WINDSHIELD VIEWS

July 9th: The Wal*Mart here in Woodland is getting a remodel, and it's a maddening mess … so, we drove to the Wal*Mart in Vancouver, and then to WinCo; along the way to, and fro, our windshield view was interesting :-)

I needed to purchase a spiral notebook, scissors, and a sewing kit: I already have these things - but they are all in storage :-(

When I entered Wal*Mart, I was thankful to notice that Office/School Supplies, and Sewing/Crafts items were in the same corner of the store; pretty much dove-tailing each other: I made a beeline for that corner of the store.

I had bought a couple of jeggings the other day: but I am allergic to the metal button shanks, so I need to cover the backsides that touch my skin. I bought a sewing kit; intending to nab one of Holland's ratty ended bandana's to cut a patch to sew over the shank metal … and then I spotted a pack of heavier weight pre-cut patches, and thought those might actually work better. I grabbed a tube of fusion glue, too.

I'll cover all the shank metals tomorrow when the temperatures will be a bit cooler and the glue will set up better.

Then we moved up the street about a block, and bought some groceries at the WinCo store.

Walmart, #9000 NE Hwy 99 in Vancouver-WA from Woodland-WA; 18 min (16.5 mi) via I-5 S

We saw through Betsy's windshield going to Vancouver, a windmill blade … it could be being ferried to Yakima, or California.

Sewing Kit, Patches, & Fusion Glue.

The afternoon temperature as we exited WinCo, reached a hot 100-degrees - the sun's heat felt good.

As we moved down the freeway back towards Woodland, I laughed when I saw through Betsy's windshield a car that practically shouted my name :-D

I nudged Holland, and jokingly said, "Babe, I want a car like that!"

He started laughing, and said, "Yep; that's you, alright."

"Oh look Babe! That car is SO me!! And eyelashes, too ;-)

And we smiled at each other because we remembered the first time I had worn my cheetah boots & cheetah sweater to the Thursday Jam Sessions; I received a shy text from Holland as soon as I walked through my front door later that evening: "You looked nice, tonight." This was a small move about a month before his bold, "We need to talk" move, in November.

And recently when clearing out the closet in Independence (culling and keeping only a few things to store while Independence is getting repaired), I held up those boots and sweater and asked Holland "yea" or "nay": he said, "Keep them Baby - they are YOU." So I did: everything I culled can be replaced … and in truth, my closet needed updating, anyway ;-)

And when I looked through the windshield again, I saw another sight I liked:

I like seeing Old Glory on display.

Normally freeway traffic bores me.

But today was a good day to view life moving forward, through the windshield :-)

FOUR WEEK DEADLINE; Vancouver-WA

Living in Woodland for a few months is actually an answer to prayer … I like Woodland, and off-n-on thought it would be kinda nice to live here; Elohim answered that musing of mine, by putting Holland in my life - and arranging for me to live in Woodland; I'm grateful.

BUT

We want our road gypsy home back.

The first week of motel living was fun. It was a new experience for me, and Holland was liking the open room environment. The Insurance representative had called, and we were assured he was "on it".

The second week wasn't bad either; but communication between RV PRO in Vancouver, us in Woodland, and Joel on the east Coast had come to a dead halt with the approaching holiday - phone calls and texts were blatantly ignored, so we were not being informed about progress in Vancouver. He had driven up there twice during this week, and couldn't get information out of anyone: the Office girl was no help, either. Holland was not happy.

The prospect of this week's stay is wearing thin - we are paying a hefty rental fee with a limited income (all other motels are steeply out of our budget): so, last night, Holland decided to drive to Vancouver this morning to fetch Independence … and take it where someone may actually get busy settling accounts & working on repairs issues (he had already spoken to two other RV Shops, this weekend, that were willing to help), so we can get back to living in our home again.

Hopefully down South. He is not keen on PNW winters spent in an RV - and I agree, having lived through several winters in another 5th Wheel RV from 1995 to 2001 with my first husband and granddaughter, during her infancy through 6th year. I don't mind the RV life … but I, like my new husband, do not like the body aches or constant chill of PNW winters.

We need the road damage to (and our towing concerns about) Independence to be satisfactorily addressed so we can get on getting on, instead of living in expensive and clueless limbo.

Neither one of us are good at waiting - and neither one of us like being jerked around.

I am 100% behind Holland concerning this issue.

