Transcription
President’s ReportFebruary 1, 2014January has been cold in the Carolinas. I’m sure not as cold as International Falls, MN butstill plenty cold. I was going to be good this year and get the Aqua Hot serviced like we are told. Ifinished the service on December 31 and everything was good to go. The silly thing quit after oursecond night at four degrees. I had drop cords and light bulbs through all the bays. I was notwinning the freeze war until Martha dragged out an old under the desk heater. That saved the dayuntil I could get a new pump installed. It works pretty well now but it was 50 degrees here today.Off to Florida tomorrow where I won’t need it again until next winter when I forget to get it servicedagain.I am working on the Hilton Head Island rally for the Fifth Annual Family of Friends Rally infall of 2014. We will enjoy a Lo’Country Boil at water’s edge one evening. The Concoursd’Elegance of Hilton Head Island will be happening all that week. I am sure the car nuts among uswill attend at some time. We will have another group meal or two;; some others will be a’la carte.There are 210 restaurants on the Island. There are so many attractions that it is really hard todecide a schedule. Watch for more in the next Bird Tracks.Remember Joe and Susan Crocker’s Lower Alabama Rally and the James and Scott’sDurango, Colorado rally the first week of June. Jim Miller, the new president of Vintage Birds ishosting the Oswego New York rally in July.2014 dues are due, same form as always, same address as always. It is on the chapterwebsite: bluebirdchapter.org.Call me if I can help in any way.Travel safely,CharlieBird Tracks Technical Tips - February 2014by: Greg PetersonFor this issue of Bird Tracks, I thought I would share with the Family of Friends two simple,inexpensive and very handy additions that I have added to our coach. Several members haveseen one or both of these additions and have remarked that they should be shared with othermembers.One of the first little handy-dandy's that I added to our coach was very simple and cost less than 50. I use it frequently and I am thankful for it every time. It is a retractable extension cordhoused in a reel housing. I purchased mine at Sears back in 2002. There are many sources forthese retractable reel extension cords. I would be sure to chose one of high quality to ensuredurability and trouble free operation and be sure that the cord extends far enough to reach toboth ends of your coach even when tossed under the coach to reach the other side. I mountedmine in the second (from the front) storage bay on the curb side. Blue Bird already had an
outlet mounted there. The only installation required was to mount the reel to the top of the bayand plug it in.We own a 1999 LXi. It has AquaHot heating with one of the heat exchangers located under thesink in the Throne Room. (AKA, Water Closet, Toilet room, Head, Reading Room) This heater ison the same thermostat and zone as the heater in the hallway. This heater always generatedtoo much heat for the small area in which it is installed and also made a lot of noise. Hence, weeither kept the hallway cooler than desired or we roasted our privates in the "special room." Ithought of two ways to better balance the heating.One way was to install a separate thermostat in the toilet area to turn the fan on the heater onand off. This would prevent the room from overheating, however, the fan, when activated, wouldrun at full speed, thus, making a lot of noise, distributing heat very quickly and thereforefrequently cycling on and off.The second way was to control the speed of the fan on the heater. In order to protect the fanmotor and to reduce its current draw, I opted to buy a solid state 12 vdc motor speed controller.I found many such devices for sale on Amazon and purchased mine for less than 15. Imounted the controller's control knob just below the sink and the controller inside the cabinetunderneath the sink. I had to use some plexiglass to build a base for the controller module, drilla hole in the cabinet for the control knob and run wires between the controller module and theheater fan. My total installation time was less than two hours. Now our hallway and our toilet area are heated toa comfortable and consistent level. The heater fan in the toilet runs at a very slow speed and is difficult tohear.
