NECESSITIES; Ocean Park-WA

August 12th: The Day dawned bright and full of promise 💖

Blinding sunshine coming through the fabric window blinds = a good & welcome thing 🌞

Coffee ☕️

(1) Body toning exercises 🏋️‍♀️

Star Stretch Toe Touch Exercise

These exercise formats are only a guide! Use wisdom and do only what you are capable of.

The Split lunges primarily work the quadriceps (muscles on the front of the thigh are responsible for extending the knee), glutes (gluteal muscles [gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus] are engaged in hip extension and stabilization), and hamstrings (muscles on the back of the thigh are involved in hip extension and knee flexion). They also engage the calves (muscles that help to stabilize the foot and ankle during the movement) and require core (abdominal and back muscles that stabilize the torso and maintain balance) activation for stability.

Side Lunges exercise strengthen your legs. They work your quads, abductors, glutes and hamstring - similar muscles that are worked with traditional lunges, just at a different angle and with more stabilization involved = stretching your inner thighs, while improving your overall hip mobility. You don’t necessarily need to add weights to your side lunges, but this "a plus" as added dumbbell weight puts stress on your muscles and bones with the goal of getting stronger: Just keep the weight light to avoid injury.

When doing these lunges, keep your back straight when you’re doing standard side lunges; and don't go too wide with your lunge: you should feel a slight stretch in your hamstrings and glutes, but not pain or a lot of tension in the area.

The Dumbbell Deadlifts primarily work the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back muscles. They also engage the quadriceps, core, and upper back muscles to a lesser extent, as well as forearms due to grip strength requirements. The upper back muscles like the trapezius and rhomboids are activated to maintain proper posture and shoulder stability.

The Side Leg Raises exercises primarily work the hip abductor muscles, which include the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus on the outer thigh and hip. They also engage the gluteus maximus, hip flexors, hamstrings, and core muscles to a lesser extent. This movement helps strengthen your hip muscles, improves balance, and promotes bone density in your lower body.

I like working my body. I am glad I am back at it.

(2) The sun was so welcome, we were lured out of Independence; we didn't have to be coaxed too hard 😁

Vitamin D is necessary for over-all health (https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d). Focus on exposing your face, arms, and hands to the sun; aim for 10-30 minutes of midday sun exposure (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) a few times a week. Be aware that sunscreen can block UVB rays, which are needed for vitamin D synthesis.

Leaving the RV Park, we watched a big yellow  butterfly dance with a big, fat, bumblebee as they fought over the same Butterfly Bush flower head 😉

The large, yellow butterfly commonly seen in Washington state is likely the Two-tailed Swallowtail or the Western Tiger Swallowtail, both of which are prominent yellow and black swallowtail species in the region: (https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2018/07/30/yellow-butterfly-boom/ & https://wabutterflyassoc.org/species-profile-two-tailed-swallowtail-papilio-multicaudatus/)

It was a beautiful sunny Day, today, despite the heavy fog layer hanging over the Columbia River - near the North Head Jetty which is located at the mouth of the Columbia River, near Cape Disappointment on the Pacific Ocean-WA. The temperature was only 66-degrees, but felt like 100-degrees because the humidity was so high and the sunrays were really hot. The sky was blue without a cloud in the sky - just the fog hanging over the water, and shrouding the ocean cliffs towering over Dead Man's Cove, Waikiki Beach, and the North Jetty.

And the bonus of the Day was … that all totaled, we walked a mile together - it was in spurts because of Holland's disability pain level (but he needs to walk more = he knows it, and is doing the best he can to do what he can when he can), and that's what my watch calculated 👏

Heavy, thick, fog bank on the Columbia River; Ilwaco Marina-WA

The fog was so thick, the Coast Guard was diligently active & the end of the North Jetty was swallowed up by the greedy fog; Ilwaco Marina-WA

(3) And a determined break of a generational cursed cycle 🙏👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 

I am SO PROUD of my husband 👏😘

He is breaking the cycle, on his end.

We will not be attending the Redmill gathering on Saturday: this should not be news to Jake, who KNOWING his mother and Holland adamantly refuse to have anything to do with Bob Redmill - Jake, by insisting his father's Celebration of Life take place in Bob's den of vipers (Willow Street {church}) … is blatantly 😈 disrespecting his mother by taking advantage of a highly emotional situation, flipping his mother the flying eagle 🖕, and trying to blackmail his Uncle (my husband) into a building they do not want to cross the threshold of.

Out of personal necessity, Holland is not having that familial push forced on him: and knowing the background story, I agree, support, and stand by his side in this regard.

We're opting o.u.t. of the flying monkey madness.

Bob, and his sister Barbara, did everything within their power to ruin Holland's mother's reputation - and actively went out of their way to destroy Holland's siblings, 4 of which are dead as power struggle fallout.

