A letter to my sister

My Dear Sister,

I am writing from my temporary lodging in Nampa. It is nice for Riley and I to take a break from the motorhome. Nampa's population of 81,000+ is a nice change from Boardman's 3500.

I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your glycemic index. My doctor called it low blood sugar. My solution for years has been to avoid sugar altogether. It seems to work. My doctor was surprised that I was able to keep such a tight control on my sugar intake. She suggested that I could have some sugar as long as I had some protein along with it. I took that very seriously and have followed her advice with some success. If I put sugar in my coffee I have a piece of cheese, and when I drink a milkshake I have a peanut.

My Hypochondria is getting the best of me today. The pain in my abdomen has not gone away, rather it is increasing. Of course I suspect endometriosis or ovarian cancer, but I will limit myself to some cranberry pills in case it ends up being an infection. (I will add a peanut, in case there is sugar in the pills.)

My main project today is to bathe Riley. It would be nice if he liked water enough to play in the sprinkler, but that isn’t the case. I bought some eardrops for him. He has been rubbing his floppy Labrador ear on everything and everybody. It’s cute unless you know what the inside of his ear looks like. I bought some ear wash for him as well. It should be an interesting morning. I wonder if peanuts would help get rid of the ear mites?

I am getting ready to attend my 30 year class reunion. My plan was to lose 5 pounds, get a tan and buy a really nice outfit. I still have 48 hours. If I quit eating peanuts right now and go outside I might make my goal.

Later:

I really wish someone had told me the sprinklers come on at 11:30.

Move to Boardman, Oregon

We are parked under tall shady trees. A constant breeze runs through their leaves, filling the air with a bright rustle like water in a little rippling creek. Carl has left for work. His job this time is clearing land on a dairy, building space for more corrals. He says they have calves right now. I would like a tour. We expect to be here about three weeks.

I watch Riley sleeping on his blanket in the motorhome. I wonder how a dog's mind processes all of this. He gets into the RV. It shakes, rumbles and moves around for a long time. He gets out and is somewhere else. He can't possibly have any concept of distance or direction. After traveling five hours from Nampa, Idaho to Boardman, Oregon, he looks out the door at us and refuses to exit the vehicle.

He stayed inside all the next day, except for two necessary walks, sitting on my feet wherever I was. Today is better. He has no idea that we will move tomorrow, primarily because the Driftwood RV Park will not allow him to stay. I am still new enough at this to naively assume that all RV Parks allow all pets. Long term renters at this park are limited to pets under thirty pounds. Daily guests can have any size of pet. After lots of negotiation, we will be allowed to stay for a maximum of two weeks, for the weekly rate, which is twice the amount of the monthly rate.

Walking Riley is a challenge here. The goathead thorns are so thick that he can barely move once we get off the sidewalk. I knew we were in trouble when he began tiptoeing on his toenails, slowing down, and finally stopping, looking helplessly at me out of those sad brown lab eyes. I pulled all the thorns out, and he walked a few more feet, same scenario. This time he stopped and held up his paw for me. The next time he stood on my feet. I believe he was asking me to carry him. We made it back to the sidewalk and then to the motorhome. Our next walk was shorter, and we did not leave the sidewalk.

Next to the RV Park is Desert Springs Mobile Home Park. They have a few long term RV spots, and we will pay slightly less than we would here, without dog. I will go talk to them in the morning and hopefully we will be able to move in. It is a beautiful Mobile Home Park. It is clean, lots of green grass and has a nice playground. I think the grandkids will enjoy visiting us there.