Piecing a Life

Misunderstandings between friends hurt

2011-08-15T19:40:00.000-05:00

I'm a little down right now and can't seem to spring out of it. Friday night a friend and I had a misunderstanding caused by the way we wrote some email. We seem to have made it worse by both trying to prove how right we each were. And now we've been trying to not think about it by staying busy with work, perhaps too busy. I know I hurt him and he hurt me as well. Sometimes it might be nice to just be able to jump in some kind of time machine and return to an earlier time. It's possible to use Restore to take a computer back to a better time. Why not people?

Exciting news!

2011-08-13T23:22:00.000-05:00

A very short but exciting blog tonight. My youngest daughter just had her second daughter late last night. The baby was born at home into her father's arms, all 8 lbs 9 oz of her. This little one joins her 5-year-old sister. Everyone is doing just fine!

Just say, "How are you today?"

2011-08-10T17:31:00.000-05:00

I had an interesting experience this morning while shopping at Sprouts, our local produce and healthy-food store. The checker, a young man, greeted me and asked, "How are you today?" I told him I was fine and then asked how he was doing. He stopped what he was doing for just a few quick seconds, smiled broadly, and replied that he was doing great. He thanked me for asking and said that he'd gotten so used to people not saying anything that my question was a welcome surprise. We talked a little more while he rang up my few purchases, and he thanked me for our conversation.

I thought about my own son who worked as a grocery-cart pusher, a checker, and a produce clerk for quite a few years, and wondered how many people are actually aware of how hard supermarket employees work. I wondered how many people realize how difficult it can be to stand in one spot for an entire shift and handle all kinds of food and other supplies and be pleasant all the time. I wondered how many people think to return the polite questions with real care and concern for the checkers at those grocery check stands.

I wonder. Do you?

The Real Reasons We Explore Space

2011-08-08T12:06:00.000-05:00

At coffee this morning, someone asked why we were spending so much money on a mission to Jupiter that will take five years to get there and another five to return. She wondered why we couldn't spend all that money here on earth for our needs and requirements here. As you might imagine, that question launched a very spirited conversation with excellent points made on all sides of the topic. Most of my answers revolved around the joy of discovery rather than economic possibilities. Although I agree that the economic possibilities are extremely important, I deeply feel that we humans are capable and desirous of knowing and experiencing so much more than that. So, this excellent article in the July 01, 2007 Air & Space Magazine by Michael Griffin satisfied my need for more reasons for space exploration.

I loved the author's comparison of space exploration today with building cathedrals hundreds of years ago, of the wonder, awe, and curiosity about things unknown. Because building massive cathedrals took such a long time, most of those builders did not live to see their projects completed. In the same way, most of us now living will not be around to see the results of our space exploration. However, it gives me a wonderful feeling just knowing we might be accomplishing important work for the long haul of life here on earth for future generations.

"It is my contention that the products of our space program are today’s cathedrals. The space program satisfies the desire to compete, but in a safe and productive manner, rather than in a harmful one. It speaks abundantly to our sense of human curiosity, of wonder and awe at the unknown. Who can watch people assembling the greatest engineering project in the history of mankind—the International Space Station—and not wonder at the ability of people to conceive and to execute the project? And it also addresses our need for leaving something for future generations." (Michael Griffin)

Wisconsin professor wins 2011 bad writing contest

2011-08-03T13:03:00.001-05:00

First of all, can someone tell me if this rule applies to posting it in a blog? I would much rather cut and paste the entire article instead of just copying the URL. However, that’s what I’ll do for now since I don’t want to make the powers-that-be somewhere mad.

The winners have been announced for the 2011 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, named after British author Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, whose 1830 novel "Paul Clifford" begins with the oft-quoted opening line "It was a dark and stormy night."

Here’s Sue Fondrie’s Grand Prize winner:

“Cheryl's mind turned like the vanes of a wind-powered turbine, chopping her sparrow-like thoughts into bloody pieces that fell onto a growing pile of forgotten memories."

Next is John Doble’s winner in the historical fiction category:

"Napoleon's ship tossed and turned as the emperor, listening while his generals squabbled as they always did, splashed the tepid waters in his bathtub."

Finally, this is my favorite, Mike Pedersen’s Purple Prose winner:

"As his small boat scudded before a brisk breeze under a sapphire sky dappled with cerulean clouds with indigo bases, through cobalt seas that deepened to navy nearer the boat and faded to azure at the horizon, Ian was at a loss as to why he felt blue."

I think I’d feel blue, too.

Just in case the copyright police find this blog, I’d better include the actual URL so you can read the entire article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2011-07-26-worst-writing-contest_n.htm

Hmm. Somehow I don’t think I should use these as examples to help improve my own writing. But, in case you'd like some laughs, here is more than anyone would probably like about the contest and its winners over the years: http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/

Healthcare? What healthcare?

2011-08-02T20:14:00.000-05:00

A wonderful August 2nd to all of you as well as lots of ice and freezing temperatures to those of you in the scorching parts of the country. I wish I could ship tons of the stuff to you. It's been hot and muggy here in San Diego but nothing like Oklahoma or New York. Please try to stay cool. It's got to end sometime.

Today I got a kind of wake-up call about how high medical costs have risen lately. I haven't had any kind of medical insurance since getting divorced in 2006 and am anxiously looking forward to Medicare (ala Secure Horizons) in December. I've been very healthy, only going to clinic doctors as needed and buying meds in Mexico. So, I just hadn't noticed the costs, other than the out-of-reach cost of medical insurance. However, my left eye has been bothering me a lot for a week so I finally made an appointment this afternoon. Turns out I have a virus in my eye (had never heard of that) caused by the same virus that makes cold sores. The treatment is one drop of stuff nine times a day for a week and an ointment to make it feel better. All well and good---until the bill.

The doctor visit was $160, and my debit card groaned but spit it out into the machine. However, the tiny bottle of drops (generic) was $143! Ouch!!! That had to go on a credit card since I haven't even paid this month's bills yet. I sure do hope those drops do the trick. I was kind of expecting to pay $4 or so at Wal-Mart, too. And what world am I living in, I wonder?

I'm knocking on all the wood I can find right now, hoping that nothing else will happen until I can rely on the government a little in December. This experience gave me a down-to-earth idea of why so many people are struggling with healthcare issues and why I'm so adamant that the U.S. is so far behind other countries in assisting their people. It isn't funny.

Let There Be Light, But Just Not So Much

2011-07-15T03:50:00.002-05:00

Since I've been sleeping outside on the patio for at least a week, I've pretty much gotten used to it being, if not completely dark, at least almost there. However, tonight screams daylight. Woke up about 12:00 to a beautiful moon so full and bright I thought it was noon instead of midnight. (slight exaggeration there, but not a lot). To top it off, my mom was still awake in the living room, reading, and that light spread outside to the patio. Then there are the ubiquitous streetlights. When I sleep in the bedroom, one shines directly into the window. Several months ago I quietly and sneakily unscrewed the bulb and no one noticed for a month. Perhaps it's time to do it again. Now I'm wide awake and have been catching up on friends' blogs, especially those from Sebastian, who I met several years ago in Kanab, Utah. He has been living in a small Casita trailer which he tows to various out-back and off-road places, and writes about the experience living "off the grid" with his cats. Although I don't think I'd like to spend most of my time so far away from civilization, this time in San Diego, with all the traffic, noise, light pollution, people, and speed of life has convinced me of the need to just get away from it all for a while, if only for a short time. The RV patiently awaits. Now if the price of gas would just go down a little more.

Transportation Decision

2011-04-22T09:36:00.001-05:00

I've now been living in East San Diego County for six months and it's been okay so far. But, I can't keep from comparing the area to the way it was when I grew up here so many years ago. Like most other big cities, it's become too big with far too many people and few areas of actual quiet. Right now my jobs require a lot of driving from one area of the county to another. With the price of gas rising each day, now anywhere from $4.09 to $4.35 per gallon, I needed to make a decision. I could accept only those jobs within a small radius of my home, I could quit them completely, or I could find other transportation options.

I used to enjoy driving. However, I don't like to drive here any longer. Using freeways, I am able to get just about anywhere, using surface roads to complete a trip. But, that convenience is marred by too darned many other vehicles going at too fast a speed. It's marred by too many speed bumps, by too many dead ends, by too many roads that go nowhere, by too many "Right Turn Only" signs, by the need to make too many U-turns, by the need to shift gears in my pickup constantly on surface streets, by too-long waits at huge intersections, and especially by my impatience with all of these things.

Yesterday I discovered that I am old enough for a Senior Transit Pass, paying $18 a month instead of the normal $72 for unlimited rides on buses and trolleys. Considering that it now takes at least $50 to fill my gas tank, it's a no-brainer. Yes, trips will take much longer. Yes, I'll need to plan trips ahead of time. And yes, I'll need to do a little more walking from stop to stop. But I also see it as an adventure, as a way to thumb my nose at oil companies, and as a way to do my small share to make this planet a little greener.

The adventure begins today with a very short walk down the hill to the bus stop, a bus ride to the El Cajon Transit Center,

and a short walk from there to Parkway Plaza Shopping Center for a mystery shop.

Then it's a walk back to the transit center and a trolley and bus ride into San Diego for another shop.

Finally, after a bus ride back to the trolley stop, it's another trolley ride back to El Cajon

and a bus up to the mountain city of Alpine. That bus stops directly at my destination so that will be handy. From there, I can ride the bus back to where I began, walk up the hill, and I'm home. We'll see how it goes.

While living in Portland, Oregon, I used to ride the MAX light rail everywhere, and buses where the MAX didn't go. So, there's really no reason not to get into that habit again. It might be interesting to keep track of how much gas I DON'T use this coming month.

Food Instead of Football

2011-03-22T12:59:00.000-05:00

Conversion of college football field to an organic farm.
This story about a small Texas college converting their football field to an organic farm is probably one of the best things I've read in quite a while. I especially enjoyed reading about students' experiences eating carrots right out of the ground for the very first time, without even any ranch dressing to cover up the taste. There is hope.

Beach Thoughts

2011-02-01T17:54:00.011-06:00

I drove the twenty miles down Hwy 52 to La Jolla Shores this morning to take a long walk on the beach and snap some pictures for friends in Oklahoma and Ohio. Thought they might like to warm up a little. It was a beautiful, sunny day though not extremely warm. However, there were lots of walkers, surfers, joggers, and cyclists taking advantage of the sunny weather.

While walking down to the Scripps pier, my mind leaped from one topic to the next. So, this will most likely be somewhat disjointed, with no apparent organization. Not exactly stream of consciousness, but close.

On the way to the beach, I stopped for an oil change in the pickup since it had been over 5,000 miles since the last one. They tried to fix the "check engine" light, which has been on now for about two years. No place I've taken the vehicle has been able to figure out what is wrong. They reset it but the light comes back on as soon as I start the engine. So, I'll take it into a mechanic next week to see if they can figure it out. I need to have the light stay off in order to pass the smog test here, needed to register the vehicle in California.

While listening to KPBS while driving, I heard an interview with the author of The Gangster We Are All Looking For. When asked her thoughts about living in San Diego, she said she thinks it's necessary to leave for a while, then return, to really appreciate living here. Although I was born and lived here for 28 years, I loved my 35 years in Oregon and would go back in a minute. I also enjoyed my short time in Kansas and Oklahoma, except for the weather extremes. In the middle of a hot, muggy summer in Oklahoma, I attempted growing my hair longer and found out it still had some natural curl. Not a pleasant sight.

No, I don't like the high prices of everything here, the number of people, standing in long lines for just about everything, or freeway traffic. But, the weather trumps all of it. That, and the beach. My body must be composed of 99% saltwater or something.

After walking in the tide line down to the pier and back, I sat on top of a picnic table in the grassy area and just people-watched for a while. I pulled out a new package of Fig Newtons, marveling at the easy-open pull tab on the top. That made it just too easy to pig out a bit. At least those cookies are fairly healthy. There's no way I'd dare to buy peanut butter filled Oreos with the same top: they'd be gone in less than ten minutes. And, my teeth would be black.

