REFLECT, REBOOT, AND RECHARGE; Ocean Park-WA

Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - 'You Can't Make Old Friends' [Official Video]: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chBNBzE35EI)

This morning we drove into Rainier-OR to collect our 5 month pile-up of mail … then over the Lewis & Clark Bridge to visit Holland's brother Scott, SIL Lana … and rub Bleu's furry head 😉

I shot a text off to David, to let him know we had arrived - I didn't know if he was at his home in Longview, or camping on his beach lot in Long Beach - but either way, I wanted him to know that we are back in WA for a while: our friendship goes back a loooong way. The Fall of 1965, to be exact - when he pulled my hair on the school bus. Friends all the way through school years. He is the 1st person to throw Bob & I together; Doug was the 2nd - and that unintentional meeting stuck for 44 years. David's first wife & I were friends from the time they married, until she died 22 years ago; our older kids grew up together, and her second son and my middle granddaughter, were friends. David & Doug were staples in my life, and both drove me to the hospital with my toddler daughter when needed. When Bob graduated to Life beyond the clouds in the Winter of 2018, David came alongside me and gave his big brother support that sustained me until Holland came into my Life and changed my title from Widow to Wife. David open-handedly accepted Holland - and now, they too, are friends. David has been a part of my life all of my life in WA State.

His friendship is priceless; you can't make old friends 😘

Morning text to David.

We crossed the Astoria-Megler Bridge & drove the Oregon side the first leg of the trip; and while Holland fed fuel into Betsy's greedy tank, I snapped pic's of Astoria sites caught my eye:

Astoria-–Megler Bridge (internet pic)

The Astor Building, #342 14th St #3814; Astoria-OR

Astor Building: 

(https://www.theruinsattheastor.com/history)

Betsy fed, our stomachs started reminding us that they needed feeding to, so we made a quick drive-thru to quiet their grumblings … and I saw an interesting old building 🧐

I researched it later, and learned that it was an 1892 warehouse that is now the home of Pacifick Distillers. Finding information on this building required intense scrutiny and research - only by manipulating my photo shot and squinting hard to read the fuzzy sign lettering was I able to find the little snatches of newsy tidbits.

The Pacifick Distillery operates in the former Astoria Wharf and Warehouse Company building, a historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. Built by the Carruthers family in 1892, the [bonded warehouse] building was initially used for warehousing purposes and has been utilized for various functions over the years.

Pacifick Distillers, #55 4th St.; Astoria-OR

Fishhawk Fisheries Owner Works To Open Distillery Along Riverfront: 

(https://dailyastorian.com/2021/11/26/fishhawk-fisheries-owner-works-to-open-distillery-along-riverfront/)

In the 1890s, bonded warehouses were established as a way for importers to store goods that were subject to duty, allowing them to defer payment until the goods were actually sold or distributed. This practice offered a way for importers to reduce their capital outlay and inventory carrying costs.

Bonded warehouses provided a secure, government-supervised storage space for dutiable goods. Importers could store imported merchandise in these warehouses without immediately paying the duties owed.

Goods stored in bonded warehouses were subject to customs processes and regulations. Duties were paid only when the goods were released from the warehouse for distribution.

Bonded warehousing systems were introduced in the 1800s and were a significant development in international trade. The system allowed importers to reduce their initial capital investment and lower their inventory carrying costs.

The 1892 Astoria Wharf & Warehouse Company building in Astoria, Oregon, was constructed using local brick, basalt for its foundation, and old-growth Douglas fir joists supported by railroad iron. The brick was sourced from May & Thair, a local brickworks. The building's walls were a foot thick, and the foundation was three feet thick, showcasing its sturdy construction.

