Last night I pull aside the curtains on all three windows of the Best Little Trailer.
As I lie in bed I like to see the dome of stars over the desert. I read for a while and then I slide down into the covers. It’s a perfectly clear night and the stars are bright. Every five minutes a jet passes over, strobing orange light on its way east from Phoenix. Each one follows a similar flight path over Orion’s belt, carrying people home for the holidays. I count twelve jets in succession before I fall asleep.
Well before daylight Roadrunner coos somewhere near the Best Little Trailer. He’s silent in the daytime when he darts and dashes to our campsite. His gentle, night call seems uncharacteristic for a bird whose angular form and comical movements make me laugh each afternoon.
If you’d like to see photos, read about, and hear a roadrunner, click this link to Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology site: allaboutbirds.org/guide/GreaterRoadrunner/id (Scroll down for audio.)
Well, as long as I’m on the topic of birds . . .
I’m online, sitting next to the rear window, when a tiny grey bird with a yellow head catches my eye. He flits from branch to branch of the mesquite bush, while I try to memorize his markings.
I grab my Audubon field guide — even though I’m online, it’s a habit to grab that book — and I identify this little visitor as a verdin.
Listen to a verdin sing at allaboutbirds.org/guide/verdin/id. (The bird photos in this post are from audubon.org).
One more for my fellow bird-lovers . . .
The day before yesterday is the warmest morning we’ve had since returning to Roosevelt Lake. Typically on a warm day I leave the door to the BLT hanging open, and that’s what I do when I let Bridget out to do her business at dawn.
Later I approach the open door to step outside. A flock of black-throated sparrows is chirping and pecking the ground not far from the door. I remember enjoying these at my bird feeder when we camped in Ajo, Arizona. What happy sounds they make, hopping around in the sunshine!
Listen to them at allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Sparrow/id.
Do you remember writing letters?
Years ago my mother and her sister maintained a steady flow of letters, hand-written in the graceful curves of Palmer script. Family news, memories, love, and whatnot flew the sky between a mobile home next to an orange grove in Florida and a white-framed house in a maple-tree hollow in rural New York. The two sisters invariably closed their letters, often several pages in length, with hugs and kisses in what is one of the original codes for texting — OOXX.
I used to write letters, too.
That was back in the day when people wrote a note of congratulations or condolence, maybe a heart-felt epistle of love, shared sorrow, offers of help, recognition of accomplishment or the latest milestone. Sometimes a store-bought card was plucked from a box of “assorted greeting cards,” handy for any occasion. A hand-written letter was better than a card.
I wrote to my aunts across the country. I didn’t send them letters out of an obligation to mark special occasions.
They were simply for “keeping in touch.”
I faithfully kept up those hand-written correspondences. It took some effort and care. They were written in ink and since there wasn’t a delete button for do-overs, sentences were “composed.” It was unacceptable to send a letter with scratch-outs. Anyway . . . .
I don’t own writing paper any more.
Nor do I have a box of assorted greeting cards. In the manner of the day I click messages on my laptop at so many words per minute. No pastel writing paper. No special pen. No embossed envelope. No carefully chosen stamp. No wishing at the mailbox, “Gee, I hope it gets there in time!”
These thoughts are triggered by the letter I wrote a few days ago for my sweet auntie who still lives in her white-frame house in a hollow in rural New York. Her sister — my mother — is gone now, so she doesn’t find any more letters postmarked from Florida in the mailbox at the end of her driveway.
She’s the last aunt out of an original clutch of six.
She’s also the last person on earth to whom I still send hand-written letters. She’s almost 90, sharp as ever. She’d write back, but there’s no return address on the envelope I sent her. Bridget and I will move on soon.
As I type this I look out the window and there’s the ranger!
He stops long enough to make sure I have a current Tonto Pass on the dash (which, thank heavens, I do!). I wonder if he’s relieved not having to scold me, or possibly give me a warning ticket, on this day of Christmas Eve. I wave to him out the window as he drives off in his white pick-up truck.
Bridget is asleep beside me, deep into a morning nap, belly full of tender, cooked chicken. After a fierce wind blew across the desert last night, it’s calm today. The sky is light blue, a few swaths of thin, white clouds.
As I lie in bed tonight this Christmas Eve, with Bridget warm beside me, I won’t look for reindeer or for Santa’s sleigh, but I will search the night sky for the brightest star of all and I’ll place this wish upon it for you . . .
“Merry Christmas from Bridget and me!”
rvsue
NOTE: I’m taking a break for Christmas and won’t be replying to comments under this post, although I’ll read every one. Feel free to chat with each other, dear blogorinos. See you on the 26th!
