Seven hours after Jim and Courtney arrived to pack us up, we are home at last...and boy, does it feel spacious!
❤ Ronda
Location:Apex NC
Friday, February 17, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Home!
Here they come to save the day!
Seven hours after Jim and Courtney arrived to pack us up, we are home at last...and boy, does it feel spacious!
❤ Ronda
Seven hours after Jim and Courtney arrived to pack us up, we are home at last...and boy, does it feel spacious!
❤ Ronda
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Closing Prayer
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful minds,
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence praise.
In deeper reverence praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
Beside the Syrian sea,
The gracious calling of our Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word,
Rise up and follow thee
Rise up and follow thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love.
Interpreted by love.
With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and works, that drown
The tender whisper of thy call,
As noiseless let thy blessing fall
As fell thy manna down.
As fell thy manna down.
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace.
The beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm!
O still small voice of calm.
(Hymn by John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-1892; published in the Magnificat for today's Morning Prayer, February 17, 2017.)
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful minds,
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence praise.
In deeper reverence praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
Beside the Syrian sea,
The gracious calling of our Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word,
Rise up and follow thee
Rise up and follow thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love.
Interpreted by love.
With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and works, that drown
The tender whisper of thy call,
As noiseless let thy blessing fall
As fell thy manna down.
As fell thy manna down.
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace.
The beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm!
O still small voice of calm.
(Hymn by John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-1892; published in the Magnificat for today's Morning Prayer, February 17, 2017.)
Twenty Six Days at the Beach in Winter: I Surrender!
I never should have written my blog entry this morning, because when I opened up to my feelings of frustration and defeat, I have been crying ever since.
I had put out a note to one of my neighbors to ask for help in walking Evie two days ago, but it didn't pan out. And then I phoned my husband this morning before he left for work to talk about my options, but he didn't answer.
And so, I sat outside with Evie, staking her wire lead into the ground and tried to relax.
Then Evie began eating my rug.
Then she tried to dig up the stake.
Then a neighbor walked by and I asked her to sit down with me, but Evie began jumping on her and driving her back in her chair.
Then, I started to cry as I told my friend that I didn't think I could manage my dog with my hurting back.
"Let me take her for a walk!" She said as she put Evie on a leash and headed down the street. Evie jumped up and tangled and dangled at her side.
"I'm taking this dog down to my strong husband who will get her in line!" And off they went as I received a text from my husband, "Do you need me to come down and get you?
So, while they were away, I called Jim and discussed our options. We finally settled on his driving here with our daughter tomorrow (Saturday) while I slowly packed up my campsite today.
He called our daughter at home and she quickly texted, "I think we should pick you up now!" And they both cancelled their plans for today and are driving the 3-4 hours to bring me and Evie home.
Not long after this, I looked up and saw my friend Bob riding by on his bicycle, his dog Lily...and Evie, who was wearing a pink harness, trotting at his side.
And then my neighbor with the Great Pyrenees walked up ...she had moved to a different campsite further away and was actually here an extra day due to a repair they needed for their RV... Anyway, she was carrying a "Thunder Harness" that someone had given to her in her own time of distress that will prevent pulling by getting tighter around the ribcage when the dog pulls...she gave it to me and said we could keep it to try on our walks at home.
And so, with help coming for me from seemingly every direction, I will finish this last entry, take another Vicodin, and lie down and wait for my husband and daughter to arrive.
With love and in tears of relief and gratitude,
Ronda
I had put out a note to one of my neighbors to ask for help in walking Evie two days ago, but it didn't pan out. And then I phoned my husband this morning before he left for work to talk about my options, but he didn't answer.
And so, I sat outside with Evie, staking her wire lead into the ground and tried to relax.
Then Evie began eating my rug.
Then she tried to dig up the stake.
Then a neighbor walked by and I asked her to sit down with me, but Evie began jumping on her and driving her back in her chair.
Then, I started to cry as I told my friend that I didn't think I could manage my dog with my hurting back.
"Let me take her for a walk!" She said as she put Evie on a leash and headed down the street. Evie jumped up and tangled and dangled at her side.
"I'm taking this dog down to my strong husband who will get her in line!" And off they went as I received a text from my husband, "Do you need me to come down and get you?
So, while they were away, I called Jim and discussed our options. We finally settled on his driving here with our daughter tomorrow (Saturday) while I slowly packed up my campsite today.
