Holiday Newsletter 2007

Listen, the earth speaks wisdom, tells when and how to move. Sets a cadence for the rhythm of our days, our lives and unleashes the wildness within.

There comes a time in our lives when we are called to believe the unbelievable. If we allow ourselves to believe, we open the door to the infinite possibility of who we might become.

This is my first attempt at a Holiday newsletter. I tell you this with the hope you will grant me small license to indulge myself. Since keeping a blog for over two years, I questioned if this newsy draft was necessary. (Blog site plug: www.bearfootpath.blogspot.com) (There are pictures on it - I like pictures). Thanks to my small group of loyal readers, the journey and therefore, the blog continues.

As I sat outside the other morning with a cup of rich coffee flavored with vanilla, soaking up the warm balm of the Florida sunshine, the true reason for the season revealed itself to me. Nothing I didn’t really know on an unconscious level but here it was in the moment. Generally at this time of the year, I am taking antacids and sleeping pills as I fret over what to buy for each member of my family, how to ship it and how to pay for it. This year the dilemma has been removed from my hands. The extra funds are not in my wallet to make any purchases. A deep sense of love, peace and fulfillment washed over me that day. Remove the money and obligation from the Christmas equation and there you will discover the pure love and reason for the birth of Christ. Certainly not a profound or previously unexplored epiphany but one that, for me, brought me to this place of writing a holiday letter.

Naples, FL has been my winter home for the last several years. Breathtaking beauty, clean uncluttered beaches a short bike ride away, abundant art and music, dancing under the stars, a safe, friendly and supportive community and superb BIKING. Biking has become my passion. Three years ago, I bought a Trek. It has served me well once I found the appropriate seat for my tush. I managed to ride over a 100 miles a week while in FL. I rode with a group of riders (all over 55 years) twice a week but then rode alone or with a friend or two the remaining days. We rode to Santibel Island, Captiva, Everglade City, downtown Naples, Ft. Myers Beach as well as all the Naples beaches.

In April, Sebastian and I moved to Riverview (where I am now since Nov.29) to stay with our friends, the Harmon’s. Towards the end of April, I purchased an older motorcoach, a 38' diesel pusher bus. I still dream of the western trip and this coach has the power and the brakes to do it. As the time wore on and the punch list wasn’t completed, I left for the north with a promise from the service dept. that they would complete the work in the fall. (That work was just completed a week ago). My heart yearned for my family and I had two eighth grade graduations to attend. Bash and I motored up through the FL panhandle into western GA and into TN. There I visited with my dear friend, Marte in Maryville,TN. We hiked in the Great Smokies, laughed and laughed as we shared the fullness of our lives and consumed vast amounts of good coffee and rich dark chocolate. On to VA and a short visit with my grandson, Travis at Virginia Tech where he is now a sophomore in the Army Corp of Cadets. Continuing on to Ashland, VA near my daughter, Lisa and her family. Then we rolled on northward to Vermont in time for Colin and Emily’s graduations. Emily from Dorset School; Colin from LaSaille Academy.

Five months were spent on one side of the border or the other between Vermont and New York. Earlier this year I had decided to set ‘08 as the deadline for buying a permanent home somewhere in the bony ridge from Vermont to Tenn. My finances ruled out Vermont and Virginia, two states I hold dear. Tenn was a definite possibility since Marte would be nearby. It is still a long way from my family. Western NC, although beautiful, would be a lonely place for me since my friends are all on the Eastern side of the state. My eye condition worsened this year and I drove very little. One day while driving with my sis, Gloria, her hubby, Emory and my granddaughter, Emily, I had a true epiphany. “Why not settle right here”? Everything I am looking for is in the area; rural beauty, bike trails, an active art community and best of all, my family is within a hour’s drive. I also made a few dear friends. The only challenge would be the long winters (something I haven’t experienced in 20 yrs.) But the other mountainous regions also express strong cold winters as well. Following a few weeks of “shopping”, I found a cottage and barn situated on an acre and a half in the town of Hartford. The house had been renovated recently. I like things with history and this little house has a story. It seems it was two cabins up in the Adirondack Mts. Someone bought them and brought them to Hartford where they were put together in 1907. Of course, over the years various additions were made to complete the 980 sq. ft.