This post is for the birds! OK, just had to say it.
Thanks for keeping us all entertained for another year.
Merry Christmas to you and all the Blogorinos!
May you and yours have a blessed Christmas and New Year. I love following your adventures and trust there will be so many more for you to share!
Today is Christmas Eve,
I wish I could send you a card. You share so much with us each week–both the ups and the downs. What a treasure it is. I hope you know, that you bring JOY to my day.
So here I am, sending a simple Christmas Wish to you and Bridget.
May you be filled with joy this day. May your roving home on wheels be toasty, and the flowers bloom in the sun.
Thank you for all you pass along Sue. The dreams you spur, the roads you share.
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
Merry Christmas, Sue! Merry Christmas, Bridget!
I’m wishing you happiness, peace and adventures this Christmas and in the coming year.. Thank you for the information and sense of community you give us all through this blog. How amazing that a group of people from all around this country and this world feel connected through an interest in you, your lifestyle and your travels. Travel on RV Sue and thank you so much for letting all of us ride with you!
Good morning Sue, that was an especially warming post this morning…no pun intended….thank you for sharing some of your past life with us….I too remember those special cards we kept for special occasions, and also letters written with warmth and love…Now we are in the electronic age and the art of letter writting seems to be replaced with short cuts. Somehow I hope the young out there will grasp the lost art of letter writing and long hand…Thank you for this post this morning, it brought me back to those days.
Thank you for identifying those birds, as I am a frequent bird watcher also, and also have the National Geographic field guide to North American birds, and I love it so…I also have a couple of bird apps on my phone, but I am sure it causes data usage. Thank you for mentioning my site, although that was not the reason for the comment…
I hope Christmas morning will bring you every wish you wished under the stars tonight. I wish for more of RVsue for years to come.
xxoo
.
Merry Christmas to you Sue, as well as to those blogerinos that follow you. I’m thinking you’re feeling a bit wistful with your musings of fond memories. Yep, handwriting is becoming a lost art. Sad really.
As for the night sky in the desert, depending on your vision, you can actually see satellites orbiting in the evening. Particularly the ISS (International Space Station) because of its size and reflectivity from the sun. Each orbit is about 90 minutes. We have actually watched for repeated orbits and, like clockwork, it reappears some 90 minutes later. Of course, it depends on it’s track and the season. But there are many other satellites in other completely different orbits, all visible. North-South, West-East and variations. They don’t have blinking lights like airplanes. They just appear as stars moving across the sky. We have observed many.
Merry Christmas to you! Sue you have given me gifts almost daily over the last few years. Opening each of your posts has been like a present….reminding me of our traveling days and helping me dream of those that may yet come. As my husband fights his illness, I can have refuge with you and Bridget as you enjoy the sights, sounds and adventures in the deserts and mountians I love. Thank you.
Looking forward to traveling with you next year too.
Cactipete
Merry Christmas to Sue, Brig, and all the Blogorinos!
God Bless and good night…
Merry Christmas Sue and Bridget!
If you are watching satellites then watch also for “flares” Every now and then the sun will catch a satellite just so and they light up like shooting star! We have enjoyed your posts very much and look forward to more this coming year! God bless you and your travels!
I believe the letter writing days of the past have gone with today’s technology of email and texts!
I know your dear aunt will smile as she opens her mailbox and reads your letter!
Have a marvelous night! Hugs to the both of you!
Can’t add anything but “ditto’s” to what Marilu said. Peace and happiness to all.
So glad everything and everyone is content in this Eve of Christmas. Sue I look so forward for your updates and travels, Thank you so much for sharing life through your eyes is such a joy to me. Merry Christmas everybody.
Jerry
Merry Christmas Eve Day !!! I feel like you send us blogorinos a gift everyday as I open your website !!! Thank you so much for sharing yr time with all of us !!!! My cousin & I still write long hand letters to each other – we both enjoy doing so !!! I hear that the schools are not going to teach cursive writing anymore just keyboarding !!! How sad is that !!! Our family was out to eat at a kinda fancy dancy place and at the table next to us was another big family and ALL of them were just looking and texting on their own cell phones and were not interacting with each other. We felt sad for them!!! Please enjoy a REALLY BIG Turkey sandwich with Bridget for Holidays and know we all Love you Two !!! I hope you have an even better New Year!!!! Thank you Again, Kaye
Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with special gifts that you have the ability to see and appreciate. While you may be alone tonight, know that you are in the hearts of many, including us. Joy to you for the reason for the season.
