The High Tide of God’s Purpose. The Forerunner Has Entered For Us. Treating Parkinson’s Disease with Diet.

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The High Tide of God’s Purpose

“There are moments in history when lives converge upon the high tide of God’s purpose for mankind. Such a moment is described in Acts chapter 10, where the lives of the apostle Peter and the Roman centurion named Cornelius meet in the seaside town of Caesarea. There God revealed how Gentiles were to be granted repentance to life and through baptism receive the Holy Spirit, becoming full members of the Body of Christ. God planned this meeting and brought the men together.

I was struck by this story while preparing to teach my weekly Bible class on Acts. Acts is the story of God’s work through His disciples in the early Church. By the power of the Spirit, Christ moved people and events together to accomplish His work. When you trace the events in the text you see ordinary people living righteously, not knowing God was working His purpose. There is a lesson in this for us.

Peter had been visiting disciples along the coastal areas south of Caesarea, where he healed and raised to life saints like Aeneas and Tabitha (Acts 9:32-43). He came to the city of Joppa where he stayed for several days with a man named Simon who operated a tannery business. Peter was making an extensive trip with nothing more in mind but to visit and work with the disciples. God was guiding his steps.

Up the coast a few miles away was the centurion, Cornelius. He was drawn to worship the God of Abraham through contact with the Jews. He gave generously to the Jews and lived a devout life based on the Law. This earned him a good reputation among the Jews. He was moving along the path of conversion. An angel appeared to him instructing him to send his servants to Joppa, a day's journey south, to find Peter.

Peter was on the rooftop of Simon’s home where he had gone to pray, waiting for lunch to be served. He fell into a trance and saw a vision of a sheet coming down from heaven filled with all sorts of animals. A voice commanded him to “kill and eat,” which he refused to do. When this vision concluded, the three servants of Cornelius appeared at the gate of Simon’s home summoning Peter to go with them to Caesarea.

The next day, these two men met—a Roman soldier and a former Jewish fisherman turned apostle of Christ. Both having traveled different paths, they came together to mark an event God had long planned. God poured out His Spirit on Cornelius and on his friends and family, signifying the Gentiles were now also granted repentance leading to eternal life (Acts 11:18). Spiritual salvation through a new covenant with God was now open to all peoples regardless of race and ethnicity.

Two lives met as they rode the tide of God’s plan. Each person having been prepared and moved by God into a place and a moment where lightning struck. God showed His will and history was changed.

What is God doing with your life? How are you responding to His lead as you study truth and learn more of the Bible?”     From: https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=72c729d811&u=1d04480cefc2e7c4492fe4a04&id=24ccaf6794

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Hebrews 6:19-20.   The Forerunner Has Entered For Us.

(19) This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, (20) where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
New King James Version     Change your email Bible version

“This word "forerunner" is the Greek prodromos, used in Scripture only this one time. It means "scout," "guide," or "one sent before a king to prepare the way." The Greeks also used prodromos to mean "firstfruits."

In the story of Daniel Boone, he went first to scout out Kentucky, then later took a party of thirty woodsmen to improve the trail, and after that, even more people followed. Boone was the forerunner, but so were those who went with him to develop the route. That first small group was the firstfruits. Spiritually, Christ has gone ahead, showing us the way, and we, as the firstfruits, improve the trail so that others will someday walk it more easily.

The concept of a forerunner runs throughout the Bible. We could say that Adam was a forerunner, as well as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and of course, Christ. Notice that each of these forerunners had followers—their firstfruits. Adam had Eve and their sons and daughters that followed them. Noah had his wife and family. Abraham had Sarah and Lot, and later were added Ishmael and Isaac, and then Jacob and his children. Moses had Aaron and Miriam and then all the children of Israel. Elijah led to Elisha. John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of Christ, who called His disciples—us.

In other words, we have a part to play as well. It is not the leading role but a supporting one. Nonetheless, it is a necessary part. There is no call for a "big head" here: God could have called someone else or raised up stones, as John the Baptist says in Matthew 3:9. However, He did not; He called us specifically (John 6:44). Therefore, we should not waste our opportunity."  From: https://www.theberean.org/index.cfm/main/default/id/8587/ver/NKJV/hebrews-6-19-20.htm

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Treating Parkinson’s Disease with Diet

Transcript of YouTube:  https://youtu.be/fBwU4ElBJxU

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

“Caffeine consumption, both in Asian and Western populations, appears to protect against the development of Parkinson’s disease. But, what if you already have it? 

A new study found that giving folks the equivalent of about two cups of coffee a day worth of caffeine significantly improved symptoms of the disease. Of course, there’s only so much you can charge for coffee, so drug companies took caffeine, and added a side group so they could patent it into new drugs, which appear to work no better than plain caffeine—which is dramatically cheaper, and probably safer.

Similarly, other plant foods, such as berries, may be protective. And, plant-based diets, in general, may help prevent Parkinson’s. Animal fat and dairy may increase risk, whereas “a plant-based diet dietary pattern may protect against [Parkinson’s disease].” We don’t know if it’s the animal fat per se, though; it could be the animal protein that’s increasing risk, or maybe it’s the dairy, the mercury in fish, the blood-based heme iron, or less of the protective antioxidants in plant foods and plant-based diets. We didn’t know, until recently.

There have been successful case reports, like this one, in which a dietician was struck down with Parkinson’s, and she was able to clear most of her symptoms with a plant-based diet rich in strawberries, whole wheat, and brown rice—rich sources of these two phytonutrients. But, there hasn’t been a formal interventional trial published—until now.

At its root, Parkinson’s is a dopamine-deficiency disease, because of a die-off of dopamine-generating cells in the brain. These cells make dopamine from L-dopa, derived from certain amino acids in our diet. But, just like we saw with the serotonin story, the consumption of animal protein may block the transport of L-dopa into the brain, crowding it out.