I had a storage unit in VA that I have been eager to empty. My friend, Pete and I drove a marathon run in one day to Goochland. The next morning I rented a Penske truck (very large and very yellow) along with a tow dolly for my car. We were joined at the storage unit by my daughter, Lisa, her hubby, George and my friend, Alice. We loaded that truck ‘til we could barely close the tailgate and it was dark. The next morning, Pete and I began another marathon drive back to Hartford arriving late in the evening. The following morning found us unloading the truck at my little cottage and into the barn. We had several people come by and lend a hand. On the morning of the 4th day, the truck was returned to the Penske people in Glens Falls, NY.

It was Christmas for me as I opened boxes that I had packed 4 years ago. I managed to sleep in my new house for 4 nights before moving back into the motorcoach, Bearfoot. Sebastian and I left in 29 degree temperatures for Virginia where we would visit with my family, the Taggarts as well as special friends.

A blown head gasket put the coach in the Cummins repair shop in Richmond while Bash and I luxuriated in comfort at the Spadora house in Rockville. Sebastian found new dog friends and spent the week romping.

Our first night out of the repair shop (a Friday night) found us tucked in tight with the “big dogs” at a TA truck stop near Emporia, VA. I don’t drive after dark and we needed to get off the road. We made our way the next day to Oriental, NC and the only “gaited” community in this town of 1100 sailing/fishing souls. Our trip south was highlighted by this special visit and Thanksgiving spent with my dear friend, Judi Wills. I also was able to connect with friends and neighbors from the past - I lived there for 11 years - John and Linda Hinners, Greg Bohmert and Marquerite Garrett.

We rolled on down to Florence, SC on Nov. 23. I experienced a flat tire which was promptly repaired by a man sent by my roadside assistance service. On down to Point South, SC near Savannah, GA, then on to Rally Park in Seffner, FL. The last day was a 370 mile day. I rarely cover more than 200 miles a day but I was coming down with an upper respiratory infection and wanted to get to where we were going. The coach was cold the entire trip from NYS all the way until the FL border. I suffered while dressed in woolen socks, ear muffs, a parka and lined wind pants. As we crossed the border into FL, the four-way flashers went on, I pulled onto the shoulder, raced to the back of the coach tearing my layers off as I went. There I pulled on a t-shirt and shorts. It was with no small amount of glee that I turned off the heat (that was ineffective anyway) and opened the drivers window.

The coach went in for that leftover warranty service while Sebastian and I visited with friends from Lake San Marino, Marion and Gary Gaffney. They had stopped at Rally Park for a few days to kick tires at the RV supercenter (Lazy Days). Within two days, we were bedding Bearfoot (my motorcoach home) down at a storage facility nearby. Bashey and I moved our necessities over to Brent and Sharon Harmon’s lovely home in Riverview where we will spend the next 3 months offering whatever support we can while they endure a challenge to Brent’s health.

I guess that sums it up for this year. Expect miracles no matter at what place life finds you.

Blessed Be,
Donna and Sebastian


Current address info:

Until March 1st -
c/o Brent Harmon
10504 Skylark PL
Riverview, FL 33569

After March 1st –

355 Shine Hill Rd
Fort Ann, New York 12827

Email: djlewis1992@globalweb.net
Cell Ph: 804 514 7825

December 10, 2007 Photos

Wendy - Yum yum card received and presently being consumed by two females. Can't decide which we like better - send more samples

December 10, 2007

Here are some great pictures for you to enjoy. Dogs - Sebastian, Chance and Sugar - at the park. Yours truly playing with the Llamas nearby at the Montessori school and a Great White Egret at Fish Hawk Ranch on my bike trip.

thursday, Dec.6,2007

I came to Florida to get sick! First a head cold, then chills, rash and itch in a place we won't mention plus general malaise. I am finally beginning to feel better. Doctor I saw said he thought it was all related to the auto-immune disease I have and stress. This getting old is not much fun yet. I think the fun will start anytime now. My car is in the shop today for its transmission flush at 50k miles (it actually has almost a 100 on it since I have dragged it up an down the coast) The rack and pinion in the front end is in need of repair. Big bucks! The car has never asked anything from me in 4 years except an OLF every 3k miles so I guess it is due for some TLC. I just wish I had more money to spare. This is coming at a bad time. But I have much to be grateful for and I practice gratitude prayer and meditation all day every day.