Vintage Astoria Wharf & Warehouse Co. building; Astoria-OR

The 1892 Astoria Wharf & Warehouse:  (https://www.coastriverbusinessjournal.com/archives/astoria-wharf-warehouse/article_c31d80e6-19ce-5ef4-98cd-0b112949467e.html)

About an hour later, mail was collected; then we headed over to Kelso for a visit with family, friend, and family dog ☕️👂💞

Lana, I have learned, is a friend to Holland as David is a friend to me: she has been a part of his life for most of his life, also - even before she married Holland's brother Scott. They all met when they were kids; Holland was 4 yo, Lana was 7- or 8 yo. They went to the same school. They grew up in the same area. Even though there was a brief period of time when States separated them, they never forgot each other. When Holland's family moved back to WA (West Side Highway), Scott & Lana were teenagers and started dating; eventually marrying. Holland's 1st wife was Lana's sister, Becky. Lana has been a part of Holland's life, pretty much all of his life … so, when we are back in WA State, Holland likes to spend time at Lana's kitchen table; reflecting, rebooting, and recharging. Their friendship is priceless; you can't make old friends 💖

We enjoyed a good visit: Bleu, included.

We drove the WA side of the Columbia River … to Ocean Park-WA, mere seconds from the Pacific Ocean. Coming around the Bay, I called David - who informed me he was at his beach property; so we stopped by there to reflect, reboot, and recharge with some more chit-chat, warm vibes, and good laughter 🤝🤣💖

And I came home with a bag full of good reads 😁

David had a stash of books for me to read ;-) The white tabbed ones are my own …

Clive Cussler: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/feb/27/clive-cussler-obituary

In real-life/real-time, Clive Cussler was actively involved in sea diving archaeological research. He founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring and preserving maritime heritage. NUMA, inspired by the fictional agency in Cussler's novels, discovered over 60 shipwrecks, including the CSS H.L. Hunley, the Mary Celeste, the U-20, and the RMS Carpathia. He also wrote non-fiction books about his underwater explorations.

Cussler himself led expeditions and participated in dives, using NUMA to support his maritime ventures. While he didn't identify himself as a formal archaeologist, he was deeply involved in the discovery and preservation of historical shipwrecks.

Naval History News~The Shipwreck Legacy of Clive Cussler - 1931–2020: https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2020/june/naval-history-news

There's a chill nip in the air tonight - tonight is a good night to snuggle under warming blankets to reflect, reboot, and recharge with an adventurous story: Clive is always good for that. You can't make old friends 👌

This is tonight's choice Read ;-)

Human Metapneumovirus or HMPV 2025

Right on schedule …

These "new outbreaks!" & "return to covid measures!" will continue to be peddled every 6 months for the rest of our lives.

barak hussein obama gave WHO his mandate to orchestrate medical emergencies for political gain … and the NWO was granted unlimited power during the obiden regime debacle.

I'm just surprised this announcement wasn't made sooner - like on the campaign trail to give the demonrats losing team a boost. But then, we all KNOW the mandated BOOSTERS did NOT WORK the last time the demonrat regime rolled them out and demanded we all roll our sleeves up and "submit! dammit!!"

There may - or may not - be a "new virus!" circling the globe: given the way the obamanites, the WHO devotees, and the NWO tyrants behaved during covid … I'm keeping my sleeves down and going about MY business "as usual".

I'm not being stupid - or flippant - about precautions; but I'm not going to live in fear either of "what if" 🙏

My Life has always been a crap shoot: I was born with a faulty heart and weak lungs … if I did everything the Drs. suggested 🤔, I'd never get out of bed, live a couch-potato existence, and wait to die. That is not living 😒

I choose to live - I choose to live my life, my way.

No one else has to agree with me.

No one else is ME.

So far, I've dodged every bullet aimed at me, to stop me in my tracks.

I'm going to continue to dream big and live abundantly.

I choose intentional living.

NO mask.

NO vaccine.

NO goose-stepping to political mandates.

MY life.

MY choice.

MY walk through this Life: we only get 1 chance to enjoy this passage of time.

{{There is a new flu-like virus on the rise in China and other parts of Asia and it is beginning to raise concern amongst those still reeling after the COVID pandemic. It’s called human metapneumovirus or HMPV and it’s a respiratory illness which affects millions of individuals every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the reinstatement of restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic}}

Have people forgotten already what it was like the last time WHO and the parroting obamanites put severe restrictions of covid in place?

