A good Mother’s Day

Jeff & I were awake at O-dark-thirty Sunday morning from anticipation & excitement. . .cause the café opened for it’s first meal of the season — free pancakes for moms. We’d spent an intense week of getting ready for the season, and had been working a lot & closely with the relief cook couple — Jeff & Marietta. So. . .we now have Jeff-1 and Jeff-2, or Jeff² when talking about them together. I’m still amazed at how excited these two guys are about playing with the big-boy toys in the kitchen. And Marietta (pronounced Ma-RE-ta) & I get along perfectly. She’s great at doing the things I’m not so good with like decorating & cleaning. I’ve updated our menu, made a cost analysis spreadsheet to track how much of what sells, & programmed the cash register with menu item names & prices. We’re set to go (I think)!

However. . .as much as I love & understand (for the most part) computers, me & cash registers still have a rocky relationship. I needed to tweak a few things just before we opened but customers stared coming in before I got finished. In fact, I continued to get interrupted by customers, Jeff, the boss, & a few other things, so it took forever to get the changes made. By then I was getting totally flustered, & over all felt very bad about how I was handling the order/pay process. Thankfully Marietta was there also to assist the customers in the dining area while I hammered away at the cash register. Jeff & I still have to get our order ticket shorthand figured out. I learned actual shorthand decades ago, but that won’t work & I don’t know the abbreviations to use on an order ticket yet.

We treated 11 moms to free pancakes & had 14 couples/families come for breakfast. That’s about 4 times better than last year’s event! As disappointing as my experience was, I had to remember the fiasco of our first day of Christmas tree sales. I never DID figure out the registry tape for that day even after I learned how to read it well. BUT. . .never let it be said that I don’t learn from my mistakes (geez, who’d be dense enough to want to repeat them?), so this can only get easier.

Marietta & I even brainstormed later that day to develop better procedures & simplify our cash registry entries. I’m looking forward to seeing how much our changes will help. Although we don’t open the café for breakfast until Thursday, Jeff & I are both going to hang out at the café with Jeff & Marietta for Tuesday’s official opening. We have a group of fiddlers arriving Wednesday so we’ll be having special meals for them until Sunday.

We had a pot-luck Saturday night for all the workkampers to kick off the season. We won’t be able to all meet off work together again for the next several very busy months though. We were glad to meet several couples who have worked for Robert (the owner & boss) for 6 (maybe even 8) years & even followed him from his previous Colorado Springs campground to this Branson campground. He sure enjoyed frying up some okra picked from his own garden last summer (another guy playing around in the kitchen).

I nearly passed out from laughing though as Robert mentioned walking past a large cat that barked at him yesterday, and how happy he was to see an actual dog crawl out from under the trailer then! OMG, he was talking about our Boots & Kira. Sure wish I could’ve seen the expression (confusion) on Robert’s face.

Since the café opened on Mother’s Day, all I could do was call my mom. We’ll go visit them Wednesday & continue helping move their things to their new little apartment. I feel that my parents are slowly adjusting to my brother’s sudden death & are ready for another chapter in their long lives together. They are having a sale (an auction) next weekend so they’ve got to get what they want out of the house by then. I know my dad is going to enjoy not having any stairs at their new place & hope my mom quickly learns how to get to the only bathroom in the place. They’ve upgraded to a new flat-screen TV for the living room, got a new sleeper sofa, & switched from Dish to DirecTV — otherwise, they’ve moved their familiar things with them.

The weather has been great lately & our workkamping circle of campsites is just about full. Funny how we didn’t like seeing or hearing our neighbors when we lived in our country house, but it’s somehow comforting to have our fellow workers living so close to us now.

It’s sure gona be an interesting summer!

Reflections & Wonderings

As I sat here on a rainy Monday morning starting at 4:30am or so, wide-eyed & bushy tailed awake for some unknown reason, comfy with fresh coffee & my e-cigarette, my mind seems to be stuck in a slow loop of memories. Maybe this odd feeling of not being present in the NOW is because we went shopping yesterday for a digital photo frame for my parents. Didn’t find what I decided I wanted so have one ordered from Amazon in time for Mother’s Day. It’s so nice to finally think of something to get for my parents though. Growing up during the Depression & surviving the hardships of World War II, they’ve always been very frugal & practical, saving their money & spending it wisely on quality things they wanted that would last. And always taking good care of and maintaining those things so that they look & act like new years beyond when they should be worn out & replaced. I’ve acquired some of that frugalness from them, but I don’t do it as well as them. Buying for them has always been difficult!

So I started thinking about all of the family photos that I’ve either taken or acquired thru the years that I can load onto a digital frame that hopefully my parents can enjoy easily & which might help my mother’s failing memory. But memories have always been a two-edged sword for me. The sad ones still hurt but even the good ones hurt also because those times are passed now. Listening to music I once loved has the same affect of stirring up memories that push me into another time & place — not all pleasant times. It all sends my emotions into a tail spin.