So, at first, researchers tried what’s called a “protein redistribution diet.” Let’s basically only let people eat meat for supper, so that patients are hopefully sleeping by the time the negative effects kick in. But researchers didn’t consider cutting out all animal products altogether, until it was discovered that fiber consumption naturally boosts L-dopa levels. So, hey, “a plant-based diet, particularly in its vegan variant, is expected to raise levodopa bioavailability and bring some advantages in the management of [Parkinson’s] disease through two mechanisms: a reduced protein intake and an increased fiber intake…”

That’s why plant protein works best, because that’s where fiber is found. So, they put people on a strictly vegan diet, keeping beans towards the end of the day, and indeed found a significant improvement in symptoms.”

DOCTOR'S NOTE: What about preventing the disease in the first place? See my previous video Preventing Parkinson’s Disease With Diet.”

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Short Bed? Payment Trap. Short Hose. Floor Vents. 5 Stupid Things. Wasps Like Gas. Surge Protector. Stow Stuff. RV Tips. Deadline in Iraq.

 

For 'tRaVersing Thursday", or RV Day

How to lengthen an RV bed

"A bed in an RV can often be too short for tall RVers, who have to scrunch up to fit in — not good for a restful sleep. This video shows you how to fix that problem for about $30 — a lot cheaper than a new bed!"

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The Payment Trap / The Illusion Of Freedom...

"Many people are making payments on their recreation vehicles thinking that they are free to travel and live off the grid when in actuality they are tied to the system and a slave to their wages. Their possessions end up owning them, they do not own their possessions. Many people are just one paycheck away from repossession and losing everything.."

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Carry an extra hose?

"Carrying an extra, specially sized water hose, can be a godsend for the traveling RVer. Here's why.

Keeping a long water hose in the rig is always a given, particularly if you frequent RV parks with hookups. But a short coupled water hose, just a few feet long, can make life a whole lot easier when on the road."

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A tip about heating vents in your RV

"Jim Nelson shows you a way to cover one or more of your RV's heating vents to keep debris from falling in and to help control your heating comfort."

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5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV

"Here are 5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV plus One *Bonus Stupidity Not Done by Me. When You travel enough time in your RV you are bound to eventually do some stupid things. These are my top doh! moments."

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Flea collars keep wasps out

"Wasps like the smell and sweet taste of propane, and will turn the pilot light areas in the refrigeration and water heater compartments into their next home. If too many wasps move in, their condo will clog up the pilot light area and the system won’t work. When the propane is turned on, it could result in not only frying the wasps but also the RV wiring, meaning a potentially expensive service call to the repair shop.

Cut a flea collar in half and lay each half on the bottom of one of the compartments. Wasps don’t like the smell of flea collars and will congregate elsewhere.

Other solutions, such as commercial wasp traps to keep wasps out are available. If wasps have already invaded these compartments, one-shot solutions to get rid of them include dousing them with a cup of soapy dish detergent in water. Wasps reportedly like the smell of beer better than they do propane, so place a half-full can of beer in the compartment. The wasps will crawl into the can to get at the beer and drown."  by Cheryl Probst

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Are surge protectors needed in RVs? And what about extended service plans?

"Dear Gary,
A friend told me about how his 120-volt appliances in his RV fried at a campground in AK. He said a surge protector probably would have prevented a huge bill to replace what was destroyed. Is it a good idea to have a surge protector? Also what are your thoughts on extended service plans?" —Jim G. (Seattle, WA)

Read Gary's response. Posted by The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer

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A Sometimes Overlooked Motor Home Safety Tip

"All motor home owners observe certain procedures prior to taking off from a camp stay. Things like, disconnect all connections, slides in, jacks up, antennas down, and more, are standard rituals they are all accustom to. A vehicle walk around after everything is set, is a good policy and hopefully is done by every RV’er. These often reveal issues that need attention such as open compartments, obstacles beneath the coach or wheels, awnings not locked, etc. A little time spent completing this can save a lot of time and possibly costly repairs later.

Okay, all checks out as ready for the road, but, what about loose items within the coach? Those items like toasters, coffee pots, cutlery and other personal things that we all carry, are they safe? They create little or no danger while driving down the road outside of possibly rattling in harmony with the bumps on the road surface. However, in the case of a sudden deceleration caused by a collision or even a panic braking action, these items can become lethal. The sink with several dishes, knives and forks, can be tossed up and become ballistic household shrapnel.

Many makes of class “A” RV’s do not fair well in a collision, and in some impact instances, the body may practically disintegrate, offering little or no protection for the occupants.  Unlike automobiles, trucks and even buses made today, RV’s do not have to meet the same crash test safety regulations.

But, even if they did, they still pose an added danger that the others generally do not. That is, loose cargo items throughout the interior. These normally harmless pieces will continue their forward travel speed should the vehicle be caused to stop instantly.

So, if you are lucky enough to survive the impact moment of a bad collision, you may still be seriously injured, or worse, from this flying debris. So what can we do to reduce this potential danger? Well, cleaning off the counter and removing items in the sink is a good start. Look for items that would be unimpeded from travelling in a forward motion to the front passenger area.

Be sure any heavy items are secure and would be blocked by a wall or bulkhead towards the direction of travel. If there is nowhere else to store that blender, place it on the floor, preferably without a clear path forward. If you have any forward facing cupboards, use a tie of some type to prevent them from opening in a sudden stop event. These are just some ideas, but each rig is different, as are what people carry with them. Use common sense in how items are stored while travelling.

Now, don’t forget your seatbelts! While your motor home may seem like sitting in a living room, you are travelling in a vehicle that is, not only less maneuverable than your car, but also may possess other possible dangers. Drive safe!"   With an Eye on Safety – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer

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From me:  This includes your pets. Keep them safe in strapped-down carriers or in a seat belt harness.  A man had his neck broken by a large dog being thrown forward, and beloved animals have escaped through broken windows, never to be seen again.  It is also easier for the medics to tend to passengers if the animals are restrained.

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RV Tips:

Use big enough leveling blocks
"Got leveling blocks for under the tires? Make sure the blocks are big enough that the tire sits completely on the block — not overhanging it. Dually rig owners, BOTH the tires must be supported, not just one."

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Keep your RV food safe

"Food borne illnesses can stop your RVing fun in a big hurry. How can a RV foodie keep this nastiness away? The food safety experts at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center provide a few tips to keep the food fun going."

