When it rains do you pout and scream or do you snuggle up in a bunch of pillows and read a book? It's that old question--is half a glass of water half full or half empty? It's simply a matter of attitude. 

When many people find out that we are full-timers, they first ask how we get our mail or how we keep in touch with family and friends. That problem isn't nearly as complicated as most assume so then they go on to question other aspects of our life. What do you do about church, doctors, banking, etc? The list is endless. Recently I was asked what we would do if we were faced with a serious medical problem that required extensive treatment somewhere. I surprised myself with the answer.

If Ron or I had to be treated for something like cancer, I would ask where in the whole United States the best treatment center is and go there. Most have places to park RVs right near the facility. And if we decided to go to yet another one (no matter where), we would take off. We can go from Maine to California in a short time and stay as long as we need to. So you see this lifestyle has an advantage if you have the right attitude.

Because the Labor Day holiday was approaching, we decided to stay out of the mainstream tourist areas and get some things done. I needed a physical, and we needed to get our eyes examined, and so on. As soon as we arrived in La Pine (just 20 miles south of Bend) [Oregon], I checked out the "Physicians" section of the phone book and noticed that the Bend Memorial Clinic had a satellite clinic in La Pine. I called (it was a Wednesday) and got an appointment with Dr. Laurie Ponte on Thursday. Although they knew of our lifestyle, I was treated like I was a long time patient. 

Proving what a small world it is, when I gave Dr. Ponte my medical records from Michigan State University (MSU), she said "I graduated from MSU." One thing led to another and I discovered that she is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and actually attended both rival schools--University of Michigan and MSU. But the important thing is, she took a real interest in my physical being and asked if I'd be willing to have a pulmonary function test and see a pulmonologist for my breathing problems. Knowing that we were going to be here only a short time, Linda (the nurse) set up all appointments in the next few days. Wherever I went, doctors and technicians went out of their way to squeeze me in, but at no time did I ever feel that I had been crowded in. I was always given all the time I needed for the exam or whatever. I just couldn't get over the care and attention I was given and they knew I wouldn't be in their care again.

I have never worried about getting health care, and this experience proves my theory. Quite frankly, I finally got some relief from a problem that has plagued me from way back before we went on the road. A forced second opinion didn't hurt--in fact, it helped. 

There is a way to handle every aspect of our lifestyle, but if it is looked upon as a hassle, then it will be unbearable. Every time we come to a new town we get a thrill at the prospect of making new acquaintances. There is always a new map to study and new stores to visit. Each grocery store is a fun experience. We make a game out of finding the items we are looking for. I can't tell you in how many different sections we have found powdered milk. We know that we are going to get lost in every new town and grocery store. We laugh about it and cheer when we don't. We ask questions of clerks (where is this street or that store) and sometimes meet new friends in doing so.

You know how we get our mail, but you may not realize that mail is more exciting now than it was when we were in Haslett. We received few letters then. Now we get lots of letters from our good friends, and when it comes in a bunch once a week, it is like Christmas for us. We sit and savor each and every letter, and we don't have to deal with the junk mail. Life can be an adventure or a nightmare. It is simply a matter of attitude.