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We made it to the pier at 9:00 yesterday morning and didn’t leave until 3:00 in the afternoon. From 9-Noon, there wasn’t a great of wind. The temperature hovered around 73°. We had a grand time, but we didn’t get one single nibble. As a matter of fact, we only saw one person catch a fish the whole time we were there. But, you know what? The worst day at the beach is better than the best day mowing, so we’re happy with that. 

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We finally had to pack it up and head back to the camper. There’s a lot to do before we hit the road so we divvied up the chores. I cleaned and organized the cab of the truck while Mr. FixIt broke down the fishing equipment and started packing up the bed of the truck. Then I went inside to sweep and clean the interior of the camper and pack things away so they don’t go flying around while we are driving. 

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Once that was done, I started supper. This is one of our favorite things to eat and you want to talk about frugal and filling? Wowza…it hits both marks big time. I made my friend Gail’s Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls. The other evening, we had hamburgers. I buy the Beef-Pork Blend at Walmart for $3.63 a pound. I had half a pound leftover and about a third of a pound of pork breakfast sausage. I browned the meats, then tossed in half a head of cabbage cut in one inch chunks. Stir it around to combine and add about half to three quarters of a cup of water and put a lid on the pan. (I use our electric skillet.) Once the cabbage starts to get tender, I added about 1/3 jars of Prego Italian Sausage and Garlic Spaghetti Sauce and season with more garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste, and a few shakes of red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, the shrinks some grated cheese over it and cover till the cheese melts and the sauce is hot. OMGosh! It is SO good. Mr. FixIt ate two plates full, I had one, and there is enough left over for a side dish for dinner tonight.

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We headed over to catch the last sunset of the week and hit the hay early so we can get on the road at a reasonable time. We have to get to the same campground that makes you arrive before 7:00 so we don’t want to run the risk of missing that. I’ll check in tomorrow with the news of the first half of the trip home. 

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🚙💨Beep!Beep!

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“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬   

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for God’s peace…even in the face of darkness, His name brings Peace to my heart.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/19/another-week-at-the-beach.html", "tags": ["Camping","Peace","Marriage","Joy"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/18/a-chilly-day.html", "title": "A Chilly Day", "content_html": "\n
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The temperature barely crept into the 60’s yesterday so we didn’t go out on the bridge to fish. Every day this week has been clear and sunny. It’s supposed to warm up in the high 60’s today so we’ll try again.

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A Dichotomy: A Coast Guard Helicopter flies over the Wright Brother’s Memorial

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We drove all the way up to Duck yesterday just to go to Tullio’s Bakery! They are the best donuts on the island if you ask me. We bought two sweets and two savories. We nibbled on those and explored some of the shops along the boardwalk on the sound side. There is a cement statue of a black lab that Mr. FixIt has to have his picture taken with every year. There was a sign about the statue that said it’s 24 years old now and he was showing it a little. 

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A Nutria scurrying around the reeds in the sound.

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We went to the Wright Brothers Memorial and walked around. A ranger gave a talk about the airplane and how they got it to work. Then she got into the exhibit ring and actually moved the parts to make the wings change as it would when they were flying it. That was fascinating! The place was packed, too. Busses of school children on field trips taking notes and interacting with all the educational displays warmed my heart. I only remember one field trip when I was in school and that was to the local dairy to see how the milk was gathered and processed every day. It DID bring back memories of being a parent chaperone on Daughter #2’s field trips. I couldn’t take part in my first daughter’s trips because I was working full time plus to put her dad through medical school and residency. I was a cheerleader mom for here later in high school.

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This is the original hand carves propeller from the first successful flight at Kitty Hawk, NC. A model of the plane stands behind it.

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After the Wright Memorial, I stopped in to see my friend Jeanne at Knitting Addiction. Of course, I had to buy a couple of things. There was a beautiful bamboo and merino heart with a hat pattern I had to have! And some scrubby yarn to make exfoliating cloths for the kids for their Christmas boxes. I also needed some double pointed needles for the socks I’m working on. 

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We made a quick stop at Walmart then headed down to our favorite antique shop. We love the owner and check in on her every trip. Captain Frank’s is next door and Mr. FixIt HAD to stop for a couple of hotdogs. I was still stuffed from that one “Cinnabomb” I had for breakfast. We found the seafood shop I went to in October and hit a thrift store then headed back to the camper for a break before sunset.

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Today is supposed to be sunny again and warmer so we’ll try our hand at fishing one more time. It is Good Friday so we will watch services online. And tomorrow, we pack it in and head to High Point for a quick overnight then on home Sunday. At the beginning of the week, the time stretches out in front of us and it feels like forever. But “forever” ends quicker as we age. 

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We are really enjoying each other’s company. Being at the beach always feels so cozy and romantic since we came here for our honeymoon. I made reservations for October in the very same campsite. It kinda feels like ours now. There ought to be a plaque or something!

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✝️

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“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”   ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for my Lord and Savior who saved my soul so that I might live with Him for eternity. There is nothing like that feeling and the gratitude it brings.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/18/a-chilly-day.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/17/playing-tourist.html", "title": "Playing Tourist", "content_html": "\n
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We didn’t have it in us to go fishing again yesterday. It was cooler and the wind was still pretty forceful so we decided to play tourist and see what we could get into. We decided to go up to Nag’s Head and have breakfast at Stack ‘em High Pancakes, but it turns out they’re closed on Wednesday. So we ate next door at Bob’s. It was good, but the best part was Helen, our waitperson. What an absolute sweetheart she was. Even though it was the first time we’d ever met, we got big hugs and “I love you…be careful going home!” Just a little beach diner with fun folks.

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When we came out of the restaurant, we could see a lot of smoke down south of us. It turned out to be a controlled burn in Jockey’s Ridge State Park between Hwy. 12 and the sound. We thought it was a little crazy to have that kind of burn in such windy weather, but it was completely out by the time we crossed back over the bridge to Nag’s Head later in the afternoon. 

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After breakfast, we had reservations for the Aquarium. It was wonderful! We haven’t been there in a few years. One of my favorite parts was walking around the grounds and looking at the pretty flowers. Folks are so nice here in North Carolina! They go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

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When we left there, we headed south on Norfolk Island to Wanchese to see the big boats at the marina. Some of them are so big and beautiful. Like a small cottage floating on the water with every amenity you could need. There is a restaurant at the marina that serves fresh seafood. I went there last fall when I was waiting for the truck to be fixed and I didn’t realize Mr. FixIt had been there many times BG (before Ginny!) We each had a flounder sandwich with fries and were officially filled for the day.

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We decided we needed to walk off some of the food we ate yesterday so we went back up the island to Manteo and walked around their quaint downtown area shops. We visited an antique shop, a darling General Store where I purchased a gift to take to Little, and an awesome Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar bar. The oils were from Greece and the Balsamic Vinegars were from Italy. OMGosh! There were so many wonderful flavors. The garlic was great, of course. Who doesn’t love garlic! I especially loved plain EVO. And there was a Pear Cinnamon White Balsamic that was to die for! There was also a Raspberry Balsamic that tasted exactly like my grandma’s raspberry jelly…it had such a bright flavor. I would have loved to buy four or five bottles to take home, but at $18.95 for an 8 ounce bottle, it was too rich for my blood!

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By this time, all that slow walking was hurting Mr. FixIt’s back and hips so we decided to head back to the camper and stretch out for a bit. I have a pair of socks I’ve started that I wanted to work on. The sun has been shining every day we’ve been here…and it’s supposed to continue all the way through the weekend. Too bad the fishing hasn’t been very good, and the temp has been a bit chilly. But, really…there is no such thing as a crappy day at the beach!

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We only have two more sleeps and we head back up the road. We think we’ll hit the North half of the island today. I want to see Jeanne at Knitting Addiction and we HAVE to buy a donut at Tullio’s Bakery in Duck. I know, everyone raves about Duck Donuts, but really the only thing that makes them stand out is they’re fried fresh when you order them. Because if that, they only serve cake donuts. To me, if it wasn’t for the flavored icing/toppings, they all taste the same. But Tullio’s??? Wowza! Yeasty, yummy, lots of varieties, always fresh…so, so, so good!

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We want to fish again tomorrow before we leave Saturday morning. Maybe we’ll get lucky and catch something before we have to go!

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🩵🐟🩵

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“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. See the ships sailing along, and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for firefighters with the knowledge to burn just what is needed and save the rest. I am grateful for the opportunity to be at the beach with my sweetheart and watch the sunset every day.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/17/playing-tourist.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Grace","Pollinator Garden"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/16/so-much-sea-to-see.html", "title": "So Much Sea to See…", "content_html": "\n
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We got up much earlier yesterday. I made breakfast sandwiches and we headed over to the old Bonner Bridge to do some fishing. Remember…I said FISHING, not CATCHING! I had one really good bite but I could not set the hook so were were out of luck again. But that’s ok. Sitting out there in the sunshine, watching the inlet where the sound meets the ocean, and being with Mr. FixIt was all I needed. By noon, the wind picked up and I had my heavy Notre Dame sweatshirt on under my ski shell but it was getting kinda miserable. We packed up and decided to explore the southern end of the island. 

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We went all the way down to Hatteras Village. We stopped at a Day Use Area on the sound side and cooked our hotdogs in the solar oven. We watched the kite surfers. We stopped at Lee Robinson’s General Store for an ice cream. Then we went all the way up to Nag’s Head to fill up the truck. We wandered around Harris Teeter again. We love to just look at the stuff. I found some Decaf Tetley Tea in the clearance bin. I used to drink Tetley Tea when I lived in England.

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It was 5:30 by the time we got back to the camper. I fixed hamburger steaks, asparagus, and Jasmine rice for supper. Then it was time to go over to the marina to watch the sunset. It didn’t disappoint, but the temperature dropped and the wind picked up, so we soon headed back for the night.

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Today is Wednesday and our week here is half over. Today and tomorrow is supposed to be chilly with some rain so we likely will not go fishing. There are some other things we want to do while we are down here so we may explore some more. Or, we may just hang out at the campground and cook, eat, knit, and nap! That wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit!

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🩵

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“The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”   ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful that…even in the midst of great uncertainty in the world…I can commune with God on the beaches of His ocean. I can find peace and joy in the smallest of moments and know that He is with me…always. He will never leave me nor forsake me. This gives me great strength and the courage to face the turbulent times ahead.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/16/so-much-sea-to-see.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/15/so-much-to-do.html", "title": "So Much To Do…", "content_html": "\n
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So little time! We had a slow morning and probably shouldn’t have. We had steak and eggs for breakfast…yummmm! Then Mr. FixIt fiddled around with the fishing gear. By the time we got to the bridge to fish, the wind had picked up and it was fairly miserable. We didn’t even get a nibble and after two hours, we quit. We used Mr. FixIt’s new toy. I bought him this little solar stove for cooking hotdogs out on the bridge or on the beach. You can only make two at a time, but it was so cool. They cooked up great in only fifteen minutes or so. If you want more, it’s no problem to make.

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We came back to the camper for another little nap. SO decadent. We drove up to Jeanette’s Pier to see how the fishing was. We may go back up there today to try our luck.

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We went to Wendy’s for a quick dinner then down to the sound side waterfront to watch the sunset. We were walking toward the observation tower when a kite surfer was walking back to take off his gear. I stopped to snap a picture and three seconds later, I was flat on the ground. I thought there was a curb in front of me so I raised my foot up to step onto it…only to find there wasn’t one. My foot came down hard and my left foot wasn’t ready to move yet so down I went. Mr. FixIt came running to help me and felt so bad he wasn’t there to catch me. Truth be told, the way I went down, I would surely have taken him down with me. Nothing much hurt other than my pride. I’ll be sore today, I’m sure but no harm done.

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The sunset WAS beautiful. There was a lady there taking lots of pictures. Her son and eleven year old grandson are those two you see windsurfing in the pictures. By the time the sun went down, we were ready to head back to the camper and call it a day. Sunday night was the full moon but last night’s was bound to be gorgeous coming up over the ocean. As I’m writing this, I’m considering going back out to see it, but I don’t know. I’m pretty windburned after being out in it all day.

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It’s so nice to be in a different place for awhile. It was really hot at home yesterday and they had big storms so I was just as glad to miss that. I was talking to Mr. FixIt last night. I can understand why family vacations aren’t always a vacation for Mom. She has to do all the things she does at home but in a much smaller space with amped up kids who have mosquito bites and bee stings and sunburns. And usually a husband who sits in the lawn chair reading the paper and poking the fire with a big stick. In between going around and talking to every guy in the campground about camping and fishing and who got the best gas mileage or some such thing. That isn’t much fun for Mom…but she knows she’s making memories for her family and that’s the important thing.

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We didn’t really have family vacations when I was growing up save for a week visiting cousins. When Daughter #1 was little, she had to go spend a lot of the summer with her father in Kentucky and Hubby #2 was in medical school, internship & residency, and starting up a new practice. She was sixteen by the time her little sister was born then off to college before we knew it. Now, Mr. FixIt and his family went to the beach every summer and the kids have great memories of that. I regret not giving my girls that kind of experience, but our life just wasn’t arranged in a way where we could.

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As we’re getting older, I told Mr. FixIt our memory dims and we don’t remember the trips we take or they get all jumbled up together. We should make a slide show with all our best pictures from our trips and watch them every summer and just stay home and save money! lol

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I hope your weather has been good where you are and that you have good memories of vacations past.

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🩵

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“but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Gratitude Journal Today I am grateful I didn’t hurt myself when I fell. I need to be more careful as the risk of falling increases year after year.

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\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/15/so-much-to-do.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/14/what-a-glorious-day.html", "title": "What a Glorious Day!", "content_html": "\n
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The sun was out all day long. The wind had died down and even though today’s high was only 57°, it was warm in the sun. After a good breakfast, I de-winterized the camper so I could use the water. Having hot running water in the camper and a working toilet are big bonuses when you’re out for as long as we are this trip.

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Mr. FixIt got the fishing gear together while I did the dishes and cleaned up the inside of the camper. Then he took a nap while I started knitting a pair of socks with the yarn Gail gave me. We drove up to Kitty Hawk to the Walmart to get bait. There is a Harris Teeter next door and we both love that store. We’d been discussing our special dinner out that we always have once during our trips down here. The restaurant we usually go to hasn’t been as good the last couple of times, so we looked around at others. Finally I said I could make a much better meal for far less and we wouldn’t have to get dressed up. Wow…my priorities have sure changed as I’ve….um, ripened. lol

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Harris Teeter is owned by Kroger, who also owns King Soopers, City Market, and Smiths among others. They are a more upscale store and have a wonderful selection of foods. We picked out a two-pack of t-bone steaks that looked great and were only $10 a pound, which is pretty good these days. We can’t even remember the last time we had a steak…let alone a t-bone. We bought a couple of baked potatoes and some asparagus. The entire meal cost less than what one meal would have cost us at a fancy restaurant We had so much fun cooking together and enjoying our treat. 

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By the time I got finished cleaning up it was time to go over to the marina to see the sunset. It certainly didn’t disappoint! We love going over there every night. The sunset is different every day. Sometimes they fizzle out. But other times…wow, they’ll knock your socks off. We came back to the camper and had a sliver of pie and a hot beverage and so ended the first full day of our trip. 

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We think we’ll get to fish at the old bridge today. Hopefully the wind won’t be gale force like it was one time we went. It was ridiculous. But you have to take what you get when you come to the beach at this time of the year. 

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🩵

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“the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.”   ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   Today I am grateful for the way God paints the sky for us…ever morning and every night. The thing to remember is, even when our view of them is obscured by the clouds, the beauty is still there. Just like God is still there, even when we can’t see or feel His presence. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.   Hebrews 11:1
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/14/what-a-glorious-day.html", "tags": ["Faith","Camping","Be Joyful!","Joy"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/12/parking-on-the-freeway.html", "title": "Parking on the Freeway", "content_html": "\n
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I forgot…April is the beginning of Orange Cone Season. Ugh. We lost at least an hour or two in stop and go traffic. (OK…maybe is was twenty minutes. I don’t remember. 🙄) My brain was zoned out. We stopped at the brand new rest area on the West Virginia Turnpike. Hokey smokes…they spent a gazillionty-teen dollars on the new Tamarack Travel Plaza. Located adjacent to the Tamarack Marketplace which broke ground on August 8, 1994.

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Forward-thinking Governor Gaston Caperton had a vision. He wanted something more than the usual bathroom and vending machine rest area. He envisioned a place that would house artisans from around the state. An open area in the center of the building houses designated areas for artists and artisans to seek their wares. Surrounding the shopping are walls and halls for gallery exhibits. (The quilts and art are to die for!)

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As the population of Appalachia ages out, fewer folks were stepping up and learning the skills of our forefathers and mothers. The Tamarack Marketplace offers educational opportunities. The works are juried to “insure [sic] quality and authenticity of WV-made items.” The food service is provided by The Greenbrier Hotel. It’s definitely a must-see place to visit should you be driving the I-77 corridor through our fine state.

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Anyway, back to the new Tamarack Travel Plaza. The official Grand Opening was December 30th with the Governor and other officials present to usher in the $60M state-of-the-art facility. The building houses the only Popeye’s Chicken in Southern WV. Starbuck’s and Wendy’s are also housed in the building. There is a convenience store area on one end and at the other end, a small Tamarack Marketplace shop offers just a few of the beautiful items from the larger venue nearby. It has the usual fare of travel plazas…fuel and restrooms. FANCY restrooms. While the minimalist design didn’t appeal to me, the sinks were over the top. I’ve never seen anything like them. The faucet is a modern “wash bar” design. On the left end is the hand soap dispenser, in the middle the the water faucet, and to the right is the blower-style hand dryer. All motion-sensor, and resting over an angled sink with a slit for a drain at the back. I wanted to stay in there a play till my hands got pruny, but Mr. FixIt was waiting for me so I finished up and went out to meet him. (Pictures: Before and After, credit to sources on the internet.)

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We drove through a lot of rain on the way and Fancy Gap didn’t disappoint with its pea soup fog. We only saw the evidence on one accident…a semi on its side in the median near Wytheville. It didn’t look like anyone was injured. I was so happy to pull into the campground last night. Oak Hollow Family Campground is beautiful and right off the interstate without sounding like a war zone. It was a fun drive. The further south we went, the more beautiful it became. The flowering trees are majestic. Our dogwood trees got bit by the hard freezes of the last couple of weeks, but they escaped that fate farther south. They look all the world like dotted Swiss fabric lying here and there against a black and new spring green backdrop. The azaleas are in bloom as are the magnolias and camellias. Stunning!

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We arrived in plenty of time to have a light meal and stretch out on our comfy memory foam mattresses for a well deserved rest. Too late for a nap, but restful just as well. Today we’ll enjoy a nice breakfast and head to the Outer Banks. Tonight we’ll go to sleep to the sound of the ocean waves! 

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We don’t have to be in quite the hurry today as we were yesterday. If you aren’t checked in at the campground by 7:00pm at Oak Hollow, they lock the gates and you flat out do not get in. That kinda puts a fire under you. But it’s a totally different deal at the beach. That means we don’t have to be on the road quite so early. Which is fine by me!

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🚙💨

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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”   ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***  Today I am grateful for safe travels…and that I didn’t scare Mr. FixIt more than once. Maybe twice. 😘
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/12/parking-on-the-freeway.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Marriage","Art"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/02/time-to-get-movin.html", "title": "Time to Get Movin’", "content_html": "\n
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You never know what will greet you at the back door!

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We leave for the beach the end of next week. I usually procrastinate preparations till I’m down to the wire then I’m exhausted by the time the trip starts. I don’t want to do that this time. The new electric jack for the camper arrived yesterday and Mr. FixIt wanted to get it put on right away. I hemmed and hawed and looked at the weather report. It’s going to rain every day till next Tuesday. I really don’t want to push it because…what if something’s wrong and I need parts or whatever? Can’t risk it, so we started the project.

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Mr. FixIt has had trouble with fine motor skills in his hands ever since he had his two strokes five years ago. I often have to be his hands because he either can’t manipulate things like screws or bolts between his fingers or he doesn’t have the strength to grasp something tight enough with his hands. He was having trouble with one of the bolts that held the old jack in place, so I got the “cheater bar” out of the garage. That’s a pipe a little bigger around than the handle of the wrench you’re using. It’s about three feet long and it gives you leverage to loosen the tightest bolts. One twist and I had it off there.

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I wanted to set the jack in place a quarter turn from the original position so I could have room to open the tailgate of the truck all the way when the camper is hooked up. However, the only way that would work was if we drilled a new hole. And if we did that, it wouldn’t be threaded for the bolt to attach. So I gave up on that idea. It wan’t long till we got that thing on and got everything put away.

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By the time we were finished it was time for supper. I don’t know about you, but when I don’t have a lot of time to cook a meal, I love a good Hot Ham & Cheese with chips and call it good. You can’t really go wrong with a sandwich supper! Mr. FixIt has a procedure today, then I’m going to get started on meal planning and packing the kitchen boxes for the trip. Since we are all about saving money these days, I will pack most of the food we need and take it with us. As you can imagine, the food in the grocery stores on the Outer Banks is pretty expensive. We’ll pack the meat in the freezer compartment of the camper fridge. We’ll have things like tacos one night and taco salad the next. Spaghetti one night and homemade pizza the next. Chicken and noodles one night and chicken sandwiches the next. Any time you can make two meals out of one package of meat, it saves a lot of money. My biggest hurdle will be our bread. I imagine we’ll have to buy bread when we’re down there. *sigh*

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I’m hoping we have some warm weather when we’re down there. It’s not nearly as much fun when it’s cold! Hopefully, we can supplement our food budget with fresh fish!

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🌷💛🌷

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“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
I am grateful we have this opportunity to get away for a few days to spend by the ocean. The fact we have our health and can still pull a camper is a bonus blessing.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/02/time-to-get-movin.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Camping","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/05/im-in-my-happy-place.html", "title": "I’m In My Happy Place!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Spending the night in “Grace the Camper.”

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OMGosh! Y’all, it was so beautiful yesterday. I took a long walk around the property and picked up some limbs that had blown down. It was 69° and that sun went straight to my bones. It always feels like getting out of prison when the first warm day in March wraps us up in her gentle arms.

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Who can tell me what this is?

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I looked at the weather forecast and the low for last night was predicted to be 56° so it was time to get some things out in the camper and spend the night. Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town yesterday, so I stayed home and cleaned house. I sent a loaf of sourdough to Mrs. FixIt 1.0 and she loved it. Then I got the camper ready and could hardly wait till bedtime!

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Pepperoni Bread….YUMMMM!

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I cut into the Pepperoni Bread yesterday afternoon for lunch and I’m telling you…it was SO good! I used a quarter of the 4x batch of Kate’s Sourdough Sandwich Bread, rolled it out, spread some spaghetti sauce on it and covered it with slices of pepperoni. Then I rolled it up tight, put it in a bread pan, and let it rise for an hour or two. I baked it along with the other loaves of bread for 20 minutes, turned the pans so they’d bake evenly, then baked another 15-20 minutes till it reached an internal temperature of 190-200°. (I shoot for 195° for a softer loaf.) I wanted till it completed cooled so I wouldn’t tear the spiral apart. And I warmed it up about 20-25 seconds in the microwave to warm it before eating. Fabulous!

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A Flock of Robins…Spring is Coming!!!

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When I was coming back to the house, there was a whole flock of robins on the front yard! Another sign that spring isn’t far off. Mr. FixIt has to go to town again today so I’m going to get some more spring cleaning done. It is supposed to rain today and get really windy. I hope you all are staying safe out there with the rough weather that spring brings. What’s the old adage? If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. I’m counting on that!

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☘️

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““Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.” ‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for our little camper and for the five acres we have to camp on for free! I am grateful for the warm sunshine that chases the chill from our weary bones.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-05T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/05/im-in-my-happy-place.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/01/15/shiver-me-timbers-its-cold.html", "title": "Shiver me Timbers - It’s COLD!", "content_html": "\n
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Wowza…we’re hitting single digits pretty regularly here in WV as of late. I sleep with the window open in the little bedroom. I snuggle down under the electric blanket in that cold room and sleep like a rock. Mr. FixIt keeps his window shut and the furnace grate open…his blanket on just enough to warm the bed then he shuts it off. After several years of trying to sleep his way, I was just getting more and more sleep deprived and I knew it wasn’t healthy. So now we sleep in different rooms and we are much nicer to be around. We still get snuggles and hug whenever we pass each other in the house all day long so we aren’t hurting for contact. It’s just the sleeping part we had to address.

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Yesterday was very busy. I had a medical appointment. I delivered Christmas presents to those who were sick and couldn’t come to our party. I went to Tractor Supply and bought three bags of birdseed. I stopped at my friend Jon Six’s hair salon to drop off a whole bag of hats, baby dolls, and baby blankets that I knitted and he was so happy to get them. He’ll take them to the place where homeless girls have their babies.

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As I was driving to my next stop, I prayed for the recipients of these gifts that they may be protected from the cold. I felt my privilege lay heavy in my chest as I effortlessly went about my day of shopping…returning to my warm home and ample pantry. Tragically, we had an unhoused woman fall asleep outside of her tent Monday night and she was found yesterday morning…deceased. It breaks my heart.

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It reminds me that so many are just one catastrophe away from being homeless. I spent three years traveling around in my camper. There were times when that was a real struggle…especially when I first moved to WV and lived up by the Ohio River in weather like this. I was so blessed to have that comfortable house on wheels. I can’t imagine having nothing more than what you can push in a grocery cart. It’s a problem everywhere and it just seems to be getting worse. I may not be able to do much or give a lot of money, but I can at least help keep them warm with a hat that I’ve prayed over as I knit.

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My last stop was the gas station and the grocery store before I went home. I brought everything in from the truck. Since I still had my snow boots and heavy winter coat on, I went to the front of the house and knocked the icicles off the gutter. I put everything away and by that time, I asked if my husband would be satisfied with hotdogs for supper. He was fine with it. I just didn’t have it in me to cook. I found quart containers of chicken livers at the grocery store for $1.50 each so I put one in the freezer and I’ll cook the other container with caramelized onions, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans for supper tonight. Comfort food that I am extra grateful for today.

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I hope you are keeping warm and there’s food in your belly.

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❄️🩵❄️

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“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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#unhoused #homeless #winter #helpisontheway #helpingothers

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*Photo Credit: AI Generated Image by Ginny McKinney

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-01-15T03:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/01/15/shiver-me-timbers-its-cold.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Comfort","Grace","God","Humbled","Insight","Mental Health"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/10/26/ridin-with-jesus.html", "title": "Ridin’ With Jesus", "content_html": "\n
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I told you all I was going to drive the route that takes you through the tunnel that goes under the Chesapeake Bay and I was a little nervous about it. Well, I pulled off at the last exit before the tunnel and stopped at the biggest Walmart I have ever seen to visit the ladies room. When I pulled back out on the road, I said a quick prayer and asked Jesus to come ride along with me. I opened my eyes and started laughing when I read the license plate on the car in front of me.

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“Well played, Jesus! Well played, indeed.”

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I realized there really wasn’t anything to worry about. After all, the Eisenhower Tunnel is longer and I go through that without a thought. And what about the Moffat Tunnel on the train, right? Now, THAT’S a tunnel!

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I drove for three hours or so but since I’d been up since 4:30, I pulled into one of my favorite rest areas and climbed in the camper for a two hour nap.

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Just past Charlotte, the traffic on I-64 came to a complete stop. For nine miles we just crawled along. I got to Waynesboro and pulled into a Cracker Barrel parking lot at dusk and slipped into one of the RV spots. I went in and ordered a salad and came out to talk with the gals camping next to me. They were the BEST and we had so much fun talking. There’s a bar nearby that’s playing loud music but that won’t last forever!

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I’ll be home tonight!!!

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-10-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/10/26/ridin-with-jesus.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/10/22/a-waiting-game.html", "title": "A Waiting Game", "content_html": "\n
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Well, I sent Mr. FixIt back to West Virginia with our son and daughter-in-law on Saturday. They arrived home safely that night. I don’t remember if I told you I tweaked my back Friday night so I was kinda laid up over the weekend. I did go fishing Sunday afternoon and caught two fish…my only catches for the week.

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I might possibly go again today. It’s the last day of my license. I spent yesterday cleaning the camper, washing the windows inside and out, and just organizing in general. When you are occupying a small space, you need to keep it cleaned up or it quickly gets out of hand.

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I drove up to Manteo again to get the tools out of the truck. I wanted to check out the electric jack on the camper. It keeps failing off and on and if I really need to hitch up or unhitch, I need to raise and lower the camper. There is an emergency gear you can turn manually, but I’d need a tool for it. I found a socket in the tool box that will fit.

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There is an RV parts store across the sound from Kitty Hawk and I’ll run over there tomorrow to see if they have one that fits. If not, it’s another trip to Lowe’s. Today’s photos are the circle swing at Watermen’s Wind Surfing site, a Ginny-shadow up on one of the Nag’s Head Beaches along with the surf and sand, the bottom of my boots FULL of sand burrs, a beautiful sunrise, a little grunt fish, me holding the ribbon fish, the ribbon fish laying on the pier, those crazy teeth, the Wanchese Marina, fresh flounder at the Wanchese Marina Restaurant, and the friendly host (owner?) of the restaurant…Matt Kellam.

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When I was up at the Lighthouse Garage in Manteo, I asked the girls where locals go for great seafood that doesn’t break the bank. They recommended one of the restaurants at the Wanchese Marina and I’m telling you…if you EVER find yourself down this way, make it a point to eat over there. It was FABULOUS! A huge filet of flounder, fries, killer hush puppies, and coleslaw along with cocktail and tartar sauces for $11.99 plus tax and fees, drink not included. I’m liable to be here through the week so I’ll send you some “postcards” along the way!

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🩵

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“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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#obx #fishing #ribbonfish #wanchesemarina #seafood

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-10-22T01:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/10/22/a-waiting-game.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/10/17/uhoh.html", "title": "Uh-Oh!", "content_html": "\n
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We took a drive yesterday and the dreaded yellow wrench popped up on our engine display. When this happens, you STOP driving and get a tow truck to take you to the nearest garage. Ugh! If any of you are aware, NC-12 is a little two lane highway that travels the length of the Outer Banks from Corolla to Hatteras. It’s narrow and busy with a little sliver of blacktop on the berm. After that, it’s soupy sand that can quickly suck you into the ditch. It’s not anyplace you want to break down and wait for a tow. So, I managed to limp the one mile back to our camper and started making calls. From what we can tell, the message light indicates something is wrong with the drivetrain. It can be something easy to fix. Or it could mean a new transmission. With any number of things in between. The first call I made was to a garage over in Manteo and they happened to have an opening this Friday! That’s unheard of from what the locals tell me. Thank you, God! I found a car rental near the garage that can get us a car for a special rate used for folks whose cars are in the shop. That was very helpful. They may have a car available today so send up a little prayer for us.

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The trickiest part of the deal was what to do about the camper. We have to leave our site on Saturday because there are campers coming in that afternoon. Our truck will be in the shop, so the nice folks at the campground will move our camper to an interim site for Saturday night. I went online and booked Sunday the 20th to the following Saturday. The only catch is, it doesn’t have electric. We will probably have to get a generator to keep electric to the camper during the day so our food doesn’t spoil. But I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

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Mr. FixIt says it’s always an adventure with Ginny McKinney!

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We have met some of the nicest people this trip. We always go across the road every evening to see the sunset at the marina. Every evening, just at dusk, this happy guy pulls in and starts fishing. We struck up a conversation with him and were so touched by his joyful presence. As we were pulling out to head back over to the camper, he came running over to the truck and asked if we’d like a fish he just caught. Oh, YES, please! He ran back to his gear and brought us a big red drum. We were thrilled. Mr. FixIt’s hands don’t allow him to do such tasks anymore so I cleaned and prepared the fish. We cooked it the next evening in garlic, butter, lemon juice and beer. It was SO good! I had a good two to three cups of leftover fish that I picked off the bones so I prepared fish cakes the next night. We had three of the patties left over so I told Mr. FixIt I was going to package them up and take them over to our new friend, Leroy. I flagged him down and said, “I have something for you!” When I gave him his treat, he broke out in a big smile and said, “Oh, I’ve got to have a hug!” Leroy is a retired school teacher and I envy any little child who had the joy of learning from this kind man. He runs a YouTube channel about fishing on the Outer Banks. You can find it here. (You’ll have to watch till about the third cast of his net. Amazing!) https://youtu.be/-z23h8hfctU?si=0XvrJT9AMOBHxgVc

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We met the nicest couple in that cute vintage looking camper. And, guess what? They are writers and editors and travel bloggers. I may get them to have a look at my book in the coming months! The flowers are so pretty along the dunes. The moon was full. The comet was amazing. The storm clouds were beautiful. There was wind and rain, and of course, the truck fiasco. But life is still amazing and beautiful!

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You can’t tell me God doesn’t plant you where He wants you…you just have to lean in and trust the process!

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“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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‭#trustgod#obx#truck#camping#beach#comet

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+7

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See insights and ads

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Boost post

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All reactions:

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89The Longs and Winding Roads and 88 others

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OMGosh! Y’all…I just had the BEST three days camping with my bestie, Gail. She’s the camphost for September and October and I always come up to spend a few days with her. We sit around and knit. We take naps in the afternoon. And we nosh on all kinds of yummy foods. It’s totally decadent. I honestly slept 12-14 hours Wednesday and Thursday nights! I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and, as Gail says…I must have needed the rest.

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My contributions were breakfasts and my newfound crave…Nature’s Snickers bars. I took huge, moist and chewy fresh dates, stuffed a great big pecan half in the middle, and dipped them in melting chocolate. Oh SO yummy! Gail made wonderful beef barley soup. I made homemade fettuccine and topped it with Gail’s meat sauce. Then last night we had homemade orange chicken with veggies over brown rice. We ended our campout with a fire and s’mores. Women NEED their girlfriends…even more when we’re older. It was just a delightful visit. I’ll miss her but at the same time, I can’t wait to get home to see Mr. Fixit!

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We went for a long walk yesterday and I got a lot of pictures I’ll share with you today. The leaves have turned a lot here in Northern Ohio. Gail is a good three hours north of us. The only icky thing at the campground was the darned stinkbugs. They were out in force, but I discovered the Thermocell Mosquito Repellent did a decent job of keeping the stinkbugs at bay. At the end of the evening, I noticed I was getting eaten up by mosquitoes then I checked and the fuel cell had run out on that handy gizmo. I’ll know better next time to check it periodically.

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I brought along a sweet little wooden Welcome Fall sign for each of us to paint and that was fun. I’ve known Gail for nine years now. We met in the fall of 2015 at Girl Camper’s first official gathering and became fast friends. We have SO many things in common but our glaring difference is politics. We very rarely speak of such things. We respect each other very much and I only mention this because I have seen so many people lose family and friends over politics and we won’t have it. We pray for each other regularly. We love each other deeply. And we both serve a loving God and do our best to emulate Jesus. What more could you ask in a dear friend, right?

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I hope you have a beautiful Sunday. The weather is fabulous but it’s getting darker so fast!

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A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

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#fall#camping#knitting#besties#smores

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Show of hands…who can relate to needing a vacation after a vacation? Most of us, right? I took Tuesday off, but I’ve been busy ever since. We had to take the camper to a dealer yesterday to have the damage from the Kansas storm assessed. The folks at the service department were blown away at the story of the storm that took us by surprise and nearly blew US away. I’m not turning the camper over for repairs until camping season is over. But in the meantime, I wanted the roof checked as well as the stabilizer jacks. They got tweaked by the force of the storm literally lifting the camper off the ground on one side then dropping it back down. Both motions are damaging to the mechanics of the support jacks and that’s what keeps you level. The dealership we chose was the one the original owner purchased the camper from. It’s a fifty mile round trip but they know Jayco campers. The staff were wonderful. The service guy noticed a couple of places on the roof that needed patched and I’m really glad we took it in before we camp more this season. Water leaks kill campers.

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So, it didn’t seem like I did a lot yesterday, but I still had to get back to Parkersburg, do some grocery shopping, get the camper back home and unhooked, then fix supper and clean the kitchen. I was toast. I did make a great southern supper last night. Baked pork chops, fried green tomatoes (in the air fryer) and corn on the cob. So, so yummy! I love summer time!

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I may not do much today. The kids are coming over this weekend for a barbecue and swimming so I’m sure I’ll be busy doing some things around here. Thank you to everyone who sent prayers and good wishes for Hubby #2 and his recovery from his heart transplant. He has a long process ahead of him but we are all so grateful he’s still with us. I’ll save the trip to the farm for next week. Then I can have a formal break! lol

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In the meantime….I need to put stuff away!!!

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😣

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“But all things should be done decently and in order.”

\n1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV\n
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#Vacation, #CatchingUp, #ReEntry

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I stripped the beds and washed the linens yesterday. I cooked up two pounds of breakfast sausage to put in the freezer. One pound in patties for breakfasts and the other half pound for biscuits and gravy on the road. I went through the kitchen boxes and took out what we really don’t need and added some things we did. Our son and daughter-in-law came out last night with the grandpup to make sure he knew what obstacles to look for in the yard when they mow. Keys have been dispensed. Mail has been held. Kitty has been taken care of. Now the only thing to do is pack the truck, hook up the camper, and hit the road tomorrow. I’ll want to get a pretty early start so we can get to our campsite at a decent hour. I love ending the driving day by 3-4:00 at the latest. That way we can have a rest, fix a nice supper, and head to bed for a good night’s sleep before doing it all over again. We’ll be spending four nights on the road in each direction. Three of those nights will be at campgrounds we’ve stopped at before and loved and one for a new adventure. We take a more northerly route going out, and more southerly coming back. I’d love to have a trip where we could just meander on the two lanes and take as much time as we’d like, but this is not one of those trips. We have things that are more pressing this go round.

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I’m just going to drop in with “picture postcards” till we get there and get settled. 

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Who’s up for a ROAD TRIP???

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🚙

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““You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”

\nExodus 23:9 ESV\n
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#Travel, #RoadTrip, #Camping

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/26/almost-ready.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/25/little-visitors.html", "title": "Little Visitors", "content_html": "\n
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I overslept yesterday. Well, actually I didn’t even set an alarm for knitting group. I forgot. Turned out it was a happy accident because I slept deep and long…just what I needed after such a long and difficult week. I woke up and looked at my phone and was totally surprised to see 10:30. I was supposed to be at knitting at 9:00. I texted my apologies. It’s summer and I’m not the only one that’s going to be gone for most of it. We’ll get back to it in the fall. There’s just way too much to do in the summertime!

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I headed out to mow after breakfast. Even though we had a bit of rain the night before, it wasn’t enough to make a difference and the grass was dry and burnt. I hat mowing when it’s like that because the dust just swirls all around me and even with a mask, I was coughing and sputtering and sneezing my head off. I finished the two fields and it was time for supper so I went in and made burgers, fried yellow squash and Amish potato salad. 

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After supper, I went out to finish up the mowing. As I came around the front of the camper on the door side, the mower actually sucked the rug right under the mowing deck and it got all caught up in the blade. It smoked and made a terrible noise and the tractor stalled. I started to go get Mr. FixIt but I figured I could do it myself. 

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I pulled the car ramps out of the garage, drove the mower up on them, and untangled the badly chewed up rug from the blades. I prayed I hadn’t damaged anything, and it started right up with no problems. By the time I finished mowing, it was cooling down and I went in for a much needed shower. I was black from head to toe with all that dust and dirt.

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I had to confess to Mr. FixIt that I ruined his rug. He’s had that rug for fifteen years, apparently. I thought it was the one I bought when I was towing on my own, but there was no use crying over spilt milk. I messed it up, but we can always get a new one. Just another thing to do. 

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As I was mowing the far field yesterday, I kept spooking one of the fawns. When I was off doing the near field, it came to snuggly down in the pollinator gardens. Then, every time I swing back around…off it would go. This went on several times till I was finished and the dear little deer could rest all she wanted.

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Two more sleeps till we leave. I am going to strip the bedding and do a quick scrub down in the camper. By nightfall, I want the bedding to be finished, towels stocked, and the overhead cubbies emptied and repacked. Mr. FixIt Junior is combing by today to check out the mower to make sure he knows the ins and outs. He has kindly agreed to mow while we are gone. We’ll get the last of the camper stuff packed and in the truck on Wednesday. The snack bin needs fresh snacks. We hang our clothes on a rod in the back seat of the truck. The only thing we’ll have to do on Thursday is pull out and head west!

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For as crazy as the last couple of weeks have been, I’m feeling pretty laid back about the trip prep. We’re so blessed that heat wave has broken somewhat. I think we’ll have one more 90° day this week and the rest is much more reasonable with nice lows at night. Good sleeping weather.

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If I don’t have a lot to say in the next couple of days, it’s because I’m just plugging along.

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☀️

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“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

\nJames 2:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/25/little-visitors.html", "tags": ["Camping","Gratitude","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/12/hitting-the-ground-running.html", "title": "Hitting the Ground Running", "content_html": "\n
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Someone mentioned the other day that our “triplets” may actually be a set of twins and a spare from another mother. I think they may be right because I have not seen baby #3 hanging with these two since the first night I saw them. I’m just going to believe nothing bad happened to her.

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I woke up all bright eyed and bushy tailed yesterday morning. There’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep…with NO interruptions…to make the coming day full of vim and vigor. I didn’t get quite the early start I would have liked. If I would have, I might have ended the day with the entire five acres mowed instead of three fourths. 

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It was busy from the get go. I took the truck in to Walmart to get the oil changed and the tires rotated, picked up the prescriptions, paid the Lowe’s bill. When I was getting my card out of my wallet, I noticed I still had three Walmart Gift Cards. Well…tomorrow is my birthday, right? So, I marched myself right back over to that big box and bought something I’ve been eyeing.

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I miss ice cream. I really don’t want to spend the calories on it, but even worse…I don’t want to suffer the after effects of lactose intolerance. Enter the makers of Ninja Creami with their ever so wonderful commercials. Ooooooooh, the things I could make with this thing. I mean, I need another appliance like I need a hole in my head, but I have the cravings for ice cream. What can I say. These things are spendy…I’m not going to lie. But…gift cards! They brought this thing down to a reasonable amount and…it’s my BIRTHDAY TOMORROW. Duh!

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There are certain maintenance things you need to do with a camper. Every 10,000 miles or so, you should get the bearings repacked in the hubs. We’re pushing that now and with the big trip across the country, it really needs to be done before we go. I drove over to PKB RV and set up a time this Saturday to have that done. I also need to get new tires. They have them in stock…all I have to do is show up and get them.

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I picked up the mail on the way home and there was a package in there. I didn’t think I had ordered anything so I was puzzled. Turns out, it was a couple of skeins of beautiful sock yarn and a new kind of circular knitting needles from Skacel. They are square with little ridges that keep your yarn from falling off! My bestie, Gail sent them to me for my birthday. I was so busy I didn’t get a picture of them, or of the Ninja Creami. I’ll try to snap those tomorrow with links.

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Mr. FixIt washed the camper today. It was in desperate need as it hadn’t been done since we got back from the beach last October. I really wasn’t too worried about the salt on it after the spring trip because we drove through some hellacious rain on the way home. When I got home, I didn’t have time to read about my new toy. I needed to get out on the mower. Once he was done washing the camper, Mr. FixIt picked up all that brush from where I trimmed on Sunday afternoon and took it out to the burn pile. It took two full truckloads to get it all. That battery powered trimmer really gets the job done! We called it a day just after 6:00 so we could eat and watch the news. 

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Today will be another busy day. There is ALWAYS something that needs doing here!

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🐝

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“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

\nProverbs 14:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/12/hitting-the-ground-running.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/24/a-field-of-daisies.html", "title": "A Field of Daisies", "content_html": "\n
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We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before we broke camp and headed home. We didn’t have as many stops on the return trip so it went a little quicker…even with the road construction. The skies were partly cloudy so it wasn’t terribly hot but we still ran the A/C. I’m not crazy about air conditioning. I don’t mind the cool air, per se. I just don’t want it blowing right on me. 

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We got home about 4:30 or 5:00. As soon as I got the camper unhooked, I jumped on the tractor and got both big fields cut. I’ll have to get the rest done today, as well as a trip out to the farm to mow. This is the time of year when you can almost see the grass grow. It’s a lot of work to keep up with, but I’m thrilled to have tripled the pollinator space this spring. That cut out close to an acre of field.

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I love riding around the gardens holding my phone and grabbing pictures of the flowers. We have a lot of daisies growing right now and they look so sweet and summery. Just in time for June! There were lots of butterflies out there yesterday. I’ve seen a lot of bees this spring, but didn’t see many yesterday. I’ll keep my eye out for them. I try to mow when they aren’t real active so I don’t hurt them.

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I finished reading a book while we were camping. A Book of Life by Peter Kingsley. I’m not quite sure how to describe it. The author writes as though it’s the book talking to you and it was thought provoking. He writes about his quest to learn about the ancient Greeks and their teachings. I guess “esoteric” bests describes it. An interesting read, but the jury is still out. I may actually read it again and see if I understand it any better.

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My next read has been Kasher in the Rye by Moshe Kasher. It is a memoir written by a comedian who had a difficult upbringing. He was born to deaf Jewish parents. When they divorce, he and his brother lived in abject poverty in the ‘hoods of Oakland. He didn’t fit in anywhere and ended up with the only kids who would accept him…a really rough crowd. I’m still reading that, as well as 100 Plants to Feed the Bees by The Xerces Society. I barely touched my needlework while we were gone. It’s just not my summer thing…too busy.

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Right now, as I’m writing this, it’s 9:00pm and I’m sitting in the camper watching the lightning bugs beginning their evening dance along the hedgerow. The fans are blowing. The sweet scent of honeysuckle wafts in the open windows. I’m sipping my very late second cuppa RYZE. 

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Life is goodly, indeed!

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🌸🩵🌸

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“It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.”

\nPsalms 74:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/24/a-field-of-daisies.html", "tags": ["Camping","Gratitude","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/21/the-language-of-trees.html", "title": "The Language of Trees", "content_html": "\n
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A towering old tree.

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I slept over ten hours straight on Sunday night. Not a record, but greatly appreciated. We’ve been burning the candle at both ends and it was starting to catch up with us. We have family to visit here, but we decided as soon as we arrived that we would take Monday to recover. And recover we did!

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”Tulip Poplar”

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I awoke to the sounds of the woods we are sleeping in. Birds, bees, fellow campers murmuring. The sound of a distant lawn mower lumbering away at the never ending growth of vegetation we endure here in West Virginia. We had our usual morning conversation. Our sweet good mornings then the inevitable discussion of what’s for breakfast.

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Foxglove

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We settled on a big country breakfast because the fresh air of camping whets your appetite. I “baked” the biscuits in the electric skillet then heated up the gravy from the can and scrambled up some eggs. Doing dishes is fairly easy when camping. I mean, PRINCESS camping. I turned on the water heater before I started cooking and it might as well have been my home kitchen no harder than it was. I do have an outdoor kitchen where I set up the skillet and this keeps the smells out of the camper, which is much appreciated when you lay down at night.

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Mulberry

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After breakfast, Mr. FixIt sat outdoors with me for a while, but I was engrossed in my book. He decided to go in and stretch out while he watched a movie on the DVD player I bought for him for just such occasions. When his movie was over, we decided to go down to the little store at the intersection down the road to get a bag of ice and check our messages. Once we were down there, we figured we’d better go over and check out the visitor’s center, but we had a bag of ice now. We brought it back to the camper and ventured out again.

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Daisies

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There is a beautiful path behind the nature center that meanders on a raised boardwalk that accommodates people with disabilities. It’s beautiful because you can look down on the forest floor and see everything. The path goes out to a bridge that crosses a beautiful trout stream. The day was perfect. Eighty degrees, sunshine, and a gentle breeze that rocked the tops of monstrous deciduous trees.

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Seneca Creek

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After crossing the river, the path takes you to an old homestead with beautiful gardens filled with iris, peonies, and myriad native plants that make their home in the Appalachian Mountains. We spent some time photographing the views and eventually made our way back. I bought a book showing one-hundred plants to feed the bees so I can add to my pollinator gardens.

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Some of the flowers at the Sites Homestead

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We came back to the campground hungry and ready for a late lunch, early supper. Hotdogs and chips fit the bill…both with the campground ambiance and with the ease of preparation. If I liked campfires, we would have roasted them over a fire, but I can hardly stand the smoke. It gets in my hair and clothes and the camper and it chokes me. Mr. FixIt is so flexible in this regard. He wouldn’t want me to be uncomfortable, no matter how much he might like the fire.

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Dogwood in front of Seneca Rocks

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My husband is a magnet for people who like to talk and he’s never known a stranger in his life. We were sitting in our camp rockers, enjoying the cool air blowing through the trees when a gentleman came over to chat. They talked for quite some time. One of the neighboring campers had mentioned we were from the Parkersburg so he had to come talk to us. Finally after ten minutes or so, I asked where he was born and raised. It turns out, I knew him from childhood. We were raised a block apart on the same street and we all played together as kids! Seriously….it is a teeny, tiny world.

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Me and my childhood friend that we ran into at the campground.

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Sitting with the trees, being still, listening to the birds, and watching the clear blues sky is like speaking a language that isn’t easily understood when you don’t spend time in its’ presence. When I stayed for three months in the wilderness and backroads of Colorado after Mr. Virgo died, I learned to speak this language fluently. I feel a disconnect when I stay away too long, but it’s like riding a bicycle…it all comes back to you the moment you step into the cool shade of towering timbers.

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Old Grape Arbor

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Today we go visit my Uncle Bud and I can hardly wait!!!

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🌸🩵🌸

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“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

\nExodus 33:14 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/21/the-language-of-trees.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/19/fireflies.html", "title": "Fireflies!!!", "content_html": "\n
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You can see a few fireflies in the hedgerow along the edge of the field. This was taken by the light of the moon.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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!

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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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🩵

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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

\nPsalms 4:8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/19/fireflies.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/18/a-rainy-day-in-the.html", "title": "A Rainy Day in the Woods", "content_html": "\n
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When I woke up early yesterday morning, I looked out the window and it was raining cats and dogs. Of course, I could HEAR it, but it was grey and dismal out there, so I turned over and slept for three more hours! It rained hard off and on most of the day so Gail stayed cozied up in her camper reading and I stayed in mine, deep cleaning and organizing all the cabinets. 

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That stinkin’ mouse shredded half my toilet paper roll! And you know, once you know you have a mouse and you catch it, you HAVE to clean everything in sight! I used half a container of Clorox wipes and this place is neat as a pin. In my purging of the cabinets, I came across the five dish towels I bought on the Outer Banks last year. They were made from an old vintage tablecloth. I decided to use one for a dishcloth and the other four to protect the fabric on the recliners. 

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The two white quilts I bought to go on the twin beds in the camper came yesterday along with the king-size top sheet I bought for backing fabric for the curtains. I’ll have to finish that project after we get back from the next camping trip. We leave tomorrow for four days over toward the Eastern Panhandle to visit family.

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When I was trying to decide on bedspreads for the camper beds, I saw something really pretty. It was made to look vintage….white on the top with a wide yellow border. The vintage tablecloths have some yellow in them and I’d love to play on that. But those bedspreads were over $100 each. Instead, I ordered two of these yellow reproduction vintage tablecloths. I’m going to sew them on one side of the white bedspread so they’ll be reversible. All for less than ONE of the fancier bedspreads would have cost.

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So, the mouse is gone and I haven’t heard another. However…now there are ANTS! Ugh. I’m setting out ant traps. But the worst thing is…that leak we had down at the beach has reappeared. We had really really hard rains yesterday and I think we’re getting water in the camper from a leak somewhere. With campers, it’s not a matter of IF you’ll get a leak. It’s a matter of WHEN you’ll get a leak. We just need to get that taken care of quickly because water kills a camper. I have mitigated it somewhat with an absorbable gel bag that soaks up spills, but that’s just a temporary fix.

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I heard from a reader yesterday that I should not use DCon because the poisoned rodents can in turn poison predatory birds like owls. I only used it the one night, then caught the offending little booger in another kind of trap by DCon. So, I just wanted you all to know I’ll not be poisoning mice anymore. I’ll use this.

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Gail and I did get a little knitting time in last evening. Then we ran over to her house to pick up the box that arrived for me at her house. Once we got back, we were both tired and called it a night. I got to sit in the cleaned and organized camper and sip a hot beverage before bed. I’ll head home this afternoon, strip the beds and wash the linens. Then I can get the clean sheets back on the beds by nightfall. I won’t even unhook the camper when I get home since we’re leaving in the morning. Mr. FixIt is playing in a golf tournament with Mr. FixIt Jr., their youngest, and her boyfriend today so I’m sure I’ll be home before he is.

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I had a really relaxing time this trip…just what I needed.

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Who’s up for another road trip?!?!

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🌸☀️🌸

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“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

\nPsalms 127:2 NIV\n
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#Camping, #Grace, #RoadTrip

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/18/a-rainy-day-in-the.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/17/making-the-best-of-disappointment.html", "title": "Making the Best of Disappointment", "content_html": "\n
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I didn’t feel terrific when I went to bed Wednesday night. I woke up feeling worse, but thought I’d better make something soothing for breakfast for Gail and me. I ended up making grits and eggs and, while it tasted pretty good going down, within an hour I was sick as a dog. I shooed Gail out and spend the next two hours worshiping porcelain. I also had chills and couldn’t get warm. I have a kind of “cocktail” my doctor has prescribed me for just such occasions. I took it and went to sleep for three hours and woke up feeling much better. I had felt so bad earlier, I considered asking Mr. FixIt to come up and be with me, but if I had a virus, a little camper is pretty tight quarters and I surely didn’t want him to catch something. It turns out it was probably a combination of something I ate and the fact I’m burning the candle at both ends. Although I didn’t eat much the rest of the day, I did stay hydrated and basically just took it easy…sitting with Gail and knitting under the pavilion here at the campground.

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Yesterday was beautiful. The temperature was in the low seventies and the sky was clear. The birds were trying to out sing each other. When I woke up from my nap, I sat in my recliner with a mug of hot tea. I kept hearing something. Honestly, it sounded like a bird or a small critter on the roof of the slide out. Every time I got up to listen, it would stop for a few moments then I’d hear it somewhere else. All of a sudden it dawned on me. We have a MOUSE in the camper! Ugh!!!

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I’ve been meaning to put some traps around but never got to it. We keep the camper out in the field at home and we’ve never had a mouse. Not till we got to the campground here. The camper that sat in this site before me was really, really old. It had split seams and duct tape. The gentleman and his dog were living in the camper and moving from state park to state park every two weeks. That’s as long as you are allowed to stay in on park. This is done to keep people from just living there. I felt for him. I’ve lived in my camper before by choice. It’s an entirely different thing to live in one because you have no other choices. 

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This campground is surrounded by woods so picking up little tiny livestock is pretty easy…especially if you have a very old camper with lots of openings that let the critters in. I’m going to have to look around the undercarriage of the camper to see if there are any holes in it that would allow mice in. Gail gave me a DCon trap and we went to Dollar General later to pick up a couple more. I did see the mouse eating the little DCon brick and by evening I hadn’t heard it. I’d much rather seal up any holes than to set traps, but beggars can’t be choosers when you’re in the woods in a camper. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

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Gail and I sat out and talked in the pavilion till about dark. We had to reschedule our visit with Jan at her farm which was really disappointing. I didn’t know if I was contagious and I surely didn’t want to get her sick. She has a busy upcoming schedule…as we all do. I’m just really grateful that it seems to have been a brief upset and I will feel much better today.

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🌸🩵🌸

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“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

\nRomans 5:3-4 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/17/making-the-best-of-disappointment.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Frustration"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/16/after-the-storm.html", "title": "After the Storm", "content_html": "\n
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I thought for sure I’d hit the ground running yesterday and get so much done but that didn’t materialize. Bestie Gail didn’t get to the campground till noonish because she was babysitting her sweet three-year-old granddaughter. I gave myself a slow start then I could hear the neighbor camper gathering things to move from the site I had reserved for the rest of my stay. As soon as he left, I had Grace all ready to hop into the new site next door.

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I got everything settled and organized for the rest of my stay, pulled my chair out of the truck, and sat under the awning drinking my RYZE and reading one of my summer books. It was delightfully cool and quiet. I was wondering where Gail was and when I went in the camper for a refill. I glanced out the window and she was there! She thought I was napping and didn’t want to disturb me. 

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I took my hot beverage over along with the new Tunisian Crochet Hook to try to figure out how to do it. It wasn’t long till I remembered crochet really isn’t my jam. About the time I gave up on it, the rain started and we came over to my camper because we have the comfy recliners. Gail and I looked over the vintage tablecloths and came up with what we want to do for the curtains. We decided I needed to use white cloth for a liner to give them a more finished look. She suggested buying a white king-size flat sheet instead of yardage. You get a lot more fabric for the money that way. I was going to take the wooden valance boxes off because I hate the brown, but I’ve come up with a better idea and I think it’s going to be darling!

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When I bought the tablecloths, I also picked up some embroidered valances for $1 each. I vacillated over full curtains or just the valance on the windows in the slide out. They are behind the double recliner and I really love the light coming in. We don’t bound around in our nothing anyway so privacy isn’t really an issue. We either draw the big curtain across the bedroom area or change in the bathroom. So I decided to just put the valance up and keep it light and airy. As you can see, I used old towels to create antimacassars for the back of the chairs. I’m going to change that and use some of the tablecloth fabric to make that area cheery, as well.

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The fabrics will be mix and match with a jumble of color but a theme for cohesiveness. I’m really excited about it. I want it to look homey and comfortable without being too she-she for Mr. FixIt. I don’t mind the wallpaper in here at all. It’s kind of a basket weave…like linen. There is entirely WAY too much brown for my taste, but I’m not clear yet on whether I want to paint the cabinets. That may come down the road…not sure. I think if I change a little at a time, it might be easier on Mr. FixIt than a huge abrupt change. Most people get their campers to their liking in time to buy a new one. I’m honestly hoping this will be the LAST one! (Didn’t I say that about the A-Frame? lol)

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Gail made taco salad for supper last night. The rain came in again so we went over to my camper to sit in the comfy chairs and knit. We had tea and solved all the world’s problems and by 8:30, our eyes were drooping and we were done for the day. The frogs were calling and I could hear the cows from the dairy farm down the road. They were up near the fence by the playground…bellowing. I listened for the owls, but I have a feeling the storm kept them quiet.

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My solar lantern hanging from the awning struts to keep me from banging my head on them when I walk by in the dark!

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Today we head over to our friend Jan’s farm for a visit. I love her to pieces and I love her place…it’s so peaceful and she has this really great old barn. Jan is a spitfire…she may be small in stature, but she is larger than life. A widow, a mother, a banjo picker, an activist, a naturalist, and a retired pastor with more energy in her little pinky than I will ever have! Can’t wait to give her a squeeze!

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🩵

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“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

\nHebrews 11:3 NIV\n
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#Rain, #Camping, #Vintage

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/16/after-the-storm.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Comfort","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/14/getting-ready-to-camp.html", "title": "Getting Ready to Camp", "content_html": "\n
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It feels like we just got home and I’m heading out again tomorrow. I’m taking the camper with me to have a girl’s weekend with my bestie, Gail. We love camping together. It’s supposed to rain a lot over the next few days, but that handy dandy dual recliner will make knitting much more comfortable…and dry.

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After knitting group yesterday, I stopped by Happy Jim’s Trading Post. Yes…it’s a real place in our tiny little town. OMGosh! You can ALWAYS find something you can’t live without at Happy Jim’s. I was on the prowl for curtains or something to make curtains from. I really want something that’s bright and cheery. The first thing I came across was several vintage tablecloths. OMGosh! I LOVE these things and have owned several over the years. These were a mix of red, blue, green, and yellow. Primary colors with cheerful fruit and floral motifs. I bought all of them!

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Gail will bring her sewing machine to the campground and I can make the curtains while we’re there. I have a clear idea how I want to make them. When I had the opportunity to tow the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer around in 2019, I loved the curtains that Janine made. They allowed the windows to be totally covered, half covered or fully open by using a series of hooks.

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These tablecloths are authentic mid-century vintage and have obviously been used. There are small stains and discolorations on them. I purchased a product that you soak age-stained textiles in to brighten them. I’ve used this before and it really works! The package said to set the container with the solution and textiles out in the sunshine to keep it warm. But what do you do if there isn’t any sunshine? You just have to do what you can and hope for the best. I’ll show you the after pictures tomorrow and we’ll see if they’re brighter.

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Remember I told you the other day I have to sing for my supper. Well, Mr. FixIt was gone most of the day so I deep cleaned the kitchen and got most of the extras in the family room put away. Do any of you use a Shark Steamer on your floors? They are especially good on kitchen floors as they cut the grease and you don’t have to use any chemicals. I don’t want to leave him with a lot of extra work to do while I’m gone. I’m really looking forward to camping with Gail. And the day after I get back, we leave for the Eastern Panhandle for four nights camping in the mountains. I’m hoping it’s warm and dry!

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🩵

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“Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)”

\nRevelation 19:8 NIV\n
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#Linens, #Camping, #Curtains

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/14/getting-ready-to-camp.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Change","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/05/were-halfway-home.html", "title": "We’re Halfway Home", "content_html": "\n
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Well, we got to the “be-here-by-7:30-or-sleep-in-the-parking-lot” campground at 4:00. Plenty of time to make nice to the nice lady at the desk and ask for a more level site. She accommodated us and in no time at all, we had Grace tucked in between the big girls! Doesn’t she look so tiny??? We are actually one site away from a view of the lake and if it weren’t for that big building on wheels to the left there, we’d wake up with a gorgeous view. That’s ok…I don’t care. I was just really excited to get out of the truck and close my eyes for a few minutes.

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We drove into rain around Raleigh-Durham. It was fairly light but people were driving like maniacs and I am sure I ticked them off driving a few miles under the speed limit. That’s ok…I don’t care. I basically stayed to the right and let them move on. I will say, there is some warped sense of satisfaction when someone passes you going 90 and a few miles ahead, they’re pulled over to the side of the road talking with the friendly person with the blue lights on top of their car. Karma is something, isn’t it?

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I really wasn’t hungry. I cooked us a couple big breakfast burritos before we took off yesterday morning. Then in the early afternoon, we stopped at Bojangles. I love being in the south. The restaurant was packed and we were the only white people in there. I would imagine there are people who might be frightened or uncomfortable in that situation, but we were met with a roomful of smiling faces and friendly greetings. People are people in our eyes and really…we’ve never met a stranger!

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I bought the pulled pork sandwich special but could only eat one so Mr. FixIt had the second one for supper last night. I got up to fix it for him and noticed water on the floor. That is something you do not want to see in a camper. Water kills campers. I took the facing off the area where the water seemed to be coming from and I didn’t find a real source. And there wasn’t a LOT of water…just a little trickle. I had Mr. Fixit turn off the city water to see if that stopped it. (It did!) Then I laid down a desiccant water absorber bag to draw up any water that may continue to come out from under the wall. With a camper, it’s not a case of IF it will spring a leak. It’s WHEN. Because they all do at some point. We’ll sleuth it out when we get home.

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Our site was fairly quiet. The big rigs DO make a lot more noise because they have more mechanical processes going on all the time. We were just happy to chill out and I looked forward to my evening snack of yogurt, granola, fresh fruit and a good night’s sleep. We’ll be back home tonight!

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☔️

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”Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.”“

\nJoshua 9:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/05/were-halfway-home.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/04/friday-was-my-day.html", "title": "Friday was MY Day!", "content_html": "\n
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When we woke up yesterday, Mr. FixIt said, “Today is YOUR day. You get to choose whatever you want to do!” Oh, wow! We originally thought we’d go fishing, but after getting skunked on Thursday we decided we were kinda over that. We fished just about every day we were down here on this trip so we were fine with doing something else.

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I told Mr. FixIt there were three things I’d like to do…visit the Elizabethan Gardens over in Manteo, go to Knitting Addiction in Kitty Hawk, and take in the Bodie Lighthouse. We stopped at the Golden Arches and got breakfast sandwiches and coffee then headed straight to the gardens. 

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We visit just about every time we are down here. We took the kids there in October and they nearly jogged through it. It obviously wasn’t their cup of tea. This time, Mr. FixIt and I moseyed through at OUR pace, stopping to see and touch the flowers and plants, read the informational markers, rummage around in the plant shop and the gift shop. We sat on benches in shady corners, marveling at the statuary hidden amongst the countless varieties of shrubbery and trees. We found a path that took us out to the old gates that have fallen away with the erosion of the beaches. There was a bench there and we sat for a long time, holding hands and watching the sun glint on the water. We both commented how pleasant the gardens are when you take the time and “smell the roses.”

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From there, we headed up to Kitty Hawk. There is a HUGE Hot Rod and Custom Car Show in Nag’s Head and it took us a long time to get through there. The police were stopping traffic in order to let pedestrians cross the busy four-lane Highway 12 with its 50mph speed limit. Most people see that as merely a suggestion and I have no idea how people don’t get killed on that road every day.

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It was fun to see Jeanne at the yarn store. Even though I have a gazillion skeins of yarn at home, and my mantra this year is “use it up,” I HAVE to support local yarn shops whenever I can. I am actually running low on sock yarn so I bought a few skeins of fun colors, different textures, and varied fiber content. Plus a couple of Jeanne’s own patterns. Mr. FixIt waited patiently in the car for me as I browsed and chatted with my knitting friend I’ve been visiting for the last seven years.

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When I was finished, we stopped at Food Lion to get some for ham for sandwiches and had a quick “picnic lunch” in the truck before our next stop. We thought about walking up to the top of the Bodie Island Lighthouse, but when we got there, I remembered that it is the one I couldn’t get up more than a third of the way. The walls close in towards the top and there is no movement to the air. I felt like I was suffocating and I left Mr. FixIt to finish with our son-in-law’s dad, Ben. I went back down and sat with Sue. She couldn’t make the climb because of bad knees. I demurred again and Mr. FixIt was happy to wander around the grounds. We took the boardwalk out into the marshy ponds and sat there enjoying the gentle breeze that kept the mosquitoes at bay.

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When we got back to the camper, we started putting everything away…inside and out. We packed up the truck and I hooked up to the camper and took it over to dump the tanks. Mr. FixIt laughed when I got back and said some guy came by and saw him sitting in his lawn chair reading…with no camper. 

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“Where’s your camper, man?”

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“My wife took it over to dump the tanks.”

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“Wait….what??? Your WIFE took the camper to dump? Man, she’s a keeper!”

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I know…I’m ruining it for the other gals at the campground. lol

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So, our time at the beach comes to a close. Today we head toward home and we’ll stay overnight at the campground we visited on the way down here. We’ll be SURE to get there before 7:30 this time!!! I hope you’ve enjoyed coming along with us and vacationing vicariously. We’ve had a wonderful time and I truly loved sharing it with you all!

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☀️

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”You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.“

\nPsalms 8:5-8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/04/friday-was-my-day.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/03/one-more-sleep.html", "title": "One More Sleep", "content_html": "\n
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Pardon my healing thumb…I hurt it when I was building the twin beds in the camper. The weather was perfect yesterday and since the fish weren’t biting, I got a lot of good knitting time in.

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It’s amazing how fast a vacation goes. You get there on the first day and think, “What am I going to do to fill up all this time?” Then you blink, and it’s time to head home. You can only hope you’ve taken advantage of where you are and done things that create memories and taken lots of photos so you can remember everything. I find that’s becoming more and more important as we age because vacations tend to blur together and some memories get lost altogether.

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We had our favorite breakfast…grits and eggs…then quickly headed to the pier to fish. We didn’t take the truck out on the beach at all this trip. And we certainly didn’t lug all our fishing equipment over the dunes by hand. We’ve actually enjoyed being on the pier. You get a nice breeze and lots of sun. You have a great view of both the ocean and the sound. There are lots of boats and other fishermen to visit with. It wasn’t a “catching day”…just a “fishing day.” We got there at about 10:00am and quit at around 4:00pm. We still had the original bait we started out with on the hook when we pulled it out of the water. A fella not too far from us pulled in a 24” black drum that he caught using sand fleas. Just goes to show you…fishing is a crap shoot.

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The sea mist kept rolling in all afternoon and made the bridge disappear!

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We were pretty slathered up with sunscreen so even with all that time out there, we didn’t have a sunburn. But we were pretty wiped out by the time we called it a day. We came back to the camper and took showers. I fixed hamburger steaks and steamed broccoli with carrots for a nice healthy supper. By the time we were finished, it was time to go over to the sound for the sunset. We haven’t missed a single one since we got here and this one didn’t disappoint. 

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Fortunately, the winds have all but disappeared so even 72° was quite warm. Unfortunately, the wind helps to keep the mosquitoes off of you so they were thick as thieves in the still air. I didn’t last very long at the sound before I had to bid a hasty retreat and get in the truck. For some reason, mosquitoes eat me alive and they hardly touch Mr. FixIt. I told him I’m just so much sweeter than he is…they love me! 

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We’re going to fish for awhile this morning, then come back to the camper and start packing things up. We have to pack up the bed of the truck with all the camping gear before we can hook up the camper and go dump the tanks. Then we’ll come back to our campsite and back the camper in without unhooking it. We’ll sleep in it that way so we can get an early start tomorrow morning. We have to be at our next campground by 7:30 or they lock the gates and you don’t get in. (Unless you happen to find a nice lady to let you in behind her like we did heading down. Shhhhhh….don’t tell!)

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I hope you’ve been having a good week. It’s been really hot back home so I’m sure the lawn is going to need mowing.

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☀️

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”God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”“

\nGenesis 1:28 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-03T01:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/03/one-more-sleep.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/02/playing-tourist-for-the-day.html", "title": "Playing Tourist for the Day", "content_html": "\n
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The site where Mr. FixIt’s daughter spread her late husband’s ashes.

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After breakfast, we headed up north to get some ice and fresh fruit and to fill up the truck. We got a really good deal on gas at Speedway for $3.13gal. Not bad for out here on the island. Once we had the coolers filled up, we closed up the windows and headed south all the way down to Hatteras Village where the ferry goes over to Ocracoke Island. We meandered back, stopping here and there to see the sights and play tourist. 

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Our son-in-law passed away suddenly at the age of 50. This was shortly before I was introduced into the family so I never got the chance to meet him, but I hear he was quite the character. Our daughter spread some of his ashes at the beach where the old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse once stood before it was moved to its current location. So every time we are down here, we go say hello to George.

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The lighthouse itself is completely ensconced in scaffolding where they are doing a major restoration. It will be closed to visitors until Spring 2026, but the Light-keeper’s house and Museum is open as well as the gift shop. I treated myself to a new cookbook. It looks lovely and has some of the dishes that Mr. FixIt and I both love when we dine out here on the OBX. I shouldn’t say it was my only splurge down here. We went to Belks in Kill Devil Hills looking for a new wallet for me. The cover on my old one was starting to shed small bits of pink plastic from the faux leather. It has served me well over the last ten years, so it was time to get a new one.

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We stopped at the Blue Pelican Gallery. I was looking for my friend Chris, but she is usually at home creating things for the shop and I only get to catch her about every other year. She sells yarn in her shop and there were some pretty ones, but I just really need to use up what I have before I go buying more. Remember, my words for 2024 are “Use it up!” I’m trying really hard to do that. We were at several little shops and Mr. FixIt showed me some cute shirts, but I told him I had plenty of clothes and I don’t need anything more right now.

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Oregon Inlet Marina…the water was like glass because the wind stopped!

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So, we just had a wonderful day together. We’ll try to get some fishing in today and tomorrow. We head home day after tomorrow and there will be a line at the dump station, so we’re going to hook the camper up tomorrow afternoon and take it across the road to empty the tanks. We can sleep in it overnight while it’s hooked up then just pull out on Saturday morning and hit the road.

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It’s hard to believe our time at the beach is nearly over. It really has been a beautiful trip and we have the October stay already booked!

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☀️

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”If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.“

\nPsalms 139:9-10 NIV\n
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#OBX, #Camping, #Grace

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/02/playing-tourist-for-the-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/01/four-nearly-windless-hours.html", "title": "Four Nearly Windless Hours", "content_html": "\n
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The wind keeps blowing like crazy but we had four beautiful hours with a gentle breeze so we fished on the pier again. It’s been too windy to go out on the beach to fish. You end up getting sandblasted ankles! 

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I hooked two HUGE skates today and they broke my line…twice. I decided to quit before I lost any more fishing gear. We didn’t see anyone bring a single fish in. There was a fellow near us who caught a skate. He had heavier line and a net to haul it in. But he threw it back. Mr. FixIt says you can use a round cutter and punch out little circular shapes and cook them like scallops. But, scallops are not my favorite thing and like I said…I was done throwing away hook, line, and sinker.

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This is the skate the fellow next to me caught. This was smaller than the two I hooked.

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The BEST part of the day were the dolphins! There was a pod of dolphins circling around the pier hunting bluefish. It was crazy! They came right up in front of my and i was so in awe, I didn’t think to pick up my phone to capture it! I did get a video of them swimming around a bit farther off. This went on for a good half hour or so. And we didn’t have to pay someone to go on a sightseeing cruise. The dolphins came to us!

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Campground cooking continues to be one of my favorite things. We had Popcorn Pancakes, turkey sausage and eggs for breakfast. I made ham sandwiches for the pier. And we had hotdogs and chips for supper. Camp food, fresh air, sunshine, sand, and sea. The perfect recipe for a beautiful day.

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It’s supposed to rain today so we may make it a touring day. We want to go down the island and see the sights. And honestly, I’m happy as a clam knitting and rocking in my camp chair with my feet in the sand. We’ve been in bed asleep by 9:00 every night! We’ll be well rested when we get home!

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Three more sleeps and we head back toward home. 

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☀️💨🌊🎣

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”“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.“

\nMatthew 13:47 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/01/four-nearly-windless-hours.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Grace","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/30/gone-fishin.html", "title": "Gone Fishin’", "content_html": "\n
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We had a nice breakfast…French toast and ham. But that made us get a little bit of a late start to the pier to fish. However, we did end up with three beautiful hours with very little wind. And the fish were biting! As soon as I took this picture of my knitting, that rod you see started sliding to the right. I jumped up and grabbed it and started reeling it in. Whatever I had…it was BIG and headed straight for the bridge piling. I felt it break loose and when I reeled in my rig, the hook was broken off!

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They’re putting a new roof on the restrooms and the bath house…right behind our camper. Thankfully, they’re almost finished!

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We put on a new hook and the next cast, Mr. FixIt got a strike and the same thing happened to him. He put a new hook on his rig and we hoped for the best. My next cast had barely hit the water when BAM…another big one. This one I played and played for a long time and when I finally got it up near the surface, I could see it was a big skate…about two and a half feet across! I’ve never pulled one of those in and man they put up a fight. I got it to the surface and it was thrashing. A man was filming it for OBX TV and got a good shot of it, but then the line broke! I was really bummed.

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The campground…nothing to block the wind!

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By this time, the wind started to pick up and we didn’t get more than a nibble here and there. We finally called it quits and went back to the camper. We’re going to try going out earlier today so we have more time before the wind hits around 1:00 in the afternoon. As I am writing this, the wind is whipping around the camper at 20mph. It isn’t pleasant out there when it’s like this. We did go for a walk out to the beach after supper and found some shells and what I believe is a bottle nose dolphin vertebra.

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I made a great supper…easy for camping. I always bring my big electric skillet with us. I can make soups and sauces, fry anything, and it’s great for casseroles. You can even pan fry biscuits in it. We bought a pound of Jennie-O Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey the other night. I fried that, added a can of drained corn and let it cook. Then I moved everything to one end of the rectangular skillet and laid a tortilla on the hot surface. I added some grated cheese and a generous spoonful of the taco meat. I sprinkled some more cheese and topped with another tortilla. After pressing it down, I let the bottom get a little crispy then carefully flipped the whole thing over. Once the other side was brown, I transferred it to a dinner plate and topped it with salsa. I handed that one off to Mr. FixIt then I fixed mine. They were SO good and we had enough of the taco meat left over to have a taco salad or nachos later. All for less that $5!

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Sheep Sorrel

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All this sun and sand and wind has us wiped out by the end of the evening and we hit the bed happily at 9:00. We’ll be up and at ‘em much earlier this morning. Stay tuned for fish photos! 

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🎣

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”“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.“

\nJohn 21:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/30/gone-fishin.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/29/gone-with-the-wind.html", "title": "Gone With The Wind!", "content_html": "\n
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OMGosh! The wind has been wicked ever since we got here! It’s gusty, noisy, and brings the wind chill down to parka weather! We went fishing on the pier yesterday. We couldn’t stand more than a couple of hours. We didn’t get a bite anyway, so we called it a day, went back to the camper and took a two hour nap! We are catching up on our rest, which we certainly needed. 

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We went to the grocery store last night to get a rotisserie chicken. Those things are so versatile. We can have sandwiches or a stir fry or just eat it plain with a salad and a baked potato. And, it doesn’t take up much room. On our way back to the campground, we popped over to the sound side to catch the sunset. There weren’t any clouds so it wasn’t spectacular, but any sunset over the water is beautiful.

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We had a troop of Boy Scouts across the road from us on Saturday night. They were so cute and had a ball. They weren’t taught campground etiquette because they were running though the campsites of others. We did explain to a couple of them that when they run through someone’s campsite, it’s like running through their living room. After that, there were much less interruptions and I’m sure they shared their newfound knowledge with their friends.

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Beach campgrounds are a lot different than the state parks we are used to staying in. There are no trees so when the wind picks up like this, the only things to break it is the dunes. If the wind is coming in over the ocean, that’s fine. But if it’s coming in from the sound side, we’re sitting ducks. It wasn’t like this when we were here in October, so it must be the season for it. We’re supposed to get temps up in the high 70s this week, but it’s a moot point when the wind shakes the camper and gives you a chill when you’re outside.

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I’m not really complaining. Any day at the beach is a good day. I am just surprised by these gusty winds. It feels like Kansas! We’ll try fishing again today. Perhaps if we get an earlier start we will miss the winds. They seem to pick up in the mid-afternoon. We can always go to a museum or take a ride to see the sights if we aren’t fishing. OR…we can take luxurious naps. I did get the second sock of the blue and orange pair started. And if you sit outside, you can sit where the camper blocks the wind. That’s not so bad!

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💨

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”But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.“

\nGenesis 8:1 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/29/gone-with-the-wind.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Happiness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/28/now-we-can-relax.html", "title": "NOW We Can Relax!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Leaning on a lamp post at Corolla Lighthouse on Friday.

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The kids took off for home yesterday morning. We went out for breakfast then Mr. FixIt and I packed up the camper and moved a few miles down the road to our favorite place. (I’ll tell you where when we leave next weekend.) We got by with the bare necessities at the other campground because we didn’t want to haul everything out for just two nights then have to do it all over again. Now we have our outdoor kitchen out with all the frou-frou stuff set up. 

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It was still pretty cool, cloudy, and a little windy yesterday but the weather is supposed to start warming up today. While I fixed supper, Mr. FixIt got our fishing gear ready so we can go out and try our luck. Even if you don’t catch a thing, you’re out there having fun and enjoying the views and each other’s company. We both enjoy camping so much…especially at the beach. We both remarked how the weight of the world leaves your shoulders when you get to the beach.

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I brought a couple of salmon filets with us and fixed those with the last of Loraine’s fresh asparagus. I also microwaved those little baby potatoes, so we enjoyed quite the feast for our first night here in the dunes. We have several camping trips this summer,  so we would rather spend our money on food to cook rather than going out to restaurants if we are in a place where the kitchen can be set up. 

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As I sat here writing, Mr. FixIt reminded me to make the reservations for our fall beach camping trip. We also want to go over to the Eastern Panhandle and visit my Uncle Bud and cousins a couple weeks after we get back from this trip. We haven’t seen them since last spring. It’s a shame to be in the same state and not get over there to see them, so we’re going to rectify that.

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One of the things we love about camping on the Outer Banks is the close proximity to sunsets over the sound and sunrises over the ocean. Mr. FixIt’s favorite thing to do at the beach, other than fishing, is to see God’s handiwork at the start and the end of each day. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. And sometimes it’s pretty darned chilly, but I brought plenty of warm clothes with us this year so I’m well prepared to accompany him on his daily jaunts.

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I’m just so happy to be here with my sweetheart. It wasn’t all that long ago that I was newly widowed and couldn’t believe there would ever be joy in my life again. Whenever Mr. FixIt steps on my last nerve, I remind myself how different my life could be if he hadn’t found me. We both consider this the greatest gift and that is worthy of showing appreciation…frequently!

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☀️

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”May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”“

\nRuth 2:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/28/now-we-can-relax.html", "tags": ["Camping","Love","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/27/pancakes-pizza-and-plenty-of.html", "title": "Pancakes, Pizza, and Plenty of Sunshine!", "content_html": "\n
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I know, I know…I’ve told you this before, but these beds are SOOOOOOO comfortable. The old queen bed had very little support and it sagged in the middle. So Mr. FixIt and I rolled toward the center and had to fight to get up the incline and out of bed in the mornings. It was never restful and gave us both a backache. The twin beds are solid as a rock and the memory foam mattresses are just the right firmness to offer support and comfort. I am so happy we did this.

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We slept so well on Thursday night and woke up refreshed yesterday morning about 8:30. We drove over to Stack ‘em High Pancakes and had breakfast. The owners were there and I had a lovely visit with Kristine. I met her the first time Mr. FixIt brought me to the beach and we really clicked. It’s been fun touching base with her every year to see what she’s been up to with the business and the kids and all their sports. She is full of energy, just like I was as a young mom.

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Two-hundred twenty steps to the top of the Corolla Lighthouse.

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After breakfast, we headed up to Duck to meet up with the kids at the condo. We hung around for a while. I worked on the cross-stitch sampler and when I got the border all the way around, I was off by one thread! I think it’s in a spot that won’t be too conspicuous so we’ll see if anyone will notice it. 

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What a view!

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It was still windy yesterday so fishing or hanging out on the beach was not a viable option. We decided to drive up to the Corolla Lighthouse. We all walked up to the top and stood out on the observation deck. That was quite an undertaking for Mr. FixIt and me and we were both happy we could still accomplish the feat. We wandered around the grounds and the museum. We visited the gift shop and took all the pictures we wanted then headed back to the condo for pizza.

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Kissing Shadows

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We made it back to the camper around 7:30, but we couldn’t find an accessible spot to take a picture of the sunset. We’ll have better luck at our campsite further down the island. We move down there today. Then we can really set up the campsite the way we want it and be able to access our cooking utensils. We have salmon with broccoli, carrots, and asparagus to cook tonight!

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🌊🌊🌊

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”This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name:“

\nJeremiah 31:35 NIV\n
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Oh, the work getting ready for this trip was SO much more than I envisioned this time last week! I said I was going to be super organized this time. As my friend Marion said…God giggles. After going to sleep at 2:00, I woke up yesterday morning at 6:00 to get the day started. The camper was piled with tools, sawdust, trash, and the bedding from the queen sized bed, so my first order of the day was to clean it out so I’d have the space to stock the stuff we really needed to take. 

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I went in the house at 7:00 and Mr. FixIt was up getting himself ready. We didn’t pack the truck the night before like we usually do because my sweet husband was indulging my hair-brained idea of accomplishing a camper remodel in five days. He’s a saint! This camping trip isn’t our first rodeo and overall, you take the same things each time. I suggested we just keep all the non perishables in the camper over the winter and save all the lugging in and out of the basement. Then, our little house on wheels will be ready at a moment’s notice to head wherever our hearts desire.

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By the time we got everything loaded up and hitched the camper, it was going on noon. We hadn’t taken time to eat were starved so we stopped in town for gas and the Cracker Barrel by the highway for a very quick breakfast. We headed south on the interstate and we hadn’t gotten to Charleston when I was so sleepy, my head was nodding. I knew I needed to stretch out and take a nap and Mr. FixIt looked about as ragged as I did. So we pulled into a big Lowe’s parking lot and took a two hour nap! We never dreamed we would sleep like that. We could have slept for several more hours except for one thing….

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The alarm on the truck went off. No one was near us…it just started blaring. I turned it off and looked at Mr. FixIt. 

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“God woke us up, right on time!”

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We were both refreshed. We got back on the road at a reasonable time and stopped in Wytheville to get gas and a sandwich. We got to the campground at dusk, and there was a problem. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember the lady telling me that once they close the campground, they lock the gate and if you don’t have the code to the opener, you don’t get in. I thought she said 8:30 but it was actually 7:30! We were locked out.

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It was dark, the office was closed and no one was answering the phone. We sat there trying to figure out what we could do when the guy that runs the tennis program came up on a golf cart and asked if he could help. He didn’t have the code either, but he attempted a couple of different numbers. They didn’t work. Right then, another camper came to the gate to get in and once he explained the situation to her, she was happy to let us pull in behind her.

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Our site was easy to find and relatively easy to back into. It wasn’t level at all but it tilted in a direction that I could deal with. We were in the camper and ready for bed in twenty minutes.

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Oh, and Mr. FixIt LOVES the camper! It’s so much more inviting with lots of floor space. The beds are a generous 30 inches. Combine that with the double recliner I installed last fall, the camper is really comfortable. It just feels feels much larger…like you can breathe.

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Our campground is on a lake so I’m looking forward to the view with my cuppa RYZE this morning!

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🩵

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”Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”“

\nIsaiah 30:21 NIV\n
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#RoadTrip, #GodKnows, #Virginia

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Mr. FixIt’s bed is finished. We just need to put the plywood on top. The pretty facia will have to wait till we get home from the beach. I think we have a lot more usable storage now.

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Yesterday was a long day and I got a lot done. I got up super early and went to Lowe’s for MORE wood! Do you know they open at 6:00? Who knew? Well, we are going to have beds to sleep on, but the fun and fru-fru stuff won’t be finished before we go to the beach. But that’s ok. We’ll work on it when we get back and by the time we go to Colorado, it will be a show piece! But, I’m telling you…I’m whupped! I told Mr. FixIt I can’t wait to get to the beach and relax. He’s as ready as I am.

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I took a break around 4:30 and started supper. I bought a package of lamb chops at Aldi the other day. I usually get them at Sam’s, but these were MUCH better. So tender and flavorful. I forgot to set them in marinade so I wanted to use some really flavorful seasonings. I picked up some of Tabitha Brown’s Very Good Garlic Seasoning at the store a couple of weeks ago. Put some in a gallon plastic bag along with a little extra garlic. Zip it closed and shake to coat. Fry the in a skillet and when they are still slightly pink, remove them from the heat, squeeze some honey over each chop and a generous squeeze of an orange, and let rest while you prepare the sides. I put some quarter gold baby potatoes in the air-fryer when I started the lamb. 

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I was gifted some fresh asparagus yesterday by my sweet friends at knitting group. (I went for an hour till the frost was off the grass.) I love asparagus! I always put it on a plate and squeeze fresh lemon juice on it. Cover it with plastic wrap and microwave it for one minute, test to see if it’s done. If not, nuke it another minute. That just about does it for my liking. I like them to still snap when I bite into them. By this time, the lamb has rested for about 20 minutes. I just pop the chops in the skillet real quick to warm them up and it’s time to plate your food! It was divine and I’m crazy about Tabitha Brown and her delicious seasonings…check her out @iamtabithabrown on Instagram and https://www.facebook.com/ActressTabithaBrown

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I need to do a few more things today to the camper, then I’ll throw some things together for the trip and we’ll pack up the truck bright and early in the morning. Ummmmm….do you remember last week when I said I was going to be SUPER organized this trip? Yeah…God just laughs and laughs!

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🩵🌷🩵

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”The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.“

\nPsalms 37:23-24 NIV\n
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#Camper, #Remodel, #Travel

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This was the first wall I did. It’s kinda like putting together a puzzle. I added another support there in that space to the right.

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Land’s sake, y’all…there’s a learning curve here but I’ve got the hang of it now. I had to make a run to Lowe’s today because the cashier didn’t hand me a bag of stuff that I needed. They had it waiting for me at the Pro Desk so while I was there, I added some screws and T-braces to make the beds really sturdy. So, I didn’t get started till till after noon. 

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Mr. FixIt brought the chop saw out and set it up on the saw horses for me. He watched me cut the first board and made sure I could operate the saw. And wouldn’t you know, the second board I cut an inch short. A good reminder to “measure twice, cut once!” But the wood wasn’t wasted. I can use it someplace else in the project.

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I had a little surprise when I took the nightstand off this side. Those are the wires for the solar power. I didn’t want to make the bed any higher so I just cut out a little place in the board and put the wires down through it.

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I finished the two outside walls of the beds. They are securely mounted to the walls and the floor. Now I can start filling in the blanks and finish the frames. But first…I have to go BACK to Lowe’s! I think when Mr. FixIt and I sat down to design this and count up the wood I would need, I forgot to multiply x2. I only need about seven more furring strips and maybe a couple of 2x2’s. Then I can put this thing to bed…so to speak. (See what I did there! lol)

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Mr. FixIt will mow tomorrow while I finish up the camper. Then we can load up Tuesday. We take off early Wednesday for the beach and I’m SO excited!!! I may not have all the trim and details done before we leave, but the beds will be usable and oh so comfy! I have it all designed in my head and it’s going to be light and fresh. 

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This is the other side. It was a little trickier because of the water tank. I had a heck of a time getting in there and screwing down those pieces.

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I love doing jobs like this. I always have. I remember when I was in grade school…maybe 5th or 6th grade…I asked my mom if I could have a lavender bedroom. I’ve always loved lavender…it’s so soft and soothing. She said she’d ask my dad. The next day, she took me to the hardware store to pick my color. Then I had to wait on my dad to paint it. I waited, and waited, and waited some more. Finally, I got tired of waiting. I didn’t have the faintest idea how to paint a room, so I opened the can and painted HELLO on my bedroom wall.

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My dad was NOT happy. I didn’t know what I did meant he’d have to paint a couple of coats to cover. But oh….that room was so pretty, and I was HOOKED on doing all the things. It started a lifelong obsession with projects. I work a project to death….pushing, pushing, pushing. I used to say I do my best work when I’m on a deadline, but I’m not sure that’s as true now as it used to be. 

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This is the only photo I could find of Mom’s house. I’m sure I have some more somewhere…this is the only one I could get to fast.

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When Mom died, I redid her kitchen. I’m the worst at taking before photos, but the kitchen turned out darling. I learned a LOT from that project. I have used those skills over and over. This isn’t nearly as difficult a job as that was. Not by a long shot. Of course, it took me nine months to do Mom’s house. I totally ripped out the bedroom of our camper with only five days to finish! I’m determined!!!

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You never know what I’m going to get into do you?!

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🩵🌷🩵

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”I can do all this through him who gives me strength.“

\nPhilippians 4:13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/22/whistle-while-you-work.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Grace","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/21/a-day-of-planning-and.html", "title": "A Day of Planning and Gathering", "content_html": "\n
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I figured I’d better make Mr. FixIt a nice breakfast after springing the bedroom remodel for the camper on him unexpectedly and at the last minute. I was up super early…for me. It wasn’t quite 5:00 and even though I tried to go back to sleep, it was no go. I had too many things whirling through my mind. I got up and searched Pinterest for remodel ideas till I heard my sweetie up and rummaging around. He didn’t have any special requests for breakfast, so I made us spinach and mushroom omelets. Ohhhhh, they were so good and he was a happy camper!

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We have a lot to do before the trip so I headed out to the camper to do a few things before I invited him out to see what I’ve done. He actually loved the design and he helped me tweak a few things. He told me in general what we needed to buy and I wrote everything down along with the measurements. We gathered up our lists and drawings and started to leave for Lowe’s when he got a phone call from our grandson. 

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The trip to Portsmouth to buy a Jeep on Friday was a bust, but he found another one just west of Columbus. He wanted to know if his Grandpa would take him over there. We don’t get to see this young man often enough so of course he said yes…it’s what Grandpas do! I told Mr. FixIt to take my truck and I’d take his to town and buy the stuff. That turned into a five hour ordeal. I had to stop at Walmart first and get gas and a prescription. I wandered around there for a little bit buying some last minute things then headed over to Lowe’s.

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The store was slammed and they were short staffed. I finally found a nice young man who helped me till it was time to check out and go home. Then another nice young man took his place. They helped me select the right wood. They sorted and picked out the best and straightest boards in each size. I chose one kind of plywood then I thought I’d better check in with Mr. FixIt to see if he thought we should go a little thicker. We decided to go with the beefier plywood. 

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That’s the way it went the whole time. I wanted white board and bead paneling for the base. Then I thought I’d better get the grey wood. The guys loaded in on my cart, but by the time I got up front, I changed my mind because if I’m going to go to all this trouble, I’d better get what’s going to make me smile every time I see it. I went back and got the white board and bead. Then I had to find the right screws, a multi-tool blade, a couple of piano hinges, and some Phillips head drill bits. We stripped a couple yesterday and I wanted to be sure I had just what I needed. I even found the piston hinges I wanted. The good thing is, I can return anything I don’t use.

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By 5:00 this afternoon, this fatigue I’ve been dealing with this week started coming on. I asked Hubby #2 the other night if my symptoms from the Shingrix shot were normal and he said yes…it’s just all part of it. I will say, yesterday’s symptoms were far less than the day before so it’s getting better. I did stay better hydrated and actually felt like eating something, so I’m sure that helped.

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Today I can get back out there and start the build. I received a notification last night that we had a frost warning from 2:00 to 8:00 this morning. Ugh…we just can’t break out of this cycle. It won’t last long, but it won’t be very warm either. Building is the fun part!

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Oh, and just a note. I remember a few years ago I put something out here on my blog about putting your little scraps of thread and yarn out in the spring for birds to pick up…then you find colorful nests. However, that turned out to be wrong according to Julie Zickefoose, (https://www.juliezickefoose.blogspot.com )my favorite bird expert and friend that I’ve never met. Julie doesn’t live all that far from me but her life is busier than mine and that’s saying something! One of these days we’ll meet in person. Anyway, some of you suggested I put dryer lint out in the yard for the birds to use as nesting material and, you know me…I research the heck out of everything. Turns out, lint is NOT for the birds! Here’s a great article: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/providing-nest-material-for-birds-dos-donts/ 

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So, until tomorrow, I’ll be in the camper getting this thing done! Enjoy your Sunday, my friends!

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🩵

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”The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.“

\nProverbs 21:5 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/21/a-day-of-planning-and.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","New Ideas","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/20/mrs-fixit-strikes-again.html", "title": "Mrs. FixIt Strikes Again", "content_html": "\n
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Poor Mr. FixIt…he has a lot to handle with me for a wife. I always get a wild hair, and sometimes at inopportune moments. I’ve been wanting to change the queen bed in the camper to twins. When we travel, we’re tired enough. Add to it a restless night and soon, neither one of us are having a good time. I’ve seen plenty of camper makeovers. I already took out the dinette and put in the double reclining loveseat. That made a huge difference on our trip to the beach last year. So, I thought…why not? I can do this. After all, I renovated my mom’s house all by myself. 

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My sweetheart was gone for the day yesterday and I honestly thought I could have it finished before he got home. I think I could have if it wasn’t for the little side table pieces. They were a booger to get out…especially the one on the left over the water tank. I worked slow and steady till 3:30 then I had to call it quits. The second Shingrix vaccine is really kicking my behind. I get worn out in the afternoon…especially after working in the camper all day.

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I’m really excited about these beds. I have it exactly in my head what I want. And Mr. FixIt…being an engineer…will help me make sure I get all the measurements and design points correct. I want storage space under each bed so it needs to be the right dimensions to accommodate them. I already have all the bedding from the a-frame camper we had with twin beds in it. I did some preliminary measurements and I can cut the memory foam mattress right down the middle and sew some fabric on the cut side and voila! Twin beds! I’m so excited and, a little nervous…I don’t really want Mr. FixIt to see it till it’s done. You know how a project ALWAYS looks WAY worse before it gets finished, right? Well, this falls in that category, for sure!

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Once I gave up for the day in the camper, I came inside and started going through the totes. I’m being very picky about what we take this time. We never use everything and it’s just extra weight and costs more gas to tow it. I know I’m going to pay for this tomorrow…I’m already sore! 

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It’s gotten chilly here. Hope you have an enjoyable weekend!

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🩵

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”“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’“

\nLuke 14:28-30 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/20/mrs-fixit-strikes-again.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/19/wowza-what-a-storm.html", "title": "Wowza, What a Storm!", "content_html": "\n
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My little buddy came out after the rain. The toads sit under the solar and porch lights and catch bugs!

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The severe thunderstorm that was forecast for Thursday night began to announce it’s arrival about 10 minutes after I finished scheduling yesterday’s post. When you hear a nonstop rumble of thunder getting louder and louder, you first glance at your phone. Is it going to scoot past us this time or are we in a direct line. Before I even looked at the radar, my gut said I’d better get in the house. I wasn’t in there ten minutes when it hit with a vengeance!

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Pretty good sized hail for these parts but not a lot of it right here at the house. The wind drove the heavy rain straight sideways which drove the hailstones into the glass storm door. We were mesmerized. But it was over as quickly as it came. We only got about a half inch of rain so we were ok.

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Yesterday was such a busy day, I had a hard time keeping up with everything I accomplished. I fixed our favorite breakfast…grits and eggs. Then I went out and started working on the camper. I needed to de-winterize it which entails turning off the hot water heater bypass, filling the freshwater tank with filtered water and an ounce of bleach to sterilize it. I flushed out all the water lines and put deodorizer down the drains and the toilet. I sat and looked at the bed and wondered if I could get it converted to two twins before we leave next Wednesday. Jury’s out on that one.

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I went back in the house and fixed an early supper. We were both working on projects outside so we didn’t want to have a heavy dinner. I just fixed ham sandwiches and air fried french fries. Quick and easy. I did a load of laundry, brought the tubs of camping gear out of the storage room downstairs, and brought them upstairs. Then I decided to go ahead and print out our itinerary from RVLife.

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You know how computers and I get along. First, I tried to print them from the app, but there isn’t a button to select. So I went on the desktop. I could sign in, but I could not open the trip to print it. Every time I tried, it logged me out and I had to go through the whole thing again. After about four tries, I decided to get my laptop out and try it. Even that was difficult, but after three tries, I was in.

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I clicked print and nothing happened. I looked at the printer queue and it showed there was a document waiting but eventually it just gave me an error code. This is where my mom would said she “was about to lose her religion”…meaning she was about to say a bad word. I have to laugh because Mom’s “bad words” were like, heck and darn. I was thinking all the words a sailor would say, but out of deference to my late mother, I bit my tongue.

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I looked online to see how to fix it and it said to remove the printer and reinstall it. Cool. I deleted it. The next step was, put the CD that came with your printer in the slot on your laptop. Ummmmm…sorry, this laptop doesn’t HAVE a cd-rom on it! Now I was in a pickle. But after going to the source…the Epson website, and doing a little digging, I found the instruction on how to download the drivers to install the printer.

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Awesome.

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Remember the two possums and a squirrel that run our internet? Well, those little suckers were nowhere to be found. Buffer, buffer, buffer. I went through the entire process and wouldn’t you know it, I got an error reading because the power went off last night (did I mention the power was off from 8:30 last night to 8:30 this morning?) I hooked the printer up to the WiFi again and tried again. This time…after about 30 minutes of buffering…the first step completed.

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The second step wasn’t “throw the whole shebang out the window!” I dutifully followed direction and updated the firmware in the printer itself and FINALLY…after a total of three whole hours…I was in business and printed the itinerary. So much for getting anything else done last evening. 

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Mr. FixIt is taking the grandson today to pick up a Jeep he bought. I’m really happy they get to spend a little one-on-one time together. He’s such a hard worker and is gone for long stretches of time with his job so he’s not around as much these days. So this morning, I’ll get back to work on the camper. I want everything done ahead of time this trip. None of this “throw everything in the truck, we’ll sort it out later!” THIS time I’m going to be totally organized.

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You can call your favorite bookie and get in on this action and make bank! 

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🤣

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”But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.“

\n1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/19/wowza-what-a-storm.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Choices","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/15/in-my-happy-space.html", "title": "In My Happy Space!", "content_html": "\n
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Happy isn’t just a place or a mood or a circumstance. Happy is a choice…a state of BE-ing. I was in my happy space yesterday. Church, mowing, and finishing the arrangements for our camping trip to Colorado this summer. And after cleaning myself up…my happy space was in the camper! 

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Oh…it was 80° with full on sunshine yesterday! There was a breeze so it didn’t really feel that hot. I stayed hydrated and about the time I was finished I asked myself… “Did I put on sunscreen?” Hmmmm…I don’t remember, but I don’t think I did. Too late now. I’m not pink though, so I guess I dodged a bullet. However… I DO have my appointment with my dermatologist today. It would be exceedingly poor form to show up with a sunburn! 

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Everything is getting so green and the trees have flowered and are beginning to leaf out. We have three redbud trees out by the front creek that are in full bloom right now. They are so beautiful and make me smile every time I see them. But, try as I might, photos just don’t do them justice. When you drive through the countryside, they line the road and look like wisps of purpley-pink smoke. I just love them so much and wish I had a hundred of them!

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I was so excited to get the reservations completed for the Colorado trip. We’ll be gone a little longer this time. I figure if you’re going all that way, you’d better make it worth your while. We will be hitting a lot of the same campgrounds we stayed at last year. I added extra nights to a couple of our favorites so we can enjoy them more and not feel like we’re so rushed coming home. We have family lined up to check on Pumpkin Kitty. Now all we need to do is work out a plan for mowing our place. That’s going to be the hardest part of the whole thing!

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Today is knitting group and a trip to town. 

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I’m in my happy space!

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🩵🌷🩵

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”Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.“

\nProverbs 16:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/15/in-my-happy-space.html", "tags": ["Camping","Be Joyful!","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/03/04/spring-is-coming.html", "title": "Spring is Coming!", "content_html": "\n
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If yesterday was any indication, spring is definitely around the corner! It was a beautiful 80° in the afternoon. Sunny with a gentle breeze, Mr. FixIt and I pulled our chairs from the garage and sat basking the rays of the most welcome warmth. I noticed the spring onions are beginning to sprout here and there in the fields and I remarked it was time to mow over the pollinator beds in preparation for the rains that will soon follow. 

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The wildflowers and fall grasses had grown tall and thick before the first freeze. I spread wildflower seed around…shaking it down into the roots of the plants…and let the beds rest like that over the winter. Now I needed to get the riding mower out and mulch that all down and hopefully some of those seeds will make purchase in our rich West Virginia soil. 

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Mr. FixIt got the mower out, checked and filled the oil, and I added some gas to the tank. The mower started right up and I was soon out making the rounds…cutting the beds in such a direction as to shoot the seeds into the center. Once I made several rounds, I changed direction and mowed from the center outwards, distributing the mulch and seeds evenly.

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It didn’t take long to finish. I did a quick lap around the far field checking for feathers and such to no avail. When I returned the tractor to the pole building, Mr. FixIt and I sat a while longer in the waning afternoon sun. We finally went back inside and it was time for him to head to the bowling alley. One of the members of their team has moved to Charlottesville and he will be bowling for her the rest of the season.

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When he is gone, I have a few hours to myself. Rather than find myself down the rabbit hole of YouTube, I turned off the TV, grabbed my book and iPad, and headed out to the camper to read till he came home. If I’m out here, he’ll come out and spend some time with me before he heads back inside. I am continually grateful that I took out the dinette and installed the double recliner. It is much more comfortable and a sensible use of space. 

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I’m still reading The Pioneers by David McCullough. I am usually a voracious reader, but honestly, this is only the third or fourth book I’ve read since Mr. Virgo died. My attention span is not what it once was and I can think of about a million other things I could or should be doing besides slogging through a book. This one, while a bit of a difficult read, has held my interest due to the subject matter. It takes the beginnings of the Ohio Territory and speaks of Marietta, Belpre, the Ohio River, and the misadventures of Aaron Burr and Harmon Blennerhassett over on the picturesque island so named.

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I checked our schedule for this week and we have no appointments. I have knitting this morning, then I’m going to head to The Farm for a couple of days. I’ll work on the taxes, finish my book, and do all the trip planning for the summer. I love my time at The Farm and I always come home refreshed and ready for the next big project at hand. I visited with the CO kids and my brother in video chats, so I’m ready to head into my week and hit the ground running.

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☘️

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”Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.“

\nZechariah 10:1 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-03-04T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/03/04/spring-is-coming.html", "tags": ["Camping","Farm Life","Pollinator Garden"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/12/football.html", "title": "Football!!!", "content_html": "\n
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My latest basket!

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What a wonderful long weekend off! Sometimes you just need to unplug and recharge. Did I accomplish a ton? Nope, but I accomplished what was important. I chatted with my brother over his new Echo device. He things that is the coolest thing ever. Unfortunately, there is a setting on his end that when he calls me, it’s on my phone and not the Echo, so we need to adjust something. It may actually have to wait till the next time I’m there because my phone may have to be there.

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We went to our littlest great grand’s 2nd Birthday Party. What a sweetie pie! They live in a lovely house with very high ceilings and hardwood floors. Add a handful of screaming children driving little electric cards all the way around the kitchen island and it was chaos. THEN they served these little ankle biters cake and ice cream! It was crazy and happy and cuteness overload!!!

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We didn’t get to see these littles since last summer. So we brought their Christmas AND birthday gifts with us. I put the hat I made on the birthday boy and it was as though he’d never worn a toboggan before. He held his head very still and only moved his eyes. I felt sorry for him and took it off. He seemed terribly relieved. lol

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Mr. FixIt went to the bowling alley to visit with his friends midday since the Super Bowl was on last night. I sat on the laptop with my headphones on watching Big swim her heart out! She did really well and I could see Daughter #1 and Son-in-Law Extraordinaire on screen several times as they helped out. My SIL has a degree in photography so he was taking pictures of the swimmers. Those kids worked so hard for four straight days. I know they are exhausted and I think they have to go back to classes tomorrow. College athletics are rough and college athletes are tough. It builds good character.

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I finished another crocheted basket and even have enough yarn left to make another small one.  I also have another teddy bear knitted and ready to put together. I have knitting group today and I’ll work on another blanket, but this one is different. And complicated. Big time learning curve, but I’m up for the challenge.

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The rest of my weekend was spent relaxing. I slept in the camper for two nights. Not really “camping”, but still so much fun. I slept with the window opened and listened to an Eastern Screech Owl trilling down by the creek. It was really soft and low and was so soothing. There was a slight breeze. It rained off and on and I laid there on that memory foam mattress under the electric blanket and listened as it tapped gently on the roof. It was so soothing and I feel like I’ve been a week’s vacation.

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We don’t have anything to do till Thursday so we’re really looking forward to a good week…relaxing and enjoying our time together. 

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Go Chiefs!!!

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🩵

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.“

\nMatthew 11:28 NIV\n
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#SuperBowl, #KansasCityChiefs, #Football

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/12/football.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/26/its-boxing-day.html", "title": "It’s Boxing Day!", "content_html": "\n
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I had never heard of Boxing Day till I lived in England. Boxing Day is the tradition of rich families giving boxes of food and presents to the poor. It ostensibly lay started when the servants of the rich people had to work on Christmas Day to serve the family and the guests during the holiday festivities. Now it has become a day to not only box up things for the poor, but to go to after Christmas sales and extend the holiday joy for an extra day.

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I’m all about spreading the joy and partaking of it generously myself whenever I can.  Mr. FixIt and I had a wonderful, quiet day yesterday with lots of phone calls to and from family members. And, even though we PROMISED there would be no presents underneath the tree, we couldn’t resist gifting a little something to each other. I knitted Mr. FixIt a warm woolen hat and gave him the movies he’s been wanting. I got a pair of warm gloves, a new bubble level for the camper (Mr. FixIt accidentally broke mine), some fishing lures I looked at this fall, and the movie Oppenheimer.

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I fixed a great big Christmas breakfast and we watched football most of the day. I finished the last hat for the kids for Christmas and made a couple more for the shop. Instead of working my tail off making Christmas Dinner, we had hamburgers and air-fried French fries. And, for my Christmas treat…I had a nice piece of the fudge with walnuts and one of the Rolo Pretzel cookies that I made this week. Yummy. As I savored it, I asked myself if this was something I would want to sit down and eat a whole plate full and the answer was a resounding “No, thank you!” It will be interesting to see if the sugar makes me feel any different because I haven’t had it in ages. I’ve come a long way. This time last year, my eating was really out of control. This feels better,

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I hope you all had as pleasant a day as you could manage. I’ve learned to lower my expectations of this day. In the past, I would strive for the perfect Hallmark holiday…something right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Nowadays, I strive to find peace in the gentle moments between loved ones. I strive to seek joy in the quiet stillness of my studio or the sound of raindrops on the roof of the camper. And that’s just what I did!

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It got up to 66° yesterday and it started raining in the evening. The low was supposed to get in the mid fifties, so I asked Mr. FixIt if he would mind if I went “camping.” Of course, he didn’t. If his back and hip weren’t bothering him, he would have come out with me. What a treat to camp on Christmas Day! I brought a little sack of fresh fruit to snack on. I turned on the electric blanket and the little space heater, kicked back in the new recliner with a blanket over my lap, and wrote this post. *sigh* The only happier happy place than this is The Farm, but it will be at least another week before I can go out there for a little R&R.

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This week will keep us hopping as we tidy up and prepare for our family gathering on Saturday. So, as soon as I write this, I’m going to turn on the “burning fireplace” video on YouTube and sit here and knit. I may have set my sights low for Christmas this year, but it sure didn’t disappoint. It was a really great day!

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”Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!“

\n2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/26/its-boxing-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Grace","Love","Be Joyful!","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/23/pumpkin-kitty-is-a-guard.html", "title": "Pumpkin Kitty is a Guard Cat!", "content_html": "\n
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Well, I was going to lead this with the second photo, but didn’t want to gross y’all out too bad right from the get go before coffee and all. Mr. FixIt went to town to chat with his buddies last evening and I worked on getting the camper ready for winter. I was thinking of camping one more weekend, but I just don’t think I have it in me. I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m about camped out for the year! Crazy, right?!

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Anyway, I was making trips out to the camper and bringing back tubs of stuff and I almost stepped in a big pile of fresh bear scat! Right in front of the camper door!!! Yikes! I do have bear spray handy, but never even thought I might have to use it in my own backyard. I really think that was what Pumpkin was getting all hairy about on Saturday when she was on high alert. We are extra careful of Pumpkin during the days leading up to Halloween because she’s black. But we’ll put her in her building early and let her out late in the coming weeks till the bears go into hibernation.

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I have all the food stuffs out of the camper except for what’s in the fridge. I’ll take that out and clean it in the morning. I’ve winterized the water system in the camper with that pink RV Antifreeze you see gallons of at Walmart in the fall. I emptied out all the bathroom and kitchen cabinets and the underbelly storage. I need to empty the bedroom cabinets and just keep the barest essentials in there because I still like to go out in the afternoons and nap in the winter. I even get brave and sleep out there from time to time when the weather isn’t too harsh.

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I got a notification last evening and we had our first frost forecast. Honestly, it’s almost Halloween…it’s time for the frosts to come. I hate to see the pretty leaves fall. But fall they must. I’ve come to the conclusion that winter will come whether I like it or not. I can accept it and embrace it or I can be grumpy. Either way, winter will come. I think I’ll just roll with it! 

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And watch out for bears!

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🍁

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“The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.”

\nIsaiah 11:7 ESV\n
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

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Keeping with the animal theme of the day, here’s one of my latest designs for my shop.

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Shop Now

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“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

\nProverbs 28:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/23/pumpkin-kitty-is-a-guard.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/18/oh-lucyim-home.html", "title": "Oh, Lucy…I’m Home!!!", "content_html": "\n
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We bugged out a day early and came home. We stayed at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, Virginia the last night and it is truly a gorgeous place to stay. We were in a little campground called Creekside and while we couldn’t get a site right on the creek, it was still beautiful. The sites are well spaced and we had electric and water. We had a second night reserved, but it was cold and rainy. It got down into the 30’s overnight and with the rain, we couldn’t get out and hike or fish in the lake or sit outside. So yesterday morning, I smiled sweetly at Mr. FixIt and said, “You know, we’re less than five hours from home and you can sleep in your own bed tonight?” It didn’t take him long to decide that was a fine idea.

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I wish the sun would have been out because the colors were absolutely breathtaking! But even with cloudy, drizzly skies they were spectacular. Poor Mr. FixIt…I’d say, “OMGosh! Quick! Get a picture of that!!!” He’d pick his phone up, open the camera, focus, and we’d be past it by then! Bless his heart…he did his best and we did get some good shots but nothing that comes close to what we were seeing in person. It was truly magical and was the “picture perfect” ending to the very best trip we’ve ever taken together!

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We didn’t get home till after 5:00 last night and I was beat. So, here’s a couple of the best shots from yesterday. I’m going to soak in a hot tub and sleep till noon! 

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Thanks for traveling with me vicariously. See you tomorrow!

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🍁

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“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:”

\nEcclesiastes 3:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/18/oh-lucyim-home.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Change","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/16/hello-lakeside.html", "title": "Hello, Lakeside!", "content_html": "\n
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Camping Along the Shore at Jordan Lake - Apex, NC

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We had the most beautiful drive through red wolf and bear habitat. Past marshy canals that house all manner of turtles and and waterfowl and alligators. We were surrounded by fields of cotton ripe for the picking…soybeans and peanuts with their yellowed foliage withered and dry. Carolina barbecue was advertised on hand painted signs along the two lane blacktop. I can promise you…those with the hand painted signs were the best in their county!

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Crepe Myrtle Blooming at the Visitor’s Center on Manteo

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The sky was mostly overcast but we left the rain and the gusty winds at the beach. The sound and the inland waterways were brown and choppy. The further west we drove, the calmer the winds and water till we were tooling along easily without being buffeted from side to side. We didn’t take the time to cook breakfast before we left our campsite because we were sure there would be a huge line at the dump station. But, lo and behold, when we got there, it was totally empty…even though several big campers pulled out ahead of us. In no time we had the dirty deed done and moved on down the road.

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A Big, Beautiful Campsite with Water and Electric

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As we came off the first bridge and arrived in Manteo, I told Mr. FixIt we should really pull into the visitor’s center parking lot and make some ham and egg sandwiches rather than trying to navigate a fast food parking lot towing the camper. We found a parking spot, put the slide out enough that I could get into the “pantry”, aka bathtub, and get the bread and skillet. That bathtub is a convenient place to stow the things that I used to store in the dinette benches. I quickly cooked up a batch of scrambled eggs and heated up the ham slices to melt the cheese. It was better than any quick breakfast food you could get at the arches…and much cheaper, too!

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We only drove about four and a half hours yesterday. Which was long enough considering how little we slept the night before. The wind rocked the camper all night, howling and whistling around every corner. I just got to sleep when I heard a loud bang. I looked all around and couldn’t figure out what it was. Again I drifted off and Mr. FixIt forgot to turn the sound down on his phone and he got a notification. I about jumped through my skin! I crawled over him to grab the phone and turn it down, then promptly dropped it on the floor with a loud thump. Now I’m literally laying across him, feeling around on the floor till I made purchase with the phone and hauled it back up by the charge cord. That’s when I looked at the window and saw what had made the crash earlier. 

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You can see the other loop from our campsite.

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Egress windows in a camper are hinged along the top and swing out so you can crawl through if you need to escape quickly. They have a long handle that can prop the window open for ventilation. But, a big gust of wind can lift it up, pull the handle through the slot in fits through, and then it falls down straight on the outside of the camper. That leaves it free to bang the side of the camper with ever gust of wind…which I’m SURE pleased the people sleeping in the tent right beside us. Oh, who am I kidding…they didn’t get a wink of sleep all night, unlike the folks on the other side. She works in an elementary school cafeteria and drives a school bus. She could sleep though an a-bomb. They were up bright and early, chipper as could be!

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We stopped at Harris Teeter just before we got to the campground. We’ve eaten a lot of eggs the last week and needed to get more. We also needed ice. Even though we have a small refrigerator in the camper, it’s not really big enough to hold much. So we supplement with the cooler. We got to the campground and I was surprised there was still someone manning the gate. We found our campsite and backed in with no problems. However, when I plugged in the camper, my surge protector indicated the post was wired with reverse polarity. We pulled out to go see if we could move to a different site when Mr. FixIt suggested I test another site to see if it was also reverse polarity and it was. So the whole campground was probably affected.

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The closest we got to a sunset.

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You are taking a risk when you plug in like that, but when I had Big TowWanda at The Farm, the house was wired the same way and it didn’t hurt the camper. We were so tired, and it was for just the one night so we took the risk and stayed in that site. I went to bed with a prayer that Grace will be ok in spite of my choice.

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Our campsite is directly across the road from the lake. I can imagine in warmer weather, the mosquitoes probably take you back to the nest to share with their buddies. Out of an abundance of caution, I sprayed myself up with insect repellent and Mr. FixIt and I took a walk down to the water’s edge. We are in a beautiful forest of tall trees with very little in the way of groundcover and underbrush. Jordan Lake is a huge freshwater lake outside the Raleigh-Durham area with three big campgrounds. If it hadn’t been so cloudy, I’m sure we would have had a beautiful sunset.

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Day is Done

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Today we head off to a Virginia State Park for the last two nights of our wonderful trip. I honestly think this has been our best vacation to the beach since we’ve been together. We had so much fun together! We’ll be in the mountains tonight so I have no idea if we’ll have cell service, so if you don’t hear from me for a couple of days, don’t be alarmed. 

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Happy Monday!

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🍁

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“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.”

\nPsalm 50:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/16/hello-lakeside.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/15/so-long-seashore.html", "title": "So Long, Seashore!", "content_html": "\n
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Sunrise at the Outer Banks

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As they say, all good things must come to an end and we have to leave this beautiful place today. I finally got a sunrise photo yesterday morning. We aren’t necessarily early risers so we kept missing them. We couldn’t have had a prettier October week at the beach if we would have custom ordered it. Although we did have a couple of rainy days, it wasn’t really bad. There were a lot of people camping here in tents and I’m so grateful we have Grace to keep us warm and dry.

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I did go out in the afternoon to take the big cell phone antenna down. I saw on The Weather Channel that we could possibly get thunderstorms and that thing could have acted like a lightning rod. It isn’t difficult at all to put it up and take it down and it really made a difference in our reception. Even though I was conscious of my time online this week, I do rely on internet to get my posts out everyday. Writing this blog may seem to some like something that could easily be put aside for vacation time, but I’ve written an essay almost daily since its inception and I just don’t feel right if I haven’t had time to write to you all. It is my mission, my ministry, and my therapy.

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The old Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station

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As I write this, Mr. FixIt is sitting beside me, watching a Tom Selleck movie with his headphones on. The wind and rain is buffeting the camper around as the storm whips through the campground. The neighbors are sitting in their truck instead of their tent to avoid the weather. I would ask them in, but they have two dogs and we just don’t have the extra room. The breeze coming in through the two windows we do have open feels wonderful. 

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The old Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station

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Now that we are leaving, I can tell you we stayed at Oregon Inlet Campground. On the photo, you can see the blue dot where our campsite is located, and across the long bridge, you can see a short expanse of the old Bonner Bridge that they kept and use as a fishing pier. We went there yesterday and parked in the lot, then walked out through the dunes to the beach. And, just like always, I found several feathers to add to my collection at home. The sky was getting threatening and we cut our walk short. It was a good thing because the rain started coming in sheets about fifty yards from the parking lot. We got back to the camper, dried off, and I heated up the leftovers from our anniversary dinner at Henry’s. Scallops, flounder, hushpuppies, and baked potatoes. I made baked apples for dessert. 

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A Storm Brewing

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We are heading to a campground along a lake today. I’ll send pics and location tomorrow.

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Storm Over the Atlantic

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🌊

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“If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.”

\nEcclesiastes 11:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/15/so-long-seashore.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/12/this-was-a-total-day.html", "title": "This Was a Total Day Off!", "content_html": "\n
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We didn’t take a single picture yesterday so here’s one Mr. FixIt took the other night when we were watching the sunset. Sometimes the greatest views are in the opposite direction from where you’re looking.

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We had a nice, slow morning. Pancakes and eggs for breakfast. I love cooking outside. I’d like to have a cocina like they have in Mexico. An open air kitchen with a roof and a ceiling fan. It’s such a great way to cook and keep the heat out of the house. And there’s something primal about cooking outdoors, even if it’s in an electric skillet! Of all my specialty appliances, my big electric skillet is my favorite and I use it all the time. It’s big enough to use in place of a griddle and it’s deep enough to make stew, soup, and chili. It’s so easy to clean, too. I just wipe it out well, pour in some water with a drop of dish soap, and heat it up to a simmer. I turn it off and by the time it’s cool enough to put my hands in the water, I just swish a dishcloth around in it, dump the water, and give it a quick rinse with fresh water. Then it’s ready for the next meal and I’ve never brought it inside.

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After breakfast, we moseyed up the island to Kitty Hawk. We needed to stop at Lowe’s. Then I “had” to visit my friend Jeanne who owns Knitting Addiction Yarn Shop. My bestie Gail sent me a pattern for a soft, squishy winter hat and I thought that would be a great Christmas gift so I picked up the size needle I needed and enough yarn to make two hats and a pair of fingerless mittens. 

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Later, Mr. FixIt had a hankering for a hotdog from Captain Frank’s just down the road from the yarn shop. We stopped at the two antique stores next door then went in for lunch. The only thing I got in the antique stores was a handle for lifting Pyrex pans. I hadn’t seen one for ages and I have some old Pyrex at home.

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By the time we got back to the camper, we were both too tired to do much. We sat outside for a while but there was no wind at all and the mosquitoes were even after Mr. FixIt, and that’s highly unusual. Even with Off! we were both getting attacked.

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It was really a relaxing day…one well deserved. I think we’ll go out on the pier and fish again today. That was so much fun! We really haven’t spent much time on the beach itself this trip. It is such a chore to get our things out there and we didn’t want to spend the money on a beach pass. We have those big wheeled beach totes at home, but Mr. FixIt didn’t think we had room for them. Next time, we’ll strap them to the roof of the truck if need be!

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Yesterday and today were forecast to be cloudy but tomorrow looks like full sun! Saturday has an 86% chance of rain and 34% on Sunday when we leave to head to our next campground. Honestly, we couldn’t have picked a better week to be here!

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🌊

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“Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;”

\nPsalm 107:23 ESV\n
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#Ocean, #Beach, #Camping

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It’s Apple Harvest Time! Bring the autumn scents into your home with this lovely soy candle.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/12/this-was-a-total-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/10/we-can-finally-relax.html", "title": "We Can Finally Relax!", "content_html": "\n
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Not a BIG catch, but fun nonetheless.

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Mr. FixIt’s prescription finally arrived and we picked it up on the THIRD trip to Walmart! The upside of that is we got to have breakfast at our favorite pancake place…Stack ‘Em High! It is SO good and it was a splurge on my food plan, but I worked around it by sacrificing the bacon and having grits instead of hash-browns.

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I’m in MY Happy Place….sitting next to Mr. FixIt!

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We came back to the camper packed a picnic lunch and went to the old bridge at the Oregon Inlet to fish. They built a new bridge a couple of years ago and left a good section of the old one as a pier to fish from. Poor Mr. FixIt was so patient but he wasn’t having any success. The man next to us was using live bait and was pulling in stripers that were 25” to 26” long. They were beauties. But, like I told my sweetheart, there’s never a bad day fishing at the beach!

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The guy next to us caught two good sized stripers and threw them back.

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The sun was getting lower in the sky and we were thrown into the shadow of the new bridge. Even though the temp was in the 60’s, that wind off the sound got pretty chilly without the sun’s rays to warm you. We were about ready to leave when Mr. FixIt decided to “cast just one more time!” And sure enough…he caught a couple fish. They were pretty small and of course he threw them back. But it was enough to put a smile on his face!

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Mr. FixIt in his Happy Place!

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We were going to watch the sunset but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and, while it was pretty…it just wasn’t picturesque. We decided to come “home” and cook some supper. I made a pork roast hash and we had it with a little Duke’s Moonshine Barbecue Sauce which was SO good. I really blew the calorie budget yesterday but we have to treat ourselves once in a while or we feel deprived. I was at a new low yesterday morning…I’ve now lost just shy of 29 pounds! I love NOOM! I’ve learned so much about myself and my relationship with food.

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I knitted while Mr. FixIt was fishing. I’m almost finished with a pair of socks that I started in April. I just don’t have time to sit and knit in the summer. Especially this year. I keep envisioning long days on the beach sitting with my knitting while my sweetheart feeds the fishies, but so far it’s been mostly running around trying to get this prescription fixed. Maybe now we can REALLY relax! I think we’re going to get together with the kids today. That’s always fun!

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🌊

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“Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.”

\nPsalm 8:5-8 ESV\n
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Three Witchy Kitties have formed a band!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/10/we-can-finally-relax.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/09/what-a-beautiful-day-to.html", "title": "What a Beautiful Day to Explore", "content_html": "\n
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Our campground from the dunes.

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I discovered the sun comes right over the dunes and in my window in the camper and that was the end of sleep for me. But I didn’t mind. I laid there and listened to the faint sounds of the ocean waves and caught the chattering of a Boat-Tail Grackle nearby. The campground was still quiet and peaceful. The Boy Scouts across the road were just starting to move about and the welcome smell of frying bacon and coffee drifted along the row of tents and campers.

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Camphorweed…a member of the aster family.

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It wasn’t long before camper after camper was pulling out and heading home from their weekend at the beach. Sad-faced children pouted as their parents shuffled them along. They waved goodbye to the new friends they made on vacation. It took me back to those days when I went away to summer camp or I visited my cousins. I hated to go back home.

