Training thoughts
It’s like an August hammock, the last week of December.
Slung loosely. Swinging between this and that.
Manic celebrations (finally) over – yet another abruptly (demandingly) barging in.
Determination to gather friends and clan (or at least find a way to stay connected) leading into “Stay safe and see you next year!” (I thought they would never leave)
Leisure family time without schedules, – but, please, when will school start up (ever) again?
Leaving most feeling like this:
“No more. The snow is too hard and my legs are too tired.” (© image)
Old year gasping, barely hanging on, and the new year dancing in the wings.
Casual musing over what was (and can’t be changed now).
Dreamy anticipation of what will be (with promises followed through…this time)
This last week a little of neither, yet a little of both.
Get those 2021 thoughts trained and moving in line….
Even if, realistically, we’re all just along for the ride. We’ll just pretend. It’ll be fine.
(Oh the hopes of never having to smell Lysol or hand cleaner again.)
Luxuriate during this final December week. (See you next year!)
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Dec. 27-31, 2020
Leaving one station. Another ahead.
In between: vision softly muted and somehow reassuring, monotonous sounds
Train to just chill.
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
Don’t worry; we’ll be so used to the smell of Lysol, we won’t even notice it anymore.
Happy-sliding-into-probably-more-of-the-same-but-hopefully-better-year!
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By the way, here’s a shorter train ride through snow . . .
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True but what fun is brevity? HAHA
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No fun at all, if you read many of my older posts. I should get back to my marathon postings. Something for the New Year, maybe.
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I will and I shall. Wandering words is often as good as wandering amid forests.
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I (sneeze) can’t (sneeze) take (sneeze) it anymore…Allergies! It’s allergies, I tell you (with accumulated sensitivity and growing nausea). Not to mention the cracked hands and cuticles…Sigh.
Yea, back at ya’ with the new year’s predictions.
Thanks for tossing a comment in to this baggage compartment
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This always is one of my favorite weeks of the year. I hope you have a good one. Me? I’m going back to work, and am happy as can be about that!
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Ditto on the cheers for the week. It’s kinda a limbo time – and with the weather so far, it’s great. All those boats in the marina are chafing at the dock lines wondering what is wrong with people – time to get out there and make a splash. Thanks for sanding off a comment to leave!
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There’s light at the other end of the tunnel. 🙂 Loved the video although I misread the time. Thought it was a 2 minute video, not two hours. I’m going to watch more later. Love the mountains in winter!!
janet
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It’s like some years – it goes on forever…but might help those who can’t sleep or will do anything to avoid media/social media? As meditation? A crime deterrent? Even if it wouldn’t calm/redirect some violent ones Mr. Mayor, perhaps it would keep them off the streets for a while…the judges aren’t.
With traveling, you never really know what’s around the bend – but even 2021 isn’t totally wonderful, we know it will be different!
Thanks for traveling along. Have a Happy Pre-New Years!
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Hope the last of your holidays for 2020 are good or at least somewhat good. Cheers to next year. We have high expectations of it and I hope it doesn’t disappoint!
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This is a great week – med. stuff still on pause a bit longer – and it’s beach weather for a few days. Molly’s able to swim and run with friends and we can get out. Can’t ask for much more.
Hope your realm is full of high kicks and fun tricks (like convincing the cats they have new better digs waiting and “we’ll let others enjoy this house now”. Change is good…in decent weather haha) Hang I’m there and get ready for the fireworks of 2021
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There is a black and white cat that occasionally visits. My cats have never been in the porch at the same time but today it happened and they catted through the screening. He’s (she?) looks healthy and well kept so I’m hoping it’s not a stray but belongs to someone who lets him out occasionally. I don’t see often but now that he’s made some friends you never know.
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Could be a cat hedging bets like the cat next door?
That’s how we moved with an additional cat…no one claimed him and as he had become part of the scene, we feared for him if left behind…in gratitude – after vet check and neutering …he was a small male that kept getting the worst end of social status fights at the old house…he repaid us by adopting a new home and family…with an outdoor balcony view…he always looked smug and I’m sure I saw him wave…so it worked out for the best..although he seemed to hold a tiny grudge about being snookered by tuna into a cage and being outraged when I managed to get him all inside and the door shut….a few scratches, but couldn’t risk leaving him behind.
RC was not thrilled with another companion…especially one with chewed ears, so maybe she did the adoption placement HAHA
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Aw, that was a happy story! When I did an interstate move, I took along a feral that I was friends with. I got him neutered. When I let him out I never saw him again. I always think about him and that was at least 25 years ago.
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Some light snow here this morning. More to come, maybe. So tranquil (now that I’m retired and don’t have to drive in it). Video(s) so beautiful, and almost hypnotic.
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It is tranquil if you can just sit and enjoy it out the window. Honestly that was a video suggestion to help overly tired kid who loves trains to calm down before holiday bedtimes… it’s pretty cool and helps stress fall away for some adults…zzzzzzz.
