Anita here, well, it wasn't a fun day for me. Jesse had to meet the carpet cleaners so I took myself to Mobile for the removal of another basil cell carcinoma. Ouch! The follow-up care is the problem, I don't heal as fast as I used to. Then went by the SS office and had my Social Security card reflect my new name. It didn't take as long as I thought it would.
I came home for lunch and to unpack some items in the Boomer Bus from our Palatka week-end. We don't have another trip planned until March 14 when we leave for an extended trip across the USA.
The big ticket item today was the root canal under a crown. I hope the crown will survive, as I will go back to my dentist next week for the permanent filling. So far, so good. Jesse wanted to post a photo of my crooked mouth or the tooth, I convinced him that wasn't a good idea. LOL
I don't think we have posted yet that we are moving back into the house that I moved out of just before I met Jesse. Now that we have clean carpets, we plan to start moving small items and cleaning the kitchen tomorrow. We pack more boxes when we have a few extra minutes. When it's time to move furniture, we'll call in the big guns. Wow, so much to do, so little time.
3/16/14 Update: The leg is healing and the follow-up filling after the root canal went well. Hopefully, we have saved the crown. Time will tell.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Palatka, Fl Rodeheaver Boy's Ranch Bluegrass Festival
The great Boomer reporting:
| What a great week everyone had at the Palatka FL Bluegrass Festival at the Rodeheaver Boy's Ranch. We drove the Boomer Bus down from Bay Minette on Wednesday the 18th and took with us Nita's sister Sheila and husband Les. Nita wanted to do something special for Sheila's birthday so we decided to take them to the bluegrass festival. They enjoyed them when they lived in Michigan and now in Leakesville, MS there aren't many music festivals close by. |
The Rodeheaver's Boy's Ranch (initially Rainbow Ranch) was founded in 1950 by an Evangelical minister named Homer Rodeheaver, , as a ranch for school age neglected, abused and/or abandoned boys They live at the ranch with fostered parents, attend school and perform farm chores. The ranch is a 501-3 ( C) organization that does not rely or receive any government support for it's operation. It is strictly run on contributions or funding from supported events.The bluegrass festival is just one of the means for doing this. The ranch is located about 20 miles South of Palatka, FL. Homer's Motto: "It's better to build boys than to mend men" Click on link for more information. Rodeheaver Boy's Ranch
The festival started on Thursday. The slate of singers included : Kody Norris, James King, The Bluegrass Brothers from Virginia, Larry Sparks, Jimmy Fortune from the Oak Ridge Brothers, Daily & Vincent,The Stevens Family, GoldWing Express, The Gibson Brothers, Dry Branch Fire Squad, The Seldom Scene, The Primitive Quartet, Cody Shuler, Little Roy & Lizzie, Marty Raybon, and Dry Branch Fire Squad. GoldWing played a tribute to all the veterans at the festival with "America the Beautiful" and had all of us come to the front while we all sang it. Must have been 100 or more veterans there.
The featured performers were Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and Gene Watson with the Farewell Party Band. What a line up of wonderful bluegrass entertainment that was and the featured artist singers, Rhonda Vincent and Gene Watson were stand up performances. Rhonda has numerous awards since she began at the age of three and is well known as " The Queen of Bluegrass". Gene Watson, also a well known award winning singer and song writer sang most of his big hits that included "Should I come Home or Should I go Crazy" and "My Farewell Party"
Rhonda and Gene performed some duets : " Together Again", "Walk Through This World With Me" and " " "Sweet 'Thang" , then Gene sang a tribute to his recently passed on good friend George Jones with "He Stopped Loving Her Today". We were so pleased with the entire line-up and it's hard to remember all of the songs they sang. Dementia? lol. This was undoubtedly the best Bluegrass Music Festival I've ever been to and I've be2n to quite a few of them. Thank you Bill Monroe for introducing it and reintroducing the Mandolin at the Grand Ole Opry way back in 1939. You were a genius. He was credited with being one of the founders of Bluegrass for many a year and was known as the "Father of Bluegrass"
Read his bio at: billmonroe.com
While there Jesse met a couple people he had served with in the Navy. One, Lloyd, had been at NAS Pensacola Sherman Field at the same time and the other, Kris Hancock, was a retired Aviation Ordnance LCDR. Kris owned a ranch outside of Palatka and the "Gotta Go" Sanitation Company that provided "dump" services for RV'S at the festival. It's really great meeting old friends and it seems that he has them all over the states. Guess that goes along with having 32 1/2 years of service.
