Heading West

Posted on August 13, 2015 by JanetA

Final Sunset, Prince Edward island

Yes it is true I am finally and slowly heading west. It was very hard to leave Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. I really enjoyed my time there.

Barbara, Janet and Spencer the dog.

What made it even harder to leave was that I met another solo woman Roadtreker at the last campground I stayed in. Barbara and I hit it off and neither of us wanted to say so long this morning. She is living in her RV 6 months out of the year. The other 6 months, in the winter she lives in a 5th wheel in St Augustine, FL. She sold her house that she loved and got rid of all her possessions except what would fit in the RV and plans to travel until she cannot do it any more.

I have learned a few things from Barbara. When she goes somewhere she stays in the same campground for several nights. She doesn’t rush to go see everything. She sets up home in each campground she stays in. Some places she may stay for a month or more. I see her as truly knowing how to live on the road full time.

I have considered doing the same thing yet have been hesitant. I have actually sat in each room of my house and attempted to figure out what items I could see myself living without. It is an interesting process. Some items I can let go of right away. There are others that I have an emotional attachment to. For example the entertainment center in the living room is something that Jim and I were planning to keep for the rest of our lives. It is a beautiful piece of furniture. When I look at it I think of Jim and myself yet when I ask myself if I got rid of the emotions could I let it go. The verdict is out.

So much for the idea of non-attachment. I am still processing on much of the philosophy of Buddhism. Still working on enlightenment.

How do people, one day, let go of all those things that are in their homes? Barbara is not the only one I know that has done this. My friend, Cat, also did the same thing. She sold her home, got on a bike and took her two dogs on a cross country bicycle trip. Now she lives in a Fifth Wheeler and is traveling the USA.

I would love to be able to take that jump. It is not that I want to live in my small and cute Roadtrek but I would like to experience the sense of freedom of letting go of stuff. I don’t know if I ever will. It is something I have pondered on for quite some time. I keep thinking I could rent a storage space and put the things I want to keep in there. Maybe that is a first step. There is nothing wrong with doing things in stages. Step A, Step B, Step C.

Taking the Confederation Bridge from Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick.

Tonight I am in Moncton, New Brunswick. I am moving northwest towards the St Laurence River. My plan at the moment is to work my way around the northern sides of the Great Lakes. I have never been there. It seems like a good enough reason to go there.

As I head west I will have a lot of time to ponder non-attachment.

So today I guess I am thankful for my “stuff” and considering letting go of it.

Last Stop on the Eastward Journey

Posted on August 10, 2015 by JanetA

You know what is hard? It is when you have offended your pet and she is not going to let me forget it. The hardest part is that I have no idea what it is I have done. Cats!!!! Just as I think everything is OK she gives me a look with attitude and heads for the blankets. Cats!!!

I made it to Prince Edward Island yesterday. The crossing was about 70 minutes on the ferry. Now PEI has a deal. They let everyone in for free and then you have to pay to leave, either by ferry or by the Confederation Bridge. I am going to cross on the bridge and it is $45. Yow. It would have been more expensive by ferry.

Montague Harbor, PEI

This is a pretty island. It is filled with small towns and harbors and lighthouses. The first day I drove east from the ferry. It is one pretty little town after another. What is in between? Fields. Potatoes, Rye, Wheat, Corn and other grasses I did not recognize. Potatoes are big at this end of the island.

Last night I camped at a very nice RV campground right on a bay. They even offered free kayaks to use but it was raining and this morning, it was extremely windy. No kayaking today.

I ended up my day, today, with a hike in a section of Prince Edward Island National Park. It was a beautiful afternoon. This area contains an extensive and fragile coastal dune system, wetlands and different natural habitats in which numerous rare plants are found.

Parabolic Dune

The parabolic dunes (crescent shaped anchored by plants and grasses) are among the most spectacular natural features in this part of the park.

The Floating Trail

The floating walkway was one of the reasons I chose this trail to hike on. The water on one side of the dunes is fresh and the other side is the ocean, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It was a wonderful hike, with plenty of photo opportunities.

Janet on the Floating Trail

Beautiful View

Doesn’t this look like a water color?

Tomorrow I plan to go and explore the other part of this national park. I have extended my departure date for a few days. I did not want to just drive in and drive back out.

As you may be able to tell, I am feeling much better and a bit less road weary. I want to thank you all for letting me vent in my last post. I want to make sure you know I am more than hanging in there. I am enjoying the peacefulness of this island.