BTW, how do you eat Oreos? I've always carefully separated them, eating the filling first, then the cookies. My friend Lou eats the whole thing at once.

Back to the picnic table. I loved seeing the wonderfully-colored and decorated surfboards. One of them was blue and green plaid. Another was bright yellow with flowers. One guy had bought a bright, shiny red board, and someone else carried one that was light blue with a dark blue, diagonal stripe. All of them now come with an ankle strap to keep the board from getting away too far.

I watched a group of college guys play touch football in the sand. And, I read for a while, A Year by the Sea, by Joan Anderson. This quote made me think for a little bit: "Sometimes I think women are like the fog. We have a knowledge of what is underneath, but our real selves are obscured by what others think of us."

Food for thought.

Yellow Snow

2011-02-01T08:52:00.000-06:00

This is dedicated to all my friends in frozen areas this morning, especially those of you who have animals to take care of. Dr. Demento used to play this Frank Zappa song all the time. It's fitting somehow. Enjoy - and STAY WARM!

Mystery Shopping

2011-01-31T14:05:00.000-06:00

Because a number of people have asked me questions about Mystery Shopping such how to do it, how to get assignments, and so forth, I decided to put together a short post of some of the information I've found most helpful.

I've done mystery shopping for several years, and during that time it's been fun to observe and report about both excellent as well as terrible customer service. I've acted as a prospective member of fitness centers, inquired about cell phone plans, computer monitors, and party supplies, performed gas station audits, checked for serial numbers on the back of ice cream freezers, watched hundreds of movie previews (trailers), tried on clothing, shopped for new furniture, and eaten lots of fast food. The possibilities are as endless as the commercial establishments that use mystery shoppers to hopefully improve their customer service and sales.

If you're interested in making a little extra money as an independent contractor, I'd suggest doing some reading and research first to learn exactly what is required and to discover if you have what it takes to be successful. I've found the following two websites invaluable and immensely helpful.

Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) is a good place to begin. Please check out their website and bookmark it as a favorite as I'm sure you'll return to it again and again. It offers a wealth of information as well as constantly updated shopping assignments from a wide variety of mystery shopping companies.

Volition provides extensive A-Z lists of the many, many shopping companies you can sign up to represent.

Probably the most time-consuming part of becoming a mystery shopper is signing up for various companies. I've usually found those companies on volition.com. All companies require information such as name, address, phone number, email address, height, weight, gender, and so forth. You might be asked to provide a sample or two of your writing. Each company is different because each company represents a variety of companies. Some of them notify you of possible assignments by email; for some you will need to check their site for available jobs. So, be sure to bookmark all of the companies you sign on with. Also be sure to note the user name and password you use.

Here are just a few of the companies for which I have completed many assignments.

Business Evaluation Service

Second to None

Market Force

Blogs represent another excellent way to gain information from shoppers' experiences and hints. Here are only a few I found from a Google search.

8 Truths from a Mystery Shopper You Must Read Before you Get Started

Mystery Shopping Coach’s Update

Blogs About Mystery Shoppers

I realize this is just a very tiny bit of information about the field of mystery shopping. While doing your own research, you'll find your own favorites. However, I hope these ideas will at least get you started.

Compassion in Action, Working with the Homeless

2011-01-26T23:23:00.000-06:00

Since pretty much giving up the nomadic RV life several months ago and returning to San Diego to live, I've become more and more involved in homeless advocacy and assistance projects. At a training meeting with other volunteers for the Point-In-Time Count nationwide count of the homeless this week, I began wondering why I'm so passionate about these activities and decided to try to find a beginning point, something that got me started. However, my memory is a little fuzzy about many years ago, most likely when Reagan was president, so I won't use that as a starting point. But, that time is indeed a beginning.

While going to seminary in Seattle from 1999 to 2003, I began noticing more and more people on street corners and freeway on and off ramps, holding signs offering to work for food or requesting money. In a field work class, one of my classmates, a rather quiet, unassuming young man, spent much time walking around downtown Seattle, stopping to talk with homeless individuals. I was impressed that he could do that. It tugged at me in ways almost nothing else had for a long time. However, at the time I was not prepared to do it myself.

After graduation, I returned to San Diego to do a year-long CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) residency with the Center for Urban Ministry, hoping to be assigned an internship with one of the homeless shelters downtown. At that time, San Diego County had just experienced several of the worst wildfires in history. Seventeen people had died, and many, many were left with no place to live. The head of the CPE program asked if I would be interested in being a chaplain-intern with those fire survivors, so I did. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I had ever done. My office was my small Nissan Sentra and my cell phone. I visited people wherever they were; in tiny motor homes, in tents, in half-burned buildings, in motels, in the homes or relatives or friends. I tried to give them hope. Possibly I succeeded. Little did I realize at the time that I would soon be in a similar situation.

Because of a well-paid job that just didn't work out, I found myself without enough money to pay rent on the rather-overpriced apartments in the county. It wasn't as serious as it could have been as I could have possibly lived with a relative or even returned to Portland. However, I was newly divorced and really needed to "stand on my own two feet." So, I bought a very small motor home, 23-feet, traded the Sentra for a Ford pickup I could tow behind the RV, sold or gave away almost everything I owned, joined workamper.com, and found a job in Kanab, Utah, working as a breakfast buffet server for Parry Lodge. It was my first workamping job, one that provided not only an RV site, but also full hookups of water, electricity, and sewer, as well as pay for all hours worked. But, I was technically homeless, though not in an ordinary sense.

Living in that very small space of one room with no separate bedroom, helped me understand a little better how the people I had tried to help in San Diego after the fires might have felt. Some of them had the same size motorhomes for their families of two or more people. I had a hard enough time taking what one person called "hokey-pokey showers," you know, "put your right foot in, put your right foot out..." I couldn't imagine two, three, or more family members doing it.

I was a full-time workamper for four years, working at various places during spring, summer, and fall. However, winters were difficult as there were very few jobs. Most workamping jobs were seasonal. So, I struggled to find places to live during the winter without having to pay an outrageous amount for space rent. Sometimes I parked in casino and Walmart parking lots for several nights. I volunteered one or more days a week at the Desert View Tower overlooking the desert in return for a spot to park that included electricity, water, and a fantastic view. Although not living on the street or in a shelter, I was technically homeless.

However, it was time to find a more permanent place so I returned to San Diego to live with my mother. It is working out well for both of us.

Two months ago I saw a request for volunteers for "Homeless Connect," a one-day event downtown that provided resources for the homeless population of the county; clothing, medical and dental attention, food, pet care, legal advice, spiritual assistance, haircuts, and many more. I worked as an escort, helping a 60-something woman find her way around the large room to get the services she needed. We talked a lot and got well-acquainted. Yes, I most likely knew in my mind that homeless individuals were people just like you and me, but it never really sank in until then.

I talked with representatives of some of the many advocacy and aid groups in the county and learned about the Point-In-Time Count (PITC) this coming weekend. It is a national program that counts the homeless population each year at the same time in all areas. The tallies are entered into a large database and used to help get more funding for homeless work. So I will be among more than 550 other volunteers getting out there very early Friday morning, counting homeless individuals.

What comes next? I have no idea. However, I am making lots of connections with groups in the area such as the Interfaith Shelter Network, and will be doing a little volunteer work with them through my Unitarian Universalist church in the next few months.

Yes, I am passionate about this work and hopefully compassionate towards the many homeless people in this county. There are too many. And, the economic and unemployment situation now just makes everything worse. We all need one another, regardless of political or religious beliefs, and I really hope I'm doing my part to at least help with some basic needs. It's the least I can do.

Let's Hear it for Chaplains

2011-01-21T07:02:00.000-06:00

I think it's amazing what the change of one letter can do sometimes.

Notes from Social Media for CEOs Bootcamp

2011-01-20T17:34:00.000-06:00

Social Media Bootcamp for CEOs

John Larson

Westin – San Diego

Jan. 19, 2011

500 million people on Facebook alone. 62% of people using social media are between 25 and 54 years old. 71% are employed, median age is 33, 47% married.

Point of using social media for business is to build relationships with large groups of people. A two-way conversation with your target audience. Leverage technology. Customers listening to each other and tuning out marketing messages. There is always a conversation going on about your industry. At least use social media to protect your brand.

“Turn strangers to friends. Friends to customers. Customers to evangelists.”

Old School	New School
Telegram	Twitter
Yearbook	Facebook
Rolodex	LinkedIn
Television	YouTube
Newspaper	Blogs
Encyclopedia	Google
Yellow Pages	Google

In using social media, don’t:

Tell friends about bad food
Beg people to buy from you
Carry on a monologue. Instead, build relationships
It is not just setting up environments and not doing anything with them

Large, Fortune 500 companies: 65% use Twitter, 54% use Facebook. On average, they post 27 Tweets and 4 FB posts per week. They post 10 videos and 7 blogs per month.

How to use social media to the best advantage

Develop your strategy first.

Define:

Goals, objectives, target audience, conversion activities (what you want people to do), budget, and resources.

Measure:

Performance goals

Branding goals

Cost per lead

Cost per acquisition

Refine:

Make changes for improvement

Create new objectives

Manage by exception i.e. Why?

If You Regularly	Your Profile
Blog, podcast, tweet, video	Creator
Write reviews, post replies	Critic
Update your profile	Joiner
Watch videos, read blogs	Spectator
None of the above	Inactive

You need to be a creator and a critic. Figure out and engage with people already having a conversation about your industry.

How to make informed decisions and “Lead with value.”:

Use archived knowledge such as spec sheets, technical data. Write blog articles using that knowledge.
Use real-time knowledge to influence buyers’ decisions
Use humor (check out Old Spice videos on YouTube)
Use products

Don’t be a narcissist.

There is a time commitment – resources and manpower needed

Ask questions and for opinions. Stay relevant

Focus on your niche.

Educate – train customers to buy. Use key words and phrases on your website.

Tactics in a nutshell – short overview

Listening: to identify who you want to build relationships with
Build community – grow social media environment i.e. friends and followers
Broadcast – post stuff. Drive people to your content
Content – if people want to share
Convert

Tactics – long version

Listening:

Key phrase research, include misspellings.
Google Alerts. Set up on Google so they will alert you when people use your key phrases, etc.
Twitter – search bar, hash tags (# in front of key word or phrase)
SocialMention.com – it will search through media environments, real time.
Industry sites and blogs. For example, websites listed in industry mags.

Build Community:

Use “Follow” buttons on website
Email-blast customers and prospects, under guise of customer service.
Tweet, blog, post. People will follow you.
Leverage search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM)

Broadcasting:

Begin engaging with target audience
Link social sites together to push content across multiple channels. Can use: One tfor Twitter – I can’t read my own writing but available on Twitter home page. Also Ping.fm and Hootsuite. Only need to type a message once. One click of a button will post to many sites.

“For every nine non-commercial broadcasts, you earn the right to one promotional one.”

Content:

Define tone/voice. Do you want to be humorous, serious, just facts, personal, etc.? Have the company voice.
Leverage content across media types using videos, blogs, etc.
Make your content more than valuable: Make it remarkable (people will remark about it).

Content ideas:

Success stories/case studies
Product comparisons
Top 10 lists
Write something controversial i.e. maybe write an opposite opinion in a blog.

Convert – to get leads, etc.:

Enable people to request a catalog.
Offer free consulting – do a service for someone, help solve a problem
Promotional products – to get contact information
Offer an online webinar/workshop

To maximize conversions:

Enable people to know what’s in it for them.
How to take the next step. Be very clear and specific about this. If you’re not mailing anything, don’t ask for a mailing address. People don’t like this.
Send follow-up thank you by email
Invite people to follow you on other sites.