The weather was good most of the time. We had a storm front come through that had a bit of wind and it rained all day Sunday driving back home.. At a rest stop on I 10 Jesse had the opportunity to help a fellow RVer with pumping up a simi flat tire. Aubrey had been to the festival and was on his way home in Chipley FL. Isn't t it wonderful making new friends?
Saturday, February 15, 2014
T. Graham Brown & Ronnie McDowell Concert
Boomer has the day off. We will do the posting today
Friday the 14th was Valentine's Day. We hope all had a wonderful day. I know we did and Nita also enjoyed a beautiful red heart box of Russell Stover's finest. Ann (Jesse's sister) and Ron joined us with a visit to Chumuckla, FL for the T. Graham Brown & Ronnie McDowell Concert.
Chumuckla is a community between Pace and Jay, Florida. Nothing near or around but farms and country. There is a combination Farmer's Opry House/Living Church and a rather stark campground that can accommodate motor homes and RV'S. We didn't take the Boomer Bus but may when we return in March for the Gene Watson Concert. The Opry House have country music concerts (obviously) and have a kitchen for producing good ole country style meals. Tonight it was country fried chicken, hamburger steaks w/fried onions, mashed potatoes, gravy and fried okra, biscuits and an ooey gooey dessert. Can't forget the ice tea and coffee
The billing was only for Ronnie but we were in for a very surprising and wonderful bonus when the opening singer was T.Graham Brown. His fame is being a most popular singer who performed on the Grand Ole Opry many times and shared concerts with singers like Ronnie McDowell, Kenny Rogers and was the opening singer for many other popular singers. He shared bands with Ronnie and sang many of his most popular hits like: "If You Could Only see Me Now", "Tell it Like it Used to Be", "Never Say Never" and "With This Ring" just to name a few. His "Wine Into Water" was an absolute down to earth heartfelt closure and gained a standing ovation.
Afterwards, we had the opportunity to share and discovered we had travelled down a similar road and we were thankful to our GOD and all the prayers for being here. We talked about a project he dearly loved that was building churches world wide called "International Cooperating Ministries"(icm.org) and I shared my project involving "Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake" and "Eliminating Polio from the World" with Rotary International. His lovely wife, Sheila was by his side supporting him for the past 35 years. Nita gave him our calling card with our blog address and he promised to look at it. We think we have made new friends as we were invited to come visit when in his area.
late entry. T. Ness sent an email . So great to hear from him
Next up was Ronnie. He still had his charismatic mannerism about him and he paid tribute to the people he had shared concerts with. People like Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty (Harold Jenkins), George Jones and several others. He was also featured on The Grand Ole Opry several times He sang "The King is Gone", his most popular song, "Older Women Make better Lovers" and "You're Going to Ruin My Bad Reputation" and closed out with Elvis Presley's"Trilogy". He got a standing ovation for his attribute to all veterans and for including an impaired person in the audience to sing part of the song. He said he had been there many times over the years and he knew some of the people in the audience.and spoke to them personally.
He is an excellent painter. He painted one of Elvis in his younger days looking into a mirror and seeing a reflection of himself as "THE Elvis". Another painting was George Jones sitting on a lawn mower/tractor getting a DUI ticket (an actual happening-I remember reading about it years ago). He said George had ask him to paint it. His paintings were really "superb" and I now wish we had bought one (or both). He said he is now under contract to paint five paintings a year for five years for Walt Disney Productions. As a nice bonus, he gave away one print of each painting to the audience. He also sang happy birthday to a girl and paid attention to a 92 year old lady that he knew.
