Burnaby - Canada Day

it was truly wonderful to wake yesterday in the Sunshine Valley.  The sky was blue. The sun was hot.  Children and dogs were playing.  Quads were gunning their engines.  People were headed out to the pools with multi colored towels, The air was fresh with the scent of campfires left over from the night before.  Early risers were cooking breakfast. Laura and I and Madigan had slept the night through waking restful and grateful. 

Thank you God for another day. I’ve woken that way today. Thank you God for another day.

It took little time to load the bicycle, take down and stow bicycles, lawn chairs and Starlink.  I knew how to retract the awning and the slides and the jacks.  In no time we were pulling out of Sunshine Valley RV Resort.  Heading home.

I’m more confident driving.  I’m used to the noises of the motorhome.  It’s clunky like a Jeep or Truck.  It’s big.  The alarm sounded when we passed the RV slums roughly the same distance we’d come when the alarm had gone off going the other way.  I was able to stop for gas only to find the gas fill was on the driver side. I found the portable water tank on the other side. It was tight getting into the gas pumps but after going slow on the side road with increased ventilation the beeping stopped,, I’d found it came from the bedroom and later surmised it was a sensor by the fuse box, perhaps the propane sensor or electrical. The clothing and ‘stuff’ from the bedroom side window had fallen and likely was contributing to the lack of ventialiation. I later asked Grok about alarms and learned more.  I feel I’m ready.  It’s heat and ventilation related and went off when I turned off the engine and when I increased the ventilation.

I believe the Ford air conditioning system needs more fluids. The ‘change oil’ sign comes on in the morning. I plan to discuss a service with Coastal Ford maybe in August.  Having driven across Canada with the change oil sign on the F350 and discussed that with several mechanics I’m okay for a while. I do wonder spiritually why I’m having lubricant maintenance signs happening on the truck, the motorhome and months back the Harley.  What is the meaning for me at the deeper level?  I don’t know but I’m okay. I’ll prevail.  

I’m thankful for sobriety and AA and the lessons of spirituality because I remember how ‘freaked’ and ‘anxious and angry’ I’d have been 30 years ago.  I really did believe God was hostile and punishing and the world was hostile. Today I’m thankful that I believe my God is a loving God and that we will ‘win’ in the end.  This too will pass.  Life is a journey and an adventure

I’m back in Burnaby at a different site.  It was a much easier ride home.  I still love the panorama view from the grand Class A window.  It’s glorious.  I feel like I’m at the movie theatre driving a bus.  

Laura helped me back into the new spot closer to Earnest and Nicoliona’s Thor.  The key was having a bush rather than a tree behind me so the Starlink was unobstructed. My Torino Electric Bicycle is pushed up against the bush and not easily accessible, But I have my Harley once again.  

I am happy with the electric bicycle for now but will get the Motorhome over to H&E hitch to see if I can mount my motorcycle ramp and carrier to the back.  I eventually want to tow a little truck like the Ford Maverick so I can carry the Harley in the back and have the truck for expeditions.  

Laura and I want to take the Motorhome to Harrison’s next this summer, and maybe Whistler RV.  I find myself looking forward to returning to Fountain of Youth hot springs in Southern California and LA Long Beach.  I’m living one day at a tine but hopeful and feeling positive about the future.

We’re set up again here,  It’s so green and pleasant.  I road the Harley to Tiki Boo Laundry dropping it off for the lovely young Asian lady who runs the place with her kindly husband. Hard working intelligent folk.  I remember thinking the same of the Jewish couple who ran the corner store near the apartment I had decades back.  I love seeing hard working reliable people.  

I’d screwed up with the holiday and work so spent to afternoon doing virtual work and phoning people from the morning so that I was able to manage work as well. A long and tiring day with the drive, But so good to be home safely,  So happy with the Thor Hurricane Motorhome.  

