CAMP CHAIR BLISS

Loyal readers will recall (and no doubt anxiously await) our promise to report on the search for proper campground  seating. search for the ultimate camp chair  We received absolutely no assistance from the dear doctor Whirl; He apparently took my reference to “broad aluminum beams” personally and withheld vital purchasing information.

Adrift as we were in the bewildering world of portable furniture, we stumbled on so many many unsuitable options—with multiple drink holders, tables left and right, battery operated rope lights, and umbrellas. (Sorry, flamingo fans, only this one.)
Notable is the new Camping World offering –a swiveling folding chair with BUILT-IN SPEAKERS (batteries not included). click here for a video which should have "Gypsy" theme music. Sorry, we prefer our outdoors unplugged.
We have settled into (and that is appropriate)  two ALP SPORT aluminum chairs with  “broad Aluminum beams”, nice blue upholstery,  and nearly inconspicuous drink holder.  (We have loved Alp Sport since they issued mimeographed catalogs and George Lamb answered the phone himself). 
Our Broad beams are power coated, so the true aluminum goodness does not shine through, but we know it’s there and it comforts us.

OK.  We like this one too.  

Should trip preparations go off half-baked?

Around here, we have always understood that we are never ready to go until Patty has the brownies baked. No matter how many (or how few) critical details remain before a Trip, Al will be found in front of the computer and Patty will be banging baking pans. Supposedly, Al is marking electronic maps, checking fuel prices, or checking weather but it’s likely he’s cruising other sites. Ironically, he is often researching the NEXT trip; does that make any sense to anybody?

Patty’s “Brownie Habit” started long ago when this was a release from the multiple pressures on a mother, wife, business owner and caregiver. Likely it was the wife part that …. Whatever the cause, it was axiomatic in our house that everybody get very quiet and “on task” whenever it was whispered that “Mom is baking brownies…!” Even today I get Joanie’s full attention when the phone call starts with reference to pastry preparations.

Well today large jars of cookies (two kinds)are baked, beach toys are on board, food boxed and catalogued, secret surprises prepared…fridge is cooling in the ‘stream and two days remain before launch. Al has removed nonessential winter clothes, hiking shoes and fishing gear while creating multiple “load outs” for future expeditions --the house looks like a warehouse. Patty is straying across gender specific lines and checking weather reports on Tropical depression Irene, inquiring about oil changes and Al is printing recipes . Can this mean we have a little too much prep time?

Preparations Anew

Evidently a week home from the beach is  just enough time to remove all pesky sand particles, rinse off salt spray and erase all memory of how really HOT it is in a Tin Can on the Gulf.  Of course no power on earth could resist a visit from Joanie and Anthony, a family friendly condo on the low rise part of the Gulf Shore for Jeff and his girls and Airstreaming all packaged together with predicted lower humidity.
Joanie and Anthony will fly in from New Jersey Wednesday, Airstream with Meme and Papa at Grayton Beach State Park and move into the  Condo with the Montgomery contingent Friday Thursday through Sunday.  The Grannies will maintain sleeping quarters at the park and a strong presence at the Condo a couple miles away.

Lottie has been rinsed inside and out, had  her pesky TPMS repeater system rewired (see Arcane Airstream stuff),  LED taillights added for better visibility in coastal thunderstorms, as well as the regular refitting, rearming and refueling.

Grandgirls have had a week to plan every minute and another week to get too excited to remember they are starting school.

About ready here for an August  23 departure….

Cassie Takes the Stage

"There was a star danced, and under that was I born." - William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, 2.1

A pleasant Matinée performance of your eleven year old Grand girl in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing  may not  be common summer afternoon fare for many, but it is actually not too unusual in Montgomery Alabama.

The world renowned --seriously folks, World Class –– Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF)  hosts summer classes in which grade-schoolers learn, choreograph, and present  a Shakespeare play.  They learn the lines, create the props, make their costumes, do a little sword fighting, rig the lights, inject a few dances of their own, rehearse and go live on a professional stage IN A WEEK!

Both girls have enjoyed this pre blog, but here is a sample of our star’s current work.

Cassie Mac in Much Ado About Nothing

"I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is that not strange?”  ditto