Naturelover …Forced separation from beloved activities, people and places is a truly hard knock on the inner spirit. It is hideous, my thoughts go out to you in that emotional suffering from such a huge loss.
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Nature Lover and friends keep in touch
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Nature Lover... congratulations on the increase pallets. Keep hanging tough with that great attitude!!!
Naturelover, there is nature everywhere! I am sure they will assign someone to help you find a place to live just make sure it has a view and maybe a park where you can walk. So stay near your doctor for a while, but just concentrate on getting healthy. The future will come, and you’re not done yet!
user 36449
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Beautiful pics!Hello old friends, and new ones (if you want to come aboard.) I miss one particular thread from our old forum. That was travel around‘s 24 /7 Chat. Or some type of title like that. But a bunch of us kept in touch with each other and I enjoyed that forum thread before I looked at any other. So although I’m ignorant of a lot of things at this new forum format i’m going to try here to resurrect a bit of that. So if you were on that thread before welcome back and if you were never on that thread before welcome aboard. Friendly conversations and insignificant information about who we are and where we are and what we are doing what we like and what we don’t like and all that kind of stuff. By the way my shaking from the brain tumor does not allow me to type well so I dictate this and that brings about some screwed up words and some repeating etc., so if it’s screwed up I’ll blame it on the dictation because I never make a mistake.
to start it off I’m gonna add a couple of nature pictures I’ve been taking a few again here in Florida. I’ve been in Florida now for three weeks and a half weeks. Right now in southern Florida it’s raining and the lows at night or under 40°. That bothered me until I called home to Pennsylvania and found out that their nightly lows are in the single digits. So I’m staying in Florida. When the sun is shining I’m out in nature centers and state parks in Audubon centers taking pictures mainly of birds at this time. So here are a few. The first one is a roseate spoonbill with a beautiful reflection in the water. Then there’s a butterfly never saw before called the white peacock. Florida is one of its northern ranges. And then there’s the popular sandhill crane. Down here in Florida they make a big deal out of protecting this bird they put up signs to protect it, charge people fines if they mess with it etc. yet there are 17 states in United States where it is a game bird gamebird and I understand it’s very delicious.
Barb I welcome you to the forum and this thread. As a noted just realize you can edit what you post a reply to and take out the parts that are not relevant to your reply. Just use the … thing at the start and/or ending of the part you are commenting on so the focus is placed on the specific part you are replying about.
The reason for doing it that way is as a courtesy for forum members using cell phones for viewing the postings and/or those who have data limit caps on their cellular service accounts.
The reason for doing it that way is as a courtesy for forum members using cell phones for viewing the postings and/or those who have data limit caps on their cellular service accounts.
nature lover
Well-known member
Today marks 31 days in the hospital including the last six in the rehab hospital. I had my fourth chemotherapy treatment today and it went well. While I don’t have cancer, they use the same drug for ITP as cancer. Tonight, now, I am. Van dweller again. I don’t feel like driving yet, but a friend brought me ” Home“ to my van by the pond. I still don’t think I’m strong enough to drive, but I’m hoping that comes soon. I have to stay in the Lancaster County area near the oncologist/hematologist who is working with me. So having friends around me who can drive me here and there etc. it’s nice. I have an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow.. He’s a good friend and I rely on to help me understand all the mumbo-jumbo that he’s going on.
so technically, I’m a van dweller, but not a nomad at this time. Will I return to being a nomad? That certainly is my goal. We’ll see what the Lord allows.
today my platelet count rows to 256. Which would have been considered a ,” normal, and healthy“ platelet count. and so far the medicine has been working for me to keep The Platelets from being destroyed. This medication is very expensive, and the doctor found a way to get it to me for a huge discount from the company that manufactures it, as Medicare would only cover a fraction of the cost.
