HINKLEY-CA; Barstow-CA

April 2nd: We pulled stakes in Kingman-AZ, hitched Independence to Betsy … and concentrated on following Elohim's lead into our Future 🙏

We're leaving AZ, this morning.

We loved AZ's warmth; but the constant devil winds and thin altitude air made breathing difficult for both of us. We did not know that the desert air would be worse for us than the humid rainforest coastal air of the PNW. I had always heard Drs. telling me that a drier climate would be best for my lungs … so, when in the Spring 2023 Holland agreed with me to sell the house on Longview-WA and travel the USA - making Yuma-AZ our long-term "home base" … I was elated! Holland had periodically lived all over the lower extremities of American States, and I was thrilled that I would get to see and experience those places with him - and make a home for us in Yuma, "the sunniest place in America!"

But that wonderful dream turned into a hellish reality, as we tried valiantly from 2023 to current 2025 to build a life "down south" on those hopes and prayers: we simply cannot breathe easy in any of the southern states - and Holland has faithfully ferried me to CA, NV, AZ, NM, & TX … doing, and going far beyond, to find a safe haven for us to rest our struggling lungs, and build a happy Life to enjoy our senior years.

NO GO 😕

While the air in Arizona can be dusty, doctors sometimes recommend it for people with lung issues because the dry, arid climate and lower humidity can be beneficial for certain respiratory conditions, especially compared to the humid climates of some other areas.

Reduced Humidity: Lower humidity in Arizona can help reduce the growth of mold and dust mites, which are common triggers for asthma and allergies. However, Arizona has a higher prevalence of certain lung diseases compared to other regions of the country - such as "Valley Fever" (Coccidioidomycosis) = this fungal infection is caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis, which is present in the soil in Arizona. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath: Arizona has a specialized Valley Fever Center that provides research, treatment, and education about this disease; "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" (COPD) = this is a group of lung diseases that damage the airways and make it difficult to breathe; "Asthma" = Arizona's dry climate and dust storms can trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. Somehow, this info is not mentioned by Drs. promoting AZ's "wonderful air for struggling lungs". Since we've been making our 6 month trips to AZ, since 2023, Holland has struggled with fever, cough, & shortness of breath: I have been struggling with shortness of breath - and have had several serious asthma attacks that have scared my poor husband when they suddenly happened. It wasn't until we were set up in Fortuna-AZ the winter of 2024, that I connected the dots 🤬 It was in Fortuna, that we realized that AZ was out of the question for "home base" - and we will probably never come back here again for a lengthy stay.

Dry Air: Dry air can make it easier for some people with respiratory conditions to breathe, as it can help reduce mucus buildup and make breathing feel less heavy. This has not been the case for us … I have struggled mightily to breath easy - no matter what part of the State we have hunkered down in. My chest always hurts trying to suck air into my lungs … and Holland's lungs never escape the mucus build up. He always quips, "I sound like a fricking cat with a hair ball it's trying to loosen." And I try not to laugh, because it is true - he does sound like a cat with a hairball 😉 But, it's really not a laughing matter because I know his chest is hurting with the constant hacking and spitting … but at least he is not spitting up on the floor, like a cat would do; and that is a blessing (no joke).

Lower Pollen Counts: While Arizona does have dust, it also has lower pollen counts compared to some other areas, which can be beneficial for people with seasonal allergies. Personally, I have not noticed this - my eyes always itch after a breeze loosens pollen and sends it my way … Fall and Winter in AZ is windy and carries dust & dried-out foliage refuse in the gusts - Spring and Summer in AZ is lush with new growth following rain showers - new growth comes with heady pollen fallout; and I am noticing that Holland is sneezing and blowing his nose more than usual. Seasonal lung issues are happening for us in AZ as in the PNW - the difference is, that there are the aforementioned desert lung complications thrown into the mix; and those new complications make our lung issues more complicated. More seriously deadly, due to the fact that compromised lungs do not rebound like healthy lungs would. In AZ, I have had 2 major asthma attacks that seriously worried both of us - I felt bad for Holland because he'd never seen a full-on asthma attack before: it is very scary, and seriously concerning. And I am concerned when he has a COPD flareup, because his lungs are more compromised than mine - when a fever sets in and the chest-pain coughing and hacking starts, it is a serious concern.