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Prep your rig to be sales-ready before upgrading to a new RV 
"Is it pristine clean? Do the appliances work? Does it have any off-putting odors? Look at your rig as a new buyer sees it — and take care of its shortcomings before they turn off a prospective buyer. These tips will tell you how."

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Treat your campground neighbors as you would want to be treated.

"Don't play your music so loud that they are forced to listen to it — they may not share your love of Conway Twitty. Would you want to listen to their music? Always be considerate."

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From me:  Standard size sheets v. RV sheets?

Get some sheet grippers.  Available at most dept. stores.

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Adjust the hitch ball height
“Towing with the tongue high (or low) can overload one of your trailer axles.  Set your ball height to level the trailer when attached to the tow vehicle."

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Cleaning the RV shower, sinks and toilet
"Remember that whatever you use to clean the sinks, showers and toilet ends up in the RV holding tanks. Never use any cleaners that could possibly damage the holding tanks. Clean these surfaces with a non-abrasive mild detergent, water and a soft cloth.

Never use any harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners that can scratch or damage ABS, plastic and fiberglass finishes. Some wet wipe products work well on these surfaces, but avoid using bleach." Tech Tips from Mark Polk

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On This Day:

Benny Goodman brings jazz to Carnegie Hall, Jan 16, 1938:

"Jazz has been called "America's classical music," a label that does more than just recognize its American origins. The label also makes the case that jazz is worthy of aesthetic consideration alongside music usually thought of as "classical." In the current era, when programs of Duke Ellington and J.S. Bach often draw the same highbrow crowds, that argument hardly seems controversial. In the 1930s, however, the notion was almost laughable, which is what made Benny Goodman's January 16, 1938, concert at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall so revolutionary. Goodman and his supporting cast claimed a new place for jazz on the American cultural scene that night, in what has come to be seen as the most important jazz concert in history."

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Bush waits for deadline in Iraq, Jan 16, 1991:

"On this day in 1991, President George Herbert Walker Bush waits to see if Iraq will withdraw from Kuwait by midnight, a deadline mandated by the United Nations, or if war will ensue.

On November 29, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of all means necessary to remove Hussein's forces from Kuwait, giving Iraq the deadline of midnight on January 16 to leave or risk forcible removal.

Just after midnight in the U.S. on January 17, Bush gave the order for U.S. troops to lead an international coalition in an attack on Saddam Hussein's army. U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf led Operation Desert Storm, which began with a massive bombing of Hussein's armies in Iraq and Kuwait.

Following an intense bombing of Baghdad, U.S.-led coalition ground forces marched into Kuwait and across the Iraq border. Regular Iraqi troops surrendered in droves, leaving only Hussein's hard-line Republican Guard to defend the capital. After pushing Hussein's forces out of Kuwait, Schwarzkopf called a ceasefire on February 28 and accepted the surrender of Iraqi generals on March 3."

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Yesterday:

It was a good time to go shopping, mostly for fresh green veggies and pet food.

As Jay is in his own little world of getting drunk, I went by myself.  Ray was taking his son to the doctor. 

After I had dropped off the paper recycling, I  stopped at several thrift shops as I was looking for a food processor.   All I found was a very bulky old one that would not be very practical.  Anyway, it didn't have all the attachments. My small one is great, but lately it seems to have lost it's oomph to mix some things.

Maybe Nala is missing Misty, or maybe she just likes a different bed.  After I put laundered Misty's beds back in place, I found Nala asleep in the one under my bed.  She and Ava actually got within two feet of each other without Ava hissing, so we are making progress.  Nala was here first so she should, in theory, be alpha cat, but senior Ava wants that title.  She doesn't seem to realize that shy, gentle Nala wouldn't want to defend her title, she's a lover not a fighter.

It was a nice sunny day, but very windy. At Kroger's I really had to hang onto my door to stop it from hitting the car next to me, yesterday.

Propane Retaining Bar! Steam Power. RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting. Fitted Sheets. Prohibition Ends. Bermuda Triangle.

 

For "tRaVersing Thursday", or RV Day:

Stop fiddling with that *$#&! propane retaining bar!

"If you are like me, you fuss with that pesky propane retaining bar, squirreling it around until you can get at your tanks. When you come back with the bottle refilled, it's just another hassle trying to hold onto the bottle and rack up the retaining bar to get the cylinder back in place. Enter Frank Bailey.

Frank has been a full-time RVer for over six years. He retired from Case Tractors, where he worked in the engineering lab, so you won’t be surprised that he has developed some innovations to make his RV lifestyle a bit easier.

Frank, like most of us, was frustrated with the propane tank retaining bar assembly because it is awkward to handle. He decided to make life easier by placing a tension spring under the retaining bar. He used about a 1½- to 2-inch spring (not so stiff as to make the wing nut hard to twist) and mounted it on top of a large washer held in place with the locking nuts. This holds the retention bar up against the wing nut while you easily remove the tank for service. On the return trip, you'll find it a breeze to get things back in place.

Thanks to Frank for his great idea!" by Jim Twamley

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Steam Generator

How would you like to have this bad boy powering your RV?

From: http://www.otherpower.com/steamengine.shtml

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How Absorption Refrigeration Works

"Learn how your RV refrigerator works so you know what to do if your unit ever experiences problems."

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RV refrigerator running too cold? Tips for adjusting the temperature

"Over-cooling in RV refrigerators (temperature gets too cold) is a common problem. Learn how to resolve the issue by testing the circuit board."

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Insufficient RV Refrigerator Cooling Troubleshooting

"Learn how to fix any cooling problems that your RV's refrigerator may experience."

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RV Tips:

How to handle speed bumps
"If you take your RV across a speed bump, you may find it pops open cabinet doors. Alleviate this issue by taking on the speed bumps "dead-on" and slow, rather than hitting them at an angle — an angle approach causes more coach rocking."

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Folding Fitted Sheets

"Most of us have, at one time or another, given up frustrated after the terrible ordeal of trying to fold a fitted sheet!"

From me:  Remember to always put the fitted sheet firmly on BOTH of the top ends of the bed first.  Then pull it down to go over the bottom ends.  This will keep it anchored better.

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On This Day:

Prohibition ends, Dec 5, 1933:

"The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. At 5:32 p.m. EST, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states' approval. Pennsylvania and Ohio had ratified it earlier in the day.