Vancouver-WA from Woodland-WA; 19 min (17.5 mi) via I-5 S

When we arrived at our destination point to hook up … the battery was dead. Holland hunted someone down to jazz the battery back up so we could hook up and haul away. While waiting, he received a call for Joel saying RV PRO had sent him memos with repairs costs that included roof and pin box work. Holland said, "How can they possibly give repairs quotes when they haven't even removed the nose to inspect the pin box! I'm standing right here looking at my RV, and the nose is still intact - it hasn't been inspected, at all. They've had our home for three weeks and all we've gotten was motel room fees. If the roof and pin box aren't scheduled to be repaired, I can't safely tow my RV: these are my main concerns." Joel said the motel fees could be reimbursed, and he'd get back with RV PRO as soon as both men hung up their phones; letting Holland know something one way or the other, by the end of this week.

3 weeks of sitting & waiting; we planned to kidnap it, but the battery was run dead.

As we were leaving Vancouver, Holland received a phone call from RV PRO, assuring Holland that the roof and pin box would "most assuredly be  taken care of, as requested"; and telling Holland "the nose would be removed this week, inspected, and a notation sent off; I'm gonna call Joel right now." Holland then said, "Fine. I'll drive up towards the end of this week to see how things are progressing."

Holland was establishing a four week deadline. And I'm in agreement: this needs to get underway and wrapped up.

Hopefully a fire was kindled under RV PRO's butts, and things will start moving along.

When we got back to Woodland, the outside temperature was hot, so we let the day cool some, before Holland suggested a drive.

We took a drive around the backside of Woodland; Holland has fished the river here, and passed through jetting between jobs … and I had visited a Tulip Farm & a Lilac Garden solo lobo, a few years back; as well as passing through the backroads on my solo lobo drives to my Messianic Fellowship in Vancouver - and had done Winter Bazaars here for decades: but neither of us had ever actually explored Woodland, before today. Our individual ventures here were always with a specific destination in mind, and we never deviated from those destinations.

Today we broadened our recent explorations: and Holland gave me another peek into his Life :-)

Holland had spent a lot of past fishing hours here … and he shared this place (as well as the fishing stories) with me today.

Deep waters - 50 ft deep shoreline; 90 ft deep by the pylons.

Green Mountain in the distance - for decades I spent a lot of time driving backroads, up there.

Heat Wave on 'til tomorrow evening.

Back at the motel again, I dug into the food cache and tried something new:

Something new; it sounds interesting; soba noodles, beef bits, cabbage, cilantro … a definite repeat ;-)

Today was informative.

Today was filled with curiosity.

Today was fun.

TURNING PAGES

I slipped the breakfast Holland bought me into the microwave before starting a new read. The breakfast was welcome - and so was the thought behind it; Holland is always thinking of me no matter what, and I appreciate that. The book, on the other hand, I bought a few days ago at the Goodwill Store in Salmon Creek, and it is painful reading: very slow and full of silly ramblings that make the author appear simple minded, regardless of how important her father was (the other half of the Simon & Schuster Publishing Company), or how wealthy she was growing up (and still living) on Martha's Vineyard. It's a boring 376 page 'memoir'. But I'm going to force myself to keep turning pages until I finish it because I hate wasting money.

I like her songs, but her book - not so much.

Maybe some people think my Blog entries are boring too.

I know some think they are too revealing.

But others thank me for being open and sharing my struggles, because they have found strength in my humble victories.

And still others like the in-depth Thursday Bible Studies I post.

Breakfast was as good as it looked; Holland is always thinking of me, and surprising me with love offerings.

Carly Simon became famous in her own right, as a songwriter & singer.

After breakfast, Holland suggested we get out of the house for a while - I happily agreed. Summer had finally arrived, and a sunny drive would be most welcome :-)

First, Holland cruised Main Street Woodland (very short); and I was interested in what I could see of the Park, so I asked Holland to drive down that way - I like it. It's a nice small town Park with a tranquil lake, and walking trails: perfect for a local 'out of house' sunny retreat, when I feel the 4-walls-squeeze.

Horseshoe Lake Park: 

https://www.ci.woodland.wa.us/publicworks/page/horseshoe-lake-park

After that short cruise, we drove to Longview to get Betsy washed at the 'Wash Me Car Wash' and was immediately met with a guy who directed us to one of the several self-wash-bays, because "we can't do this truck - it's a long bed". What a line of B.S. So, we pulled in and washed her. We needed the exercise, anyway.

As I was washing my side of Betsy, I spied a penny on the ground, and picked it up with a smile. Finding a {lucky penny = penny from Heaven}, represents a new beginning/the start of a new chapter in Life/a fresh start: I privately cheered for that.

Record Breaking temperatures today …

A Penny from Heaven ;-)

We deposited $20 worth of quarters in the fee box; and Betsy looks like a new truck, now.

