Category Archives: Mondays are for Memories

Mondays are for Memories, SOWER Projects, The Adventure

Mondays are for Memories – A Mowing we will go!

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With all of the mowing that Gary has been doing (he was on the mover over 6 hours today), I was reminded of the time that I was asked to man the mower. It was early in our SOWER life – July 2007 – and at a camp in Tennessee. I tracked down that post –

With 130 campers running around, it’s pretty tough to stay on top of “pool maintenance”. So, I have been moved to Lawn Maintenance. Yes, the girl that somehow managed to never even get on the riding mower when we lived in Jamison, has spent the last four days cutting lawn with a zero-turn lawn mower. Here I am – Mower Steph (with a view of some of my domain!)
mowersteph

Ten things that I have learned while mowing acres and acres of grass:

1. The “zero turn” thing? Well it’s a little easier said than done.
2. Young campers are prone to enter your mowing area. Stop and find a new patch to mow. There is always somewhere you can mow.
3. Straight line mowing is highly over-rated. I personally think that a nice scallop to the lines adds interest.
4. Sunscreen
5. And if you forgot the sunscreen on the first day, DO NOT forget it on the subsequent days.
6. No matter how carefully you turn, there will be times when you eat grass. Or dirt. Or bugs.
7. Fingers usually stop tingling within 3 hours of turning off the mower.
8. There is nothing quite as lovely as the sound generated after turning off the mower.
9. “Getting close” to trees and bushes takes a lot of practice and is usually best left to those more experienced. (Sorry about that little Bradford Pear =/.)
10. Mowing provides a great opportunity to catch up with your prayer time. After all, who else can hear you? (Just don’t close your eyes and fold your hands!)

Oh – and my tan is really coming along!

This morning was one of those picture-perfect mornings. I carried my camera with me to take some shots – here’s the best one.
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(and yes, I even mowed the island!)

When I have a better internet connection I’ll try to upload some of the others so you can see our home base for July.
No big plans for the weekend – it’s time for some household chores for sure! Watch out dust bunnies!

***********

If you’d like to see the original post, you can check it out here! 

Have a great week, everyone!
Steph

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Family and Friends, Mondays are for Memories, On the Road, Pictures of the Adventure, RV Life, The Adventure

Mondays are for Memories – Our First Anniversary

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It’s been fun looking back over those ‘early years’ remembering the delight that awaited us around every corner. Here is a (slightly adapted) post from August 3, 2005. My format back then was different, so I’ve added some photos to illustrate how varied that first year was!
Aug 3, 2005 –
It’s hard for us to believe that we’ve been traveling about the country (well, the eastern half of it anyway) for a full year. What had seemed like a far off dream for so very long, is now old news. It just doesn’t seem possible!
We’ve had an amazing year. We’ve been as far north as Copper Harbor, Michigan (which is only a couple of degrees farther north than our Maine stop or our visit to beautiful Georgian Bay in Ontario),
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as far south as Fort Myers, FL,
Six Mile Cypress-3 (Six Mile Cypress Swamp)
and as far west as Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
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We’ve had our toes (or more) in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, all of the Great Lakes, and Georgian Bay.
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We’ve driven through mountains and valleys, and descended into caves and mines.
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All along we have continued to marvel at the amazing country we live in, and the Awesome God that has created such a place and allowed us the privilege to be traveling through it.
But more than the places to see and things to do, we’ve been able to connect with friends and family – some of whom we hadn’t seen in many, many years. We’ve made new friends and seen firsthand how beautiful and diverse the Family of God is. Our work with the SOWER Ministry has blessed us in too many ways to recount. We have been able to use our skills and abilities while still having time to see the country. The friends we’ve made and the different communities we have been a part of have all been part of the treasures of this trip.
And so we continue on. We’ve found that living in our RV has added a new dimension to our relationship to each other, our relationship to the world around us, and our relationship to our Awesome God. Until He tells us otherwise, we’re content to be serving Him from our little house on wheels. Thanks for stopping by our website – it’s good to have you along! Please feel free to add a comment or send along a hello! We’d love to hear from you!
We have so much to see, and so much yet to learn!
And yes, we are still working on getting to the West Coast!

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Mondays are for Memories, RV Life, SOWER Projects, The Adventure

Mondays are for Memories – Happy Hour – SOWER Style

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This past weekend we joined together with some other SOWERs working in the area for dinner out and a local play.