Monitoring:

Use Dashboard software

Aggregate view
Real time

Analytical data

Use Google Analysis (free)

Social Media Cornerstones

Twitter:

Be human. Let your personality shine through. (Check zappos.com CEO Tony)
Tweet 3-7 times per week at a minimum. For example, Dell Computers tweets coupons.
Always personally reply to new followers
Build a professional-looking profile

Facebook – 500 million people:

Set up a company page
Post 3 or more times a week – each business day
Add “Like” feature to page
Add video from YouTube

LinkedIn:

More business oriented than Facebook or Twitter. Google loves LinkedIn
Update personal status 3 – 5 times per week
Create company profile with key words in mind
Connect your blog to your personal profile and company profile
Start a group tailored to your target audience with lots of links

Blog:

This should be the central command post for all your content.
Blogs never go away – they last forever and can be found.
You can aggregate other things like Twitter, FB, etc. Optimize with key phrases and words.
Should have a professional appearance
Post a blog at least 4 times per month and/or once a week.
Post the blog headline on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn to let people know it’s there
Post a related video on YouTube

Link to sign-up for email newsletter
Link to embedded video
Social environment links (buttons) should be at the top in plain sight for easy use

YouTube (This is the main thing right now):

Post one new video a month.
Not the place for amateur hour. Should be professional, TV-quality video
Keep it short and optimize. People have short attention spans. Approximately 1-3 minutes
Post videos on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
Videos are 53 more times likely to get on the first page of search engines
YouTube is the second most favorite with search engines. 2.6 billion visitors per day.

Read “Business Week”, July 15, 2010 article about social media.

Social Media Professionals:

Position	Annual Average Salary
Social Media Strategist	$120,000
Community Manager	70,000
Copywriter/blogger	40,000
Video production	50,000

Working in a Barn - a P.S.

2010-10-17T12:28:00.000-05:00

P.S. Before being turned into a theater, the Old Barn at Parry Lodge in Kanab, Utah used to be a working barn. There's a very good chance that Trigger, Buttercup, Silver, Scout, and one of the many horses John Wayne used got to sleep there during movie filming.

There also used to be a speakeasy-type club in back called The Black Cat where the stars used to go for their entertainment. Kanab has always been quite a quiet, Mormon town, and even though it's fairly close to Las Vegas, sometimes a little liquid refreshment or a game of cards on site hit the spot. The place burned down long ago, and not many people know about it. Now you do.

Working in a Barn

2010-10-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

Like me, I'm sure you've occasionally done something stupid enough that someone asked, "Were you raised in a barn?" Well, although I was definitely not RAISED in that barn, I've now spent lots of time in one. Since beginning work at Parry Lodge in Kanab, Utah on April 1, I've hung around in a barn three hours a night, five nights a week, showing old Western movies that were filmed in this area.

Being raised during the 1950s and '60s, I grew up watching the Lone Ranger and Tonto save the West from the bad guys, the ones who almost always wore black hats. I very seldom missed an episode of "Gunsmoke" or "Daniel Boone," or "Have Gun, Will Travel," but gave absolutely no thought to where those TV shows were filmed. But now I know.

Have you ever heard of Kanab, Utah? Before coming here four years ago to work at Parry Lodge, I didn't know this place existed until my brother once told me that he and his wife were considering moving here. My intelligent comment at the time was, "Where?" They didn't, but I've now spent a total of fourteen months here, a lot of that time showing old Western movies in The Old Barn.

All of the films we show, nineteen this season, have been filmed in this area of Kane County and Kanab, Utah. Although the fantastic red rock scenery doesn't show to good advantage in black and white, in Technicolor it's beautiful. What a great place to make Westerns!

Actor Joel McCrea starred in many movies here: "Cattle Drive" in 1951 with a very young Dean Stockwell, based on Kipling's "Captains Courageous; "Ramrod" (1947) with a luminous-looking Veronica Lake; "The Outriders" (1950) with Arlene Dahl; and one of my favorites, "Trooper Hook" (1957) with Barbara Stanwyck. That movie was ahead of its time in serving as a commentary on toleration and acceptance of differences.

Rod Cameron starred in the forgettable, at least to me, "Oh! Susanna" (1951), which has absolutely nothing to do with a Susanna other than the title music.The plot concerns strained relations at an army fort during Indian wars. He also filmed "Ride the Man Down" (1952) with Forrest Tucker, a much better movie.

Two of my favorites this season have been "The Fargo Kid" (1940) and "Wagon Train," (1940), both starring Tim Holt, the one with a beautiful smile. "The Fargo Kid" is a light Western comedy about mistaken identity.

Of course, the hands-on favorite of just about everyone this season has been "The Lone Ranger" with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, filmed in 1956. Every night it's played to a full house with applause afterward.

As in any decent old movie house, I sell freshly-made popcorn as well as soft drinks and various kinds of ice cream. The comfortable, mismatched seats once graced various rooms in the Lodge. If you get there early enough, you can choose the most comfortable ones in the place--two plaid, overstuffed rockers.

Many guests have asked me how many people usually show up for the movies and, being honest, I tell them there's really no way of knowing beforehand. It all depends on how many people are registered at the Lodge on a particular night, how many tour buses, and what country the folks on those tours are from, and how many people from the community show up for a night out. The French rarely come, most likely because of the language difference; the films were made before subtitles. However, the Japanese, as a rule, love their Westerns and their popcorn. Germans like the movies, as do the British. Most of the old Westerns have enough action to satisfy just about anyone.

Enough talking. Here are some pictures I took the other night.

End of the season reflections

2010-10-17T07:15:00.002-05:00

Here's a little Kanab "movie-in-the-barn" trivia for you. Last night I calculated just how many times I've shown the 24-minute short feature, "Return to Little Hollywood," since April 1. My first season here, I complained about having to watch "Buffalo Bill" 38 times. Well, the figure for "Little Hollywood" is now at 160 with four more to go this coming week. Gee, do you think that might be the reason I can repeat it all in my sleep? However, I really love the freedom of this job. And smoozing with guests from all over the world is wonderful fun, especially when some of them dance to the pre-film Western music or applaud at the end of "The Lone Ranger." That makes it all worthwhile.

It's the same here in the workampers RV park. As long as the place looks decent, I can pretty much do what I think needs to be done and set my own time for doing it. Getting rid of huge, still-green tumbleweeds is ideal as they take up a lot of space yet are very easy to pull up.

The trick is to time their removal right before trash-emptying Thursdays. Otherwise they get dry and stickery before I can shove them into the dumpster. But, I think it's going to take a while before I'll be able to see one in the desert somewhere and not think, "gotta pull that one up."

Goodbye, Monkey Mind

2010-09-01T17:43:00.000-05:00

Writing the cookie blog this afternoon served as a way to get back into blogging more. But much more importantly, I hope it also served to focus my thoughts a little in order to keep my "monkey mind" from jumping from thought to thought to idea to idea to idea without really focusing on anything.

I used to meditate regularly. And I thought that moving into the little RV would make that practice even easier in the small space. However, as sometimes happens, the expectation and the actuality turned out to be completely different. Perhaps in traveling from place to place, living and working in such a variety of spots, my mind also reverted to doing the same. I've found I can no longer sit still or focus on something for longer than a minute at most lately, spending lots of time on Facebook instead. As fun as that is, I feel a need to begin a regular practice again.

There is much to consider, many things to think about, people to see, jobs to do. However, I would like my meditation practice to take precedence, beginning today. After all, my experience for several years was important and challenging enough to help me decide to become a minister and appreciate the wonderful experience of three years in seminary in Seattle. But somewhere along the way I changed. And I miss that other me very much.

More later.

The Cookie Lady

2010-09-01T17:24:00.000-05:00

While volunteering at A Third Place Community Center in Turley, Oklahoma last year, I became known as "The Cookie Lady." Simple enough--every time I drove the 35 miles down there from Bartlesville, OK, I took along a supply of homemade cookies. They disappeared quickly and people started expecting them. And, who was I to disappoint such wonderful people! Of course, that's when I was living in a small house and had the use of a regular oven and even a bit of counter space.

Remembering how much people appreciated those cookies, I started making them for the night front desk people at Parry Lodge here in Kanab, Utah. This time it's a little more difficult because the RV I'm living in doesn't have an oven nor counter space. I use the toaster oven and shuffle things around a bit in order to get enough room to make the cookies, and it works. Just takes a little patience. I've also started taking them on the nights I need to show the Western movies in the hotel coffee shop instead of in the barn, figuring since we can't have popcorn, soft drinks, or ice cream, at least people can have cookies, coffee, and ice water. After all, who ever watches a movie without something to nibble on?

The most popular ones are the Oatmeal/Raisin/Chocolate Chip cookies, followed by regular Toll House cookies. I even found a great recipe for gluten-free oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies for a friend.

Ingredients are the key. I use real butter, fresh and unsalted, that I've found at The Dairy Store in Colorado City, AZ, a short drive through the desert on the way to Hurricane or St. George, Utah. That makes a mediocre cookie into an excellent one. We're lucky here because we can order really fresh eggs from a friend. Those also make a huge difference. And I always wonder, why bother using fake chocolate chips when real ones taste so wonderful?

Of course, it's so hard not to chow down on the cookie dough or the finished cookies. I haven't figured out a good way to handle that problem except willpower. Unfortunately, that's sometimes in short supply!

July 31 Thoughts While Sitting Outside with a Glass of Bailey's Irish Cream

2010-07-31T22:35:00.000-05:00

I'm looking at an expanse of red mud in what used to be a pretty good looking garden here in the high desert of Utah. A big thunderstorm with heavy rain last night did a better job of dirt removal and moving than even the best heavy machinery. It did a pretty good job here, making it necessary for two of us to spend quite a while cleaning things up, using, of all things in the desert, a snow shovel to clear the mud off cement patios. However, the results three miles away in Kanab itself were even worse. Streets, parking lots, and yards were covered with thick red mud. Motel swimming pools resembled the red sea. Workers were out in force trying to clean up all the mess, in some places bringing in large tanker trucks full of water for the cleanup job. Water and mud oozed its way under doors in apartments, houses, motel rooms, and stores. Not pleasant.

Here are some pictures Fran Meadows took early this morning on her way to work.

Yesterday I bought a book by Craig Childs called The Secret Knowledge of Water. Looking through it this morning, I discovered a chapter entitled "Flood at Kanab." I've always been quite a believer in synchronicity but that was just a little too much.

While looking out at the red mountains behind us tonight, I also thought of friends and former colleagues who have spent two to three days in Phoenix, Arizona demonstrating and participating in actions against Senate Bill 1070. Many of them were Unitarian Universalist ministers and lay people, and a large number were arrested for standing up for their beliefs and for the people who will be most affected by this insane Arizona law. I'm so glad that Federal Judge Bolton rescinded the worst parts of it. However, it still took affect yesterday. One friend emailed me tonight with her experiences overnight in jail. Although I'm still not entirely convinced I'd be brave enough to get arrested, I'm leaning more and more in that direction, realizing it's more important to stand up for something I believe in than just pretend it will go away or that someone else will do something about it. I feel so proud of everyone who participated and know that if at all possible I will count myself among them next time.
Lee Marie Sanchez, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim, California, wrote this letter to her congregation about her experience in Phoenix.

Dear UUCA'ers ~

Dawn Usher and I were released from jail today

after spending about 30 hours in Joe Arapaio's

dungeon... otherwise named the Maricopa County

Jail. We were arrested after taking part in a

Civil Disobedience action at a huge intersection

outside of Arapaio's office at Cesar Chavez Park.

This experience is beyond words to describe it.

We began the morning by getting up at 2 am to

be at a prayer vigil with people who had been

praying and fasting for 104 days. We marched

to Trinity Episcopal Church for an huge interfaith

and very inspirational bilingual worship service.