I considered how the previous 11 months of living fulltime in our Casita with a dog & two cats, traveling around working & living in different places, doing new & odd jobs has meant A LOT of changes for us — at faster than normal speeds it seems. I realized that my life actually started accelerating back in 2008 tho when we bought our Casita. Up until then, life (jobs, home, vehicles, activities, interests, family, friends, etc) didn’t change much or often, & we were very happy & content with our routine.

Within a few months of getting the new Casita, Jeff lost his job, & I lost mine 3 months later. Two months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer & we spent the rest of 2009 successfully treating that disease. Extended unemployment ended in 2010, & still no jobs or way to support a house we never wanted to return to after having been out in the Casita. So we finally opted to give up the house & all the unnecessary stuff we’d accumulated (but didn’t use all that much) to go fulltiming like we’ve talked about for several years. We chose to live small in a travel trailer because we wanted to — not out of desperation although it may have seemed like it. We just didn’t know how to break loose from our current existence so the Universe pushed us. So maybe life has it’s ups & downs for legitimate reasons cause I wholeheartedly believe everyone is exactly where they’re supposed to be at all times. Hanging onto this concept keeps me centered & balanced, & prevents me from stressing about all the things, events, & people I have no control over.

The newest wrinkles in our ever changing lifestyle are the major changes brought on by my brother’s unexpected death three months ago. Because my brother lived in a large house with my parents, they no longer need the room nor the hassle of maintaining it now. They are moving to a small senior-citizen apartment soon & are still learning how to be just a couple instead of parents with an adult child — kind of a delayed empty-nest situation. And I’m still working on being an only child. We’ve spent more time in my hometown in the past 3 months than the previous 40 yrs combined! I still can’t quite wrap my mind around how quickly my father can reduce me to a sniffling 9 yr old with just a look! No one else has ever come close to having that affect on me nor that degree of power or influence over me. He has single-handedly but gently convinced me (yes, I’m very stubborn) to marry Jeff finally (after 17 yrs of being together) & to once again go thru the agony of stopping smoking. He’s a proud papa lately tho. I suppose I will forever be daddy’s little girl even after he’s gone!

This all brings my mind around to my here & now. I wonder & worry about how happy Kira & the cats are living in our small movable space. I’ve read that cats & dogs tend to remember only the previous year or two, so eventually they will forget ever having lived for many years in a stationary house with the same backyard. Kira has been camping since she was 11 months old, & as long as she’s with us, she’s a happy puppy & doesn’t care where she is. TK at least has her space inside (as always), & Boots is comfortable hanging around outside on a leash as often as we let him. So I feel the cats have adjusted to this new world also. I also wonder (& worry) about the elderly cats I found homes for when we left our house. I’ve kept track of them & all seem to being doing well & have adjusted to their changed environments. I’ve always suspected that animals are much more adaptable than people because they don’t have the kind of expectations that we humans have. They have an awesome ability to accept whatever life throws at them — & continue being HAPPY. I’m sure there are profound lessons to be learned from observing animal behaviors. I’ve always loved these words from Henry Benson:

“We need another and a wiser, and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. We patronize the animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err!
“For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.
“They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

I end up wondering (as my mind is wandering around unsupervised) in these fragile, early morning hours about man’s purpose on earth — my purpose. Does a person die because of or when they’ve served their purpose? Do we all exist in a land of dominoes where every toppling piece changes many other pieces? Do we ever really have any control over our lives, and if so, what good does it really do? If I can’t control or change myself, why should I consider changing anyone else — even if I could? Does being happy & content simply depend on being grateful for what IS? Does everyone really experience the same reality, or is our perspective of life our very own individual reality, uniquely separate from everyone else’s?

I leave you to consider my confusion & your own life choices with these photos of wild & cultivated flowers around the campground.

Changing our furniture around. . .

OK, so I didn’t really move any ‘furniture’ but I finally managed to figure out how to turn our nighttime bedroom into a daytime living room. The back half of our Liberty Casita makes up into a king-size bed – if wanted. However, we don’t need that much sleeping room as much as we need more storage room and living room. So I moved the little 17” wide plastic tables I’ve had along the passenger side of the bed over to the driver’s side so that we now sleep more on the passenger side. This way I don’t sit on or bump Jeff’s feet (he’s diabetic) as he sleeps next to the wall with his feet near the frig. I’ve got my sewing machine, books/magazines, & numerous storage containers hidden under the tables while my printer sits on top at the back. One cat bed is on to of my printer & another along the window. The shelf over the sink slides nicely above the shelves & storage containers too.

