Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

Our Friends

Monday, June 30, 2014

A Little Sneezy

                  

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Notice this Red Bellied Woodpecker beginning flight to our feeder.

For the past several months our boy Shih Tzu, Nick, has been driving us (and himself) crazy with this constant sneezing.  We took him to our Vet several times and each time he thought it was allergies.  So he was treated for allergies by taking a small dose of Benedryl.  I washed everything in "dye free, perfume free" detergent, put a new mattress pad on the bed and even changed the rug in our bedroom and front room.  It seems the worse time for sneezing was around 2:30 a.m.......yes, you read that right, 2:30.  He would sneeze and then walk the bed.  Yes, you read that right, too!!!  He sleeps with us.  The interesting thing is that when he went camping with us he was much, much better.  So you can see why we all thought he had an allergy to something....but what??? 

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He had a terrible sneezing spell on a Thursday afternoon, the afternoon our Vet was closed, so we took him to another Vet in town.  They work together when one is off or on vacation.  We both thought a fresh pair of eyes might be helpful.  On a whim I asked him if his teeth, or a tooth, could be the problem??  He took a look and noticed very quickly that he had great need of teeth cleaning but then on further observation he noticed one tooth that was loose.  He said it could have something to do with the sneezing because the root goes way up into the sinus cavity.  We returned to our Vet the next day and sure enough this tooth needed to come out and the others cleaned.  Tuesday we took Nick to have this work done.  Today is Saturday and he hasn't had one sneezing spell.  He has slept through the night....and so have we!!!!  He seems so much happier and playful.  It would be so nice if our pets could tell us what hurts them.  I am so glad the mystery is solved.

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Nick made a few poses for the camera so you would get to know him.

There has not been much going on around our house lately.  Mike continues to paint but now he is down to just the trim part and the front door.  We had vinyl windows installed so at least they don't need painting.  The end is in sight!!

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We took this pic at Gulf Shores and this lone boat made for a good setting in the ocean.

We haven't been out in the camper lately.  Several reasons, one of which is the weather.  Just very hot lately.  I know we could head north but right now we are here due to having my blood tested every week.  I was diagnosed with Factor Five Leiden Mutation (homozygeous) last December.  I will write more about that lovely blood disorder later but long story short....I'm on Warfarin.  With this anticoagulant you have to be in a "therapeutic range" and I have not reach it consistently yet.  So the lab has to test my blood, INR count, every week.  Last Wednesday it was very high (for me) at 3.4.  We are working on bringing it down to around 2.0 to 2.3. 

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I was able to get a pic of this Cardinal on our back walkway.  He had a bite of food in his mouth.

As soon as I am "turned loose" we will get back out camping.  We can't wait to try out our new awning and take some pics of it. 

With the Fourth of July approaching we wish each of you a safe holiday!!  Enjoy the fireworks and the gatherings of family or friends.  To all our full-time friends we wish you patients as the campgrounds fill up with crazy "weekenders."  Just remember....this too shall pass!!  Have a great 4th!!

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Sunday, June 15, 2014

We Now Have an Awning

When we purchased our Casita it did not have an awning.  Many Casita owners choose to leave the awning off when purchasing their new Casitas.  When you purchase a pre-owned Casita you take what you get and adjust or correct.  After almost a year without an awning we've decided to correct. 

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The Casita is a different type of camper in that it has an all fiberglass curved shell design which makes installing an awning a tad tricky.  You have to use specially designed brackets from the Casita manufacturer when doing the install.  We could have made the trip to Rice, Texas to have this done but that is a long, hot trip for this time of year.  If it had been a different season we probably would have made the trip.  It would be fun to visit the factory. It is always fun to see how your rig is made and visit the "mother ship."

Several weeks ago we purchased our awning from Fiamma in Florida.  It is an encased awning which measures 10ft wide and extends out 8 ft.  This will enable us to have a defined patio area.  We have discovered that in the Casita we do so much more outdoor living.  We love sitting out, cooking out and just enjoying being wherever we happen to be.  Along with the awning we also have a screen room by Paha Que. 

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So who is installing our awning?  Coachcraft by McDonald in Columbus, Georgia. We have had them work on our former Dutch Star a few years ago and they do an excellent job.  They service Bluebird motorhomes among other high end rigs.  They have talked with Victor, the main service man with Casita, and he has sent them detailed instructions on the installation. 

We delivered our Casita to Coachcraft on Wednesday morning and picked her back up on Thursday afternoon.  They had to move this Wonderlodge out of the shop so they could squeeze our Casita in the shop. 

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She now has her awning all completely and correctly installed.  We are looking forward to taking her out and seeing how this new "patio" shapes up.  Thanks Coachcraft!!!

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On a side note....with all the big rigs in the shop it seems everyone was curious about our little "egg."  Even one customer of a Bluebird asked lots of questions about the Casita and wanted to look inside.  When I asked if he wanted to trade I didn't get an affirmative answer but I bet he would trade our fuel costs. 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Saying So Long…For Now

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After returning home from our camping adventure last week Mike began his painting of the house. Between the two of us we have scraped and primed the other side of the house.  I scrape and he paints.  There are many times we look at each other and wonder why??  I know, I know we chose to purchase another house but it is beginning to keep us from doing what we really love....camping/traveling!!!!  Don't get me wrong,we love our home, it is comfortable and is truly "us."  Oh well, perhaps one day we will revisit "downsizing" to an apartment or condo so somebody else can do the yard and maintenance.

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Not long after returning to Lagrange we met a truly wonderful couple that we have grown to love.  We met them, of all places, while eating lunch at Wendy's.  It seems they eat there most every day at lunch.  They not only eat there every day, they eat in the same booth (if at all possible) and they eat the same item(s) from the menu.  In case you haven't guessed by now, they are an older couple.  Older but in excellent shape both mind and body.  We started out by just having a few "small talk" kind of conversations.  Then we realized these two have a keen sense of humor...very sharp and you have to be on your toes to participate. 

Life has a way of moving on and for this special couple they have decided that it is time for them to move closer to their children. So after thirty years of retired living in LaGrange, they will be making a move to Illinois.  Their son has added a spectacular suite for them onto his home.  Their new place will overlook a beautiful pool and they are so excited about being close to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  We are happy for them but will really miss them and their amazing sense of humor and wit.  We've grown close to them over the past several years.

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Today we invited them over for a brunch.  We cut up some fresh fruit, made some poppy seed lemon bread and banana nut muffins.  That along with orange juice and coffee rounded out our morning menu.  As always, it was the company and fellowship that was the best.  We will miss you Sherman and Patty...may God bless you both!!!

It appears the Casita might be making its way toward Illinois in the near future to visit this special family.  Isn't it a blessing to have friends EVERYWHERE!!!!

Good friends are like stars.  You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.”