by ProvidenceRV | Nov 26, 2019
Thankful for His Providence here at Providence RV Park
We are in Thanksgiving week, the time of year where our name – Providence RV Park – shines with meaning and purpose.
We are thankful for the many blessings our heavenly Father has poured out on us this year. From the steady growth of our community to the beginnings of our expansion on the backside of the property to accommodate future residents, we are grateful for the wonderful people God has brought to Providence.
To say thank you, and enjoy some relaxing chat time this Thursday, the Community Center will be open for a turkey feast (with all the fixins!) for any residents spending the day here at the park. We may even play a little Christmas music to signal the transition into full-on holiday mode.
In the meantime, we wanted to share a few thoughts about this holiday straight out of the history books, and the lessons we can learn today…
Did you know…?
The First Thanksgiving was Actually a 3-day Celebration
Yes, just like the ancient Israelites, our plucky pioneering ancestors knew how to throw a party.
So take your time this year. Streamline any food prep to make sure your focus is on people. Make sure those you care about know how thankful you are to know (and/or be related to) them. Get others to tell their favorite stories, or after dinner, have everyone share a thought or memory they are most thankful for. Reflect on special blessings you’ve received from God. From children and grandchildren to the many lessons and truths you’ve learned on your life journey thus far.
If you have no family or friends with which to celebrate, there is always a local soup kitchen or food pantry. Volunteer to make the holiday a bit brighter for others.
“It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.” –Tim Keller
Turkey wasn’t the Star of the Table
Although record had it that some of the colony’s men went “fowling” before the feast, and wild turkeys were among the game birds of the region, the menu was much broader. It included lobster, seal, and the five deer brought by their Wampanoag guests—not to mention the actual stars of the event: the season’s harvest. Many things missing from the original Thanksgiving, but popular today such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie are largely thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale (see more about her below). She shared widely circulated Thanksgiving recipes in newspapers.
Get creative, and maybe even start new traditions. If you don’t have a lot of turkey lovers in the group, consider replacing it with a duck, venison, or seafood—or a combination of any of these—knowing you are right in line with true Thanksgiving tradition.
Here in east Texas, many people skip the typically roasted bird for a Greenberg smoked turkey, a tender and aromatic delight people will wait in line for every year (it even made Oprah’s 2017 Favorite Things list!). So, do something different – a small tweak or a new tradition entirely – and add to the fun of your annual festivities.
Thanksgiving Took a While to “Take”
Washington made the first Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789. But it wasn’t until 74 years later that Lincoln finally established the acknowledgment to Divine Providence as a national holiday.
Sarah Josepha Hale, (author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”), was the Champion of Thanksgiving. For many years, she wrote congressmen, governors, and five different presidents for an annual day to thank God for His great providence. Unsuccessfully. Up to then, the only national holidays were Independence Day and Washington’s Birthday.
Sarah’s final letter to President Lincoln was during the tense times following the Civil War. It was a plea to restore unity with a national day to give thanks to our Creator. He responded four days later with the Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1863.
The lesson here?
Nagging works. Okay, maybe that’s not the lesson, but we can learn a lot from one patient, smart, determined little lady who made the history books with her many accomplishments (check her out sometime!) She brought us Thanksgiving and all the recipes to celebrate it in style.
Texas Was Doubly Thankful
Up to 1941, every president—except FDR—would annually declare the last Thursday in November as the national day for giving thanks for divine providence. For three years, Roosevelt declared it the second to last Thursday in order to extend the shopping season. Half of the states joined him, the rest stuck with the tradition of the last Thursday in November. Except Texas, the state that decided to take BOTH as a holiday (we never overlook an opportunity to celebrate). Congress finally cut the confusion, declaring it the fourth Thursday of November.
So–like Texas–be doubly thankful for the blessings our God has poured out on us as a nation. He is doing marvelous things in His people and our leadership in these historic times. Enjoy this special day of food, fun, and laughter across the land, and smile as you think of all the blessings we have today that our forebears did not.
Like propane fireplaces, turkey fryers, and indoor plumbing. Oh, and football.
by ProvidenceRV | Nov 12, 2019
Winter crept into East Texas while we slept.
We were enjoying the lovely reds and oranges of autumn here at Providence RV Park, perfectly content with the brilliant sunshine and experiencing the final lazy days of the changing season. Leaves turned crunchy, and acorns began dropping throughout the woods. Migrating geese began winging their way to warmer destinations. Although everyone knows to winterize your RV once fall starts to make her retreat, sometimes in Texas that moment can arrive unexpectedly, unless your nose has been glued to the weather channel.