Elsie

Now it is back to Miss Elsie and see if she and I can be friends again. Cats!!!!

Frustration!!!!

Posted on August 8, 2015 by JanetA

The posting below is from last night. Since I made some decisions today I had thought about not posting it. How I feel when I travel is not always fraught with meaning or joy or awe, although these are a part of it too. Last night it was about the harder side of travel.

View from Meat Cove, Cape Breton

Frustration! Frustrating! Frustrate! I am all parts of this word tonight. I am anxious to make the “right” decisions even though I don’t know what the right decisions are. I think a glass of wine will help but not really. It does taste good, though.

Today I took my home on wheels to the Mercedes dealer in Halifax. Why? My emergency brake did not seem to be engaging and the service manager agreed. First I thought it would be an easy fix but instead I walked out with new new parking brake shoes. It appears that I must have been driving with my emergency brake on, somewhere in Cape Breton. The manager, Bruce said that even having it engaged a little would cause this wear. Sigh.

I feel like a bad Roadtrek owner tonight. I know I am not, but tonight I feel like I am a bad owner. How could that have happened? I reach the campground tonight and have to use my new brake for the first time as they put me on a hill and I am too tired to move it or think about what is next.

And…it is suppose to rain this weekend. I should enjoy it but I am tired of the rain. Right now I am near Halifax. I am considering not going into the city and heading to Prince Edward Island. I have enjoyed the small towns and quiet areas so much I am not sure I want to “do” Halifax.

I am whining tonight. Yes I am and I don’t care.

It is hard to travel full time or part time full time. Hopefully you get the gist of what I mean. By the time I get home I will have been gone a quarter of the year and a little bit more. That is a lot of time. I am weary and I am ready to head home.

Tomorrow I have to listen to my inner voice that will give me the right direction to go on. I am tired of listening to my inner voice as well. I am tired of decisions. Maybe Mom or Jim will appear in my dreams tonight and help me with direction.

My turn around date is August 10th. I know it is not iron clad yet I want to keep it as close to that date as possible. the honest truth is that I spent too much of my allotted time in Cape Breton. I enjoyed the quiet, the camping, the hiking the people and I am really balking at going into a tourist city and being around many people.

Peggy’s Cove

Yesterday I went to a place called Peggy’s Cove. It is beautiful. The land around it is an UNESCO Heritage site. I loved the open area around the cove. The town of Peggy’s Cove was crazy. There were motor coaches, people, cars and more moving around in this little tiny town. I lasted about an hour and a half and hightailed it out of there. There were too many people, and too many cars. There was a point of time I would have been the tour manager on the front of those coaches. Craziness.

Elsie checking out the Atlantic Ocean

Elsie is my one bright star tonight. I had to bring her into the Mercedes dealer while the RV was being worked on. She was very good, quiet in her carrier and patient. She continues to amaze me. And when I am feeling tired or down there she is, her sweet little self looking at me with trust and maybe cat caring in her eyes. Boy am I glad she is along.

And on another good note is the Mercedes dealer in Halifax. Bruce never even questioned whether they could fit me in, especially after telling him I was about to drive across the country. He told me, when I thanked him before I left that they try to help those who are traveling through as best they can. What a great attitude. My list of great Mercedes dealers keeps getting longer. They certainly focus on good customer service.

So dear readers, thank you for letting me vent. I certainly needed to. Life on the road, life at home, is not always cheerful and happy. Things do not always work right. The key here is to pick up and move on and enjoy the next moment that comes my way.

Tonight I think I will go to bed early and hope that my star will shine a bit brighter tomorrow.

Of course this won’t post until tomorrow as the wifi in the campground is down. Sigh.

Lavender Fields along the Cabot Trail

This is the next day.

I have to tell you that sometime in the morning hours I awoke out of a dream and I was howling with laughter. I wish I could remember the dream, I know Jim was in it. I had to stifle my laughter a little. I didn’t want to wake up the campground.

When I got up this morning I knew I would skip Halifax. That will just have to be for another trip. Tonight I am in Pictou on the Northumberland straight and tomorrow I will ferry to Prince Edward Island. I believe I will be one or two days behind schedule and that is OK. I am still finding myself weary. Right now I am committing to every other night will be two nights of camping as I make my way west. I am looking forward to seeing the open spaces.

It is OK to have up and down days. Last night I could have howled in frustration, today much less so. I am more than ready to head for the west. A few more days and we will be on our way.