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The dreaded sand burr. Who remembers having your mom pull these out of your feet? Ugh!

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I whipped up some sausage and French Toast for breakfast and we sat at the picnic table, soaking up the sun. After the dishes were done, we drove up to Walmart for one last ditch effort to see if Mr. FixIt’s prescription came in and it did not. While we were there, we picked up a few things we needed to install the new cell phone booster. When we got back, I got everything put together and did a before an after speed test. Wowza!!! This thing tripled my download speed! So I’ll call that a big win!

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Our new cell booster tower!

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Mr. FixIt got his fishing gear put together and I finished cleaning up and organizing from my morning projects and it was time to start supper. I fixed Gail’s Cabbage Roll Casserole. It was SO good. I used the leftover spaghetti sauce I made on Friday. I was telling Mr. FixIt, I think I would rather have this than having the sauce over pasta…and it’s a lot less calories, too.

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The waves were pretty big yesterday!

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After supper and the dishes were done yet again, we went for a walk through the dunes and out on the beach. Some of you may have seen the live video I took of the surf. What beautiful shades of blue! We hurried back to the camper so we could drive over and catch the sunset on the sound side. It was downright blustery out there. I forgot to take a jacket and I was freezing. I fixed us a nice cup of tea when we got back to the camper and that was the end of the most perfect day.

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🌊

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“Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name:”

\nJeremiah 31:35 ESV\n
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#Ocean, #Camping, #Beach

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As promised, here is my newest Christmas design. Happy Campmas! A darling little vintage camper all dressed up for the holidays!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/09/what-a-beautiful-day-to.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/08/we-have-arrived.html", "title": "We Have Arrived!!!", "content_html": "\n
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OMGosh…what a great campground! We are nestled in amongst the sand dunes in a very narrow part of the island. We cannot see the ocean from our camper, but we can see the sunset over the sound…just not right on the water. It’s so beautiful. We found the perfect place to watch the sunset right across the road from the campground. 

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We drove through quite a bit of rain on our way down here but just as I was backing the camper into our spot, it stopped. By the time we had everything unhitched and hooked up, the sun was shining. We had to make a decision…go over the dunes and see the ocean, or go across the road and watch the sunset. Those rain clouds were still hanging around so we opted to gamble on a beautiful sunset. It did not disappoint!

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It was pretty stuffy Friday night so we slept with the air conditioner going. It killed two birds with one stone…it cooled it down for better sleeping AND it drowned out a lot of the noise from the other campers. That campground was packed. This one is, as well. With Columbus Day on Monday, there are a lot of campers out and about with their kids. We were so happy to see a huge number of Boy Scouts camping this weekend right across from us. There must be 20-25 of them plus their Leaders. They were having so much fun playing organized games when we first got here. But as soon as it got dark, they were quiet as church mice. Good kids.

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Mr. FixIt, Jr., his wife, a nephew, and their friends are renting a beach house several miles south of us this week. We are really looking forward to spending some time with them on the beach fishing and playing corn hole. I brought my knitting with me. I kinda like being this far down on the island…there is very little commercialization down here. Less distraction. Less chance of spending money. Just peace and quiet. It’s heavenly. And now…I can rest for a whole week!

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🍁

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“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.”

\nPsalm 104:24-26 ESV\n
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No ads today. Look for something NEW and fun tomorrow!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/08/we-have-arrived.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/06/mountain-miles-are-longer.html", "title": "Mountain Miles are Longer", "content_html": "\n
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Leaving the Greenbrier State Forest Campground

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I love to drive. Mountains, plains, twisty-turny or straightaways…I love them all. This camper is so easy to pull that you hardly know it’s back there. The only thing that gives me even the slightest pause is driving through rush hour traffic in a big city towing a camper behind me. Because people be crazy on the highways. They whip around you and dart right back in front of you with inches to spare. They don’t realize I’m hauling a couple of tons of force behind me and I can’t stop as fast as normal…even with electric brakes on the camper. I was in the middle lane going 65 when a guy passed me in the fast lane on my left. Not a problem normally. But then he turned sharp right in front of not only me, but the right lane, too and zipped off the exit. I think my heart is somewhere on the blacktop in Central Virginia.

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“Country Roads…Take me Home!”

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I can’t tell you where we’re staying while we are here, but it is SO beautiful. It’s in the general area of where we’ve stayed before…just not this campground. The State Park is neat as a pin with spacious campsites nestled in a tall hardwood forest. The camp host is as pleasant as can be. We had a hard time getting level and he loaned us a couple of boards and that was just what we needed. Again, it was nearly dark by the time we had the campsite set up so I whipped up a quick “breakfast/supper”…ham, eggs, and toast. Once I got the dishes cleaned up and sat down, it was almost 9:00. I fixed myself a hot beverage and sat down in our new recliners to write. I think I will smile every single time I sit down in here!

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We stopped in a rest area to take a short break and parked by the cutest little homemade teardrop camper. The couple were so nice and offered to show us their handiwork. He made this little camper in his basement! I forgot to ask him how he got it out! She is a nurse who works with Medicaid matching foster and adoptions with the proper services. I told her she is an angel in disguise because that is such hard work. They were just the sweetest people and we may find them visiting us here on these pages! Isn’t this just the cutest thing?

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Greenbrier State Forest

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I’m really glad we don’t have to travel today. We are going to play tourist and wander around the area a bit. Maybe even catch a nap…I don’t know. I’ll be able to share where we are tomorrow when we leave for the last leg of the drive down to the beach.

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🍁

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“But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

\n1 Timothy 6:8 ESV\n
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Boo! Three scary little pumpkins for Halloween.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/06/mountain-miles-are-longer.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/05/its-deer-season-in-west.html", "title": "It’s Deer Season in West Virginia", "content_html": "\n
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Honey, I’m telling you…deer season is a religious holiday in my home state. Lawsy…the number of trucks with muddy ATVs on the back is staggering. Day Glow Orange is the new black. Men named Bubba and AJ and Jim Bob are sitting in their tree stands before dawn, quietly waiting and watching for the deer to start browsing the woodlands. There are several sections of deer season…bow/crossbow (which we’re in now), buck firearm, antlerless-1, antlerless-2, antlerless-3, antlerless-4, muzzleloader, etc. You get the drift. Hunting is big here. It’s a right of passage fathers hand down to sons (and daughters.) A lot of schools close sure the first week of rifle season because the kids will be out there with their dads.

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The people who hunt in West Virginia are largely subsistence hunters…that is, they aren’t necessarily hunting just for a trophy to mount on their walls (although, that is prevalent. Mostly, people hunt for meat for the table and for preserving. Some people do hunt for the meat, but not for themselves…they donate it to food pantries. Personally, I am not a big fan of venison. I did fry up some deer tenderloins a couple of years ago and they were just…ok. Some people are just crazy about it. People who hunt on their own land feed the deer corn for a while before hunting season and fatten them up to make the meat less “gamey.” It’s a big deal in these parts.

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We camped in the Greenbrier State Forest Campground last night. It’s a very small, somewhat rustic campground however, it DOES have electric. We emptied our fresh water tank before we came down to keep the weight down but we just stayed here one night so we did without. We had plenty of bottle water so it was fine.

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October is such a great time to camp. The days are warm, the nights are cool. It couldn’t have been a prettier day driving down. The colors are really changing up closer to Marshmallow Ranch, but the farther south we went, the trees were just starting to change. I think it’s going to be a beautiful trip and driving back through Virginia will be stellar.

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We were both pretty tired last night and turned in early. We got a late start because there was still so much to do. We’ll have two nights at the next campground so we can rest up for the big push to the beach. Back in the day, Mr. FixIt would pack up the family and leave at their bedtime. Then he would drive straight through while they slept. Once they got to the beach, everyone was refreshed and ready to go play on the sand…except Mr. FixIt who had to take a nap! That does NOT sound like fun to me. When we drive, we make it to Williamsburg the first day, then drive on down to the beach on the second day. That way neither one of us is exhausted from too much driving. Mr. FixIt, Jr. had never done that till they came down to meet us at the condo one year. They’ve learned something from the old folks! 

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I’ll share more photos tomorrow. It was almost dark when we got to the campsite!

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🍁

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“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

\nIsaiah 40:8 ESV\n
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The Skeleton Crew….dancing beneath the harvest moon!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/05/its-deer-season-in-west.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/04/what-a-crazy-busy-day.html", "title": "What a Crazy Busy Day!", "content_html": "\n
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The last day before every trip is loony toons! We run around with our hair on fire, passing each other saying things like, “Did you grab the…..?” “Don’t forget your….!” “Don’t grab the…… I already got it!” Hokey Smokes!!!

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I had to go back into town yesterday to get a new flush valve to fix the camper toilet. I also got a stair nose to protect the front edge of the slide out since we’ll be climbing up and down there. I stopped the mail and paid the taxes. Did laundry. Cooked a pork roast and finally sat down to eat when our legs would not move another inch. Fried pork roast and sauerkraut…yummmmm!

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I have our itinerary printed and in the truck. I still think we have WAY too much stuff with us, but  we whittle it down after every trip. Whatever happened to the days of grabbing a toothbrush and a charge card and hitting the road? 

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Fixing the toilet yesterday was a lot more difficult than putting the loveseat recliners in the slide out. I was hoping I could avoid taking the toilet out because that gives you a direct opening to the black tank…right under your nose. Ugh! But, in the end, there really was no other way to reach this part without removing the whole thing. I quickly took a couple of large disposable diapers and covered the hole, making sure there was no way they could fall down in the tank. That would be a disaster!

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It didn’t take too long to remove the old part and put in the new one. The more difficult part was an extra step I decided to make. I installed a shutoff valve in the supply line to the toilet. That way, if this ever happens again, we can shut the water off just to the toilet and still be able to wash our hands and do dishes. The gentleman at the RV place showed me some clamps that you have to squeeze shut with a pipe wrench. By that time, my wrists were hurting so bad from all the work I’ve done over the last week, it was almost impossible. But I kept asking God to just give me a little more strength and it finally clicked shut!

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The last chore was installing a stair nose on the front edge of the slideout. This was another thing they happened to have at the RV dealer. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask for black screws. I managed to salvage five from other projects and that is really all I needed to get the stair nose attached firmly. I had to take the mattress off the bed in order to lift it to put a couple of storage tubs under there. I lost the storage space from under the bench seats of the dinette so two tubs took their place. It wasn’t heavy stuff…just some blankets and light kitchen items. I took a good deal of stuff back into the house. Like I said…not enough, but enough for right now.

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So that’s it. I’m fried. My back hurts. My hands hurt. Everything hurts! Too bad I quit drinking 23 years ago! We’re as ready as we’ll every be. At least we don’t have to leave at the crack of dawn. I’m looking forward to exploring a new WV State Park. I’ll report on it tomorrow!

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🍁

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“Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.”

\nProverbs 31:6-7 ESV\n
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#pain, #camping, #travel, #roadtrip

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I LOVE FALL CAMPING! And, you wanna know what? I’ve never camped at the beach so this ought to be amazing!!!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/04/what-a-crazy-busy-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/03/im-the-exterminator.html", "title": "I’m the Exterminator", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt doesn’t like spiders and snakes. I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily afraid of them. I mean, he doesn’t scream like a little girl when he sees them. He just politely informs that there’s a spider or a snake that needs my attention. That’s ok…we all have our strengths and he makes up for it in many other ways.

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When I went out the back door Sunday night, I saw a sight I instantly recognized. A shiny black spider with a big abdomen. A Black Widow! I didn’t say a word. I just took off my shoe and kinda smacked it a little. When I turned my shoe over, there was the underside of said spider with the familiar red hourglass. It was then that I showed Mr. FixIt and warned him to watch out when reaching into woodpiles and dark places because this is the time of year the critters are looking for a comfy place to spend the winter.

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We had a crazy busy day yesterday. The first thing I did was make antimacassars for the new loveseat. Who knows what antimacassars are? And how did they get their name. Macassar oil was commonly. Used by men in the early 19th century to slick their hair back. It’s made of scented olive oil or castor oil. Women took to making small cloth covers for the tops of chairs to keep from getting grease stains on their furniture. Mr. FixIt doesn’t wear any product in his hair, but like most hard working men, he works outside a lot and perspires so between that and the natural oils in his hair, he stains the tops of chairs. Now, I could have put something lovely over the back of the loveseats, but the fabric is slick and the camper will be bouncing around, so I chose an older towel…a bath sheet because it was bigger. I cut it in half, hemmed the raw end, folded each half and stitched along the side selvages to creat something akin to a pillowcase. It slips right over the top of the chairs and can be removed to launder. I need to do this on the Big Red Chairs in the family room…in my spare time! lol

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I went into town with a list a mile long. I can get these things done a little faster on my own because there isn’t any discussion going on and we don’t run into people we know and stand and talk for half an hour. (Bless his heart!) I dropped off the old spare tire mount at the welder and told him what I wanted. Then I ran into town and did the shopping and the mount was finished when I picked it up on my way home. Easy Peasy. The only thing I forgot to do was have him drill a hole in the bottom so the rain will drain out. But Mr. FixIt can do that today.

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As happens with all campers, I came home to a mess in the bathroom. The flush valve sprang a leak so now I have to fix that today. I spent a long time last evening going through the camper and organizing the storage since we lost the space under the two bench seats. I’ll finish that up today, too. It’s always something, isn’t it? Oh, and I also have to figure out how to connect the cell booster, but honestly…that can wait till we’re camping.

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I need to pop the pork roast in the oven today and get that packaged up for meals for our trip. 

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Sleep is highly over-rated.

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🍁

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“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

\nJeremiah 29:11 ESV\n
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Personalized Christmas Ornaments are really starting to get popular now. If you are considering a personalized gift item, I have several to choose from in Marshmallow Ranch Designs.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/03/im-the-exterminator.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/02/a-beautiful-autumn-day.html", "title": "A Beautiful Autumn Day", "content_html": "\n
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Not only was the weather perfect, but the company was as well. Our oldest great grandchild celebrated her “6th Birthday” yesterday complete with her own bouncy house and an appearance by Elsa, the Princess from Frozen. After a couple little hiccups getting there, we arrived just in time to see Elsa and some fine little Princesses singing and dancing. Oh, it had to be a storybook birthday for our little one and one she’ll never forget!

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Once the candles were lit and blown out, the pizza was eaten, and the gifts were opened, we begged our leave and ran some errands. We needed to go to Lowe’s to find something to rig up the antenna for our new cell phone booster. We were designing things in our heads faster than we could make the other understand and I was hangry. A nice salad later and I was back on an even keel.

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We went home and I started to back the mower out of the building when I looked down and there was an old spare tire mount for a camper we sold last year. I took one look at it and knew our antenna dilemma was likely over. I took it out and showed it to Mr. FixIt and we both agreed this could be the answer for mounting the antenna to the camper. It needs a small adaptation so he’ll take it to the welder today to have it fixed.

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Papaw’s Best Buddy

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We are in a crunch now. It’s finally dry enough and we have the time to mow. I got a good deal done yesterday afternoon and will finish today. I need to take things out of the camper that we don’t need and stock it with what we do. Fortunately Beans mowed at the farm over the weekend so we don’t have to try to fit that in. We head out Wednesday morning, so what doesn’t get done, either won’t or we’ll get what we need when we’re on the road. I’m not stressing about it.

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One thing I am going to take with me is my super find of the week. We arrived early for our eye appointments last week and walked to the end of the building where the Goodwill is. We like to pick around and see if there’s anything we can’t live without. (What was it I was saying just last week about needing to get RID of stuff??? lol) Anyway, we found a metal basket that you roast corn in over a fire. That’s going with us. But the coup de gras was a Yeti can cooler. They normally cost $25 and I got mine for $.99!!! Whoop, Whoop!!!

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?

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“Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.”

\nEcclesiastes 10:19 ESV\n
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When I became a widow, I discovered fuzzy blankets really helped to comfort me. Now, I design them with my favorite photos and scriptures to comfort others who are bereaved. 

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/02/a-beautiful-autumn-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/01/womens-work-isnt-what-it.html", "title": "Women’s Work Isn’t What it Used to Be", "content_html": "\n
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This is what the dinette looked like before. The seats were terribly uncomfortable, the table was mounted way too high, and the front edge of the bench seat dug into your hip everytime to you tried to sit.

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Now, before I go any further, Mr. FixIt had to help me at the end with some heavy lifting. But I did a huge job on my own and I’m pretty darned proud of myself! You know yesterday morning I showed you the RV loveseat we purchased to replace the dinette in our new camper. Well, Mr. FixIt left before noon to go get his hair cut and do a little shopping so I got to work on the camper.

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The first thing I had to do was empty the storage under the two bench seats of the dinette. We’ve spent enough time in this camper now to know what we use and what just takes up space and weight. With the added weight of the loveseat, I need to trim the stuff we tow along with us and never touch.

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My initial thought was, I would empty, sort, cull, collate and store what needed to stay under the bed. The rest would go in the house and then I could start on the demolition. But, no…

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I am a Gemini. When I am faced with a fun project, I have to jump in with both feet! I threw everything on the bed, went out to the building to get Mr. FixIt’s tool bag and set to removing the dinette.

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It was really quite easy. The benches are screwed down to the floor and the walls of the slideout. I took the first bench out and started on the second. It was a little more complicated because the electrical wiring for the slideout motor was threaded down through a hole in the bottom cross brace. I unhooked the battery and unplugged the camper. Then I tested the lights to make sure the power was indeed off. 

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I snipped the wires and lifted that bench seat out, then I spliced the wiring back together. Before I went any further, I connected the battery and plugged the camper back in and tested the lights and slideout. Magic! I found my hand-held vacuum and swept the bottom of the slideout to clean it up. Then it was ready to install the new reclining loveseat.

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We unloaded the loveseat Friday and set it in the driveway under a tarp. The backs of the recliners come off and they’re really light so I just carried them out to the camper. The seat portion of the recliners was another thing altogether. I lifted them onto the dolly and wheeled them out to the camper, but I didn’t have the strength to carry them into the camper alone. I wheeled first one, then the other and set them on my oilskin tablecloth to keep them clean.

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I no sooner got the second one wheeled out to the camper when Mr. FixIt called. He was almost home so I told him I would wait for him before I started the next step. He was really impressed by how much I got done while he was gone. I told him my plan for getting the bottom halves of the chairs inside and he thought it was a fine idea. We brought them in without difficulty and got them placed where we wanted them.

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The man at the dealership where we bought the loveseat said I didn’t need to anchor them down, but I didn’t agree with that. I studied the frame and there were two holes in the front bar of the frame that were obviously for bolting it down to the slide. I could just imagine pulling into our campsite and finding the whole apparatus crushed against the kitchen. We discussed the best way to anchor them and decided to run over to the hardware store in our little village to get four lag bolts. We neither one felt it was necessary to anchor the back of the chair to the floor, too. Once the front is anchored, the loveseat isn’t going anywhere unless the trailer turns over and if that happens, dinging up the front of the kitchen cabinets would be the least of our worries.

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We found exactly what we needed. Mr FixIt told me how to do it and asked if I needed any help. I gave him a kiss and a big thank you for all the help with the heavy lifting. He gave me a kiss right back and told me what a great job I did!!! It’s been a long time since I’ve done a job like this and I absolutely LOVE it. When you push yourself to do something new, then finish it well, there is a huge sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with that.

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So, as I am writing this, I am sitting in my side of the recliner and writing this on my iPad that’s set up on my lap desk. I’m listening to the night sounds and going through a checklist in my mind of what needs to go back in the house and what can be packed in our two trunks we take with us in the bed of the truck. They carry the camping gear we can’t or don’t want to store inside. 

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We did have a bit of concern yesterday regarding our trip to the beach. I called the campground that’s run by the National Parks Service and was told if there was a shutdown, they would be closed. But it looks like the Continuing Resolution will pass and folks can get their paychecks and we can still go on our last big camping trip of the season.

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Welcome, October!!!

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???

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“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.””

\n2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV\n
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No ads today…Enjoy your Sunday!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/01/womens-work-isnt-what-it.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Camping","Growth","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/30/we-did-a-thing.html", "title": "We Did a Thing", "content_html": "\n
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We love our new camper. It’s the perfect size to tow. It’s lightweight. It has every amenity you need…except for a comfortable place to sit. There is a slide out, which is great because it gives you more foot space and you aren’t crawling over each other. However, there is a dinette in the slide that is the most uncomfortable seating I have ever seen in a camper. The table is mounted way too high and even with losing over twenty-five pounds has me feeling like I’m sitting at the kiddies’ table.

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It’s not easy to find affordable furniture that will go through the narrow door of a camper. You can find some cheap, entry level padded bench-type love seats. Or you can buy something from IKEA that you have to put together like Tinker Toys. What we really wanted was a loveseat that’s actually made for an RV…preferable one that reclines. These are made with weight and size in mind but man, are they pricey!

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We’ve been checking online and even on FB Marketplace. Sometimes people take furniture out of their campers and do something different and they sell the items, but we didn’t have much luck. Mr. FixIt went to town yesterday and decided to stop at one of the two local RV dealers. They happened to have exactly what we were looking for! He’s a wheeler-dealer, this man of mine. He didn’t want to pay what they wanted. It was a difference of $200. The dealer went down a little on the price but wasn’t going any lower than that. Mr. FixIt was going to walk away.

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We are preparing to leave Wednesday for the beach for two weeks. It’s October. We very likely will have rain storms while we’re there and the only place to sit is this dinette and it kills our backs. So, I voted and appealed to his back pain and won. We picked it up and brought it home. And now we have to take the dinette out and set this in. I’m SO excited, I could plotz! I sat in this thing. It’s MILES ahead of the dinette. And, each side reclines independently…nearly flat! This means, in a pinch…it could be used for extra sleeping.

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I have a place to knit! And to sit while I write! I’ll take the dinette out carefully and maybe someone might want it on Marketplace. I’m doing the happy dance over here. This will make the trip to the beach so much better! The only thing that might stand in our way at this point is weather…or possibly a government shutdown. The campground where we’re staying is in a National Park. Whether we get to camp or not is small potatoes compared to people going without paychecks! We’ll deal with the hand we’re given…one way or the other.

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?

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 NIV\n
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Here’s a cute “Merry Christmas” ornament you can personalize. Just choose the Initial you want in the center and the name and year. These make great keepsakes for generations to come!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/30/we-did-a-thing.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/24/rollin-rollin-rollin.html", "title": "Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin!", "content_html": "\n
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My sweetheart…enjoying the good life he deserves.

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HokeySmokes, y’all…there’s so much to tell. I’m going to have to do a daily synopsis!

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Monday

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Camped under the Silver Maples

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We kinda took our time on Monday. We had a nice breakfast, then we started getting stuff out to the camper…mostly Mr. FixIt’s stuff because my stuff was still in there. We hit the road around 3:00, I guess. We had to stop for gas first, then our favorite rest area to dump the tanks. We stopped in Marietta to pick up some groceries for the trip and headed on to the campground. We neither one slept well because we forgot how noisy it is up there between the trains, the state highway across the river, and the tugboats pushing the barge up and down.

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One of my wonderful bonus sons…I didn’t have to raise them or feed them. I just get to enjoy them and love them.

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Tuesday

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A lovely, leisurely breakfast and time fishing. The kids came up and brought some food and the guys fished for awhile and we sat around the campfire till they had to get home. Really, it was very peaceful and relaxing.

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Ruby, the well behaved Bernedoodle (cross between Standard Poodle and a BerneseMountain Dog)

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Wednesday

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Mr. FixIt went on a search for a place to fill the propane tank that we use for the gas campfire ring and I stayed at the camper and knitted. It was such a pleasant day, and I hadn’t had a chance to just sit and look at the river. We went for walks every day and there were more campers coming in Wednesday in preparation for the weekend. I love talking to people from all around. There was a couple from nearby Marietta who always come camping during the week for the same reason we do…it’s quiet and peaceful. They had the most beautiful Bernedoodle named Ruby. While we were talking, the gal who was camping in a little tiny teardrop camper returned from her daily visits to the many glass museums in the area. I was anxious to ask her about her camper.

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Rustic Trails Teardrop Camper…SO cute! (Note to Kathy: “Get yourself a hitch lock, hon. Please don’t leave this little sweet thing in a campground all on her own for the day. I’d hate to see you lose her!”)

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Kathy and I sat and visited for quite awhile. She showed me the camper and in the course of our conversation, she revealed that she used to be a Diabetes Educator which is what I used to do a gazillion years ago. It’s such a small world, isn’t it? Mr. FixIt and I ended the day sitting quietly around our little “campfire”, drinking a cup of tea and watching the moon turn pumpkin orange as it slipped under the western horizon. It was a very good day.

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Shadows, Reflections, and a Snake in the Swamp! Zoom in on the water.

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Thursday

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Something I didn’t tell you was one of my mom’s cousins died of covid last weekend and his viewing and funeral were Thursday. I had told them I couldn’t come because we would be out of town so I sent flowers. Then, when I woke up that morning and we happened to have a little cell service, I looked on the map and the town was only 35 minutes away! Mr. FixIt didn’t have the proper attire, but I essentially keep a closet in the back of our Super Crew Cab F-150 so I was prepared for most anything. I dug around and found something appropriate to wear, left Mr. FixIt to go fishing, and headed over to pay my respects and represent our branch of the family. When I got back, we started getting things ready for supper because the kids were coming back up and I told them I’d cook this time. We grilled chicken and had fresh corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes. We sat around the “campfire” again and watching the stars. It was a long day. It’s a shame our reunions are at funerals now, isn’t it? I’m going to do something about that.

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Friday

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Time to head home. We had breakfast and started stowing things away for the trip. We stopped at the same dump station to empty our tanks and were back home by mid-afternoon. On the drive home, I told Mr. FixIt we should go back into Parkersburg later and get our Covid vaccines, which we did. We’ve always had Moderna, but it wasn’t available yet so we took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Sam’s. We were assured there wouldn’t be a problem mixing them. Pro tip: if you take a couple of Extra Strength Tylenol before you have your vaccine, it really lessons the site reaction. When we left Sam’s, we went to Volcano Days out at Mountwood Park and walked and walked and walked. They had a big display of hit and miss engines that I just love to hear. They remind me of my childhood when the well tenders would go around and start up the engines and pump the wells for awhile. We got home late Friday night…too late to write a proper post. So here I am. We’re caught up at this point…except for what happened yesterday.

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Saturday

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We went down near Charleston yesterday morning to meet the gal from FB Marketplace that we bought our new to us cell phone booster from. Easy peasy. Since we were down there, I asked Mr. FixIt if he’d like to go over to Cabela’s and wander around for a while. That was great fun because he taught me all about fishing lures and bait and what kind of fish they attract. Mr. FixIt’s tried and true method of fishing is with worms on a hook with a bobber and you sit in your chair waiting for a bite. I tried it and, no offense sweetheart, but I would rather watch paint dry. To me, it was kinda LIKE watching paint dry. I’m going back to lures and bait. The next stop was Home Goods. Lots more walking and I started feeling really tired. We went on to Target and about halfway through there, I was definitely NOT feeling well. I felt like my feet were full of lead. It felt like I was on a fast elevator down. As a matter fact, I nearly blacked out three times and was seeing stars. We decided I might be having a reaction to the shot so we stopped at the ER nearby and they checked me out. Thankfully, my tests were negative and the doctor agreed it was probably related to the the shot and I was just feeling fatigued. I was also a little dehydrated, but not enough to get an IV. So, they discharged me, we went to get something to eat, and I am very happily staying home today!

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So, that’s the skinny on my week. 

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It’s always an adventure with Ginny McKinney!

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“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

\n3 John 1:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/24/rollin-rollin-rollin.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/19/a-camping-we-will-go.html", "title": "A Camping We Will Go!", "content_html": "\n
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It rained off and on yesterday. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining when we packed up the truck and camper and it held off till we got to the campground. We waited in the truck because they were big raindrops and that’s usually a sign of a brief shower. We have camped in this particular site several times so I backed in slick as a whistle. We were both starving so I fixed us some sandwiches and we set the camp up.

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When it started getting dusk, we fished a little bit. Didn’t even get a nibble, but it’s fun to try. Two of my step kids came up to see the campsite and bring us some burgers. We had a fire with the propane campfire pit I bought when I was on The Grand Adventure after Mr. Virgo died. I take it with me most every camping trip and never end up using so it was nice to sit on the banks of the Ohio River with the flames flickering at our feet and no smoky smell!

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We were both pretty well done by 9:00 and we snuggled in under the covers. The low was predicted to be 48° during the night so I’m really glad I have my “toaster oven” sleeping beside me! This will be short tonight and hopefully I’ll be able to post the beautiful picture I took of the sliver of a moon over the river just before dark. It makes me wonder why God bothers with us…we are infinitesimal compared to the grand beauty of the universe!

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More tomorrow!

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?

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“I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?”

\nPsalms 8:3-4 MSG\n
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Harvest Blessings…we have so much to be grateful for!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/19/a-camping-we-will-go.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/15/a-little-surprise.html", "title": "A Little Surprise", "content_html": "\n
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I gave Jan seeds from the white pumpkins we decorated with at our wedding in October 2018. She has planted them every year except this one. She surprised me yesterday with a little wedding pumpkin that came up as a volunteer this summer!

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Our friend Jan came to camp with us last night. She just bought a beautiful used Roadtrek 170 and hasn’t slept in it yet so this was her maiden voyage. What a beautiful camper van! I don’t know if Mr. FixIt and I could both sleep in it. The bed is really small. But the front chairs turn around and there is a way to turn one of them into a narrow twin. It might be something to look at down the road when we don’t want to tow anymore. It would be a great way to just jump up and go at the drop of a hat. In other words…my kind of travel.

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Gail and I went to East Palestine again yesterday. I wanted to check in on my new friend Lonnie at Mama’s Attic. She’s closing her shop November 1st and I picked up a few more bargains I’ll share with you down the road. We came back to the campground and it was my turn to cook. I made a big breakfast with scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, and fried apples and peaches. SO good! The low Wednesday night was 43 and last night was predicted to be the same. 

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I love sleeping when it’s cold. I even leave the windows open, but I sleep under an electric blanket and I’m cozy as a kitten. It didn’t get very warm yesterday. Gail fixed a really great meal that I am going to have to make for Mr. FixIt. He loves Cabbage Rolls but they are a pain to make. Gail makes a Cabbage Roll Casserole. You cut your cabbage in big slices and stick it in the microwave for a while to soften up. Fry a pound of ground turkey. I would also add a chopped onion. (She couldn’t remember if I liked onions or not so she left them out.) Then add some jarred spaghetti sauce, a handful of brown rice, maybe a can of diced tomatoes, and add the cabbage, season with salt and pepper and let it simmer on the stove or an electric skillet for a while. OMGosh! It was delicious!

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Gail’s Cabbage Roll Casserole

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With tummies full of warm food (and watermelon for dessert), we moved our chairs around the campfire and tried to call in the owls. We got one barred owl to “chat” with us for a bit. I think maybe after a few days of calling them in, you can’t fool them quite so easily. By 9:00, when the owl conversation was over, we called it a night and went to our respective little homes on wheels. 

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These get togethers with girlfriends pass by way too fast. We had such a wonderful time. I got to camp with Gail four times this year and that was a rare treat. Now it’s time to go home and we may not see each other again till we plan a late winter/early spring craft weekend. I head out this morning and I can’t wait to get home and give Mr. FixIt and big hug! He and his friend Harry installed the new garage door yesterday, so now Pumpkin can have the run of the building at night again.

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Our cozy campfire.

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I’ll be home for three days then Mr. FixIt and I leave Monday to go camping at one of our favorite campgrounds on the banks of the Ohio River. We love mid-week camping in the fall. The kids are in school. The tourists are practically nonexistent. And we often have the place pretty much to ourselves. The nice thing is, this is a Corps of Engineers campground. It will be nice to get away with my sweetie in the camper for a few days. He deserves a break!

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🍁

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“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

\nMark 6:31 ESV\n
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#Camping, #Rest, #Autumn

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Halloween Pumpkin…a black cat just like our Pumpkin Kitty. She got the name because I met her on Halloween!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/15/a-little-surprise.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/14/another-lovely-day-at-the.html", "title": "Another Lovely Day at the Campground", "content_html": "\n
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Gail had to be in town yesterday, so I spent the morning deep cleaning the camper. I hadn’t really done much other than sweep it out from time to time and it needed some serious attention. I usually end up throwing bags of things in the camper at the last minute when I’m going someplace, so I collated and organized those, too.

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The lovely lady who was tent camping a couple of sites away from me was packing up to leave. I cooked my breakfast and as I sat down to give thanks for my meal, I got a nudge. “Share with your neighbor.” I looked over at her. It was cold and rainy Tuesday night. I was sure she hadn’t slept well. I split my big meal in half, added some blueberries and an apple and ran it over to her. Jacqueline is a pastor for a small church in Cleveland. It was such a pleasure to meet her.

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Once Gail came back, she came over to tell me lunch would be ready soon. We had a couple of ears of corn and the leftover green beans from the other night. Ohhhh, I will miss the corn. It was so good this summer. We took our leave and went to our respective campers for rest time. I didn’t really rest…I finished up working on the camper. We came back out at around 4:00. I finished knitting my cozy wool hat. Gail finished a pair of fingerless mittens. 

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The low for last night was predicted to be in the forties, and the longer we sat out, the colder it got. I decided to bake some apples for our dessert. When I picked up the dish, I proceeded to spill hot, sticky apple juice all over my freshly mopped floor! Ahhhh, well…what can you do? I quickly cleaned it up and delivered the apples to the pavilion where we sit and visit. They were delicious and we save half to make “fried apples” in the morning.

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We gave up early and turned in. A friend is coming tonight to camp with us, so we’ll have a fire and call in the owls again. Then, it’s time to go home tomorrow. The insurance company did end up totaling the Lincoln and Mr. FixIt said they came and picked it up yesterday morning. Now, a little paperwork when I get home and we’ll get the settlement check, which is twice what they initially offered. When that woman told me we weren’t going to get another dime out of them, I wanted to say, “Really? Watch me.” But what I actually said was, “Thank you so much for your time.” She doesn’t make the rules. She does what they tell her to do and that’s offer the least amount of money possible and they know most people will sigh and say, “OK.” Now I’m praying they don’t cancel my insurance policy. Darned if you do. Darned if you don’t.

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This week has flown by. We’ll have to make today count!

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?

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“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

\nActs 2:42 ESV\n
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Did you have someone special get married this year? If so, a personalized Christmas ornament makes a lovely gift for their First Married Christmas. It’s something they’ll treasure and remember for years to come.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/14/another-lovely-day-at-the.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/13/in-my-other-happy-place.html", "title": "In My Other Happy Place", "content_html": "\n
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Any of you who have followed me for any length of time know my happy places. With Mr. FixIt and my family…at The Farm…on the tractor at Marshmallow Ranch…or in the Camper. Yesterday was such a cozy day and I was definitely feeling my happy titer rising. Gail and I knitted for awhile, then went to town, hoping to visit with Lonnie at Mama’s Attic before she closes up shop, but she was closed till today. I’ll try again later. By the time we fiddled around town, I was starving so we went to The Roadhouse for lunch.

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Gail’s Autumn Sedum

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When we got back to the campground, it was siesta time. As soon as I got in the camper, it started pouring the rain down. I didn’t nap…I just lay there drifting to the sound of raindrops on the roof of the camper. I seldom revisit my early days of camping when I was newly bereaved and wandered through the wilderness and backroads of Colorado. However, I do let my mind wonder at how different things are now.

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After the Rain

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I can distinctly remember the very early days of The Grand Adventure. I was barely at my first campsite and I got really sick with a bad cold. I was prepared for just about any eventuality, so I took medicine, ate soup, and stayed cuddled up in bed for three days. I’ll bet I slept twenty hours a day that week. I was so tired. I’d been running around like crazy since Mr. Virgo died. There was SO much to do, and I really hadn’t given myself much time to just be with my grief.

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A very faint but full arc rainbow.

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I can’t say I ever became friends with grief. But I did learn how to live with it…eventually. That little camper…TOW-Wanda…was my safe place. My healing place. My cocoon when I could block out the world and just BE. The camper itself is what I became friends with. It’s ability to embrace me and hold my tears and fears for safekeeping. I still feel that magical embrace when I enter my space.

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I am so incredibly blessed to have a husband that holds me close while he lets me go at the same time. He so generous and loving and patient and kind. I miss him tremendously when I am away from him. And when we get back together after time apart, it’s the act of coming home when I feel his warm embrace.

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I don’t take a moment of that for granted. I know how fast things can change so I make sure he knows just how cherished he is. Yes, I am blessed with so many happy places. This is just one of them. We called in the owls again last night. This time I got a picture of a beautiful Barred Owl in the tree not twenty feet from me. 

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He sat there for quite a while and never made a sound. By the time I went into the camper, there were several nearby…calling back and forth.

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We are so blessed when we find such goodness in the world.

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???

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“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”

\nJeremiah 17:14 ESV\n
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Looking ahead to the holidays…Meowy Christmas is for those cat lovers on your shopping list!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/13/in-my-other-happy-place.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Camping","Be Joyful!","Memories","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/12/i-got-a-jump-on.html", "title": "I Got a Jump on Camping!", "content_html": "\n
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Gail’s early morning walk that I slept through!

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Mr. FixIt goes to the bowling alley every Sunday to hang with his friends. He doesn’t bowl regularly anymore. He subs for a league he’s been on for over thirty years. When I made breakfast Sunday morning…and cleaned the kitchen right after, by the way…I had a great idea. I looked on the reservation site for the state park I’m camping in with Gail and my site was open for Sunday night? Why camp for four nights with your bestie when you can camp five, am I right? I ran it by Mr. FixIt and he said “Go for it!” He’s the coolest husband ever! So, off I went!

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It’s not camping without knitting!!!

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I did NOT get as early a start as I would have liked. There was this and that to do. The drive up was smooth. It was overcast and the temps were in the mid seventies. The only bad part was, I got to the campground just after dark. And man….was it ever DARK! Gail was there and she moved her car over for me so I could see where I was backing in. I’ve camped in this site so many times, I could almost back in blindfolded…which is kinda what I did.

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The woodpeckers have been going to town on these oak trees.

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I knew if I could just mark where the left corner of the driveway was, I could back in on a dime with a nickel left over. My first approach was slightly off the mark but Gail let me know in time. I got out, surveyed the area, pulled forward a couple of feet and bingo. She went right back where I wanted her! I really wanted to visit with Gail, but by the time I got myself unhooked and set up, I was too tired. I went over to give her her a hug goodnight. 

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Gail brought her fall t-shirts she bought from Marshmallow Ranch Designs! They are so cute and really good quality. Thank you, Gail!

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I slept in a little yesterday and I totally missed out on a beautiful early morning walk with Gail. She caught the sun peeking through the dense fog that had settled over the area. She was kind enough to share her photos with me so I could post them here. We had a lovely day. We ent to the grocer and picked up a few things. Then to the big box to get what the little store didn’t have.

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We found tons of big, fat acorns on our walkabout last night…many of them still green. We had a hot summer and that stresses trees.

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By the time we got back, I was ready for a nap. I love my camping crew. We are all on the same wavelength. So many people want to hit the ground running as soon as they get to the campground…afraid they might miss something fun. My second husband was like that when we were on vacation. Not me. I want to sleep in a little, have a leisurely breakfast, hang around the campfire and talk/knit/cook/eat. Then a little siesta/quiet time. Then another gathering at “happy hour.” Have a fire. Eat some more. And, like we did last night…call in the owls!

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Ahhhh…its getting dark noticeably earlier these days. A perfect end to a really great day at the campground!

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Owls are off the nest at this time of the year and you can call them in by playing recorded owl calls over a speaker. I played a few calls. Nothing. Then finally…OMGosh! They were EVERYWHERE! They were flying overhead and perching in the trees all around us. It was absolutely magical! So, turn up the sound and enjoy! 

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\n[youtu.be/KPcQub2iI...](https://youtu.be/KPcQub2iIVs?si=vXMiVqpUUVbx3cVg)\n
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These are barred owls. We couldn’t count how many there were…at least three, maybe more.

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?

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“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

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Romans 1:11-12 ESV

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I Love Fall Camping! It’s my very favorite time of the year to camp. The days aren’t too hot and the nights aren’t too cold. And when you can sit around the campfire and listen to owls??? Priceless!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/12/i-got-a-jump-on.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","goRVing","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/07/visiting-family.html", "title": "Visiting Family", "content_html": "\n
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We had a pretty busy day yesterday, even though we got a slow start. I cooked a nice breakfast and we sat outside, watching the Colorado River rush by the campground. Even though the temperature got down in the low 50’s, it was pushing 80° by 10:30. It ended up topping out at 92° yesterday afternoon but once the sun went down, we had a cool breeze coming in off the river at our campsite so it was quite comfortable as I sat down to write this.

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Once breakfast was over, our first stop was Walmart to buy some adult coloring books and colored pencils for my brother. He loves coloring letters so I found three books with lots of writing for him. Then we headed over to the day program where he goes three or four days a week. He knew we were coming this week, but he didn’t know what time so we came in and surprised him. He was so precious…his reaction such pure joy. It made my heart swell.

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We sat with him for hours…Mr. FixIt and I coloring alongside him. The people who work with him don’t necessarily notice his decline when they see him every day, but we see him once a year and it was a marked difference since the last time. This is why he is in the group home at the highest level of supervision. He just flat out needs the support. I’ve also noticed his memory has deteriorated remarkably. He goes to Walmart every week yet he told me it’s been ages since he went. Unfortunately, his beard and hair were long and scraggly again so I need to impress upon the staff that is unacceptable. 

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I don’t want to come across as demanding, because I’m not. I’m just a concerned sibling and I want my brother to be comfortable and clean and safe. The staff at his group home are remarkable, but they prompt my brother with suggestions that it’s time to get a haircut or trim his beard and if he says he doesn’t want it, they can’t “make” him do it. However, there are ways to get him to comply without being overbearing. This home is still fairly new to him and they haven’t gotten to really know him yet. It will get better with time.

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When it was time for him to go home for the day, we said our goodbyes. Today will be a big day for my brother because he gets to go to Walmart and do some shopping! We’ll go see him this afternoon after his excursion and then visit him at his new place. Then tomorrow we head back to Denver. 

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We got Chinese food for dinner last night which was delicious. Mr. FixIt had Mongolian Beef that was fabulous and I had some really great sweet and sour shrimp with stir fried veggies. I even had a Stella Artois Non-Alcohol beer that was the best NA beer I’ve ever had. I’m going to have to see if I can find it in WV. 

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Visiting Mr. Virgo

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After we ate, we went to the cemetery to visit Mr. Virgo. The family of the man who is buried next to him have put up a bird feeder and as soon as we got out of the truck, the birds flocked all around to see if I was filling the feeder. Someone keeps bringing Mr. Virgo his favorite brand of cigarettes and leaving them on the head of his grave and, even though it was those evil things that killed him, I still smiled that there are people who come and visit him.

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We stopped for ice and headed back to the campground and sat out under the awning, listening to the river and the wind in the trees. This end of Glenwood Canyon has the oldest layer of earth exposed. When I look around at the steep, rocky canyon walls, I remind myself that people pay big bucks to come see this geological marvel and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share it with them. 

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I look back over the time I did live here. It was 1986 when Hubby #2 finished his internship and residency and joined the internal medicine group. It seems like a million years ago…truly. I love visiting, but I wouldn’t want to live here again. When we went to the cemetery yesterday afternoon, we drove past my old house and I couldn’t believe how tall the trees are now. The trunks on the aspen trees I planted are a good 10-12” across now! We looked on Zillow to see what the estimated price of my house would be now and it’s three times what I payed for it. Then we looked up the house Hubby #2 and I bought in 1990 for $194,000 and it is worth $1.1M now!!! Absolutely crazy.

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We have some touristy things to do today and then our visit with my Bubby. Time seems to go so fast.

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?

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“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

\nProverbs 17:17 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/07/visiting-family.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/05/another-wonderful-day.html", "title": "Another Wonderful Day!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Sue and I got all the prep work done fairly early yesterday and the kids came in the afternoon. The girls went to the pool and the guys did what guys do…whatever that is. I sat and knitted by the pool and visited with the girls. We had a room full of family and friends and laughter because it was storming like crazy outside. We figured the fireworks would be postponed from the weather, but the storm let up about a half hour before showtime. This is the first summer Ben & Sue have lived in their new home so they weren’t quite sure where if they could see the fireworks from their house. Then, I looked up and there they were. We could see them right out of the family room window!

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It’s awfully noisy in town on the Fourth of July!

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We head to the mountains today to see my sweet brother and we’ll be back on Saturday morning in time to see my sister-in-law and brother-in-law coming in from Salt Lake City to see us. They invite us to come see them, but after driving five days across the country, I just don’t having it in me to drive another ten hours each way. I am so grateful they can come here this weekend.

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Hope you enjoyed your holiday!

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?

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“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

\nPsalms 127:3 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/05/another-wonderful-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Be Joyful!","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/02/day-four-what-was-i.html", "title": "Day Four - What Was I Thinking???", "content_html": "\n
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Well, first of all, the drive was a LOT shorter yesterday, even though we did have one bumper to bumper slowdown for six miles. But it eased up more quickly than the day before, so I was happy. We stopped at the Walmart in North Platte, Nebraska to pick up something special for supper for our last night of this leg of the trip. Mr. FixIt suggested my shrimp scampi, so that’s what we got. Colossal shrimp. Great big huge mama honkin’ shrimp that made my mouth water just thinking about it. We weren’t just gonna EAT…we were gonna DINE!

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I grabbed some broccoli and sliced mushrooms, some garlic, and a package of high protein pasta and we drove the last 12 miles to the campground. Oregon Trail RV Campground boasts having something for everyone. Located right on the edge of Sutherland Reservoir (Sutherland, Nebraska), there is a beautiful golf course and maybe 35 campsites. They all have electric and water and it’s conveniently located only a mile or so from I-80.

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The downside is, every campsite is mainly weeds and grass and the sites are not terribly large so you’re kinda camping in a parking lot. And…hokey smokes…it was Saturday night of July 4th weekend!!! I have no idea what I thought it would be like, but it wasn’t this. There were several sets of tweens racing golf carts all around the campground. Every site had kids setting off fireworks. Parents were nowhere to be found…sitting off in groups laughing while their children were being…well, CHILDREN!

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Honestly, it was great!!! The smiles and squeals of delight. The dirty kids and their dogs racing around and, even when they cut through your campsite, they looked sheepish and said, “Sorry.” These children are making memories they will keep the rest of their lives. When their parents are old and gray, they will sit around with them and reminisce about the great times at the lake in the summers. Tanned, sun bleached hair, and dirty feet. That’s happiness to a child. I’d much rather see them doing this than sitting in front of a video game console any day of the week!

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So…the shrimp was fabulous. My husband loves me still. Gas wasn’t outrageous. And we see our Colorado peeps today. Life is good!

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?

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“A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”

\nProverbs 10:5 NLT\n
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#Summer, #Camping, #Children

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/02/day-four-what-was-i.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/01/day-three-are-we-there.html", "title": "Day Three - Are We There Yet???", "content_html": "\n
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The third day always seems to be the hardest when I/we make this cross country trek and yesterday was no different. OMGosh! First of all, we had barely gotten on the road when another big storm started coming at us, so we pulled into another Love’s Truck Stop and parked between two semis. It didn’t look like it was going to be as severe as the one on Thursday, which turned out to be a derecho. So, instead of waiting in the truck, we climbed in the camper and went back to sleep! 

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When the worst was past, we got back on the road and drove through a gentle rain. We hadn’t gone twenty miles when the traffic came to a complete stop. You could look ahead on Waze and see that traffic was backed up for 6.5 miles so we knew it was something serious. Huge wreckers and police cars went up the emergency lane to our right. After about an hour, we started moving forward and were directed off the interstate on a six mile detour. Before long, we were back on the highway and toodled right along to our next campground.

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Yesterday was our longest driving day. A projected drive of just under five hours turned into twelve and Miss Ginny wasn’t necessarily her usually happy, perky self when we got to the campground. But, we got here safely and that’s all that matters. The park itself is darling. It must be run by the city. It’s small and clean. Each site has water and electric and is paved. The sites are generously spaced. The only negative I could make is it was Friday night of Independence Day Weekend and it sounded like WWII out there!

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I’m still managing to stay on my Noom program while we travel which is no small feat. We hit the hay early and today isn’t supposed to be nearly as long or as far. See you tomorrow!

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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

\nPsalms 4:8 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/01/day-three-are-we-there.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/30/day-two-a-lesson-in.html", "title": "Day Two - A Lesson in Patience", "content_html": "\n
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While our total miles from Point A to Point B was actually shorter than Wednesday’s, wowza…was it different. And LONGER time-wise. And more exciting Mother Nature wise.

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Every morning when we start out driving, I hold the cross that hangs from my rear view mirror and ask God to wrap his arms around us. To build a wall around us to keep us safe. And, with all the heat, thunderstorms and tornadoes doing on in the midwest, I asked him to control the winds.

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We drove along uneventfully for a couple of hours when I could see the sky darkening along the western horizon. I asked my trusty navigator to check the weather app radar to see what we were heading into and when, he let out a long whistle when he saw it. I knew that wasn’t good. We were hungry and needed a bathroom break and pulled into a large open parking area by a big metal building. 

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We weren’t in there fifteen minutes when I looked out and said, “OMGosh!!! We need to go now!” I didn’t feel safe all exposed like that. We jumped in the truck and made it to the next exit where there was a Love’s Truck Stop. After a few tries, I weaved the truck and the camper through the mass of parked vehicles and went around back. I parked so that the brunt of the wind would hit us square into the back end. This made our wind resistance lower. The rain was coming down in torrents. I looked up at the cross and said, “Lord…I need that wall about now!” Just then, this great big motor home was coming in. There were plenty of places for him to park over on the other side and it looked like he was going to turn into one of them. Then, he stopped for a few seconds, and made a beeline over to us. He parked snugly between me and southwest winds. Thirty seconds later, a huge truck pulled in behind us and blocked ALL of the wind! We had our wall and I thanked Jesus for keeping us safe!

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We road out the storm. The winds died down and the lightning lessened…as did the rain. We watched the huge wall of red pass over us on the radar as it headed eastward. The big truck behind us left and we followed shortly after.

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Our next obstacles were several areas of road construction that had us stopped like a parking lot on the interstate. We waited for the first. On to the second. There were trees down and the grasses were plastered flat to the ground looking all the world like a giant had slicked his green hair down with a comb. Limbs and leaves were everywhere. By the third stop, we literally could have gotten out and walked around for a while. We weren’t going anywhere. When we finally did make it through, we saw the culprit. There was a large boom truck parked alongside the interstate and its huge arm was holding up the power lines that were slung low to the ground from the powerful storm. On ahead, we were stopped yet again. This time it was a semi that had been blown over on its side from the wind. 

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Finally…we broke through the bottleneck and made it to Jubilee College State Park Campground. The college itself was founded in 1839. I wish we had more time to explore, but the campground was huge and quiet and affordable at only $20 per night. We made sure everything was put away last night so we can get an earlier start today. We have over 400 miles to drive today and we don’t want to get in late. We like to have a nice meal and relax a little, maybe play some cards or watch some videos together and get a good night’s sleep.

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I’ll check in tomorrow. And keep those prayers coming…they’re working!!!

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Two more sleeps!!!

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““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

\nMatthew 7:7-8 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/30/day-two-a-lesson-in.html", "tags": ["Prayer","Camping","Gratitude","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/26/feeling-the-time-crunch.html", "title": "Feeling the Time Crunch", "content_html": "\n
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I had all these plans to clean, do laundry, pack, and all manner of other things yesterday. Instead, I had just finished breakfast when Mr. FixIt saw a lawnmower on Marketplace. We bought a push mower from this guy a few years ago for our rental house and it’s still running well. Ours, on the other hand, needs something. I put a new carburetor on it and it still surges. We tried to adjust the throttle but you get two speeds….won’t start or jet engine. So, it was time to bite the bullet and replace it. It was only $140 for a 6.5hp Craftsman so hopefully it will do the trick and last us a long time. 

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As you know, if we go to town, we’re toast. There’s always a dozen errands and true to form, it was after 6:00 by the time we got home. That meant I had lost my window of opportunity to get a ton done and has put me behind even more. Then, when I loaded up the dishwasher and started it….it has finally bit the big one. It just sits there humming and heating and no water. It’s forever old and we’ve managed to get an extra year out of it by using the pots and pans cycle, but even that isn’t working. Now I have to unload it and wash all those dishes by hand, which isn’t a problem…it’s just another thing. I didn’t even use the dishwasher for the first two years I lived here so I can easily go back to that. It’s just not what I was planning on in the moment. But, isn’t that just the way? If we knew when something was going to break down, we’d have another one waiting in the wings, wouldn’t we?

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To lighten my load and to take of some of the self-imposed stress off of me, I put the shop on vacation mode. That will make one less thing for me to mess with every day while we are traveling. And I was getting a little burned out. I’ve been too busy to sit down and create more designs, so I’ll just leave it be a little then I can pick it back up when we get back. So far we don’t have much scheduled for August. I think it’ll take a month to recover after the Colorado trip anyway! 

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Our list is long, but no matter what, it’ll be done or it won’t. 

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⏰

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“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”

\nPsalms 90:17 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/26/feeling-the-time-crunch.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Gratitude","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/20/a-day-at-the-campground.html", "title": "A Day at the Campground", "content_html": "\n
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It’s nothing to write home about. We ate, knitted, and enjoyed each other’s company. A friend we hadn’t seen in a long time came by to visit. The other two gals who are camping with us showed up midafternoon. We caught up with each other’s stories. Michelle and Lynn hadn’t been here since the campground was reopened after the reclamation project was completed so they were in awe at the thousands of trees that were planted. I learned something new. The trees they removed during the reclamation project were non native species and they’ve replaced them with trees native to Ohio. Thinking ahead for the generations to come. What a novel approach. You don’t see that so much anymore.

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The only bit of excitement was something electrical with my camper. Well, not the camper itself, but I came back in after visiting over coffee and there was no electric in the camper. I went out and checked and worked around and finally figured out my surge protector finally bit the dust. I looked online and discovered those things should be replaced every 3-5 years and I’ve had this one for 10 years so it was way past its life expectancy. We checked online and Gail could get a delivery as soon as tomorrow so I went ahead and ordered a new one.

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What did we do before the conveniences of today? When I went in the big box store on Sunday to pick up some last minute items, I noticed an area full of totes with groceries in them. There were several people pushing carts around the store, filling the baskets from shopping lists so people can just drop by and pick up their items. This one of the things that came with Covid and I think it’s going to stick.

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Today is more of the same. Gosh…I love camping!!!

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?

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“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”

\nProverbs 27:9 NLT\n
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I love the softness of a light scarf to wrap around your shoulders. Fashion and function is the name of the game for me anymore.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/20/a-day-at-the-campground.html", "tags": ["Camping","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/19/into-the-woods-i-go.html", "title": "Into the Woods I Go", "content_html": "\n
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What a beautiful day to drive up along the Ohio River. The sun was shining and it was 81°. The traffic was light. It doesn’t matter what Siri says…it always takes me longer than predicted because I have to stop here and there along the way. It’s just how I roll. But glancing over and catching sight of boats on the river made my heart sing.

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When I stay at a campground for three or four nights, I set up the campsite to be really cozy. I put out a camp rug to keep from tracking dirt and rocks into the camper. I have a camp kitchen set up where I can put the griddle or electric skillet and my tea kettle. The cooler and the kitchen trunk are off to one side and my two folding bamboo tables are strategically placed with on by my chair. I like to sit and have my coffee there and our new camp chairs rock. Like, literally rock. That’s a nice addition to our camping gear.

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Once everything was set up, I fixed myself some supper. I bought a rotisserie chicken and corn on the cob at my last stop. So, I cooked up two ears of corn and cut off a thigh and leg quarter from the chicken. Then I had some watermelon for dessert. By then Gail was back from her church meeting and we sat and talked till dark. 

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This campground was once a strip mine. It was reclaimed at one point and the campground was created. But the drainage was bad and mosquitoes were crazy bad. The feds came in and did another reclamation, filling in the ponds that had formed and culling a bunch of trees. There was one massive sycamore tree that stood like a ghostly sentinel towering over the other trees. I don’t know if Gail was able to throw any weight around, but she did say once that she really hoped they would save that tree. When we came back after the reclamation project was completed…there stood the Grand Dame of the Forest in all her glory!

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I love camping on the weekdays because there are hardly any campers. It makes for a very slow and laid back trip…just my style of camping. I think there may be naps in my future this trip! We can’t do that on the Colorado trip because we’ll be moving on every morning. Mr. FixIt had a wonderful day and spent quality time with Junior FixIt. My bonus daughter has been sick for a week so he didn’t go near them. We can’t afford to get sick!

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I needed this R&R to rest up for the trip out west. These long cross-country drives are getting a little more difficult the older I get. But it’ll be a long time before I give up on them!

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 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT\n
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Mermaids are everywhere! 

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/19/into-the-woods-i-go.html", "tags": ["Camping","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/18/my-man.html", "title": "My Man", "content_html": "\n
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I went on a little walkabout today to check out the pollinator gardens. It seems the only flowers right now are the daisies and tons of clover. I found a large patch of pink clover and the field is full of Indian Mock Strawberry (Potentilla indica), formally (Duchesnea indica). It’s everywhere and the little red berries look like miniature strawberries. But, they have no flavor whatsoever. Mixed in with other berries, you can eat them in jam. but I just look at them and smile at their little five-petal flowers and bright dots of red in the field grass. I think the daisies will continue to bloom for a while.

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Mr. FixIt is such a doll. He had an errand to run this weekend and he did it yesterday so he could be here to help me pack up for my girl trip. His back is doing so much better, but I tried to keep him from toting too much heavy stuff. He did bring some jars of canned vegetable soup up from the basement but I took them from him at the top and carried them the rest of the way out to the camper.

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I spent a good portion of the day cleaning and organizing the camper. It is so small that it doesn’t take long till it’s in total disarray. But now everything looks great…neat and tidy. I charged up the battery for the portable drill I use to raise and lower the stabilizing jacks. Mr. FixIt cut up a watermelon into chunks and I filled a container to put in the camper fridge. I didn’t need both big lockers that we use to store our outdoor kitchen items and dry goods. One sufficed.

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I have knitting packed and a good book. I have friends coming for socializing. I love to girl camp. There’s always siesta time in our respective campers during the heat of the day then we come back out at social hour. We all contribute to the meals. I’m bringing some home-canned vegetable beef soup and some spicy pork green chili for the breakfast burritos. 

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I’ll be back Thursday then we take the truck in on Friday for new rear brakes. Mr. FixIt will take it in next week to have the oil changed and the tires rotated. Then we need to stock the camper and pack up to leave on the 28th for our Colorado trip! The summer is always so jam packed full of fun! Mr. FixIt is going fishing today with Junior FixIt so I think I’ll mow before I leave for the campground. I hate to leave all that work for him.

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Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. And Happy Dad’s Day to all the moms who had to do both jobs. Just like Mother’s Day, not all holidays bring happy memories and they can be difficult so if you struggle with this, my heart is with you.

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“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”

\nProverbs 27:19 NLT\n
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No ads on Sunday…I hope you have a Blessed Day and get to go out into nature!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/18/my-man.html", "tags": ["Camping","Love","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/04/its-tick-and-storm-season.html", "title": "It’s Tick and Storm Season!", "content_html": "\n
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It was a crazy day from start to finish yesterday. I slept in the camper Friday night. Mr. FixIt doesn’t like to sleep in the camper unless we’re like…you know…camping. But he always comes out for a little snuggle time and to watch a funny video. Sometimes he’ll come out in the morning and I fix him tea or breakfast, or both. Yesterday morning he was up cooking the chicken and noodles he took with him to the company picnic so I hopped up to come in the house to join him.

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As I was getting up, I felt something on the back of my head near the hairline. I ran my hand through my hair and felt a tick! ICK! It came off easily and I dispatched it quickly but ohhhhh….I really hate to get a tick bite. This one was another American Dog Tick, a juvenile…and they do not carry Lyme Disease. They can still carry viruses or parasites, but I’m thinking since it was young and it hadn’t had a chance to really latch on, I’m good. I’m wondering if I got into a mess of them when I was mowing.

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Mr. FixIt was gone for the day so I settled in my big comfy red chair and started reading a great book I recently purchased from AbeBooks.com. They are a used book company who will watch for specific books for you. The book I’ve been wanting for years is Mountain Cooking by John Parris. If you remember, I have been watching the video series Celebrating Appalachia with Tipper Pressley for quite some time. She talks about all things Appalachia and she was singing the praises of a writer from her neck of the woods. That writer was John Parris.

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Parris wrote for the Asheville Citizen-Times in Western North Carolina for 42 years. He won many honors for his writing and published several books as collections of his essays. John was born in 1917 and died in 2016 and was a beloved collector of Appalachian folklore. The book I was most interested in was Mountain Cooking, but it’s been out of print for many years. So, I put in a request with Abe Books and voila….the book is finally mine. 

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I don’t read a lot of books since Mr. Virgo died. I don’t really have the patience to sit and concentrate that long. And, if I stop and start as my schedule allows, I’m apt to forget what was happening and have to go back and read large sections. It’s frustrating. For some reason, I can concentrate on books about Appalachia or cooking…old timey things. I think it’s because the stories are so similar to my own.

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I sat down in the quiet house and lost myself in the stories of folks long dead now. How they cooked in iron pots on the hearth or the wood-stove. How they butchered hogs and made cider. I was delightfully entertained for several hours before I tore myself away and started on some chores that needed doing. I am so grateful I learned about Mr. Parris’ writing from Tipper and I’d recommend him to anyone who enjoys stories of the old timey way of doing things. You can get his book…Roaming the Mountains…on Amazon as his work was revived by the mother daughter team of Marty Keener Cherrix and Amy Cherrix.

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When Mr. FixIt got home, I put my reading down and gave him my sole attention. It was dreadfully hot and we finally gave in and turned the air conditioning on. We watched the evening news together and soon learned there was a big storm blowing up and we were directly in its path. We called our granddaughter who was putting up hay to make sure they were watching the weather. I ran out to the camper to close the windows and draw in the awning. I had no sooner come back in when the sky let loose and the wind started howling. Leaves were blowing everywhere and with a mighty roar…here came the HAIL! The temperature dropped 23° in less than 30 minutes.

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We stood at the back door watching things blow around and were helpless to do anything. It rained so fast, the gutters couldn’t keep up and the water ran over the top like a waterfall. We could barely hear each other with the pounding from the roof and window, and the mighty claps of thunder. Flash after flash of lightning was met with instant crashes of thunder so we new it was right on top of us. The ground was becoming white with hailstones the size of dimes and nickels. I turned to Mr. FixIt and said two words…the camper! There was absolutely nothing we could do there but I kept pleading to God to keep us safe and protect our homestead here on Marshmallow Ranch. 

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When the storm finally abated, we ventured out to make sure the gutters and downspouts were clear. As soon as I opened the door and took a deep breath I smelled it. Ozone! I’ve only smelled ozone like that once before in my life and that’s when I was driving over the mountains to Denver in a terrible thunderstorm. I was in the left lane of a three lane section of I-77, coming down the mountain into Georgetown and lightning was actually striking the pavement all around me. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t pull over. All I could do is keep going…and praying. The ozone was thick and smelled like a transformer blew up. My hair stood up on my arms from the electricity in the air. That’s what it was like walking out of the house yesterday.

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We waited till the radar showed the storm was truly past us, then we ran out and checked the gutters. Mr. FixIt held the ladder while I shinnied up to peek over the edge. They were fine. We grabbed some quick photos and checked the camper for dents from the hail or leaks. It was just as it was before…good as new! Thank you for protecting us and our investments, Lord!

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We are still expecting more rain, but we have needed it terribly. It’s been so dry here, I’ve worried about fires. This will really help. Between the tick and the hail storm, it sure made for an interesting day!

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“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.”

\nPsalms 107:29-30 NIV\n
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No Ad Sunday…may you be “blessed-ed” and rested!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/04/its-tick-and-storm-season.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/27/changing-horses-in-the-middle.html", "title": "Changing Horses in the Middle of the Stream!", "content_html": "\n
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Well, one must always be prepared for any eventuality. When I arrived at the campground on Wednesday, there was only one campsite open so I took it. The next morning we moved because the sycamore was shedding all over us. We managed to snag a prime river site and according to the computer it was first come, first served till Monday night. I paid for three nights so I ran it by the camp host, just to be sure. She looked at the same thing I was looking at and it said, “FF”…first come, first served. She said it was fine to move and we settled in for two more nights.

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To be honest, neither one of us slept well on Thursday night because the tugboats push barges up and down the river…24/7. They are not fast, and their engines are loud and deep. They reverberate in your bones. I was sound asleep when the first one came through. It took a while to get back to sleep and then the next one came. This one was waiting for traffic so it hovered in one place for about twenty minutes…right in front of our camper. The first time this ever happened to me…years ago…it was really cool to watch. This time? Not so much!

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Still, we had a beautiful day yesterday. I went for a long walk while Mr. FixIt fished. I sat with him for quite some time when I got back, then we decided to go for a drive and check out Hensler’s Market in St. Marys. They have beautiful flowers and produce, and tons of Amish products. After exploring some backroads, we headed back to the camper. I fixed a nice meal and we were just getting settled in for an evening of fishing when the camp host, Kris, called my name. 

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It appears, our site was NOT available yesterday as this very nice young man produced his phone showing he had reservations for the whole weekend. Leith Run is a hidden gem, but those in the know jump on the reservations as soon as they open up in January because they book up fast. He made his reservations in February. Obviously we were disappointed, but we were so grateful to have had the two days we got because we didn’t have reservations. It was a beautiful little camping trip, we met some super nice people, and home we headed.

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I stopped in Williamstown to dump the tanks. Mr. FixIt went on to buy cat food before he headed home. I had the camper in place and ready to unhook when he pulled up. We were both so tired by the time we got everything set up here on Marshmallow Ranch in my own personal little campground. Tomorrow, I’ll post a bunch of pictures I took the last couple of days. We need to mow today. Dinner at the Former Mrs. FixIt’s with all the FixIt Family but one this evening. When it rains tomorrow, I’m finishing the quilt. The wedding is in two weeks!!!

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“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

\nPsalms 37:23-24 NIV\n
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Go Where the Wildflowers Bloom!

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Shop Now

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I awoke early yesterday. Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town at 10:20 and I was afraid I would oversleep. I laid there…listening to the birds and watching the sky brighten till I finally got up. I really enjoy when I get to sleep in the camper. Pretty soon it will be too hot to sleep out there without an air conditioner and the power we have the camper hooked up to will not support that. So…I take advantage of it while I can.

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I dressed while the kettle was heating up then fixed a lovely breakfast of yogurt, fresh sliced peaches, and a sprinkling of granola. When the water was hot, I poured my morning cup of RYZE mushroom coffee and opened the camper door to sit on the steps and eat. I loved how the morning light was coming in the door on my fun rug, so I set the food down and grabbed my phone to capture this little snippet of peace.

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Mr. FixIt’s appointment went well, and afterward we went to Ward’s Market. I don’t know if it’s the same Ward’s Market that was over in Belpre when I was growing up. I can remember going there with my mom when I was a child. We always went to Ward’s for the very best watermelon and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Dad had a garden a couple of years, and we always had fresh produce from Grandma’s farm. So going to Ward’s was a special treat.

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I stop at this market as often as I can. The folks there are so kind and helpful. There’s always a warm greeting and a funny story. And the colors just pop there…reds, yellows, and greens inside…and crazy beautiful flowers outside. I love hanging baskets of flowers, but the only time I ever had any luck with them was when I built my home in New Castle, Colorado. I had the sprinkler guy hook up a separate zone to water my flowers on a timer, so they were always gorgeous. If you ever make it to Parkersburg, look  up Ward’s Market on 7th Street and tell them Ginny McKinney sent you.

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We headed home and I made a monstrous salad for a late lunch and we both stretched out for a little siesta. Then we watch the news and Mr. FixIt put the new garden soil we bought on top of the elephant ears he planted a couple of weeks ago. I started cleaning the camper and putting stuff away. We’ve decided to take a quick impromptu camping trip for three nights at one of our favorite nearby campgrounds. Cell service is spotty but just across the river is a produce stand with wifi so I should still be able to post….pictures at the very least!

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?

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“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

\n3 John 1:2 NIV\n
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It’s Wedding Season…Give Some Good Advice!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/24/up-with-the-morning-dew.html", "tags": ["Health","Camping","Grace","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/18/what-a-whirlwind-trip.html", "title": "What a Whirlwind Trip!", "content_html": "\n
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The view of Seneca Rocks from the tent camping sites.

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I was hoping there would be some time for sitting around the campfire, knitting and listening to the birds in the forest on this trip. It was anything BUT that. It was even BETTER! This trip was all about visiting my beloveds and making memories and that is priceless. 

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My only living uncle…my precious Uncle Bud…is a widower. Living on his own and keeping himself busy as ever. He’s 86 years old now when we arrived, he was welding a contraption he designed to pull a submersible pump and copper wire out of a 600 foot deep water well. He is a force to be reckoned with. He took us out to dinner at Cheetah B’s…a little mom and pop restaurant in the building they share with the American Foreign Legion. The Whiskey Glazed Filet Medallions were SO good!

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The second day was spent with my wonderful Cousin Tammy and her husband Alvy. Located at the base of a mountain, their sprawling property houses a wood chip mill, and meat processing facility, a flower stand, and a gorgeous home they built with their own hands. They even cut the timber in their own sawmill. They recently purchased a 27 acre lot adjacent to theirs and Alvy took Mr. FixIt and I in the side-by-side up these crazy 4x4 trails in the rain. I had NO idea where we were. It felt like we were just going around in circles. We went out this one trail and there was a good lined tree blocking the way. We had to go back. There was no room to turn around, so Alvy just started backing down the mountain. I never should have let him see I was getting a little freaked out about not being able to see where I was headed, because that just added to the fun and he gave us a ride to remember, let me tell you. Alvy is a great big, strong, mountain man with a heart the size of the rugged mountain he he’s scrabbled a life on. They raised three equally strong women and now have a passel of grandkids they absolutely adore. It was SO much fun seeing them. The bonus was her middle girl stopped by with her two kids.

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When we got up yesterday morning to sunny skies, I suggested we stay one more day so I could get some of that knitting and listening to the birds in that I was hoping for. But my sweetheart reminded me we had a boatload of stuff to do.

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Who wouldn’t want to stay here a while?

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It’s a good thing we did come home because there was a frost warning for this morning in the area we camped in. It didn’t take us long to pack up and we took our time towing up and down four mountains on our way back. 

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We stopped in Buchanan at a Walmart parking lot. I jumped in the camper and cooked us a delicious meal and we sat there chatting about how wonderful it is to have the freedom and the means to take such adventures and to have someone to share them with. It was a really nice getaway.

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The first morning before all the visiting began.

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We stayed at Seneca Shadows Campground located in the Monongahela National Forest. It is a beautiful place with four loops with well-spaced campsite. There are flush toilets and showers, fire pits, and picnic tables. There is a large tent camping area that overlooks Seneca Rocks so there are a lot of rock climbers that stay there. There are a couple of little stores at the intersection about a mile or so away and they have a climbing school with a huge climbing wall. West Virginia has some of the most beautiful scenery there is and I hope y’all will come see why John Denver called it…Almost Heaven!

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The view from my uncle’s front yard.

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“Ain’t it good to be back home again?”

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?

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“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”

\nProverbs 15:17 NIV\n
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Our camping trip reminded me of this shirt I designed. Memories!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/18/what-a-whirlwind-trip.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/03/a-few-stories-and-my.html", "title": "A Few Stories and My Noom Progress", "content_html": "\n
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Image Credit: Island Free Press

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Our daughter-in-law sent us an article regarding all that debris that’s been seen washing up on the beaches from Nags Head to Salvo. We picked up bags and bags of it and gave it to the Federal Rangers who monitor the seashore. At first we thought a smallish boat capsized, but the sheer volume of stuff kind of negated that theory. I thought maybe it was debris that got washed out to sea from those devastating rains and floods in southern Florida, but it seemed to be more regionally located. The article says the nature of the debris indicates it may have come from a US Navy vessel located off the northeastern coast of North Carolina, but they didn’t have specific details. They are still investigating the incident. 

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The saga of the Big Birdhouse continues.

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The fellow who bought the Big Birdhouse called yesterday morning and said he tried to switch the title into his name, but something was wrong. There had been another title issued after that first one. I sat down and wracked my brain and finally figured out what happened. When we bought the camper new, I went to the DMV and paid the sales tax and got the tags and the title. I always tuck the titles in the truck when we are pulling the camper cross country just in case something happens and we need to sell it or trade it in. I learned my lesson when that used camper we had collapsed on the frame when I was pulling into Colorado.

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When we decided to sell the Big Birdhouse, I went to look for the title and try as I might, I could not find it. So I went to the DMV to get a duplicate. While I was there, they discovered the VIN number was not recorded correctly which rendered the original title void. They straightened it out and issued me a new title, which I promptly put someplace safe so I wouldn’t lose it. Yeah..that didn’t work out. I couldn’t find it anywhere and the buyers were coming any minute. 

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Mr. FixIt went out to the truck and tore it apart and found the title. In the hubbub, I totally forgot to check WHICH title it was. We did the exchange, took their money…in a big ol’ pile of cash that would choke a horse. I’ve never held that much cash in my life! I was pretty nervous. I put it in the safe while we went to the beach and first thing Monday morning, we headed to the credit union to pay off the note. Then…Mr. Don called yesterday to say it was the wrong title and I knew he was right.

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So, while Mr. FixIt had a test done yesterday, I went to the DMV and bought ANOTHER duplicate title! I almost didn’t get it because they needed both of our Drivers Licenses. But I explained I’d just been in there in March getting the other title…was it possible they still had the licenses on file? Sure enough…they did, so that problem was averted. I got the title and Mr. Don came over last night to pick it. Plus a new dinette table the dealer gave us because the old one had a chip in it. And, I found the second key as well. So now they’re ready to go camping next week for a trial run!

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This is not my photo. It came from a friend of mine wanting to know why there were two kinds of eggs in the nest. Read on to find out.

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And…we have baby birds in our eaves again. I think they are grackles, however, there have been brown-headed cowbirds in the forsythia and the flowering quince, so we could have an intrepid interloper. Brown-headed cowbirds are not the mothering type. They lay their eggs in the nests of other birds…over two hundred different species to be exact. If they happen to lay in an eastern catbird’s next, she’ll catch it and kick the parasitic eggs out of the nest. But most often, the baby cowbirds hatch much earlier than the host bird’s own eggs and the hatchlings grow faster and are more aggressive so the littler birds often starve to death. Either way, it’s not a good turnout for the host mama. However, as hard as it is to watch the destruction of our favorite birds, it is illegal to raid the nest and destroy the cowbird eggs. Cowbirds have been around for a million years. If their behavior was going to wipe out other host species, it would have happened long before now.

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Day Two in the Lifestyle Change Journey

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Lastly, some of you mentioned yesterday you might be interested in trying Noom. If you are, send me a private message and I can send you a link to get a free trial and 20% off! Nothing like getting money off and trying something new. I think I’m really going to like this. It’s encouraging…not punitive. And, you can eat anything…you just have to eat it in moderation. Logging your food in the app is super easy. We ate at the same restaurant last night and I could order anything from the menu. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much walking in yesterday because we had to go to town for Mr. FixIt’s x-ray study. I had planned to walk while he was in radiology, but I had to go the the DMV instead. But that’s ok…my legs and feet were a little sore from walking on Monday. I DID lose one pound! I’ll get out today for a lovely walk at the park by the river.

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“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”

\nIsaiah 61:11 NIV\n
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*Do you have someone you want to encourage? Maybe they’re a struggling mom trying to juggle a hundred different things. Or a widow that wonders if she’s doing anything right now that her world is turned upside down. Or a college student just wrapping up a difficult year. Here’s a coffee mug with an encouraging word…”You’re doing a great job!” Simple and to the point.*

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/03/a-few-stories-and-my.html", "tags": ["Health","Camping","Fitness","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/02/its-a-new-day.html", "title": "It’s a New Day!", "content_html": "\n
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I have been nearly sedentary since I started the new project and I can really tell the difference in my stamina. I’ll soon turn seventy and I’ll be darned if I’m going to just continue to slide downhill. I need to keep myself in better health for many more reasons than just looking and feeling better.  So, I made a decision over the weekend and signed up for Noom. I looked at the differences between toughing it out on my own or doing TOPS or Weight Watchers. I knew I didn’t want to do one of the prepared food diets. I did HMR a couple of times in the past and it worked but was really pricey. The thing I like about Noom is the app has continual support and education. I like the psychological approach to weight loss because, not only is it scientific…it’s also totally wrapped up in the WHY we overeat. 

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I wasn’t going to say anything about it till I saw if it worked or not, but…who am I kidding? I talk about EVERYTHING here and I can’t be the only one who has to deal with this at this stage of the game. Remember back in 2015-16 when I had a personal trainer and I lost a lot of weight? I know I can do it. And I believe I can do it again…and keep it off this time. I just fall off the wagon and get lazy. But it is truly getting to the point where it’s life or death. I signed up for seven months of premium service for $147.00. That’s $21 a month…easily paid for by the savings from skipping desserts and fast food.

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I’m feeling hopeful about this. Those Facebook Memories just keep showing me how big I’ve gotten and I don’t want to feel like this…no energy, my clothes don’t fit me right…if at all, and its a course I don’t care to indulge in anymore. We had errands to run in town yesterday. I asked Mr. FixIt if he would like to go to the mall to walk. He can’t walk fast like he used to, but I can’t burn calories if I walk at his pace. So we each did our own thing and met back up when we were done. 

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We stopped at our favorite diner and I had that great big washtub of a salad they have and I am feeling pretty good about my accomplishments for the first day. I walked 3.45 miles and it didn’t kill me! Let’s go girls…anyone want to eat healthier and go on virtual walks with me? It’ll be easier with company!

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It is so cold and gloomy and rainy here in the Mid Ohio Valley. I looked up the weather forecast for mid-May when we’re going camping and it will be in the 70’s to low 80’s. That will be perfect camping weather with 50’s for sleeping! Wahooooo!!!

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“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

\nPsalms 8:3-4 NIV\n
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“Take the Long Way Home” You need a hoodie for every season. This heavy duty sweatshirt is warm and toasty for sitting out under the stars…whether you’re camping or not!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/02/its-a-new-day.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/04/15/a-big-ol-wv-thunderstorm.html", "title": "A Big Ol’ WV Thunderstorm", "content_html": "\n
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I went out yesterday to put the top down on the Big Birdhouse and caught sight of this little dew covered spider web. There was a small black spider in the “tunnel” and he came out to see me for a few seconds before scurrying back to safety.

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I had every intention of sewing on the quilt yesterday, but one thing after another kept me busy. Mr. FixIt had to go to town before lunch to get the oil changed and tires rotated on the pickup for our trip to the beach. I stayed home to catch up on things around here. I didn’t get half what I wanted done, but it was still productive. The slow laptop is hampering my progress at every turn. I’m not sure what else to do to speed it up, but I have to do something. I can’t sit around all day and only get two small projects completed.

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The weather was beautiful again yesterday. The Weather Channel predicted rain at 8:30 yesterday morning so I jumped up, got dressed, and hurried out to put the top down on the Big Birdhouse. There’s a small place on one corner of the dormer that I want to touch up with silicone sealant and I didn’t want any water near it. Turns out, it didn’t rain at all and the sun broke through the clouds mid-afternoon. It stayed nice till about 8:30PM when a cold front blew through and stirred up the winds. Of course, this happened after I came out to write my post. I’ve gone through worse so I just stayed out there. It wasn’t predicted to amount to much.

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Mr. FixIt didn’t get home till 8:00 with his arms full of groceries. He had errands of his own to take care of and sometimes he just needs a day off to himself doing whatever he wants to do. Lord knows he deserves it after the week he had. He really worked hard and got a lot accomplished. He was a dear and brought me a sandwich from Arby’s.

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One of my dearest peeps in the world got hold of me yesterday to tell me her sweet daddy went to be with Jesus this week. Yesterday would have been his 102nd birthday. He almost made it. She called…not only to tell me, but to ask if I had any particular memories of her dad. I remembered he wore little round wire rimmed glasses. I also remembered the first time I saw him on TV, I thought Mr. Roger’s was exactly like her dad. Same gentle spirit…same kind demeanor. She laughed and said, “Yeah…I can see that!” I hope she knows what a wonderful thing she did for her dad helping him so much in his final years as a widower.

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As I was writing this last night, a big ol’ West Virginia thunderstorm blew up and I put everything aside. Not because I was afraid of anything happening to my electronics. But, because I LOVE thunderstorms and I wanted to close my eyes in the camper and just listen to the thunder rolling across the surrounding hills. We may get more storms today so I am hoping to sew. I want to get that quilt top finished before Monday so I can take it in to be quilted.

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I received my new iPad keyboard case yesterday. This time I bought the same model as the one that got me through the last six years or so. I am familiar with the keyboard as it is the same as the one that died a few weeks ago. No more skipped letters and the aggravating chore of editing!

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This is good because my sweet friend who always sends me a text when she finds a typo is off on a European vacation! I’m only slightly jealous. lol I hope you all are safe and secure from any inclement weather this weekend. Be safe and I’ll see you tomorrow!

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☔️

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“Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.”

\nPsalms 77:18 NIV\n
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“This is my Knitting Mug”

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-04-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/04/15/a-big-ol-wv-thunderstorm.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/04/10/getting-to-the-point.html", "title": "Getting to the Point", "content_html": "\n
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Look at these points, but please don’t think they all look that way because they don’t!

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Wasn’t yesterday the perfect day??? Sunny, warm, and Easter…the perfect combo! We cleaned a lot this weekend. I worked on the quilt and made a great deal of progress. It’s been a very long time since I made such a complicated quilt and my skills are rusty. But, it’s a gift, not something for competition so I’m happy with it. I’m sure the kids will love it.

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We didn’t have a family gathering this weekend. We had a family dinner last week and everyone was either working or going to other family members’ houses. So, we praised God and puttered around here. Nothing big to report. Mr. FixIt is the sub on the Sunday night bowling league and he bowled for someone who couldn’t come. So, I came out to the camper to write my post. 

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If you aren’t a camping person, you probably think I’m nuts for wanting to sleep out there as much as possible. When I was pretty young, the neighbors up the road from Grandma’s farm had a little camper in their yard. It was lined with birch wood and had windows and little lace curtains. There was a dinette and a bed. I don’t remember the bathroom or kitchen. These folks were second cousins and I’d go over to play with their kids. Seven girls! We’d get in the camper with our dolls and pretend we were traveling the countryside. 

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I never got to camp in a camper till I was an adult. For a very brief time we had a VW Vanagon Camper and I loved it. It turned out to be a lemon so we sold it but not before we made one cross country trip with Daughter #1 when she was around ten years old. Between that little camper at the cousins’ and the van, I was smitten and from then on, I wanted a camper of my own. It turned out I didn’t get one till Mr. Virgo died but I’ve had one ever since and don’t plan to be without one for as long as I can keep going.

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The next couple of weeks are going to be busy. I mowed a few rounds on the riding mower this weekend and proceeded to pop the belt off the mower deck so we have to replace that today. I need to finish that quilt top and get it to the quilter before we leave for our beach trip. I have two long arm quilters that I take my quilts to. One is a friend from high school about twenty-five miles away. The other is right here in our little village. It’ll depend on who can get me in the quickest and do it the cheapest. It’s really pricey to have it done, but I’m not going to try that on my own. Then we need to pack for the beach. I’ll be so glad to get down there and smell the salt air!

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“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”

\n1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV\n
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#FarmLife, #Quilting, #Mowing

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“My Grandma’s Black Cap Jelly Recipe….in her own handwriting!” We talked about this recipe in yesterday’s post.

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Shop Now!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-04-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/04/10/getting-to-the-point.html", "tags": ["Camping","Farm Life","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/04/05/getting-things-done.html", "title": "Getting Things Done", "content_html": "\n
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If I would have started earlier, I think I could have gotten these taxes finished in one day. While having the banking finished ahead of time was a real help, there were still a few papers I couldn’t find. We’ll have to run over the hill and get copies of the personal property taxes today.  We are really diligent about putting anything tax relate in a special container. Well, ONE of us is…I’m not saying who it is but he gets in trouble every year for the same infraction. (Oops!)

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While I worked all day on the computer, Mr. FixIt planted our new rose bushes and got the weed eater out to trim the back yard. He wanted to run over to the market in our little burg so I put the computer down and said “Let’s go! I don’t want to lose all of this glorious warmth by sitting cooped up in this house!” We rolled the windows down and let the velvety spring air blow over us as we marveled at the blooming redbud lining the road. For some reason, our redbud in the hedgerow did not bloom this spring, yet less than a mile away, they’re showing off something proper. The only thing I can guess is the frost got them. They’re growing right by the creek so I think that made it colder. We may not be able to see them out the kitchen window, but there are plenty to see around the countryside.

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When we got home, I made sandwiches for supper while Mr. FixIt pulled out an extra chair for me to sit in while we ate. Our first meal al fresco for the year! It was 79° yesterday and expected to be 86° today! We’ll have a cool front pass through tomorrow evening so our temps will cool down again. These gorgeous days make up for all the cold weather we’ve had this year.

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I went back to the taxes and finally got to a place where I could stop for the night. We have to make a trip to town today for a couple of appointments, then the youngest WV grandchild is having a birthday dinner this evening. So, it will be a long day but I’m really looking forward to a break and getting out of the house to do something different. 

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My sweet brother called yesterday to tell me they are moving him tomorrow and he sounded so excited! Please pray his move goes smoothly and he adjusts quickly to his new surroundings. He owns so much of my heart…all I want is his happiness and security!

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We are close enough now to our beach vacation that we can see the projected forecast. So far it looks like there’s a little rain which isn’t unusual. We figure if we get 2-3 good days on the beach, we’re golden and the temps look pretty good. I’m really excited because the Girl Campers will be down on the OBX at some point during the week and I get to visit with them for a little bit. I’ll probably have to forego my annual trip to Knitting Addiction with the Girl Campers in town. Mr. & Mrs. FixIt Jr are coming down for the week, so I don’t want to spend a lot of time away. They are so much fun to travel with!

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If I don’t get the taxes finished today, then for sure I’ll have them done tomorrow. Then I can get back to that quilt and finish it up to take to the quilter. I’d love to get that done before we leave. The time is going to start flying by now and before we know it, it’ll be fall again. Summer is the fastest few months of the year.

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?

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“And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”

\nGenesis 1:16-18 ESV\n
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“Be Kind” It’s been my mantra for as long as I can remember. 

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Shop Now!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-04-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/04/05/getting-things-done.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/24/mrs-fixit-to-the-rescue.html", "title": "Mrs. FixIt to the Rescue!", "content_html": "\n
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I had no electricity in the camper Wednesday night. I was toasty warm so we seem to be past the cold weather now!

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I woke up bright and early yesterday and got started working on my project. It was 7:30 and the house was quiet as Mr. FixIt snoozed away. The day broke cloudy and grey and it started warming up in a hurry. It got up to 76° yesterday! It kept looking like rain but none came. 

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Mr. FixIt headed to town after breakfast to pick up a new ground fault interrupter outlet for the camper. He is so good to let me do things because he knows how much I enjoy it. He offered the occasional bit of wisdom when I was momentarily stumped…but always with a note of encouragement. I had the outlet out and switched in no time, but only the bottom plugin worked. We pulled it back out and looked at it an the only think we could figure was I had the top wires in the wrong holes. I switched them and voila! Worked like magic! Everything turned on like it was supposed to so all is well with “Grace”. Campers are finicky creatures and can get a little bug up their snoot from time to time. It’s nice to have the skills to keep up with the maintenance and repairs.

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I decided to break up my spring cleaning into doable segments so I can multitask. I worked on the spare room yesterday. My cousin is coming for a visit next month. I want to have that room ready for her so I’m not rushing at the end. We’re going to be at the beach the week before she arrives so I’ll need to be ready ahead of time. 

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It was still quite warm when I went to the back of the house to write last night. I propped myself up with pillows and opened the windows wide to let the fresh air in that’s one of the best parts of spring…flinging open the windows and a ring out the house. It’s no wonder people get sick in the winter. We’re closed up tight with other people sharing our air. It feels like being released from prison once the weather warms up enough to open the windows.

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They are predicting locally heavy rainfall here over the next few days. Mr. FixIt went out to the creek to have a look at the storm drain to make sure it is clear. Knock on wood…we haven’t had a bit of water to clean up in the laundry room since we started putting that root killer down the drain. We put it down once a month or so and keep the end at the creek cleared out and so far, so good!

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I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels in here as I’m writing this. It’s a little slice of heaven!

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?

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“Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.”

\nZechariah 10:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/24/mrs-fixit-to-the-rescue.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/23/spring-is-springing-today.html", "title": "Spring is Springing Today!", "content_html": "\n
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This time ten years ago, I was trying to figure out how on earth I was going to survive Mr. Virgo’s death when I stumbled upon a large group of women who pulled little campers by themselves and had fun with their soul sisters. Since that’s what we were doing when he died, I went out on spring break with Daughter #1 and the two grands and bought this little gal. The Original TOW-Wanda! And look where I am today!!! Isn’t God so wonderful to bless us and carry us through the worst of times?

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It’s supposed to get up to the low to mid seventies today! Wahooooo! This is more like it. I’m sure our flowering trees got bit by Ol’ Jack Frost this last week with all the hard freezes. There are still plenty of bud on them so maybe they’ll do something yet. As far as me doing anything, I was fairly unmotivated but still manage to accomplish a few things.

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I was up long before Mr. FixIt and put the kettle on for tea. I worked on the project. I packed up the old refrigerator door for the Big Birdhouse. Mr. FixIt left for town after breakfast. He asked which vehicle I wanted to use to take the box to the UPS Drop Site and I mistakenly chose the Louisa the Lincoln. He was long gone to town when I tried to load the box in the car. No go. It was too big for the trunk and too big to put in the back seat. So, I’ll have to do it today.

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Mr. FixIt’s trip to town entailed a stop at Lowe’s to buy all the goodies for getting the mowers up and running for the season. It doesn’t matter what he goes to town for, its going to take him forever because he runs into a hundred people he knows and they are obligate to talk for an hour or so. This doesn’t bother me in the slightest unless I’m actually waiting for him in the car. Once I’ve been sitting out there for twenty minutes, I know he’s hooked into a conversation. Sometimes I go looking for him and light a fire under him. But most of the time, I’ll keep myself busy reading or writing. 

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It sprinkled off and on yesterday. It was plenty warm and was supposed to gradually get warmer overnight. So I decided to stay in the camper since my camping trip was cut short. Oh who am I kidding? I’ll camp any time I possible can! For some reason, the electric isn’t coming on in the new camper and I think I’ve narrowed it down to the GFI outlet. I couldn’t get it to reset and everything else was as it should be. Now we’ll have to make another trip to town to find a replacement. Mr. FixIt seems to think he has one somewhere in the house or the “warehouse” building that is supposed to be a two car garage. 

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I decided to stay out in the camper anyway. I had plenty of blankets and was sure to stay warm. If not, I was only fifty feet from the door. That’s one of the upsides of “yard camping.” 

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We can fix this camper any time. I just need to get motivated to do some spring cleaning. Maybe I’ll get started on that today!

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?

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

\nPsalm 51:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/23/spring-is-springing-today.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/21/the-continuing-saga-of-country.html", "title": "The Continuing Saga of Country Living", "content_html": "\n
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Mother Earth is waking up. The grass is getting green. A few more warm days, a few more good rains, and mowing season will be upon us in a hurry. This means I’ve got to “make hay while the sun shines”…so to speak. I fixed breakfast and took my bagel and egg sandwich to the Big Red Chair and set to work. 

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It was a day of frustration. The internet was spotty at best. And right in the middle of my peak performance, someone on the website I was using decided it would be a really good time to switch things around on the home page so that the procedure I’ve been using daily for three months was suddenly rendered inoperable. It was one of those day when you want to tear your hair out but Mr. FixIt had better ideas. He decided it was time to change the door on the refrigerator in the “Big Birdhouse”…the a-frame we are selling. 

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When we had the camper at the dealership to fix something, the service guys put a deep scratch on the front of the refrigerator door. I pointed it out to them and since it was still under warranty, they ordered a new one for us. I don’t know how many of you have travel trailers, but you can’t get a part to save your lives since the pandemic started. They ordered the fridge door in November. When I hadn’t heard from them by February, I contacted the service department and they said the door wouldn’t be here till June! They didn’t want us to wait till then (and since we’re selling it, I’m praying it won’t still be here then) they took the door off of a different unit and sent it to us with a label to send our door back to them. Since it’s going to rain today, yesterday became the perfect day to make the exchange.

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It really wasn’t a difficult job. We just took the bottom bracket off and Mr. FixIt slid the door right off the hinges. We repeated the process backwards and the door was replaced in just a few minutes. I spent some time inside the camper cleaning and getting it just perfect to sell then I closed it back up. Mr. FixIt was busy painting a “Camper for Sale” sign when I headed back in to work. I cleaned the door we took off the camper and got it ready to ship back to the dealership and I’ll take it in tomorrow to the local UPS drop.

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We are past the worst of the cold weather now. We are supposed to be up to 72° by Thursday then continue with temperate weather. We survived another winter and even though I haven’t completed everything I set out to do by this time, I’m not far off. I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel!

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?

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“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

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Proverbs 21:5 ESV

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#Work, #Camper, #TheProject

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/21/the-continuing-saga-of-country.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/20/honeyim-home.html", "title": "Honey…I’m Home!", "content_html": "\n
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It was cloudy and chilly the whole time.

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Did you miss me? Wow…what a whirlwind trip with its ups and downs. First of all, it was SO good to see my camping gals! Some I hadn’t seen in ages and a new gal I’d never met. Now that we aren’t there, I can reveal we stayed at Pymatuning State Park in Andover, Ohio. My campsite was probably the best in the whole park…right on the shore of Pymatuning Lake. The views were gorgeous. It actually wasn’t terribly cold the first couple of days. It rained most of the day Friday. The nights were pretty darned chilly but I stayed plenty warm under the electric blanket (with four more assorted blankets on top) and a small electric space heater running.

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The downside was, I didn’t feel very well. I was sick the night before I left for the campground and I chalked it up to my usually pre-trip jitters. But, I didn’t have much of an appetite the entire time. And there was some WONDERFUL food! I’m telling you…these gals can cook! Everything from vegetable soup to breakfast burritos, cheesy egg and sausage grits casserole to pork roast and sauerkraut. There was fruit galore and nibbly treats. It was wonderful…even if I didn’t get to eat much of it.

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The cabin was pretty tight quarters with six women and three dogs, but it was cozy with a gas fireplace and everything we needed. I was glad I brought my big camp chairs so we were all pretty comfy.

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I started knitting a beautiful Irish wool cardigan in a rich red tweed. I got about four inches finished on Friday. Then…the weather notifications started coming in. They were predicting severe lake effect snow bands from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning. Depending who you got your weather report from, there was an expected snow accumulation of from two to four inches or six to nine inches. Either way, one inch is too much for me to tow a camper in. I did that once in Colorado and that snow is far more forgiving than the snow around here. So, all things considered, I made an executive decision and decided to head home Saturday morning. And since I already had posts scheduled…I just let it ride till last night when I wrote and scheduled this.

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The Bride-to-Be turned 25!

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One of the upsides of coming home Saturday was…I got to go to one of the WV Grand’s birthday party Saturday night. This is the one getting married this summer so there were lots of fun things to talk about. We had a lovely time and I was so glad I didn’t have to go anywhere yesterday. I continued to work on the project. I was hoping to do the big reveal today but I still have some housekeeping on the back channels to finish before I can do that. We’ll just have to continue to build the suspense in the meantime.

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Saturday morning on Pymatuning Lake!

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Mr. FixIt went to the bowling alley to visit with his buddies last night while I stayed in the Big Red Chair working on the computer. The floor of the family room is littered with camping gear…a goodly portion of which needs to go to its proper home at Mr. FixIt Jr’s house. Hopefully we can get that done this week.

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Sunday morning!!! One of the gals sent this to our camping group chat. I am SO glad I didn’t have to deal with that with the camper!

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Today is officially the First Day of Spring!!! We made it, y’all! And while we may be sitting in the cold with snow on the ground (depending on your location) it won’t be long before REAL spring weather shows up for good. And then…before we know it…it will be so hot we can’t stand it! Are we ever really happy with what we’ve got?

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Thanks for keeping the home fires burning while I was gone. As it turned out, I actually had cell service up at the lake and could have written to you but it was kinda nice to have three nights off. It helped stir up the creative juices and get me motivated with new ideas!

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?

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“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

\nLuke 6:31 ESV\n
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#Friends, #Camping, #Snow

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/20/honeyim-home.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/16/up-and-at-em.html", "title": "Up and At ‘Em!", "content_html": "\n
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Gail’s New Spinning Wheel…all Tucked in Safe and Sound

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Mr. FixIt woke me with a start yesterday morning at 8:05. We were due at a local garage at 8:30 to drop off the truck to get new brakes. I gently reminded him we weren’t heading out to catch a flight so if we were a few minutes late, we’d be ok. We got the name of this mechanic from Mr. FixIt Jr. This fella did some work for him a few times and he was pleased. Since our usual mechanic couldn’t get us in for a week or so, we decided to give this guy a try. Not only did he get us right in, but his price was far less than the other place and we didn’t have to drive all the way into town. Win-Win!

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We went back home and piddled around the house for a while. I tried to do some laundry. I hate our washing machine. It’s one of those “water savers” which is a joke because no matter how well I load it, I always have to rinse twice. This time, I had it loaded just right. I turned it on and set the dials and buttons and used start (why do there have to be SO many buttons?!) The lid lock light came on, there was a click as it locked followed by a brief hum then….click! The lock light went out. I tried everything. I turned it off and on. Hey if it works for a cell phone surely it will work for a washing machine right?

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Nothing.

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I passed Mr. FixIt on my way out to the camper with an armload of stuff and asked him if he would please go down and commune with that infernal machine and do that voodoo he does so well. He went down, pushed the same buttons I did and…it turned right on! That machine hates me.

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I spent a good deal of time cleaning up the camper and restocking with some of the items I took out last fall. I made the bed and stowed away anything loose that might roll around while I’m traveling to the campground tomorrow. I brought out Gail’s spinning wheel that we picked up for her last month. I tucked it under the dinette table and surrounded it with the bed pillows to protect it. That’s recipes cargo. Those things are really expensive…kinda the Mercedes of spinning wheels. I can’t wait to get it to her because she’s really been looking forward to it. After the month they’ve had in East Palestine, she deserves a getaway with the girls and the opportunity to spin on a wheel she’s wanted for decades.

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Once I had things squared away in the camper, I brought the slide in and locked up for the night. I spent the rest of the afternoon going through my patterns and accessories then choosing what yarn I want to work with next. I think I’m going to make a beautiful red cardigan next. I also brought a soft grey cashmere blend that might be nice. Then at the last minute, I threw in my go to sock patterns and a pretty sock yarn. What can I say…I’ll know what I want to knit when I get there.

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Gail tells me there is no cell service at the campground and there’s probably no WiFi either. So I’ll schedule some repeat posts for you for the rest of the week and I’ll be back live Monday morning! It’s going to be nice to have a break.

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?

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“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

\nHebrews 10:24-25 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/16/up-and-at-em.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/15/one-more-sleep.html", "title": "One More Sleep", "content_html": "\n
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It’s been quite a while since I went on a girl’s trip. Covid changed a lot of things and the way we socialize was at the top of the list. It wasn’t the only thing that got in the way, however. There were illnesses and surgery…deaths in the family and the price of gas. Things have changed in the Covid arena. It’s still out there, but there have been enough people vaccinated and enough people exposed to rein the beast in. It’s not like it was the first year…a near certain death sentence. 

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So, we are heading out and socializing more. And it feels wonderful to walk around in the world with a little more normalcy. Mr. FixIt and. Still wear masks when we are out in crowds like the grocery store. We try to go there during slow periods to reduce our exposure. And, we are militant about not touching our faces and we wash our hands regularly. We are still among those who have not succumbed to Covid and I intend to keep it that way.

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Those I am camping with have either had the illness or they’ve been vaccinated so I feel pretty safe hanging out with them for the next few days. We were originally supposed to gather at my friend’s house and “camp in”, but she lives in East Palestine and none of us felt comfortable going there. We are heading further north. They’ve rented a cabin for 5-6 of them. Another friend and I will be camping side-by-side on the edge of a large lake. It’ll be cold at night, but the days are predicted to be more seasonable.

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Today I need to rid up the camper and stock the things I’ll be needing. I also want to light the furnace and let it run a while. When I ran it last fall, it got hazy in the camper from burning off whatever was on the furnace parts. I want to make sure all of that is gone before I light it up and sleep in there. I do have my little electric space heater and an electric blanket, so I’m sure I’ll be toasty warm. I also need to figure out what knitting project(s) I want to take with me. 

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Mr. FixIt is taking the truck in this morning for new brakes and rotors. I’m really looking forward to being with the girlies. Prayers for travel mercies. I have no idea if there is cell service or wifi at the campsite so if you don’t hear from me for a couple of days, don’t be alarmed. I’ll be heading back home on Sunday. 

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?

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“A friend loves at all times….”

\nProverbs 17:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-15T06:53:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/15/one-more-sleep.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/04/i-love-the-night-sky.html", "title": "I Love the Night Sky", "content_html": "\n
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I was working on the computer yesterday afternoon when I remembered I needed to find the title for the Big Birdhouse. I have looked everywhere and can’t find it. So, I gathered my things and headed to the DMV in town. Mr. FixIt decided not to come with me. I sat for an hour and when I got to the window, it turned out I needed his ID. So we’ll have to go back on Monday and get it. 

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*sigh*

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Other than the wasted trip to town, there was an absolutely beautiful end to the day. As I was unloading the groceries from the car, I looked up at the clouds scudding across the sky. The winds were strong all day yesterday and when the clouds are low, they literally fly by above you. I scanned the sky and there was a full rainbow with the moon front and center. What a sight! I snapped photo after photo of the beautiful clouds that surrounded Marshmallow Ranch. I have a vast collection of sky photos.

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A group of my camping girlfriends and I will be gathering in a couple of weeks for a fun crafting weekend. We’ve done this many times over the past several years. We like to meet in March because the real camping season hasn’t started yet and we’re bored to tears with winter. The girls are renting a cabin but I’m bringing Grace and camping by the lake. One of the girls is bringing her camper and has the site next to mine. It’s going to be really cold, but I’ve stayed in campers during the coldest depths of winter. I will be fine. Besides, I’ll be crafting in the cabin during the day. I can hardly wait! 

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I’ve been working long and hard on this project. I hope to launch it on March 13th. Then, I leave for the camping trip on the 17th. Pray there’s no snow. I’ve camped in the snow, and I’ve towed in the snow…I don’t care to do that again. 

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Camping season is coming, people! I have my truck absolutely stuffed with camping gear from last season as well as the items I took from the a-frame as I prepared it to sell. I’ve got to wrap this project up because I have a boatload of work to do!

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?

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“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

\nHebrews 10:24-25 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-04T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/04/i-love-the-night-sky.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Camping","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/20/the-grounds-keeper.html", "title": "The Grounds Keeper", "content_html": "\n
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Pumpkin Kitty is almost three-and-a-half years old already. She is our resident Grounds Keeper and keeps the area fairly well free from mice and snakes. She also catches the occasional vole but those little suckers are mean so she usually ends up batting them around till they manage to get away. So far, she has never left us a gift on the doorstep. She probably thinks since she is the Queen, she needn’t leave presents for the hired help. 

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Since her brush with death during the coldest part of winter, she has steered away from the pool. She still goes up on the deck, but I haven’t caught her leaning over the edge for a drink since her inadvertent baptism in the pool. She’s starting to mellow out a little, too. She doesn’t attack us nearly as often as she used to. But she’s still really fickle and you cannot trust that you’ll get away with your hand intact after scratching her head. 

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Mr. FixIt is the Cat Whisperer. She’ll let him pick her up and carry her to the building to give her treaties. I’m not as apt to do that. I’m not a fan of bleeding. So, when I walk by her to the building, she starts meowing like she does with her Prince. Then, if I walk on by, she amps up the volume as if to say, “Hey! Down here! How am I supposed to get to the building for what is rightfully mine???” It actually makes me giggle. 

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We didn’t get the a-frame camper cleaned this weekend. It was kinda cool and windy so we did mostly indoor stuff. Some pictures of Big TOW-Wanda showed up in my memories yesterday and it got me to thinking about our new camper and ways I can dress it up to make it warm and cozy. 

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The valance for the big window over the dinette fell off last summer and rather than put it back up, I’ve decided to make some curtains instead. If I make curtains for one window, I need to make them for the other two. And, there is a large room divider curtain, so I might as well do that one, too. 

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I really loved the backsplash in Big TOW-Wanda. I’d love to have that look in the new camper, but the wall over the sink has a lot of control panels, switches, and outlets on it. It may not work out the way I envision. I’m sure I can do something to make it homey. It’s not like I don’t have anything else to do so it may just end up being a dream.

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We have errands to run in town today. I am hoping it will be warm enough to go for a walk in the park with my sweetie. We both want to start getting these winter pudgies off. It’ll be no time and we’ll need to get out and start doing the heavy work. We should really ease our way into it. 

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I’m almost ready to get back to the quilt! The knitting has been put aside since before Christmas so I could work on this project. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Now before you get all excited…it’s not my book. But I’m laying the groundwork for that in the not so distant future. 

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?

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“Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off.”

\nProverbs 13:11 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/20/the-grounds-keeper.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/11/a-warm-night-in-the.html", "title": "A Warm Night in the Camper", "content_html": "\n
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I know it may sound silly, but I love sleeping in the camper. I think that was imprinted deeply when I found my first camper to be such a sanctuary for my grief as a new widow. Somehow it transported me above the pain just enough to allow me to breathe and take little bites instead of drowning in it. I’ve had a camper ever since. Several, to be exact. And each one comforted me.

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I don’t need comforting as much anymore. Now my escape is more of a place to just be with my thoughts, my writing, and this project. It doesn’t have to be on the road or at some fancy place. I can camp 100 feet from the house and it feels just as adventurous as a National Park clear across the country. And…it’s free!

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It doesn’t hit Mr. FixIt that way. He would rather have his comfy bed and bathroom handy. But he would never deny me the pleasure of camping whenever I need a cozy camper fix. I can guarantee you something. If Mr. Virgo were still alive, I never would have gone off camping without him. He didn’t like it if I went to Denver for a visit without him, let alone hook up a 30 foot camping trailer and haul it across the country. It never woulda happened.

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That’s not to mean our life wouldn’t have been happy. To the contrary, we did everything together. But now? Now I know what I am capable of. I know what happens when you lose your spouse and you have to learn how to do everything on your own. I’ve had a taste of the freedom I never would have known to seek. Mr. FixIt knows that. My adventurous spirit is one of the things that attracted him to me. He’s proud when he shares with his buddies that I am off hauling the camper on some grand adventure. Many of them are aghast and claim they NEVER would let THEIR wives go off like that. Mr. FixIt just shakes his head and laughs. 

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“You don’t LET your wife do things. You CELEBRATE her abilities and ENCOURAGE her!”

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Ohhhh, he’s a good, good man!

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I need to sit down and start making some camping reservations for us this summer. We have a busy year already with our annual trip to the beach, my cousin’s visit here, two family weddings and a trip to Colorado to see my peeps. The time just seems to fly by anymore.

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Mr. FixIt and I put the ceiling vent back up where the attic fan comes through the ceiling of the hallway. He put the light fixtures back up and taped the molding. Today we’ll paint then he can finish up the new molding around the doors and we’ll be finished. Slow and steady wins the race. The only thing is, there’s SO much to be done around here, by the time we get to the end of the list, it’ll be time to start doing things over again! 

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Big swims again today…her last swim meet of the season. 

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Go Big, Go!!!

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?

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“Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.”

\nEphesians 5:25-28 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/11/a-warm-night-in-the.html", "tags": ["Camping","Love","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/10/such-a-big-weekend.html", "title": "Such A “Big” Weekend!", "content_html": "\n
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My goodness…these old campers were so tiny!

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Mr. FixIt painted the ceiling in the hallway yesterday. There wasn’t really enough room for the two of us, and it really wasn’t all that big. So I let him do that while I worked on my project. The special events of the weekend are Big’s District Swim Championships and the Super Bowl. I’m thrilled I can watch Big swim live on the internet. And Mr. Virgo’s Eagles are playing in the Super Bowl so I’m pretty invested in this year’s contest.

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My dear friend Gail was finally able to come back to her home yesterday after being evacuated due to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. She said you can still smell the chemicals but the EPA continues to reassure them their air and water is safe. She stopped on her way home and got some bottled water. People are losing their animals…cats, dogs, chickens. One man raises domestic foxes and they had to put them down, so who really knows what’s the truth of the matter?

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Our temperature got up to 72° yesterday, so as soon as it was an acceptable time, I went out to the camper to spend the night. I can’t remember if I slept out there in January or not, but I seem to think I might have. It was warm enough when I went out to open the windows and let in some fresh air. It’s time to put my other campers up for sale…camping season will be here before we know it! I have the Big Birdhouse. It’s a 2021 Rockwood A-Frame. Then there’s my old ‘67 Franklin that I just know I’m never going to be able to renovate. Lastly, there’s a 10-year old Grey Wolf Hybrid that is a project camper. It would make a great hunting camp trailer.

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We will tackle the hallway tomorrow and get it painted then Mr. FixIt can put the trim back up and that job can be crossed off the list. One of these days, we’ll get the main bathroom finished. The really big job for the summer is the roof on the main part of the house. So much to do…always. I would really like to get this house fixed up then we could sell it and move to town and get a home where we can “age in place.” The clock is ticking, people.

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?

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“Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.”

\nProverbs 14:23 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/10/such-a-big-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/27/when-three-days-feels-like.html", "title": "When Three Days Feels Like a Week", "content_html": "\n
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I’ve had three days that felt like a week of bad Mondays…but this camping trip was over the top good! The weather was absolutely perfect. Mid 70’s, clear skies without a cloud to be seen till the last night. Then it rained for a few hours and it was just lovely to lay there listening to the pitter-patter on the camper roof. We came home today and both proclaimed it felt like we’d been gone a whole week!

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I decided to park the camper by the big building out back along the driveway. There are two reasons. One is it’s easier to plug the camper in with the power cord that came with it. That way we don’t have to use an extension cord. The second reason is safety. I have a dear friend who took her camper out of her barn to pack it for a trip and someone stole it during the night. She was fortunate to get it back, but it was only because she took hundreds of fliers around and scouted till she found it.

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This is the first time I’ve ever had a camper that has a lien on it. We’ll be selling the a-frame in the spring and pay it off, but technically…the bank owns it. I don’t want anyone stealing our camper, but especially one we don’t own free and clear yet. If I store it by the big building, we can park our extra truck in front of it and save for dragging the pickup out into the field and getting through two locks on the camper or using a crane to lift it…little Grace isn’t going anywhere. 

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We spent about an hour after we got home, emptying things out of the camper and the back of the truck. Then we finally caught up with the mail, emails, and messages we didn’t get while we were out of cell range. Actually, that felt really good. We ended up going to bed earlier, sure. But we curled up in the camper and ate snacks and watched old episodes of West Wing. I have a tendency to watch it when we’re in the whirlwind of an election year. I used to find it so timely and informative as it closely followed the way elections and the government were run. Now I watch it with a tinge of sadness that politics isn’t like that at all anymore. It’s like everyone’s good grandparents died and no one learned a dang thing from them about manners and social niceties. 

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Vultures!
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I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve kept my nose pretty much out of politics on here this go round. I learned a lot from the last couple of elections. Short of ending relationships, you still have to face the people you berate on social media…no matter what the outcome. Lord knows there’s enough crap out there on the internet, doing it’s darnedest to split us up. I’ve decided, short of encouraging vaccinations and practicing good hygiene, to keep my head and heart on God and vote my conscience…just like I did before everything headed south. I’m not perfect. I may slip up from time to time. But we all need to have a safe place to go and talk about the good things in the world. There still are plenty of good things. And when you see bad things, please…do what you can to stop them.

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After every camping trip this year, I’ve been left wanting more. This time, I feel like we accomplished what we wanted to do, and now it’s really time to make hay while the sun shines…so to speak. We are getting our bivalent Covid vaccine today. They are encouraging people to get them in October in order to build up immunity before the holidays. I don’t know about you, but I want to spend the holidays with family this year so we’re going to do what we can to do that while remaining healthy.

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We’ll go tomorrow and get the supplies to have the new roof put on the house. Time is flying and soon there’ll be snow. I want to be ready.

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?

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““Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

\nRevelation 22:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/27/when-three-days-feels-like.html", "tags": ["Camping","Gratitude","Farm Life","Kindness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/18/here-comes-winter.html", "title": "Here Comes Winter", "content_html": "\n
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Oh, it’s so hard to have cold weather on the heels of such pretty days, but here it is. I did something really stupid yesterday morning. A totally rookie mistake. I got everything put together to leave except for bring the slide in. I wanted to see if there were any leaves on top of it. I walked out to the road in front of the campsite and stood on my tippy toes and could see there were just a few leaves up there. I was trying to figure out how I could get up there and blow those things off with the leaf blower when I notice there was room along the side. I could back the truck up, stand on the tailgate, and those leaves would be off there in a jiffy.

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I jumped in the truck, started it up, and drove about a foot forward when I realized I’d made a TERRIBLE mistake. That’s when I realized…I hadn’t unhooked the truck the night before like I always do. The back end of the camper was on the jacks and my moving it forward bent them up terribly. Oh, I was so mad at myself! I managed to get them up far enough that I could drive home. And I thought about it all the way back.

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I decided to stop at the local RV place and get them replaced. I know we have one new scissor jack in that hardware store we call a building, but they didn’t have one to match it at the RV place and I didn’t want our pretty camper to look all hinky. This particular camper didn’t come with jacks on the front so we’ve been jerry rigging old stand jacks under the tongue. I figured it would look better to have matching jacks in the back, then we can order one jack to match the one in the building and we can put those on the front in the spring. Problem solved. Still…I felt pretty bad making such a rookie mistake.

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I stopped to dump the water tanks on the way home. When I got there, I opened the hot water tank to drain it as well as the low water points and the freshwater tank. After the water was all gone, I turned the bypass valves and ran RV antifreeze through all the lines. So that’s the end of the water usage for the winter. We can still use the camper, of course. It just won’t be quite as convenient. 

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This has been such a fun month packed full of camping. It’s hard to let it go.

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?

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“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/18/here-comes-winter.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Frustration"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/17/the-river-as-my-muse.html", "title": "The River as My Muse", "content_html": "\n
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Three years ago, I went on a wonderful tour of several of the State Parks in West Virginia. I was blessed with the opportunity to tow around a brand new 2020 rPod for the Annual Girl Camper Raffle. It was a fabulous trip filled with some of the most beautiful scenery you can find in the Mountain State. The fact that it was October and the Mountain Mama was dressed to the nines in her autumn finery made it all the more magical.

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I made that trip for the most part on my own. It was reminiscent of the Grand Adventure I went on after losing Mr. Virgo six years prior. Except, this time I had a brand new hubby waiting for me at home. I have to say, Mr. FixIt is truly the best thing that’s happened to me in the last near decade. He knows and celebrates who I am. And he knows I need times of solitude to recharge my batteries.

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I have a tendency to become much too comfortable with isolation. The lockdown was a horrifying event on the large scale. But staying at home with my sweetheart, learning to bake great sourdough and knitting to my heart’s content was not awful. Here’s my problem with isolation. I quickly don’t want to go back out. I come to fear it. I get anxious at the thought of coming out of my shell and being vulnerable and “on”. 

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The busyness of that autumn trip and all the subsequent writing that came along with it was a salvation to my psyche. I found that winter to be one of the easiest I’ve experienced. And coming back out didn’t bring the usual panicky feelings. Then…Covid hit and threw us inside and away from others for the better part of two years.

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I still don’t do what I did BC…Before Covid. We have eaten in a restaurant a handful of times, and then only on midweek days in the mid afternoon. And we ask to be seated in a corner away from others. It’s ok…it doesn’t bother me. And THAT is the problem…I like the solitude. But I pay for it later when I need to get out and LIVE my life.

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So far, we’ve avoided getting Covid. I suppose it’s highly likely we’ll get it at some point. Thank GOD it has changed since the original virus. Enough people have been vaccinated to tamp it down so it’s no longer a death sentence. It’s still out there, though. Changing and morphing…as though it has a mind of its own and its trying to defeat our immune systems. I believe we will need to continue to be vigilant and the doctors and scientists need to keep a careful watch so that we don’t end up where we were in early 2020.

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I’m taking cues from that experience. I’m trying to be more spontaneous. To get out and go places on my own so that I don’t become fearful of that. It’s important for my mental health and happiness to maintain some autonomy so that I don’t lose myself in this marriage. It’s so easy to do that. When you deny yourself for so long, it becomes the norm. We had an active year but there has to be a balance between running like your hair’s on fire and becoming a slug watching Netflix.

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The new mattress arrived Friday and we laid it out on the bed to “inflate” to it’s normal shape. I dressed the bed Saturday afternoon, then Mr. FixIt “camped” with me Saturday night. We woke up yesterday morning, said good morning, and declared the mattress to be a HUGELY successful purchase! Ohhhhh….it was heavenly!

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As we lay there talking our way into mid-morning, I told Mr. FixIt I was going to pack up the camper and head to the dump station to empty the tanks. As I lay there calculating how far it was to the rest area where we do this particular chore, I realized one of our favorite campgrounds was only thirty minutes further.

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“You know what? I think I’m just going to go on up the river and get a campsite for the night. Then I can dump the tanks on the way home tomorrow. Is that ok with you?”

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He still thinks it’s strange that I ask him if it’s ok. It’s not that I’m asking permission. No way that’s happening. His answer is always, “You just do whatever you want to do, my baby.” And he means it. There’s no pouting or retribution when I come home. Just open arms and a great big hug. The only thing he ever asks of me is to let him know when I get there and check in periodically so he knows I’m ok. I have no problem with that.

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So, here I am. It was literally the last night this campground was open for the 2022 season so it seems fitting I spent it here. I sat by the river all afternoon…sipping tea, watching the boats go up and down, listening to the breeze rustling the crisp, dry leaves causing a shower of sunshine to litter the ground.

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The river is my muse. Something about the energy here is good for my soul. The fact that there is constant movement is soothing. It is the dichotomy of activity and stillness that draws me, I think. As I wrote this, two barges and a train passed right in front of my camper…at the same time. Life is interspersed with busyness and calm…ups and downs…happiness and sadness. It’s an ever-flowing river of energy that fills me up.

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?

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“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

\nIsaiah 43:2 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/17/the-river-as-my-muse.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/10/so-late-to-the-party.html", "title": "So Late to the Party!", "content_html": "\n
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My bonus daughter called us last week and told us she started getting Netflix and can have up to four people on her account so she made us a profile. I have to tell you…I have not used Netflix since you had to order the DVD’s and they mailed them to you!!! That’s dating myself, for sure! So, we’re kinda late to the party and I’m not sure we’ve missed too much.

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I binge watched a few shows yesterday while I finished knitting the second sleeve of the baby sweater. I need to block them, then I can sew them together and knit the neckline and I’ll be finished with that one. I need to get back to the quilt I’m making for our granddaughter’s wedding next summer. And now I’m going to need to make one for the grandson getting married in May. Busy times!

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The grass looks forlorn and scraggly. The tough fall grass is giving way to a baby fine grass so it’s long and shaggy in some places and dormant in others. As I figured, I’m too late for planting the pollinator garden this fall, but my friend Aimee has directed me to resources. There are some other things we need to do around the house before we spend money on that project. We need the roof done first.

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Mr. FixIt bowled last night and did pretty well, all things considered. I had a quiet evening at home, which doesn’t happen very often anymore. Daughter #1 and her husband went to visit Big at college for Parent’s Weekend and had a wonderful time. Daughter #2 and her wife called last evening to catch up as did my bonus daughter. These are the things that warm this mother’s heart.

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I’m wondering how long I have to wait to put up the Christmas tree. Hmmmmmm.

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?

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“We love because he first loved us.”

\n1 John 4:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/10/so-late-to-the-party.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/09/ahhhhhome-sweet-home-again.html", "title": "Ahhhh…Home Sweet Home, Again!", "content_html": "\n
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We need a new mattress in the camper! That is the first thing most people will change out when they get a camper. RV manufacturers will never give you a decent mattress. Not unless you’re buying a $500,000 mega rig and then you can’t be certain. I know…mattresses are a highly individual thing. Just ask Goldilocks. But, maybe if you could have a choice when you buy your camper…soft, medium, or firm…innerspring or memory foam…six inch or ten inch? That could make the whole camping experience much better from the get go.

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Neither of us slept terribly well this trip. It was difficult to regulate the heat. The little ceramic heater we bought is terrible and I’m returning it. There are so many settings on it, but it never shuts off…and even at its lowest setting of 59°, it was still WAY too hot. Then we couldn’t get the electric blanket just right. I think Mr. FixIt had more trouble than I did because he is his own heat generator. Honestly, it’s like sleeping with a radiator. So, if he isn’t comfortable, he tosses and turns and neither one of us sleep soundly. We were supposed to stay till today, but we came home yesterday so he could rest up his back and be ready for bowling tonight. 

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The camp hosts at Beaver Creek State Park where we stayed serve coffee, cider, and donuts at their site every weekend of October. We sat around their campfire and enjoyed some fellowship and tasty treats. Then we finished hooking up and took off for home. Mr. FixIt seldom asks to stop and see something in particular. On Friday, he wanted to drive back down to Steubenville to see the reproduction of Fort Steuben that was built in 1797. It was thirty-two miles back toward where we came from. So, round trip of sixty-four miles to see something my friend Gail said was nothing to write home about. If I’d felt better, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but I was up sick during the night Thursday night and all I wanted to do was snuggle in my fuzzies around the fire and knit and enjoy the campground.

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When we were heading through Steubenville yesterday, I pulled off the highway and turned in to the fort so my sweetheart could see it. Unfortunately the guest center was closed for some reason…covid, staffing, whatever. But we got to walk around the grounds a little and see the buildings from the outside. Now that we know we can get in and find a place to park with the camper, we can try again the next time we go up. 

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When we were packing up yesterday, the ground prong broke off of our heavy duty extension cord so we stopped at Lowe’s on the way. Mr. FixIt replaced the plug as soon as we got home so we could hook the camper up to the house electricity. We got my sweetie all settled in the recliner with the heating pad and I got all settled in the camper under the electric blanket. I know there aren’t too many more nights where I can sleep out here so I’m taking advantage of it. They were predicting our first frost last night! 

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Tonight is the Hunter’s Moon…October’s “harvest” moon. As I lay here writing this, I watched the full moon rise over the far hill in all her glory. I was prompted to recall other full moons of note in my life. I was at a James Taylor concert in late summer 2001. 9/11 hadn’t occured yet and the world was still turning. I was at Red Rocks, overlooking the Denver Metro area. The moon rose full and I swear it was the biggest and most beautiful I’d ever seen it…pumpkin orange in an indigo sky. It shimmered with the heat rising up from the city far below.

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Sweet Baby James started singing Up On the Roof, and I was transported to the summer of 1979 to a mountain in West Virginia. I was backpacking with Hubby #2. I’d never been so vulnerable in the woods carrying a way-too-heavy pack, missing my daughter, exhausted and hungry after a full day’s climb. I started singing this very song, bright and clear, as a way to ground my panicky heart. Just then, we heard a thundering sound, looked up the hill above us, and a whole herd of deer came running down the mountain and leapt gracefully over our heads before disappearing into the woods below us. My then fiancé and I locked eyes for a moment then looked at the sky above us. That evening, the Milky Way stretched out in the black inky sky as the full moon peeked through the leaves, sending dappled shards of moonshine onto the forest floor. We stopped and pitched our tent right there along a cool babbling brook and slept like babies.

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I love the moonlight. I’ve gone snowshoeing in the peaceful quiet of a Rocky Mountain winter, guided by her brilliance. I’ve made love on the top of mountains in her silent shadows. I’ve swam naked in pools of warm water under her canopy of light. I’ve rocked my baby at my breast in our log house as I watched the moonrise over the wilderness. I’ve stood at the grave of my beloved, beating my chest with my fists…crying out in my grief to God and the angels and the Man in the Moon. And, I’ve held my new love’s hand as we watched the moon rise over the ocean waves. With the moonrise comes the hope in all things new. It’s always steady, it’s always there…whether we see it or not. 

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As is God.

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?

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“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”

\nPsalm 8:3-4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/09/ahhhhhome-sweet-home-again.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/08/camping-in-the-cold.html", "title": "Camping in the Cold", "content_html": "\n
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Brrrrrrr….the high yesterday was only 52° and it was downright chilly. I put a roast in the slow cooker in the morning and let it simmer with onions, mushrooms, and beef bone broth till it was fork tender. We served it over noodles and it really hit the spot last night. We sat outside as much as we could in front of the propane heater but eventually we went inside because we were freezing. We brought our DVD set of the entire series of West Wing, so we sat in the dinette and watched that while I knitted. I got half of the last arm of the 3 year size sweater done yesterday. 

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I didn’t hear any owls this trip. And camping here just isn’t the same without my dear friend Gail as the camp host. It just felt kinda sad, because I remember so many wonderful spring and fall camp outs here with the girls.

