Vision Update

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 10-01-2022

Of all surprises for today, the OFM woke up to better right eye vision since the fall. It is not as good as before but definitely a lot better at distance. Maybe there is a chance of rolling by New Year.

A few minutes ago the OFM Teams got a message from Kiddo, his son, that their entourage had made it to Walt Disney World just at sundown SAFELY. He commented that the Floridians returning home traffic was really bad.

We did a good bit of walking around today and cleaning out “never to be needed again” stuff. If we get rid of much more we will need to tie the Castle down to keep it on the ground. We are still hoping to get rolling when the OFM is COMPLETELY healed from all these falling down injuries.

Speaking of injuries, check out this picture that we showed years ago and now have a story for.

Years ago a drunk going very fast on the entrance road to the campground missed the curve in front of the camera and jumped the walking path hidden by the road curve and a drainage ditch to hit the tree, snap it off, tear up the territory and actually lived to go to trial and prison. That happened about ten or so years ago and today we heard the story for the first time. We bet that would have been a wild ride.

The nights are getting cool around here. Bits an pieces of autumn is showing up in the vegetation with trees doing the most changing right now.

Not a lot to tell about today but it was a nice day of cool fall air and visiting nice folks out trying to have tooooo much fun.

Looooog Nap

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-30-2022

The OFM got started this morning in time to get a great picture of a wonderful morning.

Beautiful Morning

After that we got in some walking but the body was objecting so we did a bit of meandering and found just about nothing in the water park area to catch our interest beyond that first picture. It seemed the best thing to do was head back to the Castle and rest some more. Then he remembered the Loratadine (Claritin) he had used a week or so ago for the allergies floating around now. He got one down and soon was breathing better. But in a couple of hours he was so sleepy that a several hours long nap happened.

Anyway that was how the day went. Basically nothing. However we did have a nice sort of Mexican supper at the nearby restaurant. Then got in a bit of visiting with a friendly couple here in the campground.

It was definitely a slow moving nothing really exciting day of trying to have tooooo much fun inspite of the antihistamine trying to make the OFM sleep all day.

Three Nice Visits

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-29-2022

The OFM had a BAD start this morning again. But this morning he paid careful attention to things and noted that when he had his late morning snack he soon was feeling better. So tomorrow he will be eating a larger breakfast and see what evolves.

However the late morning was great. We met a lady named Laura on the trail who was taking care of Biscuit the pup we told you about. This morning we met at the head of the walking trail to walk together and visit. Well the OFM was too weak to walk but we sat at some picnic tables had a wonderful long conversation about the adventures we have had in living. She had some really wonderful adventures to learn about. The OFM is hoping we can meet again and share some more stories. She is a very pleasant person to visit.

Later after lunch in town the OFM stopped in Hobby Lobby to kill some daylight and struck up a nice conversation with a lady roaming the aisles like the OFM. She and her husband are about to be full time Rvers between the rv here in Decatur and a house down near a town at a beach that the OFM forgets. After several minutes of very pleasant talking to her something was said that let us find out they are actually staying in the same campground as the OFM Teams. Wow what a coincidence that was.

Then as the OFM was rounding the next corner he bumped baskets with another lady that was shopping in the store and we ended up talking about things that happen to older folks around Decatur and the area. She and the OFM had a nice long conversation on lots of subjects. Eventually we called it quits and went our own ways. The OFM sure had a great day of visiting with folks he had never met before and that is a great way of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Biscuit

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-28-2022

The blind man is going to try to write a blog entry tonight. The OFM has noticed an eyes change today in that he cannot tell if his camera is auto focusing correctly or his eyes are lying to him. We shot many nice scenes on the slow walk today. It was another bad balance day so it was slow walking but at least we did get out and do over two miles in the cool sunshine.

Yesterday was a major hacker attack on the OFM computer. We took the computer to his son and that wizard got it fixed in about an hour and a half. THANK YOU SON (Kiddo).

Yesterday on the trail we met a really nice lady walking a friends puppy on the trail. She and the OFM hit it off right away and we stood and talked for over a half hour. In the mean time the pup she was walking was very polite and social. Here is a super patient pup named Biscuit.