Madigan and Laura are such good company, Madigan did  chew the comforter , something he’s not done in a year but it’s a whole new home and world for him so I’m understanding of his anxiety.  He’s a funny little guy, killing Big Bird and the stuffing going all over

I barbecued chicken that the Full Basket Butchers and sold me already marinaded, We had it with a prepared chopped salad kit. It was delicious,  Then we watched Blue Bloods,  Tom Selleck and Warburg and the other great family characters with positive Catholics values and service.  Too much late night snacking with ice cream bars but not too bad on the scale of things,

Today is Canada Day.  I commented on Facebook that people should beware of honking their horns in Ottawa. I continue to distrust the government the mass migrations, the heavy taxation the corruption , the foreign affairs, money missing, globalism and the Liberals in general.  But Carnie is more intelligent than Trudeau and less nauseating.  I’m hopeful.  Israel and the US have bombed the Iranian nuclear facility.  China and Korean and Russia have come together to back Iran, The war between Russia and Ukraine continues with increasing drone use. Elon Musk continues his Starship production.  I hope we reach Mars soon.  

Today is Canada Day. Canada is the greatest country in the world,  God’s country.  The Islam invasion continues and I remember Tom thinking the LGBT were the shock troops. Seeing the silly Lesbians for Palestine promoting sharia law is absurd but journalism is more and more just like the Kardasians, click bit,

I’m thankful to be here, blessed by the present

Laura is up and putting the leash on Madigan to take him for his morning walk.  I’ll make another coffee.

Intnerational AA Convention is beginning this week in Vancouver and I’m looking forward to getting to some meetings and speeches. Next week I ride my motorcycle to Spokane to attend IDAA.  It’s a good year for sobriety. I took my 28 year cake and am thankful for the learning and understanding.  Keep coming back. We’ll love you till you can love yourself.  Spirituality is growing love inside.  If there’s a problem you’re looking at the problem in the mirror.  Laws of attraction and perception. Presence.

Thank you God.  Thank you Jesus.  Saints of all religions I bow to you all. May your love shine forever on the sanctuary of my devotion.

Thank you Jesus.  Holy Spirit Come. 

South for Sun , Day two, evening. 46.07/124.10, Alder Dune Campground off HW 101 Oregon

It’ day 2 in the evening.  I’ve driven from Astoria to this campground along the Oregon beaches about an hour south Newport and an hour north of Coos Bay.  I stopped at the Walmart in Newport and have an AT &T red iPhone SE with excess data for US and Mexico.  I’ve not even tried to use my Hamm Radio or the Sat Phone.  I’m pleased with this phone and plan just like last year with T Mobile.  I’ll stoop at Apple most likely in LA and get things sorted out.  

I’ve just loved the great waves. It reminded me of my coming down from the Columbia River in the SV GIRI, my 39.9 ft 13 ton  steel sailboarta day ,after a hurricane went through. The fishermen advised me to wait a day saying it takes that long for the sea to settle.  I didn’t and went out in these great waves like I’ve witnessed today.  My antennae broke off at the top of the mast and threatened 4to do more damage so I climbed the mast to fasten it down. Despite being on autopilot going forward slowly the ship was rolling from side to side.  I could have reached out and touched the water on each roll. I was glad to quickly fix the problem with bungee cords.  

Coos Bay was where we put in the first time going south because the exaust separated from the engine with the vibration.  The whole for the cabin filled with smoke and was terrifying till we realized there was no fire.  We fixed the exhaust in Coos Bay and carried on. I’ve a soft spot for these harbours as a consequence.

Now I’m enjoying my camper and truck with the Vespa on the front. I’ve yet to use that. Once I’m in one place for a while I will.  This morning I was up at 530 and on the road at 700.  We stopped or Macdonalds egg sausge bun.  Madigan doesn’t like sausage like he likes burger but will eat it if I chop it into little pieces and hand feed him.

The fellow just came by to collect camping fee. $31 .I only had American $20.  First cash I’ve used.  Each day I’ve  put $100 in the tank and spent $20 on food a coffee. I’m using my supplies from the fridge and cupboards.  

It’s continued to rain though I had some dry parts in the day.  Low hanging clouds.

I phoned Laura and left my new number on her answering service .  

I had poor Starlink coverage because of obstruction, I’m right under a fir tree, and the heavy rain. I’ll have to pay taxes when I have a better connection. I downloaded a few kindle books.  I only had the Renaissance history which I am enjoying but I’m looking forward to the naval historical fiction.  I’m rather mentally exhausted at the end of the day.  Building up stamina.  A lot of concentration.  It was especially nerve racking the first couple of hours in the dark with the rain.  So much is weather.  