Then we walked a couple more miles where we joined

with about 30 other protesters from Puente and

other local organizations but of which about half

who were Unitarian Universalists. Dawn and I had

taken hours of training the night before but nothing

could compare with what happened. We marched

in a solid square of human beings into the intersection

where we were met with police in riot gear. The

scene was like something out of a movie, with literally

thousands of supporters massed down the boulevard

and hundreds of Phoenix police surrounding us, asking

us to move. We did not comply. The sound was really

deafening as after about a half hour of our peaceful,

but loud, chanting, singing and speaking, the police

moved in to tell us that we would be arrested.

I have to give the Phoenix police credit as they made

every effort to be polite and helpful as they unlinked

our arms and handcuffed us, taking all our valuables

and putting us into police vans.

We were taken to the the Maricopa Sheriff Jail and,

while I was given what I felt was some special attention

as I was wearing my clergy shirt and collar, I am an

older woman and I am white, not everyone was treated

this way. Some experienced rough and rude handling.

When we arrived we were taken out of the vans but

then placed back in as our UU Presient Peter Morales

and Susan Frederick-Gray, minister of the UU Church

of Phoenix, along with Puente people and other UU

ministers moved in to blocked the jail entrance. We

watched in horror as the sheriffs inside the belly of

the beast prepared in riot gear, shields at the ready,

and tear gas canisters in hand, scrambled to counter.

Everything broke loose, it was angry, crazy, chaos,

controlled by the overwhelming police force. Drums

were beating, people yelling...like a movie scene.

I will tell you more about the actual jail experience

later. For now, let me tell you it was horrendous.

We occupied several cells, mostly UU's by this time,

with men in some and women in about three. We had

the lights on for 24 hours, were watched by men and

women guards constantly, no clocks, not enough of

the cinder block seating for all of us. When we tried

to sleep it was without blankets or pillows right down

on the very hard, cold floor! Yes, on the floor, but

not everyone could even lay down, some stood.

We were joined by several women from the general

jail population, as well as Puente women. We sang,

chanted, tried to share the cramped space, used an

open-to-view toilet and were constantly moved about

from cell to cell to disorient us. Our only food was

peanut butter, oranges, packaged cookies and a little

bottle of sugary drink.. NO cups for the water in

the sink. The 2 phones usually did not work and we

had no idea what time it was or what was happening.

We were "awoken" (those few who slept) at approx

2 am for our cells to be cleaned & we moved again.

That night the UU's and Puente and others held a

prayer vigil outside the jail and we could hear the

drum beats outside the thick walls. The next day

after hours more of "processing" we were released.

I hope never to experience such an inhumane and

humiliating experience again. Dawn and I now have

a police record, we have pleaded not guilty and have

an August court date to return to AZ. More later...

I thank you all for supporting this action and the

two of us and I hope our church action was a success.

Apparently, we had lots of press, CNN, local AZ and

even the OC Register. More pictures and YouTubes will

be available soon and I'll send some of them along.

Tomorrow we need to keep collecting our gear which

was all over as we were not allowed to have ANYTHING

in the jail. There are more actions planned. Right now

as I type this Dawn & I are completely exhausted after

2 days with no sleep and a terrible jail experience,

but our feelings of deep commitment along with the

friends we made with women of many colors & faiths

has left us with a feeling that nothing will ever again...

~ Standing on the Side of Love, feeling an overwhelming

sense of gratitude, & with more stories to tell about our

shared experiences, with love & !Si se puede! Lee Marie

Go here for all the late-breaking stuff happening now!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Standing-on-the-Side-of-Love/87377228013

and here for what was in the OC Register!

http://www.ocregister.com/news/phoenix-260006-arrested-civil.html

Forgiveness

2010-07-18T15:28:00.000-05:00

For the past few days, I've been reading an excellent book by Paul Rogat Loeb, Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time. It looks like I have an older copy because in searching for the Amazon webpage, I found the subtitle is now "Living with Conviction in Challenging Times." Interesting.

Several years ago my youngest daughter gave me one of Loeb's other books, The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear. The title was more prophetic than I believe she knew at the time.

However, this blog entry won't be any kind of book review. No, I found two very meaningful quotes in Soul of a Citizen that I'd like to share. The first is from one of my favorite authors, Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen: "To forgive another person from the heart is an act of liberation. We set that person free from the negative bonds that exist between us. We say, 'I no longer hold offense against you.' But there is more. We also free ourselves from the burden of being the 'offended one.' The great temptation is to cling in anger to our enemies and then define ourselves as being offended and wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, liberates not only the other but also ourselves. It is the way to freedom of the children of God."

The second quote is from Doris Donnelly: "Without forgiveness, hurts grow unchecked and we recycle failures, resentments, bitterness, and mistrust in our lives. With forgiveness, hurts are acknowledged and healed, and we are able to break a mindless cycle of retaliation by saying that the decisions of human life, even when they turn out badly are not beyond repair."

Strong stuff - and particularly meaningful for me at this time.

Water

2010-07-14T16:57:00.000-05:00

I've been having thoughts about water today.

It's been very hot here in Kanab, Utah for about a month now, up into the mid- and high 90s. However, the humidity is low so it's almost bearable with enough air conditioning---and cold drinks.

Marcie and Jim never go anywhere without a large supply of bottled water in the back of their car. They pass it out to anyone who needs it or would like it.

Other places, such as parts of Oklahoma, aren't so lucky. There the heat index, a combination of high temperatures and high humidity, is around 116 degrees today. Some people have air conditioned vehicles, work places, and homes, while many others have to do without.

Ron Robinson in Turley, Oklahoma writes "...extreme Heat Alert so we have turned A Third Place Community Center into a Cooling Station. Free Water, AC, and all our other services--food pantry, clothing, computers, TV, library, etc. Now off to see about setting up water station at the main bus stops here that have no shelter from elements. If you can drop off ice or water or lemonade, etc. much appreciated." Ron also pointed out that, as a heart patient, he has a car with A/C, cold juice and water available, A/C at the center and at home, but not all heart patients, especially in that area where life expectancy is significantly reduced, have access to those things.

Crystal Cheryl in Okmulgee, Oklahoma "...took some iced tea out to the city tree trimmers working in this heat -- sweet, lots of ice -- on a tray with real glasses. They [the workers] were resting in the shade on my back lawn and their faces lit up with big smiles when I came out with the cold drinks. Boy, did that make my day! Living in the blisssssss .... ♥ I think Ron inspired me. And I actually had to wrestle with myself. Had only a little ice made, and only half a pitcher of tea that I had just made -- was tempted to keep the tasty treat for myself. Such silly inner struggles with selfishness."

In the deserts of San Diego County in California, hundreds of people attempt to cross the border from Mexico for various reasons. They find hostility that extends to laws prohibiting others from providing food or water.

In March, before leaving for Utah for seven months, I volunteered for part of a day with Water Station, a group in San Diego County that places and regularly replenishes supplies of water at about 200 spots around the desert and other places people cross during blistering summer heat. Many of those sites can only be reached by high clearance 4WD vehicles. No matter what your stand about illegal immigrants, they cannot die for lack of water.

Do you know individuals or groups who freely and unselfishly provide water and cold drinks to others with no requirements or fanfare? Please tell about them in the Comments section here.

A Perfect Day

2010-07-02T22:51:00.002-05:00

Just a few evening observations after a very hot, windy day in Kanab, Utah. I've been sitting outside watching the sun set, enjoying a fairly large glass of Bailey's Irish Cream, savoring the creamy taste. The wind has died down just enough to make it very pleasant to watch the gentle rustling of the cottonwood trees. My Earth Day flag blows sideways in the breeze. The temperature is just about perfect-not too hot, just right. I read a little from a library book, Miriam's Kitchen, by Elizabeth Ehrlich about her growing understanding about the importance of preserving her Jewish roots. I think about all the shopping bags I've finished in the past few weeks, all of them now hanging in the front of my RV, awaiting new owners. I treasure all of the plants now doing well in our impossible garden in the high desert of Utah, composed of red, sandy dirt. Nothing except cactus would grow without copious quantities of purchased garden soil in large, black plastic pots. However, with daily early-morning watering, all the tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, lemon cucumbers, Swiss chard, radishes, Kentucky Wonder beans, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, and zucchini are thriving. Petunias of all colors: purple and white striped, white, pink, and purple show off in baskets. Tiny Portulaca flowers spring out from small aluminum and pewter containers. Hummingbirds and orioles drink enough nectar to make daily refilling of their feeders a necessity. Part of a day was spent in Hurricane doing needed shopping with good friends and their dog.

Life is definitely good.

Garden Magic in Kanab, Utah - Phase 3

2010-06-11T20:26:00.000-05:00

I need to get things ready to sell at the Farmer's/Craft Market tomorrow morning so for now will just post some pictures I took of our garden this morning.

This is really an adventure and I think things are growing quite well, considering first the freezing weather, the constant high winds, and now temperatures in the high 90s for over a week.

In a nutshell, we've transplanted several cacti found in the hills: some grew, some didn't. We bought plants and good organic planting soil to make up for the rocky, hard, poor soil here and so far it's working well, either alone of mixed with the red sandy soil here.

Everything else we've bought for next to nothing at garage sales and thrift stores as well as found free. The birdbath bowl cost $1.00, and we found the stand in a pile of junque at the side of the road. Jim built the structure in front of the twig fence to hid the hose.

This is definitely a labor of love as well as a work in progress.

Geezers Gone Wild

2010-06-02T08:03:00.001-05:00

Geezers Gone Wild

Okay, I admit it: I really like this one for some reason, especially the many comments. It reminds me of my mother who, at age 82, bought a sporty, bright red car because it was "calling" to her. Not only that, but she asked me to find her some red sunglasses with rhinestones to wear while driving it. And she's driven that car ever since. Who knows, maybe my "wildness" was buying the RV and pickup and selling/giving away everything else, living in that small RV, heading to places I've never been before, and working at jobs usually considered the domain of much younger people.

No, I'll never drive that big ol' Harley or piss along the side of the road. But I think the point is to be able choose your own "wildness" and not rely on someone' else's opinion of what a person of "advanced age" should do. The rocking chair can come later, if at all.

Peace.

The Mellowness of the Day

2010-05-27T14:36:00.001-05:00

I was going to write Phase 3 of our garden saga. However, after spending the morning sewing in the clubhouse, making items for the Farmer's Market/Craft Market, I felt the need to mellow out a little. It's been a busy few days and was time to take a little time out. After some delicious French toast for brunch with Marcie and Jim, using the very fresh eggs from Koni's chickens, I braved the ever-constant (or so it seems lately) strong wind and headed to my rig to read and listen to music before work in the barn tonight.

Right now I've got some George Winston piano music playing in the background while reading People with Dirty Hands: The Passion for Gardening, a book Marcie picked up at one of the yard sales last weekend. From the frontpiece: "Why do some people have their hands in dirt? What caused someone to become obsessed with the process of growing something, whether it is a tangle of flowers, chiles hot enough to make your eyes water, or a rambling rose plucked from a tumble-down house? Author Robin Chotzinoff took a road trip (several, actually) across America to find the answers."

It's the perfect book for a windy, mellow day, especially since I can look out over our own burgeoning garden plot while reading and listening. I can watch the cottonwood trees sway and bend in the wind, the hummingbirds and orioles argue for space at the feeders, and the flowers and herbs grow inch by inch as the ground gets warmer. And I can view all the tomato, cucumber, and pepper plants we've stuck into good soil in pots and hope they'll produce some delicious feasts. I can watch the tiny radish seedlings emerge between the chard plants, three weeks later than they should have emerged. However, the weather has just been too cold.

Yes, it's a beautiful, mellow day, one to take advantage of before hosting the movie, "Cattle Drive" in the barn tonight. Last night everyone applauded at the end of "Fort Dobbs." That's always a good sign they enjoyed themselves and the movie.

