Camping ⛺️

 Hello and happy Monday. Here we are on to the second week of February. Remember I am still sharing the good times of 2025 and other years as well. It’s nice to share and I am enjoying the process. It’s like journaling without paper. I still journal as well. It just feels right. It’s another way for creativity. 

This video is funny it’s about us coming to Cody and Amelia’s wedding. We camped using a HipCamp and let me tell you it was a great experience. We arrived in Ohio (kinda like a half way mark) or in my mind it was. We picked a campsite and it was on a slope. I was exhausted as I wasn’t even a few months passed the first back surgery. Which one of my pins were broke and no one was listening to me at how much pain I was in. Finally when we came back home they did a CT scan and found all that out. I was scheduled for the second surgery on September 30. Only 26 days after Cody’s wedding. So while we were camping the next morning on the slopes. It had rained and when I woke up I was way down the slope. All of us moved in the tent. I still laugh about it. 

In 2024 we took the boys camping in our vintage camper that someone had gave us. We call her Betsy. She needs work inside. The boys loved it. They wanted to go again in the camper. This past year 2025. I will tell you more of that story below. 

So we tent camped this past year as Bruce hadn’t got to work on Betsy the RV. It was August and it was hot. Plus being in the tent you could hear everything and everyone close by. We did meet one of the nicest RV owners that pulled in beside us that day. It all started with a frozen Margarita. A young lady had come with her parents and they had brought a margarita machine. Well when they said the margaritas are ready you would know it…. Bruce said “Margaritas” they invited us over and that was it. We really enjoyed talking with them and the boys were both chatting as well. The guy was very impressed with the boys. How smart they were and so well behaved. 

We had brought along our hammocks that we have in our backpacks. Over the years we have used these and in fact one of the very oldest hammocks we have is a blue one that Jr used on his walkabouts. When he was in his late teens he would grab his Kelly pack and we would be riding down the road and see him with his backpack. He would stay gone for awhile and enjoy his time going places. 

The little boys enjoyed the hammock mostly without grandma. I just wanted to test it out since it had been a long time. It was really nice. 

We collected rocks and I used my identifying app for the rocks. They loved it. 

Riggs always wanted to get the big ones. 

I enjoyed my class with herbal preparations that night it was Goldenrod and if there is an herb I know a lot about is goldenrod. I had brought some from home. 

Smoke must of got in his eyes. Bruce had packed all the camp goodies. The boys roasted marshmallows with sticks the old fashioned way. They got a kick out of that. 

Ledger has grown up so fast. I tell you it was like yesterday he was just born and now look. Slow down bud grandma has to catch up. 

The BigFoot by the house. You can even see the yellow goldenrod blooming. 

At the time we went Riggs had burned his foot. Well grandma had all the supplies for a pretty bad burn. To avoid infection I changed the wrap etc. when it was time for him to go home I told him what he would need. He told mom and he was very specific about it. Even telling her how to do the wrap. His attention was very focused and concerning. He watches this doctor on YouTube and is knowledgeable about doctor educational shows. I keep saying he’s going to be a doctor. 

This was a picture I found of the boys making a tent in the yard. Everyone was going to sleep in it until nighttime came. 

This was camping the year of 2024 when we had the RV on the road. 

A very beautiful and relaxing campground. Now for the story….. Ledger and Riggs told me that they didn’t want to tent camp again that they wanted to go in the RV again. So no more tent camping. Haha. Gotta love it. Luxury boys!!!! They know the best way to camp!!! 

Years ago we would go Girl Scout camping and would stay in the cabins and/or the platform tents. Bruce was canoe certified so all our girls used to be able to canoe. Bruce would help other troops as well. That can be another post. All the years of camping and canoeing. Most of my pictures of that life are on actual film. I have been one of those people that always had/has a camera. I used to spend many years taking pictures of my dogs and trees. My mother said you’re wasting film and time!!!! I never felt like that. However when I would get my film developed I had to listen to the fussing but I was to busy looking at the pictures analyzing them and seeing if I caught the sun just right or if my dogs were looking at me. I even took pictures of my clothes….. I was thinking of the future perhaps as now no one thinks that type of picture is out of the norm. Mostly for gifts I would always get cameras. Always the novelty ones as well. Then when I was 18 working at a large department store they had a camera department and I put my first expensive camera on layaway. Jr. was a baby and I wanted the best pictures I could get. The camera was over $300 with my employer discount. A Canon. I didn’t become the Nikon girl to much later. The first digital camera I had was a Kodak. I got that around 2002. Which brings me to the new book I am reading Art Work: On the Creative Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419780719?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share by Sally Mann a must read it’s so good. I’m already in the fifth chapter. 

Well I better head on out as the dogs want attention…

Much love and good vibes, 

Dawn Gallop 

P. S. Today I was very tired and had no energy…. Bruce said he was feeling some kinda way as well. 

 

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Football 🏈 Life

Hello and Happy Super Bowl Sunday. This was a BIG deal for me growing up. My stepfather would be so excited and so guarded. Guarded because he didn’t want anyone else in the room or even in the house. Haha my mother and I would leave and usually go to my aunts house or shopping. The shopping times didn’t come until later as growing up in Virginia we had a Blue Law where on Sundays the stores were closed. When we would come home sometimes the game would still be going on. He would come out screaming to let you know don’t come in the room don’t mess with anything. As he was afraid we would blow a fuse or he would miss something. I laugh at it now. Some of the times me and my mom would watch something in another room. She would always say I am glad they had a movie on whatever channel it was. This time frame was in the late 70s when we got cable. Before cable I remember the Superbowl was like on every channel. I may be wrong about that but it seemed like that. I remember watching the twilight show and then the tv going off the air. That was before cable. Newport News was one of the four cities that received satellite coverage where we could get these channels. Good times. 

