Fifth Wheel to Class A Motorhome

It’s exciting I can say that. I signed the papers on the Thor Hurricane 29 m at Traveland.  Then the whirlwind began. I have been two weekends and evenings purging my home. Friends have benefitted most when I found I had two or three of things Like battery chargers and grinders. I’ve taken a half dozen green garbage bags to the Diabetes Bin for clothing. I’ve thrown out as much and have plastic boxes and bags lying about waiting for this Saturday when I empty this RV into the smaller motorhome.  

Meanwhile I’m waiting for an eye appointment to confirm I’ll have sight the next ten years at least and perhaps book surgery. I decided to be optimistic and proactive, buying the motorhome before I had confirmation my sight would last. It’s that time of year in life when each decision is weighed against potential life and as importantly well being. Only a couple of years ago I thought I’d not be able to hunt much more because of the Edinburgh fall, the back pain and weakness. This year I have far more stamina though persisting chronic pain.  I say that it’s anger turned inward or that which I can say in no other way. It wakes me when I turn over at night.  I plan within limits. I don’t believe I have a n endless reserves of energy and immortality.

Kenny Rogers, the salesman at Traveland who told me of his east coast experiences of Atlanti hurricanes when we talked sailing and adventure,”There are rules with motorhomes. No more than three hours without a break and plan for the night at three pm”.  I appreciated the cautionary tale having motorcycled across the country in three hours stretches and mostly finishing the day before dark and the deer on the road night concerns.  

Driving the big ‘bus’ was challenging the first time. I really was uncertain if I could do it despite Peter and Ernest cheering me on. Kenny Roger’s was so kind in guiding me. I was able to do a circle in the parking lot and see that I had the ability to do a tight turn. It wasn’t hard as long as I didn’t think of the length. The cameras were a godsend.  I did it and now am continuing on with the trade.  

I have money in the bank and a trade in and Ryan the finance fellow has been setting up the sale. It turns out that finacncing is better than cashing in mutual funds as the government vultures half the savings especially the present government caught up in monstrous scandals such to give even politicians a bad name.  

Trudeau the leader resigned in shame and ignomy to be replaced by Mark Carney a banker and board member of the WEF and friend of the Communist Chinese. I voted in the advance elections from Pierre Poilevre for PM.  That’s been a major Canadian issue with Elon Musk manning DOGE for Trump and the Republicans in the states. The graft corruption and theft of money being found and all the criminal enterprises in the US seem likely to be worse in Canada especially as Trudeau wouldn’t even address infiltration of the government by Commusti Chines,e Cartels and Mafria.  

I’m continuing to work and most of my patients are feeling the loss of government mismanagement of money. Pensions and inflations. I’m just downsizing and hoping for the future.  I’m working long past the oldest in my family and long past the age of retirement. Fortunately I like my work and feel privileged to serve but the whole administration and government issue is as appalling ast the ‘friendly fire’ of war.  

Now Laura is up. She slept with Madigan chaperoning us. When he’s not trying to lie on one our heads he’s wedged between us.  It’s cozy.  L

It’s cherry blossom season and quite beautiful with the glorious sunshine and blue skies of spring.  

I am blessed.

Laura and I were at St. Barnabas Anglican for Easter Sunday church.  There was a baptism.  Madigan was disruptive so I spent most of the service at the back with him.  Otherwise he’d be whining to be let up on Laura or my lap. When there are two of us he’s a brat. Alone with me he’s manageable .  He really is excited by family.  His girlfriend Bella and her sister Luka have been here with Peter and Larry. Peter and I have been walking the dogs while Peter advises me of important aspects of motorhome ownership. They have the Tiffin Allegra. 

Ernest and Nicolina who’s Thor I saw and fell in love with have been about too.  They were happy to take my expedition boat I’d had stored on the side of the RV.  Dave came to the rescue and sorted out the under RV garage.  I’d had doubles of come along and air compressors and so much more. I told him I only needed one for the new Motorhome. As Dave has an RV himself I could trust him to know what tools I’d need.  

I feel like it’s a west coast Potlach in some ways , this purge. I feel lighter and was amazed at how many doubles of things I had accumulated over the years.  Not unreasonably. I had a yacht and camper and RV and remnants of houses. I found 4 coffee bean grinders stashed here and there.  Camping, hunting and fishing gear kept appearing Willy Nilly here and there.  

It’s closing in to the finish.

Laura just left in her little Read Smart Car.  That little Smart Car served to jump my battery this weekend when the parking lights on my Mini got tripped.  Madigan barked woefully at her departure..  She said before she left that this would be here last time in the Fifth Wheel.  It’s the beginning of a new era.  I never did use this toy hauler lor hunting or to carry my Harley to a different place. The garage turned into an office. I survived Covid here and Madigan was a puppy here.  2017 Keystone Fuzion 371.  In some ways it seems just yesterday and yet in others so much has occurred.  More years of sobriety and increasing tunneling spirituality.  

Throughout it all I’ve worked. The Snowbird trips south, first with car and then truck and camper and now next year I’ll be doing that trip in the Thor Hurricane. Having survived a winter Pacific Ocean solo sailing hurricane experience I find the Hurricane name apropos.  Thor the Vikings god. Well I likely have Vikings blood on the Irish sides along with the Celtic blood.  

I’m looking forward to Kevin coming tonight to take the gun cabinet. I’m passing on a couple of rifles for him and Anna and the kids. Purging. There’s just not space for the hunting gear as well though I’ve taken guns and ammo to the rifle storage.  I’m liking the idea of paring down.  The incredible lightness of being.  I read a blurb by a backpacker who’d scaled down in Henry David Thoreau and was singing the praises of no maintenance .  There’s always maintenance. Even God needed to have Adam tend the gardens.  It’s just that now I’m glad to have less maintenance.  I think of Anna and Kevin with 5 children and how they’ll appreciate the 4/10 that Anna had once told me she so liked.  

A simpler life.

Anil’s been doing the taxes too and getting all the book keeping materials this year was a challenge because of my travelling.  I’m looking forward to that being completed. Big events each year.  

Meanwhile the Men’s Meeting on Wednesday continues .  I was pleased to be able to introduce George to Laura on the weekend when his car was in front of Burnaby Fellowship and we could stop on the way to drop off laundry at Tiki Poo Launderers.  

So much to do, so much done, transition and changes.  It’s overwhelming at times but I used the ‘tools’ in the toolbox, breathe and do the next right thing.

I barbecued chicken for us last night as we watched old NCIS LA series with Hetty and Granger. 

Thank you Jesus. Thank you Christ.  Thank you God. 

I’ve been continuing to work and patients are kind and grateful. I appreciate their consideration when I’m stressed.  But even there I am just plodding along, steady.  I shared in an online doctors meeting that I was thinking about Slouching Towards Bethlehem more .  At times it’s like moving through molasses. I want to pull out my hair and scream but that nails scratching on chalkboard feeling passes and I just keep praying and givening thanks.  A new day has begun.

The air was so fresh this morning. I woke at 5 and couldn’t get back to sleep so got up for 6.  Laura said the same for her and was up to leave early at 630 rather than the 730 she often does.  Work days.  Structure and service.

Thank you Jesus.