Summer is here!

Mid May! where is the time going? Last night was the first night we slept with windows open. 69 degrees this morning in the house. Roscoe is not a heat person, who would be with that black fur, We brush him every other day, we are hoping to take him and me swimming at Curlew Lake soon.

We are still looking for land, going today to re-look at a parcel we walked a while back and fell in love with. We will see. Sure is pretty out here in the middle of the mountains. Everything blooms later here, I guess we should pay more attention to the farmers almanac.

Today we wash windows, laundry finish up on my herbal starts. We are planting herbs to hopefully replace or work with the medicines I am on as I am running out, and can not afford the full price and we can't seem to get any help. The different things I have used over the years that are natural have worked great but it has always been used with the western medicines, so another we will see. Everything takes time, and at 54 if I grow horns or glow in the dark from the medicines that will make for a good "show and tell" here is what happens when you depend on the government to help out, we live it every day "every day". Yes it is a battle but when I was a kid someone told me not sure if it was Mom or Normand "Carlene everything that is worth something or someone is worth fighting for", I had no clue as how profound that statement would come to haunt me later in life. :) Don't get me wrong here I am happier than I have ever been in my life, I like me I feel strong that I can voice my opinion and it is ok to do that, even though people may not like my thoughts and plans. I am with Lance "the love of my life". Lance has taught me so much about me since we got together, he is a honest disciplined loving person. Diverse in so many ways, and the powers that be knows he has patience. :) We have major issues with my medical situation and we have exhausted every angle.Thank you Medicare for what you give me, but how does a government take so much money, more than I make in a month to pay off medical bills and to get meds? Many people think I am blowing smoke out my ears, but "i am not", real stuff here. I am not telling this for any of you to take anything personal here, just realize please that life is not always what it seems to be portrayed in and on the media, they are only telling us what they are told which is mostly not true. I am sad for many elderly and disabled like me only, there are so many worse off then me. Our vets are not always treated the best medically either.I would not trade my life that I have for anything. I would like for one person that can make an intelligent informed decision and know what is behind that "intelligent informed information", to tell me to my face how they work the numbers to put people in the financial distress that they do. "Look at my numbers" what comes in what goes out and lets see how they feel. Yeah I know I can hear several of my "friends" saying "oh she is on another whine fest rant about the government and her medical", and that is ok also. But now I know I am intelligent enough to take care of "me" and make informed decisions. Confidence is neat stuff!

Well enough for now, will return to share more of my questions I have about things in life? Much love, Peace within and good health to all.
The stay at home gypsies

Good Morning!

A beautiful morning! Sun warm and deep blue skies. No hat no mittens and coat unzipped for my morning walk with Roscoe. Birds of so many kinds ,red and yellow finches. Robins of course swallows who are trying to make there home under our awning attached to the house.

My veggies so far are doing real well, we start all our herbs today. The camp ground is FULL with construction workers and miners. They all get home at 6 pm and party till about 10 pm at the spot where the fire pit is, then up by 5 am. Better them then us. Can't imagine 300' or more under ground. Some more of our Army National Guard guys will be heading back over seas.

Well lots to do today going to enjoy the sun.

Carlene

Sun .... Clouds coming in

Good Morning,
Woke to sun and took Roscoe for his walk, he is feeling much better. He loves the medicine the vet gave us he trys to eat the syringe.

Yesterday Lance and I went into town, to get a couple of things at the very expensive grocery store (family owned) and is the only one in the area. So they run there prices up on some things 3 times what most stores would charge. We do our major shopping in Spokane, Omak, or Wenatchee.

From there we decided to ride around for a bit on back roads very muddy, my little 4 wheel did us good. So much fun, I can remember the time and not so long ago I would never have even attempted to drive something like that. Now all I can do is laugh at the excitement! We were looking for property and just getting to familiarize our selves to the area. I still find it confusing as I have NO ocean to guide me LOL. We live at 2600' and some properties are as high as 3800'. LOL Just love it! We saw one of the mines big operation and a huge opening to the shaft. I admire any and all people who mine for a living whether it be gold, coal or whatever. Just amazes me! We have so many hard working people in this Country. I think of the jobs like mining, oil refineries, oil rigs, Our Military whether they are in The U.S. or fighting for our peace and security in another part of the world! Thank you to all of you.