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The campground really started filling up in the afternoon. Our “next door neighbor” arrived around 8:00 last night so there was quite a bit of banging around for a while. I’m so glad to see people getting out camping and enjoying the outdoors. I called yesterday to see when the A-Frame camper will be finished and they said it depended on when they got the wallboard. I asked them to go ahead and winterize the camper so we won’t run the chance of any pipes freezing before it gets back to us.

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As much as I would love to camp again next week, Mr. FixIt is right…we have stuff to do to get ready for winter. We may need to mow again, both at home and at the farm. We still haven’t winterized the pool yet. And the elephant ear and African lily bulbs need to be dug up and dried then placed in the basement for the winter. We are hoping to get the roof replaced over the family room before the snow flies. 

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Our wedding anniversary is coming up next week, too. Hard to believe…the last four years have flown by! We were supposed to stay here till tomorrow, but Mr. FixIt is substituting for his friend for bowling league the next few weeks as he recovers from surgery. We figured we’d better get back home and give him a chance to rest up his back before he bowls. We need to get a better mattress for the camper next spring. This one is really hard. 

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I had the best memory foam mattress in my first little camper, and even though the bed in Big TOW-Wanda was a queen size, I put that same full sized mattress in it and used it till I bought the little camper that fell apart on the trip to Colorado in 2019. When I sold that camper out there as a project camper, I traded mattresses with my son-in-law’s mom. I took an older mattress for the camper, and left that nice memory foam one for their guest bedroom. So, I get to sleep on it when I to out there to visit. It’s one of the nicest mattresses I’ve ever slept on and I can’t find another one like it. I want a queen sized one for this camper so I’m on the hunt for a good one. 

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Did you know a lot of the memory foam mattresses have fiberglass in them? I didn’t know that. I’ve read about people who get terrible rashes from the fibers. The ones without fiberglass are more expensive, of course. But you get what you pay for. Good quality always costs more.

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?

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“You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.”

\nPsalm 74:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/08/camping-in-the-cold.html", "tags": ["Camping","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/07/a-perfect-autumn-day.html", "title": "A Perfect Autumn Day", "content_html": "\n
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We had the place to ourselves till late afternoon.

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Seriously…some days just leave you at a loss for words. Just when I think we’ve had THE best day camping of the year…another one comes along that knocks it out of the park. That was what we experienced yesterday. While the high temperature was only 68°, it was sunny for a large portion of the day. We sat in the screen room most of the day, admiring the trees…and chasing out the errant stink bug that still got in. The room doesn’t have a bottom. Parts of it sit right on the ground, even though I do put the camp mat out. And besides, we’re in the woods. There’s going to be critters!

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My nemesis…the Brown Murmurated Stink Bug!

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I knitted a good deal. I started the last sleeve. Our dear friend Gail came to visit for a little bit. We roasted hotdogs for lunch by the heat coming from the propane heater. It worked just fine. Mr. FixIt went for a couple of walks on his own and I accompanied him once when the colors were just glowing. I took a little nap in the afternoon. And last night we decided to have ice cream for supper and headed for Bruster’s Ice Cream parlor. Oh, my gosh…they are the BEST!

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The colors are outrageous…and so is this man of mine! lol

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We got back to the camper just after sunset. It’s supposed to rain today, so we put the chairs and things away. Several campers arrived yesterday. One was a fellow who was here at the same time we were in June. He and Mr. FixIt had a long conversation about camping trailers and minivans. 

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The pokeberries are ripe. While these look like something you could eat…they are NOT. Every part of the pokeweed plant is poisonous.

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There’s not a lot to tell you this evening other than God is showing off with all this beauty surrounding us!

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?

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“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

\nZephaniah 3:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/07/a-perfect-autumn-day.html", "tags": ["Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/06/travel-days-are-long-days.html", "title": "Travel Days are Long Days", "content_html": "\n
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First, there’s the getting up and going issue…something neither of us are necessarily good at. Then there’s the packing up the camper, tucking everything away, and hitching up. There’s always a stop at the Golden Arches for some iced tea and breakfast sandwiches. This time there was a prescription to pick up at Wally World. And finally, a stop at a rest area on the way where we dump our tanks and fill up with fresh water. 

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I don’t normally travel with a full fresh water tank because it just adds extra weight and that takes more gas to tow. I usually travel with no more than 1/3 tank…just enough to flush the toilet along the way. But, this campground doesn’t have a place where you can fill up your tank and, since we’re going to be here for four days, I need all the water I can get to wash dishes, flush the toilet, and take the briefest of showers during our stay. There isn’t a bath house here…just a solar shower and that’s not happening in October!

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It’s only 121 miles to the campground from our house, but there’s always traffic and potty breaks. Then, we stop at the store closest to the campground and pickup food for our stay. We left at 11:30 and got here at 5:30. We set up the screen tent and the outdoor kitchen and the electric fireplace and sat out there till after dark.

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This is the first time we’ve used the screen room and it worked great. It kept the bugs off us and our food. We leaned the chairs forward on the small table we use and hopefully they won’t gather dew too terribly. Once the dishes were done and things put away, we were both pooped. As I write this, Mr. FixIt is watching a movie on the portable DVD player I so wisely bought for him during one particular camping trip when it was cold and rainy. It’s saved the day on more than one occasion. 

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My sweetie is a TV watcher. I am not. So, the addition of headphones was a BIG bonus! I did bring a couple of movies I wouldn’t mind watching, but I could certainly live with out them. I brought enough knitting projects to keep me busy for a month!

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I think I may have heard an owl way off in the distance at dusk last night, but I wouldn’t swear to it. Hopefully they haven’t all been scared away by the intense reclamation work that went on here at the park during the pandemic. We’ll just have to listen carefully…and maybe I can call them in with the app since they aren’t on the nest at this time of year.

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I’m looking forward to visiting with friends today and honestly…not doing a darned thing! 

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?

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“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

\nMatthew 6:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/06/travel-days-are-long-days.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Comfort","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/05/shorter-days-and-colder-nights.html", "title": "Shorter Days and Colder Nights", "content_html": "\n
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Ice cream time by the river.

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Man, the days are getting shorter fast, aren’t they? I was out in the camper at 7:00 last night to put some things away for our upcoming trip and it was nearly dark already. This time of year seems to just sneak up on you, doesn’t it? I looked at the weather for next week, thinking we might squeeze in a few more camping days, but it’s going to be colder next week than this one. And this one is going to be cold enough. I wish we could have found this camper a month earlier. We would have had a big time in September!

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When I mentioned the possibility of camping again next week, Mr. FixIt laughed and said, “Ya know, we have to get some work done around here pretty soon!” He’s right, of course. I just hate to give in and see the end of camping season. Oh, there will still be plenty of days I can get out here and enjoy this camper, but they’re soon going to be fewer and farther between, that’s for sure.

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One of the days we were camping at Leith Run on the Ohio River, I noticed the people beside us had this great step stool. Some campsites aren’t very level and you have to raise one side by pulling one wheel up and a lifter of some sort. If it’s on the door side, then your bottom step can be raised way up off the ground. Not only is that more difficult to get in and out of your camper, it can be really dangerous. We are of the age where we have to be concerned with the possibility of falls. The legs on the step are adjustable for height to account for an undeveloped surface. As soon as I got home from the last trip, I ordered one of those and it came yesterday. 

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I don’t like to buy a bunch of useless gadgets for the camper, but this one seems like it will be important to have. Not only is space at a premium, but you don’t want your weight to be over the limit. The legs fold up on this stool so it will fit in the storage bin under the bed. It also will give Mr. FixIt enough extra height to use the leaf blower to clean off the top of the slide out before we put it in. Whatever you have in the camper has to serve more than one purpose.

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We cleaned out the wheel well on the curb side of the camper yesterday and I filled any cracks or spaces with clear silicone caulk. I’m hoping that will take care of any leaks like we had when we drove in the rain last trip. We’ll have to see. I don’t think we’ll be driving in the rain this time.

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We just have a few things to put in the camper in the morning then we can head to our next campground. I have to camp at this place twice a year…once in the spring and again in the fall. It’s kinda my home base in the camping world. We’ll see friends and have a blast! If I remember correctly, the campground has decent cell service so I’ll still be able to post. 

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?

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“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:”

\nEcclesiastes 3:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/05/shorter-days-and-colder-nights.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/04/spelling-counts.html", "title": "Spelling Counts!", "content_html": "\n
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I can’t tell you how many words I’ve written on this blog over the nearly ten years since I started. Millions, I would hazard to guess. I’ve made my fair share of grammatical as well as spelling errors and thankfully, I have wonderful friends who send me private messages to let me know of an error. That’s because they know errors make me crazy. 

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I have been known to stop reading a book if I find too many spelling errors. It’s almost like it should be impossible to make mistakes with all the editing software out there. I do know it’s those spell corrector programs that often throw you under the bus. Poor spelling just bugs me…especially if it’s something that really should have been seen by more than one pair of eyes.

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For instance…how many times have you seen an ad in the paper for a “dinning room table”? Seriously? It’s dining! And don’t get me started on there, their, they’re. I was walking through the Halloween display at a big box store yesterday and saw this “Pumpkin Spece Love” sign. I mean..am I missing something? Is there something called “spece” that I am unaware of? I know, I know…people who live in glass houses…

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All that aside, the key point here is…I was out. Shopping. By myself. I cannot remember the last time I took myself on a shopping excursion. But, my first stop was at the DMV to get the tags on the new camper we just bought. It was a good thing I was called up to the handicapped window and was sitting down when he gave me the total. Sticker shock! It always is. So, after such an experience, I needed a little retail therapy. 

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Well, not really. It was more browsing than buying, but I did pick up a few things. I’ll show you pictures later in the week while we are camping so you can see how cute they are. The other day, Mr. FixIt stopped at Aldi on his way home and went down the “Aisle of Shame.” It’s a great source of pride for me to know I’ve turned him on to that particular erotic zone. He called me on FaceTime to show me a handheld shower head exactly like what I’ve been looking for and it was ON SALE. I hooked it up in the camper yesterday afternoon. I had to jerry rig it a little bit. I kept the hose from the old one and just changed out the shower head and it works great.

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Today, we need to get up in the wheel wells of the camper and caulk any place that looks like water could leak through. Then we need to restock it with warmer clothes and some comfort foods. Two of the nights we’ll be camping is supposed to get down in the 30’s! That’s going to be pretty darned chilly! This electric blanket will keep us comfy cozy, but we’re going to need to wear jackets and lap blankets when we sit around the propane fireplace. We may actually toast marshmallows this time…and have hot cocoa!

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I got a good shot of the hilltop across the road just before dusk yesterday. It was a gorgeous day, but as soon as that sun went behind the far hill, it cooled off fast. There’s no doubt it is fall. And before we know it, the snow will fly. So let’s get out there and have adventures before it’s too late, shall we???

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?

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“He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.”

\nPsalm 104:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/04/spelling-counts.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/01/home-sweet-home.html", "title": "Home Sweet Home", "content_html": "\n
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We were supposed to go home today, but we decided to leave yesterday afternoon after looking at the weather reports. There was rain heading our way from the remnants of Hurricane Ian and, given the small leak we found in the wheel well on Wednesday, we felt it was best to drive home while it was dry. 

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We had a leisurely camp breakfast. We have a “camp kitchen”…an aluminum framed stand with a shelf on either side and one below. I use our electric skillet out there and cook anything that’s going to have much odor or that creates any oily residue. We buy frozen sausage patties and take them out of the camper refrigerator/freezer as we need them. Yesterday we had sandwiches with scrambled eggs, cheese, and sausage and big mug of piping hot tea. Nothing better than cooking and eating out of doors!

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We sat in front of the propane heater and chatted while I knitted and Mr. FixIt read the news to me. Finally around noon I decided it was time to started gathering and cleaning and putting things away. We left the campground around 2:30 and stopped at Leith Run Recreation Area where we camped last week. We pulled in to the large parking lot in the Day Use area, put the slide out enough to get in the bathroom, and then I fixed us some lunch. I could have stretched out right then and there and taken a nap, but Mr. FixIt wanted to get on home before dark. Always my practical partner in crime!

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We got the camper all set up at home. Rain was expected to hit around 10:00. Mr. FixIt got settled in the house doing some preparatory things. He got the hoses set out for the sump pumps…just in case. We haven’t needed to use them ever since we started using root blocker in the drain! Yay!!! He turned on the furnace to get that “new season” smell out of it. I came out to the camper and got the essentials out….the tea kettle, mugs, and accoutrements. Before long, my sweetheart called and said, “Quick! Come look at the sunset!” 

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Red sky at night, a sailors’s delight…so they say. It was truly spectacular! One of those sunsets that’s almost as pretty behind you as it is in front. I took a gazillion pictures and hugged my man…thanking him for wanting to share this moment with me. I love this time of year and I love this camper and there are only so many nights I’ll be able to be out here enjoying it. My sweetheart shares my love of camping…traditional camping. Like…at a campground. He’s all for that. But when his bed is fifty feet away, he doesn’t quite see the point. He obviously never wanted to live in Barbie’s Dream House! So, I came back out here.

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It wasn’t fifteen minutes later, he came knocking at the camper door. I got up and unlocked it and said, “Get in here! Did you forget something?” He looked at me a little sheepishly. “I wanted something sweet with my tea and you have all the snacks!” I winked at him and laughed. “Darned right I do, sweetheart! What’ll it be? Cherry pie? Apple pie? Cookies?” He smiled big. He knows I know the quickest way to his heart. 

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“Cherry pie…AND cookies!” And a big ol’ hug, you ol’ teddy bear! I truly love this man… ‘deed I do.

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Happy October!!!

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***Oh, and by the way…FB seems to have corrected the comment issue I was having because I saw you ALL yesterday! ?

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?

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“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

\nMatthew 11:28 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/01/home-sweet-home.html", "tags": ["Camping","Control","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/29/working-out-the-kinks.html", "title": "Working Out the Kinks", "content_html": "\n
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I don’t think there is a camper made that doesn’t have a tiny leak somewhere. The trick is to catch them early, find out where they came from, and fix it right away before there’s any damage done. We left home yesterday morning around noon. The sky looked threatening, but the forecast said there would only be light rain from time to time. That was true for the most part. But we did come through a could of really hard rains (and LOTS of rainbows) and there was a lot of splash up from the road.

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The wheel wells in the new camper are hidden…one under the kitchen sink area, and the other under the slide out. We got to our campsite shortly before dark and we really had to hustle to get everything set up before it got too dark and started raining. We only had a couple of things left and Mr. FixIt took the reins while I went inside the camper to fix us something to eat. When I brought the dishes back in, I looked down and there were tiny drops of water along the bottom edge of the kitchen cabinet. 

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I quickly grabbed a light and some paper towels and set to searching for the source. I soon found where I think the water was coming from. The wheel well under the cabinet. I dabbed everywhere I could reach and soaked up every drop of water I could find. I have a feeling this isn’t the first time it’s done this as there was a bag of moisture absorber on the floor of that cabinet. The camper is just a year old, and it was a very tiny amount of water. Mr. FixIt got down and looked under the wheel well and could see a spot where the leak may have occurred. When we get home, we’ll get it all cleaned up in there and seal it up tight. This is not a huge deal…just an annoyance that happens to the best of campers. The nature of the beast, as it were.

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We love this park. We camped here for a couple of nights back in the fall of 2019 when I was just starting out on the Raffle Camper Tour for Girl Camper. We’ve wanted to get back here ever since and this seemed like the perfect time. The park is nearly empty and very quiet, save for the planes coming in and out of the Pittsburgh Airport. They’re pretty high by the time they get over us, so they’re not terribly intrusive.  This year’s site is in the same cul de sac as the site we stayed in previously. I would have much preferred that site, but it was not open all three days. This one is a close second. And…it is a pull-thru so I didn’t even have to back into it! Bonus!

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We stopped in Williamstown on the way here and dumped the tanks, then went right across the river to Marietta, OH to the Walmart store. I had a couple of things in mind. Some snacks. A better quality tire pressure gauge. And an electric blanket. Mr. FixIt and I had a vibrant discussion about the merits of buying yet another electric blanket. He reminded me we had two and home and two in the other camper. I reminded him that one goes on our bed at home and one goes on the guest bed. As it turns out, I couldn’t find the cord for the one from the guest room or I would have used it. The two in the other camper are twin size. I guess we could have used them, but it would be pretty unruly and I like a neat and tidy bed. So, we compromised and bought a new electric blanket. The man is a genius!

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Oh…there is nothing quite so wonderful as camping in the woods with lovely comfortable sheets, the very best fluffy pillows, and a queen-sized, dual control, electric blanket with a 12-hour shut-off timer. Excuse me…did I hear someone say, “Princess?” Yes! I’ll be the very first to admit I want to camp in comfort. I’ve done the sleeping bag on the ground in a pup tent, thank you very much. I’ve paid my dues. I want to be outside AND I want to be comfortable. I don’t need a huge camper. I don’t need an uber-expensive motorhome with marble floors and leather-covered everything. I definitely DO NOT need a big screen TV and an outdoor kitchen and a sound system with seventeen speakers and a sub-woofer. All I want is a little box that locks..with a bed and a potty. If it’s got a kitchen…bonus. If it has a slide out that gives you more foot room…heck, yeah! Sign me up!

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We snuggled down in bed around 8:00 last night. Mr. FixIt with his little DVD player on his belly, watching an old colorized movie from the ‘50s. Me with my little lap desk and iPad…talking to you good people. And now? I think I’ll go raid the snack box and see what I can nibble on before I head to bed.

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?

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“Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”

\nEzekiel 1:28 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/29/working-out-the-kinks.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/24/tick-tock-tick-tock.html", "title": "Tick Tock Tick Tock", "content_html": "\n
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Set up for our picnic!

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We got a call yesterday that we may have been exposed to covid over the weekend. Thursday night I started getting a headache a little bit of a scratchy throat. I haven’t tested yet. It could just be from the cold front coming through or camping by the river, but if the symptoms continue or worsen, I’ll definitely test. We have no plans to go anywhere in this next few days anyway. We cancelled our trip to the dealership yesterday to pick up the a-frame and we’ll do that as soon as we can.

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We spent the day just chilling. I knitted and Mr. FixIt cleaned out the truck. We tied the tarp down on the ‘67 Franklin. I keep telling myself I’ll fix it up one of these days, but alas…the days fly by and there it sits. It really should go to someone who has the time and talents to rebuild it. We have to stay home long enough to advertise it and sell it and that’s a bigger problem than fixing it ourselves.

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Supper al Fresco

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My sweetie and I had supper in front of the new camper again last night. It’s so pleasant to sit outside. Thursday night got down to 42° and let me tell you…it was a tad nippy in the camper! My little electric space heater is in the a-frame, I think. I do have an electric blanket I could bring out to the camper if I can find the cord. I added another puffy comforter so that ought to help. And, it was only predicted to get down to 51° last night, so maybe it won’t be so bad.

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We walked around the perimeter of the far field last night after supper. There are tons of seed pods on the redbud that are almost ready to gather and save for planting next year. It’s a game of chance waiting for them because the critters in the woods are doing the same thing for culinary purposes. There were a lot of what looked like wild grapes everywhere. When you squeeze them, they look just like grapes, but I tasted a tiny bit on my tongue and they certainly don’t TASTE like grapes. They just tasted wild.

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I’ve pulled out the winter socks!

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We noticed several trees that have died in the last couple of years…most near the power lines to I’ll have to call to see if they’ll come remove them. I noticed a small area I missed when I mowed on Thursday afternoon so I jumped on the tractor and finished that off in a hurry. Thursday was the Autumnal Equinox…the first day of fall is here already. Where has this year gone? The days pass slowly but the years seem to fly, don’t they? 

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So, in honor of autumn, I have put on socks! My tootsies are thanking me. 

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?

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“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

\nIsaiah 40:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/24/tick-tock-tick-tock.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Change","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/23/its-always-over-way-too.html", "title": "It’s Always Over Way Too Soon", "content_html": "\n
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Our View from the Camper Wednesday Evening

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That trip was WAY too short. We were lucky we got reservations at all at Leith Run Campground. They sell out fast when the reservation window opens six months in advance of your stay. I love Site #11 because it’s right on the river and you are off in a corner. A few months ago, I looked on reservations.gov to see if there was on anything available there, and found three nights in our favored site so I grabbed it right away and so happy we got to go at all.

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We had a big breakfast and sat out by the river for a while till it was time to pack up and head home. We stopped in Williamstown to dump our tanks at the rest area. It’s going to take some getting used to having such small tanks. It doesn’t take much to fill them up.

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When we got home, the grass was SO long, so as soon as we unhooked, I was on the mower. The weather was perfect…partly sunny with a cool breeze. When I finished, I cooked hotdogs out in the camper and we set up our chairs in front just like we do at the campground. We might as well pretend camp since we have all this land to spread out on!

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Mr. FixIt had to run to town for gas because I used the last of it in the mower. When he came back, he had the mail and waved me down. Do you remember when I bought that cute little camper that fell apart on the way to Colorado in 2019? Well, during my stay in Denver that trip, I lost my driver’s license. I went to the DMV and was able to get a temporary copy to get me home. Well, yesterday I received two things. A torn envelope in a clear plastic bag. And an envelope from the Postal Service in Charleston. 

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As best I can piece the story together, someone found my Driver’s License in Colorado and mailed it to me on September 17th, 2022…just a few days ago. Somehow, the letter got ripped open and my license was found loose in the mail in Charleston so the Postal folk put it in an envelope and sent it to me as well as the ripped envelope with an apology that it was in that condition without the contents.

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So, where was my license for the last three years? It didn’t look any worse for the wear. It looked exactly like it did the day I took it out of my wallet to show my ID to enter the high school where my daughter works. It probably got stuck in a lost and found somewhere and someone had the wherewithal to send it on to me. I’ve long since gotten a duplicate, but I thought it was pretty interesting that it finally made its way to me! If it could talk to me, what would it say???

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We’re heading to the dealership today to pick up the Big Birdhouse. I’m sure there will be more stories ahead!

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?

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““What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”

\nLuke 15:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/23/its-always-over-way-too.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/22/tales-of-the-great-outdoors.html", "title": "Tales of the Great Outdoors or “Fire in the Netheryea”", "content_html": "\n
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So, yesterday started out great. Mr. FixIt discovered his great grandparents are buried less than a half hour’s drive from the campground. We got up in time to grab breakfast from the Golden Arches and travel upriver on the West Virginia side. Find-a-Grave told us exactly where to go and gave us a picture of the headstone, to boot.

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With McMuffin and drinks in hand, we glided up the old State Route and turned up a hill side road. At the top was a sprawling cemetery with nearly 4,000 Memorials on Find-a-Grave. Mr. FixIt lamented at the sheer size and said it would take forever to find the headstone. I pulled up the picture of it from online, looked around to match the background profile, and drove straight to it. Sometimes I impress the heck out of my husband!

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We stood there quietly, staring at the headstone. Mr. FixIt walked around and brushed away the dead grass clippings from the mower. He told me stories. He never met that great grandfather, but he distinctly remembered his great grandmother. She lived with her daughter in Portsmouth, VA. He remembers she had white hair that went way down to the backs of her knees. Her daughter would brush it for her every night before bed. He figures there hadn’t been any visitors there since his great aunt was buried beside them in 1988. Here’s something we didn’t know. His great grandmother and my great grandmother shared the name Sabina! Middle name on his side…first name on mine!

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We soon left and drove on up the river, crossed the bridge, and came back down the Ohio side. When we returned to the campground, Mr. FixIt gathered his fishing gear and went down to the river’s edge to try his hand. After a few hours in the hot sun, he caught a little blue gill, no bigger than five inches long. I ran over to take the traditional trophy picture and we laughed and laughed.

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The neighbors on the other side of us called out what a great job he did. I went over to visit her for a while. They live in Lewisburg, WV…one of my favorite little towns in the Mountain State. I asked if she knew my friend, Nan and her family. They once owned The General Lewis Inn. And, of course, she did. I met Nan back in the ‘80s when she was a nurse at the hospital my husband was practicing in a little resort town near Aspen. She pulled out a beautiful harp like the one Nan played for the meditation class she had attended. She strummed it for a bit and I could see why she loved it. The notes were soft and soothing…perfect for an afternoon under the shade trees along the river.

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I said fair well and went back to our campsite to fix supper. I warmed up pot roast, steamed some broccoli and cauliflower, and heated up pre-made mashed potatoes. It was a meal fit for royalty, even if it WAS served on paper plates! Mr. FixIt went back to the river’s edge for a little more fishing time and I sat by the camper to knit. 

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This is the time of year when the stink bugs start swarming and they were driving me crazy. They get up on the side of the camper, then fall off on me…on my hair, down my shirt, and finally…one landed in my lap. Well…to be more exact…between my legs. I didn’t want to grab it because those things give off a wicked stench. It’s their defense mechanism. So, I tried to stand up. 

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We have these chairs. Great chairs, by the way. Big, round club chairs that are ever so comfortable to sit in and knit by the river. Which is what I’d been doing for about two hours. Those of you who are in my age bracket…you know what it’s like to sit for a long time in one position, then try to stand up. It didn’t go smoothly, and soon I recognized the malodorous reek of Eau de Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Ugh! I quickly brushed the pest aside and sat back down to knit.

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Then…within a minute or so…things started getting kinda warm down there. It wasn’t long till things started going from bad to worse and I was frankly “on fire” in the netheryea region. And…NOT in a good way!

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I ran to the camper and jumped in the shower to rinse off. We have very little cell service here at the campground, so I texted my dear friend Sue, and said, “Don’t laugh at me, but my hootie is on fire! Can you look on Google and see if the liquid emitted by stink bugs is an irritant and what to do about it?”

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It took a little bit to hear back. I pictured her rolling on the floor laughing, yelling to Ben…”You’re not going to believe what she’s into now!” She finally responded with a polite lol and said to give her a minute. Turns out, people can be really sensitive to these nasty little buggers…as I can personally attest! Fortunately, the fire calmed down after about thirty minutes and I had already treated it correctly.

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I’ll be living in a bubble for the next few weeks, thank you very much!

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We’ll be packing up and heading home today. This has been a wonderful three days away at one of our favorite campgrounds. I can’t wait to get out again!

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?

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“And all winged insects are unclean for you; they shall not be eaten.”

\nDeuteronomy 14:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/22/tales-of-the-great-outdoors.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/21/camping-people-are-the-best.html", "title": "Camping People Are The Best!", "content_html": "\n
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I’ve missed out on a ton of fun in my life. For years and years I tried to get my second husband to get a camper or an RV and it just wasn’t his thing. He was a city boy and a doctor…not a camper. For a very brief period, we had a VW Vanagon popup but it had a lot of mechanical problems. We were poor as church mice so we sold it to have a down payment on a house. 

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It was so cloudy yesterday morning, you couldn’t see across the river!

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I never realized how great camping people were till I lost Mr. Virgo and bought Little TOW-Wanda. When I went on my first Grand Adventure as a widow, I met some of the nicest people on my way through the wilderness and backroads of Colorado. Some I’ve even stayed in touch with. Some have followed me on my adventures ever since.

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I like to cook outdoors when we camp to keep the smells and grease out of the camper.

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As I’ve told you, I met my true match when Mr. FixIt and I found each other again. My daughter tells me I can talk to a tree. She’s right, of course. And my sweetheart is exactly the same. He attracts and collects people and we always have the most interesting conversations with people from all over the country.

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When we were sitting out by the river yesterday, the folks in the campsite next to us came over for a visit. Of course, in the first five minutes, we found out we knew a ton of the same folks. She had worked with the Former Mr. FixIt. His sons bowled on Mr. FixIt’s league. We had been chatting for about an hour when I told them the story of losing Mr. Virgo and how it caused me to create this blog.

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The gal went on to tell me she’s never really gotten into reading blogs…she reads what’s on FB. That’s ok…not everyone is into long winded storytelling. I get that. But when I mentioned Marshmallow Ranch, she whipped around and looked at me with a huge surprised smile on her face.

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“Ohhhhh!!!!! GINNY!!!!”

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I couldn’t help but laugh. She said, “I see you on Facebook all the time! I read what you post on FB!” Mr. FixIt just shook his head and smiled. He might know everybody in town, but I’ve got peeps all over the world! And that’s pretty cool!

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We fiddled around the campsite all day. I cooked a big camp breakfast in the outdoor kitchen, then set the pot roast to cooking in the crockpot for the day. It was my bonus daughter’s birthday so we talked with her a few times. I sat under the awning so I could stay out of the sun and protect my face. I started knitting a baby sweater on Monday so I worked on it all day. 

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We packed up hot roast beef and sandwich fixings and went to a fishing hole we found. We took our chairs. I knitted. Then we ate supper along the lagoon as the sun started to set on a gorgeous September day. This is my all time favorite time of the year to camp. Crisp nights, sunny days. I’m packing all these memories up to tide me over the winter when we are stuck inside for months.

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Foggy river morning.

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And….did I tell you? We LOVE this new camper! They called to say the Big Birdhouse is ready to pick up so we are going there Friday. A week of camping!

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?

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“There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.”

\nEzekiel 47:9 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/21/camping-people-are-the-best.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/19/getting-organized.html", "title": "Getting Organized", "content_html": "\n
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I love the cheerful prints from Ree Drummond’s Prairie Woman collection. I tried to find her melamine plates that I love and they only had one at our Walmart. Maybe I’ll have better luck online. I did find the sheets and pillowcases, though!

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Imagine a hotel room that’s less than 150 square feet. You don’t really have a closet…but there’s space under the bed and under the benches in the dinette. There are several small cabinets and cubbyholes where you can stash things. But you have to be smart and plan things out down to the last square inch. Now…put a couple of wheels on it, add hot and cold running water with a shower and toilet and the three water tanks that are required for proper use…hook it to your bumper…and you can go just about anywhere with everything you need.

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A closeup of the quilt I made…finally being put to use!

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I went shopped yesterday afternoon. I took my measurements with me and carefully looked around till I found exactly what I wanted for storage. I found some clear Rubbermaid containers with air tight seals. The two large ones hold utensils and lighters and spices. The two medium ones hold silverware and hot cocoa packets. The two small ones hold sweetener and tea bags. There are four cloth baskets…two for each of us. One holds shoes. The other holds clothes. We each have a plastic bin the size of a shoe box with clips on each end that hold the lid tight. That’s for medication and toiletries.

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The salt & papper shakers that started the ball rolling on the decor for the new camper.

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The cabinet to the right of the microwave holds food items: chips, cookies, extra bottles of water. The cabinet under the sink has a trash can, aluminum foil, trash bags, dish soap, paper towels, the packet of manuals that go with the camper, and a cab fresh that absorbs moisture. The storage under the benches is quite roomy. One side holds extra blankets and the pots and pans. The other side has a slow cooker, and electric skillet, Mr. FixIt’s DVD player, and a battery powered lantern.

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I bought this darling tablecloth at Happy Jim’s Trading Post for $5!

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There is a small closet on my side of the bed for my lap desk, iPad, and a couple of soft fleecy blankets that I like to sleep with. We each have a plug-in surge protected device that acts like a power strip but without the cord. It has two USB charging ports on it as well. There is a long cabinet above the bed that will hold the cloth baskets and a couple of sweatshirts. 

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We have a wonderful, fat toad that hangs out around our door waiting for an errant moth!

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I bought a pot roast and will put it in the crock pot tomorrow and that will give us several meals. We’ll roast hotdogs for lunch and have bacon and eggs for breakfasts. We’ll sit by the river. I’ll knit. Mr. FixIt will throw in a line and maybe catch a little something. We won’t eat anything out of the Ohio River, but it’s still fun to go fishing. 

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Who’s up for a little adventure! Let’s go!!!

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?

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“For the word of God will never fail.””

\nLuke 1:37 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/19/getting-organized.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/17/mr-and-mrs-fixit-get.html", "title": "Mr. and Mrs. FixIt Get to Work", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was a FixIt kinda day around Marshmallow Ranch. After a yummy country breakfast, Mr. FixIt had to replace the innards of the toilet in the main bathroom. We had a…ummmm…vibrant conversation in the plumbing aisle at Menard’s on Wednesday. I was firmly convinced that all the toilet needed was a flapper valve. He was equally firmly convinced it needed that filler thing-a-ma-jig. He was trying desperately to make me understand that the reason water was going in the bowl was because the filler valve wasn’t shutting off so the water was going down the overflow pipe. 

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I am the first one to admit I am wrong…on the rare occasions that I am. lol However….when I went in to survey his work, there was the old flapper valve in the trash. I’m not saying maybe I was right. What I’m saying is, maybe when he got in there he thought he might as well fix everything. He always does exceptional work. And I’m always up in his business because I have this insatiable curiosity and I love to learn. Besides, it’s terribly important that I learn how to do all the things in case I’m left to do them alone again. 

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While my counterpart was working on the plumbing inside, I was working on the plumbing in the new camper. I needed to get into that hot water heater and try to get rid of the rotten egg smell. I emptied the tank, but I wasn’t strong enough to take the pressure release valve off. Mr. FixIt dropped what he was doing and came right out to take it off for me. Once that was done, I replaced the plug on the hot water tank and poured about a gallon and a half of white vinegar in and added water to dilute it a little. It needs to sit at least eight hours and it should just eat up the calcium deposits in the tank. I’ll drain it and flush it several times today to get any sediment out. And that ought to do it.

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Oh, and by the way, I stopped using the fluorouracil about five days ago to give my skin a little break and it’s healing up nicely. It’s as smooth as a baby’s bottom! I can’t wait to see what the new skin feels and looks like when it’s all healed.

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I had a chance to knit a little in between jobs and the new sweater is coming along nicely. I brought my knitting out with me to the camper last night and enjoyed the night sounds while I got a few more rows done. My knitting friend Gail told me about something super cool that I just had to find. It’s called a “Raglan Knitting Wheel”. Copyrighted in 1969, it was developed by a professional knitting teacher and it is amazing. Here is a blog post about it that I found.  

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I think we’ll need to mow today here at home and tomorrow out at the farm. We leave to go camping for three days on Monday. I told Mr. FixIt I want to camp as much as possible to make up for lost time. He’s such a sport…always ready to have some fun. He gets to go fishing this time!

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?

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“…A time to tear down and a time to build up.”

\nEcclesiastes 3:3 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/17/mr-and-mrs-fixit-get.html", "tags": ["Camping","Farm Life","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/16/wellthat-was-fun.html", "title": "Well…That Was Fun!", "content_html": "\n
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Don’t forget to look up when you’re out in the woods!

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When a camper is the right fit…when the weather is picture perfect…when the park isn’t crowded…when you’re with your best mate…when the stars align and the owls hoot on cue and the whippoorwill calls…when the chairs are comfy and the tea is hot in the mug…when the stitches are on your needles and the sweater is coming together…when the leaves are beginning to turn and there’s just the faintest whiff of campfire smoke in the air…when it is cool enough for a sweatshirt and leggings and an extra blanket on the bed…when you hate to pack up and want to stay another day and another. Well, when you have all that and more, you can honestly say you’re onto something here. This is the camper we’ve been looking for…hoping for…wishing for! 

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Thank you, God. Thank you, Jayco. Thank you, Elizabeth. Thank you, Coleen. Thank you, Union Trades.

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And last, but not least….Thank you, Mr. FixIt! You always make my adventures more fun!

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We got home by 5-ish after running several errands on the way. We stopped at Menard’s in Athens and returned these two small lanterns with battery powered fans. We thought they’d be perfect by the bed. But they made WAY too much noise so they had to go back. I picked up a couple camper things there. We stopped at the Rest Area just off the interstate and dumped the tanks. Then we headed to the RV Parts & Supplies store and picked up a new anode rod for the hot water heater. And a wrench to remove the sewer hose once it’s attached to the camper. I had the worst time trying to take it off at the dump station. Then we went to Walmart and bought some of those cloth baskets for organizing our personal items like clothing and toiletries.

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We parked the camper at the end of the house, plugged it in, and I grilled burgers for supper. As soon as we were finished eating, I came out to the camper to stretch out and there I stayed. 

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Waiting at our door…a Praying Mantis.

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It was a long day…and a great getaway. The kind of getaway where you aren’t sure what day it is and you really don’t care! We head out again on Monday but till then, there will be mowing and knitting and all manner of things to do as the summer wanes.

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Today would have been my dear friend’s birthday. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Sparky. I hope you get to celebrate with your parents and your sister and have all the cake you want! I sure miss you.

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?

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“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””

\nMatthew 11:28-30 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/16/wellthat-was-fun.html", "tags": ["Camping","Memories","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/15/checking-the-owners-manual.html", "title": "Checking the Owner’s Manual", "content_html": "\n
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We had our breakfast out by the edge of the woods. Your first few nights in any camper are an adjustment. A new bed. A new floor plan. It’s like going to a hotel and waking up wondering where in the heck you are. Mr. FixIt slept pretty well judging by the acoustics. Me? Not so much. I was listening to said acoustics. However, I had a conversation with God and asked Him to help me turn the aggravation aspect into gratitude for the warm presence by my side.

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After a little time sipping our tea and conversing, Mr. FixIt headed out for a walk and I set to cleaning up a little and organizing some more. This camper is much smaller and has very little cabinet space so camping accoutrements must be kept to the absolute essentials. I’ve tucked a couple of extra blankets in one of the dinette benches and the tote bags of personal items in the other. There is a long cabinet over the bed with two doors. It runs the width of the camper and is pretty deep. 

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I’m going to buy some of those cloth baskets that will fit up there. We’ll each have three or four to tuck all of our personal belongings in then we don't have to have the totes or a suitcase with us. At the end of a trip, you bring the totes in, wash the clothes and repack them, replenish any toiletries you may need, then stow them back in the camper. That way you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice. At the end of camping season, you just bring the baskets inside and put them in a closet for the winter and you’re ready to go come spring.

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I decided to turn on the water heater and take a shower. When I was ready, I turned on the water and it wasn’t hot. After trouble shooting at some length, I was still stumped. Mr. FixIt came back from his walk and I gathered up the bag of booklets that came with the camper, a mug of tea, and headed out to the chairs by the woods. I unzipped the green cloth bag and started going through the booklets one by one. As I reached in to get the last two, they felt like thick books.

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I pulled them out and set them on my lap and smiled. The instruction manuals were there. One for the camper…and one for me! I don’t know who tucked the Bible in with the paperwork. Was it the previous owner, knowing we needed the Good Book wherever we went? Was it the RV Dealer? Who knows? All I know is, I was grateful for the thoughtful gesture and tucked it right back in with the paperwork so I will know where to find it.

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Unfortunately, I didn’t really find the information I was looking for in the brochure for the water heater, but I asked God to help me figure it out. I closed my eyes and went over the water system in my mind and suddenly…I knew what was wrong. I asked Mr. FixIt to bring the Philips head screw driver and meet me in the bathroom. There is a panel under the bathroom sink where the water heater resides.

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I removed the panel and switched the bypass off and asked Mr. FixIt to turn the hot water on. We were immediately met with the stench of rotten eggs. Unfortunately, this is what happens when water is left dormant in the hot water heater for any length of time. It’s a chemical reaction. It can be fixed but it takes a little doing and involves draining the system and putting vinegar water in, heating it up, then draining and repeating the process several times and before you know it, you’ll have fresh smelling water again. Needless to say…I didn’t take my shower!

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We went for a drive and checked out the cleanup from the devastating storm they had the night before we camped here the last time. We also drove down to the dam where they are doing some restoration work. Afterward, we decided to go to the little town nearby and get some lunch. We had things to make burgers, but we didn’t have anything but a skillet and I didn’t want to fry burgers in the camper. You don’t want grease all over everything and when you cook smelly foods, the odor lingers for a long time and can settle in the upholstery. When we got back, I sat and knitted for a couple of hours.

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We were entertained last night by barred owls and a whippoorwill. Mr. FixIt watched a movie while I wrote this post. (The smartest thing I ever bought him was a DVD player with headphones!!!) 

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And, today we head home. Now I need to plan our next adventure!

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?

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“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

\nJames 1:5 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/15/checking-the-owners-manual.html", "tags": ["Faith","Camping","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/14/in-my-happy-place.html", "title": "In My Happy Place", "content_html": "\n
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Well, one of my happy places! This time we’re camping. I can’t tell you how excited this makes me. Even Mr. FixIt was excited. We are both so disappointed that we haven’t been able to camp very much this summer so getting this little camper has lifted our spirits greatly. My first night sleeping out in the field was delightful. I laid there listening to a beautiful Barred Owl in the sycamores along the hedgerow and my heart nearly burst with joy! 

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The camper is wonderful. It’s the exact same length of the a-frame, but having a large bathroom at the end of the camper…and adding a slide out…creates so much more floor space. The only thing that’s kinda strange about this camper is the dinette is raised about a foot off the floor so you have to step up into it. I would much rather have a chair and a half recliner in there than the dinette. And, who knows…we might get a wild hair some day and make a modification. For now, we are happy as two little bugs in a rug!

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We drove up to the service department where the Big Birdhouse is getting some TLC. We wanted to get our camping gear out, so we stopped on our way to Walmart for gas and groceries. Afterward, we went to our favorite restaurant for ribs! Oh, yummmmmm! They were the BEST and we were really hungry from running around all day.

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We got back to the camper before dark and put some things away then made the executive decision to do nothing but enjoy our surroundings tomorrow. The air has a distinct nip of fall and the sides of the roads are carpeted with fallen leaves. I’m so glad I threw some warm clothes in at the last minute. We were both nodding off at 9:00 last night. Good sleeping weather!

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?

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“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!”

\nProverbs 14:23 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/14/in-my-happy-place.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/13/honeyim-home-now-lets-go.html", "title": "Honey…I’m Home! Now, Let’s Go Camping!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Did you miss me??? I could hardly wait to get home yesterday! I always say “I need a break!” Then, when I get one, I miss my sweetheart like crazy. I did enjoy myself. I met up at an AirB&B with a couple of old friends from way back. We talked and laughed and ate great food and worked on our projects. I’m knitting a turtleneck sweater and made great progress on it. 

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I got home around noon and quickly threw the papers together that I needed to take to the Credit Union. Once we finished there, we took the check over to our new friend and picked up the new camper. Ohhhhhhh, I cannot tell you how incredibly happy I am to have the “perfect” camper! I made Mr. FixIt laugh when I said, “This is the last one…promise!!!”

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She’s kind of a cross between Little TOW-Wanda and the Raffle Camper (the rPod 196) that I got to pull around in October 2019. She has a walk around queen sized bed. She has a slide out with a dinette in it. She’s got a cute little kitchen with a 2-burner stove and sink, a fridge, and a microwave. She’s got plenty of counter space. Not a lot of cabinet space, but there’s a ton of storage under the bed and under the bench seats of the dinette. The best thing of all? She has a bathroom…with a sink…and, a little TUB and shower! 

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Mama’s a REALLY happy camper now!

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The a-frame is darling…really it is. And, if I was younger, I’d stick with it. The smaller a-frame was actually easier to get the top up and down. And I really LOVED the big windows and tons of light. But what really sealed the deal for me was twofold…a bathroom, and just being able to climb in and take a nap when I’m tired of driving. It’s the right size, only a year old, been camped in three times, and has everything we want. Win, win, win!

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I “camped” in the field last night, and today we are heading to a nearby State Park to camp for two nights. We’ll put her through her paces.

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Now…to come up with a name for her. Because…she HAS to have a name, right?! I think I’ll have to camp with her a little bit to see what fits. Stay tuned for lots of fun!!!

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?

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“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

\nProverbs 15:22 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/13/honeyim-home-now-lets-go.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","goRVing","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/08/a-full-day-and-then.html", "title": "A Full Day and Then Some", "content_html": "\n
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My Happy Place

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Remember yesterday when I told you I never know what I’m going to end up doing any given day? Well, that’s how the day turned out. I started out in the kitchen…with two pressure canners running. My little one holds seven quarts or nine pints. The big one will hold twenty pints on two levels, but still only seven quarts. I finished canning the green chili and got six more pints for a total of eleven. Then I did a run of seven quarts of pinto beans. I canned an eight pound bag of Walmart’s Great Value Dried Pinto Beans and got twenty pints and seven quarts for a total cost of $5.98 plus a little bit of my time. And they’ll taste so much better than processed beans in a can. 

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Homecanned Pinto Beans

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Some of you asked for my green chile recipe. I put a link to a recipe the other day that I looked at. But I always end up making my own version no matter what a recipe says. So, here’s mine as best as I can tell you. I rarely ever measure anything so I’ll do my best to relay it accurately.

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Pork Green Chile\n\n     1 quart cooked pork (I always use butt roast cooked in the slow cooker till tender)\n     1.5 boxes of chicken bone broth\n     2 jars of 505 Southwestern Flame Roasted Green Chiles, 16oz. each\n     1/4 c. dehydrated minced onions\n     1 to 3 tsp. minced garlic, to taste. I used 2 tsps.\n     2 heaping tsps. Ground Cumin\n     1 heaping tsp. Ground Black Pepper\n     1 heaping tsp. Smoked Paprika\n     \n     Mix all the ingredients together in a slow cooker. Mix a couple of heaping tablespoons of all purpose flour in with 1/2 cup of water or use some of the extra bone broth and stir it in the chile. Heat on high till hot and bubbling around the edges and is slightly thickened…about an hour or two. It’s even better when served the next day as the flavors marry. Serve piping hot with tortillas or a quesadilla to dip in it. I like to squeeze a wedge of lime over mine and add a dollop of sour cream on top. Yummmmm!\n\n     This freezes or cans well. I canned mine in pints because I usually heat it up and pour it over burritos.\n\n     An alternative would be to cut the meat up in chunks when it’s raw and add the rest of the ingredients and let the meat cook with the chiles. When I make a pork roast, I use it for a hot meal first with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. Then I make another meal of cold pork sandwiches. So, I already had cooked pork in the fridge.
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While I babysat the canners, I started knitting a new sweater. I decided to try a simple turtleneck version this time. I’m using the same yarn but a darker blue that would go great with denim. This pattern calls for a mock turtleneck, but Gail tells me I can just knit it longer so it folds over. I really love this designer out of Denmark…PetiteKnit. The pattern is called Novice Sweater. What can I say…I’m still learning the ins and outs of sweater making even though I may not be a rank novice. I’ve been working really hard the last couple of weeks so I am taking a sabbatical for a long weekend with my knitting needles and no work. Just good food…and maybe a nap!

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As soon as I finished the canning, I headed out to the mower and got everything finished. I came in around 5-ish and made cold pork sandwiches and potato salad for supper. There is something wonderful about having food made up ahead of time that you don’t have to cook. The day was perfect…75° with intermittent clouds. Mr. FixIt and I went out after the sun set and it was so cool and lovely. 

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Passion Flower
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Crab Spider…caught a ride on my hat!
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African Lily
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I contacted the service department yesterday and even though our camper has been there for six weeks (THIS time), they still have not received the parts they ordered to fix it. I’m just about done with this. Ohio has a generous Lemon Law and I’m about to have a discussion with them. This isn’t right. We’re missing our favorite camping season completely. More than a little frustrating.

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In the grand scheme of things, no matter what kind of inconveniences head my way, I still have a pretty blessed life. The Bible doesn’t say we MIGHT have troubles from time to time. Instead, it tells us we WILL have troubles, but when troubles strike, remember whose child you are and straighten that crown!

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?

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“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”

\nPsalm 34:17-20 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/08/a-full-day-and-then.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Farm Life","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/21/day-five-was-so-cool.html", "title": "Day Five Was SO Cool!", "content_html": "\n
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We had a blast at our sleepover at the farm. We told stories and walked out to see what a really dark sky looks like. It was the first time Little has actually seen the Milky Way! We warmed up leftover pancakes and corn cakes for breakfast. I sat on the front porch with my knitting and coffee and listened to the birds. Little slept in then we packed up and did a little walkabout. I showed them what the buildings were used for. We looked at the pictures of the people who built them. I explained how things worked before they got running water on the farm. 

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When we left, I decided to take Little back up on the hill where the old home place was. I explained how the kids had to walk all the way down off the hill, catch the school bus and ride all the way to the nearest school after they outgrew the little one room schoolhouse down the road. Then, when they rode back at the end of the day, the bus driver dropped them off at the base of the hill and they walked all the way back home…rain or shine, snow or ice or the heat of Indian Summer. It’s just the way it was.

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We drove out the new road they built to the compressor station for the gas pipeline. I was amazed how noisy it is and I’m so glad they built it way back on the hill and not any closer. There is an old church across from the driveway that turns into the compressor station. In the mornings, the family used to go to the little white church that I attended many years later. Then, in the afternoons, they walked out the ridge and went to this little church for Sunday evening services. 

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Little was fascinated with the signature book for visitors. They signed their name under mine with a smile. We looked around and commented how the old church is settling on one side. When we went back out to the truck, Little said, “Nana, there were cobwebs and bugs and dirt in that church. We need to go back and clean it. The windows could use a good washing, too.” I so love this kid! I told them we would go back before their trip is over so we can give it a good cleaning. We might leave a floral arrangement in their great great grandparents’ honor. That would be nice.

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On our way back home, I showed Little where Frank and Beans live…the new owners of the farm. As we drove by, I mentioned the building at the end of the drive. It was where the bus driver parked the school bus. I saw something out of the corner of my eye and before I could get a good look, Little called out, “Nana, look!!! An OWL!” Sure enough, there was a Barred Owl sitting on the ground, right smack dab in the middle of Frank and Bean’s driveway! It was in the area where I caught the recording of the juvenile calling in the middle of the night the last time I stayed at the farm. Pretty neat!

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Someone has seen a young black bear on the hill above our house two days running. I told Little we needed to drive out the road on the ridge to see if we could find it. We didn’t, but we came around a turn and there were wild turkeys crossing the road and going into the woods. Little got to see them. 

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We got home and had some quiet time. I worked on a Christmas Stocking I’m knitting with stranded color work…a technique I haven’t used since I made Big’s baby dress eighteen years ago. I cleaned and cut up a huge pan of broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts to pop in the oven to roast alongside a good sized salmon filet. I bought a bottle of really good quality lemon infused extra virgin olive oil at William-Sonoma when I was in Colorado in May. I’ve been waiting for just the right time to try it and…all I can say is…WOW! What a lovely addition to both the fish and the veggies. We ate the whole 13”x9” pan just the three of us.

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After supper, Little and I jumped in the pool and swam around till nearly dark. We have some of our best conversations when we are outside in nature. We talked about faith and God and what a cool guy Jesus is. Little looked up and pointed at a flock of birds above us. I was about to tell her about murmurations when they suddenly started one…swooping in and out of curved formations. It was fascinating. Then, just at dusk, the bats came out and one kept diving the pool for drinks of water and that’s when I told Little we’d had enough and it was time to get out!

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We needed to get some things out of the camper, so Mr. FixIt helped me set it up. It has leaked again, so I need to get it back to the dealer. I’ve just about had it with this thing. Too many problems for a brand new camper. We did keep it set up and decided to “camp” in the field last night. There was a storm predicted, but we were bound and determined to tough it out! You will have to wait till tomorrow to see how that worked out!

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?

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“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

\nMatthew 6:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/21/day-five-was-so-cool.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","The Farm","Farm Life","Crafts","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/18/day-two-is-done.html", "title": "Day Two is Done", "content_html": "\n
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The hat I started in Williamsburg.

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Little and I slept in the camper their first night here in West Virginia. They wanted to see the lightning bugs in the trees. We couldn’t really hear the night sounds because it was so warm in the camper, we had to have the fans running. We both went to sleep fairly early because we were exhausted after the ten hour drive from Williamsburg. We were awakened at 3:00 yesterday morning with an amazing thunderstorm. Little wasn’t really afraid of it. Fifteen is a pretty worldly age, after all. But, the pillow WAS turned around to the other end of the bed away from the window…you know, just in case. 

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We both managed to go back to sleep for five more blissful hours and I had to finally wake Little up to head inside. It was warming up fast and even with the fans, it was getting stuffy in the camper. I fixed a big pancake breakfast and the rest of the day was pretty low key. We’ve been having some wonderful conversations about a wide variety of topics. Little is a deep thinker and such a joy to converse with. Witty, quick, tender-hearted, and sassy…that fits this grandchild to a T. 

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Having high functioning autism, Little has had to learn to compensate for a different learning style. (Little’s preferred pronouns are they/them, so that is what I will use here out of respect.) They don’t hide their autism. As a matter of fact…they are proud of it. It’s their superpower! While they may struggle in some areas, they excel in so many others and this year at school…Little discovered theater kids! Land’s sake…this child has found the home team and is thriving! Being somewhere on the spectrum myself (more than likely), we have always related to each other on a deep level. They are incredibly smart and I’m so proud of the young person they are becoming. 

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We may mow today…it depends on how much rain we got overnight. We’ll cook a big pot of soup beans and ham hocks in the slow cooker today. Little is expanding their culinary horizons. Yesterday’s taste treat was pickled beets. They thought it tasted pretty good. The sweet and sour combo was a hit, but the texture was a near miss. We also have chow chow and jalapeño pickled eggs to sample. We’ll have a veritable smorgasbord over the next two weeks.

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Hopefully the rain storms will let up so we can get in the pool soon!

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?

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“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,”

\nProverbs 1:5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/18/day-two-is-done.html", "tags": ["Health","Camping","Humbled","Be Joyful!","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/17/the-great-white.html", "title": "The Great White", "content_html": "\n
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We left the campground at 10:00 yesterday morning. I’m not going to share the name of the campground. I wasn’t terribly pleased with it, and I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with the owner, so I don’t want to give it a bad review based on the couple of things that I really didn’t like about it. Let’s just say…it’s centrally located and folks seemed to be fine with it. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

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Little slept like a log through every train. Ahhhhh, the joys of youth. Kids can sleep through anything! The long drive home was a bit of a surprise. I don’t think Little had a concept how long it would take. It was ten hours driving back because we had to stop more often. Let’s just say, we were all really glad to get out of that truck. And Little and I camped in the field last night….with NO trains running 25’ from the camper…all night long!

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On our way back, we stopped at the West Virginia Welcome Center in White Sulphur Springs, WV. We hiked to the top of the hill above the rest area and checked out the view overlooking The Greenbrier Hotel…also known as “The Great White”. It’s a lovely edifice and it’s been forty years since I stayed there. I doubt it’s changed much. 

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We are looking forward to a little down time and pool time today. Maybe I’ll mow…maybe I won’t. As I wrote this, I was just too tired to care one way or the other. I hope you are enjoying a beautiful Sunday!

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?

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“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

\nProverbs 17:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/17/the-great-white.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Road Trip","Littles","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/14/sweet-tea.html", "title": "Sweet Tea", "content_html": "\n
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Ahhhhh….sweet tea! Nectar of the gods. Southern house wine. There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a mason jar (or in this case, a Kerr jar) of southern sweet tea. The way the light shines through the amber richness. The way the sweat drips down the jar. The way the ice tinkles against the glass. I have to admit, there are indeed a zillion true souther ladies rolling in their graves when I say this, but…I don’t use sugar. I do like it sweet though, so I use stevia. Yesterday morning, I mixed up a batch of hummingbird juice for the feeder. I use a quart jar, put in one cup of granulated sugar and fill it to within a half inch or so from the top with water. I stir it with one of my wooden spoon so I don’t chip the rim. When I fill the feeder, I always have about a cup or so of the sugar water. So, I added ice and filled it the rest of the way with tea. It wasn’t quite sweet enough so I added on packet of stevia and it was perfect.

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When I was a little girl, my mom would take us to my Aunt Dixie’s house. She made the BEST iced tea. She started by putting a couple heaping spoonfuls of sugar in a heavy glass. She always used an iced tea spoon…you know, the long handled ones? She put in a Lipton tea bag and poured boiling water over the spoon to “cut the shock” so it wouldn’t break the glass. She only filled the glass about half full You stirred to dissolve the sugar and wished for it to cool faster. Then you filled the glass with ice cubes. The kind you cracked out of an aluminum ice cube tray. Now THAT…that was the very best iced tea I ever tasted and I’m sure it’s because it was made with love. I clearly remember the last time I sat at her table and asked her to make me a glass. I had just returned from England and was about to embark on my life out West. I never got the opportunity to ask for that tea again.

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As I sipped this ambrosia, i got to work and…the sweater is finished! It took me seventeen days. I would have had it done sooner, but there was mowing to be done and getting ready for this trip. And, it was a new pattern. I’ve never made a cardigan sweater before so there was a learning curve for me. I have to say, I really love this pattern and I’ll make more cardigans in the future. I did learn some things along the way. Bulky yarns and big needles make quick work but the ends are particularly hard to weave in and hide. There’s a lot less yarn per skein so you definitely need to buy more than you think. I was really happy the extra yarn I bought matched. And, while this yarn feels soft to the skin, the sweater is REALLY heavy. And I had to go over every join and woven end with a needle and thread to keep the yarn ends from working out. I’m worried that the yarn will pick easy so I need to show Big how to tuck in any loose ends. See that little white button on the backside of the sweater button? That anchors the button so it doesn’t pull out your yarn. those six little bone buttons came from my grandma’s (Big’s great great grandmother’s) button box. So, Big will be carrying a little piece of her ancestry with her. Overall it’s a beautiful Bippity Boppity Blue and I’m sure she’ll love it.

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The other big chore yesterday was changing out the actuator on the new camper. It’s not hard at all, but it was a two person job. The actuator is the motorized lift that helps raise the camper top. Unfortunately, the actuator broke when the roof was in the raised position. It took me a while to visualize what I needed to do to fix it. I unplugged the old one and removed it. Then I plugged the new one in and Mr. FixIt held the switch that extended the rod to match the same length of the broken one. That way, I was able to just slip the new one into place and fasten two nuts. Easy peasy! It went down like it was supposed to. There is a design flaw that makes the motor prone to catching rainwater in it. So I put silicone around the seams. Hopefully that will keep the water out.

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We’ll have a big day today driving nearly five hundred miles. Then we have a whirlwind thirty-six hours with the family. Therefore, I’m not going to write a post the next two nights. I’ll schedule something easy ahead of time and I’ll be back Sunday morning. 

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Prayers for travel mercies!

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???

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“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

\nIsaiah 30:21 ESV\n
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\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/14/sweet-tea.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/13/getting-stuff-done.html", "title": "Getting Stuff Done", "content_html": "\n
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The buttonhole placket was so much easier to knit than I thought it would be.

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I paid $4.36 for gas yesterday! It’s coming down. The supply chain issues are evening out and they are predicting prices on most goods will fall accordingly. The crazy housing market is cooling off and maybe someday young people will be able to buy that little house with the white picket fence. I don’t know. All I know is, when you live on a fixed income, you’ll take every break you can get!

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I had the oil changed on the truck yesterday when I was in town. I also had the tires rotated. I never really bothered buying the lifetime warranty on tires till I retired and money needed to be stewarded better. To be honest, rotating your tires isn’t as big a deal when you live in Colorado. Most of the roads are straight and if your wheels are aligned properly, you don’t wear them out unevenly. Not so here in the twisty-turny state! When Daughter #1 visited last summer, she remarked on the weird speed limit signs out our two-lane blacktop. She said, “Mom, I couldn’t even get UP to 55 before the next turn came and said 20mph. I laughed and said, “Sweetie, those are just recommended speeds. Y’all do what you can around here.”

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I was tickled to have the time to sit at the garage while they worked on my truck. It gave me some solid time to work on Big’s sweater. And…drumroll please…I got it done! Well, the knitting part is done. Now I have to weave in five million tails from where I joined yarns. This bulky yarn only had around a hundred yards of yarn per skein. So every two inches or so, there is a join. And this particular yarn is very slippery. I have to weave in the ends, then anchor them with a needle and thread to keep them from slipping out. Very time consuming, but it’s going to be beautiful when I’m done!

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Mr. FixIt also had a laundry list of things to do yesterday, and rather than sit at the garage with me, he drove in separately. He brought home tomatoes from the garden in town and they are SO yummy! Supper was a ham sandwich with thick slices of tomato, salt & pepper, and a slathering of Duke’s Mayonnaise on whole wheat bread. Yummmmmmm!

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We need to change the actuator on the lift for the Big Birdhouse today because tomorrow…we camp and get to see most of the Colorado family!!! I cannot wait!

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?

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““Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard.”

\nNumbers 2:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/13/getting-stuff-done.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Farm Life","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/01/and-the-year-is-half.html", "title": "And the Year is Half Gone", "content_html": "\n
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So, is 2022 really half over? Is the glass half full or half empty? Neither…it’s full to overflowing! You can see the water…it looks diminished. But there is air filling the rest of the cup. And that air, even though you can’t see it, is just as important. The calendar may imply we’re half done, there’s an awful lot of unseen days ahead with great potential if we give it our all! We can make a huge impression on the world in six short months!

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I really enjoyed my time at the farm. It’s always so beautiful at this time of year. And I saw all kinds of critters….deer, a little tiny baby bunny, birds galore, lots of wasps and honeybees and bumblebees and butterflies and lightning bugs, two huge European hornets (thankfully deceased), a slick lizard, and a great big black snake! It was a plethora of nature!

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I stripped the bed and washed the linens. I would have hung them out to dry, but I didn’t have enough clothespins. I love the smell of sheets dried in the sun, but they are always a little rough on the skin if they aren’t dried in the drier. Personal preference, I guess. I cleaned up a little around the farmhouse. There’s always lady bugs and dead wasps on the floor. And of course, we always track in dirt and grass and leaves. 

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When I got home, I pulled out my knitting and somehow I’ve gotten something on it. I don’t know if it was my morning coffee or what it is. I will have to work on it a little this morning. I’m making great progress…just finishing the third skein of yarn. Bulky yarn and big needles make for a quick job when you’re knitting a sweater.

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We went to our little town to get an ice cream last evening and went to check out a new little junk shop called Happy Jim’s. Trust me, Jim was happy. And talkative. We could have been there for hours listening to his stories. He had great stories! I found a perfect vintage tablecloth…not a spot or fray on it. As a matter of fact, it hardly looked used at all. Try as we might, neither one of us could find the price. Happy Jim asked me if $5.00 sounded good. We paid up and I continued to browse during the bulk of the storytelling. I was holding the tablecloth in my arms so I held it out in front of me to admire my find. I don’t know how we missed it, but there was the price tag. It was the same color as the pattern where it was placed. $18.00! I went right to Happy Jim and said, “I’m a good Christian, and I cannot in good conscience walk out of here paying the wrong price.” He took a good look and he said, “Well, ma’am, it looks like you got yourself a good deal!” I objected but he wouldn’t hear of it. “Just tell the folks you got yourself a good deal here at Ol’ Jim’s place, ok?” So, you heard it from me…you can find a good deal at Happy Jim’s!

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When we got home, Mr. FixIt and I took a walk around the property just before dark. There are several pears on the two trees out between the house and the main road. They’re pretty small and the trees look to be blighted. I’m not a tree person, so I’ll have to search the internet to see what I can do for them, if anything.

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We still don’t have the pool just right. We can’t seem to get the water clear. We have one more thing to try and hopefully that will fix it. It would be awfully nice to get in it on these hot summer days. I came out to the camper last night to write and even though it was still pretty warm out, the fans circulated the air and made it quite comfortable. With the price of gas and the crowds at the campgrounds, I’m finding “home camping” to be a viable and cost effective alternative. Heck, you’re just going so you can sleep in your camper or tent anyway. What difference does it make where you park it or set it up? I’ve camped in tiny back yards and I’ve camped in National Parks. It’s sleeping no matter where it’s done, right?

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Happy Friday, everyone! It’s a Holiday weekend…I hope you get out and enjoy the outdoors!!!

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“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.”

\nPsalm 145:5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/01/and-the-year-is-half.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","The Farm","Farm Life","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/25/back-home-and-back-to.html", "title": "Back Home and Back to Work", "content_html": "\n
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We camped at Beaver Creek State Park near East Liverpool, Ohio this week. It’s one of our favorite campgrounds, largely because my dear friend Gail is sometimes the camp host there. She isn’t hosting again till fall, but she was supposed to come camp with us at least one night. Unfortunately, she was a little under the weather this week so we had to take a rain check on the visit. We still had an amazing time, as always. 

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We visited Columbiana and shopped at the local antique dealers and ate at Das Dutch Haus restaurant and it was SO good. We took apple dumplings home for dessert and they were heavenly! We had ice cream TWICE at Bruster’s Ice Cream Shop in Calcutta. They have Black Raspberry ice cream at this time of the year and it’s one of my all time favorites. Mostly, we just hung out at the campground, chatted with what few campers were there, and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the woods in June.

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Midweek camping is the way to go. Even at the peak of June, people don’t usually start showing up till Thursday night. We took long walks and got lots of good photos with nothing but nature in them. We did gain some fellow campers on Thursday night and it was so fun to hear the kids playing, riding their bikes, and running around catching lightning bugs. Tuesday and Wednesday was really hot and we had to run the AC, but Thursday night got down to 56° and I actually woke up cold at 3:30am. I had to get up to turn off the fans, and then…of course…I couldn’t get back to sleep till just around dawn. Poor Mr. FixIt…there isn’t another room to escape to in a camper, so I kept him awake, too.

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There was something I saw at the campground that really upset me. I was sitting with Mr. FixIt, the sun was setting, and I had been knitting. I set my needles aside to get up for a drink when I noticed something on a tree at the edge of our campsite. I walked closer and…believe it or not…someone had BRANDED the tree! Like…with a livestock brand! I know there is someone out there who thinks it’s uber cool that there’s a tree at every campsite they’ve ever camped at with their “brand” on it. But that is just wrong. What ever happened to “leave no trace”? Campsites and parks should be left better than you found them! Don’t leave “art” like decorated rocks or walking sticks behind for the “joy of others to discover”. Don’t stack rocks in streams…it disturbs native habitat for all kinds of critters. Don’t move picnic tables or fire rings. 

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Go to the woods…enjoy it to the fullest…then leave it pristine for the next guest! Nature is for everyone.

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*stepping off my soapbox now.

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And now, it’s time to get back on that mower and get some work done around here! So glad to be back home and with you fine people. I hope you’re enjoying summer so far!

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?

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“You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.”

\nPsalm 74:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/25/back-home-and-back-to.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Home","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/23/you-know-i-cant-stay.html", "title": "You KNOW I Can’t Stay Away!", "content_html": "\n
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We are having a grand time camping in one of our favorite state parks in the whole wide world. But, I’m telling you what…it is H.O.T. We have an air conditioner that will freeze meat but it is located under the bed I sleep in. Have I ever told you I’m a light sleeper? Well, this thing is kinda like what I would imagine sleeping on top of a jet engine would sound and feel like. The bed vibrates and it’s so loud and it switches off and on with the thermostat. The first night here was so nice and cool in the high 50’s. Tuesday night? Not so much! The only way to sleep was with the AC running and I was awake all night.

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Daddy…and Mommy…Long Legs!

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As I sat outside yesterday morning with my coffee, the birds were singing. The campground was blissfully quiet, as it almost always is midweek. Suddenly, I remembered when I had my first camper. I couldn’t sleep on that bunk bed either. I put the dinette down and slept there. So I told Mr. FixIt I was going to move all the stuff from the dinette area over to the bunk I was sleeping on. When I got it done, I stretched out and it was perfect! 

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We drove to a little town twenty miles away and looked around through some antique stores. There was only one thing I really liked and that was a Campfire Marshmallow tin from the ‘30s. It was in the window and the clerk couldn’t get in to look at the price. I climbed into the window and squeezed between things and could NOT believe the price. $275!!! I liked it, but not THAT much! I’ll keep my eyes peeled and see if I can find a more affordable one.

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I’ve been knitting and visiting with what few campers there are here. I met a very nice lady who has a similar story to mine. She took off in her popup Volkswagen Vanagon camper and ended up going all over the country and finally married her high school beau! They have the sweetest rescue dog named Stella. I love a good camping dog.

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We ate in Amish Country yesterday and that is the best cooking you can find. Mr. FixIt had chicken and noodles and I had baked steak. We took apple dumplings back to the camper with us for dessert. We have one more night camping then we head home. We have been blessed the storms went around us for the most part. We did find out some of our peeps came down with covid this week so please keep them in your prayers. Thank God for vaccines because the virus has calmed down tremendously. It doesn’t affect those who have been vaccinated nearly as bad as it did in that first year and a half.

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Buffalo Leafhopper

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I’ll be back on Saturday…I just couldn’t wait!

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?

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“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

\nPsalm 19:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/23/you-know-i-cant-stay.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Be Joyful!","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/17/taking-a-stroll-down-memory.html", "title": "Taking a Stroll Down Memory Lane", "content_html": "\n
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I didn’t sleep well again. Although the little AirB&B is incredibly comfortable and blissfully quiet, it wasn’t my bed. And I missed my sweetie. So, when I heard there was a risk of severe weather again, I decided to knit for a while with Gail then head home. After all, we’ll be camping with her Monday, so I’ll get to see her again soon.

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As I was on my way home, Mr. FixIt suggested I stop at an RV dealer in the general vicinity to see what kind of campers they had. I love the new R-Pods. Remember the one I got to haul around for the Girl Camper Trailer Raffle a few years ago? Well, they have them! It was fun to go in and look around and see the changes they’ve made. The biggest and best change is the window over the bed OPENS now! Wowza!

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An R-Pod 196 like the one I got to pull for the Girl Camper Trailer Raffle

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The biggest surprise came when I walked around the corner. There was a Sportsmen Classic from KZRV…two years newer, but exactly like Little TOW-Wanda…my very first camper. That was the one I bought just three weeks after Mr. Virgo died. I traded her in the following year for Big TOW-Wanda and I’ve regretted it ever since.

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This little girl is SO tiny! As I stood in the camper, memories washed over me. I remembered my very first campout in her at Rifle Gap State Park. As a matter of fact, the photo on the left was taken on that maiden voyage! She was my first safe place to grieve…my cocoon, my nest. When I had to park her in storage in a field out by the airport, i used to go out after church every Sunday and walk through snow up to my knees in order to climb in and take a nap under a pile of blankets.

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So, cute…but so tiny!

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This one is certainly affordable, although she costs exactly what I paid for her in 2013. As my friend Lynn Butler of Setzer’s RV says, “The time to buy is now ‘cause the kids are going to grow up and the prices are going to go up!” The only thing is, I’m presented with the very same problem I had that made me trade it in back in 2014. The bunks are not comfortable for an adult to sleep in. So, I left the dinette down and put the best memory foam mattress in it. That was great, but it left no where to sit. It’s seriously great for a single woman to camp in, but it would be pretty cramped for two for any length of time. 

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It was sad to walk down memory lane and remember where I was nine years ago. However, where I am now seems a lifetime away from those dark days of grief. The Lord has blessed me bountifully and I know better than to look in the rear view mirror too long. 

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I’m not heading in that direction.

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Evening storm clouds rolling in. If you zoom in, you can see a chimney swift.

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In the meantime, we keep getting waves of severe storm warnings every few days. June is notoriously a rainy month here in West Virginia, but this heat is oppressive. It’s much more like August. Which, of course, makes you wonder what August is going to be like! 

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?

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“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

\nLuke 2:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/17/taking-a-stroll-down-memory.html", "tags": ["Grief","Camping","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/14/a-bang-up-birthday.html", "title": "A Bang Up Birthday!", "content_html": "\n
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Pumpkin is all grown up…she’s a jungle cat!

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I’m so glad we got the mowing finished on Sunday because yesterday was so hot. Mr. FixIt went to the tomato patch to weed it then stopped on the way home for a watermelon. I would rather have a watermelon than a birthday cake, but it’s a little early in the year and this one was kind of mushy. But it was cold and that’s what I was aiming for. 

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When the sun went over the hill, we jumped in the pool to clean it. I knew there was a bad storm coming, and when it started getting darker, I could hear thunder in the distance. I asked Mr. FixIt if we should put the camper down and he thought that was a good idea. So, we got it all tucked in and I pulled it out from under the maple tree just in case the wind took a limb out.

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We had hardly gotten inside when the wind hit as the front came through. They were predicting a derecho which is straight line winds in excess of 60 to 80 miles per hour. Scary! We got rain and lots of thunder and lightning, and as I am writing this, we’ve been without power for over an hour and a half. No power equals no air conditioning. Fortunately, the rain brought a 20° drop in temperature so we opened all the windows in the house. 

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I had a beautiful birthday. Quietly spent at home with my sweetheart. I finished knitting a hat. I did a little reading. Lots of people texted and called and FaceTimed for my birthday. And YOU…how nice of you to take the time to wish me a happy day! I appreciate you all so much!!! Then, God topped it off with fireworks!

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Hopefully everything will work out today to go camping. I’ll have to check at the state park where we are going to see if they had much damage and it’s still ok to come. Hopefully the electric comes back on soon. That’s one of the downsides of living out in the country. Lot’s of trees. Trees and wind equals downed limbs which takes out power lines. And those power lines are often quite difficult to get to.

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I hope you are all safe from the severe storms today. Be careful out there and stay hydrated!

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?

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“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

\nNahum 1:7 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/14/a-bang-up-birthday.html", "tags": ["Camping","Be Joyful!","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/11/gramma-roseannadanna-is-at-it.html", "title": "Gramma Roseannadanna Is At It Again", "content_html": "\n
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Remember when Gilda Radner played Rosanne Roseannadanna on Saturday Night Live back in the day? She would make a point by saying, “It’s like my Gramma Roseannadanna always used to say, “It’s always something. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”” Well, we picked up the camper from the service department at the dealership on Thursday and decided to stay overnight at a local state park to give the camper a once over. We just wanted to make sure everything worked as it should.

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I went over that thing with a fine tooth comb. I got the water heater going which took a little doing. I couldn’t get it to light, but then I found out I wasn’t giving it long enough to start. Patience, patience. Once that was going, I made sure the water pump worked. It’s supposed to turn on, pump up to pressure, then kick off. Instead, it just ran and ran. That’s when I figured out you have to let the water run for a little bit to build up the pressure in the lines. THEN it quits. Again…patience.

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I couldn’t figure out how to turn the ceiling fan on. I checked every fuse, every circuit breaker. I even checked the power at the pole. There was no reason why it shouldn’t work. Another call to my trusty service guys and they told me there is a main switch in the camper that turns off the overhead lights. If that switch is turned off, the fan will not come on. Yeah…patience.

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We camped at Lake Hope State Park near Nelsonville, OH. I’m telling you…that is a gorgeous campground. Really big, nestled in the trees, asphalt pads for parking your camper although there aren’t many that are real level. Nice clean shower houses and plenty of restrooms. Water is not available at your site, but it’s spread out all over the park so it’s easy to get to. And the birds? I captured the song of several birds I didn’t have on my list. I heard my first whippoorwill of the year there. I didn’t hear any owls which would have been icing on the cake. We sat out in our chairs all morning, ate breakfast and I knitted while Mr. FixIt read. A bunch of brown headed cowbirds came and walked all around us. We got everything packed up and headed home around 1:00 yesterday afternoon.

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We were getting close to home when we pulled into a rest area. As I walked around the back of the camper, I noticed one of the rear running lights was sticking way out at the bottom. Like it had been pried off or something. When we got home, we set up the camper and looked inside and the back wall is bowed in as though something is pulling it from inside the wall itself. I am not sure, but I think the spring that helps lift the top of the camper up has broken away from its mounting and pushed out on that light. I contacted the service center and spoke with the service manager. I sent him the pictures and he is sending them on to the manufacturer. I should hear something Monday. The camper will likely need to go to the factory for this repair.  In the meantime, I taped a quart sized zipper lock storage bag over the light fixture to keep any rain or bugs out.

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I know this company. And I know they will do right by me and fix this. However, it’s still just a big pain in the rear to have something that’s brand new break so many things so early on. Thank goodness it is still under warranty. But as soon as this thing gets fixed, I’m selling it and getting something with fewer moving parts. I need something that’s already set up and I don’t have to mess with it in order to get inside.

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Even with all that, we felt refreshed after just one night camping. It was such a treat. I got to camp all of May, but this was the first time my sweetheart got to go and he was so happy!

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So…the saga continues!

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?

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“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,”

\nLuke 14:28-29 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/11/gramma-roseannadanna-is-at-it.html", "tags": ["Camping","Big Birdhouse","Frustration"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/28/its-that-time-of-the.html", "title": "It’s That Time of the Trip", "content_html": "\n
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This is the point in the trip when I say to myself…”What on earth was I thinking??? I’m too old for this!” I got a decent start yesterday. There was a portion of the drive with no rain. And, there was a goodly portion where I thought maybe I’d made a wrong turn and was in a car wash! Holy cats!!! Of course, you have to slow WAY down, which adds time to your trip but give you a better chance of actually making it. Of course, if the truckers had their way, they would have used cow catchers on the front of their trucks to just move us slow pokes out of the way. Relaxing, it was not.

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I killed time by asking Siri to read me a story. The folks who program her have a great sense of humor and I soon found myself laughing out loud with delight. It’s the simple things. The sky lightened up in the middle of the day and I thought just maybe we were home free. But, not so much. The sky on the horizon got darker and darker the closer I got to the campground. I pulled into a grocery store to pick up something for supper. Mac and cheese I could heat up in the microwave. And a “superfoods salad”. Comfort balanced with healthy.

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As soon as I came out of the store, the sky opened with a vengeance. And, of course, when you are parking a camper, you have to park way out on the periphery. I waited a while but it didn’t look like it was going to ease up any time soon so I made a made dash for the truck. The upside was, the rain wasn’t freezing like a Colorado rain, so I was ok. I got to the campground and went into the office to sign in. There was a woman ahead of me, and by the time I got checked in, there was a line of campers out on the road. Oh, right…this is Memorial Day Weekend! Welcome to camping season! 

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The owner escorted me to my site, a pull though, than you God! I waved him off and just sat there till the rain slacked up a bit. It finally did and I got the camper set up. I am getting the hang of doing it quicker, but its still a king-sized pain in the patoot and it’s not going to work out for me. It’s one thing if you are going to a campsite and staying for a week or two. It’s quite a different deal if you are moving every day. NOT convenient for that kind of camping, but still a very cool camper overall.

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I’d have to say, the trip home is always more challenging. I’m tired. I’m cranky. I’m a month older. I haven’t had a shower in five days and I have to drive with me in the truck! I’m leaving this morning in time to get the camper to the dealership to fix what has now become a laundry list of things that shouldn’t need fixing on a brand new camper. I’ll gently yet persuasively give them a piece of my mind. I’ve been told I have a way of telling people to go to H E double toothpicks and they don’t seem to mind the trip. Maybe I can pull that off again!

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Mr. FixIt is waiting for me at home!

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?

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“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

\n2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/28/its-that-time-of-the.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/27/the-calm-after-the-storm.html", "title": "The Calm After the Storm", "content_html": "\n
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Just when I was totally overwhelmed with camping and traveling and putting a camper up and down in the rain and doing it all by myself…along comes God and says, “Here…take a nice nap. And when you wake up, I’ll have something pretty for you to see!”

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I awoke yesterday morning to a chilly, gray, wet day that was thankfully not actively raining. I only had to drive through a little bit of drizzle a couple of times. I had my eye out for a coffee shop and was prepared to get a cuppa joe and a pastry when I saw…the sign! Perkins Pancake Shop!!! JUST what the doctor ordered. There is no schedule when you’re camping so I pulled in and sat down away from others. And enjoyed the HECK out of a nice hot breakfast with really GREAT coffee! I gave the waitperson a very nice tip because she was working her tail off. I wrote “God Bless You…have a great day!” on the receipt. It’s the little things.

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What a mood lifter! I toodled through the Iowa farmland as the early morning fog was lifting. The windmills reached their arms high, disappearing into the low hanging clouds, slicing through the air to bring much needed electricity a la Mother Nature. The fertile black earth has been furrowed and planted and neat rows of spring green corn is sprouting up everywhere. Herds of black cattle with their babies in tow dotted the fields on either side of the road. The constant hum of the wheels on the road set the backdrop of my silent journey east.

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I crossed the Mighty Mississippi at Davenport, Iowa keeping my eyes carefully on the single lane crossing the bridge. It’s “orange cone season” for sure. As I turned south on I-74, I watched the sky growing heavy and dark in the direction I was heading. I often ask Siri multiple questions as I drive. For instance, she can tell me, based on my speed and the local traffic, just how long it should take me to get to my destination. When I asked her what the weather was doing in Galesburg, Illinois, she confirms my suspicions. There was a thunderstorm when I was heading.

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Fortunately, the storm was moving northeast while I was moving southeast and I did not have to put the camper up in the rain. I had it set up in no time and settled inside to eat my lunch and stretch out for a nap. I was awakened by the sound of rain on the roof and lay there listening. I love that sound. After a while, the rain stopped and the light outside turned golden. I grabbed my phone and headed down the through the tunnel of trees to the lake where I knew a spectacular sunset was coming. 

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All those beautiful clouds reflected the most gorgeous light down across the lake and into my very soul. God reminds us that…even in the darkest of times…there is beauty in His creation. I hold onto His promises in times like these and remember this is not my home. I’m just passing through. 

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And with that, I leave you with His handiwork.

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Allison Lake Storey Campground - Galesburg, Illinois

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“And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

\nMatthew 8:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/27/the-calm-after-the-storm.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure","goRVing","God","Peaceful Moments","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/26/just-breathe.html", "title": "Just Breathe!", "content_html": "\n
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Ok…I’m going to vent a little. Sorry. 

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We bought this camper in October. Brand new…never been used. When I was preparing for camping this spring, I discovered the refrigerator doesn’t work. Ok. These things happen. I took it in and they couldn’t get it fixed before my trip to Colorado so I brought it with…sans refrigeration. No big deal. That’s what coolers are for, right? Then…when I picked it up to bring it with me on this trip, I noticed a leak. They’re going to have to fix that. There is a glass cover that opens and closes over the sink that is attached with hinges. Every time I tow the camper, the vibrations cause the screws to come out and fall down in the sink and I have to use a special tool…which I do not own (I used Ben’s) so I’ll meet to get one and also see if they can do something about that. Maybe some sort of adhesive? Also, every evening when I stop to camp, the microwave has creeped it’s way deeper into the cabinet that holds it and I have to fish it out. At least it isn’t falling out on the floor! 

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Add to all that, it has been raining since I hit Nebraska and it hasn’t stopped. Putting the camper up and down in the rain is a pain it the neck and the interior gets wet (including my bed, which I was non to happy about!) When I got the the park last night after driving six hours, there was one site left. A walk in. You get the registration from from the kiosk, fill it out, put half of it on the post at your site, put your money in the envelope and drop it in the post back at the kiosk. Well, one site, right? I wasn’t about to find the site, then drive back around to drop off the money, then come back again to back into the campsite. In the rain. And, I wasn’t about to walk uphill in the rain to drop it in. I called the reservation number, gave them my info and told them I am a trustworthy individual. I’ll drop the money off in the morning before I leave. I told her if that wasn’t good enough, she is welcome to send someone to knock on my door and I’ll be happy to give them the money.

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I was on the phone straightening out my reservation for Friday night when there was a knock on the door. The nice man in the camper next to me asked if I knew I’d left the window down on the driver’s side. In the rain. Argh! I trudged out and closed it, fished out a towel and sopped it up as best I could, and came back in…soaked to the skin and cold. 

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I believe we’ll be trading in the sweet a-frame and getting a free standing camper that isn’t so fussy. I’m too old for this ****! lol

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Ok, I’m off my soapbox. Tucked in, listening to the rain. I had grapes and cheese and yoghurt for supper and I’m warm and dry under the electric blanket. First world problems notwithstanding, I am incredibly blessed and almost half way home! 

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?

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“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

\nJames 1:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/26/just-breathe.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/24/flexibility-is-key.html", "title": "Flexibility is Key", "content_html": "\n
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Change is my middle name. I have absolutely no problem changing direction at any given moment and can shift with the winds. I spent a good portion of the day with Daughter #2 yesterday. I picked her and her wife up and took them to our favorite breakfast joint. Then, after dropping my daughter-in-law off at home, my daughter and I ran errands and chatted. We oohed and aahed over the kittens at PetSmart. We browsed the sale racks at Target and I bought a new floor fan. Then we went to the most beautiful garden shop and looked at plants. They are working on building up the soil in their yard so we picked up a few bags of this and that. When we got back to their house, we looked around the yard at the new plants coming up. They’ve made a lot of progress since I was there in September and I’m very proud of their hard work.

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Everyone is busy at this age. Work, home, families…it all takes time and I’m thrilled with what time I can get with them. I’ll be the last one to guilt my kids into spending time with me. I remember what it was like to be their age when you’re pulled in ten different directions. So, since we all got proper visit time, I made the executive decision to head home today. I’ve been gone since May 4th and I’m homesick and I miss my husband. I’ve had a wonderful time visiting Colorado, but I’m ready to get back to my beautiful West Virginia home. It’s time!

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So, here we go…can you say “Road Trip”???

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“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

\nPsalm 121:8 ESV\n
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#Colorado, #RoadTrip, #WestVirginia, #Camping

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/24/flexibility-is-key.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Camping","West Virginia","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/23/saying-goodbye-to-my-bubby.html", "title": "Saying Goodbye to My Bubby", "content_html": "\n
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It’s always hard to say goodbye when you are “of a certain age”. We’ve experienced losses now. We know we’re on the short end of the stick and things can change in a heartbeat. We want all those loving hearts to keep on beating as long as possible, and the thought of possible “last goodbyes” cuts deeply. My brother is doing so much better now. When I called him to tell him I got back to Denver ok, he answered the phone (yay!) and was out on a little afternoon junket. He went to Subway for lunch, then took the bus out to Target to do a little shopping. That’s an incredible improvement over just a few short months ago! As long as he is doing this well, he is in the best setting, but I know he misses me as much as I miss him so at some point, I’ll bring him to West Virginia.

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I didn’t sleep well the last couple of nights I was camping. For one thing, the foam cushions which serve as “mattresses”in this camper are not comfortable for the long haul I’m putting them through. After a while, they smash in the middle and offer very little support. My hips and back have been screaming at me and the change in the weather hasn’t helped. I dragged myself out of bed yesterday, got the camper all set to move, then went to pick up some breakfast for my brother and me. We visited and chatted over our food till the time finally came to hug and say “See ya next time!” It’s so bittersweet.

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I went back to the campground and hooked up to leave. I stayed at a little place called The Hideout at Glenwood Springs. I’ve passed that place for decades and I have a faint memory of camping there with my younger daughter when she was very little…I wanted to camp someplace near home in case it wasn’t successful. Most of their sites are filled with full time residents who live in their campers, which gave me pause. But it was very quiet and clean. There are also some small cabins and sites for “tiny homes”. However, they have one section with about ten sites for anything from tents to medium sized RVs. I stayed in Site D6 and it was beautiful. Water is available for filling your tanks, but not to hook up. And the site had electric for $40 a night which is quite reasonable.

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The drive back to Denver was fairly uneventful. There was road construction on the east side of Vail, heading up the pass. Multiple lanes were shifted down to one and there was a bottleneck that brought us to a complete stop with bumper to bumper traffic. It really only delayed us about twenty minutes and before we knew it, the freeway opened back up and off we went. There were several areas that were wet from the snow melting off the sides of the road. When I went through, the temperature was in the forties, so there was no danger in slipping and sliding around. However, when it gets dark at night, that’s when you have to watch out for things like that. I just saw a story this weekend of a woman who hit an icy patch on a bridge and flipped her little camper on its top, so I was super cautious. 

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I’m glad to have that part of the trip behind me as far as the driving is concerned. I have another few days to visit with family, then I need to start heading for home. I’m missing Mr. FixIt and there are people and things that need my attention in West Virginia, too. My sweetie mowed at the farm today and sent me the most beautiful pictures. It’s so green and the trees are all filled out. They were barely budding when I left and I’m missing one of the most beautiful seasons in my beloved Mountain State.

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I’ll rest up this week and get things organized and spend some more time with my Colorado peeps. It always flies by so fast!

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?

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“Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.”

\nProverbs 11:29 ESV\n
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#Family, #Colorado, #Camping

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/23/saying-goodbye-to-my-bubby.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/22/a-murder-of-crows-and.html", "title": "A Murder of Crows and a Magpie", "content_html": "\n
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After a day of snowy, cold weather, it was a treat to wake up to Colorado sunshine!

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I had a lovely visit with my brother yesterday. We watched a little baseball. I fed him his favorite food. Then I cut his hair and trimmed his beard. I am so pleased he is doing better in the new setting. He has more support, more often. Even though he still has trouble understanding/hearing his roommate, I found them getting along pleasantly. I spent some time working on my brother’s phone. He told me he answers it every time it rings, but I can assure you…after missing no less than twenty-seven phone calls from me in a two day period…he wasn’t hearing it ring. 

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I set his phone to a ringtone he was sure to hear then I turned the volume up to the highest setting. I also added a vibration to it to attract even more attention. Then I sat down with him and called him. It turned out, he was hitting the “hang up” button every time he answered the phone! I showed him how to answer it properly and placed a dozen calls to his phone to make sure he had it down pat. Now, I need to get him a little pouch to carry his phone around his neck. He won’t carry it in his pocket because he’s afraid he’ll lose it. And when it’s in his fanny pack, he can’t hear it and even if he did, it takes too long for him to get the phone out. So, I think we have corrected the phone problem.

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After he was settled down for the night, I went and picked up a sandwich from Chili’s for my supper. Unfortunately, as is all too often…they didn’t get the order right and I never think to look till it’s too late to say anything. But it was food and it was good and I am grateful for the convenience. 

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As I waited for my order to be ready for the curbside pickup, I heard crows. LOTS of crows! I followed the sound and there must have been two dozen crows in the field by the shopping center and they were putting up quite the fuss. I soon discovered why. There was a solitary magpie fighting off this “murder of crows” from what I assume was her nest. She was relentless, bobbing and diving and chasing off these marauders. It made me think about how I’ve been feeling in this town which was once my home…fighting off the interlopers.

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Hubby #2 and I moved here in 1986 after he finished his internship and residency. It was a sleepy little cow town with two stop lights. When they put in the third, we thought it was getting WAY too busy! Then they finished building the interstate through the nearby canyon and that was the end of the sleep little town. From then on, it grew exponentially and now? Oh, lands. Now it’s like stepping into a hive of angry bees. 

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There are people everywhere. It’s what we used to refer to as the beginning of tourist season, but I’ve a feeling it’s like this year round anymore. There’s a line to get into every restaurant in town on a Friday and Saturday night. A hotel room that used to cost $75 a night now runs $250+! I was happy to find a peaceful campsite for only $40 a night for a site with electric only, but it’s beside a rushing mountain stream and it’s really been very quiet. 

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Mr. FixIt sent pictures of my bonus granddaughter’s graduation from high school yesterday. It was at 10:00 in the morning and the temperature was already a balmy 88 when they got there. My poor husband looks like he just got out of a shower with his clothes on in the pictures! But, they had a grand time and the graduate was beautiful and happy, so we have achieved what we were shooting for…attendance at both graduations. Just one at each, that’s all.

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If there is a window with good roads through the mountains today, I might head back to Denver. If not, I’ll wait another day. It’s really been restorative camping in the mountains and it’s done my brother and me a world of good to hug each other and say our “I love you’s” in person. I don’t get to see him but once a year so we have to make these visits count. 

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?

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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 ESV\n
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#Family, #Colorado, #Camping

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/22/a-murder-of-crows-and.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/21/taking-a-little-me-time.html", "title": "Taking a Little Me Time", "content_html": "\n
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My view out the dormer window yesterday morning…SNOW!

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I spent a portion of the day yesterday reorganizing the camper to make it more comfortable. The busyness of the last couple of weeks caught up with me and I’m just going to lay low, read, knit, visit with my brother a little. I went to the cemetery Thursday. The caretaker was there. Mike is 75 and has been caring for the cemetery for many years…on a volunteer basis. He recognized me when I pulled in and waved hello. We sat and visited for a while. He was most apologetic that he hadn’t gotten over to our corner yet and the weeds were pretty high. Mike said the snow was knee deep this winter and that makes the grasses sprout up like crazy  in the spring. The cemetery is normally unattended and only has maintenance a couple of times a year anyway.

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I now have one of my cushy chairs in the camper. It fits perfectly between the benches of the dinette. I have one of the matching footstools and a battery powered lantern beside me, so it’s the perfect place to knit and read. I stopped at the store last night and bought some foodstuffs and stored it in the cooler sealed tight and in the bed of the truck with the topper and the tailgate locked. My dry goods are in the non-operational refrigerator so there’s no food scents to attract mama bear.

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I love hearing the sound of the creek rushing by right outside my window. And feeling the cool mountain air. Thank God there are no fires nearby. Colorado needs this moisture desperately! It snowed till about 3:00 but its going to keep snowing in the mountains and the Front Range, which is where I’ll be heading tomorrow, or maybe Monday. I’ve been enjoying my visits with my brother. He’s crafty…he’s been hitting me up for dinner every night! lol

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I went to the hot springs to soak yesterday after supper. I have been so disappointed at how this sleepy little mountain town is bursting at the seams these days. They are land-locked yet building continues and it feels like stepping into a bee hive. I didn’t stay at the springs too long. I basically went to get a shower and wash my hair anyway, so mission accomplished. I was perfectly happy to come back to the camper and curl up with my knitting and a good book.

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?

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“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

\nMark 6:31 ESV\n
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#Rest, #Camping, #Colorado

\n\n \n", "date_published": "2022-05-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/21/taking-a-little-me-time.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Comfort","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/19/a-homecoming-of-sorts.html", "title": "A Homecoming of Sorts", "content_html": "\n
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Camping by the creek!

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I’m baaaaack! Once the graduation festivities were over, I could pack up the camper and get up to the mountains to visit my brother and camp for a bit. As soon as I arrived, I got a weather bulletin for the mountains of Colorado stating there is a winter storm warning for Friday and Saturday. They are predicting 4-10” of snow with up to a foot to a foot and a half in the higher elevations! Well, as much as I personally detest snow…I’m praying they get tons because it is SO dry here! And, that puts a kink in my plans. I immediately asked the campground to extend my stay at least one day and possibly two, which they did. Then I called Daughter #2 to tell her I may not be back in time to see her on Sunday. Then I called Mr. FixIt and said I’d probably have to extend my stay till after Memorial Day in order to spend more time with my daughter and to have a better chance of finding campsites on the way home.

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The drive up was gorgeous. It was in the mid-seventies and sunny with big puffy white clouds. The traffic wasn’t bad at all and moved right along. This town is so vastly different than it was when we moved here in 1986. There are so many more people living here now and the number of tourists is off the charts. It’s bittersweet…it was just a sleepy little mountain town back then. Now it’s like a bee hive. I supposed the feeling is exacerbated by the fact we live on five acres out in the country and the little “town” we live near has a population of 888 people.

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There are some good things around still. My favorite doughnut shop and coffee house is still there, as is my favorite clothing and shoe stores. I’m hoping to run into the Thursday morning coffee group that have been meeting every week for three decades. I’m going to visit a friend on Friday morning that I haven’t seen in years. I’d love to get a massage at one of the many spas in town and then soak in the local hot springs. I’m going to be so pampered by the time I head home!

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There is a bear that frequently visits this campground so I went to Walmart and bought some bear spray. It’s now sitting just inside the door of the camper. The biggest thing is to not keep a lot of smelly food in your camper or vehicle. And always, always, always lock the car doors and keep the windows rolled up. A bear has no problem opening a car door or pulling a window out if it can get a hold of it.

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This is a very small campground and the sites are relatively close together. Someone started playing loud music at 8:45 last night and I am so glad I brought my noise canceling headphones! I just put them on, turned on my rain and thunderstorm sounds and I was good to go. I could even sleep like that if I have to but there is a noise ordinance here from 10pm to 8am. Hopefully they enforce it. That is my one pet peeve about campgrounds…loud music. That’s not what I come to the mountains for. I won’t harsh their fun, but it’s a shame when they disturb the fun of others.

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I’ll spend some time with my brother today at his day program. He said he’d be coloring and I asked if I can colors with him. He said yes, and that he might be reading, too. So, I’ll bring a good book…or my knitting…and we can sit in companionable silence. 

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?

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“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

\nIsaiah 40:30-31 ESV\n
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#Rest, #Relaxation, #Camping, #Colorado

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/19/a-homecoming-of-sorts.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/12/she-done-good.html", "title": "She Done Good", "content_html": "\n
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We went to Big’s Awards Ceremony yesterday afternoon. (Note to self: take a pillow next time! Bleachers are not our friends!) Her name was called several times for academic achievements. She received two or three cords to wear on her robe on graduation day. And she received three plaques…one of which was Outstanding Biomedical Sciences Student of the Year. We are all very proud of her accomplishments.

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Yesterday was her last day of high school and she was never so glad of anything in her whole life. She never really loved high school. It was made that much more difficult with the two years of Covid interruptions. Yet, she is graduating with a 4.2GPA and a scholarship for swimming in college so it’s obvious she put her nose to the grindstone and did what she had to do. She is so smart…and such a good human!

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I also went shopping and bought Daughter #1 and her husband a propane heater for their deck. Their birthdays and anniversary are within five days of each other and I like getting them a combination gift they can use and enjoy for years to come. It’s a timely gift that they can use when they entertain guests at their home when all the family comes in for graduation.

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This is such a big event for parents. And I think it’s especially hard on moms when they’ve been so close to the child that is graduating. She and Big are tight and have never spent much time apart. I am sure she will handle this better than me because she has much better coping skills than I did when I was her age. Her circumstances are different, as well. First, she has a much healthier marriage. And second, she doesn’t have a two year old at home. 

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The weather heated up yesterday here in Denver. It got up to 89° which made sitting in a gym without air conditioning a little stuffy. It cools off the next couple of days which makes it easier to sleep at night. There were big winds predicted on Tuesday so I put the camper top down and moved my stuff into the guest bedroom in the house. But, by bedtime, the winds hadn’t really amounted to much of anything so I put the top back up and slept in the camper. It’s so much cooler and the bed is mine. 

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Mr. FixIt worked on the pool and watered the flowers and cleaned the sidewalks yesterday. Today he’s buying tomato plants and tilling up the space behind his friend’s house in town. They notoriously harvested the best tomatoes out of that garden. No one lives there anymore so we’re taking advantage of that good soil. I hope we get a better season this year.

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Today is a bit of a lay low day with my Colorado peeps. Perhaps I’ll get a little knitting in. I also need to dewinterize the camper. Sue will need help getting the place ready for Big’s graduation party on Sunday. There’s always something to do!

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“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

\nProverbs 17:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/12/she-done-good.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/10/rest-and-relaxation.html", "title": "Rest and Relaxation", "content_html": "\n
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The hat I made yesterday. The color isn’t accurate…I took this picture in the camper. It’s actually a pale pink. See the other photo for color reference.

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Yesterday was exactly what I needed! I always camp next to the garden at my son-in-law’s parents’ place. The kids are working or in school, I have my own little space, and I get to visit with a couple of the coolest people on the planet! Ben & Sue opened their home to me after Mr. Virgo died. I came here and they nurtured me and fed me and helped me get through the first two weeks of widowhood. We’ve always been close, but when Sue had a health scare a couple of years ago, she and I became like sisters. We chat every night and we are sounding boards for each other. I am blessed to have a handful of these awesome women in my life.

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Sue and I visited all day. We made “Porcupine Balls” for Little’s birthday dinner today. Those are nothing more than regular meatballs, but you add uncooked Jasmine rice to the meat. Then you cook the meatballs in regular ol’ tomato soup from a can. And the rice sticks out of the meatballs every which way looking like little porcupines. Sue’s mom found the recipe in a pressure cooker cookbook and has made them for years. They are the most requested food for family gatherings here at the “epicenter of the universe.”

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I started knitting a hat this morning with some of the yarn I bought at The Blue Pelican Gallery in Hatteras, NC last month. I finished it just in time to go out to the camper and write. It was a slow, easy day with knitting and a nap, lots of fluids, and fun conversation. I really push the fluids when I first get here to help ward off any altitude issues. Today will be busier with a family birthday party. 

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Mr. FixIt has been busy with mowing and social events…prom pictures, Mother’s Day with family at the former Mrs. FixIt’s house, then the final softball game of the year. It’s a busy time for both of us and we miss each other something awful! We haven’t spent this much time away from each other in three years. We’ll be back together before we know it but I don’t want to wish away a moment of my time with the kids!

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“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

\nPsalm 4:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/10/rest-and-relaxation.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Crafts","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/08/day-four-was-a-doozy.html", "title": "Day Four was a Doozy!", "content_html": "\n
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I woke up at 5:30 yesterday morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. I couldn’t get the camper together because quiet hours last till 7:00 and besides…it’s the weekend. There’s nothing worse than sleeping soundly in your wonderful camper, only to hear the person next door lifting their jacks and clunking around. I waited till 7:30 then I tried to be as quiet as I could. People were already moving around, so I hope I didn’t disturb them too much.

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I got on the road about 8:30. I checked the road reports and the weather and was concerned to see the conditions deteriorating in western Nebraska throughout the day and into the night. Strong winds, hail, and severe thunderstorms were predicted. As I’ve told you, this camper can’t go up or down in strong winds, so I told Mr. FixIt I was going to have to play it by ear as I got closer. 

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About the last fifty to seventy-five miles were brutal. The winds were blowing so strong straight at me that it was making my truck gear down! I’ve never experienced that before. At first, I was afraid something was wrong with my truck, then I figured it out. There was no way I could camp at Lake McConaughy, which was disappointing. 

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I pulled into the Walmart gas station in Ogallala and plugged my son-in-law’s mom’s address in the GPS to see how much further it was. It was only another 200-some miles…about 3.5 hours of driving. It was 1:30 (Mountain Time) and I would much rather be with family than stay in a hotel. So, I made the executive decision to just drive the rest of the way. That made 470 miles the first day, 333 the second, and 530 the third! I didn’t HAVE to put my camper up…I could have stayed in the house. But I so love having my own little bed and play house!

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And now…I’m whupped. I need to acclimate slowly to the altitude and not get overheated. It was 90 degrees when I got here yesterday. I’ll sleep in, sip on my electrolytes, and be a happy little camper. I thanked God repeatedly for the travel mercies. Let me thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement. It was a fun drive!

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Happy Mother’s Day!!!

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“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.”

\nHebrews 4:9-10 ESV\n
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#MothersDay, #RoadTrip, #Colorado

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/08/day-four-was-a-doozy.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Camping","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/07/day-three-was-great.html", "title": "Day Three Was Great!", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was by far my easiest day yet. I woke up around 7:30 and was catching up with my correspondence when the camper suddenly shook from a gust of wind. A storm front was coming through and I needed to get moving…fast. These a-frame campers are awesome, but there are a few drawbacks with them. You should not put them up or take them down when it’s windy. The two half’s of the roof are only connected with something akin to bungee cords and a very strong wind could send them flying in opposite directions. 

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I threw my stuff together quickly and got it from the camper to the truck, then carefully lowered the top and was ready to go in record time. I love when I don’t have to unhook my camper. It makes for a quick exit in the morning. The rain quit as soon as I sat in the truck. I got on the road by 9:00 and headed west. Well…north, then west. I drove up and picked up I-80. Even though it is a major trucking route, it’s not nearly as crazy as I-70 is. 

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I don’t find Iowa boring at all. I love all the beautiful farms, the windmills, and the gently rolling hills. I only stopped once or twice at the cleanest and prettiest rest areas I’ve ever seen. I took a fifteen minute break and chatted with you all on a FB Live…which is always fun! One of these times through, I need to set up a meet in greet at places along the way! I’d love to meet you all sometime! I caught up with a lot of people on the phone which was lovely.

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This is one of those trips where I’m flying by the seat of my pants. I made no reservations, and so far, I’ve had great luck finding campsites. It’s the time of year. The kids are still in school and the weather has been crappy so I have better luck getting spots. When I got into the campground last night and registered, I was given several site choices. I drove around to see what was available and selected the one I wanted. I went to the office and informed them of my choice and by the time I got back, there was a young couple setting up a tent and they already had their music blasting. I backed into my site and rolled down the window to listen. Nope.

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I pulled back out of the spot and headed to the office to request a different site. I am not picky, but I am too old to pay to listed to young kids party. They should have a great time..fine. I just don’t need to camp next to them if I can help it. I chose a much smaller area and got set up in record time. I ate supper from the cooler and stretched out to write. There is a camper nearby playing music. That’s ok, I understand that. Some people want the music as an accompaniment to the camping experience. Me? I want to hear birds, not the BeeGees. (Ok, they’re old, too! lol) So, I just turned on my sound machine and wrote my post as usual.

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Oh…I have something really cool to tell you. You’ve heard me say many times how God provides my every need? Well, I was lamenting to Mr. FixIt last night how expensive the gas is in the Midwest. He called me later to tell me I got a letter in the mail from the State of Colorado Department of the Treasury with a check for $284! He took a picture and sent it to me. It turns out, there is an unclaimed property division and they track down people who have money coming to them. This must have been something to do with Mr. Virgo. He had an account with the bank the letter mentioned. Just a little gift from God to offset the higher gas prices. Our God is such a good provider!

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So, today I drive across Nebraska. If it goes like yesterday, it’ll be a piece of cake. Hopefully, there will be dry roads and sane drivers. And, finally…I should be in Colorado some time tomorrow!

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?

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“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

\nMatthew 11:28 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/07/day-three-was-great.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/06/day-two-is-in-the.html", "title": "Day Two is in The Books!", "content_html": "\n
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I didn’t sleep well the first night on the road. You know how it is when you get out of your routine and you don’t drink enough water or eat the right stuff. And, my brain was still moving when I finally laid my head on the pillow. I did sleep…but fitfully. And there’s not a lot of places to wander around in this tiny camper. I could have made a cup of tea, but it all seemed like too much bother at 3:00am. 

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I fiddled around once I finally woke up and by the time I got hooked up and on the road, it was already 10:00! I forgot to check my tire pressure before I left the campground so I pulled into a service station. The machine was broken and it crossed me to actually LOSE air pressure. I went to another one, and it was broken as well! They should have a sign on them and it didn’t even occur to me to see if there was a phone number I could call to complain. Lesson learned.

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I decided to drive the three miles back to the campground and ask if I could plug in my extension cord and pump up my tires with the portable air compressor I carry with me at all times. She did me one better. She had me pull around to the back and her husband pumped up my tires for me with his big air compressor. The folks who own Grandpa’s Farm Campground in Richmond, IN are the best. And…if you ever travel through and stay over on a Saturday night, they have Camp Church on Sundays…complete with coffee and donuts! Check them out if you have the opportunity.

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I no sooner got on the road till the rain hit. Everything from drizzle to downpour and back again on a gray and murky day. I-70 was absolutely crazy! And they are still working on it…with big portions closed…in Indianapolis. I am driving the northerly route and cut across Illinois on a diagonal. I wanted to get as far north of the bad storms as I can. The relief I felt was palpable when I left all that traffic behind and sailed along through America’s bread basket. Beautiful farmland…rich, dark, and flat stretched out on either side…anxiously waiting to burst forth their bounty. This far north, the redbud looks like it did on our way to the beach in the middle of April. They haven’t quite started to gain their brilliant green leaves that contrast so beautifully with the fading purply-pink of their blossoms.

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I had a long talk with my precious friend, Sparky as I drove through the rain yesterday. I miss her so desperately. I try not to focus on that loss too much as it hurts so deeply. I told her I would never go on a camping trip again without “taking her with me”. She hated camping but she went anyway. I hated losing her…but she died anyway. This is what she gets for leaving me…camping revenge. I may hear about this when I get to see her again…but she’ll just have to deal with it for now!

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I stopped at a rest area in the middle of the sprawling farmland for a rest. Now, this is the first time I’ve come up against a downside of this kind of popup camper. I can’t just hop out of the truck, run back to the camper, and stretch out for a nap, use the potty, and eat some lunch. If the weather were nicer, I could certainly have popped up the camper and taken a snooze, but I’m not doing that in a downpour. So, I rummages around in the truck and found a small blanket. I created a turban around my head, leaned the seat back, and slept for an hour. I was so refreshed when I awoke. 

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I grabbed a snack and hear the man in the semi next to me calling out for my attention. I rolled the window down slightly and he asked how I like my camper. He and his lady friend bought one recently and this weekend will be their first outing. He’s never camped before and they are going to see the country together. I had to smile. He is retired Army. He did three tours in Iraq, for which I thanked him profusely. We had a lovely chat and I wished him a fun and abundant life on the road. 

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I knew I was getting close to the campground I stayed at last night when I passed a sign for Pekin, IL. My grandparents lived in Mishawaka, IN when my mom was born, then they moved to Pekin, IL and two or three more babies came along. They moved around to find work during the depression and this was where they landed before returning home to West Virginia. If the weather had been nicer, I might have gotten out and looked around but as it was…I moved on down the road.

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I was a little puzzled when I saw the time of my projected arrival come and go on the GPS. That’s when I suddenly realized, I had crossed over the date line between Eastern and Central time. Which meant…I had another hour to go! I don’t know why I forget that every time. It’s not bad coming in the other direction because it feels like you’re not driving as long. But going west forces you to change your expectations.

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As I was nearing the end of day two, I sent up a prayer and asked God to ease up on this rain so I could get set up without getting soaked. He was so generous to oblige when the rain stopped about 10 minutes before I got to the campground. I got a beautiful site…flat and level, with a nice view. I didn’t have to unhook so it was no time before I had everything set up and I was comfortably snuggled in the Big Birdhouse. I fixed supper from the stuff in the cooler and settled in to write my daily letter to you all.

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Another day done. Mr. FixIt worked on the new fire-pit today then went to the youngest granddaughter’s softball game. It’s a busy time of year for everyone and I’m thrilled to be spending it doing something I love…driving and camping…and heading toward people that I love. So…stay tuned for another installment of…The Grand Adventure!

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?

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“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

\nExodus 33:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/06/day-two-is-in-the.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Peace","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/05/first-day-done.html", "title": "First Day Done!", "content_html": "\n
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It was a really busy day. Mr. FixIt helped me get the truck loaded up. I got on the road about 9:45 which was pretty respectable. I was really surprised I got such a good night’s sleep before. I have to give credit where credit is due…Jesus has been working overtime catching all my cares! I stopped for gas. Did you know that if you download the app for Walmart, you can get $.03 off per gallon? Every little bit helps.

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I stopped by the DMV because I couldn’t put my finger on the title for the truck. I always carry my titles with me in case I need to trade in a vehicle in an emergency. I was worried it would take a long time to get out of there, but I didn’t even sit down and they called my number. They weren’t busy at all. That’s another secret…go early on Wednesdays and you can get in and out of the DMV pretty quickly.

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I got to the RV Service Center around 12:30. The part didn’t get in and I told them I really needed to get moving. I brought a great cooler with me and I’ll just use that. It’ll be fine. I did notice one thing, the hitch was set too low for the camper and the nose was lower than the rear. I stopped in at the place where we bought it to see Gabe, the awesome trailer dude who did our walk through. He sent his techs out and they fixed it and I was on my way!

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I stopped to get some groceries before I got on I-70 and put them in the cooler. I was disappointed to find I cannot open the tailgate on the truck while it’s connected to the camper so I needed to unhook when I got to my campsite…something I was hoping I didn’t need to do. I went through some of the stuff in the truck and moved what was necessary for last night into the camper. The rest I’ll deal with when I stop tonight. I need to keep a weather eye out today as there is a storm coming up from Oklahoma. Traveling through the central part of America is dicey at this time of year. 

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Oh, I figured out a couple things yesterday. First, these little twin beds are so much easier to make than the big bed that’s turned sideways in a lot of the campers today. I ordered cot sized mattress pads and sheets online and they fit perfectly. However, I knew they would slip off easily with tossing and turning. So, I bought some of those stretchy sheet grippers and put four of them, evenly spaced, completely across the back to hold everything in place. Bingo! Problem solved!

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Another thing I did…when I hooked up the camper at the dealership, I wanted to check the brake lights and the flashers. The turn signals were easy. You just turn one on and go back to check it then you turn the other one on and do the same. That won’t work for testing the brakes. I puzzled over it for a minute, then I took my cell phone, opened the camera app, propped the camera up against the chain link fence and started the video. Then I went up and pressed on the brakes and turned on the flashers. When I replayed the video, I could see they were all working fine!

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I was pretty chilly yesterday. I am really glad I still have the electric blanket and heater in the camper because it was supposed to get down to 47° last night! I was really whupped by the time I got everything done and wrote this post. Today won’t be nearly as hectic as yesterday was so I won’t be so tired at the end of the day. (I had to laugh…Mr. FixIt and I talked and texted at least a dozen times. You’d think we hadn’t been together 24/7 for the last three years! lol)

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?

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“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

\nPsalm 127:2 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/05/first-day-done.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/04/another-grand-adventure-begins.html", "title": "Another Grand Adventure Begins!", "content_html": "\n
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May the Fourth be With You!!!

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I’ve lost count how many Grand Adventures this makes. The other day, Mr. FixIt was talking to one of his friends about my upcoming trip. He told the fellow I was about to embark on another adventure and will be pulling the camper to Colorado by myself. The guy was shocked. He said, “I don’t think I’d let MY wife do that!” Mr. FixIt laughed. “You don’t LET your wife do things. You support them doing the things they want to do that makes them happy!” Have I mentioned how much I love this man??? We haven’t spent more than a few days apart in the last three years. I’m going to miss him like crazy!!!

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I have the portable kitchen packed. I have my clothes packed. I have the knitting projects I want to work on and the magazines I want to read. I made a wonderful supper of baked steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and my home canned half-runners. (I’m going to need to can another bushel this fall.) I have a stock of Mr. Bee Potato Chips for the family. I searched like crazy and finally found the “add-a-pearl necklace” that Hubby #1 gave me when I turned eighteen. Now it goes to Big as her graduation gift. 

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I have the truck in tiptop shape. I need to make a few stops on my way out of town today, then it’s just me, Mavis (my GPS), my Rand McNally Atlas and the open road. 

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Even with the bad stuff happening around the world…life is good, y’all! And if you don’t like what’s happening…VOTE! And pray…a lot!!!

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?

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“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

\nPsalm 23:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/04/another-grand-adventure-begins.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/20/byebye-birdie.html", "title": "Bye-Bye, Birdie!", "content_html": "\n
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I met my classmates yesterday morning for coffee. We always have so much fun visiting. We had some new folks and some who hadn’t attended in quite some time, which is always nice. One of the gals brought little pots of shamrocks for us. I remember when Wood County Bank used to give them out every St. Patrick’s Day. I hadn’t had one for ages so I brought it home and put it in the kitchen window. Hopefully I don’t kill it, but I’m not laying bets on it.

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One of the gals who came to coffee was in school with me from second grade on through high school. Barb grew up about twenty blocks from me, but my mom was super protective of me and I wasn’t allowed to wander much more than a three or four block radius from the house. Still, I always knew and liked Barb. 

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One story in particular I remember. This was back in Junior High and “falls” were in fashion. They were long half wigs where the hair attached to a stretchy headband. I remember Barb coming to school one day and her hair was suddenly very long. Now, I was a terribly protected and naive kid. I had never heard of falls. I was mesmerized. I asked her how on earth she got her hair to grow like that overnight. She told me she laid on her bed, hung her head over the edge, and brushed and brushed her hair. I went home and tried that and the next morning…nothing! I asked her if I had done something wrong and she laughed and slipped the fall off. I couldn’t believe it! lol

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I shared that story yesterday and we all had a great laugh. When we were done and the obligatory photo was taken, we all went our separate ways. Barb headed to pick up her husband and the dogs to come to our house to pick up Birdie. This was Barb’s birthday gift to herself. I am so in awe of her. She is a nurse practitioner and lived in Alaska, traveling to remote villages by single engine prop planes. She lived and worked all winter in such harsh conditions in the dark season. Then in the summer, she works at a children’s camp. She recently retired, but couldn’t stand it and went back to work. She’s amazing! 

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I went through the camper with them, showing them how this and that worked. I know they were on sensory overload so I hooked her up with Girl Camper and with a FB group for a-frame campers where they can ask whatever questions they have. And, of course…YouTube. All of the booklets are in the camper as well, and if they can’t find the answer, they can always call us. I am so glad this little camper went with a friend. It was a little bittersweet letting Birdie go, but we just don’t need TWO birdhouse campers. However we DO need a new roof! Priorities! 

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I felt like we really accomplished something yesterday. A little “lightening of the load” around here and that always feels good! Now, on to the next thing!

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?

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“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/20/byebye-birdie.html", "tags": ["Camping","Girl Camper","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/01/an-outing-to-knit.html", "title": "An Outing to Knit", "content_html": "\n
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When I had my little needlework shop in Glenwood Springs, a group of gals gathered around the large table in the back and stitched together. We solved the world’s problems as well as a few of our own. We caught up on each other’s lives, encouraged each other in our creative pursuits, and shared a camaraderie I treasure to this day. It’s one of the reasons I love getting my classmates together for coffee. 

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I love that kind of interaction. It feeds my social side as well as stimulates my intellect. Any time you can gather with people you have opportunities for connection, enlightenment, and personal growth. In that vein, I am going to the yarn shop today to share some time and knit amongst other enthusiasts. I have a bag filled with goodies I’ve knitted in the last three months that I’m taking for “Show and Tell”. 

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I finished the hat last night that goes with the fingerless gloves. It’s so stretchy and soft. I did decide to go back and try inserting a band of lace from the pattern I used on the second shawl I knitted. I think I just needed to have a break from the project overnight and look at it with fresh eyes this morning. As soon as I picked it up, I knew exactly what to do to make it work and I really liked the way it turned out.

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A friend contacted me last week and heard that we are selling the “Little Birdhouse”…the smaller A-Frame camper we bought in August last year. She wants to buy it so they have something easy to pull with the vehicle they already own and this is perfect for that. I’m so excited that someone I know will be buying this sweet little camper!

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This is the month that is not quite spring…not quite winter. It’s a little dicey to think about going camping in March in this area because you never know what the weather is going to be like. It could be warm and beautiful or torrential rains or a freaky spring snowstorm. That’s why I kind of limit my camping to our field during the months from November to at least April.

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My dear friend Gail is having a gathering of gals at her house late this month. She has an AirB&B house right next door to her and she can house the lot of us in separate bedrooms to reduce the risks of spreading Covid. Just because precautions are loosening up, doesn’t mean the virus is gone. It can still be spread. But I do feel a bit braver about gathering with others…especially if they are fully vaccinated and I can wear a mask when I want.

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And, here is it. March. 

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Where does the time go???

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?

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“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

\n1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/01/an-outing-to-knit.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Crafts","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/02/23/counting-stitches-counting-days.html", "title": "Counting Stitches, Counting Days", "content_html": "\n
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Oh, how I love this yarn. The softness comes from 70% Superwash Merino Wool and the sheen comes from 30% Bamboo. It’s like butter. It’s lightweight and warm…just what you want in a wrap for a May outing in Colorado. The pattern is super easy and I love the edge it creates as you end rows and begin the next. It’s a series of open loops that seem to fit the nature of the both the pattern and the yarn.

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The shawl I’m currently knitting. The picture shows different yarns, but the one I am using is self striping. I could have thrown in some different textures and stitches, but I’m keeping it simple.

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I awoke yesterday morning out in the Big Birdhouse along about 3:30. I was chilled and couldn’t quite figure out why till I discovered the electric blanket was no longer working. It is super frustrating for me to spend perfectly good money on something only to have it stop working after five times. We’ll try to return both blankets. Mr. FixIt’s is still in its packaging, but if one has stopped working, the other will surely be right behind it. Here is where I have to point out…you get what you pay for. In an effort to save a few dollars, I caved and bought the cheapest electric blanket I could find. Sure enough, it underlines my shopping mantra. “Buy the best you can afford. It saves you money in the long run.”

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Starry, starry night.

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Even though I covered up with an extra quilt I had in the camper, I didn’t really warm up because I didn’t want to turn on the small ceramic space heater. It had just started raining and I wanted to hear the raindrops hitting the roof of the camper. As I lay there fiddling with my phone, I decided to take a picture of the interior with the night vision setting of my iPhone. The blue light from the clock on the microwave created an enchanting “under sea” look that was fun.

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By the glow of the microwave clock.

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I waited for the sun to come up and somewhere around 6:00, I drifted off for a couple of hours. I had to pack up my camper bag and wait for the rain to slack off a bit before I headed indoors. Mr. FixIt was sitting in the family room when I came in so I poured my coffee and sat down with him. He had an appointment in town in the early afternoon and I had my Zoom call with my brother out in Colorado. 

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Afterward, I turned on YouTube and watched a few videos on Appalachian folklore, caught a couple tutorials on knitting and making sourdough English muffins, and worked on the new shawl I’m knitting. This one starts with a cast on that ends up being the center of the back of the neck then expands the further down you go. By the time you get down to the place where you knit the lace border, you have 218 stitches. I’ve learned to place a stitch marker every five rows so I don’t have to sit and count that many stitches very often. 

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Once I start the lace border, I’ll have to go back to paying close attention in order to get the pattern right. It rained hard all day, so it was a perfect day to knit by the fire and listen to old tales from the Appalachian people. There were several videos about old folk sayings and wive’s tales…much of which I heard from my elders as I was growing up. I’ll share some in another post one of these days.

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Today is an at-home day. I think I may do a little baking as it is expected to be rather cold and dismal grey here. This bright and cheerful yarn is just what the doctor ordered for days such as this!

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?

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““Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.”

\nJoel 2:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/02/23/counting-stitches-counting-days.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Crafts","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/02/22/when-you-find-youre-out.html", "title": "When You Find You’re Out of Shape", "content_html": "\n
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It’s Tuesday…2-22-22!

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Lands, sake! I am SO out of shape! When winter hit and the outdoor chores were over, and there were no big holiday parties, no big indoor projects to accomplish…I sat down. Well, of course I did! I had knitting to do. And, while I knitted away…happy as a little clam…my muscles atrophied and I feel like I aged ten years. This cannot happen. I’m not even 70 yet. I have things to do, places to go, camping to accomplish.

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I was fixing my breakfast when I heard Mr. FixIt rummaging around downstairs. He had decided to run the snake down the drain by himself and, truly…it is a two person job. The cable got twisted and he was having a heck of a time. I gulped down the last of my coffee and sat on the bottom step to help him. We struggled with that thing for two hours. When we did it last year and I was in great shape after mowing and working all summer, it still killed my hips and back. Fast forward to yesterday, a little over two week post op, and….let’s just say I wasn’t as much help and I hoped to be.

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By the time we got the cable twisted up twice and jammed in the housing, we both gave up. There’s always another day. We did managed to pull out a big clump of roots from the drain, so we are hoping the rains coming this week won’t overwhelm the system. We both retreated to our respective recliners for the rest of the afternoon.

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Since I finished the latest project Sunday night, I decided to pick up the next one. I had a few choices of yarn and I selected a bright, colorful Merino Wool and Bamboo blend. I found a better pattern for a true shawl so I set to knitting. This yarn is SO soft to the touch. It’s super stretchy. And the colors create stripes, just like a rainbow. I think this is the one I’ll wear to my granddaughter’s graduation in May in Colorado. We’ll see how it turns out.

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It was 66° here by late afternoon so I decided it was a good camping night. It’s supposed to start raining in the middle of the night and I can listen it tapping on the roof of the camper. I haven’t replaced the chair in the camper since we returned the rockers, so I didn’t bring my knitting out. This camper isn’t really conducive to sitting propped up in bed to knit because the roof angles down at each end. So, I’ll write, and read, and maybe watch a movie.

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My friend did well during her medical procedure yesterday and I wanted to thank you all for your prayers. I get to see my brother today over Zoom so I’m really looking forward to that. I need to start getting more exercise so I can get back to work here. Use it or lose it, am I right?

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?

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“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

\n2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/02/22/when-you-find-youre-out.html", "tags": ["Health","Camping","Aging","Farm Life","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/02/17/the-bird-whisperer.html", "title": "The Bird Whisperer", "content_html": "\n
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The birds in the ‘hood were going crazy yesterday. I heard birds I’ve never heard before. I saw the nesting pair of red shoulder hawks that live in the woods nearby. I captured a photo this week of a yellow-bellied sapsucker. Sometimes when I capture a bird’s call on the Merlin app on my phone, it says it’s very rare in our area. In that case, I try to catch the call again and get a visual sighting.

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I’m really not all that knowledgeable about birds. I just have a passing knowledge and I know where to look them up. This app really helps. This weekend the the Annual Audubon Bird Count. Maybe one of these days, I’ll take the time to be a part of that. In the meantime, I love our little feathered friends.

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I was sitting in the recliner knitting yesterday morning when Mr. FixIt caught my attention. He was standing outside the storm door waving at me and motioning me to come outside. When I opened the door, he pointed down and there was a male downy woodpecker sitting on the sidewalk…stunned. He had flown into the storm door. I need to put decals on that door to keep them from hitting it. 

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I gently scooped up the little critter and went over to sit on the steps leading up to the deck. His head was precariously tipped to one side, his eyes were moving with nystagmus which indicates dizziness, his beak was slightly open. He printed rapidly and one eye wasn’t as open as the other. I held him gently and let him rest. I whispered to him. I asked God to heal this little creature. 

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At one point, his eyes closed and he went limp. His little head lolled over against my thumb and I held my breath as I watching his. I started talking to him and told him what a big, brave little bird he was and that I really wanted him to fly again. He suddenly took two big breaths, shuddered and….opened his eyes! I cheered him on and he picked up his head. I stroked his head and said I’d take my cue from him.

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About two minutes later, he moved his feet under him and pushed up against my fingers. I opened my hand and off he went…first to the porch railing, then to brush behind the building, and finally up into his favorite maple tree! Hooray! I was so happy to see him fly away. Mr. FixIt and I both went in to wash our hands. We moved the feeders around a little because one of the hooks wasn’t strong enough to hold two feeders when they were full.

