A WORK IN PROGRESS; Ocean Park-WA

Distancing myself from emotional drain is what's most important to me, now. At this point in my Life, I just don't want a whole lot of drama - I understand that tricky situations and touchy circumstances can't be held permanently at bay … but I don't have to actively court them, or allow them, either. That is a choice I have the freedom to make. That is a choice I have a right to enforce for peace of mind.

And I really don't understand why my husband refuses to understand that there are places I can't go without suffering severe life-threatening consequences afterwards. I don't understand why he is not comprehending that stress also sends my asthma episodes into high gear - which is very dangerous for me, and scary for anyone watching me struggle to live 😟😳🙏

He may "know people" who have "serious conditions" that "are, or go into; remission" … but that is not the case with me. I think those people dealing with cancer {remission} that still smoke, are stupid people. I think those people dealing with severe edema due to severe drinking - and still drink like a fish, need intervention; not understanding. Holland's understanding is helping these people he claims to love, commit suicide; watching people kill themselves is not my idea of a fun afternoon. These people smoke inside their homes - homes he expects me to frequent; homes he should understand will seriously compromise my lung ailment. But, all his [understanding] flies out the window in a blue hue of angry outbursts when I say I'll go if I can sit in the truck while he's visiting (and ruining his own COPD lungs with the activity). I say it nice and in a conciliatory tone, "Okay - I can bring my Tablet and sit in the truck dinking around until you come back out." There's nothing in what I said that should send his blood pressure skyrocketing and his temper soaring. It's an agreeable meeting of him half-way … and if his brothers, or SIL, asks where I am - all he has to say is, "She's in the truck; she can't be breathing the smoky atmosphere." He can visit; and I can breathe easy: both of our needs are being met. It shouldn't be the big deal he's making it out to be.

So, for the time being, I am taking space from the chaotic turmoil and coming out of my shell only when necessary. It's a survival thing – my life has already suffered so much pain it is dangerously anemic from the bloodletting: my well-being can’t afford any more bloodshed. Pulling back and taking self-care measures such as loving from a distance when your halfway attempts are scorned, is allowed - peaceful attempt is always graced by The Father.

It was raining when I went to bed last night - and I woke up to rain; so, I decided to make Potato Soup 😊 

Potato soup is a nice mug of warmth on chilly days:

Supper underway before 9 AM

VAL'S POTATO SOUP Recipe:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/06/vals-potato-soup-recipe-ocean-park-wa.html)

While the cooking soup filled Independence with it's yummy aroma, I worked some more on my knitting WIP (work in progress) … and some more on myself, for myself ☝️👍

Free - 'Be My Friend' Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z09-qafbJ0U)

Holland wants to be friends; I want a Husband.

He wants to talk - I want believable action that will tell me more than aimless words do.

He wants a heeling [wife] that jumps and performs when given commands: I am more than that. I deserve more than that. I intend to have more than that.

I can be a Friend, without the 1980's non-committal "friendly overtures".

I can wait however long this marriage's work in progress will take.

Holland wants to be friends and I can be a "friendly Wife", when I have a committed, serious man who wants to be a Husband.

VAL'S POTATO SOUP Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

 

MAN! It is just c.o.l.d. everywhere, this year: the outside temperature has barely risen above 60-degrees (morning wakeups hovered around 40-degrees) no matter where we staked our tent pegs.  There had been a lot of volcanic episodes and a few war interactions that have caused atmospheric upheavals 😟 I'm really ready for peace on every front … and sunshine at some point.

Currently, we are tucked cozily in a space at Ocean Park-WA; the Pacific Ocean in a mere 5 minute drive from our front door (my Santa Cruz-CA born husband, likes that 😉). The hosts are friendly, the neighbors are quiet … and we get up-close-& -personal wildlife experiences. We like it, here 👌

Betsy (4x) & Independence (Home); Ocean Park-WA

Razor Clam Diggers; Ocean Park-WA

2 Pelicans!; Ocean Park-WA

It rained yesterday, rain is in the forecast for the weekend - and I woke up this morning thinking of Potato Soup. I had potatoes that needed to be used - and a Ziploc baggie with frozen chicken broth (from a previous chicken meal) in it … so, this morning, I got busy and made potato soup 😊

I just added a pinch of Celery Salt to this potato soup, because the chicken broth had  been pretty spiced up, already … and I did not have whole celery on hand at the moment 😉

The soup was set to cook before 9 AM, and simmered for hours; filling Independence with a wonderful mouthwatering aroma. About an hour before soup was served, I added the flour/broth mixture … and slipped a loaf of Garlic Bread in the oven, the last 10 minutes 👍

I am posting a recipe of sorts - but mainly as a lose guide.

VAL'S POTATO SOUP Recipe ~serves 6

5 ct. medium Potatoes, peeled & cubed * 3 lrg. Carrots, peeled & sliced * 1 lrg. Red Onion, peeled & sliced * 2 c. Chicken Broth (homemade broth, spiced; refer to my roast chicken recipe, #posted below) * 3 c. Water * 1/3 c. all-purpose Flour * 3 TBSP Dry Milk powder (I used 4Patriots brand, because that is what I have at the moment) * 1/8 tsp. Celery Salt

1) Whisk the flour and 1/2 cup of chicken broth together - this makes a soup thickener; set aside.