I have the news on and they are still analyzing the dude that attempted to blow up Times
Square.Now another person , persons on a plane in JKF (Emirates) Air And now some dude is being held in New Hampshire on a Greyhound bus saying "I have a bomb" they are saying that the bus came out of Bangor, Maine.. OK plane leaving for Dubai they are calling it a "false positive". Hey Big Brother, you and Claudia be safe flying, maybe a few drinks will help calm you or ask a doctor for Valium. LOL Not much you can do, safety is no longer to be taken for granted. :(

Well anyway, we had fun with our ride and just fell more in love with the area. Finding the property that will suit our needs will happen when it happens. It is such a short warm season here to do any gardening building or road grading. We bought a small green house for all my herbs and we have topsie turvys with tomatoes one with peppers and another with cukes. We bring everything at night, cause of the low temps. They are doing well though. I will put a heat lamp in the little green house to keep them warm. I am in the process of making natural medicines to either work with or replace my costly prescription meds. It is fun and amazing, plants, flowers, shrubs that grow in our yards can be used for medicine for us two legged creatures and our 4 legged friends. Lets see what else are we working on?

We are doing Lance photo's into cards for any occasion or holiday also gift tags using his photo's I will be setting up a site with options of photos and prices. There is a co-op here that welcomes my incense and ointments. Also have a couple of new things I am making that hopefully will be a hit. Will keep you informed.

Guess I have gone on long enough, since we are not travelling for a very very long time this blog will be about our wonderful life in The Mountains.
Today is called "The National Pray Day". People seem to have mixed adverse feelings on this? I don't understand it, I need to listen more to what they are saying. However I pray or chant when I want where ever I want, and I will not allow anyone or anything take that from
me. Peace Within. The Stay At Home Gypsies, send there love.

Snow Keeps Falling On My Head.....

Hello From snow flake Washington! May 4 2010 it snowed today and more flurries in the next couple of days... Cracks us up, we would not trade it for anything!

Roscoe has been very sick so we got him into the Vet's yesterday called "All Creatures" Vet right here in Republic. We liked them, Roscoe liked them. He is not this oral medicine once a day and it is huge syringe, what ever it is he loves it! It actually coats and calms the intestine. His diet is Plain white rice baked/boiled potatoes scrambled /boiled egg lean hamburg turkey nonfat cottage and yogurt. I know I know, anyway he is better tonight and we are so very happy. He has had it rough in the last year sick in North Dakota from eating dry cow patties. Maine well Lyme disease cold snow causes stress on anyone. Now he got sick well we get old and our stomach's just can't tolerate foods we once could. But he is not the mend!

Time to sleep. Good Night and Peace Be With You All

Day Trip

Just got in from a walk with Roscoe. He is not feeling well have an appointment tomorrow to see whats up? I hate seeing him sick. We did take a ride in Colville, Wa., stopped a couple of times at Sherman Pass, such absolute beauty, Roscoe got out to sniff for wild animals, he wanted to swim in the very cold river. We were excited to see he was feeling better.



We stopped at Arbys for lunch, cause of the Jamoca shakes, omg one more place to mark off our list of places to eat, we will stick with the good and cheap Subway. Then off to Super Wal Mart. Needed to stock up a bit and the drive to Colville verses the drive to Omak is much more pretty drive. We had planned to stop at a couple of other places but we were worn out. :) and Roscoe was not feeling good, I have we have done everything we can ,we will do a camp out and sleep on the blow up matteress's and hope we can get him into a vet tomorrow.



Getting into this life of simple, basic , healing, my body is worn out , so not having the feeling I have to do this or I have to go there, is a neat feeling. The weather is great here, I get rain snow sleet sun all in one day and gorgous rainbows.

It is a very short growing season here for veggies and flowers,and is tricky we have to bring in all the veggies and some flowers because it freezes here still. We are going to attempt and can as much food as possible. We are looking into getting half a cow and half a pig for the freezer. so if you see them walking around send them my way LOL.

There is a part of me missing seeing Mt Baker every day and the trips Lance and I took up FSR38. I love most parts of Washington as it does remind me of places in Maine. But we can not afford the the high rental prices and food twice as much there verses here.