 

Specific Conditions: The dry climate of Arizona can be particularly helpful for individuals with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, as it can help reduce inflammation and improve lung function. FALSE! Holland was diagnosed with COPD years ago, and I married him with that full knowledge … and I have environmental asthma, which means that I only suffer asthmatic flareups and serious asthma complications when symptoms are triggered or worsened by exposure to specific substances or conditions in their environment, such as allergens, pollutants, or irritants. The dry climate of AZ has not been kind to our lungs 😟

Dust Concerns: It's important to note that while the air in Arizona is generally dry, it can also be dusty, especially during certain times of the year or in specific areas. People with lung issues should be aware of the potential risks of dust exposure and take precautions, such as staying indoors during dust storms or using air purifiers. We decided on AZ because of it's warm climate and what we were led to believe, it's "wonderful air": we did not know that we would be indoors 95% of the time while here; and that my hopes for "a year'round tan" would not be happening: I am going back up North, paler than when I left! Simply because we cannot get out of Independence, or Betsy, for any length of time without suffering an entire week following an outdoor venture 😒 We do have, and utilize an air purifier - that thing never shuts off; and still, our poor lungs struggle.

So, we are leaving AZ, this morning. Who would have thought we'd need to go back to the PNW to enjoy sun rays (skimpy as they may be), spend time outdoors, and draw a carefree breath (our lungs struggling only with seasonal allergies, not daily happenstance)? 🤔

Our route this morning.

Barstow-CA from Kingman-AZ; 3h 17m (206 mi), via I-40 W

The road out of Kingman, was horribly rough. Poor Independence.

Rain; nearing Needles-CA

The rain smelled good - it had a dusty odor, and taste … but also a very refreshing Spring rain scent.

This … blesses the desert, with color.

We left Kingman at 9.30 AM; we still have a way to go.

Low-lying fog hangs over the Providence Mountains-CA

CA roads are trash - it doesn't matter what type of road you travel. Just trash.

What is the weird looking building, in that field over there?

I went online to see if I could gather any info on this weird building that stands alone in a desert field, and came up with a couple explanations - none of which actually pinpoints what the thing is:

Internet pic 

a) It’s a GPS calibration device. These are scattered around the U.S. (but not overseas - GPS remains a U.S. military system). To continually refine the accuracy of GPS signals, calibration devices like this - basically, giant, hyper-accurate GPS receivers - constantly compare their GPS-computed position with their known location.

b) It’s a navigation beacon for aircraft, called a VOR, which stands for Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio Range.  It sends out signals - using frequencies only just slightly above those used by the FM radio stations, that tell aircraft their bearing from the beacon, and their distance, and allows planes to ‘see’ where they are in any weather, even in the absence of GPS or ground-based radar. While it may look high-tech, VORs are relatively ancient, first coming into use after World War II. This is what Holland believes it to be.

c) Remember Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, and the Very Large Array of radio antennas in the movie Contact? This is part of another, less photogenic deep-space radio project. The signals from these sensors—there are nearly 300 across the country—are mathematically pooled together to create a virtual, continent-sized radio telescope. I'm settling on this [explanation] because AZ seems to be the gateway state to a lot of spacey stuff.

d) No one knows what these are - or rather, those who do won’t tell us. These sites, which were built after 9/11, are controlled by the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, which will not release information about their purpose, other than that they do not produce “harmful radiation or interference.”

The Lavic Lake Volcanic Field, between Newberry Springs-CA & Barstow-CA

The Lavic Lake Volcanic Field:

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

The new bridge in up, now = the old bridge is totally gone; Barstow-CA

The new North First Avenue Bridge; Barstow-CA. The original North First Avenue Bridge was built around 1930, spanning the Burlington-Northern-Santa Fe Railway intermodal yard, in Barstow-CA

Skanska Completes $30 Million Replacement of North First Avenue Bridge in Barstow: https://www.vvng.com/skanska-completes-30-million-replacement-of-north-first-avenue-bridge-in-barstow/

YES … yes, He does ;-); seen coming off the bridge, towards Skyline RV Park. Barstow-CA

Barstow-CA is on Route 66

Rock has been laid at Skyline - this is something new & it looks nice; it should keep the dust devils grounded ;-)

Skyline RV Park; #30384 Old Hwy 58, Barstow, CA

After we unhooked & set things right inside Independence, Holland suggested we drive to Hinkley-CA; it's not that far away, and we've been intending to get there for quite a while (every time we come to Barstow); now we need to make the time since we have decided this is our last trip this way, coming from AZ or going to AZ:

Hinkley-CA from Barstow-CA; 18 min (13.0 mi) via Old Hwy 58 and Santa Fe Ave

CA soulless politics and business practices suck.

