Hi Darlin’,
A kind of busy day today. Got up a bit early, did the morning chores, no breakfast because my first appointment was for labs that required fasting. Decided to take the Buick today, since it was a short trip, and Jeff asked to borrow the truck because his Explorer isn’t running again for some reason. He left early with the Dodge to get some pipes for the sewer drainfield he’s putting in first, guess there was a reason he didn’t want to take that to wherever his appointment was in the afternoon. Anyway, I can’t tell you how much I enjoy driving that Buick! What a thrill! It jutters a little at higher speeds, but it seemed to improve during the day, so maybe it is just the brake rotors or calipers loosening up. Meanwhile, I did my labs, then had lunch at the nice little Hong Kong restaurant we went to a couple of times (since I’d been fasting!), then found a place nearby to get my hair cut. The woman, Cheryl, at the Hair Cuttery did a nice job. Then I stopped at the auto parts store from some fuses, I blew the same fuse I’ve been blowing, there’s obviously a short somewhere that I’ll have to look for at some point. By then it was time for my appointment at the dermatologist to look at a couple of spots I thought might be problematic, but the doctor didn’t seem that concerned, though he took a tiny biopsy just in case. A quick trip to Walmart for a couple of things on the way home, and I got back just after Jeff did with my truck. He was a bit worried, apparently when he was in Home Depot, a woman backed into my truck (or thought she did), and was leaving a note when Jeff came out of the store, which was nice of her, but I looked and couldn’t find anything that she could have caused. He was a bit worried, though, since it’s the first time I let him borrow it, he couldn’t believe someone had hit it while he was in the store! There’s a little dent in the bumper, but that’s been there for a long time, so I don’t know what caused her damage (Jeff said it was pretty significant), but my truck was fine. I’m thinking someone else may have backed into her coincidentally. Anyway, it was almost time to feed the animals, so we got busy doing that, and pretty soon it was time to settle in for the night. A pretty good day, perfect 70 degrees, though it’s going to get cool again tonight. Good sleeping weather! Off to bed, good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hi Sweetie,
Got up a bit earlier today because I wanted to try and get my new awning fabric installed before I headed out for a mammogram this afternoon. I had studied several videos, and one I even wrote down all the steps and printed them so I would have a reference, then I headed out and started working even before breakfast. After I did the first few bits that were generic to pretty much every video I watched, I discovered that the one I had most studied had a completely different hardware sysem, one that was actually much easier than the one I had been watching, so that helped a lot. I did about 95% of it on my own, only seeking out my brother when I needed extra hands for taking it down and putting it back up again, mostly (of course, as always, he was critical of the way I was doing everything he was involved with when it didn’t go absolutely perfectly the first time, as if that ever happens on ANY job!), but at least it got done, and it was peaceful for the 95% I did on my own. I had to abandon it in the middle to run down to WPB for my mammogram, but it went pretty quickly and I was back in good time. Got all my tools put away and the yard cleaned up just as it was reaching horse feeding time, so it worked out perfectly! The horses had been left in the paddock because Kirsten and her girlfriend came out and took Apollo and Frost for another ride today, and I told Jeff to leave them in the paddock when they got back since I had left all my tools around and the awning on the ground, and I didn’t need Mr. Curious Apollo knocking everything over and stepping on everything, so it worked out well. It’s a nice graduated green awning, and it looks great. The other one had chunks falling off it when I got it down, so replacing it happened not a moment too soon! And it solved another problem. I’ve been having trouble getting the awning all the way in, because the metal shield had somehow slipped forward and was keeping the arms from closing all the way, but now it’s aligned perfectly and closes all the way. Glad about that improvement! I think it may need new gas struts, though, because the motor is working too hard and the awning isn’t staying as high as it probably should, you remember how it scrapes the top of the door. I don’t want that to rub the new awning if I can help it, and I think new struts will help, but have to do some research on it. I’m trying to get everything working perfectly, and even hoping I’ll have a chance to empty out the back horse area and give it a good pressure washing, something I haven’t done since I bought it. So it was a busy and productive day, which is always good! Took my shower this afternoon, so I’ll be heading to bed here shortly, lots to do tomorrow, too! Good night, babe! Love you!

Hiya Babe,
Read late last night and this morning, had a pretty quiet day. It’s the warmest day we’ve had for awhile, into the 80’s, and there is a cool front coming in soon, so I decided to take advantage of the hot weather and float around the pool for a while. I blew up my river raft floating ring that I got for the Loretta Lynn Ride last summer, downloaded my book series onto the Kindle, and floated around for a couple of hours getting some sun. Haven’t done anything that laid back for awhile, even if I haven’t been doing much work. Got me out of the trailer for a bit, anyway. Not much else to report, today, very quiet. It’s probably good that I’ve rested and recharged the last couple of days, though, I have a busy week coming up, lots of appointments and things to do. Off for my shower and bed, now, so good night, darlin’! Love you!