Merry Christmas from Bakersfield Ca cold John and Judy
Hi Sue, Have a very Merry Christmas in the beautiful state of Arizona and thank you very much for the gift of sharing your adventures with us! Oh yeah, Merry Christmas to you too, Bridget!
Merry Christmas Sue and Bridget!
Merry Christmas to you, Sue, and Brig.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to You n’ Bridget, Have a peaceful stay ,,,AND MERRY CHRISTMAS To All BLOGAROOOOOS ,,,,,Timber n’ me
Merry Christmas Rusty and Timber.
Thanks Marsha/MI, ,,,,Don’t those photos of the BIRDS look great!!! my fav is the Beep Beep, ,,,,,Timber
Merry Christmas Sue and Bridget and all your Bloggorinos.
A very Merry and Blessed Christmas to all. I will think of you, Sue, and all the Bloggerinos when we sing the song, “Night of Silence” along with “Silent Night” at midnight mass. The author wrote his song to be sung simultaneously with the carol. It is beautiful and haunting.
I LOVE the links to Cornell Lab! I still use them frequently with my birds class here: http://www.currclick.com/product/89410/Birds-Winter-2015-Jan–Mar–Flightless-Game–Water-Birds?cPath=1624_1794. I should do a class about the Greater Roadrunner. What fascinating birds!
I’m camped in Ehrenberg with Bob and crew. I decided I wanted to be with people after all for the holidays. Odd. For years I’ve opted to be alone. Oh, well. I guess I change too. And a very, very Merry Christmas to you too, RV Sue and Bridget! I hope the birds sing you a lovely ballad in the morning!
Treasures like today’s and all your posts reach all blessed to have found you ,Sue
Messages and gifts come so many ways…may the One given us that inspired this holiday hold and bless you both richly each hour ’til we meet here again
love and cherish you,weather
What a beautifully written post. I am such a fan of your writing style. God bless you and Bridget. May all your dreams come true!
Merry, merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you and Bridget! Hope you have a wonderful new year, too! And thank you for taking us all along on your travels.
Ann M
Reading this I was suddenly way back in time sitting in a laundromat writing my weekly letter back home to Mom. Can you send a letter to heaven?
Merry Christmas to all.
I think you just did.
Blessings to you and yours.
RVSue and Bridget,
Have a beautiful Christmas Day!
What a wonderful post today…it brought me so many sweet memories…Thank you!
Merry Christmas to Sue, Bridget, and all the blogerinos!
Maybe it’s just my view of things, but I think a well written blog is just as lovely as a handwritten letter, even one on pink paper. One advantage is that there is no chance of a paper cut.
When we start our full-time RV adventure I look forward to seeing the stars again. The light pollution of the big city means I never, ever have seen a star from my home in Chicago. I have a great view of the city skyline but that just doesn’t make up for the lack of stars. So I will have to wish upon a virtual star…Merry Christmas
What a beautiful post thank you Sue. you have given me much smiles and happiness reading all of your adventures.
I wish you and all of the bloggerino’so much happiness in good health in the new year.
I can honestly say this has been a very difficult year for me and I’m so glad it is over. I know 2015 will be full of adventure.
merry Christmas friends love, Deb
I think people are moving away from sending Christmas cards, which is too bad.
Merry Christmas RVSue, Bridget and everyone in Blogland.
Merry Christmas, Sue and Bridget!
Joanne, San Rafael, CA
Merry Christmas my friend. Peace be with you and Bridget.
Happy New Yr, Sue and Bridget and all the gang who visit here.
Merry Christmas Sue – those stars you see are our loved dogs – twinkling for us. I lost two this year and I know they are always smiling down on me.
I hope 2015 continues to bring you amazing adventures. I admire your style!
Merry Christmas – Kellee and crew ( Rikki, Mac, Crimson, Aja, and Deacon)
Dear Sue and Bridget,
Your post today brought tears to my eyes as a remember the letters that my mother wrote to me while I was living away from home, and the letters that my aunts wrote to all of the nieces. Those lovely ladies are no longer living and oh how I wish I would have kept those letters. But it also reminded me that I don’t have to be a slave to the computer mailbox and maybe my grandchildren would love getting a letter in the mailbox at the end of their driveway . Hmmmm is that a New Years resolution ?
I am also a birder. I love having a new visitor to identify at my feeders. We have had a mild fall and winter so far so not too many visitors yet.
Have a very peaceful Christmas and a very joyful New Year.
Judithcamper
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Bridget! I’m new to your site and have been reading it from the beginning of time. What a adventurous life you two have. I know you are missing a most important crew member this holiday season – for this I pray your heartache isn’t too large. Our pets are our family, aren’t they? From Harmony, Minnesota, the Law Family and our crew wish you the very best in the coming year! Thanks for sharing the gift of adventure with all of us!