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for national liquor abstinence. Several states outlawed the manufacture or sale of alcohol within their own borders. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. On January 29, 1919, the 18th Amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification. Prohibition essentially began in June of that year, but the amendment did not officially take effect until January 29, 1920.

In the meantime, Congress passed the Volstead Act on October 28, 1919, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, including the creation of a special Prohibition unit of the Treasury Department. In its first six months, the unit destroyed thousands of illicit stills run by bootleggers. However, federal agents and police did little more than slow the flow of booze, and organized crime flourished in America. Large-scale bootleggers like Al Capone of Chicago built criminal empires out of illegal distribution efforts, and federal and state governments lost billions in tax revenue. In most urban areas, the individual consumption of alcohol was largely tolerated and drinkers gathered at "speakeasies," the Prohibition-era term for saloons.

Prohibition, failing fully to enforce sobriety and costing billions, rapidly lost popular support in the early 1930s. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, ending national Prohibition. After the repeal of the 18th Amendment, some states continued Prohibition by maintaining statewide temperance laws.  Mississippi, the last dry state in the Union, ended Prohibition in 1966."

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Aircraft squadron lost in the Bermuda Triangle, Dec 5, 1945:

"At 2:10 p.m., five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 take off from the Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine three-hour training mission. Flight 19 was scheduled to take them due east for 120 miles, north for 73 miles, and then back over a final 120-mile leg that would return them to the naval base. They never returned.

Two hours after the flight began, the leader of the squadron, who had been flying in the area for more than six months, reported that his compass and back-up compass had failed and that his position was unknown. The other planes experienced similar instrument malfunctions. Radio facilities on land were contacted to find the location of the lost squadron, but none were successful. After two more hours of confused messages from the fliers, a distorted radio transmission from the squadron leader was heard at 6:20 p.m., apparently calling for his men to prepare to ditch their aircraft simultaneously because of lack of fuel.

By this time, several land radar stations finally determined that Flight 19 was somewhere north of the Bahamas and east of the Florida coast, and at 7:27 p.m. a search and rescue Mariner aircraft took off with a 13-man crew. Three minutes later, the Mariner aircraft radioed to its home base that its mission was underway. The Mariner was never heard from again. Later, there was a report from a tanker cruising off the coast of Florida of a visible explosion seen at 7:50 p.m.

The disappearance of the 14 men of Flight 19 and the 13 men of the Mariner led to one of the largest air and seas searches to that date, and hundreds of ships and aircraft combed thousands of square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and remote locations within the interior of Florida. No trace of the bodies or aircraft was ever found.

Although naval officials maintained that the remains of the six aircraft and 27 men were not found because stormy weather destroyed the evidence, the story of the "Lost Squadron" helped cement the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, an area of the Atlantic Ocean where ships and aircraft are said to disappear without a trace. The Bermuda Triangle is said to stretch from the southern U.S. coast across to Bermuda and down to the Atlantic coast of Cuba and Santo Domingo."

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Yesterday:

Ray and I readied the place for Mindi's dogs to be boarded here for a few days, while she and her husband go on vacation.  The dogs stay in my Grooming Room, except when I take them outside to the back yard, to do their thing.

Jay never came to replace the back gate with my metal framed chain link one, so we had to do, what we had to do to, the wooden framed one. It wouldn't close properly, and was hitting the post.   Jay likes doing stuff like that, but there was no way that Ray or I were in the mood to get out the post hole diggers to put in a new post for the metal gate.  We took the wooden gate off at it's hinges, and sawed about 1/2" off the side, and screwed some reinforcing boards on each corner.  But when we reinstalled it, it was still bowed at the bottom.  If those dogs saw that gap, they would investigate, whereas Misty wouldn't.  We cut a 4x4 to lay across the ground so the dogs couldn't push on the gate, and put a door bolt near the bottom of the gate. That kept the bottom shut tight.  I have to keep her dogs safe, just like I have for the last 15 years that I have boarded them.

Then we moved a cage into my house, for the few times that Peekers and Nala will have to be locked up.  I didn't want to keep them caged all the time for the few days that the dogs will be here.  The foster cats usually have the run of the house.  They wouldn't want to be in the Grooming Room with Mindi's Caesar, who is constantly barking, "Me!  Me!  Look at Me!  I want some attention!"  He drives me nuts, so I don't know what that would do to sweet Peekers or shy, worried Nala. 

The two cats don't have to be locked up very often, but when we are running in and out of the house, the cats like to try to get in the attached garage-workshop.  That would be a disaster if the doors were open, which they are, when we are working in the mornings.  I can't even put the foster cats in my bathroom, as Ava is in there. 

Speaking of Ava, my 'new', old, longhaired, black cat.  I find that every time that I go into my bathroom that I get short of breath. This happened to me once before when I was taking care of a long haired cat who had to be brushed all the time, too. As it was at the same time that they were burning that stuff in Mexico, we thought that was the cause.

So now, the doctor's are thinking that I had allergy-induced asthma, as it wasn't a heart attack, and that I am allergic to her. She is a sweet little old lady-cat, and I hate to give her up, but I can't live like this.   I won't know for sure until I go to the doctor on the 19th, but her previous foster mom is supposed to pick her up on Saturday.

Tyler, TX. Tyler Rose Festival, Oct 17th-20th. C.S.S. Hunley. Gorbachev wins Nobel Peace Prize.

 

For "Travel Tuesday", Let's visit Tyler, TX, in the Texas Piney Woods region:

"Experience the warmth and Southern hospitality of the Texas Piney Woods Region. This beautiful forest land offers visitors a glimpse of the history of the Republic of Texas and early statehood times. The Texas Piney Woods offers some of the best fishing, down home cooking, championship golf and family activities in the Lone Star State. Discover the Southern Hospitality of the Texas Piney Woods Region."

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Tyler’s charming brick streets lead visitors to an array of family attractions, quaint antique shops and unique specialty stores. Outdoor buffs enjoy crystal-clear lakes, challenging golf courses and scenic campgrounds that offer fishing, picnicking, paddle-boating and hike and bike trails.