The Hinkley Bible Church is still functioning.

Hinkley, California, is famously known as the "Erin Brockovich town" due to the landmark lawsuit and movie based on the real-life story of groundwater contamination by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) with hexavalent chromium. The movie is based on true accounts, and 98% accurate.

Erin Brockovich Clip on Water: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQGxJ4bqK4)

Holland wanted to check this place out; I prayed about it.

Psalm 121.7-8

I was listening to some Petra songs, this morning ;-)

Petra: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNvWU_DUATc&list=PL06A3-WmRbqh1ZtIv5rR7QC2XTDJt_y_5)

From 1952 to 1966, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) dumped about 370 million U.S. gallons (1.4×109 liters) of chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined wastewater spreading ponds around the town of Hinkley, California, located in the Mojave Desert.

The real-life Erin Brockovich, a real-life legal clerk, investigated the apparent elevated cluster of illnesses in the community linked to hexavalent chromium, and her efforts, along with those of the real-life lawyer Edward L. Masry, pitted and won a 1996 direct-action arbitration against PG&E, resulting in a $333 million settlement, which was the largest settlement ever awarded in a direct-action lawsuit in the history of the United States

In 1996, residents won a direct-action arbitration (a formal, out-of-court dispute resolution process) against PG&E, resulting in a $333 million settlement, which was the largest settlement ever awarded in a direct-action lawsuit in the history of the United States.

While the movie praised a successful win, the cleanup of the toxic contamination was a slow process … and the true results are that some wells in Hinkley-CA, still test at dangerously high levels of chromium-6.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is still in business, having emerged from bankruptcy in 2020; and continues to operate as a major utility company in California, providing natural gas and electricity to approximately 16 million people across a 70,000-square-mile area in northern and central California.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is STILL operating!

I couldn't believe what I heard! And I can't believe people are swallowing the BS

Acres of alfalfa - which is a worthless pursuit & a business stunt to pacify unscrupulous laws.

Hinkley-CA~No Hollywood ending for town plagued by toxic water: 

https://www.sbsun.com/2013/07/09/hinkley-no-hollywood-ending-for-town-plagued-by-toxic-water/

Toxic plume spreads, PG&E faces 2nd Hinkley suit: https://www.sfgate.com/science/article/toxic-plume-spreads-pg-amp-e-faces-2nd-hinkley-4688046.php

In the Hinkley area, PG&E is using contaminated water, containing hexavalent chromium (chromium-6), to irrigate alfalfa fields as part of a remediation effort, aiming to convert the toxic chromium-6 into a less harmful form, chromium-3, in the soil.

Alfalfa can be used for phytoremediation, a process where plants are used to clean up contaminated soil by absorbing and accumulating toxic elements. Alfalfa is a good candidate for this due to its large biomass productivity, high tolerance to potentially toxic elements, and strong capacity to take up these elements. 

Alfalfa watered with toxic water is likely unsafe to consume because contaminants in the water can be absorbed by the plant and accumulate in its tissues, potentially posing health risks; alfalfa that has absorbed these toxins can lead to various health problems - consuming animal products that have been fed with this alfalfa would be foolhardy. What are they going to do with all that alfalfa?

I was glad to leave Hinkley behind us, as we turned back towards Barstow.

Holland drove back to Independence on the backroad, saying with a smile and a wink, "My backroad Baby need her back road fix." It was a thoughtful thing to do - he prefers freeway driving; and I do need my back roads scenery fix, now and then 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Driving through Barstow, towards Skyline, we pulled over so Holland could get his fix … anything and everything pertaining to cars or trucks, gets his immediate attention 😉

Old Hwy 58 from Hinkley-CA to Barstow-CA; 16 min (13.3 mi) via Old Hwy 58 and CA-58

Tom's Certified Welding & Machine Shop; #28664 US Highway 58, Barstow, CA

Tomorrow, we will take a drive to Victorville-CA, tracking down a phantom town:

Victorville-CA from Barstow-CA; 32m (32.2 mi) via I-15 S

MOD KNIT CONTRAST SOLE SLIPPERS; Kingman-AZ

MOD Knit Contrast Sole Slippers

I wanted a comfortable knit slipper set with a contrast colored sole - so, I tweaked this internet Public Domain Grandmother's Slippers Pattern to give me the sole I was wanting 😉

I also reworked the foot portion to fit my small foot size 👌

This pattern is knit with double strands of yarn throughout.