Merry Christmas, Sue, Bridget, and all the Blogorians!! Have a wonderful and peaceful holiday!
Ho ho ho…Merry Xmas you guys…hope the new year brings you health, peace, joy and love…Desert Rat Kate & Rattlesnake Joe
May you and Bridget enjoy a peaceful, quiet Christmas this year. From Bonnie and Gage (my canine sidekick).
Merry Christmas to you and Bridget! Thanks for your thoughtful and entertaining blog. You have opened all of our eyes to a truly wonderful lifestyle. God bless!!
I too join the host of friends and followers in wishing you happy Christmas and look forward to 2015 traveling with you and Bridget. I also was a letter writer. It started in childhood with pen friends all over the world. I lived on a farm and eagerly awaited the post every week – blogging is the new age ‘pen friends ‘ medium of the here and now…..some things don’t change they evolve with the times…..Thank you for being my friend…….lesalp.blogspot.com.au
Merry Christmas to you and to all your blogarinos. Pat K.
Merry Christmas, Sue and Bridget!
This is a beautiful post. What a great memory
to have. I or (we) wish you and the Bridge the
very best of Christmases wrapped up in never
ending peace and happiness!!! Thank you for
sharing these wonderful things with us!
Chaunte, Shea, GiGi & Spike
My mother has always been a wonderful correspondent but the friends with whom she corresponded have largely passed on. Since I phone her every day, it would seem superfluous to send ‘snail mail’ but it is sad, I think, that letter-writing has become an anachronism.
Best wishes to you and Bridget from Bucky and me. –Pat
Enjoy your break dear Sue…..Weather and I will be right here waiting for your return…on the 26th…Blessed Christmas to you and Bridget.
Merry Christmas Sue and Bridget! Such a touching a beautiful you wrote for us today. Having curtains open to view the stars sounds heavenly. Enjoy your gifts from God during the Christmas celebration. Peace of mind, a beautiful and inspiring place to enjoy, and the sounds of such intriguing feathered friends. Will think of you tonight as the night becomes Christmas eve. Hugs and enjoy!
So many memories rushing to mind of childhood Christmas. Tears flow but also smiles because of the love that I still feel.
I pray for a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas to all of my Sister Susan’s faithful followers and friends
Merry Christmas Susan, I love you!!
Hi Pauline! I’m scheduled for surgery January 14. Wondering how you are doing? Hope you have lovely holidays.
Merry Christmas to you and Bridget. 🙂
Merry Christmas and Happy Happy New Year to you ~~ Sue and Bridget,
and all you blogerios out there. Thanks for one of many blog post you do.
Merry Christmas to one and all and I hope your new year is all you want it to be.
Sue, thanks for a nice, pretty, informative and thoughtful post today. Very nice. You are so right on about letter writing these days. I do actually still write letters from time to time. Not as regular as I did when my darling mom was living. But often. The ones I write to all tell me how much it means to them. I was so sad to learn the other day that at least with the 44 states who have signed on to this latest craze in education (I have forgotten the name of this program) will NOT be teaching any handwriting after kindergarten and 1st grade!! GIVE ME A BREAK!! How did our handwriting look at age 5-7??? If it was even readable. Handwriting is way more expressive than I have figured out how to be online!! Yea, the electronic age has stolen more than it has given I am afraid. But it may take some years yet before that becomes apparent to most. I do appreciate being able to communicate faster. But I have not seen it bring families together more. I wish!
Hope you have just the kind of holiday that you enjoy most with lots of peace and quiet!! Can you believe it….even this morning we were awakened per usual shortly after 7 AM!! With the door slamming, stomping, voices etc from the business downstairs. It is still some better than the woman who stomped overhead up to 20 hours a day in our last apt however!! I still hope we can at some point find a quieter, more private, place…that won’t break the bank!! I don’t need all the solitude you do, Sue…but I need some!! Oh well…one of these days I hope!!
Well written Sue. Merry Christmas to you and Bridget too!
Dear Sue and Bridget, wishing you both a peaceful day on Christmas. I’m sorry I haven’t been commenting but I Never miss reading your blog!! What a Great gift you give all of us with your blog!! I had a severe head concussion in early Spring and I’m still recovering !! Amazing how it knocked the props out from under me!! My hubby & I are back in Tucson until May. Hugs to you and Bridget!! Dixie ( Mn./Az.)
Merry Christmas RV Sue and Crew!