For those who prefer refined culture, Tyler’s exciting Broadway and ballet performances, symphony concerts, world-class art museums and wonderful cuisine are sure to please any palate!

As a regional educational and technology center, Tyler is the host for more than 20,000 higher education students, a College of Engineering, and a University Health Science Center; two regional billion dollar hospital systems; and a variety of technology startups.    Tyler is also a major medical center which serves the city as well as the surrounding East Texas area.

Children of all ages love Caldwell Zoo, Discovery Science Place and Hudnall Planetarium. Special events throughout the year include the Texas Rose Festival, Azalea & Spring Flower Trail, Festival on the Square and Movies Under the Stars in Bergfeld Park. We invite you to treat yourself to Tyler for a few days or a lifetime!" From: http://www.visittyler.com/

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"Tyler's higher education institutions include the University of Texas at Tyler and the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, both part of the University of Texas System, Tyler Junior College, and Texas College.

Annually, the Texas Rose Festival draws thousands of tourists to Tyler.^[16] The festival, which celebrates the role of the rose-growing industry in the local economy, is held in October and features a parade, the coronation of the Rose Queen, and other civic events. There is also a Rose Museum featuring the history of the Festival. Tyler is home to Caldwell Zoo, several local museums, Lake Palestine, Lake Tyler, and numerous golf courses and country clubs.^[17] A few miles away in Flint, TX is The WaterPark @ The Villages, a year-round, indoor water park. There is also an "Azalea Trail" in Tyler, which are 2 officially designated routes within the city that showcase homes or other landscaped venues adorned with azalea shrubs.^[18] Tyler State Park is a few miles away where visitors can camp, canoe, and paddle boat on the lake. Activities include picnicking; camping; boating (motors allowed - 5 mph speed limit); boat rentals; fishing; birding; hiking; mountain biking and hiking trails; lake swimming (in unsupervised swimming area); and nature study. The Smith County Historical Society operates a museum and archives in the old Carnegie Library.^[19] The East Texas State Fair is held annually in Tyler.^[20] Lake Tyler was the location of the HGTV Dream Home contest in 2005. The 6,500 square feet (600 m²) house briefly boosted tourism and interest in the community. It subsequently was sold at public auction in January, 2008, for 1.325 million dollars.^{[21]    From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler,_Texas}

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History:

"Despite the importance of the railroads, agriculture long remained the mainstay of the city's economy. During the early twentieth century cotton was the leading cash crop, accounting for four-fifths of the agricultural income of the county. After the mid-1890s, however, truck farming and fruit orchards became increasingly important as cash crops. By 1900 there were more than one million fruit trees, mainly peach, in the county. When a peach blight wiped out much of the fruit industry, many farmers turned to growing roses, which proved ideally suited to the climate and soil of the Tyler area. By the 1920s the rose industry had developed into a major business, and by the 1940s more than half the U.S. supply of rose bushes was grown within ten miles of Tyler. The flourishing rose business gave rise to the Texas Rose Festival, which has become one of the city's major attractions.

Tyler remained a small agricultural and railroad city until 1930, when the East Texas oilfield was discovered, setting off a huge economic boom. Numerous oil companies and field developers established offices in Tyler, and the city emerged as an important regional center for the oil and gas industry. The population mushroomed to more than 25,000 by 1933 and to 28,279 by 1940.

During World War II the economy received a further boost with the establishment of Camp Fannin ten miles to the northeast; it had a troop capacity of nearly 19,000 at the height of the war. In the 1950s commercial dealings replaced agriculture as the city's economic base. Foremost of these was the petroleum industry. Between 1931 and 1973 more than 167,000,000 barrels of oil were produced in East Texas, contributing to an annual income of $17 million by 1973. Other industries competed with the oil industry in terms of the number of people employed. By 1966, even though the petroleum industry still represented the largest actual monetary expenditure, the metal and fabricating industries involved more workers. The city also had extensive railroad and machine shops; manufacturers of woodwork, furniture, clothing, and fertilizer; cottonseed oil mills; and various types of food-processing plants.

By the middle 1960s Tyler had 125 manufacturing plants employing 8,000 workers. The more important industries included aluminum foundries, petroleum and chemical plants, concrete block plants, a tire factory, machinery manufacturers, and air-conditioning and refrigeration plants. Other significant industries were concerned with timber production and the manufacturing of clothing. Roses, other horticultural production, and cattle and hay production accounted for the most important sources of agricultural receipts.

Also attracting large numbers of visitors is the annual spring Azalea and Flower Trails Festival."  More at: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hdt04

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ROSE SEASON

"Each October thousands of visitors flock to Tyler for the excitement and pageantry of the Texas Rose Festival. For the entire month of October, Tyler celebrates the Rose Season with a plethora of activities that range from family fun to educational and cultural events. We welcome you to come and enjoy all Tyler has to offer during this special season.

Nestled in the piney woods of East Texas a short 90 minute drive from Dallas, Tyler is home to the largest municipal rose garden in the United States. Known for its natural beauty, Tyler celebrates it rose growing history during the month of October when the roses are at their peak bloom.

In addition to the Rose Garden, which features more than 32,000 bushes and 600 cultivars, the Rose Season presents horticulture workshops, tours of the renown Chamblee Rose Center specializing in Earthkind® Roses, a Texas Music Festival, the Tyler Rose Marathon, garden tours, the Arts, Crafts and Plant Sale, and so much more.

The highlight of the Season is the Rose Festival, Texas' most beautiful event. You'll be overwhelmed by the unbelievable aroma of hundreds of thousands of roses growing in manicured beds in the Rose Garden. Enjoy "tea with the Queen"; relive the past in the beautiful Rose Museum and be enchanted by courtly costumes at the Queen's Coronation. When your eyes have taken it all in, treat your ears and tap your feet as the bands march by in the Rose Festival Parade. Come see why everyone who visits the Texas Rose Festival leaves saying, "I'll be back!"

Since its beginning in 1933, the Texas Rose Festival has represented the spirit that brings Tyler together as a community.

Rich in heritage and tradition, the Festival offers enchanting ceremonial events - the Queen's Coronation, the Rose Show, the Queen's Tea, the Rose Parade - all amidst a backdrop of brilliant roses as vibrant and colorful as the community they represent.