Thanks for joining the snow show here. Happy New Years!
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Happy New Year nonetheless!
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Warily optimistic – the coffee shop was open – that’s a welcomed good sign! Hope rest of your week is equally as wonderful!
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We are ever hopeful that 2021 will be better but we will have to go along and see how it turns out. Warm weather here too -70 plus – then another cool front. Cheers!
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RC Cat insists we must work at training our thought to be positive that it’s going to be a great year…or did I misread that..”.Grate year?”..that doesn’t make sense, but you tell her not me! Hope your week is as much fun as fireworks in the sky. Thanks for wandering over here
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I hope all our lives are better next year! You’ve kept things lively with your wonderful posts, though. Thank you for that.
I enjoyed the short train ride. John is a train enthusiast (maniac), so we’ve ridden lots of trains. We haven’t had a snowy ride, though. All the tourist attractions are open in the summer only.
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I’m catching up. I’m catching up with comments. Always smile when you visit.
I’ve ridden narrow gauge (tourist) trains through the mountains, and one between London and Greenwich but this is very different – and winter. Someday maybe we can ride a snowy train route…wonder if I’d be able to stay awake? It’s pretty soothing.
Hope your holidays were fun of warmth and fun. Cheers for traveling into 2021!
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A snowy train ride would be marvelous. We rode two tourist trains in the Rockies in the fall, with snow-capped peaks in the distance. The air was cold, and we were glad we had our winter coats with us. There was no heat in the cars. I’d check out heat before booking tickets on a winter railroad. Brrr!
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I’ve always been a fan of this week as a way of wrapping up the old year and imagining the next. And boy am I ready to wrap up 2020. It isn’t that we didn’t do some fun things, but that was in spite of, but I can’t help but believe that this year has to be better. It does, doesn’t it. 🙂 –Curt
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This slack week always was cool…a bit of downtime before school or later, job started up again. And who doesn’t need the rest after manic Christmas? Beside if it’s warm and sunny, grabbing a bit of rays and surf was just right.
Weird year, indeed, but really shook things up – and maybe some good has come of it for some. It is what it is. …families bike riding again, board games, learning to cook and eat at home for some….just stay away from people coughing and sneezing, like your Grandmother always said.
Onward through the fog! Thanks for stirring your attention this way
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We’ve been careful, but not paranoid, Karen. And that has provided options, like limited travel in our RV. We are also lucky to live in a beautiful area. Being retired also meant we didn’t have to be anywhere. So we are grateful that our year was more fortunate than most. Onward! 🙂 –Curt
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It’s really nice to not have schedules and commutes of working. It has been a real luxury this year
Actually in 2019 we were looking at RVs but were waiting on upgraded motor power that was coming out in 2020 one we liked and we though would accommodate 80 lb Molly, too – as make her more comfortable when traveling than in a car…not up to the big bus type though. Just want something for trips and to see grandkids. We had a 38 foot sailboat so we have a general idea about what space/storage works for us…we do not like to be underpowered in the Mts, though. Then COVID and stuff being closed – even state parks here which caught some RV travelers by surprise. And now health issues. But not out of the question maybe this spring. As people say, best not to delay; thing happen. Adventures are calling – go. Think later!
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We’ve actually lived in our 22 foot Pleasure Way on two occasions, Karen. The first time for a year and the second time for three years. It has a powerful engine that likes to eat up mountains and travels quite comfortably at 70 MPH. The problem is that they have become outrageously expensive. Covid hasn’t helped there! Small RVs are in! Also, the gas mileage (about 11 MPG) is nothing to brag about. Covid certainly helped here by keeping gas prices down! –Curt
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Gas it up now. We have dismissed 5th. wheels (the pickup costs really add to that initial investment), and probably Airstream (it’s the only well made aerodynamic one that will hold investment) maybe one of the Leisurevans – as the dog can walk back and forth as we drive. Most of my family became RV gypsies upon retirement – owning everything from giant motorhuses to over the cab campers on pickups. Must be genetic.HaHa.
It would be nice to have an option to travel comfortably and have something for hurricane evacuations and visiting family. Sail boats are so much work and , well, there’s the hurricane issue if you want to live aboard. Yes, small RVs are in and more practical than ever. Been watching your travels and fun with interest. Thanks for offering some info and help on this escape plan. Yep, Onward no matter what
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Leisure travel makes some great vans that have the quality of Pleasure Way vans. Again, price can be ouchy, but much less so than a sailboat. 🙂 Trek is another major brand, but our experience is slightly less quality. RC will definitely like the access to parents that any of the vans will provide. –Curt
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It’s got to be well made. Might want to drive to Alaska as one of my aunts and uncles did…Patagonia has always seemed nice….
Will check those out. Thanks
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Quivera has been over the Alaska Highway twice!
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The last great place! (Only they have these huge mosquitoes …)
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They can be bad. 🙂 Especially in June and July. By August the worst of them are gone. I led backpack trips in Alaska for 4 years so I know a bit about them. Grin. –Curt
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