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My sweetheart went to town in the afternoon and I worked on the shawl I’m knitting with the new yarn I bought Tuesday. It is a much more complex pattern for a lacy, airy wrap that I’ll take with me to Colorado in May. I had to tune out any extraneous noises by listening to the recording of a fireplace that I love writing to. 

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The moon is bright and the skies have been clear the last couple of nights. I played with the camera on my new iPhone. It takes night photos which is SO awesome!

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It was 65° yesterday so I went “camping” out in the Big Birdhouse last night. We bought new camp chairs a couple of weeks ago. I moved the table top and set up the chair in it’s place in the camper so I could sit and knit. Well, after about 20 minutes, one of the hinges on the new chair broke. I looked carefully and it was made out of plastic! How frustrating to spend $50 for a camp chair and it broke like that. We’ll take both of them back to Sam’s and get a refund!

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❤️

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“Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.”

\nPsalm 104:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/02/17/the-bird-whisperer.html", "tags": ["Camping","Farm Life","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/02/13/super-bowl-sunday.html", "title": "Super Bowl Sunday", "content_html": "\n
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I didn’t knit a stitch on Friday. I let myself process my test results, thanked God for the fact it’s nothing worse, and “camped” in the field. Ohhhh….what a treat that was! We saw 65° on Friday and it was down in the 40’s overnight. I was awakened a few times to the sound of rain on the camper roof. The Big Birdhouse is a sanctuary, indeed. And perhaps this week, I’ll get out to the farm for a couple of days. That would be icing on the cake!

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I worked on the sweater yesterday and I’m making great progress. I like a sweater to come down low on my hips. Camouflage, you know. I think I’ll knit with the dark color at least as wide as the dusty rose band…and maybe an inch or two longer. I’m almost ready to start the last skein of yarn on this project. I have to tell you…I know I wouldn’t want to work on a project like this in warm weather. This thing is like an electric blanket on my lap. It’s going to make a wonderful, warm sweater.

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We watched the Olympics most of the afternoon. I got drowsy and went back out to the camper for a little nap, which was lovely. It wasn’t nearly as warm yesterday, and by nightfall it was actually snowing! I don’t think it will amount to much. We’ll be cool for a couple of days then get back to springtime temperatures again. This is one of the biggest reasons I live back in my home state. The winters aren’t too bad…nothing like Colorado.

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I’m going to put a batch of spaghetti sauce in the crockpot this morning. We’ll watch more of the Olympics, I’ll knit, and we’ll watch the Super Bowl. I have to pull for our neighbors and hope the Bengals win! Joe Burrow is from Athens…which is not all that far from us. I love what he has done for the food bank in his hometown. Since the Division Championship Game, ten years worth of donations have arrived. That will make a world of difference for families who need some help with food.

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I’m looking forward to working on a new project soon. That’s one of the reasons socks and dishcloths are so satisfying…closer to the instant gratification I enjoy. Actually, I haven’t been working on this sweater for all that long. It looks like I started it on January 30th, so that’s not bad for a relative rookie!

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Enjoy your day, dear ones!

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❄️❤️❄️

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“Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.”

\nZechariah 10:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/02/13/super-bowl-sunday.html", "tags": ["Camping","Crafts","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/23/home-sweet-home.html", "title": "Home, Sweet Home!", "content_html": "\n
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We watched this little maple tree slowly turn crimson over the week we were camping at Alum Creek State Park in Lewis Center, Ohio. The park is due north of Columbus and is about two and a half hours from our home. That’s a nice doable drive for a camping trip. You don’t have to leave at the crack of dawn in order to get there at a decent time to set up and still have time to play and enjoy your first day.

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We couldn’t have asked for nicer weather. It did get grey and rainy on Thursday, but we spent the day indoors wandering around the mall and people watching. My poor Mr. FixIt about froze yesterday morning when we were packing up to go home. The man refuses to wear long pants long past any reasonable person would give in and wear them. It was only 46 degrees and his hands were wet and numb by the time we were finished. I turned on the heater for him and he was soon feeling much better.

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When you buy a new camper, there will always be a couple of things that need adjusting or fiddled with. Such is the case with Big Bird. We noticed the Formica on the table was chipped along one edge. And one of the drawers seems to be off kilter. We also had a couple of questions for the guys at the dealership, so we stopped in on our way home. We were in and out of there in under an hour. They even adjusted our hitch for us. It was a little too low and the front end of the camper was angled down. They raised it up, and the camper was even easier to pull than before!

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All the systems worked fine on Big Bird’s inaugural trip. We turned on the furnace to make sure it worked like it was supposed to. It did. One thing I love about this model, the fridge is bigger, has a small freezer, and it switches back and forth automatically from gas to electric. You have to do that manually on Birdie, which isn’t hard…it’s just less convenient. The fridge kept the food nice and cold without freezing it. We cooked a couple of meals on the propane cooktop. I prefer to cook any foods that have oils or strong odors outside when we camp. I don’t want the greasy residue in there, nor to I want the fabrics and bed saturated with any off smells. Our electric griddle or electric skillet would have been an excellent addition to this trip, but unfortunately, it was one of those things that didn’t get packed in the rush to get out on the road last weekend. We’ll be sure to bring it next time.

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We picked Pumpkin up from the Kitty Hilton on our way home. They just love her there. They were talking about how sweet she is and when they take her out and love on her she just snuggles up to them. I’m glad they take such good care of her. We had one crate-sized space left in the truck in anticipation of picking her up. She talked to us all the way home and was so happy to get out and run when we got home with her. I was afraid she wouldn’t want to go in the building at dark, but she came running for her treats and her scritches behind her ears before she settled into her safe place. She has a heated bed, but nine times out of ten, we find her snoozing on the tractor seat when we let her out in the morning. She is a little over two years old now. How time flies, eh?

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We set up the camper when we got home, cracked open the roof vent for a little circulation, and plugged it in so the fridge will continue to work. We brought everything in that we needed inside last night. We’ll bring the rest in today. And…oh, my word! You should see out living room. We dumped all that camping gear from Big TOW-Wanda on the floor in front of the entertainment center last Friday so I have my work cut out for me this weekend. Mr. FixIt has to close the pool and work on the brakes on his truck. I need to winterize both campers. Can you believe…we STILL have four campers?!?! What is wrong with us??? 

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???

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“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”

\nJames 5:7 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/23/home-sweet-home.html", "tags": ["Camping","Home","Big Bird"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/21/the-perfect-autumn-day.html", "title": "The Perfect Autumn Day", "content_html": "\n
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I know I tell you every day that THIS was the perfect day. That’s because it is. We have a tendency to rush through life. We forget to “stop and smell the roses”. We seek to get more when we don’t appreciate what we already have. It takes stopping…..just, s-t-o-p-p-i-n-g…to catch your breath, count your blessings, and SEE how glorious life is.

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I have been away from television news for a week now and I’m telling you, I can feel the decompression happening in my brain…in my body…in the muscles in my neck. My time on my cell phone is drastically decreased. My thoughts are less frenetic. I’m sure my blood pressure is lower. I’m sleeping better. Everything feels better. This is a lesson to me. “We are what we eat.” Not just food, but whatever we put in our bodies comes out in other ways. When I am careful about what I consume, I am happier. And when I am happier, believe me…everyone in my orbit is happier.

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We discovered a small problem with the new camper yesterday. Setting up the camper is a feat of large scale origami. And, if it isn’t perfectly level in every direction, the seam at the top may not meet correctly. We could see a little daylight in the corner. Seeing how there is rain in the forecast today, we felt it was imperative to reset the camper and make it perfectly level or we could get water inside. Water is death for a camper.

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We had to run to Walmart to get a small level since I seem to have left the one I usually use at home. We stopped and grabbed coffee and a breakfast sandwich on the way. When we got back. I moved things out of the way so we could close the camper, then we carefully leveled it and set it back up. This time it went up much easier but there was still a very small bit of light showing in the corner. I believe that is a problem with the seal so we’ll stop on the way home Friday and have the guys look at it at the dealership. 

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I finally made it over to the bath house and took a long, hot shower after I got the camper set back up. I always wear my hair up, but yesterday I used the blow dryer on it and I was shocked at how long it’s grown. I haven’t had my hair this long since I was expecting Daughter #1. I love my hair long and I really love my grey hair. It has dark streaks in it…like lowlights. I’ll never color my hair again. And, I may just keep letting it grow.

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Once we had everything set back up and organized, we sat out on the patio area of the campsite. I knitted and chatted with Mr. FixIt. Eventually, he asked if I’d like a sandwich and we had a late lunch. Then…it was time for a hike. We went out around the bass pond. We saw a small snake, a brown wooly worm, hickory nuts, walnuts, and buckeyes as well as lots of pretty colored leaves. We hiked on out by the lake and looped back around to the campground.

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After our siesta time, Mr. FixIt asked if I’d like to go get ice cream. They sell it in the park office, but at this time of year, there’s only one employee in the office. There has to be two to serve Ice cream, so…I asked Mavis, my trusty GPS, to take me to the nearest ice cream store. We were SO excited to fine a Bruster’s Ice Cream Shop near the Polaris Mall about three miles away. Oh, my gosh! They have the BEST ice cream! The first time we had it was near Beaver Creek State Park a couple of years ago. I was thrilled to find it again. Butter Pecan…*swoon*!

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As we were driving home, the full Hunter’s Moon was rising…big, fat, and orange in the deepening indigo sky to the east. And I without my camera! When we got back to the camper, I retrieved my cell phone and we went for a little walk to try to capture an image. As we came around a turn, there it was…straight down the road toward our campsite, rising directly between the rows or trees on either side. It couldn’t have been more perfect, unless I would have had a 35mm camera with a long lens, of course.

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My bonus daughter called as we were getting back to the camper and we had a long chat, then Mr. FixIt set up his movie and I set to writing. We have one more night camping and we are supposed to get rain today and tonight. I don’t mind rain in a camper. It’s cozy and the sound is so soothing on the metal roof. Soon, we will be packed up and heading home…back to reality.

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We need to get both campers winterized and cleaned out. We need to get the brakes finished on Mr. FixIt’s truck so we can clear out a section of the building to park the camper in. His truck is parked in front of the garage door we need access to. We need to pick up the cat from the Kitty Hilton and then we have to mow. I’m hoping it’s the last time of the season so we can focus on other jobs around the place.

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In the meantime, we’re going to enjoy the time we have left here. We have vowed to return to this park again to camp because it’s truly been wonderful.

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???

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“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

\nPhilippians 4:11-13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/21/the-perfect-autumn-day.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/20/not-doin-nuthin.html", "title": "Not Doin’ Nuthin’", "content_html": "\n
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The first thing we do every morning is open the shade on the skylight and oooooh and aaaaaah!

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I told Mr. FixIt yesterday morning that I was not doin’ nuthin’ all day ‘cept what I wanted to do. And that’s exactly how it panned out. I ate cookies for breakfast sitting in my big blue chair. It was nippy so I brought out the little ceramic heater and aimed it at my feet while I knitted all morning. My friend Lynn showed up around 1:00 and sat and talked with us for a couple of hours, which was really nice. When she left, we fixed a late lunch and sat at the table watching the sunshine dapple the ground through the trees. We sat and watched the squirrels running around burying the plethora of nuts available in these woods. There is one black squirrel that hangs out nearby and he’s stunning. I also listened for, and identified, several birds in the campground with my Merlin app from Cornell University…including a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Nashville Warbler, and a Cooper’s Hawk.

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Once the sun started going behind the trees, we went in the camper and stretched out for a little reading/rest time. We like having that little break in the afternoon to just do nothing. Doing nothing in a day full of doing nothing was just what the doctor ordered! Our late lunches are normally our dinner and we eat fruit or a little cereal before bed. We are getting those “old folks” diets. We don’t eat a heck of a lot anymore.

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I only had my iPhone to take a picture of the moon and it never does it justice.

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As the sun began to set, Mr. FixIt and I hopped in the truck and drove over to the boat ramp so we could get a good view of the lake and the sunset. But what surprised us was the full moon coming up over the pine trees on the far shore of the lake. We were so mesmerized, we almost didn’t turn around to see the splendor going on behind us! The sky was clear, the lake was calm, and the moonrise/sunset was just icing on the cake for a perfect day. Once we got back to the campground, the day was done and we retired to our little nest. Mr. FixIt picked out a movie while I sat down to write to you.

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The sunset was spectacular last night!

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I snapped some photos during the day to share with you all. It truly was a beautiful autumn day here in Ohio!

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???

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“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/20/not-doin-nuthin.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Memories","Friends","Big Bird"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/19/fall-camping-is-the-best.html", "title": "Fall Camping is the BEST!", "content_html": "\n
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The daytime temps are warm enough to wear a lightweight shirt, even if it’s long sleeved. And maybe leggings if you feel a little chilled. Night’s are cool enough to flip on the little space heater and cover up with an extra blanket. And throw on a fuzzy fleece jacket when you’re sitting around outside. 

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I can think of a lot of things I wish I had with us. Like, my propane campfire. That would have been perfect! A stepladder would certainly come in handy. And try as I might, I cannot find my little level that I use when I’m camping. But, we were really pressed for time to prepare for this trip. We had to run a ton of errands and empty out TOW-Wanda…all in one day. I grabbed some blankets and put them in a tote. Nothing matches, but they’re warm and functional and at this point, that’s all that matters to me. 

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When we decided to stay a few more nights, I looked online and saw that the site we were on was only available for two more nights. We drove around the campground and chose one we liked and reserved it. Then, all night long, I kept waking up and thinking about it. It was totally shaded with trees…which would be awesome in the summer, but at this time of year all I could think of was “There’s no place to sit in the sun and knit!” So, over breakfast, I asked if Mr. FixIt would mind if we took another look around and choose a better site.

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We took the map and had the reservation system up on my phone and chose a beautiful site. Still surrounded by trees, but enough open space to feel the sun on my face. We both felt a lot better about it so we went to the camp office and switched the reservation. We stowed anything breakable, closed up the camper, and towed it…literally ten sites away from where we were. I laughed and told Mr. FixIt… “This is MY kind of travel day!”

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We set up in the new spot. I have to say, this camper is not quite as easy to set up alone. I think I’ll be able to do it when I bring my stepladder from home. I always like to be able to set everything up on my own if I have to. That’s how I learned, and…God forbid…if the unthinkable occurs, I still need to know how to do things on my own.

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That’s the biggest lesson I learned from losing Mr. Virgo. Don’t take ANYTHING for granted because life changes…and it changes quick. Sometimes it bothers Mr. FixIt when I ask him to let me do it. I know he knows how. And I know he likes to do it. I also know, he’d be the first one to want me to carry on doing this fun stuff if he should pass before me. We have a routine when we camp together and I’ve given up some of the tasks…things that I know I won’t forget how to do. But, with a new camper, there are new skills I need to master. It won’t take long and we’ll have it down to a science.

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We have a routine at home that hasn’t transferred well to camping. Mr. FixIt is a TV watcher and I am not. I prefer to do my writing at night while he is watching his detective shows. Our new camper doesn’t have a TV and I really didn’t want to get one. I have an iPad I can download movies to, but we don’t have WiFi here. As a matter of fact, most campground WiFi is dicey at best. That wouldn’t work anyway because I write on my iPad every night. So, we splurged and bought a portable DVD player. Then, we found a Half Price Book Store and scored some movies he liked. Now, as soon as the DVD player charges up, he’ll be a happy camper in the evenings. We play cards, but he needed something to do while I write and he’s not a big reader. Oh, and I bought him headphones to listen to his movies quietly while I write.

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I’ve tried NOT writing. I can’t do it. Sometimes when I’m really tired, I just post a rerun story…but I have to write. It’s like oxygen to me. Thank goodness I have an incredibly patient and loving husband who understands my proclivities!

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We have one of my Girl Camper friends coming to visit today! Other than that, knitting, reading Miss Brenda Gantt’s new cookbook, and eating is the only thing on my agenda!

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Have I told you fall camping is THE BEST!!!

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???

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“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

\nIsaiah 40:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/19/fall-camping-is-the-best.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Memories","Marriage","Big Bird"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/18/when-you-find-a-great.html", "title": "When You Find a Great Place to Stay, Stay There!", "content_html": "\n
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Big Bird! A lot like Birdie, but bigger, with twin beds so the dinette stays up, and more storage!

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We are camping at a beautiful state park we’ve never been to before. Our initial plan was to stay here a couple of nights, then head toward Gettysburg and tour the historic sites…something I’ve always wanted to do. We sat in the sun yesterday afternoon and had lunch surrounded by falling leaves. The weather is cool with lots of puffy white clouds in the clear blue sky. We are steps from a huge lake. And, we’re tired.

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Camping on a lazy Sunday afternoon!

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We’ve been running around like crazy this year with SO much driving. And, here we are with this really great new camper in a really great new (to us) state park so…we decided to just stay here for a few more days. We drove around the park with the site availability map open on my cell phone and picked a beautiful site tucked in the woods. It sits far enough away from the road that the noise is minimal and it’s just a short walk to the lake. It’s a win/win, I think.

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The campsite we had the last two nights. The sites are spread out and surrounded by trees.

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Our truck is packed to the gills with a lot of the camping gear that came out of TOW-Wanda and Birdie. We are trying to figure out just exactly what we really NEED for the new camper and where and how to store it most efficiently. We don’t want to just throw things in this camper all willy-nilly then wonder where we put it. Staying put will give us time to do just that. And to rest and enjoy CAMPING…not just sleeping in the camper one night then moving to the next place like we did to and from Colorado.

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A camp breakfast…a steaming plate of ham and eggs!

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I love the fact that I’ve spent more nights sleeping in a camper this summer than I ever have…other than the time I traveled full time. Camping is “the great escape”. My dear friend Ben would beg to differ with me. He grew up farming in northeastern Colorado and spent far more nights than he would ever want to remember sleeping outside to beat the heat in a house without air conditioning or fans. Or sleeping in the hay loft. Or just outside on the ground. Camping isn’t fun to him.

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The view out the big window over the kitchen!

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I know it’s not fun to a lot of people. But for me? It’s like living in the children’s books featuring The Boxcar Children. It’s like my childhood fantasy of riding my bike to Canada. It’s the soothing place that helped heal my broken heart after losing Mr. Virgo. And, it’s the place my sweet Mr. FixIt and I can go to escape the workaday world of life on five acres. We only have to mow another time or two. And before long, the snow will fly and Big Bird will be tucked away for the winter in our building…hopefully! We still need to clear out a space for her.

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The view out the skylight right over our heads!

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But, for now…we are celebrating our “Anniversary Month”, enjoying our new treasure, and getting the rest we need. That is a gift worth it’s weight in gold!

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?

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“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

\nMatthew 6:33 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/18/when-you-find-a-great.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Marriage","Big Bird"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/17/goodbye-towwanda-hello-big-bird.html", "title": "Goodbye, TOW-Wanda! Hello, Big Bird!", "content_html": "\n
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I knew after driving in high winds for two and a half hours…we’d made the right decision!

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Y’all are going to think we need an intervention. I mean…why have one camper when you can have four, right? Well…our long term thinking is still to have ONE good camper for camping in, and the ‘67 Franklin for a renovation project. As you may remember, we’ve….I’VE had a mishap buying a used camper. I bought a small camper that ended up having a BIG rot problem and it literally started falling apart as soon as I got to Colorado summer before last. I ended up selling it for half what I paid for it. I was disappointed in myself because I didn’t do my due diligence and have the camper checked out. Lesson learned.

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Then, we bought this darling little a-frame this summer. It really is sweet, but the sleeping arrangements weren’t ideal. Mr. FixIt and I couldn’t sleep in the same bed because it meant someone was going to have to be squeezed into the tight angle. He’s a bit claustrophobic, so I’d have to be on the inside, which meant I’d be climbing over him multiple times a night to go to the bathroom. That just wouldn’t work. It’s a perfect camper for one person, though. What we ended up doing when he camped with me was leave the dinette down all the time with a twin mattress on top and he slept there. That was great, but then there was no place to sit inside and eat and play cards when/if it rains. It was a dilemma. 

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In the last couple of months, we’ve had to go to Columbus to see the endocrine surgeon and to get scans. We also drove through and back on our trip to Colorado. We kept seeing these a-frame campers on the lot of Specialty RV Sales. We stopped several times and looked at them several times. One was just like ours. The other was what is called a “high side”. It’s a lot taller and a couple feet longer than Birdie, but that extra room has a lot of advantages. 

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It has twin beds with a fill piece that turns it into a king bed. The only downside of that is, you lose easy access to the storage under the beds. Because of the higher sides, you get a taller fridge with a freezer compartment…something I didn’t realize I would REALLY miss. And, because the sleeping situation was solved, the dinette can stay up full time. This particular model also has a dormer over the dinette that offers extra headroom. And there is a storage bin on the front of the camper to carry chairs and extra items you may need for camping. Oh…and the coolest thing…the roof has a power assist to raise it up!

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When we were camping this past week, we had to drive up to Columbus for another scan. As we drove by the RV place, Mr. FixIt saw another a-frame camper parked on the lot so he wanted to stop on the way back. We had a look at it, but it just wasn’t exactly what we wanted. For one thing, it had been used pretty hard in Alaska. For another, it was six years old and you start getting some issues unless you have taken impeccable care of a camper. 

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We really weren't in the market for another camper. After all, we just bought Birdie a couple of months ago. We thanked the fellow for his time and started to leave. As we were walking away, I turned to Mr. FixIt and said, “Do you suppose they would take Big TOW-Wanda in trade? We could get a better trade in with her than with Birdie.” He said he really didn’t want to stay there all day, but I said, “Just let me ask him real quick.” 

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Yeah…three hours later, we walked out owning a brand new 2021 Rockwood 213HWOR. Dealers are desperate for good, used campers and…like used cars, they are paying top dollar for them. The fact this camper had been on the lot for six months made the dealership even more motivated to move it out. The price had come down quite a bit since we first looked. And we threw out a ridiculous number that we wanted for a trade in. When we got down to within $250, we were in. God provides for us in many ways.

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AND, we unloaded the big camper. I loved TOW-Wanda when I got her. She was perfect for what I needed her for. However, we never once took her camping in the last three years because…she was just too big! Every time I took her out, it felt like I was moving a house. It was just too much. I camped out in the field with her, but that was it. There are places now that have campers for rent so you can get a good feel for what would really work for you. We knew after the trip to Colorado that we LOVED the a-frame. But, we wanted just a little bit bigger to sleep comfortably and to have the dinette to use.

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So, we are camping again! We have this next ten days free. I don’t know if we’ll stay out that long, but this will give us a chance to test out the new camper and iron out any rough spots. Oh, and her name. Since the other a-frame is Birdie because she looks like a birdhouse…this one is Big Bird, because she’s much bigger. 

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Now, we’ll have a little a-frame for sale before too long…Birdie needs to leave the nest!

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She followed us home…can we keep her???

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?

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“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””

\nDeuteronomy 31:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/17/goodbye-towwanda-hello-big-bird.html", "tags": ["Camping","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/29/the-mister-picked-a-purple.html", "title": "The Mister Picked a Purple Pepper", "content_html": "\n
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Our trip to Colorado pretty much threw our gardening and canning out the window this year. You can’t be gone a month and expect the garden to tend itself, and what I really wanted to can came on while we were gone. Namely, half runner beans. Next year’s trip will happen in May for Big’s graduation. So we’ll be home for harvest season. We did get some purple peppers and there are still many blooms on the plants. I doubt seriously they can come to fruit before the first frost, but we shall see.

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Mr. FixIt mowed the backyard yesterday while I did some routine maintenance on Birdie. When you drive that far, you need to go around and check to make sure you haven’t lost any screws and tighten any that may have loosened on the rough highways. Even when you drive below the speed limit and try to avoid all the potholes, a camper still gets the stuffin’s shaken out of it so It’s best to keep up with your preventative maintenance. 

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I am shocked tomorrow is the last day of September! This year has flown by…much faster than 2020 which took approximately a decade and a half. October is one of the prettiest months of the year here in West Virginia. Our third wedding anniversary is coming up the middle of the month. We usually take a trip to the beach in October, but with the trip to Colorado under our belts, I think we’ll just explore our own beautiful state as we celebrate another year of marital bliss.

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I’ve really wanted to take a camping trip and revisit some of the beautiful places I stayed when I was towing the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer a couple of years ago. When I asked Mr. FixIt what he’d like to do that week, he suggested we camp somewhere and take one of the excursion trains to see the colors. I love that we are so attuned to each other and enjoy the same things. I’ll sit down this week and plan out a fun trip for our last camping trip of the season. Another adventure awaits!

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Mr. FixIt has things to do in town today, so I’m going to piddle around here at home. There is always something to keep me busy!

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?

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“A cheerful heart is good medicine….”

\nProverbs 17:22 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/29/the-mister-picked-a-purple.html", "tags": ["Camping","Farm Life","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/27/time-flies-when-youre-having.html", "title": "Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!", "content_html": "\n
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I woke up yesterday morning to the sun peeking through the curtains in the camper. It was cold…a very brisk 46 degrees! My electric blanket turns off automatically after a certain amount of time and I keep forgetting to reset it when I’m turning off the lights. Consequently, it was off and getting pretty darned nippy in the camper along about 6:00. I turned the blanket back on, as well as the little ceramic heater, and it was toasty in no time and I slept till 8:00. 

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I stretched and watched the shadows of the trees on the window for a little bit, then I heard my friends rattling around out there. Gail threw logs on the fire and it was soon crackling, so I knew I needed to get up and get moving. Anne made peanut butter pancakes with real maple syrup…yummmm! There was crispy bacon and scrambled eggs…and coffee! I don’t know what it is…but camping coffee tastes better than any other coffee I’ve had.

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After breakfast, we each made our way to our campers and started gathering things up and packing for the trip home. There are always last minute reminders of something left at the campfire, but soon enough, we were all giving covid-approved hugs (faces turned away…no lingering…and only with another vaccinated camper) and declaring this the best trip yet. (Aren’t they all???)

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It’s always sad to say goodbye to good friends, but we camp together at least twice a year, and we FaceTime at least once a week during the winter to make the time go faster. We always learn something new with each new campout that we can take forward to make camping even more fun! Like this cool collapsible electric tea kettle. Mr. FixIt went without his beloved nightly tea ritual while we were traveling to and from Colorado. If we would have had one of these, it would have made it easier to do. And, instead of heating up your hot water tank in the camper to do a few dishes, you can heat water up in this, add it to cold in the sink, and get your dishes done in a hurry! It pays to hang with camper chicks!

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\n[www.amazon.com/dp/B08S32...](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S32G8H5/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_K4HMDKDBTB58G7FPQBGN?_encoding=UTF8)&psc=1\n
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“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

\n1 John 4:11-12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/27/time-flies-when-youre-having.html", "tags": ["Camping","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/26/knitting-wounded-hearts.html", "title": "Knitting Wounded Hearts", "content_html": "\n
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I wish I could say I made these beauties, but they are Cindy’s creation!

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One of my biggest goals for the weekend was to be here to support my dear friend, Gail. She has had so many family emergencies with life threatening illnesses this year…she was feeling overwhelmed and in dire need of hugs. I’m so glad we got to spend some much needed one-on-one time yesterday. We sat and knitted for hours. We laughed, we cried, we hugged. Sometimes you just need a dear friend to hug you and say…I’m here for you. 

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When you are knitting with a friend, you are knitting much more than yarn. You are knitting wounded hearts.

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Knitting and chatting with my dear friend, Gail…and admiring the colors.

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We had a crackling fire going all day because it was pretty darned chilly at the campground. We started the day with a hearty breakfast…scrambled eggs, bacon, homemade cinnamon rolls, and coffee. I brought a new variety of apple for snacking. They’re called Cosmic Crisps and they are SO good. It has been a long time since I’ve eaten apples and really enjoyed them, but these just might get me back into “an apple a day”. 

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Three of our camper gals went out exploring in the afternoon so Gail and I continued to knit. I’m using up the leftover yarn from the shawl I knitted this summer and I’m making a hat. I love it so far.

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The camper is working great. The girls love it. It was predicted to get down to 46 degrees last night so I’m really glad I brought my electric blanket and little space heater. They worked well Friday night. Today, we’ll all have breakfast together. Jan brought her banjo so she’ll play a little for us. We’ll break camp then Gail and I will watch church together before I head home. 

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Talking around the fire.

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One of the gals was telling me yesterday that she likes to do a variety of activities when she goes camping so she feels like she’s had a longer weekend. I’m just the opposite. I am SO busy in my everyday life that all I wanted to do this weekend was sit for hours, talk with my friend, and knit. I feel like I’ve been gone much longer than a weekend. Yet…it always ends too soon when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?

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?

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“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”

\nProverbs 27:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/26/knitting-wounded-hearts.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/25/god-rescued-me-from-the.html", "title": "God Rescued Me From the Waves", "content_html": "\n
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Six years ago this week, I went to the beach with a girlfriend. I pulled the big camper and we camped at Myrtle Beach. I’d never been there before and was so excited. We were hit with a huge rainstorm on the way down, and by the time I’d unhitched the camper and got it set up…the real rain began. We had inadvertently set up camp during the tail end of a hurricane.

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It rained for a week straight with only the slightest break to get outside for a few minutes before it began again. The total rainfall that week was something like 24”! The lower campground flooded. A lot of people pulled out and went home. Not us. We were determined to see this through to the bitter end. The friends we met down there went home when their week was up. I asked the friend staying with me if she had anything pressing to get home to and she said no. So we signed up for another four or five days. The weather was gorgeous and the week ended on a sunnier note.

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When I was browsing through photos the other day, I came across this one taken during that camping trip. It was high tide, the storm was churning off shore, and the waves were really strong. I was two years a widow and I think I still had a bit of a death wish going on. I honestly thought losing Mr. Virgo would kill me, so what difference did it make if it was the waves of grief or the waves of an angry sea?

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There have been so many moments in my life that were just like standing in that roaring surf…the earth threatening to give way beneath me and send me crashing to a grisly death. The shock and betrayal of childhood sexual abuse. The pain of an unwanted divorce. The alienation of my family. The sudden loss of Mr. Virgo relatively soon after we got married. Yet…I have survived 100% of the time.

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When I look at this picture, I see a woman who really didn’t have a grasp of the great danger she was in. At the same time, I see a woman who stepped WAY out of her comfort zone in order to see her own strength. Face it…I wasn’t wrapped too tight right then. But, it made a good picture and a story about living life a little on the edge.

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Life was numb the first year. Life was so much harder the second year because he was really GONE and I knew it in my bones. This picture was taken at the beginning of the third year…the year of self-expression. The year of personal growth. The year of conversations with God. The year I realized He had rescued me from the waves.

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As I sat around the campfire last night, I thought of this picture and smiled at the beautiful, adventurous, and brave women sitting with me. Each has had their own struggles…their own fight with the waves. And each has been lifted and carried by a loving Father when times got tough.

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I love these women. 

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?

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“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

\nJohn 15:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/25/god-rescued-me-from-the.html", "tags": ["Grief","Camping","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/24/mums-the-word.html", "title": "Mum’s the Word", "content_html": "\n
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It’s mum season. Pumpkin spice everything is everywhere. I’m sorta kinda ready this time. I always hate seeing summer leave us, but I know we will have stretches of “Indian Summer” in a little while so there’s still lots of time to get out and do fun things. I was too busy yesterday to take any photos for this morning’s blog, so I went through my archives and chose some pictures I took of beautiful autumn flowers to share with you today.

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I always say I’m going to plant flowers “this year”…but I end up looking at the price tags and thinking… “I could have a great camping trip with that money!” So, I drive around and visit nurseries and take some great photos. They’re free, they never die, and I can pull them up and look at them whenever I want. I can kill a silk plant…seriously. I’m always amazed at the flowers we have outside that I haven’t managed to kill. That’s because I leave it all up to God to do the gardening. I’m just along for the joy ride.

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Mr. FixIt changed the oil in my truck for me yesterday in preparation for my trip to camp with the girls this weekend. The weather has really taken a turn and it’s predicted to be pretty darned chilly. I rummaged around in the guest closet yesterday afternoon, pulled out an electric blanket and set it by the front door to take with me. I have leggings and sweatshirts packed. I’ll find my hiking boots and wool socks and put them in the truck. I think I’ll even take a heavy coat for sitting around the fire. I have my small ceramic heater in the camper already. The furnace for the camper is actually located under the dinette, which is currently down in a twin bed position, so I can’t light it. It doesn’t matter though…that little electric heater really warms up a small camper in no time.

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I always wait till I get to the town nearest my destination before I buy what I need to contribute to the communal meals when I camp with a bunch of girlfriends. That works out really well with this little a-frame camper. Normally, I would just go in and fill the fridge and pantry in a bigger camper. But I’d have to pop this one up in order to get in and that isn’t feasible. This way, I can just drive the last ten minutes, get set up, and then put everything away. 

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I went through my camping supplies yesterday that I keep packed and ready to go. I use a rechargeable drill to lower and raise the stabilization jacks on my campers. I know I had the charger for my drill earlier this summer in preparation for camping. But now I can’t find it anywhere. So… “Mr. FixIt’s Mercantile” to the rescue again. He has one of everything and two of most, so I just raided one of his drills and chargers. I charged the battery up in it to make sure it’s working right for when I set up today. I may not have been a full-fledged Girl Scout, but I was a Brownie…and that’s pretty close! I like to have every possible scenario covered…just in case.

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I have food prepared for Mr. FixIt for when I’m gone. I made a big pot of spaghetti sauce yesterday and we had it over spaghetti squash last night. SO good! It’s so packed with meat, he can eat it like a Sloppy Joe, or add beans and chili powder and have a nice pot of chili for the weekend. He has sandwich fixin’s and a full pantry, so he isn’t going to starve. I just like to leave him some “love in a pot” when I go somewhere so I know he’s well cared for.

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He has plenty to do to keep him busy. It’s time to close the pool for the year. The garden needs pulled up. The burn pile is growing ever larger so that could use doing. What I really hope he does is put his feet up, call a friend, take a nap, watch a movie. If I’m going to be out playing with the girls, he should be relaxing, as well.

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And, so…it is autumn.

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?

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“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

\nIsaiah 40:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/24/mums-the-word.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Change","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/23/home-is-where-you-park.html", "title": "Home is Where You Park Birdie", "content_html": "\n
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It rained all Tuesday night in Indiana. We awoke to a veritable pond surrounding our camper. I said a little prayer the night before that there would be at least a small break in the downpour…just enough to get things packed up and on the road. When I woke up, I listened. Nothing! The rain had stopped for the moment. I sprang up out of bed, threw on my clothes and told Mr. FixIt he’d better hustle his butt up out of bed because I was closing up shop as fast as I could. We were up, dressed, packed, and on the road in less than fifteen minutes. Good thing, too…it started raining again with a vengeance.

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I-70 is a barrel race with automobiles, trucks, tractor trailers, RV’s…it’s crazy. Add some really heavy rain and road construction and you’ve got white-knuckle driving extraordinaire! I was SO glad to turn off the “I-70 Raceway” onto US-33 and ease on down the road to West Virginia. We are always pleased as punch to see that “Welcome to West Virginia” sign over the bridge as you cross the Ohio into Almost Heaven Land. Even more so yesterday.

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We had just passed Lancaster, Ohio when we went around a curve and…all the windows in the truck fogged up at once. I looked at the thermometer on the dash and we went up ten degrees in just a couple of miles. We had crossed through the cold front. Things were about to get interesting. Those few miles in front of a moving cold front are dicey. The abrupt temperature change causes winds and heavy rain in most cases and by heavy rain, I mean car wash heavy. I hit standing water on the highway and couldn’t see the vehicles around me. For a split second, my foot said “HIT THE BRAKES!” Fortunately, my brain was there with “Not so fast, Jack!” Mr. FixIt and I both had our noses as close to the windshield as we could get and in a few hundred feet, the sky cleared up. There were cars and trucks and RV’s parked on both sides of the highway where they took shelter. That’s too scary for me. I just stay in the middle lane with my emergency flashers on and keep moving careful forward. I feel safer that way.

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We stopped and picked up the cat from the Kitty Hilton. I expect one of these days, Mr. FixIt will decide it’s cheaper for him to just stay home with the cat and let me go on these trips by myself. Wowza!

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We got home just before it started raining again. I refused to go inside at first. I hate when a trip is over. So, I stretched out in the camper, watched the rain on the back window, and relaxed. Mr. FixIt will change the oil today…unless it’s too wet, which is highly likely. In that case, I’ll run to town to get it changed. And tomorrow, I head off to camp with some of my girlfriends for the weekend! Gotta take advantage of every moment in the camper that I can possible get, because winter is coming. It’ll be here before we know it.

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?

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“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

\nEphesians 4:7 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/23/home-is-where-you-park.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","West Virginia","Road Trip","Home","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/22/one-more-day.html", "title": "One More Day", "content_html": "\n
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We woke up this morning and got the camper closed up before it sprinkled. The drive was easy, but there are an awful lot of trucks on I-70. The detour around Indianapolis was a sight to behold. Miles and miles and miles of traffic in both lanes…sitting at a complete standstill. Coming from the west wasn’t such a big deal because there was a clearly marked detour on I-465 circling around the south of the city. However, by the time we joined I-70 again, the westbound lanes looked like a parking lot and we were ever so grateful we weren’t going in that direction.

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We drove in and out of little rain storms…nothing more than a few minutes with the windshield wipers on. When we saw the big cross at Effingham, we knew we were almost there. We went to get something to eat before we went to the campground so we wouldn’t have to come out again. I will tell you this…it will be a LONG time before I eat fast food again. Ugh! We made sandwiches several times, but we never once cooked…either in the camper or on the outdoor grill. I am really looking forward to a good home cooked meal from our kitchen.

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We were thrilled to get the very same campsite we had last time here at Grandpa’s Farm Campground in Richmond, Indiana. We got the camper set up, opened up the curtains to see the view of the walnut trees in the campground, and hunkered down for the night. The owner tells us these trees only produce every other year and since last year was a bumper crop, we shouldn’t be awakened in the middle of the night with a loud bang on the roof. I certainly hope not. We camped under oak trees a couple of times and those big, fat acorns sound like a gunshot when they hit the camper roof!

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As much as I love traveling, I am looking forward to next week. We get home tomorrow, then I leave Friday to go camp with some girlfriends for a couple of days. We have to go to Columbus on Monday for another scan trying to find my parathyroid glands who have gone AWOL. Starting Tuesday, we have no major plans for a while. I really am looking forward to some down time!

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?

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“If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

\nPsalm 139:9-10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/22/one-more-day.html", "tags": ["Camping","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/21/finding-feathers-and-pennies-from.html", "title": "Finding Feathers and Pennies from Heaven", "content_html": "\n
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I didn’t sleep very well the first two nights of this trip for some reason. Probably because we’re leaving the family. And it’s been really hot so we have to sleep with the AC on and I don’t like that. At any rate, I was awake before dawn both Sunday and Monday mornings. When we got ourselves up and around and were putting things away, I saw something peeking out from behind the power box. On closer inspection, I found a perfectly beautiful primary wing feather from what I believe is a wild turkey. Someone carefully wedged it behind the power box to be found by another camper coming in for a stay and I was delighted. I plucked it from its hiding place and carefully tucked it under Mavis, the GPS, for safe keeping till I get it home and add it to my collection of found travel treasures. I also found a penny…so it was a big “message” day. Someone saying hello!

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We had every intention of camping at Graham Cave State Park in Danville, Missouri last night but we got there so early in the afternoon. Today’s drive was going to be very long, so we decided to keep on trucking and stopped for the night in Mulberry Grove at Cedarbrook RV Park & Campground. It is an older place that definitely needs updating, and there were mostly seasonal rigs there. But, it was clean, off the highway, and very quiet on a Monday night deep in September. The moon was full, the sky was clear, and even though there was a storm predicted, we battened down the hatches, took a very welcome hot shower, and called it a day.

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We head to eastern Indiana today. Because we traveled longer yesterday, our travel day will be shorter. We are expecting cooler weather today which will be a welcome respite from the oppressive heat we experienced yesterday. We stopped at a rest area in the middle of Missouri around 2:00 yesterday afternoon and it was 92 degrees. It was overcast all morning so you didn’t really feel the heat. As soon as we stepped out of the truck, the sun broke through and it was like standing in front of a fiery furnace. There was a gal with a flat tire on her cargo trailer and a guy was changing it for her. This is exactly why I have AAA Plus…so I can get help should we ever need it, no matter the circumstances.

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One more sleep and we’ll be back on the Ponderosa…aka Marshmallow Ranch. Two nights at home and I take off to camp with my girlfriends for two nights! Honestly…we’ve been gone nearly a month and we’re having a blast! I think we could do this thing full time! 

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“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

\nPsalm 121:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/21/finding-feathers-and-pennies-from.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Peaceful Moments","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/20/good-morning-kansas.html", "title": "Good Morning, Kansas!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Ok, y’all…western Kansas is flat…and windy…and flat. And, did I say windy??? Wowza! We’re talking wind-tunnel windy! We’re not in Kansas, Toto windy! When we set up the camper, I had to make sure Mr. FixIt had a tight hold on his side then we threw a rope over the top to anchor it down. I took it down yesterday morning between gusts and all went well.

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Traveling east on I-70 was a little different yesterday with all that wind. It buffeted me around a little and it took more concentration to drive. It was a long driving day…about six hours or so. So by the time we got to our campsite, I was a little over stimulated. And when I get over stimulated, I get snippy. It’s nothing personal, but the person who will catch the brunt of that snippiness will be the person in front of my face. And we all know who that will be…my beloved Mr. FixIt. 

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I recognize it. I hate it. But, it’s also hard to stop. So, when we arrived at the campground last night, as he started to get out of the camper to direct me back into the site, I placed my hand gently on his arm and said softly… “Please just stay here in the truck with me, will you?” Without saying a word, he shut the door. I backed into the campsite with the slightest self-correction of my angle, and placed it perfectly. Then I asked him to please go back and tell me when I was back far enough to still be able to put the rear stabilizing jacks down. He did. And…just like that…it was done. No snippy. No frustration. No feeling bad afterwards. I think we may just have stumbled on the solution to the “I’m sorry for what I said when I was backing up the camper” problem!

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Carol #2, me (camp hair…don’t care! , and Carol #1

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When I realized the other night that I had vastly overestimated our ability to drive all the way to Salina, Kansas the first day…I got out the iPad, opened the app “RV Parky” and reconfigured our itinerary. I realized this would put us in the Topeka area the second night. And, my dear friend Carol #1 lives in Topeka! I texted her as soon as I knew where we were camping and she and a friend, Carol #2, came over. Carol #1 has been following Marshmallow Ranch since before Mr. Virgo died. It was so good to see her. We ordered Chinese food and sat around until the mosquitos started to eat us alive. I hated to say goodbye, but we promised to connect again in the future!

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Lake Shawnee Campground - Topeka, KS

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I stumbled on a real treasure of a campground here. Lake Shawnee Campground is actually a city park operated by the City of Topeka. There’s a large lake and a lovely campground right on the shore with lots of big trees for shade. And, it’s only $24 for a site with electric and water! It was super easy to get to from the interstate. It was incredibly clean and quiet and our site was right across from the bathhouse.

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Eastern Kansas is so much prettier than western. About the time you get to Salina, you start to see some changes in the topography. The grasses are greener and there are some rolling hills. Then you enter the Flint Hills and there are trees! As we travel east, there will be more trees and hills in Missouri. We will camp in “The Show Me State” tonight at a place I’ve never been and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy our coffee alongside the lake shore this morning before we head out on the open road. 

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“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

\nProverbs 3:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/20/good-morning-kansas.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Road Trip","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/19/drifting-along-with-the-tumbling.html", "title": "Drifting Along With the Tumbling Tumbleweed", "content_html": "\n
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We got up fairly early yesterday morning and I made a batch of fresh buttermilk biscuits. We heated up the grits and the sausage gravy and had a breakfast fit for kings! We had our last round-table discussion with Ben & Sue for awhile and it always makes me sad when I leave my kids and this beautiful couple. They have embraced me as their own for a long, long time. And When Mr. FixIt came along, they welcomed him with open arms. Mr. FixIt and Ben are so much alike, it isn’t funny. They are a hoot and a half.

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We actually got on the road shortly after 10:00…not long after my goal. But we had to make a stop at Walmart to return something. And, I decided to get a twin sized mattress topper for Mr. FixIt. The one we had on his bed was too big and it kept sliding around. This one is perfect and he says it is quite comfortable. So, that’s a win!

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The extra stop put us back a little, but by the time we passed E-470…the outer ring of the circle around Denver…it was closing in on 11:00 and the traffic thinned out nicely. It becomes much more like normal interstate driving. When we added the extra overnight on our way to Colorado, I knew I wanted to do the same going home. That made us leave a day early, but the kids were all busy yesterday anyway so it wasn’t a big deal. 

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We stayed overnight in Colby, KS at the Whistlestop Antiques and Campground. It was SO windy when we got there, and I was really worried about setting up the camper. We were very careful, but you could still see a little daylight in the top driver’s side corner. We slung a rope over the top and tied it to the back bumper and the front hitch to give more protection should the wind pick up during the night.

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We had water service last night so we each took a sponge bath to get the dirt of the day off. We felt so refreshed afterwards. The campground is right by Walmart, so Mr. FixIt took a walk over there before supper and brought home cookies! He saw tumbling tumbleweeds on the way back. We pulled sandwich fixings out of the fridge and had a picnic sitting on the edge of our beds chatting. I don’t know why, but this little camper feels so much more like real camping. My big camper is seriously a small house. You almost feel like you’re roughing it in the little a-frame.

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So, today is more of the Kansas highway. I know it has its own beauty, and I’m looking for it. We passed fields with thousands of round bales of hay. There were interesting cuts in the earth where creeks and rivers carved up the terrain in the days of rain. I have no idea when they last saw rain here, but I’ve never seen the west this arid. It’s scary. Like, Dust Bowl scary. Please pray for any moisture they can get.

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Oh, Daughter #1 went to an Octoberfest celebration last night and texted me. She had just met the sister of a guy Mr. FixIt and I graduated from high school with. She and her husband have retired in Colorado. What a teeny, tiny world it is, yes? I’m looking forward to seeing an old friend from Sisters on the Fly tonight. She and a couple of gals are coming out to see us at the campground and bringing Chinese food for dinner! I can’t wait to see them!

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“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

\nJohn 15:13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/19/drifting-along-with-the-tumbling.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Love","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/18/hitting-the-roadagain.html", "title": "Hitting the Road…Again", "content_html": "\n
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I showed Ben & Sue the Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell Labs yesterday. Sue and I sat at the table and recorded a couple of birds. We saw a huge hawk in their yard but it was gone too fast to get a picture for identification. As we sat and talked over coffee, Sue pointed out something in the shrub outside the window. I went out to look and found a feather with a reddish-orange shaft. I did a Google Lens search and found it to be from a male Northern Flicker (red-shafted). I haven’t had time to research when that bird is here, so I’ll have to do that later.

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I’ve always loved sitting at the breakfast table with Ben & Sue. There are always vibrant discussion and we end up solving all the world’s problems over a couple of cups of coffee. I’ll miss our time with them. I’ve become very close to them over the years and they are my family, too.

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Vacations are always way too short, aren’t they? Even when you’re retired, you have to go home sometime and it’s usually right when you’ve relaxed and really started to enjoy yourself. Daughter #1 and family came over again last night and we had a barbecue and a great around table discussion. I so love this family and I’m going to miss them all. Daughter #2 and her wife work through the weekend, so we said our goodbyes on Wednesday. I’ll miss them both as well. 

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We’re getting up early this morning and I’ll bake one last batch of buttermilk biscuits and we can take some on the road as breakfast sandwiches for the next couple of days. Tonight we’ll be in Kansas! The weather has really changed since we got here in early September. The nights are really nippy. I brought my little ceramic heater that I always keep in my camper because you never know when you’re going to have a chilly night…even in the middle of summer. 

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I camped in a tent at Beaver Creek State Park one year…I can’t remember if it was spring or fall. I was so very cold the first night. So I dug around in the back of my truck and found my little ceramic heater and an extension cord and put it in my tent. It was a lifesaver! I have a feeling, by the time you read this, I’ve turned it on and been glad we had it with us. Birdie has proven to be a great little camper and we are thrilled with our purchase.

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So long, Colorado! See you next spring!!!

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“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;”

\nPsalm 37:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/18/hitting-the-roadagain.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Camping","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/09/mommying-never-ends.html", "title": "Mommying Never Ends", "content_html": "\n
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Daughter #2 and I had the best day yesterday. We got together early for coffee and actually sat inside a nearly empty Starbucks. It was so wonderful to visit with her…one-on-one. We went back to her house and worked side by side again for a few hours and got her front lawn nearly finished. She just has a small pile of sticks to bag up and trim the edge along the sidewalk. 

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She told me the sprinkler guy had come out to fix her system and set up the timer. It was supposed to come on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00pm. However, it came on at noon on Tuesday and again at noon yesterday. The control box is down in the crawl space so I got my flashlight from the truck, pulled the wooden covering from the access, and got down the two steps to peek inside.

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My former father-in-law was an extremely frugal guy. He did things in that house that still make me scratch my head. A couple years before he died, he told his only son he should take some of the money he’d been saving all these years and update the house. When they went in to start the demo, they found he had installed an in-ground sprinkler system, but had the control panel mounted on the wall in the spare bedroom. Odd place for it, to be sure…but I’m sure much easier for him to access. When they did the remodel, they moved the box to the crawl space…right on the edge of the opening so you don’t actually have to go IN there.

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When I checked the settings, it was scheduled to come on every day at noon. I sat and puzzled on that for awhile, then asked my daughter if they had a power outage sometime since the sprinkler dude was out…and they had. That had to be the answer. The system reset itself when they lost power. I reset everything then, on Monday when we visit, I’ll show her how it works and how to reset it. There should be a battery backup in case of a power failure, so I’ll research that, as well.

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It didn’t take long for us to finish the mowing. We sat in the shade on the porch with a bottle of water and congratulated each other for a job well done. I came back to Ben and Sue’s in the afternoon and took a well deserved nap. I think we all did. It’s been really hot the last few days, but the evenings and nights are blessedly cool. Mr. FixIt and I went out and brought supper home so no one had to cook…salads and chicken. After the news, I went around and took some pictures.

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I love this little oasis in the middle of one of the larger Denver suburbs. Two acres with a garden and flowers, trees, and an abundance of squirrels and birds. The bathtub came from the most recent remodel in their house. I really want this tub…not only because it’s a great size, but because it belonged to Ben and Sue and it’s from the oldest part of the house. It’s small enough to fit in the bed of the truck so we CAN take it home…however, of all things, I forgot to bring the weight distribution bars for the hitch. The former owners had them installed, but you really don’t need them with a camper the size of Birdie. With the added weight of that iron tub, we would absolutely HAVE to have the weight distribution hitch to keep the rear end from sagging. So…no cool tub for me, doggone it! I’m sure I’ll find one in West Virginia or the surrounding area.

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We found out yesterday, my brother is being moved to his new apartment on Friday. At first, I thought…how inconvenient! We are all heading there on Friday to help him celebrate his 70th birthday this weekend. Then I realized, this is such a God thing. He’s moving on the very weekend we are all going to be there to help him get settled in his new digs! What an amazing Father we have. This move has been in the works for the last year and a half…all times when we were unable to be there due to covid. Then, all of a sudden, everything came together for the move to occur when we’re there! There are NO coincidences!!!

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Little gets to come “camp” with me tonight! Fourteen and still wants to camp with Nana…I’m pretty jazzed. I can hardly wait to spend time with her again. It’s laundry day and get things ready for the trip to the mountains tomorrow. I can’t believe it’s been nearly two weeks since we started Birdie’s Grand Adventure! 

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“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

\nPsalm 90:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/09/mommying-never-ends.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/03/the-grand-prairie-and-birdies.html", "title": "The Grand Prairie and Birdie’s Grand Adventure", "content_html": "\n
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If we were just meandering around the country with absolutely no agenda, there are some places we would have stopped and explored some more. Like…oodles of antique stores and quilt shops, for one thing. And there were some interesting museums that explored the history of pioneers heading west. I would love to see that some day. But I’m ready to see my kids!

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We left Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Waterloo, Nebraska yesterday morning. The day broke cloudy and cool which made for great sleeping weather and driving was easy on the eyes. Since we were so far north of I-80, “Mavis” the GPS took us due south on US-77. What a great road! Seventy miles per hour four lane with NO traffic. Unfortunately, it was over all too soon and we were off to the dodgems of the long haul truckers heading west. We passed through several rainstorms but they weren’t nearly as heavy as the once we saw earlier in the week.

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The Grand Prairie really amazes me. Long stretches of fields filled with thousands of round bales of hay. Soybeans and corn and grains of every variety as far as the eye could see. But the one thing that takes my breath away is the blanket of yellow Prairie Sunflowers. These aren’t the big heads of cultivated sunflowers grown for seed, oil, and other byproducts. These are wild and gangly and….everywhere! They look a lot like what we call Black-Eyed Susans back home. When we arrived at our campsite last night, the whole place was surrounded by fields of these beautiful flowers that make me smile. 

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As we were driving along, I noticed a dark moving “cloud” and immediately caught my breath. 

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“Look! A murmuration of birds!”

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A murmuration is when a flock of birds fly together and as they soar around, they come together and expand, and create moving shapes in the sky. They are mesmerizing. They flew up from the fields of corn, did their sky dance, and just as rapidly…settled back down into the field again. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a really big murmuration…and this one could be seen from quite a distance.

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We decided to cut our day in half yesterday and stop at Lake McConaughy in Ogallala, Nebraska. I’ve never been here and it was such a shock to come over the hill and see this huge body of water. The next thing you notice is how low the water level has fallen. The entire west is in a mega drought. I’ve seen reservoirs drop, but this is shocking. The lake is still huge and a major source of recreation in the area. Just about every license plate in the campground was Colorado. We were really lucky we hit the place yesterday, because they are booked for the next several days for Labor Day Weekend.

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One “benefit” of the low water level is the broad, sandy beaches left exposed. People rush here to camp right down on the sand and by last evening, it was beginning to resemble Ft. Lauderdale. It was fun to watch. These huge tractors with massive tires towed the campers and 5th wheels down to the beach and backed them into their places. Then, when it’s time for the campers to leave, the tractors come back and haul them back up to the parking lots and their owners hook up and head on home. I’ve never seen anything like it.

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Everything has been working well with the camper. And, as with all mechanical things, little stuff needs tended to from time to time. As I was backing into the campsite yesterday afternoon, when Mr. FixIt noticed the brake light on the drivers side was burned out. He went to pop off the lens and found it was glued on. This happens frequently because the lens attaches to the light fixture itself with two small plastic hooks. It’s very easy to break one of those hooks when changing a burned out light bulb. And the easiest fix is with glue. We will need to do a permanent fix with new rear light fixtures. They aren’t very expensive. We can order them from Amazon if we can’t find them at a trailer supply store in Denver. No big deal.

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Everything in life requires maintenance. I’ve been enjoying the “tuneup” traveling with my sweetheart has afforded me. I think Birdie is the best camper we could have bought to keep us in close quarters. And hours in a pickup truck, toodling across the miles is an excellent way to keep the communication going. Every time Mr. FixIt and I take a trip, we always say “That was the BEST one!” 

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And yet…each one gets better!

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“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”

\nPsalm 141:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/03/the-grand-prairie-and-birdies.html", "tags": ["Camping","The Grand Adventure","Comfort","Road Trip","Marriage","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/02/this-land-is-your-land.html", "title": "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land…", "content_html": "\n
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The Sun Rose on Birdie at the Lake Storey Campground in Galesburg, IL

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We woke up yesterday morning to a cool 66 degree morning in Illinois. I don’t reveal the name of the campground where we stay until we’ve gone to the next one. The Lake Storey Campground in Galesburg, Illinois is very nice. It’s clean, quiet, and the lake is so pretty. The first time I was here, I was traveling with a friend of mine from a women’s camping outing in South Dakota. We just happened upon this place. We had dinner then noticed there was probably a nice sunset so we walked down to the lake. This sunset picture was five years ago. Too bad my sweetheart didn’t get to see this, because it was one of my most memorable sunsets ever.

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The Same Campground…Six Years Ago

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The sun came up yesterday, the sky was clear, and there was no evidence of the massive rains we received the day before. We took our time waking up. We like to plan our travel days so we arrive early enough to enjoy the next campground…to go for a walk, to make a nice supper, to sit together quietly in our camp chairs and talk. We like to drive in an unhurried fashion, stopping here and there to explore and stretch our legs. That’s why it’s going to take five days and four nights to get from West Virginia to Colorado.

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Same View Yesterday Morning

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When Hubby #2 and I brought the baby to West Virginia for the grandparents to see her for the first time, he had one week off. It wasn’t the first time we drove from Colorado to West Virginia and back in one week. That was absolutely miserable. But, when you’re working full time and you are poor as church mice, you do what you have to do. Now that we are older and retired, there’s no hurry to get from Point A to Point B. 

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I love driving across Iowa. The farms are pristine. The fields are chock full. The barns are amazing. There are silos and grain elevators everywhere. It was so obvious we were in the bread basket of America. Everywhere we went, we met the nicest people. We stopped in pretty rest areas and gazed at the amazing wind turbines that are capturing Mother Nature and putting her to work in people’s homes and farms. We hopped up to I-80 and, while the road had us feeling like we were riding a washboard most of the day, there really was a lot less traffic than there had been on I-70.

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I spent months planning this trip and I wanted ever single stop to be memorable. I can’t wait to tell you about the campground we stayed at in Nebraska last night. It was a sight to behold! We got in around 5:00, which is perfect. The campsites are spaced far apart with lovely grass lawns between them. And, for me, the very best thing is…no one had a campfire. At least not close enough to cause me any respiratory issues.

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I don’t know if it’s still because this camper is so new to us and the shine hasn’t left it, but I honestly think I am enjoying camping in this little a-frame more than any other camper I’ve had. It’s so small. As a matter of fact, I showed pictures to my friend Diane and she couldn’t believe it was big enough for two people. You may remember when I was pulling the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer, I took my non-camping friend with me for a weekend of fun with a group of gals. While that camper was much smaller than what I was used to, this one is micro in comparison. 

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First off, there’s no bathroom. So, the “Tinkle Tank” is pressed into service during the night…unless you want to walk over to the camp bathroom. Which isn’t a problem…but I like the convenience of not having to go outside. As far as showers…just about every campground I’ve ever been to has had a bath house. I am not averse to taking a sponge bath in between showers. This camper has a sink and a hot water heater. I don’t know…I think the reason I like this so much is, it’s get back to the basics of camping. Short of sleeping in a tent on the ground, it’s a “no muss, no fuss” alternative to hauling a “house” with you with a large flat screen TV and a massive stereo system. And…we get 17mpg pulling Birdie. That’s a bargain! It’s tiny, it’s cozy…and it’s a REALLY good thing we like each other, because you’re really up close and personal in a little a-frame camper.

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We are now within a day’s drive of Denver, but it’s a LONG day’s drive and I’m not sure we want to put ten or more hours in today. So, I’m looking at campgrounds between here and there. Something that will get us into Denver after only four hours or so would be perfect. Hang in there with us…adventure awaits!

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“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

\nEphesians 4:32 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/02/this-land-is-your-land.html", "tags": ["Camping","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/01/we-beat-ida-but.html", "title": "We Beat Ida, But…..", "content_html": "\n
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The Cornfields of Illinois

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There was a cold front that swept down through the Great Plains yesterday and it brought TONS of moisture with it. We woke up yesterday and took our time getting the camper packed, but as soon as we pulled out of the campground, it started sprinkling. We needed to check the air in the trailer tires. It took three stops to find an air pump that worked. I have my portable compressor with me, but we forgot to pack an extension cord. Just as Mr. FixIt was adding air to the tires, the sky opened and he was pretty wet when he got back in the truck.

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We stayed Monday night at Grandpa’s Farm Campground in Richmond, Indiana. We stayed there once before when the bearings went out on the big camper a few years ago. I stayed there on my way across country several times and love it. When we got on I-70 West, we’d only gone a few miles when there was a sign saying there would be major construction delays and to get off at the next exit. I don’t know why we didn’t, but it wasn’t long till we were sitting in a parking lot. Between the heavy rain and the construction, our 4.5 hour drive turned into about a 9.5 hour journey. 

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It wasn’t all bad, though. The middle of the day was stellar. The sky was clear and we drove through the gorgeous farms of Indiana and Illinois passing field after field of God’s bounty…corn, soybeans, sunflowers. We drove by Pekin and Peoria…both places my grandparents lived. Three of their children were born in Pekin. We finally got to our campground last night around 5:45. It had been raining so hard and I couldn’t imagine setting up this camper in that. I was afraid we’d have to sit in the truck till the storm let up, but we prayed that God would give us a window…and that the camper would be dry inside. He delivered on both counts and we were snug and dry inside before it started to pour again.

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The View From Our Campsite Last Night….Cool and Wet!

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We thank God profusely for travel mercies and the blessings he bestows on us. And we thank you for your good thoughts and prayers for our safety. It takes a village!

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“Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

\nJames 5:18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/01/we-beat-ida-but.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Gratitude","God","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/31/outrunning-the-rains-of-ida.html", "title": "Outrunning the Rains of Ida", "content_html": "\n
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We seem to have left West Virginia at a most opportune moment. As we drove across the flat farmlands of Ohio yesterday, we put more and more miles between us and the heavy rains that are the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The forecast over the weekend said our home could see 1-4” of rain by Thursday. Our day, however, was lovely. The skies were overcast so there wasn’t any blinding glare on the windshield. It was a decent 80 degrees, but still didn’t feel terribly hot out there.

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I am so glad we packed the camper and truck on Sunday night. It rained in the night, so the camper was buttoned up tight. That only left a few things to bring out yesterday morning. That also meant we didn’t have to get up at the crack of dawn. There was no rushing or last minute worries. We took Pumpkin to the Kitty Hilton and hit the road officially at about 11:00. We got to our campsite at 4:30. We stopped a couple of places along the way. A nice rest area. An RV dealer. (We saw the campers like ours that have the dormers on the ends so we wanted to check them out. For $18,000…I’ll make do with what we have, thank you!) We stopped for something to eat. It was a very easy day.

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When we got to the campsite, we each did the next thing that needed doing. Once we were set up, we turned the AC on and stretched out for a little rest. Evenings will be harder on Mr. FixIt than they will be for me. I don’t watch TV but he sits down with it every night. No TV in this camper, so he’s entertaining himself in other ways…puttering and wandering about chatting with other campers. He loves that sort of thing. He did bring me a Drumstick Ice Cream…so he made big points on that one!

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Rain is predicted overnight. Not the rain from Ida…just the typical rains of an August in the MidWest. Undoubtedly, we will have to close up the camper in the rain this morning. I asked an A-Frame Camper group on Facebook if it was normal to get a little water inside when you open and close the camper and they assured me it was. Any water inside a camper freaks me out, but this isn’t enough to cause damage. The most common comment was, “Hey…we figure it’s still better than camping in a flooded tent!” And that, I suppose, is quite true.

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Tonight we will end up in Illinois for the night. I’m trying to stay in State Parks as much as possible this trip. I’ll let you know how it goes! Have a good day today!

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?

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“Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.””

\nActs 14:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-31T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/31/outrunning-the-rains-of-ida.html", "tags": ["Camping","The Grand Adventure","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/28/putting-birdie-through-her-paces.html", "title": "Putting Birdie Through Her Paces", "content_html": "\n
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Panicle Hydrangea at The Farm

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We are going through our little a-frame camper with a fine toothed comb. We cleaned out the water system yesterday and discovered the hot water heater desperately needed a new anode. We rinsed out the fresh water tank and refilled it…adding a capful of bleach to sanitize it. While it sat for a while, we drove into town to one of the local camper supply places. They had exactly what we needed. After a quick stop at Walmart, we headed back home.

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I opened the drain to the fresh water tank and we got things ready to install the new diode. There was quite a bit of calcification in the threads where the anode screws in, so I cleaned it out as best I could with a wire brush. Mr. FixIt found a socket that fit the end of the anode rod, so I got it screwed in nice and tight. When we tested it with water, there were no leaks! We filled the hot water heater with water and turned it on with propane. It worked exactly like it was supposed to. We waited about ten minutes and turned on the hot water faucet in the sink and….bingo! Perfect!

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We turned off the hot water heater and started putting everything back together. The mechanicals are underneath one of the dinette benches. The dinette is broken down into a twin-sized bed so we had to take the mattress out to getting into it. Once everything was put back together, we cleaned up our tools and put them away. Now, the only thing left to test is the refrigerator on propane and the furnace. One wouldn’t think we’d be needing the furnace anytime soon with the heat wave we’ve been having. However, one thing I learned living in Colorado for forty years….winter can come early and with a vengeance. I clearly remember eight inches of snow on September 16th one year. I want to be prepared.

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I need to strip the big bed and wash all the sheets and blankets today. I’ll bring in the black “camping trunk” we use for all our cooking and cleaning needs and go through it. I like it to be organized and I learn from each trip out what we can absolutely do without, thus streamlining our packing. This will be a first camping with the two of us in such a small space. If we don’t kill each other by Kansas, I’ll count that as a win! 

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Once we had all our tools and trash picked up and put away, we were so hot and tired. The only answer was to hop in the pool. We’ve used the pool a lot more this year than usual…probably because it’s been hotter than normal. And SO sticky humid. It is a treat, and well worth all the work involved, to have that respite at the end of the day.

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We also need to mow today. With my hip still bothering me, we’ve decided to get the mowing done today instead of waiting till Sunday afternoon. Mr. FixIt bowls on Sunday night and doesn’t want to take any chances he’ll be sore. And I want to have as little to do as possible on Sunday so I can really rest and ice this hip all day. We’ll be packed up and ready to head out early Monday. This is the part that is hard for me. I’ve been known to leave for a trip one or two days early because I’m ready to GO! When I travel solo, I don’t have reservations ahead of time, but with the influx of new campers since covid hit, campsites along the busy interstate corridors are booked up in advance. That means, traveling on a schedule. Not my favorite, but then again…sleeping in a Walmart parking lot in the middle of Kansas without electricity during a massive heatwave is even less desirable. We do what we have to do for comfort and safety.

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T-minute 2 days and counting!!!

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?

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“For nothing will be impossible with God.””

\nLuke 1:37 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/28/putting-birdie-through-her-paces.html", "tags": ["Camping","The Farm","Love","Be Joyful!","Marriage","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/24/its-getting-dark-in-here.html", "title": "It’s Getting Dark in Here", "content_html": "\n
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We’re Getting Little Hints of Gold!

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Summer cruises right along and it begins to feel like it did when we were kids…like it might just last forever. Then, there’s that one evening when you look outside in shock. It’s starting to get dark earlier and it’s become noticeable. At 7:30 last night, I looked over at Mr. FixIt and said, “OMGosh! It’s getting dark already! When did that happen?!”

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I’m not ready for winter, by any stretch of the imagination. But I am open to the idea of cooler, crisper days, good sleeping weather, the splashes of color over these West Virginia hills…and no more mowing for a few months. We’ll miss a goodly portion of our beautiful fall here. It will be replaced with the quaking aspen and bluebird skies of Colorado. I’m praying we don’t get snow while we’re there because we’re taking the little camper. I have seen eight inches of snow in Denver on September 16th before, so it’s not unheard of.

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I don’t want to shovel snow yet, but I do love when I can get my sweaters and leggings out and start baking again. It’s just too hot to bake in the summer time. It makes no sense to power up the AC and the oven at the same time. I look forward to really good apples and picking out pumpkins and mums. I love when the garden and flower beds are cleaned, raked, and mulched. I look forward to cleaning the tools of summer and putting them away till spring. I like not having to worry about the chemical levels in the pool. 

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My very favorite time to camp in West Virginia is the first three weeks of October. The leaves are gorgeous and the skies are almost always clear save for some puffy white clouds here and there. I didn’t can anything this year. I still have so much left over from last season. I figured I would and it’ll still be good for another year or so. That’s the beauty of home canned produce…it lasts and doesn’t ruin like frozen veggies.

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While I had lots of work to do yesterday, Mr. FixIt and I were both pretty tired from all the outside work over the last few days. He did have to run an errand in town, but I stayed home. And we both stretched out in these wonderful recliners we bought last year. I never really like the looks of a recliner, but the comfort can’t be beat if you buy a good quality chair. I doubt we’ll get much more recliner time this week as we start packing up. 

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It’s almost time for another adventure!

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“I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!”

\nPsalm 119:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/24/its-getting-dark-in-here.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","West Virginia","Change","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/21/birdie-and-blue-skies.html", "title": "Birdie and Blue Skies", "content_html": "\n
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Remember I told you we’d had an inordinate amount of rain in the last week? Well, my friend Diane sent this to me today and this verifies it. We had at least 6.5” of rain at our house in the last seven days. They don’t see that in seven MONTHS out in Colorado and other parts west! It’s crazy. Where the grass had been laying dormant…crispy as dried hay…it’s suddenly turned green again and I swear you can HEAR it growing! We’ll be mowing again this week.

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After driving down to Huntington Wednesday and back home Thursday, I turned right around and went back down yesterday to pick Birdie up from the RV Hospital. They sealed the skylight, let it dry, and sealed it again. Tim says if it leaks this time, there’s a hole somewhere else! Let’s hope he got it and we don’t have to worry about that again! I decided to stay over and camp at a local campground last night. It’s very near the interstate and man, was the traffic noise loud. But, if I left the fan on, the white noise drowned it out.

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The campground was packed, and it was one of those places where the sites are pretty close to each other. I have to say, though…as I was writing this, folks were being pretty polite and staying within their campsites. Even the children have put their bikes and toys away and are settling in for the evening. That’s pretty impressive. My campsite is near a small lake with a fountain. I walked around a bit and said hello to people. Everyone was friendly…West Virginia is a friendly state.

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The afternoon was really hot, so I returned something to Menard’s that I didn’t need. I’m trying to work out storage in the little camper. When I had my first little camper, I thought it was terribly small. And it had overhead cabinets as well as a pantry and closet and drawers. This little a-frame has one drawer under the microwave and one small cabinet under the sink. It has storage under one of the bench seats of the dinette (which is converted down into a twin sized bed for Mr. FixIt). There is also a moderate amount of storage under the big bed. 

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Because the top collapses down for travel, you cannot store anything on the beds. I bought some milk crates…two pink and two blue…two for Mr. FixIt and two for me. One of each color slides easily into the door to the storage under the dinette bench. The other two will slide under the twin bed. I also have two long, flat tubs that will fit in the storage space under the big bed to use for cooking utensils and linens. We will each have a small carry on that will stay in the truck.

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I bought one of those plastic units that has three drawers in it. It fits perfectly on the counter over the microwave. That will hold our food and snacks. It will either go under the twin bed for travel, or back in the truck. As I plan the storage, I want to keep in mind we’ll be stopping for overnight stays on our way out to and back from Colorado. We aren’t going to want to do a lot of “decorating” or moving things around. I want to make this as simple and seamless as possible. 

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I was going to run a hose over the camper yesterday to see if the leak is gone, but it was so hot, I was afraid to spray cold water on it for fear of damaging the seal. I’ll do that this morning before I leave. If there’s any leak, it has to go back over to the little camper clinic. I have every faith in them, though and I’m sure they fixed it just right!

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As I was tucked in writing this, the katydids were going crazy in the campground. There were a lot of trees around so it was nice to hear more from Mother Nature once the traffic sounds subsided. I hope you are enjoying a beautiful weekend and doing something fun. Before we know it, the snow will fly and have us hibernating back inside again.

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“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

\nGenesis 1:31 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/21/birdie-and-blue-skies.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Peaceful Moments","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/18/grounding-myself.html", "title": "Grounding Myself", "content_html": "\n
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Honestly, I live a charmed life. A wonderful husband and friend and partner in crime. A healthy and happy family. A peaceful five acre plot of land with a big red brick house on it. A couple of trucks. More than a couple of campers. (Yeah…it’s an addiction!) I have reasonably good health, considering. And it’ll be even better when I get this parathyroid thing worked out. The bottom line is, I really don’t have anything to complain about. 

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I wrote yesterday about the leak in the camper and the tires that arrived the wrong size. Frustrating, but minor inconveniences. Someone commented how exhausting these trials can be, no matter how minor. Mr. FixIt had appointments all day yesterday so he left without waking me. It was almost noon when I woke up! I must have really needed the rest…but I was shocked.

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We are in the midst of a very rainy stretch. I need to have the camper at Setzer’s this morning, so I figured I’d tow it down there yesterday afternoon and stay the night in a campground near the dealership. I ran downstairs to get some clean clothes and stepped on the carpet…and my plans for the day changed in an instant. We got water in the basement again. I was so frustrated. We’ve worked on that drain and it’s down so well. I just couldn’t figure out what happened. I grabbed the carpet cleaner and started sucking up the water. In a little while, another downpour hit and I figured it out. The gutter was plugged up and when the water can’t go down the drainpipe, it overflows and quickly overwhelms the storm drain.

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I spent my afternoon sucking up water and cursing this house. When I was finally finished with the carpet, I came upstairs, got a cold drink, and sat down for a break. I could feel the tension in my shoulders and neck. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I needed something to calm me down. To center me. A thought popped in my head.

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“You need grounding.”

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Oh, I did…I really did. I walked outside barefoot into a light sprinkling rain. I walked over to the lawn and soaked up the earth’s energy through the soles of my feet. I lifted my face to the sky and let the cool rain drops melt away any frustration of the day. It’s not a big deal. We got a little lax in our weekly maintenance is all. It’s easy to let things build up until small things feel big. With my newfound calm, I went on with my day and was my happy self when my sweetheart came home. 

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I’ve learned to take my stress off like a jacket and leave it at the door when evening comes. It’s an extension of what I used to do when I worked. Just because we are retired, doesn’t mean we don’t need to practice leaving things on the “worry tree” outside. On the contrary…it’s even more important because we are together 24/7 now. Working to keep things positive and productive and healthy is a goal we all should work toward in our home relationships. Keeping God at the center, reminding myself that He has plans to prosper us and give us a future, and taking time out to ground myself with my feet on the ground made for a beautiful day…leaks or no leaks.

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“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

\nPsalm 1:3 ESV\n
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I was awakened by the gentle tapping of rain just before dawn yesterday morning. The temperature was in the mid sixties and I slept well. I reached up to slide the window closed above my head so the coming rain wouldn’t get in the camper. You have to be really careful with campers. Even a small leak can lead to damages that will eventually kill a trailer. 

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The previous owner had the large skylight over the bed replaced in July when she noticed a small leak. We’ve had a few really hard rains since we bought the camper and we were thrilled everything worked perfectly after we switched out the faulty GFI outlet. Living with a trailer is like getting married…you never know exactly what you have till you’ve slept with it a while. 

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I’ve been staying out in “The Birdhouse” as much as I can since we bought it so I can learn the ins and outs and any little quirks she may have. When yesterday’s pitter-patter of rain drops turned into a constant drumming on the roof, I figured I’d better be getting a move on. I had an appointment at noon to get the new tires put on.

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West Virginia storms are often a constant torrent of rain all day…sometimes for days at a time. When there was a little slack in the storm, I quickly started closing up the camper so I could hook it up to my truck. I took the blankets off the bed to fold them and put them away. When I pulled the last blanket off…there was a wet spot on the sheets about fourteen inches across in the corner under the newly installed skylight. What the heck? I ran my finger along the bottom edge and sure enough, water was coming in!

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I quickly got the camper secured and hooked up to my truck and headed to town. I was way too early, so I sat in the truck for a little bit to catch up on some correspondence. I finally went in…still too early for my appointment, but I knew they would have to find the tires I had ordered from the internet and had delivered there.

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The young man who checked me into the automotive department was pleasant and efficient and knew exactly where my tires were. I walked in with him because I wanted to see the date they were manufactured. You have to be careful because you can get “new” tires that are already two or three years old. I don’t want old tires. These were manufactured this year.

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As I stood there looking at them, something seemed off with these tires. I ordered three ST185/80R13 LRD 8Ply Carlisle Radial Trail HD Trailer Tires…to be exact. Why three when the camper only has two wheels? Because, I wanted the spare tire to match. Remember…those tires were manufactured in 2014. NOT dependable when you’re going to drive cross-country.

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I asked the young man what was wrong with these tires because one seemed larger than the other two. The two were strapped together and he said he thought that was what made them look smaller. I wasn’t convinced. 

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“Ummmm…you wouldn’t mind checking those numbers for me, would you?”

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He did. And checked them again. Just as I suspected, the single tire was the 185 size, and the other two were 175’s. Come on…you’ve got to be kidding me, here. So, they refunded me for the wrong tires and reordered the new tires. Hopefully they’ll be in by the end of the week or so and we can get them put on. We still have some wiggle room with time on our side.

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I contacted my friend Lynn who owns Setzer’s World of Camping down in Huntington and we’ll take the camper down on Wednesday to see what’s going on with that skylight. Hopefully it’s a really quick and easy fix. By early afternoon, the rain was gone and the sun was shining again. This is just a minor stumbling block. Compared to everything else that’s going on in the world today, this is nothing to worry about. 

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?

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“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

\nProverbs 19:21 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/17/the-hits-just-keep-on.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/10/birdie-needs-new-shoes.html", "title": "“Birdie” Needs New Shoes", "content_html": "\n
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Camper for Illustration Only…This is an awning idea!

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Our new-to-us camper is an absolute delight! I’ve spent several nights “yard camping” and getting a good feel of how to make everything work when we head out to Colorado in a few weeks. I’ve learned SO much about campers since that day, as a new widow, I went to an RV dealer in Denver and bought my first little trailer. I knew NOTHING about campers then. I didn’t know you have to check the air in your tires literally every time you pull out towing your little house on wheels. I didn’t know to keep tabs on the axle temperature and grease the bearings from time to time.

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I really had only a rudimentary understanding of what Gross Vehicle Weight Rating meant, or how to empty a black tank, or how packing your camper can affect the sway. Heck I didn’t know what camper sway meant or how to stop it when it happens. I didn’t have an understanding of the wind dynamics and how a passing tractor trailer can suck you into it.

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The Girl Camper Podcasts taught me so much about all aspects of trailer camping. I can back up on a dime and have a nickel left over. I can hookup and unhook a 30’ camper and tow it with confidence cross country in the biggest cities during 5:00 traffic. I know how far I can go, how much gas I’ll need to get there, and how to find a place to sleep for the night. I’m pretty adept at this point. One thing I learned early on was when to purchase new tires for your camper. There is a four digit number at the end of the info line printed on the side of your tires. The first two digits of that number indicate what week your tires were made and the last two digits indicate the year. In my case, the tires that are on the little 2015 a-frame we bought is 1714, meaning…they were manufactured the 17th week of 2014. Trailer tires should be replaced at the very least every five years, even when they visually look just fine. Dry rot can render a tire unstable and…trust me…you do NOT want to be traveling down the highway and have a blowout. Especially in a single axle camper. 

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I’m pretty particular about my tires, having experienced a blowout in the mountains of WV on a snowy spring day in 2016. I don’t go for the cheapest thing I can buy. That is probably more important on my big camper than this little one, but still…I want quality between me and the road. I spent a good deal of time researching tires yesterday. I asked questions in some of the camping groups I belong to. And Mr. FixIt has lots of experience with campers and tires. I haven’t made my mind up yet what I want to get, but I’m getting there.

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The next issue is going to be storage. There isn’t a whole lot of room in this little a-frame. Due to the way it folds up, there are no upper cabinets. There is one cabinet under the sink, but if you know anything about campers, there are a lot of pipes and drains and the water pump under there. There is a drawer under the microwave, but I use it for things I need to get to right away like a flashlight, the manuals for all the inner workings of the camper, a couple of screwdrivers, and a container of wipes. The previous owner gave me a wire shelf that fits right on top of the counter above the microwave that can be removed when you set up and take down the camper. She used small baskets on the shelves to store some food and other cooking items. Janine Petit uses clear plastic bins to keep organized. I like that idea because you can see what’s inside without taking it down and going through it. They come in a variety of sizes so I’m going to measure the shelf and see what will work best for us. There is storage under the bed and under one of the benches of the dinette. I can use that for extra blankets, and the plastic bins while we drive.

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I’m also looking for ideas for an awning for over the door of the a-frame. I think I may have found the ideal solution because it doesn’t involve adding Velcro tape to the camper itself. And, it’s cute as a bug. It’s really nice to have something over your head as you enter and leave the camper. I usually stand at the camper door and watch the birds in the mornings when I have my coffee and brush my teeth. This little half umbrella would work great!

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Planning for an upcoming trip is one of the best parts. I remember as a young girl, when I got my first bike, I used to pretend I was riding my bike to Canada and I would lay in bed at night and plan my menus and how I would pack my food and clothes. Camping with “Birdie” is going to draw on those long ago daydreams in such a fun way! I have an app on my phone called RVParky. You can plan trips, find campgrounds and attractions, investigate campgrounds and make reservations. It gives you an estimate of your gas costs based on your vehicle, specific camper, and weight. It will even route you away from low clearance bridges and underpasses…not something important with this little camper as it is collapsed down for travel. I love being able to look in the rear view mirror and actually see the traffic behind us.

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I was thrilled when we looked at this week’s calendar and saw only one appointment listed. I told Mr. FixIt we should go camping. He reminded me that may not be quite so much fun with the temps predicted in the 90’s all week. Unless we went up in the mountains to get away from the heat, we might as well stay here. Then again….hmmmmmm.

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*wheels turning*

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?

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“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

\nProverbs 16:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/10/birdie-needs-new-shoes.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/02/church-among-the-birds.html", "title": "Church Among the Birds", "content_html": "\n
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We haven’t been back to church since late February 2020. Mostly due to covid and our church’s “lack of enthusiasm” toward mask wearing. But also due to sermons smacking of Christian Nationalism and a lack of financial transparency and accountability. We felt kind of burned out and disillusioned so we took a break. It didn’t keep me from studying the Bible and reading my daily devotionals and praying. But I’ll tell you what it did do. It slowly became apparent I wasn’t keeping my life centered on God. I was spending entirely too much energy on being critical and judgmental of everyone and everything. This isn’t good.

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When we were sitting around the campfire with Gail and her husband on Saturday night, she invited us over to her campsite to listen to Sunday morning Church with them. We brought our breakfast and hot beverages with us at 9:25 and settled in our big comfy chairs to listen to the first in a new series about…relationships. You see what God did there? He sent His Holy Spirit to make me aware we weren’t keeping a solid foundation under us and to nudge Gail into inviting us to “campground church”. And, He inspired the Pastor to speak into our hearts and feed us with God’s Word regarding the one thing we were stumbling over…relationships. With each other, with God, with the Church.

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The sermon was wonderful and fed us. It spurred us to have deeper conversations. It made me see how easy it is to lose sight of the direction we should be going. I love how God does that. He brings us just what we need, when we need it. He is the ultimate provider. It felt so good to sit in the cool morning sunshine, sipping coffee with dear friends, and feel God moving in our lives. 

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We packed up, hooked up the new camper, and headed home around 11:00. We arrived around 4:00. This camper is so easy to pull, you often forget it’s even back there. We didn’t have a bit of trouble. We stopped at Leith Run to check out the campground there and see which campsites we liked the best for future reference. They have several sites right on the river. We’ve stayed there before and we are anxious to go back. 

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After a quick nap, and a little wait for a passing rain shower to end, we got the camper unhooked and set up again at home. There she sits…waiting for the next adventure. As I was towing her home, her name came to me.

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“The Birdhouse”…Birdie for short.

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For one, she is shaped just like a birdhouse. And for another, she houses a pair of lovebirds beneath her peaked roof. I’ll decorate her with my favorite birds! I know guys aren’t as into that kind of thing as us gals, but Mr. FixIt is such a good sport.

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?

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“Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.”

\nPsalm 104:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/02/church-among-the-birds.html", "tags": ["Faith","Camping","Gratitude","Grace","God","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/01/the-perfect-day-period.html", "title": "The. Perfect. Day. Period.", "content_html": "\n
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There are days that you wish you could bottle up and keep forever. Yesterday was one of those days. First, we slept great in the new camper. I will say…we ended up sleeping in separate beds because either I would have climbed over Mr. FixIt at least twice during the night to go to the bathroom, or he would have been crammed into the short angle of the A-Frame. Something we honestly didn’t quite think through before we bought this cute camper. However, I was afraid that my sweetheart might not feel comfortable, and wanting him to have the best experience possible, I threw the twin mattress from the big camper onto the lowered dinette in the A-Frame. When given the sleeping choices, he elected to sleep on the twin…but I fixed it with our heads at opposite ends of the beds so we should see each other and talk. Consequently, we both slept very well.

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The night time temperature got down to 53 and that makes for some great sleeping weather. We both had enough blankets to stay warm and ended up sleeping in till about 9:00 when the camp kids started running around. We had a light breakfast, then helped Gail and Mike (the park Naturalist) run the Saturday morning activities. First, there was Skulls and Bones…a game where the kids have to identify which skulls, bones, and pelts belong to which animal. There were lots of questions and the kids loved it. Then, at 11:00, we helped the kids make walking sticks. There must have been at least a dozen kids and their parents in attendance and they all had a blast. 

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After the activities, we had sandwiches for lunch and sat with Gail all afternoon and talked. Gail spun wool and I knitted and Mr. FixIt visited. Late in the afternoon, Gail’s husband came back and the guys continued working on the electrical in the A-Frame. They finally replaced the GFI outlet, got all the wires connected in the right way, and now everything works great! Yay! But that time, we were hungry. We grilled hotdogs over the open fire again and mine met their demise when they fell off the stick and into the ashes. Not to worry…Gail forfeited her hotdogs and selected something from her own fridge to eat. 

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Mr. FixIt made a quick trip to town earlier in the afternoon for ice and found an ice cream stand, so…after supper, we went on an ice cream run. Oh, my….Bruster’s Real Ice Cream! The long wait in line was well worth it! Mr. FixIt chose Graham Central Station, I had Blackberry, and we brought Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel back for Gail. SO good!

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We met some cool people in the campground. Barb and Erin from Grand Rapids had a panel truck they had converted into a cozy, tiny home. It had a small kitchen, a bathroom, a dinette with an elevator bed that down onto it at night. The truck is big enough to haul their kayaks inside and it was pretty cool. They both have mechanical experience and have done the work with a little help from their dads.

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At sunset, we took a walk to check out some of the other campers and saw a sign on a cool little camper… “Enroute with Chuck and Cherie”. Intrigued, we stopped to visit. Cherie had camped growing up, but camping was pretty new to Chuck. They started out in tents, then realized they’d really like to have a trailer. So, the search began. In the midst of Covid, they began to search in earnest because campers were in short supply. They saw this little beauty and though it just might be the best of both worlds. You really only sleep in the camper, so why have more than you need? They live outside at the campground so this sporty model works great. You can follow their adventures here on Facebook and YouTube.

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At dark, the Saturday evening movie came on…Cinderella…which I am listening to as I write this. It makes me smile as both of my girls watched it and it brings back memories. I’m listening to katydids and crickets and kids giggling, and the familiar Disney music in the background and sighed. What an absolutely perfect day. But, before I head to bed, I’m going back out to sit around the campfire and see if we can call in the owls! 

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?

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“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

\nProverbs 17:22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/01/the-perfect-day-period.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/31/ahhhhhhrelaxation.html", "title": "Ahhhhhh….Relaxation!", "content_html": "\n
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We got a good scare this morning just as we were ready to pull out of the driveway with the new camper. The highway guys had the big tractor with the mowing arm on it, cutting brush, grass, bushes, and small trees across the road from us. As I watch him coming up the road, closer and closer, I wondered if I might be able to scoot out of the driveway and be gone before he got to our drive. Right about then, I heard him hit something and a three inch diameter tree trunk came whirling like a baton straight at us! Fortunately, he was far enough away the tree hit the front of our truck with a whack.

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We looked at each other in stunned silence then both said, “What the heck???” We got out of the truck and while Mr. FixIt picked up the tree trunk and inspected the truck, I flagged down the worker and made a slashing motion across my throat to get him to cut off the mower. He drove up and I yelled, “You threw a tree clear over here and hit our truck! Do you think you could wait a few minutes till we pull out of here before you mow down this way?” He was very apologetic and asked if it did any harm. I told him not that we could see, but to please be a little more observant of his surroundings. That thing is dangerous. Imagine if it was a rock. Or if one of the babies had been out there.

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Anyway, once the adrenaline came back down, we were on the road. After a quick stop to deliver some zucchini to my bonus daughter, and pick up a loaf of zucchini bread and some cucumbers, we left for the campground. It was 11:00am when we left and about 4:30 or so when we got here. Gail was waiting for us with open arms. We got the camper set up and then went over to visit. We roasted hotdogs over the open fire. Then we had toasted marshmallows for dessert. It was so much fun to visit and relax around the campfire. 

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Once we were getting settled for the night, I realized I forgot my nightgown at home. I know, I know…but it was supposed to get down to 53 degrees last night. And, if I have to walk to the outhouse in the middle of the night, I had to be decent, right? Fortunately, the campground is only about ten minutes from Walmart so we buzzed over there and found my very favorite nightgowns. This is the third one I’ve bought so far this year. They are cotton, sleeveless, long enough to cover but not so long that it binds around your legs at night. I think I need to go back and buy a few more. When I find something I really like…be it shoes or pants or whatever…I buy several in different colors or patterns. I just recently ordered three more pairs of shorts (you can find them here…https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DH8X95L/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_dl_0T3YV0BH3P44S3CX67KY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ) that I absolutely live in every day. If it works and it’s good quality and it doesn’t cost and arm and a leg, I’m all over it. 

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So, the first day is done. We can sleep well in the woods. It’s cool and quiet and peaceful. The night sounds are soothing and life is good. We are feeling blessed today.

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How can July be over already???

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?

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“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.”

\nPsalm 3:5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-31T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/31/ahhhhhhrelaxation.html", "tags": ["Camping","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/30/yesi-went-to-townagain.html", "title": "Yes…I Went to Town…AGAIN!", "content_html": "\n
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You know how it is when you’re getting ready for a trip. There’s always something you have to do before you can leave. And, this time it was kind of important. Remember my three hour trip to the DMV this week? Well, I went out yesterday morning to put the new license on the little camper. I pulled out the plate and…the sticker said 2020. I looked in the envelope and there was no sticker for 2023. So, guess who had to go BACK to the DMV?

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*insert eye roll and heavy sigh here*

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I got the new sticker. They were kind enough to not make me sit through the whole “take a number and wait” thing. It only took a half hour or so. I had a few other errands to run and headed home to do laundry and start packing up a few things. I put the new memory foam topper on the bed and dressed it with fresh sheets. I pulled a quilt from the house to fold at the foot of the bed. The fridge is still ice cold. My friend Gail’s husband is handy with electrical issues and campers so he’s going to see if we can figure out why the fridge only works when we have it plugged into an extension cord. I bought a new GFI outlet yesterday so we’ll try that first.

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Even the very best cared for camper needs a little tuneup after a while. We are so grateful the previous owners loved this little trailer and took such good care of her. We’ll do our best to show her all the love. Still thinking about a name. I don’t know if you have ever seen how one of these things fold up, but it’s seriously like origami so I’m looking for some kind of name that reflects that. 

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We’re off for a road trip and some time away from mowing and home responsibilities. The kitty is cared for. And I get my man alone in the woods! Life is good!

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?

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“also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

\nEcclesiastes 3:13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/30/yesi-went-to-townagain.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/29/another-trip-to-town-why.html", "title": "Another Trip to Town? Why, Yes Indeed!", "content_html": "\n
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I know I should never declare a day as “strictly stay at home” because nine times out of ten, it’s not going to work out that way. Such was the case yesterday. We were working on the camper. We bought an electric jack that will raise and lower it to hitch it to the truck. It had a crank hitch on it, and even with grease, it was slow going. And, when it’s really hot outside, the last thing you want to do is stand out in the sun cranking that thing.

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Mr. FixIt was putting the jack on when he realized they didn’t give him bolts with it. He could have used the old ones, but they were getting rusty and he felt it was better to buy new. He also needed an inline fuse. In the meantime, I put the new tire cover on the spare tire and realized there was a three inch gap in one of the seams.

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Since we needed three things from the RV dealer, and the pharmacy texted that my prescriptions were ready, off we went! It was a much quicker trip this time. We did have to add a stop at Lowe’s for some star washers, but it was only two hours out of the day instead of seven like Tuesday.

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Just before we left home, I turned on the fridge in the camper to start getting it cold. When we got home, I went inside to check and it wasn’t cooling at all. I fiddled around with the fuses and the circuit breakers and couldn’t find anything there. I went and got a small lamp from the big camper and blogged it into the outlet the fridge was plugged into. No juice. I traced back into the camper and figured out the breaker was tripped on the GFI outlet. Mr. FixIt stood outside and watched the lamp while I reset the GFI and the light came on. Ok, so we know the outlet itself works. I had him unplug the lamp, plug the fridge back in and turn it on and it tripped the GFI again. So…was it the GFI or the fridge that’s the problem?

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I asked Mr. FixIt to plug the fridge into an extension cord we have plugged into the building. At that point, I left it alone for awhile to see if it would start to chill. While I waited, I vacuumed the pool again. I stirred up the algae the other day and we’re having trouble getting the water to clear again. This happens sometimes when it’s really hot outside. It felt good to get in the water and cool off a little bit. Once I was done, I fixed us some fresh sliced peaches with a little cinnamon sugar on top and enjoyed a cool summer treat. We haven’t been eating enough fresh fruit lately and that really hit the spot.

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When I came back out to the camper to write, I checked the fridge and it’s cold! Wahoo! That means the fridge itself works, but it is either something wrong with the switch or it’s somehow wired into the GFI and not a separate circuit, or there is something wrong with the GFI. Changing out a faulty GFI is a quick and easy fix and it doesn’t cost a lot. We’ll try plugging the extension cord into another GFI outlet this morning to see if the fridge trips it. But, honestly, it’s just as easy to use an extension cord and plug it in. There are 120v outlets on the power posts at campgrounds. We can always use propane to keep the fridge cold as we travel. Or, we could go really OLD SCHOOL and use a cooler with ice! 

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The potty tent arrived yesterday, along with the memory foam topper for the mattress. I’m going to have Mr. FixIt stay in the camper with me tonight so we can make sure the bed is comfortable or if we need to make any other adjustments, we can do that before we head to the campground Friday. We haven’t gone camping together for two years now and we can hardly wait!!!!!

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?

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“Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”

\nPhilippians 2:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/29/another-trip-to-town-why.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/28/packing-light.html", "title": "Packing Light", "content_html": "\n
\"Bush
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Bush Lily preparing to bloom; Elephant Ears behind

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I swore I wasn’t going to go to town yesterday. SWORE! But, Mr. FixIt reminded me I needed to have blood drawn so I gave in and went with him. We left about 11:00 and didn’t get home till 7:00 last night! There is no such thing as a quick trip to town. *sigh* The bad part was, as I sat in the lobby waiting to be called into the lab, I got to thinking. “Why on earth would that doctor want my blood drawn so soon? I just had it done last week!”

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I rummaged around in my purse and found the lab order. I read the whole thing then found, in small print at the top…Day of Service: 10/02/2021. For crying out loud…it was the order to have done the week before my followup visit. Oy! I took my name off the list and headed to the mall to walk with Mr. FixIt. We did our lap and stopped in the sporting goods store to see if there was anything interesting. There wasn’t. 

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We went to a local RV service and supply store and bought an electric hitch jack for the new camper. The one on it is a hand crank model and it takes forever to move up and down. Mr. FixIt will install it today and it will make setting up a breeze.

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Our next stop was the DMV to get the title of the new camper put in our names and get the plate. AND…pay the sales tax. Ouch. You know it’s coming, but you’ve had a couple of days to have fun with the camper and forget about the money you’re going to have to spend to make it legal. Ah, well…you can’t take it with you. Unfortunately, it was a three hour wait. Mr. FixIt elected not to come in with me. Lucky man. There was one person wearing a mask. Well, two…I was wearing one. There’s a variant out there people. Please be safe.

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I texted my sweetheart and proposed we use our gift certificate to Texas Roadhouse and get steak for supper. I mean…that’s the perfect reward for sitting in the DMV all afternoon, right? We picked up our meals and drove to the City Park and had a lovely date in the shade. A quick stop at Walmart, and we headed home.

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We are going camping this weekend so I need to stock the camper, get out our two trunks we use to store our camping supplies, and get things ready. This small camper is forcing us to be minimalists…something neither one of us are particularly good at. Well…one of us more than the other. lol It will be interesting to see how we do with the little lady.

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In the meantime…I am NOT going to town today!!!

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?

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““Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage. “Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.”

\nLuke 10:4 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/28/packing-light.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/24/easy-as-pie.html", "title": "Easy as Pie!", "content_html": "\n
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Look what followed us home!

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I’ve been vacillating for weeks regarding my big camper. Honestly…the only time I camp in it is at home. My truck isn’t powerful enough to pull it up hills, let alone mountains. Mr. FixIt and I love to camp together. But he doesn’t quite see the point in sleeping in the camper at home like I do. So…if I want to get him to camp with me, it’s going to have to be in a camper more suitable A) to the size of my truck, and B) to suit us at our age. 

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I still want the basics: a bed out of the rain, a sink and running water, a microwave, a cooktop, air conditioning and a furnace for chilly nights. I like the idea of solid walls. I don’t want the canvas tent feel of a regular popup but, I DO love the low profile and lightweight, easy towing they provide. I’ve been around campers for several years now and I’ve been to the biggest RV show there is. I’ve learned from the best of the best, Janine Pettit and Gail Bable…my Girl Campers Extraordinaire and partners in all things camping.

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A couple of years ago, Gail and I met Janine at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, OH to help her man the booth for Girl Camper. We had three camping trailers there and the one that I just loved was Gail’s A-Liner. It was so tiny yet when you popped it up, it looked like a little Swiss A-frame. Her neighbor painted sunflowers on it. It was cute as a bug.

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Once I started looking for smaller campers this spring, I realized Covid caused a huge boost in camper sales. They are hard to find new…especially the smaller ones. People selling their campers have discovered they can jack up their prices and desperate people will be willing to pay top dollar for a safe vacation. Camping is enjoying a resurgence of immense popularity.

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I can’t tell you how many sellers I’ve contacted, inquiring if they still have the camper. One was exactly like my first camper and I was really interested in it, however…within an hour of posting the camper for sale, he already had three people lined up to come see it and four more people as back up. This happened over and over.

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Then, earlier this week, I saw an A-farm camper…much like Gail’s only bigger. Roomier. Newer. 

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Oooooooooh. 

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I texted and asked if it was still available…two days after it posted. Yes, it was. I looked and thought and then decided against it. The idea of having to pop the top was bugging me. I wrote back and said thanks for your time but I think we’ll pass. Another day went by. I couldn’t get that A-frame out of my head. So, I prayed. 

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“Lord, if you want me to have this, make it easy and effortless.”

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I texted yesterday and said, “On second thought, I’d like to come see the camper. Is it still available?” I was absolutely certain it wasn’t or that she had six people lined up to come see it. After all, it was Friday now.

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“Yes, it’s still available.” No one was coming to see it. She told me at least two dozen said they were interested and she would wait and wait and wait and no one showed up to actually look at it. She was a little frustrated by that…as I can imagine. I made arrangements with her, came home from having lunch with some friends from high school, and asked Mr. FixIt if her remembered that cute little A-frame camper and did he want to go look at it with me?

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He did…and we hopped in the truck to drive over two hours to check it out. The moment I saw it, I knew…she was ours! She was just waiting for us. And, Susan…the owner was just as sweet as can be. It turned out, we have so much in common. She is also a widow. She and her late husband used to camp in tents, but they were aging and she was over all that packing and hauling, setting up and breaking down. She wanted a bed. Period. In came the A-frame. But, when her husband died, she didn’t have the proper vehicle to tow and she had never towed the camper before. Now, she is thinking if she can find a camper van that she can just drive places and sleep in, that’s what she’d rather have.

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I encouraged her to check out Girl Campers and explore the idea of a camper van and, who knows? We might end up sharing a campfire one of these days!

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We completed our transaction and they showed us how everything worked. I am able to set it up and take it down all by myself, which is necessary if I go off camping with my girlfriends. The camper was purchased from my good friend, Lynn Butler…owner of Setzer’s World of Camping. It had recently been in the shop to have a skylight replaced. The other two skylights and the Fantastic Fan had been recaulked. It had a new air conditioner put in it in 2018 and had only been camped in once since then as her husband became ill a couple of years ago.

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In other words…the perfect camper was dropped in our lap. The perfect size, the perfect weight, the perfect amenities, and at the perfect price. She doesn’t have a bathroom, but there are these cute little popup tents you can buy that work as a bathroom outside at the end of your camper. You put a little portapotty in there and it works great for overnight trips to the loo.

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I towed her home and…I am not kidding…I had to remind myself it was actually back there. It pulls so smooth and easy. It didn’t change my gas mileage at all. We just kept feeling like someone should pinch us because it was truly effortless.

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Thank you, God…for always being the provider and bringing the things we need in our lives. This will be the perfect addition to our family’s adventures. We can get back to camping. We can sell the big camper and get the money back that we paid for the new one…plus enough to pay for camping for a good while. We were positively giddy all the way home. We already have our first camping trip scheduled for next weekend!!!

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Now…for the most important part.

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Her name. 

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What shall we name her???

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?

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“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

\nJames 1:17 ESV\n
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#Gifts, #Camper, #Blessings

\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/24/easy-as-pie.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/11/little-melts-my-heart.html", "title": "Little Melts My Heart", "content_html": "\n
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Little Has Taken Archery Lessons Before

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We took our time leaving the park yesterday. We said our long goodbyes to all the girlfriends who were camping with us. They all complimented Little saying how sweet, fun, and polite this little powerhouse of mine is. Makes a Nana proud of her 14-year-old Little Bear. We drove down to the Pioneer Village which was open from Noon to 3:00. I was excited to show Bear how they grind flour by water power. We picked up some things in the General Store. Little collects ladies fans and found a yellow one to match a new dress. We got a couple boxes of Cracker Jacks as a novel snack for later. I bought some grits, yellow and blue cornmeal, and two bags of buckwheat flour. We’ll have some tasty treats today.

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Little and I laughed at the “Toasted Marshmallows”!

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When we got home, Little helped us empty the truck and jumped in the shower without too much prompting. You remember how 14-years-olds are, right? I remember having to tell them to shower…with soap…AND water. Dry off. Hang up the towels. TOWELS…plural… because you know they’re going to use at least three…or more! One to stand on. One to wrap around their hair. And at least one to dry off with…maybe more. lol

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Little Was Fascinated With the Blacksmith

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As we drove home, Little sighed and said… “This has been so much fun, Nana. Can I come back again next summer?” Be still my heart. If she still wants to spend time with me at 15, I’ll take it! I’ll take any time with her. Being a Nana is the best of all worlds. You are a cross between a Fairy Godmother and a Super Hero to your grandkids. And, after their visit, you send them home to their mommy and daddy. But…oh…during that precious time with them, you can pour so much into their little hearts and minds that they will never, ever forget. I wish Big wasn’t “too big” to spend time with me. Maybe someday, when she realizes how finite life is, she may. In the meantime, I will savor every moment as the precious gift it is.

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When You’ve Been Careful With Calories All Week…Ice Cream for Supper on a Summer Saturday in July!

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We “camped” in TOW-Wanda again last night. 

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One more sleep…and she’ll be gone.

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“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged...”

\nProverbs 17:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/11/little-melts-my-heart.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Love","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/10/camping-with-the-kiddo.html", "title": "Camping with the Kiddo", "content_html": "\n
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Well, it wasn’t roughing it, by any means. But we sure had fun at Beaver Creek State Park. It’s one of my favorite places to camp…mainly because one of my besties is the Camp Host. We gathered a few of our girlfriends and had a low key get-together. Little and I went to a couple antique shops. We found a cute vintage dress and purse and an Ohio State letter jacket. Also, I’ve been looking all over for a cast iron griddle to add to Little’s biscuit baking gear. We found one at Rogers Sale for $5.00 just before they closed. 

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We came back to the campground and had lunch, visited with the girls for a while, then went back to the cabin for a nap. Last night we had S’Mores and watermelon after supper and sat around the campfire. Gail used her bird app and a Bluetooth speaker to call the owls. They are off the nest now so it’s ok to call them in. We had just about given up hearing any when I looked up to see one swoop down and land in the tree over our heads. Someone shined a flashlight up and we caught a good look at this beautiful creature. He looked right down at us and it was so cool. 

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After a bit, the owl flew to another tree then another. And finally, it started answering the calls from the speaker. I was thrilled Little got to hear…and SEE an owl!

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When I asked Little what the favorite part of our stay together has been, the answer was “Antiquing…definitely!” Hey…that topped the owl sighting and swimming in the pool! 

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This is MY grandchild, for sure!

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“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord...”

\nPsalm 127:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/10/camping-with-the-kiddo.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/06/horses-and-heavens.html", "title": "Horses and Heavens", "content_html": "\n
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What a fun day! Little learned how to make French Toast and agrees with me…the very BEST bread to use is day old homemade sourdough! It was a taste sensation. Then, without any prompting, she went and walked her two miles. I worked on a project on the computer all afternoon while Little chilled out in her room. When it was time for supper, we thought we would go into town and get Pete’s Pizza…a special treat. Unfortunately, they were closed. So, we went to Popeye’s Chicken instead, went to our granddaughter’s to see the horses and feed them peppermints, and took a ride out to the farm. I wanted to see if my cousin was having a bonfire, but I’m sure they did that Sunday night.

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The last stop of the evening was Calhoun County Park…a designated “dark sky” area. We got there just after sunset and sat in our chairs, marveling at the display slowly revealing itself over our heads. It was amazing! Little saw the Milky Way for the first time. Denver skies aren’t great for star watching. We saw satellites and identified constellations through an app on my phone.

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We got home around midnight and stood in the field in awe. The trees along the creek on the far side of our fields literally GLITTER with lightning bugs…ie fireflies. Little has dubbed it the Magic Fairy Forest and she isn’t wrong…it’s jaw dropping. I’m going to have to organize a group campout here to share this beauty with others! 

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The icing on the cake came when Little asked, “Can we sleep in the camper again tonight, Nana?” Be still my heart…I want to bottle this up and keep it forever, this sweet, sweet thing!

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?

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“He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.”

\nPsalm 147:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/06/horses-and-heavens.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/06/shes-baaaaaaaaak.html", "title": "She’s BAAAA-AAAAAK!!!", "content_html": "\n
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What a long, long day! We left home around 10-10:30 yesterday and didn’t pull back in till 8:00 last night. We drove down to Huntington to Setzer’s Camping World owned by my good friend, Lynn Butler. Setzer’s is one of only a handful of RV dealers owned by a woman. And the cool thing is...it used to belong to her mother! And, that was back in the day when women rarely ventured into a traditional “man’s job”, let alone owning her own business.

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Like most RV dealers right now, inventory of new RV’s is low. Last year, when everyone was pretty much locked out of public transportation, travel trailer sales skyrocketed as families sought alternative vacations. Add to that the supply chain shortages cause by the pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances, and campers are at a premium. 

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Just like our decision to stay put on our acreage for now, so to we’ve decided to stick with TOW-Wanda for the time being. We had the roof resealed and a couple of little maintenance things done. We’re putting in the “campground” here at the house where my friends can come and camp with me on our property. And, in a year or two, once things go back to normal, many of those people who rushed out to get new campers will be selling them and we can pick up a nice used one for a reasonable price.

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I got some sad news yesterday about one of our dear camping buddies. She was just getting ready to leave today to camp for a few days. She took her camper out of the barn to clean it up and stock it for her trip and, even though she used a hitch lock...her precious camper was stolen just before dawn. She was heartbroken, as anyone who owns and loves a camper can understand. They thought they’d found it in a nearby town, but it was a false alarm. I do hope she gets it back. To add insult to injury, her latest knitting project was inside. 

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We parked TOW-Wanda beside the building and hooked her up to shore power. We’ll have the girls here in three weeks and, until we can get the power out to the “campground”, we’ll need to use the camper as our bedroom. That way the girls all have comfy beds inside with all the amenities. I haven’t slept in my camper in ages. At least a year ago, I noticed she had a leak and with covid, I couldn’t get her in to get fixed. Now that she’s ship-shape, I couldn’t wait to get out there and “camp”....whether she’s in the field or by the building or wherever. I needed to sleep in my happy place. 

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It may have been a really long day, but the silver lining is...I’m camping again!!!

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

\nRomans 12:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/06/shes-baaaaaaaaak.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/05/mowing-and-weed-identification.html", "title": "Mowing and Weed Identification", "content_html": "\n
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We missed the dark pink blossom, but this one is a beauty!

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It didn’t rain yesterday so I finished the rest of the mowing. I much prefer getting it all down at once since staggering it can lead to long weeks of multiple mowing days. I don’t mind mowing, but I have to many other things to do to tie up too much time. The road in front of our house was moved several years ago in order to cut down on some of the really bad accidents in the sharp turns. Since that time, no one enters or leaves that side of the house. All the action is on the other side where the pool is. There is a sidewalk leading from the door to the driveway and big metal building. Consequently, we refer to that as the “front” of the house.

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The only time I really see the other side of the house is when I mow. The other night at my bonus granddaughter’s softball game, the former Mrs. FixIt and I were handing our phones back and forth sharing photos of our flowers. She asked if the dark pink peonies had bloomed yet. I din’t even know we HAD dark pink peonies. When I was out there mowing yesterday I looked and sure enough, there had been blossoms...but I missed them. I did catch some pretty medium pink blooms though. 

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I have NO idea what this plant is but I’m sure it’s a weed!

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While I was wandering around, I noticed the plants at the corner of the house had grown like crazy! I’ve been posting the photos trying to identify what it is and haven’t come up with anything yet. I’m sure it’s invasive because it just took over. Mr. FixIt had that stuff cut clear down to the ground last fall and here it is 10’ tall already! I’ll have to get after that pretty quick.

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Mr. FixIt stretched a line out last evening to show where the trench is going for the power line to the “campground.” I’m really excited. It would have been in already if it wasn’t for the rain this week. We’re going down today to pick up TOW-Wanda. We’ll set her up temporarily by the building so we can plug her in out there. That way, we can sleep out there and give up our bed for company when the kids come in three weeks!!! I talked with Big on video chat yesterday for nearly an hour. She is pretty much vegan so we discussed menu options that she will enjoy. Little isn’t a very picky eater so there’s no real worries there.

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Mr. FixIt laid the line for the trench for the electric to the “campground.”

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We’re heading into a hot stretch now after having some very pleasant weather the last couple of weeks. I’m pretty much taking the weekend off to play in TOW-Wanda and get her all cleaned and set up. We haven’t “camped” at all since about this time last year...so I’m pretty excited! There’s something special about spending time close to nature. I’ll get back to the inside work at the first of the week.

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““But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

\nJob 12:7-12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/05/mowing-and-weed-identification.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/08/day-my-new-tiny-home.html", "title": "Day 298: My New “Tiny Home”", "content_html": "\n
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I know today is “Feel Good Friday” and I know I usually scour the internet for a feel good story for today. There’s just an awful lot of ugly out there this week. I understand. It’s hard to look at. And I’ve had one hell of a week with all the deaths and destruction. So, I decided today I’d share someone special with you. This is my daughter in love. I’ll call her “TJ”. She is one of the special gifts that came along with Mr. FixIt and is one of the extra people I get to love on now.

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A couple of years ago, I saw the CUTEST little dollhouse kit on Amazon and I absolutely HAD to have it. I bought it and kept the box on the coffee table for a while. I’d pick it up and look at all those little pieces and think...””I’ll just put this thing away and when I get some time, I’ll put it together.” The kit has been resting on the top shelf of the guest room closet for those two years. I even got it down once, then something else took precedence and back up it went.

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My step-daughter, TJ, is very crafty. She worked for months making beautiful gifts for everyone for Christmas, as well as several darling decorations. When we sat outside on the covered front porch, exchanging our gifts, she wondered what she might make now that Christmas was over. I immediately thought of my little trailer kit and jumped up to get it. I knew it would take a good bit of time and effort to make it, so I told her if she would make mine for me...and if she liked doing it...I’d buy her one of her own.

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Ever since Christmas, I’ve received excited phone calls, texts, and photos updating me on the progress and she absolutely loved doing it. They came over last night to bring the finished project and it’s the cutest thing I ever saw!!! I set it up on one of the shelves in our new bookcases in the office. She’s so cute...maybe she’ll inspire me to get back to work on my little ‘67 Franklin again!

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You can buy this darling kit HERE.   

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“Of course, every house is built by someone, and God is really the one who built everything.”

\nHebrews 3:4 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/08/day-my-new-tiny-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/10/day-on-the-air-withginny.html", "title": "Day 241: On the Air With....Ginny McKinney", "content_html": "\n
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I was up bright and early yesterday...padding into the kitchen, wiping the sleep from my eyes. I hit the button on the coffee grinder, filling the water reservoir to the whirring sound of the burrs. As the coffee drip, drip, dripped, I stared out the kitchen window at the beautiful, crisp morning. 

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I carried my coffee into the office and quietly closed the door behind me. Mr. FixIt was still snoozing and I didn’t want to disturb him. My laptop is not terribly old, but I don’t use it very often anymore. I do all my writing on my iPad. Every time I need to start that laptop, there is invariably 20-30 minutes of updates that slow it down. But, once it’s up and running, everything works great. 

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My interview with WSAZ was scheduled for 10:10 and I was ready. This was the second time I got to be on with them as a camping and travel specialist. The girls on the Lifestyle Desk are heading to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this week in a really cool motorhome. Fortunately, someone from the RV dealership is driving down with them so they don’t have that learning curve to deal with on top of getting the camping experience under their belts.

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I love interviews. I was telling my dear friend, Janine Pettit...Camper in Chief for Girl Camper...these kinds of things are addictive. Every time you give an interview, you get a little more confident, a little more comfortable. And each time is more fun than the last. 

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You can find the interview on WSAZ’s website HERE. 

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“So I ask you to make full use of the gift God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well. God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.”

\n2 Timothy 1:6-7 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/10/day-on-the-air-withginny.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/22/day-decision-time.html", "title": "Day 188: Decision Time", "content_html": "\n
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I have vacillated back and forth whether to sell Big TOW-Wanda or not and finally decided to go for it. It’s time. She’s just too big to tow with this truck and we are far less likely to up and take off camping with this big trailer. I’ve had her for six years. She has been with me almost since the beginning of this journey. She sheltered me from the winter winds when I lived on that bluff overlooking the Ohio River. She’s been all over the country. But it’s time to let her go to someone who can use her more and a joy the heck out of her. I had to wait till I was ready to let her go...and the time has come. Time to move on.

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I spent a good part of the day emptying her out. It is absolutely unbelievable how much junk you cram into a camper and pay for the gas to haul it around. I don’t need and didn’t use half of what was in there. I am trying to be ruthless in purging the contents. Some will go to the camping kids. Some I’ll keep. And some was just plain trash. It feels really good to be leaning out a space in my life. Now there’s room for something else...a smaller camper that’s easier to pull so we can have grand adventures. 

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I think the tipping point came when I started making plans for our second anniversary trip. We go every spring to our time share on the Outer Banks, but Covid knocked that out. We were fortunate they offered us a substitute week anytime in October, because our anniversary is October 13th. I like to take our time driving down, stay overnight, then arrive at checkout refreshed and ready to spend the afternoon and evening on the beach. 

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We aren’t excited about staying in a hotel this year so we’ll be driving straight through. If we had a smaller camper, we could find a campground between here and there...or even a good Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot and sleep in our own bed and have our own kitchen and bathroom. That right there told me it was time to let TOW-Wanda go. I’m praying the perfect person comes to buy it and pays a good price so we can go out and buy what I hope will be our last camper.

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By 3:00 in the afternoon, I was ready to run to town for errands. When we were done, we picked up carry out and sat along the river to eat. As I watched the sun setting over the water between Blennerhassett and Belpre, I mused how fitting it was that I’d be there the day I decided to let the camper go. This is the river I watched cover over with ice in February of 2015. This is the river that comforted me as I mourned the loss of Mr. Virgo. I was not lost on me the incredible blessings I had sitting beside me in that pickup truck as we quietly munched our sandwiches and contemplated the stark beauty of the Ohio River at sunset.

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My sweetheart mentioned he would like to have some salsa from our tomatoes to take to the beach with us. He and I have VERY different tastes in salsa. He likes his with pineapple and no heat. I like mine hot enough to make your nose run but not so hot that your eyes water and you can’t taste anything for a couple of hours. I tease him and say his isn’t salsa...it’s tomato-pineapple jam. He teases and says he can clean the corrosion off the battery posts with mine. We aren’t far off either way. So, pineapple for his...jalapeños for mine. I also bought a poblano pepper because they were beautiful. I won’t have enough tomatoes...I’ll have to go buy some.

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I slept in the camper last night...getting in my last days of camping for the year and preparing to say goodbye to my faithful companion. Girl campers get pretty serious about their relationships with their campers! I am so blessed to have such an understanding hubby that supports me in whatever I want to do. Such a good guy!

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❤️

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

\nJames 1:5-8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/22/day-decision-time.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/08/23/day-burning-down-my-memories.html", "title": "Day 158: Burning Down My Memories", "content_html": "\n
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I was a new widow when I bought my first camper. A little 16’ job with everything I needed. I miss that little camper...the original TOW-Wanda. I still regret trading her in for the big behemoth I own now, but...water under the bridge, you know.

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I always wanted a camper although I had never pulled one. I camped in a tent a couple of times and once drove cross country in an old VW Poptop Van, but actually having my own camper eluded me. 

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I tried to get Hubby #2 to buy one and he refused. It never occurred to me to go out and buy one myself. I wasn’t brave enough to do such a thing back then. But Mr. Virgo understood my wanderlust and, while not an avid camper himself, was anxious to see that I got to do all the fun things I wanted.

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When he died suddenly while we were looking at the camper for our retirement, I thought my dreams would end there. But, something stirred within me almost from the beginning of widowhood. I was determined to have that camper and found a way to make it work.

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Little TOW-Wanda came into my life just a few weeks after the funeral. I carefully stocked her and as soon as the spring snows melted, I was off on The Grand Adventure through the wilderness and backroads of Colorado by myself.

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I am so glad there were no forest fires to speak of that summer, or I might have lost the heart for this fun way of life. I traveled a circle clear around the state at least twice in those three months. One particularly beautiful stretch was heading west on Colorado Route 14 through Poudre Canyon. I hadn’t been through there since the High Park Fire of 2012 the year before. It was devastating to see the blackened vegetation...the trees standing like gnarled fingers pointing to the sky.

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I drove to the far west end where the fire had spared the canyon. I found an empty campsite right on the edge of the Cache la Poudre River and backed in. It was early in the camping season. The kids were still in school, and I had just about every campground I went to all to myself. 

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I had camped in Rocky Mountain National Park for a few days prior to my arrival in Poudre Canyon. I saw wildlife galore on that trip...elk, deer, turkey, mink, ermine, marmot, Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls, moose, coyotes. Everything except a bear. The last morning at this campsite, I talked with Mr. Virgo...as I did most mornings. I thanked him for bringing all the beautiful animals to enjoy...I really appreciated them. But, could he please just bring me at least one bear???

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I packed up and headed west on Colorado 14 and began the long, steady climb up to Cameron Pass. By the time I got to Joe Wright Reservoir, my engine was getting a little hot. I decided to pull in the parking area and gaze at the still frozen water. Signs of spring were coming to the high country as the fresh green leaves were popping out on the aspen trees and the undergrowth was beginning to show signs of life. Finally, when the engine and transmission were cooled, I took off to the tip top of the pass.

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I had just crested the pass at 10, 249’ and began the slow descent down when I noticed the most odd thing. Someone had placed a huge statue of a bear, right along the highway where it makes a sharp bend to the right. I slowed down to look at it, then realized...to my sheer delight...it was a real, live bear! Standing on the edge of the road, the sheer drop off behind him. I stopped the truck and stared. Thank God there wasn’t someone coming along behind me! I tried to snap a photo of the bear, but the memory was full on my phone and by the time I reached for my digital camera, it had disappeared over the edge. I realized that memory was for me alone. 

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I don’t believe I have seen another bear in the wilds of Colorado since that one magical morning on Cameron Pass. And now...Cameron Pass is burning, as is much of Colorado and points west. Climate change has brought increasing drought and prevailing winds so the fires continue to become worse and worse.

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I don’t know when, or if, I will ever have the opportunity to go on an adventure like that again. But I must say...the memories of those three months pulling my camper through the majestic Rocky Mountains have never faded and remind me of God’s reckless love for me...to grace me with these memories that still fill my heart.

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❤️

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“God is the one who rules the whole earth, and we that live here are merely insects. He spread out the heavens like a curtain or an open tent.”

\nIsaiah 40:22 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-08-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/08/23/day-burning-down-my-memories.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","God","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/08/16/day-my-shining-ray-of.html", "title": "Day 151: My Shining Ray of Hope in a Phone Call", "content_html": "\n
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I worked on my website for a few hours yesterday. The office is across the wall from the television in the family room and my sweet hubby was snoozed out in his recliner with a shoot ‘em up action film going. I could feel every boom to my toes so I turned on my music. The booms melded with the tympani of the orchestra and soon I was blissfully lost in my work. Did I mention I hate television? We have agreed on a compromise. Until my second cup of coffee is done, there will only be old reruns of Andy Griffith on the TV. Then I can go do whatever else I want to do. Win-Win!

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We had three inches of rain yesterday between 6:00am and 2:30pm. I sure wish we could send some out west to help with the fires. Our high temp yesterday was predicted to be 73 degrees. I will take a day like that anytime! 

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As soon as the rain let up, I packed up a few things and was about to head out the door to the camper when my phone rang. I was one of my dearest friends in the whole world calling from Colorado. She read my post yesterday and said, “You DON’T want to come to Colorado! The smoke is so bad, we can’t even go out of the house!” We went on to talk for an hour and I’m telling you...it was like salve to a sore place, as my grandma used to say.

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Barbara and I are about ten years apart in age, yet my youngest and her oldest are only nine months apart. We became fast friends when her husband opened his practice in the same small Colorado town where Hubby #2 and I lived. She’s that friend you may not talk to frequently, but when you connect, the time seems to melt away. I felt 1000% percent better after talking to her and hearing she is going through much of the same things I am feeling with all that’s going on. I was her God appointment of the day...I am sure.

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When we finally said our goodbyes, I grabbed my camping bag filled with books and writing implements and told Mr. FixIt I was “going camping”! So, as I am writing this, I am tucked into TOW-Wanda...pretending I’m camped near a clear mountain lake high in the Rockies and I can literally feel the stress peel off of my weary heart and mind.

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There are ways to escape...even when you are bound to your premises. Remember to protect your mental well-being as well as your physical health during stressful times. Chronic stress leads to high cortisol levels and that can lead to a lot of physical problems in and of itself. A phone call. A good book. I’m reading Aunt Arie: A Foxfire Portrait and just love it. Aunt Arie is so much like my grandma and her contemporaries that I grew up with and her stories take me back to my childhood. A change of scenery...even if it’s just in another room or a short drive away...can do wonders for your frame of mind.

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There’s nothing like rain on the roof of a camper to put things in perspective and I am blessed to have this little home on wheels. I noticed a little bit of water on the floor so I need to do some sealing work in the next dry stretch. 

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❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn't like the peace this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.”

\nJohn 14:27 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-08-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/08/16/day-my-shining-ray-of.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Camping","Love","Peace","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/06/02/day-a-day-at-the.html", "title": "Day 78: A Day at the Farm", "content_html": "\n
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The second clutch. I think one egg didn’t hatch.
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Once I finished mowing at the Ponderosa, I spent a little time in the kitchen preparing some homemade real vanilla extract to steep. I will be giving them as Christmas gifts, so I place three vanilla beans in each bottle...two cut beans into one inch pieces and leave one whole so it looks pretty. I poured a cheap vodka over them and sealed each bottle. I stored them away in a cool, dark cupboard in the dining room. Then, once a week, I’ll shake them up to keep things loose in there. By Christmas, the extract should have a deep, rich taste from the Madagascar beans and smell divine.

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When I was done in the kitchen, we loaded the mower into the back of my truck and headed to my favorite place in the whole wide world....my grandma’s farm. I can’t believe how much the grass grew in just six days. I wanted to get it done before the heat hits today so I don’t have to work outside so much. Mr. FixIt is getting stronger and was able to do some weed-eating while I mowed. I still had to take a few breaks to cool off.

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As I was mowing down by the road, I found these flags blooming under the elderberry bush. They are so delicate and the waning light set them off with a soft glow. There are blossoms coming on the elderberry bush so I am hoping to harvest some berries for syrup. It’s an excellent natural immune booster.

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When we got home, I transplanted my pepper plants and three of the squash plants into the two large containers I painted yesterday. The bunnies are back so I don’t know if I’m even going to bother planting beans this year. They just eat them off at the ground once they’re about three inches tall. Our tomatoes are abysmal this year. We bought them so early and they really needed to be transplanted in larger containers about a month before they went into the ground, but there was just too much going on to accomplish that. I told Mr. FixIt not to worry about it. I’ll just buy my vegetables at the farmer’s market this year. Next year, I’m going to build a container garden along the fence so I can have beans without feeding the bunnies. I was hoping the cat would keep them away, but no such luck.