Well getting tired so I will clam up for now. Will write more tomorrow. I will go back a few months to share some of our adventure's on our way home, from the East coast.
But for now some quiet time. Good Night all! Peace Within. Lance Carlene and Roscoe (TWD).

The Stay At Home Gypsies

I heard along the way folks were tired of nothing new on our blog , it isn't because we do not have a lot of news in our adventure of life. So...... Happy May 1 2010! We are still having cool temps and usually a snow /sleet squall every day. But we love it! Very peaceful snuggled in the remote Cascade Mountains! Very healing and we need rest and healing. Being on the road and visiting all our great friends and family for the length of time we did wore our butts out. Not sure if it is a age thing, or traveling just gets unhealthy. I will write more in a short while and will get Lance to show me how to download pic's on here. We have so much catching up to do. Life is good, Lance is healthy, Roscoe not so much he has been sick several times in the past year and we have always managed to get him better. You would think he behaves like a dog eats stuff in the fields he shouldn't be eating. Well need to get dressed and take him for his am walk and it is pouring! Love and Peace.

Hello To All!
Just realized neither Lance or I are 53 both have celebrated our Birthdays, I remember when my Mom was 54 , I thought she was old! OOPS! Now here I am and feeling like I have lived several lives in my 54 years and wouldn't trade any of them for the growth I have gained as a person. Thank you to those that have stood by me. :) Wait till the book comes out LOL!

We are in Whatcom County area, both been tired and minor ailments and trips to doctor's. We are excited as we will be moving still in Washington State, after everything is settled we will let you know so you can come and visit!

Roscoe is doing better, yesterday was having trouble walking this am he was romping like a puppy on the frosty lawn. We had sleet snow and sun yesterday. The sun was shining when Lance and I did some work on my Kia, the plugs were miss firing but after taking the engine apart to change the plugs she runs fine, Yippee!! for those of you not in Washington State, the trees and flowers are blossoming a month early so will see what these cold mornings do to them. We are so anxious to get our garden going. the price of groceries so we will be planting and canning for next winter.

Just wanted to let you all know, we are fine. Many Hugs Much Love and Practice "Peace Within".

Home at Last!

Arrived in Bellingham, WA at about 8:00pm last night. 7 months and 17,000 odd miles of non-stop adventure have finally come to a successful conclusion. We celebrated at Applebee's with Burbon Street Steak and Shrimp Fetta-something-or-other Alfredo. Damn, that's good stuff.

WooHoo!

Carlene and I are going to be catching up with friends and family in the local area until Friday or Saturday and then heading for the wonderful, wild, remote country in Northeast WA.

We want to thank everyone for their hospitality over the last few months, thanks a million.

Happy February Every One,

A quick note. Lance posted two of his Photo's on www. photo.net yesterday and one is at page 228 and the other is at page 300. It will only be posted till late afternoon. I am so proud of him. We are both feeling much better today,heading out to Oregon then home tomorrow. Love to all. The Gypsies

Canyon Country

LOL --in the snow and wind, dancing on the corner. We'll have to add a chapter to the song...

A couple of days out from a very comfortable stay with Sam & JoAnn, Carlene and I are finally in canyon country!

Just West of Winslow is Meteor Crater:

Yep, that's one big ass hole in the ground, needs some spicing up...

There, much better...

Then a short drive to the Grand Canyon, in the snow, cold and did I mention the wind chill?

The Sun was just beginning to peek through the clouds as the Winter storm we were following North dissapated. The conditions made for some spectacular lighting.

Carlene caught some of the light, and me in this picture:

Even in the Winter, the Canyon gets a lot of visitors. We met people from Brazil (screeching teenage girls included of course), China, and, of all places --Vancouver. Yep, someone from our own back yard. Go figure.

One couple offered to take our picture and did a spectacular job:

And as a reminder that the place is still alive, a rock slide happened while I was standing at the rail:

Yesterday morning we headed out early, like really early, like, before the sunrise early. Just North of the AZ/UT border, the Sun caught up with us:

Which, of course, also made for some nice lighting opportunities...

That fog you see in the background is flowing down the cliffs into the canyon below. Very cool.

Did I mention it was freezing ass cold? There was a coating of ice on everything!

I mean everything:

There were so many good opportunities, I had to download all of the pictures from the camera so I could take some more!

