Sisters on the Fly on Marshmallow Ranch

A Celebration

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 01:30:49 -0600

“Celebrating a love…and a life.”

When Mr. FixIt and I got married last October, it was really a rather spur of the moment decision. I didn’t wan’t my kids to have to spend money to come out for the wedding when we were planning a trip to Colorado this summer anyway. So, I told them we would just have a dinner together with those we love and celebrate that way.

Yesterday was our day to celebrate our wedding with our Colorado peeps. Daughter #1 organized it and we had fourteen people over for the same menu we served at the actual wedding…pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, chips, and drinks. In lieu of a wedding cake, and the fact that we all need to fit in our pretty dresses in three weeks for Daughter #2’s wedding, we had fruit salad instead of cake.

It was wonderful to have our loved ones around us. I really wanted them to spend some time with Mr. FixIt and get to know him better…and vice versa. It was such a lovely day and everyone had a great time. And, today is my daughter and son-in-law’s 24th Weddiing Anniversary! Remembering that beautiful day and hoping they have many, many more!

I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life.

I ended the day with a note of sadness, however. I found out a sweet friend of mine died after a ten year struggle with cancer. Rae Ann and I connected six years ago after I joined Sisters on the Fly. She was the only Sister in my area. Rae Ann had an infectious laugh, a gravely voice, and was the best storyteller. She could make your sides split without even trying. I had the very good fortune of camping with her several times. The last time was after she found out her cancer could not be cured. She taught me so much about living the life you have to the fullest. She was camping and kayaking up to the last couple of weeks of her life. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace, Rae Ann. You were a shining example of living in the moment and I celebrate your life today!

❤️

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."”
Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Little Vintage Campers

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 02:30:55 -0600

“Little vintage campers…how many people were IN this thing?”

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.

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.

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!

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! ?‍♀️

❤️

“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.'”
Luke 14:28-30 ESV

Finding a Friend

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 02:30:13 -0600

“I met one of my readers last night for dinner when she came through town! So nice to meet you, Jo!”

I often receive private messages from readers with comments, suggestions, questions, and sometimes seeking a little extra love and support if they are going through something particularly tough. This was the case when I heard from Jo. Her husband had been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Like me, she knew she needed to put something joyful in front of her to get through what she knew was coming. She was experiencing anticipatory grief.

Jo was intrigued by my camping escapades and how I used my little camper travels to help me navigate grief. She joined Sisters on the Fly and borrowed a Class C RV from a friend. While her husband was still well enough to go, she took him camping. They enjoyed that trip, but her husband made her promise not to buy that particular RV. It was older, and he knew repairs would be coming soon. He didn’t want her getting stranded somewhere or to be saddled with extra expenses so she promised.

We talked about getting together in the spring, then spring turned to summer and Jo’s husband continued to worsen. Then, after 45 years of marriage and countless sessions of chemo and radiation, her sweet husband passed peacefully, November 17th, surrounded by his loving family at home. A wake was held in Virginia last weekend and Jo made arrangements to have a second wake in Indiana with her eight siblings and their families this coming weekend.

While she could have flown to Indiana, Jo decided to drive, much to the dismay of her family. Not a week as a widow and she was already being told “You’re too old!” “You can’t do that alone!” Luckily, this tiny woman with the spiky white hair is feisty and put the kibosh on that. She informed them that, not only was she going to drive to Indiana…alone…she was going to start looking for an RV. They were aghast! She had another reason for wanting to drive. She knew she would be traveling through West Virginia and she wanted to meet me.

Jo contacted me early this week and told me she would be heading through my area Wednesday and she wanted to take me to dinner. I jumped at the chance. We met at Texas Roadhouse and talked for FOUR hours! We talked with the ease you feel when you have a lot in common with someone. We told stories, asked questions, and laughed the evening away. One particular story tugged at my heart strings and made tears sting my eyes.

When her husband was so ill, Jo’s friends and family kept asking what they could do to help. There were far too many casseroles and plates of cookies already so she decided to start “The Toothbrush Crusade”. You see, even though they had owned and operated a Christian school together for the last twenty years, Jo’s husband was not a believer. So, she asked everyone to pray for her husband’s salvation while they were brushing their teeth. That was around two minutes, at least twice per day that people would be praying for him. I’d love to say her husband was struck by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed his faith before he died, but that isn’t the case. He did tell her he would believe “for her”, but we know that isn’t how it works.

We do not know what goes through the mind in the moments before death. I reassured Jo that, even though we believe, we do not know the mind of God and we are not telepathic. People’s faith is personal and between them and God. She had done everything she could to bring him to Christ. She understands now she has to just wait till she gets there and finds out for herself. My hope is that, in those final moments, he saw a fork in the road and made a choice to move towards the light.

As the evening drew to a close and we ate the last of the dessert we split between us, we proclaimed ourselves as friends for life. Jo and I posed for the obligatory photo to commemorate the occasion, gave a good long hug, and went our separate ways till we meet again. I so enjoyed our time together. The last thing Jo said when she turned to leave was, “Keep doing what you’re doing…you have no idea how much you are helping people.” I quickly replied, “I’m just the transcriptionist. It’s all God’s doing!”