Mark your calendars for this year's Festival,  October 17th - 20th, 2013." Below are highlights from the 79th annual Texas Rose Festival.  Enjoy! http://vimeo.com/52042367

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ALL ATTRACTIONS

"For a city its size, Tyler has a large number of quality attractions for visitors (and locals alike) to enjoy. A complete listing of all attractions is below. You may also view them by category by clicking on the above links. We hope you come see them in person soon!" http://www.visittyler.com/attractions.php

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I hope that peaked your interest in Tyler, TX.

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On This Day:

Confederate submarine sinks during tests, Oct 15, 1863:

"On this day in 1863, the C.S.S. Hunley, the world's first successful combat submarine, sinks during a test run, killing its inventor and seven crewmembers.

Horace Lawson Hunley developed the 40-foot submarine from a cylinder boiler. It was operated by a crew of eight—one person steered while the other seven turned a crank that drove the ship's propeller. The Hunley could dive, but it required calm seas for safe operations. It was tested successfully in Alabama's Mobile Bay in the summer of 1863, and Confederate commander General Pierre G.T. Beauregard recognized that the vessel might be useful to ram Union ships and break the blockade of Charleston Harbor. The Hunley was placed on a railcar and shipped to South Carolina.

The submarine experienced problems upon its arrival. During a test run, a crewmember became tangled in part of the craft's machinery and the craft dove with its hatch open; only two men survived the accident. The ship was raised and repaired, but it was difficult to find another crew that was willing to assume the risk of operating the submarine. Its inventor and namesake stepped forward to restore confidence in his creation. On October 15, he took the submarine into Charleston Harbor for another test. In front of a crowd of spectators, the Hunley slipped below the surface and did not reappear. Horace Hunley and his entire crew perished.

Another willing crew was assembled and the Hunley went back into the water. On February 17, 1864, the ship headed out of Charleston Harbor and approached the U.S.S. Housatanic. The Hunley stuck a torpedo into the Yankee ship and then backed away before the explosion. The Housatanic sank in shallow water, and the Hunley became the first submarine to sink a ship in battle. However, its first successful mission was also its last—the Hunley sank before it returned to Charleston, taking yet another crew down with it. The vessel was raised in 2000, and is now on exhibit in Charleston."

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From me: It's a wonder that submarines ever became popular!

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Mikhail Gorbachev wins Nobel Peace Prize, Oct 15, 1990:

"Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in ending Cold War tensions. Since coming to power in 1988, Gorbachev had undertaken to concentrate more effort and funds on his domestic reform plans by going to extraordinary lengths to reach foreign policy understandings with the noncommunist world.

Some of his accomplishments include four summits with President Ronald Reagan, including a 1987 meeting at which an agreement was reached to dismantle the U.S. and USSR intermediate-range missiles in Europe. He also began to remove Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1988 and exerted diplomatic pressure on Cuba and Vietnam to remove their forces from Angola and Kampuchea (Cambodia), respectively. In a 1989 meeting with President George Bush, Gorbachev declared that the Cold War was over.

Gorbachev also earned the respect of many in the West through his policy of non-intervention in the political upheavals that shook the Eastern European "satellite" nations during the late-1980s and early-1990s. When Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Poland, and other Iron Curtain countries began to move toward more democratic political systems and free market economies, Gorbachev kept Soviet intervention in check. (This policy did not extend to the Soviet republics; similar efforts by Lithuania and other republics were met with stern warnings and force to keep the Soviet Socialist Republics together.)"

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Yesterday:

I knew that Ray wouldn't be here, so I had made up my mind to bathe Misty, and to vacuum and mop all the linoleum floors. Most of that was done.

Misty was too sound asleep to disturb after her breakfast, so I concentrated on laundry and mopping.  Isn't it strange that as soon as you start to change the sheets that you have feline 'help'!

The day before, little Peekers my new foster kitten, had been let out of his cage for the first time since his surgery and had explored the Grooming Room,… when I wasn't grooming Muffie that is.  Each time I started to work on her, I would put him back in his cage, as I didn't want a confrontation.  Chris, another foster mom, came by with his vaccinations, and to take some pictures of him for his future www.Petfinder.com  webpage.  He behaved beautifully, purring all the time.  She remarked how sweet he is, and she isn't a 'cat person'.  Ray comes to see and hold him each day, and just loves him.  How could his previous 'parents' just dump and abandon such a sweet kitty?

One time, while he was still in his cage, Nala, my foster cat had gone up to the cage and hissed at him, so I didn't know if they would ever be friends.  But yesterday, I let him come in the house and explore.  He seems quite at home, and likes to sleep on my couch.  Nala follows him around as if to say "I wonder who he is?  He had better not take over my territory."  Her 'headquarters' is in my bathroom where she has her three-storey kitty condo, water, food, box etc.  Peekers has claimed the Grooming Room as his area, as his food, water, kitty condo, and box are in there, so I leave that door open.  So far, they are just staying away from each other, but that might change at any time.  At least they aren't fighting.

Last night, when I let Misty out, a little tabby cat came up to me, so I got it some food.  Then I noticed that it was wearing a collar, a dog collar at that, not a cat's break-away collar, and it was really tight around it's neck.  I didn't know if, or when, I would ever see this kitty again, so I knew I had to get it off it's neck.  The collar just wouldn't unsnap, so I carried the cat into the Grooming Room and cut off the collar. The cat was a friendly cat, but that spooked it, and when it scratched me, I quickly let it back outside so I could tend to my dripping wounds.

So I am going around with two hands bandaged today.

Clueless about RVing. Electrical Adapters. Mice and Ants? Mold. Awning. Fitted Sheets. Gas vs Diesel? RV Insurance. Decoration Day. First Indy 500.

 

For “tRaVersing Thursday”, or RV Day:

Clueless about RVing.

“You can get a good laugh from someone clueless about RVing. I came across a remark by a guy named Randy on the Thousand Trails Facebook page. He was commenting on the photo to the right.

He wrote: "I've told my friends, for years, that I will meet them at the campfire in the morning. But I'll stay in the nearest motel and have running water and a comfy room to sleep in. Didn't work all my life to act like a homeless person on a camping trip and call it fun!"

