State of the Union...

So it's now mid of February...and this is blog post #47.



Spring is only a promise on Windy Hill...forecast is a high of 18 and low of ZERO for the day after Valentine's Day.

So, maybe still another month before pointing Clyde towards the barn. 

And it's Valentine's Day as I write this.  The temp in Casa Grande (near Phoenix) is a warm, sunny 72 degrees, light breeze from the west and humidity is bone dryingly low.

One of those days where you don't feel any temperature or weather...because it's as close to perfect as possible.




Bit reflective on this day...and reflective can be good...sometimes. 




It has been just six short months since we hacksawed the leg irons and escaped in a potato sack to gain our freedom.

At this point, it seems a long time ago...and time too quickly has flown.

But actually, much has been accomplished in these last 6 months...

           Selling the NJ place

           Moving

           Purchasing Windy Hill

           Mowing and clearing trees

           And watching the sun rise.



We're as busy retired as we were when we worked...but it's different...it's a good busy.

We're following our dreams, not somebody else's! 





And it struck me earlier in this week...

We might just be able to make this whole retirement thing work out! 

....though still a bit premature to be certain :)





We stayed with Colin and Deb for a couple of months right after we sold the house and fled the leg irons.

Staying with them was like old times.  Back in the day, WE were the original "Friends" having fun together sharing an apartment in Webster in the late 70's...like vu ja da, all over again!

They have been so gracious to us.  While staying with them, they gave us their master suite, keys to the house, fresh tomato sandwiches and the opportunity to run the Zero turn!

There is nothing more sacrificial than that.  We are thankful for them...and miss them





And it was just 5 months ago when Clyde picked us out of the crowd and followed us home.  He's worked hard for his keep since then.

18,000 miles of hard...most of them hitched to the Fox, and he's pulled some pretty steep grades...not missing a step.

Have I mentioned he is a BEAST!






And it was 4 months ago when the Fox showed up like a lost orphan on Windy Hill.

Since then, not counting a couple of nights visiting Jennifer and Stephen and a few with Colin and Deb, we've pretty much been full time in the ~10 ft x 36 ft space, without really feeling cramped...or killing one another...yet.

We are still newly weds and trying to keep things together one day at a time...just hoping the Leading Lady decides to keep me around longer than the loaf of bread in the cupboard!




The first two months with the Fox were spent on Windy Hill, the last two months have been on the road.

For Christmas, Melissa, Arden and Shaun gave us the map below...well not exactly this map, since it was actually blank when they gave it to us! 

And so far, we've slept with the Fox in 13 different states...(well, after 43 years, I've slept with a Fox in more states than that, but this is a family friendly blog and my mother may end up reading it)! 

And after reading numerous war stories online about RV failures, we're feeling pretty confident about the Fox being able to keep up with us.

Other than 2 days with frozen water (my fault) and not ducking while going under a low hanging wire in a dodgy RV park (again, my fault), she has been wonderfully trouble free.





And the leading Lady...somewhere back on a dusty trail she lost a filling while trying to chew through a Kind bar...those things are hard!!!

Other than being a bit contrary about not wanting to cross the border into Mexico to get it fixed, she seems to be enduring the hardships of travel terribly fine! 

Likely it has something to do with a few visits to the quilting stores found along the way and from having her sewing machine handy in the front parlor.


And since dental work in Mexico is out, we are trusting the tooth situation will be OK till we get back to Windy Hill in April.

And me...maybe a bit saddle sore from 18,000 miles with that big ol' Clydesdale, but otherwise...

...feels like I'm 8 years old again...and having the time of my life!!!




And I'm in awe, reminded again and again of how God's grace is ever amazing...



Let the adventure continue...