HERE

After spending January, 2025, camping in Florida, Roger and Jeri take two days to tow to Blue Lake Camp, near Andalusia, Alabama. Enjoying unseasonably warm weather, Roger helps to lead a four-day spiritual direction training event. Taking a couple of days to tow to Vicksburg, Mississippi, winter weather returns with a vengeance.  The National Military Park at Vicksburg preserves the earthworks, artifacts, and history of the Siege of Vicksburg, during the American Civil War. Given our nation's current state of political and cultural dysfunction, the messages of the many monuments in the park seem especially poignant. Here are some photos of the Illinois Memorial, taken in the park: It's noteworthy that the seal of the State of Illinois closely resembles the seal of the United States of America. Whereas the motto on the Illinois seal reads, "National Union-State Sovereignty," our national seal's motto reads, "E Pluribis Unum," which translates to "Ou...

Well, here we are for the month of January... This morning, we talk about how consequential (or inconsequential) our thoughts, actions, and words seem to be nowadays. We see a need for change almost everywhere we turn. Some of those needs are easy to spot. For example, the folks in this RV resort are recovering from the effects of two hurricanes that came ashore here last season. What can we say or do to help? Ask how they are doing. Appreciate their efforts. Listen. Pray. Lend a helping hand when we can. We are elderly, and we feel the limits of age, especially where physical strength and stamina are required.  Other needs for change seem obvious, yet difficult to address. Division and violence are two examples. How may we go about peacemaking and reconciliation? Can we be good neighbors? Can we be faithful family members? Nothing we can imagine appears likely to have salutary and widespread effects. We remind ourselves of "the starfish we tossed back into the ocean." That o...

What seems to be missing is motivation to post to this blog. In case readers want to know we are doing well. Last week was a joy to us. Our children and grandchildren joined us for Thanksgiving at Mexico Beach, Florida. We plan to stay here for a while longer, enjoying this... And enjoying lots of this... Blessings to all!

Friends, there are not enough words to describe the natural beauty we encounter in nature and in the people we meet. That's partly the reason for inserting pictures in this blog, we suppose, but there aren't enough pictures to communicate the beauty, dignity, and worth we encounter everywhere, in everything and everyone, all the time. A lot happens that never can be posted here. Then, too, we are somewhat hindered by technology. Just look... Our laptop is literally held together with duct tape. That's an excuse for not posting more, but we are going with it for now. Since the last post, we have camped in Colorado, New Mexico, and today, Oklahoma. Next up: Arkansas, Mississippi, then Alabama--our home state--for a couple of weeks. Since you are reading this, please know we appreciate you, are grateful for you, and bless you.

Tomorrow, we leave southwest part of Utah. For four nights we camped at a roadside Motel/RV Park on US Highway 89. Here is a photo essay taken in Zion National Park... Look closely. These two are committed. This one takes the lead. Natural  beauty abouds in this park. We soak in our perceptions. We find beauty, dignity, and worth in nature's sanctuary and in each person we encounter in the park, and we reflect beauty, dignity, and worth back to the same. Among several other destinations we visited, Bryce Canyon National Park stood out for us. So here are a few photos we snapped today...

  Jenny Lake in the Grand Teton National Park is a lovely place. We remark to one another that each territory has its own kind of beauty. We see it again and again. The picture above was taken on a day trip that we took while camping in West Yellowstone, Montana. We meet with friends at Walcott State Park, Idaho. We have known them for a long time. On a day trip to City of Rocks National Reserve we snap a few photos. The next day we eat at Jasmine Thai Restaurant in Idaho Falls, Idaho, then we go to Shoshone Falls Park. The locals tell us that the water level is low. It must be even more spectacular when the water is at a high level. As much as we treasure natural beauty, we may cherish the loveliness of long-maintained friendships even more. Thanks for renewing our ties, friends!