Difficult Beginnings

Parked at Palm Springs RV Resort (Thousand Trails)

The new year began with sad news for Mark. His family called him last week to let him know his older brother, Don, had passed away. Don was 84 and in poor health. Mark flew home last Friday to be with his family and attend the funeral.

He'll be gone most of this week, returning just in time for us to head to the RV Rally in Quartzsite. In the meantime, I'm holding down the fort in Palm Springs.

The first day we were here, we were surprised to see a roadrunner perched in the tree branches right next to our coach. Since then, I've seen it casually walking around in our vicinity, almost as though it lives here. Then today I noticed that the street we're parked on is "Roadrunner Street." Hmmm...I wonder if there's a connection.

Look carefully, and you can see the roadrunner (beak right / tail left)

The weather here is mild during the day, but chilly at night--in the forties. We love the park, it's right off I-10 and close to shopping. The spaces are a little close, but they're divided nicely with flower bushes and palm trees. The pool is heated comfortably and the hot tub is the hottest I've ever sat in--maybe it's too hot, if that's possible.

Mark enjoying the beautiful weather before flying to the
frozen north.

Before he left, Mark put the word out to fellow Alfa owners who are also camped here at the Palm Springs Resort to let them know he would be gone for a while. Barely had he sent the message than we had three people at our door to get acquainted and offer their assistance should I need anything. It's been comforting for Mark as well as me to know that I can call on someone should any need arise.

This was especially comforting in light of the recent "episode" I had with my heart that caused some concern to both of us. I woke up out of a deep sleep with a pounding, racing heart that lasted a good hour. The following day my heart rate was unusually high all day, especially when I stood up and walked around. So I spent the day mostly resting. By the second day it had begun to settle down. Since then I continue to have a fast pulse off and on, but for the most part my heart rate has returned to its normal of somewhere in the 50-beats-per-minute range. For those of you who are right now panicking about how I should see my doctor--Mark and I have already had that conversation, and agreed that we will head to the ER if such a thing should happen again.

As many of you already know, I have transitioned (again) to a very low-carb diet (keto) as of January 1. We wondered if this heart rate episode may have been triggered by a sudden withdrawal from sugars and starches (which we all know are addictive). If true, then it should pass completely within a week or two. If the fast heart rate still continues to be a problem, then we'll have to re-evaluate and consider other causes. Time will tell. We're keeping a close eye on it.

My shoulder is healing up well. Range of motion has improved considerably and I am finally able to drive again. The ortho doctor gave me to the end of January to baby it. After that, I'll probably need to get some physical therapy advice for some exercises I can do to help regain full strength.

Friday we head to Quartzsite. This is the annual RV rally we missed the first year when we had our little "accident at the gate." We missed it the second year because we were racing to Florida for our long-planned Caribbean cruise. This year it looks like we'll make it! Yay! (Still taking one day at a time, though...you never know what a day will bring.)

That's the update for now. As always, safe travels to all, & God Bless!

See ya!