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And that was the end of my day. We have camped in our field several nights in the last week. Last night was the end of the really cool nights so we may end up back in the house...we’ll see. I love being out there and “pretend camp”. I see my friends starting to get out there and enjoy their campers and travel again. I hope there will come a time when I can do the same, but for now, I am content to stay here with my sweetheart while he’s still recovering and having physical therapy.

\n\n\n

I may bake something yummy again today. It is my therapy.

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❤️

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“Give us this day our daily bread.”

\nMatthew 6:11 KJV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/06/02/day-a-day-at-the.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/04/26/day-creating-space-to-stay.html", "title": "Day 41: Creating Space to Stay and Play", "content_html": "\n
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This is where my new “campground” will be on the Ponderosa.
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Since I can’t take off with my camper and head for the hills, I’m having to be more creative with my favorite extracurricular activity. I decided to work on Big TOW-Wanda yesterday. I didn’t camp in her at all last year so she really hadn’t had a good cleaning since 2018. Mr. FixIt ran a power cord out to the camper and I found the surge protector and plugin adapter and got her powered up.

\n\n\n

Even if there wasn’t a stay-at-home mandate going on right now, I still wouldn’t be as inclined to run around the country on my own as I was before Mr. FixIt had his stroke. He is doing very well...almost back to normal. He still has a little tingling in his left hand, not quite the grip he had before, and he tires more easily. But even that isn’t the main reason I am hesitant to leave him. Coming that close to having a life altering health crisis brought to the forefront of my mind how tenuous life is...something I know all too much about. If I had been on the other side of the country on a camping jaunt and something happened to Mr. FixIt, I’d never forgive myself. It’s not fear as much as it is love and caring. I don’t like being that far away from him for too long...especially now.

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So, I’m being creative while still enjoying camping. It’ll be a whole lot cheaper to camp on our five acres. And with at least two full hookups plus lots of room for boondocking, I can host camping groups here at the house. My buds can come camp with me anytime and I don’t have to leave Mr. FixIt alone. I’ll still be here to help with chores during the day. It’s a win-win!

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The dinette is always down as a daybed in this camper. This is where I write when I’m camping.
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After we got the camper hooked up, Mr. FixIt brought the vacuum cleaner out to me and I commenced to cleaning up a zillion Asian Ladybugs and spiders and a couple of wasps that have wintered over. I sprayed wasp killer in the power cord storage area where I saw some enter last fall in hopes I can nip any nesting in the bud. The refrigerator is on and bottles of water are chilling inside. The beds are made, the floors are swept and the surfaces are dusted. 

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My first campout of the season is in the bag. It is Sunday and my day of rest will be spent reading in my tiny home on wheels...my little sanctuary.

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❤️

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“It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.”

\nExodus31:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/04/26/day-creating-space-to-stay.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","Comfort","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/13/the-partys-almost-over.html", "title": "The Party’s (Almost) Over", "content_html": "\n
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Have fun little girl!!!
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I didn’t sleep well at all my last night in the little rpod. I lifted the shade over the bed at about 1:00 in the morning and watched the clouds flitting over the bright, shiny moon. I smiled as I thought of all the beautiful places I’ve been in it. I felt my phone buzz and saw my friend Diane had texted me. She’s the “non-camper” that I took camping back in early October. She wanted to know if I was still in the camper. (Yes, we often chat in the idle of the night...we are both night owls.) Finally, we both decided we might sleep if we had a bowl of cereal. lol

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As I sat nibbling on Raisin Bran, I got to thinking...wouldn’t it be nice if you could tow a camper around and live in it a little bit before you buy it? You can rent some models, but it is not an exhaustive list to choose from. I knew within a week of living in Big TOW-Wanda that there were things I really didn’t like about it. For one, the windows didn’t open very far and you never really got a nice cross breeze.

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After having this little beauty for the last five months, I’ve just about decided to sell the big camper and downsize to the rpod 196. There’s really nothing major I would want to change on it. I think I would put some sort of rain guards or an awning over the tops of the sliding windows so I could have them wide open when it rains. Other than that...it’s golden. And that comes from really living in it over time.

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I was telling Mr. FixIt how much I would miss this camper and being on the road with her, but just as much as that, I am looking forward to getting some things done around the house that have been pushed to the back burner. I’m not sure how much camping we’ll get to do this summer anyway with all the work that needs doing on the house in order to get it on the market. I do know there will be a trip to Colorado!

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When I did finally wake up yesterday after a fitful hour or two of sleep, it was so quiet. No rain! The rivers are high and overflowing all around and this little respite was short lived. As soon as I got the rest of the items packed up and the bed stripped, the drizzly rain started again. I hooked up in the wet and waited till I got to Setzer’s to sweep out the camper. It was useless to do it beforehand with all the dirt and wet I was tracking in.

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I hauled on over to the dealership and unhooked in what was now a very steady rain. Everything was out of the camper and I handed over the keys. It felt really weird to leave without towing something! As I pulled away, I stopped and snapped this picture and said a quick prayer...for the new owners...and for safe travels home for both of us. She’s gonna make someone very, very happy in a couple of days!

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And now...back to work!

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Here’s the link for the camper. If you buy a ticket (or three) I promise I’ll stop bombarding you with these links. (Ohhhh, that’s not fair. The raffle ends tonight at midnight. Still...) There are also links in the story for all the wonderful companies who partnered with us to bring the camper from “Factory to Fabulous” as well as the HoldYou Foundation. It’s worth your while to go check them out.

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\n[girlcamper.com/introduci...](https://girlcamper.com/introducing-the-r-pod-196-from-factory-to-fabulous/)\n
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❤️

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 NIV\n
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\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/13/the-partys-almost-over.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/12/please-sharethe-last-chance-for.html", "title": "Please Share...the Last Chance for Raffle Tickets!", "content_html": "\n
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Praying for lots of ticket sales to help the families of critically ill children. And, for the new owners of this sweet little camper!
\n\n\n

The last five months have been SO much fun! Traveling through five states, camping at several state parks and private campgrounds, over 6,000 miles driven, plus some boondocking off the grid. All in one of the coolest little campers I’ve ever had the privilege to spend time in. I’m seriously considering selling Big TOW-Wanda and getting an rpod 196. I love the floor plan, it is so super easy to tow, the kitchen is really workable, the sofa is honestly indistinguishable from a residential as far as comfort (and folds down into a twin bed to boot!) There is SO much storage and the bed is situated so no one has to crawl over their bed partner to get out in the middle of the night. And to top it all off, the windows let in an amazing amount of light. They had me when I saw the window over the bed!

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I spent the day yesterday clearing out the things I’ve toted around with me on the trip. It’s amazing what can accumulate in five short months! There were things that stay with the camper, things that go back to Janine, things that go home, and things to throw away. As I sat and sorted, I prayed for the new owners of this little camper...that they see beautiful sights, that they enjoy peaceful solitude and/or family adventures, and that all their travels are safe and secure.

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Thank you all so much for joining me on this journey! I’ll post a farewell photo tomorrow. In the meantime, if you could please do us the honor of sharing this link with everyone you know, I would be ever so grateful. The monies from ticket sales goes to the HoldYou Foundation to assist families who have critically ill children with the practical things they need...keeping the lights on, buying groceries, gas for the car to get their child to and from the doctor. It’s a wonderful charity that the Girl Campers supports wholeheartedly. If you have access to a newsletter or mailing list, that would extra super special! We are getting down to the wire now. We have extended the hours to purchase tickets to midnight on Valentine’s Day! Wahoo!

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\n[girlcamper.com/introduci...](https://girlcamper.com/introducing-the-r-pod-196-from-factory-to-fabulous/)\n
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❤️

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“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

\nIsaiah 58:10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/12/please-sharethe-last-chance-for.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","Prayer","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/11/raindrops-resting.html", "title": "Raindrops \u0026 Resting", "content_html": "\n
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On a rainy day, I head to the campground with the sweetest little camper in tow...the rpod 196.
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Getting the camper out of the mall was a lot easier than getting it in there. When I took it in, it was facing in the opposite direction of where I wanted it. And, when we made the arrangements to display the camper in the first place, we all failed to take into consideration the full length of the camper plus the hitch and the truck. There was no way I could make enough three corner turns to get it turned around on my own.

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The maintenance man came to the rescue with a wooden pallet and a floor jack with a fork lift on it. We unhitched onto the pallet and he manually turned the camper till it was where it needed to be....which happened to be in exactly the perfect spot to hook up to the truck and pull it out.

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I had such a blast driving it through the mall. There are tons of walkers there in the mornings and I was there bright and early to avoid the crowds. I waved as I slowly drove behind the security guard who walked ahead of me making sure everyone knew I was coming out with this monstrosity behind me.

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I was really glad to see it was raining and warm yesterday morning. It would have been a real mess if it had been snowing. I got on the interstate at around 10:00am. I had a reservation already made at the campground, a hot cup of coffee, and my GPS. I didn’t need directions to where I was going, but I like knowing how much further I have to go when I am towing. 

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It rained like crazy while I was driving down here. At one point, as I was crossing a river, I could barely see through the rain. Luckily, I wasn’t driving very fast when I hit some standing water and felt the camper fishtail a little bit. It is very important not to hit your brakes when you feel that because you can easily hydroplane out of control. I took my foot off the brake and the camper came right back in line. I dropped my speed an additional 5mph and let people go around me if they wanted to.

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The staff at the campground were waiting for me with warm greetings. One of the nice things about camping in the off season is people have the time to chat a spell. Mary was delightful. There was a young man in a golf cart to escort me to my site. I was a little disappointed in the price of the campsite, but pickings are slim in this neck of the woods so I took what I could get. It is a full hookup site which doesn’t do me any good other than the electric since the camper is winterized. I am conveniently located near the bathhouse which is handy.

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I was up very late the night before and awoke early yesterday. I had to unhook in the pouring rain so the first thing I did was get the heater going. I had to remove the propane tank when the camper was on display in the mall. Whenever you hook up a new tank to the gas lines on a camper, you have to bleed the air out of the lines till the propane gets through. This involves turning on a burner on the stove and holding a long handled lighter flame to the burner till it catches. Then you turn on the second one. Once you turn off the burners, you can start the furnace and it should light right up, which it did.

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The next step was to turn on the refrigerator in preparation for getting a few groceries later. But first, I was chilled to the bone so I piled the blankets on the bed and crawled in till I was nice a toasty. Around 3:00, I went to the Piggly Wiggly for some food to get me by for a couple of days. I will turn in the camper on Wednesday and head back home.

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As I am writing this, there is a gentle rain falling and bigger drops falling from the trees overhead. I love this sound. I have my electric blanket on and this wonderful rechargeable lamp from FLI Products is casting a warm glow to the room giving it such a homey feel. When I first saw the wallpaper in this camper, I have to admit...I was slightly taken aback. But I have come to absolutely love it! It’s so cheerful with the colors and patterns and I think Janine did a tremendous job. Spoonflower has over 750,000 patterns to choose from and I never would have thought to put these patterns and colors together. But they really work. I will definitely keep them in mind the next time I decorate a camper and make it my own.

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Today is all about writing and cleaning out the camper. It is a bittersweet day, but I bought myself something special to cook in my Hot Logic Mini portable cooker so I’ll have a yummy dinner waiting when I’m done!

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❤️

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“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

\n1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/11/raindrops-resting.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","West Virginia","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/10/the-last-trip-with-the.html", "title": "The Last Trip with the RPod and The First Trip of 2020", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
Heading out for the last trip in the rpod today! What a fun little camper this has been. Don’t forget to buy your tickets!
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Well, today I go get the rpod and drive her out of the mall. The raffle is this Friday (Valentines Day!) so I’m taking her out on one last camping trip before she goes into storage to await her new owner.

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The last trip in this sweet little camper. I have really enjoyed my time with her. And, it’s my first road trip/camping trip of 2020! I’m looking forward to snuggling up for a couple of days of writing and cleaning things out.

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It’s been a crazy busy, super fun five months! I was just telling Mr. FixIt over the weekend that I haven’t had time to even consider Seasonal Affective Disorder this winter. Part of that is the mild winter we’re having. And part is all the writing and traveling I’ve been doing. 

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I am looking forward to having a little rest this week then I’m getting busy stripping wallpaper in the dining room! As my sweet husband says...life is always an adventure with Ginny McKinney!

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❤️

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“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.”

\n2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/10/the-last-trip-with-the.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/08/a-snowy-ladies-night.html", "title": "A Snowy Ladies Night", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
Camping Like a Girl in the Mall at Galentine’s Day
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Click on this link to the Trailer Raffle Story on Girl Camper. Follow the directions to buy tickets!

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Last night was the women’s event at the mall so I had the rpod all decked out for some “Girl Camping”. The women LOVED it! I had a blast showing off the camper and visiting with some really great people. 

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I lived in Colorado for 40 years. Women are adventurers there and wouldn’t think twice about going camping (or anything else) on their own. I have a friend who was widowed a couple of years ago and I’ve seen her hike WAY back in the mountains alone. I did those kinds of things too after Mr. Virgo died. For me, it was either get out and do stuff, or stay home and knit.

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I think, the fact that Hubby #2 was a doctor and gone from home a lot, contributed to my adventurous spirit. It wasn’t a big stretch for me to do things alone after Mr. Virgo died because he also worked long hours and was gone a lot. I missed him terribly, but not because it forced me to do things I had never done alone before.

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I’m finding this is not necessarily the case with the women I’m talking to in West Virginia. It’s a little different with some southern women. When I camped in Tennessee with a group of women, the majority of them had their husbands bring their little campers to the campground, set it up for them, then come back on Sunday to take them back home. 

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I’m not judging. There is NO wrong way to camp like a girl. I just know from experience that I COULD learn to do something I never dreamed of doing and I found great joy and satisfaction in it. A king-sized sense of accomplishment came along with backing that 30’ camper into a narrow campsite.

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Like I told the gals that have come to visit me over the last few weeks.You can camp in an Air B&B just as easily as you can camp in a camper or tent or a little minivan. The whole point is to join other likeminded women and experience that sense of community you get when you share the experience of the great outdoors.

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We are counting down the days now till the drawing for this little camper. I’ll miss it when I send it on to its new owners because I sure have had a good time. It’s a great little camper. Even if I never intended to tow it and go camping, I would buy this thing to put in my back yard for a guest house or a writing studio. There are so many possible uses. And for $10 a ticket, it’s a small investment for a worthy cause.

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❤️

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\n

““The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

\nMatthew 25:40 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/08/a-snowy-ladies-night.html", "tags": ["Camping","West Virginia","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/01/23/camping-in-the-mall.html", "title": "Camping in the Mall", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
“I love the little picket fence the maintenance man at the mall fixed up for me. Now I want one for camping ALL the time!”
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I spent much of yesterday at the mall meeting and greeting folks coming in to see the Girl Camper Charity Raffle rpod. When I walked in, I took one look at the camper and smiled ear to ear. I was talking with one of the maintenance guys the day I took the camper in and told him how some of the gals I’ve camped with doll up their camping spot. So, he took upon himself to go dig around in their prop room and find this cute little picket fence and set it up around the business end of the camper to hide the jack, propane tanks, and hitch. OMGosh! Now I want Mr. FixIt to make one of these for me when I camp all the time! Too cute.

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I can’t remember if I told you about the cutest little boy who came into the camper over the weekend. He must have been about 7 or 8. He studied the layout and then asked if I had schematics for the camper. I showed him the floor plan. I knew it wasn’t exactly what he was looking for, but he was too polite to say anything. I knew he was trying to figure something out. Finally, he turned to me and told me how cool it must be to live in the mall in a camper because I don’t have to drive to go shopping! What a sweet boy.

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I still can’t get over how few people I know who come through the mall. Yesterday I saw a husband and wife that I knew and that was it. I was away for a long time, and Parkersburg is a lot bigger than it used to be when I was growing up.

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Here’s something I’ve found interesting. When I arrived at the mall early to deliver the camper the other day, there must have been well over a hundred people walking in the mall for exercise. I was really happy to see that. West Virginia has always ranked really high on the national obesity scale. Yet, in the summertime you see walkers everywhere and in the winter, they go in the mall. I wonder if this is common elsewhere because I’ve not noticed it in other places I’ve lived.

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Today is my Gigi day...I am meeting the girls and all three babies for lunch and a little shopping and exercise. I can hardly wait! Then tonight is bible study. I love Thursdays!

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❤️

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\n

“that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

\n2 Timothy 3:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-01-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/01/23/camping-in-the-mall.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/01/16/theres-a-fire-in-my.html", "title": "There’s a Fire in My Soul", "content_html": "\n
There’s a Fire in My Soul!
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There is a fine line between having a fire within...and running around like your hair’s on fire. A lot of times, the difference between the two is nothing more than attitude, perception, decision. I’ve been so super busy for over a year. Ever since my dear friend Janine chided me and told me to put my knitting down and write my book last February, I haven’t stopped running.

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I’m hoping my travel schedule isn’t quite so intense this year. I was gone for a total of four months last year. Not only is that too much to do, it’s expensive, and it keeps me from getting things done around here. Things that NEED doing.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt is making great headway on the new bathroom now. He’s patching drywall and putting in new light switches. He’s doing an excellent job and I am terribly impatient. I’m an instant gratification kinda gal. He is a hardworking perfectionist. We’re learning.

\n\n\n

Yesterday was SO much fun! I took the camper to Huntington and they interviewed me for a segment on their “First Look at Four” show. They filmed me cooking a meal in an RV kitchen. There will be a link I can share and you can watch the segment...hopefully tomorrow.

\n\n\n

Nothing deep and meaningful today. Just enjoying living in the moment...soaking it all in. It feels good to be in my skin. There were many, many years when I could not make that statement. 

\n\n\n

Happy Thursday!

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❤️

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\n

“\"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

\nMatthew 6:34 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-01-16T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/01/16/theres-a-fire-in-my.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/31/seeking-comfort-in-an-uncomfortable.html", "title": "Seeking Comfort in an Uncomfortable World", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
“Travel brings me comfort in an uncomfortable world.”
\n\n\n

Well, dear ones...this is it. The last day of the year. The last day of a decade. And oh...what a time it has been. At the beginning of it, I was happily married to Mr. Virgo...living in Denver and not much liking that part, except for being in close proximity to my children. Not that I got to see them much. I was very focused on my husband and didn’t see past the end of my nose. A major regret.

\n\n\n

Three years into this decade, my life stopped when Mr. Virgo died unexpectedly...and I set out to create a new life with a new me. I sold the only home I had ever owned on my own. I made some bad decisions...but I’ve also made some good ones. I’ve driven tens of thousands of miles. I settled into and lived in the home of my heart on a beautiful farm that’s been in my family for nearly ninety years.

\n\n\n

I’ve connected with some really wonderful people, and reconnected with people I’ve known for a lifetime. I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words as I poured out my grief and my heart and my love into the ether sphere. I married a man I initially set eyes on when I was six years old.

\n\n\n

I gained people. And...I lost people I loved dearly.

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I totaled a truck and escaped with nothing worse than a small brain bleed that left me struggling to remember things for a couple of years, which filled me with fear. This last year, things finally started to fire on all cylinders in my poor noggin and I feel more like myself than I have in a very long time.

\n\n\n

I’ve aged a hundred years in some ways. I’ve gotten much younger in others.

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I got a cat. Well...she got me.

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I gained a huge extended family and I’m now not only a grandma....I am a GREAT grandma to two little ones with a third one due any day now. I am a GiGi, to be exact. A Mom and a mother-in-law and a Nana and a GiGi. A sister and a friend and a wife. How cool is that?

\n\n\n

I went to Church Sunday night and Pastor Justin asked us to think about who we were before we were saved. In that moment, I realized THAT’S what has been hovering in the back of my mind as I contemplate the end of this decade. Because it was the beginning of the previous decade when my life very nearly came to an end.

\n\n\n

I let myself cry as the music wafted over me, the Holy Spirit covering...filling me with his Love. My life has moments of demarcation with lines in the sand marking the points between “before” and “after”. The overdose. My mom’s death. Finding Jesus. Meeting, then losing, Mr. Virgo.

\n\n\n

Finding ME.

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Finding love again.

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Marrying a wonderful man.

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All while traveling. I get bored being in the same place too long. I need to seek new horizons from time to time. I need to get away and “blow off some stink” every once in a while. I need to recharge...away from everyone and everything I know. I need to go where no one knows me and rest in the anonymity that comes with the unfamiliar. 

\n\n\n

I get uncomfortable when I become too comfortable. When things start to get too predictable, I need to shake things up. I tried to count how many houses and apartments I’ve lived in during my lifetime and I lost track. I crave change. Thank goodness I’m married to a very understanding man. It makes me easier to live with, I think.

\n\n\n

I don’t usually travel like I did this year...not since I was on the road with the camper after Mr. Virgo died. It was different this time. It was harder to be away from my sweetheart. Partly because I genuinely love being with him and partly because I’m older now and I have intimate experience with loss. Things have changed. There’s more to lose now. I’m not sure how much I’ll travel in the coming year...but I’m sure it won’t be quite like 2019.

\n\n\n

We’re heading out tonight for a family bowling party to ring in the New Year. I can’t remember the last time I bowled. I can’t remember the last time I was out past 10:00! I have to remind myself...I’m only 66. There will be plenty of time to lay down when I’m dead and gone, right?

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Maybe I can take a nap before we go.

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Happy New Year, my dear ones! If you are struggling, may 2020 bring you peace, prosperity, and good health. You are so loved.

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Thank you. Truly...thank you for being here all these years. I am eternally grateful for the connections I have made through this page.

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Be blessed!

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Ginny

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❤️

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“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

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Psalms 96:1-3 NIV

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“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

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Psalms 90:12 NIV

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“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

\n\n\n

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2019-12-31T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/31/seeking-comfort-in-an-uncomfortable.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/06/safety-on-the-road.html", "title": "Safety on the Road", "content_html": "

\"Camping “Being safe in the woods means staying aware of your surroundings and listening to your gut.”

\n

There were only two times on this last trip that my antennae went up as I paid close attention to what was happening around me. The first time was when I was at Calhoun County Park trying to see a meteor shower. This park only has eight campsites in the first place. And I was there in the middle of the week after school started so there was no one up there camping. There were people in the community building both evenings but they didn’t come over near me.

\n

Sometime after dark on the second night, a car drove slowly by my camper out to the end of the park and stayed there for about ten minutes. I turned off all the lights in the camper and peeked out from behind the blinds. The car came back and just drove right on by without slowing down, so the tension in my shoulders eased. Mr. FixIt told me he very nearly came out to camp with me out there but he resisted the urge.

\n

The second time I was even remotely concerned was at the last campground I stayed. Twin Falls is stunningly beautiful, as you can tell by the photos I took. But the campground itself is located on the very top of a long and winding mountain, pretty far away from the main park buildings. At this time of year, the campground office and store is closed and there wasn’t a campground host.

\n

On the first night, I read the story about the couple who were boondocking on South Padre Island and went missing. Then surveillance video showed a man and woman, not the owners, driving the truck and camper across the border into Mexico. They were later found buried in shallow graves on the beach. This freaked me out, I will not lie. The next evening, the man who was camping over on the next row walked through the woods between us to come talk to me when I pulled in after spending time at the lodge, writing.

\n

He told me he had tried to flag down the park worker who had just driven through the campground on a side-by-side but couldn’t catch his attention. He also said he didn’t have a phone so he couldn’t call anyone. He told me someone had come to the bath house earlier in the afternoon and their car was there for a couple of hours. After they had gone, this man went over to the bath house and someone had smeared feces all over one of the stalls in the men’s room. 

\n

Ok, that was creepy, but the man seemed harmless enough. After all, he introduced himself by name. And I know stuff happens in campgrounds. I know how to handle myself and to watch what’s going on. I told him I would let someone at the park office know what had happened and he was grateful. As he turned to leave, he swung back around with a big smile and said, “I suppose you saw me all over the news last night!”

\n

Um…no, I did not. I thought to myself…what did you do that put you on the news?

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I swung the door of my truck closed. Then he proceeded to tell me he rode his bicycle all the way from California to look for the father he never knew. Apparently the news had followed him across the country on his quest. I wished him luck finding his dad and I went to tell someone about the men’s room.

\n

That was the night when the truck started making a grinding noise and the first thing that went through my head was “What do I do if I get stuck here? What if the bathroom vandal came back? What if “Bicycle Man” wanted to get friendly?” My imagination started to get the better of me and I had to pray myself to peace. And ask my gal pals to pray for me as well. And, I texted Mr. FixIt to come “help me check out this truck”. 

\n

I wasn’t really scared. But I was leery. And I was tired and a little road weary after six weeks of camping. It didn’t hurt a bit to get my strong, capable husband to come help me out and be my encourager. He told me he ran into one of my friends at the mall that week. She had been reading about my journey and she told Mr. FixIt she didn’t think she could do that and didn’t I get scared?

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“Nope! She’s the bravest woman I know!” 

\n

Knowing he feels that way about me, and that he worries but lets me have my lead, makes me feel wonderful. I have spoken with my closest friends about this….I could never, EVER have done what I’m doing while I was married to Mr. Virgo. Not only did I lack the self confidence, but he would NOT have liked me being gone. He didn’t like me being gone for the weekend to Denver to see the kids. He wouldn’t have stood for me being gone the majority of six weeks. As a matter of fact, when we first started dating, he said he wasn’t interested in dating someone who wanted to spend much time apart. 

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Mr. Virgo liked me being right there with him. When he watched TV, he liked me to watch TV with him. He didn’t like it if I was on the computer or the iPad or the phone either. Because, he wanted to discuss the show with me during the commercials. I did these things because I loved him, not because I loved watching TV. When you’re married, you do things sometimes that you don’t particularly enjoy. It’s called compromise.

\n

Mr. FixIt came into my life when I was a free-spirited, independent, remote-camping gypsy who spends long hours writing. He knew what he was getting and gives me space to grow and spread my wings. That’s one of the things I love about him. I make it up to him by traveling and going to the beach and never saying a word about his bowling two nights a week. I cook him yummy meals and take him camping whenever I can. We treat each other with respect, honoring each other’s interests, and we have a lot of fun together.

\n

It’s a win-win for us both.

\n

❤️

\n
“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”\n

Ephesians 5:33 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-06T02:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/06/safety-on-the-road.html", "tags": ["Faith","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","West Virginia","Growth","goRVing","Wisdom","Courage","Warning","Choices","Widow","Road Trip","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/03/back-to-the-comforts-of.html", "title": "Back to the Comforts of Home", "content_html": "

\"Camping “My little office on the go in the R-Pod 196”

\n

One thing I really was challenged by with I was touring West Virginia was internet accessibility. If it weren’t for the fact I’m a writer and I had deadlines to meet, I wouldn’t have really cared. But when you write every day, for yourself and for others, you have to be creative in how you stay connected.

\n

There was a delicate balance I walked. On the one hand, I needed accessibility. On the other, I craved getting lost in the woods. I chose campsites based on the view first. I always looked at the campground maps when I made my reservations and chose the one off by itself. The one with the view….the quiet…the peace. My second criteria was electric. I didn’t really need water or sewer hookups. The r-pod has plenty of water tank capacity, both fresh and wastewater.

\n

My last question was always, “Where can I get cell or wifi?” There were campgrounds I stayed in that had neither. In that case, I drove to the lodge to use theirs. There was one campground that had AT&T, but not Verizon. This picture was taken in the kitchen of the r-pod while I was camped at Watoga. I was pleased when the camp-host said the campground has WiFi at both bath houses. Then he added, “It’s really slow, though.”

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He wasn’t kidding. One little bar. As a matter of fact, every place I stayed had either one little bar of cell or one little bar of WiFi. It was a tad frustrating. Anyway, there at Watoga I happened to be camped right beside the bath house. And, if I was away from that window, I couldn’t send or receive anything. I stood a lot at that window when it was time to upload my posts or check my e-mail or Facebook. This was my little office that particular week.

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I was telling Mr. FixIt about this the other night when he came to camp with me at Twin Falls. I told him I used to complain about the WiFi at home. Now it’s going to feel like high-speed fiber-optics! Well, until I get used to it and then I’m liable to complain again at how slow it is. 

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Yesterday was a much better day. Mr. FixIt and I went to town to buy a warming pad and a storage tote to make Pumpkin a nice warm bed out in the pole building. We also bought a litter box. We already had the feeding dish/water bowl combo. I think Pumpkin is a girl but we’ll know for sure when we take her in to get her shots and checkup on Tuesday.  Now I feel really good about her bedding situation and she has already come to love the building. I think she feels safe in there.

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I’m so excited to go to my home church today. I have really missed my church family! I’m heading out to the farm this afternoon after church to get the house ready for winter. And then there will be far less items on that very long to-do list. Giving myself permission to have some down time with family and falling in love with a little black kitten just might be the best things I’ve done for myself in a very long time.

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❤️

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““Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.”\n

Psalms 39:4 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-03T02:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/03/back-to-the-comforts-of.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/01/reentry-begins.html", "title": "Re-Entry Begins!", "content_html": "

\"Black “And, just like that…two became three.”

\n

It was a very long day yesterday. I ended up pulling the camper myself with my truck and it did fine. Mr. FixIt is pretty sure the problem was a rock in the brakes. We’ll get it checked before we head anywhere with it. That was a big relief. 

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The weather yesterday was terrible driving home. We came through some torrential rain and as soon as we got home, the weather channel gave a tornado warning from the same storm. There are thousands without power from the wind. It seems I got home just in time for some wintery weather. I’ll have to winterize the camper after all…something I was hoping to avoid by heading south. We’ll still get there, but there’s quite a lot of work that needs to be done here at the Ponderosa before we can leave. The cold weather just caught up with me, I’m afraid.

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As I’m writing this, I am home and snuggled in bed…in the camper! I can’t give it up yet. Re-entry has always been a problem for me. I love sleeping in a camper and this camper is especially comfortable. So, we’ll try a little cold weather camping this week and see how she does. After all, we’re out on five acres…it’s like our own little campground!

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Another little thing happened yesterday. My world shifted. Mr. FixIt sat me down after breakfast yesterday and told me he had something to tell me. Oh, what woman wants to hear THAT? It seems, that while I was gone Mr. FixIt has been keeping company with someone else…a little black kitten that someone dumped at the Ponderosa. He’s been feeding it. Honestly, I didn’t know what to say. I’ve been determined to never have another pet. Then, when I got out of my truck at the house, this little black fur ball came running to me like it had been waiting its whole little life for ME! I’ve never seen such a friendly cat and my heart melted.

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And, like that…two became three.

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We have a cat!

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❤️

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“There is no fear in love...”\n

1 John 4:18 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-01T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/01/reentry-begins.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Love","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","The Cats","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/31/the-red-carpet-treatment.html", "title": "The Red Carpet Treatment", "content_html": "

\"R-Pod “Sitting on a red carpet of maple leaves, the 2020 R-Pod 196 is one of my favorite campers.”

\n

You know the story of the toothache going away as soon as you get to the dentist? Well, Mr. FixIt is here (YAY!!!) and we took the truck for a long drive…all round the park, up and down hills, around and around curves and…..nothing. Not a sound. Except, when I very first pulled out of the campsite, the brakes squeaked. A long time ago, I was driving over a dirt road in the boonies of Colorado and suddenly the car started making this horrible grinding, screaming noise. When I stopped…the noise stopped. I had no idea what to do. Finally, a couple stopped and asked what was wrong. 

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When I described the noise to the man, he suggested perhaps I had a rock stuck in the brakes. He directed me to put my foot on the brake, put the car in reverse, and back up with my foot still on the brake. When I did, the rock was dislodged. I don’t know if that was the problem here, but when I pulled forward again with the truck, there was no squeak, no grinding…nothing. Good news…I hope! Great news…Mr. FixIt is here!!!

\n

Since the truck seemed to be working fine, we went for a hike to see the falls here in Twin Falls State Park. It rained and was a little chilly so when we got back to the camper, I heated up some chili I had in the freezer. It really hit the spot. 

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So, this was the last night of the West Virginia Tour. It was so, so beautiful. And the r-pod worked perfectly. We’ll pull it home with Mr. FixIt’s truck today and watch my truck carefully. When I get home, I’ll have it checked to make sure it really is ok. I’ll leave you with a last look at the camper sitting on a beautiful red carpet of maple leaves. This part of the tour has been really special and I can’t wait to get back on the road to head south.

\n

In the meantime, I’m going to spend a few days at home for some much needed family time and attend my home church on Sunday. Thanks so much for traveling along with me! 

\n

? 

\n
“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n", "date_published": "2019-10-31T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/31/the-red-carpet-treatment.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Marriage","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/30/premonitions-and-pioneers.html", "title": "Premonitions and Pioneers", "content_html": "

\"Pioneer ‘Visiting a Pioneer Farm is a step back in time.”

\n

Yesterday was a strange day from the get go. I woke up at 3:30 in the morning knowing something wasn’t right. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. After determining I hadn’t eaten anything that would cause such a feeling, I got up, wrapped my camp jacket around me and stepped outside to look at the stars. The sky was crystal clear and the stars looked so close you could just reach up and touch them. I stood there for awhile in my bare feet letting the energy from the earth seep up through my body. When I was sufficiently chilled, literally and figuratively, I went back to bed. But I couldn’t get back to sleep until dawn.

\n

I finally woke up at around 10:00…absolutely unheard of for me these days. I’m usually awake with the chickens. I stumbled around, did my morning toilette, then dressed and cleaned the camper. Finally around 11:30, I packed up my writing implements and headed for the lodge and good WiFi. I created a movie of the best photos I’d taken on this WV tour and wrote till about 3:00 in the afternoon. 

\n

I headed to the Pioneer Farm that’s on the back of the park property. This farm was abandoned for a long time, but people were always vandalizing it so now there is a farmer and his family living here. There was no one home when I was there so I wandered around taking pictures and marveling at its timeless beauty. I sat for a while and watched two horses and a donkey browse on the sparse grass in the meadow and felt more peaceful than I had most of the day.

\n

On my way back to the campground, I stopped at the Nature Center and introduced myself to the Naturalist. Tammy is a cat bird. She has a coal country drawl that put me in mind of the Deep South but she assured me she was born and raised within a stone’s throw of the park. She apologized that she had recently let all the critters go. She normally traps possums and raccoons, tags them, and keeps them in the Nature Center for a few weeks to teach people about them. Then she sends them back off into the wild to track their whereabouts and traps another one to tag.

\n

Tammy wasn’t originally hired to be a Park Naturalist. She was supposed to be a campground attendant. She doesn’t have a degree in biology, but she has a knack for nature…two and four legged. She was taking campers for nature hikes when the Park Administrators saw they had a gem in Tammy and told her she should apply for the Naturalist position. And the rest is history. She was a delight to talk with. She smiled as I left and called after me…”Put me in your book!” You bet I will, Tammy!

\n

As I was pulling back into the campground, it happened. There was a low grinding noise coming from my truck and I knew that is where my uneasiness was coming from. Something hasn’t been quite right with the truck for a couple of days but I just couldn’t discern exactly what was troubling me. A sound, maybe? A smell, perhaps? Whatever it was, I kept shifting it to the back of my mind…yet still monitored the situation.

\n

When I heard that noise, I knew there was something mechanically wrong with the truck. And that puts me in an uncomfortable position. First, I am here alone. There are two other campers in all of the campground and I am grateful for them. But they aren’t going to help me in this situation. I do not like being in a situation I cannot get out of quickly. It stems from being trapped in a garage as a young child and sexually assaulted. To say I have control issues is putting it mildly.

\n

I went into the camper and made myself sit down and think. What I wanted to do was hook up the camper and get out of here, but of course…that wasn’t the right thing to do. I texted Mr. FixIt but I knew he was working and his phone would be in the truck. Then I texted my besties, Janine and Gail, and asked them to pray that I would calm down and everything would work out. Within minutes I felt much better and realized this whole thing is an adventure and an educational opportunity, so why not make the most of it!

\n

Mr. FixIt called me a few hours later and he’s going to drive down this morning. He’ll check out my truck. We can tow the camper with his truck. And, either he’ll follow me to a mechanic or we’ll have the truck towed. That’s what I have AAA Plus for. We’ll go home tomorrow. I am so grateful for my friends who pray for me. And I am exceedingly grateful for a wonderful husband who takes good care of me. Wouldn’t you know it would happen at the last park on the last day? But I’m exactly where I should be. I have everything I need right here and I can get some work done while I wait. Thank God I wasn’t pulling the camper up the side of the mountain with no cell service!

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❤️

\n
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”\n

Philippians 4:19 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-30T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/30/premonitions-and-pioneers.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","God","Courage","Warning","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Change","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/29/welcome-to-my-living-room.html", "title": "Welcome to my Living Room!", "content_html": "

\"Woman “The camper is the kitchen, bath, and bedroom…the great outdoors is where I live!”

\n

I got to my new campsite in the middle of the afternoon. The mountains I drove over yesterday weren’t anything like the ones last week but man, the road up into the campground here at the park is really, really steep! This truck did a great job pulling the r-pod in these West Virginia hills. When I arrived at my site, I was amazed to have this entire mountaintop to myself! I didn’t have any concerns about that, but I was pleased to see two more couples come into the campground with trailers. 

\n

It’s quiet as a church mouse up here. I heard some owls just after dark and a coal train. And the squirrels were in the hickory trees all around me all afternoon. I opened the awning and set up my chair outside and enjoyed the 75° temps and the warm sunshine. A few weeks ago, I purchased an adapter for my tripod so I could use the iPad as a camera. I got it out and played with it for awhile. I had a blast setting the timer for 10 seconds then running to see if I could get in the picture in time!

\n

I wanted to tell you about what happened yesterday. I always sit in my truck before I pull out and pray for travel mercies. I list off all the things I’m going to be talking with Him about as I drive. Then I pray the Prayer of Jabez and ask Him to send me whoever He needs me to talk with that day. I hadn’t driven a hundred feet when I came around a corner and there was a whole crowd of folks my age sitting around a campfire. I stopped and rolled down my window.

\n

“You kids look like you’re having entirely too much fun!”

\n

“Oh, we are!!!” Everyone turned around and smiled and waved. We made some small talk and one of the gals asked if I was traveling alone. I told her all about Girl Campers and how I’m taking this camper around for a few months and we are raffling it off. One thing led to another and the subject of my writing came up. When I told them my writing is faith based and that I even have a Sunday Evening Prayer Circle, one woman came over and took my hand and asked if I would pray for her granddaughter who is sick with ulcerative colitis. I opened my blog and added her name to the prayer list. Before I left them, I took their hands and prayed with them…right there in the campground. God is so good…I asked, He delivered. Immediately! I know it happens so often, I shouldn’t be amazed. But I am always in awe at that.

\n

I’m in the home stretch of the West Virginia tour now. Just one, maybe two more nights and I’ll be back at the Ponderosa for a few days. It’s been such an amazing trip and I’ve seen some beautiful places. I’m looking forward to heading south next week. If you all have any recommendations for campgrounds or state parks in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina…I’d love to hear them!

\n

❤️

\n
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”\n

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/29/welcome-to-my-living-room.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Prayer","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","God","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/28/rounding-out-october.html", "title": "Rounding Out October", "content_html": "

\"Bluestone “Bluestone Lake is gorgeous this time of year.”

\n

Today is moving day so that means I get to tell you where I have been the last few days. I arrived at Pipestem Resort State Park on Thursday. I’ve been here before, but never camping. There’s a tram that takes you down in the canyon to the lower lodge that sits on the Bluestone River. There is a restaurant, gift shop, and artisan center on the canyon rim at the top of the tram. There is an equestrian center, golf course, pool, recreation center, nature center and a main lodge with every amenity you could want.

\n

The campground is large. The interior sites have full hookups and are pretty close together. The sites around the perimeter are roomier and of course they back up to woods. There is a very large camping area with no hookups. I was told there is a major upgrade coming adding more service sites and leveling them out…something that is sorely needed.

\n

The weather has been typical WV autumn…unpredictable. Yesterday dawned sunny and clear but within an hour we were socked in with clouds. Then, by 3:00, it was sunny again clear through sunset. The foliage is still beautiful but is definitely past the peak of color. This happens where we get cold, rain, and wind…which we had last night.

\n

I drove over to Bluestone State Park yesterday. There is a large dam on the Bluestone River which has created a large lake. The park is smaller, less developed, and more remote then Pipestem which is less than ten miles away. There is one main campground with a few full service sites and electric only sites. There is a more primitive and rustic campground on up the road. The primitive campground sits right on the lake and is popular for fishing.

\n

One thing I thought was pretty cool. There is a campground on the far side of the lake that is accessible only by boat. Each campsite has it’s own dock. That would be a lot of fun, I would think. There is more wildlife activity at the Bluestone Campsites because they are less densely populated. Bears, fox, and bobcats frequent the area as well as more common deer, raccoon, possum, skunks and squirrels. There are occasional sightings of otters and mink.

\n

Bluestone State Park has a large number of cabins spread around on a wooded hilltop. One of the cabins sits beside a very old cemetery that has been there long before the park came to be. I couldn’t find anyone who knew the history of the grave sites so I will have to do some research on my own.

\n

Again, there are so many amazing photos from this weekend but I am limited to what I can send over two bars of cell service. I’m planning on creating a video of this month’s circuit of the stunning State Parks of West Virginia. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for that or see the photos as I have the opportunity to upload them. 

\n

Today I head to the last park on my WV Fall Foliage Tour…Chasing the Sun. I’m supposed to camp there till Friday, but I’ve decided to cut it short just a little so I can go home for a few days before I head south. Well, actually…before WE head south. I’ve talked Mr. FixIt into doing the southern circuit with me!!! Bless his heart…he has been awfully patient having his wife galavanting around the countryside. I need to get back and help him with a few chores and get a few things done to be better prepared for more camping.

\n

❤️

\n
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”\n

1 Corinthians 7:3 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-28T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/28/rounding-out-october.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Marriage","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/27/between-the-trees.html", "title": "Between the Trees", "content_html": "

\"Autumn “Sitting by the river is soothing to the soul.”

\n

Being a writer is a wonderful thing. I can get lost in a blank page, creating worlds from my thoughts. It’s like magic…making something from nothing. I pray over my keyboard. I ask God to bring me words to say and people who need them. I am humbled when someone reaches out and tells me how my words have encouraged them or helped to ease the pain of their particular loss. I am quick to tell them…it is not me. I am merely the transcriptionist.

\n

When I pray the Prayer of Jabez, I ask for God to give me those Blessings with my name on them. I ask Him to expand my territory and to walk with His hand over me to keep evil far from me so that I may not feel/cause pain. I love when He brings people to me. It happens daily and I am so blessed by His generosity.

\n

As I sat yesterday in the r-pod, working on a writing project, I noticed the camper next door had turned their outdoor speakers up and were playing loud music. Not over-the-top loud…just annoying because it was disturbing my flow. I stopped and looked at the clock. Just after noon. I had been working straight through since breakfast. I sighed and closed my iPad.

\n

Should I go say something to the people? Should I give them a stern look as I pass by? Should I report them to the park office? I sat and prayed for discernment and wisdom. As I washed up the breakfast dishes, I looked out and there were two children…maybe ‘tweens…carving pumpkins! They didn’t have their noses glued to an electronic device. They were camping with their family and doing fun, creative things in the outdoors.

\n

I smiled as I dried my hands. Just WHO is the one with her nose glued to an electronic device? Oh, yes…that would be ME! I laughed as I looked up and said, “Ok, ok…I get the hint!” After taking a look around the camper to make sure things were unplugged and safe to leave, I donned my jacket and headed to the Fall Harvest Festival. 

\n

I watched a chainsaw artist carve a bear out of a log. I sat and listened to some live Bluegrass music. I went to the river and sat in a chair and read for an hour. I put my book away and just breathed in the smells of the day. The aroma of good food from the lodge kitchen. The smell of wet leaves and swift river water. The earthy smell of wool as the sun warmed my sweater. I closed my eyes and listened to children throwing rocks in the river and an elderly couple chatting softly as they walked slowly by…their feet shuffling through the leaves.

\n

I thanked God for reminding me to remove the plank in my own eye before I asked my neighbor to remove the sliver from theirs. 

\n

It was a really good day.

\n

❤️

\n
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”\n

Matthew 7:5 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-27T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/27/between-the-trees.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","God","Peace","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/26/time-travel.html", "title": "Time Travel", "content_html": "

\"Coffee “Coffee and sunshine and a little nosh!”

\n

As I explored the latest West Virginia State Park on my camping itinerary yesterday, I took a king sized jump back in time. The last time I was at this particular park was with Hubby #2. I can’t tell you the year, but my guess is it was the summer of 1979, although it could have been later. I remember bits and pieces of that trip. I remember feeling so extravagant to travel to such beautiful places. We stayed a night in this lodge I am sitting in as I write this post. Oh, my…so much water over the dam since then.

\n

I sat there in the morning sunshine, watching the river making riffles on the smooth stones below. The trees are yellow and brown and still-green here. Tiny little splashes of red and orange peek through as you move your eyes across the steep hillside at the far edge of the river. By 1:00 in the afternoon, the brilliant sun of morning gave way to the clouds portending the heavy storms predicted this weekend.

\n

I haven’t met a West Virginia State Park I haven’t liked. This trip has seriously been magical and something my heart and soul so desperately needed, if for no other reason that to remind me how dearly I love Mr. FixIt. Not that there has ever been a question. We all have a tendency to get wrapped up in the busyness of life and forget to stop and appreciate what we have. I’m just as guilty of that as anyone.

\n

Getting away also reminds me of the independence I cultivated for my self after Mr. Virgo died. I either got out and had adventures, or I would spend the rest of my life sitting at home alone. And that is just not me. I need solitude from time to time…to refresh and recharge and stretch my abilities. When I do that, I am a much better partner for my husband. I am more patient, more loving, and decidedly happier. This is a benefit for both of us.

\n

I’ve been gone for quite a bit this year. Between Girl Camping trips, six weeks in Colorado for my daughter’s wedding, and this Charity Trailer Raffle Tour, I think I have spent more time away from home than I was there. I have a patient husband, to be sure. But we are missing each other a lot so we are working on our itinerary for the next two months and figuring out the best way to travel AND be together.

\n

It is supposed to rain a lot this weekend so I’ve saved my writing and indoor projects till then. I need to take advantage of the sunshine when I can. When I woke up yesterday morning, it was 37 degrees. By the time I rousted myself to get coffee, it was 8:00 and 42 degrees. I took the electric griddle outside and cooked with it sitting on the picnic table. I fried a whole package of bacon and carefully placed the cooked strip between layers of paper towels and slipped the entire batch into a zip lock bag. Stored in the refrigerator, these will be eaten up long before they would spoil. I did the same with a batch of pancakes and stored them two to a sandwich bag. That way, I’ve cooked several days of breakfasts ahead of time. When it’s raining this weekend, I can still have outdoor cooked meals.

\n

As I finished writing this piece, I watched a little boy, maybe four or five years old…walking along the river. Bright yellow leaves rained down around him. With hands reached out, he laughed as he tried to catch them…his feet crunching on those he missed. He picked up rocks on the river bank and watched out for his little brother toddling along behind him. They were out with their dad. I love seeing dads with their littles…teaching, loving, experiencing the joy of the day. I close with this thought. Wouldn’t it be a better world if the littles spent more time outside with their dads? Or moms, if dad isn’t around? Or with anyone who loves them and wants to teach them about the world and about life? Wouldn’t it be better than handing a child an electronic device to keep them quiet…engaged in learning what someone else is teaching them? Maybe something that isn’t reflective of your values? I’m not being judgmental here. There were plenty of times I let my own little watch too much TV in order to have some peace. It just seems we are raising a generation that’s greatest skill is dissociation. I’m not sure how you put the smoke back in the bottle.

\n

With that thought, I have spent entirely too much of my morning sitting here with my own set of electronic diversions so I’m heading out to enjoy this day before the rains come and I get stuck inside. I hope you have a beautiful weekend wherever you are. Put the phone down…go outside and play. You’re never too old to “go places and do things”, as the Girl Campers say!

\n

❤️

\n
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”\n

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-26T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/26/time-travel.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip","Littles","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/25/overcoming-challenges.html", "title": "Overcoming Challenges", "content_html": "

\"Camping\" “Kicking back in my Vasques at the campsite at the end of the day makes all the challenges melt away!”

\n

Yesterday saw its fair share of challenges. First, I was wide awake at 5:30am. I drove over Droop Mountain on Wednesday and frankly…I was a little concerned about pulling the camper over it. At 3060 feet elevation with a 9% grade, it is a considerable piece of real estate to cross over, especially hauling a camper. 

\n

The first thing I did Wednesday evening was take a long, hot shower to empty water out of the fresh tank into the grey tank. I knew I needed to offload as much weight as I could before I took on the mountains and curvy West Virginia roads the next morning. When I awoke at 5:30, I pulled out my atlas and went over my route for the umpteenth time. One side of my brain said, “Nope…not gonna.” But the adventurous side…the side that knows I can do all things with Jesus said, “Yep…we’re gonna do this!”

\n

I hooked up the camper and pulled it over to the campground dump station. It was 8:00 in the morning and 37 degrees…a tad chilly. I got everything emptied and cleaned and put away, then headed out. My first obstacle was coming up the hill from Watoga State Park Campground into Seebert. There is a sign that tells you there is a sharp drop off on the right. In other words, the “shoulder” of the road is about…I don’t know…a hundred feet down, maybe? It was really no big deal…you just hug the center line and pray no one else is coming. And when they are, you stop. It doesn’t matter who might be behind you…they can just wait.

\n

I was really pleased at how smoothly the Droop Mountain crossing went. My transmission temp stayed in a reasonable temperature range. There was a good deal of fog at the base, but I soon broke through to perfect sunshine and crisp air. The leaves that high are a bit past their prime, but still beautiful.

\n

My biggest challenge came when I got to the campground. I asked the fellow in the check-in office if the sites are level and he said, “Ma’am, I have to be perfectly honest. They really aren’t it’s a challenge to get things level.” I didn’t want to hear this because, of all the things I left at home, it was my assortment of levelers. Keith followed me out to my site and we stood there looking at it. 

\n

“Wow…that has quite a grade, doesn’t it?” I said.

\n

He allowed that it did. He brought me some scraps of wood he had salvaged from campers leaving them behind. I pulled further forward where the grade wasn’t quite as steep, and unhooked. I walked all around and finally realized, I did not have enough blocks with me to make up the difference because my stabilizing jacks wouldn’t reach the ground. 

\n

I drove back over and was about to buy a couple packages of levelers when Keith said he would look to see if there was another site. He had offered two others earlier but I just didn’t like them. They were small, crowded, and right on the road. Finally he came up with an available site and I drove around to look at it. It would be a little tricky backing into it, but it was long and level and faced way back in the woods. It was perfect. 

\n

I hooked back up and towed to the second site and got settled in. It made for a long day, but the results made me much more comfortable than the first site. Sometimes you have to listen to your gut. The only place for that trailer to go if the chocks gave way was down the side of the mountain. It is a perfectly good site for a motor home or something small like a popup tent camper…it just didn’t work for me.

\n

Keith apologized for wasting three hours of my day. I explained that I am a writer and an educator. I’m an experienced camper. But there are lots of people out there who haven’t had any experience and want to learn. These kinds of experiences offer me opportunities to teach others and hopefully avoid unfortunate pitfalls. Those kinds of things can really dampen one’s joy toward a new activity, and I want you to have as much success as possible when you “Go Places and Do Things”!

\n

❤️

\n
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”\n

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-25T01:30:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/25/overcoming-challenges.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","West Virginia","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/24/less-is-more.html", "title": "Less is More", "content_html": "

\"Muck “My favorite boots.”

\n

Ok…you all know me. You know I have something to say about…you know, everything. I’ve been known to turn a phrase. I’ve been able to paint pictures with my words. It’s not me…it’s all God. But, as I sat down last night to write this post, I was at a total loss for words. Yesterday was just about the most beautiful day I have ever seen and I didn’t have anyone to share it with. Not in real time, anyway. Mr. FixIt is still at home, picking pears and cleaning out the last of the garden. And there’s all of you. And Kaye and her fella, “Not John Hancock” (sorry, I’ve forgotten his first name but it’s definitely NOT John). I met them on a hike in Beartown State Park.

\n

I just spent the whole day yesterday gobsmacked at every turn. It started when I awoke before dawn and saw the fog settling in on the river. I jumped up in the dark, threw on my camp clothes and muck boots, and headed down the road in the campground. I got down on the riverbank and waited. I’ve learned to wait patiently for the light. There’s a moment…just a fleeting moment, when the light is perfect and the color is perfect and the subject is perfect. It happens every day…but most of the time, we aren’t there to catch it. Or we aren’t paying attention.

\n

If you blink, you can miss it….that one perfect shot. That one picture that says “WOW”. You can take 500 shots and have one, if you’re lucky. Or, you can take 500 shots and have SO many that just knock your socks off and you can’t choose. Some I need to keep aside for the project I’m working on. And some, while I would love to share them with you today, are just too big and the internet here at the campground won’t handle it. You’ll have to wait.

\n

So, I chose this one. I was standing by the river, waiting for the perfect light, when I looked down and saw this colorful array of leaves around my feet. Simple. Yet it says so much. These feet have carried me for sixty-six years now. They’ve run and jumped, danced and snuggled. They’ve kicked and stomped and run away from so many things. But this day…this day they stood…patiently waiting for the perfect light. In a pair of boots that my Aunt Peeps gave me years ago. They are one of my most prized possessions. Rugged. Sturdy. Utilitarian. And practical on a wet, foggy morning on a riverbank.

\n

These boots symbolize where I am in my life. I’m comfortable. Happy in my own skin, just for the sake of being happy. There’s something to be said for that kind of simplicity. And for knowing when less is more.

\n

❤️

\n
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”\nMatthew 6:21 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-10-24T04:10:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/24/less-is-more.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/23/coffee-with-wanda-belle.html", "title": "Coffee with Wanda Belle", "content_html": "

\"Autumn “The many colors of Autumn”

\n

I was pouring my coffee yesterday and my mom popped in my head. She often does, but yesterday she “came” to have coffee with me. Mom loved her coffee…hot and black. She had a Pyrex coffee pot and I was enamored with the way you could watch the coffee brewing…bubbling up through the center tube into the glass handle of the lid then seeping down through the grounds. There was never a time when there wasn’t coffee on the stove.

\n

Until she got older. Then it was “too much work” or “the pot is just too heavy to lift”. Then she turned to Sanka. Ok, there might be some of you who like Sanka. If you do, I mean no offense…I don’t mean to “yuck your yum”. But…ugh! Any instant coffee is a poor substitute for the real thing, in my humble opinion. I felt she had just…settled.

\n

As I poured my coffee and thought of Mom, I could almost hear her say, “Why are you bothering with this whole rigamarole? You get out the grinder and the beans. You measure and grind till it’s just so. You measure again and pour the bottled water in the coffee maker. You plug it in and wait. What an ordeal. Just get yourself a jar of Sanka!”

\n

I smiled.

\n

“Yeah…no, Mom. It my routine. It’s my pleasure. When I have that first sip of hot, strong coffee (with cream and stevia, please) I’m in heaven!” Is it more work? Not that much. When I first started this trip, I bought a “pour over” thingy. I used it for the first week or two and stopped at the first Walmart I came across to buy a 4-cup Mr. Coffee. That’s the perfect size to fill my Tervis coffee cup twice. And the second cup is hot in the electric coffee maker.

\n

Someone gave me a hand grinder and a French press many years ago. I used it when I was on The Grand Adventure in Colorado those three months after Mr. Virgo died. Many times I didn’t have electricity but I wasn’t about to turn to instant. Making coffee off the grid was a lot more work than this…but oh, it was the best coffee ever! I thought about bringing that setup with me on this trip but I knew, even without electricity, I can use the little Mr. Coffee because of the solar panels on the roof of the r-pod. Isn’t that a trip? I haven’t tried it yet…but I will before this ride is over.

\n

I’m camping in the woods again this time. I love waking to see the trees all around, to hear the wind rustle through the leaves, to step out of the camper into the glorious light of autumn shining with that rare amber light of fall. I believe I’ll take my coffee down to the river and set a spell before I start my project of the day. I hope you get outside and enjoy some of this before winter sets in.

\n

❤️

\n
“You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.”\n

Psalms 104:20-23 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-23T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/23/coffee-with-wanda-belle.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Camping","West Virginia","Peace","Aging","Choices","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/22/a-perfectly-beautiful-day.html", "title": "A Perfectly Beautiful Day", "content_html": "

\"Cheers\" “Dining al fresco in the glory of autumn.”

\n

Now that I have left the last campground, I can tell you about it. Some of my friends who have camped there guessed where I was. Revelle’s Family Campground is just up the road from Elkins, WV in a little burg called Bowden. There’s a fish hatchery there…and lots of cabins and campgrounds. I’ve driven past Revelle’s since I was a teenager. They actually opened when I was sixteen and the just celebrated their 50th Anniversary.

\n

The current owners purchased it in 2015. It was a little rundown and they have put a lot into it, bringing some of it’s glorious past back to life. They have lots of fun activities like WVU Football Tailgate Parties and bingo every other weekend. There are over 200 campsites with several backed right up to Shaver’s Fork of the Cheat River…a stocked trout stream. About half the sites are permanent campers…meaning, they lease out the spot to one person on a yearly basis. Those campers treat their travel trailers like a mountain cabin and often only come for weekends. There are some who come to spend the summer.

\n

I was really taken by the lovely surroundings and the equally lovely owner, Katharine. I can already envision organizing a Girl Camper trip next October to show off the amazing colors this time of year.

\n

Yesterday was my travel day to the next campground. My route took me on a two-lane blacktop that climbed over mountains, twisting and turning through forests of hardwoods, evergreens, and the ever present mountain laurel. It was sunny and absolutely gorgeous as I climbed through the Allegheny Mountains and the colors were spectacular. Every turn was more beautiful than the last. However, there were NO turnoffs or scenic overlooks and I couldn’t very well stop in the middle of the road to take pictures so I will have to search the internet for the photos taken by others of this area to give you some idea. I’m telling you…words cannot do this day justice.

\n

Along the way, I saw a sign for an old general store which is really more of a museum these days. I was fortunate to find a parking place out front and welcomed the opportunity to get out and stretch my legs. The owner was graciously greeting the crowds of people as they made their way to the portico out front. When he greeted me, he asked where I was from. When I told him Parkersburg, he lit up. He was born and raised just a couple of miles from me and graduated the year after Mr. FixIt and me and knew my sweet hubby back in the day!

\n

Tom Shipley’s mother left this farm to him, thus ensuring the little store and grounds would stay open and in the family. Tom says it’s a lot of work, but he’s been there since 2004 and is a fixture in the community. There is a small log cabin located on the grounds not far from the huge main house. It turned out to have been built by Tom’s great-great-great grandparents. What a treat that must be to have that family legacy remain in the same hands throughout the generations. I would have loved to have stayed longer, but I needed to move on. But, not without purchasing some jars of homemade apple butter, red raspberry jam, and cherry jam first. Tom carried my purchases out to the truck for me and gave me a big hug…”for Parkersburg,” he said.

\n

Unfortunately, as I crested the last mountain, the clouds gathered and that was the end of the glorious sunshine. Still, it was quite beautiful as I closed in on my final destination. I got unhooked and set up and within minutes, I had people wanting to come see the camper and buy tickets for the raffle. The only way to purchase tickets is to buy them online at girlcamper.com . I can’t tell you how many people reach for their wallets when they find out we are raffling off this trailer!

\n

There is WiFi at this campground, but no cellular because of the blackout area of Greenbank Observatory. I’ll write about that another day. The WiFi is pretty slow and has to be shared by all the campers, so I don’t know if photos will come through to post or not…we’ll see. In the meantime, it was supposed to rain all last night and all day today. I have an indoor project to do today, so that will be perfect timing.

\n

❤️

\n
“Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.”\n1 Chronicles 16:33 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-10-22T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/22/a-perfectly-beautiful-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/21/take-a-little-time.html", "title": "Take a Little Time", "content_html": "

\"Crimson “The color crimson is startling in the woods of WV.”

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I tell people all the time…”Self care is NOT selfish!” This weekend I took a little time for some self care and it felt wonderful. First was the old time music and folk dancing Saturday. Then yesterday, I took off early and drove over to see family in Grant and Pendleton Counties. The aunt that I cared for when I first moved back here from Colorado has been living with her brother, my Uncle Bud, for the last three years. She is suffering from dementia now and I am not at all sure she knew who I was. Which is probably a good thing because she doesn’t necessarily like me much. She was quite personable during our visit, which was nice.

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I helped around the house…cleaning the kitchen and picking up. I took a chuck roast over and put it in the crock pot for them along with noodles and a pumpkin pie. They should eat like royalty for a few days on that. I shared pictures with them and we swapped stories for a while before I left to go to my cousin’s house for a while. I haven’t seen her since Thanksgiving last year so it was a long overdue visit.

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As I was driving back to the campground late in the afternoon, I got to the top of Middle Mountain and saw this amazing tree. Actually, I saw amazing trees everywhere. But it was raining all day and very foggy on top of the mountain. I pulled over to the side and stood with my camera ready…just willing the fog to part long enough to capture the beauty of this lone tree on the mountaintop. It was well worth the wait, don’t you think?

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The mountain sides look like a rich tapestry with everything from green to garnet, scarlet to sunshine yellow. It was mesmerizing and it was all I could do to keep my eyes on the road. Stunning! It’s this time of year that makes you hold your breath. In the spring, when the green leaves pop out, you know there is a long stretch ahead with lovely foliage. Then this time of year comes and we sit and wait for the proverbial “other shoe” to drop. Because, in a heartbeat it will be gone and the trees will reach for the sky with naked bony fingers grasping at the winter winds that whip through them.

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So, till that time comes, I will gaze in wonder and will share that with you as I travel this path to see where it leads me. Today is a travel day for me. My next stop is the first campsite I have had without electricity so I’m going to rely on the solar to power me off grid. I can’t wait to see what I can still do in the camper without shore power!

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❤️

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“\"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.\"”\n

Isaiah 1:18-20 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-21T01:31:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/21/take-a-little-time.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Change","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/20/waiting-for-home.html", "title": "Waiting for Home", "content_html": "

\"Beautiful “The house I wanted for a B&B in Elkins…it always makes me wonder…what if?”

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I’m not kidding when I say I spent just about every moment of the forty years I lived in Colorado waiting for the day I could move back home. Oh, there was a stretch of time when I was young and cocky and I thought I knew better than those “old fogeys” back home who were SO out of touch. Little did I know I would give my right arm to return to my roots one day.

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I had the opportunity to come home when Hubby #1 and I split up, but I turned it down. My daughter was about three years old at the time, and I wanted her to have broader horizons than I had growing up so I elected to stay in Denver where I had no family support and a relatively small social circle. 

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When I was married to Hubby #2, there was some talk about going back home, but he is a Colorado boy, born and bred. You just don’t take them out of that climate and plop them down in humidity. I remember dreaming at night that if anything happened to him, I’d hightail it home as fast as I could.

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Then, Mr. Virgo came along. He was my best bet to get back because he was born and raised in South Philly. But he had tried his whole life to get back to Colorado, which he adored, so I knew there was a very slim chance we’d actually move back to West Virginia. However, I did get him to discuss the possibilities of owning a B&B somewhere back here. 

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I’ll never forget those days when we would do internet searches for B&B’s for sale. We found a big house in the historic district of Parkersburg that was a real possibility. But the one I had my heart set on was actually here in Elkins, WV. It was right across the road from the back side of the Davis & Elkins campus. It had seven bedrooms and five full baths with a large commercial kitchen. I was in love!

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Mr. Virgo? Not so much. This is where the wheat was separated from the chaff and I realized it was never gonna happen. He had put his roots down in Colorado and there would be no budging that man. Now, every time I am near here, I have to drive past “my B&B”. I have no idea who bought it. It doesn’t look as though it has been turned back into the B&B it was many years ago. When I see it, I am reminded that we don’t work on our time. We work on God’s time. And it wasn’t time for me to be here back then.

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I do have an affinity for this little town though. Mostly because of the college and the Augusta Heritage Center which works to preserve the old timey ways of our ancestors. I was thrilled to spend the afternoon with “my people”…folks who obviously love their heritage as much as I do. I’ve seen some beautiful places on this trip already. But I think this stop has been my favorite so far. I just wish Mr. FixIt could have been with me. He would have enjoyed this so much.

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❤️

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“And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.”\n

Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-20T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/20/waiting-for-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Widow","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/19/allegheny-autumn-splendor.html", "title": "Allegheny Autumn Splendor!", "content_html": "

\"Autumn “Oh….be still my heart! Autumn’s splendor in the highlands of West Virginia!”

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I slept so soundly Thursday night. Maybe it’s sleeping by moving water that makes me drift off quickly and sleep all night…a welcome treat. It was pretty darned nippy yesterday morning and it will be even colder tonight. I got chilled when I first arrived at the campground. I went through a couple of mud puddles and the camper had been splashed from the tires. I got a pail of warm water and washed it down, but I was chilled to the bone. It was’t long after dark that I got in my warm, flannel jammies and hopped in bed under the electric blanket. I still didn’t warm up till after 10:00.

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I awoke to the sun coming over the far ridge…lighting the leaves along the river with a beacon of gold that reflected on the window shades of the camper. I slipped the shades up and stayed snuggled under my warm blankets for another hour before I ventured out to begin my day. After a cup of fresh brewed coffee, I took a hot shower in the camper. It’s awfully nice to not have to traipse across a cold campground to use their bathroom facilities in the middle of the night or the chill of the morning.

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When you camp and live in a small space, it’s important to stay on top of the cleaning and organizing daily or you end up just throwing things everywhere. I can’t stand living in a cluttered environment, especially in close quarters. In touring with the r-pod, there is always someone who wants to have a peek inside and it’s just easier to spend a little extra time every morning making sure everything is presentable.

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I drove to town and had lunch at CJ Maggie’s in Elkins then drove over to the Davis and Elkins College. What a gorgeous campus. D&E is a small liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. With an enrollment of only 805 students, it offers a 13:1 Student/Faculty ratio and both national and international accreditations. D&E is also the home of the Augusta Heritage Center, keeping Appalachian music and skills alive for future generations. There are opportunities to hear Old Time music, both at the summer series and Old Time Week in October. I am especially interested in the Fiddlers Reunion today, as well at the Flat Foot Dance  competition. It speaks to my roots and I’m really looking forward to going.

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After my tour of the college campus, I drove up into the Stuart Recreation Area, a densely forested federal park along the banks of the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. The trees are at their peak of glory here in the Allegheny Mountain Range, part of the Appalachian Mountains. This morning’s low was predicted to hit 30 degrees, bringing us the first frost of the season. If I stay around West Virginia too much longer, I’d have to winterize the camper to keep the water lines from freezing. But a couple of hours of freezing temperatures aren’t enough to cause damage. The weather is predicted to get warmer after this weekend freeze.

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I’m having a lot of fun on this trip and it reminds me of those early months and years after losing Mr. Virgo. I traveled for much of the first three years after he died. The big difference between then and now, of course, is the degree of grief healing that has taken place. As I became a different woman in the aftermath of Mr. Virgo’s death, so too have I become a different person on the other side of deep grief. I think we all change and remake ourselves multiple times in our lives. Our “being” is not static…it is ever-evolving. 

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As my dear friend Sue told me the other night…”We love this new you.” So do I, my friend. So do I.

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❤️

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“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,”\n

Colossians 2:2 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-19T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/19/allegheny-autumn-splendor.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/17/what-a-difference-a-day.html", "title": "What a Difference a Day Makes!", "content_html": "

\"Fall “One day sunny and warm, the next day blustery and cold. Still…a day camping is better than anything else!”

\n

When I arrived at Stonewall Jackson Resort Campground on Wednesday, it was a lovely, warm day. This campground is decidedly different from Cedar Creek. Where Cedar Creek was more rustic and filled with nature, trees, deer, squirrels, and all manner of birds, Stonewall Jackson is quite “resorty”. There were a lot of really big rigs…the huge, expensive Class A motorhomes that are just passing through. There are a lot of resort amenities here, too. A golf course, a huge lodge, a grand lake with a big boat that tours around in the evenings…weather permitting. It just has an altogether different feel and I honestly think I prefer the far end of a campground that might be visited by bears over this…even though it really is quite nice.

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The sun was shining when I arrived and I spent the afternoon reorganizing the pantry in the kitchen. I wasn’t sure what all I would need on this trip so. I brought way too much “stuff”. So far, I’ve sent Mr. FixIt home with extra stuff every time he comes to camp with me. This time, I knew I had too much in the big pantry because I just kept pushing things to the back and only using what was in the front. I have an empty tub in the bed of the truck that I throw the things I am not particularly using so a big bag of heavier stuff went out there. The rest got more evenly distributed throughout the camper so the shelves weren’t overloaded.

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Once the organizing was completed, dinner was done, and the dishes washed and put away, I went for a walk around the campground before turning in for the night. I know we are almost at the end of Daylight Savings Time and it’s already getting dark way too early. Once the time change hits us, it will be getting dark at 5:00pm…making for some long nights to fill in the camper. Since I don’t watch TV as a rule, I’m working on writing, reading actual books (wow), and knitting. 

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I spent almost the entire day yesterday over at the park lodge. The WiFi at the campground slowed down markedly because it started raining at 5:00am and people were stuck inside their campers. I’m sure they were surfing the web and maybe live-streaming movies. The WiFi at the lodge was much faster and I settled in after breakfast and sipped coffee as I met some writing deadlines. Along about 11:00, the hostess of the restaurant gasped and pointed out the window. Leaves were swirling about and the rain was coming down in sheets. I jumped up and asked them to watch my stuff…I’d be right back.

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Leaving the camper in the campground unattended worried me and I wanted to drive back over to check on it. It was fine and I breathed a sigh of relief as I drove back over to the lodge to finish a piece I was working on. When you are put in charge of something that doesn’t belong to you, you don’t take chances with it. I don’t take this charge lightly.

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Today is a gypsy day and I am leaving this campground. I have tentative plans for another further east, but that leads me into the mountains and the low Friday night is near freezing. I need to get the propane refilled and decide if it’s worth staying in the mountains, or should I move a bit further south. Weather forecasts can change quickly this time of year, and there is something special I would like to do this weekend where I was originally planning to stay. Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. So, we shall see where I land. Sometimes those are the best travel days…when you end up doing something entirely unpredicted.

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❤️

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“But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.”\n

Jeremiah 10:12-13 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-17T01:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/17/what-a-difference-a-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace","Courage","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/16/eat-pray-camp.html", "title": "Eat, Pray, Camp!", "content_html": "

\"R-pod “The r-pod 196 nestled in the trees at Cedar Creek State Park near Glenville, WV”

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I moved to the next campground easily enough yesterday morning. Mr. FixIt met me at the McDonald’s in Glenville for breakfast so I could get my travel coordinates before we parted company for another couple of weeks. We had the BEST weekend! It was our first wedding anniversary, which I had told you about. When he arrived at the campground Saturday night, he greeted me with a dozen roses and a sweet card. I greeted him with a warm supper and a big hug. We hiked, biked, and chatted with folks he knew in the campground. (Have I told you he knows EVERYONE?!) We rested and watched movies and took naps. And we just flat out enjoyed not having cell service or TV to distract us from enjoying each other’s company. It was wonderful!

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Speaking of no cell service, we had just finished eating lunch out in front of our camper on Monday when Mr. FixIt’s phone rang! We could barely hear a woman’s voice and she was saying something about coming to the office. We thought it must have something to do with his insurance policy because the call came from his agent’s office. That was really weird.

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After lunch, we decided to go for a bike ride around the state park. It’s such a great place to ride bikes because the campground is essentially flat. When we got back to the camper, Mr. FixIt reached to remove his wallet from his back pocket and…it was GONE! We looked in both trucks and all over the camper and campsite, but he figured he had to have lost it when he was riding his bike.

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I hadn’t realized till I got back to the camper that he wasn’t right behind me. I got off my bike and took off my helmet and gloves and here he came. It turned out he had gotten his shoe lace wrapped around the bike pedal and had to stop at the camp store to get untangled. He assumed that is where he lost the wallet. So, we got in the truck. I prayed out loud.

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“Jesus, please help us find my husband’s wallet!”

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We took off driving very slowly…looking for a brown wallet amongst the equally brown leaves all over the roadway. We hadn’t had any luck when we passed a couple out for a walk. 

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“You haven’t happened to find a wallet, have you?”

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“Nope…sorry. We haven’t seen a thing!”

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“Ok, we’ll keep looking. Thanks!”

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While we were talking to the couple who were walking, another couple rode past us on their bikes on the other side of the truck.

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Suddenly, we heard the walking couple.

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“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”

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I looked in the rear view mirror and they were waving us back and pointing at the couple on the bike. The bikers rode up to us.

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“You looking for a wallet? I just turned one in at the park headquarters building! They have it waiting for you!”

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I stuck my hand out the window and looked up and shouted, “Thank you, Jesus!!!”

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We drove on up to the building at the park entrance and sure enough, it was Mr. FixIt’s wallet…intact with his one lone dollar bill and his credit cards. As we were driving back to the camper, he looked at me and said, “Man, that was really lucky!”

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I looked at him with a level stare and said, “No, honey…luck had nothing to do with that. What did I do as soon as we got in the truck? I prayed that Jesus would help us find your wallet, didn’t I?” He nodded in agreement. “Then, we asked the walkers if they found a wallet and they didn’t. But they asked the bikers, and THEY did…and had turned it in. All in the space of about ten minutes after I prayed! That was a prayer answered, sweetheart…plain and simple.”

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He had to agree. Especially when we were sitting at breakfast yesterday and he checked his phone.

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“Huh…I have a missed call.” It was from the same number that got through in an area with no phone service. They had called back and left us this message.

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“Hi there…this is __________ from you insurance agent’s office. We received a call from the folks at Cedar Creek State Park saying someone found your wallet. You need to check in with the headquarters office to get it back.”

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I looked at Mr. FixIt and smiled. “See? You can add getting a phone call in an area with no cell service about your lost wallet to the list of steps God took to return it to you!”

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I’m gobsmacked when God does these things…especially when it shows another person that He’s really REAL and cares about ALL the things, not just the big stuff. Even a wallet that falls out in the leaves.

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❤️

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“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”\n

John 15:7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-16T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/16/eat-pray-camp.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","God","Wisdom","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/12/go-with-the-flow.html", "title": "Go With The Flow", "content_html": "

\"WV “Early morning fog on the lake. Almost Heaven…West Virginia”

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So, I know I told you I wouldn’t be running to town every whipstitch, however…I really do need to write some things for a deadline I’m facing…AND, I needed to get some reservations for this trip. I ended up heading into town to use the WiFi at McDonald’s. I wasn’t finished when I saw my battery was almost gone on my iPad so I packed it up and headed back to the campsite and plugged in. 

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It was early enough in the day that the fog hadn’t burned off the lake yet and I stopped in the road to take a photo. There was another, even more spectacular view on down a ways, however, there was someone coming up behind me so I had to move on. Sometimes the most beautiful, unforgettable photos get left to memory and never see the light of day. Those are really special.

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The campground is filling up and I just realized this is Columbus Day weekend. I imagine there will be crowds of people there by later today. Some campgrounds close by the end of October around here. I managed to get West Virginia camping all the way through to the first of November. Then I am going to either have to head south or winterize the camper. There will be some nights in the next week that will get down to the 30’s. It won’t be a problem unless it gets down and stays down, which it is not likely to do at this time of the year here.

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As I am writing this, I am listening to a group of college girls. They are FaceTiming with one of their moms and it is hysterical. They are talking about their hair and what to do with it for some special event. It reminds me so much of when my older daughter was that age. I was so young and I really loved the kids. As I was driving into town earlier, Daughter #2 called and we chatted for a while. It’s crazy how fast they’ve grown and how long ago those crazy fun times in McDonald’s really were.

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\"Sycamore “Sycamore Tussock Moth Caterpillar”

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The second picture is a Sycamore Tussock moth caterpillar. It was climbing up my tire at the campground…not surprising seeing how I’m camped in a grove of sycamore trees. I looked it up and they aren’t poisonous, but they can irritate your skin if you happen to be allergic to them. They said it is best to move them away with a stick or piece of paper, which is exactly what I did.

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I hope you have a wonderful Saturday and enjoy the autumn weather, wherever you are!

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❤️

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“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.”\n

James 5:7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-12T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/12/go-with-the-flow.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/11/slow-down.html", "title": "Slow Down", "content_html": "

\"Country “There’s something special about moseying out country roads instead of roaring through on an interstate.”

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There is something special about driving on a two-lane blacktop in the fall. First, you’re forced to slow down…especially in West Virginia. There are a lot of 15 to 20 to 25mph turns in these parts. Beyond safety issues is the sheer beauty around every curve. 

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I love how the leaves fall in a shower of gold and red light in the sun. I love how the car in front of you stirs them up into a whirlwind that splashes on your windshield as you drive through them. I love how the the denuded trees cast lines on the roadway making it seem to glitter and shimmer as the miles fly under your wheels.

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The morning dew glistens as the leaves flutter in the breeze of your passing. The whole world takes on an auburn glow with rich yellow, tawny bronze, and deep indigo undertones. Crows and turkey buzzards circle overhead, waiting for the tasty morsels of the unfortunate squirrel or groundhog that doesn’t make it across the pavement in time. 

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Deer stand tenuously on the shoulder of the road seeming to be making a decision. Should I go? Should I stay? My mind wills them to turn and run up the hill away from my approaching bumper…left to live another day. Chipmunks seem to be enthralled with the macadam madness that cuts through their turf. Scoot out fast. No…wait! Dart back quick! How I keep from hitting them, I’ll never know.

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I arrived at my next campground shortly before noon. I stopped at the store on the way so I could buy chili fixin’s. Mr. FixIt was talking about chili the other night and it’s been on my mind ever since. I got unhooked and mixed up a batch for the crockpot. I made plenty to have leftovers for the freezer.

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This is one of the best things about traveling with a camper. With a well equipped kitchen and a stocked pantry, you can eat healthy and save a lot of money on the road. Avoid the fast food places and steer clear of processed foods and your food budget can go a long way. I have homemade chicken noodle soup, beef and noodles, pepperoni rolls, cinnamon rolls, taco meat, potato soup, pizza, old fashioned noodles, and now chili in the freezer. Potatoes, sausage, cheese, salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, grapes, eggs, potato salad, sliced turkey, avocado, yoghurt, milk, and cottage cheese in the fridge. I have an assortment of dry goods in the pantry, including microwave popcorn if I want a snack. We’ll be eating like royalty this weekend when Mr. FixIt arrives.

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There’s and upside and a downside to this campground. Gorgeous woods. No internet at the campsite. I’ll have to drive to town to post this. If I didn’t have writing deadlines, I’d just cut the cord for the duration, but alas…my “work” is never done! There are worse things than writing every day!

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❤️

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”\n

Psalms 19:1-2 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-11T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/11/slow-down.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Courage","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/10/what-would-grandma-say.html", "title": "What Would Grandma Say?", "content_html": "

\"RP196\" “Autumn Glow Lights up the R-Pod”

\n

I camped the last two nights at a park hardly anyone knows about and I’d almost like to keep it that way. Except…it’s so uber cool, I just have to share. I’ve written about Calhoun County Park before. Mr. FixIt and I took a drive out here once and took pictures of the Heritage Village…a collection of buildings that were transported here and restored. There’s an old general store, a school house, a church, and a post office among others. The post office was from Freed…not too far from Grandma’s farm. Grandma introduced me to some of the Freed family.

\n

When we came out to the park that time, we saw a little campground and I was intrigued. As it turns out, Calhoun County Park is a designated “dark sky site”…meaning there is minimal light pollution and it’s easy to see the stars. The last couple of nights were peak meteor events. The first night was blanketed in dense cloud cover but last night was clear as a bell. Still, at the time I am writing this, I haven’t seen any.

\n

When I got up yesterday morning and went outside, there was something about the light and sounds and smells that took me straight back to my childhood. Grandma’s farm is probably 15 miles or so from here as the crow flies so I’m practically camping in the backyard. It got me to thinking about her and what she might think of this little adventure I’m on. 

\n

My grandma always loved me, but she…like several of my family members…thought maybe I was a full bubble off the level. I have always marched to my own drum and never really did things in a traditional way. Here I am, out on 258 acres and not a soul in sight. Oh, there were some folks up at the community building the last couple of nights. And yesterday a state patrolman came through the park on his rounds. But that’s the extent of it. Grandma would think I was off my rocker!

\n

Was I scared? Not really. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a care in the world, but fear didn’t really enter into the picture. I have protection. I have street smarts. I know the fire department is only a couple of miles away and I passed a policeman’s house not a mile from the park. Mr. FixIt is 20 minutes away at the Ponderosa. I have great cell service. I’m good. 

\n

I decided yesterday was a good day to figure out how to use the convection function on the convection microwave. On the R-Pod Owners V2 Facebook page, they talk about the “Cinnamon Roll Challenge” so I decided to bake some. Granted, they were from a can, but baking is baking, right?

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It took me a little bit to figure out how to work the stove. I read the directions but it wasn’t until I watched a YouTube video that I totally figured it out. I baked the rolls…5 in the can…and iced them. I ate one and packaged the others for the freezer because Mr. FixIt is going to join me this weekend for another weekend of camping. AND…our first wedding anniversary is Sunday, so what better way to celebrate than getting lost in the woods with my sweetie?!

\n

The autumn colors have really shown up the last couple of days and I’m in the most beautiful state to enjoy it. Almost Heaven…West Virginia! Today, I head to another State Park to enjoy more scenery and color!

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❤️

\n
“Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.”\n

1 Chronicles 16:33 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-10T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/10/what-would-grandma-say.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/09/check-engine-light.html", "title": "Check Engine Light", "content_html": "

\"Check “How many times have you seen this come on…right in front of the dealership?!?!”

\n

I was heading through Marietta, Ohio yesterday afternoon on my way from one campground to the next. My preferred Ford dealer is there and as I was driving by, I got “the nudge”. The thought went through my mind…“Check your engine light!” Literally…I was right in front of the dealership when I looked down and…

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It was ON!!!

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I kid you not! I got goose bumps. Ok…I drove down a block, turned around, and came back. I pulled up as close to the service entrance as I could while pulling a camper behind me. Luke, the Service Supervisor, came out and checked the truck with the computer. One of the oxygen sensors was bad. They checked and had one in stock and they had a free technician. I unhooked the camper, pulled the truck in, and went out to the camper to stretch out and read. An hour later, they called and the truck was ready.

\n

You cannot tell me prayer doesn’t work. You cannot tell me the Holy Spirit doesn’t guide us. How many of you sent up prayers and good thoughts for travel mercies for me yesterday? Well, they worked…and I thank you for those prayers!

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But most of all, I thank God for always watching out for me. I love it when He comes through with a megaphone because there was absolutely nothing subtle about that call. Wowza!

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I got to the next campground just before dusk. I never reveal where I am in real time when I’m traveling alone so I’ll have to let you know the day after I leave. But, talk about peace and quiet…it’s crazy quiet here. I was hoping to see the night sky, but the clouds stole in just as I was unhooking. Maybe tonight. In the meantime…great cell service and a deadline to meet. What a great place to write!

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❤️

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“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”\n

Psalms 8:3-4 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-09T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/09/check-engine-light.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","God","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/08/autumn-sweet-autumn.html", "title": "Autumn, Sweet Autumn!", "content_html": "

\"Autumn “It looks like we will finally get a little color after all!”

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I stayed an extra night at Beaver Creek State Park so I’d have an uninterrupted stretch of writing time. The other Girl Campers left Sunday, but my friend Gail is the Camp Host for Beaver Creek so she stayed to keep me company. In the past I have dreaded autumn because winter comes right after. But autumn…sweet autumn. The time of harvests and gold, apples and honey. Crispy, crunchy autumn…I’ve come to love it!

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It rained all night Sunday and the majority of the day yesterday. It stayed cloudy and cool which made snuggling up in the camper with my iPad and writing a rare treat. I took a break in the afternoon and went over to visit my friend Jan and see her farm…Paradise Acres. She is my age and runs a 200+ acre farm, plays in an Old Time band, sits on boards, campaigns for political candidates, and takes college classes. She is a retired Presbyterian minister. She has more energy in her little finger than I could ever hope to have!

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\"Woman “My friend Jan gazes out over her fields of corn at Paradise Acres.”

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When I got back to the campground, Gail was there to greet me with a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup and hot rolls. What a wonderful way to spend my last night camping in one of my favorite places in the world. I am heading out and about today. It’s going to be a gypsy camp day…meaning, I have no idea where I will sleep tonight. I want to see the meteor shower for the next two nights, skies willing, so I need to be somewhere away from city lights. I’ll let you know where I end up!

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In the meantime, we’ve had a good deal of rain. I think perhaps enough to pull us out of imminent fire danger in West Virginia. Mr. FixIt said there were places near the Ponderosa that received as much as three inches of rain in a very short amount of time. We have been parched here. The reason the fire danger was so high this fall was the overgrowth of vegetation from the unusually wet spring and summer we had. The vegetation is thick. Add dry weather and heat and it created dangerous conditions. I think we are past the worst of that now.

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\"Old “Jan’s barn at Paradise Acres. She holds Old Time Music concerts here.”

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As I was driving back from Jan’s farm this afternoon, I could really see the change in color in the leaves. Lots of yellows and some reds now. I’m looking forward to my drive today and checking out the autumn leaves. I can’t believe how early it’s getting dark already. The r-pod is comfortable and it stays nice and toasty in here. I think this new Adzel material they built the walls with is a better insulator.

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❤️

\n
““As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.””\n

Genesis 8:22 NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-10-08T01:30:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/08/autumn-sweet-autumn.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Change","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/07/all-good-things.html", "title": "All Good Things...", "content_html": "

\"Girl “The curtain closes on another successful Fall What-a-Hoot!”

\n

What a FUN event we had this weekend at the Fourth Annual Fall What-a-Hoot at Beaver Creek State Park with the Girl Campers! OMGosh…we ate and laughed and knitted and crafted. We sat around the campfire every night and talked and talked and talked. We toured each other’s campers. We broke in a newbie. We hugged and prayed and praised.

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We antiqued and flea marketed and shopped and faired. We watched a movie on the big screen outdoors. We captured sunrises and sunsets. We cooked and shared recipes. We shared pictures of the kids and grandkids and great grandkids. We taught and shared. We listened. We embraced each other’s differences. We lifted each other up. We included everyone and made everyone feel welcome and special. You know what we didn’t do? We didn’t talk politics. We didn’t watch TV. We didn’t complain…about anything. Not even the 41 degree morning. Ok, maybe a little about the mosquitoes. And those folks on that one site that had a WAY too big fire and a drunken party till the wee hours of Sunday morning that kept some gals awake. Oh, and did I say…NO POLITICS! It was heavenly! The weekend ended with a much, MUCH needed rain. I’m staying on for another extra night since it’s supposed to rain all day today. I have writing to do and some trip planning. I’m also going to work on a little project I’ll share with you soon. 

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Happy Monday, everyone! 

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❤️

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”\n

Romans 15:13 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-07T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/07/all-good-things.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","God","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/06/cooking-in-the-rpod.html", "title": "Cooking in the RPod!", "content_html": "

\"Cooking “Even with a compact, kitchen, cooking in the RPod is really easy.”

\n

Saturday is Soup Day at What a Hoot. The Girl Campers gather at Beaver Creek State Park in the spring and fall…both wonderful times to camp and both offering cool nights when a hot mug of soup is most welcome. Yesterday morning it was all of forty-one degrees when I woke up. The perfect day to get out the crockpot and make something yummy.

\n

I’m really getting the hang of cooking in the RPod. It’s a compact kitchen, but there is plenty of storage in the ample pantry…even for this monstrous 8-quart slow cooker. There are always several varieties of soup at the Saturday evening meal. This year, I decided to make beef and noodles…a wonderful comfort food that never fails to satisfy.

\n

I bought a big chuck roast, some pre-diced onions/celery/carrots, a large pack of sliced mushrooms, some beef broth, a family sized jar of prepared beef gravy, and a 24oz. bag of frozen noodles. I sear each side of the roast in my iron skillet, then sauté the veggies and mushrooms, and put it all in the crockpot. I pour the bottled gravy and about a cup of the beef broth over the whole thing and simmer it on low for about eight hours. About an hour before I’m ready to eat, I throw in the bag of noodles and add another cup or so of beef broth. I turn it up on high and when the noodles are done, it’s dinner time! One of the nice things about having the leftovers is packing up individual containers and putting them in the freezer for meals down the road. 

\n

I realized last night, I haven’t been as conservative with water as I thought and my freshwater tank is down to 1/3 full, which means I have approximately 10 gallons left on board. I have at least two more nights camping before I can refill my fresh water and dump the grey and blackwater tanks so I’ll need to watch more carefully. I can warm up leftovers the next couple of days and use paper plates so I’ll be fine.

\n

I think Diane had a good time camping. She enjoyed the girls and the campground. She learned a lot about staying in a travel trailer. The only camping experience she ever had was sleeping in a tent in Girl Scouts…which she hated. She really liked the RPod. I don’t know that camping will be an activity she seeks out in the future, but it sure was fun to show her the ropes and to spend some time with my good friend. There have been a lot of people who never dreamed of camping and end up enjoying themselves…whether or not they ever take it up as a pastime. 

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❤️

\n
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.”\n

Hebrews 11:8-12 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-06T01:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/06/cooking-in-the-rpod.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/05/setting-up-the-spare-room.html", "title": "Setting up the “Spare Room”", "content_html": "

\"RPod “Converting the sofa to a spare bed in the RPod 196!”

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I’m Back!!! Mr. FixIt and I had a wonderful time camping together and the little break was just what I needed to recharge. There’s nothing like being in the woods in a little camper. Losing Mr. Virgo taught me to really appreciate every moment and this week has been grand!

\n

On Monday, we checked into Tomlinson Run State Park in the tippy top of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. The drive up was lovely as we followed the Ohio River on Rt. 7. Mr. FixIt drove separately and followed along behind me. We got to our campsite by mid-afternoon and unhooked. It’s a lovely campground, located on top of a hill and densely wooded. The sites are all nicely spaced apart from each other. We had electric but no water. That’s not a problem, really. You just use the water you carry with you in your fresh water tanks. We rode our bikes around the campground, we cooked outside, and we spent as much time as we could sitting out looking at the stars.

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We left Tomlinson Run on Wednesday and headed to Beaver Creek to meet up with the Girl Campers. Mr. FixIt loves to hang out with the girls and they really enjoy him as well. We had fires in the Solo Stove which is wonderful…so much less smoke than a conventional campfire but still enough that you feel as though you had the camping experience. We had some rain here Wednesday night. Quite a bit actually. 

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Mr. Fixit left yesterday mid-day to head home. My friend Diane joined me last night. Diane graduated from high school with me but we didn’t know each other back then. She and I didn’t really become good friends till I moved to the family farm in West Virginia in 2014…the year after Mr. Virgo died. I needed to find someone who could help me unload a truck so I called her to get a recommendation. We became fast friends after that. 

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I tried to get her to camp with me several years ago, but Motel 8 is roughing it to Diane. Then, when she found out I was taking the RPod out for a road test, she texted me with a bombshell. She wanted to come camping with me! She knew I’d be writing about my camping experiences and wanted to offer her services as “blog fodder”. “Camping with the Non-Camper!” Brilliant! This could either be really, really good…or really, really bad. I’m happy to report that, so far, she seems to be having a grand time! She fits right in with these great gals.

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As is always the case, there’s always a good deal of food at these events and last night was a smorgasbord. Tonight is soup night…my favorite night during What a Hoot. Everyone brings their A-game on soup night and we all go around taste testing each person’s creation. I decided to do something a little bit different this year and make beef and noodles. I’ll stick the chuck roast in the crock pot in the morning and let it simmer all day. It will be a welcome addition, I am sure.

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This morning was predicted to be 41 degrees! After a long stretch of hot, dry weather, I am really welcoming the cooler temperatures of fall. I needed to make a reconfiguration of the camper to accommodate my guest. I turned the jack knife sofa into a twin bed. The back of the sofa is a little bit higher than the seat when it’s laid out flat. I bought some firm upholstery foam sheets to lay down on the lower section to make an even base and place my inflatable mattress on top. It was cool enough for the furnace. Today is Pioneer Days down in the Historic Village. The grist mill will be running and there will be tours of the village buildings. Our friend Gail’s son wrote a book about the haunted history of Beaver Creek and will be on hand to sign his books.

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So far, the trip is fabulous and so is the RPod 196! The tickets are on sale on girlcamper.com for $10 each and the proceeds benefit the Hold You Foundation, an organization that assists families with critically ill children. This is a wonderful chance to support a worthy cause as well and get the opportunity to buy a wonderful camper! It’s good to be back!

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❤️

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“We love because he first loved us.”\n

1 John 4:19 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-05T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/05/setting-up-the-spare-room.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip","Marriage","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/28/i-love-fall-camping.html", "title": "I Love Fall Camping!", "content_html": "

\"Camping\" “The week in review…dressing up the dinner table, camping like a girl in the RPod 196.”

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The crisp nights of fall lend themselves to camping in a big way. The days are still plenty warm to enjoy outdoor activities and the nights are cool enough to sleep well. I love to spend the evening around a campfire…to slide the windows in the camper open and pile on the warm blankets. There’s nothing like making memories in the golden light of fall!

\n

Yesterday was a busy day from the get go. A leisurely breakfast with Mr. FixIt and a day full of errands catching up with the business of the week. Then we drove to the farm and enjoyed a few hours of peace and quiet in my happy place.

\n

The last two weeks were packed full of fun and learning experiences. I drove over two thousand miles and visited Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and came within four miles of Michigan. We have our great granddaughter’s second birthday party tomorrow so I told Mr. FixIt I am NOT stepping foot in a car! Today is a piddle around the house day and prepare for the upcoming week of fun camping. This time I get to take my sweetie camping with me for four whole days!!!

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It’s the last weekend of September. It’s officially autumn. I know I always say this at this juncture, but…where on earth did this year go???

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❤️

\n
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”\n

Galatians 6:9 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-28T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/28/i-love-fall-camping.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/26/driving-the-northerly-route.html", "title": "Driving the Northerly Route", "content_html": "

\"Barn “This barn catches your eye traveling I-80 across Ohio.”

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I love to drive. That is probably one of the biggest reasons I love camping…because I have to drive there. Yesterday saw me driving across Ohio on I-80. I’ve never driven this route before. I always travel I-70 when I go to Colorado so I was really looking forward to a change of scenery. Ohio did not disappoint.

\n

The farms of the Buckeye State are beyond beautiful. Looking more like still life paintings by Andrew Wyeth, the farms are pristine and perfect. One barn in particular caught my eye and I had to research it when I got to the campground last night.

\n

There was a large mural painted on the side with a portrait and quote of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States and former Governor of Ohio. You can find a story about the artist here.

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https://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/2015/10/05/new-mural-mark-turnpike-milestone/73370206/

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Another super feature of the Ohio Turnpike is found in the Service Plazas dotting the stretch of well maintained highway. I-80 is a toll road through Indiana and Ohio. Instead of “rest areas”, the Service Plazas actually have camping spots in the back with electricity so you can sleep in your camper overnight with air conditioning. Every interstate in America should have these! I’d want them especially in Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas for my cross country trips to see my Colorado family.

\n

As I wrote this last night, I looked back and the fun two weeks I’ve had. I’ve learned a lot and seen a lot and most importantly enjoyed it all! This trip is reminiscent of the journey I took after Mr. Virgo died…but without the grief and sadness. A kind of “do over” with fresh eyes. There is nothing like cool crisp days with farms and trees tinged with gold and stacks of pumpkins and mums everywhere. America, the beautiful!

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❤️

\n
“They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”\n

Psalms 145:5 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-26T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/26/driving-the-northerly-route.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Peace","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/20/wv-hotdogs.html", "title": "WV Hotdogs!", "content_html": "

\"WV “WV Hot Dogs….one of the finest pastries ever to be found in the Mountain State!”

\n

We had a small gathering of Girl Campers who came to see the new R-Pod all dressed up over at Setzer’s on Wednesday. It was a long day and we were all pretty tired by the time we got back to the campground. One of the girls that arrived said she was so excited because she brought WV Hotdogs. I thought to myself…this gal must really like hotdogs. A bit later, someone asked if anyone brought dessert and Deirdre said, “Yep! I brought WV Hotdogs!!!” Everyone was ooooohing and ahhhhhhing. I totally didn’t get it.

\n

After a dinner of steak and assorted sides, Deirdre brought over a small white box from her camper. When she opened it, there were several cream filled pastries…WV Hotdogs! It seems to me now that I’ve thought about it, the term was way back in the recesses of my mind where words go to die. I just needed to dust it off a little back there and find it!

\n

The pastries were delicious, by the way. And we had the “leftovers” with coffee yesterday morning. Two of the girls had to leave right after lunch and I had the campground to myself till suppertime when Janine and Lynn came back. We had Mississippi Pot Roast for supper along with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. It was a very relaxing day. Today, I’m packing up the camper and heading home for a couple of days before I had out for Elkhart, IN on Sunday.

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On the road again!

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❤️

\n
“in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.”\nActs 24:3 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-09-20T01:30:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/20/wv-hotdogs.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/18/the-girl-camper-trailer-reveal.html", "title": "The Girl Camper Trailer Reveal!", "content_html": "\"Girl\n

Today’s the day!!! Tune in at 3:00 on the goRVing Facebook page for a live reveal of how Janine has taken our little R-Pod 196 from “Factory to Fabulous!” We are so excited to show you all the special touches that have totally transformed this camper into a cozy, elegant showstopper.

\n

\"Girl “Janine used bright and cheerful wallpapers from Spoonflower to give the camper an elegant, artsy feel. Campers don’t have to be brown!”

\n

We came to Setzer’s RV Center in Huntington yesterday and were greeted by the owner…our good friend, Lynn Butler. I handed her a laundry list of little things that needed doing. First off, the scissor jack that I bent needed replaced. Then they filled my propane tank and provided me with a water hose so I could fill my freshwater tank. They replaced a low point drain cap that was missing. Once I was plugged into power, I was all set.

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\"Girl “Mixing different patterns delineates different living areas giving the camper a much roomier feel.”

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We spent the evening finishing up the decor. We put the memory foam mattress topper on the bed and dressed it. After a meal of smoked ribs, we settled in for the night, each in our own little campers…in the parking lot of the RV dealership! We were locked in, safe and sound. There is nothing….nothing like snuggling into your little camper. It has always been a tiny sanctuary for me…my safe place. My happy place. 

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\"Girl “Custom fabric was used post factory to make the living area more homey. This jack knife sofa folds out to a twin sized bed.”

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Today will be really busy, but fun. I can’t wait till you get to see the interior of this camper. Last night was my first night sleeping in it so I’ll have to tell you about that tomorrow! 

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\"Girl “The kitchen is compact but fully functional. A deep stainless steel sink with a goose neck faucet is a big plus.”

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AND…Raffle Tickets go on sale today on GirlCamper.com

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❤️

\n
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”\n

Proverbs 14:23 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/18/the-girl-camper-trailer-reveal.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","goRVing","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/17/chasing-the-sun.html", "title": "Chasing the Sun!", "content_html": "

\"2020 “2020 RPod 196…taking her for a test run for the next four months!”

\n

I’ve been trying to come up with a great name for my epic trip. I have decided I’ll be chasing the sun to stay warm as I travel further south so that’s just what I’ll call it. And yesterday was officially the very first day!!! And what a crazy day it was.

\n

First, we had to pack up our hotel room. It is absolutely amazing what two people can accumulate in three short days! Once we were packed up, we headed to Advanced Auto Parts to buy a 2” ball for my hitch since that’s the size the RPod needs. I found one, but they didn’t have a wrench big enough to handle the job so I went across to the Goodyear store. They didn’t have a big enough tool either. So, rather than keep searching, I just went back to Advanced Auto and bought a new hitch at the correct size and we headed to Hershey Park to pick up the new camper.

\n

When we arrived, our little camper was sitting all by herself at the end of the row. We hooked up and off we went. We had an easy, uneventful trip till we pulled into the field at the Ponderosa. I miscalculated a small incline and caught one of the scissor jacks and bent it. It’s no big deal, it didn’t hurt the camper at all…but it did hurt my pride because I knew better than to come in at that angle. We’ll just chalk it up to being overly tired because we were!

\n

It was wonderful to see Mr. Fixit! He had a pan of my smoked ribs out of the freezer thawing and I popped them in the oven as soon as I walked in. We fiddled around with the campers a little here and there. Janine had a spill in hers from a jar of balsamic vinaigrette that fell out of the cabinet so she had quite a sticky mess to clean up. We were all really excited to dine al fresco on the deck by the pool.

\n

And, just like that…the evening was over and Janine and I both retreated to separate rooms to do our writing while Mr. FixIt watched his evening shows. It was too hot to dry camp in the field without air conditioning so we went for comfort and slept indoors. Today we are driving down to Huntington to Setzer’s RV to get some fine tuning on the campers and I will get my official walk through to learn the inner workings of the RPod. I’m going to have to come up with a cute name for her! Any ideas?

\n

❤️

\n
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”\n

Proverbs 28:13 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-17T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/17/chasing-the-sun.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","goRVing","Courage","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/16/weve-come-a-long-way.html", "title": "We’ve Come a Long Way Baby!", "content_html": "

\"Early “Camping in the early days in Denver. This is just down the street from where Ben & Sue live!”

\n

Janine and I spent our time at the RV Show yesterday browsing around for content for our blogs. We stood for eight hours and walked nearly 10,000 steps. By the time the show was finished, we were exhausted but then there was work to be done. Processing and editing photos, writing blog posts, calculating trip routes and travel times. All the logistics that come with the postmortems of a travel show.

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I’ll bet we didn’t get to see one tenth of this show. And even that was overwhelming. We did see a couple of really cool campers. We saw some really EXPENSIVE campers. We saw everything from bargain basement, bare bones boxes to luxury on wheels. It’s amazing what some of the interiors of these campers look like. Marble counters, high end furnishings, and appliances that look like they come out of the finest kitchens. It boggles the mind that people would pay half a million dollars for a fancy bus.

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There are so many accessories….many that you definitely don’t need, but there are lots that were pretty handy. One was a rechargeable work light that would work well to illuminate a campsite if you arrive in the dark and need to back in. We have some really fun accessories that I’ll be sharing with you after the big reveal next week. We are still holding back the majority of the photos till then.

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In the meantime, they are breaking down the show overnight. I need to get a smaller ball on my hitch to fit the new camper. Janine and I are heading to the Ponderosa today then to Huntington tomorrow. We’ll dry camp out in the field tonight! So please keep us in your prayers for travel mercies today. I am so excited about pulling this camper today!

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❤️

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“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”\n

Proverbs 2:6 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-16T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/16/weve-come-a-long-way.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","God","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Change","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/15/the-really-really-big-show.html", "title": "The Really REALLY Big Show!", "content_html": "

\"Women “Janine, her BFF Carol, and me in front of the R Pod at the Hershey RV Show.”

\n

Ok, so I thought Friday’s show was busy? Hokey Smokes!!! Yesterday was absolutely insane at the RV Show…but SO amazingly fun! Hundreds of people came and walked through the camper. Everyone loved the decor and if they didn’t…it was probably a guy. Guys don’t necessarily get the whole “decorate your camper” thing. That’s why most campers are varying themes of BROWN. I think a guy takes a look and says, “Yeah…that won’t show dirt. Use that!”

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I do have to say, the folks at Forest River are stepping up their game in the new R Pod. The cabinets are a lovely shade of grey and the walls are off white. It is a perfect canvas on which to decorate in whatever style strikes your fancy. The light colors along with multiple large windows brings in an abundance of light which is exactly what I am looking for in a camper. I am going to switch the mattress out. I’ve never found an RV mattress that I found satisfactory. I am very choosy about my mattresses. I have an extra memory foam mattress at home so I’ll switch it out when I’m there next week.

\n

Janine and I were so exhausted when we got back to our hotel room yesterday. We both took a long nap, then headed out for dinner. Our meal was ok. I was disappointed in my main course. I had pasta and meat sauce with Italian sausage. The sausage had been left in the skillet too long and was actually burnt. When the waitress took my plate, she asked if there was something wrong. I explained and she offered something different. By that time I was full from just the pasta and sauce and didn’t care for anything else. 

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Pretty soon, the manage/owner came out to talk with me. He said he took my entree off the check. In the process of our discussion, I informed him I had a good understanding of what he was going through. I told him about Mr. Virgo working in the Food & Beverage industry all of his career. He lit up and we began a long discussion comparing notes of who worked where and when. This is something I always found fascinating with Mr. Virgo. No matter where we were, he could find someone who knew someone and there was always common ground. It made me smile.

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I told him our story. I told him about going out to buy the camper and how he died while we were looking. I told him about buying the little camper and taking it out in the wilderness and backroads of Colorado. I told him about selling my house and buying the big camper and getting rid of 95% of my personal belongings. I told him about being on the road in the camper and writing about it and how I came to know Janine. Then, I told him the happy ending of the story…running into Mr. FixIt and how we are just about ready to celebrate our 1st Wedding Anniversary.

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A happy ending. It’s never “The End” though…is it. Mr. Virgo died. But it wasn’t the end. It was the end of many things…but not of him. Or of me. There is always more story to be written…even when you cannot believe you can survive another moment after such a painful loss. Being away, doing something different, learning new things, expanding my territory. All these things offer a lovely perspective of life. I can’t think how my life could be any more perfect than what it is. I am so incredibly grateful. Telling my story gives me this gift every single time.

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❤️

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”\n

James 1:17 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-15T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/15/the-really-really-big-show.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Wisdom","Humbled","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/14/its-a-really-big-shew.html", "title": "“It’s a Really Big Shew!”", "content_html": "

\"Hershey “I can’t believe the number of camping trailers here at this show!!!”

\n

Who remembers Ed Sullivan telling you to keep watching because “it’s a really big shew”? Janine and I made it to the Hershey RV Show yesterday and…OMGosh…it is HUGE!!! I mean…like, you couldn’t see everything in a whole week! Every camper you can think of is here. And some I’ve never heard of. There are vendors selling everything from bumpers to hitches and everything in between.

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Everyone who came into the new R-Pod just marveled at how awesome the interior is. And it really is. It’s trendy and stylish…very elegant in a hip sort of way. I could hardly wait to get inside! I walked all around and looked in every cupboard and drawer. It was so fun to meet all the people looking inside and tell them about the camper and my upcoming journey.

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There are so many cool features on this camper that I can hardly wait to share with you, but I can’t just yet. Janine is doing a live Facebook reveal next week so it will have to wait till after that!

\n

At the end of a very busy day, Janine and I headed to a nearby steakhouse for dinner then came back to the hotel to work. Today will be another busy day so I’ll going to cut this short. I hope you enjoy your weekend. It was so chilly here in Hershey yesterday. I actually had to put on my barn coat! Fall is definitely in the air!

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❤️

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“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”\n

Hebrews 13:16 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-14T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/14/its-a-really-big-shew.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/11/the-amusebouche.html", "title": "The Amuse-Bouche", "content_html": "

\"Camper “A little sneak peek of the all new R-Pod 196 from Forest River…Girl Camper style!”

\n

When Mr. Virgo and I managed a 4200 acre luxury resort in southern Colorado, we found ourselves needing a chef. One of the happy little benefits of being married to the boss was getting to sit in on the results of the chef’s “stage”. Typically, when chefs are interviewed for a position in a fine dining restaurant, they must demonstrate their skills before the person looking to hire them. This means…observing their kitchen skills while the food is being prepared, then taste testing. In our case, we were treated to three different chef stages before one was selected.

\n

This was where I learned about the amuse-bouche which literally means “amused mouth”. A typical amuse-bouche is just a small savory tasting to demonstrate the chef’s style. One chef gave us a single scallop seared to perfection but I almost lost it when I bit in and it had been marinated in vanilla! Ugh…vanilla and seafood do NOT go together, trust me. He didn’t get the gig. The chef that was hired had a small slice of ahi tuna in a flat bottomed spoon. On top was a small dollop of green foam that was as light as air but had the most intense flavor. I can’t even tell you what it tasted like…savory, spicy, rich, and so light as to almost not even be there but it complimented the tuna perfectly. 

\n

Amuse-bouche…the little tease of the culinary world. We also experience this in other areas of life. The free sample. The previews at a movie theater. And here? A teeny, tiny little sneak peek of the little camper I get to pull around for the next five months!

\n

If you haven’t caught what’s happening, Forest River donated the very first 2020 R-Pod 196 that came off the line this summer to the Girl Campers for our Annual Trailer Raffle. And, Janine Pettit…our Camper-in-Chief…received the camper sometime in August and has brought it from “Factory to Fabulous”! Let’s face it…the interiors of most RV’s are b.o.r.i.n.g. Or downright ugly! Forest River is listening. They realize that women represent the fastest growing demographic in the RV industry and us gals are tired of brown, right?

\n

I can’t get into all the details yet, but we wanted to let you have a little peek inside to see how I get to Camp Like a Girl in this darling camper. It’s bright and cheery, bold and elegant, and can be dressed up or down. It demonstrates to manufacturers we want neutral palettes we can build on without having to paint over everything. It demonstrates to dealers one of the countless ways a camper can be customized so they better understand a girl camper and what she’s looking for in a travel trailer.

\n

Not everyone wants to go all “she-she” with their camper decor so we went with something a little bold, a little trendy, and ultimately elegant. We can’t wait for the big reveal which will take place via live broadcast on Go-RVing’s Facebook page Wednesday, September 18th at 3:00pm Eastern Standard Time. I leave tomorrow for Hershey so hang on…we’re going on a road trip!

\n

❤️

\n
“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”\n

Exodus 35:35 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-11T01:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/11/the-amusebouche.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/12/theres-an-adventure-coming.html", "title": "There’s an Adventure Coming...", "content_html": "

\"Adventure\" “Where will my next adventure take me???”

\n

I’ve been hinting at an adventure coming up for me this fall and now I can tell you a little more about it. The manufacturer of the R-Pod has just come out with a totally new design…the Model 196. This is the first redesign Forest River has done in the ten years since the R-Pod was first released. And, Forest River has very generously donated the very first Model 196 R-Pod off the line to the Girl Campers for our annual trailer raffle!!! Isn’t that exciting???

\n

My good friend, Janine Pettit, will receive the camper in the next couple of weeks. She will be putting a Girl Camper spin on it with some beautiful interior decor. Then, the camper goes to the Hershey RV Show. Janine and I will be at the show on September 14th for a meet and greet and to show off our Girl Camper version of the new R-Pod. After that, we head to Setzer’s RV in Huntington, WV for the big reveal!

\n

At that point, I take over and get to pull this camper wherever I want till the end of January…which of course means I’ll just HAVE to go where it’s warm over the winter! (And, yes…Mr. FixIt gets to come along…for at least part of the trip!) Stay tuned for lots of fun and excitement in the coming months! In the meantime, here is a sneak peek at the “before” in a video Janine made at the Forest River factory. This is a gorgeous camper and I can hardly wait to get her out there on the open road!!!

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https://www.facebook.com/janine.pettit.5/videos/10157250788233444?s=1219785470&sfns=mo

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 ❤️

\n
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”\n

Psalm 91:11-12 NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-08-12T01:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/12/theres-an-adventure-coming.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Peace","Courage","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Writing","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/11/a-farm-girl-at-heartsans.html", "title": "A Farm Girl at Heart...sans Shoes", "content_html": "

\"Sitting ‘Sitting on the tailgate of my truck…drinking coffee and soaking up summer!”

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I hate wearing shoes. I know it’s so stereotypically West Virginian, but I do not wear shoes unless I absolutely have to. Mr. FixIt emptied the truck yesterday morning so I went out with my mug of coffee and sat on the tailgate, contemplating my bare feet and the beautiful sounds of an August day in the country.

\nIt wasn’t long after I finished my morning brew when I heard Mr. FixIt start up the push mower and I knew it was time to get to work. I ran to town to fill up the gas cans. Once I got back home, I hooked up my headphones and hopped on the riding mower. It could have waited till Monday, growth-wise. But the next two days are supposed to be 95 degrees and rainy. So, you know what they say...you gotta make hay when the sun shines!\n

I love watching the seasons changing here in my home state. Some of the trees already have some yellowing leaves on them. And you can tell a difference in the texture of the grass at this time of year. It’s tougher and harder to weed eat. I left home the 27th of June. There was a whole lot of growth between then and now and there are a lot of branches hanging over the edge of the fields. I’m going to have to get out there with the loppers again.

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As soon as I got home the other night, I could just feel the stress leave my shoulders and neck. I can sit outside and listen to the night sounds instead of the constant hum of traffic in the background. As I sat basking in the velvet night air, I thought over all the places we saw over the last several weeks. It was such a wonderful vacation. And, as always, it’s both good to be home and sad that it’s over.

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❤️

\n
“The priest answered them, “Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.””\n

Judges 18:6 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-11T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/11/a-farm-girl-at-heartsans.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","New Ideas","Gratitude","goRVing","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/01/morning-visitors.html", "title": "Morning Visitors", "content_html": "

\"Turkeys\" “Morning visitors on Loghill.”

\n

Yesterday was my ME day. I told Linda when we arrived that honestly all I was looking for was her company and a little R&R. We’ve been running around like crazy and I just needed to sit and visit on their beautiful deck overlooking these amazing mountains. I knitted and we all laughed and had a wonderful time. We couldn’t believe it when it was 1:00 and we hadn’t done a thing. 

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We were sitting on the the deck and heard something down below. I went and peeked over the edge and there were turkeys walking through the gravel drive below. These guys were huge. We’ve seen a lot of deer….even a little spotty baby bounding around. The first night, I woke up about 2:30 in the morning and wanted a little nosh. There was nothing in the camper, so I needed to go in the house. As I was climbing out of the bed, Mr. FixIt woke up. 

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Him: “Where are you going?” 

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Me: “I need some cereal.”

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Him:

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Me: “Do you think there might be bears out there?”

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Him: “There could be.”

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Me:

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Me:

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Me: “I’m not going.”

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Him: “Ok.”

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Me: 

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Me: “Drat! I’m hungry…I’m going.”

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coyote howling outside camper

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Me: “Come after me if I’m not back in five minutes!”

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Him: zzzzzzz

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Last night, I brought my cereal with me in the first place. There be beasts about!

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❤️

\n
“...who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’”\n

Job 35:10-11 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-01T01:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/01/morning-visitors.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Peace","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/31/red-mountain-pass-to-ouray.html", "title": "Red Mountain Pass to Ouray", "content_html": "

\"Vacation “Clockwise from top left: At one of the many overlooks on the Million Dollar Highway, the beautiful little town of Ouray, our little home away from home, the falls up above Ouray.”

\n

It has been three years since I’ve been in this area. I’d forgotten how incredibly majestic these mountains are. And high! We stopped so many times between Durango and Ouray to take pictures and just marvel at the scenery. I’m sure Mr. FixIt thought nothing could top Monday but as we drove yesterday, he just kept exclaiming over and over how beautiful it was. 

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We pulled into Ouray and found a parking spot…not always easy during peak tourist season. We went into my favorite kitchen store and no sooner walked in the door till the sky opened up with a summer thunderstorm. We were stuck in there for some time. It finally slowed down enough that we could make it across to Mouse’s Chocolates…my OTHER favorite store. 

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We drove around and looked at the cool little houses. Ouray was a mining town and it still holds that Victorian charm. We finally drove on to our friend’s house in Ridgway. When we pulled into the driveway, there was her little camper. I slept in it the last time I was here and asked if we could sleep in it this time. Linda was happy to oblige and I have to tell you…my heart swooned a little when I climbed into that camper. When we went to bed last night, Mr. FixIt said, “I feel like we’re back home!” Me too, sweetie…me, too!

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❤️

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“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

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Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV

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#Camping, #Mountains, #Ouray

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-31T01:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/31/red-mountain-pass-to-ouray.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Peace","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/08/quality-time.html", "title": "Quality Time", "content_html": "

\"Granddaughter “Little snoozing in the morning sunshine.”

\n

Yesterday was so much fun. Little absolutely loved sleeping in the camper. She went to sleep much earlier than usual and I had to wake her up in time to have some breakfast before we left for church. She was very excited to go to “Nana’s Church.” The contemporary mega church model suits Little’s personality to a T. She sat with me and was focused on the sermon throughout. She loved the praise and worship music. She was so animated when we came out of church and declared she wants to go every week. I am highly encouraging that because she had a definite light about her when we came out. 

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After church, I took Little home and traded….Big came shopping with me all afternoon. We walked all over Flatirons Crossing Mall, had a delicious lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, enjoyed ice cream on our rest break between stores. She is a frugal shopper and had a wonderful time picking out just what she wanted. As I expected, they were things like athletic wear from Dick’s Sporting Goods…with a definite fashionista flair.

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The weather here in Colorado has been quite lovely. We have had rain just about every day and it cools things off nicely. The nights have been wonderful for sleeping in the camper with just the windows open and maybe a small fan. Daughter #2 is in the process of changing jobs and found out today her new job doesn’t start till after the wedding. That means we get some more time together this week. I’m so happy for her. This new job pays more, utilizes her degree, and sends her in a direction that offers advancement.

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Mr. FixIt is tying up loose ends at home…preparing to fly to Colorado this weekend. I can’t wait to see him! We really miss each other when we’re apart. He has mowing to do and business to attend to. I’ve been looking up things to do to replace the camping portion of our trip. I’d love to show him the Four Corners area and Mesa Verde. We’ll see what all we have time for.

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I hope you enjoyed your 4th of July weekend and have a wonderful Monday!

\n

❤️

\n
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”    1 Timothy 5:8 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-07-08T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/08/quality-time.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/07/making-little-memories.html", "title": "Making “Little” Memories!", "content_html": "

\"Twin “Little’s nest in TOW-Wanda!”

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Little is here! She has been at camp all week and we only saw each other for an hour after I arrived last Sunday. I spent a good deal of time with Big this week, so I could hardly wait till Little got back and came over to “camp” with me.

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She is my camper. No one else in my Colorado family is even remotely interested in camping. We had big plans to take the camper up in the mountains and stay a couple of days, but with the unfortunate demise of TOW-Wanda…we had to change plans.

\n

I have the camper pulled around behind Ben & Sue’s house, underneath a locust tree. It doesn’t offer anything but a feeling of protection from the frequent hail storms we’ve had this week. I’m plugged into electric and water so I have all the comforts of home in my own little suite.

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This incarnation of TOW-Wanda has a queen sized bed with a memory foam mattress that is swoon worthy. It had a bunk bed over the queen bed that also had a memory foam mattress on it. I removed that because I couldn’t sit up without hitting my head. The little dinette collapses down to make a separate twin sized bed that uses the seat cushions for a mattress. Not comfortable for an adult, but just fine for a kid.

\n

Since I’ll be selling this camper here, I went to Walmart yesterday and bought some plastic tubs with tight fitting lids. I spent a couple of hours yesterday taking things out of the camper and fitting them neatly into the storage bins and put them in the back of my truck underneath the tonneau cover. See? There’s a reason I got that before this trip!

\n

With all the extras removed, Little has plenty of room to stretch out and be comfortable while she camps with me. We went out for ribs last night. (Big is a vegetarian so Little and I have to get our carnivore cravings satisfied while her sister isn’t with us.) We had “Mamma Mia: The Movie” downloaded on the iPad to watch after dark.

\n

I don’t get to see my Colorado grands very often…so when I do, I need to make deep and lasting memories with them. Camping with Little last night. Shopping with Big this afternoon. Life is so good!

\n

❤️

\n
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”\n

Proverbs 17:6 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-07T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/07/making-little-memories.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","goRVing","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/06/here-comes-the-rain-again.html", "title": "Here Comes the Rain Again!", "content_html": "

\"East “Looking east as the sun set over Arvada.

\n

I think I brought the rain with me from West Virginia. We got about an inch of rain in two days in the northwest suburbs of Denver. It dropped from the mid 80’s to 75…then in thirty minutes it dropped down to 60 degrees. Lots of small, pea sized hail but no damage that I can see.

\n

Along with Colorado’s severe thunderstorms, California had a 7.1 earthquake aftershock last night, Europe is having an unprecedented heat wave, and West Virginia just sits and soaks in sweat. It’s crazy weather. I hope things settle down soon. It’s downright chilly here right now.

\n

I’ve been “camping” at Ben & Sue’s house. We pulled the camper back under a locust tree for some little bit of protection from the elements. When you are in the camper, even pea and marble-sized hail sounds like a gunshot. Little is going to come join me and “camp” tonight. I had to tell her the camper is broken so we can’t go to the mountains like we wanted to. She is so easy going. She said she didn’t care where we camped, as long as we were together!

\n

I’m sad I’ll be saying goodbye to this camper sometime this month. It has such a beautiful layout and is pristine inside. I know the right person will come along and be so happy to get her to place on a piece of property or in the back yard. I’ll just keep praying about it. Mr. FixIt put the title in the mail to me today so I should receive it Monday or Tuesday.

\n

My sweet man arrives in Colorado a week from today! I can hardly wait to see him!!! He’ll be at the baby shower today for our little great grandson due this month. We got him a crib. I’m so sorry I’ll be missing that but I’m busy making memories here!

\n

❤️

\n
“He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love.”\n

Job 37:11-13 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-06T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/06/here-comes-the-rain-again.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Humbled","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/04/independence-day.html", "title": "Independence Day!!!", "content_html": "

\"Colorado “Colorado’s sky is always amazing!”

\n

It seems like I’m in Denver just about every Independence Day. Since I don’t travel here in the winters anymore, I make my trips extra long in the summer and they just about always hit during this fun, but noisy, holiday. As I am writing this, neighborhood fireworks are going off all around me and it sounds like a war zone. 

\n

Yesterday, I helped Daughter #1 upholster a padded cover for a chest she uses as a coffee table. Their new couch doesn’t have the recliners like her old one and they needed something comfortable to prop up their feet when they watch TV. It turned out beautiful and we were very proud when it was finished.

\n

Big has her learner’s permit and I rode with them to lunch yesterday. It brought back memories of when I taught her mommy how to drive. I was very pregnant at the time and it was quite an adventure. My granddaughter is a very conservative driver and she did a great job. I cannot imagine learning to drive in Denver traffic! It’s crazy busy here all the time now…not just rush hour.

\n

I forget how amazingly beautiful Colorado’s sky is! We came out of the grocery store at sunset yesterday and the clouds and light were stunning in every single direction. I stood there like a tourist seeing it for the first time…turning round and round taking pictures in the parking lot.

\n

Today is full of family, food, and fun! I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!!!

\n

❤️

\n
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”\n

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-04T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/04/independence-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Holiday","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/03/trailer-troublewith-a-capital-t.html", "title": "Trailer Trouble...With a Capital T", "content_html": "

\"Trailer “Damage to the camper indicating it is no longer towable.”

\n

Whenever I travel with one of my campers, I always circle around and do a visual safety check. I check before I head out. I check when I park for the night. And I check when I get to my destination. Saturday night I stayed at a hotel in Russell, KS. I did my walkabout when I locked her up to go inside and there was nothing wrong. Same thing the next morning before I headed out on the road for the final leg into Denver.

\n

When I arrived at Ben & Sue’s house and I was unhooking, I noticed the front curbside corner of the camper had separated a little. It looked like a couple of screws had popped and all I would need to do is screw them back in. I was hot and tired and not planning to tow anytime soon so I decided to wait till I was better rested. The first chance I had was yesterday morning.

\n

I went out and looked at the corner again. I tried to push back on the panel but it would not move. This indicated to me there was weight behind it and my original idea was not going to work. I got down on my knees and looked back at the base of the trailer where it meets the frame and this is what I was faced with. The other side looks almost as bad.

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That silver metal cover is the rock guard. It’s called diamond plate. It is heavy gauge and does NOT tear easily. I knew as soon as I saw it what had happened. When I first bought the camper, I notice there was about a two to three inch water stain on the mattress below one corner of that front window. 

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These windows notoriously leak. That’s why most camper companies don’t build a camper with them anymore. I asked the previous owner when I was inspecting the camper if it leaked and she said she had never noticed it before. Maybe it happened over the winter and was new. There was another red flag…the front surface had become delaminated. There is a fiberglass material fused over the wood walls in this camper. If there is a leak, over time…the surface will come away from the wood and have a rippled appearance.

\n

It was a red flag that I didn’t understand was HUGE. I was thinking “little r”. Nope….big mama-honkin’ R! The more I camped in this new-to-me camper, the bigger that little leak got. I figured as soon as I had time, I would pop that front window out and re-caulk it. Done. Easy peasy. But it kept raining and I kept busy and then…boom!

\n

What happened was, driving across the washboard that was once I-70 caused the board across the bottom front of the camper (that had obviously softened or rotted) to buckle from the weight of the camper body being repeatedly slammed down on it. This brought the body down over half an inch, dropping it onto the frame that comes out to create the tongue and hitch.

\n

Layman’s terms? The camper is not towable in this condition. There are several scenarios that can happen here. 