.

Back at the Castle this afternoon the OFM had to do some resting and it occurred to us he might be worn down from a flu or ? Bug. So he plopped down and we went through the art paper supply. As it turns our it is a good thing we did. There is only a two year supply of paper if we still produced as many paintings a week as we used to. We are learning new things so the production rate is a lot slower now.

On top of that the OFM made a reference package for choosing which paper for a project. A 5x7 chunk of each of the six types of paper we have was cut from each type. We then labeled each piece with what type of paper it was IN INK. Then we did some identical doodles on each sheet with a Prismacolor Colored Pencil to give us an idea of how each paper handled the pencil coloring. This should be a lot of help when choosing which paper to use for the next artwork.

The OFM is still hobbled physically and optically and needs the readers to take up the slack of getting out and trying to have tooooo much fun. GO GET IT FOLKS.

Computer Trouble Again

 Computer Trouble Tonight

See You Tomorrow We Hope

Gentle Ways

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-26-2022

The big good news today was when the OFM called the doctors office to clarify what we would check and talk about on 10/12. The lady that answered the phone said the notes by the doctor said the purpose was to discuss any repairs the OFM might need to his eyeball and or socket AND to evaluate the OFM for doing cataract surgery as soon as any other repairs allowed. That was great news that the doctor was really on top of things.

Medical bills continue to arrive and the lucky OFM is joyous that Medicare is covering about 90% of the cost of care from the two falls this summer.

Getting out and around a lot today was not in the ability of the OFM. But we did get some house cleaning done and a bit of roaming the Walmart for a few little items. But a lot of resting is still required these days. Lunch was a Lawlers Pork Salad that was good and supper was a Burger King sandwich that was also decent.

The OFM says he is ready to bust out and get busy but his mind cannot seem to recall that it is attached to a worn body 76 years old with lots of time on the trails of the USA and South Vietnam. We have to work on finding gentle ways of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Still trying to have tooooo much fun.

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-25-2022

We gonna try tonight for another blog entry.

This morning was extra rough since the vision was running a muck changing the part that was in focus every time the OFM tried to look at something a bit far away ie in the top lens of the tri-focals. By lunch it had worked out a bit. We even got to change the blog picture this evening.

Yesterday a chicken breast got boiled gently and cut to bite size to give us some meat AND some chicken flavored water to try a new to us technique. We did a usual add dried brown rice to the water to cook. Then we added a can of yellow corn kernels to the water and some spice like black pepper to make a side dish to the already cooked chicken. It was extremely good so the left overs of the mixture are in the freezer for two more meals in the near future.

What we are finding is that the OFM gets tired quicker these injured days. We are hoping as the body repairs go along he will get his stamina back.

Our walk was a bit slow today but we did get in three miles. A nice older fellow, that walks the trails and we cross paths every now and then named Jim, stopped at the OFM sitting on a bench and we chatted about five minutes. Turns out he is 82 and also went through a rough transition in his middle 70's. But just being careful and letting his body repair itself has left him doing about five miles every morning at a nice jogging speed. So the OFM has HOPE for his future again.

Supper tonight was at Mi Hacienda Mexican

Restaurant back at the main highway 31 about five miles from the Castle camping spot is a decent CLEAN restaurant and we had a Taco Salad there tonight for supper and it was good. It serves deep south style Mexican food that is definitely not Texas Border style. But is is well done and priced decently so we expect to keep returning to them in the future.

We guess it is good news that we are being able to publish blogs again already but it is a major surprise to the OFM. He was certain it would be weeks before we got back on the air. But we never give up trying to have tooooo much fun.

More Details

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-24-2022

We gonna try tonight for a blog entry.

During the mornings nothing seems to work right. But around noon the eyeballs align somewhat and we start trying to get back some of the lost seeing ability. Usually during the afternoon and evening the OFM can actually function if done carefully. During the day we get in a lot of walking and piddling. The oddest fact is that his eyesight changes several times during that time of the day. Sometimes pretty good and other times nothing seems to be where it looks like it is. So we adjust as much as we can. Typing when the eyes are acting up is near impossible. But like right now, it is a slow process but a bit above hunt and peck most of the time.