My friend whom I am staying with had a clear PET scan a week ago. Really good news! Sebastian and I are enjoying our stay with them. I haven't ridden my bike yet but hope to do so today for a short distance. The sunshine is wonderful.

By the way, this is our address for the winter: D.Lewis c/o Brent Harmon, 10504 skylark pl., Riverview, FL.33569

I plan to go up to Inverness on Monday to pick up Namaskar, my kayak. the Alafia river is only a half mile away from here with a great launch area. Brent and sharon want to learn to kayak so we may rent a couple more.

I made salmon cakes last night for dinner. We had guests. They really were tasty. Let me know if you want the recipe. We all need to eat more salmon.

Sebastian and I saw the male peacocks on our walk yesterday. they are in full colorful plummage. He wanted to chase them of course. We are here in a house with two large dogs. The female came into our bedroom yesterday and went through the closet stealing all of Bashey's treats. She shared them with the large dudley lab. She also chewed off Beaver's head (Wendy). We wanted to sew it back on but can't find the head. Tail is gone too. The dogs get along fine but I think there is a bit of jealousy here.

I bought some cards but don't hold your breath waiting for one to arrive. I haven't felt like writing them lately. Hope to get to it though. Been listening to Paul Todd's Praise and Worship CD from a Naples concert last year. Just makes me feel good all over. I had a balance on a B & N gift card from last Christmas so I broke down and bought, Eat, Pray and Love yesterday. That is the book Oprah's has been touting for a few weeks. It is a lovely book but what bothers me is it is all the things I have been teaching and preaching for years. The question is, "Why didn't I write that book?" I could have and I should have. Oh well, another missed opportunity.

I am headed out in the sunshine right now. May you be blessed with happiness, health and wisdom of the finest kind.

Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007

Sebastian and I are fully moved into our friends spacious home with a pool. We are living in luxury. After the coach, this is a treat for both of us. I cleaned out all the things in Bearfoot that would be subject to the heat, sprayed the ants around the tires (I'll buy some Borax and put that around later), installed some windshield sunshields, locked him up and left. I am a bit under the weather so getting the job done was harder than it normally would have been. The weather here is lovely warm and sunny with clear skiis and light breeze. We went for a walk in the park nearby this morn.

I watched the VT vs BC game yesterday on TV. What an amazing team Tech has this year. Many of them are seniors so it will be a challenge next year to replace those seasoned players. If I was feeling better, I would have driven to Jacksonville for the game. It is not that far away actually.

The warranty work on Bearfoot was done swiftly and efficiently in two days. We slept in the coach in the service bay one night. That was an experience let me tell you. The lights are on all night. I think they have 200 bays there and each one is full. Of course, there are the usual cables, water and grease around to watch out for. I could only put the slide room out a little way since there was a large ladder there. But I was pleased with the results - No Charge! I put the car on the back and pulled out of the yard through the security gate when I heard a loud scraping noise in the front. It sounded vaguely familiar but I thought it must have been a rumble strip. I went on up the road when it happened again and then again. I pulled into the ajoining campground, Rally Park and drove around several times. The noise was awful so I called my service supervisor and informed him I was coming right back in, meet me in the parking lot. As everyone knows, the noise would not duplicate while the service people were gathered in front of the coach. After several minutes of diagnosing, discussion and scratching our heads, several bare wires were found on the generator switch. It was shorting out and trying to start while underway. They taped them up and off I went. I am very grateful to my Angels who had the problem occur where it could be fixed instead of out on the road. A similar situation occured on the way down when I had a flat tire. My roadside assistance company was there within a half an hour and had it fixed. I think we are fixed now and ready to roll whenever I decide to do so. Right now, I am bone tired and need to rest and heal myself before I can tackle anything else.

Remember: Expect Miracles

I am posting some pics I took in NC of the fall colours. I hope you enjoy them.