Let me refresh your lax memory:

a) People were forced to stay inside their home under threat of arrest.

b) neighbors were encouraged by local, and DC government "leaders", to openly spy & tattle on "those who refuse to comply".

c) elderly people were rushed to hospitals where they were infected … and sent back to home or nursing homes to spread the infection & die - taking others with them to the grave.

d) media whores (like the cuomo brothers) actually faked illness for attention and subscription spikes.

e) biden locked himself in his basement, where his wife sat with him in "a zoom meet" (knowing he was in the grip of dementia) and monitored every word that he spoke: and another disastrous obama coup was "won" 🤬

f) the mad scientist fauci was catapulted to political fame by openly lying to the public and promoting national shut-downs that undermined families & destroyed friendship connections, ruined America's economy, shut down Churches, open-air Christian gatherings, placed "no trespassing" fencing around Congressional buildings … WHILE keeping DC {secret} meeting rooms for MASKLESS congressional members bent on building cases against a President they hated and "his followers", mosques, sports bars, and abortion clinic nationwide OPEN, and continuously fostered wide-spread fear-mongering; and while all this was taking place, the mad obamanite puppet became the poster child for hysterical madness - and was the suck-up-media darling.

Due to the obamanite mandates, and placements of unscrupulous political puppets with an axe to grind against "white, Christian" Americans, America was thrown into a recession - and a race war -  we may never recover from.

g) during the government shut-down and public lock downs … unscrupulous political leaders, and ambitious State leaders, parroted the obamanite mandates and used the political darkness to openly and actively go against the "garbage of society" like Christians, and supporters of their "filthy rich white man" political opponents.

The covid madness was an obamanite experiment of world dominance on steroids.

Fact Check: Human metapneumovirus in China is not ‘new,’ no state of emergency declared: https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/human-metapneumovirus-china-is-not-new-no-state-emergency-declared-2025-01-09/

“Regarding hMPV: this is not a new virus,” … the virus was first discovered in 2001, but retrospective serologic studies, opens new tab found hMPV antibodies present in humans at least 70 years ago. It is a common virus, that causes respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold, especially in winter and spring and among young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

What is HMPV? It's a respiratory virus. And it usually only causes mild illness similar to a cold, the federal government's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) website says. But it can make some people sick, leading to bronchitis or pneumonia.

American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/human-metapneumovirus-hmpv/learn-about-human-metapneumovirus-hmpv

Symptoms include cough, fever, runny or blocked nose, headache and tiredness.

1) It often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, asthma flare-ups, and COPD to worsen. 

2) HMPV usually causes symptoms like the common cold that last roughly 2-5 days but can vary depending on how sick you get and symptoms typically go away on their own.

3) HMPV spreads from person to person or surfaces to person. Symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Your health care provider can test, however, there is no treatment. Prevention measures include hand washing, cleaning surfaces, and staying home when sick.

4) Can human metapneumovirus be treated? Supportive treatment for patients varies with the severity of the illness but generally treatment consists of fever reducers, antihistamines, breathing treatments and other means of providing comfort to the patient until the illness resolves.

WIMOWEH = He Is A Lion; Quartzsite-AZ

November 14th: I think we will probably be heading down to Yuma-AZ, sometime the middle of December; the "Big Tent & RV Show" (where we had hoped to snag a buyer for Independence) won't start until January 2025 … and the dustup's here, are giving Holland breathing trouble.

Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show: 

https://www.quartzsitervshow.com/

There are dustup's in Yuma, too, but the greenery and buildings there, keep it down. Quartzsite is not a city - the buildings here are small in stature and located in small clusters in specific areas. And though there are skeletal trees and bushes - there is no green ground-hugging cover; only rocky-gritty-wilderness stretched for counties into the distance.

My lungs are holding up (no asthmatic flareups, thank the Lord), but I know the always present dust is making it's way into my airways: that can't be avoided, even if it's not felt.

So, when I left for my walk this morning, I left stealthily, so as not to wake my sleeping lion; he's been "on alert" pretty much around the clock since we arrived in Arizona (watching news of the illegal flooding border crossings in Yuma & the resulting criminal and killing activities, that have kept us out of Yuma, for any reason: he's been laser focused on keeping me out of harm's way), and he needs the deep sleep to totally rest his tired self (he's been worn to a mental frazzle; we are giddy with happiness that President Trump is once again President - relaxation reset from worries is possible again).

