A WALK IN SUNSHINE & Val's 4Patriots 'Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac' Supper Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

April 17th: Today we spent about an hour & a half on the beach at Cranberry Lane, in Ocean Park-WA; on our way home, we stopped at the grocery store … and I decided to walk back to Independence instead of riding 😉

Since we've been back in WA State, I've pretty much been housebound with a cold, and an allergy induced migraine - yesterday, I literally spent all day long in bed because the migraine was so hellacious: sunlight made my eyes ache; moving my head in any direction caused a painful zig-zagging throb that shot from one side of my temple to the other; my teeth ached; talking caused the tongue blisters on the back of my tongue to rub against each other, which made my throat more sore than it already was from sinus drainage (the reason for the acid-burn-blisters); I had been sneezing, going through boxes of Kleenex; trying mightily not to rub my itchy eyes - which would only make the itch worse; I ate a light supper last night, and was instantly sorry - it did not settle well; I had a fever; and that broke during the night, thank the Lord. I was so hot when Holland came to bed, that it concerned him … so he was relieved when I woke up cooler to the touch.

But, an asthma incident did not seize an opportunity while my immune system was compromised. Praise God, from Whom all blessing flow 🙏

The nasal drip has stopped too; so the nasal drip blisters are disappearing. I can swallow with ease, again.

I could move my head without moaning.

I could open the window shades without wincing from the sunlight.

I finished a full ☕️ without wanting to hurl it back up.

My body was on the mend 😁

So, when Holland asked if I felt like a short drive into Long Beach, I felt I was up to it 👍

When we got to the Pioneer Market & Deli in Long Beach, Holland bought a few BBQ burritos … they smelled so good, I finished one off: and it stayed put 😊

Then he asked if I felt up to a beach visit. I did, so off we went. We finished of the last 2 burritos while watching the waves:

Cranberry Road; Long Beach-WA

Spent a relaxing & refreshing time here, this morning.

On the way home, we made a quick stop at Jack's to grab a loaf of bread. I was feeling so good, and the sunshine was so warm, that I said I'd walk the short distance back to the RV Park. Holland thought the walk might be too soon after being laid low for pretty much the whole week that we've been back here from CA; he said, "I'm not sure you should be doing this. But if you aren't going to listen to me, at least make sure you take your phone with you. I don't want anything to happen to you." I grabbled my walking stick from the back seat area, stuck my cell phone in my back pocket, and I said, "I feel fine. I'll be fine. I need to walk, Holland; my body needs the activity, my lungs need the fresh air, and my skin needs the vitamin D … I have my phone and will call you if I feel I need your Prince Valiant rescue. I love you - don't worry; it appears to be only a 15 minute walk."

I blew him a kiss 😘 & started walking - and he headed home.

Neither one of us thought about the asthma inhaler that went home with him: but, as it turned out, it was not needed. Elohim was looking out for me, and Yeshua kept his healing touch on me ❤️

I crossed the street, & started my walk here …

Somebody's watching me: "I don't want anything to happen to you".

Chase Rice - 'Eyes On You' Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD8d0VqKE5o)

I took my time; it has been a while since I've stretched my legs with a good walk - I was in no hurry to hurry things along 😉

My enjoyed the clean, ocean-scented air.

My body basked in the rejuvenating sunshine warmth 🌞

My eyes enjoyed seeing things Holland normally just blows past; I like to take my time looking at my surroundings. Things interest me - things do not interest Holland unless they are the ocean, tools, guns, or of a direct personal interest to him: flowers, interesting structures, colorful homes, fanciful lawn décor, and the like … do not interest him.

I took my time getting home: life goes by fast, and moments lost are lost. I was in no hurry:

Jack's Country Store; #26006 Vernon Ave, Ocean Park-WA

Pretty Wood Hyacinth, growing at the corner of Food Bank building.

Wood Hyacinth, aka Spanish Bluebell:  (https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-wood-hyacinth/); a bit further down the street more pretty Spring color was making my eyes happy: Redstem Stork's Bill, aka Erodium cicutarium: (https://bplant.org/plant/2410); & Miniature Daisy, aka Bellium minutum: (https://www.wintergreenhouse.com/plants/miniature-plants/bellium-minutum/p-10073/?srsltid=AfmBOoq5M-F548bHLWkciWoFjGHw_zNRY7MA5xgu2gfDIknAJojoOCx8)

Repurposed Wooden Sea Captain & Wooden Pirate (or Light House Keeper minus lantern); standing on the porch of the Re-Max Real Estate Office, Ocean Park-WA

Spring color showing through the evergreens … a towering Rhododendron Tree - no longer a bush.