I’ve continued to use the original Casita cushions but would like to have custom cushions sometime to fit our sleeping area better & would separate easier the way I want into an “L” seating area. Working with what we have tho I’ve turned the two long seat cushions sideways along the back (for our heads/shoulders) & then squeeze the two smaller seat cushions & one back cushion along the foot of the bed to complete the sleeping length. One long back cushion is along the outside wall for padding & a ledge for our small kitty to sit on. By removing two of these cushions at the foot (leaving the seat cushion next to the frig in place) & lifting the small bed board plus the smaller 18” table top from the isle, we actually end up with MORE OPEN FLOOR SPACE. Since we fixed a freestanding base for the little 18” table, it can be moved from side to side or turned however we need. It can be a card table, end table, dining table, or extra counter space depending on how it’s placed. Very, very handy. By rolling up the foam, sheet-covered sleeping pad to the back wall, we now have a recliner back to stretch out on while watching TV or visiting. This new arrangement almost feels like a totally different trailer & definitely enlarges the space!

Since getting to the campground, we’ve been using the park’s showers. . .until today. It’s gotten really humid & warm here finally, & working up a sweat just walking up the hill to our campsite fresh from a shower just didn’t appeal to me today. So I showered at home. Unfortunately the shower didn’t drain tho! Hmmm – what’s happened to that? We fretted & worried & studied on what might be the problem until Jeff happened to recheck the inside shower handle. OMG - it was CLOSED. Jeez – when did that happen? Apparently he closed it before heading to Branson & I didn’t realize it — or open it. Boy is my shower floor clean though after having soaked for several hours.

My parents are getting ready to move to a small one-bedroom senior citizen apartment soon, so we’ve picked up nearly all of our leftover stuff from their basement. . .& put it in a small local storage unit just down the road from the campground. We’ve discovered that we really, really enjoy the Branson area & feel it will be a more convenient homebase in the future. We really love the area mountains, forests, streams, & lakes. Just wish the area didn’t have so much summer humidity though! I’m afraid we’re really gona miss Colorado’s weather this summer.

One of my oldest girlfriends stopped by this week [oldest meaning friends since the 10th grade]. Her & her husband were camping at the local Corps campground for a few days & just dropped by for a visit. We ate supper at Joe’s Crab Shack at the Branson Landing (along Taneycomo Lake in Branson – below Tablerock Dam). No one had crab, but their coconut shrimp was perfect! They’re new to the RV/camping experience, & she really feels we need a bigger RV unit (they have a 5th wheel). She hasn’t gone thru the pain of getting rid of a lot of stuff yet, so doesn’t appreciate how living small keeps a person disciplined to stop accumulating MORE stuff. I’m also a better housekeeper since I can’t make a new mess until I’ve cleaned up the previous ONE. We have all the comforts of a S&B home in our little “egg” without paying to haul around, insure, & maintain a lot of space on wheels. We’ve already spread out plenty under the awning & the covered deck tho so I will admit to dreaming about an extra foot or two of trailer occasionally. The idea has always been to follow the sun & live outside as much as possible. If I get on Jeff’s nerves, he goes outside. If he gets on my nerves, he goes outside! It works perfectly!!

We’ve had a new workkamping couple arrive this week & are expecting four more couples by the weekend. YEAH, I’m ready to turn over all these clean-up chores to others. I’m still surprised tho (don’t know why exactly) at the fantastic people we’ve met at campgrounds everywhere. I suppose that just by simply sharing an enjoyment of camping (RVing) in nature, we all already have a pretty big bond starting out. Then there’s living a simplified life (on wheels), traveling with pets, similar ages, & a general willingness to chase a dream. There’s an instant camaraderie with total strangers that neither Jeff nor I have felt since leaving the military. And our previous desire for quiet, private surroundings seems to have adjusted comfortably to the closer quarters & greater activity of a campground. I truly believe we’re all friends — We just haven’t all met yet!

The Whistle Stop Café won’t open for a few weeks yet but we’ve met up with a Sisco rep to start getting this year’s menu items & prices lined up.  We also got to meet the newly hired relief cook — also named Jeff. This could be a really fun experience — one worth repeating each summer.

We’ve even influenced a fellow workkamper to switch to using an e-cigarette. I’m afraid I’m just as addicted now to the various flavors of vapor (like coffee, vanilla, chocolate, cherry, soda, mint, etc) from my e-cigarette, but it’s definitely healthier & not as offensive to others. And giving up drinking soda (for the most part) & sweating/bending/lifting/ stretching as I make beds, blow leaves, sweep floors, clean toilets, etc (who needs a gym?) should all contribute to my reaching another few birthdays at least.

Thank you for following my blog about our adventures with living small. I’d love to hear your suggestions, questions, or feelings. Sorry I don’t post daily, but not every day is blog worthy. Every day of this new way of life IS very satisfying though!