Some medical update IF the OFM memory is correct. We have another 2.5 weeks of “healing time” for the right eye to heal the small abrasions/cuts in and around the eye socket before the Doctor wants to get into the main body of the eye repairs. Those words are the OFM interpretation of what the OFM remembers the Doctor saying while the OFM was in a panic if he would lose his eye completely. Our next Doctor visit is 10/12/2022 to find out what our next steps are going to be.

The internet sites seem to think we will be back in light duty action around the end of December. That sounds two eternities away to us.

The OFM is able to safely drive here in Decatur if we pick low traffic times and areas we are familiar with. So we can get to the small Walmart easily for food and minor things. Several places to eat are in range for eating out. The big Walmart is a bit farther away but with careful planning it is also doable. And with over ten miles of walking paths in the Point Mallard complex the Teams can keep a healthy exercise program going during this “medical time.” He is also enjoying the challenge of a damaged body trying to have tooooo much fun.

My son's mom and her husband have volunteered to help transport or whatever else the OFM might need if they can do it. They both have some limitations also but that offer is extremely appreciated.

A couple of other good things have happened today we will write about tomorrow. So over all the OFM is one of the luckiest folks on the earth with so many folks jumping in to assist in this time of need.

Update On OFM Troubles

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-23-2022

Ok here is the current short story. The OFM's son and family is doing a fantastic job of caring for the OFM way better than the OFM deserves.

Due to head injuries from falls in the last three months and OLD AGE, the OFM is having serious troubles seeing and at times memory. In the near future he will be having two eye surgeries of not defined yet type. Test yet to be finished. The OFM Adventures will be down for probably another month before the OFM can run amuck taking pictures and making up stories. Updating the blog on the OFM status is planned but he has to recover enough to do an update.

You folks have to take up the slack for running wild and trying to have tooooo much fun.

Down Day

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-20-2022

We had a big nothing seemed right today. The OFM is having some rough health time now. But we will prevail. In the meantime he is staying close to the bed and taking it easy. Soon we will be back at it again trying to have tooooo much fun.

Nothing Bad Day

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-20-2022

We had a big nothing day today. Nothing really clicked or was bad. Maybe the better attitude is if nothing went wrong like falling on an office chair lever then it was a great day.

OK START OVER

We had a great day today. Nothing went wrong or bad. The weather was perfect and the folks around here were friendly. The morning walk was short but cool air and gentle breeze made it comfortable the whole way. Only two pictures made it to the blog tonight. They were taken at the “swamp area” of the Wheeler Marsh.

And a few yards around a bend was this picture of the entrance of the marsh where the vegetation changes for the several acres of swamp that does not seem to have much water inflow or outflow.

A nice long nap this afternoon certainly helped the OFM body to ease back on the discomfort of the morning.

The OFM and one of the friendly folks on a bike had a nice long chat about riding bicycles all over the USA and we decided that this country was in general a great place for riding bikes and trying to have tooooo much fun.

Water Melon Harvesting

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-18-2022

We had a great day today. We arrived at the home of the grand kids to a warm welcome. A little pruning of the black berry vines was going on. Then we headed over to the watermelon patch to harvest a couple of melons. Good grief they looked really good.

Then the discussions on the care of the OFM during medical procedures went on. They were very happy to provide any help the OFM needed as long as it was not the second week of October. They have a scheduled and paid for vacation during that week. But any other time for the next three months they will be available and happy to help. That was wonderful news.

Now all the OFM needs to do is schedule the cataract surgery and find out the healing schedule for that type of medical procedure.

From what the Internet says the OFM can expect to stay here until after Thanksgiving at least. This all depends on the Doctor's schedule for surgeries. Now it is up to the OFM to get things lined out correctly and executed. Now we need to get busy and try to have tooooo much fun.

