Did I miss a memo or something?

I don't shop a lot, but jeez..... did I miss a memo or something?

I would like to know if I accidentally tripped a switch on my way out of town last June.  I figure that can be the only explanation for the complete change that has occurred in my little corner of the planet since then.  It's either that or, as I have suspected for some time, the local economy is directly tied to my wallet.

I have lived in the same place for 16 years, shopped at the same stores, driven the same route to work.  When I came back, I discovered that the grocery store I most frequently use is closed; the store where I buy all of my clothes is also closed; the 2 main routes I use to get into town are all but closed due to construction; the alternate grocery store which only opened a year ago not only closed but then re-opened as an all-chinese grocery store which smells like a giant fish market and doesn't have English signs so I can't shop there; several of the restaurants I usually use are closed; even the Dairy Queen is closed!

I Broke The Beast!

I know that I need help with backing up. I can't even back my little tiny Toyota up in an empty parking lot. I don't know what made me think I could back up a 34 foot RV into a narrow opening between 2 trees, on a curve, on a single lane street, with cars parked on either side. What was I thinking? Or in this case, why wasn't I thinking?

Anyhow, I heard a crunch and noticed that the back bumper seemed a little more prominent than usual. Sure enough, it was cracked from top to bottom. Thank heavens it's a silvery color - the duct tape actually seems to blend in. My brother is going to fix it with zap straps, he says.

On the up side, the weekend was spectacular. The weather couldn't have been better. My bro, SIL and I had a lovely long weekend, played card games, putter pool, sat in the hot tub, and even had a great turkey dinner. Bro indulged in marathon wood chopping sessions - he hasn't said so, but we think he's training for next year's Lumberjack contests. 

What more could you ask? Except maybe a new bumper. Sigh....

We are so going to pay for this!

I can truly believe that the world will end on December 21st. How else can you explain that there hasn't been any rain to speak of in Vancouver since August? Obviously, Armageddon is at hand.

My bro, SIL and I are planning to give the Beast one more outing before winter (and the end of the world) sets in. We're heading for Bridal Veil Falls for the Thanksgiving weekend. After that, poor old Beastie will be getting its final rub down and will be tucked away for the winter.

Goodbye, old friend

I just got the news that my old trailer is sold. I really loved that trailer. It was the first one I bought and had everything I ever wanted: a front kitchen, a back bedroom, lots of space. It was always bright and airy. It had a few drawbacks: the roof leaked one year and so there was a bit of a bulge in the ceiling. The awning was a nightmare to take down. Mice got in regularly in spite of the combo of Bounce sheets, bay leaves, Warfarin, Bromine, moth balls and mouse traps. But it was home for many summers and I'll miss it.