A WALK IN SUNSHINE & Val's 4Patriots 'Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac' Supper Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

April 17th: Today we spent about an hour & a half on the beach at Cranberry Lane, in Ocean Park-WA; on our way home, we stopped at the grocery store … and I decided to walk back to Independence instead of riding 😉

Since we've been back in WA State, I've pretty much been housebound with a cold, and an allergy induced migraine - yesterday, I literally spent all day long in bed because the migraine was so hellacious: sunlight made my eyes ache; moving my head in any direction caused a painful zig-zagging throb that shot from one side of my temple to the other; my teeth ached; talking caused the tongue blisters on the back of my tongue to rub against each other, which made my throat more sore than it already was from sinus drainage (the reason for the acid-burn-blisters); I had been sneezing, going through boxes of Kleenex; trying mightily not to rub my itchy eyes - which would only make the itch worse; I ate a light supper last night, and was instantly sorry - it did not settle well; I had a fever; and that broke during the night, thank the Lord. I was so hot when Holland came to bed, that it concerned him … so he was relieved when I woke up cooler to the touch.

But, an asthma incident did not seize an opportunity while my immune system was compromised. Praise God, from Whom all blessing flow 🙏

The nasal drip has stopped too; so the nasal drip blisters are disappearing. I can swallow with ease, again.

I could move my head without moaning.

I could open the window shades without wincing from the sunlight.

I finished a full ☕️ without wanting to hurl it back up.

My body was on the mend 😁

So, when Holland asked if I felt like a short drive into Long Beach, I felt I was up to it 👍

When we got to the Pioneer Market & Deli in Long Beach, Holland bought a few BBQ burritos … they smelled so good, I finished one off: and it stayed put 😊

Then he asked if I felt up to a beach visit. I did, so off we went. We finished of the last 2 burritos while watching the waves:

Cranberry Road; Long Beach-WA

Spent a relaxing & refreshing time here, this morning.

On the way home, we made a quick stop at Jack's to grab a loaf of bread. I was feeling so good, and the sunshine was so warm, that I said I'd walk the short distance back to the RV Park. Holland thought the walk might be too soon after being laid low for pretty much the whole week that we've been back here from CA; he said, "I'm not sure you should be doing this. But if you aren't going to listen to me, at least make sure you take your phone with you. I don't want anything to happen to you." I grabbled my walking stick from the back seat area, stuck my cell phone in my back pocket, and I said, "I feel fine. I'll be fine. I need to walk, Holland; my body needs the activity, my lungs need the fresh air, and my skin needs the vitamin D … I have my phone and will call you if I feel I need your Prince Valiant rescue. I love you - don't worry; it appears to be only a 15 minute walk."

I blew him a kiss 😘 & started walking - and he headed home.

Neither one of us thought about the asthma inhaler that went home with him: but, as it turned out, it was not needed. Elohim was looking out for me, and Yeshua kept his healing touch on me ❤️

I crossed the street, & started my walk here …

Somebody's watching me: "I don't want anything to happen to you".

Chase Rice - 'Eyes On You' Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD8d0VqKE5o)

I took my time; it has been a while since I've stretched my legs with a good walk - I was in no hurry to hurry things along 😉

My enjoyed the clean, ocean-scented air.

My body basked in the rejuvenating sunshine warmth 🌞

My eyes enjoyed seeing things Holland normally just blows past; I like to take my time looking at my surroundings. Things interest me - things do not interest Holland unless they are the ocean, tools, guns, or of a direct personal interest to him: flowers, interesting structures, colorful homes, fanciful lawn décor, and the like … do not interest him.

I took my time getting home: life goes by fast, and moments lost are lost. I was in no hurry:

Jack's Country Store; #26006 Vernon Ave, Ocean Park-WA

Pretty Wood Hyacinth, growing at the corner of Food Bank building.

Wood Hyacinth, aka Spanish Bluebell:  (https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-wood-hyacinth/); a bit further down the street more pretty Spring color was making my eyes happy: Redstem Stork's Bill, aka Erodium cicutarium: (https://bplant.org/plant/2410); & Miniature Daisy, aka Bellium minutum: (https://www.wintergreenhouse.com/plants/miniature-plants/bellium-minutum/p-10073/?srsltid=AfmBOoq5M-F548bHLWkciWoFjGHw_zNRY7MA5xgu2gfDIknAJojoOCx8)

Repurposed Wooden Sea Captain & Wooden Pirate (or Light House Keeper minus lantern); standing on the porch of the Re-Max Real Estate Office, Ocean Park-WA

Spring color showing through the evergreens … a towering Rhododendron Tree - no longer a bush.

WA's State Flower~The Pacific Rhododendron:  (https://interpretivecenter.org/washingtons-state-flower-the-pacific-rhododendron/)

At first glance, I thought this was a 'Snowball bush, but it grew UP instead of round & DOWN …

Beach Plum tree, aka Prunus maritima:  (https://plants.nativemainegardens.org/plants/prunus-maritima/)

This big, old, house has caught my eye for 47 years (45 with Bob, & 2 with Holland), when we drive past it … today, I got to stop and get a good looong look at it.