Today I am thankful for raw emotion.

Mom and Nova Scotia

Posted on August 5, 2015 by JanetA

Cape Breton

When I was much younger than I am today, I remember talking to my mother about travel. She said that she always wanted to go to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. For several years this subject would arise now and then. We talked of traveling there together. It seems it was one of those dreams that was a dream, until this past week.

I arrived in Nova Scotia at the end of July. Although I don’t know if my mom and I would have seen the part of it I have seen so far, I feel like I have brought her along in memory.

I decided upon arriving at the island that I would travel the Cabot Trail to Cape Breton on into Cape Breton Highlands National Park. I love National Parks. This one was amazing. For three nights I camped right on the ocean. Both campsites were a little piece of heaven. I hiked, saw waterfalls, wandered the grounds of Gompa Buddhist Monastery Retreat, and have yet to see any Moose. Everyone but me seems to have seen a Moose. Sigh.

I am also enjoying the people I meet along my travels. People seem to talk to each other in the National Parks. For two nights I camped at Corney Brook Camp Ground. Kathleen and Gary my neighbors invited me to dinner both nights I was there. The second night They had bought some king crab that was in season. Kathleen took me and the neighbors down to the oceanside to learn how to shuck crab. Oh my was that crab delicious.

Crabs for Dinner

Kim and Jim were on the other side. We kept meeting on the trails. When I moved up to Meat Cove Campground, well there they were again.

Petra and Udo were my neighbors at Meat Cove. They had brought their RV from Germany with them. They started their travels in Uruguay. They have been traveling for a year and are getting ready to go back to Germany in 10 days. I had the best evening with these two. We talked about travel and Germany and the USA (even skirted the issue of politics). I enjoyed laughing and drinking with them and getting to know these two remarkable people.

Petra in the Fancy Vehicle from Germany

I am including pictures of their vehicle. Man that ride could take on almost anything. It was big, and comfortable and has been their home for a year. I wish I had met them sooner. I could have followed them as they saw different part of South America and North America, including Alaska and Canada. If you are interested, here is Petra’s blog. It is in German so you might have to use Goggle Translator to interpret it for you. That is what plan to do.

When the three of us said good-by I felt like I was seeing a good friend depart. Their next tour is the Silk Road. They, of course, are driving it in their mighty vehicle.

At a time when I am starting to miss my San Diego friends, it has been nice to meet up with good people who were willing to include me in their lives, if even for a short time. I enjoy the depth of knowing my long time friends yet there are times when a chance encounter can enrich my life and make it deeper. The other good thing about meeting people while you are traveling you sometimes find out about places and events that I might have missed otherwise. We are all a great source of information for each other.

I am camped in St Peters, on Cape Breton tonight. I am in a Provincial Park and like state parks in the USA, the camp sites are quiet and separate. I enjoy camping where Elsie feels safe going outside. If there are too many people around she runs for the blankets.

I know my mother is not with me in person. I know she is traveling with me in spirit. I think of her often and know she would have enjoyed seeing this part of the world. The ocean on the Atlantic side is even warm enough to swim in. My mom loved to swim. I have yet to swim but have dipped my feet. I hope mom is enjoying her trip. I know I am.

Tomorrow, on to Halifax.

Meat Cove

Elsie’s Third Post

Posted on July 27, 2015 by JanetA

Hey everyone, Elsie here. I am one traveling kitty. Since my last post I have traveled around the east coast of the United States and now I am in another country, Canada. No one even asked to see my passport, whatever that is. They asked Janet for hers.

I have been in and out of different houses since I posted last and I still think I like the Roadtrek best. I have been in it so long it feels like home. I like sleeping under the blankets during the day. I am now getting brave enough to come out while Janet drives and lay on the floor next to her. On my bravest days I ride on the dashboard and look out the window. Sometimes it gets lonely under the blankets.

The Camp on Moxie Lake

We spent about five days with Janet’s friend Missy and her husband in Maine. It was on a big body of water and that water still makes me nervous. I spent the day in the RV and then in the evening Janet would bring me inside the camp house. I am not sure if I liked this. Everything was strange and Missy has a bird, Mango that squawks a lot, and it is loud. What is that bird saying?

The one thing I found in the house that made me happy was another bed with blankets to crawl under. I liked it under there. Mango wasn’t quite as loud.

loon

Missy is a photographer and so is Janet. Every time these birds called loons came around the two of them went nuts. They ran for their cameras and headed to the woods to take a zillion photos. What’s the big deal about loons anyhow? They make weird sounds. It kept Janet happy though, so it must be OK.