\n
    \n \t
  1. I could fix it myself. But this is a long, big, BIG job that could entail tearing the camper down to the frame and reconstructing it. I don’t have a place to work undercover. I’m not here long enough to do it...even if I were so inclined. Which I am not.
    2. \n \t
  2. I could have someone fix it for me. This could cost two to three thousand dollars and the camper itself isn’t worth much more than that. (Come to find out, I paid too much for it, but we live and learn, right?) I’m not willing to put the money into it.
    3. \n \t
  3. I can sell the camper “as is” with the firm stipulation that it is not roadworthy. This is a viable option. A lot of people are putting little campers in their back yards to use as she-sheds, guest houses, Air B&B accommodations, or playhouses for the kids and grandkids.
    4. \n \t
  4. I can just leave it here and worry about it next summer, but that isn’t very reasonable. It would take up room at Ben & Sue’s and it would be out in a potentially bad Colorado winter. It’s just putting off the inevitable.
    5. \n
\nSo, plans change. We won’t be camping on this trip except in the driveway of Ben & Sue’s house until I can manage to sell the camper. Mr. FixIt couldn’t find the title at home so he needs to get a new one. In order to do that, he needs the registration. That was in my truck so I sent it to him priority mail and he’ll get it Friday. Then he will send me the new title. And, he will be here a week from Saturday.\n

I don’t want to say I feel stupid. But I didn’t do what anyone who buys a used camper should do. I didn’t have it inspected by an RV professional. The inside showed no damage…it was pristine. All but that tiny leak. The only thing that made me feel better was this: The only way I could have known that board inside was rotten was to tear the front off the camper and you can’t do that. I had no way of knowing. It was just one of those unfortunate issues that sometimes comes with used campers.

\n

I have backup campers at home. Everything will work out. I am VERY grateful nothing terrible happened on the road like the frame breaking in the middle of Kansas. This is workable…it’s not the end of the world. I will inevitably lose money on this deal, but that’s a lesson learned and an excellent teaching moment when I mentor women campers. 

\n

I tell my husband this over and over and over. “You get what you pay for.” I had the money to get a new(er) camper, but I went for the deal. Sometimes that “good deal” just doesn’t work out. And then again….sometimes rainbows come after the worst of storms! I wonder how God is going to use this for good? There is a reason this has happened here and now. I just don’t know what it is yet!

\n

❤️

\n
“It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”    Isaiah 4:6 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-03T01:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/03/trailer-troublewith-a-capital-t.html", "tags": ["Faith","Colorado","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Growth","God","Wisdom","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/30/americas-bread-basket-is-baking.html", "title": "America’s Bread Basket is Baking!", "content_html": "

\"Snaps “Clockwise from top left: My rig in the summer sun in Kansas, the long straight stretch that is Kansas…look how green!, my digital laser thermometer that I use to check my hub temperatures at every stop, me looking decidedly fresher in the AM than I was by evening!”

\n

You know you are getting into farm and ranch land when you start seeing billboards advertising bovine genetics and DEKALB seed corn. I left the Lazy Day Campground in Danville, Missouri yesterday morning about 8:00. It was a very long, very HOT day. A section of I-70 was closed at Kansas City so I took the recommended detour. I recognized it as the route I usually take anyway to avoid downtown. There is one interchange on the interstate near the city where you have to get from the right hand side onramp to a left hand side exit in less than 1/4 mile. Pulling a camper makes that a real challenge, let me tell you!!! At least it wasn’t with big TOW-Wanda on a Friday night at rush hour. We have to look for the little things!

\n

When I was emptying the tanks on the camper before I left yesterday, it wasn’t 8:00 yet and the sun would take the hide right off of you. The temperature quickly soared to the high 90’s and by the time I was halfway through Kansas, it was 100. The low was only expected to go down to 80 so I stopped and got a hotel room. When I first got in the room, I cranked up the air conditioner and stretched out on the bed. I texted Mr. FixIt and said, “I am NEVER doing this again!!!” He texted back that I don’t have to. I’m holding him to it! 

\n

Ok, it was the third day. It was hard. It was hot. I was tired and probably a little hungry and dehydrated. And knowing I have over 350 more miles to go had me feeling really sorry for myself there for a few minutes. But, once I rested for a while and got something to eat and drink, I felt a ton better. When I stop tonight, it’s going to be at my son-in-law’s parents’ house so I’ll be with family. It’s going to take me a week to rest up and acclimate to the altitude. Mr. FixIt will join me on the 13th so that time will pass quickly.

\n

I had a lot of time to think about this as I was driving yesterday. I don’t like being this far away from Mr. FixIt. I thought about that from every angle. I asked myself if it was co-dependency. I don’t think it’s that at all. I do all kinds of things without him and I don’t need to be attached at the hip. I talked with my dear friend Deneene about this last night. She lost her husband unexpectedly about a year after Mr. Virgo died. She is also recently remarried. We decided it’s not co-dependency at all. It’s the fact that we KNOW what can happen and how quickly it can come. I don’t think it’s that I’m doing something without him. It’s that I’m doing something so far away from him and I can’t get to him quickly. THAT I don’t like at all.

\n

Still, it is fun in many ways. I’ve seen some beautiful countryside. The sky was blue and wide open. I’ve forgotten what that looks like living in West Virginia. (I took the picture while driving but my phone was in a cradle and all I did was touch the screen. No eyes off the road for me!) I don’t have anything pressing to do once I get to Denver so I can relax and catch up on my rest, keep myself really hydrated to counteract the altitude, knit, write, and visit with my Colorado peeps. I could not believe how green Kansas is. They had the same long, drawn out, wet spring everyone else had. It is so hard to believe the temperature is in the high 90’s in Colorado and one week ago they had two feet of snow. Crazy weather!

\n

Oh, see that picture bottom right? That’s my digital laser thermometer. After burning up an axle in Indiana two summer ago, I check my hubs religiously…every time I stop and get out of the truck. I know you can just put your hand down there and feel if it’s hot, but how hot is too hot and if it IS that hot, you’ll burn the heck out of your hand. I keep watch on it and it’s always between 100-110. That’s perfect. If it goes up, it means the bearings need grease.

\n

Well, I’m on the last leg of this Grand Adventure. The last leg of the first part of it, anyway! It’s just me and Jesus…making our way west!

\n

❤️

\n

“….“The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight.”

\n

Genesis 31:49 ESV

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#Separation, #Marriage, #Adventure

\n", "date_published": "2019-06-30T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/30/americas-bread-basket-is-baking.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Widow","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/26/a-tidy-purchase.html", "title": "A Tidy Purchase", "content_html": "

\"Tonneau “A tonneau cover turned out to be an extraordinary pargain!”

\n

I told you all yesterday about our great find…a tonneau cover for my truck. We installed it yesterday and it was SO easy. It only took about fifteen minutes to do. We had to trim a couple small places in order for the tailgate to close, but that was super easy to do. We didn’t realize exactly how good this deal was till Mr. FixIt looked up this particular model of cover. New, they sell for nearly $800! And the carpeted bed liner sells for almost $500! We got them both for $75!!! Ok, I’m a little excited! Such a good bargain hunter I have for a husband.

\n

We went to the farm yesterday. It appears the young man we had arranged to mow the yard…didn’t. But that’s ok. It is still mow-able without having to bale it. It is awfully wet out there. In the two weeks we were gone, the farm got over four inches of rain. We only got two at the Ponderosa. The ground is soggy when you walk out there. The house at the farm sits back in a holler and doesn’t get much sunlight. It’s nice for keeping cool, but causes a lot of problems with mold and mildew.

\n

We noticed some evidence of termites this time. The first time I’ve seen that so we need to jump on that right away. I did a deep cleaning out there because my uncle is coming for a visit while I’m in Colorado and I wanted fresh bed linens for him. I mopped the floors and dusted. Mr. FixIt cleared off the back porch and scrubbed it down. Everything looked wonderful when we were finished.

\n

I had every intention of leaving for Colorado today, but have decided to wait till tomorrow. This way I don’t have to run at breakneck speed getting everything done and I can take my time. The linens have all been washed and put back on the bed. I have some items to take out of the camper…things I took camping at Blackwater Falls and won’t need on this trip. This will cut down on the weight I pull which will improve my fuel consumption.

\n

Oh, another thing Mr. FixIt did for me. Something was wrong with the water pump in the little camper. A water pump is supposed to turn on, build up pressure, then shut off. It only comes back on when the water pressure drops as you’re using water in the sink or toilet. Mine wouldn’t shut off. It ran on and on and was dreadfully loud. While we were in Florida, we discussed it and I ordered a new pump. It was here when we returned. Mr. FixIt installed it yesterday and it works perfectly! Now the only things I have to do is replace the shower nozzle and test out the hot water heater and we’re in business. Having your own shower when you camp is such a luxury.

\n

I’m really getting excited now about the trip. I can’t wait to see my Colorado family…I’ve missed them so much! Today will be fun packing and preparing for a much needed road trip. Many of you asked yesterday. Mr. FixIt will fly out in a few weeks to join me before the wedding. Then, we will camp around Colorado and all the way back across the country. I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a whole year…I can hardly wait to get started and savor every single moment!!!

\n

❤️

\n
“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”    Deuteronomy 28:6 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-26T01:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/26/a-tidy-purchase.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","New Ideas","Gratitude","Comfort","Wisdom","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/25/road-trip-falling-into-place.html", "title": "Road Trip: Falling Into Place", "content_html": "

 

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\"Tonneau “Tonneau Cover for a Pickup”

\n

My old truck had a fiberglass topper on it. It was really nice. I had the top lined with a carpet liner as well as a carpet bed liner. I had a couple of garment rods, a light, and two 12v outlets installed as well. It had a rack on the roof for my kayak. It was a sweet setup. Then, when my truck was totaled, the topper and all it’s accouterments went with it.

\n

My new-to-me truck just has a plastic bed liner. There have been many times I have wished I had some way to tote things on my trips without necessarily having them visible to anyone who parks right beside us. I happened to mention this to Mr. FixIt the other day. He doesn’t forget things like this. We’ll get back to that in a minute.

\n

A lot of things fell into place yesterday. First, we thought we might need new tires before I head to Denver. Mr. FixIt called all around and finally found a suitable pair for a reasonable price at Sam’s, but still…mounted and balanced…four tires were going to cost nearly $800! A chunk of change, to be sure. That’s the price of owning a truck.

\n

We signed in at the tire desk, ordered the four tires, and paid for them. It was going to take about two hours so we started wandering around the store. About ten minutes later, they paged me overhead and we went back to the auto department. It turns out, I had a little over half the tread left on the tires and he didn’t want me to buy something I didn’t need.

\n

How refreshing! Thank you, Brandon!

\n

I did ask them, since they already had the truck back there, to please rotate the tires so they did that. As we were looking around the store, Mr. FixIt got a text. He said he had found a used tonneau cover for my truck for $150. I texted the woman selling it. She asked if I could also use a carpet bed liner! Well, yes…as a matter of fact. She then went on to tell me she was sick and tired of advertising stuff and if I wanted them both, she would sell them together for $75. Score! Now I can have a cover over my stuff during the Colorado trip.

\n

We went to pick up our mail at the post office and there was my new water pump for the camper. Mr. FixIt can get that put in for me today, I can clean out my camper and restock it, run to town, change the oil on the truck, and leave for my trip west…maybe on Wednesday! I am really looking forward to seeing my kids and grandkids so if everything lines up like this, I’ll be on my way sooner rather than later.

\n

Another road trip, Ranchers! Head ‘em up…move ‘em out!

\n

❤️

\n
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”\n

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-06-25T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/25/road-trip-falling-into-place.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/10/van-life.html", "title": "Van Life", "content_html": "

\"Conversion “One of our Girl Campers brought her conversion van to camp in. We were sold!”

\n

My dear friend Gail has a conversion van that is tricked out like a camper. It’s currently in the camper hospital so she camped in a tent this time. But one of the other gals brought her conversion van and was kind enough to give me a peek inside.

\n

I can see now why van girls love these so much! There is a lot you can pack into a small space. Christy has hers in soft pastels and cream, making the space seem much larger. She uses her Yeti cooler as extra seating. She has a whole kitchen crammed in this little cabinet. 

\n

This really got my creative juices flowing and I was thinking of all the things I can do to the minivan when I get ready to convert it. The only downside I could see is no air conditioner. She does have a 12v fan she can use, but I’m thinking I would be limited to spring and fall excursions.

\n

Christy spend five weeks at Quartzite, Arizona in the winter and never felt claustrophobic in this setup. She is thinking she would like to take it on the road full-time. I belong to a few Facebook groups that focus on the van life. It’s intriguing…but a little too confining for two.

\n

Anyway, someone asked to see the van…so here she is! Enjoy!

\n

❤️

\n
“It’s better to live in a hut in the wilderness than with a crabby, scolding spouse!”    Proverbs 21:19 TPT
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-10T01:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/10/van-life.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","New Ideas","Gratitude","Comfort","goRVing","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/13/camp-hairdont-care.html", "title": "Camp Hair...Don’t Care!", "content_html": "

\"Images “Images from camp…The Three Amigas (Gail, Janine, & Ginny), fishing, TOW-Wanda III, and ramp casserole in an iron skillet.”

\n

OMGosh! Other than not having subzero temperatures, this week has been quite reminiscent of my first winter in TOW-Wanda Grande. I was parked up on the banks of the Ohio River with no running water. This state park has a few electric sites and I was lucky enough to get one. But, there’s no water at the sites. I had to rely on the freshwater tank for flushing the toilet and bottled water for drinking. Since I don’t have the propane system or the water heater checked out yet, I had to heat up water in the microwave or running it through the coffee pot for washing dishes or taking sponge baths. I am really looking forward to a proper shower when I get home today. I definitely have camp hair. And I definitely don’t care!

\n

Everyone left yesterday and headed home. All except for me, that is. I already had last night reserved thinking at least someone would stay over. That’s ok, though. I used the day to do some writing I have a deadline for. Then I did a little knitting and watched old Andy Griffith reruns. All the kids either texted or called me for Mother’s Day which was so nice. Gail came back to the campground after dinner and brought me some homemade cream of broccoli soup. It was a really good day.

\n

Gail and I are cohosting a Girl Camper event next month at Blackwater Falls so now I can turn my attention to that. I ordered a floral canopy with matching chairs to set up at that outing to give people a place to sit when they come to visit. When you have a campout with a group of Girl Campers, everyone wants to see inside each other’s trailers so we usually have a little snack out or a cocktail to share with guests. 

\n

The gal who camped right across from me this time had her little camper all decked out on the inside like a vintage one, but it was brand new. She used her grandmother’s quilt to cover the seat cushions and had her mother’s 25th anniversary silver tea set on display. She made banners for each window from embroidered linens. It was absolutely darling. When her husband peeked in to see what she had done to the inside he said, “Really? Really??? You had to do all PINK?” She created a grey interior for him and switches it out. That seems like a lot of work to me, but as long as the hubs is happy.

\n

So, today I pack it up and head home. I can’t wait to see my Mr. FixIt and give him a squeeze. He sent me a picture of the garden and the beans are all up. He’s been spreading the rabbit repellent and so far, so good! They haven’t eaten any of the young plants.

\n

Hope you have a Happy Monday! 

\n

❤️

\n
““All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:”    Exodus 35:10 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-05-13T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/13/camp-hairdont-care.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","goRVing","Love","Peaceful Moments","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/12/what-a-hoot.html", "title": "What a Hoot!!!", "content_html": "

\"Coffee “Coffee in the camper…my favorite thing about camping!”

\n

The Girl Campers have been meeting at Beaver Creek State Park for the last three years or so. Some come for a day or two. Some come for a full week of fun. Gail is our Hostess Extraordinaire. Janine, our fearless leader and “Camper in Chief” is here with her Mister and anytime the three of us get together…it’s the Three Amigas. A good time is always to be had when we gather around the campfire.

\n

\"Woman “Janine loved her socks!”

\n

We have a Spring and a Fall “What a Hoot” event. Where did we get that name, you ask? We get to listen to the owls! We cannot call them in the spring because they are on the nest. But in the fall, we can play their calls over a speaker and call them in close so we can hear them. It’s beautiful.

\n

\"Pawpaw “The blossom of the pawpaw tree. Isn’t it beautiful?”

\n

The park naturalist came again yesterday. He took some of the campers on a guided nature walk and identified several varieties of wildflowers. Then later in the afternoon, we went fishing. One of our gals caught a good sized catfish on her second cast. I casted fifty times and didn’t catch a thing but I had fun!

\n

\"Woman “Sherri caught a catfish on her second cast!”

\n

I finished knitting the socks I was working on. Janine has been marveling over them for a year. That’s how long it took me to knit them! So, I gifted them to her and she was so tickled.

\n

\"Camping “Some of the girls made camping journals to keep as a memento from their trip.”

\n

Dinner last night was a smorgasbord of soups and fresh fruit. Bourbon Brownie S’mores for dessert! I didn’t have the ones with bourbon…I had mine plain. But they were gooey and decadent. Today, I get back on my diet!

\n

I hope you enjoy the photos! I’ll be heading back to the Ponderosa tomorrow!

\n

Oh, and…it’s Mother’s Day. Moms come in all shapes and sizes and descriptions. Some of us are moms. Some of us chose not to be. Some wanted to be and couldn’t. Some were…and lost their babies in one way or another. Some lost their relationships in some way. A lot of us have lost our moms by the time we get to be my age. And, some are fortunate to yet have theirs. The bottom line is…no matter what state you are in….it’s Mother’s Day. I hope it is a good day for you and yours…even if there are tears.

\n

I miss my mom…my grandma…and my “other mother”, Louisa. I’ll see you all some fine day.

\n

And, I miss my girls. I’ll see them soon!

\n

❤️

\n
“Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.”    ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-05-12T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/12/what-a-hoot.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Love","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/11/dreams-camping.html", "title": "Dreams \u0026 Camping", "content_html": "

\"Bathing “Bathing al Fresco…imagine a long soak and watching the stars!”

\n

When I was on my three month journey through the wilderness and backroads of Colorado after Mr. Virgo died, I camped on ten acres owned by my dear friend Susan. The property overlooked Mesa Verde. The house was situated in such a way as to give a glorious view of the mesa from the master bedroom. There was an outdoor shower just out the patio doors. It was surrounded by a rock wall with strategic dips so you could actually shower overlooking the grand view without being seen from the neighboring property or the one road that went by out front. I loved showering out there in broad daylight. It was liberating, exhilarating, refreshing while maintaining some semblance of modesty.

\n

The only thing I thought would improve the experience would be having an oversized claw foot tub in which to lay back and relax at night watching the stars. Scented bubbles would definitely be in order. I could imagine having a small fireplace nearby to ward off the chill when getting out and stacks of fluffy white Turkish towels at the ready. There would be a platform of slatted wood over pea gravel for a floor. Soft music playing low in the background and maybe a hundred candles. Or, just one.

\n

This would be my idea of heaven. My little oasis on those hot, sticky West Virginia nights. We have the pool, but the water is so hot in the summer, it isn’t refreshing. This al fresco bath would have hot and cold running water so I could have hot baths in the winter even. It sounds lovely. 

\n

I don’t want to build this at the Ponderosa because we want to fix it up and move. The farm would be the perfect place because of the privacy, but I don’t own it, so I don’t want to build anything there. The only other alternative is to wait till we build our place in town which could be a couple of years. I don’t know how practical it would be, but I can dream. I just look at pictures on Pinterest and swoon.

\n

In the meantime, the Girl Campers had a grand time yesterday. I’m almost finished with my socks I started on our honeymoon last October! More girls arrived today and it’s fun getting to know them. The park naturalist came to our campfire last night and gave a talk about wild ramps. They are kind of like a cross between a wild onion and garlic. When they are raw, they have quite a bite to them, but Mike’s wife made a casserole from eggs, potatoes, ramps and cheese and it was delicious. He also spoke about hummingbirds and we made a hummingbird feeder out of a plastic water bottle. 

\n

This kind of trip gives me the camping experience I wish I could have had as a kid. It’s like something you see in the movies but we aren’t going snipe hunting or short-sheeting the counselor’s bed. It is so much fun to be a girl again and forget the mowing and cooking and responsibilities of adulthood. If you ever have the opportunity, you should do this. There are a couple of gals here staying in one of the cabins. You don’t have to have a camper…you just have to want to go out and play.

\n

My dear friend Gail and I are co-hosting a Girl Camper event at Blackwater Falls in June. If you are interested, check out Janine’s Girl Camper page here on Facebook. It’s free to join the group and the camping trip is $20 plus your campsite fee. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1943334755897759/?ref=share

\n

❤️

\n
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”    Proverbs 27:9 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-11T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/11/dreams-camping.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/10/my-view.html", "title": "My View", "content_html": "

\"View “Oh, how I have missed the big picture window over the bed!”

\n

The thing I have missed the most since I bought TOW-Wanda Grande was the window over the bed. Propping up on pillows with a cup of coffee in the morning and looking out on the sunrise is priceless. And now, I have that back. The other things are the windows at the head and foot of my bed. The windows in TOW-Wanda Grande don’t open very wide and you really don’t get a good breeze. I love having that window open over my head and feeling the cool evening breeze wash over me. It’s also nice to hear the night sounds of frogs and crickets and whatever fauna is lurking around in the dark.

\n

The more I stay in this little camper, the more I absolutely love it. I did have a little problem. I noticed a trail of little black ants making their way up to the cabinet over the refrigerator on Wednesday night. By yesterday morning, there was an army. I opened the cabinet and took all the food out and discovered they had found an open packet of Club Crackers in a box. How can they find this stuff?

\n

I pulled everything out and sprayed with a botanical ant killer and they were soon gone. It seems ants have been terrible this year everywhere. We are having a huge problem with them at the Ponderosa.

\n

Other than that, and the bed being a tad bit firm for my liking, my heart just sings in this little tiny, tiny home on wheels.

\n

More girls are arriving daily and I believe all should be here by this evening. We have been knitting and talking and eating and napping. Oh, and having campfires. Gail has this new thing she bought called the SoloStove. It looked similar to the tub out of a washing machine and when you burn wood, it doesn’t smoke. You can still smell a wood fire, but just enough that it’s pleasant and it doesn’t choke the life out of you. Life doesn’t get much better than that!

\n

❤️

\n
“A friend loves at all times...”    Proverbs 17:17 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-10T01:30:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/10/my-view.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Peace","Peaceful Moments","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/09/camping-with-the-girls.html", "title": "Camping With the Girls", "content_html": "

\"Sunset “The sun sets on another fun day camping with the Girl Campers.”

\n

There is something special about camping with a bunch of gals. In ancient times, women gathered at the well when they went to fetch water. Farm women gathered at the Grange or at barn raisings, or when babies were born. Quilting Bees and Afternoon Teas. Women have always wanted/needed the company of other women.

\n

When I was much younger, I got along with men better than women. I found women to be gossipy or competitive…neither of which were appealing. However, since Mr. Virgo died, I have learned to appreciate my fellow females. Especially when we are sitting around a campfire or under a pavilion on a rainy afternoon. 

\n

My favorite campouts always include an afternoon siesta. Lots of talk time and knitting. Catching up with people to find out what’s been going on in their lives. When you come to a camping event that occurs once to twice a year, that may be the only time to get to see these women and they become good friends. Lifelong friends.

\n

I came back over to the camper after supper last night and caught the sun just before it dipped below the horizon. I thought it was lovely how the light changed to a golden green glow. These are the moments that make me remember why I bought my first camper. I want to do this as long as I am able. 

\n

Oh, yes…I love camping with Mr. FixIt. But, there’s just something special about camping with a bunch of gals.

\n

❤️

\n
“O God, to the farthest corners of the planet people will stand in awe, startled and stunned by your signs and wonders. Sunrise brilliance and sunset beauty both take turns singing their songs of joy to you.”\n

Psalms 65:8 TPT

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-09T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/09/camping-with-the-girls.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","goRVing","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/09/a-mission-of-mercy.html", "title": "A Mission of Mercy", "content_html": "

\"Camper\" “On a road trip to pick up an old camper…the flowering trees were stunning!”

\n

Last week, my friend Barb was visiting from Alaska. A bunch of our classmates got together for coffee. Barb had the sniffles and said she thought she was allergic to the cat and the dust from having her house closed up for so many months. But, it turns out, our poor friend had Influenza A. So far, we are all fine. She is a nurse and was quite careful in how she interacted with people.

\n

At the coffee, she reminded me that she still has a big camper in her back yard and if I would just please come get it, I could have it. Well, who turns down a free camper, right? Mr. FixIt and I went on a little road trip yesterday that turned into an all day extravaganza. (The flowering trees were AMAZING!) First, we had to take the title to the State Police barracks to get a single use tow permit. The closest place was the next city over. 

\n

When we got back, we went around to see the camper and start figuring out how to get it out of her back yard. I would love to have been a fly on the wall and watch her husband back that thing in there. The back yard is accessible from the alley. On the other side of the alley is a parking lot for the Head Start on the next street over. It was so obvious we weren’t going anywhere till the employees at the school left for the day.

\n

We decided to go back over to the next town. As we were driving, I realized we were just a couple of streets away from my dad’s house so I asked Mr. FixIt to turn down his street. We drove down the street slowly and at first I was puzzled. I thought maybe I had the street wrong, so I looked at the sign. No…this was Mulberry. I turned around and it hit me….they had torn down his house!

\n

I have no idea why, but that hit me in the gut and I almost threw up. It was so unexpected. The only time anything like that has happened to me before was when I had been away from WV for quite some time and walked up on the top of the hill. I had not known my uncle had much of the land timbered up there and the starkness of change gripped me in the same way as my father’s missing house.

\n

It took me quite some time through the afternoon to process that. I brushed it off as my diet, or not having enough protein for breakfast. Later, when we got home, I went off by myself in my little camper and cogitated quietly. Change. Sometimes we sweep it under the rug. I can’t do that anymore. I have to chew on it for a while till I can swallow.

\n

But, back to the task at hand. We browsed an antique store then headed to Walmart. I’ve been wanting to buy Mr. FixIt a portable tire inflator for his truck for quite some time. Pulling a camper with older tires on it seemed like the perfect opportunity to have a little 12v air compressor handy. We also picked up some sandwich fixings and had a picnic in the truck as we watched it rain.

\n

We called the Head Start to find out when the employees would be gone and headed back to Barb’s house by 4:00. The camper was squeezed in between a chain link fence and a building with a foot on each side. Hooking up was easy and it only took three tries to get it out without damaging anything. We drove straight to a service station and pumped up the tires. We walked around and gave it a good safety check. I felt the hubs and they were not hot. The tires didn’t look dry rotted. The rear lights worked as did the flashers and the turn signals. We adjusted the brakes and the weight distribution hitch and headed home.

\n

We drove slowly and got home long before dark. Once we decided where to park the camper, we unhitched and gave the camper a good look inside. It is not in good shape. It has had a leak for quite some time and the ceiling sags in a couple of spots. It’s a 2002 and when it was new, it was a really high end camper. Unfortunately, she isn’t a candidate for really fixing up. We were hoping we could make her road worthy for someone to really use. We have decided to give her a good cleaning, inside and out, and then I’m sure she will make someone an excellent hunting cabin. All they’ll have to do is seal the leaks in the roof.

\n

So, we did our good deed. We helped my friend lighten her load and give her one less thing to worry about during her short visit home. It took nothing more than a little time and half a tank of gas. 

\n

Now…my dad’s house being gone? I’m still processing that.

\n

❤️

\n
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”    Titus 3:14 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-09T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/09/a-mission-of-mercy.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","West Virginia","New Ideas","Gratitude","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/08/a-room-with-a-view.html", "title": "A Room With a View", "content_html": "

\"Camper “This was the biggest selling point on this camper.”

\n

I could hardly wait to get home yesterday afternoon. We had a beautiful day….the baby dedication at church was lovely and we had a family breakfast afterwards. Then we ran errands. It rained while we were in church and again while we were eating breakfast. Then it was dark and cloudy all afternoon. We got home about 4:00 and I made a bee line for TOW-Wanda III and a much anticipated Sunday afternoon nap. I was no sooner tucked in till the sky opened and the sound of rain on the camper roof lulled me quickly into a deep sleep.

\n

When I woke up…this is what I saw and I smiled from ear to ear. This window. I love all the light in this camper and this window takes the cake. I can prop myself up in the corner with my lap desk and iPad and be a totally happy camper! 

\n

I remember all the times in Little TOW-Wanda when I sat like this, propped up with a mug of good coffee and a stack of magazines…staring out a window like this and letting God’s nature heal my broken heart. Oh, how I’ve missed this. To turn over and see the sky. To gaze at stars as I drift off to sleep. I’m itching to get off on adventures but there’s stuff to be done first.

\n

Today we are heading to my friend’s house to pick up the camper she’s giving me. I have no idea what shape it’s in so we’ll see. Then there’s taxes. The bathroom is coming along…Mr. FixIt has plumbing to do before we can move the rest of the shower stall in. I need to clean out TOW-Wanda Grande and get her on the market. I need to clean out the truck because we leave the 19th to head to the beach. The first mowing at the Ponderosa occurred this weekend. That means the yard at the farm is going to need mowed this week, for sure. 

\n

And off we go. This is the time of year when we hit the ground running. That lazy nap yesterday, stretched out in my little new-to-me camper looking through my big picture window at the rain on the flowering bushes, will just have to hold me over for a while.

\n

❤️

\n
“Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because GOD will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.”    Proverbs 3:21-26 MSG
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-08T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/08/a-room-with-a-view.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Presence","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/06/what-a-crazy-week.html", "title": "What a CRAZY Week!", "content_html": "

\"Camper\" “The perfect little camper!”

\n

When I started out this week, I never dreamed I’d be the owner of SIX campers by the weekend!!! What??? Yes, that’s right…S-I-X campers! Ok, when Mr. FixIt and I started dating, he had two campers (a hybrid and a 27 foot Jayco) and I had one (a 30’ Starcraft). Then, by fall I bought our fourth camper…a 1967 Franklin I named “Joy”. She is still out at the farm and I need to get her over to the Ponderosa so I can work on her some more. 

\n

I picked up the little camper yesterday and I’m telling you…she’s a little cream puff. She is immaculate inside with a Sealy memory foam mattress. (Color me happy!) Mr. FixIt went with me to check her out carefully and he agreed I got a good deal on a great little camper. Hooking her up was easy peasy. We stopped at the first gas station and checked the air pressure. This is especially important every single time you tow. Remember the blowout I had coming home from Blackwater Falls a few years ago? It was caused by undetected low tire pressure. I learned a valuable and expensive lesson that day. All four tires were low. This happens when a camper sits for a while. We pumped them all up and headed for home.

\n

The second test would be to see how well Frieda pulled this camper. I was sure she would do well, but this is an 18’ camper. I’ve seen different weights. An online spec sheet says 3740 and the tag on the trailer says 4200. There are some steep hills on the drive home so I watched carefully. Frieda towed that trailer like a boss and the transmission temp didn’t get up over 197 degrees which is perfect. When we got home, I felt the hubs and they were barely warm to the touch so that is wonderful. 

\n

I pulled the camper around to the side of the house where the water connector is. The exterior surface is fairly dirty and dull. I wanted to see how it would clean up. I used my Norwex cloth and cleaning paste on a two-foot square section and it looked brand new when I was done. When it started getting dark, I went in the camper and stretched out on the yummy mattress. It’s wonderful! I opened the rock guard from the front window and it is exactly like my first camper…a Sportsmen Classic by K-Z RV. 

\n

I loved my first camper and I’ve got to tell you…I love this one more. If my first camper would have had a dinette with a separate bed, I never would have gotten rid of it. This one has exactly what I’ve always wanted and I’m thrilled!

\n

Now, a friend has a 30’ camper that she is giving me and we are going Monday to bring her home….making SIX campers. Mr. FixIt has one for sale now and TOW-Wanda Grande will be on the market as soon as I get her emptied and cleaned up. 

\n

“Hi, my name is Ginny…and I have a camper addiction.”

\n

This was absolutely, without a doubt, a prayer answered. This camper is more economical, practical, safer to tow….Thank You, God!

\n

Oh, an update on the bathroom. We managed to go another day without killing each other. However, we did end up having to cut a big chunk out of the drywall to get the bottom piece of the shower stall inserted. AND…there was yet ANOTHER trip to Lowes. Mr. FixIt’s measuring is impeccable. I am not kidding…that opening isn’t 1/16th of an inch bigger than the shower base. I am in the presence of engineering greatness…seriously!

\n

❤️

\n
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”\n

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-04-06T01:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/06/what-a-crazy-week.html", "tags": ["Faith","Uplifting Stories","Prayer","Positive Energy","Camping","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Downsizing","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/05/the-third-generation.html", "title": "The Third Generation", "content_html": "

\"Small “Introducing TOW-Wanda III”

\n

I’ve spent a lot of time in my big camper so far this year. She has been my office and sanctuary where I sequester myself and write. And lately, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about how she came into my life. It was the year after Mr. Virgo died. I sold my house and traded in Little TOW-Wanda for TOW-Wanda Grande. She was fancy-schmancy, let me tell you. When things didn’t work out on the farm like I thought they would, I lit out with this behemoth and hauled her all over the country…writing about it all the way. I lived for months at a time on a hill overlooking the beautiful Ohio River. I camped in my son-in-law’s parents’ driveway in Denver and on my friend Sue’s property overlooking Mesa Verde. I towed her from South Dakota to South Carolina and all points in between. But to just hop in and take her camping spontaneously became a chore. A major chore. It was literally like pulling a house and I didn’t go camping nearly as often as I would have liked.

\n

I was visiting with my very wise and experienced friend, Janine Pettit of Girl Camper fame over the weekend in Huntington. I told her I was thinking of going out to get a bigger truck because my camper was just too beefy for her in the mountains. I loved her response. Simple, direct, and too the point.

\n

“Ginny, you don’t need a bigger truck. You need a smaller camper.”

\n

Stopped me cold. It had never seriously occurred to me to downsize the camper until that moment. Suddenly, it made perfect sense. As with all things, I talked to God about it. I told him I would be able to get out and reach more people if I wasn’t so bogged down with the big camper. I told him what I needed in a camper….a bathroom with a toilet and shower, a kitchen with a good sized fridge, a dinette, plenty of storage, and a comfy bed with windows like my first camper. I’ve always been so sorry I traded her in. If I would have known the thing with my aunt at the farm wasn’t going to work out, I never would have gotten such a big camper. That being said, I still wanted a camper with more than one bed. I also wanted a camper with fiberglass sides instead of that rippled aluminum. Those can get dented up so easily with hail and errant branches. Then, I just left it with God. If He wanted me to have a little camper again, He would bring her to me. I knew this…I felt it.

\n

Yesterday morning, I picked up my phone and I “accidentally” hit the FB Marketplace button and up popped the cutest little camper. I almost couldn’t believe it. I haven’t measured her yet but I think she is about 18’ long…exactly the size of Little TOW-Wanda. It has the fiberglass sides like I wanted. It has a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. It has a kitchen with a full-size refrigerator/freezer, a double sink, a two-burner stove, and a microwave. It has a dinette that will turn down into a single bed. It has a double bed and a bunk bed over it…both with a memory foam mattresses. And, get this…it has the very same window configuration Little TOW-Wanda had. It is absolutely perfect and it cost 1/3 the price of a new one of comparable size with a better floor plan than any I’ve seen.

\n

I showed the picture of the camper to Mr. FixIt and told him I was going to text the owner. It had been on FB an hour. I was the first to contact the gal and I went to see the camper last night. I couldn’t believe it. It was exactly….EXACTLY…what I asked for! God is SO good! After carefully inspecting the camper, I told her I’d take it and gave her a little earnest money to hold it till she gets the title for me.

\n

I have been trying to think of a name. I was thinking I should call her Pollyanna. But that just doesn’t fit right. Here’s the thing. My main camper will always and forever be “TOW-Wanda”, no matter what she looks like. It’s how I take my mama with me. She would have loved traveling and having her little house with her. Therefore…meet “TOW-Wanda III”. 

\n

❤️

\n
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”    Proverbs 16:3 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-05T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/05/the-third-generation.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Courage","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/31/girl-campers.html", "title": "Girl Campers", "content_html": "

\"Campfire “Aren’t these the cutest little campfire cupcakes?”

\n

There is something so special about camping with a bunch of gals. You may not have met them yet, but they’re going to be your new BFF’s before the weekend is over. I’ve been involved with the whole camp-like-a-girl movement since Mr. Virgo died and I got my first camper. I was first introduced to Sisters on the Fly and along the way, I met and got to know Janine Pettit. 

\n

Janine has been a girl camper (little “g”) since she was a child and traveled with her parents on camping vacations. Along the way, Janine was asked to write a series on the GoRVing blog about amazing women campers. The RV industry recognized there was a whole demographic they weren’t serving well and Janine was just the person to bring on board to reach them. She’s personable, fun, and extremely knowledgeable about all things camping. 

\n

Almost four years ago now, Janine started the Girl Camper Podcast which has become an incredible resource for women hoping to get into camping but may not be sure where to start. You may recall I have been interviewed several times on Janine’s show and I am always honored to attend her events. I meet some of the most wonderful women.

\n

I went to Milton, West Virginia yesterday to visit with my tribe. Janine was in from New Jersey for a Camper College at Setzer’s RV in Huntington. Camper College is an event an RV Dealer sponsors with Janine and the gals get a couple of hours to ask questions and learn more about campers and their operation. Gail Bable is the Camp Host for Beaver Creek State Park in East Liverpool, Ohio and she is one of my home girls. 

\n

I love going to these events because you get to see gals you haven’t seen for a while and you always get to meet new people. I was standing in the kitchen visiting when Gail came up to me and drew my attention to the two women sitting on the sofa. 

\n

“Ginny, I overheard those two gals chatting. They are both widows.”

\n

I walked right over and sat with them. I could see they were emotional and wiping away tears.

\n

“What are we talking about, girls?”

\n

“Dead husbands, I’m afraid.”

\n

“Ahhhhh….yes. I have one of those. I’m Ginny McKinney. It’s so nice to meet you.”

\n

We sat and visited for a bit and exchanged info. One is a published author and the other is a blogger and about to head out full time in her new Little Guy Max camper. You never know who you might meet along the way and how you might be able to help each other.

\n

My good friend, Cherry, brought the cupcakes that look like little campfires. Aren’t they the cutest things??? Janine handed out some swag…collapsible fans, sunglasses, bottle openers. A good time was had by all and of course there was enough food there to feed a small army. I left after dinner to head back home so I could get up in time for church this morning. What a fun, fun weekend!

\n

If you haven’t followed Girl Camper yet, do head over to her Facebook page and her website. It’s such a loving, warm community of women.

\n

Girl Camper

\n

❤️

\n
“...a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”    Proverbs 27:9 MSG
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-31T01:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/31/girl-campers.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/18/a-night-out.html", "title": "A Night Out", "content_html": "

\"Embroidered “I love vintage embroidered linens.”

\n

When we finally got home from town after church yesterday, I went out to TOW-Wanda and started getting her ready for the camping season. And, by getting her ready I mean I made the bed. And got in it. There’s nothing better than a good book in your camper on a Sunday afternoon. That, and a little snooze.

\n

As I was getting the linens out to dress the bed, I came across these pillow cases. The blue and white one was purchased as part of a set made from antique German linens I purchased in Colorado in the ‘80s. The antique dealer had them embroidered…the pillow cases with the scroll embroidery and the shams with “Good Morning” and “Good Night”. I love this set and had forgotten the pillowcase had made it’s way into my camper at some point. 

\n

The other pillowcase is from a set I had my mom embroider when she came to Colorado one time. She used to embroider all the time and I loved the idea of having something she made to carry with me forever. It makes me smile and think of her.

\n

I sent my manuscript to the proofreader last week. There were a few typos she highlighted for me. And, there were a couple of notes to areas that needed fleshing out in my book. She mentioned she wanted to know more about my mom and our relationship. When I curled up under the covers in TOW-Wanda yesterday, I thought of my mom…Wanda. I picked up my iPad and wrote more about this kind and loving soul who was my mother. She was one of a kind and I loved listening to the rain on the roof as I walked down memory lane with my mom.

\n

Mother-daughter relationships can be tricky. My mom and I butted heads a lot. In all honesty, I was always a little too big for my britches, as my grandma would have put it. I was married to a doctor. I had a career in medicine. I had traveled a lot more and had lived in big cities. I fancied myself ever so much more sophisticated than my mom. It wasn’t until after the overdose that I realized what a horse’s patoot I had been to my poor mother. The only defense I have is the fact I was on Prozac for so many years and it changed my personality so that I really didn’t care much about others.

\n

Fortunately, I got off all the meds and alcohol and grew up quite a bit so that my mom and I had a much better relationship the last few years of her life. It would have been so terribly sad if she would have died before we got to that point. She has been gone for 15 years now…so hard to believe. I am so happy I have tangible reminders of her and that I chose to keep them when I downsized. There are some things you just can’t get rid of and this pillowcase is one of them.

\n

When Mr. FixIt came home, he came out and joined me in TOW-Wanda and we spent the night in the camper…our first night out for 2019. Maybe it’s not quite camping weather because they were predicting a bit of snow overnight, but we had plenty of cozy comforters and a furnace to keep us warm. Bring on the camping season!!! 

\n

❤️

\n
““Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.””\n

Ephesians 6:2-3 NLT

\n", "date_published": "2019-03-18T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/18/a-night-out.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Peace","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/02/07/time-to-visit-my-friend.html", "title": "Time to Visit my Friend", "content_html": "

\"Camper “TOW-Wanda in the fog at the Ponderosa.”

\n

I have a tendency to get antsy. I get bored pretty easily and being cooped up in the house drives me batty after a while. Poor Mr. FixIt was down for the third day in a row with a virus. I fixed him tea. I made him a pot of homemade potato soup. I gave him cold meds. I tucked him in his recliner with a heating pad. I even watched a movie with him. But, as much as I dearly love the man, I had to do something else for a little bit.

\n

I’ve been wanting to spend the night out in TOW-Wanda for some time now. Even though I camped with her up on the Ohio River this time of the year in 2015, doesn’t mean I am necessarily anxious to repeat the experience when the temperature hovers below freezing. This week is different. The temp today is supposed to get up to 70 degrees! Yesterday was a different story. Even though it was around 62 degrees out there, it was grey and foggy after a day of rain. When the rain cleared up a bit, I packed up my bag with knitting, books, my iPad, and my phone and headed out for a break in my little home on wheels.

\n

I really miss her in the winter. I took the covers off the bedroom windows, slipped out of my shoes, and snuggled in under a pile of blankets. Once the initial chill of the cold bed began to subside, I sighed and pulled the blankets up under my chin and rolled on my side. I could hear the creek out by the road…roaring and swollen from the rain. A lone crow cawed from the tree line out at the far end of the big field. As much as I would have loved to pull out my book, or pick up my knitting…I just sank down into the memory foam mattress and let TOW-Wanda cradle me with the safe, warm feelings I always get when I spend time with her.

\n

I thought about the cold, October rains that I drove through when I brought her to West Virginia for the first time. I remembered the sounds of the riverboats breaking through the crust of ice on the Ohio River as they carried theirs loads of coal and assorted cargo. I thought about the many times my fear and anxiety were eased when I escaped with her to the woods. She was my sanctuary. My safe haven. My diversion. My home when I really had no one in my self-appointed exile. She is where I did my best healing. Sometimes I just need to go spend some time with her.

\n

I drifted off for just a bit and roused when it was getting dusky out. I could see the fog settling in the back field as it rose from the roadway. I smiled and thanked her for being here where I can visit anytime. It’s much better than when I had to store her away from me for the winter. I’m at a place where I am ready to work on my book again. I have accountability partners in my friends Janine and Gail. Janine reminded me yesterday it was time to get to work. My goal is 500 words a day. That ought to be a piece of cake considering I already write to you lovely people that much quite easily. TOW-Wanda is my studio, my office, my writing space. Today, I will go out and prop all my pillows around the twin bed in my slide-out, which I call my “sunroom”, and write with the windows flung open to catch the warm air. Air with the promise of spring. It’s going to be a good day. ❤️

\n
“And I say, \"Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah”\n

Psalms 55:6-7 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-02-07T02:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/02/07/time-to-visit-my-friend.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/16/little-vintage-campers.html", "title": "Little Vintage Campers", "content_html": "

\"Little “Little vintage campers…how many people were IN this thing?”

\n

Yesterday, Mr. FixIt and I were having breakfast when he picked up his phone to show me something. He watches Facebook Marketplace closely because, you know, you never know when you might need one more thing, right? Anyway, there was an ad in there for a 1969 Shasta Compact camper. Swoon! Anyone who knows anything about campers knows Shasta is kind of a status symbol for campers. This particular one was being converted into a food trailer, but it’s too small for the job so the people are trying to unload it. It’s gutted already, no leaks, towable, new tires, and only $500. Not bad.

\n

We contacted the gal and as one might imagine, she already has people coming to look at it, so the chance of me even getting to see it are pretty slim. And, like I need another project! Anyway, if I get to see it, I’ll take pics and show you.

\n

Thinking about tiny little campers got me to looking at vintage camping art and photos. Look at this tiny little camper. Now, look at how many people there are camping. Wow! It’s like one of those clown cars where clowns keep coming out one after another! Cars were a lot heavier and more powerful back then so you would see the family car pulling a really big trailer. Do you remember the movie Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz made called The Long, Long, Long Trailer? It was huge but they pulled it with a convertible!

\n

I never camped as a kid, but I remember going over to a friend’s house and they had a camper. Us kids were allowed to go in it and use it like a playhouse. I remember being absolutely mesmerized by it and I wanted one in the worst way. I was always married to non-campers till Mr. FixIt came along. Now we have four campers between us and I am preparing to convert an old minivan into a mini campervan. Oh yeah…I REALLY need another camper! ?‍♀️

\n

❤️

\n
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'”\n

Luke 14:28-30 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-16T02:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/16/little-vintage-campers.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Love","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/20/winter-wonderland.html", "title": "Winter Wonderland", "content_html": "

\"Gingerbread “My favorite entry in the Gingerbread competition at The Blennerhassett Hotel…three little gnome houses on “stump” cakes!”

\n

One of my favorite places in my hometown is The Blennerhassett Hotel. It is the finest hotel and restaurant in town and I have had the pleasure of visiting it many times. It’s the place where my gal pals from my high school class gather for coffee. It’s where they have the parade of trees.  Then the gingerbread houses. I marvel at both. The innovative ideas for the Christmas trees always leaves me smiling at all the creativity. And the gingerbread houses are just flat out amazing. This year, my favorite was the one with three little gnome houses on tree stump cakes. Camping was a big theme, as well. 

\n

\"Camper “Camper Gingerbread House…SO cute!”

\n

The Blennerhassett is where our High School Reunions meet on the second night. It’s where I sought refuge in February 2015 when I was living in my camper high over the banks of the Ohio River. The temperature got down to -25 wind chill, my refrigerator stopped working and all my food was ruined. I went to The Blennerhassett and took fifteen bubble baths in two days and came back refreshed and ready to face the rest of the winter. There is often live music in the bar on Friday nights. And there is a Farmers Market one day a week in the summers. It is truly one of my favorite places.

\n

\"Gingerbread “Camping at Christmas Ginerbread House”

\n

This year, Mr. FixIt and I were downtown paying a bill and ended up wandering into the hotel to walk around and marvel at the exquisite gingerbread houses. There is a competition and the prizes are the big rosette ribbons like the ones I earned when I baked competitively in Colorado. There is also a People’s Choice Award.

\n

\"Gingerbread “Another little camper gingerbread house!”

\n

Yesterday, I made about 12 dozen Rolo Pretzel Cookies and knitted dishcloths. We cleaned in preparation for the big family gathering Friday night. Tonight is the Thursday night bowling league Christmas party so we’ll be making beef noodles to take. I’m baking a Hummingbird Cake today. And, I’m going to bake up a big batch of Pepperoni Rolls…West Virginia’s state food! So, watch for pics and recipes tomorrow! ❤️

\n
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”\n

John 6:35 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-20T02:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/20/winter-wonderland.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Comfort","Peace","Holiday","Art"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/11/28/your-chance-to-win-a.html", "title": "Your Chance to Win a Camper!", "content_html": "

\"“The “The Little Max by Liberty Outdoors”

\n

My good friend, Janine Pettit, has gone camping since she was a little girl. When her kids were heading off to college, Janine decided to be an ambassador and help women learn everything they needed to know to get out and “Go Places and Do Things!” 

\n

I met Janine in the Spring of 2015 in Nashville. She had been a blogger for goRVing.com for quite some time, and asked if she could interview me. We had an instant rapport and I have subsequently appeared at least three times on her podcast talking about my journey. 

\n

One of the sponsors of the GirlCamper Podcast is Liberty Outdoors with their Max and Mini Max campers. This past summer, Liberty Outdoors loaned Janine a camper to haul around the country and give feedback on the design. After pulling this gorgeous little camper over 10,000 miles  across 14 states. She camped over 60 nights this summer! And now, it’s YOUR chance to own this little beauty!

\n

Liberty Outdoors has generously donated this Mini Max to the Hold You Foundation, a non-profit that assists parents in making ends meet when they are caring for a seriously ill child. The camper is being raffled off and you can buy a ticket by clicking on the following link. Who know? This little beauty just might end up being yours!

\n

Fingers crossed!

\n

girlcamper.com/mini-max-…

\n
“Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.””\n

Genesis 20:1 MSG

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2018-11-28T02:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/11/28/your-chance-to-win-a.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/17/country-living-fair-thats-a.html", "title": "Country Living Fair - That’s a Wrap!", "content_html": "

\"Little “The Little Guy Mini Max by Liberty Outdoors.”

\n
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  Hebrews 6:10 NIV
\nOMGosh! You all...this was SUCH a fun weekend but incredibly hot and I’m fried in more ways than one. I didn’t go out in the sun at all without an umbrella. I forgot sunscreen, and even with the umbrella, I got a sunburn on my arms. You’d think I’d learn by now, wouldn’t you?\n

The hardest thing about the last day of the fair is…you can’t even begin to start breaking anything down until 5:00. Then, you have to get a pass to bring your vehicle into the area to load up. If you didn’t have some organization, with all these vendors…it would be total chaos. I have to tell you, they do have this thing down to a science and it all runs very smoothly. Gail got her van packed up first, and since it was its OWN vehicle, she got out first. Then came getting Janine’s truck in, packed up, and hook up her trailer. Last, I dragged my little wagon out to the parking lot where my truck was parked, unloaded everything into the back, and headed to the campground. The girls decided to head on home and not camp…which I totally understand. I had already paid for my campsite, and I was exhausted. So, this morning when you read this…I’m sleeping in!

\n

Here’s a picture of Janine’s little camper by Liberty Outdoors. It’s a Little Guy Mini Max. It weighs only 2000 pounds and has absolutely everything in it you could want…potty, shower, two-burner propane cooktop, microwave, a big refrigerator/freezer with a refrigerated wine drawer, a deep sink, hot and cold running water, AC, furnace, plenty of storage, TV, and 200 watt solar panels on the roof. Janine has it configured with a twin bed, but you can pull it out into a queen. In the low $20,000’s.Not bad for a new 2019. Very well built with quality materials.

\n

\"Will “Will Moses…great-grandson of Grandma Moses.”

\n

The second picture is Will Moses. He is the great-grandson of Grandma Moses. He was there with his art…done in the style of his famous great-grandmother. He says he remembers her…he was five years old when she died.

\n

And with that…I’m heading to bed. I had WAY too much fun in the sun the last three days. But I’ll drift off with a smile remembering all the really nice people I met and talked with.

\n

Have a great Monday! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-17T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/17/country-living-fair-thats-a.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/16/country-living-fair-day-fun.html", "title": "Country Living Fair - Day 2 (Fun, Friends, and Fair Food!)", "content_html": "

\"Two “Fellow Rancher, Ruth Ann, came by to see me today at Country Living Fair! What a treat!”

\n
“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.”  Ecclesiastes 9:7 NIV
\nYou know what? One of the sweetest things that ever happens to me at one of these events is when one of my readers steps up to me and says...”I love your blog! I’ve been reading it for a long time.” My heart melts and I just want to give them a great big hug! It happened twice yesterday! First, Ruth Ann came all the way from Cincinnati. She was so gracious and I was so happy to meet her. Then, Beth stopped by to say hello. She follows Janine’s podcast and learned about Marshmallow Ranch from my interview on Episode #5. What a sweetie. She’s young and looking forward to camping in her own trailer someday. \n

\"Two “Fellow Rancher, Beth, came to see me at Country Living Fair. It’s such an honor to meet my readers!”

\n

It was another scorcher yesterday. The truck said 93 degrees at 5:00 when I got in to head back to the campground. I got a little sunburned this time. Janine and I were sitting outside her little camper when Mary and her friend Amy stopped to visit. Over an hour later, we were exchanging e-mail addresses with promises to keep in touch. You know…sometimes you just meet someone and you know there’s a reason you’re supposed to keep in touch. That was the case with these two. 

\n

\"Girl “Mary and Amy listening to Janine talk about the joys of Girl Camping.”

\n

We had an extra person with us yesterday so we got to take little breaks and walk around more. I explored the near side of the fair. I bought this cute little striped dress I’m wearing in the pictures. It was pretty comfy. Then I headed to the food court to get my supper. I had an organic, grass fed beef cheeseburger, an ear of roasted corn, and a small scoop of Buckeye Bash iced cream. Lunch was a corn cake with pulled pork, slaw, and roasted corn relish with a drizzle of BBQ sauce. OMGosh…what a treat!

\n

\"Roasted “Fair Food…Roasted Corn!”

\n

 

\n

Fun, friends and fair food. Lots of sunshine. Awesome art, antiques, clothing, and crafts. And visits with Ranchers! What a great day!!!

\n

Don’t forget to go to my webpage and register your name and e-mail address in the “Become a Rancher” box for a chance to win that WAY cool yurt tent!!! The drawing is Tuesday!!! (If you have already registered your name and e-mail before, you’re automatically entered!) ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-16T01:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/16/country-living-fair-day-fun.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/15/country-living-fair-day.html", "title": "Country Living Fair - Day 1", "content_html": "

\"Shiny “Freckles has the cutest little camper as a prop in their booth.”

\n
“You prepare a table before me...”  Psalm 23:5 NIV
\nOMGosh! It was SO hot yesterday at the fair. The ground was saturated from the storms last weekend and with the heat baking down on all that damp earth, it was like sitting in a sauna. Fortunately, we had an EZUp and battery powered fans, and there was a bit of a breeze most of the day. If I walked around anywhere, I used an umbrella and a wide brimmed hat and that helped a lot.\n

\"Country “Fun fencing surrounding a booth full of baskets and pumpkins.”

\n

The fair didn’t seem quite as busy the first day as it has in years past. Some vendors attributed that to the heat. Others to the fact they added a spring Country Living Fair in Columbus this year. They were worried maybe that kind of divided our audience. I do know the booth rent is pretty steep for an event like this so I hope the vendors do well and the show continues to be a success.

\n

\"Light “LOVED this light fixture made from an old pulley and Edison-style bulbs.”

\n

We each took turns wandering around the booths yesterday. We also had our favorite food vendors staked out. For breakfast, there was Miss Perolee’s Blackberry Cobbler and lunch was from Sweet Carrots…baked Mac ‘n Cheese with Pulled Pork on top drizzled with a little Smoky BBQ Sauce. Yummmm!

\n

\"Porch “Nothing more cozy than a chippy-white porch swing filled with pillows made from vintage quilts.”

\n

Here are some of my favorite items from my meandering. I only covered half the fair. It’s all a bit overwhelming. It would truly take three days to walk through and see everything…hence, it is a three day festival. But, when you are working the fair, you don’t have that kind of time. I really enjoy visiting with the people who stop to see the campers. Our glamped up tent was a big hit! I’ll walk the other half tomorrow and get more pictures. It’s supposed to be another hot one but we have an extra person helping tomorrow. Let’s hope it’s really busy! Come see us!

\n

\"Crocks\" “Crocks are some of my favorite collectibles, although I prefer blue ones. I haven’t found any…yet!”

\n

\"Pillows\" “A row of bold red plaid pillows make a striking display at Country Living Fair.”

\n

\"Signs\" “Signs are always sought-after decorator items at these fairs.”

\n

\"Country “Different textures and materials add visual interest to this display.”

\n

\"Scrub “There’s something lovely about worn utilitarian objects that both evoke simpler times, yet remind us how much easier life is with modern conveniences.”

\n

\"pressboard “I remember these pressboard cutouts from elementary school.”

\n

❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-15T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/15/country-living-fair-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/14/country-living-fair.html", "title": "Country Living Fair", "content_html": "

\"Fun “You don’t have to have an expensive camper and tow vehicle to go camping! Come see us at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, OH this weekend…we’ll show you how to camp like a girl!”

\n
“The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents.”  Genesis 25:27 NIV
\nIt’s here! My favorite event of the year. I’m here to lend a hand to Janine Pettit...Girl Camper Podcaster and Blogger and all around great camper gal and Gail Bable, my dear friend who is the camp host at Beaver Creek State Park. We headed to the fairgrounds bright and early yesterday morning. Well, ok...not TOO bright and early. We had to sit in TOW-Wanda and gather our wits about us while we had our morning hot beverages and cinnamon rolls! The camp host here at the fairgrounds woke me up WAY too early to register and pay so if you’re up anyway...it’s time for coffee!\n

You can see in this photo of TOW-Wanda…I got a primo campsite under the only tree in the place! You can’t see beyond us, but there’s another huge campground and beyond that are the railroad tracks. Between the trains and the flight path out of the Columbus airport and all the sirens…it’s a pretty noisy place. But I just popped in my earplugs and slept like a baby! 

\n

\"Camping\" “My friend Gail brought her vintage 1990 Ford Econoline 250 camper van to show at Country Living Fair this weekend. There’s TOW-Wanda…stocked and ready to give us a cool respite in the heat of the day.”

\n

Gail brought her vintage 1990 Ford Econoline 259 camper van to dress up and show at the fair this year. Janine has her Little Guy Mini Max with her. (Photos tomorrow!) TOW-Wanda is staying here at the campground as a staging area for cooling off and napping.

\n

Center stage at this year’s Girl Camper display is “Champ”…Janine’s WAY cool new tent made by Stout Tents. A lot of gals follow the Girl Campers, Sisters on the Fly, and other women’s camping pages and they want to join in the fun but don’t have a camper. We wanted to demonstrate this year that you don’t have to have a huge investment in something as expensive as a camper to go out and have fun with the gals. This tent can not only serve as your single source of camp lodging…but, it can also become your “guest bedroom”. Janine loves camping in her little camper, but sometimes she wants to take some friends along and there’s just not enough room in her trailer. Voila! Champ becomes that second bedroom big enough to put at least three cots in. At 13’ across, you could sleep 5-6 in sleeping bags. That would make for a fun slumber party, wouldn’t it?

\n

\"Setting “Setting up the new Stout Tent at Country Living Fair. Janine pounds in the ground stakes while I pull the guy wires taut.”

\n

We spent the day in wilting heat, decorating this little tent with some wonderful old wool blankets and afghans, pillows, and vintage camping gear from Janine’s vast personal collection. She has her own She-Shed devoted entirely to the vintage finds she has gathered over the years. It was fun watching the grounds fill up with some of the COOLEST stuff around. I can’t wait till we get to take our little breaks and walk around to see all the booths. It’s literally like walking into the pages of a Country Living Magazine. If you ever get the opportunity, you really should go. And, if you happen to be in the Columbus area this weekend, come and see us!!! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-14T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/14/country-living-fair.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Comfort","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/13/road-trip-fall.html", "title": "Road Trip #2 - Fall 2018", "content_html": "

\"Hurricane “I’m on a road trip…but nothing like this!!!”

\n
“Get ready; be prepared! ...”  Ezekiel 38:7 NLT
\nThis is a picture of a “traffic jam”. It was billed as the hurricane evacuation for Florence, but I’ve since learned it’s “fake news”. I don’t know if it’s LA at rush hour or a real hurricane evacuation or totally made up in photo shop, but I imagine they all look the same.\n

People are fleeing Hurricane Florence by the droves and the looks of this mess horrifies me. There has to be a better way to mass evacuate people other than sitting in parking lots on the freeway. This is dangerous on so many levels. My prayers are with all those who are in the line of the storm.

\n

My road trip yesterday was nothing like this! I started my day off with a followup appointment with one of the specialists I was referred to and I am so pleased to say the biopsies were benign. I am blessed again! Of all the tests and procedures I’ve had done since June, there were only a couple of things found and they can be treated with medication, diet, exercise, and a little weight loss. So, my road trip started out on the right foot!

\n

I haven’t pulled TOW-Wanda since April when I went to Beaver Creek State Park for Spring What a Hoot. When I got her home, one of the hubs was hotter than the others and I was worried there might be something wrong with the bearings on that wheel. With all the medical issues I’ve had  this summer, I never got around to hoisting her up on a jack and having a look at that bearing. I knew I couldn’t take her last weekend to Beaver Creek because there is a really steep hill up to the campground and my truck just doesn’t have the power to pull her up there. Mr. FixIt’s truck has a recall on the frame so it couldn’t be trusted. That’s why I borrowed my friend’s Avion. 

\n

You know how sometimes you have a problem and you have to puzzle over it for a while before you see the solution? Well, on each wheel, there is a hub cover that protects the grease fitting for the hub. A few years ago, I had a blowout and when AAA changed the tire, they didn’t put the hub cover back. That was a blessing in disguise because when Mr. FixIt and I were driving through Indiana last summer, that is the hub that blew. If that cap would have been on there, we wouldn’t have seen it and there could have been a terrible accident if the wheel froze or worse yet…flew off while driving on the highway. We tried to jack up the camper Tuesday night but the jack wasn’t strong enough. I decided to stop at Walmart and have them take those covers off so I could get in there and grease the bearings. While we were standing there telling the guy what we needed, Mr. FixIt and I looked at each other and had an A-HA moment. Turns out, the end of those little hub covers pop right off with a screw driver so you can easily grease your hubs. A little pump of grease before you head out on a trip will really protect your hubs from overheating. Unfortunately, these are not things they teach you when you go over your camper at the dealer. They don’t necessarily want you doing maintenance…they want you to bring the camper to them. That doesn’t always work out when you travel as much as I have in this camper in the last four years.

\n

Once we added the grease to the hub, I was off on my next adventure. I stopped twice and checked the temperature of the hubs with a digital infrared thermometer with a laser target. Three hubs were 95 degrees and the worrisome hub was only 105. Not enough to worry about, but I’ll keep an eye on it. While I was down under the camper, I did notice a wired bundle that somehow dropped down and was mangled by the wheel. After carefully tracing it, it turned out to be the cable/antenna and I don’t use that, so it’s tucked up away until I can get it fixed some time in the future.

\n

So, my friends and I are here at the campground. I spend a few hours cleaning and organizing the camper and now it is fresh and tidy. I am leaving it in the campground during the duration of the fair because it’s a nice oasis for breaks and lunch. I have the ice machine hooked up that I bought on sale at the end of the season last year. There’s a flat of water bottles in the fridge and freezer. And the AC is working well. There’s a nice shower waiting for anyone who might need it. Today we will set up the Girl Camper display. This is the most fun part! Decorating and letting other women see what fun camping can be. This will be my sixth Country Living Fair. I can’t wait to share all the photos with you! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-13T01:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/13/road-trip-fall.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Growth","goRVing","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/10/knowing-when-to-quit.html", "title": "Knowing When to Quit", "content_html": "

\"Rain “Rain, rain, go away…we still camped and had fun!”

\n
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”  1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV
\nI had an absolute blast this week camping with the Girl Campers! Even when it started raining and didn’t quit. Even when I got cold and wet and hadn’t had a shower since Tuesday. Mr. FixIt came up and that was icing on the cake. But, as you can see on the weather radar, home was getting slammed as hard, if not harder than the campground up north and that puts our basement at risk of flooding. So, my sweetie was up and kissed me goodbye at five o’clock yesterday morning. On his way down the hill from the campground, he had to stop and move a tree that had fallen across the road. Then there was a rock slide near the house that held him up a bit. But he made it home safely, for which I was very grateful.\n

I managed to get a little more sleep then joined the rest of the gals in Gail’s fifth wheel. We laughed and ate and knitted and had a blast. In the middle of the afternoon, I took a little snooze and when I woke up, I was cold and damp and there was no Mr. FixIt around to warm me up. I looked at my watch, calculated the time and distance from home, and figured I could be there and showered before dark. I threw my stuff in bags, dragged it out in the pouring rain, and loaded up the truck. I was soaked to the skin by the time I was finished, but as soon as I made my goodbyes, I got in the truck, took off my wet coat, and cranked up the heat and I was dry and toasty in no time. I got home just at dark and as soon as I had the important stuff unloaded, I took that long, hot shower and felt like a new woman!!! There is one thing that does NOT go with Girl Camping…whining. And I was getting dangerously close to it! Steroids make me agitated and I didn’t want anyone to be subjected to a temper tantrum. 

\n

When I was alone after losing Mr. Virgo, I took off by myself everywhere. It was either that or stay at home alone. Now, I’m walking this fine line. On the one hand, I have this really great guy that I love spending time with. I have a very real understanding of what it feels like when that is taken away. Consequently, I have found I really don’t like being away from Mr. FixIt for more than two or three days. On the other hand, I need to maintain my independence skills so I’m not caught flat-footed if something should happen to him before me. If it hadn’t been so wet and cold, and if I hadn’t been on steroids, I very likely would have toughed it out and stayed one more night in that sweet camper with my dear friends. However, I knew when to say “uncle” and call it quits. You just have to know which race to run. And, it ended up being a perfect week of camping fun!

\n

Next up is a couple days at home then heading to the Country Living Fair with these same fun gals! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-10T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/10/knowing-when-to-quit.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/09/beaver-creek-state-park.html", "title": "Beaver Creek State Park", "content_html": "

\"Civil “Civil War Reenactment”

\n
“They will stumble repeatedly; they will fall over each other. They will say, ‘Get up, let us go back to our own people and our native lands, away from the sword of the oppressor.’”  Jeremiah 46:16 NIV
\nWhen you find a park you love AND you’re great friends with the Camp Host AND there’s all kinds of fun things to do there...you have a winning combination. Beaver Creek State Park is near East Liverpool, Ohio so it’s a good three hour drive from the Ponderosa. The Girl Campers meet here in the spring and again in the fall for an event we call “What a Hoot” in honor of all the owls that live in the Park. Our fall gathering is usually a couple weeks later than this, but we decided to gather earlier this year to take advantage of the Civil War Reenactment Weekend. \n

\"“Civil “Civil War Reenactment”

\n

There was never a Civil War Battle here in the immediate area, but since there is a mill in the park, and the Pioneer Village is a perfect setting for a skirmish, they hold this as an educational event every year. “Abraham Lincoln” walked around the park, regaling everyone with historical stories. Mr. FixIt and I had lunch with he and “Mrs. Lincoln”. It was interesting to hear him talk in the first person as the President and tell us where he was and what he was doing at certain times in his life. I didn’t realize Abraham Lincoln had been a merchant and built a huge barge by hand to deliver goods to New Orleans several times before he moved up into the Midwest to build his father a cabin. 

\n

\"“Civil “Civil War Reenactment”

\n

If you have never been to a Civil War Reenactment…there’s a whole lot of waiting around while things get staged, then there’s a whole lot of loud, crazy, smoky chaos as “soldiers” go flying in the air and lay still on the ground for the rest of the battle. Personally, while I found  the historical details fascinating, I did not like the loud shooting…especially the cannon fire. The fact that it was sixty degrees and raining didn’t help. But, I’m glad we went. 

\n

\"\" “Civil War Reenactment”

\n

Last night’s dinner was a variety of soups which really hit the spot as the temperature continued to drop. This is so much more like October right now than September. As much as I don’t care for winter, I am enjoying this weather change. It’s supposed to rain steady till Tuesday, and there’s nothing like the sound of rain on a metal camper roof. I’ve got friends, food, and Mr. FixIt. That’s all I need! ❤️

\n

\"“Civil “Civil War Reenactment”

\n

\"“Civil “Civil War Reenactment”

\n

\"“Civil “Civil War Reenactment”

\n

\"“Civil “Civil War Reenactment”

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-09T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/09/beaver-creek-state-park.html", "tags": ["Camping","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/08/fun-at-girl-camp.html", "title": "Fun at Girl Camp", "content_html": "

\"Baby “Dehydrated baby copperhead…you always learn something new at Girl Camp!”

\n
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.  Proverbs 9:9 NIV
\nEdit: A kind reader shared a post from another page warning this is the time of year when baby copperheads are born. They arrive with venom and are ready to defend themselves. Even though they are small, they can pack a wallop so be extra careful rummaging around in damp flower pots and under bushes. Watch out for your pets and teach children to move outside toys with a stick first...these little guys can be hiding anywhere!\n

I tell you what…coming to camp with these girls is as close to summer camp as you can get at the sweet age of 65! Yesterday was so chill…I slept in again, had a leisurely breakfast, stretched out in the afternoon, then joined the girls for appetizer night. Mike, the Park Naturalist, came over at five and gave a talk on providing habitat for photographing birds in the winter time from inside your home. Then there was archery. After supper, we went through his two big boxes of bones and pelts and played guess the animal. This little mite in my hand is a dehydrated baby copperhead! He was very fragile and was found this way in the woods.

\n

There are gals here from as far away as Chicago and Michigan. And, Mr. FixIt was feeling much better yesterday so he came up and joined us last night just after dark! So, my world is complete. 

\n

Today is a Civil War Enactment in the Village here at Beaver Creek State Park and we are all looking forward to going down and checking it out. However, we are also predicted to get a lot of rain in the next couple of days from the tail end of a tropical storm so I’m not sure how much we will get to do. There is nothing wrong with sitting in the shelter and visiting with the girls when it’s raining. Or taking a nap with the rain on the tin roof of the “Dorothy Jean”. Whatever you choose to do (or NOT do), Girl Camping is a real treat! And you always learn something! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-08T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/08/fun-at-girl-camp.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/07/camping-with-the-girls.html", "title": "Camping with the Girls", "content_html": "

\"1967 “A 1967 Avion is my home away from home this week!”

\n
“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.””  1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
\nOne of my favorite things about camping with other women, besides laughing till you’re silly, is touring the wonderful vintage campers that the gals bring along. This is an 1967 Avion that belongs to my dear friend Gail Bable. Gail is the camp host at Beaver Creek State Park in East Liverpool, Ohio. Every year, she hosts the Girl Camper in the Spring and Fall at “What a Hoot!” So named for the many owls that call the park home. \n

\"The “The Dorothy Jean - a 1967 Avion, only belonged to my friend Gail’s aunt.”

\n

The Dorothy Jean once belonged to Gail’s aunt. An Avion looks much like an Airstream camper…it’s just not shiny. The surface is anodized and doesn’t take nearly as much work to maintain as the more expensive Airstreams do. The inside is just about the same, however. I do have to admit, for a long time, I really didn’t like this style of camper. I saw it as a long, metal tube that would be hot, cramped and stuffy inside. After staying in this one, and visiting several others, I can honestly say this style has a lot of distinct advantages. The roof is entirely different than most travel trailers and they don’t leak like the ones with so many seams. The air conditioner works just as well as any other camper. And there are lots of windows for light. This particular model has twin beds in the back by the bathroom. There’s plenty of storage, a full sized refrigerator in the kitchen, and a fold out bed up in the living room. I think I would be happy to have something like this…only smaller.

\n

\"Visiting “The Girl Campers sitting around the table, visiting…making new friends and catching up with long time gal pals.”

\n

Our friend Michele showed up Wednesday night with her vintage 1967 Pennant she just finished fixing up. OMGosh! It has to be one of my favorite vintage campers EVER. Why? Because she mixes in sweet family treasures in her decor. A girl after my own heart. There is a story about everything…from her dad’s ties used as a curtain, to her saddle shoes from high school, to her and her sister’s Easter bonnets…and the love just shines through! I love a camper that you can scan your eyes over and find something new every time. There is a lot of work that goes into staging a camper like this, but when you can pull it off as much as Michele does, the results are well worth the work!

\n

\"1967 “A 1967 Pennant has the unusual configuration of the gaucho bad in the back.”

\n

\"Camper “Michele decorated her camper with treasures from her childhood.”

\n

\"Vintage “Vintage camper decor in a 1967 Pennant.”

\n

\"Memorabilia “Mixing treasures and iconic memorabilia makes for visual interest in this vintage camper.”

\n

\"Chenille “I love chenille bedspreads in vintage campers. They take me back to my childhood.”

\n

\"Queen\" “The Queen is in!”

\n

\"Queen “You may ignore the Queen. But, she’s still the QUEEN!”

\n

Janine (of Girl Camper Podcast fame) and I went junking yesterday and found some really GREAT treasures for staging next week at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio. If you’re visiting the area…do come look us up. We’re going to have a couple surprising variations on the usual array of vintage campers on display this year. This is one of my favorite two weeks of camping with the girls every year! Always someone new to meet and always someone fun to catch up with from the past. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-07T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/07/camping-with-the-girls.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Camping","Fun","Growth","goRVing","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/06/girl-camping.html", "title": "Girl Camping!", "content_html": "

\"Coleman “Vintage Coleman Coffee Set”

\n
“I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.””  Psalm 55:6-8 NIV
\nAs I was driving up to the campground yesterday, every mile passed filled my heart with a lightness I haven’t felt for many months. Was it getting away? A little. Not FROM Mr. FixIt...but TO my dear camping girlfriends. Some of whom I haven’t seen in a year. \n

I think the most noticeable difference was…I actually FEEL good. I haven’t felt great since last February or March. And I know I can’t prove this, but I think the antibiotic they gave me for this lung episode fixed my gastritis. It’s the first time in months I’ve been able to eat without feeling ill afterwards. And no stomach pain. I won’t jinx it by trying to figure it out. I’m just grateful it’s better. 

\n

I pulled into the campground at 3:00 and two of my besties were here. It’s always so exciting to see them! We all decided to take a little snooze and then go grocery shopping. We had dinner together in the big fifth wheel because it’s really hot and sticky here. It’s supposed to rain about midnight and all day tomorrow. None of us mind that a bit!

\n

I’ll take pictures of the Avion tomorrow. I forgot when it was daylight. I’m sitting outside writing this at 9:00…listening to the night sounds. Haven’t heard an owl yet. They are heard here often. This is a vintage Coleman coffee set that was on the counter when I arrived yesterday. So fun to stay in a vintage camper. I don’t believe I have ever had the pleasure!

\n

❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-06T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/06/girl-camping.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Peace","Peaceful Moments","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/05/road-trip-fall.html", "title": "Road Trip #1 - Fall 2018", "content_html": "

\"Fall “The leaves are beginning to change and you know what that means? Fall Girl Camping!!!”

\n
“That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’ ””  Exodus 16:13-16 NIV
\nI’ve been doing everything I can to be well enough to join the Girl Campers for their fall outing. I was pretty worried last week and over the weekend as to whether I would get to go or not. With the help of my doctor and my Girl Camper friends, I am all set to go on a road trip today. Now, before you go all “mom” on me, let me tell you my plans.\n

First, I’m not pulling a camper this time. My dear friend and fellow Girl Camper Extraordinaire has kindly offered her vintage Avion for my use for the next week. For those of you unfamiliar with the Avion…it looks very much like an Airstream, but not shiny. I am so excited to get the opportunity to stay in a vintage camper! And this cuts out all worries of having a mechanical breakdown on the way to or from the event.

\n

Second, I went to my doctor’s office yesterday and got a good looking over. I’m not wheezing anymore. I’m stable on the meds they gave me and everything is under control. She gave me a prescription for a nebulizer since I cannot find mine so I can give myself a breathing treatment if I need to. I promised I would not do the extra activities and I’m taking my knitting and crafts and magazines and a couple of books. I’ll take my writing and my art supplies. Just sitting and relaxing…and no campfires near me!

\n

Third, some girlfriend time is exactly what I need! Mr. FixIt is slowly on the mend. His virus hit him as body aches. No head or chest congestion. He’s hoping by Friday he will feel up to driving up and joining us for the weekend as this is a Mister-Sister trip. He loves to sit around the campfire over the weekend with the girls and they love having him. I’ll be up at camp till Tuesday morning. And I promise…I’ll be careful and there are a lot of people watching out for me so I wont get in trouble! I can’t wait to share stories from around the propane “campfire” and I love taking you all along with me! 

\n

❤️?❤️?❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-05T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/05/road-trip-fall.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","goRVing","Peaceful Moments","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/18/a-gal-about-town.html", "title": "A Gal About Town", "content_html": "

\"Colorado “Colorful Colorado”

\n
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭113:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nI met up with one of my favorite Sisters on the Fly last night for dinner. Michelle Michelle Cummings is an amazing woman. She created a business nearly 20 years ago because she couldn’t find a job doing what she loved. She now travels all over the world teaching team building to major corporations. She just returned from Beijing and I was thrilled she had a little time to spend with me while I’m in Colorado.\n

First, let me say how gorgeous her home is. Michelle is one of the craftiest women I’ve ever known. She turned her garage into a workspace that would make Joanna Gaines green with envy. She lined the walls with corrugated tin from the roof of an old barn than blew down on her parents’ farm in Kansas. She hung windows as well as her grandparents’ front door on the walls. She turned salvaged wood into a trunk to store camping chairs in. She converted an ancient fridge into winter boot storage. There is a place for everything and I’m not kidding when I say everything is in its place.

\n

We sipped on coconut-lime “mocktails” as we nibbled on fabulous green olives she found at Costco. (Maybe she’ll see this and tell us the name of the olive. They weren’t too salty and had a nice, firm texture.) We chatted as she prepared Brussels sprouts and bacon to go with a delightful homemade chicken salad. We carried our meal out into the yard and ate at the white farm table under a string of market lights. Her obvious green thumb was apparent wherever you gazed…from the beautiful rock garden bursting with colorful flowers to the elevated stock tanks holding her vegetable gardens to get them up away from the rabbits. She built a wooden wall and hung another of her grandmother’s windows, a floral wreath, and little shutters made from chippy green painted wood that had been salvaged.

\n

\"vintage “Vintage suitcases house craft supplies, camping gear, and Halloween costumes.”

\n

Everything has a story. Every antique, every gift, every piece of wood or sign or windmill fan. Michelle’s Kansas roots are proudly displayed. She has a stack of vintage suitcases, some belonging to her grandmother, on either side of the piano. She keeps Halloween costumes in one. A couple have camping gear. Several hold crafting supplies like beads and yarn. Storage in plain view that is pleasing to the eye and adds to the obvious farmy esthetic.

\n

Our conversation varied from Sisters on the Fly and the inimitable Maizie Morrison, Sister #0, to “The Reel Sisters”, Michelle’s recently published debut novel depicting the lives and friendship of five women fly fishers, to her travels to exotic locales. She regaled me with stories of climbing the Great Wall of China and how the Chinese bring out the grossest foods just to see what your response will be. Michelle was one of the first Sisters on the Fly I met and we became fast friends.

\n

\"Michelle “Michelle and me…writers, campers, fly fishers, Sisters.”

\n

As I finally pulled myself away and headed home, I had to stop at a school parking lot and snap this picture of the sunset. This is what gives Colorado her nickname…”The Colorful State”. It was a lovely evening and I hated for it to end. One week left of this trip…it’s going by too fast. ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-18T01:30:22-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/18/a-gal-about-town.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/10/road-trip.html", "title": "Road Trip!", "content_html": "

\"Officer’s “Officer’s Gulch”

\n
“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
\nIt was a quick over night trip but much was accomplished. After having a trying day on Sunday, yesterday was lovely. I stayed over with my brother friend and we talked till late. I felt much better with his perspective and listening ear. He fixed me Costa Rican coffee yesterday morning. We sat on the back deck with the beautiful views.\n

My rental car, a VW Tiguan, got excellent gas mileage…36.3mpg on the highway. Not bad for mountain travel.

\n

I chilled out at a mountain campground waiting for my friends Linda and Jim to return from town.

\n

I visited a mountain lake and spent a good time meditating.

\n

And I saw the remnants of the Basalt fire before I headed back to Denver.

\n

We cannot avoid the messes in life. But we can decide how we’re going to deal with them. I came out of that round feeling much better, all told. I just needed some time in nature. ❤

\n

 

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-10T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/10/road-trip.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/06/08/big-a-steak-day.html", "title": "Big A** Steak Day!", "content_html": "

\"Big “That is one BIG steak!”

\n

My friend Deneene is having her estate sale this weekend. Then it won’t be long before she packs up a U-Haul and heads south to live. I met her through my blog. She was a fairly new widow at the time and when I found out she was local, I invited her to coffee. Dee is one of those people you run into that becomes your instant, lifelong friend. I am going to miss her terribly, but this means I have yet another place to go visit!

\n

\"Big “I could only eat a third of it!”

\n

Dee is one of a handful of people who are so kind as to contact me early in the mornings to tell me if there is a typo or grammatical error in one of my posts. Oh…I SO appreciate that because I am a stickler for good spelling and grammar. She texted yesterday morning to point out a little something and we had our usual 5-10 minute conversation to catch up. She asked if I was free for lunch. She and her friend Julie were going to meet at the Polo Club for “Big A** Steak Day”. I laughed and said, “Wow…you AND a big a** steak? Blog fodder!”

\n

BASD is legendary in these parts. They serve it every day, of course. But on Thursdays, it’s $10 cheaper! Twenty-one ounces of ribeye. Holy Cats! In a strictly food critic way, it was really fatty. But, then again, ribeye is a fatty meat. It’s what gives it flavor and tenderness. I’ve got to tell you…I ate about a third of it and brought the rest home. It was SO good!

\n

\"Yurt “What fun it would be to glamp this thing up!”

\n

After lunch I stopped at Walmart to pick something up and saw this really cute “yurt tent”. I could see so many possibilities with this thing being glamped out. I’ve been told by others since sharing this on my FB page, the reviews aren’t very good. But it’s cute as a bug.

\n

\"Buck\" “A young buck out on the lawn.”

\n

Once I got home yesterday, it was time to get out in the yard and get some things done. Trimming low hanging branches that threaten to knock me off the riding mower were my first priority. Then I tied up the tomato plants as they have grown tremendously. We sprinkled rabbit repellent around the garden so we’ll see if that keeps the little critters away from the beans and squash we just planted. I caught this deer wandering through the yard. I was thrilled to see it is a young buck. See the little nubbins above his eyes? Those are his antlers budding up. I’ll keep a close eye out for this guy as he grows to see how big his antlers get.

\n

Spending time with friends, time in the yard and garden, time watching nature, and time with Mr. FixIt made for a really nice day. The weather is back to normal and the day was pretty. We will need several more hot days to warm the pool back up. It got down to 75 degrees with all those cold nights…too cold for me to swim.

\n

Enjoy your Friday! Anyone going on a road trip or camping??? I’d love to get out there and camp somewhere soon! ❤️

\n

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭96:11-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

#steak, #glamping, #nature

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-08T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/06/08/big-a-steak-day.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/06/07/the-ponderosa.html", "title": "The Ponderosa", "content_html": "

\"Sunshine “The Ponderosa in the afternoon.”

\n

This little slice of heaven right here is The Ponderosa…that beautiful home place that came with Mr. FixIt. When I tell you I’ve been out mowing, it’s here. A flat four acres, this job takes about two to three hours to complete. I put on a radio headset and ride around and around. It’s not even like work. And this week has been perfect for mowing. With highs in the 60’s and low 70’s, even I can mow with the push mower out at my family’s farm without stopping more than two or three times. It’s been lovely.

\n

\"Husqvarna “My new ride!”

\n

Mr. FixIt’s riding mower has seen it’s better days so we picked up one at a real bargain yesterday and I got to mow with it. It was the difference between night and day. It cuts a wider swath and doesn’t hit every bump with a teeth-jarring rattle. I love that I can help him out around the yard. He does SO much for me, it is my pleasure to help him whenever I can.

\n

\"Antheraea “Antheraea Polyphemus…one of the Giant Silk Moths, male.”

\n

I was working around the building out back and saw this beautiful moth. It’s wingspan was about 3.5-4”. This is a male Antheraea Polyphemus…one of the Giant Silk Moths. His antennae are large and feathery…all the better for sniffing out pheromones for a little “moth l’amore”. He took off after I shot this photo and flew up over TOW-Wanda. What a lovely thing to see!

\n

\"Starcraft “TOW-Wanda…waiting patiently to GO somewhere!”

\n

Speaking of the big girl…here she is, parked out by the big building. She will get moved in a couple of days so we can mow there and not kill the grass. But I have truly enjoyed having her closer to the house and have spent a few afternoons writing and snoozing out there in the last couple of weeks. I’m a little less inclined when she’s out in the field and not hooked up to electric. I like my fans. I need to get Joy moved over here so I can start working on her. I also need to jack up TOW-Wanda and check out one of her wheel bearings. It was too hot when I brought her home from the last camping trip. I’ll do that when I get her out on the flat driveway where there is a more stable surface.

\n

It seems there is a never ending list of things to do, isn’t there? Keeping busy keeps you fit, keeps your mind flexible, and helps stabilize your mood. That’s a win-win-win for me! And, it’s so much easier to accomplish more in this cooler weather. It motivates me to get more done. ❤

\n

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”\n‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-07T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/06/07/the-ponderosa.html", "tags": ["Family","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Humbled","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/06/05/visiting-towwanda.html", "title": "Visiting TOW-Wanda", "content_html": "

\"iPad “Visiting TOW-Wanda!”

\n

I don’t get to spend as much time camping as I used to and I don’t like it. But, there are things that need to be done…mowing, keeping house, cooking, cleaning. Such is the life of “sticks & bricks.” I am very fortunate that Mr. FixIt lives on five acres and I can keep TOW-Wanda here with me. When we came back from camping last time, we parked beside the building/shop/garage and plugged in. I wanted to be able to clean and run the sweeper so I needed electric.

\n

Unfortunately, the electric in the building is not enough to power both the AC in TOW-Wanda and the pump for the pool, so the pool wins. That means I can’t go out and just hang out there in the camper unless it’s cool enough. Even the nights can be terrible hot and stuffy. The last couple of nights have been really cool. Last night was predicted to get down to fifty-six. So, I took my iPad and my phone and my little lap desk and went out for some me time to write my post.

\n

I’ve been looking back at my adventures in this camper. It’s hard to believe I bought TOW-Wanda almost four years ago! I had Little TOW-Wanda for a year-and-a-half before that. When I think of what I did so soon after losing Mr. Virgo…buying a camper and taking off for three months in the wilderness and backroads of Colorado…I sometimes wonder how on earth I did that. And, would I…could I…do that again. I don’t know. I suppose the answer is yes, but I was in the throes of grief when I did that. I wonder if that might have clouded my judgement a little. It didn’t seem so at the time but hindsight says it was a very brave thing to do.

\n

I’m certainly not sorry I went on such a quest. I learned a lot about myself during that trip, and the subsequent two years spent largely in this travel trailer going everywhere from South Dakota to South Carolina and all points in between. It was healing and liberating. I met so many wonderful people. I saw so many beautiful places. It was quite the adventure and gave me a lot of space to heal on this grief path.

\n

I was thinking of pulling the camper with me to Colorado this summer, but with the price of gas so high and my MPG so low when I’m towing, it isn’t cost effective. Besides, it takes me three days each way when I tow the camper there and that’s six days I don’t have this time. I’ll just get a cheap flight and rent a car when I get there this year. It seems to be working out that I take the camper every other year to Colorado. That might work out for the best.

\n

In the meantime, I will get out here as often as I can to spend some time “faux camping” at the Ponderosa. I hope we can get out a few times this summer and enjoy the great outdoors. There are a lot of wonderful state parks in West Virginia. You can rest assured, where I go…you “go”. Virtual travel can still be fun!

\n

❤️

\n

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-05T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/06/05/visiting-towwanda.html", "tags": ["Travel","Grief","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Gratitude","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/24/home-again.html", "title": "Home Again", "content_html": "

\"Beaver “Beaver Creek State Park, East Liverpool, Ohio”

\n

I’ve always promised my family and friends that I wouldn’t reveal where I am while I am actually there, especially if I am traveling alone. Even though Mr. FixIt joined me for part of this trip, I still adhere to that basic rule of safety. Beaver Creek State Park is one of my all time favorite camping destinations. Part of that is the surroundings. Part is the relatively close proximity to my home. I love the drive up Ohio Route 7 as it meanders along the beautiful Ohio River. And…if you’re on the Ohio side, you are looking at the rolling hills and dense woodlands of West Virginia beyond the smooth water.

\n

The best part of a Girl Camping trip is, of course, the friends you know and meet when you get there. These are friends for life and there’s a lot of love and laughter and encouragement that grows from those interactions. As I drove home yesterday, my heart was full.

\n

Mavis, my GPS, tells me it takes two hours and fifty-seven minutes to drive to Beaver Creek State Park. I left there at 11:00 and got home at 5:00. Granted, there was one rest area stop. But there were several places where the road was down to one lane due to land slides and we had to take turns. Then there was my LEAST favorite part of camping…dumping the black and grey water tanks. There is a really good dump station at the West Virginia Welcome Center in Williamstown that I always stop at. It takes me a good forty-five minutes to clean my tanks, but it’s necessary to do a good job.

\n

I had a few things going on with the camper this trip. One is, a leak has developed. Mr. FixIt got the ladder out for me and I think I found where the problem is. A seal on the top front edge of the camper is aging and cracked. The seals are only good for a few years and they need to be replaced so I guess it’s that time. When I was pumping up my tires before I left yesterday morning, I noticed the outside edge of one of them is shredding slightly. I need to check into that. Also, when I got home, I placed my hand on each hub and one was too hot to comfortably rest my hand on it. I need to tear into that and probably repack the bearings. There is a kind of hub you can get that has a valve on it and you can top off the grease before you travel just to make sure it is well lubricated. The downside of trailer ownership…constant maintenance.

\n

So, I’m home. The baby birds in the cypress tree out front are feathering out and they had their little beaks aimed high waiting for mama. The rabbits have eaten all but four bean plants in the garden, but the tomatoes are looking great. My pink dogwood is thriving. The irises and peonies are in full bloom. There is standing water around the yard from all the heavy rains in the last week. And, as I write this, I can hear the whip-poor-will in the hedgerow along the creek on the far side of the field. I’m sore all over from lugging and toting and hooking up and driving the camper so I’m calling it a night. When you read this, we’ll be mowing out at the farm and doing laundry. What a wonderful trip it has been. ❤️

\n

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-24T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/24/home-again.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/23/winding-down.html", "title": "Winding Down", "content_html": "

\"Hand “Knitting projects”

\n

I always hate the end of a trip. The goodbyes. The packing up and cleaning and laundry. The pulling away from a really great camping spot. No more owls overhead. No more gals sitting around a table full of food. No more all day knitting sessions. No more leisurely naps in the afternoon. sigh

\n

Mr. FixIt left yesterday morning. We’ve had boatloads of rain so he needed to get back and check the basement. Also, I’m sure sitting around all day while the girls knit wasn’t high on his to do list. He was a great sport though. He went fishing one night, hiking one day, and exploring the area another day.

\n

Today, I head home. Another Girl Camper trip is in the books. I wonder where I’ll head next on this Grand Adventure? ❤️

\n

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-23T01:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/23/winding-down.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Peace","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/22/feeling-totally-relaxed.html", "title": "Feeling Totally Relaxed", "content_html": "

\"Bullfrog\" “A big bullfrog serenaded me from a pond.”

\n

Three more of our Girl Campers left yesterday morning. It’s always sad to see the week end. So much fun and wonderful memories are made during this gathering. I’m blessed this year with two extra days spent with Gail, my fellow Girl Camper and camphost extraordinaire. Plus, there is the added bonus of Mr. FixIt being here!

\n

\"Alpaca “Alpaca roving for spinning.”

\n

After coffee yesterday, we sat around for an hour or so and chatted before the gals said goodbye and headed on their way. One was headed straight home but two were going to Lehman’s, a wonderful hardware store in Kidron, Ohio that specializes in non-electric appliances and tools. I really want to make a trip up there. I’ve received their catalog for years.

\n

\"Spinning “Gail spins the alpaca roving into a fine yarn…her fingers skillfully knowing how hard to hold and draw the fibers onto the spindle.”

\n

After everyone was gone, Gail and I headed to check out a new shop that advertises fibers, wool, and rugs. It’s a darling little “she shed” shop on this gal’s farm that had belonged to her grandparents. She raises sheep for her wool. She has two looms set up in her shop. She had several handmade items for sale. But I was disappointed there was no yarn and Gail was disappointed there was no wool available for sale as yet. I did get to look around a bit and caught this big bullfrog that was in the pond by the shop. And the little lambs were darling frolicking in the pasture. There were lovely flower and herb gardens all around. I just don’t think the gal was quite ready to be open for business yet. Maybe in the fall she’ll have more items available.

\n

\"Camp “The camp kitty snoozes in the chair beside me as I knit. I wasn’t patient enough for the spinning.”

\n

When we got back to the campground, Gail got out the spinning wheel she learned on. She picked up a basket of alpaca roving and set to teaching me to spin. I found it incredibly frustrating because I am an instant gratification kind of a gal. Gail says if I just keep trying, I’ll get the hang of it. I might try again, but for now, I’ll just buy beautiful yarns that I can work with right away. I started a new pair of socks with a beautiful fingering yarn. It’s 100% wool though so I’ll have to take extra special care of them. They are for me. Gail also gave me a beautiful skein of German wool/polyester blend to knit Mr. FixIt a pair of socks. It is a grey, heathery blend.

\n

Today is our last day of just sitting around and enjoying Gail’s company, knitting and talking and laughing. This is such good therapy. The camp kitty is content to lay in the chair beside me and snooze. This is about as peaceful as it gets…the smell of pine and rain, woodsmoke and spring flowers…the sound of crows and pileated woodpeckers and songbirds and owls…and the laughter of friends. sigh Tomorrow it’s back to the real world till our next adventure. ❤

\n

“Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen.”\n‭‭Exodus‬ ‭35:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-22T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/22/feeling-totally-relaxed.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/21/campfire-and-conversation.html", "title": "Campfire and Conversation", "content_html": "

\"Woodpecker “A pileated woodpecker has decimated this tall pine tree at the edge of the campground.”

\n

This trip has been such a blessing to me. Laughter is the best medicine and there has been so much joy shared between us as we sit and work with our hands. We have shared stories and learned more about each other. We have loved on our furry friends, including a little stray black cat who showed up Friday night. We think someone must have dumped him along the road because he is so friendly. He’s the camp cat for now and will more than likely go home with the camphost as her husband has taken a shine to him.

\n

\"Alpaca “The hat I knitted from the yarn Gail spun from Alpaca and wool.”

\n

I’ve become very close friends with our camphost, Gail. She is a woman of strong faith. She reminds me of the woman in Proverbs 31. She’s the kind of woman you want to learn from and emulate. She is kind, courageous, fair, fun, and family oriented. And talented? OMGosh! She can do anything. I just love her to the moon and back. Her husband took Mr. FixIt fishing last night and he had a blast. They only caught one fish between them, but they had good fellowship and got to know each other better.

\n

\"Girl “Mr. FixIt enjoys his morning coffee in one of the Girl Camper mugs.”

\n

This is one of the things I love about Mr. FixIt. He has friends outside of our relationship. I loved Mr. Virgo…you know that. And, he had no real friendships other than me. He had friends he worked with, but he never did anything without me. I was telling the girls around the campfire the other night…I never would have been a Girl Camper or a Sister on the Fly if Mr. Virgo were still living. It’s just not something I would have done…even though it was something I would have enjoyed. This is the difference in the woman I have become since losing him. I am far more independent. And, I am more assertive…something Mr. FixIt deeply appreciates in me.

\n

\"Three “Campfire and Corgis”

\n

Loss changed me. It was terribly difficult. It tore me apart and dropped me in pieces on the ground. When it came time to rebuild, I put myself back together in a way that suited this new life…this new me. I love this me that I am today. While I hate what happened to get me here, I am grateful for this new life and all the new people that have been brought into it.

\n

Yes, this trip is just what the doctor ordered. Food, fun, and frolic…Girl Camper style! ❤️

\n

“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of- GOD. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:10-31‬ ‭MSG‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-21T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/21/campfire-and-conversation.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/20/just-like-summer-camp.html", "title": "Just Like Summer Camp", "content_html": "

\"Hand “I finished knitting socks for Daughter #1’s birthday! Shhhhh….don’t tell. It’s a surprise!”

\n

I only went to summer camp once. It was a church camp that I attended with my good friend, Sharon. There were about eight to ten girls per cabin. Sharon and I were instigators and we often got in trouble. “We are the the Night Owls. The mighty, mighty Night Owls. Everywhere we go, people wanna know…who we are, so we tell ‘em….” It was tons of fun. I’m not sure we were welcome back the next year because I never went again.

\n

\"Knitting “Starting a hat with the yarn Gail spun from alpaca and wool.”

\n

Camping with the Girl Campers is the grownup version. We are welcomed back every time because the most trouble we get into is laughing too loud. I was thrilled that I finished my socks yesterday. My good friend, Gail, spun some yarn for me from alpaca and wool for a hat. I got a good start on that. Mr. FixIt arrived in the afternoon and he helped the Park Naturalist with a birdhouse clinic. So now we have a new birdhouse to take home.

\n

\"Girl “Laura, one of the Girl Campers shows off the birdhouse she made.

\n

I haven’t even started the truck since I got here Tuesday. I’ve laughed and talked and knitted and cooked and ate and slept. Oh, it’s just like Summer Camp, only better…we can’t get in trouble! ❤️

\n

\"Ohio “Mike, one of the Ohio State Parks Naturalists, teaches the Girl Campers how to build a birdhouse.

\n

“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-20T01:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/20/just-like-summer-camp.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/17/campfirenatures-therapist.html", "title": "Campfire...Nature’s Therapist", "content_html": "

\"Campfire “A campfire is cheaper than therapy.”

\n

There is something incredibly special about girl camping…be it with an organization like Girl Campers or Sisters on the Fly, or just a group of like-minded gal pals who like to get out in the great outdoors. Sometimes conversations go deep. Sometimes you open up about things you never dreamed you’d talk about. You meet strangers and they become Sisters. You laugh. You cry. You learn. There is always common ground with someone.

\n

Camping can be as simple as a pup tent or a minivan or as complex as a big travel trailer or motor home. Meals can be simple throw together salads to an elaborate spread of grand proportions. It can be a fee free gathering of two or three to an epic multi day extravaganza with a hundred or more gathered for “Cowgirl College”. The bottom line is always the same…get away from everyday life and become a girl again.

\n

I never camped with my family when I was growing up. The closest was a week in a cabin along the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River in the mountains of West Virginia. I went to church camp in 7th grade. And I camped a handful of times as an adult. But I never learned the joys of girl camping till after Mr. Virgo died. Girl camping saved me. They taught be that he died…I did not. They set examples of how to be self reliant. They taught me new skills. They taught me that, even in my grief, it was ok to laugh.

\n

Miss Maizie, the original Sister on the Fly, was still camping in her nineties…a martini in one hand and a cigar in the other. And, while I don’t drink or smoke, I can surely identify with that independent, carefree spirit.

\n

I know camping is not for everyone…I certainly don’t rough it. I camp like a girl and sleep on 800 count sheets on a memory foam mattress. I have a bathroom and a shower and a full kitchen. I have a house on wheels. Some would not even call that camping. For me, if there’s the sound of nature at night, if there’s a campfire, and I can sit beneath the stars and laugh with good friends…that’s camping for me. If you’ve never had the opportunity to do this I hope you try it at some point in your life. My heart is happy in my camper. ❤

\n

“The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-17T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/17/campfirenatures-therapist.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","goRVing","Peace","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/16/im-walkin-on-sunshine.html", "title": "I’m Walkin’ on Sunshine", "content_html": "

\"Coffee “Sitting in the morning sun, coffee in hand, Country Living Magazine…birds and roosters entertaining me. It’s a beautiful life!”

\n

One of summer’s delights in the east…a warm morning spent outside reading and sipping my morning coffee. We’ve hit the summer thunderboomer circuit early this year here in West Virginia. The skies are brilliantly clear in the morning. The humidity is high from the rain the afternoon before. The temperature soars by noon and the thunderclouds begin to build till they boil over. Thunder, lightning, hail, high winds all can play havoc with your plans.

\n

Mowing seems to be the big thing around here in the summer. I have to say, I did not miss lawn care and home maintenance in the years I traveled and lived in TOW-Wanda. It was a welcome break. But now that I have the chance to dive into the great outdoors and get dirty and sweaty, I have to admit, it beats going to a gym any day of the week.

\n

I mowed with the self-propelled push mower at the farm yesterday. What a workout! The yard is well over an acre, the temperature in the high eighties, the humidity sticky and thick. With my propensity towards heat exhaustion, I only mowed 15-20 minutes at a time, then took a break to rehydrate and lay in front of the fan. At that rate, it took me five hours to complete. It’s so beautiful when it’s finished. I took a few moments to just wander around and enjoy the surroundings. The rhododendron is just about to burst into bloom, as are the irises and peonies. The farm cats lazed around beneath the Rose of Sharon and the huge hydrangea bush along the creek. While the flowering quince is fading, the spice bush is in full bloom. I love this time of year.

\n

We are getting things geared up here at the Ponderosa to prepare for a summer of entertaining. Mr. FixIt has been working in the pool to get it open. We still need to pressure wash the deck but will wait for a dry spell. I’m heading out today for another road trip. This time I’ll be camping with the Girl Campers at a State Park in Ohio for a week. It’s a Mister Sister event so my mister will be joining me this weekend. I love camping with the girls! This year, our hostess…my dear friend Gail…is going to teach me to spin wool for sock yarn. I’ll have time to sit and knit on my socks and finally read my friend Michelle Cummins’ new book, The Reel Sisters. Peace and quiet in the beautiful woods surrounding one of my favorite campgrounds.

\n

As I sit here on the deck in the warm sunshine, a nice breeze blowing, listening to the rooster down the road, reading Country Living Magazine…my heart is overflowing with the blessings of my life. I’m such a far cry from the early days of my grief. The contrast is startling. The heart can mend itself…scarred, certainly. But infinitely full of hope. ❤️

\n

“So I rejoice, and I am glad. Even my body has hope.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭INternational Children’s Bible

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-16T06:39:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/16/im-walkin-on-sunshine.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/03/19/spring-is-coming.html", "title": "Spring is Coming", "content_html": "

\"\" “Giant Hogweed”

\n

Before too long, we’re going to be out and about…hiking, camping, fishing…and there’s something out there you need to be watching for. The Giant Hogweed was introduced to this country in the early 1900’s as an ornamental plant. It is huge with a purple, bristly stalk and a large umbrella of white flowers. And, it has a clear sap that makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight causing severe second degree burns than can take months to heal. If the sap gets in your eyes it can cause temporary to permanent blindness, so it is nothing to trifle with.

\n

Be on the lookout for Giant Hogweed. Do not come near it. Mark the area with a brightly colored strip of cloth and report it to the nearest Division of Natural Resources.

\n

\"\" “Giant Hogweed Distribution as of 2014”

\n

Here is an article for more information. The map shows where the plant has been documented but it was 2014. It could have spread by now. Better to be safe than sorry. ❤️

\n

https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/OIPC_BMP_Hogweed.pdf

\n

“One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.”\n‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4:39-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-03-19T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/03/19/spring-is-coming.html", "tags": ["Camping","Wisdom","Warning"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/03/01/morning-walkabout.html", "title": "Morning Walkabout", "content_html": "

\"“Rhododendron “Rhododendron and the gas light”

\n

What an absolute treat it was to wake up out at the farm yesterday morning. Grandma’s bedroom is right along the creek’s edge and with all the rain we have been having, the sound of the water riffling along was like a lullaby. I slept so well and awoke refreshed and ready to face a busy day.

\n

Mr. FixIt and I did a morning walkabout on the property to check things out. He moved some fallen limbs from the ditch along the road and placed them on the burn pile. The daffodils are up about 8” high already and the grass is greening up nicely. I’ll need to mow before too long to mulch up the leaves that fell over the fall and winter. The rhododendron gets huge buds on them in the fall. They winter over and won’t bloom till late May or early June. They are still beautiful as they awaken from winter with a freshened shine to their leaves. They don’t drop their leaves like so many other plants. They just droop down all winter then stand up with their arms stretched wide in the spring.

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I am leaving today for a long camping weekend with the Girl Campers. We’ll be staying in cabins this trip. We try to get together in the late winter when the roads aren’t too bad. We work on whatever craft projects we have going. We make soups to share. These are some of the nicest women I have ever known and I look forward to these trips with great anticipation. I’ll share projects and recipes with you along the way but my writing may be a bit sparse this weekend as I take the time to kick back with my friends and relax.

\n

I do have some prayer requests for some wonderful people who are touched by illness. Please pray for healing, comfort, and God’s will. He knows who the prayers are for. Thank you all for your wonderful prayer support. There are many stars in your crowns. ❤️

\n

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”\n‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2018-03-01T02:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/03/01/morning-walkabout.html", "tags": ["Faith","Travel","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Camping","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/13/craving-the-sun.html", "title": "Craving the Sun", "content_html": "

\"Woman “Late Winter Sun”

\n

We are having a warming trend here in West Virginia. The monsoonal rains are beginning and we will have long stretches of grey, rainy days in the next few weeks. Still, the night time temperatures drop and we awoke to a skiff of snow and icy roads yesterday. After totaling my truck this time last year, I am really skittish about driving on dicey roads so I’ve been hanging out at Mr. FixIt’s place while he goes to town for physical therapy on his hand.

\n

Yesterday was really sunny but with a high of only 41 degrees. The back door faces west and the sun was streaming in so I pulled my recliner over and soaked up some rays. OMGosh! It felt divine. An hour sitting in the warm sunshine did wonders to boost my mood and got me thinking about getting outside camping, hiking, fishing. This is the week of the Sisters on the Fly Great Winter Camp In. We are supposed to capture pictures of ourselves doing anything camping related. I’m going to get out in the camper this week…even if it’s just for a few hours to write. I really miss TOW-Wanda by this time of the year.

\n

It’s almost time to start working on fixing up my 1967 Franklin Camper. I would love to have it ready this year to camp in. As I sit here writing this, a pair of cardinals are at the feeder in the back yard. I’m hearing more birds in the mornings. The pile of firewood is stacked by the fire ring ready for coming evening gatherings. The pool is still iced over. But the days are getting longer and with warmer weather and rain comes the promise of spring. I can hardly wait! ❤️

\n

“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”\n‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-13T02:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/13/craving-the-sun.html", "tags": ["Hope","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Wisdom","Presence","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/18/a-birds-eye-view.html", "title": "A Bird's Eye View", "content_html": "\"Satellite\n

Have you ever gone on Google Earth and looked at the places you know? I remember one winter day before Mr. Virgo died. I was missing home…the dense, green woods and dusky purple mountains of West Virginia. Google Earth was still relatively new and they had just added the “street view” feature. I plugged in the address for Grandma’s farm, clicked on the little man icon, and…viola! I was “standing” in front of the farmhouse! I was SO excited! I quickly moved the map so I could “drive” down the two-lane blacktop the three miles, taking in every turn, house, and tree. It was mesmerizing. I could “go home” anytime I wanted to! I have “traveled” to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, London to ogle Big Ben, Rome to see the ancient ruins…all from the comfort of the easy chair in my living room.

\n

The other night, Mr. FixIt was doing a little virtual traveling and he stumbled upon this. TOW-Wanda! MY camper…sitting right where I park her in the summer! I know approximately when this was. This is mostly uber cool…and, a little bit spooky in a Big-Brother-is-watching-you sort of way. It’s a good thing there was no nude sunbathing going on…for a vast number of reasons! ?

\n

This satellite photo was taken about fifteen months after Mr. Virgo died. I had been full-timing in my camper for about seven months at this point. I was interviewed yesterday for another episode of Janine Pettit’s Girl Camper podcast. This time we talked about full-timing…dream vs. reality. I’ll post a link when it goes live.

\n

Living on the farm has been such a treat that I’ve hardly thought about whether I miss all that time I spent on the road. The answer is yes…and no. Could I do that again? Yes! Would I? Maybe. I’m a lot more awake and aware now than I was back then. Grief brain may have clouded my judgement sometimes. But I’ve never regretted having that time alone out in the wilderness and backroads. I was so free and life was pared down to the bare essentials. There’s something to be said for simplicity. Janine asked me if I ever found myself lonely and I’m not sure I properly answered. I’m a people person. I’m gregarious and thrive in a place where I can have regular contact with people I know and love…friends and family that love me for who I am and I can let my hair down. I think that was the driving force behind allowing the Siren Song of the farm to lure me into planting some roots…at least for a while. And now…I have Mr. FixIt. We both love to travel and we never stay put for too long. But I’m looking forward to some nesting this winter. That’s the goodness of fall…it invites us to put another log on the fire, brew a nice cup of tea, and read a good book. The campers are put away for the season and I’m ready to be a homebody for a while. ❤️

\n

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-18T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/18/a-birds-eye-view.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/17/getting-bolder-stories-not-stuff.html", "title": "Getting Bolder: Stories, Not Stuff", "content_html": "

\"Stories,Today’s post is a link to my most recent installment of “Getting Bolder” on the Sisters on the Fly blog. ❤️

\n

www.sistersonthefly.com/getting-b…

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“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,”\n‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-17T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/17/getting-bolder-stories-not-stuff.html", "tags": ["Faith","Colorado","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Wisdom","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/04/my-lovehate-relationship.html", "title": "My Love-Hate Relationship", "content_html": "\"\"\n

“It’s part of the camping experience!” This is the justifying battle cry of the die hard camper when it comes to the subject of campfires. But I have a distinct love-hate relationship with them. I love the crackling of the wood and the shower of sparks you get when you throw another log on. I love the welcome blast of heat when the night air has chilled me to the bone. I love splitting wood and the satisfaction of seeing a plentiful stack ready for a long winter. I burned wood as my primary source of heat for four long, cold Colorado winters and I cut, hauled, split, and stacked wood for four long, hot summers. I love a wood fire. I love a wood burning stove with a pot of stew bubbling on top in a cast iron Dutch oven.

\n

Those things I love…AND hate. I hate wasting natural resources and polluting the atmosphere. I hate the dirt and bugs you drag into your house when you burn wood. I hate spending all that time cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking only to watch all that hard work go up in smoke. And speaking of smoke….that is the number one thing I hate about a campfire. Seriously, it doesn’t matter WHERE I sit in the Sister circle around the campfire, the smoke ALWAYS comes straight at me. I get up and move…here it comes. Move back…it’ll find me. And I can’t breathe. It chokes me, hurts my lungs, burns my eyes, and I guarantee you everything I own will smell like I’ve been fighting a forest fire for a month. The worst thing is when the campfire dies down, you go to bed, and you lie there in your camper, windows open, hoping to catch a cool breeze or hear the owls, but noooooooo….in wafts this dank smell of wet ash and smoke mixed with fog and dew…creeping over the campground, up the outside wall, through the window and fills my camper. I’m forced to either close the windows and roast or leave them open and cough.

\n

This makes me sound like a boat load of fun to go camping with, doesn’t it? I try really hard to rein it in while I’m camping with others because I truly understand the campfire is a huge part of the camping experience for most people. So I play musical chairs a lot and try not to look too ticked off when the smoke inevitably finds me. But when I’m camping alone, I pull out my propane fire ring (this is the one I use but there are others Camp Chef Compact and Portable Outdoor Camping Gas Fire Ring with Lava Rock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GSGSRFO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vAn1zbZZ9SE81 ). I set up my chair, turn that bad boy on, roast a marshmallow or two, enjoy the heat, relish in the clear air, and turn it off at the end of the evening. No smoldering ashes to worry about setting the woods on fire. No smoke laying low over the campground and sneaking into my camper. No smelly hair, clothes, bedding, etc. I swear…when Mr. FixIt kissed me goodnight…he tasted like smoke. I kissed him anyway…I’m such a martyr.

\n

I love to camp and I love the looks and sounds of the campfire and the time shared with friends sitting around it. But if I had my druthers, I’d light up the gas fire and call it good. ❤️

\n

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”\n‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:28-29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-04T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/04/my-lovehate-relationship.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","goRVing","Love","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/03/the-hickory-tussock-caterpillar.html", "title": "The Hickory Tussock Caterpillar", "content_html": "\"Hickory\n

When my youngest was little, there were certain words she had trouble pronouncing. Me being a wordy, I had to correct her. We once were in the sewing center. She was crawling around and pulled herself up on the chair and babbled something. I asked her to slow down and enunciate so I could understand her. And she did. We never spoke baby talk to her. She would have called this a “capetiller”. There were mazagines" and “hopistol”. “Ambliance” and “swanich”. These are wonderful memories.

\n

This particular “capetiller” was rummaging around in the leaves by the campfire at Beaver Creek State Park yesterday morning. It’s one of those that can leave you with an itchy rash much like poison ivy so it’s best to leave them alone. There are several caterpillars that sting and irritate the skin so you should wear gardening gloves when picking up leaves this time of year.

\n

The drive home from camping was uneventful. It was getting dark by the time we hit Parkersburg so we took the camper over to Mr. FixIt’s house and we’ll clean it out today. I emptied the tanks and the clean water reservoir. Now we can winterize it.

\n

I’m truly looking forward to some down time. It will give me time to reflect on the wonderful people I’ve met, the beautiful sites I have seen, and the wonderful times I have shared with family and friends and especially with Mr. FixIt. I am so blessed. ❤️

\n

“and your spoil is gathered as the caterpillar gathers; as locusts leap, it is leapt upon.”\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭33:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-03T01:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/03/the-hickory-tussock-caterpillar.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/02/the-last-hurrah.html", "title": "The Last Hurrah", "content_html": "\"1937\n

Hanging up the camper for the season is always so sad but TOW-Wanda will stay at the farm with me for a little while longer. I’ll need to clean her out really well and winterize her. We’re still up in the air about travel plans for February and March so I need to have her ready to face freezing weather.

\n\"Making\n

Yesterday was glorious. The Girl Campers gathered midweek at Beaver Creek State Park in Lisbon, Ohio and stayed through the weekend. A lot of time was spent around the campfire talking, laughing, and bonding. Hugs were plentiful as many broke camp yesterday and headed home. We had more gals in tents this year. We had a couple of gals who had minivans set up with beds in them which I found intriguing. It got really cold the last couple of nights (down into the 30’s!) so these gals are hardy souls! As Janine Pettit says… Girl Campers…we go places and we do things!"

\n\"Wooden\n

Some of the gals painted tennis shoes. One gal made kettle corn over the fire in a cast iron Dutch oven. She used a handmade wooden paddle that I coveted. I used a sandwich iron for the first time and grilled a sandwich of cream cheese with cinnamon butter on the outside. We visited the Pioneer Village where they use an old grist mill. I purchased some freshly ground corn meal and buckwheat flour. Then last evening, a 1937 International towed a little camper into the campground and I was smitten! I love old cars and this one was pretty funky.

\n\"Painted\n\"Old\n

We didn’t hear any owls last night. They seem to move around from place to place within the park. Beaver Creek is such a gorgeous place. This is my fourth time camping here. It’s only about four hours from home so it’s pretty easy to get here and I love the camphost. She’s a dear friend of mine. We are going to an apple orchard today before we head back to the farm. There’s lots to do at home to prepare for winter and it’s coming on fast. ❤️

\n

“So heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well, mixing in the spices; and let the bones be charred.”

\n

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭24:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-10-02T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/02/the-last-hurrah.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/01/camping.html", "title": "Camping", "content_html": "\"Woman\n

I went to church camp when I was thirteen. I remember having a wonderful time but I don’t quite remember what we did. My camping excursion this week has seriously felt like BEING at camp. This State Park (which I will name Monday) has the best naturalist. He organized a fly fishing class yesterday afternoon. Five of us went and had a grand time. One gal caught a little fish and was so excited. We were excited FOR her. We didn’t have waders. I had rubber rain boots and I promptly filled them by stepping in too deep. So I just kept on going and waded in up to my hips. I didn’t catch anything but it didn’t matter.

\n\"Stream\n

Our next activity was the “stream stomp”. We held a net across and below rocks in a riffle and someone would pick up the rock. The net would catch any little critters that had been hiding under the rock. Some children who were camping nearby joined in and it was so much fun watching them giggle and squeal over the crawfish and hellgrammites (dragonfly nymphs) that landed in our nets.

\n

I spent much of the afternoon with the publisher/editor of Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine for an article they are doing about the Girl Campers. I was thrilled to represent this great group of gals and talk about Janine Pettit and all of her hard work with her podcasts. Gail Bable, the camphost of this park, joined me for some photos. I’ll let you know when the article comes out.

\n\"Woman\n

The next thing on the agenda was an archery lesson. I can’t remember when I last shot a bow but I remember I loved it. I originally learned archery in high school. It turns out, I’m a pretty good shot.

\n\"Ohio\n

The day ended with 27 people around a campfire listening to the park naturalist give a talk on honeybees. The entire day was fun and fascinating and one I will long remember. ❤️

\n

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.””\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-10-01T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/01/camping.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","goRVing","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/29/fall-camping.html", "title": "Fall Camping", "content_html": "\"Fall\n

I don’t think there’s anything that beats camping in the fall. I do more camping in September than I do the rest of the year, total. The nights are crisp which makes for great sleeping. The days aren’t unbearably hot but still plenty warm to go out and do fun things. The mosquito population is much less intrusive by this time of the year making things more pleasant. I hate using insect repellents so this is a distinct advantage.

\n

I’m with the Girl Campers in one of my favorite state parks in Ohio. (I’ll tell you which one once I leave…I never divulge where I’m camping in real time.) Our numbers grew yesterday so there were more chairs around the campfire last night. One of the Misters of the Mister-Sisters showed up and he thoroughly enjoyed himself sitting around the campfire with all these women.

\n

I spent the day visiting with the girls and getting my camper set up. We didn’t get a chance to clean and organize after the last camping trip. The weather really cooled off yesterday and into the night. I put the electric blanket back on the bed. That comes in handy at about 4:00am.

\n

Besides seeing old friends and meeting new ones, the best part of last night’s campfire was the barred owls. They were talking all around us and it was SO cool. At one point, one was in the tree right above TOW-Wanda and was really loud. I love hearing them. I took my spot light out but couldn’t see any.

\n

This is probably the last big camping trip of my season so I’m going to enjoy every minute of it. And, since this is a Mister-Sister trip, my Mr. FixIt is joining me later on today! It’ll be the first time I get the chance to introduce him to my camping friends and I’m really looking forward to it! More gals arrive today…the more, the merrier! ❤️

\n

“That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.”\n‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-09-29T01:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/29/fall-camping.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/24/when-the-partys-over.html", "title": "When the Party's Over", "content_html": "\"Camper\n

Girl time is important to me. Yesterday it was coffee with a few of my home girls…the ‘71 Divas Do Coffee. We figure Starbucks is cheaper than therapy. I popped into the Women’s Center at 7:00am to get the tatas smushed (Save the Tatas, ladies. Get your mammograms!) then ran over to the hotel to wait for my tribe. They never disappoint. Once we were properly caffeinated and had solved the world’s problems, we went our separate ways till next month.

\n

Two weeks ago it was twenty-four Sisters and last weekend it was four Girl Campers. On Wednesday, I meet up with thirty-five or so Girl Campers (and some Mister Sisters) for five nights of fun and frolic in eastern Ohio. Given the week I just had, I promise you there will be napping involved!

\n

The anticipation of a trip is delightful. We “meet” ahead of time on the Meetup app page or a Facebook page to get to know one another and get directives. We send messages back and forth. We share recipe ideas and weather forecasts. We count down how many sleeps till we get there. It can be a little stressful…especially when you are new at it. But overall, you should just go with the flow and have fun.

\n

The day you arrive at the event, you get unhooked and do any decorating you might like in and around your camper. I had two huge tubs of decorations I used to use but have pared way back since my camper is for living in, not necessarily for showing off. Once you’re settled, you go around and greet old friends and make new ones with the common bond of loving outdoors adventure. The fun commences in earnest!

\n

The first night is usually a meet-and-greet potluck. The second might have a low scale event and the third night is usually an all out blowout. You fall in bed, tired and happy. But then comes the inevitable and you have to say goodbye. It’s like summer camp when we were kids and we cried when we had to say goodbye. There’s definitely a certain melancholy that comes over you when you hook up and head home. But you promise to do it again. And you exchange recipes and contact info and ride off into the sunset.

\n

I love this picture that was posted on the Sisters on the Fly page yesterday. I asked the photographer for permission to use it, which she graciously gave. It really summed up that melancholic feeling you get when the party’s over. Thank you, Rebecca, for such a great shot! ❤️

\n

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”\n‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-09-24T01:55:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/24/when-the-partys-over.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Peace","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/18/time-out.html", "title": "Time Out!", "content_html": "\"Time\n

Last weekend was four days of fun (and hard work) hostessing the Sisters on the Fly. This weekend was four days of meet and greet at Country Living Fair with the Girl Campers. When I came back to town late yesterday afternoon, really…the only thing I wanted to do was go home, take a hot bath, and go to bed. Instead, I went to the 7:00 service at my church. I missed last week. I couldn’t miss again.

\n

I stopped at Starbucks yesterday morning for a GOOD cup of coffee. Hotel coffee is marginal. As I left, a young man was sitting on a bench outside the door. He said, “Excuse me. Can I ask you something?” I stopped, knowing what was coming. “I just got out of prison and I want to go to church today. Can you give me something?” He was clean. He didn’t look strung out. He looked like the son of any of my friends. I walked up to him, placed my hand on his shoulder and said, “Son, I can give you two things. I can give you one dollar. And I can pray with you.” He looked like he was about to cry and knelt his head. I prayed for him right there on the streets of downtown Columbus in front of Starbucks. Afterwards, he smiled and thanked me and I went on my way.

\n

I can’t give much but I can give my time, my prayers, my heart. So what if I got to the fairgrounds ten minutes late? Sharing that moment with that young man might have made a huge difference in his life. Surprisingly, it made a huge difference in mine. It made me bolder in my faith. It made me more compassionate of others. It made me love on a fellow human being for a few moments. It set the tone for the rest of the day at the fair. When I received praise for my accomplishments, I put praise where the praise was due and told them it wasn’t me…it was God that brings me words.

\n

With that, I will be honest and tell you I am truly tired. I’m totally talked out after four days of nonstop talking. Mr. FixIt has been so wonderful and picked up the slack for me the last couple of weeks. He’s worked hard and helped me load and haul and unload stuff for my events only to turn around and help me take it all back home and put it away. We are packing up this morning and going camping for three days. It’s his turn to get my attention. It’s my turn to take a time out. I’ll be back soon! ❤️

\n

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-09-18T01:55:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/18/time-out.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Grace","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/17/going-places-doing-things.html", "title": "Going Places, Doing Things", "content_html": "\"1972\n

One of the coolest things about any group of camping women…be it Girl Campers or Sisters on the Fly or any of the others…you are just about guaranteed to have a great time, make new friends, and do fun stuff. This weekend has been no exception. The Country Living Fair was full of eye candy, to be sure. But sitting around with your Sister friends, laughing, talking, eating, and sharing a slice of life is priceless.

\n\"1972\n

This particular weekend is always fun for me because I get to hang out with my good friend and mentor, Janine Pettit. And, because the girls had their campers on display at the fair, we “camped” at the Holiday Inn. My roommate was Jill Evans. Jill is nearing the empty nest era and recently purchased a 1972 Airstream Landyacht. Fortunately, all the major mechanical stuff was just about done. But when she received it, the interior was that familiar dark brown that many women have come to loathe in an RV. She set to work fine tuning the interior and the results are stunning.

\n\"1972\n

The first thing she did was remove the oven from the wall. She then covered the wall with light pine. She and her dad worked on it together, and while she says the wall isn’t perfect, it was special working with her father on the project. Jill used a liquid sander and wiped down the interior surfaces, removing a lot of accumulated “gunk” then painted three coats of Valspar paint/primer over nearly everything but the floor. She replace the old Formica countertop with a dark wood laminate that looks all the world like a solid butcher block.

\n\"1972\n

Jill’s decorating style is impeccable. Her choices are at once delightfully pleasing to the eye and governed closely. Not too much…not too little. You’re left feeling peaceful and welcomed in this great white space. Perhaps I can call on my new Sister/friend when it’s time to decorate Joy! I’m hoping to have her finished next year to display here at the 2018 Country Living Fair! ❤️

\n\"1972\n\"\"\n

“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-09-17T01:55:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/17/going-places-doing-things.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Gratitude","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/13/mountain-music.html", "title": "Mountain Music", "content_html": "\"Jake\n

I’m still glowing over the events of the past weekend. When I was planning this gathering for the Sisters on the Fly, I had everything pictured in my head and it came out just like I had hoped. But the months leading up to the event had points where it was pretty nerve wracking. The two big items on my list turned out to be the two most difficult to fill. A caterer and entertainment for Saturday night.

\n

I have such a wonderful network of friend on Facebook. They come from all walks of like. After making countless calls and searching the internet, I finally called the administration at the park where we camped and she gave me the name of a caterer to try. One phone call and I had them booked…at a price about half what I expected. The food was fabulous! If you need a BBQ caterer in the Mid-Ohio Valley, call Smokin’ Pig’s Ash Barbecue.

\n

I kept striking out on the entertainment front, too. First off, it was the same weekend as the Sternwheel Festival in Marietta (the main reason we planned it when we did) and there was a huge bluegrass festival up north. I really wanted old time jammers, but they were scarce as hen’s teeth. I finally contacted my friend Todd Burge, a talented local musician who is more a folk singer. Unfortunately, he was booked, but he told me to contact Jake Eddy. Jake turns 18 this week, and has already been named #1 in guitar and banjo in the state of West Virginia. He and his brother (only 13!) and grandpa played for two hours and I’ll tell you what, they did not disappoint. The girls were so impressed! And, frankly…so was I. We are all going to look back one day and say we saw him way back when!

\n

Tomorrow, I head out for my next event. I’m going to be at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio with Janine Pettit and the Girl Campers lending a hand in any way I can to support her. Janine is so talented and well spoken. She will have the crowd eating out of her hand and I so enjoy tagging along whenever I can. I always learn so much from her.