I could not resist responding. I wrote: "Geez, Randy. You'd rather stay in a motel in a bed where some person you don't know slept the night before? Hey, ya gotta love those bedbugs, too! Did you know that RVs have running water, just like motels? Amazing huh? You are severely undereducated in the comfort level of RVs."

Look at that photo: That's a fifth wheel trailer in the distance. I don't know anyone familiar with RVs who, observing that scene, would say they'd rather stay in a motel because, in so many words, "it's more comfortable." Randy, for example, shows his RV ignorance with a comment about how he'd rather stay in a motel where there's "running water," like maybe we RVers need to brush our teeth in a stream. Where has this guy been for the last 50 years? Has he ever stepped inside an RV? Me thinks no.

When I look at the photo, I go a little bit nuts. I want to be there. I know what it's like. I know what it's like to wake up in the morning in a beautiful place like that. I can imagine the sounds of birds, the warmth of the sun filtering through the trees, and the smell of the crisp, clean air. I can imagine stepping outside with my freshly brewed coffee, taking everything in, feeling I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

I also know what it's like to wake up in a motel room to a glorious view of a parking lot and those magnificent, scenic American icons — Denny's, McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell and maybe even a gas station.

Randy can have his stinkin' motel.”  By Chuck Woodbury

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Electrical adapter may cut power to your RV

“Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, has a tip about using electrical adapters when plugging an RV into power at a campground or elsewhere.”

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What to do when your RV power plug begins to fail

“Sooner or later, the connection between your RV's power cord and its plug will begin to separate. When this happens, you have a couple of options:”

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Is your RV range a magnet for mice and ants?

“RV technician Chris Dougherty discusses how the range in an RV kitchen can be a big attraction for mice and ants. He also offers a tip about keeping the pests away.”

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RV Mold Monster: Don't let this happen to you

“Chuck Woodbury confesses a stupid mistake that led to something very ugly appearing in his RV kitchen. It didn't need to happen, as Chuck explains.”

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Use less hot water when taking a shower

“When taking a shower, use your water pump and the fresh water tank when your tank water is lukewarm but the well water for the RV park is icy cold. That way less hot water is needed to mix with the cold.” From reader David Bushouse

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How to fix an RV awning that will not retract properly

“An RVer asks Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, why the awning on his recreational vehicle will not retract evenly and what he can do to fix the problem. In order to fully secure it when not in use, he must go onto the RV's roof to manually adjust the awning to fully secure it.”

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HOW TO: Make a Fitted Sheet fit an RV Mattress

“It seems that we're not the only ones who've found that "King" and "Queen" beds aren't always exactly the same size we were used to in a stick house.

It didn't take long for us to hatch a plan to solve the problem, figuring that some sort of elastic strap beneath the mattress would keep it pulled tight. During a stroll around Wal-Mart (during a typical overnight camping stop) we discovered the perfect solution: suspenders! "

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How To: Fold A Fitted Sheet

“Help is on the way! Premier bed-stylist and soft-goods expert Steven Whitehead reveals the age-old secret of how to properly fold a fitted sheet.”

From Me:  If you don’t want your bottom sheet to go slipping and sliding around, hook both TOP corners over the mattress first, and then do the bottom.

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Should I buy gas or diesel?

“If the question is which truck will tow more or which motorhome has more torque the diesel will win hands down, but I honestly have no complaints with our gas powered motorhome either. Especially when considering the price.

Q&A
Question: Why does a diesel engine have more torque?
Mark Says: Much of the reason is in the way the engine is designed. Internal combustion engines use spark from a spark plug to ignite fuel in the combustion chamber of a gasoline engine and the high heat from compression to ignite the fuel in a diesel engine. It’s more difficult to burn diesel fuel so diesel engines have higher compression ratios resulting in more heat to ignite the fuel and more power.

Question: I have always heard that a diesel engine is much louder than a gas engine, is this true?
Mark Says: If you asked me that several years ago the answer would have been yes, but newer diesel engines are actually very quiet.

Question: You said in the article a diesel motorhome rides better, why is that?
Mark Says: Most gas motorhome chassis’ use leaf spring suspension systems. With this suspension system you will experience things like “body roll” and “pitch.” whenever pressure is exerted against one side of the motorhome. It can be caused by a gust of wind, a shift in weight while cornering, or a passing truck. The effects of sway on a motorhome are increased because of the height and mass of the motorhome. A diesel chassis uses an air ride suspension system. These systems keep the chassis adjusted to the proper ride height at all times by adding and releasing air as required. And the way the system is designed eliminates the pitch and roll affect you get from leaf spring suspensions, resulting in a smoother riding motorhome.   Happy Camping,   Mark J. Polk”  More at: http://www.rvuniversity.com/article.php/20070516070737817

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Dutch RV insurance commercial -- no need for geckos

“So if you can sell car insurance with a gecko, can you sell it without the lizard? A Dutch insurance company shows how you can still have fun without the leapin' lizard.”

(Chatwakan - 2000) “Another commercial for Centraal Beheer Achmea, a Dutch insurance company who always (try to) make good commercials, you can watch them all on their site: http://fun.centraalbeheer.nl/  Then there is this one:

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Shopping for RV insurance -- what all those terms mean

“When it comes to buying RV insurance, it can be a bit tricky — the terms can be so daunting. Just what are you shopping for, and what does it cover? In this and our next installment, we'll walk you through some of the seemingly mysterious terms that come with RV insurance. Read more.”

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On This Day:

Civil War dead honored on Decoration Day, May 30, 1868:

“By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance is held to honor those who died "in defense of their country during the late rebellion." Known to some as "Decoration Day," mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

By the late 19th century, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day, and after World War I, observers began to honor the dead of all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. It is customary for the president or vice president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. More than 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually. Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.”

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First Indianapolis 500 held, May 30, 1911:

“On May 30, 1911, the inaugural Indianapolis 500 is run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. The 200-lap, two-and-a-half mile race has since become a Memorial Day weekend tradition. With the exception of a break in 1917 and 1918 for World War I and from 1942 to 1945 for World War II, it has been run every year since, and is now the largest sporting event in the world, attended by about 270,000 spectators annually.

