This was the hardest blog I felt I needed to write. The loss of a beloved 18 year old Westie, named Frosty. Frosty was mostly blind and his hearing was not good either. He had some difficulty walking and was on pain medication. He also had doggie dementia and this was progressively getting worse.
Teresa and I debated for several months on how to treat his medical problems and were we doing the right thing. Or was it time to say goodbye and end his suffering. This was so hard and we had some heated discussions. His dementia condition worsened and it was hard to watch as he would pace as well as walk in circles. The poor guy would stare at the walls or off into space. You look into his eyes and you could see he wasn't there. Our hearts broke ! The dementia had made the decision for us. It was time to say goodbye. 😭 We took Frosty to one of our favorite places to hike, Middle Creek Wildlife Refuge in Denver Pennsylvania. We would often walk the different trails with Frosty and our other dog Brandon. It was a routine he knew. Unfortunately, on this day, Frosty was in total dementia control. He just walked in circles. We then went to the veterinarian to have him put to sleep and end his suffering. It was so hard to say goodbye. The pain was unbearable and tears flowed from Teresa and I as we spent time saying our goodbyes. He was injected once with a medicine to make him relax and then a second time with a medication that stopped his heart. It was over within a minute or two. His lifeless body laid there on the exam table. He had his favorite blanket and toys with him. The staff at Myerstown Animal Health Clinic were great and also felt the pain of losing a longtime client and patient. Frosty was cremated per Teresa's request. And we thanked the vet for all their help and compassion. There is no pain like losing a family member. RIP Frosty, you are loved to this day. How do you know you're doing the right thing when you must put a pet down ? Please comment below. Thank you for reading this blog. I hope I never have to do this again. Troy Lied/owner Geriatric Trippin Vanlife, a popular term used to describe the practice of living in a #van or recreational vehicle, has become increasingly popular in America in recent years. The allure of freedom, adventure, and simplicity has attracted a diverse range of individuals to embrace this unique #lifestyle.
The #vanlife movement can be attributed to a number of factors, including rising housing costs, a desire for a more minimalistic lifestyle, or an urge to explore the vast landscapes and nature that America has to offer. It has also been popularized through social media, with many individuals sharing their experiences and journeys through online platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. Vanlifers often modify their vehicles to fit their specific needs, adding amenities such as solar panels, water tanks, and portable stoves. Many also work remotely or pursue freelance careers, allowing them to earn a living while on the road. While vanlife has its advantages, such as the freedom and ability to explore new places, there are also challenges that come with the lifestyle. Finding safe and legal places to park and sleep can be a struggle, as well as dealing with the isolation and lack of community that can come with being constantly on the move. Despite these challenges, vanlife continues to grow in popularity in America, with many individuals embracing this unique and unconventional lifestyle as a way to live life on their own terms. Thanks you and come soon back for more information and entertainment. Content creator, Geriatric Trippin/Troy Lied ![]() As you drive in on Beal Road you will see many residences on each side of the road. But the first thing to really catch your eye is Salvation Mountain. But I'm not here to talk about what you see as much as what you will experience if your here for any real length of time. My adventure began in November 2022 and lasted till March of 2023. This is the 3rd time I've stayed near or in Slab City California so I wasn't a noob. As in my previous stays, I headed east on Coachella Canal Rd to the BLM area. Away from the people and hustle in town. Way back off the road where I couldn't be seen easily, but I could see all around my camp for some distance. I felt safe in my own little patch of sand. I proceeded to reach out to a friend living in the Slabs to see what was going on and to meet up as previously planned. We agreed to meet in one weeks' time because I wanted some time to relax after being on the road for several days. I was not ready to deal with Slab City and its eclectic group of citizens. Let alone the snowbirds and tourists that also gather in or very near the town itself. We met in a weeks time over a campfire and some magic mushrooms. The conversation was light hearted as we were just mildly trippin and joking about what we did since we last met. The fire glowing in the cold night air gave a feeling of warmth and security. Two rare feelings sometimes in the presence of all that happens in town. But the fire and conversation lasted for hours before I returned to the open desert and my hidden campsite. It was decided over the campfire that I would move into town and help clean up the camp to pass the time and experience Slab life for myself. I was told to keep an eye on everything in camp. Let no one in without permission. And be careful who I talk to. Not everything or everyone is as it seems. Theft is a common occurrence. Barter and trade is the name of the game here as cash is in shortage. Protect what is yours. After 5 months of living in town, I feel fairly comfortable. I got to know several locals that live here all year round. Wranglers Roost has some awesome burgers. The Range has entertainment during the tourist season. Jerry delivers the water and John is an artist I've gotten to know. A dog lost it's life in a fight with a stray and the Katamari Camp burned to the ground. Drugs can be a problem but they are a problem everywhere else too. John decided to give me the Slab name "Chippendale" as I rarely wore a shirt. This isn't the place for everyone, but it's a place I called home for yet another winter season. This was the most in depth time I spent in town and I'm glad I had the chance. I kept most names out of this blog and hope I didn't offend anyone. Always ask permission before filming and be respectful of others. The Slabs have a lot to offer if you open your eyes. Thank You! Each morning I would wake up and take a walk. I wasn't afraid of anything and the walks gave me time to explore and meet the people in the Slabs. Then I was given the low down on some rules and safety advice. Be courteous but always be alert. Not everything is as it seems. Keep your dog on a leash. Stay out of others camps. Watch for feral dogs and feral people as well. For the first time, I had cause for concern. I was now still taking my walks but was much more aware of my surroundings.