After the concert we drove back to Ann & Rons, endured a quickly forming and passing, speedy windy rain storm and then traveled back to Bay Minette. After arriving we wanted to surprise Jake ,Nita's grandson, as he had driven in from Ft Hood, TX after being honorably discharged from the Army. We walked into the River Pub after one a.m., and surprised the heck out of him. He was totally stunned. (He has slipped in and surprised me so many times, I really wanted to get him back, and did). We are so proud of him and so happy to have him home and back into civilian life after 4 yrs and a few months, and after having served tours in SC, Arizona, Germany and Texas. Welcome home Jake! Here he is with my youngest son Jeff (with beard) at Jeff's Pub. Jeff wasn't there but we wanted to post this photo of him and Jake.
No, Jeff (with beard, my youngest son) wasn't there, but I found a photo of Jake in the Pub. Ha
Friday the 14th was Valentine's Day. We hope all had a wonderful day. I know we did and Nita also enjoyed a beautiful red heart box of Russell Stover's finest. Ann (Jesse's sister) and Ron joined us with a visit to Chumuckla, FL for the T. Graham Brown & Ronnie McDowell Concert.
Chumuckla is a community between Pace and Jay, Florida. Nothing near or around but farms and country. There is a combination Farmer's Opry House/Living Church and a rather stark campground that can accommodate motor homes and RV'S. We didn't take the Boomer Bus but may when we return in March for the Gene Watson Concert. The Opry House have country music concerts (obviously) and have a kitchen for producing good ole country style meals. Tonight it was country fried chicken, hamburger steaks w/fried onions, mashed potatoes, gravy and fried okra, biscuits and an ooey gooey dessert. Can't forget the ice tea and coffee
The billing was only for Ronnie but we were in for a very surprising and wonderful bonus when the opening singer was T.Graham Brown. His fame is being a most popular singer who performed on the Grand Ole Opry many times and shared concerts with singers like Ronnie McDowell, Kenny Rogers and was the opening singer for many other popular singers. He shared bands with Ronnie and sang many of his most popular hits like: "If You Could Only see Me Now", "Tell it Like it Used to Be", "Never Say Never" and "With This Ring" just to name a few. His "Wine Into Water" was an absolute down to earth heartfelt closure and gained a standing ovation.
Afterwards, we had the opportunity to share and discovered we had travelled down a similar road and we were thankful to our GOD and all the prayers for being here. We talked about a project he dearly loved that was building churches world wide called "International Cooperating Ministries"(icm.org) and I shared my project involving "Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake" and "Eliminating Polio from the World" with Rotary International. His lovely wife, Sheila was by his side supporting him for the past 35 years. Nita gave him our calling card with our blog address and he promised to look at it. We think we have made new friends as we were invited to come visit when in his area.
late entry. T. Ness sent an email . So great to hear from him
Next up was Ronnie. He still had his charismatic mannerism about him and he paid tribute to the people he had shared concerts with. People like Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty (Harold Jenkins), George Jones and several others. He was also featured on The Grand Ole Opry several times He sang "The King is Gone", his most popular song, "Older Women Make better Lovers" and "You're Going to Ruin My Bad Reputation" and closed out with Elvis Presley's"Trilogy". He got a standing ovation for his attribute to all veterans and for including an impaired person in the audience to sing part of the song. He said he had been there many times over the years and he knew some of the people in the audience.and spoke to them personally.