We both spoke these words, before 'he & me' became WE … we BOTH knew the risks of building a relationship together. AND, we both underestimated the toll TBI would take on our relationship: it's a challenge, but we're learning each other's vibes & we're gonna make it ;-)

So, I left quietly - with a quick click of the door closing … and started on what I was hoping would be a good hiking loop back home ;-)

I smiled when retrieving my walking stick from Betsy - and noticed a single feather on the ground. I knew it was a dove feather: doves are known for their gentle nature, and finding a feather represents protection, safety, or a need for self care: I always know I never walk alone when engaging in self care walkabouts … but Elohim's reminders are always welcome ;-) A gray feather means peace and harmony are on their way: thank the Lord :-D

Single feather = an encouraging reminder of divine care ;-)

The 1st leg of my hike, this morning … Plomosa Wash runs behind The Pit Stop RV Park; obviously, the waters get very high, here.

The sun's warming kiss, felt good on my skin.

We spent a month here, our first time in Quartzsite, 18 months ago; very pricey & noisy Rvr's.

Another wash; a desert wash is a dry creek bed or gulch that temporarily fills with water after a heavy rain. Desert washes are subject to periodic brief, severe,  flooding events; often just for a few hours in a year.

There, on the far corner - I spotted my landmark building ;-)

Hmmm; maybe an early Christmas Gift for Holland before we pull stakes - it would be $$$ well spent ;-)

A 3rd wash … all these waterways flood & flow into where I will be hiking; while in Quartzsite-AZ

It looks like gritty dust is being stirred up, in the distance; I hoped it was not as bad as it appeared to be …

People are arriving; soon all this barren wilderness will be packed with RV's; there won't be any sand to be seen, then.

2nd leg of today's hike; this street swings around to Freedom Park - where I normally start backtracking towards home.

Quartzsite Fire Department & Medical Center Building.

Bike-Walking Trail.

A little startle here - from a distance {it} looked like a skull; it was just a plastic bag. LOL

A mini ant-created sand crater, of the Leaf-cutter Ant; busy with morning activity …

Backyard Ant Hills/Arizona:

 (https://arizonabeetlesbugsbirdsandmore.blogspot.com/2012/04/backyard-ant-hills.html)

Looking across the wilderness towards Independence's location ;- )

Peyton Parrish - 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' song:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4nMm-y3TYU)

Thinking of my sleeping lion, this song immediately shot through my brain … and set the pace for the remaining steps homeward ;-)

The additional mileage was good for me - a whole body balancing: a quieting of thoughts, an invigoration of body, a recharging of spiritual meditation. Walking recharges my entire being. Walking is self-care, in it's purest form.

I met, and shared pleasantries, with strangers.

I enjoyed seeing new things; and experiencing new interests.

I looked forward to getting back to Wimoweh ;-)

Thank God,  we are laughing about relationship hiccups, now ;-)

The last leg of this hike …

There were many people on this trail …

Serious words; a sudden cloudburst creates a sudden, dangerous, flooding situation.

{Downtown} Quartzsite, in the distance …

A shady bench … but, I think I'll pass; snakebite kills, and I want to spend a little more time with my husband ;-) My lion reminded me before he went to bed last night, about the girl that was snake bit and didn't feel it because rattler's don't always buzz to announce their presence - he was letting me know he worries about me when I am hiking.

Holland is a very masculine male: he doesn't {say} - he demonstrates in subtle ways and manners. Holland is a new experience for me.

Backside of a wash #3, that I had passed over, earlier.

This saguaro cactus looks like it is worshipping Yeshua = Creator ;-)

Petra - 'Let Everything That Hath Breath' Lyrics:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whtc4c1XJcM)

Campers are coming in droves to stake a claim of Quartzsite desert for the next few months; a lot of people camp in vans, too.

 This roadway has a lot of steep dips and climbs - a medium cardio workout trail; I can see Freedom Park, in the distance: the last lap, homeward.

Backside of wash 2, along the main highway - about a mile back.