WA's State Flower~The Pacific Rhododendron:  (https://interpretivecenter.org/washingtons-state-flower-the-pacific-rhododendron/)

At first glance, I thought this was a 'Snowball bush, but it grew UP instead of round & DOWN …

Beach Plum tree, aka Prunus maritima:  (https://plants.nativemainegardens.org/plants/prunus-maritima/)

This big, old, house has caught my eye for 47 years (45 with Bob, & 2 with Holland), when we drive past it … today, I got to stop and get a good looong look at it.

The picket fence is always trimmed with simple seasonal swags.

Historic Whalebone House; #2101 Bay Avenue, Ocean Park-WA

This house has always drawn my eye - so today I took time to study it, as I walked past it. I researched it when I got back to Independence.

This is what I found online: {{S.A. Matthews built this lively looking house in 1891. He designed the house from the memory of a home he enjoyed in Maine. Mrs. Matthews loved to grow flowers on her front porch and eventually had it glassed in to protect her plants. Louise Rice restored the house and named it Whalebone since her husband, Roy, collected whalebones while beachcombing in the 1950’s, and the name seemed to fit. This place is on the Washington State Register of Historic Places.}}

The house was built in 1889 … and it seems to be up for Sale through Redfin Realty: (https://www.redfin.com/WA/Ocean-Park/2101-Bay-Ave-98640/home/40394321)

Whalebone House location; Ocean Park-WA

Keeping on along my walking route, I smiled when I saw a jaunty shell-crusted cement cast seal with a black Naval telescope ;-)

An interesting private home structure …

I thought these were yard  decorations - UNTIL they moved. So, I watched the lounging deer, for a few minutes.

Salmon Berry blossoms.

Salmonberry~Rubus spectabilis:  (https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/rubus_spectabilis.shtml)

My heart is always happy when me eyes see Pussy Willows ;-)

Pussy Willow: 

(https://www.prairienursery.com/pussy-willow-salix-discolor.html?srsltid=AfmBOooNF1mnZK2pznBFdt0Vkx1MZtyMdThf3Pf5Fp0OzYm99J_UOY7i)

Royal Star Magnolia - entrance to the Ocean Bay RV Park; Ocean Bay-WA.

Royal Star Magnolia: 

(https://www.gardenia.net/plant/magnolia-stellata-royal-star-star-magnolia)

The walk didn't take long - even with all the lollygagging.

When I turned towards our front door, I saw that the outside door was open - and the screen door was being used by Holland 😳 He never uses the open screen door because he is always saying that he is cold. Hmm 🤔

Home Sweet Home … until July 2025, when we Road Gypsies will start traveling, again; Ocean Bay RV Park; Ocean Bay-WA. My short half-mile walk, was actually closer to a 25 minute walk; I started the timing late because I was busy gawking.

Whatever the reason for the door being open, I was thankful 💗 I like my house open; with refreshing breezes flowing through it, in the Springtime 😊

Around 4 PM, I started Supper; using one of the 4Patriots packets.

While I was getting things started in the kitchen, Holland was dinking around online, and said, "Hey Baby! Here's Betsy & Independence in this YouTube video! Remember those people I told you about … those ones that full-time RV, like us? Look - here we are." So, I looked; and sure enough, there we were - parked at the Zuni RV Park in Kingman-AZ; and I had posted in one of my Kingman Blog Posts, about Holland seeing them, and talking with them.

Holland spotted Betsy & Independence in an RVing YouTube video made in Kingman-AZ

The Rvr's are close relatives of Tom Hanks - yes, the mouthy, Trump-hating, actor.

Holland talking with The Hanks, at the Zuni RV Park in Kingman-AZ, in March of 2025.