Pulling out of the bay, my eye caught sight of the houses Holland worked on, on 'Snob Hill': his family business is dry wall & interior plaster work - and Holland and his brothers each have application techniques that are unique to each of them, and is in great demand when businesses or private homeowners want a tasteful finish. Holland and Scott are both retired now, but Mark is still working; but he is in his 60's too … and none of Scott or Mark's sons are interested in construction. That's sad. I've seen their work and it is artistically awesome (the ceiling sunburst Scott & Holland did was beautiful) - it's sad to know that the beautiful work will come to an end when Mark retires.

Holland did the drywall work on the pillared house - and the one in front of it, too.

When we got back home, I read through previous years' Blog posts to gauge how far I've come - and my Life's growth process since the winter of 2018. As I reread each post through the years, only I knew the unmentioned people who shared their stories with me: stories that bolstered me, and prodded me forward with words of encouragement when the dark days threated to swallow me whole.

Bob Seger- 'Turn the Page' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3khH9ih2XJg)

Turning pages is key to moving forward.

Turning pages is key to growth.

Commitment is unconditional love in action; sometimes it's very challenging.

Turning pages is key to manifesting your destiny

TRANSHUMANISM HYPE

When I first saw this article's title … I chuckled and thought, 'fat chance; no one beats the Grim Reaper - he always collects, one way or the other.'

Meet the Presidential Hopeful Who Wants to End Death: https://www.newsweek.com/zoltan-istvan-end-death-president-1921897#:~:text=Zoltan%20Istvan%20ran%20as%20an,that%20death%20can%20be%20overcome.

AND THEN, I remembered a Scripture passage that speaks directly to this topic: "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."~Revelation 9:6 KJV

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

Zoltan Istvan ran as an independent candidate during the 2016 presidential election when he attracted widespread media attention for driving a bus modified to look like a coffin from San Francisco to Washington D.C., to illustrate his believe that death can be overcome.

And in a sense he was absolutely correct: death can be overcome - however, not in the way he is hoodwinking the foolish minded.

For those who have a relationship with Elohim, there is nothing to fear from death - the body dies, but the spirit/soul lives on: death is overcome. Those happily skipping down the Highway to Hell have much to fear when the Grim Reaper makes His appearance to collect; they will not be laughing, joking, or making arrogant and ignorant statements about the realities of Hell, then.

HEART VOCALIST HAS CANCER; Ann Wilson

Maybe Ann (74 yo) … you should just relax and enjoy your Senior years as long as you will have them: spend the rest of your days with your husband and the family you have created.

I have listened to your songs since the 1970's - and Holland & I still seat rock to the tunes while on the road. Your music will live on - you may not ❤️

Give the money back to the fans; they will understand.

Ann Wilson of Heart Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aGBEpt6tUM)

OLEQUA HEIGHTS-WA

July 2nd: This morning I was drinking my second cup of coffee; and six pages into a new novel, when Holland shut his laptop and said, "How about we take a drive to Olequa and explore the power line road, as soon as you finish your coffee and change out of your p.j.'s?"

(((YES - and thank you!)))

We had explored another Olequa road a couple days ago … but this one would be different: this one would be on the backside of familial compound boundaries.

Holland's family ranch is at the end of Olequa Road, and I've been curious about the gravel road that spurs off at the junction just before turning onto the Redmill property.

Holland has talked a lot about the {power line road}, ever since I've known him; I'm more than ready to be included in his special place adventuring - I drained my cup quickly, got dressed in record time, and we were soon pointing Betsy's nose toward the anticipated destination ;-)

New read …

Olequa Heights Rd-WA from Woodland-WA ; 42 min (36.0 mi) via I-5 N and Westside Hwy

Woodland has prepared for this Holiday's festivities ;-)

We drove the freeway to Castle Rock, and took our time enjoying a lazy drive up Westside Highway to Olequa. While driving, Holland gave me a background history lesson on Olequa … and he told me about an Indian burial ground that is there, too (maybe we'll go back and visit that, at another time).

Apparently, Olequa was a hub of activity in it's heyday - but the only reminder that it ever existed is the few places where the Name is highlighted (History notations, street signs, home addresses, the Senior Center, and a Farm, in Winlock-WA).

I was fascinated by the historical tidbits Holland was feeding me - and I researched it when we got back from our adventuring.

Olequa Indians/History of Olequa: (https://www.pacific-hwy.net/olequa.htm#:~:text=There%20used%20to%20be%20a,live%20in%20and%20around%20Olequa. & https://www.pacific-hwy.net/pumphery.htm)

Holland turned off a side road at the lower end of Olequa Road instead of the upper end I was expecting … another surprise road.

I like adventuresome surprises :-)

I am pleased to be included in Holland's carefully guarded Life; Holland does not easily share his private life, and he's slow to include newcomers (aka: anyone who did not grow up with him). I've only known Holland for a short period of time - and we've been married less than that. Basically, he still regards me as a newcomer in his Life.

