Holiday Joy!

This is our last week in Galveston for the year. We have accomplished what we came to do before heading South for the Winter. We have been able to visit with family and friends and get our annual medical appointments out of the way. We have made some necessary repairs and a few optional projects. However, several will wait until we get to the Valley. As we approach the end of our first full Calendar Year on the road, I continue to celebrate and experience deep gratitude for our chosen way of life. Regardless of what the future holds for us, the last 17 months have been the trip of a lifetime, and the ride continues!

The twins stayed with us on Saturday night, and we promised them a birding trip on Sunday. (They really do look forward to birding with their Grandparents!) We got a late start and had to grab a burger before we hit the Wildlife Refuges. But Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge did not disappoint. We saw a full-grown Alligator and quite a few birds. The boys were good at picking out and naming the birds we saw. They are well-behaved and have learned to use the binoculars very well. I don’t know if they will be lifetime birders, but I would not be surprised if they took their grandchildren out birding in 50 or 60 years. Here are a few birds (and the alligator) we saw. 

 

White Ibis

Snowy Egret

White Ibis in flight

An 8 - 10 Foot Alligator

Snoozing away the afternoon!

A Dirty Ibis on the wing

A Tri-color (or Louisiana) Heron

Snow Geese (White and Blue-morph)

While we were birding, Nakai notified us we had a text message. Before thinking, I played the message. The RV Resort informed us that Mr. Bubbles would set up at 3:00 in the field next to the clubhouse. When the twins heard this, all thoughts of birding scattered like a flock of startled Blue Wing Teals.

 

When we returned to Stella Mare Resort, we were greeted by bubbles filling the air. We met Mr. Bubbles here at Stella Mare last year. He winters here each year and has, over the years, developed his own bubble solution that he shares with kids at parties and RV Parks wherever he travels. He uses string draped from sticks and buckets of solution to create his gigantic bubbles. When not chasing the bubbles, the kids stood in awe, mesmerized by the iridescent, undulating blobs. He brings out the kid in the parents and grandparents. Even the sophisticated teenagers seem to get in on the play if the other teens are not looking! Here are a few shots of Mr. Bubbles, his creations, and a few of his fans.

 

Bubbles filled the sky.

Luke chasing his dreams.

Luke taking a bite out of life!

Luke in the bubble's shadow!

A bubble pops in his lap.

Alex making his dreams come true.

Even when dream pop, more are on the way!

Alex, chasing his dreams...

... and celebrating the day!

Thank you, Mr. Bubbles. You leave joy in your wake!

The last project for our time here in Galveston was to have two covered ceiling fans. A couple of years ago, I asked PPL (A consignment RV Dealer and Shop in Houston) to install one in Koko. I was told they could not put it in the main room because they did not see a power supply for the fan. So, they talked me into installing it in the bathroom. It was supposed to be covered so we could run the fan on hot, rainy days. When I went to pick it up, I was told that they could not install the cover over the bathroom fan because the skylight over the shower was in the way. So, they installed the cover over the vent where I had wanted the fan in the first place. I was unhappy but accepted their word that this was the only way to install both.

 

We have found that an uncovered fan was a real problem in warm, wet weather. I do not like running the A/C and prefer fresh air when possible. I called a tech, Steve Smith, here in Galveston, and he came out to price a job of putting a fan under the existing vent cover. He looked at it and told me that he could do it, but suggested that I consider getting a larger cover for the vent and using the existing cover over the vent in the bathroom. I shared with him my experience with PPL. He paused thoughtfully and said, "I think it will work." And he was right!

 

After ordering the fan and new vent cover, he returned and completed it in a few hours. He used existing wiring at the new vent location. He installed the old cover over the bathroom vent by relying on his experience and expertise, which PPL seemed to lack. We now have two working and covered ceiling fans for Koko. This will come in very handy when we head into the tropics next month and can enjoy fresh air and comfortable temperatures day or night, rain or shine! Thank you, Steve!

 

RVing and Campfires are natural companions. Unfortunately, in this strange weather year, we have had very few opportunities to enjoy a campfire on the road. We have either endured drought-induced burn bans or deary, wet weather that puts a literal dampener on our firewood. Also, life in the close quarters of the RV makes even the most pleasant aromas rather uninviting. And wood smoke from campfires lingers for several days. We have watched others use their propane fire pits but never saw the value of lugging around a propane bottle to fuel the occasional campfire. But after this year's untimely cold spell in the Panhandle, we adapted Koko to use portable propane when needed. So, a small propane tank became something more than fire pit fuel. We now have a propane fire pit to enjoy a campfire sans smoke. And more importantly, most fire bans allow for propane fires. We sat out one evening, trying out our new pit, and rediscovered why campfires and RVing are compatible. The picture says it all! We look forward to more opportunities to watch the sunset beside our toasty, warm fire pit.

 

When Melissa and Matt were younger, we were generally far away from other family during the holidays. We had to make our own holiday traditions, and one of our most popular was baking cookies and other holiday goodies together. Melissa continued that tradition and invited us to help the boys make their holiday goodies. Marlene and I had a ball making peppermint bark, chocolate chip cookies, and puppy chow. The twins did a great job. I taught them the ins and outs of chocolate chip cookies, including Grandpa’s signature “scoop and scrape” technique for getting cookie dough on the baking sheets. Marlene helped them discover the right blend of chocolate, peanut butter, Chex cereal, and powdered sugar to create memorable puppy chow. Unfortunately, my diet will not allow me to enjoy as much of these holiday treats as I would like (of course, it never did, but I disregarded such grinchy nonsense previously), but there are very few calories in making and baking. Cookies and Grandkids go together just as well as Mom, Dad, and kids baking did in the old days.

 

Whether full-timing or not, we spend a good portion of our holidays pushing a shopping cart through big box stores. Unfortunately, it is part of the 21^st Century Holiday tradition. This week, we spent more than our share of time and money at Target, Walmart, and several grocery stores. I was struck by the faces I saw on many of the other shoppers. Clinched jaws, pursed lips, and deeply furrowed brows were everywhere. The holidays can be stressful, but this year, the stress was plainly visible on many people’s faces. I heard the stress in the uneasy edge in their voices while their eyes betrayed weary, wary glances at those around them. Our season of joy has been deeply tempered in the forge of worry and unfocused anger.  

 

We all need to step outside of our concerns and fears for the next week. Allow the warmth of the campfire that come to life when we gather with family or friends to chase the chill from our minds and souls. Allow yourself a bit of joy. Indulge yourself in a tasty treat or two from your holiday table.

 

The New Year will dawn soon enough, and with it will come another twelve months to engage the trials and tribulations of our age. But this is the holiday season! May its joy ignite a glimmer of hope on your horizon. May the love of family and friends renew your trust in the rest of humanity.

 

I do not believe we are looking at a sunset on our lives. Instead, we are witnessing the dawn of a new day for all of us. The morning shadows may linger longer than we would like, but the sun will rise on a new day. Breathe in the fresh morning air of that new tomorrow!

 

Holiday blessings, my friends!