My son Cody once said I didn’t know anything about football, and challenged me to name teams. Well I was spitting the teams off. I even collected the helmets that were in the bubblegum machines. Growing up in Virginia and North Carolina it seemed everyone was a Washington Redskin Fan. They became the Washington Commanders in 2020.  When daughter met Garrett we all became Green Bay packers fans. Which is what everyone here seems to be. Sometimes I see a Detroit Lions fan. While I was growing up I was Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Then later I became a Minnesota Vikings fan. Once I married Bruce we pretty much were no longer football fans. I know it sounds crazy to not be fans of football anymore. When I met Bruce I was surprised he wasn’t a fan of football. I thought every guy was lol. Oh well I was wrong!! 

The family, Cooper had won King at the court that night. Which was an honor. He later was Prom King as well. Cooper is a very kind and generous person. Everyone likes him so much. He makes you laugh, smile and enjoy being around him. 

See always making one laugh. We miss you Boopie. He is a Marine now and working hard. 

Eagle football mom

The moms float 

Colby played football as well 

Family cheering them on 

Coop and his friend

Football camp 

Brothers 

Colten played football as well. This was back in NC. 

Cody played one season when he was really young. Colby is the baby here. 

 My dad had this football booklet. I have the copy today, my uncle had given me after my dad passed away in 2009. My grandfather and my dad all played football. Hope the teams do amazing as I know they will. I can only imagine the excitement and joy they must feel in preparation for the big game. I know when my girls played softball sometimes when my daughters were up to bat bases loaded, two strikes. The anxiety for me was intense I can only imagine what my daughters felt. If you have ever watched Ted Lasso you might know the feelings that come about before a big game. Wishing all the BEST for tomorrow. I’m excited. 

Tonight Cody and Amelia came over with the babies. Cody brought over some food and Papa Bruce cooked the whole meal. It took a bit longer than expected but we will let him slide. The boys ate well and had a special popsicle afterwards. More pics tomorrow….. Briar is growing so fast. She’s alert and really misses watching her brothers when she has to take a nap. It was such a joy for everyone to come over. I was feeling a bit sad actually this past week only because I want to be outside and can’t with the ice and thick snow on the ground. Bruce had to work on the snowplow which it was 9 degrees while he was trying to repair it. With the boys coming over tonight and the laughter we all shared the sadness went away. We all need laughter and sharing time together. Thank you Cody and Amelia for coming over. The boys are talking so much now. Much love and gratitude. 

Good vibes, 

Dawn Gallop 

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Finding Beauty in the Winter Garden

The Winter garden teaches us to listen, to rest, and a time to plan. The roots are getting ready for the upcoming season. The trees are starting to make an appearance when spring awakens and tells the trees to begin blooming. 

Hello and good day,  today I am showing you the beauty that can be found in the winter garden. When ever  I say the word winter garden I automatically think of the book I read in 2025. Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah Winter Garden . 

 

A beautiful story a must read. It will touch all the senses. All the feelings. Here is one of the gourds left in the garden. They will dry up and be ready to paint by the time it’s time for the spring cleanup. You would first scrub them in a little bit of bleach water using a rough sponge or a soft wire brush. Something with texture to remove the peeling skins of the gourds. 

That’s a good view of the deep snow. 

The vines of the tomatoes 

Garebear had bought me this one Mother’s Day. I really enjoy it. It’s garden art. 

Welcome, Dusty put this together for me last year and I paid him a little bit of money. It is great for the vines to grow on. It’s also a great garden entrance. 

This was one of best years of the gourds since NC. One year we had so many that I made numerous fall scenes and gave so many away. It was when Dusty was small. 

This is Abigail our oldest granddaughter with Dusty. I had seen this in the Timehop one day and saved it. That was the year we had so many gourds of all shapes and sizes. Even the caveman club gourd. The kids used to run through them. It was magical. 

It says exactly what I needed to share. 

The flag I got reminds me of Sophia, Rosie and Kevin. Just makes me happy to see it. 

The strawflower with snow. 

The strawflower these are so beautiful in the summer. They will be casting all their seeds about for springtime. 

You know I can’t stop sharing these pictures of the beautiful birds. I always say when I see a cardinal it’s my dad Richard. Last week I had seven cardinals at the feeders at once. Six males and one female. It was the most I had ever seen at once. I watch them and off in a distance you can see them. They will wait for the bluejays to leave. Sometimes! 

Yes it does! The seed catalogs the dreaming of new ideas and plans for the future. They always say to plant a garden is to believe in the future. I am thinking of all the possibilities. 

The other night we made nachos they were so delicious. Easy meal and everyone always likes it. 

It was the usual day. Tomorrow will make Day 17 of the 100 Days. I feel like I am questioning this adventure I want to make it happen as I have goals involved. I have already learned so much about how I can paint intuitively and not even think about what I am going to make. Today while painting the watercolors I was a purest where usually I add all the mixed media in. Today I stayed with just watercolors. Which watercoloring has always been my favorite painting.  I hope today as you read this you see the beauty in the winter garden or perhaps read the book. 
Much love and happiness.
Good vibes for a great weekend, 
Dawn Gallop 

 

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