As I got in my truck to head home to Mr. FixIt, I said…”Lord, I always ask you to bring me the words to write and the people on the other side of the screen who need to read them. Thank you, Lord, for showing me they are there.” ❤️

““Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ””
Matthew 19:17-19 NIV

A Gal About Town

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 01:30:22 -0600

“Colorful Colorado”

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭113:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I 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.

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.

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.

“Vintage suitcases house craft supplies, camping gear, and Halloween costumes.”

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.

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.

“Michelle and me…writers, campers, fly fishers, Sisters.”

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. ❤

Campfire...Nature’s Therapist

Thu, 17 May 2018 01:30:14 -0600

“A campfire is cheaper than therapy.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. ❤

“The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Craving the Sun

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 02:30:56 -0600

“Late Winter Sun”

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.

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.

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! ❤️

“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.” ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Johnny and Punkin Spice

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 02:30:37 -0600

I have this friend. She’s one of those wonderful shining stars that God places on this earth to be a guardian of animals. I am convinced she is an “angel unawares”. I met Aimee through a high school friend. They were talking at a conference once and Aimee told her about this great group of women campers she belonged to called…Sisters on the Fly. Diane couldn’t wait to hook us up. And I am so glad she did. I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with Aimee. As a matter of fact, I believe we have only seen each other in person two or three times. But it’s always “old home week” when we greet each other like long lost friends.

Not only are Aimee and I “Sisters”…we are also fellow West Virginians. And darned proud of it, I might say. Aimee works for the state and created the COOLEST soil trailer. It’s a cargo trailer that she converted on the inside to give you a “worm’s eye view” of what it looks like in the ground. So, she’s an animal activist, she hauls a soil trailer all over the state to teach kids about the earth, she’s a Sister on the Fly, and a farmer, and she creates beautiful art pieces that she sells at some of the big decorator barn sales. On top of that, she’s beautiful, funny, and I just love her to pieces. Because she saved Johnny’s life.

Johnny was a rescue. Terribly ill, he was essentially a lost cause. The vet didn’t think he could possibly live. But Aimee found out about him (I think she’s on speed dial at the animal rescue) and scooped him up. She sat up with Johnny for days, snuggling him in blankets, taking him in for infusions and tests practically every day. He kept getting sicker and sicker. He was a rescue…but he had wriggled into her heart and she couldn’t give up on him. One night, they made a desperate trip to see the vets at the university in Columbus. It took a while, but they finally diagnosed Johnny with a rare disease that affects his joints. If they could just get him through, things would get better for him and he would live a pretty normal life. But there were no guarantees. They pleaded and prayed and now…look at him! He’s so beautiful. All of us fell madly in love with him and Aimee is great at recording his life for his fan base.

This fall, Aimee was driving down the street in her truck when she saw something very tiny in the road. It was a kitten! And there was a man in a truck alongside the road. The kitten was trying desperately to get in the truck but the man just sat and stared at it. Without thinking, Aimee jumped out, stopped traffic, scooped up the kitten, and ran back across the busy highway. She yelled at the man. “Didn’t you see that kitten?” He just shrugged. “I don’t know anything about that.” Oh, he knew alright! He had more than likely dumped that baby right before Aimee drove by. God puts angels right where he needs them, doesn’t He?

This little kitten went to work with Aimee every day as she fostered it. She socialized her and made sure she had all her shots and took extra special care of her in hopes she would forget all about the bad man in the truck. What sent us over the moon was how much Johnny loved his kitty. HIS kitty. Oh…how Johnny LOVES kitties! He would cry and cry until Aimee gave him the kitten. Then she had to sit with him and tell him over and over…”Easy, Johnny. You have to be gentle. Easy. Easy.” Johnny knew, the only way he could have his baby was if he laid down very still…then Aimee would place this tiny little fur ball under this big boxer boy. He laid so still…but his tail pounded the bed like a drum.

Eventually, the kitty found her way to a forever home with a boy to play with. We were all SO worried about Johnny. How would he handle losing his baby? Aimee posted pictures of Johnny with his other kitties. His mommy knows when she has reached the number of animals she can responsibly care for. She did the right thing. And she knows Johnny better than any of us. She knew he would be fine. It’s as if Johnny knew he was only a temporary caregiver for this little baby.

We can learn so much from Johnny. Patience, kindness, caring…unconditional love. He doesn’t care that the kitten isn’t like him. All he knows is…here is someone who needs love and he has love to give.

You never know what kind of stray Aimee will attract next. Right now she is fostering a dog with cancer who is legitimately psychotic. They are trying to figure out how to help her. If anyone can, it’s our divine farm girl…the Dirt Queen. Thank you, Aimee…for having such a huge heart. You are so loved and there are many stars in your crown. ❤️

““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?” ‭‭Job‬ ‭12:7-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Getting Bolder: Stories, Not Stuff

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 01:30:09 -0600

Today’s post is a link to my most recent installment of “Getting Bolder” on the Sisters on the Fly blog. ❤️

www.sistersonthefly.com/getting-b…

“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When the Party's Over

Sun, 24 Sep 2017 01:55:09 -0600

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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! ❤️

“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.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Going Places, Doing Things

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 01:55:19 -0600

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.

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.

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.

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! ❤️

“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ooooom-Pa-Pa!