He called our daughter at home and she quickly texted, "I think we should pick you up now!" And they both cancelled their plans for today and are driving the 3-4 hours to bring me and Evie home.
Not long after this, I looked up and saw my friend Bob riding by on his bicycle, his dog Lily...and Evie, who was wearing a pink harness, trotting at his side.
And then my neighbor with the Great Pyrenees walked up ...she had moved to a different campsite further away and was actually here an extra day due to a repair they needed for their RV... Anyway, she was carrying a "Thunder Harness" that someone had given to her in her own time of distress that will prevent pulling by getting tighter around the ribcage when the dog pulls...she gave it to me and said we could keep it to try on our walks at home.
And so, with help coming for me from seemingly every direction, I will finish this last entry, take another Vicodin, and lie down and wait for my husband and daughter to arrive.
With love and in tears of relief and gratitude,
Ronda
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Trust
When I picked up that lovely sand dollar this morning, my heart sang. It was the first unbroken one I have seen in the three weeks I've been here, if you don't count the one that was still green and too icky to touch.
I placed it in one of Evie's extra poop bags for safekeeping as we turned around and headed home.
After a while I stopped thinking about it, and as Evie was tugging, the bag slipped out from my gloved hand and fell to the ground below. The sand dollar was shattered and my heart fell.
For some reason, this suddenly reminded me of the story of God's provision of manna in the desert (Exodus Chapter 16). His people were hungry and grumbled against God as they made their escape from Egypt through the desert and to the promised land.
The people complained to their leader Moses, and He went to God who said he would provide food from heaven (it was white, like coriander seed, and tasted like wafers made with honey.)
God's people were told to gather it so that each one in the household tent had enough to eat. But, "Let no one keep any of it over until tomorrow morning," Moses warned.
Those who did not listen to him found it became rotten and wormy over night. And God was not pleased with them.
On the sixth day the people were to gather two-days worth so that they could rest on the Sabbath.
In this way, the Lord provided for his people for forty years in the desert and taught them to rely on Him each day for their sustenance.
So, instead of worrying about my predicament now, I will quell my fears and take it a day at a time, trusting in the Lord to provide.
Love,
Ronda
I placed it in one of Evie's extra poop bags for safekeeping as we turned around and headed home.
After a while I stopped thinking about it, and as Evie was tugging, the bag slipped out from my gloved hand and fell to the ground below. The sand dollar was shattered and my heart fell.
For some reason, this suddenly reminded me of the story of God's provision of manna in the desert (Exodus Chapter 16). His people were hungry and grumbled against God as they made their escape from Egypt through the desert and to the promised land.
The people complained to their leader Moses, and He went to God who said he would provide food from heaven (it was white, like coriander seed, and tasted like wafers made with honey.)
God's people were told to gather it so that each one in the household tent had enough to eat. But, "Let no one keep any of it over until tomorrow morning," Moses warned.
Those who did not listen to him found it became rotten and wormy over night. And God was not pleased with them.
On the sixth day the people were to gather two-days worth so that they could rest on the Sabbath.
In this way, the Lord provided for his people for forty years in the desert and taught them to rely on Him each day for their sustenance.
So, instead of worrying about my predicament now, I will quell my fears and take it a day at a time, trusting in the Lord to provide.
Love,
Ronda
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Hurting
When I awoke this morning, my back was stiff and I couldn't stand up straight. I thought that lying in bed would perhaps make it worse and even keep me there for an extended time. So I got dressed and took some pain medicine to keep from locking up and headed out to see the sunrise with Evie.
It was a glorious sunrise and I found my first perfect sand dollar along the way.
Evie walked close to my side as I practiced heeling her using a choke chain and treats to help reinforce what I want her to do. It seems more important than ever now that my back is hurting and her constant pulling, if it didn't cause it, is making it worse.
As people approach us to pet Evie, I find I am trying to steer away. She jumps up every time, if not on them, then on me afterward, suddenly wanting to play.
I find I am feeling short tempered and even worried about being here as the campground fills to capacity today for the three-day holiday weekend.
I am feeling stuck and I don't know what to do.
Love,
Ronda
It was a glorious sunrise and I found my first perfect sand dollar along the way.
Evie walked close to my side as I practiced heeling her using a choke chain and treats to help reinforce what I want her to do. It seems more important than ever now that my back is hurting and her constant pulling, if it didn't cause it, is making it worse.
As people approach us to pet Evie, I find I am trying to steer away. She jumps up every time, if not on them, then on me afterward, suddenly wanting to play.
