To buy or not to buy--that is the question.

Should I invest in a GPS system?? Every time I come to Asheville I get lost!! There is a maze of highways, and Interstates, in and around this city. Before leaving Walmart this morning, I studied the map and believed I knew how to find Panera Bread. I went the wrong direction and consequently had to backtrack from Hendersonville. ~~ I've been in Panera for over an hour and completed the previous blog. It is my intention to visit the Biltmore Estate and see the Festival of Flowers. I also must get the car and T@B washed!! The adorable little T@B attracts so much attention but (right now) has bird droppings, pollen, and road grime distracting from her beauty. ~~ Changing the subject: The POD is being picked up today (in Shelby) and I am over eighty miles away. I don't have to be there....

McDonald's WiFi: I'm lovin' it !

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, I anticipate many new and interesting experiences. For the first time in years (!!) I'm in a McDonald's. I'm using their free WiFi (and drinking their "too strong" coffee). In the past, I relied on places like Panera Bread for free WiFi. Obviously, I won't have to search for WiFi locations any more!!

I spent the night in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in the parking lot of Ingles market (a chain of grocery stores in the Southeast). When I left Shelby yesterday, at 4 o'clock, I never imagined I'd be in Black Mountain that evening!! I was headed for Asheville when I saw the sign for Chimney Rock State Park. "Let's do that" I told Lord Botetourt. But I missed the campground (if there is a campground). A road sign indicated Black Mountain was twenty miles so I headed down the narrow State highway in that direction. Last year I whizzed through the little town on one of my trips but have since learned it is a "must see." I understand it is a quaint old town with lots of cute little shops worthy of "browsing." I had been told that the The Dripolator Coffeehouse is a "must visit" but they were still closed at 6:45 (and no sign indicating when they open).

Next stop: Black Mountain Natural Foods. Later, The Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC.

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Postscript 4:20 PM Tues. 4/13/2010: Today was rather mundane as far as I'm concerned. After Black Mountain Natural Foods, I stopped at Amazing Savings for some groceries. This second establishment was the one I had heard about--organics and naturals at discount prices. Then (without browsing...) I headed for Asheville. Lost (as has frequently been the case) I saw--and followed--signs to the Grove Park Inn. Lovely to look at; definitely out of my price bracket!! A valet gave me a free prime parking spot; people came over to take pictures of the T@B. I took a quick walk through the lobby, and one terrace, and took several pictures. In front of one huge fireplace... the winning entries for a recent bird house contest.

I had planned to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway because I can find Panera Bread and the Biltmore Estate from there. The Blue Ridge Parkway was closed (heading south) but lots of signs to direct me on the detour. Eventually I was in Brevard, North Carolina, and stopped for lunch and study the map. I couldn't figure out a destination worth seeking so turned around. That blunder cost me about 80 total miles and several hours!! I'm not complaining; I have lots of time!! However, some of the route was rough and bumpy; items in the T@B were tossed into a jumbled mess. Cupboard doors came open and contents were spilled everywhere!! ~~ Back in Asheville, about 2 PM, I found a very large Walmart Super Center and drove around looking for shade. Yes, shade along the wall close to the East side of the building. Then I spent about one-and-one-half hours organizing the clutter.

At 5 PM I headed back to a McDonalds intending to upload the pictures and add this postscript to the blog. I couldn't get a WiFi connection!! At 5:30, at McDonalds, I wasn't "lovin' it" (ha). (This postscript was added, and published, at 7:30 AM 4/14/2010, at Panera Bread.)

Life in the slow lane #2

More "Life in the slow lane." This has been an awesome weekend (and it isn't over)!! ~~ Saturday: Wayne, Deborah and I took a trip to Hickory, NC, for some shopping. A beautiful day and beautiful scenery!! Home again--putting groceries away--company arrived. Then there was meal preparation for five..., fellowship followed, plus an evening bonfire at the edge of the lake.

Saturday morning I awakened to a unique display: Steam rising off the lake (38 degrees). My camera was still in the house so I couldn't photograph the display. Today (Sunday) I took several pictures of steam rising off the lake (at sunrise) but fear that the pictures don't depict the grandeur of the scene. Door frame of T@B is portrayed in second photo to affirm (indeed) the view from my little trailer.

Breakfast on the porch. Mid morning the five of us had a meaningful worship service in the living room. Lunch on the porch. Heartfelt sharing. The weather is absolutely beautiful!! Numerous boats on the lake; geese in the yard; bumble bees everywhere.

The hot weather last week caused an explosion of blossoms on the trees. Everything is in bloom at one time and everything came in full bloom almost overnight. Gratefully, less pollen in the air; the recent rain washed it from cars, buildings, yard, streets, etc., into the lake. Little coves of the lake are yellow with pollen floating on the surface. It has been years (decades?) since this area experienced exceedingly high pollen count.

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Continued at 8:30 PM: A delicious dinner consumed inside the house to avoid the pesky bees. Everyone did a separate task during the afternoon: Guest Phyllis spent hours weeding the flower bed. Guest David helped Wayne gather, and haul, limbs trimmed from the orchard. Deborah did laundry, and prepared the dinner (brown rice, steamed asparagus, salad with veggies & fruit). Wayne was the BBQ chef. Lorraine was (1) relaxing in front of the computer (with this blog); (2) filling the five gallon fresh water tank in the T@B (no small job for this old lady!!); (3) cleaning & dusting pollen from inside the T@B (I've had the windows and door open). ~~ We all agreed that it has been a very special weekend ordained by the Lord. It was no coincident that Phyllis, David and I were here at this time!! Wayne and Deborah (with vast knowledge of health and nutrition) had never heard of Be In Health until I mentioned it a few weeks ago. Unexpectedly they heard Phyllis and David's experience with Be In Health. Out of the blue (fresh from Florida) we're all under one roof!!