********************

Size: Adult

Materials: 1 Worsted Super skein EA of each of MC (rolled into 4 ct. balls of equal length double-strand) and 1 Worsted regular skein of CC (rolled into 2 ct. balls of equal length double-strand); Size #8 (5 mm) needles; Scissors; Ruler; Tapestry needle

Gauge: 7 sts = 2", 6 rows (3 ridges) = 1" in garter st on size 8 needles

Terms Used:

MC = main color

CC = contrast color

CO = cast on

Slipper (make 2)

CO yarn as follows: With one double-strand ball of MC, CO 10 sts; join one double-strand ball of CC & CO 9 sts; adding another double-strand ball of MC, CO 10 sts - 29 sts total on needle.

Foot portion:

Row 1: Knit across.

Row 2: With MC, knit 9 & purl 1; with CC, knit 9 with MC purl 1 & knit 9.

Repeat these 2 rows until garter stitch portion measures 5-1/2"- 6"-7"-8".

Begin ribbed toe portion:

Row 1: Continuing with the MC & CC sequencing,  *Knit 1, purl 1; rep from * across.

Row 2: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you to form knit 1, purl 1 ribbing.

Repeat last row until ribbed portion measures 2 1/2"-3"-4".

Toe Tip shaping:

Decrease for toe: With MC, knit 2 together - 5 times; with CC, knit 2 together, knit 3 tog, knit 2 together = twice; with MC, knit 2 together x5 (14 sts)

Next row: Purl across, dropping CC & 1 ball of MC (14 st)

Next row: Working with 1 ball of MC now, *Knit 2 together, rep from * across (7 sts)

Next row: Purl across (7 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving tail long enough for sewing toe seam. Gather remaining stitches together (by running yarn through stitches on needle and pulling tight to close toe), then sew toe seam until you reach the garter stitch portion. Finish off and weave in ends. With separate length of yarn, sew up heel seam.

A MAN'S SUPERPOWER IS THE ESSENCE OF SAFETY

Yep.

I'm not a tea teetotaler; limp-wristed, man bun [dudes] aren't for me.

I'm a straight-up whisky tornado in a tea cup: it takes a man with gumption and a streak of challenge running through his veins, to tame me 😉😘

The Red Clay Strays - "Wondering Why" song:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhcMmaUPtrk)

Compatibility isn't about "sameness" … it's about {alignment}.

EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE; Kingman-AZ

March 31st: There are so many changes piggy-backing on so many changes - either happening in the moment, or happening at some point in the next few months.

But changes are happening 🤔

Today, we drove Aunt Gaye into Bullhead City-AZ for a Dr. appointment: her left ear has been deviling her. It is very painful, and she has been having trouble with her hear aid in that particular ear.

Her appointment was for 10:45 AM, but we left a bit earlier because there is road work happening that has been holding traffic up every day: Holland was wanting to avoid that hassle.

When we arrived at her home, she was ready - a raring to go 😊

The drive was sunny and warm … and convo was lively & loving 🥰

Along the route, Aunt Gaye pointed out several areas and gave some history behind each attention grabber - and Holland was nodding with remembrances: they both remember when the drive from Bullhead City to Kingman (and visa versa) was nothing more than desert and a 2-lane highway. Now Bullhead City and Kingman are really living up to thriving city standards (still small as far as cities aspirations go, but larger than they used to be 😉; they both remember when Havasu didn't even have a street light!) … now casino high-rises run the entire length of Bullhead City along the Colorado River, Havasu is a sprawling playground for the rich and wealthy - and a 4-lane freeway runs through it all.

I listened, and learned. Holland calls Kelso-WA, home … but he has actually spent more time on the highways, byways, and freeways of AZ that anywhere else. Aunt Gaye has lived in AZ half of her life. They have interesting stories to tell 😊 - and I like to hear them.

Interesting hill, along the route to Bullhead City-AZ

The Casino Gaye & her late husband used to go to; Bullhead City-AZ

Traffic was not as busy as anticipated, and we arrived abot 15 minutes early.