He is an excellent painter. He painted one of Elvis in his younger days looking into a mirror and seeing a reflection of himself as "THE Elvis". Another painting was George Jones sitting on a lawn mower/tractor getting a DUI ticket (an actual happening-I remember reading about it years ago). He said George had ask him to paint it. His paintings were really "superb" and I now wish we had bought one (or both). He said he is now under contract to paint five paintings a year for five years for Walt Disney Productions. As a nice bonus, he gave away one print of each painting to the audience. He also sang happy birthday to a girl and paid attention to a 92 year old lady that he knew.
After the concert we drove back to Ann & Rons, endured a quickly forming and passing, speedy windy rain storm and then traveled back to Bay Minette. After arriving we wanted to surprise Jake ,Nita's grandson, as he had driven in from Ft Hood, TX after being honorably discharged from the Army. We walked into the River Pub after one a.m., and surprised the heck out of him. He was totally stunned. (He has slipped in and surprised me so many times, I really wanted to get him back, and did). We are so proud of him and so happy to have him home and back into civilian life after 4 yrs and a few months, and after having served tours in SC, Arizona, Germany and Texas. Welcome home Jake! Here he is with my youngest son Jeff (with beard) at Jeff's Pub. Jeff wasn't there but we wanted to post this photo of him and Jake.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Crab Gumbo and Goat BBQ
Boomer here. Today, Aunt Ann and unk Ron Slay, from Pensacola, Unk Jimmy and Aunt Denise from Pace, FL joined dad and some of mom's family for a Crab Gumbo and Goat BBQ cook out. Aunt Sheila and unk Les Dewey drove over from Leakesville, Mississippi to join us too. It was a really nice day as the temperature was around 60-65 degrees and almost cloudless. It terminated into a beautiful sunset with all the red colors beaming from the setting sun and through the few clouds that floated by. They really appreciated all of them coming. It's nice to have family gatherings where all have fun. The boys (Bryson and Hunter) romped and stomped and rode their new three wheel cart all around.
Alissa said the blessing before we dug in to the good food ( I got a big bone and my Lab friend got one too. lol) and later everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She turned 3. Denise also had a birthday today and she said she was (or is ) 16 but wouldn't tell us how many times she had been that age. I know but won't tell . We didn't sing happy birthday to her per her request.
Ribs out of the smoker
Ron and dad (Jesse)
AAAHHH the beautiful sunset over the Amazon
Travis, Alissa, Jacky, Bryson and Hunter
Denise, Sheila, dad and Bryson
More ribs from the smoker
Alissa with her birthday strawberry cheese cake
A six point buck a neighbor brought in
My human brother, Mike. our chef
My Lab friend with one of his bones
Ron and Ann took all the pictures but dad posted some for your enjoyment.
Bro Mike was the resident chef. He prepared the goat and put it on the smoker for about 8 hours before he wrapped it in foil for the finish to make it tender.Everyone added their own BBQ sauce. Mom(Nina) made crab gumbo that was so delicious it disappeared rather quickly. Plus we had tater salad, pan baked beans, cornbread and rice. Ann brought one of her delicious desserts and dad made a big flat strawberry cheese cake. They didn't last very long either. Me and a stray lab dog that hung around all day each had "dropped" goat meat and a big goat bone. UUUMMM UH were they good.
One of the neighbors came in with a six point buck he bagged hunting today. Layton said it was bigger than mom's but she knew better. Mom's is an eight pointer.
Everyone had a really nice time and enjoyed the chips and delicious salsa dip Ron brought. Surprisingly, it was a Walmart brand but really delicious.
This is Boomer signing off until next time.
Alissa said the blessing before we dug in to the good food ( I got a big bone and my Lab friend got one too. lol) and later everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She turned 3. Denise also had a birthday today and she said she was (or is ) 16 but wouldn't tell us how many times she had been that age. I know but won't tell . We didn't sing happy birthday to her per her request.
Ron and Ann took all the pictures but dad posted some for your enjoyment.
One of the neighbors came in with a six point buck he bagged hunting today. Layton said it was bigger than mom's but she knew better. Mom's is an eight pointer.