Camp cleanup was a chore but going well. I was meeting new people and learned quickly who to avoid. The hot springs are a good place to meet locals and is a great place to relax on a cold evening. I saw the famous canal of water that cannot be accessed legally. The water, lifesaving as it may be, was destined and belonged somewhere else downline. I again began to feel comfortable and was feeling like I was a part of my friends life in town. But that feeling was about to change. This is a topic that just burns me up! This is going to be a rant. I won't sugar coat my feelings as I ramble through our experience online as Geriatric Trippin.
Fake profiles and scammers are unfortunate aspects of social media platforms that have the potential to cause harm and deceive users. These individuals or organizations create fraudulent accounts with false identities or stolen information to manipulate and exploit others for personal gain. Here are some key points to consider regarding fake profiles and scammers on social media: 1. **Impersonation**: Fake profiles often impersonate real people or create entirely fictional personas. They may use stolen photos, personal information, or even create deepfake images or videos to appear genuine. 2. **Malicious Intent**: Scammers and fake profiles may engage in various activities with malicious intent. These can include identity theft, financial fraud, spreading malware, social engineering, phishing attempts, romance scams, and more. 3. **Phishing and Malware**: Scammers may use fake profiles to distribute malicious links or attachments that can infect a user's device with malware. They might also send messages containing phishing attempts, aiming to trick users into revealing personal information like passwords, credit card details, or Social Security numbers. 4. **Romance Scams**: One common tactic used by scammers is to create fake profiles on dating platforms, establishing romantic relationships with unsuspecting individuals. They gain trust and eventually request money under various pretexts, leaving victims emotionally and financially devastated. 5. **Catfishing**: Catfishing refers to the act of creating a fake profile to deceive others, often for personal amusement or to manipulate someone emotionally. The motivations behind catfishing can vary widely, but it typically involves building a relationship or connection under false pretenses. 6. **Bot Accounts**: Bots are automated accounts that simulate human behavior on social media. They are often used to amplify certain content, spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, or engage in spamming activities. 7. **Social Engineering**: Scammers might use information gathered from social media profiles to manipulate individuals or organizations. By exploiting personal details, relationships, or interests, they can craft convincing messages that deceive users into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that are against their best interests. To protect yourself from fake profiles and scammers on social media, it is advisable to: - Be cautious when accepting friend requests or engaging with unfamiliar accounts. - Verify the authenticity of profiles by checking for signs of suspicious activity, such as limited activity history, generic profile pictures, or inconsistencies in personal information. - Avoid sharing sensitive personal information publicly or with untrusted individuals. - Use strong, unique passwords for your social media accounts and enable two-factor authentication when available. - Keep your devices and software up to date with the latest security patches. - Report suspicious or fraudulent activity to the social media platform so that they can take appropriate action. Remember, maintaining a healthy level of skepticism and awareness is crucial when interacting with others online. Geriatric Trippin/Troy Lied Removed the radiator, hung the transmission cooler out of the way. This wasn't the worst job I've ever done. But everything from the engine block forward had to be removed. Time consuming is an understatement. Click the link for a short video on our Facebook page. It's about an 8-to-10-hour job and was pretty easy. Just line up the marks on each chain to the corresponding shaft.