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It was a lovely evening, and it made me think about the blessing of fellowship that we have with our SOWER family. And that brought to mind this sweet “Happy Hour”  we had with our fellow SOWERs back in 2010!
Happy Hour – SOWER Style February 12, 2010
Have I mentioned before how we not only have a twelve-mile commute to work at this project but that our rigs are parked in two different locations? We’re only about a 1/4 mile apart as the crow flys (over the desert and through private property), but it’s about a 15-minute walk so it’s not like we can pop over for a quick chat or to borrow a cup of sugar (you know, for all that baking I do!). To try to compensate for our slight lack of “community” and to celebrate the end of the week (yes, even hardworking SOWERS are happy for the weekend!), yesterday we had our very own “Happy Hour” over at the other neighborhood!
Parking spot 2
While the guys were busy setting up chairs, I took in the view –
Parking Spot 2 view
Quite nice, don’t you think?
Our Happy Hour is a little different from the traditional HH – we decided to concentrate on Ice Cream instead of drinks! One of the couples picked up some ice cream on the way home and the rest of us raided our pantry for toppings. We had chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, pecans, almonds, chocolate chips, craisins and Cool Whip. And while I wish I could show you pictures of our lovely pre-dinner ice cream social, I was too busy enjoying it to snap any pictures. You know the saying, life is uncertain – eat dessert first. We concur.
I did get the camera out, though, when I saw a bird feeder set up just outside the parking area. And even though the feeder was just about empty, there was still plenty of activity –
A beautiful little House Finch
House Finch
A House Finch coming in for a landing –
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A White Crowned Sparrow –
White crowned sparrow
And my personal favorite (well, today anyway), the Gambel’s Quail-
quail
Gambel's Quail
who were busy scooting around between the rocks under the feeder. They are very fun to watch!
It was so nice to sit and relax with friends after a busy week. Plus the drive home (all 2 minutes of it) was lovely.
evening sky
(That’s us down on the left.)
We have lots of options this weekend here in the Valley – the Riverside County Fair and Datefest starts today, there’s a Greek Festival on Saturday and Sunday, there’s always the big flea market over at the College of the Desert, and different RV resorts offer entertainment and festivals…Phew. Oh, and the weather? Well, the cute girl on the local station is promising sunshine and 75.
Ah……..

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Family and Friends, Mondays are for Memories

Mondays are for Memories – Connie

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One of my birthday buddies, Connie Breyer, met Jesus face-to-face last week. And oh, what a greeting she must’ve gotten! For those of us still on this side of eternity, though, the parting has been hard. I haven’t been a part of Connie’s everyday life for many, many years, but still, I consider her one of my closest and dearest friends. We didn’t speak often, but we always knew we were there for each other. Because I knew she was a faithful reader of this blog, I would often think of her as I figured out what I should write about. Several years ago (2018), I wrote the following little summary of our friendship. But as I read it now, I realize what we had was much, much more precious than what I was able to convey here. But it’s a start.

Long, long ago, in (what seems like) a galaxy far, far away a young bride [me] met with a ‘more experienced’ bride [Connie] once a week for lunch. And encouragement. And prayer.
Time passed, babies came, and schedules changed. But the friendship and encouragement and prayers never ended. Our little twosome grew to include others as we changed from being young brides to being young moms.
Friends moved, babies grew, and life happened. Things changed.
But through it all, three of us somehow, by hook or by crook, managed to continue to meet once a year to celebrate our November birthdays. We’d often meet at church on a Sunday in November, enjoy lunch, catch up with each other, and end the day in prayer. It was a very precious day for me, as I would often go the whole year without being in contact with them. But that thread of friendship never broke. Never even frayed!
Since we’ve been on the road, we three birthday buddies haven’t always been able to connect during November. But whenever we can work it out, we work it out!!

birthdaygirls08 ConnieBonnieandme
birthdaybuddies Connie Bonnie BonnieConnieand me

I didn’t make it back to Hometown this past summer, so being able to connect with these precious Birthday Buddies, these Sisters in Christ was especially sweet this past October.
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I’m so thankful for these friends from that galaxy far, far away!
Birthday
So Thankful for US!

What a blessing both Bonnie and Connie have been to me over the years!  As Bonnie and I talked this past week after she shared this sad news with me, our tears were mingled with such sweet remembrances of times we had spent with Connie, and how much she meant to us (and most everyone else who knew her!).  I am so thankful that this past summer we were able to get together for worship and then lunch!
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Me, Bonnie, and Connie (surprisingly color coordinated!)
We had the husbands along (sometimes that just happens!), so we didn’t get to spend hours catching up, but it was still the sweetest of visits.