But the Dr. Office was very busy, and Gaye was kept waiting a good 45 minutes before she was seen; and her ear attended to:

Half and hour over her scheduled appt.; so tired.

Vacuuming out liquid infection.

She has a severe ear infection, and will need ear surgery; so, that process was set in motion before we left the building.

Back in Kingman, we picked up mexican meals (at a place she has been wanting to try) to take to Aunt Gaye's.

The food was awful … the time spent enjoying each other's company was good.

Aunt Gaye will not be checking into the Assisted Living Senior Complex she had hoped to - but she is still planning on selling her house & her car; and will continue looking into, and checking out other senior living facilities: these are not nursing homes, but rather individual apartments. But she still refers to them as nursing homes, even though they are worlds apart in operation.

Anyway … it will be a good change. She will enjoy life better with less stressful worrying about aging alone - and everyone who loves her will rest easy too, knowing she will be in a safe environment.

Holland also did research on the resale value of her little car, and it is a very good price. She was overjoyed because she had figured it to be a whole lot less. When her son comes for a visit the middle of April, he can help her with the selling process.

Change is hard - giving up even a bit of independence is brave.

She is no longer self-sabotaging.

She is engaging in self-affirmation talking 💓

We all gave each other pep talks because we are all going through various changes:

"You are brave".

"You are capable".

"You are resilient".

"You are smart … and your ideas are sound".

"Everything is figureoutable" 😉

She was very happy when we said our good-byes. And we were happy knowing that she is no longer fighting the changes that must be made.

When we got back to Independence, Holland looked into the weather patterns in the regions we will be traveling through when we leave here; weather is sketchy, but doable - as long as the wind will not be an uncontrollable force to be reckoned with, we will be okay as we forge ahead. Everything is figureoutable … and Holland is good at figuring out everything when it comes to traveling highways, byways, and freeways 😘

I worked on another pair of slippers. My feet spend half of their time in slippers, so I want them to be comfortable (feet and slippers). While my hands worked at shaping the yarns into the slippers I wanted, the winds tonight were strong; they were tearing through here like a wild beast - loudly howling, and rocking Independence with broadside gusts.

Looking up a slipper pattern … and listening to the wind rage.

I'm happy with the way the slippers turned out ;-)

MOD KNIT CONTRAST SOLE SLIPPERS; Kingman-AZ:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/04/mod-knit-contrast-sole-slippers-kingman.html)

The slippers were finished around midnight - but the winds raged on as I climbed the short flight of stairs to the warm bed, and husband that awaited me.

Life is good.

Change happens.

And everything is figureoutable ❤️

'BECOMING' BLOOM; Kingman-AZ

Everything is happening quickly - and yet not fast enough; and people (here and there) are blooming, in one way or another.

We drove a hop, skip, and a jump … down the road and over to Aunt Gaye's this morning, to see how she's doing; we were happy to see she was up and looking spry 👌 And when she told us that she wants us to go look at an Assisted Living Complex with her, Monday afternoon, we were excited for her. This is a good decision. It took her a while to accept the changes she is dealing with, and it took a lot of bravery on her part to loosen the grip on her life-long independence steak.

She already has a friend at this place she is interested in. She can take the furniture she wants to furnish her apartment, and leave the rest to sell with her home; listing it as "furnished" (as I did, 2 years ago); she can take her plants, and books; she can take her fancy coffee machine; she can still have her friend circle over for weekly gatherings … and she will have round the clock staff on site (not hovering, but close by) to make sure she doesn't fall and isn't left injured for days until someone comes along to check on her, or drop in for a visit. She will have meals delivered - people will make sure she eats regularly. Her apartment will have a spacious livingroom, a reasonable sized kitchen complete with a full-size 'fridge, a large size bedroom with attached master bath (she could even have 2 bedrooms, if she choses), either a patio or a balcony (her choice), a craft room, a recreational room, some have on-site salons and barber shops, an entertainment center, a library, ect., an on-site room cleaning staff (if she wants that): these complexes are very nicely laid out; and kinda like a spread out community under one large roof.

It was obvious to us, as we listened to her, that she has given this change of heart a great deal of thought, and has made her decision to sell and move. This switch about wasn't even on the table the other day - and we were concerned, knowing we would be leaving April 2nd. She has friends and family … but they cannot be with her round the clock in case she falls, her hearing aids fritz out, her joints give her trouble, ect. And she really should not be driving.

