While we had managed to avoid the heat during our travels in May, that ended with our return to Jacksonville. The daily weather forecast was so predictably the same, it could have been recorded once and replayed each day. Highs in the 90s. Afternoon thunderstorms.
We became motivated to finish up our preparations and get ready to move further north.
We became motivated to finish up our preparations and get ready to move further north.
Dave replacing water heater plug RV Stuff
With the RV sitting idle for a month while we were traveling, our first day back was not just an unpacking day. We had some maintenance to do. Although we had put a small amount of bleach in the fresh water tank before leaving on our trip, the water had sat in the tank too long to be used. So, the fresh water system needed to be sterilized, which we did with a ¼ cup of bleach and 8 hours of standing time. After draining and refilling, we could use the fresh water again.
With the RV sitting idle for a month while we were traveling, our first day back was not just an unpacking day. We had some maintenance to do. Although we had put a small amount of bleach in the fresh water tank before leaving on our trip, the water had sat in the tank too long to be used. So, the fresh water system needed to be sterilized, which we did with a ¼ cup of bleach and 8 hours of standing time. After draining and refilling, we could use the fresh water again.
The corroded zinc anode reinforced the need to replace it. Our next focus was the hot water heater. And while the hot water heater didn’t have to be flushed immediately, it made sense to perform our annual maintenance while the heater had been turned off and the water was cool. The task would require us to flush and de-scale the tank and replace the zinc anode.
A couple of days later, our bikes needed some attention. They had sat unused for more than a month, and with the soaring temperatures and humidity, we weren’t going to be using them much any time soon. We took a short ride to ensure the batteries were OK, and then secured them on the bike rack ready for travel. Our bike tent also came down, but we had to find a place to stow it.
A couple of days later, our bikes needed some attention. They had sat unused for more than a month, and with the soaring temperatures and humidity, we weren’t going to be using them much any time soon. We took a short ride to ensure the batteries were OK, and then secured them on the bike rack ready for travel. Our bike tent also came down, but we had to find a place to stow it.
The slide projector now has a new home. After scanning some 2000 slides last fall, Cathy was looking to reduce some more clutter by selling the old slide trays and projector. Hauling them back to the RV at Christmas, they had been up for sale for months with no interest. But almost as soon as we stepped on the train for our month-long trip, potential buyers were contacting her a couple of times a week. So, within a couple of days of our return, we had our hallway back, with 3 large boxes heading out to happy new owners. Maybe now we had a little room now for that bike tent.
Church Stuff
Escaping the heat became the organizing principle of our days. Outside tasks were done in the morning or evening if at all possible or at least in some shade. Inside tasks could be done during the heat of the day. So, painting a board behind the recently installed AC unit and work to repair a door threshold and strike plate were morning tasks. We also helped Beyond 90 move their sewing room with a number of other volunteers one morning. But that didn’t mean we weren’t melting by the time these small tasks were done.
So, retreating inside, Dave updated the office computers and worked out an issue with the phone system -- a task that is easier to do in person than over the phone. We also met with Leslie, the church’s Nomads contact to help with some transition activities.
Escaping the heat became the organizing principle of our days. Outside tasks were done in the morning or evening if at all possible or at least in some shade. Inside tasks could be done during the heat of the day. So, painting a board behind the recently installed AC unit and work to repair a door threshold and strike plate were morning tasks. We also helped Beyond 90 move their sewing room with a number of other volunteers one morning. But that didn’t mean we weren’t melting by the time these small tasks were done.
So, retreating inside, Dave updated the office computers and worked out an issue with the phone system -- a task that is easier to do in person than over the phone. We also met with Leslie, the church’s Nomads contact to help with some transition activities.
The church’s dumpster has attracted trash from non-church sources for years. Its location across from the main church campus makes it just out of sight enough for those looking to get rid of their trash, furniture, etc to leave it and disappear.
We saw a sign at a church in Missouri during one of our walks that made us smile and we thought it might have a slight deterrent effect at Faith. So, with permission, we had one made for the church and hung this in the hopes it might make people think before dropping off their personal trash.
We saw a sign at a church in Missouri during one of our walks that made us smile and we thought it might have a slight deterrent effect at Faith. So, with permission, we had one made for the church and hung this in the hopes it might make people think before dropping off their personal trash.
Jim hooks up before heading out. We had a neighbor in the campground since early April, a Nomad who was in town to volunteer at Faith while waiting for some health appointments. His treatments were completed, and he was ready to head out the next morning when Dave got a call that he would need a ride to the hospital ER. After a couple of nights stay, he was doing much better and ready to leave -- again. We gave him a hand connecting his car dolly to his RV before he headed out for points north. He had done a lot of work while we were away, including new direction signs throughout the campus, and staining the deck of the custodian’s house.
