Monday, May 30, 2016

Memorial Day

Here it is, another holiday weekend come and gone.  This one is near and dear to my heart as it is the one where we honor the brave veterans who have served our country and the many who gave their all for our freedoms.  I am so grateful to each one.  Although we did spend the weekend frivolously at the lake, we went into the small town close by the campground and observed a ceremony honoring those who have died in service to the country.  It was very moving and I'm thankful for having the chance to be there.  We have many veterans in my family including my husband, father, brother and brother-in-law among others.

It was a weekend of lots of wind.  When I arrived last Tuesday this is what I found in the roof our our gazebo.
The nearest thing we can think of is that a branch fell from a tree, (there were many laying around), and poked a hole, which then tore this perfect "skylight" as Dennis called it.  As luck would have it, we had decided just a few weeks ago that we had gotten almost 4 years of use from this canopy and that we were pressing our luck in trying to get another year.  I ordered a new one from Amazon that arrived Tuesday morning.  The guys put the new on on Friday and it looks wonderful.  I think I'll order another one to have, just in case.  They say there are only 7 more in stock so we want to have another before they're discontinued.

It was COLD on Saturday.  Look at us.  Lori, Me and Nita.  We look like ice cubes but we're die hard campers.  :-). You can see the tablecloth blowing in the wind by the door.  It was like this all weekend.  But at least we all had our sunglasses on!  HA! 
It was warmer by the gas firepit.  Here are Paul and Dennis enjoying the warmth.
Beautiful flowers.  I think they are rhododendrons, but I don't know much about flowers.  These are along the road where I walk everyday at the lake.
Today dawned much, much warmer and blue skies.  By the end of the week it's forecast to be 91F.
We have a wood burning firepit here and the gas one next door.  It's nice to have the choice.  When fires are banned because of wildfires, we can still have the one in the gas firepit.
Yours truly on our first boat ride of the season this afternoon. Not a great photo, but then I never take good pictures so I might as well share it.  Ha!  The ride was so much fun.  Bald eagles were swooping down over the boat the entire time.
Dennis and my toes as we flew across the lake.
I'm not sure how many rides I'll be taking.  The vibration of the boat seems to do something with my pacemaker.  The same thing happens if I'm around loud music.  I can actually feel my heart beating faster and it feels that my heart is actually in my throat.  Very strange.  When I checked my Fitbit while we were on the boat it said my heart was beating 188 beats a minute!  I think the vibration actually triggers tachycardia or something.  Anyway, a boat ride, as much fun as it is, isn't worth feeling so icky, so I think from now on I'll just be waving at the others as they pass by the camper.

As I said, I came out here on Tuesday and went back home Thursday morning and did laundry and made macaroni salad along with a few errands.  I was back by Thursday afternoon and don't plan to go back home until Thursday of this week.  We'll come back Friday night but home again Satuday because we have a missionary and his family staying with us one or two nights this weekend.  I hope to come back early next week again.  

It was very busy here with nearly everyone who has a trailer at the park, here this weekend.  Now, at 10 o'clock at night, everyone is gone except Dennis and I.  It's so quiet and I'm loving it.  From hundreds of people, down to the two of us.  Our good friends Neal and Jenny came out this evening and Dennis grilled steaks for us for dinner.  Then we took a ride around the park in the golf cart.  Jenny and I waded in the lake for awhile.  Yes, it was warm enough and felt wonderful.  

I was able to put four baby blankets together over the weekend.  Nita made the squares and I crocheted around them, joined them and crocheted a border.  These will all go to the crisis nursery here in Spokane.  I'll try to remember to take a picture for you after I wash them later this week.

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and, if you live in the United States, have taken a few moments to remember those who gave their all for us.

"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Blessings always,
Betsy




10 comments:

  1. Hi Betsy! I love reading about, and seeing some photos of your days at the lake although I am sorry to hear about the vibration/loud music reactions you have been having...have you mentioned those to your doctor? While we remembered the reason for Memorial Day and talked about it some in our household we did not attend any Memorial Day events. Elisabeth and Gary left for two weeks of camping on the east side of Mt. Hood, and Tim and I plan to join them on Wednesday. Mary Kathrine, Jason and the girls plan to come up just for a day. May the Lord bless you and yours with more good days. xx

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  2. Ahdear Betsy the Lord bless your nation and the celebration of those wonderful,folks who served that we might all be free.
    Love your pickies and stories, and yes it is a magnificent rhododendron, lovely colour!
    And re boat ride .. as we get older our ability to partake in things is curtailed and it's all part of the way the Lord would have us walk, not His perfect will because of the fall and the curse of sin upon our bodies, but oh how blessed are we to walk with our Lord even in the fraility of our flesh. : D
    Thanks for the great post,
    Hugs,
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  3. Looks like a wonderful time despite the weather, such a beautiful place to spend quality time with friends. Take care.

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  4. I always enjoy your posts from the lake. I know it's your "happy place" and it's nice you get to spend so much time there. I leave soon for a dress rehearsal at the falls. I can't tell you how glad I'll be when this event is "done and dusted". Sorry the boat ride wasn't a good experience for you.. definitely discuss this with the doc.. I hate that you have to give it up. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. Brrrr, that looks so coldy!!! I didn't know you had a boat there on the lake. I am so sorry to hear that the boating does not agree with you.
    Your spot there on the lake is just so perfect! I would also stay there as much as I possibly could!!!
    Be well my friend.
    xo Kris

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  6. Betsy you sound so happy, even with that rapid heartbeat! I love your view, even the chilly one with you huddled up with your friends. I would have been inside with my thin Floridian blood. This summer at the lake will do you loads of good and help you heal from all your medical issues. Good times!
    sending you a hug,
    Meredith

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  7. Lovely pictures. It's always fun to tag along with you on your adventures. Blessings to you always sweet friend. :)

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  8. How fun to be at the lake with friends, even though it was chilly. That's what coats and mittens and scarves are for! :-} I remember being at the coast at family camp and it would get cold and windy in the afternoon and we'd just be freezing. Always bring a coat and blankets! No fun not feeling good while boating. I enjoy it when I get the chance. Enjoy your time away and sounds like you are enjoying life. Hugs, my friends.

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  9. Great pictures Betsy - especially love the one of you three girls huddled around in the cold (and wind) and then the toes picture - too cute. Sorry the boat ride posed problems. I would definitely discuss with the Dr. Glad you are having such a good time at the lake. It is a beautiful spot for sure.

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  10. This brings back memories. My mom always had a trailer on the bay even though she lived only two blocks back. Nothing we could say would convince her it was crazy to pay for the campsite when she could just walk to the beach. She loved the camping life and her camping buddies!

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