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 01:55:43 -0600

I arrived at the Country Living Fair in the early afternoon yesterday and met my Girl Camper friends. We had to wait our turn to pull the three campers into the grounds so we sat around and nibbled on finger foods and caught up with what’s been going on in each other’s lives. Girl Camper extraordinaire, Janine Pettit, regaled us with stories of her epic month long trip to the National Parks out west this summer. Gail shared that her daughter is going to live overseas for a year. Jill was excited about her new-to-her Airstream she recently redecorated. I shared the article from the Fidelity online magazine. Sisters and Girl Campers always pick up where we left off the last time.

I don’t know if you’ve ever gone to a Country Living Fair but the amount of work that goes on in the background to set something up this massive and intricate is astounding. We drove in on cue when it was our turn. The area where we set up is pretty tight and it took a great deal of maneuvering to get all three campers in just right. I’m glad I have some mad backing up skills because they came in handy yesterday!

Once the three campers were set up, they had to be “staged”. You’ve all seen those cute campers in the magazines with all the vintage collectibles or great quilts or baskets of flowers? All those things were placed there with an eye much more skilled than mine. When these girls were finished, it looked just like a photo shoot! I can’t wait to take pictures today!

As I walked through the fair grounds, the displays were eye candy for someone who cannot resist the colorful, glossy pages of Country Living Magazine. It’s like the magazine itself has come alive…its pages exploding on the grounds all around you! Antiques, linens, rusty farm implements, artsy clothing and jewelry…you name it, it’s here. Including the kitchen sink. It’s truly one of the most beautiful fairs of its kind in the country. I’m so looking forward to browsing when I can.

I’ve read Country Living Magazine for years. Now that I’m living a country life, it would be so easy to accumulate too much stuff again and, seriously…I really don’t want to go through that kind of downsizing ever again. I carefully curate what comes in my house now. I only have what is useful and I know to be beautiful. The trouble is…there is SO much that I find beautiful. So my third measure is…Would I rather have this “thing” or go someplace with that money. Experience over stuff wins just about every time.

We ended the evening at a German restaurant where the highlight of the evening was a group of dinner guests playing cowbells to the tune “Edelweiss”. You can’t make this stuff up!

Stay tuned…I may not be able to resist some extra posts today when I see something pretty! ❤️

“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mountain Music

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 01:55:41 -0600

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.

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.

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!

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.

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! ❤️

“I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Jersey Girls

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 01:55:31 -0600

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!

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?

I named them “Honorary Hillbillies”…those wonderful Italian women from New Jersey!

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. ❤️

“She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Sisters on the Fly

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 01:55:09 -0600

What is Sisters on the Fly?

It’s the world’s largest outdoor adventure group for women. We have affected the lives of over 9,000 women from around the world. Our motto is “We have more fun than anyone!” And it’s true! Sister gatherings are jam packed with fun and we turn women into girls.

What do the Sisters do at their gatherings?

We do a number of things! Some of us fly fish. Some ride horses or mountain bikes. We love to go junkin’ and eat great food. Some hike. Some play and listen to music. Whatever floats your boat. And speaking of floating your boat, we are going to ride the sternwheeler on the Ohio River over to visit the Blennerhassett Mansion this week. We love to eat so we’re going to have an old fashioned weenie roast. My Pop-Pop whittled the end of sharp sticks for roasting weenies and marshmallows. We’ll serve them the WV way with sauce and slaw. We are playing music and listening to music and maybe even clog dance. Sisters will try just about anything!

How can I be a Sister?

You can have more fun that anyone by heading over to www.sistersonthfly.com and signing up. Dues are $70 a year and there are gatherings of every interest all around the globe.

What kind of women become Sisters on the Fly?

Bold women. Shy women. Women with campers. Women with tents. Women who prefer the lodge or a fine hotel or a cabin. Single women. Taken women. Married women. Widowed women. Young women. Old women. Key word is Women. No men. (Sorry, guys!) No kids. (Sorry, kids!) and, no pets.

These gals love to eat! I shopped yesterday. Such a wise shopper I have become. This big grocery cart ended up costing $150! I was impressed. We will see how the menu and activities go over. I’ve done the planning, the shopping and the prep. As my friend V says…it’s time for the fun! ❤️

“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(Photos from older Sisters on the Fly gatherings.)

Umbraphiles...The Shadow Lovers

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 01:55:38 -0600

They’ll chase an eclipse…clear across the ocean if they have to. They are umbraphiles. The Shadow Lovers. In 1972, Marcy Sigler chartered a ship, gathered 830 of her closest friends, and took off across the waters from New York to Nova Scotia to chase the eclipse and make it last as long as possible. There won’t be another total solar eclipse viewable in the continental United States for 180 some odd years so there are, as you well have seen, a gazillion umbraphiles coming out of the closet.

There are a lot of weird warnings out about the solar eclipse and it’s affect on everything from pregnancy to pets. An Indian newspaper recently warned women not to go outside during an eclipse to keep them from giving birth to a blind baby or one with a cleft lip. Eskimo women must place their cooking utensil upside down during an eclipse to ward off diseases. Also, some Indians wash their eyes out with urine during an eclipse to keep your eyes from ever hurting again.