I have enjoyed your blog and your travels, felt sadness along side you with the loss of a beloved pet and wish only happy travels and memorable times ahead for you and yours, and the wonder of living a life the way you want!
Safe 2015 travels!
Sue,
Merry Christmas
this is overdue, I don’t remember having said it yet.
Thank you for helping me connect with Mick earlier in the year. With his help I was able to end up with the Wilson booster set up that worked best for my needs/requirements. Without your/his help that would not have happened. Thanks again.
WS
Sue,
Thank you for one Gift you have given all of us – RVSue and her canine crew!
We appreciate the memories of star gazing, bird song to cheer our hearts, desert sun to warm our souls and of an art form that is passing into history.
The Joy of opening your Blog each day fills my family with happiness, laughter, tears, lessons taught, learned and awe of a Brave woman fearlessly living life to its fullest with her wonderful Co-pilots.
Your second Gift to us is known loving as “The Blogerinos”, who share their vast knowledge, life experiences, good humor and concern for one another.
Happy Holidays to you and Bridget!
Season Greetings to the Blogerinos!
Deena, Miss Mollie and Family
We wish you and Bridget peace and joy in this holiday season. It is a time we remember past Christmas’ and the loved ones who are no longer with us….how nice of you to remember your Auntie and to send her a thoughtful, handwritten letter. I am sure she will reread it several times.
Thank you so much for sharing your life and adventures through your blog. The night sky sounds spectacular…. Sleep tonight in quiet and peace, with Bridget curled at your side.
RVSue and Bridget,
Thanks for the great info you share with us on life on the road each week. I am learning a lot for when I do the same. For this post thanks for the bird info and where to hear the “bird songs” to learn more on the local birds.
Have a Merry Christmas
Christmas Miracles DO Happen!
by Pamela K. 2014.
Twas the night before Christmas
and all that I knew
was I needed a Boondock,
and maybe a view.
So I set out by day
and into the night,
nary a single place
was in sight!
Then what did my weary-eyes
suddenly see?
A light in the distance
calling to me!
“Head here!” It said softly
as I rubbed my tired eyes.
So was it a Gift,
Or was it just lies?
“Keep going!” It said,
in a much stronger voice,
“Follow my lead
and you will rejoice!”
My mind didn’t fully
let it sink in…
my thoughts were all spinning
as I started to grin.
So follow I did
and there just ahead
was the perfect place
to lay down my head!
Twas a lake with a view!
Plus night-sounds to hear.
And later comes by
a sweet little Deer.
“Oh NO!” I exclaim!
It’s a Reindeer at that!
“Rudolph…
Is that you in the path?”
“Yes, Tis I,
who guided your sled.
Safely to here
to lay down your head.”
And so it is true…
if you see a bright light
shining before you
in the distance of night.
Follow its wisdom
and let it unfold
the Gift that is Christmas
for you to behold!
Merry Christmas,
Happy Hanukkah,
And Happiest of Holidays To You and Yours!
Awesome! 🙂
Thank you so much. Just perfect.
What a wonderful gift I found here waiting when I finally finished all I planned to do and lay down to catch up here. Thank ou for your creativity and sharing it with us.
What a great story! Just perfect! Thank you Pamela K. And Merry CHRISTmas to you and all the blogerino’s from Geri, Chuck, DoogieBowser and Radar!
That was wonderful Pamela! You are very creative. Thank you for taking the time to write that to all of us! Merry Christmas to you.
So well done! Thanks for sharing that, Pamela.
Thank you. Glad ya’ll liked my little ditty. It wasn’t hard to do. RV Sue’s posts gave me the talking points. I just strung it together in a holiday-way 🙂 Just wanted to let everyone know that I do keep reading and lov’in everyone here. I just loft more and swoop down into the crowd less.
Hugs to all.
Pamela K.
Merry Christmas Sue & Bridget
Thanks for the stories…
Merry Christmas, Sue and Bridget:)
Merry Christmas to you both.
Merry Christmas to Sue, Bridget and all my beloved blogorinos. This has been a very tough year for me and all of you have helped me pull through. I’m sitting here in my tiny house….warm, comfy, with my doggie pal Chloe, my ereader with good books, nice neighbors…and getting healthier. I am so grateful for all the support and kindness I have received here, and from my neighbors. I am alone…but not. I’m feeling very thankful for all my blessings.
Love to all.
Enjoy your Christmas, DesertGinger! 2015 has good things in store for you!
Sending you a hug! xxxooo 🙂
I hope you’re on the path to much happiness DeGin. Luv U 2.
Happy holidays to all.
