HAPPY SPOUSE, HAPPY HOUSE~3 State Road Gypsy Travel; CA-OR-WA

February 28th & March 1st: I was so ready for a Road Gypsy Day! Our time in Coalinga-CA was fine, but I have been chomping at the bit for a lengthy drive and a change of scenery: today both happened. I have missed my road romances.

We took our time tearing down, loading up, and moving down the freeway …

Full Body Workout~2.5 hrs. x 2; Coalinga-CA & Castle Rock-WA

Packing the house up & crossing parking lots~3 State hop, periodical movement; CA-OR-WA

Calf Raise Movement~15 min. periodical, during a 2.5 hr. packing & shifting motion; Feb-28-'26 & March-1-'26

Weighted Side Twist Motion~10 min. periodical, during a 2.5 hr. packing & shifting motion; Feb-28-'26 & March-1-'26

Weighted Press Overhead Movement~25 min. periodical, during a 2.5 hr. packing & shifting motion; Feb-28-'26 & March-1-'26

Stretch Motion~25 min. periodical, during a 2.5 hr. packing & shifting motion; Feb-28-'26 & March-1-'26

Grip Sumo Squat Motion~25 min. periodical, during a 2.5 hr. packing & shifting motion; Feb-28-'26 & March-1-'26

Step up Motion~15 min. periodical in and out of Betsy, during a 3 State Road Gypsy Travel; CA-OR-WA

FB Post; about 9.30 AM~Coalinga-CA

Holland was dreading the Sunday drivers … but, Elohim showered us with grace & traffic was light, lane changes went smoothly, and Holland drove through the pain - eyes forward & thoughts on hopeful pain relief when we reach the end goal destination point:

Willows-CA from Coalinga-CA; pulling Independence was about 5+ hrs. via I-5 S

Heart-shaped clouds appeared in Willows-CA

Exit 687, Mountain Gate; Wonderland Blvd, I-5 CA from Willows-CA~1 hr 14 min; via I-5 N

FB Post; I know him so well … he plans for 1 or 2 layover  stops, but we always make a straight bee line for Cowlitz County-WA ;-)

It started raining as we started crossing over the Siskiyou's: at least the bugs were washed off the windshield; and even though it was really too dark to get decent pictures, it was nice to look at the passing scenery with clear vision.

Holland and his family members have driven this route (from Laton-CA to Vader-WA) their entire life, from job to job (Holland, himself, was working a man's job & driving his own car at age 14: he passed as much older because of his height). He can drive this highway blind and know exactly where he was at, in the moment. The landscape changes - but the road remains the same; wider, but same layout.

Elohim did well by matching me with Holland: he is the best traveling companion. He understands the ins & outs of travel - routes, finances needed, fuel mileage estimates, time & distance variances, landscape pros and cons, ect. He hates CA though; and now that Brenda and George are gone, there's no reason to ever go back. If we continue traveling, we'll bypass CA altogether. I'm okay with that.

We passed by Shasta Lake at dusk (5:07 PM); 7-1/2 hours on the road so far.

We saw a dozen deer alongside the roadway (couldn't get a picture because the 6% grade didn't make snapshots possible), and a lovely sunset before total nighttime darkness covered the land. It was raining - not heavily as we passed over the worst of the Pass' steep incline/decline; truck brakes were hot & the scorched odor hung heavily in the air. Holland was going to walk the kinks out … but decided against it when the hot brakes stench caused us both to cough.

I had been listening to a testimonial video; I shared the message with Holland later & we had a good discussion.

Jewish Couple Miraculously Saved by Jesus | Yael & Jeff's Testimony:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2OgFmi77F8)

Holland called my attention to the Lake, and started telling me about his & his siblings'  youthful antics.

Shasta Lake-CA; Holland & his brothers swam in this lake in 1979-1980 … when the lake held maximum water.

Shasta Lake-CA: 

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

Holland really hates CA; he may know CA & CA roadways … but he is not on friendly terms with any of it.

My April 21, 2024~REDDING-CA to LONG BEACH-WA:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/04/redding-ca-to-long-beach-wa.html)

Yreka-CA from Mountain Gate-CA~1 hr 20 min; via I-5 N

Mount Eddy-CA: 

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

A cloud crowned Black Butte-CA  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Butte_(Siskiyou_County,_California))

Sunset in the Siskiyou's-CA

The stench of hot brakes was thick in the wet atmosphere.