The two hours waiting at Walmart was an expertise in patience but well worth the effort. I worried about Madigan in the camper in the parking lot but he was okay and happy to see me happy when I returned.  Enrique took care of all the paper work and number insertion with the cell phones. What a todo.  I’d have hated to do it myself if I even could.  I agree with Elon Musk there is way too much government regulation.Part of the problem was being Canadian and trying to get a phone in the US but i had no such difficulty buying a phone in Greece. The only difficulty there was it was programmed in the language and I made some mistakes guessing at what a message meant.

Now I’m tired. Laura texted me she had steak and has gone to bed. I fried up potatoes the way my dad liked them with a shallot and smokies chopped up , all fried in butter with mustard salt and pepper and very tasty. 

Madigan had a bowl of his Tikki France wet food.  I had to get him new water. The water I’d had in the truck must be stale because he wouldn’t drink it. He’s fine with the tap water in the camper and the new Spring water.  He’s been a really good boy cuddling up beside me on the trip down.  

Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord of All.

I really enjoyed trying out my new 3200i Honda Generator.  I powered the Starlink and charged all my devices. I had locked to the stairs but put everything way so I can get away easy in the morning. I can make stove top espresso too.  It’s a good day. Thank you. 

Gratitude

I am not alone. I am here with God and my dog.  I am self aware. I am a spiritual being living in a material world.  I have family and friends but my primary allegiance is to a higher power I call Jesus.  Jesus Christ.  God within. God will come again. I play hide and seek with the presence of God. Like an archer I shoot for the bullseye but at best can get a grouping in the flow. To sin means to miss the mark.

I’m thankful for this life. I’m thankful for creation. I’m thankful for the colours and scents.  I wish that my mind was more continually serene but flashbacks, triggers, resentments fears play across the field independent of my desire. I don’t dwell on these so much. But their memory opens the unsealed wound of my life. My inner language declares my emotions, I know peace thankfully,  But I have an Iago and and an ear worm and I have all the human failings.  I lust, I know avarice and jealousy, I wallow in sloth, I have greed, I am human , a sinner. It seems a constant battle to remain true to you

You are my God, my friend, my guide, my saviour.  You are my love. I am thankful for you.

Now I’ll have coffee. I am so thankful for coffee. I’m thankful for Madigan. He rested his head on my head this morning in bed. It’s his way of letting me know he’s here with me and he’d like me to awake so we can go for a walk. We’ve done that. Now he is looking forward to sharing my Cliff protein bar.

It’s a free day .  I have church,

The difficulty with church is whether to go au femme or au drab.  I know I am welcome but au femme is a celebration. It’s dress up.  I used to love to wear suits and ties.  I miss the tie.  I miss the 30’s and 50’s though I really wasn’t going out till th 60’s and 70’s.  I saw a documentary of the opening of the Playboy club and enjoyed the men in dark suit and the women dressed in colourful elegant clothes with the bunnies waiting on them.

I just read intersecutionalism, more Frankfurt communism, all about ‘offensive’ and who are more offended.  Just paranoid revenge thinking in a different language.  

I’m seeking a higher power, a closer relationship with the substrate of existence. Yahweh.  I am that is who I am.  Being ness.  All is one.  Buber. I an It to I and You to I and thoug.

Let go and let god. Make me a channel of your peace.

I am here having meditated, sat in silence, prayed.  I have this day a head of me and there’s a virtual doctor’s support meeting. I have the new Arlo wireless Pro 4 to set up.  I’ve a desire to curl up fetal position and my bags are packed and I’m ready almost to have a few days travel and vacation with my dog. I’m thankful for that. It’s been a long time coming.

I am truly blessed. My hair was coloured yesterday. I saw the chiropracter, Today I’m feeling less pain. Ibuprofen is sufficient.  My colleague is turning 60.  My friend is on morphine.  I’m comfortable.  I don’t like the mortgage. I would have it paid but I have a place that is warm and convenient and yet I’m not mobile, Next year I’ll take the course and gain the independence,  I’ll rise to another challenge. Already I’m learning to drive better, backing up.  Little steps.

I’m thankful for the vehicles. I’m thankful for motion,. I’m thankful for stability and change. I’m thankful for my fingers. I’m thankful for the symphony. I’m thankful for music.  I’m thankful for mrrors and indoor plumbing and water and wifi.  I’m thankful for the new star link.  

Thank you god for all your blessings and your protection,

Thank you Jesus.