DID YOU KNOW? By Sharon KirbyDid you know that you can get help for sinus problems using holistic treatments?There is a book written by Robert S. Ivker, D.O. called “Sinus Survival – The Holistic MedicalTreatment for Sinusitis, Allergies, and Colds”. The first part of the book explains sinuses,what makes them sick, and the difference between acute and chronic problems. He alsodiscusses other common respiratory diseases, and conventional medical treatments. In thesecond part of the book, he explains holistic medicine, candida, and discusses how yourphysical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health plays a part in your sinus conditionplus how to change things in these different areas to improve your condition. There is alsoa guide to holistic specialties (like reflexology, homeopathic medicine, naturopathicmedicine, etc.) and answers to frequently asked questions. The fourth edition is currentlyavailable, and I believe if you or your loved ones have any type of respiratory diseases thatthis book will help get you back to better health!Robert S. Ivker is a board-certified holistic physician (ABIHM), a Fellow of theAmerican Academy of Family Physicians, and healing touch certified practitioner (HTCP).He has been practicing medicine since 1972. For the past 20 years, after curing his ownchronic sinus condition, his holistic medical practice has focused on the treatment ofrespiratory disease. Dr. Ivker has also written six other books including Asthma Survival,Arthritis Survival, Headache Survival, Backache Survival, The Complete Self-Care Guide toHolistic Medicine, and Thriving: The Holistic Guide to Optimal Health for Men. He lives inLittleton, CO. For more information he maintains a website at www.sinussurvival.comSunshine and Mists by Brenda Rogers.We send get well wishes to Carolyn Greer. She had hip replacement onJanuary 29. She moved to Spa Rehab February 1 and is doing betterevery day. Cards may be sent to 509 Ashmede Court, Arlington TX76013. Please remember her in your prayers for a speedy and completerecovery.Olvie Beech passed away Monday, February 3, she and Mack werefrequent visitors to the Bird’s Nest and enjoyed the many rallies theyattended. Our sympathy to Olvie’s family.We have received news that Ann and Paul Ward are currently in assistedliving, we send our get well wishes to both of them. Martha RoweVaughn has been battling a sinus infection but has just been cleared byher doctor to travel. She and Charlie are now headed to warmer weather.If you have any other information on members, please let me know! Imiss seeing everyone and wish all of you a very happy 2014.Alternative Uses (by Martha Rowe Vaughn)Not one of us will dispute that our Blue Birds are wonderful when we buy them. In time we learn that theyare indispensible in other circumstances.“I’m hungry!” I greeted Charlie when I came in the door. “Boy, that’s a long trip at night with all the traffic.” Ihad been to Raleigh to visit my cousin.
I pulled out all the leftovers from the refrigerator and put them on the counter, selected my choices andplaced them in the microwave.“Listen!” Charlie got real still. “The shingles are flapping. Was it windy when you came in?”“No, well a little bit. I saw leaves blowing across the driveway, but nothing much.”I pulled the food out of the microwave and sat at the bar near Charlie. Overhead the shingles kept flapping.Outside the bird feeder was blown sideways. “Wow! That’s a lot of wind. It’s raining! Crazy. The moon was bright andshining when I came in.” BLINK! We were sitting in the dark.Charlie rushed to the closet and began pulling out flashlights—seven of them and not one would light. Hewent to the bedroom and brought back a new one. He turned it on and I dove into my meal.“Guess I better call Duke Power.” Charlie pulled out his cell phone, looked up the number, and punched it in.“Seven minute wait.” He commented. “Why don’t you drive up the street and see if it is only us. We live on a deadend road in a woodsy area plagued by electricity black outs due to trees falling on the lines. We’ve had several fires.With the wind still blowing and the rain already over, the chance of another fire was good.I drove out the street that was littered with limbs and pine needles, but no trees on the lines. By the time I gotback, Charlie had reported the outage. We sat in the near dark wondering what to do next and how long we would bewithout power. Already the temperature was dropping in the house. The landline phone rang and I answered it. Ataped message said it would be 8 to 10 hours before the power could be restored.“Time to move to the Bird.” I announced. That’s exactly what we did. A few trips from the house to the coachand we, including the cat, were set. What a relief to have a generator and a furnace. We spent the night in cozycomfort.Several years ago before we got smart enough to go to Florida for the winter, we had an ice storm that tookdown electricity lines all over North Carolina. That time we spent five days in the Bird before power wasreestablished. We were able to save all the food in the house refrigerator and cook it.My grandchildren think the coach is the neatest place to play. They pretend it is their house and love to setthe table and play the musical horn. They know there is a drawer with books and games just for them. Spending thenight is a special treat. They snuggle into the sofas and go right to sleep. The trips we have taken with them are suchwonderful memories.At Christmas the Bird takes on another use. It becomes an extra kitchen while I prepare numerous suppersand desserts for the family. Our house refrigerator has a tiny freezer so the bigger refrigerator/freezer in the Birdholds all the extras. It is a good place to hide the raw cookie dough that seems to disappear when it is in the house. Ican put it in the refrigerator in the Bird and it stays safe until I bake it.I’ve also used the Bird to hide presents. No one thinks to look there for gifts.When we visit the grandkids in upper Virginia, we park the Bird in their neighborhood and use it as a bedroomand a quiet place to rest when the activity in the house becomes too much for us. The neighborhood children love totour the coach, as do the adults. For a while, the grandchildren are the most popular kids on the block.Last Christmas we had so many people and animals in the house that Charlie decided to stay in the Bird. Myson was upset. He wanted the isolation and quiet the Bird provides. There have been other occasions when we, orsome combination of children, stayed in the Bird when the number of beds in the house was less than sleepers.On one occasion, we used the Bird as a party house. Our friends had been asking to see the Bird so wedecided to take them on a short trip. Every one piled in and we showed them the interior. Then we settled into thechairs and sofas for a trip up the mountain. We took Highway 52 up the winding steep road to the top. Taking a shortroad to Interstate 77, we headed down the mountain to a winery. There we enjoyed a wine tasting and returned tothe coach for snacks and birthday cake.Little did we know when we bought the Wanderlodge that it would become an asset in many ways. It is ahome, a motel, an extra kitchen, a playhouse, and a party house. How did we manage without it?
