I’m outside, writing at the picnic table, the weather is a bit cloudy but in the mid 60’s and while I need a fleece jacket, I’m not freezing.
Take that Midwesterners!
I could definitely get accustomed to winters in warm weather. And to think, it’s not even truly winter yet.
I spent the week prepping Christmas packages, which will go out tomorrow. I took an afternoon and made scrap mug rugs, they turned out cool. Since they’re gifts, no pics.
I’ve shopped as much as I wanted, maybe even a bit more. Did a lot of online Cyber Monday deals, am waiting for the rest to come in. I tried to surprise Bruce with a free standing hammock, but they didn’t get the unwritten message to cover the picture on the delivery box…
I sent him to the mailroom to pick it up, (it was too heavy for me to wrangle), oblivious to the possibility that the company would put a picture of it on their shipping box. He called to me from outside when he brought it home and asked,
“Hey, what do you want me to do with my Christmas present?”
I looked outside, saw the picture and was crushed! As it dawned on me that the surprise was no longer a surprise I added a groan. I’d worked hard to choose something that would get that Christmas morning wow factor, and now my joy was completely dashed. He dared to laugh!
We haven’t even opened the box, it’s stored in the basement.
With fall/winter-ish weather in the mountains we’ve had indoor days. Time for pursuing contract work on Bruce’s side (with success!). Time for more projects and cooking on mine. I mastered the stove burners quickly, but the oven has been a challenge. My cast iron skillet is the best cooking tool I packed. It’s the perfect size, it goes into any oven and on any cooktop, and it doubles as a pie plate when needed.
Bruce tested positive for Covid the day before Thanksgiving so we skipped the potluck. He’d been fighting some kind of head cold, that he brushed off as allergies. He finally went to urgent care and tested positive, home for us. It presented me with the pumpkin pie dilemma. I hadn’t packed a pie plate, all of mine are glass or stone and I avoided taking anything breakable.
Cast iron to the rescue!
My crust had absolutely no soggy bottom. We skipped the turkey routine, had a lovely pork roast with my sourdough stuffing and some veggies. Simple and tasty. And we marathoned more of the show, “Homeland”.
Just the sort of frustrating CIA baloney needed when you’re ill
The mountains are a lovely place to be right now. The weather moves from cold to moderate, often daily. Cold enough that we’ve had to refill propane tanks 3x’s since arriving. Warm enough that we open windows on other days. We seem to use our electric fireplace daily. In fact, Milo has parked himself in front of it. He even signals Bruce to turn it on when it’s off.
When we bought the RV we asked if we could have it removed so that we could maximize storage. They told us that we’d be thankful for it in cooler climates because it definitely puts out some heat. And it doesn’t use propane.
They weren’t wrong
On sunny days we sit outside and we can count on meeting other campers. We’re situated right on the corner of a row where people walk to the dumpsters, or park for more propane. It’s also a path for pet walking, there’s even a black cat that likes to walk on a leash!
Because of this, we’ve met some lovely folks. Often other Christians, sometimes people who have abandoned land/house ownership for life on the road. One couple love to serve in National Parks as guides. Another couple use their RV as their home base when they aren’t serving as house parents for at risk youth.
We met a woman from New York who lived in Sarasota after living 4 years on a sailboat, touring the Caribbean. She and her elderly husband are now permanent RV residents in the resort after selling their Sarasota property. She misses Sarasota.
Another woman travels alone. She has a permanent unit here that she lives in all summer, then she has a 5th wheel in Florida that she lives in for the winter. In her 70’s she manages all of it on her own! Remarkably spry, extremely sharp, she gave us loads of advice on domicile options. And she was highly encouraging that we continue this adventure as long as our health permits.
As much as we are enjoying this time, we know it’s limited. Yes we’ll continue through 2024, but at some point we know we’ll reside in a permanent location. Eventually I’ll want to unpack all my cookbooks! But our hearts are definitely open to wherever God wants to place us.
What is encouraging is meeting the number of people who haven’t simply accepted static lives. Their mindsets are outside the traditional aging box. Sometimes they seek lives of unique usefulness and purpose.
It gives me hope
Aging is a minefield of choices anymore. Where to live? What to do? Who to hang with? What’s my purpose? It’s no longer assumed that you’ll live near your children/grandchildren. Or that you’ll always live in the same place you raised them. Fixed incomes are limited and housing isn’t always paid for by the time you retire.
Aging = insecurity for many
The People of the Road are a gift as we navigate this season of our lives. They present us with the kind of encouragement needed, to step into new places of risk and reward.
And as anyone knows…I’m all about the gifts!
Pamela Martinez says
Love your descriptions of the people you are meeting. Without others, our lives can be so….monotone!
Feeling just a tad jealous, but know that we are planted where we are for this season. Enjoy. The cat and fireplace look….super cozy!
Cinda Shaver says
Thanks Pam…and we all have to be planted wherever God leads, for us it’s the road at this time. Eventually we’ll be someplace with less to envy! So glad you’re following us, it was a joy to meet you guys on our trip!