GOD KNEW I NEEDED YOU

Saturday, September 2, 2023

BLEU'S FIRST HOME BATH

August 30th: Today Bleu got a bath.

His first home bath; he's been to a couple groomers, but we've never bathed him at home. We took him to the groomers because he needed his nails trimmed … but after forking out big bucks from one end of America to the other; and still dealing with untrimmed nails, Holland tackled the job himself.

Apparently Blue Heelers do not take well to having their feet messed with - so, the groomers just took the money and flat out lied to us about the nail trims, "Oh sure, we can do that for 'ya." And then we'd pick him up and Holland's arms would suffer more bloodletting: so, nail clipping at home will be our next {fun} experience ;-)

Holland bought a Dremel tool kit in Wyoming; and tried to use the Dremel tool on Bleu's nails, but Bleu was twisting and turning so much we decided to wait a bit before trying again.

It's time now to try again.

This time Holland says he's going to hog-tie him and get down to business. We bought the soft cord yesterday. As soon as Holland gets his shoulder X-rayed and some kind of relief from the pain, Bleu is getting those chinese-emperor-length toe nails cut.

These nails gotta go.
Dremel Tool set, and soft cord.

It will be an adjustment for him - but it's necessary: for his sake, for our sakes.

I also called several veterinary clinics to try to get Bleu in to be neutered - NO GO; every single one of them insisted he need to be vaccinated, with a 3 week wait before surgery. So, I said, "Sorry, but we do not want to vaccinate our animal: we don't vaccinate ourselves, either. I am not going to fill my animal full of toxins to get his nuts removed - that is nuts."

So, not only will we have toenails to deal with … but we will also have testosterone issues to deal with: I am not looking forward to that :-(

But I'd rather have a healthy dog than a poisoned one.

Holland has worked on ranches - he knows what to do to safely  immobilize an animal in order to finish a job that needs doing. The soft rope won't hurt Bleu - and we are hoping that eventually it won't be needed, once Bleu realizes nail clipping is part of his grooming routine.

The bathing episode went well, all things considered; bleu only escaped the shower stall once, and Holland kept a soothing tone throughout. The floors didn't get too wet, and all in all, Bleu handled the soaking with an acceptance adjustment :-)

Bleu was pretty good … but he was also pretty wiggly.
It sounded like Bleu had escaped the confines of the shower stall - but Holland reined him in, again.
Bleu is clean … and very wet; shaking water all over the upper landing.

And me?

I worked steadily on a new kitchen towel set - which impressed Holland with how speedily I finished.

Sporting some of daddy's cologne, and snuggling next to mama.
Starting a new kitchen towel.
'Simple Fall Kitchen Towel' Set finished; Holland was impressed with the speed from start to finish ;-)

The other towels are showing signs of wear … and in all honesty, I'm glad to be working up new towels that fit my new life with my new husband: these are all welcome adjustments :-)

Friday, September 1, 2023

HALLELUJAH! Holland got the Generators working ;-)

August 29th: Holland has been working real hard to get everything done, and set, before we head off to Arizona in September.

The big generator has been a trail ever since we bought the darned thing - so, he ordered a smaller one that weighs a quarter of the big one's weight: it will be much easier for him to move when we need it … and he claims that I can lift it, too ;-)

That's important if - for any reason - he is unable to get it up and running, he wants to make sure I can; he is always planning for future happenstances (whether they materialize, or not; he always wants to be prepared).

So, this morning, while he was dinking around with the generator - Bleu dragged me into the forest -  and I was easily led :-)

We'll only be here a few more days and then he'll be cooped up again inside the truck and 5th wheel, while we take care of business in Longview-WA before heading to Longbeach-WA on our way south to Arizona. I know Longbeach is off-track, but we have business in Longbeach also … and Holland would like to spend some time on the beach before heading South to settle in for months, in the desert 'til Spring 2024.

There aren't many RV Parks that have spaces where dogs can explore: this Park is a blessing all the way around. We like it - and Bleu likes it. The atmosphere is low-key, friendly, and refreshing to the body and soul.

I let Bleu off leash this morning. There was no one on the trail as early as we were out there … and I want Bleu to understand certain behavioral commands; that can only be accomplished by off-leash training.