The nurses at the cancer center put together a big care package for me, including sandwiches, and snack packages and juices, etc. They even had a brand new blanket in it and a bunch of hospital scrub suits that would fit me being very large. I didn’t really think about it till I got home but I’m sure that when they read in the chart I was a man living in a van they thought I had nothing and they had to do something special. It’s nice that people want to do that but it’s also sad and laughable that “sticks and brick“ people think anyone who’s living my lifestyle is destitute. Yeah I don’t have any extras, there’s nothing left in the bank account at the end of the month, but as those of you who are nomads know our lifestyle is A “more with less” experience they will never know as they chase the rat they call success. A dear friend of mine told me one time (not original with him) that even if you win the rat race. you’re still a rat. I bless them for their kindness and sort of pity them for the lack of beauty in their lives, as they are slaves to the mortgage. I am very thankful there are people who have it in their heart to share with others, I just don’t know how to get people to see that I want to live like I do rather than in that senior high-rise in the downtown with no trees or grass or birds or oxygen.
so I’m happy to be “home“ but got a lot of work to do to get this van ready for living again. Since I got sick around Christmas time, I’ve just been putting off doing what needs done, and now the van is in need of a purge to make it livable again. But at least Tonight I’m sleeping in the chair that has my name on it. (lazy boy).
God bless the rest of the nomads as much as he’s blessed me and more.
so technically, I’m a van dweller, but not a nomad at this time. Will I return to being a nomad? That certainly is my goal. We’ll see what the Lord allows.
today my platelet count rows to 256. Which would have been considered a ,” normal, and healthy“ platelet count. and so far the medicine has been working for me to keep The Platelets from being destroyed. This medication is very expensive, and the doctor found a way to get it to me for a huge discount from the company that manufactures it, as Medicare would only cover a fraction of the cost.
The nurses at the cancer center put together a big care package for me, including sandwiches, and snack packages and juices, etc. They even had a brand new blanket in it and a bunch of hospital scrub suits that would fit me being very large. I didn’t really think about it till I got home but I’m sure that when they read in the chart I was a man living in a van they thought I had nothing and they had to do something special. It’s nice that people want to do that but it’s also sad and laughable that “sticks and brick“ people think anyone who’s living my lifestyle is destitute. Yeah I don’t have any extras, there’s nothing left in the bank account at the end of the month, but as those of you who are nomads know our lifestyle is A “more with less” experience they will never know as they chase the rat they call success. A dear friend of mine told me one time (not original with him) that even if you win the rat race. you’re still a rat. I bless them for their kindness and sort of pity them for the lack of beauty in their lives, as they are slaves to the mortgage. I am very thankful there are people who have it in their heart to share with others, I just don’t know how to get people to see that I want to live like I do rather than in that senior high-rise in the downtown with no trees or grass or birds or oxygen.
so I’m happy to be “home“ but got a lot of work to do to get this van ready for living again. Since I got sick around Christmas time, I’ve just been putting off doing what needs done, and now the van is in need of a purge to make it livable again. But at least Tonight I’m sleeping in the chair that has my name on it. (lazy boy).
God bless the rest of the nomads as much as he’s blessed me and more.
Congratulations!!! I hope you slept well... That 31 days must have felt like forever!
Naturelover, I am glad to hear you are out of the hospital and back in your van.
As to being selves to a mortgage. Those thoughts are truly related to an individual’s very personal perspective and experiences. Having financed several houses in the long run the gains I made on the rise in property values meant having that mortgage amounted to putting money into a savings account with a very good return when I sold the house.
I sold my last house at a profit because I could no longer do the physical labor for the upkeep and chores such as mowing. Plus the cost of utilities and taxes was not going to be easily managed on my single person retirement. I had the room for a housemate but prefer privacy.
As to being selves to a mortgage. Those thoughts are truly related to an individual’s very personal perspective and experiences. Having financed several houses in the long run the gains I made on the rise in property values meant having that mortgage amounted to putting money into a savings account with a very good return when I sold the house.
I sold my last house at a profit because I could no longer do the physical labor for the upkeep and chores such as mowing. Plus the cost of utilities and taxes was not going to be easily managed on my single person retirement. I had the room for a housemate but prefer privacy.