Gardening Frustrations

2010-05-25T00:17:00.008-05:00

Marcie commented in my earlier blog, Garden Magic In Kanab, Utah - Phase 2 that I hadn't mentioned the frustrations we've had with the weather lately. Here it is the end of May and we still need to watch the weather forecasts closely in order to keep plants alive. Just last night we were supposed to get rain and snow showers. People who live here year-round have all said the same thing: this is definitely not a normal spring. One woman told me tonight that the temperature is usually in the 80s by now. I've bought plants several times and tried to keep them alive. Alas, no luck. They seem to commit suicide regularly without fail.

I've been spoiled by spending many, many years gardening in Oregon. There, all I had to do was stick something in the ground--plant, seed, stick--and it would grow, lushly and lustily. It didn't matter what it was - raspberry canes, snap peas, broccoli, tomatoes, fruit trees, tomatillos - everything grew. But here, in the high desert, it's a whole other story. Very frustrating.

But, rather than mope around about the weather and gardening mishaps, I googled to see what others have written about the relation between plants, people, and weather conditions. Hope you enjoy these. At least they've gotten my mind off dead plants for a while.
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~H. Fred Dale

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling. ~Mirabel Osler

In gardens, beauty is a by-product. The main business is sex and death. ~Sam Llewelyn

Weather means more when you have a garden. There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans. ~Marcelene Cox

Plant carrots in January and you'll never have to eat carrots. ~Author Unknown

Last night, there came a frost, which has done great damage to my garden.... It is sad that Nature will play such tricks on us poor mortals, inviting us with sunny smiles to confide in her, and then, when we are entirely within her power, striking us to the heart. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The American Notebooks

Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo, gardendigest.com

There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder. ~Alfred Aust
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In the meantime, we have high hopes for these latest plantings of tomatoes, peppers, lavender, and cucumbers. Fingers, toes, and eyes are all crossed in hopes that these plants will survive to adulthood.

Garden Magic in Kanab, Utah - Phase 2

2010-05-24T16:03:00.001-05:00

When I left off at the end of the first phase, we'd just gotten started turning this 40' X 40' bare piece of desert dirt into a garden. I'd tried growing some things but the weather decided it just wasn't time to do that yet. This is why. No, it wasn't a heavy snowfall, but it snowed off and on for about three weeks, and with that snow came some below freezing temperatures. So, planting would have to wait.

While waiting, I decided to make an addition to this first path. There was still a little mulch left and even several long branches. Some of them had been burned but no problem. I placed them so we wouldn't get black legs from running into them. And, several large rocks also helped. This view is from the rear of the garden, looking toward my rig and pickup, with Marcie and Jim's motorhome at the right.

Next on the garden agenda was building a raised bed. I found some lumber in one of the stacks near the front entrance and screwed them together. In order to keep from going completely broke buying garden soil, I shoveled and hauled many buckets of red dirt from behind us. Apparently someone last year planned to use that area as a garden but never did. Of course, I still had to buy some good soil because while the red dirt MIGHT grow cactus and sagebrush, it wouldn't work for tomatoes. Since the weather seemed to be warming up, I actually planted a few jalapeño plants. They did really well---until the NEXT frost. Well, goodbye peppers.

Since a really strong windstorm had completely demolished the first fence, it was time to rebuild it. This time I sunk about eight large limbs into the ground about a foot or so. Digging wasn't too bad AFTER I got past all the rocks. I then wired a length of chicken wire to the branches. Barring a hurricane or tornado, there's no way this fence will blow over. Marcie and Jim attached the rest of the branches to the fence foundation with plastic strapping, and we decorated the resulting fence with small ornaments and birdhouses. The rowboat got a new home on the opposite side of the fence, along with the whirly thing. In the foreground is a cactus that I dug and transplanted. It's doing VERY well.

The trees are now green and beautiful.

For a while we hung the hummingbird feeders on branches. However, I found something even better for the little birds. Here's our "red" tree. I've seen as many as six hummingbirds at one or the other feeders, as well as some bright yellow orioles. It's fun to watch the bird wars when the male orioles chase away the hummers. The female orioles are very laid back and everyone co-exists nicely. But, those males seem to want it all to themselves. Of course, we've needed to refill the feeders about every other day.

Since it was still too early to plant veggies or flowers, we haunted thrift stores and garage sales for fence decorations. Here are a few of our early finds.

We also found a pair of child's boots for under one of the trees. Maybe it's our beginning of Boot Hill.

The end of Phase 2 found us with the basic bones of the garden, and getting really anxious to plant things.

Grand Canyon - North Rim

2010-05-23T13:47:00.000-05:00

Me, Jim, and Marcie on the trail to Bright Angel Point

Although I've been lucky enough to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon several times, Marcie and Jim had never been there. So, on a warm but very windy day last week, I shared the back seat with Clancy the Wonder Dog and off we went on a wonderful adventure.

After a stop at Jacob Lake for some breakfast, we headed down Highway 67 to use our Senior cards for free admission to the National Park - what a treat to be old enough for that!

We met up with Karen, one of our friends from the Workamper forums. She and her husband are back for their third year working at the North Rim, loving almost every minute of it. The nice thing, at least for us, is the nearest shopping is about 85 miles away, here in Kanab. So, I'm sure we'll see them several more times before the end of October.

The road to the park didn't open until Mother's Day because of heavy snow, and there's still some remainder of that snow. Clancy whimpered to get out and play in it as well as chase a deer or two she saw from her perch on my lap. Nope, sorry Clancy.

We explored the short, but steep, trail to Bright Angel Point, taking lots and lots of photos along the way. In addition, we offered to take pictures of couples together so they had a record of their visit.

After a wonderful lunch at the Lodge, where I had a Navajo Taco on fry bread, Marcie ate delicious beef stew in a bread bowl, and Jim opted for the pasta and salad buffet, we explored the gift store and the bookstore. Back at the car, Clancy was happy to see us since dogs are not allowed on the trails.

Heading back towards Kanab, we decided to check out Point Imperial, about a 20 minute drive to what I think is one of the most gorgeous views in what I've seen of the canyon. I braved walking down to the point in wind so strong it made me very glad there was strong metal railing for protection. Otherwise, I believe I'd have flown down to the bottom of the canyon. On the way back up, a park ranger let us know they were closing the road to the point because the strong winds were blowing down trees along the road. He wasn't kidding, either, as on the way back to the main highway, we had to drive over one of those trees. Luckily it wasn't a large one.

Back to Kanab after an almost perfect day. Poor Jim had to drive most of the return trip with no one to talk to as Marcie, Clancy, and I all went to sleep.

Perhaps you've wondered why I haven't included any pictures, at least up to now. It's impossible to take a bad photo at the Grand Canyon, which means even with some judicious pruning, I still have more pictures than anyone would be comfortable viewing in this blog. So, my wonderful friend Lou made them into a nice, simple website. Just click on the link, then click on each little picture for a larger view, and Enjoy!

http://www.my-photos.us/Chris-Smith/Canyon/Index.html

Garden Magic in Kanab, Utah - Phase 1

2010-05-22T22:11:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful RV site, especially for frustrated gardeners! One of the things I've really missed while living in a motorhome is the lack of space for gardening. While in Kanab three years ago, I did try. However, the results were less than successful, and I wrote a blog about the attempt back in November 2008.http://piecingalife.blogspot.com/2008/11/eat-your-veggies.html

However, this year we have a 40' x 40' blank canvas to work with. Yes, it's in the middle of the high desert and the soil is plain old red dirt. Yes, it's been really cold for two months with lots of heavy winds, snow, and frost. But, it's our GARDEN through the end of October and we're having a wonderful time.

Here's how our canvas looked the first week of April. The whole area was covered with tumbleweeds and snow. Doesn't look too promising, does it?

I waited for the snow to melt, then cleared away all the tumbleweeds that blew down from the hills behind us. That looked a little better. Now it was time to design a branch fence to mark the back of the garden area and hopefully also keep out some tumbleweeds. Here's the beginning of our first fence.

We collected branches from everywhere we went. And, the fence started looking pretty good. But, there was a slight problem---the wind. But that's later.

Next was making a path. Luckily I found lots of tree limbs and mulch from some tree cutting on the property. It was a simple thing to just lay out a path, load up buckets with the mulch, and spread it out. I first made one path.

A couple of tree stumps marked the beginning of the path. So far we hadn't spent any money on this garden, but now it was time to collect things. Both Marcie and I love yard and garage sales as well as thrift shops so we looked for what we term, "junk." I found a couple of things to hang on the fence. Then we drove out to Glendale, UT and discovered this little rowboat at a yard sale. I think we'll eventually plant something in it, but right now it just graces the back of the garden, in case of a flood.

I was getting itchy fingers to plant something and really started too soon. On a trip to Wal-Mart in Hurricane, UT one morning, I bought some herb plants, including some basil. After planting the herbs in the herb garden former workampers had made, I got really excited about all the great pesto I could make. Well, that was mistake number two (the first was not burying the fence posts deep enough.) Although it was the middle of April, it wasn't done snowing yet. Even though we covered all the little plants with plastic containers, the basil curled up and froze. However, the lavender, chives, cilantro, rosemary, and oregano still look pretty good.

So, that was the end of phase one of the garden making. Stay tuned for phase two.

Of Mice and Motorhomes

2010-03-03T18:26:00.003-06:00

After last month's experience with the mice, I thought I'd gotten rid of them once and for all. However, in the past few days I've noticed a rather foul odor by the front door with no idea what was causing it. So, remembering that the mouse/mice last month were able to get in and run around under the cooktop, I lifted it up and cleaned it really well, thinking perhaps it was mouse turds or something causing the smell. Nope, it was still there. I cleaned everything else - nope, still there.

So, I decided to take a break and read one of the new books from the library, this one Dan Brown's latest, Lost Symbol. There I was, happily comfortable on the bed, when I happened to look down on the floor for some reason and, what do my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature MOUSE (cordless), calmly sitting there munching away on a crumb of something. Normally the things just take off, but this one just stayed there, daring me to catch it. I grabbed whatever was handy (a fleece vest), scooped him/her up, and tossed the creature out the door and into the canyon.

I then shampooed the carpet (hasn't been done before) and at least the place looked clean. However, the smell still lingered by the door. In fact, it seemed to be coming FROM the door. Hmm. Oh, yeah. Two days ago I finally removed the shrink plastic from the screen areas that helped keep out the cold in Kansas and the sand/dust from the beach and the desert. Could it be that dirt and whatever else had collected on one side? Well, it was easy enough to clean it all off. Guess what? I think that did it. Who knew?

Now to destroy whatever welcome mat is attracting the creatures.

How To Begin (Changing Your Life) by Forrest Church

2010-02-17T11:05:00.008-06:00

I haven't written a blog for a while because, frankly, lately I've really had nothing to say. I've been catching up on some long-overdue reading, attempting to make a few life decisions, and enjoying a perfect spot overlooking the Anza Borrego Desert as my place to live for two months. But, in checking out the new format of the UUA website this morning, I discovered this article by the late Forrest Church. Although I've read several of his books, this concise selection of suggestions hit home with me and I'd like to share his words with you. Perhaps you might find one or more of them as helpful as I have.

Let me share with you 10 simple hints on beginning—on how to re-boot your spiritual life, if it has become automatic or stale. Getting your soul in shape may lead to awe-inspiring mystical encounters some day. Yet how to begin (or begin anew) isn’t the least bit mystifying. Here are 10 simple thoughts to launch you on your way.

