Thursday, August 14, 2008

Anniversary And Local Color

You know how it is with us. Every time we make plans to do something, something else happens to mess it all up. So we don't really make plans anymore. We just go happenstance-by-the-seat-of-our-pants one hour at a time.

Today just happened to be our anniversary. We naturally didn't make any plans to do any thing special, so by-the-seat-of-our-pants, when Rick had a spare hour this afternoon, we headed out to the nearest blueberry farm.

This family farm has strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. I believe they have peaches and a variety of vegetable as well. We pulled up to the little hut where produce was for sale, and went in. As we walked through the door we saw a sign that directed shoppers to pull the rope, which was connected to a big cast iron bell, for service. Rick rang the bell and in just an instant two teenage boys pulled up in an old golf cart. The back of the cart was full of blueberries and the boys had smudges of purple on their faces, hands, and clothes.

The younger of the two boys hopped out of the cart and asked if we were there to pick blueberries. Now we could have bought some already packed in those nice little square cartons, but what fun would that be? I can do that in the supermarket back home. So I said, "Yes." (Rick might have thought about buying the already-picked berries, but I didn't give him a chance to answer. I wanted to soak up some local color.

The kid said, "Okay. We've got a special deal today. If you pick a bucket for us, you can have your bucket. Do you want to do that?" As Rick started to mumble something about how many berries it would take to fill both buckets, I said, "Sure!"

The boy shoved a bucket in each of our hands and said, "There ya go." And off we went. It didn't take long to fill our buckets and I think my sceptical groom of 27 years didn't mind it too much. He even got stung by a bee when he pinched it in a handful of berries, but didn't complain too much. By the time we got our two buckets picked, my hands had really soaked up some local color.

We did go out to dinner tonight, but it was not a celebratory anniversary dinner. Rick had a meeting with another adjuster to discuss a "problem" claim from _____. (you know where) Not much fun, but such is life.

On our way home we went by the store and bought some heavy cream. I just finished off my bowl of fresh blueberries and whipped cream. Yummmmm! Go ahead, envy me. It's okay this time. After all, it was my anniversary present!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Quick Drive Up To Maine

Yesterday Rick had one last claim up in Maine so I tagged along. Just so I could say I've been there. I saw more hills and more trees. I was excited to see a few maple trees that were starting to blush with colors of fall. Sumac along the roadside had a few blood red leaves and the ferns and low growing vegetation in the woods were starting to turn too.
There are some places I've been that I'm glad to say, "I've been there," and I don't care to ever go back. Las Vegas, Nevada is one. But, New England is one place that I would love to visit again. If you've seen the movie The Bucket List you'll understand when I say, "Seeing New England in the fall" is on my list. It won't happen this year, but some day, before I die, I hope to cross one of Vermont's covered bridges and have red and gold leaves crunch under my feet.
Now our quick trip up to Maine didn't have room for much sightseeing, but you'll be surprised what you can see if you are looking for something special to post on your blog. I saw weather vanes. All over the place I saw old colonial churches and building of all sorts that had really cool weather vanes. No two were alike. I was able to get a picture of only one. I hope you like it.
On our way home we stopped by the home of L.L. BEAN. This is Rick standing by the L.L.Bean boot.
When we were in the store, Rick suggested I take a picture of this stuffed moose because, and I quote, "It's the closest thing to a real moose you are going to see." (He looks dead on his feet don't you think?)
I love my husband, but he was a wet blanket tossed across my hopes of seeing a moose crossing the road. He's probably right, but a girl needs her dreams. Right?
In just a couple of days I'll be packing up my dreams and the camper and we will be heading for home. Rick hopes to work in a vacation along the way, so I may have some other sights to show you later. You never know where we'll end up!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Silent Visitor

A visitor came to my door but didn't knock.
With gentle wave of wing beckoned,
Follow me into the sun.
There, dressed in royal velvet
Silent beauty humbly rested,
Simply for my pleasure.

Promises of God

"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. And the Lord said 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.'"

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD."

"Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days; and the water increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth."

"And the water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days."

"But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided."

"...the LORD said to Himself, I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.'"

"And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.'"
"...and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh."
(All scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Genesis 6-9.)
This last week New England, particularly Maine and New Hampshire was hit with a lot of rain. Inches and inches, day after day. Friday the entire state of New Hampshire was under a flood warning, and we watched as the river, only a few yards from our door, grew deeper and deeper. It began to overflow its banks at the camping space next to ours and in other spots throughout the campground.

By late afternoon the campground manager came around and asked us to unhook our sewer hose because 1.) rain water was standing around the drain and 2.) she wanted us to be able to make a quick evacuation if need be.

As the sun began to set, the rain began to stop. And God placed His bow in the cloud--a reminder of His promise.

The River crested during the night or early morning and ran high most of the day yesterday. This morning the river level has dropped considerably. Through it all, God's promise remains!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Around The Campground

I have to say that everyone has their own idea of adventure. I've not gone anywhere exciting or done anything news-worthy the last few days, but life can always be an adventure when you choose to make it one. Sometimes you have to overlook some things and look more closely at others. Here are a few pictures of my adventure around the Epsom Valley Campground. Try clicking on each one to enjoy some of the tiny details of nature.

On Wednesday the temperatures remained in the lower 60s all day and it rained, and rained, and rained. (Family and friends that have been suffering in the +100 degree temperatures in Texas, I'm sorry you have to read this part, but not too much. LOL) Rick wanted to turn on the heater but I wouldn't let him. So, he worked in his jacket. I always think it is funny that 60 degrees in August feels cold while 60 degrees in January feels warm. We are camped in the woods. That's not saying much because I've decided that if you are camped anywhere in New England, you are in the woods. This is the view out my window. We are camped on the bank of the Suncook River. It's not very wide, but it is pretty deep. There has been rain either here or up river almost every day that we have been here so the river has gotten deeper every day. If you look hard you can see a corn field just on the other side of the river. That's not been good for my allergies, but since the wind doesn't blow, I've not had too much trouble.
Here is a spot where part of the river slows to make a little pond. When we got here all the lily pads were floating and blooming. Now they are all under water. You can see them just beyond the tall grass. I can't get over how the trees are reflected in the glassy water.