Nice rock formations against a clear blue sky:

A lone Raven guarding the entrance to the trail:

And what self-respecting photographer can resist the patterns water makes as it finds its way to the sea...

Bryce Canyon should be on everyone's bucket list. Here's why:

Roscoe was having a great time too:

The snow was fresh and it made for some interesting snow drifts:

We're hanging out at a public library just North of Salt Lake City, UT taking care of the usual stuff, email, banking and blogging. We'll make it to Idaho tonight, if it doesn't snow!

Hello Every One, No we have not vanished,just have not had much access to Internet. We are in Holbrook, Arizona. Staying here tonight as there is a storm coming in and no one on the weather can predict how intense it will be, by the looks of the BLACK sky and wind and rain/snow our guess is fun is on it's way! We are fine tired and achy but nothing that a hot shower won't take care of. We are in the Painted Desert, tomorrow will do a bit of sight seeing on The Hopi Reservation, the oldest Reservation in North America. Also hoping to stop at Meteor Crater,then up to Grand Canyon. That is as long as weather is cooperating. We have been making excellent time and not hurrying. We are anxious to be home, and should be there by Monday as I have blood work and doctor's to deal with. Just the normal annual head to toe and medicine check.
Lance turned 54 Monday, splurged and went to outback for dinner, got to have our steak. We had a wonderful time in Virginia with Thairyan and Alicia and the twin girls little over 2 now. I just love to play with those two, they are little people not babies anymore, and I get to be as goofy and free as I like,you should have seen us with my tambourine! Thairyan and Alicia are just great young people a bit overwhelmed at times but who wouldn't be.
Our visit with Sammie and Jo Ann filled with fun, food and laughter and crafts for me and Jo Ann and Sammie and Lance doing what they do best create. Love watching and listening to the both of them. Great friends and will be looking forward to them coming out to Washington for a visit. Yes I know no photo's yet, believe me plenty have been taken but most likely will not be posted till we come home. At some point I will be doing a post on Billboard Signs especially the ones in the South, they certainly made me gasp, if you can imagine that? LOL! Rest Area's are another post! Our beautiful Country overall is poor with abandoned homes business's, places just left and people gone,very sad and we wonder if our government ever see these parts of our country? If they do why do they not care? So many question's with no answer's, we say our prayer's as we stop at these places giving thanks that we are OK and even with our health and money Challenges we are indeed fortunate. We thank all who have open there home's and love to us and we will forever cherish each and every one of you. Thank you for restoring our faith in family ,friends compassion and unconditional love and respect. Well time for that hot shower and tuna fish sandwich and oatmeal for supper. Hugs and Peace Within. Carlene Lance and Roscoe The Wonder Dog :)

Here we are on a very rainy windy day in Chesapeake, Virginia. We are planning on leaving it looks maybe possibly on Tuesday the 19Th. The van is coming along good but as you know nothing comes easy.

We have been enjoying our time with the little girls Bella and Alexis. It is amazing how twins can be twins yet have such different personalities. It just amazes me! They love to dance and they shake my tambourine and dance around, fun to be with them. I have been teaching them quiet time, so we sit on the floor and breath in through our nose out through our mouth and Say "Ohm". They laugh but after a few minutes they are really into it love them. It has been fun to get to know Thairyan who is just like his Dad, and Alicia who is a great Mom. We are really proud of them both.

Yesterday Lance and I went out looking for a couple of Parts for the van and ended up at Virginia Beach. We stopped at The Edgar Cayce gift shop. Wow could spend many hours there, so much to read and smell. Very interesting person. Hated leaving but it was a long ride back and we still hadn't found the blasted parts we need.

Hope there is not any flooding back there at home. We saw there were 'flood Watches" for most rivers. What a trip this has been, looking forward to coming home and rest for a bit,glad it will be turning Spring as we find a small home high in the mountains.
Well think that is it for now, I know picture's,Lance has certainly taken many but has been pretty focused on getting the van set.