Living Simple

Spring has definitely sprung — complete with ticks & tornados! I know some (many?) people are seriously grossed out by dog ticks, but they’re pretty much a fact of life living outside and/or having pets (dogs in particular). Kira has had a few already; I’ve had two; & even my computer screen had one crawling across it! Much easier to deal with tho than fleas, mosquitos, or chiggers (hate, HATE, H A T E chiggers).

I’ve always been a weather watcher. I like knowing what’s happening outside, & I’ve always been uncomfortable working in window-less spaces. There’s something so awesome (& exciting) about watching storm clouds — the power, the mystery, the changing light, the wind, even the smell. I vaguely remember something from high school science class about how ozone is released by approaching storms which causes animals in the fields to run & frolic from abundant energy. I feel energized also before a storm (as I try NOT to think about the horrible possibilities for damage). No storm damage for us so far this Spring. We enjoyed the stormy weekend being lazy.

I’m amazed each year by the plethora of shades of green as the trees & shrubs sprout their new leaves. The mountains around Branson are spotted with the all-year dark pine/cedar foliage contrasted with the bright new green of deciduous growth. Sort of like green measles across the hills (LOL).

Took a side trip off Highway 65 north of Branson last week to visit the Busiek State Park area. Gorgeous little creek (river? really?) running thru it reminded me of the Colorado streams we saw last summer around Pagosa Springs — crystal clear, moving fast, cool & refreshing. The area has lots of trails for people & horses. Wish we’d had the time & energy to take a hike & investigate more.

 

 

 

 

              

Click on this image to see the rest of the photos of the area.

 

 

 

 

Even in a very touristy area, life can be very simple.

Photos around Compton Ridge Campground

We’re hoping friends & family will come to Branson for a visit this summer while we’re here. Since I’ve had questions about the Campground accommodations, Kira &  I walked around today taking photos. Here is a map of the Campground that will take you to their website if you click on it.

The main campground is on the southern hilltop with more campsites & park model cabins located on the hilltop to the north.

Along the highway between the two hills is the 3-story lodge with both a front and back door onto a covered walkway.

Most of the workkampers are parked in Loop B — a separate section north of the campground office, across the valley from the north park.

Here’s the Bark Park — just up the hill from our campsite. It’s a quiet, shady spot to sit with Kira off leash.

At the bottom of the hill in Loop B is this Deluxe Cabin. . .

and below that is the Cozy Cabin. The Cozy is great for two people!

There are also five motel rooms available right across from the office (& next to the covered swimming pool). The two upper rooms have two bedrooms each while the lower ones are single rooms with two beds.

Here’s the office, game room, and public rest rooms.

In case someone wants to have a family reunion, there is even the Big House with three bedrooms & two baths.

Behind & on the far side of the covered pool is the little café, The Whistle Stop, where Jeff will be getting to cook.

This is the start of the main camping area (east from the entrance & office). You can see how the campsites are snuggled all around this hilltop. Many sites have a canti-levered covered deck with a picnic table.

There’s a nice children’s park area along with a pavilion, tennis court, & another swimming pool.

Lots of campsites on east beyond the playground/pool area.

There is a nice, shady trail down the side of this hill and up the side of the other hill where the North campground is located.

Now besides all these campsites & room accommodations, there has been some lovely flowers & blooms the past few weeks.

 

Photos of Eureka Springs, AR

Last week we drove our new truck down the road from Branson to Eureka Springs, AR to check out the truck & investigate the town. The truck handled the hills & curves beautifully & still got very decent mpg. It’s a very artistic town that is still waking up from the winter. I could have nightmares tho imagining how to get around in in those streets after an ice storm or even a minor snow storm. I could barely WALK down some of those streets due to the steepness!

The only free parking we found in town was at the bottom of the (BIG) hill, so we did a lot of walking. It has been several years since we’ve driven thru town, & quickly noticed these colorful elevated rental cabins near the train station.

Lots of well cared for homes in town.

And some unusual art pieces like this restaurant entrance and carved park bench.

Many beautiful flowers in bloom. (More photos posted in my Picasa album if you click on any of these photos.)

Several buildings had murals or paintings on their outside walls.

Many businesses & homes had little gardens tucked in along side or behind their buildings. This shady garden with three fountains trickling downhill is beside a shop located in an old house which was actually built over & around a spring running into a small cave. Talk about a water feature!

After walking UP one side & then DOWN the other side of Main Street, we walked UP Spring St for a couple of blocks. Lots of shops & studios there too. By then we were walked out — & it was getting really warm even in the shade. TIME TO DRIVE AROUND in the air conditioning.

This is a giant statue on a hilltop where The Passion Play is presented all summer.

There was a deliciously cool spring running in this covered structure. Apparently there are many springs around the town.

There’s a lot more to see in Eureka Springs, so another trip is planned this summer.