Cooking is for the Birds:by Rozanne DeShazerButterfinger Dessert (Weight Watchers)Ingredients: 1 prepared angel food cake1 (1 ounce) package fat-free sugar-free vanilla pudding mix (larger size)2 (8 ounce) containers fat-free cool whip4 (2 1/8 ounce) size butterfinger candy bars1 1/2 cups skim milkDirections: Spray a 9 x 13" pan with cooking spray. Tear angel food cake into bite sizepieces. Prepare pudding with 1-1/2 cups of skim milk and mix with 2 containers of CoolWhip Free. Crush candy bars. Layer 1/2 cake, 1/2 of pudding mixture and 1/2 of crushedButterfingers. Repeat layer. Nutritional Facts for Butterfinger Dessert Weight Watchers 4Ww Pts Serving Size: 1 (82 g) Servings Per Recipe: 15 Amount Per Serving Daily ValueCalories 185.0 Calories from Fat 28 15% Total Fat 3.1 g 4% Saturated Fat 1.5 g 7%Cholesterol 0.4 mg 0% Sodium 254.0 mg 10% Total Carbohydrate 36.2 g 12% DietaryFiber 0.4 g 1%S sugars 19.4 g 77% Protein 4.2 g 8% For more fun and amazing ideas.recipes and motivational weight loss tips Click and join ushere Www.Facebook.com/groups/HealthyTheNewSkinRITA'S POPPY SEED CHICKEN (by Brenda Rogers)8 Chicken breasts8 oz. Sour cream1 can cream of chicken soup1 can cream of celery soup3 tubes Townhouse crackers, crushed1 ½ sticks butter1 tablespoon poppy seedsCook chicken and cool. Cut in bite size pieces. Mix with sour cream and soups. Crush crackers and mixpoppy seed and melted butter. Stir and pat half of mixture in bottom of baking dish. Put chickenmixture in and sprinkle rest of cracker crumbs on top. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until it bubbles.Very, very good!Upcoming Rallies:Lower Alabama Rally – April 21 – 26, 2014 Hosted by Joe and Susan CrockerDurango, Colorado Rally – June 1 – 6, 2014 Hosted by James and ScottOswego, New York Harborfest - July 24 - 28, 2014 Hosted by Jim & Sherry MillerFamily of Friends Annual Rally – October 28 to Nov. 4, 2014 Hilton HeadFlorida Rally March 2015 Hosted by Richard & Sue RamseySusan Crocker takes pictures at each rally and makes a DVD for the attendees. Anyone interested in a DVDcan contact Susan at secretary@bluebirdchapter.org Check out the web site for information on rallies,news, and events. If you have an item for the Bird Tracks, please contact Karen James: karen4247@aol.comor vicepresident@bluebirdchapter.org Watch for an occasional “NEWS FLASH” when information cannotwait for the newsletter!