Her decision is easing her mind, knowing she won't be a burden to her children. I think she is even liking the idea that she won't be alone - like she is now.

Her [over night] decision eased our minds and hearts, too; knowing she can live freely and enjoy a pretty independent life … while having someone in her general vicinity with a 24 hour on-site-staff 😁

After we left Aunt Gaye, we drove over to DQ to celebrate this answer to prayer with ice cream blizzards 😉

And I spotted a niffy '50's car, so we drove over there and asked the owner if I could take a picture of it …

Unique colored 1955-56 Chevy Bel-Air 2-post car.

When I got back home, I logged onto FB, and was thankful to read that my friend Becky passed from this life into everlasting Life peacefully. Elohim is good, and Yeshua is faithful ☝️

{{We lost my beautiful mother early this morning. Expressing words and emotions are extremely difficult right now. She was surrounded by my dad and ALL of us girls, whether in person or on video call. We prayed with her, hugged her, kissed her, and sang to her as she went peacefully and without pain to go meet Jesus. We will miss her dearly, but we will see her again! Love you, mama! ❤️}}

My friend Becky - R.I.P.

She was always smiling or laughing. She had a goofy personality = always bubbly & fun. A good friend. A faithful Daughter of the Most High God. Loved her husband, 6 daughters, & grandchildren. Always ready to help others in any way she could. She will be deeply missed.

James Taylor - 'Fire and Rain' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPA2S0pr6B8)

Change is always inevitable.

People are always in a blossoming evolution.

Life always moves forward.

NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY~2025

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by President Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Today, I am honoring my stepfather, John Ralph Emerson, who was drafted after graduation and spent years in a Vietnam POW camp: he was caged like an animal in a 4' x 4' bamboo cage, & tortured mercilessly. He lost an eye (and wore a glass eye stateside). He had a permanent hunch due to being caged for years. He wore false teeth because of malnourishment.

But he had a big heart and love to give when USA Troops eventually found him, freed him, and brought him back to America … where he met my mother - married her and adopted her 5 hellions (1 teenager (me), 2 on the verge of teen years, and 2 youngsters). John's DNA does not run through my veins, but he is the man who manned up and fathered us.

He is the one I honor with the Father title ❤️

Grand Funk Railroad - 'Gimme Shelter' song:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzYbSS2YNIU)

THE HILLS ARE CALLING; Kingman-AZ

We'll be leaving AZ in 5 days; this morning, Holland & I drove over to Aunt Gaye's … then took a little side trip drive on our way home.

I have been curious since we got here, where the road off the right turn from Andy Divine Avenue, goes: the hills have been calling, and today, I found out 😁

We enjoyed a sunny mountain drive - and explored a new area:

Lingering snow on the mountain …

We didn't get out of Betsy because even though the air looks clear … it is not: dusty sandy grit always hovers in the atmosphere. We do not want to inflame our lungs anymore than they already are. We need to be healthy enough to leave here, Monday morning; so, we just drove and enjoyed the scenery.

On our way back to Independence, I received a delayed text - there was no cell service while we were in the mountainous area, but service kicked in when we dropped back down into Kingman. The text seriously concerned me 😟🙏

Oh no!

It seems that hills of another kind, on another level, are also calling ☝️

I love Becky.

I like her husband, Bobby.

My heart hurts for them, and their family members.

My heart hurts for our mutual friend, Ramona - who has been keeping me updated.

My heart hurts for me: I know she is going to a much better place, and to a much better life; but I will miss her presence here 😔

My life will miss her smiling face. Her infectious laughter. Her goofy silliness. Her tasty dishes. Her insights & encouragements. She has been a good friend to me - and I hope I was a good friend to her, too.

When we got home … I jetted off a texts, made Supper, worked on finishing up the afghan I completed last night - and read incoming text replies.

Working on my project - and reading incoming texts.

Text update.; a little after 6 P.M.

MOD Stash Busting Afghan, 68-in x 68-in:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/03/mod-stash-busting-ripple-afghan-kingman.html)

And through it all, the old hymn, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" echoed in my thoughts … as well as "The Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me".

Kim Hopper - 'The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJtVLSBtWj8)

Becky is going Home.

I won't be seeing Becky when we get back to WA State … but, I will see her again when Elohim issues my Call, and beckons me to the Holy Hills of Heaven.

Possibly sooner - if the Rapture happens before my body gives out.