DENNIS THE MENACE DIED~2025

Jay North, ‘Dennis the Menace’ Star, Dies at 73: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jay-north-dead-dennis-the-menace-1236182969/

R.I.P. Dennis 🙁 - you were a menace, that's for sure … but you were a lovable little imp.

Dennis was the epitome of everything that embraces boyhood.

I still, to this day, chuckle at the sight of a mischievous little boy's antics, and think, "those poor parents; they have a Dennis the menace on their hands." 😉

Dennis was not a brat - but he was troublesome 😂🤣 to his parents and neighbor, due to his curiosities and the actions that followed his piqued interests.

I'm glad I never had a boy child, because I am SURE in my wildest nightmares, that IF I had had a boy child, he would have been the exact mimic of Dennis the Menace ❤️

BEACH HOUSE KITCHEN TOWEL SET; Quartzsite-AZ

MOD Beach House Kitchen Towel Set, finished.

Preparing for our upcoming beachy vagabond life, I knew I wanted beach themed kitchen towel sets ... so, when I saw this cotton yarn skein named 'Beach House', I bought it and designed a simple towel with an edged hemline using a pattern I haven't used in the past.

It fit: and the set came together very well 😁

This pattern may look difficult, but it is really pretty simple & easy to work.

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Materials: Cotton Yarn in White (1 skein), Blue (maybe an ounce), & Beach House variegated (1 skein); #10-1/2 knitting needles; #J/10 crochet hook; 1 Cable Needle; 1 Tapestry Needle; 1 medium resin button

Cable Needle

Terms used:

g st = knit every row

st. st. = stockinette stitch (1 K row = RS - 1 P row = WS)

k = knit

p = purl

sp = space

EO = end off yarn

CO = cast on stitches

EA = each

inc = increase 1 st (make 2 sts in same st)

dec = decrease 1 st (work 2 sts together)

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

sl st = slip stitch

rpt = repeat

tog = together

With White, CO 73 sts & work 4 rows in g. st.

Row 1: K 7 - *sl 1 st purlwise, k 4, sl st 1 purlwise, K 1* twice; k 31 middle sts; *k 1, sl 1 st purlwise, k 4, sl 1 st purlwise* twice: end with k 7.

Row 2: Purl, and slip the sl sts of previous row.

Row 3: K 7 - *put sl st onto a cable needle & hold in front of work, k2, k st from cable needle - put next 2 sts onto the cable needle & hold in back of work, k 1, k 2 from cable needle, k 1* twice; knit 31 middle sts; *k 1, put sl st on a cable needle & hold in front of work, k 2, k st from cable needle - put next 2 sts onto the cable needle & hold in back of work, k 1, k 2 from cable needle, k 1* twice: end with k 6.

Row 4: Purl across row.

Rows 5 thru 9: Repeat rows 1 -4; drop White and attach Blue.

Rows 10 thru 13: Repeat rows 1 - 4; drop Blue and attach White.

Row 14 thru 21: Repeat rows 1 - 4; drop White and attach Beach House variegated.

Rows 22 thru 61: Work these rows in st. st.; DO NOT CUT YARN.

Row 62: Continuing with variegated yarn, decrease across row as follows: P 2 – P 3 tog across row to last 2 sts: end P 2 sts.

Change from knitting needles to crochet hook and work in sc as follows: dec 1 st EA end until 8 sts remain; EO Beach House and attach Blue.

Alternately work 1 row sc & 1 row dc, for 13 rows.

Sl st x3 sc; ch 6 and sl st in same sp; sl st to end. Turn.

Dc x12 in chain loop; EO.

Add a decorative loop edging of your choice (or leave plain).

Sew button in place and weave in loose ends.

MOD GARTER ST SQUARE DISHRAG:

MOD Matching Dishrag.

Cast on 2 stitches.

Row 1: Knit 1-Inc 1 st in next st.

Row 2: Knit 1-Inc-knit across the row.

Row 3: Knit 2-Inc-knit across row.

Row 4: Repeat Row 3 until you have 50 stitches on the needle.

Row 5: Knit 1, Knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row. Repeat Row 5 until you have 3 stitches left on the needle; K 3 sts tog - EO off and weave in loose ends.