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vanbrat
Well-known member
We are happy in our own home and now that we are seniors we have a reverse mortgage which means NO house payment and the interest is added to the mortgage each month but still the principle is not gaining as much as the increase in value our house is gaining each month so when we get to the point of needing to move because of to old to do whatever we will have enough to take the next step. It also means if we want to take off for 2,3,4 months we can. I can buy tons of peaches and still come home and make jam. I am glad you all are out there though living the life of a nomad if that is where you want to be. I think about that when it is cold and yukky outside and it has been for 2-3 weeks that maybe I will chuck it all and run away to someplace warm... Or when the roof needs replaced, and the weeds are once again winning the war and the tub is again clogged. Not there yet.
nature lover
Well-known member
I don’t want to be negative towards anyone. Positive blessings to you all. But just a think those of you who are so content with your sticks and bricks lifestyle. you’re the ones that are reading and corresponding with people on a nomad life site because it is your fantasy to be free. Hey, this forum is open to everybody, I am thankful for that. I am open and welcoming and being positive about all of you, but i’ve never seen or heard of a nomad “ lurking” on a “sticks and bricks, normal lifestyle“ forum just wishing to be part of it And enjoying hearing and learning of the lifestyle, Second hand yet never taking the plunge and making it reality. There is something very telling and very sad behind that.
God bless all the nomads and all the wanna be nomads and thank God I’m one who has the experience, it has changed my life In so many good ways.
God bless all the nomads and all the wanna be nomads and thank God I’m one who has the experience, it has changed my life In so many good ways.
To be fair .. Maybe they are not lurking on a sticks and bricks forum as such but I have certainly seen a number of instances in nomadic forums and on YouTube where full time nomads have given up the life and willingly moved into sticks and bricks and been happy to do so.
vanbrat
Well-known member
Both lifestyles are good if either one is the one you want. Me I want it all, not yet figured it out how to be in both lifestyles.
Hubby wants to never leave the driveway again except to buy 'stuff' for the yard...
Me I will always be wondering what is on the other side of the mountains...
It will always be a balancing act.
Nature lover I hope you land in a good place if you have to leave your van. My folks are moving into a place this week after being in their RV for 3 years. We all are hopeful that it works for them. They can no longer be nomads do to health issues for both of them.
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Zerpersande
Well-known member
…but, well……
Sticks and bricks get traded for bolts and sheet metal.
Zerpersande
Well-known member
Part time hermit. There are lots of small, unused roads in Japan that are good for a night or two. There is a failed ‘villa’ that offers longer periods of time. My retirement income isn’t something I’m ready to give up yet so disappearing with my dog on Sat afternoon and showing back up on Wed for 3 nights is doable. Limit my golf to Friday and I don’t have to make room for golf clubs. Charge the batteries, wash/clean the van, stock up on some food for both myself and Clooney, give Clooney dog a warm bath, wash clothes, and leave.
vanbrat
Well-known member
He is not agoraphobic, he just was a migrant farm kid and has had more than his share of being from crappy place to crappy place, moved a million times and now doesn't want to do it. I understand, but I have not. So I do want to travel and see things. It is a fine balancing act to try and keep us both happy... His siblings have the same issues. Makes it hard to see any of them as they are scattered around the country. We all got our own reasons for what ever. My dad hates to travel but my stepmom loves to. Sometimes he goes with her sometimes he stays home. It's not that he doesn't like where they go he just likes home better.Van Brat….
It is very difficult to live with an agoraphobic person when you are not one yourself. Speaking from personal experience
Any way Naturelover keep us informed if you want. Hope you land in a good place.
nature lover
Well-known member
There hasn’t been much change still in the van still not traveling still going to doctors and hospitals Two or three times a week for infusions and etc.
are used to be schizophrenic, but we are all right now.
God bless the nomads, if anyone could use it, it would be us.
are used to be schizophrenic, but we are all right now.
God bless the nomads, if anyone could use it, it would be us.
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^ At least you're not alone..............
