All politics aside, the airshow and static displays at the Yuma Marine base was awe-inspiring, stirring and a very enjoyable day.

At left, you will see DB, in a ‘former life’ an aircraft mechanic in the Canadian Armed Forces, minutely inspecting the inner workings of what, to me, is simply a mess of wires.

A Mechanic in Love

The day was perfect with clear skies, blessedly calm winds, temps is the mid 70′sF (25C). My particular favorite flight demonstration was the salute to all the men and women of the allied Armed Forces in all conflicts, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice, with the mighty F16 of today and the popular, effective World War 2 P51 Mustang flying together in a large circle overhead.

Stirring Salute

Oh, and for us ladies, the display of testosterone and eye candy was impressive! OK, that’s sexist and I don’t care.

The hit of the day for the Marines on parking detail was the Smart Car! We’re about ready to print up an information sheet and just pass them out! Everywhere we go we are asked the same questions and even caught a guy in his pickup truck taking a picture with his phone!

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I hate sweating! Most forms of exercise make me sweat! Therefore I hate exercising! Well, at least I’m truthful.
But I DO exercise because something I dislike even more is growing old being ill and decrepit. THUS, we now have bicycles. In the background you will see the ‘preferred’ mode of biking and when DB says let’s go for a ‘bike’ ride I plop on the appropriate headgear. Seems DB got confused too seeing as his is on backwards.

Right Bikes, Wrong Hats

I think the last time I rode a bike I was about 12. Yes, it’s correct that the old saying ‘it’s like riding a bike, you never forget how’ is true. What’s more true is if you have legs about as long as a Daschund (me), it’s a Boy Bike (that dratted bar!), and you are wearing thongs (the shoes, not the underwear) it’s not the riding that’s the problem, it’s the mount and dismount!

Result? Yup, I fell off the bike. To add insult to injury (a skinned elbow and a black-bruised knee), I wasn’t even riding it, just trying to get on! Did I care about my knee and my elbow? No, I was more concerned that someone other than DB at my side had witnessed my elimination from the Olympic Games.

DB, who can’t stand to see me hurt, wanted to ‘fix it’ by running right out and buying me a ‘girl bike’ (bless his heart), but my response was, “You know that I allow very little to defeat me in life, and falling off has just hardened my resolve to master this”. So I’m in the process of ‘mastering’. Maybe it’s the headgear?

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Thought you might like to meet Yilka (pronounced Jill-Kah) Gomez, my Panamanian-working-in-Mexico dentist. Nice teeth, hay!!

So many of her patients live in our RV park that she was invited to dinner and we all went over for appies and a hug ’till next season.

I looooove this lady. She saved me many thousands of dollars and did excellent work. We even experienced an earthquake together (see recent post) so we are forever bonded.
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DB, ever the romantic, did the Valentine thing. Meet “Smoochie” before and after he got his kiss!

There’s more at “Clear Directions” Newsletter archives!

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What is it about these ‘let’s do it now’ episodes DB and I are experiencing?

I think I have figured it out. It’s called ‘time is moving on’. While in our younger years we fling around such expressions as ‘I’ll get around to it’, or ‘I’ll do that down the road’, or ‘that can wait for another year’, or ‘someday’ like ticker tape at a parade.

Before we know it, ‘someday’ has knocked on our badly-needing-paint door. Dang, time is sneakier than a kid in the cookie jar! We don’t have 40 or 50 years in the future anymore, so we might as well DO IT NOW.

If only we could put an old head on young shoulders. When it comes to accomplished goals, a somewhat sense of urgency or ‘Do It Now’ way of thinking helps……Big Time.

Now to the point of all this….once again, an off the cuff comment has DB (Dearly Beloved) and I making a major move.

While wandering around our winter home of Yuma, AZ one day last December, he and I decided to “just look” at a few of the thousands of RV’s in the many dealerships in this city. Yuma must be the RV capital of the world! Ha! Have you ever gone ‘just looking’ at puppies???

Here it comes………that off the cuff remark……:

“Why don’t we upgrade? Less expensive than Canadian prices at home, the dollar is almost at par, it is our 24/7/365 home and will be for 7 to 10 years, we will have to upgrade in a couple of years anyway, why not ‘Do It Now’ and enjoy more room and more modern ammenities longer???”

Besides, poor cat Sid is allergic to something in the RV. Vet put him on antihistamines and all he did was sleep. He barely even snored and Sid is a champion snorer! I cannot have one of my furry-purries suffering, so that was the final catalyst.

MOVING DAY WITH FRIENDS NOREEN AND BRYAN

This is how you move from one RV to another! Just walk the plank

Once we made a firm committment, the Universe went into overtime and even though we had to climb a few mountains, incredibly wonderful and helpful people ‘turned up’ to guide us along our way.