SAYING YES TO NEW ADVENTURES; Coalinga-CA

Today we spent time with Holland's uncle George, & cousin Brenda: we wanted to especially make time for George because he's in his mid-90's, and we aren't sure when we'll be back again for a visit, once we leave CA.

We had a good visit with uncle George ❤️ - and met his wife; she wasn't there last time we visited him.

Then, we drove about 10 miles down the road to visit with Brenda, who is George's daughter.

Laton-CA from Coalinga-CA; 55 min (49.7 mi) via Mount Whitney Ave, CA-145 S and I-5BL

I like Brenda, and her husband Jeff - they are fun people to be around. I like people that have joy in their hearts and make laughter an easy thing … we laughed a lot this afternoon, and the hours flew by too fast; they are good people and I will miss them when we go north tomorrow 😔

On our way back to Independence, we had a good view of the Sierra Mountain Range, from the freeway: we are thankful we do not have to cross them tomorrow:

The Sierra Mountains got a record busting snowfall recently; glad we are not going that way, this trip northward …

On our way to the RV Park, Holland stopped to fill Betsy's tank with diesel - on my into the minute mart, I smelled the heady scent of roses hanging in the air; glancing around I saw these two large rose bushes with bright red roses. So, I stopped to smell the roses on the way back to Betsy 😊

Heady scent of red roses in full bloom; Coalinga-WA

Luke Combs - 'Forever After All, Love You Anyway' lyrics:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBaNuWi9FiM) 

When we got back to Independence, we unpacked the tasty Au jus sandwich supper that Brenda had sent home with us. SO GOOD 😁 😘 

Brenda sent us home with ready-made Au jus sandwich supper ;-)

Then, I went online to post a slipper pattern, and saw that my recent afghan pattern had been highlighted on the other side of the world - in Israel 👍

MOD Afghan was highlighted on Jewish Mom Craft School Sunday Blog Hop ;-)

Later, doing dish cleanup, I reflected on the changes coming into our life this year. We don't know exactly what we will be doing after we leave here, tomorrow, but we know that Yuma-AZ will not be part of things, as we had hoped.

We don't know what will be happening - or really where Independence will be parked a few days from now … but, Elohim does; and we can trust Him, and His purposes for us, in the next chapter of our road gypsy adventuring 😉

DECISIONS * DECISIONS; Coalinga-CA

This morning we left Barstow-CA

I spent a lot of time memorizing the landscape.

I took a few pictures on the backside, as Holland aimed Betsy's nose for the freeway.

Leaving Barstow-CA for Coalinga-CA

Almond Tree Oasis RV Park, Coalinga CA from Skyline RV Park, Barstow CA: 3 hr 17 min (219.6 mi) via CA-58 W and I-5 N

I hadn't slept very well last night; knowing we would probably not be coming back this way again, kept my mind busy with memorization activities - I want to imprint every detail of AZ, and Barstow-CA into my brain's data bank:

We did go to bed early last night, because Holland wanted to be on the road early today … but all I did was toss and turn 😒, and eventually got up around 2 AM; creeping back to bed around 3 AM. The alarm went off at 6 AM, and we were on the road a little after 9 AM.

As soon as Betsy entered freeway traffic, I went promptly to sleep, and didn't wake up until we were coming into Tehachapi-CA - I knew where we were when I saw the cement plant through the passenger window 😉 

The route we took; a combo of Hwy 58 & I-5

The Tehachapi cement plant has been producing high-quality cement products in California since 1909. An abundance of natural limestone deposits in the area makes the region an ideal location for a cement supplier, and it is being dug behind the plant.

Tehachapi Cement LLC - UNACEM; #13573 E Tehachapi Blvd, Tehachapi, CA

Cement Production in Tehachapi: 

(https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=134506)

Tehachapi (tah-ha'tch-a-pee) Mountain still highlighted a snowy crown; it snows in Tehachapi; and there are strong crosswinds.

Tehachapi Mountain-CA

We've been through here before (many times), so I didn't get snap happy with the camera.

And I really didn't have much opportunity to get a lot of pictures because freeway driving is boring - and there wasn't a whole lot to see along the way 😕

Bakersfield got a little exciting for me when I saw the Merle Haggard Drive sign 😁 - no pic though, because we were under and through it in the blink of an eye …

I like Merle's music. Both of my husbands tolerated my listening to it, now and then.

