2007 August | The Road Home

Archive for ‘August, 2007’

Blue Skies

Blue sky! – not a lot but the first that I’ve seen for awhile. And the other bits are clouds and NOT smoke. A little rain last night cleared things for a bit and more rain forecast for this afternoon and this week. The wind in front of the rain made everyone nervous and they evac’d some around the active fires, but everyone back home today. Engine 7 from my district is back as well as the Fire Chief and Dept President that went to the Black Cat Fire.

Everyone is talking about Fall – this will be one of the most anticipated and appreciated Fall seasons since I’ve lived in Montana – although most everyone enjoys the color, the cool, crisp days…the lack of tourists. Even though the tourists provide the foundation of our local economy…they take up parking spaces, and restaurant room – and this weekend… I was entering the grocery and nabbed by one who wanted to know what there was to “do”, where was a farmer’s market??? And when I hesitated – because most of the farmer’s markets are on Thursday and I was trying to remember if the one at the mall was on Saturday – and while I was thinking, he had the nerve, I say THE NERVE to laugh AT me and make a comment about having asked the wrong person. I should have laughed back and walked away but felt compelled to defend myself and made some suggestions all of which he shot down as his wife had already done those things – a blown dry, CA – yuppie baby boomer – WHY did they even come to MT??? And why was I not smarter in response?? Plus, I was at the grocery story in town that I HATE and always swear to never go in again, but went because I wanted just a few things – arrgggh! Luckily, it was cool enough to have Karl in the car with me and he kissed me on my return and all was well – we went home, had a good lunch and played nerf football – all better!

My impatiens…I bought them late after returning from Colorado – 1/2 price at the nursery – gorgeous… I put them in the shady part of the garden when I went to Missoula thinking they would get plenty of water from the garden sprinklers, but on my return they looked dead – I wish I had taken a photo. I almost threw them out, but decided to see if they would at least partially revive and so I apologized to them – over and over – and gave them a good drink and by the next morning they looked well, although no blooms. So I kept it up and after the foilage seemed good, gave them some food and WOW – you would never know that they had suffered a drought.

Impatiens Porch

Impatiens

from the front porch again…

Sunday morning – FROM THE FRONT PORCH!!! The smoke is not entirely gone, the fires are not near being out and in fact the Black Cat fire near Jim n Mary’s RV Park crested Evaro Hill last night and is bearing down on the town of Arlee, MT – which I know from a fire department email alerting us (fire dept volunteers) that Engine 7 manned by the Chief Mahugh and Fire Dept president John Klippel left the district at 8 p.m. last evening, responding to a statewide mutual aid call on this fire. Two men with wives, children and businesses on an at least 24 stint on a fast moving wildland fire – God Speed to them and all the firefighters.

Here – at my home, things seem much improved. The sunrise was pinkish and there is still a lot of smoke but not as much and no ash and it is very pleasant at 53 degrees. A favorite breakfast of chicken fried steak, pan gravy, poached eggs, fried potatoes and strong black coffee started the day. I’m enjoying the last cup of coffee on the porch as I write – I’m also enjoying the company of Karl and Bob and what, except for the interruption of the hot, smoky, waspy summer – had been our routine – enjoying the early morning outside together.

Actually, it is just after 9 so hardly “early” but it’s Sunday – a slower start…and we were all up at just before 3 a.m. as a group of coyotes were “singing” close enough to wake the house and all of the dogs within earshot. Karl joined in the chorus… It is one of those things that is eeirie and beautiful at the same time. I have always liked waking in the night and walking around a dark house or better – a moonlit house. Luckily I have a dog so can excuse myself for venturing outside to look at the stars and moon because “the dog wanted out” – truth is he rarely does unless he’s ill and he doesn’t go far in the dark – sticking close to backup – me!!! And often I have to coax him out with me on my middle of the night ventures – it’s not like we go far – I just like to step off the front porch and look up. I don’t have “security” lighting so there is no “light pollution” to get in the way of seeing the night sky.

Wow – it is so quiet and peaceful … and beautiful in a smoky/misty way – there is a forecast for rain today and more this week and hopefully in enough quantity to offset the wind coming with – hopefully to be help and not hindrance to the fire fighters. It is late August with September just around the corner – the start of my favorite time of year.

I read something awhile ago that comes to mind on occasion… along the lines of “if you think of everyone the same then no one is special.” …as in if there are no valleys then you cannot have the mountains – I thank God for the special people, special pets and special times in my life – gifts from a GOD to whom all are truly special.

Birthday clouds

I have Karl to thank for the opportunity to see these clouds and the chance to get photos…

Karl

On the alert – a herd of deer ran through the woods and Karl was barking so I went out to see – otherwise would have missed this…. Happy Birthday to ME!

Clouds1

Clouds II

It’s my birthday!

Today is my birthday – I am 52 – not one of the milestone birthdays…and I’m not thinking about it in any other way than it’s my birthday – my day to – to what? Well, it always feels a little special, but generally, I don’t “do” anything different except maybe allow myself to have whatever food or drink treat I would like … because after all, “It’s MY birthday”!

There is a blog that I check once or twice a week: Karen Cheng’s Snippets of Life. Karen just turned 29 – she wrote about it. She lives in Australia with her husband and 2 young sons. They have a house. Karen works from home on some web projects but primarily she is taking care of her family. I have very little in common with her – only the bit of technology interest/skill. I just enjoy the peek into her life and thoughts. So, after her 29^th birthday – facing next year’s 30^th – she shared some of the thoughts and questions she has about turning 30 as in “the big THREE-O” – and then she invited the sharing of stories from her “readers”.