The picket fence is always trimmed with simple seasonal swags.

Historic Whalebone House; #2101 Bay Avenue, Ocean Park-WA

This house has always drawn my eye - so today I took time to study it, as I walked past it. I researched it when I got back to Independence.

This is what I found online: {{S.A. Matthews built this lively looking house in 1891. He designed the house from the memory of a home he enjoyed in Maine. Mrs. Matthews loved to grow flowers on her front porch and eventually had it glassed in to protect her plants. Louise Rice restored the house and named it Whalebone since her husband, Roy, collected whalebones while beachcombing in the 1950’s, and the name seemed to fit. This place is on the Washington State Register of Historic Places.}}

The house was built in 1889 … and it seems to be up for Sale through Redfin Realty: (https://www.redfin.com/WA/Ocean-Park/2101-Bay-Ave-98640/home/40394321)

Whalebone House location; Ocean Park-WA

Keeping on along my walking route, I smiled when I saw a jaunty shell-crusted cement cast seal with a black Naval telescope ;-)

An interesting private home structure …

I thought these were yard  decorations - UNTIL they moved. So, I watched the lounging deer, for a few minutes.

Salmon Berry blossoms.

Salmonberry~Rubus spectabilis:  (https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/rubus_spectabilis.shtml)

My heart is always happy when me eyes see Pussy Willows ;-)

Pussy Willow: 

(https://www.prairienursery.com/pussy-willow-salix-discolor.html?srsltid=AfmBOooNF1mnZK2pznBFdt0Vkx1MZtyMdThf3Pf5Fp0OzYm99J_UOY7i)

Royal Star Magnolia - entrance to the Ocean Bay RV Park; Ocean Bay-WA.

Royal Star Magnolia: 

(https://www.gardenia.net/plant/magnolia-stellata-royal-star-star-magnolia)

The walk didn't take long - even with all the lollygagging.

When I turned towards our front door, I saw that the outside door was open - and the screen door was being used by Holland 😳 He never uses the open screen door because he is always saying that he is cold. Hmm 🤔

Home Sweet Home … until July 2025, when we Road Gypsies will start traveling, again; Ocean Bay RV Park; Ocean Bay-WA. My short half-mile walk, was actually closer to a 25 minute walk; I started the timing late because I was busy gawking.

Whatever the reason for the door being open, I was thankful 💗 I like my house open; with refreshing breezes flowing through it, in the Springtime 😊

Around 4 PM, I started Supper; using one of the 4Patriots packets.

While I was getting things started in the kitchen, Holland was dinking around online, and said, "Hey Baby! Here's Betsy & Independence in this YouTube video! Remember those people I told you about … those ones that full-time RV, like us? Look - here we are." So, I looked; and sure enough, there we were - parked at the Zuni RV Park in Kingman-AZ; and I had posted in one of my Kingman Blog Posts, about Holland seeing them, and talking with them.

Holland spotted Betsy & Independence in an RVing YouTube video made in Kingman-AZ

The Rvr's are close relatives of Tom Hanks - yes, the mouthy, Trump-hating, actor.

Then, I went back to cooking Supper - I'm still working my way through the 4Patriots Meal Packets Holland bought for our use, in 2023. I served canned kernel corn & canned biscuits on the side:

==Val's 4Patriots 'Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac' Supper ~ serves 3 hefty portions

1 packet Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac Supper * 1 lb. ground Hamburger * 1 Yellow Onion, sliced * 2 Celery stalks, diced * 2 cloves Garlic, coarsely chopped * 3/4 c. Crimini Mushrooms, diced * 4 c. Water * 1 c. shredded Cheddar Cheese * 1 can kernel corn * 1 can Flakey Honey-Butter Biscuits

1) Place hamburger in a large skillet. Add onion, celery, garlic, and mushrooms - cook on medium-high heat until meat is browned and veggies are soft.

2) Add the 4Patriots dry-mix mac & seasoning packet, with 4 cups boiling water; cook on medium-high until boiling - then turn to low heat and cook for 20 minutes.

4Patriots Ma's Hearty Bean & Chili Mac' Supper; which I halved & vac sealed for our needs. This serves 3 hefty portions.

At the same time, pour the corn into a small pan and cook on medium heat.

Also, get the biscuits in the oven and cook according to container directions.

About 5 minutes before everything is finished cooking - sprinkle cheese on the macaroni mixture, and cover with skillet lid to hasten cheese melting process.

Serve & enjoy.

As the sunshine faded and the sun slipped over the watery horizon, the local frogs came out to ramp up their Spring courting 🔊🎼💞

And I settled into my warming blanket cocoon to pickup where I left off in the story I was reading off and on, between 💤 yesterday:

I read 18 chapters yesterday …

Today was an enjoyable Day.

The serenading frogs - and the lively Clive Cussler novel, is making my evening enjoyable, too.

Life is good in my small corner of the world. I am blessed 💖