Holland has risen above the anger: he does not want to mingle with any of them that pay homage to Bob - he is breaking the generational curse.

I am proud of my husband.

The crazy is always on full display; we don't want to be part of it.

He will be the talk of "the family" for a while, but in all honesty they are not in way a Family; rather they are more like vultures & pariahs always on the lookout for who they can ruin or destroy.

Holland doesn't need that.

I don't want that … and am thankful I will not be put in a position where I will have to pull out my Bad Ass Card and remind any of them that they are not my family (thank the Lord), and I do not feel the need to feed Bob's destructive ego. Holland will be spared that public moment 😉

I actually knew Jake before I knew Crystal, or was friends with Holland. I am surprised and admittedly a little angry that Jake would so totally disregard his mother and his uncle's aversion to being in close proximity to Bob, who has hurt Lana and Holland so severely with his overbearing egomaniac behaviors.

I am glad Holland is separating from that toxicity and actively cleaving to his wife (moi); so we can go forward in building a good Life together that is apart from the Redmill treadmill of angry, hedonistic, heathen bitterness that always leads to death.

In case anyone is missing the fine point: there is no Christian behavior in this dysfunctional family headed by Bob - and that den of iniquity is NOT "a Church".

I have said this - and I do not apologize to a.n.y.o.n.e. for having said it. Out of real necessity, it needed saying, and should have been acknowledged loooong ago. I am glad Holland is finally seeing the light, and leaving it all behind.

Staying away from that circus atmosphere is what's best for US.

I am proud of my husband ❤️

Harry Connick Jr. (1989) - 'I Could Write a Book' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l93B5EI1L8)

LOOK CLOSER; Ocean Park-WA

August 8th: The sun showed strong today 🌞, so we escaped the 4 walls that echoed with oppressive news all week long.

Getting out of the house this afternoon - nothing in particular planned.

We knew we'd end up at the Ilwaco Marina eventually - and we did; but we made a slight detour along the way 😉

As we were driving along listening to tunes and glancing around … I spotted a van with a "Swamp Thing" banner sprawled across it's upper front end, so I asked Holland if we could backtrack and get a closer look at it:

The Pirate's Keep in Long Beach-WA, from Ocean Park-WA; 17 min (10.8 mi) via WA-103 S Pacific Way

This caught my eye, so Holland turned around so I could get a closer look.

The Pirate's Keep; #105 13th St SW, Long Beach, WA

The Bigfoot is a new thing out front - it wasn't there a week ago.

The tchotchke (pronounced: choch-key) business even has a Facebook Page, featuring it's strangely weird offerings 😂🤣

Leaving that roadside oddity, we continued forward. Coming into Ilwaco, the parking lot in front of the large wall-sized mural was pretty vacant and afforded a good photo op, so I collected a picture 😊👌

Then we crossed the street to the Marina … even behind windows, the sunshine felt wonderful: outside Betsy's cab it was very breezy despite the warm sunrays, so we kept the windows closed to keep hair from blowing under my sunglasses or into my mouth while we talked back and forth; and looked closer at things and people around us.

Building Mural; 1st Ave. N, Ilwaco-WA

Coastal WA Tsunami Alert Towers; Ilwaco-WA

Tsunami Alert Towers-Coastal WA: 

(https://pcema.info/be-informed/outdoor-warning-system/#:~:text=AHAB%20sirens,Siren%20Locations%20map%20(right).)

Holland explained to me that these huge concrete structures are for lifting hefty boats in-&-out of the water, and for lifting heavy, full, fish crates off fishing boats.

On our way back to Ocean Park, we were passing by Sid Snyder Drive, when our curiosity led us to the distillery alongside the Adrift Hotel. We were curious ✅ - neither of us had ever seen a distillery before; we decided to go inside for a closer look.

While there, we sampled a couple tastes; and weren't overly impressed with any of the tastings 😕

But, we want to experience (within reason) everything the peninsula offers that piques our interests. We did come home with a few purchases; for years I have been unable to find bitters anywhere, so when I saw these - I bought them. Long Beach-WA is known for it's cranberry bogs, & one branch of the Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice business operates in Long Beach-WA … so, I bought some of the Cranberry Liqueur (it's strong, but Holland says it will make a good mixer & I'll find some way to cook with it, too). The Coffee Liqueur appealed to both of us, and it will be a comforting additive to coffee or cocoa - to ease aching bones on cold winter days.

This was an experience; an experience we won't be repeating, but at least it's been checked off the Bucket List 🎯

Adrift Distillers; #409 Sid Snyder Dr BLDG #3, Long Beach, WA

Sid Snyder Dr, Long Beach, WA to Ocean Park WA; 16 min (10.3 mi) via WA-103 N Pacific Ave

Most of the samples were too strong! The Gin, & Moonshine, was like swallowing turpentine! $1 for a drop in each tiny cup.