Then I turned the engine over by hand to make sure everything turned freely. Reassembled all the bits and pieces to complete a 3-timing chain job on a 4.7-liter Dodge V-8 engine. THE PRICK OF A ROSE
By V. A. Jackson Detective Asher Rose stood up from the brown leather kneeler. Crossing himself he stared at the beautiful wooden crucified Christ hung behind the alter. It was one of the hottest August days ever recorded and the small unconditioned church made it worse. Asher began to perspire profusely The thick air made it hard to take a deep breath. He tried to move but felt glued to the floor His heart pounded erratically in his chest. A nauseating dizziness gnawed at his stomach. He lifted his head looking at the cross again. All the blood seemed to drain from his face. A scream rose in his throat. The cross was gone. In its place a black inverted pentagram took its place. Across the symbol in bright blood red letters were the words WELCOME TO HELL. Asher collapsed onto the bench behind him shaking then sobbing uncontrollably. My God in heaven ! It had begun. Written by Teresa Mahlandt
Troy asked me to write an essay on what it is like living with him. I told him to write down; It isn't easy. But then I thought; I'm not easy to live with either. I met Troy on #Facebook (surprise, surprise) 6 years ago. It was in July and his son Brandon Scott Lied had just passed away unexpectedly. I could see it was a hard time for him, but he wasn't going to admit it. Not Mr. hardass. As for myself, I had lost my husband Don one year before to the horrible disease #ALS. We both were in a dark place. Darker than most will ever know. I agreed to meet him at a local campground. So, I bought a sub sandwich for him and headed out feeling sorry for this lost soul. All the while I questioned my sanity. What was I doing? What was I thinking? We met and I gave him the sub thinking he was hungry. He said he would save it for later. We had a very nice talk, and he took my fur baby and I for a ride in this neat purple golf cart he had restored. He was very sweet! A perfect gentleman. When I told my daughter who I was now seeing on a regular basis, she almost fainted. She said he was a druggie, abusive, had been to jail, and on and on. I never listened to anyone growing up, so I wasn't about to start now. I'd decide for myself. Guess what? He was off the drugs, he certainly wasn't abusive, and his past was indeed in the past. The first year with him I felt young again. We rode motorcycle that summer and had a great time. We then sold the bike and purchased a van together. Troy put allot of work into that van. He made it a campervan with a queen size bed, microwave, and coffee maker. He added solar power and batteries. It became a true campervan. On a Saturday night we began Geriatric Trippin on #Facebook. He then took in a puppy he named Brandon in memory of his son. This is the bad boy everyone thought was going to hurt me. I'm sorry to say we took a 6-week trip to #Quartzsite Arizona and Slab City #California in the van. Two fur babies and us plus all our stuff. Omg, it was certainly an adventure! He took me places I never saw or heard of. I didn't enjoy the camping part, but Troy tried so hard to make me happy on the trip. He was so understanding. I didn't change my mind about camping but I do support him 100%. I figure women put up with hunting or fishing trips, I can put up with him camping. He's happiest on the road and I know the cold can be very painful for him. I was used to a spic and span house, everything had to be in its place. But I have relaxed quite a bit since I met Troy. Two fur babies and one big kid, lol! We leave each other do our own thing and it works for us. Sometimes I get frustrated because he eats like a 17-year-old but oh well. He's fun to talk to and we have deep conversations on many topics. Our interests are quite different yet sometimes they are very much the same. We do our own thing with few complaints. He's not hard to live with if you understand what he has been through in his life. Some of it was his own doing and he freely admits it. All in all, I like living with a man named Troy but as in all relationships there are days, I want to ring his neck. I do miss him and Brandon when they are traveling but then I focus on what I want to do. It's been 6 years and we have two close friends, an awesome couple. That's been a big plus since Troy introduced them to me. So far, no regrets. Living with a Troy does have its perks. I try to enjoy all of them and push away the trying moments. I can't see us not being together. It has been so natural at times. Besides, who would push my wheelchair when I get older? I love my Troy! ![]() We live in a rural town and seeing wild deer is not unusual. During hunting season, the deer are really on the move. It was on a cool fall day when Teresa and I were driving thru Middle Creek Wildlife Refuge in Stevens, Pennsylvania and we saw a lone doe standing right beside the road. I eased our van to a stop just off the road and maybe 100 ft away from the younger looking female deer. She was looking right at us, ears focused on the van. Keep in mind every year this area is open to deer hunters. So its possible she knows to be on high alert for noises and people. It's calm as we look at each other. Teresa is in the passenger seat fiddling with her phone. She obviously wants to take a picture the of deer so she is moving slowly. She has the camera app open and is holding the device in her right hand. Slowly and ever so smoothly; she puts her hand out the passenger side window and holds her smartphone in front of the windshield, ready to snap a perfect picture. Nothing could go wrong, right ? Teresa just loves talking to her phone and it follows her verbal commands. Nothing unusual there. And Teresa; my dear sweetheart, needs hearing aides and wouldn't you know it, the battery died in the one hearing aide. Bless her lovely heart ! But she was literally half deaf. No pun intended. So; phone in front of windshield, perfect shot just waiting..... Teresa shouts in a slightly elevated volume (She yelled ).....SHOOT !!!!! SHOOT ! DAMNIT SHOOT ! At the first sound of the word "shoot", that doe jumped 15 feet up and 20 feet forward across the small 2 lane road in a split second. She was gone like the wind. And now it dawns on my dear partner just what transpired. I'm laughing and thinking that deer knew what the word "shoot" meant and took off like her life depended on it. And she yelled quite loudly. That deer was like poof, I'm out !! Gone . I can't breath I'm laughing so hard and Teresa is now yelling at me ! Not to mention the damn phone didn't take any picture until she sat back in the passenger seat. Yup, selfie of her finger inside the van after the fact. I love you Teresa just the way you are ! Don't change a thing. 🥰🤗 Written by: Troy Lied And is a verify able true story ! |
Troy Lied Categories
|