2) Prepare veggies:

Slice onions.

Cube potatoes.

Slice carrots.

3) Place veggies, water, remaining broth in your crockpot - add the dry milk powder; stir to thoroughly blend.

Stir thoroughly & set to cook.

4) Set temperature dial to High and cook until the soup begins to boil - then reduce heat to Low, and continue cooking another 4 hours (or until veggies are soft and fork tender).

5) Add flour & broth blend to soup and cook an additional 30 to 40 minutes until soup thickens.

Serve & enjoy!

#This roast chicken recipe will name the spices in the broth used for this potato soup recipe - 

Slowcooker Roast Chicken w-Root Veggies: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/05/slowcooker-roast-chicken-with-root.html)

FINDING OUR WAY HOME; Ocean Park-WA

June 18th: It started raining last night … and carried through 'til about 10 AM ☔️ this morning.

My planned morning walk was scrapped 😕

I drank my morning coffee, and surfed the internet for about an hour; and saw that one of my Blog Hop Posts had been highlighted on one of the Blog Hops I participate in:

My Post was featured on the Stone Cottage Adventures - 'Tuesdays With A Twist' Blog Hop

When Holland got up and drank his coffee, he said he wanted to pick some things up at the grocery store a block up the street and asked if I'd like to tag along - we are still friends, so I tagged along 😉

We placed our groceries in Betsy's back seat area, then went down to the beach off Ocean Park's Beach Access -  and watched waves & an eagle, for a bit.

Angry rain cloud over the Pacific Ocean; Ocean Park Beach Access-WA

Bald Headed Eagle; Ocean Park Beach Access-WA

Wanting to drag the time with me out, Holland treated me to some time in Nachotta, where we quietly watched oyster farming employees … and petted a pretty blue-eyed dog (light blue eyes), that was obviously a mixed-breed mutt - albeit a very handsome mutt.

Then we drove the long way home, through Oysterville … and backtracked to Ledbetter Point because I mentioned the Stackpole Road led to Ledbetter Point which was the end of the road in the most literal sense: the ocean was at the end of the point's beach.

Holland had never been there: he had worked construction jobs on several businesses and homes from Longbeach to Oysterville's newest development homes; but he had never explored. I like to explore, so I know a lot of off the beaten path places 👌

There really isn't much to see from the vehicle because the State Park is a birding hike site, but it was some place new for him … and a short 3 mile drive.

We drove the 1-way paved road to the Leadbetter Point Trailhead; Long Beach Peninsula-WA

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge - Leadbetter Point: 

(https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/leadbetter-state-park-leadbetter-point; https://parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/leadbetter-point-state-park-history; & https://wa100.dnr.wa.gov/willapa-hills/leadbetter-point)

An interesting gate in the middle of the forest; Stackpole Rd. in the Leadbetter State Park, Long Beach Peninsula-WA

On our way home, we drove down the Oysterville Beach Access road, and did a little more wave and eagle watching … and I saw some pretty, sprawling, yellow flowers that were ball shaped; as well as another sprawling beach flower - that I could not find anything about, online 🧐

A pretty, sprawling beach flower; Oysterville Beach Access-WA

Yellow Sand-Verbena: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abronia_latifolia)

Another beach sprawler … I can't dig up any info on this flower.

Bald Headed Eagle; Oysterville Beach Access-WA

When we got home, groceries were unload and put away; Supper was cooked & enjoyed … and I got in a couple exercise sets in-house, since the weather was unstable outside:

Val's Spanish Rice Recipe: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/06/vals-spanish-rice-recipe-ocean-park-wa.html)

The evening unfolded comfortably; and conversation was easy.

I am still taking [space}, while we both work on finding our way Home to each other's hearts, again. A lot has happened - a lot needs to be healed. Vibes matter 🕊️☝️💞

VAL'S SPANISH RICE Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

Val's Spanish Rice Recipe.

This recipe is super easy and very quick - it uses a pre-packaged rice-vermicelli noodle mix; my husband is a fan of packed meals, so I humor him once in a while 😉

As usual, I fleshed out the simplistic offerings with a few additional yummies 😊

Ingredients.

Val's Spanish Rice Recipe ~serves 4

1 Knorr's pkg. Spanish Rice mix * 1-ib. ground Beef * 1 small Yellow Onion, sliced * 2 cloves Garlic, sliced * 1 med. Yellow Pointed Sweet Pepper, sliced * 1 small Tomato, peeled & sliced * 2 tsp. Chicken Bouillon * 1/4 tsp. Cumin powder * 1/4 tsp. Oregano leaves * 2 cups Water * Lrg. Skillet with a lid

1) Prepare the veggies; & set aside for the moment:

Sliced garlic.

Sliced sweet pepper.

Spices & sliced tomato.

2) In a large skillet, brown the meat & veggies together; cook until meat is no longer pink, and the veggies are tender.

Brown meat & veggies together.

3) Add the packaged dry mix & spices, stirring to blend:

Add Knorr rice mix & spices; blend …

4) Add water & tomatoes - stirring gently, but thoroughly. Bring mixture to a boil.

Gently stir in tomatoes & water - bring to a boil.

5) Reduce heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for about 7 minutes. Turn heat off, and let stand for 2 minutes.

Serve, and enjoy 👍