20 days in one post

Sorry for being absent for so long.  I've mentioned before how I have to drag myself to write.  I wish I enjoyed doing it more.  I read so many blogs that I can tell, these people enjoy writing.  Never been me.  Not something I can "learn" to do, but I'm trying.

Connie's treatment on the 9th went, according to people who know, very well.  With this radiation surgery, as we found out with the brain radiation in March/April, takes a while to 'see' progress.  The radiation works for literally months as it melts the tumors.  Connie will get more CAT scans, etc. at the end of September.

We took off for a little personal time to visit our friends from Bellevue, OH for her birthday.  Took a day trip to Sandusky on the 13th, then loaded the rig on the Miller Ferry for a trip to probably our favorite place in Ohio:  Put-In-Bay.  It was celebration, but it was also recon to see if next year, we can spend a week out there.

Great times, saw Calabash at the Roundhouse, had a couple of beers on the Boardwalk overlooking 'the balls' where we used to park the boat, and Mustang Sally at the Beer Barrel.

Also, had a wonderful surprise that our good friend from Columbus, Craig, and Dennis and Karen's daughter Ashley, made the trip up.  Such good times with our friends.  We don't do it enough.

Friday, the 16th, we stayed over to Sandusky to watch Wally and the Beavs, another of our favorite 'bands of summer'.  Watching Wally and the Beavs, for me, is like looking into a what could have been mirror had I have decided to play and gig instead of not.  Guys look like they're having a blast, they play well, they play the tunes I would be playing and gigging with had I have chosen that route.

Came back to Ashtabula and met with our friends, Ed & Loretta, from Sea Breeze RV park in Texas.  They're trekking cross country from their home in New Jersey to Seattle to take their great grand son back to school.  Fun showing off our town, just shooting the breeze with friends.

The Wine and Walleye Fest was held last weekend (the 23rd - 25th) and it was so good to see our town alive and Bridge Street, in particular, welcoming so many guests for a weekend.  Said hello to people we hadn't seen in years.  The lighted boat parade was fun to see.  With the advancement of generators, makes that really a neat option.

Started last night hopping back up on a podium and running a rehearsal for an Alumni Band performance at the high school where I taught.  Felt like I never left.

Connie having a treatment this morning, and we both hope it doesn't knock her flat, but to quote Yogi Berra, "we never know until we know."  Always clear the schedule from Wednesday through Sunday.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Busy doing Nothing

Well, we sure have had a lot of rain since we returned from the RV rally.  Not sure if it is annoying us since we were so rain devoid in TX or if it really is more than usual for us here.  Sure makes it hard to keep the place looking neat and tidy.

We had the pleasure of meeting fellow full-time RVers and bloggers - Janice and Dave Evans.  I had read that they were in the area, so I wanted to meet up.  We enjoyed each others company over some Harbor Perk refreshments.

The week was broken up with a treatment  on Tuesday and another MRI on Thursday.  Still waiting on the results from this one.

We were able to manage a couple of river raft rides in between the rain.  So nice to be back on the river and hooking up with old friends.

They are dredging the river (still) and the other day, one of the barges had to wait on the railroad bridge.  Since there are not any brakes on those, he had to beach it.  Happy to report there were no issues when he got the all clear to proceed.

Our latest purchase has been the fold up bike for my transportation.  Was great getting to and from the dingy dock.  Offers some exercise without taxing the feet.

We are gearing up for the holiday week.  Friends are coming to visit on Monday and on the 4th.  So excited to see everyone again.

Happy 4th of July!

Settling in to our summer home

Beginning to settle in to our summer Ashtabula home here at Kister Marina.  We've added flowers, steps to the RV and met many of the neighbors.

Everyone here, it seems, at one time was a boater, which makes it nice.  The "park" really came about for charter fisherman, who wouldn't live on their boats, but in their RV's parked onshore.  Boating and charter fishing has really been impacted by the high fuel costs.  Most of the RV'ers here still have their camping spot, pool together and fish off person X's boat, and this is mostly a place for weekenders from the Youngstown or Pittsburgh area.  Monday through Thursday its pretty much a ghost town.  Friday through Sunday everyone shows up.

Lake Erie sunsets
from Walnut Blvd.

 One thing that our southern RV'ers really don't understand, but I was thrown back into this past weekend, was the annual "opening up" of the rigs, the boats, etc.  Its a time we all looked forward to, usually the 2 or 3 weeks before Memorial Day.  Such a feeling of optimism, that winter is over and that summer is just around the corner.

 We've pretty much driven everywhere in town, seeing the changes both positive and negative.  The Ashtabula Lift Bridge is the iconic piece to this town and its still fun to see it.

On the Connie health front, we were glad to find out she can do her treatments right here at Ashtabula County Medical Center (ACMC) as they've become an affiliate of the Cleveland Clinic.  That will save running over to main campus (about an hour) every three weeks.  We have an appointment with a local doctor here this week that will be in charge of her treatments locally.

Sloopy struggles
to be comfortable

 Trying to drop my winter weight, and our friend Lenny helped by letting me use one of his bikes this summer.  Hoping to make it a routine I can stay with.