Durango, Colorado Rally June 1 to June 6, 2014Make your own reservation at the Alpen-Rose Campground. 27847 Highway 550North, Durango, 81301. Call: 970-247-5540 email: camp@alpenroservpark.com. Rally islisted under Wild Bunch/Blue Bird. (Camp ground fee not included in rally fee). Includedin the rally fee: A welcome dinner, round trip historic train ride, Mesa Verde NationalPark, Durango Mountain Resort and authentic Chuck Wagon Dinner and Show and afarewell breakfast. We will ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.This historic train has been in continuous operation for 131 years, carrying passengersbehind vintage steam locomotives. Come and relive the sights and sounds of yesteryearfor a spectacular journey on board. Also included is a trip to Mesa Verde National Parkand the four corners area, an authentic Chuck Wagon Dinner and Show, and visit to thearea attractions such as Honeyville Farm and the Ute Indian Museum and CulturalCenter. While in Durango, you can take a scenic drive through the San Juan Scenic Byway, kayak or canoe, hike, fish, take a Jeep or ATV ride, shop the historic downtownarea or enjoy the amenities. There will be a ranch or farm tour available as well as zipline or alpine slide and chair lift. Rally fee will be 320.00 per coach. Mail your rally feeto Dennis James, 677 S. Carr Ave. Lafayette, Co. 80026 Check out the campground ontheir web site: www.alpenroservpark.com Call Karen James at 303-859-3822 for moreinformation or email: Karen4247@aol.com or Neat at neatscott@aol.com We hope youcan join us in the Beautiful Rocky Mountains! Dennie and Karen James and Jon andJeanetta ScottRegistration for Durango, Colorado RallyName:Address:Phone: Cell Phone:Email:Amount: 320.00 coach with two people 160.00 coach with one personExtra person 160.00Names of those attending:Mail your registration fee to: Dennis James, 677 S. Carr Ave. Lafayette, Co. 80026
Happy February Birthday!Happy Birthday to those born in February! Your birthstone is the Amethyst. Commercialsources of amethyst are Brazil and Uruguay; while in the U.S., most amethyst is found in Arizona andNorth Carolina.The amethyst has a rich history of lore and legend. It can be traced back as far as 25,000 years agoin France, where it was used as a decorative stone by prehistoric humans. It has also been found amongthe remains of Neolithic man.It’s said that the signet ring worn by Cleopatra was an amethyst, engraved with the figure ofMithras, a Persian deity symbolizing the Divine Idea, Source of Light and Life. It is also said to be thestone of Saint Valentine, who wore an amethyst engraved with the figure of his assistant, Cupid. SaintValentine’s Day is still observed in February.The word amethyst comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunk,” and wasbelieved to prevent its wearers from intoxication. The following is a story from Greco-Roman mythology,as quoted from Birthstones by Willard Heaps:“Bacchus, the god of wine in classical mythology, was offended by Diana the huntress. Determinedon revenge, he declared that the first person he met as he went through the forest would be eaten by histigers. As it happened, the first person to cross his path was the beautiful maiden Amethyst on her way toworship at the shrine of Diana. In terror, she called upon the goddess to save her, and before his eyes,Bacchus observed the maiden changed to a pure white, sparkling image of stone. Realizing his guilt andrepenting his cruelty, Bacchus poured grape wine over her, thus giving the stone the exquisite violet hueof the amethyst. The carryover to non-intoxication was quite logical, and in ancient Rome, amethyst cupswere used for wine, so drinkers would have no fear of overindulgence.”The early Egyptians believed that the amethyst possessed good powers, and placed the stones inthe tombs of pharaohs. During the Middle Ages, it was used as medication, believed to dispel sleep,sharpen intellect, and protect the wearer from sorcery. It was also believed to bring victory in battle. InArabian mythology, the amethyst was supposed to protect the wearer from bad dreams and gout.AREA DIRECTORSAREAAlabama ouisiannaMichiganMinnesotaNew YorkNew seeVermontNAMETELEPHONETeddy Taylor334-451-0566Dennie James303-859-3904Maurice & Rozanne720-352-6835DeShazerDenverJon Scott303-278-0272Greg Peterson407-973-9304South WestArnold Friedenreich 239-537-3153James Weatherford225-665-1689Jack VanDenBerg269-217-3338Jim & Lynne Olds612-961-9838Up StateHarney Davey518-569-7740Jim MillerSouth WestSouth Central607-898-4701 cell 607-4231747.Len McLeod905-845-9147Ken & Victoria717-880-8952CurryWestJim Thompson814-598-2524EastTom & Sandi Bay352-361-9001MiddleBob Cortner931-580-2998Harney Davey518-569-7740
respiratory disease. Dr. Ivker has also written six other books including Asthma Survival, Arthritis Survival, Headache Survival, Backache Survival, The Complete Self-Care Guide to Holistic Medicine, and Thriving: The Holistic Gu