When the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was designed, the track was meant to have a crushed rock and tar surface. That surface was abandoned after only a few races in 1909, due to fatal results caused by unevenness. The rock and tar was replaced by over 3 million street-paving bricks that were filled in with sand and then mortar for strength. The track has since been referred to as "the brickyard," although subsequent resurfacing has covered all but about three feet of the bricks.

At the first Indy 500 in 1911, 40 cars met the qualifications to race. Track founder Carl Fisher felt the large number could lead to danger, so he decided to lead the first lap around the track at about 40 or 45 miles per hour, before pulling off to the side. The "pace car" has since become standard practice at all auto races.

A multi-car accident occurred 13 laps into the race, and the ensuing chaos temporarily disrupted scoring, throwing the finish into dispute when the eventual runner-up, Ralph Mulford, argued that he was the rightful winner. It was Ray Harroun, however, who took home the $14,250 purse, clocking an average speed of 74.59 mph and a total time of 6 hours and 42 minutes.

In the 30th mile of the race, 80,000 spectators watched as a driver from Chicago lost a front wheel, which caused his car to turn over on the track. Both the driver and his mechanic, who rode in the front seat with him, were thrown from the car. The mechanic landed against a fence and was killed instantly, while the driver escaped with a broken arm. The race continued, and the crowd watched nervously as accidents piled up, knowing another fatality could take place at any moment. None did, and Ray Harroun, driving a Marmon, was the only driver in the race who didn’t ride with a mechanic. Instead, he employed a rear-view mirror, his own invention, to keep an eye on the other cars on the track.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I went to get Jay, and we all had our walks down there.  It was time to go shopping.

First stop was Lowe’s to return some of the unused polycarbonate roofing.  It is 26” wide and 10’ long, so it meant that Jay had to crawl under it and sit in the second seat until we got that out of the way.  I bought some 10’ long drip cap there, but that just rides down the middle of the van.

Then we went to Walmart for Jay to get a few things, and dropped off a bunch of used plastic bags in that recycling.  To save another stop at Petsmart, I bought Misty some Paul Newman’s organic canned dog food there.

Jay had a wheel to return to Northern Tool, so I bought a new ratchet for my tool set there.  My Craftsman one had broken and I don’t know when I can get to Sears in The Woodlands for a free replacement.

We unloaded the paper recycling at St. Marks thrift shop and Jay bought several bargains there, but I didn’t see anything I needed.  But I did find some bargains at Krogers, and then we came home. 

None of the driveway surfacing people that I have called have returned my calls, so we are still stuck on that project for a few more days.

Puppy Mills. Shopping. Travasak.

In fact, as you read this, there is very likely a puppy from a Missouri puppy mill staring out from a cage at a pet store near you.


"A new measure will help save thousands of puppy mill dogs in Missouri.
But the puppy millers want to keep business as usual.
Will you help us defeat them?



September 22, 2010

The attacks have started.
This November, voters in Missouri -- the nation's number-one puppy mill state -- will vote on a measure that will stop puppy mill abuses. It's called Proposition B, and it would establish common sense standards for the care of dogs.

But last week, the puppy mill industry launched its campaign against Prop B with robo-calls to households across the state spreading lies about this measure. We can't let those attacks go unanswered.
Will you help us deliver the facts to Missouri voters -- and help save thousands of puppy mill dogs?

Missouri is home to approximately 3,000 puppy mills, about 30 percent of all the puppy mills in the country. And this massive industry is going to fight to keep business as usual, so they can continue to cram dogs into small and filthy cages, deny them veterinary care, expose them to extremes of heat and cold, and give them no exercise or human affection.

These puppy mills are cruel and the way these dogs are treated is wrong. And this dirty business affects all of us, because Missouri's puppy mill dogs are shipped all over the country, sold to pet stores and directly to consumers over the Internet!

In fact, as you read this, there is very likely a puppy from a Missouri mill staring out from a cage at a pet store near you."

Please help us with a special donation today to counter the false claims of the puppy millers -- and urge Missouri citizens to vote YES! on Prop B this November.
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Today:

Ray came over to re-paint the back door and mow.

I picked up Jay and we headed into the next town.  We stopped at JC Penneys and I bought a new vinyl cover for my memory foam mattress.

We got all the workshop trash unloaded at the dumpster.  Then we took the metal that the 'metal man' hadn't been around to collect, to the metal recycling. That brought $29.   Gee, that's over half a tank of gas for my van!  We are in the wrong business.

We stopped at several thrift shops, and each bought something at each store.  The thrift shops have all been re-stocked and there were new articles to see.  They are bringing out their winter clothes, even though it is still in the humid 90's.  I managed to find a cute cotton black and white summer dress, and some nice drapes for my motor home.

My favorite purchase is a red long sleeved button-down Disney shirt with 7 Dalmatians embroidered on the front, and 7 on the back.  I expect I will wear it a lot this winter, you know how you have favorite comfy clothes that you like to wear over and over.

We had 'two-fer' coupons, so we ate Grilled Chicken at Burger King.  The bun was like a muffin, but I still gave half of mine to the birds in Kroger's parking lot.  We picked up a few items, and gassed up there, before driving home slowly in pouring rain.

But, as usual, it hadn't rained a drop here at home.  The Puddle Jumper is all dusty so I had left it outside, hoping the rain would wash it off!

Jay helped me get the heavy memory foam mattress inside the new vinyl zippered 'envelope', as I couldn't have done it by myself.  Now, if an animal up-chucks or something on my bed, my mattress is safe.  I started keeping my bed protected ever since Bobcat had her bladder crystals eight years ago, but yesterday was her first accident since then.  I think it was the surprise of being attacked by Patches.  Then I also remembered that I had put a bit of food with her Special Diet food that wasn't labelled "Reduces PH, and Low Magnesium" which is essential for her.  So I quickly remedied that.

Last night, knowing that I had to buy a vinyl cover before I could make the bed up with the thick foam topper, mattress pad, sheets, and comforter, I just threw a homemade Traversak style sheet on the bed: http://www.andybaird.com/travels/gertie/sheets.htm  
They are so handy for RVs with 'awkward to make' beds.

Now, I have my bed all made up today.