He's a smart dog.

He is by and large, "a good boy", too.

And, he is a quick learner … especially if snacks are part of the program ;-)

Bleu off the leash; I'm putting him through command paces.
Dierks Bentley - "Free & Easy Down The Road I Go" song:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsX4-7yEFNk)
Leading me to the back-end 'boneyard'.
 A.M. low tide; not sure what used to be here - but Bleu likes the river slime. He's fascinated by the muddy muck; I want to know the History.
1 single Holly Berry on this whole 6-ft. tree …
Bleu keeps leading me on.
These clumps of grainy grass are taller than I am - I am 5'2"
Morning Glory greeting the sunshine.

We both got a bit of a workout, and we both enjoyed the early morning exploration :-)

When we got back home, I could hear a generator running: I prayed it was that bulky hulk (it weighs 300-lbs when filled with gas - very difficult to move around) sitting in Betsy's back bed. Holland has been working on that thing pretty steadily since we bought it at Home Depot in Warrenton-OR, in May; this was it's last chance to get up and run properly before being junked.

I also saw, as I rounded the 5th wheel, that the 'Baby Generator' (it only weighs 50-lbs) had arrived - and he also had that one up and running :-)

The Big Generator is up and running - more than 5 minutes; Holland found a way around that touchy trip-trigger that was rendering it worthless. ((((YAY))))!
The Baby Generator has arrived; and it's not kicking off. NO carbon monoxide trip-trigger. Praise The Lord :-)
It uses propane - and it's a pull-start; YAY PLUS!
The Cars - 'Let The Good Times Roll" song:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJwTcvO5Jbc)

We are over the moon with these gracious victories.

The generators (main one - and one spare) will make our boondocking experiences more enjoyable. Either one of them will power the slide-outs, air conditioners, the microwave oven, the coffee pot, hair dryer, little space heater if we have a chilly desert morning, and the air purifier in our bedroom while we sleep. The big generator also has a remote control that allows us to turn it on/off from inside the house.

We just need to buy a top-notch battery for the big generator - and we're "good to go!"; we'll replace the 5th wheel acid-type-battery, and outfit the 5th wheel for solar energy when we get to Arizona :-)

Thursday, August 31, 2023

"SALVATION" IS DIFFERENT THAN "BORN AGAIN"

How can you know a wolf in sheep's clothing?

A different gospel will be told you - it will be craftily fabricated to appeal to your humanity (just enough truth to sway), and steer you off the spiritual path Yeshua wants you to walk in salvation - to seal you for eternity with Him.

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Yeshua (Jesus) said “You must be born again” …what does that mean? Obviously it was majorly important, and it took a leap of faith and perseverance to achieve.

Most pastors today will say you are born again when you accept Jesus as your Savior – BUT Scripture does NOT say that. If being born again was as simple as that, then a LOT of the Gospels would not be important; there would be no reason for the ministry of The Ruach Ha’Kodesh (the Holy Spirit); the ministry of The Ruach is to seal the Believer with the New Birth (Born Again).

The New Birth is a spiritual baptism (an immersion of God’s Holy Spirit: you will be saturated). The New Birth requires faith to seek it, and perseverance to receive it. The New Birth empowers Believers to be effective witnesses and ambassadors of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. The New Birth increases your understanding of God’s Word. The New Birth gives you insight of Heavenly things. The New Birth will keep you from actively sinning and/or pursuing sinful activities. The New Birth will give you knowledge of divers languages (talking in tongues). The New Birth will guide you into a heavenly language during your prayer time. The New Birth will strengthen you to stand for Faith in Yeshua even if you have to stand alone. The New Birth will make you privy to the mysteries of God via prophecies, dreams, and open visions (seeing with eyes open as if dreaming). These things are what being ‘born again’ is all about. A Believer should seek to be born again. If being born again was not vital to a Believer’s life, Jesus and His Disciples would not have been adamant in impressing it on seekers and Believers.

Let’s look into those important Scriptures:

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, how can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” (John 3:3-12)

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“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:1-8)

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“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, what meaneth this? Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy …” (Acts 2:2-18)

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“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6).

The baptism of the Ruach HaKo'desh is vital to every Believer's life: don't be mislead! 