Hey Darlin’,
Had a good night sleep and a mostly lazy day. I did a tiny bit of cleaning, but just couldn’t get myself in the mood. Mostly read and did some work on the computer, trying to straighten out some bookkeeping stuff. Jeff’s boarder Kristen brought a friend over, and I told Jeff they could take Apollo for a ride if they wanted to go together, and they did. He could use the exercise, and I’m really wanting to rest my knee until I see the orthopedist at the end of the week. It doesn’t hurt as much, but it’s not getting better, and I’m sure a ride wouldn’t help much. I’ve been watching a silly kids series called Free Rein, only because it has horses and beautiful scenery in it, it was filmed in Wales. Just out of curiosity I looked up where the show was filmed, then I found a horse vacation touring company in Wales called Free Rein (though it wasn’t really near where they did most of the filming), but they had some really cool tours that have piqued my interest, because you can go out on your own, no guide, just a map and one of their horses, going from one inn or B&B to another. Apparently the population in Wales has been so depleted that you can ride for miles and never see anyone. Sounds like paradise! I’m going to keep that in mind for when they start to allow international travel again, I really like that idea. You don’t have to go in a group, you can go on your own, and you know how that appeals to me! Anyway, my quiet day ended equally quietly, now it’s time for my usual ablutions and bed! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hello Darlin’,
Well, despite some fireworks after midnight, though they didn’t last for too long, I had a good night sleep and a lazy morning. I ordered some things online, trying to get everything taken care of that I can while I’m here. Finally got around to trying to repair the side lamp on the back of the trailer that got ripped off when the ladder came off coming in the drive, and I had a lot of trouble because the screws had actually broken off and I had trouble trying to drill them out. Jeff happened by and saw me struggling, so he stopped to help. He had better tools, and eventually we were able to get it on. Another one of those jobs that should have just taken a few minutes, but got complicated and took more than an hour, but at least it got done. Jeff heated up a ham and made a lovely dinner for the holiday, so I ate with him and James (from down the street), who is now living in the trailer in the back. They’ve been working on it since I’ve been here, and they even laid out a drain field and a septic tank the other day. Sewed up Apollo’s feed bag, he’d ripped it open the other day, but otherwise, a pretty uneventful day. It seems everyone is happy to see the end of 2020, and hoping 2021 is going to be better, fingers crossed. I can only say that for me, May 1st was my personal independence day, when I hit the road permanently, and it wasn’t a bad rest of the year, even if the first four months were difficult. I miss you, of course, but since our conversation is continuing in these letters, I feel you’re still with me every day. I haven’t had much interest in riding since I’ve been here, I guess because I know all the trails and find them rather boring now, but more likely because I’m concentrating on getting all the jobs done that I need to do. I looked at a video of how to change out the awning fabric on this trailer, and typed a list of each step so when the time comes it should go smoothly. It’s been so windy every day here for the last week I haven’t dared to try to do it, just waiting for a calm day. My mind is constantly adding chores to the already long list, but I am knocking off one or two things on most days, so I have hopes that eventually the list will shrink. Anyway, it’s late, time for shower and bed. Love you, babe! Good night!

Hi Babe,
Hard to believe it’s New Year’s Eve already! What a crazy year this has been! I had a better night sleep, and after chores and breakfast, started a load of laundry, then I packaged up a book order and headed out to test drive the Buick. I dropped the book off at the box by Publix, then headed into town to the auto parts store to get a side marker for the trailer (it was torn off when the ladder came down coming into Jeff’s), then to Walmart for some sign-making supplies. I also found a better side marker, so I ended up going back to the auto parts store and taking theirs back anyway. I LOVE driving the Buick! That lovely, throaty sound of the motor just makes my heart dance! I can’t sell Panther, I just can’t! I’m going to order a new cover, and maybe consider a paint job, Jeff say’s he knows a guy… I got back and made a sign for the trailer, then went out again to put it up on Indiantown Road, though I put it further in, which I hope helps. I haven’t had much response to my marketplace ad yet, and a couple of other places I’ve listed it, but I’m trusting that it’s only because everyone’s been so busy through the holidays. Meanwhile, I let Lola come out and play after I fed the horses, and she worked herself so much I’m sure she’ll sleep tonight. I may give her an allergy pill anyway, because they love to shoot off guns and fireworks here on New Years, and I’d hate for her to be restless all night because of that, she’s already hiding behind my chair. Anyway, after more eggnog and rum by the pool for a bit (where Lola was the star of the show!), I headed back to settle down for the evening. Another movie, a few TV episodes, and now I’m heading to the shower and bed. No way I’m staying up for the ball drop, it’s been way too disappointing the last few years. I didn’t even get any sparkling wine this year, first time I can remember not doing that since I passed drinking age (back when it was 18!), Just not into it this year. Probably because it’s been 51 weeks since you passed on, and that anniversary will be here too soon… Well, never mind, I’m off to showers and bed. Love you, sweetie! Good night!