I also met a little critter that looked good for eating. He was very bold. I know him as chippie, but he is really a chipmunk. He came right up to me. It surprised me so much I didn’t react except to stare at him. That night I dreamt of catching him and playing with him. Sigh, it was too late by the time I dreamt that. I hope to see more chippies in my travels.

Now Janet and I are on our own. We are settling back into the routine of stopping once a day so I can go outside, somewhere where it is quiet. When we stopped today a funny critter watched us. It didn’t move at all. I think it was a stuffed rabbit. It was just hanging in the trees.

Today I found something I really liked. I rolled in it. It smelled like cat mint.

When things make me nervous hanging behind Janet’s leg is a good idea.

Me taking a stroll at lunch.

Ah, rolling

We have camped in some nice places. The other night we were on Cobscook Bay in Maine. After a nice evening walk on the leash we got back and there were a bunch of mosquitos in our RV. Janet did not seem too happy about that. I decided to help her out and jumped around after those little buggers until there were none left. It was fun to help out. After all, we are a team.

Tonight we are camped on the Bay of Fundy. The town is St Martins. There is a funny intermittent noise out there. Janet says it is a light house. I am not sure what that is but the sound is soothing.

My adventure is continuing. I am glad Janet brought me along. I am not sure if I would do this all the time but I like being with Janet and I am seeing more than most kitties see in their whole lifetime. I must be special. Janet calls me the princess. I like to think I am.

Forgiveness

Posted on July 25, 2015 by JanetA

I recently read an article published by the Mayo Clinic on forgiveness. I’ve been pondering this subject on my journey. I feel that forgiveness is one of the more difficult emotions that we as humans can work with.

We have all been hurt by someone in our life time, whether it is family, work or socially related. Sometimes the hurt is major and sometimes it is minor. Being hurt by another is wounding to each of us. The emotions that result may include anger and bitterness and a feeling of not being able to let this event pass.

As defined by the article in the Mayo Clinic, “Generally, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, more positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.”

Pain hurts. Emotional pain hurts, spiritual pain hurts, physical pain hurts. I wonder what are the benefits of holding on to all these hard emotions? I think that forgiving is also hard. I don’t believe you can just look at someone and say I forgive you. It takes time to work through all the emotions that are connected with one single act. lt would be so easy if we could just look at someone and forgive them and let it go. Ah, I wish it were so.

I have done one major, intentional act of forgiveness in my life. Intentional is the key word here. It was when I was practicing the “Rainbow Way Meditations”. With the help of the Medicine Men I was involved with, at the time, I acknowledged forgiveness to one person long since passed on. It was a very freeing moment for me and one I have never forgotten. My step felt light and my heart and mind felt right, I felt right with my world. It was a very freeing moment in time.

How do we learn to forgive? How do others learn to forgive? I really don’t know the answer to this question yet I do know that in the act of forgiveness, life becomes more positive and anger slips away.

Forgiving another person doesn’t mean you are best friends again, and yet, that may happen. Forgiveness has more to do with me than the person I am forgiving. Maybe my stress, anger and hurt will lessen and disappear. My life could be a bit brighter and lighter.

What if I am the one who needs to be forgiven? I believe that if I fess up and admit my wrong doing and apologize (sincerely) then I am well on the way to asking for forgiveness. Does the other person involved necessarily have to forgive me? Well no. I feel that after admitting to my mistake and doing what I can to rectify the situation I have done all I can and then it is my choice whether I hold onto these often sad and hurtful feelings or let it go. Letting go is frequently hard to do. Letting go of what I feel are negative feelings often frees me up so that my life will remain full and positive.

What if I need to forgive myself? Wow that is a loaded one. I am not sure of the answer to that. Maybe by admitting that I am human and stumbling is a part of growth, I can go easier on myself. I sometimes wonder if forgiving myself is not the hardest of this act to do. I have always felt that everything that goes wrong is my fault. I apologize more than any other human alive. Well maybe. I am practicing the art of self forgiveness and it is not easy. I catch myself when I apologize for something that is out of my realm of responsibility. Asking myself if this is something I need to forgive myself also guides me to a more healthy and rounded approach to my life.

