense respect for her and her accomplishments and some of us had zero respect for her especially as a mother. It was heroic how “Pug and Cat” lead the British people during such dire times during WW2. We all agreed that without their courage and patriotism the Brits probably would have lost the war. We discussed how both of them had such terrible mothers and how that reflected their lives and marriage. We rated the book 7.3.

À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!