Homecoming

The white, white snow of home. 

Yup, we left the green, green grass of San Diego behind.

Sure was nice while it lasted. 

Our timing turned out to be somewhat unbelievable. 

A punishing rain which had caused flooding and destruction around the San Diego area stopped almost the minute we arrived at our hotel in National City Thursday afternoon. 

As we were strolling around the grounds of Cabrillo National Monument late Sunday afternoon on our last "turist" stop , the rain began again.

So, we were thankful to have enjoyed three pleasant days of getting outside, walking on bare ground and shedding layers of clothing as the sun warmed up those ocean breezes. 

We made it home with no problems yesterday afternoon and were both almost stunned at the amount of snow that had piled up AND remained in the Spokane area.  

We don't see that very often. 

Of course, one of the delicious signs of knowing we're almost home is that colorful DICKS just off the freeway.

 Yes, we indulged with the usual:  a whammy and chocolate shake for me; fish and chips for Bill. 

As usual, one of the more spectacular hints of home, driving across that bridge,  was a breath-taking winter scene of ice, water and the mountains.

Back here at the Lovestead, the latest layers of snow remain relatively undisturbed by dog or human traffic.  

A unique sight soon after we arrived home was seeing Foster standing on a mountain of snow above the sliding glass door. 

It took some doing for the little guy to inch his way down the white mountainside (from roof dumps) to the one visible step by the door.  

The snow is beautiful, for sure, but another predicted drop tonight will ensure winter work ahead. 

For now, everything is accessible so today we'll just enjoy the scenery and get geared up for another stretch of plowing, etc. 

Twas a good trip, but, as always, we're glad to be home. 

Happy Tuesday. 

Enjoy the story of Timothy below. 

  

Timothy worked as a roofer.

He still remembers the day he fell from a roof back in the early 2000s.

He's been using a wheelchair ever since.

BUT 

Timothy can walk about 100 feet whenever he needs to.

We kept seeing Timothy buzzing around the hotel parking lot in his wheelchair, with a cigarette in his hand, pretty much every time we walked from to our car or to the restaurant across the parking lot. 

One morning during our San Diego getaway, as we walked back to our room from breakfast, I told Bill I was gonna go meet that man in the wheelchair and learn his story.

Upon approaching Timothy, I told him I wanted to visit with him AND to avoid his cigarette smoke, adding that I once smoked myself.

There's nothing worse than a "reformed sinner," I added.

Timothy told me he wished he could quit. 

Well, I figured out that the cigarettes were what kept Timothy out in the parking lot.  

He was a hotel guest who had come to town from Clinton, Mississippi for the wedding of his stepson.

Timothy, who's 57,  and I enjoyed a two-smoke visit. 

He suggested several times that he and I ought to write the story of his life cuz we'd make a lot of money. 

I told Timothy I had written enough books and was content doing my blog every day AND that Timothy would be featured in one of my posts. 

I saw Timothy only once more inside the hotel after our visit and introduced him to Bill.  He noted to Bill that "she and I are gonna do a book." 

Timothy was one of the many new faces I saw and met during our four-day getaway to Southern California. 

We go on these trips to see different scenery and to enjoy new sights, sounds and people. 

I've always been a people lover, which drives some people I know pretty crazy.  

Still, there's always a great story and almost always an enriching experience, along with a new friend. Plus, spending time talking directly to people could lead to a more peaceful, happy world---one person at a time. 

While others get off on their own unique addictions/passions, my main high in life comes from meeting new people from anywhere and everywhere and learning the highlights of their individual stories. 

Timothy at the hotel was definitely no exception. 

He's proud that, as the seventh and youngest child of his mother (who taught him right), that he made it out of the rough and rugged atmosphere of Compton, Calif.

Timothy was really excited about when they would be leaving San Diego and moving on to Las Vegas where he has family.  

After all, he was eagerly planning to wrap his arms around a grandchild. 

And, when he returned to Mississippi?

A job at Goodwill awaits.  

They'll train him, and then he'll go to work.  And, when he's not working, Timothy will be out doing something else he loves:  fishing.

Twas a wonderful interlude of the many we experienced on our weekend getaway. 

  

An interesting display of ceiling art at San Diego Airport.