Dear Sue and Bridget and all the blogorinos,
Wishing you a magical and wondrous Holiday season and a Merry Christmas!
Happy trails to all on the road : )
Pamela K, I loved your poem. *Applause*
Merry Christmas Sue and bridge. May all your dreams and wishes come true.
Thank you for always brightening my day, especially here at Christmas. It’s been tough as it’s the first one that mom isn’t at home. I been at the nursing home with her and gave her the gifts I bought her. Sadly, she doesn’t recognize that it is Christmas. Or even me for that matter. But I still count all my blessings, some do not have loved ones at all. I am blessed she is still here and has given me 51 glorious years and the greatest gift of all ….. Life!!
Merry Christmas to all!!
Thinking of you in this difficult time, Mert…my heart goes out to you!! I was 48 yrs old when I lost my beloved mother. And I felt it was way too soon!! I have been missing her so much especially as this was her happiest season of the year. Glad you are able to enjoy your mom still to some degree anyway!! HUGS!!
One of my greatest treasures, Sue, is to lay down quietly in the evenings and fire up this tablet and read your blog. Your musings, anecdotes and the simple joy of your vagabond life transcend this cold, electronic medium to bring peace to so many, me included. It is a rare gift – so again I offer my gratitude, my prayers for sweet blessings to fall upon you and Bridget, and my very best wishes for a Merry Christmas.
With love & admiration,
T
Sue, Bridget, and fellow blogorinos: I send you wishes and prayers for peace, contentment, happiness, health and a blessed Christmas!
I, too, consider your blog and your blogorino family a gift – thank you, Sue! 🙂
In my family, my sisters and I always sign off with an xxxooo. One year, in a hurry to wrap Christmas gifts, I inadvertently omitted my xxxooo on a brother-in law’s gift tag…he duly noted the “slight”….the same year, one nephew only had an xxoo. Funny how a little thing really does mean a lot! And we always thought that the guys never noticed… 🙂
Love and hugs to all from me and Gracie pup! xxxooo
Lovely!!!
I just had dinner with my 90 year old Mother!!!
She’s still “with it “, except for a few minor lapses in her short – term memories!
Blessings to you & Bridget on Christmas!!
Xoxoxox
Lynn
Merry Christmas to Sue, Bridget, and all the blogerinos!
May peace be with you all.
Sue and Bridget,
May the blessings of this special day find you well and that you will have many blessings in the coming year. Merry Christmas!
Sue and Miss Bridget
Thank you both for all the travels you have taken us on this past year. The smiles, the laughter, and the sadness have endeared you both to those of us who are with you in our hearts until we can be out there ourselves, or just follow along where you wander. May your Christmas be as you wish it to be and the sun shine on you always.
Be Well,
JazzLover
Aunt Susan, I pray you have a very Merry Christmas. Please never forget you have family in Mississippi that loves you all the way to those stars you look at each night and back. You are thought of daily and missed. Take care of you for me. Lots of love!
As I write this., late on Christmas eve, the family has all gone to bed and the Christmas tree lights the room. Gaily wrapped presents flow out from under her branches and I realize that I have been given so many, many gifts in life.
One of the greatest of those gifts is this blog and this community. Thank you all for a year of laughter, tears, joy, learning, and love.
Thank you Rick for being such a great guy! Hugs.
Sure enjoy reading your stories each night, and since you have so many followers who also live in arizona I think we should plan a weekend meet and greet. Compare notes and share a few laughs! Happy New Year everyone
Hahaha Robyn! I think Sue would rather have a root canal than a meet and greet. However, if you wanted to have one just for blogorinos, we could possibly do that.
That’s true, blogorino party it is then, happy new year to all
Merry Christmas Sue & Bridget, and all the blogorinos!
Merry CHRISTmas Sue and Bridget! My best CHRISTmas present today was having a strong enough WiFi signal to read the blog and to wish you a wonderful CHRISTmas! Monday we move to Crystal River where there will be strong wifi! My computer is repaired and functionong so I will be able to get our blog going again! We are looking forward to this! Take care and know we love you even though we haven’t been able to communicate!
Hey, coming to Crystal River next Friday for a week of fun with friends and swimming with the manatees…Hope we have good weather…Enjoy
We will be at Quail Roost RV Park on N Citrus Blvd, across the street from Nature Coast RV. Getting a little bit of work done on The MotherShip. Come by if you get a chance!
Thank you for the invite….if you don’t see us, it is because I could not wrangle 4 other crazy women I am traveling with to take time out of the water and shopping for a visit, but know I will be there and thinking of you….if you hear a strange “honk”, it might be us…
One of my favorite treasures are the old letters of my great uncle and my grandmother (she passed when Mom was 16). The script is like art 🙂 I was an avid letter writer myself through college and well into my early married years. I can’t remember the last one I wrote now.