I find I am feeling short tempered and even worried about being here as the campground fills to capacity today for the three-day holiday weekend.
I am feeling stuck and I don't know what to do.
Love,
Ronda
Thursday, February 16, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Working Through Adversity
When I went camping last fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains and my 20 lb propane tank ran dry, I was unable to heat my camper, cook my food, and keep my refrigeration going in the chilly, rainy weather.
So, as I packed up my camper this time, I threw in an old backpacking burner and a few one pound cylinders of propane for good measure, just in case it happened again.
And again it did!
Just after my mom left--the weather turned sour, I threw out my back, and wouldn't you know, the 20 pound propane tank went empty once more... Only this time I have electricity as a back up and so everything still works: the lights, the refrigerator, the microwave, and coffee maker....but still, I thought how nice to have a toasted cheese sandwich or an egg with a few pieces of toast in the cast iron frying pan on this nearly freezing day...
...and so I did. And boy, was it yummy!!
Love, Ronda
So, as I packed up my camper this time, I threw in an old backpacking burner and a few one pound cylinders of propane for good measure, just in case it happened again.
And again it did!
Just after my mom left--the weather turned sour, I threw out my back, and wouldn't you know, the 20 pound propane tank went empty once more... Only this time I have electricity as a back up and so everything still works: the lights, the refrigerator, the microwave, and coffee maker....but still, I thought how nice to have a toasted cheese sandwich or an egg with a few pieces of toast in the cast iron frying pan on this nearly freezing day...
...and so I did. And boy, was it yummy!!
Love, Ronda
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Resting
After Mom left yesterday, my friend Bob rode over on his bike with Lily, Evie's Golden Retriever friend. He said he wanted to try walking them together as a first step toward teaching Evie to trot along side Lily and him as he rode the bike.
Evie jumped up over and over again on Lily as she thought walking with her on a Y-shaped leash was a big game. And then Bob said, "I'm going to try it!" As he rode off, two golden retrievers trotting at his left side.
He went down the street and around the park and returned about 10 minutes later proclaiming their outing a success!
(Here is Lily trotting along side Bob the day we met them on the beach a few weeks ago.)
And so I tried it too, tentatively pedaling my bike around the campground with Evie in a firm trot by my side! As Bob advised, I was ready to let go of her leash if she veered to the side. But nothing happened and we made it back in one piece!
Full disclaimer: the first and only time I tried it with my dog Sadie, I broke my arm and needed stitches over my eye...
This morning Evie and I took a little walk on the beach where we met Judy, a local resident walking her two dogs off leash and letting us join them for a while...
...followed by breakfast
...and a doggy bath at the water spigot followed by a little drying off...
...before battening down the hatches and riding out a heavy storm full of wind gusts and driving rain.
...then the worst happened: while sitting at my dining table, I threw out my back...and now I am unable to stand up straight or walk without wincing..
I didn't want you to know, but I thought I should mention it in the interest of full disclosure of my time by the sea...
And in case I don't get too much more walking done, I took a look at my goals:
62 miles(100 km) in 30 days
And my actuals:
140 miles in 23 days
And then I noticed that I wrote:
"...however the point is really to leave your everyday circumstances and set out on a spiritual journey to bring you closer to God..."
Hmmm, how prophetic. I wonder what He has in store for me in the coming days!
Sending my love,
Ronda
Evie jumped up over and over again on Lily as she thought walking with her on a Y-shaped leash was a big game. And then Bob said, "I'm going to try it!" As he rode off, two golden retrievers trotting at his left side.
He went down the street and around the park and returned about 10 minutes later proclaiming their outing a success!
(Here is Lily trotting along side Bob the day we met them on the beach a few weeks ago.)
And so I tried it too, tentatively pedaling my bike around the campground with Evie in a firm trot by my side! As Bob advised, I was ready to let go of her leash if she veered to the side. But nothing happened and we made it back in one piece!
Full disclaimer: the first and only time I tried it with my dog Sadie, I broke my arm and needed stitches over my eye...
This morning Evie and I took a little walk on the beach where we met Judy, a local resident walking her two dogs off leash and letting us join them for a while...
...followed by breakfast
...and a doggy bath at the water spigot followed by a little drying off...
...before battening down the hatches and riding out a heavy storm full of wind gusts and driving rain.
...then the worst happened: while sitting at my dining table, I threw out my back...and now I am unable to stand up straight or walk without wincing..