\n

This is an incredibly busy month in the camping circuit and I’m thrilled to take you along with me. We’re going to see some amazing things. Watch for some live broadcasts from the Country Living Fair! ❤️

\n

“I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-09-13T01:55:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/13/mountain-music.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/12/the-jersey-girls.html", "title": "The Jersey Girls", "content_html": "\"The\n

We had such a mish-mash of gals at the SOTF event this weekend. I’ve heard so much about Jean Taylor over the years that I felt I already knew her, even though we’d never met. She came with three of her umpteen cousins and they were an absolute hoot and a half. They love to “camp”. As a matter of fact, Jean owns a campground in New Jersey. I am not sure how “campy” the others get, seeing how the sum of their experience thus far seemed to be staying in the motor home at the campground. But I loved them. You know why? Because they didn’t know you could make ice cream by hand. They’d never seen the Milky Way. They hadn’t heard of clogging in any other sense than what cholesterol does to your arteries. They were delightful!

\n

One story they told was how, very early on, their great grandfather lived in WV. He was an Italian immigrant and a miner with a huge family. And, as any good Italian did, he made wine for their consumption. Apparently, the revenuers caught wind of this, raided his home and broke all the bottles of wine. Great-grandma sent one of the kids to the mine to tell papa not to come home and why. He took off for New Jersey and stayed there till grandma could get there with the children. Thus, they put down roots in NJ. If not for the revenuers, how many more West Virginians would we have?

\n

I named them “Honorary Hillbillies”…those wonderful Italian women from New Jersey!

\n

We also had a published author of historical romances. A woman who owned a farm, played guitar, and is learning to drive horses. There were a few widows. There was a woman simultaneously going to college and living in her new Airstream as she explores the country over the next eighteen months. There were three moms of autistic children who bonded over that. There were artists and nurses, retired and employed. They slept in everything from cars to tents to vintage campers to modern campers to a brand new Airstream. Yet they all have one thing in common…they are Sisters. A fact that is never taken lightly. I am so proud to be a member of this organization and look forward to more gatherings with them. ❤️

\n

“She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-09-12T01:55:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/12/the-jersey-girls.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","New Ideas","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/25/playing-tourist.html", "title": "Playing Tourist", "content_html": "\"Alley,\n

We drove into Richmond yesterday and looked around the Depot District. We went around the block and found this really cool alley with paintings on all the windows and old doorways. I love little surprising art finds around cities and towns. We wandered through Two Sisters Used Books where I found The Prayer of Jabez a couple years ago. We browsed through a huge furniture store and stopped at a coffee shop. Then headed for Oxford, Ohio.

\n

We ate dinner at the Steinkeller Restaurant and we’re very disappointed that Dave…the lederhosen wearing, accordion playing, Uptown Funk singing  entertainer wasn’t there. Apparently he doesn’t perform in the summer when the students are gone  they were hoping he would show up again since classes start at Miami university on Monday. We asked our waitperson about him. I told her I was so glad the students didn’t make fun of him. She said the students love him and sometimes they would hang around in the restaurant till 2:00AM…long after closing time…singing along with Dave  I hope he comes back this year. The world needs more Daves.

\n\"Insomnia\n

 

\n

I love the Insomnia Cookie Shop. They’ll deliver warm cookies till three in the morning. Hey, it’s a college town…kids are up late studying. I’m sure it’s nothing else…you know, like the munchies or anything. Just late night study sessions and the need for a warm cookie at 3:00AM, right?

\n\"Tree\n

I’m trying to figure out what this tree is beside the camper. Last night whatever is growing on it was falling on the roof with a clatter. The leaves look like hickory but smaller and the pods look different than the hickory on the farm. I’ll let you know when I find out what it is. I asked Fred, my tree guy but haven’t heard back yet.

\n\"Starcraft\n

As you can see, TOW-Wanda is still looking good. When she was in the shop at Camping World, they were detailing the camper next to her and splashed suds all over her. So, she got a free bath.

\n

We head home today! ❤️

\n

“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”\n‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-25T01:55:26-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/25/playing-tourist.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/24/ahhhhindiana.html", "title": "Ahhhh...Indiana!", "content_html": "\"Waze\n

I’m beginning to really like this state. I have been to Bloomington in the south. I’ve been back and forth along the I-70 corridor countless times. I spent a weekend here in Richmond in December 2015 when my daughter graduated from Miami University. And now I’m on my third camping excursion here. We picked TOW-Wanda up yesterday and she’s pretty as can be. They detailed her after putting on the new axle. I checked the hub temperature with my new infrared digital thermometer after driving a few miles and it was right around 97-98°. It may give me a false sense of security since the service guy told me “if it’s too hot, it’s too late.”

\n

Just after we turned onto I-70 from I-77, we came to a standstill. As far as we could see, cars and trucks filled the highway like a parking lot in all three lanes. I was just telling Mr. FixIt I wished I had the extension app on my Garmin GPS to tell me about traffic when I remembered Waze. Some of my Sisters on the Fly friends were just discussing the merits of this free GPS app that is populated by user input. I had tried it a couple of years ago and didn’t like it so I took it off. I figured I couldn’t lose anything and I was sitting in a giant parking lot on the interstate so I downloaded the app and turned it on. Sure enough, it showed my location and several people up ahead posted what was going on…a car fire. When we finally started moving, there was not one, but two burned out shells of cars alongside the highway. I’ll have to see if I can find a news story about it because it was pretty impressive. I have unlimited data on my cell phone so I kept Waze running. Whenever there was a hazard, a policeman, or even a pothole in the roadway, the app let me know with an electronic voice. I’ll be using it whenever I drive.

\n

The other thing I wanted to tell you about was this really cool tool I bought at Costco. I’ve been wanting a windshield mount for my cell phone and found a package of two at Costco when we were in Colorado. I gave one to Mr. FixIt for his truck and I put the other in mine. Now I can run Waze AND my GPS as I drive and have an unobstructed view of the road. I can answer calls hands free. I can even ask Siri to read my text messages and answer them by dictating and never take my eyes off the road.

\n

If you find yourself in Richmond, Indiana in need of RV services…see Matt Green at Camping World. If you need a great campsite that’s easily accessible, check out Grandpa’s Farm Campground. And if you want a really great meal, go to O’Charley’s. Excellent! There are my PSA’s of the day. Helpful hints for your traveling pleasure…and, I get to sleep in TOW-Wanda again!!! ❤️

\n

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-24T01:55:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/24/ahhhhindiana.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","New Ideas","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/10/road-trip-day-thirtysomethinghome-kinda.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Thirty-Something...\"Home! Kinda.\"", "content_html": "\"Burned\n

Yesterday was lovely. We went out for breakfast then headed to Camping World to check on the trailer. They were still working on locating an axle. We elected to take the wheel with the nearly shredded tire to Walmart and get a new one. Easy peasy. Then, to kill some time, we went to New Paris and browsed the antique stores. By 4:00 we decided it was best to go check in on the trailer again. Bad news. The replacement axle isn’t sitting on a shelf someplace. They don’t make them until they’re ordered. And, they take ten days to make. So the camper won’t be ready for at least two weeks!

\n

Ok. Change of plans. It was already 4:30. We swung around back and emptied everything we would need out of the camper. We threw away any food that wouldn’t stay fresh in the fridge, even though they assured us they would keep the trailer plugged in. We stuffed as much as we could in the truck and headed to dinner at a dive along the highway. Then we left Richmond, Indiana and headed for Cleveland to pick up Mr. FixIt’s truck. He left it parked there when he flew to Colorado. We picked it up, filled both trucks with gas, stopped at McDonald’s for coffee and headed for home. It was 1:15 by the time we got to Parkersburg and it would have been another hour to the farm. I called Mr. FixIt behind me and said I’d had enough…so we stopped at his place and I’ll head on in the morning.

\n

We’ll go on another road trip in a couple of weeks and pick up TOW-Wanda. We’ll talk more tomorrow about how this fiasco happened and what to do to avoid it in the future. In the meantime, I’m done. Thank you, God…for protecting us and keeping us safe during our travels. ❤️

\n

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-10T01:55:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/10/road-trip-day-thirtysomethinghome-kinda.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/09/road-trip-day-thirtytwocrap.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Thirty-Two...\"Crap!\"", "content_html": "\"Burnt\n

One of the most important things I’ve learned about camping is this…check, check, and double-check everything. When I had that blowout a couple years ago, I learned to check the air pressure every single time I tow…whether it’s to the end of the driveway or across the state. I learned this from Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi of RV Family Travel Atlas and Janine Pettit of Girl Camper Podcast. Now I check my tires religiously.

\n

Day before yesterday, we stopped in a rest area and when I got back in the truck, I walked around…checking to make sure everything looked good. We were fifty miles from the campground. That stretch of I-70 was particularly rough…to the point we had to slow way down. We got to the campground and did a lot of routine maintenance things. I dumped the tanks and cleaned them out. I picked up inside the camper and got set up for the evening, and cooked supper. After the dishes were done and put away, we got those showers we were so anxiously awaiting and crashed. We were both exhausted and slept like logs.

\n

Yesterday morning, I was unhooking things and Mr. FixIt was checking the air pressure in the tires. When he got to the driver’s side rear tire he said, “Whoa, babe…come look at this. This isn’t good.” The rubber cover was missing off the hub and you could see down into the bearing housing. I knew when I got close and looked at the grease that we did indeed have a problem. The grease was packed with flecks of shiny metal…the bearings had been disintegrated. Luckily there was a Camping World four miles back so we very slowly, very carefully took the camper over.

\n

After tearing it apart and checking into the other wheels, they believe the last person who repacked my bearings (which I just had done this spring) had tightened the nut down too hard which doesn’t allow for the expansion of the bearings when they get hot. The end cap made of rubber blew off with the resulting pressure and shot all the hot grease out, leaving nothing to lubricate the bearings. Consequently, the casing got so hot it literally melted the bearing housing. The only thing that kept the wheel from flying off was a $2.00 cotter pin. Thank God it wasn’t worse…no one was injured. But the bad news is, it didn’t make any noise and we didn’t detect anything in the operation of the trailer in any way, so we drove on it at 60mph for 50 miles or so. That was hot enough to etch the spindle and the whole axle needs replaced. They are working hard to find me one…even if they have to send someone up to the Starcraft factory up in Elkhart.

\n

But, here’s the thing…when I had the blowout two years ago, the repairman forgot to put the dust cover back over the hub. When I had the hubs repacked last time, the shop didn’t have one. I’ve thought of it off and on but never got around to it. And, since I wasn’t actually checking the temperature of the hubs, if that dust cover WOULD have been in place, I never would have seen there was a problem. This was, quite literally, a disaster waiting to happen and it’s a miracle no one was injured.

\n

So, we have an unexpected adventure…exploring Richmond, Indiana and the Old National Road…home of some pretty great antique stores. We found a room for $60 and had dinner at Cracker Barrel. Yes, this is inconvenient. Yes, the repair is going to be expensive. But, we are safe…we are together…and God has us in the palms of his hands. Life is good! ❤️

\n

“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.”\n‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19-20‬ ‭MSG‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-09T01:55:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/09/road-trip-day-thirtytwocrap.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Gratitude","Grace","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/06/road-trip-day-thirtycamping-at.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Thirty...\"Camping at Walmart\"", "content_html": "\"Front\n

Mr. FixIt was in an automotive store picking up a part for my truck when I was preparing to leave on this trip. He was telling the sales guy about all the trouble I was having getting out of town with the camper. They guy handed him the part and said, “Well, it’ll be smooth sailing from here on out.” Mr. FixIt laughed and said, “I don’t know…everything is an adventure with Ginny McKinney!” He gets me! Yesterday was no exception.

\n

It took us thirteen hours to get from Denver t this Walmart. The drive on the two-lane was amazingly beautiful. The terrain is sand hills giving way to intermittent flat and rolling fields of corn, soybeans, and what not. There is supposed to be a bad storm this morning in western Kansas and Nebraska so we wanted to put plenty of distance between us and the weather so we kept driving. We stopped in McCook, NE so I could stretch out and take a nap. That gave me my second wind.

\n

We stopped to eat at a historical marker for the Texas-Ogallala Trail where cattle drives crossed the plains. It was so much more fun having a traveling companion. He could Google in real time things I asked about.

\n

While the views were wonderful and the roads so much easier to travel without all the truckers, finding a campsite was nearly impossible. There just isn’t the traffic on these back roads to warrant a campground and the couple we saw signs for were impossible to find in the dark. Hence the decision to find a Walmart. I searched in my Garmin and found one about thirty miles away. After eleven miles into it, we made a turn and there was a small sign that said “Bridge Out, 21 miles”. I looked at the GPS and it said to turn in 21 miles. I called the Walmart and they said the bridge was out right where you turn to come into town so we had to take a detour. It added 27 miles to our trip but we were committed at that point. We pressed on and arrived at the store 2 minutes before they closed. We immediately went inside and spoke to the person in charge, asked where we should park, and thanked them profusely. We fell into bed with great relief.

\n

Yes…everything is an adventure with Ginny McKinney! ❤️

\n

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”\n‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-08-06T01:55:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/06/road-trip-day-thirtycamping-at.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/05/road-trip-day-twentynineon-the.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Nine...\"On the Road Again!\"", "content_html": "\"Sometimes\n

This is the hard part…saying goodbye. I don’t like goodbyes. I miss my kids and my grands when I’m in West Virginia. I wish we lived closer. At one point I was ready to move back to Colorado. But man…the cost of living is nearing the breaking posing for most people and it has gotten so incredibly crowded. As much as I will miss my girls, I am longing for home…for the peacefulness of the country…for smaller towns and fewer crowds.

\n

We had a great day yesterday. We fussed around getting the camper cleaned and ready for travel. We did laundry and visited with my son-in-law’s parents, then went to Little’s Art Camp program. She displayed several art pieces and played the violin. Afterwards, we had 14 for a family dinner and that will have to do till next time. We’ve decided to drive the back roads and see what a cross road trip was like in the days of the two-lane blacktop. We’ll follow a river into the sand hills of the western prairie. Our progress will be slow, but I’ll check in and share with you. This is an entirely new experience for me and I’m looking forward to it! ❤️

\n

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”

\n

For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;”\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:4, 10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-05T01:55:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/05/road-trip-day-twentynineon-the.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/30/road-trip-day-twentythreeback-across.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Three...\"Back Across the Divide\"", "content_html": "\"Camper\n

I don’t think the trip back to Denver was quite as difficult as going over. Yesterday was overcast, rainy, and much cooler and that helped keep the transmission temperature down. That and the fact that the eastbound approach to the Eisenhower Tunnel is a much more gradual slope. But Vail Pass? Brutal! It is so steep I drove much of it at less than twenty-five miles per hour and the transmission temp still shot up to 232 degrees! I had to pull off the road three times to let the truck cool down. I tried the trick of staying in third gear and that didn’t help. I have vowed never to pull this camper with this truck over these mountains…ever again. It was too stressful and I was exhausted when I was done. But, we arrived safely and got parked back under the tree at my son-in-law’s parents’ house so all is right with the world.

\n

We camped the last three nights at Redstone Campground in Redstone, Colorado. What a beautiful place. The campsites are broad and private. We couldn’t even see the next site and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. The camp host told us there had only been one bear sighting in camp this summer and that was back in May. I was kind of surprised because the campsite was literally surrounded with shrubs that were loaded with all kinds of berries. We paid for a double site in order to maintain privacy. If someone took the other side, our door would literally open up on the neighbor’s camper, so it was worth the extra expense.

\n

When we returned to Denver, we took our son-in-law’s parents out for dinner at Culver’s. It’s a hamburger place but we had salads that were quite good. After dinner, we went for a drive and went to see the new Light Rail Station in Westminster. Denver is developing a wonderful train system that will soon be completed. You can now catch the train into downtown Denver and be at Union Station in eleven minutes. Senior Citizen rate is $2.60 round trip. You can’t park downtown for that! We’ll take the train down just for the experience while we’re here. Maybe we’ll go to the Art Museum.

\n

There is so much to do and see in Colorado. And, I don’t think it is my imagination when I say there are more people here than there was when I left three years ago. Granted, I’ve been living a fairly solitary existence, but this is crazy! It felt like being in a bee hive. There are people everywhere. I especially noticed when we went to Maroon Bells near Aspen. Here we were, in one of the most picturesque settings in the stat…bus after bus emptying tourists from all over the globe out onto a parking lot. Paths spread out in every direction like tentacles and there were people wherever you looked…scrambling in every direction…grasping for their moment in the sun. It made me cringe. It made me sad. I think maybe the economy is allowing people to vacation again and there does seem to be an awful lot of people camping these days. Colorado is a desirable destination and it IS high summer tourist season so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised…but it was surprising nonetheless.

\n

Regardless of how busy everyplace was, Mr. Fix and I had a fabulous time and we made wonderful memories. After all, that was the goal. Mission accomplished! ❤️

\n

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-30T01:55:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/30/road-trip-day-twentythreeback-across.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/29/road-trip-day-twentytwoa-night.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Two...\"A Night on the Town\"", "content_html": "\"A\n

After a busy day sightseeing, we visited with my “surrogate parents” and my sweet brother. We walked around town and looked at the darling shops of downtown Glenwood Springs and chose one of my favorite restaurants for dinner…The Riviera Supper Club. So, I’m out on the town with my man as I jot this note to you…and this is “all she wrote” for today. We will head back to the campground (NO cell service or WiFi…yay!!!) We’ll head back to Denver tomorrow! ❤️

\n

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.”\n‭‭Acts‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-29T01:55:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/29/road-trip-day-twentytwoa-night.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/28/road-trip-day-twentyoneexploring.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-One...\"Exploring!\"", "content_html": "\"Maroon\n

Seriously…have you seen anything more beautiful than this??? Maroon Bells…the most photographed scene in Colorado. Mr. FixIt has never been to Colorado and I’m trying to jam in as many amazing sights I can in the short time we are up here in the mountains. We got our exercise yesterday! We started with The Ritz Carlton Club in Aspen Highlands to see Mr. Virgo’s Memorial. They planted a tree and laid a plaque in his honor off the patio of his restaurant in the hotel. It has grown about three feet since they planted it. I felt him all around me there. He loved that restaurant and the view. After paying our respects and talking to some of the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ritz Carlton, we took the shuttle up to Maroon Bells Wilderness Area and hiked around the lake and through meadows of mountain wildflowers in their prime. The Colorado sky did not disappoint, and even though we didn’t see the bear Mr. FixIt wanted to see, he had a grand time. By the time we finished our hike we were famished. We took the shuttle\nbus back into Aspen Highlands and drove into Aspen for a late lunch. We walked the streets, people watching and browsing through the shops till it was time to head back to the camper. There was live music in the park last night and we didn’t want to miss that. We have no cell or phone service in the campground so I have to post when I have service somewhere. If I miss a day, don’t worry…it just means I didn’t come to town.

\n

It was another beautiful day in the Rockies. The night sky is so incredibly black you can’t see your hand in front of your face but the stars??? OMGosh! You can see the entire Milky Way! They’re so close it feels like you can touch them. Amazing! ❤️

\n

““But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”\n‭‭Job‬ ‭12:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-28T01:55:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/28/road-trip-day-twentyoneexploring.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/27/road-trip-day-twentyoneold-home.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-one...\"Old Home Week\"", "content_html": "\"Woman\n

There are moments in life that you would like to freeze and keep forever, aren’t there? Yesterday was just such a day. The part came in for the camper and Mr. FixIt went to pick it up while I packed up and got the camper ready to haul it to our next site. It was a really easy, short trip without any hills to speak of and we were there in no time. There was only one little glitch. The campsite I had reserved was a group site and there was someone coming to stay right beside us…which kind of defeated the point. Fortunately, there was another site nearby that was even better and we got set up quickly and headed to Marble for lunch at Slow Groovin’ BBQ. It was there I met Kevin from Grand Rapids, MI. Kevin is doing what many young college grads do…he’s finding his groove and he couldn’t have picked a better place than here! As many of these stories, it all started with a blown engine and this person knew that person and off he is on an adventure. (Note to Kevin’s mom…you raised a fine young man. He’s polite and friendly and has great dreams. I know you must be very proud of him. He says you worry. I understand but…he’ll be careful. He misses you and all his nieces and nephews.) Anyway, Kevin was a bright spot in our day and it was a delight to meet him.

\n

After lunch, we headed to Glenwood Springs to listen to live music in the park. The Black Lillies from Nashville were the highlight of the night and they were awesome! This is my old stomping grounds. I moved here as a young doctor’s wife in 1986. I ran into people who have known me, supported me, and cheered me on through every incarnation I went through since then. It was such a treat to introduce Mr. FixIt to so many of my longtime friends. He had a blast!

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Today we are off to explore Aspen! Stay tuned!!! ❤️

\n

“I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭104:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-27T01:55:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/27/road-trip-day-twentyoneold-home.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/26/road-trip-day-twentyanother-day.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty...\"Another Day in Paradise\"", "content_html": "\"Rifle\n

Last week I reported to you that Mr. Virgo was in my dreams two nights running saying he was leaving me. He appeared again Sunday night. In this dream I found out that he had some sort of neurological problem and that’s why he decided to go on and not try to come back. He was brought to me in a black limousine. They told me he was coming and that I could see him the way he would have looked had he survived the heart attack. When the car pulled up, he rolled down the window and he had obvious neurological damage, yet in the dream, he could still stand. He got out of the limo and looked at me so sad. I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” He said it was HE who was sorry he had to leave me like that. I pulled away from him and said, “You know how much I love you, right?” He said of course he did. I said, “Well, I’ve met someone wonderful and I love him, too. I can’t leave him now.” His eyes softened and he wrapped me in his arms and whispered into my hair, “It’s ok. It’s ok. It’s ok.” And…I woke up. Three times in a week he’s been in my dreams and he hasn’t been here that much in the last four and a half years. I think it’s because I’ve brought Mr. FixIt here to Colorado…turf that, up until now, belonged to Mr. Virgo and me.

\n

It was still dark…the first hint of daylight tinting the eastern sky. I lay there quietly, listening to the soft breathing of this wonderful man I have come to love. “It’s ok. It’s ok. It’s ok.” I smiled in the darkness, snuggled closer, and went back to sleep.

\n

We were up bright and early yesterday. Lots to do…doctor’s appointment and pick up the replacement thermostat (it’s still not in after two more stops in the RV dealer). We went out for breakfast then stopped to visit Mr. Virgo’s grave. I left one of the painted rocks that I’ve found recently that said “I love your smile!” It made ME smile. Then I took Mr. FixIt up to Rifle Falls State Park. In all the years I lived here, I had never been there. We hiked up to the top, took lots of pictures, and headed back to town to take my brother out to dinner again. Afterwards, we stopped at the grocery store and ran into Rob and Jordan, two young men from Virginia who had built this funky trailer from scratch and are on a five month trek across the country. They have a YouTube channel called Fantasy Jive ( www.youtube.com/channel/U… ) What an adventure!

\n\"#CruisinCabana\"\n

A trip to Lowe’s rounded out the day. We needed some wire connectors and wire stripper for the thermostat project. With the groceries put away, we finally had time to sit in our new chairs and listen to the river rushing through the canyon as the sun set. We stayed the last two nights at Glenwood Canyon Resort…one of the most beautiful places to camp in Colorado, in my opinion. While the sites are rather close together, there’s nothing like sitting and staring up at the steep canyon walls directly across the river from your campsite. Trains run through the canyon at all hours, but if you’re like me, they make you smile.

\n

Today we break camp and head on to our next stop on this adventure. Stay tuned to see what we are up to next!❤️

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“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”\n‭‭John‬ ‭14:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-26T01:55:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/26/road-trip-day-twentyanother-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/11/road-trip-day-fiveso-near.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Five...\"So Near, Yet So Far\"", "content_html": "Battery powered \"air conditioner\"\n

When I hooked up my camper Sunday night at the Kan-Do Kampground in Montgomery City, Missouri, the temp was in the 90’s and I was hot and tired. However, no matter what I tried, the air conditioning in TOW-Wanda would not come on. Therefore, the only things I had to cool me off were two fans and the exhaust fan in the bathroom. That drew the heat out somewhat, but still, I didn’t get to sleep till around midnight. I woke up at 2:30 yesterday morning and try as I might, further sleep eluded me. I laid there till the sky started to lighten around 5:00 then I got up and started putting stuff away, got dressed, closed the windows, and unhooked the camper from the water and electric. I pulled out at 6:15 and headed east in the cool of the day…73 degrees. It was rather windy on the plains so my top speed was 55 most of the day. Gas/pit stops were brief and I finally pulled into a rest area around 12:30 to stretch out for a 30 minute power nap. Only problem was…it was 92 degrees by then and the camper was stifling. All of a sudden, I had a brilliant idea. Gail, one of the Girl Campers had a little fan she let me borrow the second night at Beaver Creek State Park when I didn’t have electricity. The fan had a small drawer that you put ice in and the air cooled as it blew over it. I went to my freezer in my camper, took out two frozen bottles of water and a frozen cooler insert and sat them in front of my battery powered fan. It worked like a charm and offered me about 30 minutes of cool air which was delightful. Once I started losing the chill, I popped everything back in the freezer, put the fan away, and got back on the road. I drove till 4:30pm and just didn’t have it in me to go another five hours from Hays, Kansas to the Denver suburbs. I pulled into a name-brand hotel, negotiated my best deal, parked the camper, and was safely ensconced in my room by 5:00…a bubble bath drawn. The temperature was a staggering 100 degrees and I refused to take the chance of finding a campsite and not having AC. The campsites aren’t great out here anyway. I brought some food in from the kitchen in the camper and wrote this early so I could roost with the chickens. Today is another day. I’ll get there rested instead of having to sleep all day. Today is Daughter #1’s birthday!!! The truck and camper did fine yesterday, but I had forgotten how much work this big camper is to pull. I’m looking forward to having the little vintage camper refurbished and I can take it instead of this big one. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow! Thank you, Lord…for the travel mercies thus far. ❤️

\n

“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NIV‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-11T01:55:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/11/road-trip-day-fiveso-near.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/10/road-trip-day.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day 4", "content_html": "\"Trim\n

This is the part of the trip where I’m always ready to be there yet I have a long way to go. It would be one thing if I were just meandering along without an agenda, but I’ve got grandbabies to see and I’m ready to be there NOW! Between not being able to drive over 60 (you shouldn’t drive over 65 while towing anyway!) and all the construction zones at 45-55mph, this trip feels like it takes forever. I always stop every four hours, stretch, get a bite to eat, use the facilities, and stretch out on the bed for a power nap of 30 minutes or so. When I stopped at 5:30 yesterday, I walked around to the passenger side of the camper and about a third of the trim over the wheel well was flapping in the breeze. I took it off then went to Walmart for a package of nuts and bolts to screw it back on securely. By the time I was done with all that, it was after 8:00. I started watching for signs for campgrounds and before long I had a site secured in Kan-Do Kampground. I really enjoyed speaking with the owner at checkin…she was a hoot!

\n

It was pretty hot and stuffy when I pulled in so as soon as I got the electric hooked up, I flipped on the AC and…nothing. The switch “hesitated” a couple of times last year so I imagine it needs fixed. It seems like an awful lot of “bugs” are showing up this year. I don’t know if that’s normal or not, but I don’t like it.

\n

Church yesterday morning was very nice. A lot of people attended. I’m going to try to get an early start this morning but don’t know if I’ll make it all the way to Denver today. Safety first! ❤️

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“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.””\n‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-10T01:55:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/10/road-trip-day.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Love","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/09/road-trip-day-three.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Three", "content_html": "\"Campfire\"\n

I had to say goodbye for now to my Girl Camper friends yesterday morning. I hit the road about 8:30 after enjoying coffee and breakfast burritos with the early birds. Hookup was easy and after doing my safety check and checking the air in my tires (thank you Jeremy and Stephany of RV Family Travel Atlas!) I was on the road in no time. I did find this new truck can’t tow nearly as fast or stable as the ole one. It must have something to do with that rear axle ration. It was still a little windy yesterday so that might have been a contributing factor. I can’t drive much over 60mph with this truck but then again, you shouldn’t tow over 65 anyway so it’s probably just as well. Maybe I’ll look at trucks in Colorado. The 373 rear axle ratio is much more available out there.

\n

I really took it easy yesterday. At lunch time, I pulled into a rest area and had lunch and a little power nap. I stopped at Camping World and bought extension mirrors so I can see around the back of my camper. I also bought some covers for the bedroom windows. The first thing I did when I bought this camper is take out the valances and shades. I hated them. But, when I travel alone and nap in the rest areas by the truckers, I’d just as soon not be so visible from the outside. I bought some Command Hooks and two cat litter mats that were the perfect size. I stuck the hooks on the outside of the camper and hung the mats over the windows on the outside. That way I still get air circulation when I open the windows. Brilliant!

\n

I pulled into another rest area at supper time and ate and stretched out again. I guess I needed to catch up with a little sleep. One thing I do when I drive is think about stuff. And I talk things over with God. It’s our special alone time. I was telling him how much I hated missing church this weekend. Especially since our pastor is coming back from vacation today. My plan for driving this trip was drive, stop, eat, nap, repeat. I really had no intention of camping in RV parks. When I was in Camping World, I saw the new RV Campground directory…their three inch thick book listing all the campgrounds that give a Good Sam discount as well as many other. I’ve always found it very helpful. When I woke up from my nap, Spirit told me to look in the book for the closest RV park. I know better than to question so I did and there was one three or four exits away called…get this…Grandpa’s Farm Campground. There were others, but that’s the one that jumped out at me. I called. They had one site left. I took it and was there in ten minutes. There was a group of about thirty people out on the front lawn playing bingo as I pulled in. Located right on the bank of a rushing stream, the sites were nicely spaced down at the end where I was parked. Full hookup with Wifi was $34.50 with the Good Sam discount, tax included. As I was signing in, I noticed on the map “This campground is run by a Christian family.” Camp Church is at 8:30 in the morning…free coffee and donuts at 8:15! Isn’t God good to provide a safe, clean place with church in the great outdoors?

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I took advantage of the full hookups to do some housekeeping last night. The tanks needed emptying and I hooked up to city water, turned on the hot water heater, and took probably the best shower of my life. And that did me in for the night. I always write my posts at night before I go to bed. I have to get into the Word when I write and search for the perfect scripture to go with it so this becomes my evening meditation. Another day safe, and closer to my babies. Mr. FixIt arrived safely in Florida last evening so I am very grateful for that as well. Have a happy Sunday! ❤️

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”\n‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-09T01:55:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/09/road-trip-day-three.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","God","Wisdom","Girl Camper"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/08/fun-around-a-campfire.html", "title": "Fun Around a Campfire", "content_html": "\"Hitch\n

Traveling on a cross-country road trip, you must be flexible whenever possible. Yesterday’s forecast had severe thunderstorm warnings off and on all day with winds predicted to top 50mph. I don’t know if you have ever driven in winds like that or not, but it is ill-advised to do so while towing a camper. I figured if I was going to be overtaken by severe storms, I would just as soon be in a campground with a bunch of girls I know so I stayed put another night. Today is another day. As it turns out, I would have driven right through those bad storms as they were right along the way I would have been traveling so it’s a good thing I stayed where I was.

\n\"Morning\n

Yesterday was a lovely, lazy day filled with naps and reading, conversation and laughter, and plenty of good food. Too much good food. I did have to move my camper…twice. I had only reserved a site for one night and it was booked for last night. I moved and set up at another site but didn’t think to go online and reserve it. I just filled out the reservation form. After I got everything set up, I took a nap then got a call from the park employees telling me the site I was in had just gotten booked. So, off I went again. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t long enough to stay hooked up so I had to disconnect. That’s ok…I’m a pro at hooking up and unhooking this trailer now. It’s no big deal.

\n\"Beaver\n

The purpose of stopping here to camp just a few hours from the farm was to surprise the head Girl Camper, Janine Pettit, and her good friend, Mary Brennan Morey, as they begin a four week tour of several national parks, including Yellowstone and Glacier. If you haven’t checked out the Girl Camper Facebook page or the Girl Camper podcast series, you really should. Not only are they informative, but they are just plain fun! I filmed Janine yesterday doing her F-150 Fitness Routine that she learned from MizzFitness herself, Bianca Jade. Janine is going to stay fit on the road by doing this routine every day as she explores the highways and byways of America.

\n\"View\n

There’s nothing like spending time with other women who are camping enthusiasts. Sharing knowledge, stories, and camaraderie is such a bonding experience and we forge life-long friendships over the campfire. I never would have dreamed how important my girlfriends would turn out to be at this stage of my life. ❤️

\n

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

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‭‭John‬ ‭15:12-14‬ ‭NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-08T01:55:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/08/fun-around-a-campfire.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Wisdom","Girl Camper"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/05/a-room-with-a-view.html", "title": "A Room With A View", "content_html": "

\n\"Greenery\n

The last few nights have been insufferably hot and muggy in the farmhouse. There is a room air conditioner in the living room, but unless you’re sleeping on the couch, it doesn’t effectively cool down the house and ends up running up the electric bill to no avail. The best alternative is TOW-Wanda. Equipped with fans and open windows, it’s been pretty darned comfortable out there. I will miss this view of the bank along the driveway here at the farm. The lush green of West Virginia summers may bring bugs and humidity, but the foliage is a sight to see any given day of the week. Colorado is semi-arid so it is a sharp contrast from here. At least it’s a dry heat, right?

\n

I emptied out the belly of the camper yesterday and cleaned the floors. I reorganized the contents of the big tub of odds and ends I keep down there. After repacking, I cleaned out the fridge, scrubbed the floors and vacuumed the carpets. The pantry needs vacuumed and wiped out then restocked. The bathroom needs a good scrubbing and I need to organize the storage under the bed and in various cabinets. Since this new truck doesn’t have the torque the old one had, I need to be more conscious about my weight.

\n

I’ve made a list of last minute items for the trip. I’ll go into town for those today. Tomorrow I head out on another segment of The Grand Adventure. The longest Mr. FixIt and I have been separated was when I went to Colorado for a month at Christmas. We didn’t like it one bit. I so wanted to tell you about that homecoming back then but it was not the right time. I can tell you now. I flew in and out of Dayton because it is SO much cheaper and my dear friend Cindy lets me park at her house so I don’t have to pay for parking. That drive to the farm from Dayton felt like it took forever. I knew Mr. FixIt was at the farm waiting for me and I could hardly contain myself. It was after dark when I pulled into the driveway and I stopped dead in my tracks. For the first time since I was a child, the house was decorated. There were trees lit on the front porch and a large lit-up star on the second floor above the porch between the two windows! It made me cry. I jumped out of my truck and ran into the house squealing like a little girl. Mr. FixIt walked out from the living room and I stopped, mouth agape. He was wearing charcoal dress pants, a crisp white shirt, and a red sweater vest. He took my breath away and I knew…anyone who would do this for me was a keeper. He knew how much Christmas means to me and how much I love this house. He knew I missed having a country Christmas at the farm, so he made sure I had one on my return. What a wonderful guy!

\n

My babies live in Colorado. I have to see them as often as I can. In the meantime, Mr. FixIt has obligations he must attend to here. We couldn’t stand the thought of being apart two whole months so he’s flying out to join me for three weeks in the middle of my trip so he can meet the family. We’ll go camping and sightseeing as he has never spent time in Colorado. The kitties are covered, the farm is being watched, my sweetheart is coming to see me, and I get to spend quality time with my girls! What’s not to love about that? Sweetness. Sheer sweetness! ❤️

\n

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”\n‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-12‬ ‭NIV

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-05T01:55:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/05/a-room-with-a-view.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Love","God","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/02/towwanda-is-home.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda is Home!", "content_html": "\"Starcraft\n

First of all…OMGosh! Your response to my post yesterday was more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you all so much for the lovely comments, likes, and shares. You warmed my heart! I was so worried that introducing a new party to this adventure would change the dynamic and people would drop away. It turns out, more people tuned in so we’re off to a good start in this new chapter of Mr. FixIt and me! Of course, grief is a lifelong process so I will still touch base on how that affects me as we go along. Ever the teacher.

\n

There’s an interesting timbre to this new man. None of the men I have been with in my sixty-four years were mechanically inclined. Mr. FixIt, however, is a mechanical engineer and a lifelong camper. Imagine how difficult it was for him to sit back and watch as I hooked up and unhooked my camper. Oh…this is entirely new territory for this guy! He wanted to do the heavy stuff for me, and while I certainly could have sandbagged and let him, I still will be traveling alone some of the time so I need to keep up my skills and know for certain how things have been hooked up. I know, I know…control issues. I asked him sweetly to wait till I got what I needed to do done, then I would share some of the other duties. I also told him when we camp in his campers (he has two!) I will sit in a chair and watch him till he has a job for me to do. I made it up to him by doing all the cooking and fixed some pretty fabulous meals! He did a wonderful job changing out the gas lines for me and helped me troubleshoot the electrical bug we had. He doesn’t get the name Mr. FixIt for nothing!

\n

When we arrived home I told him I needed to back the camper into the driveway rather than pull it in like I usually do. With the vintage camper up at the end of the drive, there was no room to get the truck out and around the camper. Our road is a narrow country lane and the driveway is tight. I have to say, I totally impressed Mr. FixIt with my mad backing skills! He was bragging about me at dinner Friday night when we met 20 of our classmates at a local Italian restaurant. I don’t think this guy has ever run across a woman like me. He just looks at me in amazement. It makes me smile.

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I washed the exterior of the camper yesterday. It hadn’t been cleaned since I was in Myrtle Beach in September of 2015. It looks so much nicer now. I need to do a deep cleaning inside in the next few days, reorganize, and pack her up for the trip cross country. I leave Thursday. I am traveling alone so I won’t be divulging my exact location when I’m there, but I’ll be checking in daily to give you progress reports and tips for traveling solo in a camper. Mr. FixIt gets to come join me in a couple of weeks and meet the family. That’s exciting!!! In the meantime, he’ll be holding down the fort for me and keep the farm going.

\n

Back off girls…I saw him first! ❤️

\n

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”\n‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-02T01:55:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/02/towwanda-is-home.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","goRVing","Love","God","Wisdom","Girl Camper"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/06/30/rest-relaxation.html", "title": "Rest \u0026 Relaxation", "content_html": "\"Beaver\n

We all need a little R&R from time to time, don’t we? My little two days away were peaceful, yet productive. I really wanted to see how the new truck performed pulling TOW-Wanda. My other truck had a rear axle ratio of 373. That thing would pull TOW-Wanda up Vail Pass at 65MPH in cruise control…piece of cake. Trucks with that rear axle ratio are scarce as hen’s teeth in these parts but a dime a dozen in Colorado. That’s because Coloradans have some pretty steep passes to go over and a large proportion are towing big stuff like campers and horse trailers. Around here, that ratio is overkill. Let me tell you, there is a huge difference between a 373 and a 331 like my new truck. I was so worried it wouldn’t be able to tow the big camper but she worked like a charm. Very smooth. I watched my transmission temperature on the hills and she did fine. A little hot on the very steepest hill, but I took it slow. I’m sure the Rockies will give her a run for her money but I think she can handle it. I feel much more secure now than I did before I went.

\n

I knew there would be some maintenance issues to address before the trip. When I went to pick her up, the first thing I noticed at the storage lot was the nose of the camper tilted down. She wasn’t like that the last time I went. Turned out, the ground under the front jack softened after the last really big rain and the wood block it sat on shifted. The jack dug down into the ground and held solid but it could just as easily have bent the jack. Thankfully, it did not. I pressed the buttons to raise the jack. Nothing. I called over to the workman and he came out with the tractor. He lifted the nose and sat the jack back down on solid wood. I told him the electric jack wasn’t working. He said the battery was dead. I said the only time this had happened before was when there was a problem with the fuse that is on the pigtail line running from the battery. No, he said…your batteries are dead…even though I assured him I had just gotten them last spring. I wish I would have opened the little fuse covering but didn’t. I took his word. I went to Walmart and bought a battery charger then went back to the lot. With the electric line hooked to the back of my truck, I was able to raise and lower the jack and finally got hitched up and left. What should have taken four hours took seven.

\n

I arrived at the Beaver Creek State Park (Lisbon, OH) campground and discovered the refrigerator was warm. This was a mystery but I decided to worry about that later. I finally got unhooked at the campground and hooked up to electric, I opened that fuse cover and there was my answer. The fuse was badly corroded. Some battery post cleaner and a new fuse fixed the problem. Next to address was why the refrigerator didn’t run on gas. I took the cover off the gas tanks, moved one slightly, and it started to hiss. The hose had sprung a leak, but only just then…not on the drive up. I puzzled over the problem and figured the igniter didn’t go off because of the fuse thing. But now I had to address the gas hose. If one goes out, you should replace both. It doesn’t cost that much and better to be safe than sorry.

\n

The nearest RV dealer was twenty miles away and fortunately they had the hoses. I asked if these were what I needed and the guy said yes so off I went back to the campground only to discover the fittings on the hose was too small! Back to the RV dealer for two adapters, which he just so happened to have, and back to the campground. Lesson learned…always double check your fittings when you buy replacement hoses. Everything fit back together perfectly. I checked for leaks with dish soap…nothing. Good. Turned on the gas, switched the refrigerator to gas, and voila…it turned right on!

\n

I took my hose out from the underbelly of the camper only to come to the sad realization that my site was electric only and I had neglected to fill the water tank before I left! No hot showers or doing dishes for me because I was NOT hooking that camper back up for anything! I ran into town and bought water and heated it in my electric teakettle for dishes. I kept some water bottles in the bathroom for rinsing the toilet and used the camp bathroom for solid waste.

\n

BLT with fresh leaf lettuce and Tennessee tomatoes, fresh corn on the cob, Amish potato salad and fried green tomatoes…a perfect camp dinner. I was so excited to have friends at the campground. We sat around the campfire and caught up. Other than the maintenance items, which I fully expected to deal with, it was a wonderfully relaxing couple of days away. I hope you all have been enjoying your last few days of June. It’s hard to believe that the 4th of July is upon us! I’m in the final countdown before I head out on my next big road trip! I need to deep clean TOW-Wanda and get her packed. I backed her up into the driveway at the farm so she’s here where I can work on her. Stay tuned! ❤️

\n

“let the priests take, each from his donor, and let them repair the house wherever any need of repairs is discovered."”\n‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭12:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-06-30T01:55:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/06/30/rest-relaxation.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","goRVing","Holiday","Peaceful Moments","Girl Camper"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/06/18/lawzy-lawzywhat-have-i-done.html", "title": "Lawzy, Lawzy...What Have I Done?", "content_html": "\"Refinishing\n

Oh…I almost hate to show you what I’ve gotten myself into. Y’all are gonna sit there and roll your eyes and shake your heads. As with most projects, the more you tear into it, the more you find needs doing. Thank goodness my friend, Mr. Fix-It, is willing to help me with the heavy stuff. We cleaned everything out of her today so we could get a good look at the job ahead. We started by making a list of what needs doing and setting priorities. First off was the realization there is no earthly way of getting this thing done before I leave for Colorado next month. Not and do it right anyway. Sigh.

\n

First off, there are several wooden ceiling joists that have rotted through and need to be removed and custom cut to the curvature of the roofline. Once those are tied into the frame, the roof needs to be completely removed, a new underlayment placed, new wiring and insulation, then a new roof placed on. Once the roof is done, the windows come out and any rotten wood replaced. The windows will be sandblasted and glass replaced then the windows go back in with caulking. There are some cabinets that need to be removed. Also the bunk in the back comes out. Then the floor gets touched up and mended. Once the wiring and the insulation in the walls is replaced, paneling goes in making it an open room. There will be a double bed on a platform in the back. I will find used furniture to convert into a cabinet/kitchen/workspace. I don’t necessarily want a gas stove in this camper but there is one so but we’ll see. A small convection microwave and an electric convection hot plate would be fine. I might have a small refrigerator…not sure. I want a closet with a luggable loo and up front I’d like a couple of comfy chairs and a small table between them. Very simple inside. I just need a cozy place to sleep out of the rain.

\n

I know she looks like a ton of work, but I’m in a place right now where I love a challenge and I need another joyful thing to look forward to. So…I have named her “Oh, Be Joyful!” I’ll call her “Joy” for short. My challenge for myself is to find as much stuff as possible free to fix her up with. I love the idea of salvaging and putting as little money in her as I can while still making certain she is roadworthy. This is indeed going to be a joyful experience!

\n

I went to church last night and the pastor preached on Exodus. He pointed out that even though the Israelites were freed from slavery, they were still in bondage because they looked backwards at the chariots full of Egyptians bearing down one them. In order to break free from the bondage you are in, you have to have faith and move forward. I am weary of watching for chariots carrying grief. I’m moving forward…with “Joy”! Isn’t that a beautiful thing? ❤️

\n

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:5-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-06-18T01:55:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/06/18/lawzy-lawzywhat-have-i-done.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/06/17/and-sothe-camper-addiction-begins.html", "title": "And So...The Camper Addiction Begins!", "content_html": "\nThe obsession has begun. The camper was ready to be picked up yesterday afternoon. The gentleman I purchased it from had to get the title for me. A lot of time these old campers have no title...just a bill of sale. Depending on the state you are in, this can be a huge, drawn out, expensive problem. I have passed on several affordable campers because there was no title.\n

A torrential downpour hit just as I pulled up to the house. After ten minutes or so, the clouds broke and I was able to hook up the camper. I thought I should check the air in the tires before I drove too far so I headed to the nearest gas station. Upon further inspection, the tires were so old and dry rotted, I didn’t dare put more air in them. The first order of business was the dreaded DMV…that black hole where time is sucked into a whirling vortex and spits you out several hours later…poorer, starving and frazzled. After sitting an hour and a half, my number was next. That’s when the nice DMV lady stood up and said, “I know it looks like we aren’t doing anything up here, but I finally reached someone I know in Charleston and the entire state’s computer system is down. We will let you know if it comes back on.” If. Not when…IF. Sigh. I waited a while and gave up. If I got stopped without tags, I’d just have to show the trooper the title and tell them the story.

\n

Stop two was Walmart for tires. I prayed the entire way, driving 35 miles an hour with my flashers on. I breathed a sigh of relief and sent up a prayer of gratitude when I arrived safely. I was thrilled when they had trailer tires in stock that fit. I went ahead and bought a new spare as well. I know there are some people who run car tires on a trailer but I have been taught you shouldn’t do that. I always run 8-ply trailer tires on my campers. It probably took two hours at Walmart but those tires are perfect and you could really feel the difference in the way the camper felt being towed. $200 is a small price to pay for safety. I hated to put those nice new tires on those ratty old wheels. I have a friend who knows a guy who will sandblast the rims and paint them with a powder coat finish that is baked on. It lasts much longer than painting the rims. That, however, can wait and be one of the last things that gets done.

\n

The camper followed right along behind me, just like it’s supposed to. I got her home, backed up the driveway like a pro, unhooked like a boss, and covered her with a tarp. She needs a new roof so the tarp will have to do until that can happen. Now, to name her! Someone suggested “Aretha” (‘cause she’s a Franklin and just needs R-E-S-P-E-C-T!). That’s cute! I have some ideas on decorating. This one is crying out for really comfortable, real furniture…not “camper cabinets”. “The Country Cottage” or “The Cozy Cottage” sounds lovely. Or “Fernweh” which means wanderlust. I could call her “Fern” for short. “The Merry Widow”? Let’s hear your suggestions! ❤️

\n

“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-06-17T01:55:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/06/17/and-sothe-camper-addiction-begins.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/06/16/she-followed-me-home.html", "title": "She Followed Me Home!", "content_html": "\"1967\n

Those of you who have been here from the beginning know I really, really wanted a vintage camper when I started this adventure. I listened to Mr. Virgo’s advice…posthumously…and bought a new camper. It was probably the right decision at the time because I lacked the necessary skills and stamina to deal with a camper that needed fixing up. Now though…now I’m good and really excited to start a new adventure. And this time I’m going vintage!!!

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It’s about a 40 minute drive into town from the farm along a twisty, turny two lane blacktop. I’ve driven it 1,000 times but about a week ago, a darling little two seater Mercedes convertible was sitting out in the field in front of a house. I spun around to get a second look. That was exactly the car Mr. Virgo dreamed of! Soon though, it wasn’t the Mercedes that caught my eye. It was this baby…tucked in beside the house with a tarp over her head. My heart raced. I drove down the road and turned around and came back. I passed some folks leaving as I pulled in the drive. They backed up and asked if I was there to see the Mercedes. I said, “No…I just wanted to come see this little camper here. Is she for sale?” The lady said, “How much will you give me for her?” The gentleman was kind enough to get the key and show me inside. They had bought the camper to glamp it up for their daughter. All but the back end has been gutted. They ran into time constraints and they were about to get back to it when the mom broke her ankle. The next day is when I showed up. She was exactly my price. I can fix her up the way I want her, and I was an answer to their problem as well. It was definitely a God thing. I need this little girl right now. We are both spreading our wings.

\n

I want to get her water tight and road worthy quickly. I’d love to take her with me to Colorado. Then I could work on her while I visit my family and have her ready when I go to the big Sisters on the Fly gathering called Rocky Mountain Hi in August! Then Girl Campers in September. Man, I’d have to really push to get that done but I might be able to! We’ll see. I’ve wanted her for a long, long time. I just needed to find her.

\n

Isn’t it interesting that Mr. Virgo’s favorite car would be out in front of a house with a tiny camper that needed a new home? There are no coincidences…I was guided there…without a doubt. She’s a 1967 Franklin, a rather rare travel trailer. I’m going to decorate her inside in shabby chic white with pale green and pink. She’s going to be a girly-girl camper. I’m so in love! ❤️

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”\n‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-06-16T01:55:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/06/16/she-followed-me-home.html", "tags": ["Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","goRVing","Girl Camper"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/04/17/rain-on-a-camper-roofaaaaah.html", "title": "Rain on a Camper Roof...aaaaah!!!", "content_html": "\"Blue\n

I had company for supper yesterday which was lovely! A simple Easter meal of roasted chicken, fresh green beans cooked with bacon, mashed potatoes and gravy. It was delightful. After my company left, I looked up at the darkening sky threatening rain. My dishes were done, my leftovers put away, and nothing left to do but write. Now, I could write like I have for the last six months…OR, I could go camp out in TOW-Wanda! Guess which one I chose?

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I haven’t slept in the camper since October. It has the BEST bed…a six inch memory foam mattress I bought when I decided to get serious and camp full time. I really miss this bed! I grabbed my NA beer, a small bag of chocolate covered peanuts (hey, it was Easter!) and my phone, iPad, and a flashlight. TOW-Wanda had just had a good cleaning last week for company so she was all set! Fresh sheets, warm blankets, windows flung open for the breeze…just waiting for the rain.

\n

I’m heading into travel season and can’t wait! I leave next weekend for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’ve never been there so I’m really looking forward to it. I really lucked out and got a time share from a friend that wasn’t using it. I’ll let you know about the place after I check out. My favorite thing I’ve read about it so far is it has a Jaccuzi tub AND is just steps from the beach! Works for me!

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I’ll spend the last half of May and early June in Daytona Beach. I no sooner get home till I head to Colorado for the summer. I’ll be back in West Virginia in early September. I’m hostessing a Sisters on the Fly trip the weekend after Labor Day. I can hardly wait to show off my home state to the Sisters!!! It’s going to feel good to have some quiet down time this week as I prepare for the upcoming travel. I hope you all had a blessed Easter! ❤️

\n

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”\n‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-04-17T01:55:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/04/17/rain-on-a-camper-roofaaaaah.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/03/15/peace-quiet.html", "title": "Peace \u0026 Quiet", "content_html": "\"Woman\n

I live a pretty peaceful and quiet life out here on the farm. The biggest excitement comes in the evening when I chase the possums and raccoons out of the cat’s dish. It’s gotten cold again just to remind us it’s still winter, no matter how mild it has been. Thankfully, we didn’t get the snow that was forecasted. Just really cold weather and some flurries.

\n

Now that I have that shiny, white truck out in my driveway, my thoughts are turning to camping. Peace and quiet when you’re camping is so much better than the peace and quiet of home…no matter how wonderful home is. I’m already planning my trips over the next year. I want to spend a good deal of time in Florida next winter and you have to make your reservations eleven months in advance. You can only stay two weeks at a time in state parks so that has you booking reservations every two weeks in March and April. You have to stay organized and know where you’re going and when.

\n

In the meantime, you research the areas and choose where you want to go and make plans. I’m hoping to travel a lot this year. The Outer Banks, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, and all points in between. Whether it’s with Sisters on the Fly, Girl Campers, friends or family…I’m looking forward to another year of adventure! ❤️

\n

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭20:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-03-15T01:55:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/03/15/peace-quiet.html", "tags": ["Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/03/13/how-the-girls-help-with.html", "title": "How the Girls Help With My Grief", "content_html": "\"West\n

I belong to a couple of camping groups that I’m active with. Sisters on the Fly came first. Lying in my bed four years ago, I clutched my iPad to my chest and  searched through my photo albums for every picture of Mr. Virgo. I was bereft. My heart was shattered and I wasn’t sure I could survive such a loss. Instinct…sixth sense…Holy Spirit…I was led to seek out other women to walk with me on my path.

\n

I found a letter to the Reverend Billy Graham the other night. In it, a widow of just a few months explains how her husband died unexpectedly in his sleep and she didn’t get a proper goodbye. She asked Rev. Graham to help her. I was heartened when I read his response. He told the new widow to put her faith in God and find other widows she could help. In the helping, she would find help herself. That is exactly what Marshmallow Ranch has done for me. And Sisters on the Fly was the springboard that got me started.

\n

A couple of years ago, I went to the Country Living Fair in Nashville with the Sisters. It was there I met Janine Pettit. Janine was a breath of fresh air and sunshine in her signature red plaid. She was working the show with goRVing.com and spoke with knowledge and eloquence about all things camper related. Janine is a huge promoter of women getting out there and “Going Places…Doing Things”. I was drawn to her immediately. I’ve been a guest several times on her Girl Camper podcast. She’s developed quite a following as she encourages women to take the plunge and join any of the girl-camping groups.

\n

This past weekend, I joined Janine and eighteen or so Girl Campers for a crafting weekend in a cabin at Blackwater Falls State Park. I took my friend Deneene with me because soon she will be observing the second Angelversary of her husband’s passing. We met Cindy there. Cindy’s husband died one year ago today. Damn. Women supporting women through the good times and the bad times while reaching beyond our boundaries…that’s why I joined these groups. The comfort and support I give is returned to me 100-fold. I love my camping sisters. As I observed the passing of the fourth Angelversary, I was reminded how incredibly blessed I am. To have God and to have love.

\n

And now….the fifth year begins. ❤️

\n

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-03-13T01:55:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/03/13/how-the-girls-help-with.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","West Virginia","goRVing","Girl Camper"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/23/heading-home.html", "title": "Heading Home", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Wow...a few days in TOW-Wanda made me a happy camper! What a beautiful campground. In keeping with my safety plan, I don't divulge where I stay till I'm gone. This trip was to Little Beaver State Park in Shady Spring, West Virginia. I think it's in my top five all round favorite campgrounds! Most of the campsites are nestled among mature oak and pine trees. Being a senior and having a West Virginia ID gave me the delightful rate of $14 per night for a pull through site with water and electric. You can't beat that!

\n\n\n

There are deer meandering through every evening. At this time of year, there are very few campers and I have the place virtually to myself. It is peaceful and quiet. And there is a beautiful lake perfect for kayaking and canoeing. As I sat writing this, several owls started hooting in the trees around my campsite. What a perfect way to end the last campout of the season!

\n\n\n

It's definitely time to winterize my girl, though. It was 36 at 11:00 last night when I started writing this. Maybe one of these days I'll take her south for the winter. In the meantime, I'll hook up and head home....just as soon as I have my coffee.

\n\n\n

My life is blessed. I have everything I possibly could want. I have love, safety, security, health, a place to call home...a loving God who provides everything for me. Yes...my life is blessed indeed. I look back at where I am vs. where I could be. We all deal with grief in our own ways. I make a choice...every single day...to live a happy life. Live a good life. I don't have time to stay stuck in one spot for long. So I get up, straighten my crown and remember whose daughter I am!

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❤️

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“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”‭‭

\nPhilippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-23T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/23/heading-home.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/12/its-always-something.html", "title": "It's Always Something", "content_html": "\n
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Just like Gramma Rosannadanna said...\"It's always something. If it's not one thing, it's another.\" This week's something is frustrating. When I went over to the wedding on October 1st, I remember walking into a store and looking down I noticed I was carrying the wrong set of keys. I had picked up my camper keys by mistake. The trouble is, I haven't seen them since and I can't for the life of me remember where I was when I last had them. I've replaced the keys to get in the camper. And, I have an extra truck topper key as well as the second PO Box key. What I am missing, and cannot seem to find the spare for, is the hitch lock for the camper. Those things are designed to keep people from stealing your camper and by golly this one is doing it's job! I have tried to retrace my steps. I know I had the camper keys the day I left for the wedding because I had to get my cowboy boots out of the trailer to take with me. Don't you just hate it when these memory glitches start showing up? I really need to get TOW-Wanda hooked up so I can take her to get the tanks dumped and clean before I winterize her. I would love to go camping again before winter sets in. Which brings up a new topic.

\n\n\n

Life changes on a dime sometimes and you have to create Plan B (and C, D, E, etc.) Since my aunt is unable to live at the farm on her own anymore, she has moved in with my Aunt and Uncle...her brother. My uncle has asked me to live on the farm and take care of it because he lives three hours away. Someone needs to be here to keep squatters out. While I love my gypsy lifestyle, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to live on this farm. It lives in my heart, this land. But that means I'm putting down roots, for a while anyway. I'm going to nest a bit. Jason Isbell sings a song with the line \"I'm tired of traveling alone...won't you ride with me?\" I'm weary. I've driven 45,000 miles the last two years and I need a break. I've seen a lot of places, met a lot of people, and done a lot of things. And I've kept myself busy and occupied. Putting down roots will give me the time I need to seriously write this book so I can move on to more projects.

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Life is all about moving forward, but sometimes you have to sit still to do that. Don't worry...there will be a boatload of stories to tell. I'm not going anywhere.

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❤️

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“He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.”‭‭

\nPsalms‬ ‭104:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-12T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/12/its-always-something.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Farm","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/25/beaver-creek-state-park.html", "title": "Beaver Creek State Park", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

In keeping with my promise to my family and sister/friends, I never divulge my exact location till after I leave. The Girl Campers met at Beaver Creek State Park in East Liverpool, Ohio this weekend and...OMGosh...it is beautiful there! I want to take one last camping trip in TOW-Wanda this fall and I might just go back there.

\n\n\n

Yesterday was so much fun. We gathered for breakfast then sat around a campfire all morning chatting. I took a long walk through the campground. This is a really big park! We went for a tour of the Pioneer Village. There is a working grist mill where they still grind wheat flour, buckwheat flour, and cornmeal and sell it in the trading post. After the tour, we watched a demonstration of a wood-fired cell phone charger! I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

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We toured the trailers, oooooh-ing and ahhhhh-ing over the cuteness. Then we had a meal and watched The Long, Long Trailer on a big screen outdoors. It seemed much colder last night than the night before and I fished my little electric heater out of the truck to put in my tent. Fall is chasing us down and soon there will be frost. Chatter around the campfire confirms it's going to be a hard winter.

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I was interviewed yesterday by Janine Pettit for another episode of the Girl Camper podcast. I'll let you know when it goes on the air. Also, my story was recently picked up by another writer and I'll let you know when it is published. I'm giving another talk November 3rd. Lots going on and it's very exciting!

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❤️

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\n

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”‭‭

\nHebrews‬ ‭10:24-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/25/beaver-creek-state-park.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/24/girl-campers.html", "title": "Girl Campers", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

One of my favorite things to do is camp with one of my girl camping groups. I didn't get to camp at all this summer so this weekend I came to a state park in Ohio to meet up with the Girl Campers. Janine Pettit does a podcast about camping like a girl and her listeners started clamoring for opportunities to get together. I got to visit with Janine last weekend at Country Living Fair. When I heard the Girl Campers were meeting this close to me, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I didn't bring TOW-Wanda because it takes two people to get her out of where she's parked. So, I took this opportunity to camp in my tent. If you ever want to have a great time, camping with a bunch of women is such a hoot!

\n\n\n

Speaking of hoots, we went on a hike in the woods with a naturalist last night searching for owls. We heard one far off and that was it. We did see a flying squirrel. That was pretty cool. I haven't seen one since I was a little girl.

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I love the state parks back east. The campgrounds are almost always jam packed with trees. They are so beautiful with their nature trails and stunning vistas. I tucked my tent back along the pines. The trailers are all under oak trees and man, the acorns are fat this year. Another sign of a hard winter coming, I'm afraid. These big acorns are dropping this time of year and they sting when they hit you and make a lot of noise when they hit the metal roof on a trailer. I'd just as soon not be startled every five minutes all night long.

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Good news for me...I get to stay at the farm for at least another couple of months. I hope my aunt is at peace with these decisions. I can't imagine what it will be like when my independence is taken away. I doubt I'll take it well. My heart is with her.

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❤️

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“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.””‭‭

\nMatthew‬ ‭13:3-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-24T01:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/24/girl-campers.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/15/the-end-is-just-a.html", "title": "The End is Just a Beginning", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

I pulled TOW-Wanda away from the river yesterday. I had her all hooked up and I stood across the road in the field, debating. Should I walk over and stand on the deck one last time and soak up this view I have come to love or just move on? I chose to move on. I've known all along my time at the river was a gift with a shelf life. I got selfish...I wanted more. More time. More days languishing on the deck. More sights, sounds, and smells of life on the river. The bottom line is, the place was not mine. It was a privilege to live there as long as I did and I appreciate my friends letting me stay there all this time.

\n\n\n

TOW-Wanda is getting some warranty work done and then we'll find some other place to stay. I'll still be at the farm for a little while getting the fleas under control. One thing I have learned is to be flexible. That's how you land on your feet.

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Life is an adventure!

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❤️

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

\n‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-15T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/15/the-end-is-just-a.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Change","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/25/remembering.html", "title": "Remembering", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

I drove to Ridgway yesterday to visit my good friends Linda and Jim. I met Linda on FB two years ago through a mutual friend. She grew up kind of across the river from me. We both graduated in '71 so there's a ton of common ground.

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My friends have company so guess where I got to sleep? Their little 14' camper out behind the house! OMGosh! This is so reminiscent of Little TOW-Wanda. What a treat! That really brought back memories. What an amazing journey those three months were as I traveled the back roads and wilderness of Colorado. It seems like forever ago.

\n\n\n

Linda's house is on top of a mountain with amazing views. As we were preparing the camper for the night, these beauties came up to check us out. A mama with twin fawns. There are bears and what have you here. What a beautiful place to spend some time. Unfortunately, I could only stay one night. I'm stopping for lunch with one of my Sisters on the Fly friends today. It's awfully quiet without Little's chatter.

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I marvel at this path I travel...where I've been, the things I've seen. Where will I go next...next week, next month, next year?

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❤️

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\n

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

\nPsalm 119:105 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-25T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/25/remembering.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/24/up-the-crystal.html", "title": "Up the Crystal", "content_html": "\n
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Hotter than blue blazes yesterday so Little and I escaped to the high country. Redstone, Colorado is an old mining town. There's a castle there. Formerly known as Cleveholm Manor, Redstone Castle is a treasure. The mansion was built by a coal baron for his East Coast city wife or she wouldn't join him in this wild and wooly land. Nowadays, Redstone Castle can be rented out for special events and tours are given regularly. I went to a party there once that was quite memorable.

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There was a band playing in the park last evening. Dr. Robert is a Beatles tribute band I really enjoy. The drummer is Hubby #2's wife's son. Convoluted connection, but always fun to hear live music in the park. There is a shaded playground by the park so Little made friends with every kid in the area and played for hours. She goes back to her mama today. The only thing we didn't do that she wanted was rafting and the zipline. She's still a little short for that. We'll do that another time.

\n\n\n

Now I have a week to get things done before I head back east. I have several appointments and friends to visit while I'm here. I'll spend some quality time with my brother. I'll head back to Denver Saturday and spend my last full day with my family before I hit the road. And then, this part of The Grand Adventure is over. It all passes so quickly.

\n\n\n

I stood on the front porch of the cabin last night with Little. She said, \"Nana, this was an extraordinary trip.\" I smiled at her choice of words. I said, \"More extraordinary than New York?\" She looked pensive and said, \"Welllll...it's tough to beat New York.\" Yes, doll...I know. But this was pretty darned extraordinary if you ask me!

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❤️

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\n

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

\nPsalm 16:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-24T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/24/up-the-crystal.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!","Memories","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/22/camping-with-little.html", "title": "Camping with Little", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Little says the deepest things. We were driving up to the mountains yesterday. As she was calculating how much longer we had to go and measuring the merits of s'mores vs. other desserts, she quietly said, \"You know, Nana...I'm not weird. I'm unique. There ARE no weird people. We're all just unique.\"

\n\n\n

She's been my spiritual, deep thinker as long as she could articulate her thoughts. And she is always delightfully refreshing. We were discussing my lifestyle. She said, \"Your lifestyle isn't weird, Nana. It's unique, like you. The world is your home. And that's pretty cool!\" Ahhhh, she gets me! We sat on the deck overlooking the river and discussed which would be more fun...river rafting or zip lining. She said there will be fishing on this trip, and we won't have to quit just because Big is bored. She's interested in trying kayaking. OMGosh! She's mini me!

\n\n\n

This is our special time together. She remembers last year with great appreciation. I'll make sure she remembers this one, too.

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❤️

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\n

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

\n1 Timothy 4:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-22T01:30:26-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/22/camping-with-little.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/14/travel-mercies.html", "title": "Travel Mercies", "content_html": "\n
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First off, let me thank you all for the beautiful birthday greetings and the prayers for safe travel! I arrived safely both nights.

\n\n\n

Sunday I traveled from Bristol to Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, TN. I didn't get far traveling because I got a late start and I spent over three hours getting new tires! argh! I arrived at the campground after dark. I couldn't find any place to register and the office was closed so I drove into my favorite campground, found a quiet spot and \"set up\". This consisted of taking my bicycle out of the backseat of the cab of the truck and chaining it up to the trailer hitch. Then I laid out my yoga mat, a picnic blanket, an old electric blanket (both doubled) and put my sleeping bag on top. I finished the bed with my pillow and the minky throw from my bed. I cracked all four Windows and the sunroof about three inches, hung towels on the windows and the sunshades in the windshield. Then I ran an extension cord into the back seat and hung my camping fan down at my feet.8 I climbed in, locked the door, turned on the fan and turned off the light and slept 8 hours! I couldn't stretch my legs out all the way but I was really quite comfortable.

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Last night I pulled into a chain hotel in Salina, KS at 10:30 central. 16 hours on the road with a break here and there. I got a good AAA rate. Needless to say, I was exhausted and this is all you get this morning.

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Just a couple spots of traffic...one accident that was taken care of and didn't look bad. And that's it for now.

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❤️

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\n

“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

\nProverbs 3:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-14T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/14/travel-mercies.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/31/field-candy.html", "title": "Field Candy", "content_html": "\n
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These tents bring a smile to my face! Imagine looking up at them from the inside. Check them out HERE

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-31T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/31/field-candy.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/28/reflections.html", "title": "Reflections", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

When the air is very still and there is no boat traffic, the surface of this river is like glass. It's such a magical place. To quote a friend's daughter on his retired lifestyle, \"I could be as Zen as **** if I didn't have to work!\" It's true. This has been such an amazing time for me and I am honored to have this opportunity to live and play and write here.

\n\n\n

A friend of mine is camping near me this weekend. That has been a treat to sit around and talk till dark, feeling the heat of the day turn the corner towards twilight. I love watching the river traffic. Besides the usual barges, there are plenty of pleasure craft flying up and down.

\n\n\n

I left the AC on in the camper while I was out talking last night. I came back to get yogurt and strawberries for dessert and it was so cold in here you could have hung meat! I turned it off and opened the windows then it was delightful. I just don't like the noise of a fan anymore.

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Funny, my mom weighed heavy on my mind yesterday. I kept envisioning her in her chair in the corner, working on her beloved genealogy. This is about the time of year when I brought the kids home for a visit. And it was always so humid and hot. Exercise must be accomplished early now. I don't tolerate heat like I used to. It's weird the things that change as you...ripen!

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❤️

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\n

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

\n1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-28T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/28/reflections.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Gratitude","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/16/alls-well-that-ends-well.html", "title": "All's Well That Ends Well", "content_html": "\n
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I took such a chill yesterday morning when I was hooking up and it was cold and windy when I unhooked at home last night. It took ten hours to make a five hour trip. The AAA sent a couple guys over but they couldn't get one of the lug nuts off. They had to go back and get more tools. Once they got the tire changed, I drove to the Walmart in Oakland and had four new trailer tires put on and put my spare back on the rear rack. I got home in plenty of time to unhook before it got too dark. But it was chilly and I just couldn't get warm. I had the furnace running and the electric blanket on high and took a shower before I finally started to thaw out.

\n\n\n

I can tell you now where I stayed. Blackwater Falls State Park is just gorgeous. I wish the weather would have been more cooperative, but even with the cold, wet snow and rain, the weekend was SO much fun! Janine was the perfect hostess and I bonded with some wonderful women. Can't wait to go again!

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❤️

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\n

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

\nProverbs 17:22 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/16/alls-well-that-ends-well.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/15/blow-out.html", "title": "Blow Out!", "content_html": "\n
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I always wondered what a blowout would feel like. Now I know! Interestingly, I didn't feel a thing. No shimmy. No sway. No noise. Nothing. I was coming around a bend and caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye. It was pieces of tire flying out from under the camper. Who knows how long the tire was flat. It was fine when I got in and pulled away. I am not at all surprised by this because the thought that the left rear tire was going to go popped into my head three or four times this trip. Ah, well...this is why I have AAA RV Plus! They should arrive in an hour. In the meantime, I'm going to stretch out and read. This is merely an inconvenience in time.

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❤️

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-15T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/15/blow-out.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/14/raising-our-standards.html", "title": "Raising our Standards", "content_html": "\n
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One thing I know for certain...there are no accidents. No coincidences. There is just too much synchronicity in this world to believe the events of our lives are just happenstance. It's all too complex, too interrelated to be formed by chaos.

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I am with a group of the most amazing women. Most are Sisters on the Fly but not all. Some have never towed a camper but they did it like a boss. Every woman I have met has been kind, fun, adventurous, strong. Last night was an absolute blast. We had a catered meal, and a DJ with karaoke. I danced and sang for hours! Then I had some gals over for a glass of wine afterwards.

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Not only were these women admirable, but we seemed to really click on a deeper level...as if there is a purpose we were brought together. This is a very special weekend and I am so grateful to have met these wild, wonderful women!

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❤️

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\n

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

\nJames 1:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-14T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/14/raising-our-standards.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/13/humbled.html", "title": "Humbled", "content_html": "\n
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I'm camping this weekend with about fifty wonderful, brave, funny, interesting, beautiful women. We are with Janine Pettit who does the Girl Camper podcast series. I'm the Girl Camper Correspondent so these women have heard me interviewed before. Do you know how humbling it is to be greeted with \"Oh, my gosh! YOU'RE Ginny McKinney!!!\"? These are brave women, many of whom have lost their loved ones, too. Many have never towed a camper. Never have been camping. And they did it! They drove through the mountains and the twisty turny roads. They backed in and unhooked. There were lots of high fives and hugs around here yesterday. More are arriving today.

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I love having the opportunity to mentor, and to share my story and experiences. I love having opportunities to minister to others and to share my love...of God, of camping, of life. I want to embrace all of these terrific women and thank them for the opportunity to experience and feel what I feel when I see them succeed.

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The smell of the pine was redolent in my camper yesterday afternoon. I covered up with my throw and read, soft music in the background, the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance. Then we gathered together and shared a meal and visited and laughed and told stories. What a beautiful day!

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❤️

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\n

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

\nEphesians 4:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-13T01:30:26-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/13/humbled.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","goRVing","Humbled","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/12/girl-camping.html", "title": "Girl Camping", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

When I was 17, my boyfriend's parents invited me to go on a family camping trip. We went to the local state park not 50 miles away, but I felt like I was on a grand adventure. We camped in a huge canvas wall tent...the kind you see at hunter's camps. It was damp and musty. My boyfriend's mother and I slept on cots and the boys slept on the ground. She carefully positioned her cot between me and her son for the sake of propriety. His dad had a huge folding cabinet that held a cooking kitchen. It was really cool. I think we only camped three or four nights and I didn't go camping again for at least 10 years.

\n\n\n

Girl camping, or glamping, is a far cry from that canvas wall tent and army cots. There are certain amenities most girl campers like to have depending on personal tastes. There are tent campers in the girl camping movement, too. But most have little campers. Some stay in cabins. There were 7 of us who arrived early so we gathered last night for dinner in the lodge. We are all Sisters on the Fly but this isn't a Sisters trip. We range in Sister numbers from somewhere in the 500's to nearly 7000. I'm right in the middle at 3537. When I visited with Sisters #1 & #2 at the Denver Fly Fishing Show in January, we remarked that the 3000's are beginning to feel like old timers.

\n\n\n

Janine Pettit does a lot of public speaking and camper colleges for different RV manufacturers and dealers as well as goRVing.com. Her goal is to bring women into the camping world and showing them how to do everything from hooking and unhooking to backing into tight spots and everything in between. Janine also does a podcast every week covering all manner of issues surrounding camping as well as featuring really cool people who embrace the camping experience. I am the Girl Camper Correspondent and will be recording a segment this weekend on Camping in Colorado.

\n\n\n

One thing most of us agreed on last night. You know you've seen pictures of those cute campers staged with all the little cute doodads arranged so artistically. We agreed that was great fun the first year or two. And then it just became such a huge deal we gave it up. My biggest obstacle is not having a garage or basement to store that stuff. Since I live in my camper full time, I want it decorated according to my own personal tastes and that is pretty minimalistic. I don't like a lot of clutter around because it makes an already small space seems claustrophobic. Don't get me wrong...I love the look of the cute little campers when they're all decorated and if I had a hobby camper, that's more than likely what I would do. As you can see in this photo, I've strung little tiny white lights and decorated simply in canvas and white with a little gold for glitter. When I get done with the inside, it won't even look like an RV because the brown is going away!

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❤️

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\n

“Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.”

\nProverbs 3:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/12/girl-camping.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/11/road-trip.html", "title": "Road Trip!", "content_html": "\n
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Annnnnnd....I'm off! Leaving a day early. Let the games begin, girls!!!!

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-11T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/11/road-trip.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/10/road-trip.html", "title": "Road Trip!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

TOW-Wanda needed a checkup. Her hot water heater went out again. ? Getting her all fixed up. A couple spots on the roof needed a little sealant. Mr. Fixit Dude says I've scraped the roof with a couple tree branches so I need to be more mindful of that in the future. One puncture in that rubber roof can mean disaster for the whole trailer! At least the work is under warranty.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-10T01:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/10/road-trip.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/03/downsizing-part.html", "title": "Downsizing, Part 27", "content_html": "\n
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Ok, for those of you who are fairly new, you may not know that I initially had a 16' camper. The following summer (2014) I realized I was living in the camper and using the house for a very expensive laundromat. I soon decided, for a number of very valid reasons, to sell the house. This allowed me to upgrade to a bigger trailer and forced me to downsize my personal belongings. I got rid of 95% of my stuff. And, as you can see, there's still a boatload of stuff still...and this is just what I took in the house last fall and brought out today. I still have several boxes of stuff in a friend's basement. So, the next phase of downsizing is about to begin.

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The hardest thing for me to get rid of is clothes. I can do without a lot of things, but don't mess with my clothes. The only saving grace is I'm losing weight so next winter my clothes won't fit anyway.

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❤️

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\n

““Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.””

\nLuke 22:42 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-03T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/03/downsizing-part.html", "tags": ["Camping","Downsizing","Control"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/27/towwanda.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda!", "content_html": "\n
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Oh, I'm so excited! I've been sleeping in TOW-Wanda since Sunday night and I can't tell you how happy this makes me. I have missed my cozy little \"tiny home on wheels\"! I love my memory foam mattress and my 800 count sheets. I love feeling like I'm living outdoors. I'm cleaning her up as I go. I should have done that in the fall but I camped so late in the season it was really cold when I parked her. Actually, it was kind of nice sweeping up the sand from Myrtle Beach and remembering such a great trip.

\n\n\n

I need to vacate the modular I've been staying in by Saturday so I've really been organizing the contents of the camper and downsizing even more. I can't believe how much junk I have still! The weather has been stormy so it's perfect for staying inside and getting stuff done.

\n\n\n

I'm starting my travel plans for the year which always gets me itching to be on the road. I'm camping with the GirlCampers in mid-May and can't wait for that! Our first WV camping trip and I'm excited to show off my home state. I'm planning on hanging out here in WV till towards the end of June this year so I'm going to get out on the river to kayak as much as possible. My exercise has me fit enough to hike and bike longer distances which makes for fun playtime outside. I try to fill each day with joy, fun, work, and time to feed my soul. This keeps me balanced and healthy...a worthy goal for us all.

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❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,”

\nEcclesiastes 3:1, 6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-27T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/27/towwanda.html", "tags": ["Health","Camping","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/17/dawn-on-the-river.html", "title": "Dawn on the River", "content_html": "\n
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I will soon be moving back into my camper after a winter spent indoors. It has been wonderful to have running water...an amenity I did without last winter. And, as it turns out, this winter was much milder than last year.

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I'm really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again. My memory foam mattress has been calling my name for quite some time. I'll still be camped here on the river till I head back to Colorado. I love this river and will cherish the time I've spent here. Watching the sunrise has never been more appealing than it is right here so I wanted to share it with you today. Have a blessed day!

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-17T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/17/dawn-on-the-river.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/02/13/group-therapy.html", "title": "Group Therapy", "content_html": "\n
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There is comfort in a group who have suffered similar fates. They may not have suffered the same loss, but we all have experience SOME sort of loss in our lives and that give us a certain kinship. We are sisters of different mothers. We have a level of understanding merely by the fact we have no Y chromosome. (I know there are some guys who read me here, but the vast majority are gals so I'll address them specifically. I'll get to you guys soon, k?) We share similar experiences and circumstances simply because we are women.

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Experiencing extreme grief is probably as close to certifiably crazy as most of us will get. When we isolate ourselves in the process, we can begin to feel we are the only ones who feel this way. We feel crazy. But, we're not crazy. We're grieving. That's why I joined Sisters on the Fly. Having experienced a major depression in my life, I knew the potential was there to slip into those dark spaces in my mind and I didn't want to go there. Being with the Sisters was not only a safe place, it was also the first place where I didn't feel like such a victim. When I shared my loss, I was not met with hand-holding and \"There, there...poor dear.\" No...I was met with, \"Damn...you lost your husband? I did, too. It really sucks, doesn't it? (hug) C'mon...a bunch of us are going fly fishing. Wanna learn?\" I had found my people. The Sisters empowered me to step into and embrace my new position in life.

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Camping season is coming. I know, I know...it's 10° out and snowing right now. But, spring is coming, and we can get outside and play and blow off some stink. We can have fun and do stuff. We can be brave anywhere. But if we're going to be brave, we might as well be doing it outside with a bunch of wonderfully talented women with huge hearts and a cowboy hat! Look them up here on FB at Sisters on the Fly or on the web HERE.

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❤

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“She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”

\nProverbs 3:15 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-02-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/02/13/group-therapy.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/19/home-sweet-home.html", "title": "Home, Sweet Home", "content_html": "\n
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Home is where the heart is. Home is where I park it. And home isn't always where I live. The concept of home is evolving within me. I was steadfast all my life in saying West Virginia is my home. And, by all rights, besides being where I was born, it is the home of my heart. As my grandchildren grow and my family thrive, my home is with them which happens to be in Colorado. And, my house is my home and it happens to be on wheels so home may be in South Dakota or a driveway in Arvada or a beach in South Carolina or a bluff overlooking the Ohio River. My view of \"home\" is expanding. It is fluid yet at its core is love, comfort, security. That security is my family, including my son in law's family.

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This \"home\" that I've come back to is on the banks of the Ohio. I love it here. But man, is it ever cold!!! I got in this afternoon and cuddled under the electric blanket to warm up and promptly fell asleep. Then visited with a friend.

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The two speaking engagements went very well this weekend. As a matter of fact, after the Salon was completed on Sunday my friend, Marion, gifted me this painting of my view of the Ohio! I am so touched! What a beautiful gift I'll treasure always and give a prominent display space in TOW-Wanda
My hostess, Jamie, was an absolute charming woman. She has been a widow only slightly longer than me. I was so happy she was with me at the Salon on Sunday. She always adds such insight to conversations. And her beautiful fur babies, Reba and Maggie made me almost wish I had one of my own.

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And now there is some very intense work to be done in the next few months. I'll be doing a ton of writing, editing, and rough drafts. I'll be learning about introductory letters and proposals and writing real life blogs. I'll be learning how to optimize social media exposure. There is a great deal of infra structure that has to be built in order for the books to be released seamlessly. In the midst of all this, I will try my very best to continue writing daily as I always have. But if you notice a little slip in quality or content, I do apologize in advance and I do hope you will stick with me as we go through some inevitable growing pains the next few weeks and months. I promise, the results will be worth it!

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❤️

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“How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.”

\nPsalm 137:4-6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-19T02:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/19/home-sweet-home.html", "tags": ["Camping","Gratitude","Art","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/11/20/more-excitement.html", "title": "More excitement!", "content_html": "\n
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RV Family Travel Atlas produces an excellent podcast series about their adventures as a family of five, living and traveling in their RV. In Episode 63, broadcast this morning, they discuss Janine Pettit's new podcast series called Girl Camper: Going Places, Doing Things in which I was featured yesterday (Episode 5). If you have the time, listen to these two podcasts. I was so humbled by the kind things they said about me and the interview yesterday. I'm featured right at 13 minutes into the broadcast. What a happy feeling this gives me!

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❤️

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Listen to the Girl Camper Podcast HERE.

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-20T02:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/20/more-excitement.html", "tags": ["Camping","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/23/autumn.html", "title": "Autumn", "content_html": "\n
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God must delight in the change of seasons. Look at this...unbelievably beautiful! I'll bet he lines the angels up and says \"Watch this!\" Then He waves His arm across the land spreading red and gold and yellow across the world and they all applaud when we stop and take notice.

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TOW-Wanda had a \"Doctor\" appointment at the RV hospital in Columbus yesterday. Her water heater stopped working in Myrtle Beach. I went ahead and had her winterized while I was there. I've been taking things out of the cabinets. Some stuff is getting pitched. Some comes in the house with me. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle sleeping in the house. I'll try it but I've got mixed feelings. If money was no object, I would head South. But then I would miss all the really cool opportunities for hanging with my WV friends and going to hear live music.

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Honestly, the idea of voluntarily going without running water for the next five months, waking up with ice on the inside of the windows, and having to dispose of \"potty bags\" every week is seriously unappealing. I did it. I proved to myself how strong and capable I am. I'll just really miss my girl. I'll set her up as my \"she shed\"...a place I can go out to and pretend camp and take naps. That'll be good.

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❤️

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“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.”

\nPsalm 39:4-5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-23T01:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/23/autumn.html", "tags": ["Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/17/amazing-autumn.html", "title": "Amazing Autumn", "content_html": "\n
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What a glorious drive yesterday. We stayed in a KOA north of Charlotte. You can sure tell we have come up north...it's cold!!! But the colors became more vivid the farther we drove. There were a couple of things I would have liked to see but we didn't have the time. I've always wanted to go to Mt. Airy which is the town Mayberry was designed from. Also, I've always wanted to drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway. But, we needed to get checked into the state park campground in case it filled up for Bridge Day. I don't think we needed to worry because there are still plenty of spots open, probably because we are far enough away from the festivities.

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It's so beautiful here but c-o-l-d! It's supposed to go down to 27 tonight! These leaves won't last long after that. So today will be perfect!

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❤️

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“This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes.”

\nGenesis 31:40\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-17T01:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/17/amazing-autumn.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/16/perfection.html", "title": "Perfection", "content_html": "\n
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There is nothing more perfect than a cloudless sky, the gentle whoosh of the waves at low tide an hour after sunrise...coffee in hand, and 74 degrees. It was as if the fish knew we were leaving and came out to put on a show. They were leaping in every direction...stingrays catching air like stealth bombers of the sea, little silver fish called \"spots\" splashing, and even a couple of small sharks arcing over the waves. After two weeks watching the unsuccessful fishermen on the shore, it was a delight to watch them pulling in fish after fish.

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It was really sad to leave the beach yesterday. I tried to justify staying longer but there are things that need attending to. I definitely want to be back by 10/23 for our class dinner and coffee with the Divas on the 24th. I need to winterize the trailer. You all will be pleased to know I will be sleeping indoors during the coldest winter months this year...WITH running water! It was quite an adventure last winter living in my camper at -25 wind chill and a foot and a half of snow but one I don't particularly care to repeat! I would like to escape to warmer weather in February, but we'll have to see how that works out.

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We stayed just north of Charlotte last night. It wasn't nearly as wonderful as going to sleep to the sound of the sea. Sigh. I'll just have to figure out a way to get back there. We're heading to cooler weather the next few days. Time to pull out the jeans, sweaters, and electric blankets. Our next stop is Bridge Days at The New River Gorge bridge in Fayetteville. Once a year, they close the bridge to traffic and you can walk out on it and watch crazy people bungee and BASE jump off of it!!! This ought to be exciting! Stay tuned for fabulous photos of the colors and sites.

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❤️

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“‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’”

\nGenesis 27:7\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/16/perfection.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/15/goodbye-myrtle.html", "title": "Goodbye Myrtle", "content_html": "\n
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It's so hard to say goodbye after such an amazing trip! We squeezed every bit of fun out of the last two weeks that we possibly could. But the very best was time spent on the beach, contemplating the beauty of our surroundings and eating our way through the South. Y'all sure know how to show a girl a good time down here! Seafood is one of my all time favorites and it was absolutely wonderful.

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We stayed at Ocean Lakes Family Campground near Surfside Beach. It is literally a city unto itself. They keep the place immaculate and it runs like a well oiled machine. Security is ever present without being intrusive. You don't get into this place without a pass. Unless you walk up the beach. The beach sustained some damage from the storms the first week and maintenance was quick to repair it. I can't say enough good things about this place.

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Today we are off to...I don't know, someplace fun. We need to wean down on the fun thing or we'll crash when we get home. Of course, we DID spend our last evening doing laundry at the Soapy Suds Laundromat! That ought to help.

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❤️

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“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

\nHebrews 11:8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-15T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/15/goodbye-myrtle.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/11/winding-down.html", "title": "Winding Down", "content_html": "\n
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All good things must come to an end, so they say. Today is the last day at the beach. I have to say, this is the perfect length of time to be on vacation. Twelve days is just about right. There's been plenty of down time to rest as well as days packed with fun activities.

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My sweet niece came from Savannah yesterday to visit me. She's 35 and still calls me Aunt Ginny.

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Today will be filled with errands and preparations for leaving tomorrow. It has been a wonderful vacation so far. My friend and I are considering going over to TN and up through the Smokies. Does anyone have any recommendations as to campgrounds, routes for the best colors where I can safely tow TOW-Wanda? Thanks in advance!

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❤️

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“Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.”

\nJeremiah 5:22\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-11T01:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/11/winding-down.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/09/the-great-lockout.html", "title": "The Great Lockout 3", "content_html": "\n
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Who remembers \"The Great Lockouts, 1 & 2\"? Back in February or March, I got locked out of my trailer and had to break in through the storage compartment under the bed. After getting in, I went back out to put the stuff back in the compartment and when I tried to re-enter the door I had just come out of, it was still locked and I was back outside without the key. Everything came back out of the compartment and I broke in...again. Did I mention it was about 34 degrees? And raining?? Hard??? I said bad words.

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Guess who got locked out of the trailer yesterday? Ummmmmm....it wasn't me. But, in my friend's defense, she didn't know how touchy that lock is. And, this time it was a lovely 75 degrees in Myrtle Beach. Nothing makes you say bad words at the beach! We laughed. The people driving by on their golf carts laughed. My life is anything but boring!

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❤️

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“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

\nPsalm 126:3\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-09T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/09/the-great-lockout.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/08/beautiful.html", "title": "Beautiful", "content_html": "\n
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Really...what else is there to say? Less is more. Enjoy your day, dear ones!

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❤️

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“They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.”

\nPsalm 19:3-4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-08T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/08/beautiful.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/06/be-still.html", "title": "Be Still", "content_html": "\n
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Shhhhh...listen. Do you hear that? It's quiet. The rain has stopped! The breeze is gently rustling the palms outside my window and the sound of the surf is a constant roar. We are less than a hundred yards from the beach and this is the first time I've heard the waves crashing from this far away.

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Awesome!

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As I lay in my bed last night, I listened to those waves. I breathed in their goodness and raw strength. And I breathed out the hurts and the unexpressed...and unexpected...sadness of the last few days. I'm looking forward to doing more of the same today.

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The ocean is the background music for stillness. Peace. The break in the steady din of rain pounding on the roof and walls of the camper came so suddenly that it took us by surprise. I'm looking forward to sleeping in in the morning. And maybe taking my coffee out on the beach. And maybe just taking it easy for the day. I'm on beach time. I can do that. I need to be still and watch the waves. I need to meditate. Thank you, God...for getting me through the storm safely. And for giving me the opportunity to be here.

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❤️

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“Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”

\nPsalm 4:4 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-06T01:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/06/be-still.html", "tags": ["Camping","Peace","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/02/hurricane-joaqun.html", "title": "Hurricane Joaquín", "content_html": "\n
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Here are the current \"predictions\" of the path of the hurricane that has been pounding the Bahamas. Actually, I think it's from a satirical news site, the point being...only God knows what's going on with this situation and He's not telling. It started raining steady around 5:00 last night and it got quite cool. I think we will miss a direct hit but it is still too early to tell in the meantime, lunch yesterday with friends and dinner last night with other friends. Planning a hurricane party if need be. We bought extra supplies today. In the meantime, the rain on the roof is divine!

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❤️

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“But there are many people here and it is the rainy season; so we cannot stand outside...”

\nEzra 10:13\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/02/hurricane-joaqun.html", "tags": ["Hope","Camping","Courage","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/01/ocean.html", "title": "Ocean", "content_html": "\n
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We arrived in Myrtle Beach around noon yesterday. The rain was threatening to hit and any of you who have a travel trailer understand all that is involved in setting up. First off is getting into your site and situating the trailer in the perfect spot. You need to check the level of your trailer and drive one side or the other up on a levelling block under one of the wheels. You put blocks called chocks in front of and behind the tires to keep the trailer stationary then it is safe to unhook the hitch. You unhook your safety chains, emergency brake release cord, and the power cord from the vehicle. (This was used for brakes and brake lights on the trailer as you travel.) You also have to remove the weight stabilization bars and the sway bar. Once that is all done, you finish levelling the trailer with the tongue jack. Then there are the utility hookups...water, electric, cable, sewer. Because I live in my camper, my tanks need emptied more frequently so that's always the first thing I do when I get set up. Rugs, chairs, table, grill, gas fireplace, propane, coolers, the dog run, canopy...all things that need to get set up when you arrive. All needing to be done pretty quickly before the rain settled in. My travel companion needed to walk her little dog because he spent much of the last two days in his crate as we traveled. She walked down to the beach and snapped this picture for me. I'll get down there soon. We are camped about nine trailers back from the water!

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I only slept two hours Tuesday night in the truck stop so with the long drive and messing with the camper, I was exhausted last night. Today will be a lay low, kick back day. Unfortunately we are having to keep a weather eye out on the skies. Hurricane Juaquin is going to affect us rain wise in the coming days. We'll know more by Sunday about when, where, and IF he makes landfall. This could be interesting....another adventure. One I don't care to experience if I can help it, thank you.

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❤️

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“Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;”

\nPsalm 98:7-8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-01T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/01/ocean.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/30/fog.html", "title": "Fog", "content_html": "\n
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For miles there were signs flashing over the highway...\"Dense Fog Ahead - Reduce Speed According To Weather\". As we climbed the mountain, the heavens opened and the wipers couldn't keep up. I couldn't figure out which was worse...pulling off the side of the road and risk being hit or ride along as best I could keeping the truck in front of me in my view. At least if I kept a safe distance from his flashing tail lights, I could be pretty sure we'd be safe.

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Sometimes life is like that drive over the mountain. Scary, unpredictable, stormy...like driving blindfolded. Yesterday, my friend was an excellent co-pilot keeping a close eye out for hazards coming up, watching the GPS, the road atlas, and the Weather Channel simultaneously. As we drove over that scary mountain, we talked about God. We talked about seeing the blessings He brings us in our day to day lives...recognizing the littlest things like a choice parking spot or a storm holding off till you are under shelter. We are so quick to seek His assistance when things run amok. But we tend to forget to thank Him for the sunshine and that good parking spot. Let me tell you, we were both grateful to pull off the road for the night at 7:30. And we each thanked Him for getting us there safely.

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❤️❤️

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“then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.”

\nDeuteronomy 11:14-15\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-30T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/30/fog.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/29/almost-heaven.html", "title": "Almost Heaven!", "content_html": "\n
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Ahhhhhh....this is exactly what I've been waiting for. Camping in the dense woods of West Virginia. We are a little too early in the season for the good colors. I'm thinking it'll be better next week on our way back through. I love the sound of the wind in the trees and the varied wildlife in the area. We stopped today at Tamarack, a beautiful building featuring gorgeous items handcrafted by some of the best artisans of our fair state. We ate in their restaurant....fried green tomato sandwiches! Yummmm! We headed back on the road and stopped for the night in Little Beaver State Park not far from Beckley.

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Our goal is to drive over to New River Gorge this morning. The road down into the gorge is far too steep to take TOW-Wanda, so we unhooked last night before dark and we'll be ready. We'll decide today where we want to camp next. This is one of the best things about traveling a girlfriend. She and I both have the same sense of adventure and spontaneity. It's fun having company to share the experience, she's a good navigator, and we can split the expenses making it much more affordable. We get along great and we know each other well enough we can tell the other when we need a break without hurt feelings.

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Day one done. What's next?

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❤️

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“The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

\nGenesis 2:9\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-29T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/29/almost-heaven.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/28/bohemian.html", "title": "Bohemian", "content_html": "\n
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I have a gal pal that I hang out with a lot. We enjoy traveling together because we like the same things, we get along well, and what one doesn't think of to get into, the other one does. OMGosh! If we would have been real life sisters, our mom wouldn't have stood a chance. It's probably a good thing we DIDN'T know each other growing up...it could have been trouble. Then again, I'll bet anything my life would have been different!

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We've been planning a trip to Myrtle Beach for months. And now that it's getting close to going, we can't stand to wait so we're leaving early. It started out one day early. Then three. And now, it's five! Oh heck, we're leaving today instead of Friday. Cannot wait because there is nothing like pulling out on the open road, your house tagging right along behind you, a full tank of gas, a cup of coffee, a road map, and a partner in crime. With absolutely no schedule!

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Yep, this is my life! I'll send you postcards!!!

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❤️

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“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”

\nPsalm 45:1\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-28T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/28/bohemian.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/24/free-spirit.html", "title": "Free Spirit", "content_html": "\n
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Today is a big day for me. Today marks one year living as a Wandering Road Queen! I closed on my house and traded in little TOW-Wanda for TOW-Wanda Grande and three days later I hit the road. What an amazing year this has been. Living on the family farm in the camper for three months, house sitting for six weeks in an old Victorian, then back into the camper on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River till May. The Nelsonville Music Festival was a great way to start off the summer before I headed to Colorado for three months for lots of summer fun. The Black Hills of South Dakota rounded out that segment then I headed for West Virginia arriving just before Labor Day.

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I've learned a lot this year. I've met lots of really cool people. I've seen lots of really cool places. I've done lots of really cool things. I've heard more live music this year than I have in all my life. I've learned I'm much, much stronger than I ever dreamed I was. I lived with no running water for 5 months with -25 wind chill. I navigated a difficult relationship with as much dignity and grace as I could muster and came out speaking to each other still. I realized I can live a dream, I can lose a dream, and I can change to a new dream. I discovered just how young 62 feels. I learned new skills and revived old ones. I learned to kayak. I got back on my bike. I took pickleball lessons.

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I LIVED.

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I spent years...decades of my life knowing this Free Spirit was within me. This year she came out to play. This year was a huge year of growth.
Thank you GOD for letting me live this beautiful life! Thank you Ranchers for riding shotgun and sending your beautiful prayers and love light to shine on my path.

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Here's to a new year on the road!!!

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❤️

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“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”

\nExodus 6:6\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-24T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/24/free-spirit.html", "tags": ["Camping","Growth","Gratitude","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/22/hindsight.html", "title": "Hindsight", "content_html": "\n

You know the saying...\"Hindsight is 20/20\"? I had an interaction with a husband at the Country Living Fair that initially set my teeth on edge but now that I've had time to think about it, I wish I would have handled it differently. So, here's an open letter to that husband. (I know not all husbands are like this, but there are many who are. If you aren't, good on you. If you are, listen up!)

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Dear Husband,

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The other day when you were looking at our trailers at Country Living Fair, you overheard us talking about Sisters on the Fly. You were puzzled when we said we go without men.

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\"But, you NEED a man to pull something that big!\"

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\"It's only 19 feet.\" I replied. \"I pull a 30 footer all by myself.\"

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\"Well, MY wife couldn't do that. She needs me to do those things for her!\"

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Sigh.

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My initial response was incredulity (carefully hidden, of course) that you didn't think your wife could do anything. Then I looked over at her peeking in the trailer with a serene smile on her face. How could she stand to be treated this way? That's when it hit me. She knows you better than I do. You didn't seem an aggressive, bullying sort. Your reaction seemed more chivalrous than controlling. I realize now that she understands your love language. Your way of expressing your love for her is to do \"manly\" things for her so you feel useful. Her love language for you is to let you feel like the knight in shining armor. But, there's an inherent danger in this that neither of you may realize.

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What happens when the knight in shining armor falls off his horse or dies? Who's going to take care of the little woman after you're gone? Believe me, I have talked with hundreds of women whose grief is compounded by their fear because they don't know how to do anything \"manly\". Yes, in 2015! With that in mind, let me offer you some friendly advise.

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1) If you truly love your wife, wouldn't you want her to feel strong and capable to do anything in case something happens to you and you can't do it or if you die and leave her alone? Make sure she knows how to operate the tools and machinery necessary to care for her home and vehicle should she need to.

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2) If you have a travel trailer or motorhome, make sure she knows how to hookup and unhook, back up, operate everything, and drive or tow. You might throw your back out flipping burgers or you might drop dead of a heart attack. She needs to know how to get out of a mess. She also might want to continue the RV lifestyle after you are gone and it will be so much easier for her to make that decision if she is armed with knowledge.

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3) Please don't be threatened if she wants to go off with the girls pulling her little trailer behind her. She needs her sisters...her tribe. Because there may come a time when you aren't there for her and she is going to need all the support, love, strength, courage, and encouragement she can get. Sisters on the Fly is just one of the options she has to get that support from other women. She NEEDS this...don't deprive her by your own insecurity. Trust me, we don't sit around the campfire and talk bad about you. We sit around the campfire and talk about the best kind of chainsaw to get or which truck has the best rear axle ratio for towing or how to make the best martini or any number of subjects. Or we just laugh ourselves silly over anything that strikes our funny bone. The last thing we want to do on our down time is to bash you. Ain't nobody got time for that!

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4) We've got badges to earn. We want to learn how to cook in a Dutch oven or ride a horse or fly fish. We have stuff to do. Girl stuff. Stuff you don't understand. We need to decorate our trailers. You have a man cave? We have \"She Sheds\". Don't have a nutty if we want to paint the wood interior pastel colors and hang a chandelier and lace curtains. Or decorate it like a 50's diner or a cowgirl's bunkhouse. To you, it's just camping. To us, it's the playhouse of our dreams. Our sanctuary. Our safe place. Our path to girlhood. And trust me on this as well...we are infinitely more willing to participate in life with you when we've had a little girl time. If you are a smart man, and I know you are, you will understand this and not make your wife feel bad for leaving you and the kids and the dog behind for a few days. It won't kill you to warm up mac and cheese or a frozen pizza. And remember, \"Happy wife, happy life.\"

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Life is short, guys. Statistics show you die before us gals. Please understand, we are capable creatures. We know how to do stuff. We may make you think we don't or can't, but most of us do and can. All we need is the skill set needed and we can do anything we want. Really.

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Sincerely,

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The Widow Who Knows

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❤️

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\"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.\"

\nMatthew 7:12\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-22T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/22/hindsight.html", "tags": ["Family","Strong Women","Camping","Courage","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/21/harvest-time.html", "title": "Harvest Time", "content_html": "\n
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This is the season of richness. An abundant harvest is the reward for many hours invested during the summer months. Autumn is a beautiful time of year anywhere, but especially in the east. I just spent three great days with three great gals...all camping women. And we spent those days encouraging women to go places and do things. By encouraging others, we ourselves were given a boost in our own enthusiasm for traveling in our campers.

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I shared my story of losing Mr. Virgo to a sudden heart attack while looking at a camper to buy for retirement fun. People were amazed that I live in my camper full time....alone. There were so many women there in the autumn of life who were searching for something. Freedom. Adventure. Excitement. Change. Encouragement. Empowerment. Permission. Joy. To see their eyes light up when they saw the campers. To see them get the affirmation they needed when they saw this curvy, 60-something, very hip Nana who pulls a 30' camper all by herself. To see them realize they can be GIRLS again. That was priceless. That is their reward for tending the gardens of their lives through the growing years. Now it's time to reap a little fun out of life.

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❤️

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\"You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.\"

\nPsalm 65:11-13\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-21T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/21/harvest-time.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Aging","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/19/country-living-fair.html", "title": "Country Living Fair", "content_html": "\n
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What a beautiful day! A perfect fall day spent wandering around the Ohio State Fairgrounds, marveling at the beautifully handcrafted items and the glorious displays of antiques. I especially enjoyed the Kentucky Deep Dish Blackberry Cobbler a la Mode and coffee I had for breakfast while I visited with three of the coolest gals from Charlotte. They drove all that way just to come to the Country Living Fair! And it was well worth it. If you ever get a chance, go! I went to the one in Nashville in the Spring. Although comparable, the Nashville show had more clothes. Those southern girls LOVE their clothes!!! One of the best treats yesterday was getting to visit Girl Camper extraordinaire, Janine Pettit. A fellow camper, Janine has been a Girl Camping Ambassador for years. She has an amazing website and podcast as well as a regular post on the blog on GoRVing.

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You may remember, Janine did the first story in her \"Brave Camper Girl\" series on me back in the spring. She's a real dynamo! We're cooking up a little collaboration I'll let you in on when we get closer. I tell you what, though...I have found my calling! I was put on this earth to talk to people and tell stories. I sat and helped Janine visit with people who came by the RV displays and to see these great women of camping. I love, love, LOVE it! Now I just need to figure out how to get someone to PAY me for it.

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❤️

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\"But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.\"

\nIsaiah 32:8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-19T01:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/19/country-living-fair.html", "tags": ["Camping","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/03/listen.html", "title": "Listen", "content_html": "\n
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When I travel anymore, I don't usually make reservations. I prefer to listen and go where I'm told. Yesterday was a long day of driving, battling gusty winds through the breadbasket of America. When the light began to change in the west, I started listening to my heart. I was watching for signs for RV parks, but we were way out in open, rolling farmland with few commercial venues. My eye kept being drawn off to the right when I suddenly heard that faint whisper...\"Go there!\"

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A mile from the highway was a small sign that read Lake Storey Campground. We pulled in, got an electric only site for $14, hooked up, and had leftovers from lunch. The sky was turning pink when I told my travel buddy I thought there was a lake nearby. We walked down a gravel path through a canopy of trees when suddenly there was a clearing and...BAM! God started showing off! We caught the most gorgeous sunset ever...all because I listened.

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Where does that voice take you?

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❤️

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\"At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.\"

\nLuke 4:4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-03T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/03/listen.html", "tags": ["Faith","Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/01/patience.html", "title": "Patience", "content_html": "\n
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My travel friend and I broke camp yesterday morning, had breakfast with the camp hosts, then headed for a day of sightseeing around Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore. As we were heading into the Wildlife Loop, we came to an abrupt stop at the first tunnel. No one was coming out of the narrow one-lane passage and there were several cars and a couple dozen people standing there looking in. I looked around and there were obviously frustrated people throwing up their hands and motioning for people to get out of the way. They were this close to honking, I swear. So, we realized there had to be more to this story than we could see.

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I jumped out, camera in hand, and headed for the opening to the tunnel and caught this family of mountain goats deciding whether or not they were going to fight the car to get to the other side. My friend jumped out and headed for the opposite side of the parking area to catch the views. We met back at the car in five minutes and excitedly shared what we had seen...all while others were still shaking their fists at each other over this inconvenience.

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The moral of this story is, you're on vacation. Breathe. Look beyond what's right under your nose...you never know what you're going to be blessed with!

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❤️

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\"The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.\"

\nEcclesiastes 7:8-9\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-01T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/01/patience.html", "tags": ["Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/27/just-checking-in.html", "title": "Just Checking In", "content_html": "\n

Checking in...great thunderstorm last night. Rained all morning but now it's clearing. Today we are on our own till 4:00 when we have a trailer tour and Poker Run. Then wood fired pizza tonight. Tomorrow is a big day of touring. This campground reminds me of the kind of place you always wanted to go to summer camp at as a kid. Very cool! Hugs...talk to you later!!! ❤️

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-27T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/27/just-checking-in.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/26/down-time.html", "title": "Down Time", "content_html": "\n

I arrived at the campground safe and sound at 6:00 last night. I've decided this week is my vacation. There are going to be close to 100 Sisters on the Fly here by this evening. Cell service and Wi-Fi are spotty so...love to you all. I may check in periodically but I'm going to let my hair down and celebrate being alive! Why don't you all do the same, and we'll come back together next week and compare notes?

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Hugs!
Ginny

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-26T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/26/down-time.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/18/portability.html", "title": "Portability", "content_html": "\n
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I've lived in a travel trailer for the last two and a half years now...about one and a half years were part time and now fourteen months full time. I took off mid-day and arrived at my campsite about 5:30. I had a lot of housekeeping things to do when I disconnected like emptying my tanks. It's not the most fun thing to do but I don't mind it that much. It's a price you pay for living this lifestyle. I have electric where I stay in Denver. And I can fill my freshwater tank so I have water. But there's no sewer connection. So, when the tank is full, I have to hookup and tow to a dump station. Since I was camping at an RV park last night with full hookups, I took advantage and did everything there.

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While emptying tanks is a disadvantage, having your house with you when you travel is awesome. I pulled into a beautiful overlook this afternoon to use the facilities in my trailer. No public rest stop or service station bathroom! As I was preparing to go back out to the truck I thought, \"You know...a nap sounds pretty good right now!\" So I stretched out and took a little snooze. When I got up, I rummaged around in the kitchen and found a snack. Once I got here and disconnected the trailer, did my chores, and hooked up the utilities, I cooked supper. I went out to eat at the picnic table and some friends of mine walked by on their way to meet someone at the restaurant on the property. They stopped for a brief visit. That was such a treat! I enjoyed watching the clouds as the sun was setting. Then I went in and cleaned the kitchen and took a good, hot shower. Living like this is amazing. I am parked by a river, in a canyon, with eagles soaring overhead. I mean, really...I'll empty a black water tank once in awhile to have this life!

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❤️

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\"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free....\"

\nGalatians 5:13\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/18/portability.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/13/travel-iehome-is-where-i.html", "title": "Travel. ie...Home is Where I Park It", "content_html": "\n
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I have several RV pages that I follow here on FB. Some are about decorating your trailer. Others are helpful tips for the care and maintenance of your home on wheels. Some are for girl campers and glamping and vintage campers. I read a heartbreaking account on one of them yesterday. A gentleman had been full timing with his wife for nine years. They came home from a trip and she left him a note saying she was leaving and don't contact her. Then he subsequently learned she had passed away. He is trying to carry on the lifestyle, but feels like something is missing. It's just not as fun when you're alone. He is contemplating selling his motorhome when he gets home from this trip. I felt compelled to respond and tell him my story. I encouraged him to hang onto the motorhome and get out there and meet people. To give himself time to heal a little before he chucks it all.

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I totally get where he's coming from. I have lived part time for a year and a half and full time for the last year in my little home on wheels. I love it. I love the freedom and portability. I love the low cost life it affords me. I love the flexibility the lifestyle offers. I don't mind going places alone. I'm not afraid to travel alone. But, more and more lately, I find myself wishing I could share that view with someone special. I wish I had someone to talk to over the campfire or someone to look at the atlas and say, \"Hey...let's go there!\" It's coming. I can feel it. But it's not here yet.

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We travel...not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. We travel to learn...to grow...to experience...to breathe...to live. I may not have much in the form of money or worldly goods, but my life is enriched by every experience, every new vista, and every new face I meet along the highways and byways of this beautiful land. I am wealthy beyond all expectations!

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❤️

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\"Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?\"

\nAmos 3:3\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-13T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/13/travel-iehome-is-where-i.html", "tags": ["Camping","Aging","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/06/perfect-summer-day.html", "title": "Perfect Summer Day", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was a perfect day! The girls and I took a ride through a beautiful high country meadow overlooking a lake. The sun was shining, the temps were mild, the horses were amazing creatures, and my grandchildren had a wonderful time. They thanked me and asked when we could do it again…when can we come to Steamboat again? That is the true mark of a successful adventure!

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We drove to town and checked out some shops. Little starts riding lessons soon so she got pink cowboy boots. That was exciting! We came back to the camper for quiet time. Hot dogs for dinner. Then we played a game of Minion Monopoly. Big was so funny. Little was giving her a hard time for taking all her money and a property. Big looked at her and said, \"Hey, it's business…I'm just trying to make a living here!\" OMGosh…my ribs hurt from laughing so hard!

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We ended the night with s'mores and a movie. Thus ending a perfect summer day.

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I'm so in love with my life! ❤️

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\"‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ”

\nPsalm 89:4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-06T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/06/perfect-summer-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/05/camp-towwanda-day.html", "title": "Camp TOW-Wanda - Day 4", "content_html": "\n
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Another successful day of fun with these awesome girls! Today was the day when they found their voices with me. I've always lived at least 3 hours away from them…sometimes further. There have been times when I didn't see them for months at a time so me living on the road doesn't change things between us. It always takes a few days of us being off on our own for them to open up and start talking. And when they do, it is such fun! Their words tumble over each other as they fight to tell me everything that's going on. That's when we put down the electronics, turn off the radio, and regale each other with stories. It's a priceless time that I treasure in the months I am away from them. I may not be with them all the time, but the time we have together is epic and memorable.

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There was one little glitch yesterday. It was only 55 when we were out on the lake! It wasn't as much fun as it could have been but the girls were troopers. Big refused to fish, but she did crafts which was an acceptable alternative. Little fished her heart out and logically surmised all the other tourists had caught all the fish so that's why she didn't catch any. There were none left. I love this girl's concrete thinking! After boating, we relaxed a while then headed to town and soaked a few hours in the hot springs. It was wonderful! A movie after dinner and it was another successful day at Camp TOW-Wanda! Today we are going horseback riding then home tomorrow. Epic!

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❤️

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Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

\nProverbs 22:6\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-05T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/05/camp-towwanda-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/03/fail.html", "title": "Fail", "content_html": "\n
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I've failed as a Nana. This morning over breakfast, I told my grand daughters that today my goal was to make sure they were absolutely miserable. Under no circumstances were they to have fun…at all! They laughed at silly Nana. We went to the Glenwood Adventure Park to ride the rides. The country's highest altitude roller coaster is there. This picture was taken a couple hundred yards below that coaster and look how tiny the interstate is below.

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I may or may not have peed my pants on said roller coaster. You will never know. ? We did the Alpine Coaster…as close to bobsledding as you'll likely do. We did the little family coaster, as well as these swings that are attached to something like a merry go round. When they really get going, you're flying out over the edge of the canyon wall and looking down 1030 feet to the interstate below. OMGosh! I think I may have uttered some words that I had to apologize to my grandchildren for!

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We had lunch on the veranda then went to the Hot Springs Pool. We ended the evening at my favorite Mexican restaurant with fried ice cream for dessert. The girls laughed and poked fun at me and told me I failed miserably…because they really HAD fun…and lots of it!

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Score for Nana! Camp TOW-Wanda was well received on Day 2! Today we head to a more remote area and I have no idea what my cell service or WiFi scenario will be so if you don't hear from me, don't worry…I'll be back!

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❤️

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\"Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.\"

\nProverbs 17:6\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-03T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/03/fail.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/02/badlands.html", "title": "Badlands", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was a LONG day. It took longer to get going in the morning because we were hooked up to sewer and water. Then we went to Wall Drug and dinked around in there for awhile. Had breakfast then headed for the Badlands. It was beautiful but looked very much like the western slope of Colorado where I've lived since 1986. My traveling companion was mesmerized, however. This is her first trip out west and she is really getting to see some beautiful country!

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After the quickie tour of the Badlands, we hit the road, stopping in Mitchell, SD to see the Corn Palace. I had no idea what to expect except that the exterior changes from year to year. We were very disappointed because we thought we'd get some corn-on-the-cob or something! lol I had no idea it was a venue for concerts and basketball games.

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We drove through rain in eastern South Dakota and finally stopped for the night in Sioux Falls at a convenient, clean campground (Tower Campground) but it backed right onto the interstate so there was quite a lot of traffic noise. We are 15.5 driving hours from home. It's going to be a long couple of days.

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❤️

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\"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.\"

\nProverbs 3:24\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-02T06:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/02/badlands.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/02/memories.html", "title": "Memories", "content_html": "\n
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Making memories...it's what we do every day, whether we mean to or not. Sometimes we have choices and we can make beautiful memories intentionally. Yesterday was one of those days. As a matter of fact, this whole week will hopefully be filled with wonderful memories that my grandchildren will tell their kids about. We're off to a pretty good start.

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After a very long five hour drive, we got our campsite set up. We had a little quiet time then headed to Carbondale for dinner at a traditional '50s style diner. The kids really enjoyed that. After dinner, we went to Redstone and met two of their seven grandparents for live music and dancing. I love blended families when they work together with love for the kids and grandkids...and for each other. We all sat together and loved on the kids and visited. What a wonderful example for the children. I'm very proud of us.

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While we sat and listened to music, my older grand daughter and I made lanyards. Who remembers camp and all the great arts and crafts you did? Well, this is Camp TOW-Wanda! We have coloring books and colored pencils, pipe cleaners, friendship bracelets, Minions Monopoly, fishing, boating, hiking, campfires, s'mores, weenie roasts, swimming, adventure park rides, horseback riding, and a rodeo to do by the time we head home on Thursday. Then....shhhhhh, don't tell the kids, but we're all going to see Kelly Clarkson and Pentatonix in concert Thursday night!

\n\n\n

Does Nana know how to plan a camping trip or what????

\n\n\n

❤️

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\n

\"So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.\"

\nGenesis 13:8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-02T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/02/memories.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Wisdom","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/20/be-wild.html", "title": "Be Wild!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I spent some time this weekend planning the last two excursions for the Colorado trip. First will be a week with the grand daughters off in the camper. I want them to have great memories of camping with Nana so we're going to do a number of fun activities. An adventure park, a pool, fishing on a pontoon boat, a rodeo, campfires, s'mores, hikes, and counting the stars. I want them to have an appreciation of the great outdoors. The second trip will be with one of my West Virginia friends. Camping in Colorado is on her bucket list. She texted me yesterday and said, \"Hey! The Grand Canyon is only 5 hours from where we'll be. Let's go!\" I'm like \"Are you kidding me??? We won't find a campsite within 200 miles of there! You have to plan that a year in advance!\" Then I checked and the very first campground I checked, a KOA, had an opening for one night…the night we could go. Get out! So, we're going to the Grand Canyon…in August…you know, when it's really HOT! THAT'LL be fun! Thank God it's a full hookup site so we can have AC and unlimited showers! And my friend gets to check something else off her bucket list.

\n\n\n

The thing is…you have to be wild….as in unrestrained by reason or prudence…free. You have to be able to say \"Hey…what's another five hours? I want to see the Grand Canyon!\" And then…go DO that.

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"…I made the widow’s heart sing.\"

\nJob 29:13\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-20T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/20/be-wild.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/14/towwanda-grande.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda Grande", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I've had the big trailer for 9 months now. She's 29'5\" from the hitch to the spare tire on the back. That's long when you're used to 16'. Add the truck and I'm a good 42' long with a topper and a kayak. I'm definitely haulin'!

\n\n\n

This life isn't for everybody. I've had women drop their jaw when they learn I live full time in this thing. Most men want to give me a high five. I tried explaining to someone how I don't like sleeping inside houses now because they make me feel claustrophobic. It's not the SIZE…it's the idea of being cooped up in one spot. I feel sorry for people whose views never change. They don't know the joy of taking off on vacation and packing everything you own. You literally have everything you need right behind you. I love traveling and pulling over at lunch time to fix something to eat, stretching out for a little siesta, then heading back out on the open road.

\n\n\n

I am a vagabond. A meanderer. I live a bohemian life. But I am a realist. There are a few drawbacks to living like this. Gas isn't cheap so if you can spend long stretches of time in one spot it sure helps the budget. This reduces the wear and tear on both your vehicle and your camper. There's not a ton of storage so I have a rule…if something comes in, something else has to go out. The sinks and countertops and stovetop are lower than those in a conventional sticks and bricks home and believe it or not, that discourages me from cooking sometimes. It's just awkward. The wastewater tanks have to be emptied when you're dry docked, as I am a good portion of the time. That means hooking this monstrosity up and hauling it across town to the nearest RV dump. And, because it's so big and hooking up is such a chore, I am far less likely to take off and go on a spontaneous adventure.

\n\n\n

That being said…it's mine. I own it, lock stock and memory foam mattress and the security of that alone makes everything else worthwhile. Yes, I love my life…my little house on wheels.

\n\n\n

God Bless this Trailer Home!

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.\"

\nHebrews 11:9-10\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/14/towwanda-grande.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Gratitude","goRVing","Downsizing","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/05/goodbye-old-friends.html", "title": "Goodbye, old friends!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Twenty years ago, a group of us were going to go whitewater rafting on the Colorado River on Memorial Day. I had never rafted before and was told I needed good, waterproof, strap-on sandals to wear. I bought a pair of Chacos and absolutely loved them! They have terrific arch support and are actually the only sandals that keep me from getting plantar fasciitis flares. I have worn this pair for twenty years, every day that's warm enough to let my toes out. The soles are finally worn nearly through and after this last trip, I noticed the sole is cracking. I fixed it with Super Glue, but really…it's only a matter of time before they fall apart. I know it's crazy, but I have a tremendous emotional attachment to these shoes. They embody summer to me. And they are literally molded by my feet. But, they have to go…when something comes into the camper, something goes out!

\n\n\n

So, goodbye old friends! You have served me well, carrying me over many comfortable miles! Thank you…and thanks to Chaco for building a fine quality, long-lasting product. Definitely worth the price!

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of an artist’s hands.\"

\nSong of Solomon 7:1\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/05/goodbye-old-friends.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/03/adventurers.html", "title": "Adventurers!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I absolutely surprised the heck out of myself this trip. I haven't slept in a tent in 35 years and even then it wasn't a terribly successful endeavor. It was with Hubby #2, it was late June, and we were setting up a little two man tent in the snow on Wolf Creek Pass. I blew up two little air mattresses that I insisted on having only to stick a fork in one and proclaim that one as HIS. It was cold, we had poor equipment, and I did not have fun. Along about 11:00 when I was praying I'd fall asleep, a car pulled up and turned off the engine and lights. No doors opening and closing. No sound at all. I got brave enough to look out and in was a small motor home. I informed hubby #2 if he ever wanted to get me alone in the woods again, it would be in one of those. We never got alone in the woods again.

\n\n\n

So, tent camping left a bad taste in my mouth and I've sworn I would never do it again. Then my truck broke down. And a tent seemed like a viable, albeit TENTATIVE solution. Voila! Little did I know I'd love it! Now, instead of changing the whole living situation and getting two smaller campers…I think I'll just invest in a little higher quality sleeping bag and a couple more comfort things and take off with my tent anytime the urge strikes me! Win-Win!!!!!

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.\"

\nHebrews 11:9\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/03/adventurers.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Be Joyful!","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/02/getting-lost.html", "title": "Getting Lost", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Lost Lake Campground is located high up Kebler Pass. Many years ago, Mr. Virgo and I stopped her for lunch and were run off by the campground host as we weren't camping…just out for a drive. I always swore I'd come back but I couldn't remember how to get there. I was meandering along through the woods yesterday and felt that familiar nudge I get when Mr. Virgo's trying to get me to do something.

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\"Watch for it. Watch for it.\"

\n\n\n

\"Ok, Ok…I'm watching! What am I watching for?\"

\n\n\n

\"Turn. Turn up the hill.\"

\n\n\n

\"Ok.\"

\n\n\n

Sure enough, 1/4 mile up the road was the turnoff. It seemed familiar but I still wasn't sure where I was going. Two miles out the dirt road, there it was! That beautiful, glassy green water reflecting the mountains beyond. I pulled over and sat on a rock to take in the views. I had no intention of staying there overnight. I need to get back to Denver because my truck is ready.

\n\n\n

\"Would you like to stay with us tonight?\"

\n\n\n

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I turned to see the camp host standing nearby.

\n\n\n

\"We only have one opening.\"

\n\n\n

I heard Mr. Virgo whisper….\"Stay, baby doll. Stay.\"

\n\n\n

\"Yes…yes, I'll take that spot. Where's the nearest cell service so I can let folks know where I am?\"

\n\n\n

\"You can go down the road to Paonia. They have cell service. Do you have a card?\" she smiled.

\n\n\n

\"Card?\" I asked.

\n\n\n

\"Are you 62?\" she asked tentatively.

\n\n\n

\"Why yes! I turned 62 two weeks ago!\"

\n\n\n

\"Well, while you're in town, go to the National Forest Service office and get your Senior Pass. Best $10 you'll ever spend. Your entry fee will be waived at all National Parks and your camping fees at Federal Campgrounds will be half off!\"

\n\n\n

Score!!! So, I'm out of the loop, off the grid, lost in the hills. Just one night…but a great night!

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/02/getting-lost.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Fun","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/28/tent-camping.html", "title": "Tent Camping", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Ok, it's probably been 35 years since I slept in a tent. It was quite the adventure. In all actuality, I slept fairly well. I made sure the food was locked up in the car and I slept with my gun within reach, especially since the camp host said there are bears there regularly. I woke up once during the night to use the facilities and it was a bright enough moon to see so I wasn't worried. The lady in the campsite next to me just marveled that I camp alone. Gosh, it wasn't like I was alone. The campground I stayed at had eight loops so there were plenty of people there.

\n\n\n

It was a really long day though. I was up early and made it to Montrose in time to meet one of our fellow Ranchers for lunch. I was thinking of stopping at Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgeway but by the time I got there it was 93 degrees. I just could not make myself go in. I did stop in Ouray at Mouse's Chocolates…my all time favorite candy store. Then I hightailed it to Durango to take the yoga class my friend teaches. Afterwards we had dinner then came to her house. I saw some incredible scenery driving through the mountains today. God's country!

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❤

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\n

\"He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.\"

\nJob 26:8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/28/tent-camping.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/26/exhausted.html", "title": "Exhausted", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

It took me 12 hours but I finally got here! What a day!

\n\n\n

I need to give this a lot of thought. I'm beginning to wonder if this trailer is just way too big. It's not that I can't handle a rig this size. Pulling and parking aren't a problem. But I can't be ruining a vehicle by towing this behemoth. I've missed little TOW-Wanda almost from the get go. I bought the big one with the idea it would be parked on the farm and remain fairly stationary. The little trailer was so easy to just up and go somewhere. I am finding myself far less inclined to take off and camp for a weekend when it means hauling this 'house' around. I could sell it and buy two smaller trailers. One for CO and one for WV. That way I wouldn't have to drag it across the country. Or just one that better fits my needs. I don't know…it's just something I'm giving thought to. I swear, at this rate I'm going to own my bike, my kayak, and a duffle bag!

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.\"

\nProverbs 13:12\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/26/exhausted.html", "tags": ["Colorado","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Choices","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/25/git-yer-motor-runninhead-out.html", "title": "Git Yer Motor Runnin'…Head Out on the Highway!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Oh, how I love a road trip! There's always so much to do to prepare though. It was SO hot and muggy yesterday. I had no choice but to empty the back of the truck and take the heavy items into the garage where I am staying. I'll go through it all when I get back. Most of the weight comes from my tools for jewelry making. When I get back from this trip, I should have some time to make some jewelry.

\n\n\n

We had a terrible storm in Denver right at rush hour with funnel clouds, golf ball sized hail, and flash floods but, thank God, it skirted around us. That is my biggest fear living in my camper. I'm praying for good travel weather as I leave today.

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I don't know what kind of cell service or wifi I will have in the next week so my posts may be sporadic. I'll write as I can and post pictures of the beauty of Colorado in the summer. Take care and I'll see you soon!

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.”