I think the idea of letting go of suffering is good. Needing forgiveness or asking for forgiveness is one way to let go of suffering. Letting joy, peace, hope and gratitude into my life through the act of forgiving or asking for forgiveness helps suffering lessen or disappear.

Today I am heading for New Brunswick, Canada. I am off to explore new territories. I am not sure how often I will have access to the internet. I promise to blog when I can. My heart feels such joy in knowing that all of you are interested in following my Journeys of Thankfulness.

I am thankful for all my readers, known and unknown.

Cobscook Bay Maine

Friends

Posted on July 23, 2015 by JanetA

When I add a post to my blog I am never sure where it will go. Sometimes I know exactly what I want to say and other times I have no idea until I sit down to type the post up. There are times that my mind wanders and I take me and all of you off on an unknown adventure.

Missy and Janet Enjoying Moxie

I have just returned to civilization after spending five days with my friend Missy and her husband, Dan on Moxie Lake out in the woods of Maine. Having extremely limited access to the digital age was truly a vacation.

Missy and I have been friends for many years. Even though we live 3000 miles apart when we are together we seem to easily pick up where we left off.I always feel that is a sign of true friendship. It was good to have five days to catch up, laugh and explore together. Missy and I love to take wildlife photos. We spent quite a bit of time watching and photographing the loons that frequent the cove next to the camp.

When we left camp this morning it was hard to leave. I feel safe and loved and secure when I am with people that care about me. It is hard to leave that for the unknown. From now on I am on my own and traveling into new territory as I drive north up the down east coast of Maine. I am heading for Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Friends are a continuing important part of my existence. Since Jim died I have recognized how important my friends are to me. Their ongoing support and encouragement help push me forward to explore the next chapters of my life.

Right now six of my friends have very willingly taken on the task of taking care of my house and yard so I could comfortably get into my RV and travel and explore. I appreciate these friends so much for their effort and kindness. I would like to share with you a little of these six incredible women.

Nancy and Janet

Nancy is the coordinator of the house sitting project. She even found an on line calendar so that the six of them could sign up on the calendar for the days they wanted to check on the house. Nancy and I have been friends for close to 30 years. We have had our ups and downs but we always have remained strong friends. She feels like my sister. We both have a love of native plants. We see each other often and share a lot of our intimate thoughts with each other. I am so glad we met and have been friends for all these years.

Phyllis

Phyllis and I used to work together as nurses. I quit after 25 years but Phyllis remained a nurse for much longer and is now happily retired. One of her passions is to walk the 3 day, Susan G Komen walk for the cure. She has done these walks all over the United States. We usually find a day each week to walk and have breakfast, one of my favorite meals to eat out. She has very unselfishly supported me. After Jim was diagnosed with metastatic cancer all I had to do was call her and she would be there, even at 2 in the morning. It is good to have a friend who I can always lean on if need be.

Janet in the Desert

Janet and I met dancing. We have been friends for many years. We also share the same passion for native plants and her yard is exceptional. Janet and I walk together, go to the movies and much more. We never seem to run out of things to talk about. Janet loves to English Country Dance and Contradance. She often is traveling to dance. Her unending support of me has been treasured.

Raquel

Raquel house sat for me and took care of Miss Elsie two years ago while I traveled in my Roadtrek. She and I have become friends over the past couple of years. I enjoy having her down the block. I can stop in and visit whenever I want. We never seem to run out of conversation. Raquel is a beautiful artist. She is a costumer for the local theaters in San Diego. Her work is amazing. I am glad we met.

JoAnn is a new friend. I met her through Nancy. I don’t know her well. I enjoy her company and hope when I return we can do more together. She has house sat for me and Miss Elsie the cat really likes her. She lives down the street from me and so it is convenient for her to swing by the house. What I like about JoAnn is that she is easy to converse with. I feel we have some common interest. She is going through her own life transition and I am glad that I am part of this transition time.

Janet and Beth

Beth is my massage therapist, healer and friend. Although we don’t do much outside of her office we have grown close over the years. I appreciate her insight and her joy of self discovery. I appreciate that she takes the time to listen to me and support me. She supports me in all ways, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Beth loves to dance and she has the most amazing singing voice. I appreciate her gentle and insightful way and her commitment to self growth and friendship.

Aren’t these the most amazing women? And they are my friends. I feel so honored to know each one of them. Friends are important in my life. I never forget that. It is because of their loving support that Elsie and I are adventuring around the United States and Canada. Each day I give thanks to them.