We had started October with a sweltering 91 degrees during the day and 72 at night. The last night of October, as we all slept, temps dropped to 27 degrees, and winter was officially on. Part of me sighs sadly. I bid goodbye to warm days and begin to batten down the hatches (both emotionally and physically), as we all get ready for the blustery winds of our east Texas winter.
But before we can settle in and cocoon our way through to next year with flickering propane fireplaces and cozy Sherpa fleece blankets, we need to make sure any RV prep work required is checked off our list. Some are veterans at this. The internet is filled with tricks and tips of the seasoned road warriors. Private blogs from the road as well as official RV associations and membership clubs like Passport America or Good Sam can be great resources.
Winterize Your RV
The best way to avoid pipe problems is to inspect before winter begins, and then regularly throughout the season as temps drop
Providence RV Park is valued for its ability to offer full time occupancy when most other area RV parks are unable to do so. Because most are situated on Sabine River Authority regulated land, they are subject to many restrictions. The biggest is how many days per year you are permitted to occupy your RV. Providence counts both full and part time residents as part of our east Texas community, including many newbies to the RV lifestyle. Aging Baby Boomers looking to escape heavy mortgage payments and empty nests have made the hunt for prime, long term RV dwelling a hot one.
For those undergoing such a move, the very first winter can be a bit daunting, even for full time park residents. How long will my supply of propane last? What is a soft freeze vs. a hard freeze? How do I protect my pipes and keep the water flowing? For part timers, those who leave their rigs at the park and visit when they can find time to get away, winterizing is especially important, since Texas is notorious for its unpredictability. One of the strongest “blue northers” on record in North Texas was in November 1911, when temps dropped from a high of 85 degrees in downtown Fort Worth to 39 degrees later that day, then to 21 degrees the next day — a 64-degree drop in less than 48 hours!
Pipe Prep is Priority
But winter is nothing to fear. Just winterize your RV, take care of pets, set the thermostat and arm yourself with hot coffee in the morning and a nice marshmallow topped cocoa for an afternoon treat. For full-timers, the national weather report becomes a welcome friend. But Priority #1? Keeping your water hose protected. Some people use heat tape wound along the length, while others choose foam insulation for the hose. Many do both. Wrapping a towel around the spigot and placing a bucket over the towel is simple, but effective. For the sewer line, you might replace the slinky with hard PVC.
If you’re fortunate enough to have an RV arctic package, you won’t have much to do beyond protecting your city water connection. If not, a little after market insulation and/or a plywood piece or two placed under your RV can help a lot. Although your RV likely came with a couple small propane tanks, many full timers opt for trading up to one large one. This can minimize unhappy surprises. Like when you wake up, shivering, to see your breath and discover it’s 58 degrees in your RV. Of course, everyone’s heat requirements differ, and there are those who prefer the colder weather.
But what if you are not a card carrying member of the Polar Bear club? A couple strategically placed space heaters (the “tip over protection” type, of course), can keep propane usage down while putting your comfort level exactly where you want it. Foam based reflective inserts for skylights can cut the cold in winter and reflect heat in summer. Before winter kicks into high gear is also a good time to check various gas leak detectors since you’ll be spending a lot of time indoors.
Embrace the Changing Season
Isaac knows how this “relaxing” thing works…
So don’t be afraid of the cold! Just get ready for it, and winterize your RV before temps drop low enough to do damage to pipes and fittings. Then relax, put on some great music, invite neighbors and family over for some 5-alarm chili, and spend the down time building up friendships and family ties.
Or take advantage of the stillness to draw deep from your own restorative well, and purge out the old deadwood habits of yesterday to get ready for the next season.
There’s nothing like a warm, cozy home in the woods – especially the piney woods here at Providence RV Park – to remind you why you escaped the commute driven rat race in the first place. So…prepare, relax, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of God’s creation no matter the season, and know He made it just for you!
by ProvidenceRV | Oct 23, 2019
Grillmaster & Sandy
Fall & Cornhole, Young & Old(er)
Fall and Cornhole came to Providence RV Park. And the residents enjoyed gathering for a cookout and a little competition. Strange what a little competition can do.
Cornhole and Grilling
Cornhole competition to be precise. It makes strangers into teammates. All our new and old residents quickly mingled finding the commonality of fun. The youngest soon learned who were the more skilled and switched things up. The older boasted of better days. Ah, that’s competition.
