RV Poetry

Btw, my tag line above was revised today as I want my entire thought in my tag line rather than a ‘read between the lines’ fraction thereof. Can’t see it the way you are reading this post? Here it is:

“Life is lived like poetry is written: though each moment is its own rough draft, we can then ReVisit our past, ReValue our decisions, ReVise our forward path, and ReVitalize our passions.” Marcia M Bogaert

On to the subject at hand. I’ve ignored my blog – and yours – while we have been trying to get work files and personal files scanned, loose ends tied up, research and order products for our future part time-full time RV lifestyle, and get Panoply remodeled enough that we can take our first (ever) RV trip later this year – barring a hurricane hitting here before we leave. If that happens, Leon’s clients take priority to our adventure.

That said, though Leon has not had as much fun as I have during this process, he has had his moments, they usually occur when a project is completed or near completion.

We had the pleasant distraction of our granddog Bella visiting. It was too hot for her to stay outside with us while working on the RV for long periods of time, so I volunteered to go inside to ‘check on her’ often. Which meant, of course, sitting on the floor to pet her and soothe her wounded psyche that ‘grandparents’ ignoring her. : D

I seriously did not get enough done while she was here, but she went home early enough that I did help Leon some.

The closet is shelved!

The first of two bed/sofa frames that slide are cut, drilled, and sealed; MaxxAir Fanmate Rain cover #1 and MaxxAir Window Cover #1 of three are installed so we can air out the RV longer hours; we found what we need to complete our sink installation; the first two LED lightbulbs are installed (Gee, who did that job?); and most all other items needed are at least ordered.

We may get Panoply ready yet! I hope you all are working on your dream project – or have it done and ready to start the next.

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I have some, yes, but am phasing them out – all of them, home and RV. Why when they are so energy efficient?

Mercury. Wait! Don’t rush off because it is so little and you have been told it doesn’t make a difference if it is disposed of properly!

Think about how many bulbs are broken by tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes each year? Or lamps tossed without thinking after a flood?

I don’t need to do the math for you. And I doubt many people have even thought of this.

We are converting most lights to LEDs – they have changed – much better light produced than they were in previous years. They are cooler and no mercury.

Yes, they are expensive – I won’t go on that rant right now.

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I think many of us think it is “loud and flailing”…. obvious.

If that is how you see drowning, please, read this article and then share the article link with people you know:

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Knowledge shared could save someone’s life.

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Daddy, before me:

Daddy, with my cousin, before me. I’m pretty sure that is a grandfather of mine in background, but I didn’t remember my cousin being that much older than me that he was still alive…. (I know, to most of you that is pathetic, but they all died before I was born.) I love this picture ’cause I loved Daddy in that hat and it is looking toward the lot next to our home in NC at the time, all those trees. No, I don’t remember living there – other than one or two things – but it was a beautiful brick house with all those trees scattered around.

Today, my dad, William L. McLees, Sr., would have been ONE HUNDRED years old – but vicious Alzheimers took him in the mid 90s. Sucked for everyone, but mostly for him. No sugar coating that.

However, that doesn’t stop me from being in awe at the words “one hundred”, not sure why, but today I am emotional over it. For years, I have not been. I have remembered my dad with smiles not tears. (Don’t read into this, there were moments…. scattered along the years.)

We did not have the “daddy’ relationship a few people have, nor did we have a horrible relationship. I think it was a good relationship. I never felt like – and still don’t feel like – I missed anything. He was who he was, I was, and am, who I am – and he was always there when I needed him – without fail. And, I love this picture of the three of us holding hands on the ferry from St. Petersburg to Bahia Beach. I love his shades, grin. And obviously, the pelicans managed not to drop anything that day.

He HATED movie theaters, LOVED golf, liked taking us to the beach, tolerated yard work. I always thought of him as shy, yet, I think that may not have been accurate, a bit introverted (true meaning) may be more like it. I saw how he enjoyed talking to people at the hotel he worked for, the few people he played golf with when he got the chance.

Daddy seemed to have two primary focuses in life – other than Mom, I mean.

One was working to provide for us – ’cause he did NOT believe in a mother working. He was very old school, after all, he was born in 1910. He worked for years after he retired at a menial job to continue providing.

The other was to raise my brother and I – in the way he saw fit – to be decent people. He/they succeeded in the decent people mission, though, Daddy never completely won the battle to do it his way, lol. Mom spoiled us rotten all those years he was working hard – by deed, not by showering us in material goods. From the time we were around 8 and 9, they had barely enough money for any more than true needs, not even a car. But trust me, she would have!

My letter to Daddy last year.

I filed this under “Made a Difference? Yes!” because my dad did!

Happy Birthday, Daddy. Wow, 1910 seems so very long ago. Oh, it was. Say hi to Mom, please. Hope y’all’s vision of heaven was what it turned out to be.

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I am so excited! RV Panoply will be home Friday! Not ready to use, but home decked out in five solar panels and all that goes with it! The process was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, but that was OK.

Our new cab seats are waiting to be installed; the mattresses for the sofa/beds are being custom made this week; smaller parts are cluttering our living room waiting for someone somewhere to install; and… so… on. Pictures of all, including the businesses that gave us great customer service will follow soon!

In the meantime, I’ve been ‘nesting’. Cooking, cleaning, organizing.

What the heck is going on? A day or two is not unheard of for me, but weeks on end? It was moving that provoked it, I’m sure, but most likely it is this: I love moving things around! At the last condo we rented, the floors were rough concrete – the felt we had on the furniture feet did not move on that stuff. Now, with smooth tile, I can move furniture any time I want. Lucky for Leon this house is not quite as conducive for changing around as our first home.

(I’m enjoying this long term ‘nesting’ thing, ’twas a long time coming. I hope I get out of it soon, Leon will think he is living with the wrong woman.)

Quote Me:

A day is incomplete if one does not find one reason, however lame, to smile. MMB

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