I just received an e-mail from some veterinary outfit warning everyone to bring their pets into the house during a solar eclipse to prevent them from “looking up at the sun and being blinded”. Ok…is there a rash of beagles going outside at noon on any given day and staring at the sun? And if that’s the case, how about cats, and rats, and elephants? Actually, animals don’t take much notice of the sun. Pets may take notice of your excitement and react to that. You don’t need to put those cute little glasses on FiFi but if it will make you feel better, you can bring your pets in, draw the shades and let them watch the eclipse on television like respectable animals.

That being said, there may be some behavioral changes in the animal kingdom. Birds that roost may become quiet and prepare for a nap while nocturnal creatures may get the signal to wake up. The darkest moments of the eclipse occurs so quickly though that those night critters will probably just yawn and turn over and go back to sleep.

Now, one very real thing that may occur is the decrease in electricity from all the solar arrays in the path of the eclipse. As more and more communities produce more and more solar energy, an eclipse may be more noticeable with decreased output…especially when the eclipse occurs during the summer and during peak energy use times of the summer. I’m not sure what will happen, but there some potential for disruption.

I was wondering if anyone has calculated the carbon footprint of the eclipse and how all the increased driving and production of waste would affect the environment. But maybe I’m just being too, you know, scientific here. It’s still a pretty cool event and if you have a chance to watch one, you really should. Just remember to never stare at the sun without the proper protection. Be safe and have fun tomorrow. We’ll talk Tuesday about what you did and what you saw! ❤️

“The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.” ‭‭Joel‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Road Trip: Day Eight..."What a Feeling!"

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 01:55:27 -0600

There’s nothing like feeling really good after feeling really bad. I was so miserable Wednesday…too tired, too much junk food, too much altitude, not enough water and I was laid low. Nancy, one of my Colorado readers, sent me a message yesterday first thing and suggested I try to find some “Altitude Adjustment”…a nutritional supplement that helps your body adjust to the changes our bodies go through at elevation. I don’t know the science behind it, but if they told me twirling a chicken over my head would have made me feel better, I’d have been heading to the nearest barnyard. I was willing to try anything because I didn’t want to spend another day miserable. Nancy even offered to meet me halfway to deliver some if I needed her to. I called the number on the back of the package from the picture she sent and got the name of the nearest store that carried Altitude Adjustment and took it right away. I drank three bottles of water. My son-in-law’s mom insisted I eat something and made me an egg sandwich. And within an hour, I felt great. I spent the day out with my daughter and grandchildren and last night we all got together to celebrate birthdays and an anniversary. It was a great day!

Also, my latest post on the Sisters on the Fly Blog series “Getting Bolder” went live yesterday. It is always so exciting to see that! You can catch it here…

www.sistersonthefly.com/getting-b…

Thank you for your kind words of support yesterday. I never feel entirely alone with God..and all of you out there! ❤️

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

TOW-Wanda is Home!

Sun, 02 Jul 2017 01:55:39 -0600

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.

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!

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.

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.

Back off girls…I saw him first! ❤️

“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.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

She Followed Me Home!

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 01:55:13 -0600

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!!!

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.

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.

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! ❤️

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Fun on the Farm

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 01:55:06 -0600

I got my first company on the farm yesterday! I’m telling you…I was SO excited. I even bought a new vinyl tablecloth at Dollar General for the occasion! I picked up a potted hyacinth at the grocery store, dressed my bed in floral pastels, and the house looked positively springy!

I love having company. It gives me a chance to cook. Open-faced cheeseburgers and locally made Mr. Bee potato chips for lunch and pork loin chops, brown and wild rice and fresh asparagus for supper. We roamed the farm and explored the old barn and found a few treasures. An old lantern, some spats and a hat that I think belonged to my great grandfather, and the rusty front of an old Model A Ford that I want to hang on the wall in the dining room. While we were driving out the dirt road at the back of the farm, V saw a flash of red and we couldn’t identify what it was, even with binoculars. She has no fear. I have an abundance of caution. Between us and this red thing was what I would consider snake territory but with great caution and beating on the ground, we carefully moved forward and got a good look at the plant. Now, to identify it. Anyone have a clue?

I put the green twinkly light out back aimed up into the trees. It looks like a fairy land out there shining above TOW-Wanda where my company is all tucked in. I wanted her to be very comfortable here. V is the West Virginia Wrangler for Sisters on the Fly and we are planning an event for September in the Mid Ohio Valley to coincide with the Sternwheel Festival. Today we’ll be checking out venues. I love camping with my Sisters and I’m hoping this will be a well attended and fun event to remember! ❤️

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How the Girls Help With My Grief

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 01:55:06 -0600

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.

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.

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.

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.

And now….the fifth year begins. ❤️

“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.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

GOOD ENERGY IS CONTAGEOUS

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 03:00:01 -0600

I met a young couple at the hot springs a couple weeks ago. There are several pools and I hopped in the first one I came to as it was so cold coming out of the locker room. As I am wont to do, I struck up a conversation and within moments, the young man remarked on my energy. He said there was a certain “light” about me that radiated. I replied that it didn’t come from me…it was God within that shined through me. I only have two jobs…love God and love people. If I do those two things, everything else pretty much works itself out. And, if I’m doing those two things correctly, it shows.

