RV Poetry

After nearly ten months on the market, and a market that declined incredibly, during that ten months, we have a signed contract on our home in Washington state. I know, it is not sold until closing is over, but that could be as soon as the 15th.

I would love to say that meant our RV would be forthcoming, but the market dropped so much, that though our original price was deemed correct for that market, we had to bring it down over the months, we lost 49K by waiting to long to put it on the market - and that was earmarked toward our RV.

On the bright side, we got through it, it looks like it will now be sold, and we can breathe a bit easier. We are trying very hard not to dwell on what could have been, but be grateful, for so many others either did not sell even after years or had to change locations and could not pay for both houses at the same time.

My mind is racing trying to come up with an alternate plan to still reach our dream in a reasonable amount of time, though reasonable in my mind is, quite honestly, this past May. Yes, I am a dreamer and at times less a realist than I should be, I suppose.

But, for now, the ongoing strain, both on the surface and simmering beneath, has eased for both of us. For those of you still struggling to sell, I feel for you, and I wish you luck, there are people out there wanting houses, some just can’t afford what is out there.

Now, do we hold out for a Born Free or look for something lower priced? Do we just get a Class B with a Mercedes diesel to get the mileage to make the trip corner to corner across the US?

It will be a hard decision, one Leon may have to make for us, because if I had my way, I would have a Mercedes diesel to go back and forth every year since the mileage is so much better — and a Born Free to keep in WA for our actual RVing, we won’t be visiting much South other than passing through because of the fire ant issue… his allergy is too strong. And, of course, in my dreams, we would, also, have property at either Lake Tyee (beautiful views and huge lake to kayak on) or Lost Lake RV Resort(small lake, but redone recently and really well kept up when we visited) — and on the ocean in Florida… And, to continue the dream: two lots at the first two, park models on one lot each. We have our floor plans picked out.

Ah, dreams are great aren’t they? They put smiles in our hearts.

Now, to learn how to turn dreams into goals and make the goals a reality. I’m practicing! Are you? I sure hope so.

Tags: Born Free, dreams, Lake Tyee, Lost Lake RV Resort, RVing

Leon says we have looked at so many RVs and have so much information that the waters are muddied. If he thinks he has too much information, he should view what is in my head! I have been reading RV blogs and looking at RV related sites since at least 2004…. A few important things have remained prominent in the jumble, but a lot is just like a mass of thin gold necklaces that have been tossed about in boxes for years - it takes forever to untangle them all.

To quote a famous American document, “We hold these truths to be self-evident….”! Uhmm, I know they are there. Let’s see if I can find them:

1. Solar panels and batteries need space in our RV.
2. A large inverter is a must.
3. No larger than 27-28 feet in actual length is preferable
4. Leaning toward a Safari Trek with the electric bed that “magically appears” from the ceiling or a Truck body Class C. After traveling again in his company van with the Ford chassis, and having to twist my body to allow my feet room, I will not under any circumstances choose a Ford van chassis or even a Chevy van chassis, although the latter have a tad more room for the left foot of the passenger.
5. A desk is a necessity with business and blogging, although much of my blogging will be done on our laptop. I have seen other travelers replace beds or sofas with desks or even create one out of the existing dinette by removing the table top and running a desk surface in the opposite direction, removing the seat cushions and using the seat beneath the new desk surface for the printer on one side and paper bins on the other… a six foot long desk surface! That I loved. She just pulled a desk chair up to it.
6. A bed must be long enough for Leon’s 6 foot frame.
7. Not sure on the macerator issue yet. Need to let Leon check on that since he will be doing most of it, although I will learn how.
8. I want the best backup camera possible!
9. Tires must be moved during long stops to prevent damage. Now, to remember that once we get one.
10. Awnings, remember to put them down to prevent damage.
11. Satellite. Will wait to check on that until we chose an RV, have some sites bookmarked with information for later. We just bought a Verizon wireless broadband internet modem for the laptop, so that will hold us over for the next two years of the contract — and we may be glad to have it even with a satellite dish, I have had others who are grateful to have it.
12. Will need an air cleaner that eliminates chemicals, not just dust and allergens, especially if a newer RV.
13. Counter space. I plan on cooking occasionally, not gourmet, but the easier it is for me to do things, the more likely I will do them.
14. I dream to have room for a water bottle on a stand. If I have water, I will be happy.
15. TV at a lower level, our necks prefer it, though Leon is mechanically inclined, so he can move it if need be.
16. Need room for kitchen items and a few,very very few craft items.

I know there are a million other things, like room for Leon to take a shower without bruising elbows and knees…. Where is that perfect RV in small size? I know you are out there… I saw a HOST Motorcoach I loved on an extended cab truck body with 4W drive — but it was 35 feet long… figured could convert the good-sized bedroom to the TV room, nix the wonderful storage above the double cab and sleep up there — and not order the second seats in the cab area, add a few overhead lights… Put a tiny computer area in place of one seat and just roll on over to the opposite back seat space (can’t say area, way too tiny) and house the printer and papers there… Just another excuse to buy a wireless card for the printer…. grin.

Have you seen those? Click here to see the kitchen and dining area, it is awesome, even has counter space. Four slide outs, whoa…. but it is too long for what we are hoping for and too expensive for now… oh well, it would be perfect except for the length. We spent a lot of time looking at it at the RV show… Now, if only it would magically appear at the doorstep… in our name, fully paid for… OK, so that is a dream! No one I know is rich enough to buy it for me and I wouldn’t expect them to if they were, but if magic were to get it there… grin…

so what is keeping you from writing your first or third novel? Why not participate in NaNoWriMo with thousands of others - either by yourself or party with organized groups, in between writing, of course. I tried it for the first time last year, what an absolute rush of excitement and well-being — and accomplishment. Only 1667 words a day if you are an organized person, or odd amounts and a 6000 word day occasionally if you are more like me. Check out the organization…. they also donate toward building libraries where there would otherwise be none, have a writing program during November for children and teenager participation as well as adults. Start exercising your fingers as soon as you click below to read and sign up…. And remember you don’t have to be organized, free writing is great for you!

Just Old People

Just old people, they are

languishing in their beds
or propped up in chairs

some

perking up when a friendly
person greets them
as they pull them back up
in their chairs
or push their flopped
arm or foot back onto the bed

I am quite sure that tired nurse,
that tired assistant,
that tired maintenance man
was friendly for those few minutes
they stopped to chat

or was that just 30 seconds in passing?

And here we are chatting for hours with our friends
sitting in front of another boring TV show,
filing our nails
reading that book for the third time
buying another pair of shoes (instead of a card or flowers
or a picture to hang on their wall or)

We should be ashamed
We probably are

We pick up the phone
and call

no, not our elderly widow or widower who are sitting home
but our best friend

no, not to meet us at the nursing home or assisted living facility
or to go shopping for a card or flowers or

but to meet us at the golf course.

Marcia McLees Bogaert
(MeeAugraphie)
09/27/07

Written as part of the Stop Abuse project linked below…

Yes, I am normally as guilty as the rest of you…. Let’s not any of us feed our guilt anymore….

I also wrote about three other abuses, links to all four can be found here: McLeesBogaert

Please, if you have something to say about Abuse, any Abuse, speak up, say it…. say it in your blog, post it on someone else’s blog, write it somewhere, say it out loud…. One of us will make a difference. It doesn’t matter which one of us as long as it is someone.