Travel Plans Are Changing

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-17-2022

We had a good day today. Since the OFM was feeling especially good he decided to try the full four plus miles of the longest trail in the area. And we made it! We think there may be a bit of sore leg muscles tomorrow.

Along the trail we saw this scene.

Then just a few seconds later a local person asked if we had seen the alligator floating in the water near the trail. We did an inner giggle and answered Yes we did. And went on our way.

Then another spot along the trail was a new bench and check out this great view of the trash can it has.

Here is the trail plaque to commemorate the building of the trail. It is a nice trail and normally well maintained.

The authorities work well at keeping the trail in decent condition. Check out this split in the trail.

The original trail path in several places has had the bank of the creek wash away enough dirt to have the trail and trees fall into Flint Creek. So in the last few years they have been putting new safer routeings in to go around the dangerous spots. The old route is then left unmaintained and grows up with vegetation eventually which slows the degradation of the river bank. The style seems to work really well to the OFM Teams.

Tomorrow is visit grand kid land to discuss future plans. It seems that the Teams are considering on changing our travel plans due to some developing OFM medical items that need to be handled so we can stay of the road more years. As soon as we have firm details we will announce what the plan has become. In the mean time we plan of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Eye Report

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-16-2022

Eye is still too dilated to type easily. Main story is the eye is healing just fine and should be well in a couple more weeks. Then we can get out and do more heavy duty trying to have tooooo much fun.

Doctor Tomorrow

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-15-2022

The morning was really nice and the flu shot had no side effects showing at all so we had a long walk that got even longer when we saw an opportunity to walk a stretch of the water front trail we had not walked this summer. It was a nice change. We ended up with no new pictures.

Back at the Castle we worked diligently on the latest watercolor pencil painting and got finished with it. Watercolor is tough to paint with. The OFM says he will give it a couple mores chances to behave before he chunks it into the garbage can and goes back to colored pencils.

Here is Morning Walk for you to enjoy.

Tomorrow is the big day we have been waiting for. It is doctor time tomorrow afternoon. We hope to find out when we can start planning rolling. We would like to be able to roll soon enough to get some good boon-docking in around Capitan New Mexico before their winter starts towards the end of October. We have never camped in the Fort Stanton area. It could be very interesting.

Meanwhile we are going to work hard at trying to have tooooo much fun here in Grandkid land.

Two Piece Walk

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-14-2022

We do not know if the flu shot the OFM got yesterday had anything to do with this or not. We started out on a walk on the paved trail portion just across the street from the campground. The OFM was setting a good pace for the approximately two thirds of a mile to the first turn. Suddenly the OFM did not feel “right” so we turned back and headed for the Castle to check the OFM out. When we got back the OFM felt the same as back on the path so he headed to the bed for a rest and see what's up. About 45 minutes later after a bit of a nap he woke up feeling just fine. A few minutes to put shoes on again and get out the door and a good while later we returned to the Castle with another 3 miles on the OFM and he felt great. We have been feeling OK since.

The vegetation pollen etc has been really bad and strong this year. This afternoon the OFM gave up resisting and we went to Walmart and checked anti hay fever etc drugs. After a few minutes he chose one with Loratadine as the active ingredient. It is not supposed to make him drowsy. Anyway after he took the first pill it was less than a half hour until he noticed that most of his allergy symptoms had severely minimized. That was a nice surprise. After the blog entry publishes we will be researching that drug.

It was a fairly low key day of trying to have tooooo much fun.

RBV Introduced

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-13-2022

OK first a grouch today. The OFM says he is getting tired of waiting to find out if we get to roll this winter or not. That stupid eye needs to hurry up on the healing so we can get something planned. You know like ==on October xx head west on I-20 until we choose to stop and then try to have tooooo much fun until we roll again. Sounds like a great plan to the rest of the Team. Just when can we plan on rolling some tires? The next Dr. appointment is Friday afternoon. Patience OFM Patience. At least you still have the eyeball.

