You can see a few fireflies in the hedgerow along the edge of the field. This was taken by the light of the moon.
We saw the first fireflies of the season the night after the northern lights, up at the cemetery where Mom is buried with her family. We were amazed to see them so early, but…global warming, climate change, whatever you want to call it, it’s a real thing. I didn’t see any at the campground this week, but they are 173 miles north of us so they’re probably a couple of weeks behind.
I got home from the campground at around 5:30 or so. Mr. FixIt wasn’t back from his golf outing yet so I ate my half of the Chinese food I picked up on the way home and went out to put the things away I bought earlier. Our Walmart store was a real mess when I got there. Something happened and ALL of their refrigerator and freezer cases, as well as the deli and bakery lost power. They were scrambling to put cardboard and plastic over all the shelves. They tied the freezer cases closed to preserve the cold. I was able to get a dozen eggs and some paper products and that was it.
It was really gorgeous yesterday. Beautiful blue skies with huge puffy cotton-candy clouds. It was really warm…low eighties…but still comfortable. I stopped in Williamstown at my favorite dump station to empty the tanks. (Now, I ask you…how many women have a favorite dump station?) Things went smoothly…I have that chore down to a science now. When I got home, I pulled the camper around where the hookups are and filled the water tank. I was going to take a shower in the camper, then didn’t have the spoons to move everything out of the tub that I stored there for traveling. I just gave up and went inside for my ablutions.
There’s not a lot to do to get ready for today’s trip. Poor Mr. FixIt got himself in a pickle at the golf tournament. His ball went in an area that looked like it might have contained a pond at some point. He gauged the surface and it looked perfectly dry, however…his first step and he sunk way above his ankle. Of course, his second foot went in trying to maintain his balance and not fall into what was essentially a whole lot of muck. His son came to the rescue and grabbed his hand. His shoes came off and he had to reach down in there to get them. He finally got out and was a complete mess. A few bottles of water and golf towels later, he was presentable. That was the 3rd hole! Bless his heart. He was so sore last night and his hands were cramping up. We just don’t work like we used to. Good thing we’re going on this trip and he won’t be tempted to go out and do anything around the house.
I told him we do NOT have to get up at the crack of dawn to get to the campground today, but I do want to get an early enough start to enjoy a little daylight when we get there. It’s about a 3-3.5 hour drive there normally, but that’s not towing a camper. It’ll be a good five hours with the camper, and we’ll need to stop at the grocery store along the way. There is no cell service up at this campground so we’ll have to check in at the general store. My missives may be sporadic, but I’m sure I’ll have stories to tell!
As I came out to the camper last night to finally lay my head down for the night, the field was full of fireflies! Warm memories of catching fireflies with my cousins and storing them in a canning jar…convinced they would light up our rooms that very evening. This week, I get to hug my very favorite cousin that shares that memory with me.
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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalms 4:8 NIV