Then, I went back to cooking Supper - I'm still working my way through the 4Patriots Meal Packets Holland bought for our use, in 2023. I served canned kernel corn & canned biscuits on the side:

==Val's 4Patriots 'Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac' Supper ~ serves 3 hefty portions

1 packet Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac Supper * 1 lb. ground Hamburger * 1 Yellow Onion, sliced * 2 Celery stalks, diced * 2 cloves Garlic, coarsely chopped * 3/4 c. Crimini Mushrooms, diced * 4 c. Water * 1 c. shredded Cheddar Cheese * 1 can kernel corn * 1 can Flakey Honey-Butter Biscuits

1) Place hamburger in a large skillet. Add onion, celery, garlic, and mushrooms - cook on medium-high heat until meat is browned and veggies are soft.

2) Add the 4Patriots dry-mix mac & seasoning packet, with 4 cups boiling water; cook on medium-high until boiling - then turn to low heat and cook for 20 minutes.

4Patriots Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac' Supper; which I halved & vac sealed for our needs. This serves 3 hefty portions.

At the same time, pour the corn into a small pan and cook on medium heat.

Also, get the biscuits in the oven and cook according to container directions.

About 5 minutes before everything is finished cooking - sprinkle cheese on the macaroni mixture, and cover with skillet lid to hasten cheese melting process.

Serve & enjoy.

As the sunshine faded and the sun slipped over the watery horizon, the local frogs came out to ramp up their Spring courting 🔊🎼💞

And I settled into my warming blanket cocoon to pickup where I left off in the story I was reading off and on, between 💤 yesterday:

I read 18 chapters yesterday …

Today was an enjoyable Day.

The serenading frogs - and the lively Clive Cussler novel, is making my evening enjoyable, too.

Life is good in my small corner of the world. I am blessed 💖

OLEQUA HEIGHTS-WA

July 2nd: This morning I was drinking my second cup of coffee; and six pages into a new novel, when Holland shut his laptop and said, "How about we take a drive to Olequa and explore the power line road, as soon as you finish your coffee and change out of your p.j.'s?"

(((YES - and thank you!)))

We had explored another Olequa road a couple days ago … but this one would be different: this one would be on the backside of familial compound boundaries.

Holland's family ranch is at the end of Olequa Road, and I've been curious about the gravel road that spurs off at the junction just before turning onto the Redmill property.

Holland has talked a lot about the {power line road}, ever since I've known him; I'm more than ready to be included in his special place adventuring - I drained my cup quickly, got dressed in record time, and we were soon pointing Betsy's nose toward the anticipated destination ;-)

New read …

Olequa Heights Rd-WA from Woodland-WA ; 42 min (36.0 mi) via I-5 N and Westside Hwy

Woodland has prepared for this Holiday's festivities ;-)

We drove the freeway to Castle Rock, and took our time enjoying a lazy drive up Westside Highway to Olequa. While driving, Holland gave me a background history lesson on Olequa … and he told me about an Indian burial ground that is there, too (maybe we'll go back and visit that, at another time).

Apparently, Olequa was a hub of activity in it's heyday - but the only reminder that it ever existed is the few places where the Name is highlighted (History notations, street signs, home addresses, the Senior Center, and a Farm, in Winlock-WA).

I was fascinated by the historical tidbits Holland was feeding me - and I researched it when we got back from our adventuring.

Olequa Indians/History of Olequa: (https://www.pacific-hwy.net/olequa.htm#:~:text=There%20used%20to%20be%20a,live%20in%20and%20around%20Olequa. & https://www.pacific-hwy.net/pumphery.htm)

Holland turned off a side road at the lower end of Olequa Road instead of the upper end I was expecting … another surprise road.

I like adventuresome surprises :-)

I am pleased to be included in Holland's carefully guarded Life; Holland does not easily share his private life, and he's slow to include newcomers (aka: anyone who did not grow up with him). I've only known Holland for a short period of time - and we've been married less than that. Basically, he still regards me as a newcomer in his Life.

But today, he is making a serious effort to remedy that. He is sorry that he has made me to feel like an outsider in the Life we are attempting to build. He was surprised when I unloaded a lot of hurt feelings on him this month - and he is sorry that he took his insecurities and withdrawal pain out on me.

We have both apologized - we have both forgiven each other for things said and done in the heat of angry moments during the entire month of June.