RC Flying Field = radio-controlled plane club; Quartzsite-AZ

Radio-controlled Aircraft: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_aircraft)

I will visit this place, next time I walk this loop … it will add at least another 30 minutes to my hike.

The Dog Park - dog owners visit here, and their pampered pets have an actual watered grass area, to enjoy.

Yet another backside wash … this backstreet is not a place anyone would want to be when the rain's begin.

Quartzsite Town Park; Freedom Park extension.

I don't know if we will pencil this in - Holland's pain level that Day, will be the deciding factor.

This pretty little pink flowering bush is lethal.

Oleander Poisoning: 

(https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/oleander-poisoning#:~:text=Oleander%20(Nerium%20oleander)%20is%20a,oleander%20not%20yet%20in%20bloom.)

Distance, heart rate … temperature: it all looks good ;-)

The home stretch ;-)

By the time I reached the  'Running Lizard' RV Park (about 15 minutes from The Pit Stop), my tongue was hanging out, too. LOL

I don't carry water with me when I hike (usually there are no relief stations along the way); I tap into my American Indian DNA to "go the distance" … and keep my hikes short, hydrating at home. Wilderness survival depends on the “rule of 3”, which impresses that a person can live for 3 minutes without air (oxygen), 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food.

Back home, I checked my Hike Stats, while putting my walking stick in Betsy's back seat space.

Grateful for the extra mileage! Burning 500 calories a day = losing 1 pound a week.

Holland had cut and bagged Honeydew & Cantaloupe cubes to nourish, hydrate me, and bolster electrolytes naturally, when I returned home; he really is a keeper ;-)

Returning the remaining bagged fruit cubes to the 'fridge, I laughingly mentioned to Holland that as I turned the corner at The Sunset Grill, getting closer to home, I was thinking, "ice cream would be good about now; there should be ice cream around here, somewhere."

Holland said there was … and off we went :-D

The ice cream Shoppe we found was entertaining, as well as nourishing: it was also decorated in a pointed feminine mindset. I chuckled when we walked in … Holland immediately felt out of place. We ordered our treats, and sat outside in the covered area to savor them ;-)

I asked the woman behind the counter how long she's been working there, and she said her mother had started the business: that explained everything - she must have been a very young girl, and totally captivated by the 'Wizard of Oz' movie … hence the Ad outside, the interior decorating, and the outdoor Snowbird theme (christmas decorated fake pine tree & Grinch items).

And THEN … the hike burn meant nothing ;-)

Dorothy & Toto's Ice Cream: 

The Snowbird Café; #205 W Main St, Quartzsite, AZ

The interior was cute; LOTS of 'OZ' influences. Hokey, but strangely comforting. I videoed quickly because my lion was doing some quick pacing, and I was trying to avoid capturing him in frame ;-)

I had the Butter-Pecan; Holland had the Cheesecake.

Back home, I noticed that I had created a blistering situation - so, I dug out my moleskin patches to wear, when I walk the loop again.

I got a blister while hiking, so I dug these out to use when wearing shoes.

Holland posted Independence online again, for sale (hoping and praying); and sent a voicemail to his Aunt Gaye to let her know we'd be stopping by to visit with her, come Monday.

We played phone tag with Aunt Gaye … I am the only one who calls Holland, Holland - the rest of his family uses his middle name (there are 3 Holland Redmill's in his family - they each have a different middle name)

I made pizza for Supper; my lion got 2 of his favorite treats today ;-)

Holland got the lion's share … because I am determined to weigh considerably less.

Homemade Pizza, tonight: seasoned sauce, pepperoni slices, thinly chopped red onion-mushrooms-olives, grated cheddar cheese, & Parmesan cheese.

Crust pre-cooked a few minutes; sauce spread; meat & veggies added: this is the 1st time I've cooked in this oven - I watched it cautiously; regulating heat in a gas stove can be tricky.

Cheddar Cheese, melted & finished with Parmesan Cheese; the crust was done to perfection & the pizza was tasty.

And Wimoweh researched the Yuma area for a place to hunker Independence down once we get there (if she doesn't sell before our space rent here is up).

WIMOWEH = He is a lion ;-)

Sunset tonight; Quartzsite-AZ