Stuff ricochets around inside the PTV like its a giant pinball machine.
It is extremely annoying to hear things flying around behind you when driving, and then to arrive and find everything in a heap.
After researching the internet and finding lots of industrial-type anti-slip tape that I can’t afford , I went to Lowe’s and found “Skid Guard Safety Tape.” It’s black and about two inches wide. You get 96 inches for $5.47. Not cheap when you consider the huge floor space of the PTV, but not out of my reach.
I put some strips of it down on the floor between and behind the two front seats. Even in that small space, things slide around. The tape looks good, black on black. If it stays put and does the job, I’ll think about springing for some more rolls for the vast area behind the bench seat.
I still don’t have my new Garmin GPS operational.
I wanted it loaded and mounted for the Florida trip. However, with my 2-bar, erratic, unreliable Verizon coverage, I couldn’t download the maps. Garmin warned the process would take several hours. A few hours in, Verizon goes to zero-bars . . . “connection lost.” I’ll try again tonight.
I like to pay with points.
You may remember me telling you I pay for everything I can with my Amazon Visa card so I can rack up the points. I mean everything! I checked and found I have 10,535 points. Every 100 points is one dollar. Over $100!
Time to go to Amazon and shop!
I bought a dash-mount for the GPS, a huge box of biodegradable dog poop bags, and a cover, clip-on reading light, and charger (hooks up in the PTV console) for my kindle reader. I still have about $50 left to spend!
I downloaded a bunch of free e-books.
This free e-book feature keeps me in love with my kindle. I end up reading some pretty odd and archaic writing that is surprisingly entertaining, sometimes really good.
I’m not a big fan of poetry.
Although I love reading words knit together in such a way as to ignite the imagination and even touch the soul, poetry often tries my patience. Last night, while reading my new kindle freebies, I came across this simple poem. There’s wisdom in its childlike, sing-song sweetness. It was written in 1899 by Orison Swett Marden. (I’m unable to type the lines properly on wordpress.)
Why Don’t You Laugh?
“Why don’t you laugh, young man, when troubles come, Instead of sitting ’round so sour and glum? You cannot have all play, and sunshine every day; When troubles come, I say, why don’t you laugh?
“Why don’t you laugh? ‘T will ever help to soothe the aches and pains. No road in life is smooth. There’s many an unseen bump, And many a hidden stump, O’er which you’ll have to jump. Why don’t you laugh?
“Why don’t you laugh? Don’t let your spirits wilt; Don’t sit and cry because the milk you’ve spilt; If you would mend it now, Pray let me tell you how: Just milk another cow! Why don’t you laugh?
“Why don’t you laugh, and make us all laugh, too, And keep us mortals all from getting blue? A laugh will always win; If you can’t laugh, just grin, — Come on, let’s all join in!
“Why don’t you laugh?”
rvsue
Love the poem. It’s just so true. I usually forget to laugh. And breathe.
It took me a while too to purchase my Kindle cover with built-in light. I love it!
Do theymake some of that safety tape to use with snarky little dogs? Mine, not yours, I mean.
hey, Kim!
Glad you like the poem. Sometimes the simplest tells it best.
The cover I ordered is not the real leather one with the built in light. It’s a cheaper version for less than ten bucks. The light is a separate item that clips on. The cover has a zillion positive reviews so I think I’ll be happy with it.
In my experience, there’s no fixin’ snarky.
The poem was written in 1899 by Orison Swett Marden. He has a great name doesn’t he?
You have to love the internet.
Sheila,
Wow! Thank you! I’ll fix it in my post.
You know, after I shut down the computer, I thought, gee, I should have tried to find the author on the internet. By the time I got around to trying, my laptop was having major problems, acting like it crashed. I managed to restore it and had forgotten about the poem until I saw your post. Thanks.
BTW, you’re a good researcher. I just tried to find the author given only the poem to go by and didn’t have any luck.