He is vowing to be a better partner; less apt to push my buttons or foist unrealistic expectations on me (or US) … and to stop throwing the D-Word into every disagreement. In short, after seriously rereading the FB posts, and viewing the hurt from my perspective of why they were necessary to make known, he has been making every effort to show me that he is serious about {going the Lifelong Distance}.

And, I am vowing to tamp my redhead temper down and be a gentler wife; kinder, and less apt to fight mean and dirty when Holland's attitude triggers mine.

He is working hard to make US a priority; and I am learning to trust (I trust Elohim 100% - it's trusting people that trips me up: Elohim doesn't lie, people do). I can't honestly say that actual trust was broken; what I am saying is that I'm finding out things about him as time moves forward, that I am finding difficult to understand or accept.

BUT

All things are possible through Christ Jesus: and He is Who we are trusting as we come together to repair the cracks that have riddled this marriage.

We love each other, despite the complicated circumstances of this marriage. Our home has to be our safe place - even during disagreements. Our home has to be a place of inclusion in each other's life; Holland is not used to sharing his Life with anyone: I'm pretty sure that even those closest to him, from the Past, aren't as close as they think they are. Holland is the most walled-off person I've ever met.

But he has taken pains to include me today, and I am grateful. This is a serious happening and I am feeling blessed by the inclusion.

Holland is going to show me one of his past favorite haunts :-)

The sound of crunching gravel as we climbed the winding dirt road was music to my ears, the atmosphere was warm, and great swaths of foxglove (purple, pink, white, & bi-color) bloomed along the way.

I love foxgloves … and have planted them in flowerbeds at several homes, throughout the decades.

Two does passed right in front of us … Holland spotted them first, and called my attention to them.

They weren't off the road too far - I quietly urged them to go deeper into the side growth.

A doe with twin fawns … sorry about the jittery vid - Holland kept creeping forward :-(

I'm glad Holland has decided to 'stick'; and I'm glad he is feeling comfortable enough to share his special places with me.

I was in dirt road Heaven; and Holland was relaxed knowing that I was enjoying the ride :-)

We talked, we made plans, we laughed, we listened to Supertramp songs, and we thoroughly enjoyed that forested dirt road.

When we reached the top of the steep Olequa terrain, we got out of Betsy and enjoyed the wild beauty of the area: I understood why this place holds a special place in Holland's Life.

I was glad I was standing there, soaking it all in - the beauty, the sounds, the scents, the sharing.

I'm easily pleased ;-)

Holland's special place is simply beautiful, peaceful, and warmly inviting.

The overlook was engaging; Vader and outlying areas.

Then, as we were settling back into Betsy's cab, Holland's phone rang. He's been busy this past week with a side job. I waited until he read the text - and was prepared to beat feet back to town … but instead, Holland shut his phone off after reading the text, and said, "I'll take care of this later." I said, "You've been waiting for this call - we can go back into town." He looked at me, and said, "This is our time, Baby - just me and you; if I call this guy back and he doesn't answer right away, it will be an all day long phone tag thing. I don't want anything to cut into you and me, today; I'll get back to him later on."

Wow.

He really is serious about "making things right, Baby."

The sounds of the forest - the scent, and the intent; healing rode the gentle breeze.

Supertramp - 'Give A Little Bit': 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_leMA3_maBU)

Coming back down the incline, I noticed something I had missed before, because it was on the driver's side going up - so, I said, "Stop! I want to see this pretty thing, up close!" I wasn't being bossy; I just didn't want to use too many words that would eat up time and get us further away from the pretty thing ;-)

A pretty, wildflower, 'Toughleaf Iris'; it seemed so out of place in this wild place of evergreens, foxgloves, daisies, and dandelions: there were 2 of them, close together.

This forest adventuring was fun - and in a sense, cathartic.

As we exited the dirt road where we made new memories and pledges, we both felt the liberating effects of leaving lingering shadows behind us.

Today's adventure end was really the beginning; I'm glad I came :-)

On the way back to Woodland, Holland suggested we stop by Popeye's and grab some chicken to eat with our supper salad :-)

I had seen butterflies flitting among the wild daisies in the forest; but it wasn't until we were waiting for our meal pickup in Popeye's parking lot that a big blue dragonfly appeared to bolster hope, and drive home a gentle admonishment for both of us …

Relax and go with the flow of Elohim's Plan.

Fried Chicken for Supper - oh, yeah ;- )