YES, IT’S ME

We are enjoying:

• Four slide-outs rather than one (roooooomy!)
• 30″ plasma TV
• 2 more feet of length (that’s a lot in an RV!)
• A fabulous workstation/desk for me
• Not having to walk sideways in the bedroom
• A sink in the ‘water closet’
• More storage ( I LOVE storage!)
• Marble floor in kitchen and bath
• 7 years newer
• Granite countertops
• Dark cherry wood
• And did I say a hot tub on the roof? (kidding!)

The mattress platform is so high I feel like the ‘Princess and the Pea’. “Climbing into bed” has a whole new meaning…I am only juussst able to get into bed without a step stool. Either that or take a run at it from across the room. But I practice yoga, not high jumping.

We have been in our new RV for 4 days and Sid is allergy free!

And so another goal has become a reality. For more interesting and fun articles on goals and how to reach them you can access my ‘Clear Directions’ newsletter archives at :http://www.cleargoalscoaching.com/pure_inspiration.php

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And yours truly in “Triangle Pose”

Be very specific in wording your goals, or you may find yourself winding up in “Pidgeon Pose”! The Universe has a sense of humor.

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AN OASIS? A MIRAGE

Now how about this? Water, a marina right in the middle of the desert?! Yes, this is “Martinez Lake”, really a tributary of the Colorado River. Here is where our troop of bikers had lunch on the patio.

ROLLIN’ ON THE DESERT

Had to end the day with this self portait:

Stay tuned for the next adventure!

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”Up on the roof their arose such a clatter, I rose from my bed to see what was the matter”

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(at Katie’s Place)
- by Clement C. Cat

I received this delightful and heart-touching poem by email recently from my sister Debbie whom I affectionately call “Cat Woman”. Her purpose in life is to rescue, love and care for the many unfortunate kitty cats that have been abandoned and abused by lower forms of human beings.

Katie’s Place is a ‘no kill’ cat shelter in Maple Ridge, BC Canada where Debbie spends her days off and most of her pin money. The poem was written by Brigitta, one of the volunteers at the Shelter.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the shelter The creatures were stirring, all helter skelter;

Their profiles were hung by the door with great care, In hopes that adopters soon would be there;

Some kitties were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of forever homes danced in their heads;

And Peach with her stripes, and Taz all in gray, Had just finished sparring at the crunchies buffet;

When out on the porch there arose such a clatter, They sprang to the door to see what was the matter.

Away to the rafters they flew in a flash, Gray tabby Murdock and tuxedo Moustache;

The moon overhead had lured them to play, Leaving nests and perches in wild disarray;

Then what to the cats’ wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver with large fluffy paws;

They knew in a moment it was Santa Claws!
The old fellow saw all the cats, wild and tame, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

“Hey Mojo, hey Morris, hey Marble and Sprinkle!
Hi Skittles, hi Peach, Taz and Periwinkle!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now come along, come along, come along all!”

As whiskers torn during wild horseplay fly, When they break from a cheek or from over an eye, So out to the porch all the kitties they flew, To see Santa Claws in this rare rendezvous;

And so, in a twinkling, they saw him alight;
Resplendent in red, the old cat was a sight.

They all sat down and wrapped their tails round;
As they watched, the old sprite held them spellbound;

His whiskers were long and white as fresh cream, His boots were jet black, his eyes had a gleam;

He bore no gifts in ribbons and wrappings, With tags and tinsel and trimmings and trappings;

For a moment their faces all fell with dismay, For these pets had nothing, most had been stray;

Plucked from the streets, to the shelter they came;
No family nor friends, no home could they claim.

The kindly old elf could see some glum faces, And chuckled, for he knew of their saving graces;

“Take heart little friends for your future is bright; I come bringing hope and not presents this night!”
He foretold of homes for most of the throng, Safe, loving places where they would belong;

“This is a gift you will surely receive;

This hope is your gift on this bright Christmas Eve;

For the rest, if you must always make your home here, Know you have friends who hold your lives dear!”

Declaring this impromptu meeting adjourned, And giving a nod, to his sleigh he returned;

He took up the reins, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle;

But they heard, ere he rose to the sky up above, “Be at peace for you know that you’ll always have love!”

If you are an animal lover, and are in a position to make room in your home and your heart for a bundle of furry love who will repay you ten thousand fold, or if not, are able to donate food, toys, blankets, beds, treats, dishes, money or your time to a shelter near you for these ‘Little Love Sponges’ this Christmas, go for it and God Bless!

I invite you to post your comments (click ‘comment’ below), ask questions, make suggestions, etc. and forward to a friend (click the envelope icon below.) Let’s Interact!
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