To catch everyone up on my maintenance woes, here is what has transpired on the RV since I arrived in Florida. Paul with RV Systems, Inc. arrives for a Hydro Hot system service call on the Tuesday after I get set up in the Volunteer Village. Turns out the burner can, wiring and many other internal combustion components have nearly disintegrated and are causing my problems. With a few choice words reminiscent of Storm’s approach to servicing this item, Paul replaces the afflicted parts and promises me that I should have no problems with this heater for a while. So far, his prediction has been accurate. He works out of Tampa so if you are in the area and need service on your hydronic heater, check him out.
My toilet seems to be trustworthy at last. I baby it for the first few weeks that I am parked in Florida monitoring each flush for symptoms of imminent disaster. So far, it appears to be working better than ever. My conclusion is that although the bladder tank did fail, the biggest cause of the epic clog was toilet tissue. I had just started using Dollar General single ply (I had never used this brand before) when things stopped flowing. Although the Headhunter folks that manufacture my commode insist that flushing toilet tissue is no problem with their product (and based on the last 3 years of problem free flushes, I believe them), apparently this non-dissolving brand is an exception to this rule.
Learning Life Lessons
My Sunday afternoon seafood seeking excursion to Backwater Fins, a restaurant described to me as “totally local,” turns into a life lesson. Arriving mid-afternoon, I squeeze between a small group of rowdy pool players and through the bar seeking seating assistance. I discover Deborah, the cook, cleaning the salad bar. I request her assistance and she welcomes me enthusiastically and is so incredibly friendly! She escorts me to the “best” table which is cleverly stolen from me by a crafty, elderly couple who seem to know this seating game better than I do.
I wind up with the second best table which still has a lovely view. Before I place my order, Deborah delivers a free sample of her award winning crab bisque – YUMMY!! This rich, crabby confection is a must have for my lunch. Deborah recommends that I order the Stuffed Cajun Angel Dinner. I religiously follow her instructions. After all, how can I go wrong with crab stuffed, bacon wrapped shrimp? Basking in Deborah’s attentiveness I wonder why we so quickly develop a bond with each other. Obviously I am delighted to meet someone who is so determined to serve me delicious food, but why me? She finally explains that she is fascinated by me because I look just like her good friend Stacy. Another Sunny Doppelgänger!!
Sharing the Love
This is when I have my epiphany. I think back over the many times people have been extremely kind to me because I look like someone that they love or like a lot. These folks often have the pictures to prove my resemblance to their friend. I realize now my responsibility as a non-birth twin to so many women. When my friends cross paths with these Sunny duplicates, I must insure they will be inclined to extend the same warmth to these women that I receive from their loved ones. So if you look up and see a tall woman with a Sunny smile and the extreme misfortune of looking similar to me, please give her a hug and let her know that I am doing my best to make the world a kinder place for her 🙂
Training for Manatee Season
This week I participate in the area familiarization portion of our training at the refuge. I spend a couple of lovely days on a pontoon boat discovering different routes to the Gulf from the local rivers. Once more I get to visit the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. On this visit our group enjoys a special guide, Kate. Kate’s stories about the rescue animals and the park workings are captivating. She shares the love story of the perfectly healthy Whooping Crane who remains at the park to be with his lady love who is injured and unable to fly. While Kate introduces us to each animal, I try once again to get some interesting photos of the park’s residents. The slide show below contains the results of my efforts.
Thank you for sharing. We always look forward to and very much enjoy your blog.
And we’re So happy to hear your doing well.
Doug and Tracie Finnicum
Thanks Doug and Tracie. I am lucky to be surrounded by really nice folks who are much like you guys!
S
Love the photos! So happy to hear that your RV maintenance woes are ending!
Finally some captive birds who know how to pose for a picture! The only way I can possibly get a good bird photo, LOL! I sure hope that are ending – knock on wood of course!
Great shots of the animals and birds, you must have a dictionary to tell you what each of them are. :>)))) I could never name them all let alone spelling their names. :>) Glad the RV is beginning to give you a break, Thanks for the note, went to JNX this week, everyone asking about how your doing, and I tell them FINE. Keep in touch. GOD BLESS
JD
Jim & Sandy
I did have to look up several of the birds – too hard to remember. Hope I got them right!
Great missive; love traveling with you. Really appreciate the nonbirther twin story although my birther status in itself also produces many “you look like somebody I know” stories. Guess I have a lot of evil twin lookalikes… crazy ain’t it?! Oh well, good talking to you this week. Hope the referral in Brooksville was able to point you in right direction. Best, Jim
Thanks for the kind words, Jim and for the Brooksville referral. Still working on it!
S
I think Lou the Hippo was there when we visited in 2005. We remember it was wise to not stand behind him!
So glad repairs are done.
You are too right about not standing behind Lou! I am glad about the repairs too!