Wednesday-Thursday, February 8, 9,
2017
Towne Place Suites by Marriott
Dade City, Florida to Mooresville,
North Carolina
89 F to 45 F, sunny
Wednesday
Since Mary Lou and three of her TRR
friends go to Daystar Hope Center in
Dade City to volunteer in the used clothing sales section on Wednesdays, I
joined them for their two hour shift. It was sort of like a small Salvation
Army or a Goodwill store. Our job today was to sort the ladies’ and children’s clothing,
making sure there were no spots, tears, or holes. We also arranged the clothing
neatly according to color, with all the hangers going in the same direction. The
task was not difficult. I observed that there were many women in the Center
with their little children, looking for clothes. I felt it was important that
the clothing looked well-arranged and neat—these people were worthy of
thoughtfulness. I do volunteer work at home, but I have never worked in a store
like this. One could purchase three tops for $1.50. Jeans, dresses, and other
pants were $2 each. I am glad that I did this today—I think it is important to
respect those who may not have what I am blessed with.
Mary Lou, Martha (NY), Barbara (NJ),
Marilyn (OH), and I went to lunch at the Garden Restaurant afterwards to
celebrate Barbara’s 75th birthday. It does not take much to get to
know the residents of TRR and they have become quite dear to us. I was amused
at their conversation as they spoke of a friend who is looking for a permanent
home in central Florida, somewhere it is quiet after 8 p.m. when most of them
go to bed. I am not in that spot yet. Neither is TK.
While I was “working,” TK was packing
the truck for Thursday’s departure. We had dinner at Coyote Rojas again, a Mexican restaurant almost as good at Torero’s in Erie. The rest of the day
was spent in conversation on the patio enjoying the 79 F weather with Mary Lou
and Scorchy---we took one last look at the TRR gardens with azaleas in full
bloom, cacti blossoms almost out, and poinsettias still a beautiful red.
Thursday
We left TRR by 8 a.m. There is not
much to say about being in a truck on the highway for 12 hours---the people who
cut in front of you, the lack of turning signals, those who stay in the left
lane so one has to pass on the right, the zoomers, the sloths. Most of the time
TK is patient, but not all the time. I give him a lot of credit for his driving
skills!
I have never driven this Chevy
Avalanche. The only time he let me drive his last Avalanche on a Florida trip
was when I left my wallet in a fast food restaurant in South Carolina and did
not realize the loss until 3 hours down the road. I had to drive the three hours back
to the restaurant, and then all the way “forward” to where I realized my error
and THEN on to Williamsburg, Virginia, arriving at midnight—that was about an 8
hour mistake. I am much more conscious of what I do with my wallet now. [Note:
I do not think I exaggerated about this, but I did not check the blog from
about 4 or 5 years ago when that happened.]
Most importantly, my wallet was
turned in and safe and sound!! I was very lucky!
At least there was no rain today,
because we have experienced very heavy rains in the past when we were driving
home. Charlotte is the worst area on I-77-no matter what time of day there is
always heavy traffic and today was no exception. There is a bypass now, I-485,
but that offered no relief today. Someone, perhaps the aforementioned driver,
gets very frustrated at stop and go traffic. We always try to stop north of
Charlotte for the night on the FL to PA trip so the morning is a little easier.
We hope to be home by tomorrow evening. West Virginia is always unpredictable,
but TK thinks the weather will be OK.
We were both very tired tonight. Our hotel
was not surrounded by restaurants so we ended up in Hangar 33, a bar/restaurant
that was not too far from the hotel. It was definitely a bar with gals and guys
in their 40s. While we were eating our burgers and fries, a disc jockey got
started and was distributing papers to patrons. When he got to our table he
didn’t say, “What are you old people doing here?” He asked, “Do you know what
music bingo is? We are playing a game.” I thought that was so sweet. We were
accepted right off! TK told him we would be leaving soon as we were travelers.
Darn! They were playing for $30 in gift certificates!
I hope to put more photos in the blog
when I get home—that sketchy Internet slowed me down.
Safe travels tomorrow!
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