I noticed I haven't written anything since November 19th. The comings and goings, literally of life sometimes just doesn't leave room for self absorbed ramblings. Good thing. Tens of forgettable thoughts have passed through my head only to be replaced by the next whiffle thought my warped sense of cognitive association develops. which, now I am quite glad that they did. Not worth the time or effort to talk about.
So, the past couple of weeks:
Oil prices continue to plunge and in my mind responsible for creating some considerable consternation. Job security that is. Doesn't it always happen when you have critical issues at bay. Consequently Lisa and I have accepted every job that comes our way. Some have been short. Couple of days at most. When we were released last week we decided to head to a boondocking location we had spent a few months with several other Winter Texans on Harbor Island near Port Aransas a couple of years ago. Boondocking for those who don't know is simple camping without hookups. It can be fun and definitely cheaper.
Both of us had some good memories here. That period being our initial introduction that has since been our haunting ground the past couple of years. We had passed this place on several occasions recently though and were puzzled by the lack of RV's. Previously at any given time during the Winter months there had been between five and ten. But now zilch. I perused for signs that maybe the owners of the property had decided that the Snowbirds, some who travelled annually to spend several months at just this spot over the course of many years were no longer welcome. Nada nothing.
What passes as a "Pink Flamingo" around here is actually a Spoon Bill something or other. We have seen some awesome things here.
The last time though the local PD decided the Snowbirds were trespassing and attempted to evict them. The fact that it was private property thwarted that effort. This visit though they seemed to have succeeded and we learned how. "A private public partnership" After setting up, an older gentleman we had seen previously and who volunteered to clean a section of that area informed us we needed a camping permit now. That this was "City Property" I asked about the lack of signage. He said he didn't know anything about that but told us he had a "sheet" that explained the rules. No big deal I figured, across the way a permit can be purchased at most convenience stores for a couple of bucks. I should have known better after looking at the "Rules" that said the permit needed to be purchased at City Hall, some ten miles away. No online reservation or payment system. Nope. Had to be purchased "in person". So our little adventure went like this. The sheet said no permit needed until the camper stayed longer than three days. $7.00 bucks a week, $30.00 bucks a month and $90.00 for 90 days. Sounds reasonable I thought.
So we made our way to City Hall and were directed to the Building Dept. Forthwith we were asked for ID's. That was a little unusual but we were told the Police patrolled the area now and needed to know who was there. A picture in my mind appeared of warrant searches being conducted on our names. Lisa didn't have hers so they settled for her signature and printing her name. We were also told the prices had doubled and we were only allowed three permits annually. No three day grace period. Fifteen bucks "exact amount only and in cash please" But the frosting on the cake was when we were told that either the RV could be inspected for acceptability or we had to provide a picture supposedly to prove it was self contained. This was further explained as I was rummaging my blog for a picture, the word "transients" was mentioned several times and that the area was for "recreating" and not living. After we left and had returned, Lisa commented that the "new" fee structure seemed to encourage spending more on the extended permits to avoid the hassle. "Seems to be working I told her looking around the empty area that by this time of year should have had several RV's parked about. We stayed only three days and observed a few older Winter Texans come down to look , but dissuaded we figured by the probability that they would likely be alone, as we were and the place had just, well changed. Mark another one up for progress, but those were the clearest night skies.
Last week Leya (my daughter) stepped out of my son's fifth wheel for a few minutes, turned around to grab the handrail to walk back up the steps simultaneously grasping the door handle, thus completing a circuit for 110 volts to ground through her body. Unable to let go she let out a scream that brought both boys running and only let go after her legs gave way. Lisa arrived just then and found Leya trying to recover and shouting for Danny to grab two year old Piff, who was heading out to check out the commotion. After the campground management were notified and an rv specialist showed up, two notable things were learned. One, that the pedestal ground, where it should have had 0 voltage, now read 120v. Second, that the occupants of a monstrosity that allegedly consisted of a crew of carnival workers, somebody had wired direct to the system in order to pump some more power to six AC systems mounted on it's roof. That police weren't notified, or that they weren't evicted that day puzzled me. (they left a few days later)Leya, who has had a trying month anyway is a strong young girl. But many occupants of that camping area tend to be older and frailer. That no one else received the full exposure to that voltage that Leya did. Sometimes the stars are aligned just right. Maybe not for my daughter who has now recovered, but a few Grandma's and Grandpa's that get to stay around awhile longer.
And finally, I read that in Idaho the migration of young folks to greener pastures is leaving the smaller rural towns devastated. That only the very young or the older folks remain. But here, in a state as red or redder politically than Idaho, a convenience store or fast food worker is paid two to three dollars more per hour. The difference between Idaho and Texas for young people is palpable. Educational opportunities abound and in the Corpus Christi area several large Companies will be constructing operations here. I know Texas has the Oil but there exists some other reason there is such a huge difference. Either way, I realize it is time to drain my modest savings account and invest in a future here. So it appears the boat and upgraded RV will be on hold awhile longer.
Watched an old movie tonight and damn if that wasn't Will Rogers. Thought this quote apprapo
There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by readin’. The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”
― Will Rogers
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