All the blessings of the season to you and Miss Bridget. I envy your spending under the dome of desert stars.
There are three types of wind that come through here.One comes in with the waves, moving the lower trees’ branches and leaves,the waves,always amplified by the natural amphitheater the land forms dominate that one’s loud whispers.A second type ,much faster,rounds the curve loudly whipping around corners-making the tall trees’ rustle so strong it’s hard to hear voices or even cars.The third one in storm like proportions roars well overhead blowing clouds by at breakneck speeds.It’s nearly impossible to have all three at once,the atmosphere needs to be roiling,ready to do something drastic.This morning it happened-the sounds past compelling,became a concert of pure force-made me gasp at the sheer magnificence of the volume’s allowing the three distinct songs to be heard -without blending they harmonized-…and left.
For five perfect minutes I witnessed three gifts come-be experienced -and leave.I felt like the Maji had stopped by.New clothes wear out,so do toys and all other excitements usually received as a present.Eventually they’re either discarded or forgotten.Today’s is the only kind that always stays with me,an imprint that changes the view of the journey into one of wonder with each backward glance-making the future something to run towards with the anticipation of a child promised whatever she really most wants,knowing more things like that are ahead.
That,my friends,is why there’s Christmas.A darkened outlook some humanity needed brightened-hope brought stretching out before them like a gift to beckon a favored child.Optimism-faith-believing dreams come true-reaching forward-picking up the fallen to bring them with us…reminds me of this blog a lot,how about you?
Merry Christmas Sue and fellow Blogorinos.I cannot not thank you enough for all you’ve given me this year-yet I can and do send a wish that the next one is your best one ever!
And that, Dear Weather, is why I am in your fan club…
Happy that you were able to hear that symphony for a brief time, Weather!! It is a gift to be given such a thing. May this next year bring good tidings to us all, each and everyone!!
Merry Christmas Sue, you are an inspiration. May you and Bridget have comfort, joy and peace on this Christmas day.
Dear RVSue and Bridget,
I am writing you this letter on this Christmas Morning to let you know your blog today has been a 5 tissue read!! (I AM a crier…ugh) I was a letter writer also and your post brought back many memories of letters back and forth between my Mother and my Grandparents (1st tissue). Thank you for those memories. Meeting you at Roosevelt Lake was a special gift to me and, as I remember our visit, I pulled out my 2nd tissue. Reading all my fellow Bloggerinos posts put me over the edge with the last 3 tissues. I agree with EVERYTHING everyone said. You taught us so much and like everyone…I wait everyday for your post.
Have a Blessed Christmas and the best 2015 possible. Stay safe and continue to be the fabulous person that you are. We all love you RVSue….oh dear, 6th tissue.
Love,
Krystina xxxooo
PS: As close to a real letter as I can get.
🙂
Merry Christmas to you & Bridget! I hope you have a wonderful restful day! We are foregoing the North Ranch get-together in favor of our typical just-the-two-of-us day. We did have our very first campfire last night here at our lot & just enjoyed the evening around us.
I, too, used to write more letters. I am now down to a 92-year-old aunt, Dave’s Dad’s “lady friend” who just turned 90, and another aunt about 12 years younger but who doesn’t “do” computers. They seem to get so much joy from still getting letters that I just can’t quit. I DO still have a stash of cards, although not stationery!
Stay warm! Renee
Merry Christmas, Sue and Bridget!
I hope your day is quiet and restful.
Merry Christmas! I have several blogs I am subscribed to but yours is the only one I read in its entirety, each and everyone! You are an inspiration!
Thanks for sharing the “good, bad, and the ugly,” as well as the cozy, warm, and beautiful of the RV life. In short, thanks for just being you with all of us. Wishing you and Ms. Bridget, peace and joy this Christmas.
“I’ll be eligible for parole come Valentines Day”
A letter from a friend of Tom.
http://youtu.be/w_PfwVNmckc
Tom Waits– A Christmas Card from Minneapolis
love the last line and the first bit..
Merry Christmas Blogorinos.
Big cyber hugs Mick! We love you.
Sue, you and Bridget are a bright star in our day. Your colorful writings and photos linger with us. Merry Christmas! Thank you for YOUR gift to us.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Merry, Merry Christmas, Sue. Bridget, too.
What a lovely post. You sounded like you love what you’re doing.