This was awful! Nothing 'loving' about it.

Our purchases; the Bitters was the most expensive buy.

Interior of the Distillery.

Then, we nipped in at the Klipsan Beach road, and instantly caught sight of two water skiers skipping across the ocean waves before they frog-hopped out of sight - then with a closer look, we watched a high-flying kite for a while.

While we talked back and forth, Holland mused that we might not be coming back this way once we leave. I was surprised: the ocean is his thing - but having a wife now puts a while new spin on things; he says living so close to the water is "just too risky, Baby". He's feeling the pinch of responsibility that he hasn't had to think about those 35 years before the happenings of 2022 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 changed "me" to "we". Now, we both, have to think in terms of 2 instead of 1.

A localized earthquake could possibly cause a local tsunami … and wipe Hines, Oysterville, Nachotta, Ocean Park & Long Beach totally out, in a quick 30 minutes time: advisories to "go 2 miles inland & 100 feet in elevation" is worthless here. These low-laying peninsula elevations are below sea level, at sea level, or slightly above sea level; very flat terrain, and surrounded by water on all sides - the 28 mile Long Beach Peninsula is approximately 1.5 miles wide - short of the 2 mile safety estimations.

Symbolism in the Klipsan Beach sky.

Blue Oyster Cult - 'Don't Fear The Reaper': 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GAylAoRR2A&list=RD8GAylAoRR2A&start_radio=1)

Coming back into Ocean Park, we noticed that Tu-Tu's was open for business … so we backtracked around the block and placed a supper order: 

Tu-Tu's Lunch Wagon was open today, so we nipped in; #1505 259th Pl, Ocean Park, WA

Holland had the Pineapple Meatball; I had the Teriyaki chicken.

Holland doused his meal with black pepper, as usual; I took the pineapple pieces out of my coleslaw, & put it in the rice, with the sauce.

Supper was tasty.

Evening cocoa was comforting.

Life is good: enjoying the now, this Shabbat Eve 💕🕊️

PAST TIDBITS; Ilwaco-WA

July 14th:  I scrolled through Blog & FB Memory posts 💻 & answered PM's; while watching a little gray & black chickadee hop across Betsy's bright red hood, while I enjoyed my coffee, this morning.

We really do have a blessed Life 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 - and that life is getting better with each passing Day 😘

Scrolling through posts - hearing & feeling 'happy!' vibes.

A few years ago, I had asked Elohim "for purpose … something to make me feel alive, again" - and He blessed me in spades, with Holland 😎; he is a true genuine "new experience" - he definitely gives my life purpose, and he certainly keeps my life interesting - there's no more boredom, for sure 😊

I also & watched the sky, fervently hoped and prayed the dust cloud that had blowing across the peninsula all week long - would lift and disappear, so we could escape these 4 walls.

When Holland woke up and drained his coffee mug, we did escape for a couple hours. Holland had a few items he wanted to pick up at the Builder's Supply Store in Long Beach, and I wanted to grab a few frozen bags of assorted veggies on the way back home.

Climbing into Betsy, I noticed a couple vehicle freshener packets that Holland had apparently gotten from his trip to Astoria the other morning; when he took Betsy over the bridge for an oil change. When Holland joined me in Betsy's cab, I said, "I don't know if my lungs will allow these - these things can get pretty potent … those horrible tree and poodle things can be smelled a mile away from the cars that use them." Holland said, "These aren't that strong. The scent is called 'Ice', and it's a milder scent."

The air in Betsy is needing a refreshing boost.

I looked at the [ify] packet, and mentally weighed the possibilities.

I looked back at my husband; he also has lung complications - if he thinks it is a safe thing … maybe it is.

I decided to risk opening the packet: if it was too strong, it could be trashed - no harm, no foul.

It did smell good, the scent wasn't aggressive, and my lungs didn't go apoplectic on me. It was hung 🤞

Then we were off to take care of business; and even found time for a relaxing drive, comfy companiable convo, and a few [Past tidbits] interludes 😁

First, a stop at the Pioneer Market to grab a couple of burrito's: I also silenced my phone. I'm tired of the nonsensical "breaking news" - and I am seriously fed up with the jeffery epstein thirst traps that lead away from truly important things happening in the now 😒🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

Ignoring trigger 'Breaking News!' & shutting down global hysterias that have nothing to do with [The Now].

Then, the trip to the Lumber Yard:

Oman and Son Builders Supply; #612 Washington Ave S, Long Beach, WA

While Holland was locating & grabbing what he was needing; I grabbed a leather pouch. I'm going to find a way to attach it to my backpack; to use with my camera when hiking. It will keep the camera from swinging back and forth - and the camera strap from tugging at my tender neck skin, while walking.