I didn't want you to know, but I thought I should mention it in the interest of full disclosure of my time by the sea...
And in case I don't get too much more walking done, I took a look at my goals:
62 miles(100 km) in 30 days
And my actuals:
140 miles in 23 days
And then I noticed that I wrote:
"...however the point is really to leave your everyday circumstances and set out on a spiritual journey to bring you closer to God..."
Hmmm, how prophetic. I wonder what He has in store for me in the coming days!
Sending my love,
Ronda
Location:Murrells Inlet,United States
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Saying Goodbye
Mom's week with us came to a close this morning after a sunset walk on the beach and a morning one too, plus a spin around the park on the bike we rented, before she waved goodbye.
It was nice being able to share this wonderful experience with her, and to do so many things that are better with two.
Evie and Lynne at sunset
Evie and Ronda at sunset
Evie spotting Lynne/Grandma on the beach at sunrise
Evie is up to her tricks...!
So now we are back to just Evie and me, and sunrises and sunsets and cold nights and warm days and all that is to be in the coming days....
Sending our Love,
Ronda & Evie
It was nice being able to share this wonderful experience with her, and to do so many things that are better with two.
Evie and Lynne at sunset
Evie and Ronda at sunset
Evie spotting Lynne/Grandma on the beach at sunrise
Evie is up to her tricks...!
So now we are back to just Evie and me, and sunrises and sunsets and cold nights and warm days and all that is to be in the coming days....
Sending our Love,
Ronda & Evie
Monday, February 13, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Chillaxing
Mom and I went out for fish tacos in Murrell's Inlet today to a place with a dog friendly porch...
Walked the boardwalk afterward...
Stopped at the dog park for a little off leash time...then jumped in the Pyrenees Pit once we were back home...
Before settling down for a late afternoon snooze....
Won't you come with us next time?!
Love, Ronda
Walked the boardwalk afterward...
Stopped at the dog park for a little off leash time...then jumped in the Pyrenees Pit once we were back home...
Before settling down for a late afternoon snooze....
Won't you come with us next time?!
Love, Ronda
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Community
Meeting the folks around here, I've learned that many return year after year: same time, same place. There is the couple from New Hampshire and two Great Pyrenees dogs, the retired school teachers from South Carolina, the woman from Michigan with the cute little dog Poppie, not to mention Evie's friend Lily and her human parents from Illinois. They have befriended us here and helped to make our stay so pleasant, that I, too have made plans to come here next year with Evie, and stay for the month of February.
What do you think about that, Evie?!
If any of you are so inclined, why don't you come too? You can come for a few days or longer. Here is the site: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/huntingtonbeach/introduction.aspx
Love, Ronda
What do you think about that, Evie?!
If any of you are so inclined, why don't you come too? You can come for a few days or longer. Here is the site: http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/huntingtonbeach/introduction.aspx
Love, Ronda
Sunday, February 12, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: Meeting Others Along the Way
It was another beautiful sunrise this morning, despite the clouds across the sky...
Evie and I set out while it was still dark, and saw these little figures huddled up on the beach, awaiting the day.
And then we walked along the deserted shore as the sun popped up over the horizon and began to shine.
After walking about a mile, we encountered a man walking his pitbull dog and I said a quick "Hello" as I steered Evie up the beach a safe distance away.
After a while we turned back and began to pass the man and his dog again. This time I said "Hello! Have you got a puppy there?"
And he replied, "Yes, she's 5 months old," as we let our dogs go nose to nose.
I noticed he had on a wedding ring, and a knit hat that read Boy Scouts of America. And I thought, "He's a father and husband and even a scout. I don't need to fear him because of his dog."
God teaches me to overcome my prejudices often in this way.
Love, Ronda
Evie and I set out while it was still dark, and saw these little figures huddled up on the beach, awaiting the day.
And then we walked along the deserted shore as the sun popped up over the horizon and began to shine.
After walking about a mile, we encountered a man walking his pitbull dog and I said a quick "Hello" as I steered Evie up the beach a safe distance away.
After a while we turned back and began to pass the man and his dog again. This time I said "Hello! Have you got a puppy there?"
And he replied, "Yes, she's 5 months old," as we let our dogs go nose to nose.
I noticed he had on a wedding ring, and a knit hat that read Boy Scouts of America. And I thought, "He's a father and husband and even a scout. I don't need to fear him because of his dog."
God teaches me to overcome my prejudices often in this way.
