Welcome to our Adventure!

Al and I are thrilled that you have found your way to our blog. We hope you enjoy reading our journal and viewing our photographs of the natural wonder of our United States of America. Let's hit the road together!
Homer, Alaska

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Random Thoughts

There will be nothing cohesive in this entry, just a series of random thoughts that have been wandering through my head as I enter my "packing zone" and count down the days until we head to Florida for the winter.

The election is over. Thank goodness. No more political ads. Whole new cans of worms however. Naive optimistic little me, I thought maybe we would see a new, more congenial tone, a willingness to announce that we are all Americans, and we should work together to solve our pressing issues. Doesn't it seem as the levels of discord are getting louder?

Secession? Really??

Doesn't the whole Petraeus scandal seem to be just a bit on the juvenile side?

I really resent being pigeon-holed as a certain type of person because of the way I vote. It's insulting. I can't believe these talking heads on TV get paid for the drivel they spout.

The Northeast is still reeling under the effects of Superstorm Sandy. I comb the internet for the local news of our former hometown. Luckily, the East End of Long Island escaped with a pretty hefty bruising, but not the outright devastation of the shoreline to the west and New Jersey. Brutal. The best in folks are brought out, and I am happy to report after reading this article that I am very proud of our former home area. Several of these folks mentioned were former clients of mine. We are especially proud of our hometown Sag Harbor, Al's former ambulance corp. and one of our best friends, Ed Downes, for their relief efforts on behalf of the devastated community of Broad Channel.

I enjoyed reading Kim's blog entry on the first 12 weeks of their life on the road. Missing things was thought provoking. I really don't miss my house as much as I thought, and I don't even miss the area...knowing we'll always be going back for visits. I miss the family and friends we left there. I miss the "experience of community" a bit. For example, it feels a little odd out here on the road and going to local festivals and events, and not knowing anyone there. Back in Sag Harbor, we literally could not walk more than a couple of feet at the Fire Dep't. carnival, or the Whaler's Festival without meeting people we knew.

On the flip side, we create new communities within the campgrounds we stay at, mostly where we're working for awhile. Taking the dogs for a walk takes quite awhile now, by the time you stop and chat with everyone...at least, everyone who is awake here at Green River Lake :-). And its wonderful. The RV community is a very caring, friendly group, generally speaking. We love to share our experiences!

I had a really nice chat with our neighbors Rhonda and Wayne. They have started a blog Turn When The Road Does. They've been out here for three months now I think. Having a great time :-).

Does anyone else like watching "The Big Bang Theory"? I think the show is a hoot!

I know there are "Survivor" fans out there. Isn't this a good season? How about "The Amazing Race"? I love James and James, the Chippendale dancers. They are so goofy and having such a good time. I love seeing that.

I sure am glad my job at Amazon is only temporary. I couldn't imagine having it as a full time year round job.

I am really looking forward to working in Bar Harbor Maine next summer. It looks like there is so much to see and do in the area. I can't wait to see real live puffins!



I'll end this entry as I have been the past few....cooking! We found we were able to cook an entire turkey dinner without too much difficulty...we roasted a turkey breast, made stuffing, mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. Excellent! And there was enough left over for turkey and stuffing sandwiches, and another dinner, turkey tetrazinni.


Ingredients
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 pound mushrooms thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Madeira
4 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 to 3 cups leftover cooked turkey, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1/2 pound linguine cooked to al dente stage
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese mixed with 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet. When the foaming subsides, add the mushrooms and saute, over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the mushrooms have absorbed the butter and are tender. Stir in the Madeira and evaporate over high heat.

In another saucepan heat 3 tablespoons of butter. When foaming subsides, stir in the flour and cook for a minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook, over low heat, for about 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove sauce from heat and stir in the cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Fold in the mushrooms and turkey.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 1 1/2 quart casserole. Layer half of pasta, half of mushroom and turkey mixture and repeat with pasta and turkey mushroom mix. Scatter Parmesan and bread crumbs over the top and dot with remaining tablespoon of butter. Heat for 45 minutes or until heated through, sauce is bubbling and top is browning. If you wish, slide casserole under the broiler for a moment to brown the top.

Enjoy!!

13 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this post and your random thoughts.

    Not a Survivor watcher, but LOVE the Big Bang Theory! One of my favorite shows! Sometimes, it's good to just be able to laugh.

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  2. Sometimes rambing thoughts are just what a person needs.

    Love Big Bang.

    However, on the political front I find it hard to watch what is happening in this country, but after decades of emphasis upon individualism I don't see any way short of a major national catastrophe that we will ever again be a UNITED states.

    We have too much invested in being ourselves and in asserting our personal "needs" to ever again want to see sacrifice for the good of all.

    I'm not at all surprised by the talk about secession; not pleased, but not surprised. 15 yrs ago no one would ever have thought that the Soviet Union wold crumble, or that the Berlin Wall would fall re-uniting Germany.

    I "fear" that we are witnessing the outworking of that often heard about: Law of Unintended Consequences. We have made our bed, and now we get to lie in it.

    I'm just glad I'm retirement age,and not just starting out in lifde. I do not envy my grandchildren.

    Cheers,
    Peter
    http://ppazucha.wordpres.com

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  3. Love random thoughts...seems the older I get the more random they become;o)) Love The Big Bang Theory...at times, I think I'm married to Sheldon;o)) That's a good thing in an RV...organization is a virture!!! Made your Chow Mein recipe...just left out the chicken and added Sweet Red Bell Pepper and Bok Choy...it was great...Thanks!!

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  4. Nice post. I don't think I could do a "random thoughts" post, it would be so all over the place! Coming back from the CC gathering to the cold of PA and working again is not my idea of true full timing. Although, it is very cool that you can live this lifestyle anyway you desire! Can't wait to see you again this winter!

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  5. We LOVE Big Bang Theory (but both being engineers, how could we not!?!), and Amazing Race, and Survivor . . . I'm not sure if I've picked a favorite on the Race yet . . , James & James are funny . . . I loved them in the synchronized swimming! The twins need to go. The dating couple is kindof cute. I'll check out those blogs you linked to -- we've all been "on the road" about the same amount of time! We'll be volunteering at Lovers Key State Park, near Ft. Myers Beach, for Dec. and Jan. -- will we be near you guys?

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  6. Love your random thoughts. I don't understand what's happening with our country. Either way we vote, it all goes to hell in a handbasket, there are no guarantees in this world. Also love the BBT - Sheldon is my favorite :)
    Our first month & half has been great! A few glitches, but got them all worked out pretty easily.

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  7. Thank you for including Wayne and me in your "random thoughts". We are grateful to be part of this work-camp community. Talk again soon.

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  8. I also love the Big Bang Theory!!!!!

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  9. Random Thoughts is a great topic for a blog. Fortunately or unfortunately we don't watch TV so I don't know much of what you are talking about.

    But I do know that the country needs to make some big changes they don't seem to be willing to make. I too feel sorry for the kids just starting out. Not sure I want to be around to experience or witness the struggle that is bound to increase.

    But for sure I'm not interested in the personal lives of politicians or movie stars. Or in the hate mongering that seems to be too much on the radio under the guise of free speech.

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  10. The Big Bang Theory is one of my favorite shows!

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  11. Bar Harbor. You will be soooo pleased.
    Box Canyon Mark

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  12. Our son-n-law got us hooked on the Big Bang Theory. Such a hoot is right. Been watching the Amazing Race also, and thank goodness no more political ads, you are sure right on that also!
    Maybe the RV community should be running this country as they are very friendly helpful people. Someone better get a hold of this country soon because we are spiraling out of control very fast!!

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