About letters; I lived in Milwaukee and my mother with memory and eyesight failing, would write to me almost every day. Mostly, they said the same thing. The writing up off the lines. I could justify getting rid of some of them, but just had to keep most in storage.
Oh, and the night sky! I was thrilled when I first noticed it! Yay! I get to see it!
And YES! I’ve joined the ranks! What a wild ride! 12 days out. Last minute packing, cleaning. (thank goodness for friends) The first 2 nights at a niece’s in KC, a few truck stops, a few st pks (security blankets) and on Christmas, Leasburg Dam St Pk, NM.
I’ve established a slight bit of order. Enough to enjoy sitting inside w/o having to step over or move things though am still , definitely, in chaos. It’s OK though and it’s been OK. Then just in the last day, I’ve started to get excited. A welcome and interesting twist.
I think I’m gonna like this!
A Christmas Hug,
Jane
Thank you very much for your help along the way. You’re probably not done!
Woo hoo, thanks to all the talk here, I’ve joined the Kindle family! I asked for the on sale $59 kindle but instead am very surprised hubby got me the Kindle Voyage with Whispernet ! Very happy so I can easily get the books recommended here and not have to carry the much heavier much larger iPad 1 with me while he gets treatments. Thanks to Sue and others here for the terrific recommend. Merry Christmas.
So glad you have such a nice gift now to read on!! Sure hope all will go well with hubby’s treatments!!
Thanks Elizabeth.
So much I don’t know about birds! Merry Christmas to you and Bridget both. Hope you have a wonderful & relaxing day!
Nina
Wishing you Merry Christmas blessings
I hope everyone had a wonderful and joyous Christmas day. We are relaxing after a house full of love and laughter. Blessings to all of you blogorinos!
Sue, I loved your post about letter writing. When I was younger I had a few “pen pals.” I’m sure some others on the blog did too. It was a neat experience. But time marched on, and I didn’t keep up with it. There is nothing like a hand written letter.
Merry Christmas RV Sue and Bridget!
Merry Xmas Sue and Bridget may your PTV and BLT keep on going and going and going until the Legend of RV Sue is so well known a stone monument will be erected out in the wild west right next to Kit Carson, Bugsy Segal and Geronomo 🙂
What awesome photos of the birds! I am looking to buy a camera and I am wondering what brand is your camera?
Have a nice Christmas and a great New Years!
I enjoy you stories and thank you for sharing your adventures. (Oh yeah … Merry Christmas to Bridget too!)
Christmas Blessings to Sue, Bridget and all the Blogorinos. You have helped keep my dreams alive this year as I continue to fight to get well.
May your 2015 be the best year yet.
Reflections of the sky and trees can clearly be seen on the lakes shining still surface this morning. It’s calm ,mirroring life,so different than what yesterday held.Good morning Sue,hope you and Bridget are in as much peace.I’m in awe of how many reached out offering love in offers,gifts and connection to me during the holiday.I’m sure you are ,too.
Some would consider all that normal,yet I know both of us had times in life when our endeavors in employment,service and efforts for others felt as though the only reward was in the giving …I so-o enjoyed seeing appreciation being given you on this page.Drinking the best coffee ever I received from a friend I toast “Just Rewards Friend-you’ve more than earned it!”
Weather, you are a pip!
Thanks-I think you’re fun,too 🙂
Thanks for saying this: “efforts for others felt as though the only reward was in the giving.” Weather. Well stated. Puts my feelings into words, exactly.
Elizabeth you’re such a dear ,know that I pray your ever ready kindness be multiplied back to you
Hello Sue,
Hope your Christmas was peaceful and delightful and full of the things you enjoy. I’m sure you did some reading, gave and got lots of cuddles with Bridget and enjoyed the quiet.
Christmas at our house was us, four grown children, my mom (who’s almost 94) and two 3 1/2 year old grand girls who made enough noise for 10. It was fun but nice to see everyone go home. Today Mom’s whole herd (14 adults and 5 kids 6 and under) is going to her house for left overs and presents. We enjoy seeing everyone but we’ll really be delighted when we hook up the Casita tomorrow for a trip. 🙂
It’s hard to believe you’ve been Living Large on Less (yes I changed the wording) for almost 3 1/2 years. May 2015 bring you new joys, much peace, wonderful sights and another year of providing fun reads about your interesting life.
And to Sue and the blogorinos, let me quote Hee Haw “May your pleasures be many, your troubles be few”. And a blessed 2015 to everyone.
My mom and I used to write letters every week. Till email happened. Then not so much. I still write letters to a few people randomly. I think it’s special to find a real letter in the mailbox, especially as we get older.
Happy holidays to you. I see you had a lovely Christmas!