I was so impressed by these young people, I felt compelled to exchange contact information and within a day or two, received a text from my new friend, Hailey Nicole, asking if I’d like to get together before I head back to West Virginia. We agreed to meet for lunch. I met her at PF Chang’s yesterday. Hailey has an interesting story. She had a brain stem stroke a few years ago when she lived in London. Her heart stopped. Her breathing stopped. She woke up from a coma after a week with her mother by her side. She had visual disturbances and the entire left side was affected. Thankfully, the plasticity of the brain allowed her to heal and you would be hard pressed to know she had a stroke by looking at her.

Haley was different though. She had trouble with words. She forgot them. She mixed them up. And if she looks at numbers, such as a price, she only sees the last two. That’s ok if something is $99. It’s a whole different ball of wax if it’s $999. So she has to look, then look again before she buys something online. She had a tendency to run late. It took her forever to do things. She nicknamed this new persona…Agnes. In her efforts to diffuse a scary situation, she told people a crazed old woman named Agnes had moved into her body. She was confused and embarrassed. Once she had improved as much as she was likely to, she realized she needed to learn how to live with this alter ego she had created. Thus, her blog Embracing Agnes was born. (https://www.facebook.com/Embracing-Agnes-274409786025148/) she had only written a handful of blog posts when life got in the way. But after visiting with me at the pool, she felt compelled to start writing again.

You never know when your light is going to affect another person. When I posted the link to the Girl Camper Podcast the other day, I alerted my friend Diane Smith and told her she and our friend, Jan Hodson, played a big roll. She shared the podcast with her family and friends with the same sentiment….you never know who you might impact with the light of God shining through you. The third piece of this puzzle was connecting Haley with Kimberly Paul, the gal who interviewed me for her new podcast that debuts next month. I felt Haley’s story would be perfect for Kimberly’s show.

Synchronicity. I love how things fit together. I love how I’m drawn to be in the right place at the right time. I’m just part of the wind. ❤️

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

GIRL CAMPER PODCAST #63: GINNY MCKINNEY - LESSONS LEARNED

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 03:00:01 -0600

My dear friend, Janine Pettit, interviewed me in September when we were camping at Beaver Creek State Park in East Lebanon, Ohio. In this episode, we discuss lessons I have learned along the way and how the Sisters on the Fly saved me in my grief. I speak about two of my fellow Sisters who impacted my grief journey in the most positive ways. Have a listen ...you always learn something new about camping, and life, from Janine's wonderful podcast series!

Girl Camper Podcast #63

Sisters!

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 01:30:58 -0600

One of the benefits of joining Sisters on the Fly is the number of Sisters you get. You can go just about anywhere and find a Sister. And, if you ask, you just might get five of them together for dinner!

Two years ago, Carol (seated in black) reached out to me here on Marshmallow Ranch saying she admired what I was doing but she wasn't sure she could do it...physically. We wrote back and forth for quite some time and finally I got the message I was looking for...she'd bought a camper and joined Sisters on the Fly. Then, of course, all her friends wanted to join. It is like that with the Sisters.

I stopped in Abilene yesterday to see the Eisenhower Museum then came to Topeka to visit these great women and eat some terrific Italian food. They housed me and took good care of me. What a treat to be in such good company!!!

Today, I take off again!

❤️

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
Acts 2:42-44 NIV

Sisters

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 01:30:15 -0600

I am in need of some Sister time! I am not scheduled for a single Sister on the Fly camp out this summer and I'm totally bummed! So I reached out to some Sister friends and...voila! Tonight is dinner and a walk afterward then Tuesday we're gathering for dinner and live music. That's the coolest thing about Sisters on the Fly...instant friends, just add fun. Available anywhere, anytime!

I am not in Denver as long this summer as I was last year. I had obligations at the beginning and end of summer so it cut my stay short here. I got to looking at the calendar and realized I only have three weekends left and they're already spoken for. I've had a lot of fun and I'll squeeze as much more fun in as I can manage. I'm also writing a lot so that's cutting in on my fun time. I had to restructure my outline for the book proposal so that has me a few days behind schedule. I spent the entire day yesterday writing in a coffee shop. I met my younger daughter for coffee at 10:00 and ended up staying there till 5:00. So close, so close, so close!

Today is my wonderful son-in-law's birthday. He is such a gem. A hard worker, a talented photographer, a great husband and father...he's everything I ever wanted for my Julie. After hearing the sad news yesterday of our fellow Rancher losing her son-in-law in a hiking accident, I just want to hug on mine and tell him how much I appreciate him. Happy Birthday, Jason! And thank you for being the son I didn't get to have.

❤️

“Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.””
Genesis 12:13 NIV

1st Annual Maizie Day!

Thu, 12 May 2016 01:30:45 -0600

Today would have been Maizie Morrison's birthday. Maizie was the mother of the originators of Sisters on the Fly. Maizie was given the honorary Sister #0. I was fortunate to get to meet her the January before she passes away. In honor of our collective "Mom", we are to go outside and do something fun. Here's TOW-Wanda all set up to camp for the weekend in the beautiful hills of WV. Cheers, Miss Maizie!