Begin here. How deeply you would long for all the things you take for granted, if suddenly you lost them. So much of what we want we have already, so want what you have. Begin here.
Begin now. You have everything you need. Everything. Plus the bonus of today, one day more than you will have if you wait until tomorrow. Begin now.
Begin as you are. At your fingertips is a treasure trove of memories and dreams. Put one good memory together with one good dream and you are ready to begin. (Good memories are memories that make you feel good about yourself. Good dreams are the stuff of which tomorrow’s good memories are made.) Begin as you are.
Begin by doing what you can. No more, but also no less. Don’t throw yourself against the wall. Walk around it. You can’t do the impossible, but so much is possible. So many of the things you haven’t tried you still can do. To get around the wall, you can set out in either direction—the wall has two ends. The important thing is to start walking. Begin by doing what you can.
Begin with those who are closest to you. They can cheer you on only if you let them. Invite them to give you a hand—bow. And to lend you a hand—ask. And to take your hand—no one can take your hand, if you bury it in your pocket. You say they won’t cheer you on, help you out, or take your hand? Maybe not, but how will you know without asking? Begin by asking.
Begin by turning the page. Today you can open a new chapter of your life. If you are trapped in your story (stuck in place, botching the same old lines), revise the script. Practice a new line or two. When reading a book, we sometimes reach the bottom of a page only to realize we have been glossing its words without registering their meaning. We haven’t been paying attention. We don’t have the faintest idea what we’ve just read. So we go back to the top of the page and try to concentrate. It happens again. Sentences dissolve into words. Words into sounds. The books of our lives are no different. Resist the temptation to wallow over some dark passage until you know exactly what went wrong. You never will. Besides, perfection is not life’s goal. Neither is unnecessary pain. If you are stuck, open a new chapter. Turn the page.
Begin by cleaning up your slate. Don’t erase the past. File it by experience, to keep it handy should you need it. But don’t obsess over it. Ticking off a growing list of grievances gets you nothing from life’s store. As for the things on your "To Do" list that you’ll probably never do, place them under a statute of limitations. When they serve no longer to inspire but only to haunt you, x them off. Not only is there no reason to carry over unnecessary indictments from one day to the next, but you’ll also never reform the things you can about yourself, until you stop trying to reform the things you can’t. Begin by cleaning up your slate.
Begin by looking for new questions, not old answers. Answers close doors. Questions open them. Answers lock us in place. Questions lead us on adventures. Socrates boasted himself the most ignorant man in Athens. Each new insight raised a dozen questions, extending the compass of his ignorance. Yet beyond every ridge he climbed there lay a wider vista. The more questions we have, the farther we can see.
Begin with little regard for where your path may lead. Destinations are overrated. And never what we imagine. Even should we somehow manage to get where we are heading, we won’t end up there. Until life ends, no destination is final. In fact, the best destinations are those we look back upon as new beginnings. Good journeys always continue. So don’t be driven by desire (that empty place within you), never to rest until you reach your goal. Invest your joy in the journey.
Begin in the middle. Our lives will end mid-story, so why not begin there? Don’t wait around for the perfect starting pistol. Or until you are ready. You may never be ready. No reason to wait in the grandstand for some official to guide you to the gate. Jump the fence. Enter the race in the middle. Here. Now. As you are. By doing what you can. With those who are closest to you. By turning the page. Cleaning up your slate. Looking for new questions, not old answers. And with little regard for where your path will lead.

Finally, before you begin, a bonus suggestion—Begin small. Dream possible dreams. Set out to climb a single hill, not every mountain. Soul work needn’t be strenuous to be high impact. You can begin transforming your life with a single phone call. Or by writing a kind letter. Or by opening your blinds to let the sun flood in. Don’t say it’s nothing. It’s everything. For you have now begun.

Source: Original. Rev. Dr. Forrest Church (1948-2009) was Minister of Public Theology at the Unitarian Church of All Souls, New York City. He died on September 24, 2009, following a long illness.

Copyright: Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author

Tom Lehrer - Finally!

2010-02-08T23:27:00.020-06:00

After a day filled with movie research, trip to post office and library, doing income taxes, playing the piano, taking a long walk, and watching "Field of Dreams," it's finally time for Tom Lehrer. Thank you for being patient.

If you remember listening to Dr. Demento on the radio quite a few years ago, Tom Lehrer's music might be familiar to you. In fact, the good doctor praised Lehrer as "the best musical satirist of the 20th century." I think the first of his songs I ever heard was "Be Prepared," a parody based on the Boy Scout motto (click on the green words to hear the song).

Be Prepared

Be prepared! That's the Boy Scout's marching song,
Be prepared! As through life you march along.
Be prepared to hold your liquor pretty well,
Don't write naughty words on walls if you can't spell.

Be prepared! To hide that pack of cigarettes,
Don't make book if you cannot cover bets.
Keep those reefers hidden where you're sure
That they will not be found
And be careful not to smoke them
When the scoutmaster's around
For he only will insist that it be shared.
Be prepared!

Be prepared! That's the Boy Scouts' solemn creed,
Be prepared! And be clean in word and deed.
Don't solicit for your sister, that's not nice,
Unless you get a good percentage of her price.

Be prepared! And be careful not to do
Your good deeds when there's no one watching you.
If you're looking for adventure of a
new and different kind,
And you come across a Girl Scout who is
similarly inclined,
Don't be nervous, don't be flustered, don't be scared.
Be prepared!

I could do a lot of research but found that Wikipedia has already done that for me. So, here's whatever you've ever wanted to know about Tom Lehrer. While you're reading, I'll concentrate on entertaining you with more of his songs, beginning with "National Brotherhood Week" and "When You Are Old and Gray."

Then we have the cheerful, "We Will All Go Together When We Go." I especially love how many times he changes keys.

If you're a Southerner and proud of it, you might wish to skip this one, "I Wanna Go Back to Dixie,"

Lehrer turned to writing music for children's television with songs for the PBS show, "The Electric Company, "which my daughters grew up watching.

Here's "Silent E"

Finally, a little ahead of time but you can save it for the end of the year, "A Christmas Carol."

I hope you enjoyed this short little romp through the satirical but fun world of Tom Lehrer.

Stay Tuned for Tom Lehrer (2)

2010-02-08T19:12:00.003-06:00

It's coming - really. But the piano is such a draw up here. I've been playing Scott Joplin rags and yes, Tom Lehrer songs. And Ben's been singing along. It's like feeding a starving person - after ten months of no piano access, I'd play forever, or at least it seems so, except the Tower gets too cold this late in the afternoon as the cold air just funnels down from the top. So, now I'm back - well, I do need to take a walk before it gets dark. THEN . . . . . . . LOL!

Stay Tuned for Tom Lehrer

2010-02-08T13:40:00.003-06:00

Today's blog will have music videos and info about one of my favorite entertainers and political satirist, Tom Lehrer. However, first I need to go to the post office. More later. Here's a teaser:

President Obama - State of the Union address - January 27, 2010

2010-01-27T17:26:00.005-06:00

The president will give his first State of the Union address tonight at 9:00 Eastern time, 6:00 Pacific time. I believe it's important enough to use this blog tonight for live access. Here's the access:

JOIN THE LIVE CHAT

VISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV

Message from David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President

Good afternoon,

At 9 p.m. EST tonight, President Obama will deliver his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. Here’s what you can expect:

The President will clearly articulate the steps we need to take to continue to rebuild our economy and jumpstart private sector job creation. He’ll talk directly to you about restoring security for middle class families after a lost decade of declining household income, eroding retirement security and escalating health and tuition costs. And he’ll detail his efforts not only to better protect you and the American people at large, but also to restore America’s alliances and standing in the world.

Right after the President’s address, we’ll be open for questions on WhiteHouse.gov. So watch the President live at WhiteHouse.gov and stay tuned for a live chat immediately following with some of the President’s top policy officials.

As you know, when the President took office a year ago, he faced an array of historic challenges: an economy in freefall; job losses averaging almost 700,000 a month; a middle class under assault; two wars and badly frayed global alliances; and a staggering $1.3 trillion budget deficit.

Tonight, the President will address the progress we’ve made to rescue the economy, rebuild the middle class, and restore our standing and leadership around the world. In addition, he’ll outline what’s needed to create a new foundation for prosperity and deliver on the change you and all Americans expect and deserve.

Tune in to WhiteHouse.gov tonight at 9 p.m. EST to watch the President’s State of the Union address, then stick around to chat with some of his top policy officials.

Thank you,

David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President

Music in the Marketplace

2010-01-23T10:58:00.001-06:00

I just have to share this with you today. Thank you, Ms. Kitty, for the wonderful beginning to my morning. Couldn't help but smile!!!!

Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show

Who Would Jesus Shoot? An Update

2010-01-23T08:59:00.008-06:00

In my last blog entry, "Who Would Jesus Shoot?" I shared a blog found on the Sojourner's website about an American arms company, Trijicon, that adds Bible verse references to their guns. Although my blog received no comments, when I posted it to another forum I WAS a member of, you would have thought I'd called for the end of the world or something. Yes, the blog engendered some good conversation, but it also resulted in some quite nasty personal attacks. Rather than respond in kind, I chose to just leave that forum, deciding that it wasn't the place for honest opinions and even perhaps a little serious thought.

Anyway, that said, here is an update from the Washington Post. It includes the original commentary by columnist David Waters as well as the news that "Trijicon announced Thursday that it will stop putting biblical references on weapon scopes and other products made for the U.S. military and is sending the Pentagon kits to remove the references from weaponry already in the hands of American troops.

The Washington Post Update

I also found another article about the situation from The Christian Science Monitor

It's heartening to realize that sometimes honest opinions and questions really do make a difference. Perhaps it's the venue in which they're offered that needs to be changed.

Who Would Jesus Shoot?

2010-01-20T21:59:00.005-06:00

Tonight I was going to write a blog about all the wonderful educational sites available online, but that will wait until tomorrow. I've been in kind of a crummy mood today, mainly because of the weather and feeling lonely, and this short editorial from one of my favorite websites, Sojourners, really hit me hard. Who Would Jesus Shoot?

I'm not going to blunt my feelings or comments with small talk about war being sometimes necessary, because I don't believe it is. In fact, I once wrote a 25- page research paper about Just War Theory. I refuse to believe that killing is ever justified.

I studied and trained to be a Unitarian Universalist minister, but have more and more become part of the missional, emerging church movement, attempting to take church out of its buildings and out to the people, to the world, with a focus on the works of Jesus with his emphasis on love and compassion. War and killing had no part in his life.

Canadian Music Groups and Singers

2010-01-19T18:58:00.000-06:00

My new Canadian friend David and I spent three days at the Bluegrass Festival here in Blythe, enjoying all the wonderful American bands. So, to make things a little more even, he's now introduced me to some of his favorite Canadian music-makers, among them The Good Brothers and Valdy. So, I'd like to share a little with you on this very rainy day in the Southern California desert.

Here's a YouTube clip of one of my favorite songs performed by The Good Brothers, Don't Pet the Dog.

Another favorite is Alberta Bound.

As Valdy stated in this memorable song, Play Me a Rock and Roll Song, "This is a song of mass rejection."

Here he sings Ordinary Man:

C

2010-01-19T18:42:00.001-06:00

Well, my finger was just a little too quick just now and my unfinished blog was published. If you've already received it, please delete it. A better one is on the way.

23rd Annual Blythe Bluegrass Festival

2010-01-16T21:58:00.016-06:00

Sure do wish I could play the mandolin or the stand-up bass or the banjo because I absolutely love bluegrass music! I've had this love affair ever since seeing the movie "Deliverance" so long ago and hearing Eric Weissburg and Steve Mandel play "Dueling Banjos."

Last year two friends and I went to the Blythe Bluegrass Festival for one day, Saturday, and had a wonderful time. The weather was hot, and so was the music. We listened all day long, interspersing that with food and browsing the many booths. But, one day just wasn't enough.

So this year, I paid for a three-day pass and so far we've attended Friday and Saturday. Great stuff. Weather is not too hot, not too cold. Just perfect for listening and having fun.

Lots of bands: Audie Blaylock and Redline, winners of the 2007 Instrumental Group of the Year Award from the 18th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show; the excellent Headline Bluegrass Band, newcomers based out of Phoenix, Arizona; High Plains Tradition, who'll play tomorrow; Junior Sisk and Rambler's Choice from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia; The Larry Stephenson Band from Nashville, TN; Lonesome Otis, a newly-formed band based in Southern California; Midnight Flight from the Ozarks; Spring Creek, an award-winning band from Colorado; Whistle Stop, a family band consisting of Mom, Dad, two daughters, and a banjo-player; and Williams and Clark Expedition, led by 3-time SPBGMA "Entertainer of the Year Blake Williams.