Siskiyou Summit: 

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

Castle Rock-WA from Ashland-OR~5 hr 5 min; via I-5 N

Heading ever northward, and thinking about the Messianic testimony I had viewed earlier, I got to thinking about the miraculous life change that happened in my personal life, in 1965. I wondered if Charlie was still alive - I know he was in 2022 … but since remarrying, my thoughts have been focused on that. Tonight, I cruised the internet seeking information on a man that was a father figure to me when I needed that; and also a man who taught and exampled the life of Jesus so much so, that I knew at 8 years old that was the life I wanted for myself: Elohim set plans in motion, the Ruach HaKo'desh put the drawing fire in my heart, and Charlie was inspiration that cemented my decision to be sold-out for Christ.

A year ago! I knew I'd come across it some day … but it was still a shock & a heart ache.

This is what I saw …

This is what I remember.

{{Charles Pat Schmitt  March 17, 1937 — February 5, 2025

https://www.donaldsonclarksville.com/obituaries/Charles-Schmitt

Charles Pat Schmitt was born on March 17, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York in Bethany Deaconess Hospital to Charles and Irma (Hausman) Schmitt. He is survived by one younger brother, Warren (Joanne) Schmitt.

Charles and his future wife, Dotty, grew up in the Ridgewood neighborhood. They both attended P.S. 93 Queens and Grover Cleveland High School, Brooklyn. Charles was trained at Prairie Bible College in Alberta, Canada (Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education) and Bethany College of Missions in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He earned his Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology, a Doctorate of Pastoral Ministry and a Doctorate of Theology from Logos Christian University in Jacksonville, Florida. He also holds an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Methodist Episcopal Church USA.

Charles and Dotty first met in a neighborhood youth group meeting at Trinity Reformed Church when he was 14 and Dotty was 12. Charles had a life-changing encounter with Jesus as a young teenager. He started training for the ministry at age 17 and devoted himself to a lifetime of serving the Lord and His people as a pastor and Bible teacher.

Charles and Dotty married in December 1963 and have three exceptional daughters, Laura (George) Uecker, Dianna (Scott) Whittle, and Jenny Childers. Charles carried a deep love for his five wonderful grandchildren, Chase (25), Kai (24), Dylan (23), Brooke (23), and Hunter (22).

After Charles and Dotty were married, in addition to pastoring, they co-owned seven restaurants, two campgrounds, and a 32-unit apartment complex. Charles also ministered extensively across five continents with a deep love in particular for India and Nepal. He had the privilege of helping to start Bible Schools in India and in Maryland. From his teenage years, Charles had an unwavering heart for missions (especially in the 10/40 window) and for Israel.

Charles authored seven books, including Our Tremendous Lover—a Song of Solomon devotional; A Heart for God—a study on King David; Floods Upon the Dry Ground, a historical study of revival Church history; A Firm Foundation, a study of doctrines of the Christian faith; Ephesians High Adventure; Are These the Last Days; and End Time Truths for End Time People. Two of his books were translated into several languages and used as a curriculum in Bible Schools. Charles fervently carried a passion to teach the Scriptures for the equipping of the Body of Christ and to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus to the Nations.

On January 28, 2025, Charles recorded a short exhortation video on Facebook: "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). He encouraged himself and his listeners to prepare to meet Jesus Christ. Charles fought the good fight, he kept the faith, and on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, he finished the race as he stepped into the Healing Presence of His Lord and Savior.

Charles will always be remembered for his generous spirit, lively sense of humor, sincere love for the Word of God, and his profound gift of the exposition of the Scriptures.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a missions donation.}}

Pastor Charles Schmitt & his wife Dotty (Dorothy), founded the Fellowship of Believers in Grand Rapids, Minnesota … which started as home Bible Studies & rented storefronts before purchasing a building - it was here that I was saved in 1965. By the time I was a young wife/mother in the late-1970's, they had added 2 children to their family as well, and then moved to Maryland and founded 2 more fellowships - their last one being Immanuel’s Church in Silver Springs, Maryland in 1982, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

I honestly can say that I never knew a time when Charlie was not smiling, laughing, saying something encouraging to someone, praying with someone/for someone. I saw his wife Dotty, angry many times … and he was always soothing & calmly meeting the situation with admirable peaceful solutions. I understand that he was a mere human being - but he truly exemplified what a sold-out Christian man should be.