Hi Gramps,sure hope your new pace maker is making you feel better and stronger. Will see you soon. Norm hope your pneumonia is gone and you are getting better.
Jim my brother and wife Claudia I believe have a anniversary coming up. What # is it? 40 years? OMG. Congratulations. :)

So will see you all very soon. Much love and Peace Within,The Gypsies

Hello Every One,
Hope all is well and a Happy Healthy and Prosperous 2010. We are heading home getting away from the Northeast snow storms and cold. We need to get back to see doctor's and get my medicine's updated. We are tired and anxious to get back, we have had a wonderful time for the most part, as a friend said to me " remember just pot holes in the road", the rest is good. Roscoe is hanging in there, wants to be settled in the hills somewhere. We will be out of New England by Friday. No more lobster's for a while, they are so good! Well that is it for now, take care everyone. Gramps is in our prayers today as he is having a new pace maker put in, remember your goal Gramps.
Much love to all, The Gypsies

Hello Every One,
Hope you all had a warm wonderful holiday with family and friends. We are waiting on a big snow storm to come through then we are heading home with just 4 stops along the way. We are tired but with great family member's in the wilds of Maine. Boy is it ever cold! -75 degrees on top of Mt. Washington last night, now that is cold.
Roscoe loves his new quilt he got for Christmas, keeps him "warm and cozy."
Happy Healthy New Year To every one. We miss you and we are looking forward to finding a home, settling in and seeing our friends. May the Powers That Be Keep you all safe and happy. To our very special friends Norm and Diane, so glad you are getting better Norm take it slow. Much love Peace and Hugs, The Gypsies

Good Morning, Another cold morning 8.8 degrees don't think there is much wind. Hard to believe it is almost Christmas.Where does the time go? Sometimes I feel like we just let our daily lives past us by without ever thinking about what we are doing? We have had a great week so far, Sunday we went visiting to Lance's Aunt and Uncle Kip and Gene. Gene being Lance's Mom Sister. We had the most wonderful time, lunch was wonderful, Salmon. Dessert Strawberry Shortcake. Snow falling and blowing strong but when we got away from the coast a bit, no snow just icy here and there. We wanted to stop and see my Sister and husband,but it was a blizzard and they have been having furnace problems, so we tossed kisses and waved as we went by. Everyone was in bed when we got home and we were not to far behind them. Monday Lance didn't feel well so we kept things low key gave him some of our homemade ginger ale and he felt better soon after. Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment that I couldn't get out of fast enough,another one on New Year's Eve day, just before we start heading home. Christmas Eve Lance and I are spending alone WAHOO! Have a special dinner planned, while the rest of the family goes out for dinner and midnight Mass. Christmas Dinner is here with all the families. Should be a fun interesting day.

The van is getting closer to being done for our journey home,anxious to settle down and in a bit.Things are expensive especially gas and food. Roscoe is doing much better, his Lyme Disease was a big scare for us, but after a month of broad spectrum antibiotics he seems back to himself. His hind quarters are getting weaker but does not seem to be in pain, which we are grateful for. Think that is it. Bye for now. Peace On Earth, Lance Carlene and Roscoe

Another cool 20 degrees and windy this Sunday morning before Christmas. I am sure the stores will be just full of folks looking for that last minute sale. The shops certainly won't make a living from us, we have found that we need very little to be happy and comfortable. Children of course are a whole different story, the excitement they have over Santa and toys and elves is amazing,where do they get there energy? Wish I had half of their energy not the kid though LOL!

As my sister Jenn pointed out to me "when you live or visit Maine in the winter your life exists around the weather," and she is so right. Even though you can travel 3 or more New England States in a day, folks here treat it as a major ride. As in the West, everything is much farther apart and folks think nothing of picking up and driving several hundred miles to go somewhere. We are suppose to go to Camden today to visit family, but not sure if that like several things this week will be put on hold due to the pending storm. Everything takes longer to do in this bone chilling cold, which I had forgotten. So we go with the flow, we certainly have plenty of things to keep us busy right here. I love our cozy bedroom here at Ronn's and today we will put up our Readers Digest Christmas tree all painted green and then painted with silver sparkles, we have mini lights to put on it, can't wait. I think the one thing I miss that we did not have room for is our Peace sign that Lance and I painted and put lights in last year, but when we get home it will hang year round and lite.

