SISTERS

Today I enjoyed hours in the country with my sleuth sisters 😉

Chic & Sister Sledge – ‘We Are Family’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lx2NUmxTQ0)

Bruising all gone, but still can't wear makeup until the eyebrow slash heals completely.

It was ‘snack day’ … so I drove into town to purchase my contribution – and topped off the gas tank; the price for a gallon of fuel has gone down again, but it’s still spendy.

Another 30-cent reduction. Still NOT enough of a reduction.

While I was buying my snacks, I also bought another houseplant: since I’m staying in my house in Longview – and not on the road as much as I was in 2020 and 2021 – I think I can manage to keep living plants alive, now 😉

Wandering Jew plant; dropped it off at home on my way out of Dodge.

My contribution this afternoon; Hawaiian Bun Sliders & Cherry Turnovers; kept {safe} on ice, in one of the cooler’s from the shed.

Driving along Ocean Beach Highway on my way to the upper end of Wahkiakum County, I caught sight of an unexpected sight out of my peripheral vision: I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! So, I drove a bit further up the highway and turned around at Nassa Point, to backtrack and get a better view.

White Pelicans!

I like pelicans. And I’m not sure I can spare the gas to get to Chinook to see them when they fly in later this month … so I felt very blessed and highly favored this afternoon when I watched these ones. Elohim is so good to me 😊

White Pelicans! Sighted on Columbia River between Little Cape Horn & Nassa Point.

White Pelican: (https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-white-pelican &  https://www.birdadvisors.com/pelicans-washington/)

Spotted where the wind surfers hang out ...

Little Cape Horn & Nassa Point-WA; 3 minutes apart, via Ocean Beach Highway.

‘Nassa & Nassa Point, Washington:(http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/nassa_point.html)

Nipping in at Cathlamet’s Minit Mart to grab a corn dog, I spotted a rich man’s ‘big boy’ toy … Cathlamet is not a sleepy logger/fisherman hamlet anymore; it has become a backwoods yuppie community.

Tracy Lawrence – ‘Time Marches On’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2vjI1V6lE8)

I’m sorry to see that, but time marches on. I’m glad I don’t live there anymore – I wouldn’t be happy without Bob; or with all the yuppyish changes.

Cathlamet Minit Mart - old picture; under new management now - and gas prices have doubled.

A Big Boy toy.

Traffic was slowed to a snail’s crawl in Skamokawa; and the KM has been scalped. By the time I reached Graysriver, I really needed to find a place to relieve myself – the coffee I had been drinking was making its effects known 😉

I sent an SOS heavenward as I turned down the Covered Bridge Loop Road: “Please God, let there be a honey bucket at the turnout!”

Traffic was slowed to a crawl for about 10 min's, near the Duck Inn ...

The KM has been scalped; top of KM, at the Transfer Station.

The KM 'mountain' is just really a big hill - but it would pass as a mountain back East.

Not sure what this tower is for because radio and cell service in Graysriver, is c.r.a.p.

GLAD to see that Honey Bucket!

My bladder happy again, I continued on my way to join my sister armchair detectives for our weekly {Whodunit} gathering, peppered liberally with personal/family updates; and a shared luncheon 😊

Swallows and dragonflies were everywhere, in abundance. Roadside trees, shrubs, and blackberry bushes had been thinned out and cut back; and I saw things I hadn’t noticed before. I love country backroad forays – soothing, scenic, and enlightening.

Swallow s& dragonflies were everywhere in abundance.

I've never seen this style of barn before; glad the roadside trees had been thinned out.

Becky wasn’t there: she isn’t feeling well. Linda was telling us about a recent incident between her car and a guardrail, and feeling bad about the incident … so, I told her about my recent (yesterday, actually) incident between a cement post and my Highlander’s back bumper, Ramona was telling us how to file a claim with our vehicle insurance policy holders. I think I’ll just pay for my damages out of pocket – they aren’t as extensive as Linda’s. I should be able to get my back bumper fixed in a few months; and if not, I guess my car will just look like a country gal’s vehicle 😉

Gretchen Wilson – ‘Redneck Woman’ song:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82dDnv9zeLs)

People drive vehicles that look worse than a car with a dented back bumper.

And every time I feel bad about that dent, I remember how Bob handled the time I tore the aluminum flashing off the side of his pickup (another cement post incident – it really was the dog’s fault. Truth.): “Shit happens, Val. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

Bob was a good man, with a good attitude. Thank God.

Memories are good things 😉

8-2-22; Backed into a cement post in Castle Rock (a pretty solid hit) - $1,500 worth of damages - thankfully the calibrators weren't damaged.

I had a blast with my sleuth sisters, and enjoyed an uneventful drive back home. When I got home; I collected the garbage and recycle bins from the curb, put the cooler back in the shed, and slipped my new houseplant into a ceramic pot I’d bought years ago at an Estate Sale Bob and I went to.

The only place in the whole house where 'defused light' fits; we'll see how well my new plant does here for the time being.

Bob isn’t wandering anymore … but I will smile and think of him when I watch that plant grow, thrive, and branch out 😊

My New Life is still making space for Bob’s essence in it. I am getting comfortable with both: my New Life, and the memories that are still very much a part of my Life – the past, the present, and the future.

2003; Bob

The strengths in those memories get me through my days.

So does the love ties of friendship sisterhood.

E.v.e.r.y.s.i.n.g.l.e.d.a.y