Author Archives: alakis27

When my precious granddaughter was a wee, little thing, she thought that those cute, spotted dogs who rode on the back of firetrucks, or hung out with Cruella Deville, were called “dogmations”. When Gypsy emerged from her rampage through a particularly muddy creek, it struck me that she looked much more like a dogmation thanContinue reading ““Dogmations” and the Pavilion of Misfit Toys”

My sister, Beth gifted me a book entitled THE DICTIONARY OF OBSCURE SORROWS. Yes, it’s an odd title for something intended to bring Christmas joy, but it is a book about new words that attempt to define emotions, moments in the human condition for which there are not already adequate, descriptive phrases. This is howContinue reading “Ozurie”

“The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the woods, the holly bears the crown.” – traditional English carol Advent is about preparing for the arrival of something wonderful. It is about patiently awaiting renewal. It is about new beginnings. It is about finding joyContinue reading “Advent Adventure”

November is supposed to be all about Thanksgiving, and being filled with appreciation, and counting your blessings. Looks like this pilgrim missed the Mayflower. I have not exactly been brimming with gratitude. I miss my house. I dislike cold weather. Most notably, however, I am totally fed up with RV warranty repairs, dealerships, and motorhomeContinue reading “Grasping at Gratitude”

I sobbed out loud when I closed the front door for the final time. I loved my home and will always treasure the memories that reverberate within its walls. It’s real. Our beloved home has been sold and we have taken up residence in a truck. It’s a nice truck, with plumbing and refrigeration, andContinue reading “Vagabond Vicissitudes”

I knew that the time would come, some day, to say goodbye to my home of fifteen years. It is through tears that I reminisce about the joyous days that I have had here. It is here that I became a grandmother. It is here that I took care of my ailing mother. It isContinue reading “Bittersweet Beginnings”

We had not planned on taking a short, camping trip to Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. I am from that area, so we get there fairly often for various events with friends and family. As a result, it is not often an area that we seek out for an RVing adventure. However, my husband was made awareContinue reading “Amish Buggies and Lifetime Buddies”

The final leg of this particular journey was at Douthat State Park in western Virginia. We were back in familiar territory as we hiked through the mountainous Mid-Atlantic. It was clear that we were in the midst of summer’s swan song, as the bright yellows, reds and oranges of autumn were beginning to make theirContinue reading “The Fungus Among Us”

We arrived at Lake Wateree State Park in Winnsboro, SC and were delighted with our campsite. Situated overlooking the lake, with lake access for the dog, it just could not have been more perfect. Gypsy has become quite the swimmer. She’s a Labrador, with webbed feet, so swimming should be second nature. It took someContinue reading “Running in the Rain”

Savannah is amazing with the town squares and the hanging moss and the French Colonial houses. It’s brutally romantic. ~ David Morrissey When we departed Tybee Island, we did not expect to drive the motorhome through old, downtown, Savannah. These historic towns have streets that were designed for horse-drawn carriages, not behemoth busses. We shouldContinue reading “From Hikers to Hackers: Something for everyone at Jekyll Island.”