Everyone had a really nice time and enjoyed the chips and delicious salsa dip Ron brought. Surprisingly, it was a Walmart brand but really delicious.
This is Boomer signing off until next time.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Super Bowl Sunday and "Roasted Chicken Nuts"
Aaahhh, what a day it was. Started off being fairly nice. Temperature was around 60 and dad didn't even need a sweatshirt. Aunt Ann and Uncle Ron came over to spend the day and watch the big game. They hadn't seen the Boomer Bus yet so they got a good tour of it. Ron said "gosh, I got tired just walking from one end to the other". Then he wanted to see the generator. After opening all the doors and hatches , inspecting the Cummins Diesel and no generator, he was really perplexed and was anxious to know where it was. So dad pulled the latch cable that unlocked the front of the bus and it popped out.
Ron cleaned up dad's laptop computer and got a few programs up to date and then tried to tackle the PC in the Boomer Bus. Ron said it was fouled up and he may have to take it down to "parade rest" and restructure it. So he took it home with him to tackle it on his own field. We need a smaller tower, so we just may have to get a new PC that will fit nicely on the desk instead of in it. We have to keep "Boomer Bus" latest news out there.
The game, as you may know, was one sided. The Seahawks were in the bowl for the first time ever and was obviously eager to win all and played that way the entire game. The Broncos apparently were over confident and acted as though they forgot they were playing football. Way too many mistakes, starting from the first play all the way to the end of the game. Only scored 8 points to the Seahawks 43. Biggest margin ever in a super bowl game.
Mom and Aunt Ann talked about favorite recipes and cooking (my favorite subject), and we all ate Pizza ( gotta have pizza on Super bowl sunday,) and of course, I entertained until nap time.
During the game, Ann and Ron were given a Chocolate Rochier Candy Knot. "Ann asked "what is it?" (in earnest), dad said" a roasted chicken nut. Ron immediately asked "what is that?". After thinking about it for a second all of them laughed so hard I thought they would croak.
Finally, the day was done and they left for Pensacola.
Ron cleaned up dad's laptop computer and got a few programs up to date and then tried to tackle the PC in the Boomer Bus. Ron said it was fouled up and he may have to take it down to "parade rest" and restructure it. So he took it home with him to tackle it on his own field. We need a smaller tower, so we just may have to get a new PC that will fit nicely on the desk instead of in it. We have to keep "Boomer Bus" latest news out there.
The game, as you may know, was one sided. The Seahawks were in the bowl for the first time ever and was obviously eager to win all and played that way the entire game. The Broncos apparently were over confident and acted as though they forgot they were playing football. Way too many mistakes, starting from the first play all the way to the end of the game. Only scored 8 points to the Seahawks 43. Biggest margin ever in a super bowl game.
Mom and Aunt Ann talked about favorite recipes and cooking (my favorite subject), and we all ate Pizza ( gotta have pizza on Super bowl sunday,) and of course, I entertained until nap time.
During the game, Ann and Ron were given a Chocolate Rochier Candy Knot. "Ann asked "what is it?" (in earnest), dad said" a roasted chicken nut. Ron immediately asked "what is that?". After thinking about it for a second all of them laughed so hard I thought they would croak.
Finally, the day was done and they left for Pensacola.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Polar Vortex
Friday, 31 Jan, 2014.
Surely, all of you have about had it with the Polar Vortex and reading all the happenings around Atlanta and Birmingham. But, did you know that Chic_Filet was GIVING away sandwiches to all who came by and all they could send to the stranded motorists. Didn't know? Well no surprise. they are the people who stood their ground about gays, etc, so the news media ignored this gallant deed. PLUS, they choose to close on Sunday because it's the LORD'S day and all employees are allowed to spend it with their families (or church). Also, did you know that Olive Garden was giving away meals too and is providing FREE baby sitter service. NOW you know.