I like this route ;-)~Merle Haggard Drive, Bakersfield-CA

Merle Haggard - 'That's The Way Love Goes' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_TrgdtxqJs)

Merle Haggard - 'Nobody's Darling But Mine' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAsm8voXWaA)

Merle Haggard - 'Can't Break The Habit' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li4ggQmdN1U)

Merle Haggard - 'The Fightin' Side Of Me' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP0K7xdM5Zk)

We passed through a place named Buttonwillow - I was curious about that kind of willow … so, I looked it up when we reached our destination 🧐

In the Home Stretch & a weird Town Name.

Buttonwillow = the town's name comes from a large buttonwillow tree:  (https://www.almostedenplants.com/shopping/products/9247-buttonbush-button-willow-honey-bells/)

When we arrived at our destination, we liked what we saw … Holland was impressed enough, that when he paid for our 2-day stay, he inquired about Winter Rates ❤️

It's small.

It's clean.

It's priced in our budget range.

We have arrived~Today's temperature; Coalinga-CA

Sun warmth & bird song; Almond Tree Oasis RV Park, Coalinga-CA

Winter Rates in case Brookings-OR does not work for us.

It has drive-thru spaces large enough for Independence, kinda: the over-sized yucca's make set up interesting, and Betsy's bulk hogs a piece of the space - but, those are details we can work around if and when we come back 🤝

Tight parking; in front, Betsy is barely off the blacktop …

And in back, Independence barely clears the blacktop. There is no way the bunkroom steps can be let down 😑

My plan was to get everything set back in place once we got set up; then do the hang-up laundry pieces - it's warm enough here that the clothing should dry quickly: it will be ready to be hung in the closet when we get back from visiting Holland's Uncle George & his cousin Brenda, tomorrow afternoon.

But first, I suggested we find some ice cream and relax, before I started doing laundry. So, that's what we did - there was a food market around the corner, so I nipped in there and grabbed some ice cream. While standing at the counter waiting to pay, the cashier asked, "Where's Gershem?" It took me a minute, and a quick glace to see where his eyes were - then I said, "Gresham. Oregon." He smiled, and said, "Oh. Are you on vacation?" I replied, "Yep - vacation for life". It was a friendly exchange between smiling strangers 😊

The ice cream drumsticks hit the spot. And are the perfect treat on this hot afternoon 👍

Holland relaxed with a short 🛌; and laundry was hung to dry:

Air-dry laundry was caught up & is drying nicely.

Today was a good day to enjoy Life.

We are making decisions on the fly, but what happens will be Elohim's will for His purpose to unfold. We are okay with that - no matter what is to be.

A MEDIOCRE LIFE IS ENOUGH~Shabbat Eve; Barstow-CA

All I really want is a small, slow, simple life.

A mediocre life.

A beautiful, quiet, gentle life.

I think it is enough.

The world is such a noisy place. Loud, haranguing voices lecturing me to hustle, to improve, build, strive, yearn, acquire, compete, and grasp for more: for bigger and better … sacrifice peace for chaotic political aspirations. Strive for excellence - according to the educated elite's view of excellence; go big, or go home - have a huge impact in the world (aka, "Make your life count!")

What if all the striving for the educated elite's concept of acceptable excellence leaves me sad, worn out, depleted … drained of joy brought on by their joyless joy pep talks designed to make all of us deplorables, feel less than.

What if I never really amount to anything beyond daughter, sister, wife, mom and grandmother … but these people in my primary circle of impact, know they are loved - and that I would choose them again, given the choice.

What if I never build an orphanage in Africa but open-handedly offer shelter to people here and there, to those who need warmth and a helping hand? What if I just offer the small gifts I have been blessed with, to the world and let that be enough.

What if I don’t want to write a DIY book, build a six-figure business, or speak before crowds of thousands.

Why can't it be enough that I write because I have something to say and I invest in a small community of women I care about - and encourage them to love and care for themselves, and their loved ones, well.

My Oatman-AZ Post, shared on this week's 'French Ethereal' Blog Hop ;-)

Bigger isn’t always better … and the individual matters.

I, and what I can offer, should be enough.