On the walk today a large bird messed up. The OFM has been trying to get a picture of it for a couple of weeks but the bird new the moment to fly away to prevent a picture getting taken. But this morning it messed up and we caught it tangled in a mess of branches where it was unable to spread its wings. We got a neat picture finally.

It stayed there until we got about thirty feet away and then it made a big ruckus and got airborne and away it went across Flint Creek.

As we meandered along the 3 plus miles this cool morning the OFM got the idea to photograph the view from the resting benches along part of the Flint Creek trail. So we started it at bench number one as we walk from the Waterpark downstream along the Creek.

Only a couple of miles of the trail has resting benches but we never thought to pay attention to the view for the resters or how many benches there are.

Here is RBV 1(resting bench view 1).

Bench View One

Shooting these bench pictures may be a way to meet a lot more folks along the trail. And meeting new folks is usually a good way of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Cannonballs

 Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-12-2022

After the long day yesterday the OFM got a late start today and hit the trail in his usual t shirt and shorts. Not long after we go moving on down the road he realized with the cool temperature and a slightly wet breeze he should have been in a long sleeve t shirt and long pants. But we pushed on anyway. The sunlight was wonderful and we nearly wore out the camera taking “lighting” pictures for future art efforts.

As we meandered amongst the trees some of them were sending cannonballs down on us. At least they felt like cannonballs when they hit us. Here is one of the cannonballs in the OFM's hand.

Along one part of the trails we came across a vine the OFM had tied an overhand knot in to keep it out of the trail a few weeks ago.

About this time we ran across some nice folks we know coming our direction on the trail. Over an hour later we split up and continued our walks. That happens a lot on the Point Mallard trails with the walkers from Decatur.

It was getting close to shower and lunch time so the OFM cut the walk short and headed back to the Castle. Even with all this we got in almost three miles of wonderful visiting, picture taking and tromping through nature.

Check out this toadstool that was growing from a stump alongside the trail.

Even standing there looking at it the OFM had to look under the “flower” to be sure it was a toadstool. And it was.

For tonight it looks like I need to get out an electric heater to keep the Teams warm. And tomorrow the OFM will need to wear more clothes than today. When we last checked it is supposed to be 52F and damp in the morning. For the OFM that is considered chilly weather.

This coming Friday is an appointment with the eye doctor to find out how things are going with that right eye. We are hoping that it will be well enough to order new glasses to replace the pair that saved my right eye from getting poked with a chair lever and going POP. Hopefully we will at least find out enough to start planning new adventures in trying to have tooooo much fun.

Lite Flooding

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-11-2022

Bunches of rain passed through today causing some flooding in the campground. But no rigs were flooded.

Spent a lot of the day working on my first all OFM painting.

But the evening exploded in busy and it is very late for me so ya'll get out there and try to have tooooo much fun tomorrow.

New Art Display in The Dining Room

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-10-2022

It was a weird day. Up for breakfast early and out for a walk that was really nice in spite of hitting the trail without the memory card in the camera AGAIN. IDIOT . Anyway it was a wonderful cool morning with a bit of breeze that made the OFM think about having long pants on for a few seconds.

Then shortly after the walk the OFM started feeling not so good and that lasted most of the day. Even a nap about 1100 was not enough repair.

Anyway about 1500 the OFM suddenly was feeling better. Maybe strong allergies reaction? Who knows?

But that started action in the Castle. We decided to rework the wall where we hang the homemade art things. We cleaned the wall off and measured it carefully. Then sort of plotted a plan for the display. After a few minutes of hunting for the Teams drill and bits we started plotting an arrangement. As you might expect house sized stuff did not fit in the small Castle as easily as we thought it would. Anyway we got an acceptable arrangement worked up. Here is the first picture preliminarily hung on the dining room wall.

By the time we got to this point in the project it was time for supper and writing this blog. Planning out our new Art Display is a great way of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Water Paths

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-9-2022

A very busy day it was today. The cool morning got the Walking Team up and at it at a reasonable time. We actually tried a route the OFM worked out yesterday that went by some of our favorite places. It turned out to be a near perfect 2.72 miles. That normally fits the OFM knees and hips just right. Today we found out the OFM gout toe decided it wanted to protest any walking effort but the rest of the Team over ruled it. We did take a bit of acetaminophen to reduce the misery.