As my journey continues I will tell you cool things I see along the way but I also will share with you from time to time some of these amazing people that are in my life.

Tomorrow I journey north. I am looking forward to seeing new things and await new adventures along the way.

A Celebration

Posted on July 14, 2015 by JanetA

The departure and entrance to a new life together.

This past weekend was my niece’s, wedding. It was a delightfully, extravagant affair. And everyone was there.

Since Jim’s death I have not handled large crowds well. I prefer the company of a few close friends. I was a little apprehensive about attending this wedding. There were close to 100 people in attendance. Now that is a lot of people. I also knew that I would know very few of them. Because it was family and I needed and wanted to be there, I knew I would have to bite the bullet and attend. And, you know, I had a good time.

We stayed near Norwalk, Connecticut at what used to be a Monastery and is now the Dolce Norwalk Conference Center and Hotel. A beautiful property with hiking trails and tennis courts among many activities it offered. And, I had my own room. When I was full of conversation and needed a break, well, there was my room or the hiking trails.

Hiking at Dolce Norwalk

If I need a break from all the activity and people interaction, it is important for me to find alone time, no matter where it is. The nice thing about this property was that it offered enough space to those of us who needed regrouping time.

I also enjoyed getting away with my sister, Ginny, on Saturday, before the wedding. We went to an estate sale and then drove around the towns of Norwalk and Westport, CT. I even got my feet wet in Long Island Sound. My sister and I travel well together. The driving about and checking out homes and pretty places is something we have done since we were children. My dad love to go for rides and check out how everyone else lived.

Waveney Hall

The wedding took place at Waveny Hall in New Canaan, CT. It is a lovely open space park with a house that reminds me of Downton Abbey. It was built as a private estate in a beautiful natural setting.

There was an implied formality to this event, and yet, it felt very comfortable and relaxed. After the formal sit down dinner the party took off. There was terrific music and the dancing was fun. Although there were many different ages of people there, the gathering had a feeling of inclusiveness and age did not appear to make a difference.

What did I do when I needed a time out? I went to the bathroom. At one point my oldest sister, Ginny and I found a bench to sit on out on the lawn. I am learning there are always ways to disappear for a bit and then come back in again. Funny that I should be doing this now.

Jim was an introvert, he could only take groups of people for a short time and then he too would disappear. He would take a walk outside, go to the library, find a spot to read and if he was at a Scottish Ball, there was always the men’s room. I know he needed that time to recover a bit. Being an introvert is hard in a large group situation.

Needing some space and time is fine, yet I think that what often happens with me is that I disappear and I don’t tell anyone I need some time to recover. This can lead to misunderstandings. I want to learn to stop assuming others know what I am doing. Just like all communication, if I don’t say anything then how do they know? Hmm. An insight, I think. I want to be honest and up front and if the other person or people don’t understand or are offended then I cannot be responsible for their response. And I don’t need to apologize. Right Nancy?

Dancing on the wall

The wedding was grand. My niece made a beautiful bride. It was a delightful evening and I am very glad that I attended.

The next time may be a bit less stressful.

I am still finding my way.

Ginny dancing her way out to the party

Adrienne and Friends

Adrienne & Joe, father of the bride

Two sisters, Two nieces

Summer on the Lake

Posted on July 7, 2015 by JanetA

The original summer bungalow.

Wow, where does the time go. I have been in northern NJ for two weeks. Oh my gosh I can’t believe I have stayed in one place so long. My niece gets married this weekend and then I will be on the move again. It has been fun to be at my sister’s and her husband’s house on the lake. It has been many years since I spent the Fourth of July here.

My sisters and I grew up on this lake. Originally it was owned by my grandmother Arnold and then my father. Each Memorial Day weekend we opened the house for the summer. My mother and the three of us would come here from Delaware for the summer. My dad would come on weekends. It is a very different house now than what it was then. It is hard to believe that this house has seen three generations in it.

When we were young it was a summer bungalow. It had a wood stove for heat, no insulation to speak of, running water and electricity. There was also an outhouse in the garage and bath houses to change in. We spent a greater part of the day in water. It was a wonderful way to grow up.

Same house in current time

Today this house is lovingly owned by my sister, Ginny and her husband, Frank. It is a permanent year round home. Although it is their home we are always invited to come and enjoy the lake. Each of us girls has brought all those that are important to us here. I have come in the winter and in the summer. I love coming here and sitting on the grand front porch and look over the lake.