But today, he is making a serious effort to remedy that. He is sorry that he has made me to feel like an outsider in the Life we are attempting to build. He was surprised when I unloaded a lot of hurt feelings on him this month - and he is sorry that he took his insecurities and withdrawal pain out on me.

We have both apologized - we have both forgiven each other for things said and done in the heat of angry moments during the entire month of June.

He is vowing to be a better partner; less apt to push my buttons or foist unrealistic expectations on me (or US) … and to stop throwing the D-Word into every disagreement. In short, after seriously rereading the FB posts, and viewing the hurt from my perspective of why they were necessary to make known, he has been making every effort to show me that he is serious about {going the Lifelong Distance}.

And, I am vowing to tamp my redhead temper down and be a gentler wife; kinder, and less apt to fight mean and dirty when Holland's attitude triggers mine.

He is working hard to make US a priority; and I am learning to trust (I trust Elohim 100% - it's trusting people that trips me up: Elohim doesn't lie, people do). I can't honestly say that actual trust was broken; what I am saying is that I'm finding out things about him as time moves forward, that I am finding difficult to understand or accept.

BUT

All things are possible through Christ Jesus: and He is Who we are trusting as we come together to repair the cracks that have riddled this marriage.

We love each other, despite the complicated circumstances of this marriage. Our home has to be our safe place - even during disagreements. Our home has to be a place of inclusion in each other's life; Holland is not used to sharing his Life with anyone: I'm pretty sure that even those closest to him, from the Past, aren't as close as they think they are. Holland is the most walled-off person I've ever met.

But he has taken pains to include me today, and I am grateful. This is a serious happening and I am feeling blessed by the inclusion.

Holland is going to show me one of his past favorite haunts :-)

The sound of crunching gravel as we climbed the winding dirt road was music to my ears, the atmosphere was warm, and great swaths of foxglove (purple, pink, white, & bi-color) bloomed along the way.

I love foxgloves … and have planted them in flowerbeds at several homes, throughout the decades.

Two does passed right in front of us … Holland spotted them first, and called my attention to them.

They weren't off the road too far - I quietly urged them to go deeper into the side growth.

A doe with twin fawns … sorry about the jittery vid - Holland kept creeping forward :-(

I'm glad Holland has decided to 'stick'; and I'm glad he is feeling comfortable enough to share his special places with me.

I was in dirt road Heaven; and Holland was relaxed knowing that I was enjoying the ride :-)

We talked, we made plans, we laughed, we listened to Supertramp songs, and we thoroughly enjoyed that forested dirt road.

When we reached the top of the steep Olequa terrain, we got out of Betsy and enjoyed the wild beauty of the area: I understood why this place holds a special place in Holland's Life.

I was glad I was standing there, soaking it all in - the beauty, the sounds, the scents, the sharing.

I'm easily pleased ;-)

Holland's special place is simply beautiful, peaceful, and warmly inviting.

The overlook was engaging; Vader and outlying areas.

Then, as we were settling back into Betsy's cab, Holland's phone rang. He's been busy this past week with a side job. I waited until he read the text - and was prepared to beat feet back to town … but instead, Holland shut his phone off after reading the text, and said, "I'll take care of this later." I said, "You've been waiting for this call - we can go back into town." He looked at me, and said, "This is our time, Baby - just me and you; if I call this guy back and he doesn't answer right away, it will be an all day long phone tag thing. I don't want anything to cut into you and me, today; I'll get back to him later on."

Wow.

He really is serious about "making things right, Baby."

The sounds of the forest - the scent, and the intent; healing rode the gentle breeze.

Supertramp - 'Give A Little Bit': 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_leMA3_maBU)

Coming back down the incline, I noticed something I had missed before, because it was on the driver's side going up - so, I said, "Stop! I want to see this pretty thing, up close!" I wasn't being bossy; I just didn't want to use too many words that would eat up time and get us further away from the pretty thing ;-)

A pretty, wildflower, 'Toughleaf Iris'; it seemed so out of place in this wild place of evergreens, foxgloves, daisies, and dandelions: there were 2 of them, close together.

This forest adventuring was fun - and in a sense, cathartic.

As we exited the dirt road where we made new memories and pledges, we both felt the liberating effects of leaving lingering shadows behind us.

Today's adventure end was really the beginning; I'm glad I came :-)

On the way back to Woodland, Holland suggested we stop by Popeye's and grab some chicken to eat with our supper salad :-)

I had seen butterflies flitting among the wild daisies in the forest; but it wasn't until we were waiting for our meal pickup in Popeye's parking lot that a big blue dragonfly appeared to bolster hope, and drive home a gentle admonishment for both of us …

Relax and go with the flow of Elohim's Plan.

Fried Chicken for Supper - oh, yeah ;- )