Along the route today we passed an opening in the trees and saw this interesting scene,

We were unable to figure out what made all the myriad of paths through the vegetation on the surface of the water. There was not any feathered floaters (ducks) in sight to do that. We would be delighted to hear guesses tonight.

We had a few things to grab at Walmart today so when we finished our lunch meal at Lawlers, we headed to Walmart and as we parked Sierra the gas price sign caught our attention.

Working on a painting had the OFM concentrating so much supper time came and went and suddenly the OFM Stomach attacked with a vengeance WE ARE GOING TO EAT NOW. So the OFM got busy with a nice salad.

Here is the first layer of vegetables.

Then we piled on the mixed greens and spiced boiled chicken and topped it with Lawlers Sweet Red BBQ sauce. Cheap Root Beer made the beverage of choice. It was just right for supper. To entertain the Teams while eating we scrutinized our current painting for needed repairs or changes.

We will be finishing up this excellent example of an old fool trying to make art this weekend we hope. Then we will have to get busy trying to have tooooo much fun some new way.

A Reason To Be A Meanderthall

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-8-2022

The morning started wonderfully and the walk was very productive as it turned out. It was a cool clear bright beautiful day like the OFM dreams of having for photography.

This limb was near the start of the trail and surprised us with so much new growth.

Most of the foliage around here is at least mentioning Fall if not talking out loud about Fall.

As we continued the 2.5 mile walk the OFM realized that the lighting was giving us different light on many things than it has been giving for the last few months. So we started looking in particular for lighting situations that would be usable for painting compositions assistance. Then we started taking pictures of elements that we might use in a painting composition of our own. We are trying to move on from adult coloring books where the purpose was learning to handle the pencils. We are trying to move onward into another facet of art paintings where we compose the scene and color it all our self. It is exciting for sure.

The walk this morning brought home with us several photos of lighting events or shape events or critter pictures or even some “why did the OFM take that picture” events. But we do have a section of the hard drive where all this art stuff pictures are stored and even partially organized. That way we have desert references in the forest if we want them.

We have also found out that getting the reference material is another great way of trying to have tooooo much fun.

Big Party Number 2

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-7-2022

This was the day for the Fifth Grade Grand Parents to have a visit with the students. It was a nice visit overall but these older kids have LOUDER voices and hearing in the lunch room was a challenge. However we did have a nice visit with Gavin.

This picture was taken on the way back to the classroom from the lunch room.

That is the OFM, Mary and Dan in back with grandson Gavin in front.

After we departed the school, the three adults went back to Decatur and had a nice lunch and flapped our jaws for a long time. We must have had fun with all the laughing going on.

The school visiting is over until next year so the OFM MUST get back to walking again. Especially since it was nice and cool this morning.

One thing the OFM noticed is that all the kids at that school seemed to be pretty good at trying to have tooooo much fun.

Big Party Number One

 

Adventure Location: Decatur, Al

Today's Date: 9-6-2022

This was the day for the Kindergarten grandparents lunch visit. So the Teams were ready early and piddled around about getting on over to the school about 30 miles away. We got there in plenty of time and entered the building to process through the check in procedure. The OFM is VERY fond of the security measures they use at the school.

The other grand parents, Mary and Dan, got to the lobby a few minutes later, checked in and then we got busy talking. Lunch time rolled around and there was a bit of confusion with all the noise in the cafeteria but we finally found Piper and got situated.

The kid noise was big and all the old folks have hearing trouble so communication with soft spoken piper was repetitive at times. But we all seemed to have a good time.

Left to right Mary, Dan, OFM, and the star of the event Piper.

From the lunch room we got a quick tour of Piper's room and then it was time to leave.

Outside we old folks spent another good while telling old tales and catching up on life things.

The OFM got back to the Castle in good shape but a nice nap later was well received also.

Tomorrow is lunch with Gavin day and another day of trying to have way tooooo much fun again.