The games were numerous and the awarding of prizes difficult because who could remember which team they were on when. And then the residents decided who should really get the prizes based on some unknown merit system. Such is camaraderie. Such is a gathering at Providence RV Park. But then I, myself, am a gamer at heart. Bring it on.
Our designated grill master could flip food with the best of them – your wish was his command – well, under the watchful eye of Sandy anyway. She’s our longest tenured resident and friend. And now she is also the official event planner. She was the creator and finisher of the whole thing. All agreed she was the party queen. The tables were laden, the desserts plentiful. She even provided for those on keto.
I would say everyone left better than when they came because laughter is good medicine. All had a healthy dose. They also all probably took a nap.
Rest or Fishing, Just Flip the Switch
So, if you want a place in the quiet woods of East Texas, but enjoy a dose of laughter, join us. We can be either your home or your home-away-from home. For half our residents, we are their home. They are long term RVers who have chosen Providence. They know each other, watch out for each other, and give each other privacy. For others, we’re their getaway place. They getaway from the busyness of the city. Some come to fish. They come to rest. Most just leave their RV there full-time. When they come for a stay, they just flip the switch and they’re there, or should I say they’re away.
Fall and Cornhole at Providence RV Park – a winning combination.
by ProvidenceRV | Oct 16, 2019
Welcome Fall, Welcome Sandy
Hello Fall
Hello Fall. Glad you’re here. I’ve been looking forward to your visit and hope you can stay a long time. I love your gifts of gold. And you wear the colors of fire so well. I love the red, but I don’t wear the orange near as well as you.
You are always so refreshing. Truly a breath of fresh air. It’s great to spend time together on the porch, just lingering in the evening, and somehow you challenge the sun to show off when he sets. You have a way with him. But be careful; he can get a bit hot over things.
Fall Foods
I do love the new foods you always bring. You often surprise me. Today I had eggnog ice cream at Braums. Delish! But then you did cause a ruckus between my daughter and I today when I informed her that the eggnog was better than the pumpkin ice cream.
My daughter loves your pumpkins. I have a few sitting around myself. But she is a pumpkinaholic and must have already tried 20 of your different pumpkin foods. Soup (so yummy), mashed, coffee, creamer, cider, tea, smoothies, seeds, cookies, chips, ice cream, candy. She thinks eggnog is too limited. You might experiment a little more with that. You have done such a great job with the squashes. Really, you should broaden your culinary delights using eggnog.
Fall in the Air
And I would be remiss to not mention the way you literally float through the air. The leaves just drop when you arrive heralding your coming. They love to announce your presence. I do wish they would pick up after themselves though.
Which brings me to my next point. I would like to talk about the acorns. Yes, I know it’s your special gift to the squirrels, but I think you must have a fetish with them. You toss them everywhere. They are under my feet and blowing across the porch even now as we speak. You know you stir up Mr. Wind quite a bit. My other friends, those who live at Providence RV Park, mention that during your visit you enjoy rhythmically tossing them on their RVs. I’m not sure they enjoy your musical serenade.
Oh my, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. Please don’t cry today. I’m really glad to see you; again, Hello Fall. Let’s enjoy the change from iced tea to hot tea together – did you want that pumpkin flavored or do you prefer eggnog?
by ProvidenceRV | Oct 7, 2019
YES!
How about: Take a rest, have a rest, catch my breath, BE at rest.
All of the above? Yes, all of the above…..and then some.
When I’m at Providence R V Park, Lake Fork, I’m in the “and then some” mode. And these are the things I need the most rest from. Here are a few things on my “and then some” list:
- Rest from worry. When I’m at Providence I’ve decided that, as the old saying goes, most of the things I worry about aren’t going to happen. Rest from worry!
- Rest from frustration. Frustration runs rampant in the city. Frustration from the traffic, traffic lights that don’t work, drivers who aren’t very good drivers, people who don’t pay attention to those around them, clerks who are rude, cars that don’t run, people who aren’t on time…..
- Rest from constant noise, it’s inescapable, it is sometimes unbearable.
- Rest from my schedule, the need for production, results, everyone else’s production, schedule, results, etc.
I look forward to coming to the RV Park to get rest, or maybe it’s relief for just a while/day/weekend.
Yeah!
It IS OK just to rest!
Just Resting and Enjoying.
Come join Carol and I.
Regards,
James
