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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, July 23, 2015

A victorious birthday

Yes, I was thankful to be a year older when I awoke this morning.  Sure beats looking at the wrong side of the grass!  I even have a couple of firsts to report on the celebration of my birth day.  We all headed out this morning for a drive up the Oregon coast to view the spectacular scenery, and to end up in Port Orford to meet fellow fulltimers Gordon and Juanita for lunch at The Crazy Norwegian’s.  It’s been five years since our paths have crossed, and it was a good time catching up on our experiences.

Robyn treated me to lunch, so I ordered fish and chips with a bowl of clam chowder.  The clam chowder was a first for me, and I have to say that I enjoyed it.  I wasn’t sure I would.  I just couldn’t figure out one flavor that was in the chowder.  I know each place has their own special way of making chowder, so I may just have to try it again to figure out that distinctive taste.

It was late afternoon before we got back to the rig, and time for me to get the NY BBQ chicken ready for the grill.  It’s a favorite of mine, and I served it with Waldorf salad.  (I’m really not a foodie, but today was a delicious day.)  Then came the biggest and most appreciated birthday gift of the day; Robyn did the dishes.  What a treat for me.

However, the victorious part of the day came very early this morning before anyone else was awake.  I took Emma for her early outs, and after ‘piddling’ along the road as usual, we returned to the rig.  As is customary, she then really got down to business.  Yesterday, Robyn and I went through two piles looking for that elusive Apache Tear stone with no success.  Our investigative procedure was one of her thinking (she did attend nursing school, you know).  We used small sticks to mush through the evidence while holding our breath. 

This morning, I was more inclined to try the method suggested by a commenter on my last post.  “The Squish the Bag” approach.  Put the dump into a doggy poop bag, hold the top closed, and squish the contents to see if there is anything resembling a stone in it.  You don’t have to hold your breath with this method.  Confused smile  And as you may have guessed, out popped the Apache Tear at the top of the bag!

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After washing and disinfecting the stone, it was no worse for wear going through Emma’s insides.  I also checked out what another commenter taught me about how to test if it is an authentic Apache Tear.  I held it up to the sunlight, and sure enough, you could almost see through the stone, and the ‘tear’ appeared.

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The stone has been returned into its tiny little basket along with a small agate that Avery got from one of the rangers at an evening presentation.  I hope this necklace with its tiny precious gifts inside will give joy to Avery for a long time. 

I’m not sure I know of anyone else that thought the best part of their birthday celebration was a result of their sifting through scat…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

38 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Judy! Long time reader, but haven't commented for a long time. I really enjoy your posts and pictures. But what a way to spend your birthday! LOL Good to see your family is there with you. And could the special taste in that clam chowder be from nutmeg?
    Ann M

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  2. Emma's "gift" is sure to be memorable for years to come! What a hoot! Glad Avery now has her little basket and stones complete. I really enjoyed my lunch at the Crazy Norwegian a few years ago when I toured the OR coast-- so your talk of fresh fish and chowder really mad my mouth water. Sounds like a great day with the girls-- Happy Birthday!

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  3. Happy Birthday, another successful day on the right side of the gras is always a good thing.

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  4. I just love a story with a happy ending. Can't you see the faces of all her friends with each time she retells the story. Oh, the makings of childhood memories indeed. And a happy ,happy birthday to you too!

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  5. I just love a story with a happy ending. Can't you see the faces of all her friends with each time she retells the story. Oh, the makings of childhood memories indeed. And a happy ,happy birthday to you too!

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  6. Wow!!!! Fantastic news the magical stone has been retrieved and now rubs together with a little agate..just think what magic they will produce.....you had a great memorable birthday...with good friends ...lesalp.blogspot.com.au

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  7. WooooHoooo... all's well that ends well.... or it all comes out in the end... or something like that. Anyway, Happy Birthday... so nice you could celebrate it with family!

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  8. Happy, happy Birthday Judy. Hope your day is spectacular.

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  9. Why happy day to ya' and glad the "tear" got sterilized...

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  10. happy birthday, Judy. I'm sure glad you were able to find the stone.

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  11. Happy Birthday Judy and many many more to follow. Glad the story of the Tear Stone came out with a happy ending. (Pun Intended)
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  12. Good job, Gramma and Happy Birthday!

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  13. Now that is a "The End" of a wonderful memory for all of you. Happy Birthday.

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  14. What a great story ... with an excellent end!

    Happy Birthday (glad you enjoyed your chowder AND your entire day!)

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  15. Happy Birthday, Judy. Just remembered that we share the same birthday date.

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  16. Happy birthday, Judy. That Emma will never let you get bored!

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  17. Glad you got your tear back even though it had to take a long round about trip. And you got it back on your birthday, too. Happy Birthday!!

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  18. Well now you have a real story to go along with the Tear!!!! Happy Birthday..

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  19. Happy Birthday to YOU! It sounds like a wonderful day, for sure. Glad you got the stone back - now there's an even bigger story to tell about that necklace! (Maybe that was Emma's birthday gift to you - returning the stone. LOL)

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  20. I am glad you found your stone. Plastic bag is a great idea! I will store that idea in my memory bank.

    Oregon is beautiful. I spent my summers with my Father in Newport Or. for many years right on the ocean. I miss it so much
    and often go back and stay in one of the B&Bs that has a walking path to the ocean.
    I am selling my home and my guy and I are buying an RV and heading out for the next decade, or as long as we can stand each other!!
    He will keep his house, so we can come back to Wichita in the summer to attend Grandkids ball games and birthdays.
    Our trip agenda will include the NW USA and Alaska. Then for the next season...the Eastern part of the USA. I have been in every state West of Missouri, but my "we're going to run out of money" partner has not been but in 3 other states.

    Love your blog and admire your strength. Happy Birthday

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  21. Way to go, yes the plastic bag would work the best!! Happy Birthday! :)

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  22. I think you had a wonderful birthday...scat and all!
    Happy birthday!

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  23. Our daughter one swallowed a foreign object just before we wet out on a road trip in my Mom's RV. I gotta say an RV toilet is the best when you have to search through deposits. Glad you search was successful; ours took three days but we succeeded as well.

    You'd think I would remember what day your birthday is since it's one day before mine but even mine snuck up on me this year. Not needing to watch a calendar is a thing when you are retired. Dave actually had to tell me what day it was. :)

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  24. Happy Birthday!! And congratulations on recovering the Apache Tear. I'll bet you're glad to have that over and done with...

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  25. Only you Judy!!! Happy Birthday and glad things "came out" OK!!

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  26. Happy Birthday, Judy ... you'll remember this one for sure ;-)

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  27. Happy Birthday...I think that makes you a Leo...just like me (Carolyn).

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  28. Happy Birthday!! I had missed the tear stone story...things have been nuts around here. What a hoot finding it!! Glad you are having a good visit with your family...

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  29. Happy Birthday!
    Happy it all came out well in the end

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  30. That stone certainly had one amazing "journey"! Sending you the happiest birthday wishes, we're all glad you're on the right side of the grass. RV blog land wouldn't be the same without you! :cD

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  31. You crack me up. Happy belated birthday! Glad you found it. And when you have time can I get the recipe for barbecue chicken?

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  32. Avery will always have a good story to tell about that stone. Happy Birthday!

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  33. Happy belated birthday, Judy. I'm sure you'll spend another year without boredom. Hope it also finds you in excellent health.

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  34. Birthday, Grandkids,and dog poo, OH MY! Laugh out loud funny. Poo is such a big part of our RV world, nice to see one with a sweet ending...
    Jan

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  35. Hysterical! Not a birthday you're likely to forget anyway.

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