Getting Bolder

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 01:30:58 -0600

The Sisters on the Fly Blog just posted my latest story. This branded series is all about the transitions we go through in life and how we get b-older as we get older. I amaze myself with my boldness. As Annie Lamott says, "Age has given me something I've been looking for my whole life. It's given me me." Why were we so timid in our self acceptance? Why did we cling to toxic relationships in order to keep from being alone? What were we afraid of? I know this sounds bad, but this is the most delightful time of my life. That isn't to say I have forgotten my loss or that I don't miss Mr. Virgo. What it DOES say is, this is the life I've been given. It is a gift...one that I do not take lightly. I am free AND I am experienced...a beautiful, brazen place to live.

You can read my blog post HERE.

❤️

“You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions.” Psalms 139:3 GNB

In the Times

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 02:30:00 -0600

(For those who may have missed the New York Times article, I am printing it here. Some people have said they cannot access it without buying a subscription to the paper.)

YOUR MONEY
Financial Guidance for Widows Struggling Through Grief’s Fog
By KERRY HANNON FEB. 19, 2016

“My husband and I had decided life was too short,” recalled Ginny McKinney, “so we went shopping to buy a travel trailer to take us into an early retirement.” That was three years ago.

“While standing in the fourth trailer that we were considering, he had a heart attack and died,” she said. Dan McKinney was 62.

Ms. McKinney was 59 and retired from her work as a medical assistant, although she was taking on occasional work to make a little extra money. Her husband was getting ready to retire from his post as a restaurant manager at the Ritz Carlton Club at the Aspen Highlands Ski Resort in Colorado.

Like Ms. McKinney, one-third of the women who become widows are under age 65, according to data from the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, known as Wiser, a nonprofit organization dedicated to women’s financial education and advocacy. The Census Bureau reported in 2011 that the median age of widowhood was 59.4 for a first marriage and 60.3 for a second marriage.

No one is ever prepared for such an event. But for many women, the road to financial hardship begins after their husbands die. Nearly a third of single women over age 75 are living in poverty, according to Wiser’s research.

Ms. McKinney is not one of them. The couple had some savings, and she was the recipient of his $150,000 life insurance policy. Nonetheless, the sudden loss turned her world upside down. “He carried my heart on a velvet pillow, and I was crushed,” she said.

One of her first moves after the funeral was to connect with a certified financial planner, Danielle Howard of Wealth by Design in Basalt, Colo., who made it clear from the start that Ms. McKinney needed to share responsibility for her finances and not leave everything to her adviser.

“Some women are heads of households and managing it all,” Ms. Howard said, “but probably 75 percent of women I’ve worked with just go, ‘I am not good at math.’ It is not a matter of being good with math, I tell them. You can use a calculator. You just need to be comfortable talking about it.”

Ms. Howard urged her client to increase her financial literacy. “That education is vital to getting your feet back on the ground,” she said.

Like most widows, Ms. McKinney is living on a lot less than before her spouse died. “The big-picture look at widows is that there’s almost always a loss of income,” said Cindy Hounsell, the founder and president of Wiser. Women also generally live longer than men, making it even more important that they plan their finances carefully.

For reasons she still doesn’t fully understand, two weeks after her husband’s sudden death, Ms. McKinney headed back to the travel trailer dealership to pursue the dream she had with her spouse. She bought a 15-foot Sportsmen Classic.

“I took off for three months, driving a circle around Colorado,” she said. “I went to places in the wilderness and on the top of mountains, where I could stand outside and scream at the sky, and scream at God for taking my man. And scream at him for leaving me.

She also joined the Sisters on the Fly, a women’s empowerment adventure group. “The group made me feel I wasn’t a victim,” she said. “I wasn’t the only one who had gone through this.”

Since her husband’s death, Ms. McKinney has put tens of thousands of miles on her truck and trailer. “I’ve done a lot of driving, but I haven’t done anything exorbitant,” she said. “I didn’t go around the world.”

Indeed, widows need to make their initial financial moves cautiously. “There’s a sense of urgency to do something right after you lose a spouse, but I caution widows to recognize the psychological trauma and don’t do anything hastily,” said Eleanor Blayney, author of “Women’s Worth: Finding Your Financial Confidence” and consumer advocate of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. “Widows, in particular, have to be very careful about being taken advantage of by people who may or may not have their best interests at heart.”

One stumbling block for many widows is knowing where the money is. That often requires some sleuthing to locate savings accounts, brokerage accounts and retirement plans — and identifying the proper online passwords. “The first step to piecing things together,” Ms. Blayney said, “is digging out your joint tax returns for the past five years.”

“An ounce of prevention is everything,” Ms. Blayney added. “Anticipating widowhood is tough, but the more financial information a woman can gather in advance of the loss of a spouse, the smoother it will be.”

That’s easier said than done — even when the death is not sudden. Five years ago, Joyce McCue, now 63, and her husband of 30 years, Richard, moved to McLean, Va., from Memphis for his job as vice president for Hilton International. Six months later, he learned he had throat cancer. He died a year after their move at the age of 55.

Her spouse had a $2.5 million life insurance policy. But when it came to what to do with it and other family investments, she was at a loss. “I was always totally bored when we went to our financial planner,” Mrs. McCue said. “I controlled the day-to-day finances. I paid the bills. I balanced the checkbooks. But he did the big-picture stuff.”

She did have one thing in her favor: She knew how to control her spending. “Richard and I always teased each other,” she said, “because my motto was always ‘Do we need that?’ and his motto was ‘Let’s get two.’ ”

She hired a financial adviser, Eileen O’ Connor, co-founder of Hemington Wealth Management in McLean. “It was quite intimidating,” Mrs. McCue said. “I felt like I was asking questions a kid in high school would.”