Charlie lived & breathed the life of Christ 24/7/365.

Charlie was the kind of personality I wanted in my life; people (male or female friends; fellowship gatherings) had to measure up, if I was to spend quality time with them.

Bob was the heart throb I measured every male against.

Charlie was the man I measured every man against. Every pastor against. Every Christian against.

The world seems a colder place without his presence in it. MPO

Charlie was a beautiful soul & I loved him.

We stopped in Halsey-OR around 2 AM for fuel, and I watched a little wild brown rabbit hop it's way across the parking lot.

I also remembered Bob's dad, Bob Sr. talking about Halsey … and I wondered, 'what on earth was he doing clear down here?' Holland said that Halsey used to be a logging community - then, it made sense; Bob was a logger most of our married life & Bob Sr. - as well as Rose (my Bob's mother), both drove their log truck to ferry a truck load of fallen logs to market: that would have been an all day haul for 1 load.

From Halsey, we drove straight to Castle Rock, arriving in the wee hours of early dawn.

We made it - safe & sound: March 1st, 2026

We drove 863 miles straight through from Coalinga-CA to Castle Rock-WA; 50 mi travel time = 1 hour, Betsy pulling Independence (30,000 miles on the RV, alone); but we are finally parked in the one location that tickles my husband to no end.

Happy Husband; Castle Rock-WA

And I'm going to be as good as gold while we are here.

R.I.P. Neil Sedaka

R.I.P. Neil.

My mother liked Neil's songs … I watched her and her husbands dance to them.

Bob liked Neil's songs -  no doubt danced to his songs at his prom.

I am surprised Holland knows who he was.

I was okay with them - but, I mostly I liked Neil's humorous personality.

Neil Sedaka, Legendary Singer-Songwriter Behind ‘Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,’ ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘Love Will Keep Us Together,’ Dies at 86

~Variety Feb 27, 2026 1:48pm PT

Neil Sedaka, legendary singer-songwriter behind hits like “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Bad Blood,” “Laughter in the Rain” and “Calendar Girl,” has died, a rep confirms to Variety. He was 86.

Neil Sedaka - "Bad Blood" (1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXpLlpJ5Qnc

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” a statement from the family reads. “A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

A Brooklyn native and a veteran of the legendary “Brill Building” hit factory of the early ’60s, Sedaka scored three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and nine in the Top 10, primarily during his peak years in the early 1960s and a mid-’70s comeback assisted by Elton John (who performed with him on the 1975 No. 1 “Bad Blood”).

Sedaka also wrote many songs that were hits for other artists, most notably Connie Francis’ hits “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are” and, nearly 15 years later, the Captain and Tennille’s 1975 breakthrough chart-topper “Love Will Keep Us Together.” He continued to tour and record for many years after his commercial peak.

CONNIE FRANCIS - 'Stupid Cupid' 1958: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc8YyRRIcFg&list=RDUc8YyRRIcFg&start_radio=1

Connie Francis - Where the Boys Are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrjz22PLv3k&list=RDzrjz22PLv3k&start_radio=1

Captain & Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lT-7sG3bXY&list=RD6lT-7sG3bXY&start_radio=1

Over the course of his six-decade-plus career, Sedaka was nominated for five Grammy awards (including one at the second-ever edition of the show in 1959). In 1983, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and in 1978 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

“This is a gift I was born with,” Sedaka wrote on his website. “My main objective is to always top the last collection, raise the bar and reinvent Neil Sedaka.”

A member of the same Brooklyn generation that produced Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Carole King and many others, Sedaka was born on March 13, 1939 and grew up in the borough’s Brighton Beach neighborhood. He showed early musical aptitude and his second-grade teacher recommended piano lessons; within a couple of years he had successfully auditioned for a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music’s Preparatory Division for Children, and continued at Julliard through his teens.

While he initially pursued classical music, he was bitten by the pop music bug as a teen. At the age of 13, a neighbor heard him playing piano and introduced him to her son, Howard Greenfield, who was three years older. However, the pair began a songwriting partnership that was to take them to the top of the pop charts multiple times over the following 25 years.

