St. Patrick's Day 08

It has been awhile dear readers. So sorry to be out of the communication loop. I just have not been able to find any wireless or even a modem. Tonight I am at Pete's using his pc. I had to make some changes to his preferences to enable this post. I hope he doesn't mind. Tomorrow, I will start making calls regarding wireless internet service as well as TV. I don't have tv or wi fi. Talk about feeling cut off.

We arrived at my house on Friday the 14th, my dad's former birthday. We drove 400 miles from Gettysburg, PA on the worst roads you can imagine. We shook, rattled and bumped for the entire trip. I had decided to stay low and cross on I 78 to I 287, then north to I87 which is the NY Thruway. The toll was $20 but I felt the road would be smoother. Not so! It was just as rough as the other roads and just as heavily traveled by trucks. Diesel fuel was over $4.00 per gal. Luckily, Bearfoot is not as heavy a drinker as some. It felt mighty good to pull into my driveway off Shine Hill.

Since then, I have been pulling stuff out of the coach, trying to find places to put things and resting up. I had serious road weariness. Today, I took the coach back down the Northway to AlpinHaus for a State inspection and had it winterized. Last night the temps dropped to 19 degrees. Bearfoot didn't freeze since I had the gas furnace running but the cost of propane and the worry involved was too much to continue for a long period of time. I went out to start the generator this morning and it wouldn't start. That worried me since I don't know how old my batteries are. I didn't dare start the diesel engine for fear of running the batteries completely dead. I neglected to plug in the engine block heater last night and didn't plug in the battery charger either. I am not used to this extreme weather. I called my son Matt and he said it would start, not to worry. I had him stay on the line as I turned the key on and waited for the all clear to start light. It was a tense few moments but blessed Bearfoot started right up. After about 10 mins. more in the bright sunshine, the generator started too.

I have many many pictures to share with you all. Unfortunately I cannot download them until I have my own computer. I may take my card out and have a cd made. I took many pictures in the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. What a place! A fantasy biosphere. Plus I have more pics of Pete and I roaming the honky tonk's in Nashville and a video in Tootsie's Blue Orchid Saloon. We really did have a good time. Gettysburg was interesting to see through Pete's eyes since he had never been there and knew very little about the battle.

One thing I know - I don't like winter camping.

Bashey seems to have adjusted and readjusted as only he can do to his new life in a house. He cannot climb up on my bed anymore. He is stiffer and there isn't any place to get a running start. I have solved his problem by putting a chair at the foot of the bed. He jumps up to the chair and then to the bed. He acts highly insulted that he has come to this place in his life. What he doesn't understand is that my bed is very high one. A short person might need a step stool too.

We shared corned beef and cabbage yesterday with some of Pete's family in the true Irish tradition. Also attended a benefit Italian dinner for a young woman with breast cancer. There were over 500 people packed into the firehouse. What a great meal they put on. Nice to see people helping others.

Welcome to our new governor! The old ways are crumbling on many levels and the new ones are appearing. Blessed Be.