My heart aches for her family, especially her beautiful daughters and her beloved grandchildren.  And for the many people whose lives were brightened by this triumphant daughter of the King.  Our grief is real and hard. But I am praying that they (and I!) will continue to rest in the knowledge of the glorious life that Connie is now enjoying.
“…That you [we] may not grieve as those who have no hope.” (I Thessalonians 4:13)

I can only imagine, dearest Connie, what your new life is like. We miss you here – and always will! But oh what joy you must be experiencing!

Your friend, the young bride,
Steph

 

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Mondays are for Memories, Pictures of the Adventure, RV Life

Mondays are for Memories – New Mexico

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I was reminded today about the time we served at a SOWER project in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico! Here’s a post from almost eight years ago about that charming little town!

Truth or Consequences – February 2, 2016
So, Truth or Consequences. AKA T or C.
We leave this little New Mexico town early tomorrow morning, and I thought maybe it was time to give you a bit more info about the town itself.
First a bit of history. T or C was incorporated in 1916 as Hot Springs, NM. It is located right along the Rio Grande River, but it is also located over many hot springs, and that is where it (obviously) got its original name. The city changed its name to “Truth or Consequences” in 1950. Ralph Edwards, the host of the radio quiz show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show. Hot Springs stepped up to the plate, the people voted, and the rest is history. Ralph Edwards was so enamored by this little town that he returned each year for the annual celebration that celebrated its ‘celebrity’ for 50 years. The town still holds that “Fiesta” the first weekend in May – and I’m sure it’s a sight to behold!
Today, TorC is quite an eclectic town.
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It’s full of artsy shops, galleries, second-hand stores, and fun places to eat.
Wikipedia refers to it as a ‘spa town’, referring I suppose to the area’s hot springs, but I can’t say that I got that impression. Yes, there are some spas that take advantage of the wonderful hot springs. And there are a couple of newer hotel/motel units on the north end of town near the Walmart. But in the downtown area, you are more likely to find your locally owned and operated motel units.
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Like the Rocket Inn or the Trail Motel or the Belair Inn.
Or maybe the Desert View Inn
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with its offer of Clean Comfortable Rooms and Refrigerated Air.

It’s a town of huge contrasts. Ted Turner owns two ranches outside of town, along with a resort in the nearby town of Elephant Butte. Not too far out of town is Spaceport America, home to Virgin Galactic, WhiteKnightTwo, and SpaceShipTwo. (Tour tickets were pretty pricey, so we skipped that stop). Although the winters are fairly mild here (our nights were cold, but the days were sunshiny and bright and often made it into the 60s), it’s the summer when this town really booms. It borders the largest lake in New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake
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and it was the creation of that reservoir in 1912 that jump-started the town. Each summer over 100,000 people flock to the area to enjoy the camping, fishing, and boating that the lake can accommodate.
But the people we’ve met during our time here have been down-to-earth folks, making ends meet the best way they can, and choosing to live a simple, uncomplicated life. Lots of folks get around on bikes and every now and again, a horse and rider trots by the rig.
I think we’ve done our part to support the local economy –
We’ve eaten at six different local (yummy)restaurants.
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(Who needs a Denny’s when you can go to the Passion Pie Cafe?)
We’ve taken a turn in the mineral hot springs at Riverbend Resort
Our view of the Rio Grande from the hot springs at Riverbend Hot Springs resort. #endofprojecttreat #truthorconsequences
Ahhhh…..
We took in a movie at the local theater –
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(Star Wars 🙂 )
We picked up our New Mexico T-shirts at Martha’s Gift and Jewelry Shop and picked up eggs and milk at Bullocks, the local grocer.
We checked out one of the local Museums –
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And although we didn’t quite make it into the Veterans’ Museum, we did stop by and take some pictures –
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( 1/2 size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall).
This is a history-rich area – everything from the Carrie Tingley Hospital (now the Veterans Center) that was patterned after the polio hospital started by FDR in Warm Springs, GA, to the Native American influences that pervade the area. There are unusual rock formations, some great rock-hounding opportunities (per our fellow SOWERS!), and many interesting drives you can take while in the area. If you need a big city fix, Las Cruces isn’t too far south, and Albuquerque is only a couple of hours north.

So – if you’re ever heading through southern New Mexico – make sure you take a couple of days (at least) to check out the many faces of Truth or Consequences.
You’ll be glad you did!

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