Junior Sisk and Rambler's Choice

Spring Creek

I can't remember the name of this band, but they were excellent.

But, you can't survive a Bluegrass Festival with music alone. So, they add good food as well. Here are a few of the many food booths.

Yesterday I bought an Onion Flower but was disappointed. It looked pretty, but I've had better. This one was barely cooked.

So, today I made up for it with a delicious cheeseburger, a bag of Kettle Corn, and a butter-pecan swirled ice cream. We started the day with a $7 all-you-can-eat breakfast by the CWA, California Women for Agriculture. Scrambled eggs, link sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, orange juice, coffee, and tea. So good!

While in that building for breakfast, I wandered through the quilt show. Not as many quilts on display as last year, but I saw some beautiful ones, including one with many, many tiny squares, all hand quilted.

Some music:

Audie Blaylock and Redline. The banjo player and fiddle player are both only 21 years old. Wonderful entertainers.

Headline Bluegrass Band

Junior Sisk and Rambler's Choice

Larry Stephenson Band

Spring Creek

All in all, a fun two days, with one more day to come tomorrow.

My Comments on Aid to Haiti

2010-01-14T09:08:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I posted a blog by minister James Ford with a list of aid resources for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. This morning I received a number of comments basically stating we should concentrate our aid efforts here in the United states instead. Although I understand the thoughts behind those comments, I DO NOT AGREE.

I posted this short note to Facebook just now:

Here are some organizations listed by Bread for the World.

http://www.bread.org/learn/global-hunger-issues/how-to-help-in-haiti.html?utm_source=otheremail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=haiti

Although I understand and wholeheartedly agree that we have to focus on devastating problems in our own country, I also feel it is very short-sighted and nationally arrogant to use that argument against doing whatever we can possibly do for PEOPLE in other countries, especially those countries as poor as Haiti. Quoting from the above article,

"As the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Haiti has the highest rates of mortality for mothers, infants, and children under 5. Sixty percent of the population lacks access to basic health-care services. Most Haitians survive on less than $2 a day and depend on remittances from relatives in other countries to meet their basic needs -- remittances that have plummeted with the global recession. Even in the capital of Port-au-Prince, impoverished communities have few resources to cope with the acute impacts of this disaster."

The United States is the wealthiest nation in the world. IMHO, there is absolutely no reason, other than political and economic short-sightedness and greed, that there is such a wide gap between the rich and the poor here. But, we rest in our comfort, assured that SOMEONE ELSE will take care of things. I could go on and on, but the soapbox is too small for what I would say.

In the meantime, more than 100,000 people have died in Haiti and over 3 million people, more than a third of the population, has been affected in some way.

Annual Neologism Contest

2010-01-14T04:04:00.005-06:00

This goes to show that sometimes it's important to get up in the middle of the night for a drink of water. I'm only glad I drank the water BEFORE reading these. Otherwise I'd probably be rolling on the floor drowning in my own laughter! Thank you, Birdman. (I think...)

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words.

The winners are:

1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

3 . Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.

6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.

7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are this year's winners:

1. Bozone (n.): Substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

2. Foreploy (v): Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

3. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

4. Giraffiti (n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

5. Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

6. Inoculatte (v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

7. Hipatitis (n): Terminal coolness.

8. Osteopornosis (n): A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

9. Karmageddon (n): its like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

10. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

11. Glibido (v): All talk and no action.

12. Dopeler effect (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

13. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

14. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out..

15. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

And the pick of the literature:

16. Ignoranus (n): A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

Did You Know?

2010-01-12T13:41:00.003-06:00

Thank you to Kit Ketcham, author of Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show for this fascinating and almost unbelievable video of technological advances.

My Little Brother

2010-01-12T08:49:00.013-06:00

I’m getting reacquainted with my little brother and it feels wonderful after so many years. There are three of us kids in the family: I’m the oldest, Daren is two years younger, and Hal is the baby of the family at two years younger than Daren. One year our grandmother knit us Christmas stockings with our names on them. Hal’s says “Baby Hal.”

He was the cute one who seemed to get away with everything. So, Daren and I spent a lot of time making his life miserable, or so we thought. For example, when the whole family drove somewhere, we kids always had to sit in the back seat. So, we made sure Hal had to sit in the middle, between us. Heaven forbid we let little brother get near a window.

Fast forward to high school. I was busy trying to be a perfect student, working hard on those straight A’s which never quite happened. Daren discovered girls. Hal became a cheerleader. I missed most of his high school years because by that time I was married and no longer living at home. I do remember that he danced in quite a few musicals.

He and Linda got married when they were high school seniors. The interesting thing is, of the three of us, he is the only one who has been married only once. They recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.

After graduating from Brigham Young University with an accounting degree, Hal went to work for Sears for many years, spending much of that time as a traveling auditor. When he and their growing family moved to Chicago, then Ohio, I was busy raising my own family in Oregon, and we lost contact for many years. I’d get occasional pictures of their four kids, but they were too far away to make any kind of regular trips. Their kids grew up and began marrying and having children of their own, making my mother a great-grandmother several times over.

When Hal and Linda’s youngest daughter got married four years ago, my husband, son, and I flew to Ohio for the wedding and caught up a little with the family. But, after a few days there, we had to fly back to Oregon.

Several months ago, I drove my RV from Oklahoma to Ohio to get reacquainted. It was so much fun! Their oldest daughter and her husband and three kids flew from California, so I got to spend some time together with them as well as with the youngest daughter, her husband-to-be, and her almost-two-year-old son.

Hal and Linda now raise and show dachshunds; they have five beautiful females and one male. They also have a huge male Labrador as well as two horses that share a very comfortable life with them on five acres in northwestern Ohio.

I parked my RV in front of their large barn for almost a week, plugged into an electrical outlet in the barn, and became a part of the family again for a short time. I wrote on August 19 about my experience with the dogs in “Dachshund Adventures, or What Did I Get Myself Into,” so I won't repeat it. But, be sure to read it for a little hilarious vicarious fun. They invited me to live with them any time I'd like, parking the RV in the same spot. I might just take them up on that sometime, but not during the winter. For some reason, lots of snow and temperatures in one-digit figures doesn't sound like too much fun, at least in an almost-insulated motorhome.

Their daughter is getting remarried in May and asked if I could perform the ceremony. Although I'd love to, unfortunately I will be working in Utah during that time. But I'll be with them all in spirit all the same.

When I got back into the United States two days ago from a month in Baja California, I called Hal to wish them a Happy New Year and to make sure Linda checked her email for her online Jacquie Lawson birthday card. We talked for a long time and he let me know that he's now a "real" farmer. Linda bought him a pair of Carhartt lined overalls to go with his jacket, and he made good use of them several nights ago.

After dark, with temperatures hovering near zero, the water in the horse trough kept freezing. Although there was a water heater in the trough, he had to install a new one. So, bundled up in his Carhartt outfit, he spent a very cold couple of hours out in the barn, chipping away the ice in the trough and installing the new heater. He told me he got pretty cold, but his clothing kept him warm enough to finish the procedure and race back into the warm house. As an aside, we were all born and raised in nice warm San Diego, and even though I've spent lots of time in Oregon and Oklahoma, I find it hard to imagine weather that cold.

So, I'll lift a glass of Merlot to my little brother and his family and let them know I'll come back to visit again as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'll need to practice my card games in order to at least make a noble effort at winning once in a while.

Seeing Blythe, CA With New Eyes

2010-01-11T21:34:00.005-06:00

In the past few years, I've spent quite a bit of time camped at Mayflower County Park in Blythe, CA. The city is located on the California-Arizona border in Riverside County, where Interstate 10 crosses the Colorado River. Blythe's population more than triples during the winter months with the arrival of visitors seeking relief from their cold climate home states during that season. I think its main claim to fame is its reputation as possibly one of the hottest places in the United States during the summertime. To me, the city has always seemed a little gritty and nondescript with lots of dust, small businesses barely hanging on, a small K-Mart, an expensive Albertson's supermarket, the normal McDonald's-type fast food places, some motels, a few restaurants, and not much else. However, today I had my eyes opened.

My friend David and I arrived here yesterday after a month in San Felipe, Baja California, where we camped on very sandy sites almost on the beach in a run-down RV resort with no electricity and only occasional hot water in the bathrooms. We were the only ones there. Although the beach was wonderful, the town itself shows the results of the world-wide economic downturn. There are many fancy resorts started but not finished and left empty due to lack of money. Although rich in friendliness, the town, which relies almost entirely on tourism dollars, is quite poor. We got used to driving into town to buy sodas and use the free Wi-Fi in either Rosita's Restaurant or a bar. We communicated in a version of pigeon-Spanish, hand gestures, or a little English, and used only pesos for purchases. I got used to having to leave my clothing to be washed, dried, and folded at one of the lavandarias in town and paying about $8 for the privilege.

David had never been to Blythe and wanted to come here mainly because of the Bluegrass Festival next weekend. So we made the 265-mile drive yesterday from San Felipe. As soon as we got here, he fell in love with the County Park. I've got to admit, the $250/month rate for a site with electrical and water hookups as well as a honey wagon three times a week was probably the biggest draw for him as well as the park being right on the Colorado River. It always has been for me, which is why I keep returning. So, I didn't think much about his comment yesterday that he loved this place.

It was only when we drove into town today to do laundry and some shopping that I got an entirely different view of Blythe. Before today, I think I thought of Blythe by the things it lacks: no Wal-Mart, no shopping centers, not a lot of activities other than water sports along the river, only one small bookstore, and no real cultural activities. I've always considered it just a stop along the way to someplace else. However, when we took our clothes to one of the two laundromats here, I received my first surprise. David really appreciated being able to wash and dry his clothes in machines instead of just rinsing them out and air-drying them as he did in San Felipe. He commented on how wonderful that was. I've really never considered laundromats wonderful. Nope, to me having to take clothes somewhere to wash them instead of having my own washer and dryer has always seemed like just another chore to be gotten over with as soon as possible.

While the clothes were washing, we headed across the street to one of the two Starbucks in town for coffee and a pastry. We sat outside at a small table under an umbrella and again he let me know how much he appreciated being able to do that without being pestered every two minutes by street peddlers trying to sell us painted sand dollars or bracelets. Looking around, he commented that the city has everything needed: fast food restaurants, shopping, great weather, good wide, paved streets instead of narrow, pot-hole infested bumpy roads.

Until I saw Blythe through his eyes instead of my own, I'd never noticed those things, seeing only what I expected to see and was used to seeing that way. Until spending a month out of the country in a very poor place, I'd never noticed how rich in resources a fairly poor area like Blythe could seem. Seen through new, different eyes, it is a beautiful place in its own right. I need to stop comparing this city to larger places like San Diego or Portland. Yes, those cities are wonderful and have everything anyone might ever need or wish for. But they are also fairly impersonal places with their own drawbacks.

I'm going to stay here for a month. During that time, I'd like to open my eyes a little more to the possibilities and resources here instead of continuing to label Blythe, and cities like it, as not quite worthy of respect.

Leaving San Felipe - on to Blythe, CA and a Bluegrass Festival

2010-01-10T20:35:00.002-06:00

We decided to leave San Felipe today instead of tomorrow to be sure of getting a spot here in Bythe, CA. And after 265 miles today, including an interesting experience crossing the border, we're now set up at Mayflower County Park. The Bluegrass Festival is this coming weekend, as are all the things going on in Quartzsite, across the border in Arizona. As it was, there were only 40 spots left here. But, we've got great sites, in the back again, looking west (all those gorgeous sunsets)! Many of the same people from a month ago are still here and asked me all about my trip to Mexico. Told them I loved San Felipe so much I decided to stick around there for a month. And I decided to stick around here for a month since the price is definitely better that way.