Love, Ronda
Saturday, February 11, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: A Sunny, Lazy Day
Scenes from our lovely, sunny, breezy, 72 degree day!
I rented a bike last evening to keep for the week. It is a comfort style beach bike with rust-resistant chain and aluminum handle bars to hold up to the conditions at the sea.
This morning we started our day just after sunrise with a short walk on the beach, just a mile or two..
Returned to camp for homemade bran muffins and cherry preserves..
Then I hopped on my bike and took a spin around the place, past the visitor's center, past the alligators, down to the front gate, back through the causeway drive, to the campsite of some friends of mine, and then back to our place...Evie didn't even recognize me until I dismounted the bike.
After a lunch of albacore tuna, relish and mayo, a crunchy apple, and a little chat with the camera toting woman who said she thinks we have the perfect dog, Mom has headed off for the bathhouse and Evie and I are relaxing inside our little air conditioned place by the sea.
And somewhere in there, I have been receiving good news from home: Courtney's graduate school applications are rolling back in, and at least one of her choices has offered her a place in their PhD English program, with teaching assistantship besides.
Life is good, and I am so very grateful.
Love, Ronda
I rented a bike last evening to keep for the week. It is a comfort style beach bike with rust-resistant chain and aluminum handle bars to hold up to the conditions at the sea.
This morning we started our day just after sunrise with a short walk on the beach, just a mile or two..
Returned to camp for homemade bran muffins and cherry preserves..
Then I hopped on my bike and took a spin around the place, past the visitor's center, past the alligators, down to the front gate, back through the causeway drive, to the campsite of some friends of mine, and then back to our place...Evie didn't even recognize me until I dismounted the bike.
After a lunch of albacore tuna, relish and mayo, a crunchy apple, and a little chat with the camera toting woman who said she thinks we have the perfect dog, Mom has headed off for the bathhouse and Evie and I are relaxing inside our little air conditioned place by the sea.
And somewhere in there, I have been receiving good news from home: Courtney's graduate school applications are rolling back in, and at least one of her choices has offered her a place in their PhD English program, with teaching assistantship besides.
Life is good, and I am so very grateful.
Love, Ronda
Thursday, February 9, 2017
A Month at the Beach in Winter: A Very Windy Day!
When Grandma arrived yesterday, Evie was quite excited to receive her at our camper door...
After a brief escape to the waiting dogs in the street nearby, and then a leap into the pen of the Great Pyrenees dogs next door, Evie was captured and returned to site #74, and relative peace was restored.
Afterward, Grandma made up her small single bed with fresh sheets and a fluffy down comforter from home, and our little Evie decided to make a claim for it.
There was a brief tussle as I tried to coax her back to my double bed in the camper...and then Evie seemingly won when she landed right back on Grandma's bed after Grandma was tucked in for the night.
I lept out of my own warm bed and using first cheese, and then a leash held firmly in hand, brought our mischievous pup back to my side and prevailed for the rest of the night.
Around 4:00 AM it started to rain, and then at dawn we walked out to the ocean to greet the moody sky...
And then we returned to camp and sat down for two cups of coffee and homemade muffins spread with cherry preserves.
Then gale forced winds drove us inside after extinguishing our stove and blowing our wash basin across the way.
So now we three are taking refuge inside, warm and cozy and bracing ourselves from the 35 mile per hour gusts outside.
Love, Ronda
After a brief escape to the waiting dogs in the street nearby, and then a leap into the pen of the Great Pyrenees dogs next door, Evie was captured and returned to site #74, and relative peace was restored.
Afterward, Grandma made up her small single bed with fresh sheets and a fluffy down comforter from home, and our little Evie decided to make a claim for it.
There was a brief tussle as I tried to coax her back to my double bed in the camper...and then Evie seemingly won when she landed right back on Grandma's bed after Grandma was tucked in for the night.
I lept out of my own warm bed and using first cheese, and then a leash held firmly in hand, brought our mischievous pup back to my side and prevailed for the rest of the night.
Around 4:00 AM it started to rain, and then at dawn we walked out to the ocean to greet the moody sky...
And then we returned to camp and sat down for two cups of coffee and homemade muffins spread with cherry preserves.
Then gale forced winds drove us inside after extinguishing our stove and blowing our wash basin across the way.
So now we three are taking refuge inside, warm and cozy and bracing ourselves from the 35 mile per hour gusts outside.
Love, Ronda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)