The nice little camera my husband gifted me with, last Fall - bought in Parker-AZ, fits perfectly into this leather pouch.

Needs taken care of, we drove into Ilwaco; Holland likes to sit and watch water - whenever and wherever 😉 - and I appreciate the peaceful vibes that comes over his whole person when we are indulging his preferred pastime 💕

Driving towards the Marina, I saw people dinking around with piles of sand, so I asked Holland to pull over, so I could get a picture of the truck feature. He did - and I asked the people what they were doing, and why they were doing it: they said there is a sand sculpting event coming up, and they were working on that. It sounds interesting, and I want to go see it:

Sand Sculpting in Ilwaco-WA

He watched the water, talked about boats & fishing - and I watched various birds (wrens, geese, seagulls …) & listened: my husband has a gentle voice, and I learn a lot about him when he is talking - what inspires him, how much he misses his youngest brother who died (they worked together, they fished together; they were very close), his hopes & dreams … he is calm & peaceful, when he's near water. In these peaceful moments, he relaxes and feeds me Past tidbits.

When we were leaving Ilwaco, I caught sight of the siding of a house that was interesting - so, I asked Holland if he'd get closer, so I could snag a picture of it: I have seen this detail many times, on many houses; but I've never seen the fancy detail cover the entire side of a house.

I was curious:

Fish Scale decorative shingles.

Upon closer inspection, as we drove around the house, I saw that only that side wall had been covered in such a manner - the rest of the house was the original shiplap siding.

The next house that caught my attention, was kinda along the same detail theme - but, this house had Historical Past tidbits attached to it's simplicity …

This design is pretty common in fishing towns …

This house is on the Historical Register List.

Net mending in Ilwaco, David Herrold on the left, and his Father Roy c1901

{{In 1914, Roy Herrold bought into the Tokeland Oyster Company and served as its manager for many years. He had previously owned and operated fish-traps in Baker Bay.

The traps were “sanding-in” caused by the advent of the jetties and this necessitated a change in occupation in order to support his family Elfreda (wife), Bernard, Betsy, Harlan, Charlotte, Catherine, and David.

Charlotte Elfreda Harrold:  (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63458522/charlotte-e-davis)

Catherine Harrold:  (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52142515/catherine-troeh & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Troeh)

Jane Harrold: (http://www.inthetote.com/jane-herrold.html)

Chief Comcomly-WA:  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comcomly)

When school was out in the spring, we as a family prepared to leave Ilwaco and go to the oyster station for the summer. We would go to the depot and board the train for Nahcotta… The ride to Nahcotta seemed to take a long time. Finally, we arrived at the railroad dock and there was the “Tokeland” waiting to take us to the oyster station. We all crowded into the cabin. It seemed that it was always rough when we crossed the channel near the dock. The boat would roll but it wasn’t very long before she got into calmer waters.

Willapa Bay Oyster Station-WA

Our principal entertainment while at the oyster station was playing the Victrola and making wooden projects in the box-house out of materials used to build boxes to ship oysters. When the weather was good we would go ashore to Fresh Water Creek and pick blackberries. Our lunches were something which I always like to remember; fresh homemade bread and Goulter’s canned beef. Van Camp’s beans were also part of the picnic. The Herrold family lived on one end of the living quarters which consisted of one bedroom downstairs and three large bedrooms upstairs.

Downstairs, a huge desk stood in the corner of the room which needed a stool to reach the working area. The dining table was located nearby which was the main center for solitaire. A large kitchen was joined by a woodshed which housed the wooden tank with the drinking water supply. The Japanese workmen lived in the adjoining section of the house….

The oysters which came to these stations were culled and graded by Japanese workers and placed in bins which were covered with water. These were what was classified as “selects, 400, 600 and 800”. They were shipped to San Francisco where Charlie Shippey, the broker, arranged for their sale.

Excepted from “Oyster Stations” by David Herrold, They Remembered Book 3, ©Ilwaco Heritage Foundation, 1992}}

Then a memory pricked Holland's gray matter, and he started looking for the house he had worked on, in Ilwaco, somewhere in the timeframe of 2007-2008.

More Past tidbits:

Holland did the interior & exterior finish, on this house built of composite block & finished by Holland & the men that worked under him~Ilwaco-WA

This is the Garage … with fancy garage doors.

Back in Ocean Park, I did a quick lap into Oakie's Grocery Store to grab my frozen veggies for my ramen noodles; and we both laughed when I showed him what else I snagged:

Cheetah Flip-flops came home with me from the grocery store 😉

And Holland made a watermelon-cuke salad for a fast & tasty Supper.

Today - from start, to finish - was a good Day 💓