POST 1531; JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS; SEPT 20, 2016

Recent Blogs have alluded to a number of confusing events and aimless travel  back and forth across America ... travels with no apparent purpose ... laced with costly expenditures designed to keep our back to the wall.

Not about to cry WOLF or look for excuses, I will admit only to having lost faith in some principles central to our WALK, including investments and expenditures made in and on behalf of individuals.

To be sure, plenty mistakes rest on my doorstep.  Curiously, most hurtful have been errors not of omission, but rather of commission; i.e., taking on too much ... not realizing when enough is enough.

Fraught with recent illnesses coupled with desire to excel no matter what ... or who ... might suggest otherwise, has caught up with me.   Yes, anything CAN be possible.  But at what cost.

I look around this morning from an unfamiliar place.  Expecting to find OZ,  I find instead lots of unfinished involvements.   I must polarize my energies and accept one reality .... I can no longer do this alone.

...nor must I !

... and I look around once again.  I have a full belly; I am of sound mind and spirit, I have a plan to  complete repairs to SPIA; reinstatement on my Washington Drivers License is imminent;  illnesses are under control ....

... AND I wish to share a magical reality:  I am not alone.








  

POST 1530; STRIVING REACH WASHINGTON STATE; SEPT 10, 2016

Update for our drive to Washington State from Kansas City, Missouri (via DENVER, Colorado)

Distance to travel is 1,500 circa miles.

We have some $60.00 available until October 03, 2016.

Obviously, we must selectively delay our arrival pending receipt of $$ from Social Security $$.

Weather conditions may become a factor as we must cross the 5,000 foot High Plains AND the higher Rocky Mountains.

A new factor is our need to replace all four tires to remain safe.

"Shame on me" might be the obvious retort.  I plead GUILTY.

2016 has not been kind to us.

Going "to ground" soon is necessary to stay safe.  We therefor plan to find a suitable resting spot within NEBRASKA - more than one if necessary - .  We could divert via I-29 and I-90 into South Dakota, but that gains us little and possibly looses to increased inclement weather.

Our decision was made for us when DALLAS withdrew his invitation to move into his apartment ... well, probably much sooner than that.  I keep coming back to his comment to me nearly one year ago when he pleaded:

....." ... forgive me, Bruce, but I'm just trying to stay alive ..."

No offense, DALLAS ... I'm on your side !!!

POST 1529; Driving To Washington State; Sept 09, 2016

Seems to be no end to surprises and to disappointments.  I have been one who looks to my own failures ... a single shortcoming is now and again expected ... but events since arriving at the home of DALLAS have been a bit much.

Our arrival - at the personal invitation of DALLAS and his new wife - has been over ruled by THE GARDNER.  Yes, DALLAS' 15 - year Gardner has taken exception to my arrival and presence.

Some time ago, while pushing SAM across the State of Texas, DALLAS contacted us through our Blog.  DALLAS was frantic, explaining that his ill Wife had just died, further explaining that he was now alone and asked if SAM and ME could quickly come to his CULLODEN home to help him.

He was, he explained, unable to care for himself and was facing amputation of his foot.

SAM and ME immediately changed our plans to walk to The Outer Banks.  Instead, we drove directly to DALLAS, finding him usable to walk or fend for himself.  In his own words, DALLAS announced to mutual friends that I "... saved his life."

During the many following months, DALLAS pleaded for me to stay in his home, where I assisted him on a daily basis with his doctor's directed treatment, including accompanying him to and from his medical appointments;

I prepared nearly all his meals - including purchasing most of the food;

I daily cleaned ... our home;

,,, and daily, I mowed his lawn - including his deceased wife's next door property -, even purchased a new powered lawn mower;

... and each Friday and Saturday night, accompanied DALLAS to the local dance.

One could easily say that I alone supported DALLAS and care of his property during the many months of his treatment and care ... all at his request.

During this entire time, I asked for NO $$ from DALLAS.  Neither, did I request or did I receive any $$ from DALLAS for my own costs expended on his behalf.

My continued assistance to DALLAS came to an end when DALLAS met and married his "new"  bride;  but, not until after she and DALLAS directed me as to how and where to move her furniture and belongings into her new home.

It came, therefore as a great pleasure that DALLAS and Mrs. DALLAS, jointly telephoned me a few days ago to return to their home and accept that I - at no charge - to move into the upstairs Apartment.

It came as a greater surprise that the "used to be Gardner" called the SHERIFF accusing me to be trespassing.  I was not allowed to plead my position, but was ordered to vacate the property by morning.

The SHERIFF also threatened me about my "Washington State License"  which he said was no longer valid...giving no explanation.

DALLAS, in the mean time retorted to me that he would do nothing about this turn of events, refused to speak to me, being replaced by the Mrs, who began yelling at me   ....

My (deceased) Mother once told me to avoid those did not want me.  I considered Mother's feelings for an few hours, but as darkness fell, I opted to heed good advice,

As of this moment I am enroute to The State of Washington to satisfy the question raised about my license.

POST 1528; HURRICANE' WV; SEPT 05, 2016

Good Afternoon from HURRICANE, West Virginia.

Traveling for over two months after leaving ISLANDO's ART QUARRY, SAM, SPIA and ME have strived to recover from the severe lack of funds ... coupled with a series of failures to properly repair SPIA ...

We experienced three weekly periods during the past two months when we ran out of $$ for food and gas to move forward on our continuing journey to reach DALLAS' home in CULLODEN.

We have now arrived at our destination.  Our first day has been filled with the pleasure to be again with our many friends.

Along the way, many old and new friends have come forward to encourage and assist us.  We parked for two weeks in LOVE'S Truck Stop in POST FALLS (COEUR d'ALENE), Idaho.  We again stopped for a week ... this time at WALMART parking lot in COLVILLE, Washington; followed by another week delay in the mountain community of REPUBLIC, Washington.

These "Rest Stops" were forced on us as available funds ran out.

Two times, $$ funds reached us from our Social Security U.S Government monthly checks.  Because  car repairs previously charged were due, not much was available for gas and food.  So, we halted again and again ... getting somewhat proficient at learning hunger restraint 

Reaching the beautiful city of BELLEVUE, Iowa on the banks of the MISSISSIPPI River, we again parked one week awaiting funds to catch up.   
  
Two weeks ago, we arrived at Sister Carol's.  Busy with medical appointments, Carol was to spend our visit pretty much alone as we again parked at WALMART.

On September 02, 2016, Uncle Sam's $$ again arrived.

We immediately drove the 500 final miles to West Virginia.   YES. we do have enough $$ to pay the final debt still owed.  Next month we can eat and drink.

 ......

5 years ago SAM, SPIA and ME embarked on our trek to meet and help SENIORS as we crossed and recrossed America.  We did this with intent to find our own limits.  Until our recent foolish effort to reach beyond our ability to help SENIORS, we did very well.  We had no business not sticking with our objective to limit our efforts to SENIORS.

* * * * *

And, with these words I move on ...