Hi, Mumsy!
Good for you and your husband! Keep on laughing. Sometimes it’s kind of tough to even think about laughing.
More and more I catch myself laughing out loud . . .at myself! The older I get, the more amused I am by the silly things I do.
It gave me the chance to find out about a really interesting man. I had never heard of him before.
Yes, the key fits! Thank you. You are missed! I needed to read the poem tonight! Yet again, your words have been a blessing.
Betty
Dear, dear Betty!
Such a treat to see your name appear here! I’m glad the poem was a blessing. Not my words, but I know what you mean.
I’ll email you.
Hi Sue, you have learned the first rule of solo rving. Motorhomes etc where the driver is riding with the gear will hear every rattle etc. Fivers, truck campers, and trailers are better. There is a product called museum putty and can be found on-line at a good price . Joann’s, home depot, micheals stock a version called quake hold. I use this clay type stuff to keep my Tv from moving as well as wall pics. Things that like to make noise get it and wha la no more problems. You will lov it.
Hi, Jack!
Sounds awful but I’ve learned to trust people who take the time to comment on a product.
I read some reviews of Museum Putty at amazon. You are right. It’s great for rvers. I put some in my “cart” for my next shopping trip to amazon. Thanks a lot, Jack. I never would have thought of it. I’ll try it in the van and even if it doesn’t work there, I will have many uses for it in the trailer.
There is a rubber coated, open weave cloth material that is widely available for RV use as a shelf liner. It comes rolled on a tube like aluminum foil. I have found it in the Dollar stores and am sure Walmart will have it. It is a good anti-skid material you can cut to size. I have a piece under my keyboard to keep it still as I bang away. Love your Blog.
I know exactly what you mean, Mick. They do sell it at the dollar store near here. It’s lousy shelf liner. A great idea though! I could put one under each storage box like a mat. And it’s cheap!
You’ve said the three words I long to hear . . . “Love your blog.” Thank you.
Um, take it easy on the keyboard, big guy.
While you’re filling your Amazon cart, add one or two packs of http://www.amazon.com/Levolor-kirsch-14914-Pin-Drapery-Hooks/dp/B00004Z0GH/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_1. The pin on drapery hooks are absolutely essential for use in the Casita. You can hang all sorts of stuff by using them upside down and hooking them in the carpet on the walls. Free money is great for little stuff like this.
I’ll do that! Thanks for looking it up and sending the link. I’ve wondered how to hang things on the carpet walls.
Sue, add a couple of mesh shower caddies to your Amazon order also. http://www.amazon.com/Mesh-Shower-Organizer-King-Bajer/dp/B000QSGEO2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1311056022&sr=8-4 and some Power Lock suction cup hooks http://www.amazon.com/InterDesign-17601-Power-Lock-White-Suction/dp/B000PIEZXA/ref=sr_1_20?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1311056097&sr=1-20
You can hang the one shower caddy in the bathroom using the suction cup hooks and one in the closet or on the wall in the cabin using the drapery pins. The other thing that’s really useful are command adhesive hooks – cause they stick to the fiberglass really well and allow you to change your mind. Isn’t it fun planning?
It is fun planning, especially when the shopping part is done for you. I’ve put these items in my amazon “cart” already. Good prices and very practical. Thanks, Reine.
BTW your comment did not appear right away because wordpress holds comments with links for moderation as a precaution against spam. Once I saw your comment, I approved, bought the items, and was back here in less than 3 minutes. Internet . . . never ceases to amaze.
Sue, shopping is REALLY fun with someone else’s money especially if you can find really useful items that are really cheap. If you have any large binder clips – the kind that kind of look like a butterfly, take a few of those with you. No problem with the “hold”. I completely understand and think checking for spam is a good thing.
Reine,
I have those butterfly clips. Use then all the time. I also use old-fashioned, wood clothespins when appearance doesn’t matter, like keeping the dog food bag tightly closed.