Teetering on the Edge of Green Day

It is SO close to being Green Day today, but it didn't quite make it. There are some trees that are a bit behind. They are all spewing gobs of pollen though - I've seen drifts of it blowing around - at first I thought it was smoke!




When we were in Merrickville the other day I picked up a cute little bird decoration that sticks onto a screen (it is two sided with magnets) - I thought it would be perfect for our new villetta.

Speaking of the villetta, we are settling into it quite well. I'm still moving things around in the cupboards but I like doing that sort of thing. The dogs seem pretty comfortable and sometimes even use the dog bed behind the table. Here's a funny thing though - for the first years of his life Spike slept on the bed with us. When our queen size waterbed sprung a leak we decided to upgrade to a king size mattress. Which is when Spike decided he didn't really like sleeping on the bed with us. The trailer has a queen size bed - can you guess where Spike wants to sleep. Yup. Maybe he likes the sleep number bed! And then this morning when I got up I saw that Bella had squeezed herself onto the bed beside Carm - Bella never gets to sleep in bed! It is no wonder I was teetering on the edge.


Here is Grace's spot in the camper - the lighting is too weird for my tablet's camera, but she is in there! She seems to really enjoy all the windows. I thought it would be too much for her and freak her out a bit, but again, she has shown herself to be the bravest Congo around.

Welcome, wild harbinger of spring! To this small nook of earth; Feeling and fancy fondly cling, Round thoughts which owe their birth, To thee, and to the humble spot, Where chance has fixed thy lowly lot.

Bernard Barton

Our First Full Day Campering in Our New Villetta

Our first full day camping I was up early and out for a walk with the dogs. I hung onto their leashes tightly as there was fresh deer scat on the path we were walking on. Yikes! I can guarantee that they will go berserk if they see a deer. Once back at the camper I enjoyed a quiet cup of coffee while I puttered around rearranging things a bit.

Once Carm was up and breakfasted we went out for another walk, this time a bit longer and in an area we have seen deer in the past. No sightings today though. Carm was having lunch with his mom so left me, Grace and the dogs to enjoy a bit of the afternoon. It was hot and sunny so one of the first things I did was put out the two awnings.

Have I mentioned how much I love the automatic awning?

The camper is starting to feel like home, although I still find it enormous and over the top. Maybe that's a good thing though? Seriously though, I can really no longer say we are going "camping"! Carm says "RVing", but I'm not fussed with that term. I've heard some people say "campering" - I like it, although maybe it would be more accurate to say "villaing", or maybe "TajMahaling", or how about "condoing"? I've got it: "villetta-ing", the Italian word for cottage. Here I am babbling - not enough sleep (again) and too much coffee!

Kabira and Spike enjoying the sun this afternoon. Campering is relaxing!



I don't have a photo of her, but if she had lips Grace would be smiling :-) We can tell she is happy by the way she puffs her feathers just so. Today, outside, she looks very pleased. She is happy inside too as she has windows on two sides of her cage.

Today Carm and I are celebrating our 26th year from our first date. I can't even imagine that 26 years have gone by! We are pretty happy to be celebrating in our new digs. No KFC today though, instead we are having grilled salmon, lemony quinoa, and a mixed vegetable salad.. Yum.

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

Judy Garland

Hurrah Hurrah The First of May - Camping Begins Today

The weather forecast was finally cooperating so I packed up the camper with food and other essentials and here we are. Well, to be more exact here I am. Carm "had" to drive back home to get the remote for the satellite system. It was almost like seeing someone who lost a hit of cocaine when he discovered this oversight. Personally, I could do without tv for ages, but Carm is a real junkie. It isn't like we had nothing to watch - we must have 30 movies on dvd to choose from, and even the complete collection of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

While he was gone I took the dogs for a bit of a walk - 3 dogs who haven't been out for 6 months, scent of deer and squirrel strong in the air - and me. All in all we fared quite well, even though I didn't put them on their prong collars. They did have heavy martingale choke collars though.

This is our first trip out with the Tardis (trying that name on for size), and it is going well. It pulled well but was noticeably heavier than our old one - I guess our mileage is going to go down. Getting going is always a bit nerve wracking, especially with a trip through the city on our route, but all went well.

Setup was slower as we had to make some adjustments to our fence panels to accommodate the slide, and things inside weren't were they used to be, but these bugs will get ironed out. Once we got all set up, we unfurled the new automatic (hurrah!) awnings with just a touch of a button, and then cracked open an icy cold beer. Our typical setup routine. The only thing missing were the chips (regular, nacho or otherwise, we aren't fussy), instead we had celery sticks with a homemade, fat-free hummus. It was good... but oh I missed those chips!

Did I mention how much I love the automatic awnings? They are awesome!

Carm finally came back with his beloved remote - we had so much fun trying to get the satellite tuned - NOT.

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.

Harriet Ann Jacobs