\nNumbers 10:35-36\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/25/git-yer-motor-runninhead-out.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/24/getting-ready-to-roll.html", "title": "Getting Ready to Roll!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

After a quick trip to the mountains this past weekend for Strawberry Days, I am preparing to hit the road for my mid-summer break. I got the cover on my kayak to protect it from the sun. It will be stored on my truck most of the time anyway so I needed to protect it since UV light kills kayaks. Next, I need to get a bunch of the stuff out of the back of the truck and reduce my load. I'll be heading out Thursday. I'll be going back through Glenwood to Ridgeway then over the Dallas Divide to Durango for a few days. I'll be camping there with one of my dearest friends with a dual goal in mind…catching up and discussing my book. It's time to get it published and move on to the next thing. Now that I have the majority of my downsizing out of the way, I have more free time to devote to writing and redeveloping my web presence. But first….some much needed R&R. Just peace, and quiet, and water, and a good book. Maybe a little fishing. Sigh.

\n\n\n

I did something SO fun yesterday! I got a private message from one of our fellow \"Ranchers\" last week asking me if I would be interested in meeting her for coffee. Since she lives near IKEA, and I needed to return something there, we met in the cafeteria and visited for two hours. It was not only fun, it was touching and oh so humbling to know this gal has been reading my blog for TWO YEARS! Thank you for the invite, Konnie…I had a blast!

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’ ” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.\"

\n1 Samuel 20:42\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/24/getting-ready-to-roll.html", "tags": ["Colorado","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/17/wanderlust.html", "title": "Wanderlust", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I've got it again. There's a festival in the mountains this weekend. I think I might run up there and catch some live music and a funnel cake! I'm making plans for my next big trip. I'm leaving 6/26 for a circuit of Colorado. I'm visiting family and friends, hitting a music festival in Snowmass, then heading to my friend's place overlooking Mesa Verde. We're going to discuss my book and push to get it published this year. I need to be back in Denver by the 3rd for a concert I bought tickets for two months ago. I'll be free till the kids return on the 8th from their vacation then I will have my babies for a week. The next month will fly by!

\n\n\n

I bought a pickleball paddle today! I'm looking for a place where I can learn this fun game. People everywhere are playing it. It's a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong played with a paddle and a wiffleball. It's played on a court half the size of a regular tennis court. Boomers are doing it because it's easier on the knees. It's something I can learn to play and take anywhere. Low investment. High yield of fun!

\n\n\n

I love living in this camper. It's as close to living outside as I can get and still have walls and a roof around me. I am living on two acres, parked between the shed and the garden. I can lay in bed at night and hear the trains passing through. You would hardly know I'm really only about a half mile from a very busy intersection in a major suburb of Denver. I'm very comfortable here. I am most appreciative of my son-in law's parents for allowing me to stay here for the summer.

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home.\"

\nProverbs 27:8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/17/wanderlust.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/04/stormy-weather.html", "title": "Stormy Weather", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Wouldn't you know it? I drove through the worst rain of my life when I moved to West Virginia in October. Up till yesterday, the roads were dry. I left Columbia around 10:00am and I didn't go five miles before the skies opened up and it was shades of October all over again. It rained hard till I got to the west of Kansas City. Then I started getting notices on my cell phone of severe storms hitting Denver and heading east. When I got to Hays, Kansas they were under a tornado watch till 2:00 this morning. There were no campsites till Goodland, KS (which is closer to the storms) so I decided to stay last night in a motel. Better to be safe than sorry. As it turned out, the storms turned north.

\n\n\n

I should be cruising into Denver by mid afternoon. I can't wait to see my kids and grandkids!!! And, at the same time, I'm missing my West Virginia friends and family already. I'm missing the river. My heart is in two places.

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”

\nGenesis 48:11\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/04/stormy-weather.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/03/moonrise.html", "title": "Moonrise", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Too bad this photo doesn't do last night's moonrise justice but I had to take it with my cell phone. My good camera is under the couch in the back of the camper and just wasn't accessible. It was a beauty!

\n\n\n

I stayed the night near Columbia, Missouri last night. I'll probably shoot for western Kansas tomorrow night to avoid severe storms predicted for tomorrow evening then slide on into Denver Thursday. I've been amazed how light the truck traffic has been but wait till tomorrow. It's always bad in Kansas. Things are going smoothly. I took a break midway to see the Lincoln family cabin. Tourist services told me how to get there. It was about 20 miles off the highway. When I got there it was closed which was disappointing. I got back on the highway and just kept on going.

\n\n\n

Feeling good, the truck and trailer are operating well, gas is a full dollar cheaper than when I came out in October and I'm getting one whole mile per gallon more than the last trip across country. My iTunes is keeping me occupied and the occasional phone call. Life is sweet!

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.\"

\nProverbs 22:17-18\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/03/moonrise.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/02/good-morning-from-indiana.html", "title": "Good Morning from Indiana!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

I didn't sleep well Sunday night. Most people left the campground right after the music was over, but several stayed and some people took advantage of the empty field and drove ATVs around all night. So, needless to say, I slept sporadically.

\n\n\n

I was going to stay overnight last night with my friend in Troy, Ohio but she has been blessed with a ton of real estate business so I'll visit with her on my way back. I drove till 2:00 in the afternoon then pulled into a rest area for a 2 hour nap. I drove for another couple of hours before stopping for the night. As I have done in the past, I won't be revealing exactly where I am each day. This is to appease my safety conscious family and friends. But it's a very nice, clean, quiet, safe RV Resort just off the interstate. My adventure of the day was a yucky one. My black water tank was full and unfortunately was clogged so emptying it was a yucky chore. But I got it done. Thank God for the shower in this camper!

\n\n\n

I love to drive. I do some of my best thinking while I'm driving. One of my dearest friends asked me last night how it feels to be traveling alone again. I had so much company in the last few months that I was seldom really off by myself. And it's interesting. It's different this time. Not boring. Not really lonely. But I feel room in my life and in my heart. Not an emptiness like I felt before. Not an urgency to replace something I've lost to fill up that void either. No, this is different. I feel a space opening up in me. A place of peace…of ease…of calm. Like the soothing flow of a river after making it through rough water. I'm not sure what this is yet or what it means, but it feels good.

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.\"

\nEzekiel 36:26\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/02/good-morning-from-indiana.html", "tags": ["Travel","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Comfort","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/01/peace-love-rock-roll.html", "title": "Peace. Love. Rock \u0026 Roll!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Ok…that was just about the most fun weekend I've ever had. I know, I say that a lot but this was quite the experience. I took this panorama of the campground to give you some idea how huge this place was. Yesterday's music was awesome! Merle Haggard was the headliner and wrapped up the weekend. He did a great job. But, for me, the highlight was Brandi Carlile! OMGosh, she put on an absolutely amazing performance. And I came away with a new group that I'm looking forward to following…Elephant Revival. They are a Colorado based band and the lead vocalist is fabulous. Unfortunately, the two days they perform in Colorado this year are days I'm already booked.

\n\n\n

I feel so energized by this experience. There was such a good energy here. Everyone got along. Friendships were formed. I made new friends. I learned new music. It was peaceful. It was full of love and cooperation. I didn't see a single negative thing. The place was kept clean. A full 95% of the trash generated is being recycled! 95%! That is absolutely amazing!

\n\n\n

Everywhere I go I meet the most interesting and beautiful people. Tonga was a joy and she's connecting me with this really cool earth mother in Colorado. The guy in the coffee shop has read Marshmallow Ranch! I let the girls camping next to us use my power strip to charge their phones. They left us a gift of bread from the Farmer's Market.

\n\n\n

I'm so happy I don't watch TV or the news because my world is a beautiful place!

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

\nMark 9:50\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/01/peace-love-rock-roll.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Peace","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/05/30/tent-city.html", "title": "Tent City", "content_html": "\n
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This is amazing. Every day more people come and squeeze into any available space in the campground. I've never seen anything like it! I hope to get a panoramic view of the field tomorrow. Thank GOD it hasn't rained. This field isn't referred to as \"Mudville\" for nothing! We were brilliant…we selected the family camping area so it is really quiet. At least it is right now because the late show is still going on.

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I'm sitting outside my \"home\" as I write this. I'm trying to imagine. What if this was how we all HAD to live? Crammed together in a field. People living in makeshift tents, screen rooms, old buses and vans. Large, energy guzzling RVs and travel trailers like mine. What if this was our real home? Water and food would soon become an issue. As would sanitation. Rains would turn this lovely new-mown hay field into a boggy quagmire. Tempers would soon flair. The sense of peace and love and community created by the joint intention of the gathering would soon be lost…given away to fear and greed and envy. Fight or flight. You see it in third world countries every day. I experienced it in the jungles of Mexico many years ago.

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As I'm sitting here, I look at my \"home\" and I'm filled with humble gratitude. I am positively affluent! I have a clean, safe place to live. I am free to live wherever I choose. I am so very grateful for everything God has blessed me with. Truly.

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❤

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\n

\"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.\"

\nPsalm 47:1\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-05-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/05/30/tent-city.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Gratitude","Courage","Peaceful Moments","Downsizing","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/05/29/andit-begins.html", "title": "And...it Begins!", "content_html": "\n
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What a treasure it is to gather with a large variety of humans seeking the same goal. Four days of peace, music, and fun in the sun! The vibe is good...mellow. Reminiscent of the early outdoor concerts of the '60s. Aging hippies getting their groove on. Middle aged couples trying to recover a part of the dream. Days when they were filled with love and promise. Days before the pressures of life took away their ability to play. So here, they don their tie dye and walk barefoot, holding hands with hopeful love. And with the right portion of sun, sound, and sensual dancing, sparks are igniting the embers of a long, too cold winter. And it's summer!!! Young people smelling like patchouli and herbal refreshments, dreads, flowing gauzy skirts dancing with that sheer freedom youth allows. Little ones running around blowing bubbles and chasing balloons.

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A music festival thrusts you into a melting pot of humanity. It is an excellent opportunity to throw off that coat of conformity and allow you to fly...to allow you to be YOU!

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It just doesn't get much better than that. Celebrate life!

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❤

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\n

\"David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.\"

\n2 Samuel 6:5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-05-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/05/29/andit-begins.html", "tags": ["Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Aging","Presence","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/28/cedars-of-lebanon-state-park.html", "title": "Cedars of Lebanon State Park", "content_html": "\n
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TOW-Wanda Grande and Free-da!

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Ginny!

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Last night's campfire.

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Ernest Tubbs Recording Studio and Record Shop

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Great neon sign in Nashville!

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Cute little trailer converted into a food cart.

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Savannah Candy Company

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/28/cedars-of-lebanon-state-park.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/27/sisters-and.html", "title": "Sisters #1 and #2", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
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Well, this was a really fun week and hard to believe we're heading out on the road already. We'll stay in Kentucky tonight then on home tomorrow.

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We got to spend time with Maurrie and Becky…the original Sisters, of Sisters on the Fly. They are the greatest girls and I'm proud to be their Sister.

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I was interviewed yesterday for a story about brave girl campers. What an honor! I'll share it with you when it's been published. There may be an opportunity coming up that I'll let you in on once the details are worked out. Not to be cryptic, but I don't want to jinx anything. ;-)

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A good time was had by all! I'll post more photos of the fair when I get home!

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❤ y'all!

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\n

\"We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.\"

\n1 Thessalonians 2:6\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/27/sisters-and.html", "tags": ["Travel","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Road Trip","Memories","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/25/my-travel-buddys-trailer.html", "title": "My Travel Buddy's Trailer", "content_html": "\n
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Wow, what a day! Slow start then headed to the Country Living Fair. I didn't find anything for decorating my camper. I did, however, find a cute little summer dress. :-)

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We've walked a hundred miles today! Ok, maybe not a hundred, but a lot! We're heading back to the park to prepare for the party tonight. BBQ and live music! Yeehaw!!!

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/25/my-travel-buddys-trailer.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Road Trip","Country Living Fair"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/20/the-grand-adventure.html", "title": "The Grand Adventure", "content_html": "\n
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The summer after Mr. Virgo died, I began what I referred to as \"The Grand Adventure\". Not only was I going out in the world to do and see things I had never experienced before, I was also doing it all alone…for the first time in my life. I had taken respite weekends before, but nothing like I was about to face. It was daunting and exhilarating, melancholic and joyful. It was a time of many violent shifts in my psyche, my mood, my thinking. I wasn't at all sure I could DO it…period. Let alone, do it alone. But I knew I needed to. I needed to take the first step down the path or I would never make it through the valley of death that is grief.

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After buying Little TOW-Wanda and getting some obligations taken care of, I took off for the hills. I circled Colorado twice in three months and then took my oldest daughter and her family to see Mt. Rushmore. Those months alone on the road were exactly what I needed. I connected with my broken heart. I allowed myself the gut-wrenching sobs that come with that kind of pain. I explored places inside me that had never seen the light of day. It was cathartic and exhausting and allowed me to crawl out of the wreckage…at least the initial crash.

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Grief is a crazy thing. It transforms you in ways you never, ever considered. And, as uncomfortable and painful as it is, it's an easy place to stay. It's much easier to pull the covers over your head and to be excused by society with \"Oh, poor dear…she lost her husband, don't you know.\" Complicated grief is an actual diagnosis. Every grief is different. Each person walks his/her own path. As incredible as it may seem, you can get too comfortable in your pain when moving through it seems insurmountable. After all, who looks at a fire and says \"Oh, yeah! I can walk through that!\" Especially when you can't see the other side. The thing is, there are pockets of sweetness along the path that you'll never know are there until you stumble upon them in the flames. And these sweet spots are SO worth the journey.

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The Grand Adventure, Part 2 saw me selling my house, drastically downsizing, and reincarnating my little 16' camper into TOW-Wanda Grande, the behemoth \"Porta Party\" that I call home. My first stop has been WV, beloved home of my youth. And, if you've been following along this whole time, you'll know the initial intent was to care for an elderly aunt on the family farm but that ended at Christmas. It's very sad that the relationship has been permanently damaged, I'm afraid. But the sweet spots inside that painful scenario brought me to the river, and to further opportunities for healing and growth. I will be forever grateful to my friends for allowing me to live on their property. It's been a scene of transformation and I am peaceful.

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This week will see the beginning of Part 3 as The Grand Adventure continues. A friend and I head out Tuesday for parts south. I am thrilled to see what is around the next bend and will bring you along with pictures and commentary. I wonder what delicious, juicy, excitement life will bring me next?

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❤

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\"Thus they set out from the mount of the LORD three days' journey, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD journeying in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them. The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.\"

\nNumbers 10:33-34\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/20/the-grand-adventure.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Courage","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/17/camping-season.html", "title": "Camping Season", "content_html": "\n
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During the long, dark, freezing weeks of January and February, all I wanted to do was go back to Colorado to the arms of those who love me most. Now it's spring and all I want to do is go explore WV and camp in the mountains, attend music festivals, and ride my bike along rivers. I put up with the worst WV winter in decades only to leave when the fun starts. What's up with that? However, I need to have summer in Colorado. I want to play with my grandkids and take them camping before they get too old for Nana. I want to have long, leisurely conversations with my daughters. I want to hug my brother around the neck. I want to go out and play with my friends there. Summers in Colorado are divine! Beautiful blueblaster skies and so many fun things to do! I wish I had two trailers and a time machine…I'd keep a home in both places and time travel between them. Why is life so short???

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\"Just wait till you have kids of your own and you'll see how fast time flies!\" Show of hands…whose mom told them that? And, didn't we think she was crazy? Oh, yes….the summer vacation stretched before us and it seemed like forever till school started again. For-EV-er! Now, here it is…April half gone already. That's why I'm thinking of heading south next winter. Maybe I won't waste so much time hibernating. I feel like half my life (ok…10 weeks) are spent in a hole. I'll just have to make up for it by playing extra hard while I can. Seriously…I want to be one of those badass old ladies that go on wild and crazy adventures! Wait…I already DO that, don't I? But I'm NOT old. I'll never be OLD! My friend Vicky told me yesterday that 60 is the new middle age. I'll go for that!

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Oh, and by the way…remember me telling you about my friend whose son told her, via text, that he was getting married the next day? Well, he called her the next morning and told her they just couldn't get married without her there. So, the wedding is THIS weekend. So happy she gets to witness this monumental event! Millenials…they just aren't into tradition.

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Happy Friday, fellow Ranchers!

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❤

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\n

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.\"

\nPsalms 23:2\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/17/camping-season.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","West Virginia","Aging","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/16/its-tutu-time.html", "title": "It's Tutu Time!", "content_html": "\n
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I'm so excited! My taxes are done. Yesterday I went for a 10 mile bike ride on the Rails to Trails system. Riding dirt, grass, and mud is a lot more work than a paved trail so I was pleased with 10 miles. Today I'm getting the summer tires put on my truck. (Yesssss!) I have a boatload of work to do in the next week to prepare TOW-Wanda for her maiden voyage of the 2015 camping season. Yes, that's right…next week I'm going on a women's camping adventure to Nashville for the annual Country Living Fair! I can't wait!!!

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I'm really excited that I talked one of my friends into joining this camping group. Ok, there was no \"talking into\" to it. I said, \"Hey, you wanna go camping with a bunch of fun, adventurous, crazy gals and earn badges for smoking cigars and fixing the perfect martini?\" She said, \"Sure…where do I sign up?\" Done…a new fellow woman camper was born! I have friends in Nashville that I will get to see as well so that is a bonus!

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There is something to be said for the divine sisterhood. It's more than meeting new friends. We're creating a network…a fabric woven with threads harkened from generations of brave, brilliant, badass women who have gone before us. We may not exemplify that free spirit in our daily lives, but when we get together, we recognize each other from afar as members of the same tribe. We bond, and mentor, and learn, and trust, and grow. We are unstoppable…us worthy women. We may have scars, but our hearts are strong!

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I have one question, though. If you camp every day, if every day is Friday, is the thrill gone from camping altogether? I guess we'll find out next week!

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❤

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\n

\"the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful…\"

\nGenesis 6:2\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/16/its-tutu-time.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/13/peace.html", "title": "Peace", "content_html": "\n
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What a beautiful weekend! Live music Friday night. This is a tradition I intend to keep up. Saturday morning was a trip to Athens to the local Farmer's Market. I got fresh farm eggs, sweet potatoes, a small rhubarb pie, and some really great artisanal pepper jack cheese. Yummmm! Afterwards, we went across town and rode our bikes for an hour (about 12 miles) on a beautiful path along the river. It meandered through the woods and farms. It felt so good to go out and pump my legs and feel the burn. To feel the wind across my face reminded me I'm indeed in my second childhood…that time when we aren't too old to play outside and we don't have to necessarily \"mind\".

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It's the simplest things that bring a smile to my lips these days. After the ride, we joined a dozen or so others from the bike club and had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. I took a lovely nap when I got home and a friend of mine came up to the river to camp in her trailer parked here. Five of us gals got together at a local restaurant for dinner and laughed for a couple of hours. My friend came over to my camper for breakfast Sunday and I made pancakes. I think she's my first guest for a meal in my new \"home\". Unfortunately, I have so much stuff in my camper, I had to move things around in order to find a place to sit, but I'm making progress…slowly but surely.

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Peace. It means different things at different stages in life. Finishing this downsizing project has created more chaos in my living space, but I know from experience that if I keep going, the reward will be a peaceful life. It's amazing how little storage space there is in here. My focus has been to create ways to store more stuff. I think I need to reshape that to be \"how to get the stuff that I actually NEED down to what will fit.\" My friend and I were talking over breakfast. How many outfits do I really need? I lived all winter with what clothes fit in a small shirt closet and a suitcase. I didn't feel deprived and I was well dressed when I went out. It's hard to let go of perfectly good things. I was actually beginning to consider trading in this camper for one with more storage but that's ridiculous. Unfortunately, I have discovered the back of my truck doesn't stay dry during driving rainstorms. I'm going to have to have them seal it better because some things got really wet and ruined. I'm just glad I didn't have all my clothes hung back there. These are the bugs I'm working out. I just have to keep telling myself I'm still building this life…it's a work in progress. Peace.

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❤

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\n

\"for God is not a God of confusion but of peace…\"

\n1 Corinthians 14:33\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/13/peace.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Comfort","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/03/06/a-new-life.html", "title": "A New Life", "content_html": "\n
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I have a new life. It's not the one I wanted. It's not the one I had planned. But, as God would have it, it's the one that was planned for me long before I came here. Oh, I could sit here and contemplate why this and that happened, but does it really matter? Each step along the way prepared me in some way for the next.

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When I was feeling the crunch of homeownership and the need for less in my life, I was led to sell my house. When I sold my house, I was led to WV to care for my aunt. When that didn't work out, I was led to a friend. She led me to more friends. The more friends you have, the more likely it is that they are spread around a large geographical area. The road to a friend's house is never long. The saying means it's not a real effort to reach out to a true friend. I think it can also be taken more literally. A true network of friends creates a safety net of people who love you and have your back and someone is likely nearby when you need them.

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People are led into your life for a reason and many become truly special. I have such special friends. I have the most amazing family. They are there for me anytime, day or night. They sharpen me. They smooth out my rough edges. They make me think. They push me to be a better person. They make me reach for new heights. The last two months have been difficult but very good for me. I'm healing on a deeper level. Something inside of me is waking up. The first year I was numb. The second year was worse because I was awake. Hopefully life will continue to improve in the coming year.

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❤

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\n

\"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.\"

\nProverbs 27:17\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-03-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/03/06/a-new-life.html", "tags": ["Camping","Gratitude","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/03/05/is-it-spring-yet.html", "title": "Is it Spring Yet?", "content_html": "\n
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Wow, it is amazing how quickly the river has risen above flood stage. And it's powerful. I never saw this river as having much of a current but the chunks of ice are flying by. Along with trees, boats, docks, storage sheds, and all manner of things! I have a healthy respect for raging flood waters. Not to worry, there is zero chance of me being swept away. I'm way up above the flood plain.

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Our challenge du jour is more snow. I make fun of WV shutting down with a skiff of snow but I have to say, I'd rather drive in 2 feet of Colorado snow and leave 2 inches of WV snow alone. There were nonstop wrecks all night last night but I'm looking forward to seeing the snow this morning.

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A friend and I worked on her bathroom again yesterday. We carried the vanity and medicine chest upstairs. We measured and got everything ready to attach them to the wall. We're going to have to take a break for a day or so with this snow.

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I'll be writing today. If you are experiencing bad weather, please be safe. If you are experiencing really great weather, please refrain from flaunting that fact! lol

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❤

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\n

\"This is what the Lord says: “See how the waters are rising in the north; they will become an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and everything in it, the towns and those who live in them. The people will cry out; all who dwell in the land will wail\"

\nJeremiah 47:2\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-03-05T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/03/05/is-it-spring-yet.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Writing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/02/20/towwanda-before-after.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda: Before \u0026 After", "content_html": "\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-02-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/02/20/towwanda-before-after.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gallery"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/02/19/lent.html", "title": "Lent", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. Virgo was Catholic and always gave up chocolate for Lent. He loved his chocolate so this was a great sacrifice for him. I'm not Catholic and not as willing to make such a huge sacrifice as that. So, I've decided I'm giving up snow for Lent. That works for me!

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After Monday's blue-blaster skies, yesterday dawned with cold, gray, blustery snow. Ick. My highlight of the day was when a friend showed up for a visit. Company! I picked up and everything. Took me two minutes. One can live large in a small space. The thing I miss the most living in my camper is no bathtub. I miss my bubble baths. I'm trying to figure out how I could put a bathtub in here. I'd have to take out the vanity in the bathroom but hey…sink? Or soak? I'd take the soak any day of the week. It's probably just a pipe dream but it gives me something warm to think about! Especially after my foray into bathing without benefit of running water. I have a gym membership so I can shower there. But the snow has me housebound the last couple of days. I couldn't stand my hair one more day so yesterday morning I took out my soup pot and heated up about a gallon and a half of water. I poured it in a dishpan that I perched on top of the toilet. After adding enough cold water to cool it down, I washed my hair, then sponge bathed. Afterwards, I cleaned the bathroom and washed the floors with the same water. I'm resourceful, to say the least. And, I felt 100% better afterward. I celebrated with pancakes! It's the little things. lol

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❤

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\"He placed the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet.\"

\nExodus 40:30-31 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-02-19T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/02/19/lent.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/02/18/nesting.html", "title": "Nesting", "content_html": "\n
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Last fall, shortly after arriving in West Virginia, I was rummaging around in the top of the cellar house when my aunt called up to me to bring an old leather satchel down that was under the bed. When I got it to the house, she told me I was in for a treat. The satchel was filled with old letters written through a courtship. There were old keys, a little porcelain cup, a tiny plastic doll in a box, postcards, a pocket knife, a change purse. These were obviously someone's treasures. I sat late into the night, reading old letters, tracing my fingers over the rim of the cup, wondering about those two people from so long ago. I wondered who they were, what were their dreams, did they live happily ever after?

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Suddenly, an entire elaborate story popped in my head. I mean, full length Disney movie story and I could hardly wait to start writing it. Then one thing and another happened and the living situation changed at the farm so the story got put on the back burner…till yesterday. I knew there was a reason I made my dinette into a day bed. It's a perfect little nest…a sunroom…where I can curl up and write to my heart's content. And that's what I did with my day yesterday. The children's book is complete in my head…I just need to give birth to it. Writing is such a labor of love for me, be it here at \"The Ranch\" or off chasing the mystery of the old leather satchel. I am so grateful for the gifts of words.

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❤

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\n

\"My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.\"

\nPsalm 45:1 NIV\n
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\n\n", "date_published": "2015-02-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/02/18/nesting.html", "tags": ["Camping","The Farm","Writing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/02/15/fifty-shades-of-white.html", "title": "Fifty Shades of White", "content_html": "\n
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I have no interest in the movie with Mr. Grey. I also have no interest in what's been going on outside my camper. Is it too much to ask for a little green? Maybe some crickets? While moving back into my camper has helped me feel less cooped up, I'm longing for a little color in my world! Soon, soon. At least it's warm in here!

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One thing I have quickly discovered is I'm going to have to modify my internet usage on my phone. I am used to unlimited wifi access and you can really use up your data quickly on a cellphone! I upgraded last week to an iPhone 6 Plus. My vision has deteriorated to the point where I am having trouble seeing the screen on the regular phone. Aging isn't for sissies. This is more like a tablet and works well for my daily writing. I remember when I bought our first home computer back in the late '80s. The guy told me someday there would be computers thousands of times more powerful than this huge box I was buying and women would carry them in their purse. Get out! I scoffed. I am a gear head. I love my electronic gadgets and this one is pretty darned handy!

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❤

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\n

\"He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.\"

\nDaniel 2:21 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-02-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/02/15/fifty-shades-of-white.html", "tags": ["Camping","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/02/01/happy-happy-happy.html", "title": "Happy, Happy, Happy!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
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I went to coffee with the Class of '71 girls yesterday. Oh my gosh…we are such a hoot when we get together. We're all healthy, for the most part. We're grateful, we're funny, we're loving life. Spending time with the Warrior Queens…those Wild, Wonderful, Wacky WV Women…has been one of the highlights of my time spent in my homeland the last few months. They are more than friends…they are family. Women need girlfriends. I tell young women just starting out in a marriage…\"Don't neglect your girlfriends. You're going to need them.\" Good advice.

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While talking back and forth over coffee, the topic of the upcoming snowstorm came up. I wondered how far south I could get in eight hours if I left right then. Someone asked, \"Will you take TOW-Wanda?\" Nah…I'd probably just drive. Sigh. That's when I looked across the table at my friend and we had the same idea. She said \"Let me run to Lowe's and order my sink and we'll go get her.\" So, we did! TOW-Wanda is now sitting on the bluff overlooking the beautiful Ohio. OMGosh! I was literally doing the happy dance!!! Now she's fairly close. I can run over to see her. I can read and take naps in her, just like I did in the original TOW-Wanda last winter. I now have a goal. Get the photos scanned. Get the stuff out of the cellar house. Get her travel ready. And go on a road trip! There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy and this really is a fun one!

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❤

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\n

“3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

\nPsalms 37:3-4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-02-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/02/01/happy-happy-happy.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/01/22/plan-bor-is-it-c.html", "title": "Plan B…or is it C?", "content_html": "\n
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I have been looking for a place to put my camper. While my uncle has told me there's no real hurry, it seems to be distressing to my aunt to have it on the farm so it's best to move more quickly. I thought I had found a reasonable place not far from one of my cousins, but I've heard from the friend of a friend that there have been meth busts in a couple of the trailers there, so I'm not going anywhere near it! It's best to park on land near the home of an acquaintance, especially around here because there are so many transient oil workers. I drove through an area a month ago where people are renting out spaces in their yards and there might be seven or eight campers surrounding a house. And at $700 a month for each trailer, folks are making a killing. Honestly, a little further north from here looks like the gold rush of California!

\n\n\n

A friend of mine has property overlooking the river and living by the river is on my bucket list. We are checking to see, but that might be the perfect solution. Plans. I consider myself to be extremely flexible, yet I sure balk when someone changes my plans for me. I know it will work out. It always, always does. I just have to get out of God's way and let Him do His thing. I operate under this illusion that I'm the one behind the wheel. Ha! ❤

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\"For I know the plans I have for you,\" declares the Lord, \"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.\"

\nJeremiah 29:11\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-01-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/01/22/plan-bor-is-it-c.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/22/another-installment-ofits-a-small.html", "title": "Another installment of…It's a Small, Small World!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
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One of the first women campers that I met in Colorado was Michelle. Fun, funny, intelligent, and one heck of an event coordinator. Love her to pieces!

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I become friends with a gal that graduated from my high school the year before me. We grew up less than two blocks apart but she seemed so much older than me because she rode a horse. I know…go figure. We connected on FB and I talked her into joining Sisters on the Fly.

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Sister #1 sent out an e-mail a couple of weeks ago to sign up for a Christmas Sister. Well, guess who got matched? Michelle and my friend here! You can't make this up!

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I met another friend for lunch yesterday and came across this WV traffic jam. I love my new life in the country!

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<3

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-11-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/22/another-installment-ofits-a-small.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/12/god-bless-this-trailer-home.html", "title": "God Bless This Trailer Home", "content_html": "

Look what came in the mail! Oh, my gosh…is this the cutest thing or what? Thank you, thank you, thank you Miss Vicky. You are the awesomest. Yesterday was the “Remembrance Day” for Vicky’s husband. He died 11/11 at 11am. She is a dear friend and my heart was so sad for her. RIP Rob… <3

\n

I’m another step closer to making my jewelry again. Some of you may not know my storage unit in Colorado was robbed before I moved here and my entire art studio and two footlockers full of power tools were stolen. I still have to settle with the insurance company but I needed to replace the main items so I could get some jewelry made. So, I went to Lowe’s to get what I need. I taught myself to make jewelry out of old silverware by trial and error. I came to find out there were easier ways of doing some things, but I couldn’t justify buying different tools. Since this is “starting out fresh”, I bought the perfect tools that will make my life easier. Can’t wait to get a studio set up and get to work!

\n

I stayed with a friend in town last night because we are going out to lunch today. As I write this at midnight, it has just begun to rain. Yesterday was glorious in the 70’s. The weather will start changing now and we could see snow by the weekend. Ick!

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-12T02:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/12/god-bless-this-trailer-home.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","West Virginia","The Farm","Comfort","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/17/wild-wonderful-west-virginia.html", "title": "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia!!!", "content_html": "

\"west “Welcome to Wild, Wonderful West Virginia!”

\n

I crossed the Ohio River before dark singing “Almost Heaven….”!!! I went to a rest area and cleaned out the tanks. Headed straight to Outback to have a great big, juicy burger and fries, called my cousin and my aunt to let them know I’m here, texted the kids, and called a friend where I was invited to stay the night. I’ll head out to the farm today so I don’t have to drive in the dark on twisty, curvy roads!

\n

Now, here’s the deal…there’s no WiFi at the farm yet. Also, no cell service…so I’m going to be unplugged for awhile. There’s much to be done to settle in. My belongings will be delivered on Wednesday so I need to prepare a space to store it all. I need to figure out the best place for the trailer to be parked and get power to it. Much work to be done and I need to decompress. While I certainly didn’t push myself, the last few months have been fairly stressful. I’m going to enjoy some downtime with family and friends and I’ll catch up with you as I can!

\n

Thanks for traveling along with me. You all really kept me company during this amazing journey! I love you all!!! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-17T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/17/wild-wonderful-west-virginia.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/16/one-state-away.html", "title": "One State Away!!!", "content_html": "

\"ohio “One State Away!!!”

\n

It’s hard to see on that sign, but it says OHIO. And what’s after Ohio???? Why, WV, of course!!!

\n

I was so proud of myself yesterday morning. I got the truck backed up and it didn’t take more than 2 or 3 tries to get it lined up with the hitch. I had the trailer hooked up in no time!!!

\n

I arrived at my friend’s house at noon, just north of Dayton. Cindy and I met in 1974. We were Air Force wives, young and newly married. I was pregnant with my first and Cindy organized a baby shower for me. She contacted my family back home and had them send me presents. When we sat down to open gifts, she made sure I opened my family’s gifts first and when I saw the tags, I just cried. It was so touching and indicative of the kind, caring friend she has turned out to be over the last 40 years. We were remarking last evening how military friendships are deeper than most. When you are stationed so far away from home, you make your friends your family. What a treat it is to see her. I’m amazed…neither one of us have changed a bit!

\n

Today I head to an RV dealer to get the trailer checked for that leak and have it winterized. Then I’ll have one more camp out night before I head to WV. I don’t want to be driving out in the country after dark in this rig. OMGosh! I’m almost there!!! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-16T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/16/one-state-away.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Courage","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/15/hey-that-turtle-is-beating.html", "title": "Hey, That Turtle is Beating Me!", "content_html": "

\"vintage “OLD RV!”

\n

Ok, I’ve been taking my sweet time crawling across America. I’d love to say I’ve meandered down cute little two lane highways, stopping in interesting little villages along the way to sample the local color. I’d love to say I stopped in quaint little orchards to sample cider, bob for apples, and take my chances with the ring toss and try to win one of Fannie Arbuckle’s world famous Apple Pies. I wish I had arm loads of darling antiques and bolts of fabulous cloth for the precious little curtains I’m sure to make for the trailer. Maybe even a jar of homemade apple butter from the Farmer’s Market where Art Froderburg whittles the Statue of Liberty on the head of matchsticks. But, alas….this is not the trip I had. I have seen I-70. Since I picked up my trailer eight days ago. I-70, I-270, I-470….are you getting where I’m coming from here? I’ve seen trucks. The backs of truck, the fronts of trucks, the sides of trucks. I’ve seen the blur of cars as they pass me like I’m in a funeral procession. My only score on this trip was a Chapstick in a truck stop. I know the price of gas all the way across the country. I got to visit some dear friends because they had the foresight to live near I-70. I’ve seen some really nice RV Parks. I got to stay in a hotel one night to avoid my own personal re telling of the Wizard of Oz.

\n

Ok, it hasn’t been the magical, mystery tour I had hoped it would be. But I actually unhooked my trailer all by myself. I figured out where rain was coming in and fixed it, albeit temporarily with camo duct tape! I met some fellow road warriors who were very nice. I met my FB friend and some new Sisters on the Fly​. I played in my playhouse. I started reading a great book that was a gift from a friend. I Facetimed with my grandchildren. I stopped and took naps when I wanted. I cooked what I wanted. I had great coffee every morning that didn’t cost $5 a cup. I’ve enjoyed the changes in the weather and the colors. I’ve told a lot of people about Mr. Virgo and my book and Marshmallow Ranch. I’ve shared my love of God by example. I am rested, relaxed, full, happy. I am free. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-15T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/15/hey-that-turtle-is-beating.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Growth","goRVing","Grace","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/13/were-off-to-see-the.html", "title": "We're off to see the Wizard!", "content_html": "

\"tornado “Tornado!”

\n

There’s not much that scares me, but a tornado in the dark is one of them. I know it’s probably overkill, but I decided rather than sit up all night peering out the windows of a rocking tin can, I would get a nice cushy hotel room and take a bubble bath. Much better plan!

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-13T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/13/were-off-to-see-the.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","goRVing","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Warning","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/13/the-other-half.html", "title": "The Other Half", "content_html": "

\"missouri\" “Map of Missouri”

\n

I stayed in Columbia, MO Saturday night at Cottonwood Landing RV Park. It was clean and the people were friendly but the trailers were pretty much crammed together like sardines in a can. I love trailer people though. They are always so nice and watch out for each other. The couple next to me that night were from New Mexico. They had been summering in the Adirondacks and were on their way home. As soon as people find out I’m traveling alone, their parental instincts come out and they always tell me to let them know if I need anything. I have never once felt threatened or uneasy when I’m parked next to one of the big rigs….motor homes that cost ten times the value of a house. You can just about bet there’s a woman and a gun in one of them.

\n

The days are running together. I certainly haven’t been pushing myself at all to get across the country but I’m well into the other half of my trip now. Lots of rain and I’ve been warned severe weather is ahead so I’m keeping an eye out. I did take on some water again last night but not as bad as the first time. I’m glad I made the appointment to get it checked at a dealer this week. Crossing the Mississippi River yesterday was pretty cool! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-13T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/13/the-other-half.html", "tags": ["Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Courage","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/12/sisters-in-kansas.html", "title": "Sisters in Kansas", "content_html": "
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\"four “Sisters on the Fly in Kansas”

\n
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\n
\n
\n\nMy dear friend Carol (second from left) and me (far right) met up with two more Sisters for coffee at Panera this morning in Topeka. Anywhere you go, you can just about guarantee you're going to have a Sister, in the truest sense of the word, within a short drive of you. I cannot tell you how much this organization has been a gift to me in the last year and a half. If you have the opportunity, I really would encourage you to join. It's so empowering!\n

I settled in my next camp before the sun set. Had a nice dinner, met the “next door neighbors”, and enjoyed catching up with friends and family with the events of the day. I’m telling you, this is a special life I’m living here! \"\"

\n
\n", "date_published": "2014-10-12T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/12/sisters-in-kansas.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Courage","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/11/git-yer-motor-runnin.html", "title": "Git yer motor runnin'..", "content_html": "

\"travel “Travel. As much as you can. As far as you can. As long as you can. Life’s not meant to be lived in one place.”

\n

Head out on the highway! Met my Marshmallow Ranch buddy and fellow Sister on the Fly​, Carol! What an awesome lady!!! We talked for 10 hours straight yesterday and were both exhausted last night when we finally gave up and went to bed. We are supposed to meet some other Sisters for coffee this morning then I head out on the road again! Are we there yet?

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-11T01:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/11/git-yer-motor-runnin.html", "tags": ["Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/10/dancing-in-the-rain.html", "title": "Dancing in the Rain", "content_html": "

\"dancing “Dancing in the Rain!”

\n

Well, ok…not literally. But I dance in my head. My brain is set to “Be Happy!” just about all the time. Until about 6:30 last night. I was preparing to take a shower when I noticed water standing on the floor in the bathroom. I followed it and found I have a big leak somewhere in the front driver’s side of the trailer. It rained SO hard here yesterday afternoon. It was really impressive. I think it’s either the seal around the door to the pass through under my bed or where the trim meets the body. I really don’t think it’s coming from the roof. I never had one bit of trouble with little TOW-Wanda. This is frustrating but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with seals or caulk. I’m seriously considering making a stop at the Starcraft factory in Elkhart, Indiana on my way cross country!

\n

I am so excited for today! In the early days of Marshmallow Ranch, one of my readers and I struck up a conversation about loss and living a juicy life. She really wanted to do what I was doing in TOW-Wanda but lacked the confidence to do so. After awhile she decided if I could do it, so could she so she bought a trailer and joined Sisters on the Fly. I’m SO proud of her! I get to meet her today and tomorrow there is a meet and greet with some fellow Sisters on the Fly​! I can’t wait! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-10T01:30:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/10/dancing-in-the-rain.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","goRVing","Courage","Downsizing","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/09/kansas.html", "title": "Kansas!", "content_html": "

\"kansas “The Flatlands…Kansas”

\n

“Kansas” is the Sioux word for “flat”! Flat, flat, flat! Kansas excels at flatness. It gets an A+ in flat! But, dang….you sure can see a long ways off. It has it’s own beauty. I saw gorgeous fields of wheat and sunflowers yesterday. Large feedlots full of fat cattle. Grain silos, farmers harvesting crops. Winter wheat a new green against the brown harvest. Thank you, Kansas…for working hard to fill our bellies!

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-09T01:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/09/kansas.html", "tags": ["Travel","Prayer","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","goRVing","Courage","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/08/andim-off.html", "title": "And...I'm off!!!!!!!", "content_html": "

\"camper “On the road with TOW-Wanda Grande!”

\n

I can’t believe this day is here! I’m taking my time crossing the country this time. One of my Sisters on the Fly​ friends told me to pay the $50/day storage fee for my stuff when it gets to WV and take an extra week coming across. Good advice, Lisa!

\n

My mom died ten years ago and I made three round trips between CO and WV that year…by myself. I also brought my brother to CO from WV via Disney World! I came cross country the last time with a 17’ U-Haul towing my Toyota on a car hauler. I slept in the cab of that truck! This is total luxury having my house with me.

\n

I’ll keep you up to date on my travels but I won’t divulge specific locations real time for safety reasons. (You’re welcome, Patty et al!). <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-08T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/08/andim-off.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Courage","Downsizing","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/07/perfection.html", "title": "Perfection!", "content_html": "

\"camper\" “Saying Goodbye to Little TOW-Wanda. This makes me a little sad!”

\n

I had a perfectly smooth day yesterday. I almost didn’t know how to act! I went to Columbine Ford in Rifle first thing. (Ask for Brandun Weeden and tell him I sent you!!!) I had called him on Friday when I was at a Ford dealer in Denver. I told him what I was looking at, and what they were offering, and asked if he could do better. He said he could and he didn’t disappoint! I got a year newer vehicle, with 30,000 less miles on it, with a 36 month extended warranty for about $4,000 less than I expected! Sweet! The only thing is, the truck doesn’t have nav or a back up camera. But I can deal with that. Thanks, Brandun!

\n

Then I went to the trailer place and lo and behold…the trailer wasn’t in the lot! The part came in, she works perfectly!!! And, look who I saw peeking around the corner while I was waiting. Little TOW-Wanda. It’s as though she knew I’d be there today and she came to say goodbye. (Ok, they were winterizing her, but it makes a great story. I’m all about the story!)

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I picked up the trailer and immediately hit the road. Got to Denver about a half hour after dark. OMGosh! That truck pulled TOW-Wanda Grande like she weighed nothing. Awesome job!

\n

I wanted to get on the road today but my oldest wants me to stay another day so she can see my trailer. And, I’ll go help her get her classroom together so that should be fun. She has been asked to open a special ed center in a grade school that doesn’t have one so she has accepted the challenge. Besides, another day of rest can’t hurt anyone! I’ll get there soon enough…at least this delay is MY choice! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-07T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/07/perfection.html", "tags": ["Faith","Grief","Camping","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Courage","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/26/byebye.html", "title": "Bye-bye, 725!", "content_html": "

\"house “Bye-Bye, 725!”

\n

I parked TOW-Wanda Grande in front of my fabulous neighbor’s house Wednesday night and plugged in. I was so tired but really needed a bubble bath. My friend Terri came to get me and take me to her house. Got back and was too tired to fall asleep. I did finally sleep for a couple of hours but woke up at 1:30 and couldn’t get back to sleep so I just got up and started going through boxes and gathering stuff to take to the thrift store. I did manage to sleep for another hour about dawn. I had a doctor’s appointment at 8:30 then took the trailer back over to the shop because one end of the shelf over the bed wasn’t fastened correctly. My sales guy came out and said we had a more serious problem. When they hooked the trailer on Wednesday, there was too much slack in the power cable you plug into the back of the car and it got caught in the hitch and cut it in half. Fine…they fixed it. I went home and had no battery power in the trailer. Ok, call the trailer dude and he said the bring it back. The tech went through it with a fine toothed comb and finally discovered it was a faulty ground wire. It probably got pulled when the cable got cut.

\n

While I was at the trailer place the first time, my neighbor texted me. She had found a place online that will bring a trailer to your house. You pack it, then they drive it to your destination, you unpack it then they come pick up the trailer. Less than half the quote from the moving company. That takes a ton of pressure off of me at this point because I seriously whittled things down.

\n

Downsizing, especially for a “collector”, is a daunting, painful proposition. As your accumulations grow, you can tend to turn a blind eye to the fact that you are swimming in stuff. I am sure, even though I am reluctantly spending money to move, I will go through my stuff during my stay in WV. I will scan things and send the originals on for others to love. I will keep letting go as I am comfortable doing so. I’ll have things manageable and my family won’t be left with the monumental task I did with my mom’s possessions when she died ten years ago as well as my own accumulation over the last 6 months. This is seriously getting easier and easier! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-26T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/26/byebye.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/25/from-little-to-huge.html", "title": "From Little to HUGE!", "content_html": "

\"two “From little to huge!”

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Awwww….lookie there at that wittle thing! TOW-Wanda Grande sure deserves that name! She’s a monster compared to Little TOW-Wanda. However, even with that great big size, only about 1/3 of my stuff that I so carefully sorted through and wore myself out packing will fit in her! My wonderful, beautiful, AWESOME neighbors let me store it in their garage and the next few days I will sort and weed and get rid of even MORE stuff. Every time I do this it gets easier and easier to let go of more. So, tonight I sat in the new trailer parked in front of my neighbor’s house. I listened to music. I breathed in and out. I listened to the crickets. I thanked God I don’t have to pay a house payment any more. I could rent a POD and move it, but there’s no room on the other side either. I’ll just let go. Let go and breathe. It’s easier by the hour. Honestly, I’m free so why would I want all this extra stuff???

\n

Other than that, everything went smoothly yesterday. The walkthrough was easy, the couple are darling, the closing was super quick and went without a hitch. So, all in all…it was a fabulous day! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-25T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/25/from-little-to-huge.html", "tags": ["Camping","Growth","Gratitude","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/24/and-the-winner-is.html", "title": "AND THE WINNER IS.......", "content_html": "

 

\n

 

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\"camper “And the winner is….”

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TOW-Wanda Grande, skillfully named by Vicki Owens from out in California!

\n

It was a really tough contest. There were so many names and they were all so creative. You all really put a lot into it and thought of who and where I am in this journey. It was SO fun to choose! In the end, I walked around all day trying this name and that name and nothing rolled off my tongue like my beloved TOW-Wanda. And she’s all grown up! It’s a clever nod to my Colorado life as well as my Starbucks order! Very cute Miss Vicki. So, go to Buffalo Baking Co.​, introduce yourself to the head baker gal, Patti. She will gladly take your order! And remember, this month she is running a fund raiser for Suicide Awareness Month so 50% of the proceeds goes to charity. I know this sounds like a shameless plug for Buffalo Baking Co., and it is because Patti is a ROCK STAR, but in all actuality…her Cowboy Cookies are AWESOME!!! Just sayin'.

\n

Thanks again for playing along!!!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/24/and-the-winner-is.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/23/breathe.html", "title": "Breathe", "content_html": "

\"inside “Inside the camper.”

\n

You know it won’t go quite as you plan, right? It never does. I stopped in at the trailer place today, just to see how things are coming along. Good thing I did. Nothing has been done. My salesman was off but the owner was there. I went over the things that needed to be done pointing out that this needs to be ready in less than 24 hours because this is now my house. I went down the list and when I got to the weight distribution hitch, he said “Well, you DO have the weight distribution receiver on your Ford, right?” I told him I didn’t think so. He said his shop was booked out two weeks in advance and he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to do this but sure wished he could. Excuse me? I’m about to drop some serious coin in your lap but you’re not sure you can accommodate me??? Oh, I’m going to have to kick butt and take names today. Because, as you know…nothing goes quite like you plan. My plan was to close, buy the trailer, then get back to the house and load up. Not gonna happen. I’m going today to rent a U-Haul, load my boxes in it and park it across the street, then switch it to the trailer when that part is done. Breathe. Just breathe.

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-23T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/23/breathe.html", "tags": ["Camping","Downsizing","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/22/my-bliss.html", "title": "My Bliss", "content_html": "

\"rainbow\" “My Bliss”

\n

My view out the kitchen window of TOW-Wanda…in between rain showers today. While I should be inside wiping down baseboards and vacuuming, I am taking a much needed break this morning…tucked into TOW-Wanda, listening to the rain on the roof, catching up with correspondence, journaling, enjoying the views out the windows of a neighborhood I truly enjoyed living in, and letting the joyful memories wash over me. This is just as important as the cleaning and packing. This is my bliss. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-22T01:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/22/my-bliss.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/19/indoors.html", "title": "Indoors", "content_html": "

\"\" \"\"

\n

\"inside “Inside the big trailer.”

\n

Here are three pictures of the interior of the new trailer. Honestly, this feels like a mansion after living in 16’ all summer! I love the kitchen. It has a three burner stove with an oven, an 8 cu ft fridge, microwave, sleeps six comfortably.

\n

Remember, we’re having a “Name the Trailer” contest. You have till Sunday evening to submit your ideas and the winner will be announced on Wednesday morning, the day of the closing on my house. And the day i pick up the trailer. The winner gets a dozen Cowboy Cookies from Buffalo Baking Co.!!!! \"\"

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-19T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/19/indoors.html", "tags": ["Camping","goRVing","Downsizing","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/08/sisters-on-the-fly-at.html", "title": "Sisters on the Fly at Thresher Days", "content_html": "\"\"\n

Being with a group of like-minded gals for a weekend of trailers and food and fun activities like iron skillet tossing does wonders for me. I always come back feeling rested and empowered…ready to face anything. These women are loving and supportive yet they challenge me to be my best. Maurrie Sussman and her sister, Becky, have done women a great service in creating Sisters on the Fly​. I have met lifelong friends and I’m looking forward to hooking up with more Sisters when I get moved and settled.

\n

I stopped in Denver on my way home for a power nap and quick visit with most of my family. On my way through the mountains, I got a call from a friend of mine who is photographing the Colorado Grand, a rally for luxury car owners. He asked if I wanted to stop in Vail to see the cars. Well, heck yeah…I love cars! And oh my gosh…there were some amazing cars in this garage. There were maybe 35 cars when I got there. I asked how much just those cars alone were worth. I was told just ONE CAR can be worth 30 million dollars!!! Holy cats! I was drunk on Lamborghini when we went to dinner and watched part of the Broncos game.

\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"

\n

All in all…e-x-a-c-t-l-y what I needed, when I needed it. Self care is extremely important. The buyers had a home inspector over on Saturday and the appraiser comes today. And the beat goes on… <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/08/sisters-on-the-fly-at.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/06/new-stuff.html", "title": "New Stuff!", "content_html": "

\"tractor “Tractor Pull at Thresher Days”

\n

Ok, I’m at my first tractor pull! Who knew how fun this could be???

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-06T01:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/06/new-stuff.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Growth"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/19/towwanda-at-chapman-dam.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda at Chapman Dam", "content_html": "

\"little “TOW-Wanda at Chapman Dam”

\n

I’m heading into the home stretch and this will be the hardest part…whittling things down to what little I can pack in the car and the camper. I can ship things like clothes. There are big ticket items that eat up a lot of precious cargo room like the 4 studded snow tires for the Ford. Those can go in one of the bunk beds in the trailer. Pictures are the biggest space eaters. I wish I would have scanned them years ago. Ah…if wishes were horses, right? Books…I already cut down so many. I’ll need to whittle some more. There’s a library not too far from the farm and there’s Kindle. I can get anything I need in WV. My desktop computer goes with me. Along with two laptops and cameras. I have some art that I want to take but I’m going to have them packed professionally. Maybe I’ll call a mover just to get an estimate for how much they would charge to pack and ship those things I do want to take. I don’t want to weigh down the trailer and the car to an unsafe degree. Decisions, decisions…I’ll be so happy when I’m done and settled. Until then, one foot in front of the other. So many changes in such a short time.

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-19T01:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/19/towwanda-at-chapman-dam.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","Courage","Downsizing","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/05/joy-of-towwanda.html", "title": "Joy of TOW-Wanda #33", "content_html": "\"view\n

“View of Georgetown Lake, Colorado"Traffic on I-70? Jet lag? See a lake? Hey, stop awhile…kick back, take a nap, read the copy of This Old House you picked up at the airport yesterday, watch the trout rise and the chipmunks scamper. Life is too sweet to sit in traffic!

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-05T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/05/joy-of-towwanda.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/04/repurposing.html", "title": "Repurposing", "content_html": "

\"repurposed “Repurposed coal hod as hanging planter.”

\n

I love taking something old a perhaps discarded or broken and make it into something beautiful. Here is an old coal hod repurposed as a hanging planter. SO cute!

\n

I bought an old metal plunger kind of thing yesterday that is used to wash clothes in a tub and the gal checking me out asked if I was going to put rolls of toilet paper on it. Ummmm, no…when I have my tiny home all set up and have a clothes line, I’m going to use it to wash sheets and hang them outside to dry in the sun. There’s nothing like sun dried sheets for a good sound sleep. Sometimes good old things are supposed to be used as intended!

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-04T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/04/repurposing.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Camping","New Ideas"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/03/more-pics-from-the-grand.html", "title": "More Pics from The Grand Adventure", "content_html": "

Colorado Blue Spruce are majestic trees!

\n

\"colorado “Colorado Blue Spruce”

\n

There are great stretches of dead Lodgepole Pine killed by a pine beetle infestation. These stands of dead trees are a tinderbox waiting for an errant campfire or bolt of lightning to start a wildfire that would be impossible to control. They also are a threat to campers or drivers as their shallow root system has died and even a small wind can bring them crashing down with deadly results. Some campgrounds in the Rockies have been closed because of the threat.

\n

\"lodgepole “Lodgepole Pine beetle kill”

\n

Camping in TOW-Wanda on the banks of the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

\n

\"san “My Morning View”

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-03T01:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/03/more-pics-from-the-grand.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Camping","Growth","goRVing","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/03/the-mixing-bowl.html", "title": "The Mixing Bowl", "content_html": "

\"merchandise\" ‘An employee of The Mixing Bowl poses in front of merchandise."

\n

I just visited this delightful little kitchen store in Salida, CO. They have some very cute kitchen items that are small…perfect for travel trailer and tiny home kitchens. The bonus is, part of the proceeds go to support Starpoint, a program that assists special needs adults. They have over 15 employees from Starpoint that work in the store with their job coaches. For those who may not know, my brother has special needs and is a client with a wonderful program near me. They literally gave him a life, so I am passionate about supporting these earth angels who give of themselves so selflessly. If you find yourself in Salida, go see the beautiful people of The Mixing Bowl and drop some serious coin. Tell them Marshmallow Ranch sent you!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-03T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/03/the-mixing-bowl.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/02/aaaaahhhsummer-in-colorado.html", "title": "Aaaaahhh...summer in Colorado!", "content_html": "

\"pagosa “The Hot Springs at Pagosa Springs, Colorado”

\n

Mr. Virgo and I lived in Pagosa Springs for a year. I’m sitting on the deck of my favorite Mexican restaurant enjoying a taco salad. What a beautiful place! You see mountains in every direction. This is a view of the hot springs pools across the river. The river is filled with tubers keeping cool. It’s the peak of tourist season here in Colorado. Perfect weather for summer fun!

\n

\"breakfast “Breakfast Along the San Juan River”

\n

\"sportsmen “My Little Home Away From Home”

\n

\"silver “Garden Markers”

\n

I sold silverware garden markers and jewelry to pay for camping and gas on my journey!

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-02T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/02/aaaaahhhsummer-in-colorado.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/30/road-trip-into-the-wild.html", "title": "Road Trip Into the Wild", "content_html": "

I saw lots of beautiful, wild places on this last road trip! Here are a couple of photos.

\n

\"wild “Wild Hot Springs - Reno, Colorado

\n

It was nearly 100 degrees the day Sue and I stopped here. The water was almost too hot to get into. The spring has been dug out and lined with rocks and cement with a sandy bottom. It is deep enough to get down in up to your neck. It was SO hot, we couldn’t stay in long, but every time we got out, the horseflies came and bit us. It was awful! We didn’t stay there too long. I think it would be wonderful in the winter.

\n

\"long “Climbing into the wilds of Colorado.”

\n

My friend Sue and I went over Red Mountain Pass and caught this long view of the far mountain above tree line. So many vistas look like paintings out west. There is a rare and wild beauty in the wilderness of Colorado.

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-30T01:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/30/road-trip-into-the-wild.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/27/on-the-road-again.html", "title": "On The Road Again", "content_html": "

\"ford “On the road again!”

\n

I found out Wednesday that I have the next two weeks off. It has been really hot and dry so I’m heading for the hills! While contemplating where to go, I made a rather rash decision thinking I might head for California. That would be epic! Alas, it was dusk before I made it 100 miles. It was still 90 degrees and I hadn’t even hit the desert yet. I filled up with gas and thought I should calculate mileage/price per gallon. When I discovered the trip would cost a month’s mortgage in gas alone, I quite quickly changed my mind and decided to stay in state. (So sorry, Patti!)

\n

I pulled into an RV park that is close enough to the train tracks to enjoy the sound but far enough away to not be disturbing. I awoke to a beautiful day and took my sweet time getting ready to see the sights. Heading into the high country! (picture: TOW-Wanda stops at Starbucks. She can’t help herself!)

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-27T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/27/on-the-road-again.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Growth","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/19/stormy-weather.html", "title": "Stormy Weather", "content_html": "

\"stormy “Stormy Weather”

\n

I spent yesterday helping Daughter #1 with her house and the kids. At the end of the day, we went to the Apple store to get a phone reset then went to dinner. Everyone was hot and tired and the kids were grumpy. It was raining really hard and when I came back to the trailer I noticed it was parked in about three inches of standing water. I walked through it then realized the power cord to the trailer was laying right there. That was somewhat disconcerting. I called my son-in-law’s parents inside and they came out, disconnected the power cord and we moved it to the high ground and put the connection under a bucket.

\n

The temp dropped 25 degrees in one hour with that storm. I saw where was snow in Utah and there are severe weather warnings (including measurable snowfall) predicted for the high country in the next 24 hours. Weird, weird weather.

\n

I am planning on meeting my dear friend Patti from Buffalo Baking Co.​today and hanging out. We have to do a little retail therapy and dining. Really looking forward to that!

\n

<3

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-19T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/19/stormy-weather.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/18/little.html", "title": "Little", "content_html": "

\"little “My Little”

\n

Someone small came to visit overnight in TOW-Wanda! We snuggled in after supper and visited and played games and read. She is Nana’s buddy!

\n

This is the most important reason for moving here. My family. I lived here for two and a half years when Mr. Virgo and I moved from Pagosa Springs. I really didn’t get to spend this kind of quality time with the kids and grandkids then because I was so busy focusing on him. It is such a blessing to have this time with my family.

\n

I’ve been searching different neighborhoods to get a feel for where I want to live. Of course, the most desirable have nothing for sale because everyone wants to live there. I fell in love with Old Town Golden but it’s too expensive even if there was something to buy. The good thing is, I’m not in a hurry and can stay in TOW-Wanda as long as I need to till I find the perfect place. Patience has never been my strong suit! :-)

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-18T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/18/little.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/04/good-morning-colorado.html", "title": "Good morning, Colorado!", "content_html": "

\"view “Good Morning, Colorado!”

\n

Ok, waking up to this does not suck! Climbing back in bed with a fresh cup of French pressed coffee and listening to the birdsong is just further evidence of God. This was in a section of the campground reserved for groups so not everyone gets to see this!

\n

Colorado is an odd state. We go from the furnace inside to the furnace outside in a matter of days. When the temp gets up in the eighties, I start sleeping in TOW-Wanda…even if it’s at the curb in front of my house. The other night, I was just drifting off when a fox and a feline of some sort decided to have an altercation right under my open window. Have you ever heard a fox bark? It sounds like a woman screaming. I about jumped through my skin!

\n

Ahhhh, living in the wild in a travel trailer!

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-04T01:00:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/04/good-morning-colorado.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Gratitude","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/29/letting-go-some-more.html", "title": "Letting Go Some More", "content_html": "

\"letting “Letting Go…Some More”

\n

I going “off the grid” for a few days of R&R with TOW-Wanda so I am writing my next few posts in advance. No water, no electric, no cell service for 30 miles! Just a group of friends, hanging around the campfire, telling stories, and having fun. There’s a trip to a BBQ place as well as a trip to some hot springs planned. Gonna do some fishin’, readin’, and nappin’. Yesssssss!

\n

Today’s post is revisiting the subject of letting go. I’ve let go of a lot in the last 14 months. I let go of the future life I had planned. I let go of the identity I had of being half of something. I let go of Mr. Virgo’s physical presence. I let go of his clothes and his bike. I’m letting go of his golf clubs as soon as I find a buyer. I’m letting go of the house we shared. Letting go is like diving into the deep end of a pool full of murky water. It says on the edge that it’s 12 feet deep. You have to trust that, but man….sometimes it’s so hard to plunge headlong when you can’t see the bottom!

\n

I have faith that when I step off the edge, God will do one of two things….He’ll either catch me when I fall or teach me how to fly.

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-29T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/29/letting-go-some-more.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","goRVing","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/20/reflection.html", "title": "Reflection", "content_html": "

\"reflection “Reflection…20/20 Vision of the Mind”

\n

This time last year I had just begun my Grand Adventure…my three month road trip in TOW-Wanda. It was really just the beginning of my grief journey. As I look back, I can see how far I’ve come since those lost days. Reflecting also gives me 20/20 vision. I can see where I made some poor decisions. I spent too much money. I got involved in situations I had no business getting involved in, as I was unprepared to handle the repercussions. I lost connections I thought I would always have. I made new connections that I hope will carry through the rest of my life. I cried more tears than I thought humanly possible. I found out how strong this West Virginia gal really is. That strength is solid. I know where it is and how to access it when needed. Something I did not always have in the past. Death is the great equalizer. We are all different but grief will knock every one of us to our knees at some point in life. I am grateful for these life lessons. I guess that is our true purpose in life. To learn that there is strength in our greatest weakness. To learn to love from the deepest crevasse of our souls. To know the compassion of others. To feel. Charles Dickens was right…It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Life is funny that way.

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-20T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/20/reflection.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Camping","Growth","Grace","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/14/girl-camping.html", "title": "Girl Camping!", "content_html": "

\"camping “Girls don’t need a camper to go camping!”

\n

I’ve had people tell me they would love to join Sisters on the Fly​ but they don’t have a trailer. You actually don’t need a trailer to join. And if you do have one, it doesn’t need to be one of those cute vintage numbers you see in their news stories and books. Anyone with a sense of adventure who wants to join are welcome. You could sleep in a tent, or your car, or take a cue from this enterprising lady and set up a portable boudoir! Isn’t this fun?

\n

I’ve been chomping at the bit to get back out on the road in TOW-Wanda. I’m heading to see the kids this weekend to celebrate a belated Mother’s Day and watch my older grandchild in her swim meet. I’m meeting some friends to camp the weekend after Memorial Day. I’m only scheduled for one more Sisters on the Fly event this year. I’ll have to watch the schedule closer. The popular events fill up fast. This summer my focus really has to be on selling this house!

\n

Today is devoted to moving down the checklist of things that need to be done before I can list. I’m actually making progress on that disaster room I call a studio/office. I have a ton of pictures on the walls and they all have to come down and get boxed up. Plugging forward…one step at a time!

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-14T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/14/girl-camping.html", "tags": ["Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/06/cowboy-boots.html", "title": "Cowboy Boots", "content_html": "

\"vintage “It’s All About the Boots!”

\n

A long time ago, I bought a black and white cowgirl dress and matching boots. It was the coolest outfit, but I let my family embarrass me out of wearing them. I don’t know what ever happened to them but I wish I still had them. I always have my eyes peeled for a vintage pair and the louder, the better if I’m going to wear them for Sister events.

\n

If you have a well-fitting pair of cowboy boots, there’s just about nothing more comfortable to wear. I have a pair I’ve had for almost 30 years and you would hardly know it by looking at them. They are molded to my feet like they were sculpted to fit every curve. I love those boots. I may downsize…I may get rid of 95% of my belongings but by golly! I’ll be buried with those boots on! Or maybe the red ones. Hmmmmmm….

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/06/cowboy-boots.html", "tags": ["Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/02/dressing-up-towwanda.html", "title": "Dressing Up TOW-Wanda", "content_html": "

I’ve been considering putting a wrap on TOW-Wanda. All these cute little vintage campers the Sisters on the Fly have make me want to dress her up to look older. What do you think of these?

\n

\"vintage A

\n

\"vintage B

\n

\"vintage C

\n

\"vintage D

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-02T01:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/02/dressing-up-towwanda.html", "tags": ["Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","New Ideas","goRVing","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/28/til-next-time.html", "title": "'Til Next Time", "content_html": "

\"vintage “Cowgirl Caravan”

\n

Ok, remember your very favorite slumber party when you were a girl. Now, picture that very same slumber party but this time there’s fifty girls, you can do whatever you want for four days, and you’re not going to get in trouble. (Well, ok….at least no one is going to TELL on you!)

\n

That’s what a Sisters on the Fly​ event is like. I feel like I got to sit at the cool kids table because we’re ALL cool kids! I remember when I was in my thirties and it occurred to me I had forgotten how to play. We get so caught up in our families and work and responsibilities that we push that playful girl into the background. SOTF makes girls out of women. It’s a safe place to let off steam and act silly and laugh till…well, you know. We can dress up in silly outfits and wear tiaras and tutus with our cowgirl boots. We can smoke a cigar or streak through the campground nekkid and earn a merit badge for it! (That actually happened on this trip. If there was a CPR badge, I might have streaked because anyone who witnessed it would be at grave risk!) Fun….just plain fun! Can’t wait for the next gathering. I have found my tribe.

\n

Happy Trails!

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-28T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/28/til-next-time.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Growth","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/24/a-room-to-myself.html", "title": "A Room to Myself", "content_html": "

\"camper “A Room to Myself”

\n

So, today I head out for my first Sisters on the Fly event of the season! I’m SO excited! This trip I am taking a half day fly fishing lesson, a half day horseback ride, a junkin’ trip to town, and all sorts of fun activities with the girls. It’s like Girl Scouts with martinis!

\n

These trips are fun, but just as necessary are those where I get back in the high country and face Mother Nature on my own. I can breathe. I can slow down. I can listen to the wind in the trees and the songs of the birds. I can see flora and fauna abundant. I can feel the sun on my face and smell the pine on the breeze. It is truly divine!

\n

I am formulating my re-entry to the work-a-day world. I’ve been blessed to have this time to get myself together after losing Mr. Virgo and now I feel ready to jump back in. I’m going to take the summer to get it together, downsize, and make some big changes in my life. It’s time. And I’m ready.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-24T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/24/a-room-to-myself.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Fun","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/06/orvis-hot-springs-ridgway-co.html", "title": "Orvis Hot Springs - Ridgway, CO", "content_html": "

\"orvis “Orvis Hot Springs - Ridgeway, Colorado”

\n

What a delightful way to end my two week sabbatical. My friend, Sue, joined me yesterday. We soaked at Orvis Hot Springs. Interestingly, it is clothing optional (gasp!) and while I have no problem going topless, I could not go the full Monty. Which was a darned good thing because I ran into a little gal that I work with. While she is young and fit, I am….ummmm, NOT and I would have hated to be responsible for her having to seek therapy over the trauma of my nakedness! lol

\n

After our soak, we headed into Ouray for a lovely Mexican food extravaganza. We hit some of the shops and what trip to Ouray would be complete without a stop at Mouse’s Chocolates? We went back to the room. I napped off my lunch while Sue read. Then we began the 100 Miles in 100 Days challenge. We walked 1.18 miles in the snow. She had me download an app by Nike called Nike+ Running which mapped out my walk, distance, and time. It even talks to you as you walk telling you when you reached a mile and what your time was. I think you can program it to cheer. I wonder if you can program it to go out for pizza or bring you some ice cream? No, wait…that would be counterproductive, yet an intriguing idea.

\n

After our walk, we headed back to Orvis for a nice soak in the lithium waters. It was actively snowing by then and it was truly divine. We closed down the pool and headed back to the motel. We stayed at Riverside Inn and Cabins which is right on the river and is perfectly fine and affordable.

\n

I am rested, refreshed, mellow and ready for my next move. I ordered a piece of equipment that will help me make my jewelry faster and it should be delivered at the first of the week. I have some orders to make and now I should be able to build up some inventory for art shows/sales.

\n

I am stopping in Grand Junction today to talk to a woman about ways to make TOW-Wanda look like a vintage trailer. That should be interesting.

\n

I am ready to go home. I am ready for spring. I am so grateful and I offer that as my prayer for today. Thanks for traveling with me…I enjoyed your company. We’ll be heading back out, you and I, on April 18th so stay tuned and be ready for more adventures!

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-06T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/06/orvis-hot-springs-ridgway-co.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Growth"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/05/balance.html", "title": "Balance", "content_html": "

\"rocky “Balance”

\n

Life is a balancing act. When I was raising my children, I was doing all those extra things you do as a young mother and wife. Soccer, cheerleading, Hospital Auxiliary…I was even a DJ on the local public radio station. I had a 4000 square foot garden and boarded horses. I canned, baked our bread, made yoghurt and tofu as well as chopped wood for the wood stove we heated our house with. Throw in the time I volunteered at a local Arabian farm in exchange for my daughter’s riding lessons and the fact that my kids are nearly 16 years apart and my husband at the time was a doctor and rarely at home, my life was crazy. I felt like that guy on the Ed Sullivan Show who spun 20 plates on sticks and tried to keep them from falling. I exercised like a fiend for stress reduction but eventually it all came apart and the plates crashed to the ground.

\n

It took a lot of work to put all those pieces back together and I protect my sanity like a mother bear protecting her cubs. I know all too well how easily life can tip out of balance. When I feel the storms of stress rumbling at the edges of my consciousness, I know it’s time to pull back and take a seat deep within. When my mind starts to chatter and criticize, I pray. I meditate. I become the one who listens…the one who hears the chatter. I remind myself that the chatterbox in my mind is not “me”. It is thought. Thoughts come and go. I am always here. When I can sit with that, my mind quiets down and I can just BE. In the present. In this moment. I don’t worry about what happened before…I don’t predict what will happen next. I just retreat to my inner sanctuary for a while. It’s very refreshing and life affirming. It takes practice and becomes easier when you reach “a certain age”. I think we remember that time when we were children. That time before the big people told us what, and what not to believe.

\n

Yesterday’s drive (note the bighorn sheep that was right beside the road) and subsequent soak in the local hot springs was just such an event. As I sat in my car with TOW-Wanda hooked up and ready, I spent a few moments getting still and taking in the amazing views from my friend’s property. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. I listened to the Earth below me speak her wisdom. As I opened my eyes, there….flying directly at my windshield, not twenty feet away, was a young bald eagle. He swept right by my window, pulling up at the last possible moment. I smiled at the rush of energy that swept through me. I was ready to move into the next room in my soul.

\n

Ahhhh…Spring cleaning.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-05T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/05/balance.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Camping","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/04/a-moment-in-time.html", "title": "A Moment in Time", "content_html": "

\"Mesa “A Moment in Time”

\n

I woke up to six inches of wet snow yesterday morning. The only good thing about that (besides the much needed moisture) is that snow doesn’t hang around long this time of year. When I looked out, I noticed my friend Sue was still at home. About then she texted me to see if I was up yet. I went in for coffee and we sat in front of the wall of windows watching a gazillion birds at the many feeders they have.

\n

Sue was supposed to go to work today but the weather kept her in. Once things cleared a little, we decided to head up to Mesa Verde to see the ruins. They had about a foot of snow up there and it was beautiful!

\n

While wandering around it became apparent that I am not in shape. I was huffing and puffing and had to sit down whenever I found a bench. Granted, we were up pretty high, but that doesn’t excuse me for letting myself get like this. I spent the winter writing (and eating) and now that it’s Spring, I’m going to get out and walk. Who’s up for a challenge? Anyone want to form a walking club? We can walk “together” for encouragement. :-)

\n

This moment in time is all we have. Let’s make the most of it, ok?

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-04T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/04/a-moment-in-time.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Hope","Camping","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Courage","Fitness Friday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/03/happiness.html", "title": "Happiness", "content_html": "

\"happiness “Happiness Depends Upon Ourselves” Aristotle

\n

Aristotle got it. Why is it, all these many years later, we still struggle with this? Granted, Aristotle didn’t have to worry about global warming, or airplanes crashing into buildings, or the stock market collapsing. He wasn’t bombarded by Madison Avenue or the 9:00 News. If he had children, they weren’t clamoring for the latest electronics or doing drugs under the bleachers. Still, he understood the nature of happiness. It comes from within. He understood this even though, I am sure, he had personal losses and disappointments.

\n

But, what happens when you call for your old friend…happiness…and it seems she’s moved out. She didn’t leave a forwarding address. You just can’t find her anywhere, no matter how hard you try. You muddle along, that dark cloud hanging over your head. Your friends are long past caring to hear, yet again, how fabulous your loved one was. Your loved ones are thinking, “Come on, already…get over it!” Maybe they’re even telling you that…out loud! You want to stand up and say some pretty choice epithets. Yes, happiness comes from within. So does sadness. So does grief. So do all of our emotions. They originate in thoughts. And when the thoughts change, the emotions will follow…when you’re ready.

\n

Happiness depends upon ourselves. Four little words that pack a wallop. Be patient if yours is AWOL. It will return.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-03T01:30:22-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/03/happiness.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Camping","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/01/solitude.html", "title": "Solitude", "content_html": "

\"solitude “Solitude”

\n

Last night I went to a reception honoring a local woman for her recent induction in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. Afterwards, Sue and I met a friend of hers for dinner then we all headed to see the documentary film “Walking the Camino”. The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage that takes you from the south of France across Spain. You walk 800 kilometers (497 miles!). The film followed six people as they made the trek, each for their own reasons. There were two gentlemen friends in their 70’s down to a 3 year old trekking with his mother. (SHE was my hero!) The scenery was amazing. The struggles, and blisters, were true tests of the mettle of the brave souls who look inward during this journey. We all left ready to fill a backpack and go. Sue’s friend IS going…in September. She lost her beloved husband 2 years ago and this is her breakout moment, her change of course. Wow…I so admire her! This takes guts and determination and strength…physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. I may have to save up for this.

\n

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, there has been a HUGE hatch of miller moth cutworms and they are EVERYWHERE! I read online that they really come out at night to feed and they weren’t kidding. I walked out to the trailer when we got home late last night and the ground was littered with them. Ooooogy.

\n

We are expecting snow Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. I’m going to move the trailer out of the field because I could get stuck in all this red dirt which will turn to clay.

\n

Happy April Fool’s Day! My Pop-Pop was born 115 years ago today.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-01T01:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/01/solitude.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Camping","Growth","Comfort","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/30/the-traveler.html", "title": "The Traveler", "content_html": "

\"traveler “The Traveler”

\n

I arrived in Durango Friday afternoon and took my friend Sue’s yoga class. Man, I am so out of shape but it was fun. We visited and I met one of her friends when we stopped for tea afterwards. By the time we were done, it was getting late so we stayed at a place she is house sitting for. I slept in TOW-Wanda at the curb. I’ve become accustomed to my own bed and every time I sleep in her, the price per night goes down! ;-)

\n

Sue and I had tea yesterday morning and did a yoga practice before heading out to her house. I got the trailer all set up then four of us headed to Hovenweep National Monument. We did a beautiful hike around the cliffs and Ancient Puebloan (formerly referred to as Anasazi) ruins. A little picnic out on a rock at the edge of the canyon was delightful. We came home and Sue fixed a wonderful vegetarian dinner and I excused myself early to go out to the trailer and make a few phone calls, read, and hit the hay. Exercise, sunshine, and fresh air leading to a great night’s sleep in the desert. What a fun, fun day!

\n

(Photo taken at Hovenweep.)

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-30T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/30/the-traveler.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Growth","goRVing","God","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/28/springtime-in-the-desert.html", "title": "Springtime in the Desert!", "content_html": "

\"lawn “Waiting for Summer!”

\n

I didn’t realize how close Albuquerque is to Santa Fe. It wasn’t long at all till I was here. There is an RV park I’m going to check out before I leave and I’ll post pictures.

\n

I visited with my friend and had dinner. I met his lady friend and she’s very nice. We talked from 3-9 and I’m exhausted! I’m heading up to Durango tomorrow morning. I’m really looking forward to friend time and staying in one place for a week. I’m taking a yoga class tomorrow evening that she teaches.

\n

I had a little scare this afternoon. When I unhitched the trailer, it shifted and dragged the hitch 4" to the left. Fortunately it stopped without bending the tongue jack. I hooked it back up to the car and repositioned it and it worked fine. I’m going to the RV place tomorrow and get better chocks.

\n

Happy Friday!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-28T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/28/springtime-in-the-desert.html", "tags": ["Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/25/any-road.html", "title": "Any Road...", "content_html": "

\"any “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Lewis Carroll

\n

When I left Denver this morning, it was spitting snow. I’ve lived here long enough to know when it’s snowing down low, you can just about guarantee it is snowing up high. I got a much later start than I anticipated but, being my mother’s daughter (read…stubborn), I decided to hit the road, come what may. My concern for TOW-Wanda’s well being gave me pause however, so I called a friend and asked him to read the weather and road conditions to me. My original plan was to take the scenic route but that would have taken me on a two lane blacktop through a 40 mile stretch that was experiencing 50MPH winds with blowing snow. The alternate route was not nearly as pretty and I didn’t get to pop in and surprise my friend, Emile. (Sorry, sweetie…next time!) It also added 2.5 hours to my drive, but I made it to the hot springs resort which was to be tomorrow’s destination. An extra day of yoga, meditation, soaking, and art can’t hurt! $22.50/night to camp right at the springs. $10 for a GREAT bowl of vegan tortilla soup with bread and a non-alcohol beer. Yummmmm! Soaking this evening did cost $15 plus I bought a lock for the locker for $5 but that I can use for lots of things. Tomorrow, $25 gets an 80 minute yoga class, a full day pass to the pool, as well as use of the eucalyptus steam and sauna. A hidden gem! (My friends worry when I divulge where I am staying, so I will let you know where this is when I get to my next place in a couple of days!)

\n

Ommmmmmmmm…..

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-25T01:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/25/any-road.html", "tags": ["Faith","Camping","Comfort","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/24/on-the-road-again.html", "title": "On the Road Again!!!", "content_html": "

\"road “Take me on a ROAD TRIP!”

\n

After a fun few days with the grandkids, this Nana is hitting the open road this morning! I’m heading south and cruising through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. I’m going to hit every hot springs I can find and will post lots of pics and stories from the road!

\n

TOW-Wanda!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-24T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/24/on-the-road-again.html", "tags": ["Grief","Hope","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","goRVing","Grace","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/20/cant-wait.html", "title": "Can't Wait!!!", "content_html": "

\"wander “Not all who wander are lost.” JRR Tolkein

\n

This was taken last summer up at Steamboat Lake above Steamboat Springs. I am chomping at the bit to get on the road! I just found out (after 3 hours making travel plans this morning) that both of my kids are off for spring break next week. I’m changing my plans so I can spend time with them and leave for my road trip a little later than I was going to! Can’t pass up family time!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-20T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/20/cant-wait.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Grief","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/18/go-do-its-travel-tuesday.html", "title": "Go. Do. It's Travel Tuesday!", "content_html": "

 

\n

\"meme\" “Go do those things!”

\n

I’m planning my next trip. I have at least two weeks, maybe three, with a free schedule. I’ve been invited to participate in a couple of art shows and need to get some things made. I can just as easily pack up my portable studio and make art on the road so I’m heading south. I want to hit NM then back up through the Four Corners and visit the sights in SE Utah.

\n

I love my little trailer. It offers me a sense of security. It’s cozy. It’s the playhouse I never had as a child. My fort. My treehouse. My princess castle. If you have the means to have a trailer of your own but fear is stopping you, find someone local who can show you the ropes. Sisters on the Fly​ has chapters everywhere. With your membership, you can do a search for Sisters in your area. We are always ready to help a newbie learn to spread her wings and fly! Honestly, it isn’t that difficult to learn and you’d be surprised how easy it is to handle a small trailer.

\n

If trailering isn’t your thing, I still encourage you to find your way out for adventures. There’s a big, beautiful world out there just waiting to be explored. You can do this. I got your back, girlfriend!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-18T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/18/go-do-its-travel-tuesday.html", "tags": ["Travel","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Growth","Comfort","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/14/colorado-blue-blaster-day.html", "title": "Colorado Blue Blaster Day!!!", "content_html": "

\"blue “Colorado Blue Blaster Day!!!”

\n

Coffee with the girls this morning then drove with TOW-Wanda to Denver. Watching ‘High School Musical’ at Westminster High School. Can’t wait to see the grandchildren dancing in the finale! It is reminiscent of when their mommy was in theater.

\n

Tomorrow, my younger daughter and I will get together and do something epic. (It’s a surprise!) Saturday night will be a sleepover with the grandgirls in the trailer. Sunday I’m meeting dear friends to go to church. Then back home on Monday. A four day weekend will be gone before I know it!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-14T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/14/colorado-blue-blaster-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/13/springtime-in-the-rockies.html", "title": "Springtime in the Rockies", "content_html": "

\"camper “Springtime in the Rockies”

\n

I headed to the lake Sunday afternoon. I needed to be alone with my thoughts and memories. The anniversary of Mr. Virgo’s death has come and gone. I loved being in the trailer alone. I talked to him. I cried for him. I wrote…and read…and prayed…and napped. I stared at the water and the birds. I listened to the wind and the geese. And I let it go. This year. This awful, heart-breaking, life-changing yet beautiful, blessed year. This change came from a 12 month gestation to birth a different version of me. Older, wiser, deeper. Grief knocked off some of those sharp edges and has humbled me in ways I never knew. And now? Now I’m ready to face whatever comes my way! I’m ready to tackle new projects. Travel to new places. Finish writing my book. Keep writing here. Take more pictures. Make more jewelry. Enter speaker training (not all who train are chosen, but it is a skill I can use anyway!). Paint. Learn. Grow. Teach. Fish. Hike. Camp.

\n

Life is a precious gift. I don’t want to miss one single moment of it. So, I’m heading off to watch my grandchildren sing in the chorus of their first stage production!!!

\n

I’ll get back to you from the road!

\n

<3 Ginny

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-13T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/13/springtime-in-the-rockies.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Growth","goRVing","Wisdom","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/24/travel-tuesday.html", "title": "Travel Tuesday", "content_html": "

\"sisters “Sisters on the Fly”

\n

If you are looking for something really, REALLY fun to do, you simply MUST join Sisters on the Fly! They are an outdoor adventure club with a goal of empowering women. Picture Girl Scouts with martinis! Do I have your attention yet?

\n

As many of you know, Mr. Virgo and I were standing in a travel trailer deciding which one to buy when he had his heart attack. We were preparing for his retirement and had plans to travel the country, one little town at a time. When I was left a widow unexpectedly, I decided to fulfil that dream. I went out two weeks after he died and bought TOW-Wanda and took off for three months alone to work my way through my grief in my own way. In 2004, my mother had died and I rented a 17’ U-Haul with a car hauler behind for my Toyota, so I knew I could handle a little ol’ 16 foot travel trailer on my own.

\n

I had seen a news item about Sisters on the Fly and it struck me as great fun. With Mr. Virgo gone, I needed to find something joyful to put in front of me. I ordered their book and read it the week after the funeral. These women are amazing! The organization was founded by two real life sisters as a way to have some fun with their friends in their vintage travel trailers. You don’t have to have a vintage trailer to join. As a matter of fact, you don’t even have to HAVE a trailer. There are now nearly 5,000 members all over the world. And once you are a Sister, you have 4,999 real life sisters of your own that have your back!

\n

You can earn badges for such wonderful skills as mixing the best martini, smoking a cigar, backing up a trailer. There are organized activities at the gatherings of the Sisters and you may find yourself fly fishing for the first time. Or hiking, horseback riding, Dutch oven cooking. Or just sitting around the fire telling stories. I would highly recommend joining this wonderful, supportive, loving group of women whose motto is “We have more fun than anyone!!!” Check them out here…

\n

www.sistersonthefly.com

\n

See you on the trail!

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-24T02:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/24/travel-tuesday.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/24/nap-time.html", "title": "Nap Time!", "content_html": "

\"camper “Stressed out? There’s a nap for that!”

\n

Ah, to be a kindergartner. To be five and the only responsibility is tying my shoes and keeping a goldfish alive. Someone to give me a cold glass of milk and a warm cookie. Someone to tuck me in with a kiss to my forehead. It’s nap time.

\n

Entire cultures revolve around naps. Some corporations in Japan offer small cubicles where workers can take a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. Einstein worked for a few hours at a time then slept, rising to repeat the cycle and look what it did for HIS brain! I’m not talking the escapism of depression here. That kind of napping is unhealthy. No, I’m talking about taking a break from the BUSY and slow down. A power nap. A peaceful nap. An oasis in an overly cluttered life.

\n

My schedule has been pretty packed here of late. Gone are those large stretches of time that I needed to survive this year of grieving. I sleep well at night. But occasionally I need to just stop and recharge. I have a friend in her eighties. She is like a mom to me. As a matter of fact, she and her husband stood up for me as my parents when I married Mr. Virgo. I was visiting her the other day. The sun was shining through the south windows. We were enjoying a lazy day, chatting by the fire, when we both started yawning. I feel quite at home at her house, so I just told her I was going to lay down for 30 minutes then I would take her to her doctor’s appointment. I came out refreshed and ready for whatever the rest of the day offered me.

\n

We don’t always have the opportunity to nap, but if you can swing it…go for it. I’ll have cookies and milk for you when you wake up!

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-24T02:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/24/nap-time.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Camping","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/16/new-frontiers.html", "title": "New Frontiers", "content_html": "

\"SUV “New Frontiers”

\n

I was sitting in a local restaurant having brunch on Sunday after church. This has become a ritual for me…a time to either visit with a friend that I invite to join me, or dine alone. I delight in the company when someone comes along, but the times alone allow me the opportunity to reflect on the sermon of the day. And, since this week’s sermon was on sex, what better time to discuss new frontiers…of all types. (No, I’m not going to get into a discussion about sex…today anyway!)

\n

As I sat gazing out the window of this charming little restaurant, I watched some people across the street unloading kitchen equipment into a building that will house a new bakery/cafe. I was reminded of when I began my own little needlework supply store as a recently separated woman thirteen years ago. I was thrilled, hopeful, scared to death. Would people come? Would they buy? Could I sell enough thread to keep the doors open? (Turns out, I could not, but that’s a story for another day.) I imagined this new entrepreneur, setting up shop, planning, praying. It is a new frontier where this person is headed. And we, as widows, are headed to new frontiers as well.

\n

My journey took me to a little 16’ travel trailer. TOW-Wanda is her name. She is new, not the vintage trailer I had dreamed of, but with classic lines that make her look older than she is. When I bought her, I remember a remarkable feeling coming over me. A feeling of security, of safety, of somehow ‘coming home’. When we were children, we all had forts, playhouses, tents, tree houses. Places where we could find refuge from the stresses of childhood…parents, siblings, bullies…anyone who dimmed our light. We needed that little fantastical escape to recharge our batteries. We don’t stop needing that just because we are older and alone. Being in TOW-Wanda does that for me, even if I’m sitting at the curb in front of my house.

\n

We will be heading into the travel season before long. If you have ever thought about having a travel trailer and have the means to get one, then by all means, do so! I travelled alone for three months last summer and never felt threatened or frightened. If I didn’t know how to do something, I just Googled it. If I needed help with something, I just asked for it…there are always helpful “neighbors” when you are camping. And if you need company, trailer and RVers are the BEST! They will invite you to their campfire. When they find out you are traveling alone, they will offer help and either share their meal or they will invite you for cocktails at Happy Hour. I found the typical response was disbelief from the wives…“You’re doing this ALONE??? Oh, I could NEVER do that!” Yes, honey…you can…and you may have to…so watch and learn.) Men were typically quite impressed with my ability to back my trailer into the tightest of spaces and hook/unhook the trailer without A) taking out the tree or the picnic table or B) having to ask for help.

\n

As we get closer to trailer time, I’ll share some posts about travel for the unaccompanied woman. There’s a big, bright world out there, ladies, and it’s ours for the taking. All we have to do is suit up and show up!

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-16T02:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/16/new-frontiers.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/15/cabin-fever.html", "title": "Cabin Fever", "content_html": "

\"gypsy “I’ve got a little gypsy in me!”

\n

Oh, I’ve got it bad. You know what I’m talking about. That itch to get out and do something…anything…outside. In the warm sunshine. To feel my toes in the grass. To hear the birds sing. To feel the tug of a good sized trout that will soon be sizzling over a campfire.

\n

That’s what I want…right now. I want to hook TOW-Wanda up and feel the miles roll under us. I want to get lost in the woods. I want to go someplace I’ve never been.

\n

Is it spring yet?

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-15T02:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/15/cabin-fever.html", "tags": ["TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/04/nature-cheaper-than-therapy.html", "title": "Nature. Cheaper Than Therapy.", "content_html": "

\"coyote “Nature…cheaper than therapy!”

\n

Therapy has its place in our lives. When everything falls apart, sometimes we need a little help sorting out the pieces. It’s up to us to provide the glue.

\n

One of the things I absolutely love about TOW-Wanda is she has big windows strategically placed. I can hand grind and prepare my French-pressed coffee in the morning, prop up my pillows and get back in bed. I always try to park with the best views out the biggest window. I watch the light change, listen to the wind in the trees, and soak every ounce of nature’s beauty into the marrow of my bones. I always keep binoculars, a camera, and my journal within easy reach. Once the chill is off the morning, I hike, fish, drive, or just sit by a rushing stream. I try not to have an agenda unless I have a destination in mind.

\n

Last fall, I had to find a place to park TOW-Wanda. I really wanted to keep her at home with me but I ran out of time to prepare a parking spot for her. She’s out on a mesa near the airport. Not bad views either. I go out when I can and hike through the snow to reach her. She’s well insulated and if the sun is shining, I can stay pretty warm under the covers. I’ve been known to go out after church, crawl in bed with a good book, and take a nap. While I may not be lost in the woods, I’m in an environment that nurtures the same feelings and I always feel like I’ve had a vacation afterwards…even if it’s only been a couple of hours.

\n

Get outside. Take a walk. Feel the sun or wind or even just snow on your face. If you are grieving in the winter, you have the added challenge of dark, dismal days. Feed the birds and watch them. Force bulbs in pots on the windowsill. Plant grass seed in planters so you can run your fingers through it. Pets are perfect. They sooth your soul. If you aren’t up to having a pet, visit a local animal rescue. They can always use extra hands. And fear not….Spring will be here soon. Just hang in there. You’re doing really hard work. We’ll get through this.

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-04T02:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/04/nature-cheaper-than-therapy.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/09/27/sisters-on-the-fly-on.html", "title": "Sisters on the Fly on CBS!!!", "content_html": "

\"sisters “Sisters on the Fly on CBS!!!”

\n

I know this is REALLY late notice, but we just got word the segment filmed with the Sisters in Estes Park will be aired tomorrow, Friday 9/27 from 7-9am! We have no idea where in the show we will be so you can DVR or put your feet up with a cup of coffee and enjoy!!! I have no access to TV where I am but I just downloaded the CBS app on my iPad and it says I can watch full episodes so maybe I’ll catch it! \"\":-)

\n

Let me know if you get to see it!

\n", "date_published": "2013-09-27T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/09/27/sisters-on-the-fly-on.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Sisters on the Fly","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/09/14/mr-virgos-cross-weminuche-wilderness.html", "title": "Mr. Virgo's Cross - Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado", "content_html": "

\"cross “Mr. Virgo’s Cross”

\n

This is where I left Mr. Virgo’s lock of hair when I hiked into the wilderness this summer to say good-bye and leave him in the place he loved the most. As I have negotiated this path, I have come upon stumbling blocks which could have made me falter. It’s what we do with those stumbling blocks that determine our direction…up or down.

\n

A few weeks ago, I realized I had not seen postings for awhile from a person I considered a friend and family member. After doing some investigation, I realized this person had not only unfriended me on FB, but had also disconnected from my children’s pages as well as Mr. Virgo’s. I was hurt and confused. I reached out, in the off chance that this was accidental and received no response. After giving it some time, I accepted that this person intentionally disconnected.

\n

When something like this happens, you can choose many responses. You can go into self-blame mode and try to figure out what on earth you did wrong. My thought on this is, after a quick inventory of your own behaviors, self-deprecation accomplishes nothing but pain and damage to your own self esteem. Of course, if it’s something you have done, by all means you should apologize and try to make it right. You could always get mad and say negative things about the person, but we all know that’s not productive…one of the perks of being ‘of a certain age’.

\n

I don’t know what precipitated this. Perhaps I wasn’t grieving in a way she felt was appropriate. Perhaps I posted something that hurt her feelings. Maybe the fact that I have found love again so quickly makes her feel my love for Mr. Virgo wasn’t genuine. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. I can only control my own response and choose how to feel. So, here is my choice. I choose love. I choose to turn this stumbling block into a stepping stone and move upward. I sent her a text to let her know I was thinking of her and that I am praying for her. I wish her well. I enjoyed knowing her. I am not less of a person because she chooses not to be in our lives. Besides, we will see each other again on the other side and will have Eternity to figure it out.

\n", "date_published": "2013-09-14T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/09/14/mr-virgos-cross-weminuche-wilderness.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/09/13/towwanda-in-the-trees.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda in the Trees", "content_html": "

\"TOW-Wanda in the Trees\" “TOW-Wanda in the Trees”

\n

Well, the time has come. I have to put TOW-Wanda to bed for the winter. \"\":-( I’m going to be traveling again soon and won’t be back till 10/20 for a week then off again. By that time there will very likely be snow, at least in the high country, and I don’t want to get stuck with her in front of my house. The snowplow dude and my neighbors would not be happy! So, sweet TOW-Wanda…let me thank you for a WONDERFUL first season as a trailer girl. You helped me more than I can say!

\n

See you next spring!!!

\n", "date_published": "2013-09-13T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/09/13/towwanda-in-the-trees.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/08/28/sisters-on-the-fly.html", "title": "Sisters on the Fly #3537", "content_html": "

\"Sisters “Ginny in Sisters Regalia”

\n

Oh, this is just too much fun! Sisters on the Fly makes girls out of women. What are you doing in your life that let’s your “little girl” come out to play?

\n", "date_published": "2013-08-28T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/08/28/sisters-on-the-fly.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","goRVing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/31/crazy-horse-memorial.html", "title": "Crazy Horse Memorial", "content_html": "\"\"\n

While this was certainly a beautiful memorial, I wonder if it will ever be completed in even my grandchildren’s lifetime. They wanted to stay for the laser light show on the rocks after dark, I got us there WAY too early (4 hours!), and by the time the show started, it was cold and drizzling. The show consisted of the story of the sculptor being asked by a Native American elder to create a memorial to show Americans they had heroes, too. It went on to talk about the lands being taken away from the tribes. And ended with Lee Greenwood’s song, God Bless the USA, which was rather an odd way to sum everything up. Anyway, I wanted to post this because it really will be a beautiful monument some day.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-31T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/31/crazy-horse-memorial.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/31/dinosaur-park.html", "title": "Dinosaur Park", "content_html": "

\"Dinosaur “Dinosaur Park”

\n

Dinosaur Park.

\n

The girls loved this!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-31T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/31/dinosaur-park.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/30/towwanda-at-spokane-creek-campground.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda at Spokane Creek Campground", "content_html": "

\"camper “TOW-Wanda at Spokane Creek”

\n

TOW-Wanda! Spokane Creek Campground, Iron Mountain Road, Keystone, SD.

\n

I would definitely recommend this campground to anyone visiting Mt. Rushmore. Very clean, quiet right at 10:30PM, cafe/store, pool, showers, friendly and fun!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-30T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/30/towwanda-at-spokane-creek-campground.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/30/wild-donkey.html", "title": "Wild Donkey", "content_html": "

\"wild “Wild Donkey”

\n

Wild Donkey. Wildlife Loop, Custer State Park, SD.

\n

We arrived back in Denver at about 9:15PM, safe and sound. Everyone is tired but we still had to spend an hour or so telling the other grandparents about all our adventures! This was our last wild animal encounter as we left the park, although I wouldn’t exactly call these guys “wild”. They were perfectly happy sticking their head in car windows in search of a handout or a scratch on the head!

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-30T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/30/wild-donkey.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/29/road-trip-south-dakota.html", "title": "Road Trip - South Dakota", "content_html": "

\"buffalo\" “Tatanka!”

\n

Wildlife Loop, Custer State Park, SD

\n

Tatanka! On our way home…what a fun trip!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-29T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/29/road-trip-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/28/tunnel-on-needles-highway-custer.html", "title": "TUNNEL ON NEEDLES HIGHWAY - CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Tunnel\n

On our way to see the Crazy Horse Monument. There were places on the Needles Highway that we had to fold in the side mirrors to get through the tunnels! Fun!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-28T02:00:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/28/tunnel-on-needles-highway-custer.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/27/mount-rushmore-south-dakota.html", "title": "MOUNT RUSHMORE, SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Mount\n

Way cool! So much fun being with family!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-27T02:00:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/27/mount-rushmore-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/27/bear-country-usa-south-dakota.html", "title": "BEAR COUNTRY USA - SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Bear\n

Bear in Bear Country USA Park, South Dakota.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-27T02:00:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/27/bear-country-usa-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/27/apatosaurus-rapid-city-south-dakota.html", "title": "APATOSAURUS - RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Apatosaurus,\n

Who knew?

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-27T02:00:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/27/apatosaurus-rapid-city-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/26/trailer-ornament.html", "title": "TRAILER ORNAMENT", "content_html": "\"Tiny\n

After a very long day at work, I headed for Denver. In order to cut an hour off my day, I drove down last night and slept in the trailer in the parking lot behind the office. It was a pretty easy commute this morning!

\n

Arrived in Denver at 10 and we’re getting up early to head for Mt. Rushmore! I’ll post when I see something interesting.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-26T02:00:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/26/trailer-ornament.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/26/wyoming-state-line.html", "title": "WYOMING STATE LINE", "content_html": "\"Family\n", "date_published": "2013-07-26T02:00:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/26/wyoming-state-line.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/21/independence-pass-above-aspen-colorado.html", "title": "INDEPENDENCE PASS ABOVE ASPEN, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Independence\n

(yes, I stopped the car, Valerie!)

\n

Just got back from church. It was held at a private campground today with 10 Baptisms and a potluck. Doesn’t get much better than that!

\n

I am cleaning out the trailer and Expedition today in preparation for the trip to Mt. Rushmore on Friday. My daughter Julie is so worried we won’t fit everyone in because I carry a boatload of stuff around with me. Just have to prove her wrong! :-)

\n

Hope your day is as beautiful as mine is!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-21T02:00:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/21/independence-pass-above-aspen-colorado.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/19/upper-frying-pan-river-above.html", "title": "UPPER FRYING PAN RIVER ABOVE BASALT, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Upper\n

Here fishy, fishy, fishy!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-19T02:00:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/19/upper-frying-pan-river-above.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/25/piedra-river-ranch-weminuche-wilderness.html", "title": "PIEDRA RIVER RANCH - WEMINUCHE WILDERNESS, NEAR PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Piedra\n

I think this would be one of the most beautiful places to live. Mr. Virgo and I lived not too far from here in 2008 for about a year. I was a little disturbed that the trees didn’t fully leaf out till June, but what little time we had off together was absolutely beautiful. We often drove up Pagosa Boulevard out and back down Plumtaw Road to Piedra Road. We made a day of it and hiked and had picnics. This ranch was pretty much the end of the road in this one section and it really is stunning. It was a beautiful summer, except for the part where Mr. Virgo wrecked the ATV and was in the hospital for a week, but that’s a story for another day.

\n

It was all good till the leaves started falling off in August. Then I realized just how high we were, and it wasn’t from something we were smoking! Winter came with a vengeance. It started snowing on the first of December. We probably had a foot of snow on the ground. One night when we went to bed, it was snowing but didn’t think anything of it. When I got up the next morning and went in to make coffee, I noticed I couldn’t see out of the kitchen window. But sometimes the snow blows sideways and sticks to windows so again, I didn’t think anything of it. We got ready for work and decided to drive in together. We raised the garage door and there, as far as you could see, in a very nice level plane, was 5 feet of snow! I know this because I am 5'5" and this snow came to my nose! Have I mentioned that I really HATE snow? I know, I’ve lived in Colorado since 1975 and I really HATE snow. And the older I get, the more I hate it. That year, it snowed 7 feet of snow in less than 2 weeks. It snowed so much that they ran out of places to put it. Thank goodness that job only lasted till January and we were out of there. So yes, in this picture, it is a beautiful, peaceful place to live.

\n

I have decided this winter is going to be different. I am going to go somewhere where the sun shines and the sea whispers my name. Where I can bury my toes in the sand and my nose in a book. Where I can have little drinks with exotic ingredients and paper umbrellas brought to me in my chaise lounge. Someplace warm and wonderful. I have a friend who lives in Belize who has been after me for the last 13 years to come visit her. I think I just might do that come January or February. Yep, gonna hit the cheapo airfare sites and give myself something wonderful to look forward to! But first, I am heading home to the beautiful hills of West Virginia. My home of origin. I’m heading out of here tomorrow and will visit with my daughters. Hubby #1 and his family are in town visiting so I get to see them. Then my brother and I will fly to WV on Thursday. Lots of fun things are planned there so I will take lots of pictures and post as I can. Cell and Internet are spotty in the Mountain State.

\n

Talk to you soon!

\n

Hugs,

\n

Ginny

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-25T02:00:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/25/piedra-river-ranch-weminuche-wilderness.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/24/canoe-chapman-dam-state-park.html", "title": "CANOE - CHAPMAN DAM STATE PARK, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Canoe\n

Another photo from my tacked on, 4 extra day, camping trip last week. Isn’t this soothing? I sat here for hours and contemplated that red canoe. Oh, what I could do with a red canoe! I would take it out on beautiful, clear mountain lakes, drop a line, read a book, take a snooze, get a few good snapshots of wildlife, perhaps. These trips are just what I need right now. I’m not getting anything done at the house. I don’t like being in my house. Mr. Virgo isn’t in my house anymore. It’s like it’s not even my house. Like it’s crying. Like it has somehow misplaced a part of itself and it can’t figure out what to do next. No, wait, that’s me. I’m ok, really. It’s just that, right now, I don’t like my house. And for now, that’s ok, too.

\n

Last Saturday, I decided to clean out Mr. Virgo’s closet. My son-in-law can use some of the things and my daughter works at a poor, inner-city school and she will find someone who can use the rest. That’s good. These things should go to someone who can use them. But I forgot something very important. I forgot Sunday was Father’s Day. I woke up, grabbed my iPad to check the news, e-mail, weather, and Facebook to see what the world was up to. And there they were…well wishes to all the Dads out there. And I was sitting there, no sweetheart to wish Happy Father’s Day to, and to add insult to injury, his clothes were in bags on the floor surrounding what used to be OUR bed. I sat there and contemplated that. I decided I really didn’t need to be sitting there, looking at what was left of his snappy wardrobe, and perhaps start to feel sorry for myself. This just wouldn’t do. This is what I bought a travel trailer for. I keep it packed and at the ready for emergencies such as this. I went away, I fished, I read, I napped, I drove, I hiked, I cooked, and then I came home. And now I am ready to take another bite out of this apple!

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-24T02:00:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/24/canoe-chapman-dam-state-park.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/24/080021.html", "title": "COLORADO WILDFLOWERS - WEMINUCHE WILDERNESS, ARCHULETA COUNTY, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Colorado\n

I have been receiving wonderful feedback from so many people regarding my writing, my travels, my journey through grief, my jewelry, my photography, my “adventurous spirit”. You are telling me that I inspire people. That I remind you to love yourselves so you can be of service to those you love. I even had a lovely lady tell me she had lost her husband several years ago and always wanted to do what I am doing but was afraid or didn’t think she could. Now she is searching for her own trailer! I am humbled.

\n

Your love and support are so touching they often make my eyes leak! I know this site started as a page to promote my art and jewelry business and that is what most of you signed up for. There is still, of course, a component of the site that is directed towards that promotion. But with the changes that have come with losing Mr. Virgo, my focus has obviously shifted tremendously. For those of you wanting to see more jewelry, I’ll get to that again as I feel motivated to create. If you don’t want to wait or aren’t interested in what I’m doing now and want to unlike the page, I’ll understand. Talking about death and grief isn’t pretty most of the time. But for those of you who have found inspiration, who have been motivated to make changes in how you think about and live your lives, I am so grateful you are sticking around to see what I might be up to next. My goals are to write every day, travel as much as possible, take tons of photos, create artistic jewelry (or whatever strikes my fancy at the moment), and be of service to others. I truly feel I have met my calling, my purpose in life.

\n

I know we don’t want to think about it and we certainly don’t want to talk about it, but statistically, us gals are more likely to be left, in one way or another. My fervent hope is to show that just because our loved one is gone doesn’t mean WE are gone. My plan is to gather my writings at the end of a year and put them together into a book to help others feel OK about exploring the world around them, no matter if it’s a month or 16 years after the funeral. If I have inspired you, or touched your lives in any way, I only ask that you share my page with others, so that I may serve others in any way I can. Thank you all so much…I love each and every one of you! And, thank you God, for showing me my path and gracing me with an abundant life!

\n

Hugs,

\n

Ginny

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-24T02:00:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/24/080021.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/22/rainbow-trout-chapman-dam-campground.html", "title": "RAINBOW TROUT - CHAPMAN DAM CAMPGROUND", "content_html": "\"Rainbow\n

Today was busy…dentist, eyeglass place to install new lenses in my glasses, but then off to the first afternoon/evening of Strawberry Days. Fun seeing people I hadn’t seen since LAST Strawberry Days and great music. I caught the trout Wednesday afternoon. Let’s see…

\n

$80 for 4 days campsite fee\n$36 for Colorado Fishing License\n$30 for half a tank of gas up and back\n$55 for new Rod & Reel\n$ 5 for worms\n$10,000 for trailer

\n

That trout cost me $10,206! It was REALLY, REALLY tasty!

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-22T02:00:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/22/rainbow-trout-chapman-dam-campground.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Hope","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/22/bull-snake-dolores-colorado.html", "title": "BULL SNAKE - DOLORES, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Bull\n

This is the real prairie dog hunter! Sue and I were walking around her property and we came very close to stepping on this guy. He was huge! Yikes!

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-22T02:00:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/22/bull-snake-dolores-colorado.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/21/colorado-wildflowers.html", "title": "COLORADO WILDFLOWERS", "content_html": "\"Colorado\n

I called my second ex-husband (yes, Mr. Virgo was hubby #3. Third time’s the charm, right?) to wish him Happy Father’s Day. He was driving and a captive audience so we had a nice, long conversation. The subject came around to the question of how I am doing. After awhile, he commented that this whole process is really complicated. As usual, I think of what I SHOULD have said a day or so after the fact. What I should have said was, I don’t look at it as complicated. Complicated has a certain negative connotation to it. I look at my loss and the grief that follows as complex and multifaceted. You figure out one thing at a time but you are faced with an ever changing landscape to navigate. I view this whole process as a diamond. The more facets there are, the more valuable it is. The more lessons I can learn. The more directions I can grow. We are faced with many losses in life. When you face yours, look for the diamonds.

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-21T02:00:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/21/colorado-wildflowers.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Grief","Positive Energy","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/15/bear-creek-falls-above-the.html", "title": "BEAR CREEK FALLS ABOVE THE BOX CANYON - OURAY, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Box\n

As a widow, I have been finding myself still having trouble making a real meal. I mean a real, fix-a-few-things-and-sit-at-the-table-and-eat kind of meal. I had dinner with my dear, “little brother” last night and he cooked. It was a simple meal…an Indian dish served over rice. But it kick-started me into rethinking my dining habits.

\n

Mr. Virgo did his PhD thesis on the loss of real dining as a society, so meals in our home were an occasion. I know I have spoken of this before, but thought I would revisit the issue since it has been three months since he died and I’m still not really cooking the kind of meal I could sit down and savor.

\n

My food preferences have changed drastically over these last months. Mr. Virgo was an Irish, meat-and-potatoes man and rather than cook two meals, I ate the same thing. I gained weight. I never slept well. I had headaches. I was pre-diabetic last time I had my blood checked. Not good things. After I started getting my appetite back, I really was SO hungry for fresh, fresh, fresh foods. Salads, steamed veggies, and crisp, cool fruit became my mainstay. I do have fish once in awhile. I love tofu and I eat eggs a few times a week. I am sleeping better and have no headaches. I haven’t had my blood retested, but I am sure things are better there, as well.

\n

When I went to the store today, I made up my mind that today I would cook. I would have a real meal and take the time to sit down and really taste the food God has been so gracious to provide for me. I love this time of year when the market is full of yummy choices in the produce department. Tonight I nibbled on a few garlic and herb pita chips dipped in spicy, three pepper hummus while I prepared my meal. For my main course, I had wild mushroom agnolotti with Mediterranean olive, sun-dried tomato, and lemon bruschetta and some shaved, aged Parmesan topping. I also had a few lightly steamed asparagus spears and an ear of bi-color corn. I loved how the lemon in the bruschetta gave off a pleasing aroma as it sat on the warm pasta. The crisp, fresh bite of the asparagus was a lovely contrast and what isn’t to love about a gold and white ear of sweet corn?

\n

Of course, it’s different not having someone to converse with over the evening meal. I don’t have TV and I swear I’ll never eat another meal in front of one as long as I live. So, I read some of an Oprah magazine. The topic? Loving the age you are! How wonderful life is. I hope you all have a grand evening, as well.

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Ginny

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#grief, #widow, #travel, #dining

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-15T02:00:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/15/bear-creek-falls-above-the.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/15/red-mountain-pass-on-the.html", "title": "RED MOUNTAIN PASS ON THE MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY", "content_html": "\"Red\n

Another shot from The Grand Adventure, Part 2. My friend, Sue, and I had just watched the Iron Horse Classic where crazy people race the train from Durango to Silverton. For those of you who have driven that, you know what a major deal that would be. For those who have done it, I’m sorry I called you crazy. :-)

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-15T02:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/15/red-mountain-pass-on-the.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/12/great-horned-owl-rocky-mountain.html", "title": "GREAT HORNED OWL: ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK", "content_html": "\"Great\n

When Mr. Virgo and I traveled, we were always on the lookout for wildlife…which we seldom saw. This trip is amazing…wildlife around every corner…literally!!! Thank you, sweetheart! \"\"

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-12T02:00:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/12/great-horned-owl-rocky-mountain.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/12/sisters-on-the-fly-and.html", "title": "SISTERS ON THE FLY AND MY TOW-WANDA SAVED ME", "content_html": "\"Sisters\n

And there she is….TOW-Wanda! Dressed in all her finery at the “Home on the Grange” event for Sisters on the Fly! I knew that coat was going to come in handy some day!

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-12T02:00:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/12/sisters-on-the-fly-and.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/12/old-homestead-sylvan-lake-state.html", "title": "OLD HOMESTEAD, SYLVAN LAKE STATE PARK - EAGLE, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Old\n

Tomorrow is my 60th birthday. I never dreamed when I celebrated my 59th that it would be my last birthday with Mr. Virgo. It’s funny how just when you thought you had it all figured out, life hands you something you need to learn how to handle to survive. But, as my dear friend Patty tells me, it’s not whether you survive that counts. It’s whether you can thrive that counts…a sort of “Bloom where you are planted” theory. I like that. So, here’s what I did today. I went out and bought a fly-fishing rod and reel and booked a guided wade trip for July 18th when the Green Drakes are hatching and I’m going to learn a new skill that will not only give me something fun to do, but will also help me meet other like-minded individuals to expand my social circle. I’m telling you, if my 60’s are as much fun as my 50’s were, I’m in for a heck of a treat!!!

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-12T02:00:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/12/old-homestead-sylvan-lake-state.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/11/elk.html", "title": "ELK", "content_html": "\"Elk\n

This was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park not far from my campsite.

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-11T17:40:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/11/elk.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/11/lupine-in-the-morning-sunlight.html", "title": "LUPINE IN THE MORNING SUNLIGHT", "content_html": "\"Lupine\n

Lupine catching the first morning rays. Sylvan Lake State Park.

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Today was the memorial for Mr. Virgo at the Ritz Carlton in Aspen Highlands where he worked. So many nice things were said. I had the opportunity to address the staff (around 100 or so were there). Then we went out and dedicated the pine tree they planted off the side of the patio of the restaurant he managed. The fellow that Mr. Virgo hired to play guitar every Wednesday in the lobby was there. He just loved my husband and said every time he played this song, he would walk by and give him a big thumbs up. He proceeded to sing John Denver’s “Annie’s Song”. I’m fine in these situations till I hear music then I’m a mess. But it was a lovely event and they served Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches in honor of Mr. Virgo’s Philadelphia roots. The ladies and gentlemen of the Ritz are a lovely group of people.

\n

After the event, I drove up to Maroon Bells which, of course, are stunning! All in all, a beautiful day.

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-11T02:00:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/11/lupine-in-the-morning-sunlight.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/11/the-grand-adventure-continues.html", "title": "THE GRAND ADVENTURE CONTINUES", "content_html": "\"Desert\n

Wow, the last couple of weeks flew by. I stayed off the grid for most of it. I didn’t have electricity, cell service or Internet and I’m telling you, there’s something to be said for getting away from everything. I went first to the Front Range to stay the night then off to my first Sisters on the Fly Event, which was a complete blast! I met some great gals. We had an event at the Altona Grange and gave tours of our trailers and raised money for both the Grange and for Casting for Recovery, a charity that provides fly fishing expeditions for breast cancer patients and survivors. On Sunday, 6/2, I drove on up to Rocky Mountain National Park and stayed two nights, then back to Denver to watch the grandchildren. We “practice camped” in their other grandma’s driveway. What a hoot! Then on Thursday night, I drove up into the Poudre Canyon. I guess I really didn’t know how bad the fire was up there last year. It was pretty devastated. I stayed one night in Dutch George Campground near the west end of the canyon where the fire damage wasn’t so bad. I love sleeping next to a river…very soothing.

\n

While I’ve been on this trip, I have seen more wildlife than all of our travels combined with the exception of the trip to Yellowstone last year. Dan was the on that always saw bears when we lived in Pagosa Springs and I never saw one in Colorado, and I’ve lived here since 1975. So, I was talking to Mr. Virgo and thanked him for bringing all the animals to me to see on this trip. Then I chided him for not bringing me a bear. Last Friday morning I left early to head west toward Steamboat Springs. I was on CO 14 heading west and if you have never been over that way, you MUST put it on your bucket list. You climb and climb till to reach the top of Cameron Pass which is over 10,000 feet. There’s a reservoir at the top that was still half frozen so I parked in the lot to give the engine a chance to cool down. After awhile I took off down the other side. Just a little ways down, there is a pull off where you can get an amazing view and then the road has a sharp turn to the right. Just as I cam around that turn, there was the most beautiful, BIG bear standing alongside the road, not 15 feet from me. I reached for my camera and the disk was full! Argh! By the time I got my cell cameral open and ready, he just went right over the side of the bank and out of view. Mr. Virgo brought me my bear and I suppose it was just for him and me to have. Pretty neat!

\n

When I got to Steamboat, I decided to keep going up to Steamboat Lake State Park and camped there for two days. I left there yesterday morning and decided to squeeze one more day into the trip and stayed at Sylvan Lake State Park south of Eagle. I have driven by that sign a zillion times and never went there. WOW! If you haven’t been there, that is another thing to put on your bucket list. The most amazing thing about it was the lack of pine beetle damage. So many places are just devastated with the majority of the pine trees dead and it’s been long enough now that they are falling and being removed. The valley up by Sylvan Lake honestly looks like Colorado did before the pine beetle infestation. The only bad part was, even on a Sunday, it was pretty packed, pretty noisy, and very smoky.

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I got up early today and headed home. It’s so hot here compared to the alpine campgrounds I’ve been staying in. I emptied out the car and the trailer and everything is where I left it in the living room. Tomorrow I’ll start putting it away and doing laundry. Part 2 of the Grand adventure is over. I have met many wonderful people. I have made some great connections for my jewelry. But one of the best things that happened was connecting with women, telling them of my loss, and demonstrating to them that just because our spouses die, doesn’t mean we do and there is no reason why we can’t move forward, with whatever means we have available, and still have a life and create more joyful memories. I have tons of pictures and I found that I can’t put too many out at a time or it floods your page. So, while I am fussing around the house over the next couple of weeks, preparing for Part 3 of the Grand Adventure, I will post some of the better shots of Parts 1 and 2.

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In the meantime, the Ritz Carlton where Mr. Virgo worked, is having a memorial service for him tomorrow and will plant a tree and place a plaque in his memory. This of course brings up lots of feelings, but now I can think of the happy things we did together and when I talk to people about him, I glow and tell people how wonderful he was and how grateful I am that I had him in my life. I am looking forward to the conversations I will have with his coworkers tomorrow.

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-11T02:00:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/11/the-grand-adventure-continues.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/05/26/dallas-divide.html", "title": "DALLAS DIVIDE", "content_html": "\"Dallas\n

Tomorrow I head home from Part 1 of The Grand Adventure. I have had a fabulous time on this trip and have truly enjoyed my visit here with Sue. She lives on 10 acres overlooking Mesa Verde. We got up this morning and practiced yoga on the southern patio. Then we walked around the property and she showed me places where pottery sherds from the Anasazi just lie out on the open ground. Amazing! There is also a beautiful canyon on the back of the property. Yesterday we went early to Silverton and watched the end of a bike race, visited with friends, and then drove to Ouray for lunch. Afterwards, we drove to Ridgeway and soaked at the Orvis Hot Springs (clothing optional…scandalous!!!) We got home in time to see the beautiful moonrise over the La Plata Mountains, had a fire and made S’Mores. The day before was a day of trekking around Durango and out to dinner with friends. Lots of photos I will be posting. I go home tomorrow and regroup for the trip Thursday to Denver and on to my first Sisters on the Fly event!

\n", "date_published": "2013-05-26T02:00:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/05/26/dallas-divide.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/05/23/time-flies.html", "title": "TIME FLIES", "content_html": "

You know you are having a grand vacation when you have no idea what day it is! Well, either that or I’m getting that “Old Timer’s Disease”! I’ve taken some great pictures but have not been anywhere near wi-fi to post them. I arrived in Durango yesterday, did a little retail therapy, met up with my good friend, Sue Hakanson and went out for dinner. Stayed up late catching up. I browsed more stores today and went to the park and made some more jewelry and garden markers. I love my portable studio! Meeting Sue again tonight and taking the trailer to Dolores. The 4 day weekend is jam packed with fun events…pedicures, dining, Ouray, Orvis Hot Springs, Silverton for the Iron Horse bike race…..just fun, fun, fun! Will be heading home for a couple of days on either Monday or Tuesday then off to the Front Range for a Rockies game and my first Sisters on the Fly event! I’ll post pics later!

\n", "date_published": "2013-05-23T02:00:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/05/23/time-flies.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/05/20/treasure-falls.html", "title": "TREASURE FALLS", "content_html": "
\"Treasure
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Day 8, 9, & 10: Grand Adventure - Part 1
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Well, as you can tell, the internet doesn't work at the RV park in Pagosa Springs. Hooray for Libraries! I had a beautiful drive down on Saturday. Another Colorado blue blaster day! As I was coming over Poncha Pass I was reminded of the first time Mr. Virgo and I traveled to Pagosa for the job interview that led us to move there. We drove through a blizzard so bad that he watched the GPS and told me when the next turn was coming! Oh my gosh, that had to be the worst conditions I have ever driven in since moving here in 1986. When we finally got to Pagosa, he had to force his door open because there was about an inch of ice frozen over the whole car. He had to spray it all down to melt off enough to open the other doors. Ahhh, the memories!
\n
\n
This cold or allergies or whatever it is has really kicked my hiney this weekend and I slept a lot. Not a bad thing, but I'm not doing the adventurous things I had hoped to do. I went to the hot springs yesterday for a soak (NOT as clean as the ones in Glenwood, for those of you who are interested.). Then I had one of the best massages I have ever had! I got some lunch and went back to the trailer and thought I would just lay down for a few minutes to read and 5 HOURS later I woke up. I believe I am on the other side of the worst of it and things are looking up from here!
\n
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Today, I met my friend Jenny for lunch. What a treat! We worked together for the year we lived here and it was so nice to catch up. She told me another gal we worked with, Sherri, worked at the bakery so I stopped to visit her while I had a nice cup of tea. (Oh, by the way...that was while it was SNOWING outside! Only lasted for 5 minutes, but still...it was white stuff coming out of the sky where there is no earthly reason for it to on May 20th!) Such a nice day.
\n
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I have been thinking a lot about the grief process and have come to the conclusion it is much like childbirth. Once you get into it, you can only move forward. And, you can read all about it and take classes and talk to a hundred people, but when it is your turn, you do what comes naturally, just like you do when giving birth. I no longer feel the crushing pain I felt initially. I don't cry as much as I did. I can think of something my husband said or that we did together and smile now, at least more often than not. I was talking with my friend at lunch about this today and she shared something she felt when she was grieving the loss of someone she loved. She said when she got to the point where I am right now, she was ready to join the human race again...to move past that initial phase of numbness. But she was concerned about what others might think. Would they think she was being callous and unfeeling? Would they think she maybe didn't care for her loved one the way she said she had? Would they think she had forgotten him or was denying her true feelings? Maybe she didn't grieve the right way or the length of time that was considered appropriate? I can relate to this. I am ready to stop rending my garments and live my life and explore and figure out who I want to be this time around. What do I want my legacy to look like? Do I really need this big house to rattle around in and spend a fortune on upkeep, not to mention the time and energy it takes to maintain it? Do I really need all this...stuff? This in no way means I have forgotten Mr. Virgo. It doesn't mean that I don't wish with all my heart that things were different and he could share this journey with me. What it means is, HE died...I didn't. And he would kick my behind into next week if he thought I was sitting home in the dark while the world went on without me.
\n
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So, that's where I am today. Looking towards the horizon ahead of me, wondering what is over the next hill that I can learn from and experience. I am so thrilled you are traveling with me! Today's picture is of the mist coming off of Treasure Falls near Pagosa Springs.
\n", "date_published": "2013-05-20T02:00:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/05/20/treasure-falls.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/05/17/collegiate-peaks.html", "title": "COLLEGIATE PEAKS", "content_html": "\"Collegiate\n

Here’s a view of the Collegiate Peaks without the trailer in the way. Isn’t this stunning? This was taken Day 6 of the Grand Adventure, Part 1.

\n", "date_published": "2013-05-17T02:00:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/05/17/collegiate-peaks.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/05/13/the-grand-adventure.html", "title": "THE GRAND ADVENTURE", "content_html": "

The snow is melting in the high country and I am off on an adventure…The Grand Adventure, to be exact. I tried reading self-help grief books and they just did not speak to me so I am going to go out and grieve in my own way…one campfire at a time! My first stop has been in Denver to visit with my family and get my camper stocked up for my trip. My mail is being held. My neighbor’s are keeping an eye out on the house. My only responsibility it to me…to listen to my heart and follow where it leads. TOW-Wanda!

\n", "date_published": "2013-05-13T02:00:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/05/13/the-grand-adventure.html", "tags": ["Grief","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/04/22/towwandas-maiden-voyage.html", "title": "TOW-WANDA'S MAIDEN VOYAGE: 4/22/13", "content_html": "\"Ford\n

Here she is… “TOW-Wanda!” on her maiden voyage! I got home from church yesterday and was faced with a ton of paperwork and sunny skies. So? What’s a girl to do? Why…go camping, of course! This is at Rifle Gap Reservoir State Park, about 20 miles from home. I figured my first trip or two should be local till I get the hang of things. What a hoot! It was pretty nippy so the furnace kicked on several times during the night. I had the fridge turned down too low and woke up to frozen OJ this morning. Also, I want to add some padding to the lower bunk bed because it was a bit too firm for my taste. Other than that, a perfect first-time experience!

\n", "date_published": "2013-04-22T02:00:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/04/22/towwandas-maiden-voyage.html", "tags": ["Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/04/06/just-a-little-crooked.html", "title": "JUST A LITTLE CROOKED", "content_html": "\"Sportsmen\n

OK, just a little bit crooked, but that’s me…a little cockeyed! grin emoticon:-D I have to order “Sister #3537” now and I’m good to go!

\n", "date_published": "2013-04-06T12:05:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/04/06/just-a-little-crooked.html", "tags": ["Hope","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/03/24/trying-again.html", "title": "TRYING AGAIN", "content_html": "\"Little\n

So, the lady with the pretty, pink trailer has not responded to my e-mail since I asked her about wood rot so maybe there’s writing on the wall here. I am talking with a fellow near my house who has this one. A little disappointed in the color choice but I suppose it wouldn’t take much for an auto body shop to paint it pink! This one might be better because it has been totally rebuilt from the chassis up. New wood frame, new electric, propane lines, brakes, and tires. All original wood interior has been refinished and as you can see, new paint. She could be “Red Bird” or “Redbud” or “Ruby Rose”! I’ll be looking here in Denver as well so we shall see!

\n", "date_published": "2013-03-24T02:00:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/03/24/trying-again.html", "tags": ["Grief","Hope","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/03/21/possibility.html", "title": "POSSIBILITY", "content_html": "\"Little\n

I’ve come to a big decision…since Mr. Virgo and I were standing in a travel trailer picking one out for retirement, I’ve decided to move forward with our plans and buy a little travel trailer of my own! I know I need to put something joyful in front of me or I’m never going to make it through this. What do you think of this little baby???

\n", "date_published": "2013-03-21T02:00:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/03/21/possibility.html", "tags": ["Grief","Hope","Camping"] } ] }