And, like Ms. McKinney, she joined a women’s support group. “Widows are able to share and help each other with the challenges they’re facing and resources,” Ms. O’Connor said. “While I’d like to think I’m helpful to my widowed clients, I think they find as much support, or more, from peers that are going through the same ordeal.”

Most financial planners suggest that widows refrain from investing or spending any lump sum insurance or pension payout for at least six months and ideally a year. Some widows, however, overspend early after the death of a spouse.

That’s one mistake Ms. McKinney made. “If I had it to go over again, I would not take that life insurance in one lump sum,” she said. “I would have had it divvied out. You’re not thinking that first year.”

Among other things, she gave some large gifts to her adult children. “Somehow it felt like it might soften things, ease the pain — however irrational it is,” she said.

An even more important decision is where to live. “That’s an emotional one because the family home is often the locus of the marriage,” Ms. Blayney said. “It’s not just a financial decision; it is a very emotional decision.”

Ms. McKinney waited a year to sell the couple’s 1,700-square-foot home in New Castle, Colo., which sold for $260,000. “After I came back from my trip, I never moved back in,” she said. “I realized I was living in my camper on the front curb and using my house as a really expensive laundromat. I didn’t love the house anymore.”

After paying off the mortgage and upgrading to a 250-square-foot travel trailer, she had $63,000 left. “For now, I draw from that for living expenses,” she said, “so I don’t touch my retirement savings.”

Like Mrs. McCue, Ms. McKinney found new life through sharing with others, writing a blog on Facebook for widows and forming fresh bonds with the women she met through Sisters on the Fly.

“They’re a hoot,” she said. “I needed to have something joyful to look forward to and there they were.”

Group Therapy

Sat, 13 Feb 2016 02:30:00 -0600

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.

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.

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.

❤

“She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”
Proverbs 3:15 NIV

Fly Fishing

Sun, 10 Jan 2016 02:30:52 -0600

My father was an avid fisherman. He mostly fished with lures and bait in the local rivers and lakes. But once a year we would go to the mountains and stay with my cousins and he would fly fish. We had very little money so we usually stayed with family but I remember one summer we stayed in a cabin. It was the coolest vacation ever!

My dad tied his own flies. He showed me how and I was fascinated. I would sit along the shallows and watch him cast over and over, occasionally landing a small brown or brookie....maybe a rainbow. I was never allowed to fly fish. The equipment came at a dear price and I couldn't swim. It wasn't even a consideration.

When I joined the Sisters on the Fly, I bought fly fishing equipment. I went to a large Sisters gathering and signed up with a guide for a group lesson. I don't know if it was the guide, or the number in the group, or the equipment, but...I hated it. Hated it!!! I was SO disappointed. I almost got rid of my gear when I downsized, but I decided to hang onto it and try again.
I met a really neat lady yesterday at the Fly Fishing Show. Paula Fothergill was married to the late Chuck Fothergill, the fly fishing guru from Aspen. She now works for Casting for Recovery, an organization that teaches women with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors how to fly fish. It is the main charity Sisters on the Fly members contribute to. In talking with Paula, we discovered we lived in the same small town in Colorado. She asked if I fly fish and I related my experience. She said, "Come with me!" and she took me to meet the general manager of Telluride Outside...John Duncan. I quickly discovered how well respected Chuck Fothergill was, as Paula handed me over to John's capable tutelage. He selected an 8.5' 5 pound Scott rod, a medium weight that is well balanced and excellent for the novice fly fisher.

There is a pond set up inside at the show to practice casting. We took our turn and in 5 minutes, I was hooked, so to speak. I was so excited! All it took was a knowledgeable, patient instructor and good gear to make all the difference in the world. Now I can't wait to get out on the river and catch my first trout on a fly!

❤️

Photo Credit: Sisters on the Fly

“Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.”
Ezekiel 47:9-10 NIV

Sisters on the Fly

Sat, 09 Jan 2016 02:30:00 -0600

The Denver Fly Fishing Show was SO much fun. It's always wonderful to get to know new Sisters and catch up with those you haven't seen in a while. Becky Clarke and Maurrie Sussman, real life sisters and Sisters #2 & #1 respectively, were there and got to sit in on some of the NYTimes photo shoot. When Kerry Hannon interviewed me this week, she asked me what I did right in the weeks and months after Mr. Virgo died. My answer was choosing my financial advisor, writing my blog, and joining Sisters on the Fly. These women were instrumental in helping me see beyond myself and my situation. They were loving and supportive while empowering me to step outside my comfort zone. I'm proud to have nearly 7000 Sisters.
As I mentioned in the video I posted yesterday, I'm going to be writing a series for the Sisters on the Fly blog on women in transition. We have an amazingly diverse group of women in this organization and I'll be featuring some in their blog. What a really fun day!

❤️

“A friend loves at all times.....”
Proverbs 17:17 NIV

Patience

Tue, 01 Sep 2015 01:30:42 -0600

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.

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.

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!

❤️

"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."
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

Just Checking In

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 01:30:20 -0600

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!!! ❤️

Down Time

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 01:30:45 -0600

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?