This year my niece, Adrienne and her fiancé, Jed had a Fourth of July party here. There were a few people from Germany and they wanted to show them what a typical and classic 4th was like. We grilled burgers and hotdogs. Everyone had to try out the new paddle board. We ended the day seeing the best fireworks I have witnessed. They were grand.

What made the party special for me is that a long time friend of mine from Philadelphia was able to come up and join the festivities. I treasure my friends. I treasure the time I get to spend with them, no matter how limited it might be. It was so much fun to catch up with Chris. We never run out of subjects to talk about. I like her company because we talk about what is important to each of us and it is respected. I am thankful for my friends.

Today my sister, Ruth and her husband, Joe and my other niece, Brittany and her husband, Trip arrived. Tomorrow it is time for another picnic and even more people will be showing up. I am camped in my Roadtrek in the side yard. Elsie is with me. We are a team. Because of this sweet little home everyone has a bed to sleep in tonight. I like the fact that when I need a time out I can disappear to the side yard and hang out in my RT.

She is in the back forty

I feel very thankful this week for family. We may not always see eye to eye but I think we always have each other’s back. Even if we disagree, we are always talking again, because we are family. When Jim died my sister, Ginny was on a plane to come to me when I needed someone most. That is what family and friends do for each other and I am so thankful that I had someone to rely on.

Shortly after the wedding I will be on the road again. I am planning on heading back into Canada. I want to see Nova Scotia and then I will be heading west and slowly towards home. More to come.

Today I am thankful for family, good friends, my kitty and my RT.

Dad and the three sisters

Janet, Brittany, Ruth, Trip, Ginny

Elsie, A Second Blog Post

Posted on June 28, 2015 by JanetA

Hi everyone. I heard that Janet was upset because I received more response to my post than she does. It is not every day that a cat contributes to a blog so she should be thankful. And isn’t that word part of the title of this blog?

I am still on my journey. I have been to more states than I can count on all four of my paws. Yes, I know, I have not seen some of these states because I still spend my days under the covers. I sleep at home, I sleep on the road. Like that behavior is suppose to change?

Janet has been good about stopping at least once a day so I can go out and explore. She hooks me up to my long leash and off we go. She has also been good about looking for quiet spots to do this. One day we were on our way out of North Carolina and she stopped at view stop where there was no one. These 3 guys parked their car and when they saw me they started to come over. Janet told them that I was scared of people but they still kept coming so I did what any good scaredy cat would do; I ran for the RV as fast as I could. I bet those guys never even saw me. Just call me Flash.

I have been on two small ferries on this trip. I admit to not seeing much from them as the noise and people made me nervous. I do think it was cool to be taken from one piece of land to another. Those big bodies of water are a bit overwhelming for a kitty of 6 pounds.

Hanging at the Radisson

Since my first posting I have spent two weeks in Ontario, Canada. The first 5 nights I stayed in a hotel room. The house on wheels disappeared and then one day it came back. The hotel was OK. There were a lot of unfamiliar noises but I think I did good. Janet still has me on board.

I met, briefly, my first dog. Her name is Ruby and she was really giant. Remember I am only 6 pounds. I didn’t take time to know her I just headed back to my house on wheels. Thank goodness for my safe place.

Janet, Carol & Ruby

Ruby

After camping for several nights we are now at another house. This one is on a body of water too. We are visiting family, Janet’s sister, Virginia. I have the upstairs of the house to myself. There is another cat in this house. I hear them call her Kitty. We have met a few times. Both of us are not sure about each other. We do a common greeting of hissing and growling. When things become a bit overwhelming I go back upstairs.

I get to look out over the lake. There is a lot of activity out there. Kids are swimming. People are mowing their lawns. Right now there is a beach party going on. I am not sure what that is but I prefer to stay in my upstairs area. There is a blanket I can sleep under. Janet comes and spends time with me too. Once in a while I get to go outside on the long leash. I like that.

Here is my next list. These are new things I find I really like:

Watching chipmunks and squirrels. This is the first time I have seen those little chipsters. They are fast. I like that.
Watching bunny rabbits. There are big and little ones in the yard here.
Spending time with Janet. I curl up next to her when she is on the bed or in a chair.
Food.
Going outside and exploring.
Sleeping under the covers. This is a favorite of mine.

Chipmunk

I have to admit I have not reached being fearless yet. It is a work in progress. I am a good little traveler though and I think Janet is glad I came along for the ride.

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