Yubikeys Online Security
For over a dozen years, we have been using a security token to access our financial accounts. However, the tokens’ batteries finally died, and we were not being offered a similarly secure alternative by the brokerage company. So, after a lot of research, we decided to invest in a security key from a 3rd party. We chose to purchase 2 Yubikeys.
These keys are more secure than the typical text 2-factor authenticators, since they are separate from the devices that are used to access the accounts. They also cannot be hacked like a phone or a computer, and if stolen, don’t have other sensitive information that can be used to access our online accounts.
There are multiple ways to link an account to the key depending on the functionality provided by a website. The key can be used in combination with the Yubikey authenticator app to provide the unique code that the website requires, or the key alone can supply the authentication. Just like other 2-factor authentications, once authenticated, if the device is a trusted device, the key isn’t required for subsequent logins for a while. We have 2 of these keys, each of which is set up identical to the other, ensuring we have a backup in the case of loss or damage.
We set up the key to work with the financial accounts that would allow them and with our email accounts. And so far, the process of using them has been pretty simple.
For over a dozen years, we have been using a security token to access our financial accounts. However, the tokens’ batteries finally died, and we were not being offered a similarly secure alternative by the brokerage company. So, after a lot of research, we decided to invest in a security key from a 3rd party. We chose to purchase 2 Yubikeys.
These keys are more secure than the typical text 2-factor authenticators, since they are separate from the devices that are used to access the accounts. They also cannot be hacked like a phone or a computer, and if stolen, don’t have other sensitive information that can be used to access our online accounts.
There are multiple ways to link an account to the key depending on the functionality provided by a website. The key can be used in combination with the Yubikey authenticator app to provide the unique code that the website requires, or the key alone can supply the authentication. Just like other 2-factor authentications, once authenticated, if the device is a trusted device, the key isn’t required for subsequent logins for a while. We have 2 of these keys, each of which is set up identical to the other, ensuring we have a backup in the case of loss or damage.
We set up the key to work with the financial accounts that would allow them and with our email accounts. And so far, the process of using them has been pretty simple.
Dave installs new drive in our travel computer. Travel Computer 2.0
Within days of our leaving on our transatlantic cruise in April, our small travel computer failed and would not power up again. Dave tried a number of way to get it running again, but had no luck. We had to dispose of it. Before doing so, we had to destroy the hard drive, since it had our emails on it. A local repair shop solved that for us with a pair of bolt cutters. Pretty effective.
So, when we headed out for our cross-country trip, our only option seemed to be to haul one of our full-size computers. After carrying that computer 6,000 miles or more, we decided we had to come up with a better replacement for the small travel laptop. The alternative was just too heavy.
After more research, Dave finally found a replacement travel computer. It was the same model laptop that had failed. Since we had stored our data on an SSD removable drive in the old computer, we could use that same drive in the new computer. The only difference would be that we would move the operating system to that drive as well, so our emails would be on the removable drive if – that is when – this computer fails. In the meantime, our travels would be lighter.
Within days of our leaving on our transatlantic cruise in April, our small travel computer failed and would not power up again. Dave tried a number of way to get it running again, but had no luck. We had to dispose of it. Before doing so, we had to destroy the hard drive, since it had our emails on it. A local repair shop solved that for us with a pair of bolt cutters. Pretty effective.
So, when we headed out for our cross-country trip, our only option seemed to be to haul one of our full-size computers. After carrying that computer 6,000 miles or more, we decided we had to come up with a better replacement for the small travel laptop. The alternative was just too heavy.
After more research, Dave finally found a replacement travel computer. It was the same model laptop that had failed. Since we had stored our data on an SSD removable drive in the old computer, we could use that same drive in the new computer. The only difference would be that we would move the operating system to that drive as well, so our emails would be on the removable drive if – that is when – this computer fails. In the meantime, our travels would be lighter.
Giving a (Cold) Break
During Cathy’s treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center, we had consistently brought ice cream as a treat during the infusions. Although we offered some to our caregivers, they were not allowed to accept. Years later, we wanted to give back to the current patients and to the staff in the infusion center. So, we helped fund an ice cream freezer and to stock it for those who were receiving treatments and the staff overseeing them.
The freezer was recently installed and has been a big hit. We got a chance to see it when we visited MD Anderson in June.
During Cathy’s treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center, we had consistently brought ice cream as a treat during the infusions. Although we offered some to our caregivers, they were not allowed to accept. Years later, we wanted to give back to the current patients and to the staff in the infusion center. So, we helped fund an ice cream freezer and to stock it for those who were receiving treatments and the staff overseeing them.
The freezer was recently installed and has been a big hit. We got a chance to see it when we visited MD Anderson in June.