Hi Sweetie,
Couldn’t get to sleep last night for hours, finally had to take a nighttime pain killer, ended up sleeping late as a result. After chores and breakfast, I spent some time on the computer setting up appointments for me to get my Florida Drivers License and register the vehicles, apparently they don’t take walk-ins anymore. Soonest appointment I could get is three weeks from now! Eventually I got that done, then went out to work on the Buick. Changing the thermostat turned out to be a very easy job, my only delay was waiting for the gasket sealer to dry. No leaks afterwards, and I was able to confirm the thermostat was opening the way it’s supposed to. It seems the Buick runs much better now, too! I’ll confirm that tomorrow, I think I’m going to test it out by taking it down to the mailbox at the Publix, I have a book order I need to drop off there. The brakes seem to be working fine now that I topped of the fluid and got them moving again, probably just stiff from sitting for so long. I’d kind of forgotten that we never got it running last year, so it was sitting for two years, that would account for a lot. I remember it was running rough, I’m pretty sure that was from the overheating, but I’ll know better after tomorrow test run. There is still some kind of a whine that comes and goes, I think it might be something in the vacuum, I found one end that was leaking, but fortunately I found some spare ends while I was cleaning yesterday, so I replaced that, and that helped a bit, but I’m going to have to find where the noise is coming from at some point, it might also be the air compressor, since it’s not blowing really cold. As long as it runs for now, that’s all I’m really concerned about. It doesn’t sound life threatening, I’ll just keep an ear out for it. Spent the rest of the day just reading and surfing the net. Time to go now! Good night, darlin’! Love you!

Hi Darlin’,
Warming up nicely now, with mid-70’s during the day and low 60’s at night, nice to be able to open the windows and get some fresh air in here. I took the battery charger off the Buick and it started right up, but it’s definitely overheating. I’m pretty sure it’s probably just the thermostat, but that’s a problem for another day. I ran up to Ranch Feed and stocked up on horse feed, the down to the doctor’s for my appointment there, a recent transplant from New Jersey at the local Cleveland Clinic. Everything checked out, got my flu shot and a whole bunch of referrals for all the other things I need to have looked at, so three more days next week will be dedicated to doctors’ visits, mostly down in West Palm. Figure I better get all this done while I still have insurance, especially my knee. Stopped at Advance Auto and picked up a thermostat for the Buick, I’m hoping to do that job tomorrow, then my trip to Walmart for my regular grocery shopping. I forgot to tell you, yesterday I found something in the Buick that I’ve been looking for for ages, Lola’s original safety vest! I was sure I had it somewhere, but I’ve looked for it so many times and not found it that I’d given up, and made her another one from an old human vest that had gotten torn up, but now when I was cleaning, I found it in a pocket behind the driver’s seat! I seem to remember we put that on her one time when we were taking her into someplace, before we got her therapy dog vest, and I guess it just stayed there. Glad to have it back, though! I didn’t take her along today, it would have gotten too hot in the truck. Anyway, got all the groceries in and settled down for the evening. Once again, time for shower and bed. Good night, my love!

Hi Sweetie,
Had a slow start to the day as I finished off a book, plus there was still the occasional sprinkle of rain still going on, but I eventually headed over to the Buick with my vacuum and all my cleaning supplies and spent several hours getting it cleaned up on the inside. The worst of it was by the passenger door, where ants had built a nest so high under it that they got in between the door and the seal, and even with the bug bomb I set off yesterday, there were still a lot crawling around, though all on the door frame and outside, not in the car, thank goodness. I polished and vacuumed and armor-all’ed and windexed until it was quite spotless inside. I even put the cassette keeper back in, even though I don’t think the cassette player works anymore. I filled up the brake fluid, it was pretty low on one side, so hopefully they will work better now, and I managed to start it up again, though the battery was low after the interior light was on all day because I had the door open, so I put the charger back on at the end of the day. I made a loaf of bread today, too, in the machine, loved coming back to the trailer with that wonderful fresh baked bread smell, and then finally settled down for the evening. Tomorrow is a doctor’s appointment, plus a bunch of running around shopping, for horse, dog and people food, so it will be a busy day. Heading off for my shower and bed now. Love you, babe! Good night!

Hi Babe!
Well, I had some plans today to clean the inside of the Buick and maybe go shopping, but a small train of showers started early in the day and kept coming, despite a forecast that said otherwise. In the end, I did literally nothing all day, just reading, playing games on my computer, and watching a bit of TV in the evening. Guess I’ll just have to make up for it tomorrow! Never mind, we always liked a lazy rainy Sunday, and this one was pretty perfect. Only thing left to do is shower and go to bed! Good night, darlin’! Love you!