Sedaka began performing during his years at Abraham Lincoln High School, and after graduating he formed a doo-wop group with classmates called the Linc-Tones, named after the school. The group released several singles that were local hits before Sedaka left in 1957 to launch a solo career; the Linc-Tones evolved into the Tokens, who scored a global smash in 1961 with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

But by that time Sedaka and Greenfield were staples of the Brill Building, along with Diamond, King, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann and many others. He and Greenfield scored their first hit in 1959 with Francis and “Stupid Cupid,” who followed with another song from the duo, “Where the Boys Are,” which would be her biggest hit.

Sedaka parlayed that success into a solo deal with the RCA Victor label, and soon had hits of his own with “The Diary,” “Oh! Carol” (written for Carole King — the pair had dated in high school — who followed with “Oh! Neil”), ” Stairway to Heaven,” “Calendar Girl,” “Little Devil,” “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Next Door To An Angel,” “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” and others.

NEIL SEDAKA : MY 10 FAVORITE SONGS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6M-kGgOI5g&list=RDa6M-kGgOI5g&start_radio=1

However, the advent of the Beatles and the British Invasion signaled a major change in pop culture, and Sedaka sidelined his solo career and focused on songwriting. He and Greenfield wrote hits for Frank Sinatra (“The Hungry Years”), Elvis Presley (“Solitaire”), Tom Jones (“Puppet Man”), the Monkees (“When Love Comes Knocking At Your Door”), the Fifth Dimension (“Workin’ on a Groovy Thing”) and others.

Tom Jones - 'Puppet Man' Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_uy8LmA5os&list=RDR_uy8LmA5os&start_radio=1

The Monkees - 'When Love Comes Knockin' At Your Door' Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kaZA2v842E&list=RD9kaZA2v842E&start_radio=1

The 5th Dimension - 'Workin' on a Groovy Thing' Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwt0_oST3yE&list=RDcwt0_oST3yE&start_radio=1

In 1969, with his career at a low ebb, Sedaka found unexpected success in Australia, where his song “Star-Crossed Lovers” became a major hit. The success gave his career a boost and the title track of his 1972 album “Solitaire” — a collaboration with lyricist Phil Cody — was covered and turned into a hit by both the Carpenters and Andy Williams. The album was a success in the U.K., and a track from it, “Beautiful You,” was Sedaka’s first solo chart appearance in the U.S. in a decade.

Neil Sedaka – 1968 Star Crossed Lovers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M98Lg1U9-EQ&list=RDM98Lg1U9-EQ&start_radio=1

Neil Sedaka - 1972 'Beautiful You': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlSv1nuEXcQ&list=RDUlSv1nuEXcQ&start_radio=1

He continued working in the U.K. and marked a cap on his long collaboration with Greenfield with the 1973 album “The Tra-La Days Are Over,” which significantly included his version of “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Also around this time, he and Cody were enlisted to write English lyrics for a new Swedish quartet calling themselves Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid. The song became “Ring Ring,” a major hit in Europe and the first of many smashes for the group that was quickly rechristened ABBA.

In 1973, Sedaka met longtime fan Elton John at a party in London, and he soon signed with the superstar’s new record label, Rocket. This played no small role in the resurgence of Sedaka’s career. Several of his recent songs were compiled into an album titled “Sedaka’s Back,” released late in 1974, and just months later he had his first U.S. No. 1 in nearly 13 years with “Laughter in the Rain.” The success of the Captain & Tennille’s version of “Love Will Keep Us Together” followed in short order, and suddenly Sedaka was a major star again.

A second album on Rocket, “The Hungry Years,” followed, and featured another No. 1 single in 1975 with “Bad Blood,” which included an uncredited Elton John on harmony vocals. He scored another Top 10 hit the following year with a slowed-down remake of his early hit “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.”

He recorded just one more album for Rocket as he and Elton John became estranged, but they mended the fence years later and John wrote the forward to Sedaka’s 2013 biography.

Sedaka moved over to Elektra Records and scored one final Top 40 hit with “Never Should Have Let You Go,” a duet with his daughter Dara, in 1980.