Here are some of our "neighbors." A moose or two and some crazy old trees.
Because of all the rain, there is no shortage of fungus among us.
Rick said that all these beautiful mushrooms lack is a ladybug on top.
One of my favorite things growing in the woods is wild blueberry bushes.
I've had a few handfuls to round out my lunch or just for a snack. They are tiny little berries, but they are full of blueberry flavor! There are some pretty flowers up by the office. They are not natural to the woods, but they were so pretty I thought you might want to see them anyway.
I love how each flower is so unique.
If you pay close attention to the world around you, you may be entertained by some of the cutest little critters. That's part if making the hum-drum an adventure.
This dragonfly is resting in the blueberry bush.
This little guy to too pretty to be called a slug. I've never seen anything exactly like this before. What an adventure! This little frog would not pose for me, so I held him in my hand to get his picture. Instantly my hand was VERY SLIMY! EEWWWW! Some adventures are a little gross!
It doesn't look like we will be here to witness New England in the fall and that makes me a little sad. But I found a few leaves along the side of the road that seem to be rushing things just a bit. Together they gave me a glimpse of what I will be missing.

I rarely title my photos, but if I gave this one a name it would be... As Time Goes By.

I took a few more pictures around the campground. Watch for them to show up as puzzles on my side bar.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

MOOSE SIGHTED!

Did you think I fell off the face of the earth? Naw, I just fell off the steps.

I'm feeling much better now, but for a few days there I thought I might never move again.

Rick has been working so hard, I feel a little sorry for him. There is a PA (Public Adjuster) or two in the area that are working really hard to make his life miserable. And these homeowners lack southern grace. All that adds up to stress. Because he has been working so hard, we've not gotten out much. Rather I've not gotten out much. He gets out every day to scope houses, but then he's back here asap to do paperwork.

We did go into Concord the other day to take a package to the DHL drop, eat, and grab a few groceries. And guess what? I saw a moose.

Okay, I know it's not a REAL moose, but it was so cute I thought it deserved a place on my blog anyway.

I've had a terrible time trying to get connected and staying connected to the net long enough to post anything. (Plus I laid around here for a few days while I recovered from my fall.) So here is this short pointless post. I intend to do some laundry today and take a few pictures around the campground. Maybe I can get lucky and get them posted later. Hang with me. I'm doing my best!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

My Feet Don't Hurt A Bit

A couple of evenings ago I was about my usual tasks. I did the supper dishes then decided to replenish the supply of bottled water and soft drinks I keep in the refrigerator. Our stash of extras is stored in our "basement" that is accessible from outside the camper, so I went out to get some.

I collected a small variety of bottles and cans, clutched them tightly to my chest, and headed back inside the camper.

Now I've done this many times, so it is one of those motions I go through, almost daily, without giving much thought to what I'm actually doing. I seldom have problems with this task, though one time I did drop a can of Coke and it landed just right on a tiny little rock...The ants loved me and the sticky mess I created. Since that time, I do pay a little more attention to how tightly I clutch the drinks.

As most of you know, I'm vertically challenged. Not enough to be disabled, but enough that I have to partially climb the steps of the camper to reach the door's latch, especially when my arms are full of drinks and I can't reach above my head without dropping something. And as some of you might know, camper doors swing out when they open. So, my normal MO (method of operation) is to step up on the first step (if my arms are empty) or the second or third step, (depending on how tightly I'm having to squeeze my armload of carbonated, artificially colored and flavored, high fructose corn syrup) unlatch the door, then step back down the steps while leaning backward to allow the door room to swing open. Then I climb the steps once again and, whew... I'm inside, safe and sound.

This particular evening, just before I attempted the "open door with arms full" trick, it rained. I'm talking a downpour. Even though the awning was out, the wind had blown the rain in under the awning and the steps were nice and wet. And slick! And I, in my typical fashion, had bare feet.

I was really concentrating on not dropping any of those cans or bottles, so this was a "climb to the third step" trip. In one smooth motion, I unlatched the door, stepped down to the second step, and swung my body weight backward to clear the door. I looked down just in time to see my foot slip on the wet step, thus sending the lower half of my leg all the way through the steps. Being the quick thinker that I am, I thought to myself, Oh no! I'm going to fall!

I must have the gift of prophecy too. Sure enough! My head hit the ground first, and bounced. I've not gone to the doctor but I'm positive that whiplash is the term I'm looking for here. Then my body, thinking my head was having so much fun, followed. When a middle-aged, Dodge-Ram-seat-shaped hunk of fat, muscle, and bones flings itself off a flight of steps head first, the neck connecting it to that head is bound to get jammed. And, at the exact time I started my "down-to-earth" trip, the gravitational pull experienced a power surge! I guess I hit with such force the earth shook because my dear hubby came to see what was going on. He had to gather up the drinks because the impact popped them out of my grip and scattered them.

I have not hurt like this since my van was T-boned by a crazy lady trying to make it through an intersection on a red. I've still got a headache too. My mom thinks I gave myself a concussion. I don't think it is quite that bad, but you can bet I might use it as an excuse the next time I have one of my mental moments. Parts of my body that never touched the ground, including the gross squishy parts you can't see, hurt. I scraped my elbow, bruised my shin, my back, my ribs, and did who-knows-what kind of damage to my neck...but looking on the bright side, my feet don't hurt a bit!