Life in the slow lane

2:22 PM of an absolutely beautiful day!! However, yesterday at this time, it was dark and gloomy, with misting rain. We had a downpour about 3:30 PM. By 5 PM we were under a tornado watch!! We didn't have hail but the TV news said large hail in the area. (I'm always so glad when we don't have hail locally because I don't want my beautiful T@B to be pelted.) Tonight we'll learn from the TV news whether damage, last night, in Cleveland County (our County) was a tornado--or "only" severe wind damage.

Today we have an anticipated temperature high of 66 degrees. A BIG difference from 90 degrees earlier this week. We will have a lovely weekend, according to weather forecasters. It's lovely right now, as I sit at a table in the Family Room overlooking the lake. A pair of Geese are waddling around in the yard at water's edge. I saw a Cardinal a bit earlier--and a squirrel.

I drove to Shelby this morning for a haircut. I've checked my on-line Banking. I did a load of laundry. It has been a very "laid back" day. This is awesome!!

At this time--three weeks ago--I was at the "Be In Health" conference in Thomaston, Georgia. I learned a totally new perspective on health. I've been following a vegan diet for many years--based on Genesis 1:29. Recently, to my absolute amazement, I discovered there are many other scriptures that address physical health problems. I've read those scriptures; I've heard sermons with those scriptures; "Why didn't I comprehend the significance?" I came away from the conference with books and CDs that I will study over the next few months. I'm embarking on a very interesting Spring and Summer!!

On March 25th I wrote in my blog about the fall I experienced at Be In Health. I'm totally recovered..., the scabs have fallen off, I'm no longer limping. Again I say that my healthy lifestyle probably contributed to the speedy recovery.

L.B., Mercedes & Me

I "saved" this blog--and time slot--at 11:11 AM. Now, two hours later, I'm ready to comment about this day. I've spent the last two hours uploading the pictures for the two previous blogs. I hope everyone enjoys--vicariously--my "little bit of heaven." I'll be there for a couple more days. I didn't unhitch; I'm still pulling the T@B. I took the box of Income Tax info to the POD and (with great difficulty) managed to get it in a spot high above my head. Then to the Post Office for the mail that is being held for me. A big handful of junk mail!! Then to "My Coffee House" where I've been using their WiFi to upload pictures and perfect the blog.

"L.B." is my nickname for Lord Botetourt. I bought him in Botetourt County, Virginia, during the summer of 2000 (one of my earlier RV trips). I saw him in a gift shop and fell in love with his sweet face. Initially I rationalized that I would never spend $80. for a purse that looked like a dog. A couple of days later I followed my heart and went back and adopted the adorable Hound Dog. He's my traveling companion; he has a place in the passenger seat where he can see everything.

"Mercedes" is the name that I gave my T@B. She came from Germany where quality craftsmanship goes into the manufacture of vehicles.

My schedule is very unstructured at this hour. In a few days, it will be L.B., Mercedes and me.

The deed is done !!

Yesterday the thermometer topped 90 degrees. I was indoors all day so missed the spectacular unseasonably warm weather (20 degrees above average for this time of year). Only projected high of 86 degrees today. "Only" (ha). I've had my "nose to the grindstone" all morning. I completed the many, many, many... steps at 1:21 when I hit the send button to e-file Federal and State Income Taxes.

This morning I struggled with Quicken Home & Business--entering information. (I've never gotten "comfortable" with that software program!) In frustration, I stopped entering expenses after June 2009--and don't know whether January through June is totally accurate, or complete. It was important to get one specific expense recorded: Dotless Domain, $2,985., Jan. 13, 2009. It was a SCAM and so many of us have been taken advantage of in our desire to build a home-based business on the Web.

As you might surmise, I did not have all the paperwork I needed to answer all the questions in Turbo Tax. The hazard of my procrastination!! Gratefully, the deed is done.

After the box of Income Tax info is safely stored in the POD, and I pick up the mail that is being held at the Post Office, I'll start my travels. First destination (I think): The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Currently they have their Festival of Flowers. From the pictures, it is spectacular!!

A Little Bit of Heaven !!

Turbo Tax--and much more!!

I have the lovely home all to myself--with Lucy (cat) and Mason (dog). Deborah and Wayne are at their business in Shelby: "My Coffee House." I anticipated that I'd "do" my income taxes while in the gazebo by the lake. However the reflection, and bright sunshine, made it almost impossible to see the screen of the laptop. I moved to the dining room table.

First I installed Turbo Tax and went through all the preliminary stuff regarding my income taxes (I have a box full of paperwork). Later (2 PM) I took a shower while Quicken Home & Business was slowly installing. Below are pictures of the unique tub and shower, and the adjacent bedroom that my host and hostess wanted me to sleep in. Notice the view of the lake from the bathroom window. I declined their offer to stay in the house; I'm sleeping in my little T@B parked in their little orchard. With my back to the tree with pink blossoms (seen from the upstairs bathroom window), a view of the front of the house. Then a picture of the rear of the beautiful home--a home with a view of Moss Lake from either side of the house (yes, this house is on a little peninsula).







































Front and rear of the home.









From the corner of the porch looking down to the gazebo, and lake. From the gazebo looking up to the house.