Neil and Dara Sedaka - 'Should've Never Let You Go': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzd1Kn5P2Ek&list=RDXzd1Kn5P2Ek&start_radio=1

He continued performing and releasing music, and saw an unexpected comeback in 2003 when “American Idol” candidate Clay Aiken performed “Solitaire” on the show, releasing it as a single and scoring a hit. Sedaka appeared as a guest judge on the show and returned several times; Aiken recorded and released several more of his songs as well.

Neil Sedaka - 'Solitaire': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fULjbnrWn_k&list=RDfULjbnrWn_k&start_radio=1

In October of 2007, a concert at New York’s Lincoln Center was staged in honor of the 50th anniversary of Sedaka’s debut in show business. Guests included the Captain and Tennille, Natalie Cole, Connie Francis and Aiken, among others.

In 2022 Sedaka officially retired from songwriting, and sold his song catalog to Primary Wave Music two years later.

Sedaka is survived by his wife, Leba Strassberg, whom he married in 1962, and his two children, Marc and Dara. 

https://variety.com/2026/music/news/neil-sedaka-dead-singer-songwriter-breaking-up-is-hard-to-do-1236675098/

MOVING CONFIDENTLY FORWARD; Coalinga-CA

Holland has made plans to have us on the road by March 1st (more likely, tomorrow afternoon sometime); so, Blog & FB posts ✍️💻 will be on hold 🔌 until we reach our final destination sometime in the coming week.

This morning, before I even enjoyed my morning coffee - I did a lower body workout 🧘🏽☕️: my goal 📌 is to keep my body as flexible 💪 as possible, and my mind 🧠 as sharp as possible; as I move deeper into my golden years. There's a generational myth that getting older means getting decrepit;  there is no truth ❌ in that belief! The fact is, that a lot of the symptoms people associate with old age - such as muscle weakness & loss of balance, are more accurately associated with inactivity 🥔, not age.

Physical exercise can improve more than your physical health: it can also boost cognitive function, & help you maintain your independence and way of life. If you stay strong and agile 💃 as you age, you'll be more able to keep doing the things you enjoy: and less likely to need help.

Legs are powerhouses. Not only do they help women look good in dresses 👗, skirts, shorts, leggings, and our jeans 👖 … they move us around without the need for any other means of transportation - no matter what age you are. The Darebee Lean Legs workout is designed to target quads, hamstrings, and supportive muscle groups to improve leg tone and function - and it is safe for a 69 year old woman to do:

Muscles Used.

Then, we both tackled our assigned tasks 🎯 - assigned, because my husband has very clear drawn lines about gender roles 🦁 in marriage: he tends to the outside tasks & I take care of the interior business.

We will need to remind each other 💬 many times, "No matter what I say under pressure 🤬 - I love you 💘"

Holland will be feeling immense pain ⚡️🔥, and I will be feeling overwhelmed 🤦🏻‍♀️ when he moves the [goal post] to alleviate some of that pain; I understand the pain (Bob lived with pain the entire 44 years we were married) - I understand the necessity of changes … but sudden, spur-of-the-moment changes mess with my routine 😱 and focus 🤨 in the moment. When pressure is added, to be on the road to clear as much freeway as possible before we can hold over at least a day's time; tempers 😡 can quickly escalate. 9 hours on the road 🚘🗺️ from Coalinga-CA to Redding-CA (the goal post of the moment) is going to be poking the last nerve in Holland's pain level: and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he will blow straight through Redding & push on at least to Eugene 🚘⛽️🏔️ before calling Uncle (an additional hour); and looking for a place to park Independence overnight.

His thoughts 🤔 are already on the escalated pain level 😟

My thoughts are already on thinking of ways to de-escalate the snarkiness, without morphing into bitch mode 🤷‍♀️, myself.

And sleep will be fleeting because our minds won't shut off until we reach point the goal point.

Weather concerns 🌦️❄️will continue to be an issue the further we move northward, as the weather patterns are still unstable with unseasonable activity continuing from CA to WA 😒

It's a good thing we know that Elohim ☝️ will be sending Guardian Angels 💥 to travel with us 👍

We are both hoping 🤞 and praying 🙏 Holland can get some kind of pain relief ⚕️ when we reach our final destination. There is a pain clinic in Vancouver. Please God, let us find the solutions You have already prepared for us 📌; and lead us 👣 confidently to it.