What if I just accept this mediocre body of mine that is neither big nor small: just in between. And I tend to it and keep it healthy, make peace with it, and decide that when I lie on my deathbed I will never regret having just been ME. The way Yeshua created - and designed - me, to BE.

What if I am a mediocre home manager who rarely dusts,  mostly maintains order, and makes real food - but sometimes buys pizza or tacos. A haus frau, who loves to menu plan and budget … but then breaks her own rules and pushes back against rigidity. Who doesn’t care about House Beautiful decorating and useless fancy things. A simple living woman, whose home is humble but safe.

What if I am not cut out for the frantic pace of this society and cannot even begin to keep up. What if I just want a beautiful, quiet, gentle life know that needs lots of solitude and calm, an abundance of rest, and broad bands of unscheduled time in order to be healthy. Body, Mind, Spirit healthy. That should be enough.

Since 2024, we been to all these places, on this Map - except the Grand Canyon, due to 2025's winter weather.

Route 66 Main Street, Barstow-CA

What if I am too religious for some; and not spiritual enough for others. To bold for some - and not bold enough, for the rest. Yet always willing to share in a gentle manner; in genuine 1-on-1-relationship … my deeply rooted faith. And to humbly share my doubts and insecurities. This will have to be enough.

And if I have been married years and love my husband more today than yesterday but break the “experts” marriage rules because our marriage suits us and not the experts world view of conditional marriage: is our marriage good enough?

What if I am just a plain woman who wants a simple life: a grandmother  who delights in her grandkids; a mother who needs time for herself and sometimes just wants to be first, and acknowledged as principal shareholder in familial hierarchy; a wife who loves, hugs, affirms, and supports her husband. A mediocre haus frau, happy in her little kingdom.

What if I embrace my limitations and quiet the world's railing against them. Make peace with who I am, and what I need to honor the Life Elohim has blessed me with. Accept that all I really want is a small, slow, simple life.

A mediocre life.

A beautiful, quiet, gentle life.

I think it is enough.

That is what Shabbat means to me.

An Island of Rest where I find respite from the world's pulling and grasping. A 24-hour period of time where I can tend to the needs and wants of my Body, Mind, Spirit.

Numbers 6:25

FENCING FACE-OFF

A fencing competition just became the latest face-off in the trans athlete debate: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/04/sport/usa-fencing-disqualified-transgender/index.html

This is the power of womanhood.

A TRUE woman KNOWS that she IS a woman.

There is no confusion about what … or who … she IS.

A true woman does not want to compete in woman's sports because she cannot cut the mustard in her true gender role.

On the other hand - a m.a.n. that OPTS to compete in WOMEN'S SPORTS, KNOWS he cannot compete with those of HIS own gender; so he will compete with women and totally blow women's sports scores out of the water: HE is SETTING SCORE RECORDS that A TRUE WOMAN will NEVER BE ABLE to overcome.

Whether mentally ill, sketchy freaky, or just mean spirited: these men passing themselves off a "a woman" should have their own sports categories, that they can compete against each other in. But, women's sports IS NOT THAT CATEGORY.

Males are NOT females. Mentally-ill MEN will NEVER BE a woman; political forums do not get to say who is what.

obama's freak show does not get to dictate how their homosexual fantasy plays out. A [trans] person is a homosexual lost in a tweaked fantasy that has no basis in reality.

There are 2 sexes - male and female: period. Anything & everything else is a mental illness. Granted that there are INTERSEX people born … but they are 98% of the time RAISED MALE, because their testosterone levels are male. And they are born sterile. There are NO in-between sexes, regardless of the 150+ sexes the wicked & evil barak and michael obama, created.

Also NOTE … a woman pretending to be a man is equally ludicrous. AND, there are NO women pretenders opting to enter a man's sporting arena - because THEY KNOW THEY CANNOT MATCH A MALE'S STRENGTH. Just sayin.

There is reality and fantasy.

Reality is where 99% of mankind lives. The other 1% does not have the right to force the 99% to comply and engage in their twisted lifestyle.

BESIDE YOU ALL THE WAY

Every second - every nano second.

The next breath is never promised.

Live like you will not need to apologize: no regrets.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

LOVE WITH EVERYTHING FIBER OF YOUR BEING - every second; every breath. No regrets ❤️