The main reason I was writing this am as I got up at 5 bundled up, Roscoe and I headed up the road as even in this very cloudy sky, we could see The International Space Station flashing away in the Northern Sky. Wow! How incredible and peaceful! The wind sneaking in around my hood on my wool jacket brushing my face with a new day and the awesomeness of just how small I am standing there in the dark looking at something so many many miles away. Great way of starting a day. Roscoe was happy to get out and play so early and do his thing, the driveway is ice and he has such a hard time because of his hind leg not being strong, but a trooper he is.

Even I in the want and need to be back home realized (once again) that nothing really matters except for the present, being in the moment and mindful of what really makes me feel at peace and happy. Flashing light in the morning sky that holds people who live floating around in their home doing their job and living day to day,being very mindful of their tasks chores and hopefully laughter and fun. Well think I rambled on long enough, enjoy your friends and families this holiday , laugh eat and be grateful as I know Lance and I are.

Much Love Many Hugs and Peace Within to all, Lance Carlene and Roscoe (TWD)

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been a while since I wrote. It is very cold this am -3.7 degrees, the stars are like diamonds in the sky. Breath taking! We have been busy staying warm, and out of the wind. Lance has been working hard on getting the solar panels all set for the van, actually bought the rack for the top of the van for the panels to attach to. Pretty cool. Hopefully in the next week we can get that up and secured and then put up new wood curtain rod holders (Roy my Brother-in-law) made and then we use wood dowels, move a couple of things around make up the bed and we are set. Again one realizes that we really don't need much to live a happy quality life.

I think the cold has slowed Lance and I down, trust me there is nothing (at least anything I have experienced) that is more bone chilling than New England winter wind rain and snow.
For those of you getting ready for Christmas not much more time to get those bargains.
Jenny my sister gave me a couple of old readers digest to make a Christmas tree for our room, we use to make them as kids and I had forgotten about it,Lance found a wooden block to use as the base, spray the tree with green paint and then sliver glitter paint over that and light yes mini lights. Will take pic and post. Have been traveling back and forth from Jenn and Roy's - Ronn and Jacquie's.I gotta tell you Jenn makes "The Best" Mac and cheese on this planet. Yes indeed it is comfort food. Had Lobster's a couple of times once a lobster roll OMG it was heaven on earth :). Been waiting for there pond to freeze to try some skating but not quite safe yet. As a teenager we would all get together and build a fire and skate on the quarry's around here that was always fun.
I have at times not been feeling well but that is to be expected, I guess. I have got all my chickens in a row as far as my health and prescription plans go, of course someone somewhere always hits a wrong button somewhere and screw's it up. Hope the transition will go smoothly. "ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT", if if a policy state's "pre-existing conditions not a problem",there may be a holding period where nothing is covered. These folks who run the insurance companies pharmaceutical companies are only out for themselves, they are getting as bad as attorney's. :)
We are hoping to head out right after Christmas, want to be home warmer temp's and we miss our friends. Roscoe our buddy is slowing down, turned 12 in September has been sick a couple of times (Lyme disease), nasty shit that is. Even though we used a commerical tick repellent I also made and herbal repellent which all worked till we arrived here in Maine, I have never seen anything like it and these creepy things can live all winter. He was on antibiotic's for a month and is back to his bouncy self, in his head he thinks like a puppy. Ronn has Wild Turkey's here well everyone does and they are huge and fast and gobble like crazy, hard to get a picture of them as they are so fast, pretty cool though. Well think that is it, will be posting more regular as we get ready to move on. We will only be making a few family stops (overnights) on the return trip. Will be taking a Southern Route running from the snow. Take care, Peace On Earth. Lance Carlene and Roscoe (TWD).

Good Morning,
A chilly 27 degree's another pink sky. Took Rosie out for his early am bathroom break. Almost full moon and the stars like diamonds dancing in the moon light,just awesome sight and feel to the quiet and beauty that wraps itself around me.

