We are Sam and Kim Wilkins and we are retired full time RVers in search of 70 degree weather. Our home is now a 42-foot fifth wheel.
We sold our home and most of our belongings in order to see what this great United States has to offer by way of beautiful scenery. Along the way we have met some of the nicest people.
We arrived back in our home state of West Virginia and are back in the swing of things. We’ve been blessed to visit almost all of the family, we have missed them so much. As soon as we returned my help was needed in the way of babysitting services for our youngest grandchild, Penelope. She is 3 1/2 now and very talkative. I loved every second with her but I must admit she wore me out.
I was able to attend our grandson, Matthew’s, last baseball game and it was a win! He is a great shortstop and he also helped out with pitching. His team ended the season with 9 – 4. Congratulations Bears.
Sam is already back in the swing of helping out around here and driving one of the farm trucks. I guess once a trucker always a trucker. Feeling needed is a great feeling.
After purchasing our WV fishing license we gave it a whirl and was successful. We’ve been enjoying fresh trout for breakfast and supper. So very yummy.
We were gifted with some freshly dug ramps. I grew up enjoying ramps since I was two years old and we lived in Elkins WV, home of the ramp festivals. We celebrated by preparing them in several ways for the friend who gave them to us. The most popular preparation is with fried potatoes. I also scrambled some eggs and cooked them with kale greens. Then there is our traditional way of eating them on a good ol’ raw ramp and bologna sandwich. There is nothing better than flavors from our past.
We were a part of a memorial for a friend who passed away in December. Donald (Pedie) Hupp was a school mate, he was in the Army Reserves with Sam and they were both truck drivers and worked at a couple of companies together. We have been friends with Don for a lot of years and have known his family and watched his kids grow up. The memorial is a reminder of just how precious family and friends are and to spend time with them now. Don spent a couple of nights with Sam in our camper just a couple of weeks before he passed. I was away so they had some serious quality time. Don reconnected with friends and family in this area he hadn’t seen in years. He was preparing for retirement and was moving to Michigan. Unfortunately, he did not get to enjoy one day of retirement. He touched so many lives. The memorial was well attended, a testament to what a good family man and friend he was. We spoke with him on the phone the day before he passed and the last thing we said to him was that we loved him.
Tomorrow is never promised so don’t forget to say “I love you” and generously give hugs.
Blessing till next time.
Kim