FORKS & LA PUSH-WA ~ Surprises All Around

August 24th: To complete the planned coastal journey - we went to Forks this morning; Holland has never been there, and he wanted to see it. So, we went … then I drove him to La Push to see the ocean from that point of view; and to see the giant rock "guardians" standing strong and tall against the turbulent ocean surges. We passed on pushing further to Neah Bay.

Today was Holland's Day: he was the passenger, and I was his chauffer.

I didn't get too dolled up because ocean weather is misty, and windy - so, casual wear was the tone of the day. But since we would be out in the public, I did put a little toned-down glitter on my eyes ;-)

Forks wasn't as {back country} as Holland had expected. I had tried to prepare him, but he was still surprised it wasn't more woodsy.

I was surprised when we got to La Push: last time I had been there was in the summer of 2017 … mere weeks before Bob ended up in the hospital fighting for his life. We had taken our little grandson to Sequim-WA to see the animals at the wildlife park, there - and we made a side trip to La Push because Bob had always wanted to go there. At that time, it was a pretty primitive place - the kind of "woodsy" I knew Holland would appreciate.

It has come a long way since that summer of 2017!

La Push was a shock to my senses. I'm still reeling from all the major changes. I'm sure the changes are good for the people that live there, but all those changes seriously affect the raw beauty that was there before the "upscale" renovations took over.

Now, it's just another tourist trap community on the water - all because of an aimless asinine movie :-(

Headed off to Forks …
Forks-WA from Hoquiam-WA; 1 hr. 59 min (103.9 mi) via US-101 N
We had been warned that road works was happening - it 'happened' half the journey. Every half hour - on the hour.
Following #101 - first stop is 'Humptulips', at a small rural store.
Holland has never been in this part of WA State before; I have, so I am driving ;-)
The water here is a beautiful shade of green; Hoh Oxbow Campground.
Hoh Oxbow Campground:
(https://www.last-minute-adventures.com/hoh-oxbow/)
Forks-WA.Forks/La Push-WA:
(https://www.city-data.com/articles/Quileute-Indian-Reservation-Forks.html)
'Burger Lunch.
We turned off onto #110 to La Push-WA
A 'lumber mover'.
La Push-WA from Forks-WA;  21 min (15.4 mi) via WA-110 W, La Push Rd.
Entrance into La Push … this was here last time, too.
WOW! Things have changed!
La Push is virtually unrecognizable - in just 6 short years; I said 5 … but it's actually been 6.
Of course … money changes e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.
La Push, 6 years ago, was very primitive. The changes are startling.
And a Marina. The {WOW} factor just keeps keeping on …
A new Tribal School - which was sorely needed; but at what cost … WHERE is the $$$ coming FROM.
The forest is disappearing - the road is now paved; good changes, but HOW.
Big changes required big $$$$$
Holland declared we will be coming up here in the Spring of '24; he really likes the area. Maybe we'll visit Neah Bay then, too.

On our way back home, I pulled over in a couple turn outs along the highway that had ocean views. Holland likes the ocean.

While we were looking through the binoculars at the lighthouse atop a huge rock in the middle of the ocean, a couple in an older RV Coach were also sight-seeing, and the woman struck up a conversation with Holland about a bald eagle sitting on the top of an evergreen, looking out over the ocean.

That convo led to more conversation, and I asked her what her name was. She said, "Val". I said, "I'm Val, too." She said, "No way!" And I said, "Yeah; 'way'." We started laughing and sharing life stories; she was a gas :-)

When we stopped laughing and yacking, we got back in the truck … and Bleu was surprised when he got a spanking from the gentle King because he'd been a bad little dog after Holland had put him in the truck :-(

And I let Holland spank him (he was gentle) because Bleu deserved it. He cannot be allowed to be destructive when he is out of sight, and in a snit.

Wave watching at 'Beach 1' roadside turnout.
Backtracking homeward, we spotted a Light House in the middle of the ocean.
Destruction Island Lighthouse:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_Island & https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=118)
A Bald-headed Eagle sitting atop a tree.
Val meets Val; LOL! Meeting friendly strangers is always a treat.
Bleu got a spanking from Daddy … these Road Atlases cost $35+

All in all, today was a good day: even with the unexpected surprises :-)