I know we have not been posting and several of you have been requesting more more pic's.... Coming soon. Lance has been very busy helping Ronn his Dad with some projects. I have not been feeling the best but still spinning in the rain and moon light LOL.I remember when I could spin and dance and shake my head.... now age and time has caught up with me and when I dance I have to make sure I have a soft place to fall. LOL. I miss my dancing days, had fun made a heap of money when I see pic's of me from that time in my life, I get that need to dance naked,! :) Any way got off my train of thought. I have been sewing which was a lap quilt which I think is turning into a full size quilt? No clue. I have my very first brand new sewing machine that Lance gave me for Solstice gift early but so cool.I love it! It is small compact travel with just the right amount of stitches and gadgets. Let's see knitting, biodegradable plant hanging inserts, keeps the plants moist and the soil does not go everywhere, pretty cool actually. Coloring with my sister Jenn.Also been doing Mandalas,walking and naps love my naps.
Rosie is feeling much better, he only has a few more days on his medicine,I am just praying he will continue to do well after he is done the antibiotic's for Lyme Disease, yeah I know go figure, we thought we were doing everything possible to keep the ticks off him and us but they were brutal this year on the East Coast.He is old 12, but Lance and I want him healthy. Do any of you (our friends and family) wonder why communication is such a difficult thing for us humans to achieve? Just curious.
Lets see, Lance and I went to a Buddhist Prayer sitting last Sunday. I meditated for 2 hours, Lance also, and he tells me later that he "was watching the dust dance in the sunlight coming in the window," cracked me up I said "was your mind more free of stress and worry while doing it?" At least I think I did lol. We both had a wonderful day.
Well time for a shower, everyone is getting up so better get a move on. We will be here till right after Christmas then heading home.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES" TO Dedra, Jenny K.,Carol and Normand hope I did not forget anyone.
Gramps we miss you, keep hanging in there.
Much love Hugs and "Peace Within" The Gypsies

Good Morning To All Our Friends and Families.
Raining today and about 50 degrees. The two cats Missy B and Casper and good ole Roscoe are taking there am naps. Lance and Ronn repairing a window in the bathroom. Fun listening to them chat back in forth,and watching them loose there tools! Jacquie is on call for 24 hours at Portland , Maine Medical. Me well I am going to make a apple pie from scratch. Already have my homemade ginger ale brewing. I will spend a bit of time sewing my quilt that Jacquie is teaching me how to do. Laundry is drying and will rearrange our room so we can find things. I have so many cool crafts going. Of course my herbal home remedies and cleaning concoctions. My sister Jenn is teaching me how to draw and color pictures which is so much fun and never would have thought I could do it. Jenn has painted me one wooded scene to add to our art wall when we have a home. I am also knitting flower plant inserts which are biodegradable,they hold the soil and plants is much neater and cleaner, will have Lance take a picture of one in a hanging basket. I am enjoying myself and taking care of health issues that are never ending. There are meditation classes in Portland and Brunswick Maine that I am hoping to attend a few. There is a very large group of Buddhist followers here in the East.
Also working on open enrollment time for Medicare and supplements with drug coverage, very confusing but think I am getting it sorted out,Lance is such a tremendous help with all this health stuff for me. Well guess I had better get a move on, before I have nap time :). Take care and thanks for following us and our life. Will be home soon, have been homesick for The Cascades. Love hugs and "Peace Within", The Gypsies

Joy in Troy!

Carlene, Jenn, Roy and I visited Robert and Suzanne Joy in Troy Maine Sunday . We had a GREAT time!

One of the greatest benefits of traveling is meeting extraordinary people. Bob and Suzanne are two of the most interesting. They built this house:

from scratch, by hand. Huge post and beam construction elements leave a spacious, beautiful wood interior, although Suzanne did say if she had to do it over, it would be bigger.

Bob's resume is a real conversation starter. He's been a carpenter, principle, college professor, funeral director and more.


Suzanne still teaches German and language at a community college. She and Bob also raise "Brie," "Jake," and "Bodie," full blooded Bullmastiffs.

Here is a picture of Brie:


We spent the afternoon, following a fantastic lunch, hearing wonderful stories about jobs, genealogies, and Suzanne's adventures in Euroland when she picked up Brie. Here is a picture of Bob, Jenn and Carlene:


We made plans to visit again while we're here and have more genealogy stuff.

The long drive through the country on the way home was beautiful and very peaceful.

Hello, Carlene here. Yes it was a wonderful day, with a fantastic lunch and dessert. Robert and Suzanne's homestead is so peaceful and remote. Love the BullMastiffs, beautiful creatures! Loved being there with Jenny and Roy and of course Roscoe (TWD). Conversation was lively and I learned things about my family --I had no idea. Looking forward to returning a couple of times before we leave the East Coast. Thank you for a wonderful Day!