Hugs!
Ginny

Sisters #1 and #2

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:30:00 -0600

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.

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.

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. ;-)

A good time was had by all! I'll post more photos of the fair when I get home!

❤ y'all!

"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."
1 Thessalonians 2:6

Sisters in Kansas

Sun, 12 Oct 2014 01:30:44 -0600

“Sisters on the Fly in Kansas”

Sisters on the Fly

My 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!

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!

Git yer motor runnin'..

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 01:30:28 -0600

“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.”

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?

Special Sisters

Fri, 03 Oct 2014 01:30:17 -0600

“Sister Time!”

Spending the day with some special sisters…Sisters on the Fly, that is!

Sisters on the Fly at Thresher Days

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 01:30:00 -0600

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.

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.

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

New Stuff!

Sat, 06 Sep 2014 01:30:04 -0600

“Tractor Pull at Thresher Days”

Ok, I’m at my first tractor pull! Who knew how fun this could be???

Missing Post

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 01:30:36 -0600

I was awake till the wee hours writing this morning’s post. I kept drifting off then wake and read what I’d written. Ha! One should not sleep and post at the same time. I would swear I posted it to appear at 4am like always but it is nowhere to be found. I was writing about The Work by Byron Katie. If you are unfamiliar with her, Google her. She has a pragmatic system of self-discovery that I have found useful in my journey. Check her out!

In the meantime, please send up a little prayer for my dear friend who took a nasty fall last night. Nothing broken, thank God, but she is going to be pretty sore for a few days.

A man drove up beside me in traffic last evening and told me my right wheel on the trailer is wobbling. My son-in-law’s dad followed me around the block and didn’t see anything but I’m going to the tire shop first thing before I head out to the boonies. I’m scheduled for a fun weekend with the Sisters on the Fly! <3

Letting Go Some More

Thu, 29 May 2014 01:30:56 -0600

“Letting Go…Some More”

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!

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!

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.

Girl Camping!

Wed, 14 May 2014 01:30:53 -0600

“Girls don’t need a camper to go camping!”

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?

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!

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!

Cowboy Boots

Tue, 06 May 2014 01:30:00 -0600

“It’s All About the Boots!”

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.

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….

Dressing Up TOW-Wanda

Fri, 02 May 2014 01:30:05 -0600

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?

'Til Next Time

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 01:30:32 -0600

“Cowgirl Caravan”

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!)

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.

Happy Trails!

A Room to Myself

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 01:30:31 -0600

“A Room to Myself”

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!

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!

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.

Travel Tuesday

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 02:30:23 -0600

“Sisters on the Fly”

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?

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.

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!

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…

www.sistersonthefly.com

See you on the trail!

Sisters on the Fly Christmas Party

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 02:30:11 -0600

“Sisters on the Fly”

Une grande journée de plaisir avec mes sœurs à la volée! Translation: A great day of fun with my Sisters on the Fly! (I’m still drunk on “Paris in Denver”!)

Sisters on the Fly on CBS!!!

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:30:41 -0600

“Sisters on the Fly on CBS!!!”

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! :-)

Let me know if you get to see it!

Sisters on the Fly #3537

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 01:30:36 -0600

“Ginny in Sisters Regalia”

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?

Sisters on the Fly do Estes Park!

Sat, 17 Aug 2013 01:30:39 -0600

“TOW-Wanda!”

One of the first things I did when Mr. Virgo died was join the Sisters on the Fly. The largest women’s outdoor adventure club in America, SOTF offers women the opportunity to gather and travel together in the safety of groups.

“A favorite jacket…it came from a Nashville entertainer.”

Women helping women. Learning to be girls again. Offering a hand up to the newbies.

“Ginny getting her cowgirl on!”

You can learn to fly fish or cook in a Dutch oven…start a campfire or ride a horse. You can earn badges for lots of fun categories. It is truly the most fun ever and is helping sooth my painful heart.

“Cute Camper”

I took off on August 14th and stayed till the 17th in beautiful Estes Park. Camping with a hundred other like-minded women goes a long way toward making you feel empowered. Grief often makes you feel powerless.

“Artist painting off Old Fall River Road”

SISTERS ON THE FLY AND MY TOW-WANDA SAVED ME

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:00:51 -0600

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!

THE GRAND ADVENTURE CONTINUES

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:00:34 -0600

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

JUST A LITTLE CROOKED

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:05:17 -0600

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!

SISTERS ON THE FLY

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:00:11 -0600

Have any of you heard of “Sisters on the Fly”? I’ve been lusting after their vintage travel trailers for quite some time now. I ordered their book and it arrived today. They are an organization of women with vintage travel trailers who join up and caravan together to different areas of the country and camp for a few days. There’s safety in numbers and they do a lot of activities like fly-fishing, horseback riding, antiquing, cooking, and just hanging out creating a sisterhood. I just joined and I’m waiting for my Sister number. Next, I’ll be on the lookout for a vintage trailer. I envision taking part in these gatherings as well as taking my art studio on the road to sell/market my jewelry. Something to look forward to. And fulfilling a dream that Mr. Virgo and I had. (OK, he wanted a new trailer and I wanted a vintage, so I guess I win that argument.) I am doing well tonight. Much better than last night. I have to work tomorrow so it’s lights out here at Marshmallow Ranch. Love you all!