Since being "snowbirds", Jesse and Nita have been subjected to temperatures from 15 degrees to a high of 65 (today finally) but it is predicted to drop again. It all started in Red Bay, AL when the motor home was taken there for some desired factory repairs and a factory recall. The temp dropped to 15 after raining all day. Everything froze. As the slides were being brought in one had two inches of ice on top and almost ripped the awning. the motor home was left there until after Christmas/New Year holiday. After returning there on 2nd of January, it was more of the same. Thank goodness they winterized the home before it was left there.
Today started out just beautiful. At mid morning temperature was around 50 degrees, cloudless sky and ice melting on the roofs and street. So, when stepping down from the porch, Jesse stepped on and slipped on the ice, busted his butt on the steps as he fell and put a bruise on his rib cage. He's o.k. except for his ego.Thank GOD, no broken bones. Can't afford to break any at his age.Takes too long to heal (if it does)
Today included a trip to Pensacola to visit the Naval Hospital to get refills and a new prescription filled. Florida opened the Interstate so the trip was uneventful. Also visited with Ann and Ron and had a great visit. They have a nice fenced yard where I can chase squirrels and bark at the dog next door. Mom broke down and bought me some food so I didn't starve. Andrew called to let everyone talk to Aunt Darlene. She seemed to be in pretty good spirits and I know she was happy Andrew called. She asked about me and said they could only come back to see her if I came too. She really loves me, she lets me jump on her bed and cuddle with her. The nurses call me "therapy puppy" and ask her about me. I really have a following.
There are some beautiful sunsets on the river. Here is one:
Also forgot to mention with the last post (Amazon) we have bears, wild boars, ospreys, bald eagles,owls and turkeys along with the usual wildlife such as squirrels and rabbits.
Surely, all of you have about had it with the Polar Vortex and reading all the happenings around Atlanta and Birmingham. But, did you know that Chic_Filet was GIVING away sandwiches to all who came by and all they could send to the stranded motorists. Didn't know? Well no surprise. they are the people who stood their ground about gays, etc, so the news media ignored this gallant deed. PLUS, they choose to close on Sunday because it's the LORD'S day and all employees are allowed to spend it with their families (or church). Also, did you know that Olive Garden was giving away meals too and is providing FREE baby sitter service. NOW you know.
Since being "snowbirds", Jesse and Nita have been subjected to temperatures from 15 degrees to a high of 65 (today finally) but it is predicted to drop again. It all started in Red Bay, AL when the motor home was taken there for some desired factory repairs and a factory recall. The temp dropped to 15 after raining all day. Everything froze. As the slides were being brought in one had two inches of ice on top and almost ripped the awning. the motor home was left there until after Christmas/New Year holiday. After returning there on 2nd of January, it was more of the same. Thank goodness they winterized the home before it was left there.
Today started out just beautiful. At mid morning temperature was around 50 degrees, cloudless sky and ice melting on the roofs and street. So, when stepping down from the porch, Jesse stepped on and slipped on the ice, busted his butt on the steps as he fell and put a bruise on his rib cage. He's o.k. except for his ego.Thank GOD, no broken bones. Can't afford to break any at his age.Takes too long to heal (if it does)
Today included a trip to Pensacola to visit the Naval Hospital to get refills and a new prescription filled. Florida opened the Interstate so the trip was uneventful. Also visited with Ann and Ron and had a great visit. They have a nice fenced yard where I can chase squirrels and bark at the dog next door. Mom broke down and bought me some food so I didn't starve. Andrew called to let everyone talk to Aunt Darlene. She seemed to be in pretty good spirits and I know she was happy Andrew called. She asked about me and said they could only come back to see her if I came too. She really loves me, she lets me jump on her bed and cuddle with her. The nurses call me "therapy puppy" and ask her about me. I really have a following.
There are some beautiful sunsets on the river. Here is one:
Also forgot to mention with the last post (Amazon) we have bears, wild boars, ospreys, bald eagles,owls and turkeys along with the usual wildlife such as squirrels and rabbits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)