Getting older, aging, the NUMBER – I’ve thought about it a lot!… 30, then 40, then 50 – my gosh, 50! Even if 60 is the new 40, there is not really any denying that 50 is “middle age” – I am no longer “young”. I don’t know where the exact line is but I do think that 50 is across it! I don’t feel 50 – there are many times that I don’t even feel like a grown up – just a “kid” masquerading as a grownup. How did I get to BE 50 – well 52 years old?

Karen asked some questions that she hoped someone might answer – one is “What finally made you feel 30?” Tough for me to answer because I STILL don’t feel 30! I remember sitting across the table from a friend’s aunt and mother one morning and we were all casually talking about age. My friend’s aunt who was in her late 60’s, wrinkly, white-haired, moving a bit slow, commented that she still felt like a kid inside and every morning when she looked in the mirror it shocked her – ‘Who is that old woman?”. I think of that often, especially first glance in my own morning mirror. I’m not wrinkly or white haired (a bunch of gray, though!) and often get mistaken for much younger than I am. But I can see the changes – my face has certainly softened, widened, plenty of fine lines – I catch a glance in the mirror and wonder, “Who is that woman?”

I neither wear nor have interest in “youthful” fashion. I am energetic and athletic and move easily and well but 20-30 something women look very young to me. I AM older and sense that. But I sense and feel it more in terms of experience and maturity – a different outlook, pace, sense of self and well-being – a calmness.

And I have to laugh at myself because the maturity is more along the lines of the realization that I DON’T know what “IT” is all about. The REAL evidence of “coming of age” for me is a sense of contentment. Oh – there are plenty of things I want to do, places I want to see or see again, character improvements I’d like to make – no less hopes and dreams than when I was younger, but I’m not so anxious about them. It is not as if the completion of any of them must be done to make my life good or successful. I’m free to enjoy “today”.

I’ve made conscious choices about where I live, how I live, my work, my family and I’m happy with those choices. I’ve tried things – some have gone well and some have not. I don’t like to fail, but I’m not afraid of failing – I’m more afraid of fear keeping me from trying something. I LIVE my life in the way that is right for me – right for my beliefs and my character. I don’t believe life is predestined but I do believe that things unfold as they should and that we are given always what we need even if not all that we want. I have learned to live with insecurity and in fact to understand that we cannot attain real security and so have reached a point where I can enjoy myself and my days in spite of life’s circumstances at any given moment. I am content. The number has ceased to be important.

Endless Summer

Usually there is some sadness here in Northwestern Montana as summer comes to an end – this year, though, we are all not only ready for it to be over but praying for that first heavy snow – at the very least some good rain and a hard frost! Between record heat, record fires and wasps/hornets/yellow jackets it has been a summer to remember although hardly with fondness.

On the good news front, the fire near Glacier (Skyland) and west of Whitefish (Brush Creek) have calmed a bit – or at least they seem to have a handle on the fronts nearest homes, ranches and structure. Seeley Lake (Jocko Lakes) allowed some evac’d residents home. Tomorrow will be pivotal as a cold front – a REAL cold front is due to whoosh through with wind at the start and possibly strong to severe thunderstorms following. The storms are supposed to be “wet” and next week’s forecast is for a fall-type scenario with much cooler temps and real RAIN.

The bad news and a bit ironic – I returned from Missoula on Monday 8/14. Yesterday at approximately 2:15 a fire (Black Cat) started just a few miles from Jim n Mary’s RV park and additionally closed route 93 for some time. Homeowner’s were evacuated with less than an hour’s notice. Scary stuff and that kind of thing is a possibilty throughout Montana and probably a lot of the west until we get significant moisture.

So – VERY glad to be home – but glad to have gone… the little trip broke the anxiety, even given the continued high fire danger. Local fire departments have been given funds to keep manpower and equipment staged and ready to quickly knock down any new starts. My own volunteer district is now “manned” (and PAID!) 24/7 with 2 of 7 engines out of the halls and at strategic points of the district.

Karl and Bob are glad to be home and back in their routine – off leash and in their own space. Always funny – the first night back they are both very snuggly – Karl, who on rare occasions will come on the bed ALWAYS joins Bob and I when we return home. My boys – they are excellent company at home or on the road….

Karl and Bob

RV Transmission – Part 3

10:45 Monday morning – we are at the shop, the part is here!!! – so just waiting for the service tech to finish whatever. I have power and internet so “life” continues – Bob and Karl napping as usual.

It is not quite as smoky this morning as last night but smoke is supposed to drop and thicken so I don’t expect much improvement here or on the way home.

3:40 – Home! Transmission fixed very quickly – wasn’t as much “stuff” in the way as anticipated, trans serviced with fresh fluid and filter (yep, Al 25K!) and trip home was easy.

It is VERY smoky and ash falling but still good to be home – nice break in the anxiety. Will leave the motorhome mostly loaded and ready to roll but I think we’ll be ok for the duration.

Repair and service details: The internal F Solenoid had an electrical short causing the transmission failure warning and not allowing Reverse after the failure warning. The failure warning disappeared on engine shut down – reappeared after shifting into 2nd gear at approx 28-30 mph. Once the failure warning was on, Reverse was not available and the “range inhibit” light came on if Reverse was attempted. D1,D2,D3 all available. Reverse was available on a fresh engine start.

The wiring harness for the F Solenoid was also replaced. The original harness looked fine, but a new harness had been ordered “in case” so all new parts was the decision.

The pan was dropped and trans fluid drained to do the solenoid/harness replacement so fresh fluid as well as a new filter were installed (mileage = 26214). The Allison tech recommended 25K change of trans fluid and filter and it turns out that this is a quick and easy service on this coach.

After service we took a 15 mile round trip test drive which included a short but moderately steep pull up Evaro Hill. No bells, whistles or warnings and shifting was smooth and normal. Trans fluid was at the proper level on return.