The border crossing incident? Well, I couldn't figure out the directions to the border in Mexicali and turned down a wrong street. Couldn't turn around and get back on the main drag as the street was too crowded, and ended up on a one-way street going the same direction as the lines to the border. However, I had turned into the wrong lane and couldn't get out. Didn't know it was the "Special" lane until we got to the border. Apparently it was for people with special passes. We had to get a "secondary inspection," which included opening everything outside, including the hood, and having Border Patrol snoop around everywhere, inside and outside. Now, we'd already gone through all that on an inspection halfway from San Felipe by the federales. Anyway, both David and I began feeling like crooks just for accidentally getting into the wrong lane. Finally were able to leave, and hightailed it up to Wal-Mart in Brawley to get a refund of the core charges on my new batteries and eat lunch at Subway, decompressing a little. After that, the trip of 80 miles into Blythe was a piece of cake.

After a month of only water hookups, having electricity again is heaven. But now I know I could probably boondock for quite a while, especially with the new batteries.

Time to Leave the Beach – January 8, 2009

2010-01-10T20:30:00.001-06:00

The past month has been a wonderfully quiet, peaceful, much needed break with many long walks on the beach at both low and high tides and lots of time to think. I’ve found an amazing quantity and variety of shells I’ve never found before. I’ve watched two different kinds of pelicans as well as herons and gulls. I’ve become reasonably able to get along using Spanish, and haven’t used American money once during this time, becoming quite comfortable with pesos. I’ve met many wonderful people and have become aware of how much I have; I’m wealthy in so many ways, including financially, at least in comparison with things I’ve seen here. I’ve made a good friend in David, but now realize that relationship will need to stay at friends only. This has been an excellent time to get a good start in finally learning that I have a choice in how far a relationship goes. Right now any kind of relationship would be on the rebound and not a good idea for anyone.

It’s time to leave the beach and the alone-ness for a while, to be around people again, to have access to internet without having to drive into town each time to use it. Perhaps I’m hooked on it. However, it’s been a constant source of information and communication for so many years that withdrawal is impossible. I’ve made too many friends through email and Facebook and feel it’s important to keep in touch with them.

I now know that staying here in San Felipe for a month instead of continuing on with Beth and Jean was the right thing to do, for me, at this time. I’ll always appreciate their invitation, and traveling all the way down to the tip of Baja and back would have been fun. However, I needed the time alone more. So, perhaps another time.

This time at the beach has helped me get over the worst of my disappointment with the ending of a relationship, although it still hurts whenever I think too much about it. This has been a time of realizing I still love and miss him very much, no matter what, and probably always will. I know the current recommendation is to make a clean break when a relationship ends. However, I am unable to do that, at least not right now.

We’re leaving here Monday morning to drive across the border and up to Blythe for the Bluegrass Festival next weekend. David would like to stay at the campground in Blythe for a month and then return here. I’ll most likely be there two weeks before heading up to the Desert Tower to stay until leaving for Kanab the end of March. My very good friends Fran and Rich will also be returning to Parry Lodge this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again so much.

I’m learning that things usually work out the way they’re supposed to, as much as I might disagree with how that goes. That’s not to say that some things aren’t hard to deal with, though.

San Felipe has been a wonderful experience, one I'll definitely repeat.

Valle de los Gigantes (Valley of the Giants)

2010-01-08T13:12:00.009-06:00

Imagine! We got bored here yesterday so decided to drive down the road, south toward Puertocitos, about 6 kilometers, to check out the Valle de los Gigantes (Valley of the Giants). Nope, that’s not the Valley of the Giants in the Redwoods. It’s an area of huge, extremely ancient cacti.

We paid 50 pesos (about $3.00) to park the car and walk down the sandy road about a kilometer instead of paying more and driving. It was a beautiful day for a walk.

These cacti are immense! Some of them are over 1500 years old and weigh almost ten tons! How about some pictures?

Sign

Road into area

Dry bones

Statue on mountain

Mistletoe

Giants

Ten – Car Wash, kayak, misc. – January 6. 2009

2010-01-08T13:07:00.001-06:00

Wednesday was an in-town day to check email, send blogs, grocery shop, get laundry done, and so forth. We started with breakfast at Rosita’s, then stayed to use their free Wi-Fi. The TVs there were set to Arnold S. (governor of California) giving his State of the State address. I tried to ignore it as much as possible by paying more attention to a large table of American tourists dickering with a street vendor for several serapes with the insignia and colors of U.S football teams.

Instead of trying to reply to each email on the spot (a problem with using a web-based email program like gmail), this time I copied the blogs and emails I wanted to read/reply to in more depth so I could do it back at the campground. We’ll see how it works.

We had to hang around town until 2:00 for my laundry to be done. Wish I could do it myself but the lavanderias (laundromats) here aren’t set-up for self-service. So, we had a little time to kill. Several days before, David had made arrangements with someone to wash his car. So, after doing a little grocery shopping, we spent a fun hour with the man, his wife, and four-year-old daughter Carla, or Carlita as her mother calls her. Her father made a special effort to introduce her to us, saying she was his helper.

It was the most water-saving car wash I’d ever seen. David parked the car on a side street next to the mercado He’d splash a little water on part of the car, then wash that part using the soapy water, then rinse using the cup again, continuing all around the car (an old VW bus). WOW! The car was actually yellow! (market). I sat down on the curb to watch, along with the wife and daughter, while the dad filled a bucket with water at the hotel across the street. He added soap, then filled another smaller bucket with more water which he used to rinse, doing that with a small plastic cup.

In the meantime, I, with my limited espanol (Spanish) got acquainted with his wife and daughter, neither of whom spoke very much ingles (English). It’s amazing how much you can communicate if you try hard enough. We watched about eight federales (military) down the street and I asked her what she thought they were doing. Her reply: Coke - a cocaine bust nearby. We watched Carlita play with a tiny green bead, and she was having so much fun I decided to join her. So, we tossed the bead back and forth and she giggled each time it landed somewhere I couldn’t see it right away. She was so cute!

Much too soon the car was done and we had to say goodbye. But, I’m sure we’ll see them again.

I picked up my laundry, all neatly folded and bagged, and we drove back to the campground. It was such a beautiful afternoon, much too nice to stay inside as I’ve been doing with all the wind lately. I read for a while, and then noticed David was pumping up his kayak. Aha! After finally figuring out how to put the oar together, we took the kayak down to the beach where the tide was just beginning to come in, and he tried it out for the first time. The water felt wonderful, so when I went back for my camera, I decided to try out my little “surfboard,” also for the first time. No chance of drowning or anything since I would have had to walk out about a mile or so (at least it seemed like it) before the water would have been even up to my waist.

It was another very nice, relaxing day on the beach. Last night we talked about driving both vehicles up to Blythe, California for their bluegrass festival next week and staying at Mayflower County Park for the month. Then David will drive back here and I’ll go on to the Desert View Tower until I leave for Kanab, Utah the end of March. The bluegrass last year was fantastic – so many talented musicians.

P.S. No big love affair – just good friends.

Saturday January 2, 2010 – Mexicali Border crossing

2010-01-04T13:48:00.002-06:00

Instead of driving all the way to Yuma today for batteries, we decided to cross the border at Mexicali and go to El Centro Wal-Mart – much closer.

Trip up from San Felipe was uneventful – lots of desert. Beautiful weather. However, we got in line at the border crossing around 11:30 and are still in line, with the crossing almost in sight. It’s now 1:20 PM. Only thing I can think of is people are going back across the border after a long New Year’s weekend. That, and there are only three lines.

Anyway, I’ve got my computer plugged in, playing a variety of CDs, such as James Galway, Bob Marley, and Don Quixote. So, it’s bearable. However, David is going above and beyond the bounds of duty and friendship in making this trip. I’m going to buy him lunch and gas, at the very least.

Ruben doesn’t need a battery after all. It seems one of the park guests had two batteries and sold one to him. So, now he’s set. But, he’s still going to put mine in. Very nice guy.

Later on:

We finally crossed the border at 3:00! Talked to several people also in line who said this is the longest they’ve ever had to wait. I felt sorry for some of the people with very young children in their cars.

We hightailed it out of Calexico as soon as we could and drove to Wal-Mart. I bought two very good deep cycle batteries and some other necessities. Found a replacement fluorescent bulb for my Coleman lantern which I’ve been looking for. Since it was getting late and we faced driving the 150 miles or so back to San Felipe in the dark, we decided to get Subway sandwiches in Wal-Mart and eat in the car. They sure tasted good after such a long morning/afternoon.

Driving back across the border into Baja took about two minutes and, after stops for pop and water, we made it back to the campground around 7:45 PM.

Although we agreed that, at least in the long run, it had been a fun day, we both agreed it had been quite a long one as well and decided that was a trip not to be made on a holiday weekend.

We cooked a late breakfast and just hung around the campground/beach today. Because the wind had died down a little and it was fairly warm, I even went into the water for a bit. However, it was a very high tide with pretty large waves. So, I just kind of splashed around. Ruben put in the batteries and it’s so nice to now have lights at night instead of a battery-operated lantern and a flashlight. No more going to bed at 7:00 PM, unless I’m sleepy. Have been reading Donald Westlake books from my mom, especially the Dortmunder ones again. I’d forgotten how hilarious they are.

Tomorrow? Most likely a trip into town for internet and groceries, maybe lunch. Might even see if my forwarded mail has arrived at the post office yet.

Even later, like Monday morning

The new batteries are wonderful!!! It's so nice to actually be able to use lights again instead of flashlight and lantern. And, we had very freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast at Rosita's this morning. Sun is out, no wind. What a life!

San Felipe – January 1, 2010 - Prospero Ano Nuevo!

2010-01-04T13:42:00.003-06:00

It was a very quiet New Year’s Eve yesterday. We took a long walk around the area, particularly to find out if we could actually connect to the internet out here. There’s a potential wi-fi hookup that is password-protected and we decided to see if we could get the password since the set-up belongs to one of the resorts nearby. Well, that “resort” is one of many in the area that was begun when money was more plentiful. However, when financing dried up several years ago, many of those resorts were left unfinished. Like this one, they have potential but need money and investors. In the meantime, they’re just empty shells with perhaps a couple of finished houses. La Perla Resort is one of them. We met and talked with a family that is renting one of the houses there. They’ve also seen the wi-fi connection, but it belonged to the resort office – and that office is no longer in existence. So, we’ll continue driving into town every other day for internet.

Perhaps the best part of the day December 31 was the beautiful huge orange full moon. It took my breath away, especially since I didn’t expect it. That moon just jumped out at me when I walked down to the beach.

I took a short nap later on in the evening, but woke up around 11:30 P.M. and stayed awake to see in the New Year.

Today, January 1, 2010 was a beautiful day – but I sure wish the wind would die down a little. I’d love to use my little “surfboard,” but the wind makes it too cold. Well, what do I expect, anyway – it’s January!

I took my normal early morning beach walk at low tide and discovered a pelican with a broken wing down in the rocks. Unfortunately, at the same time the friendly neighborhood golden lab raced up behind me for some petting and, being the beach-savvy animal that he is, also saw the pelican. He began chasing it. The bird put up a pretty good fight and managed to make it to a bit of water, away from the dog. I was able to get the dog away and interested in something else.

The pelican swam out a bit but had taken the wrong way, heading toward the beach instead of farther out in the water. Pretty soon the tide would be too low and the bird would run out of water. In the meantime, the normal beach scavengers and buzzards lay in wait. Although I know life and death on the beach is normal, I was sad to see what was happening knowing that the bird didn’t stand a chance.

We drove into town for our every-other-day internet time at the Bar Miramar. The waiter now is a good friend and knows exactly who is buying the Sprite and Coke each day. Today was my turn. He also makes some pretty good jokes. The bar wasn’t as crowded today as it has been this past week, but from the extra pool tables and ping pong tables in the room, it looked like last night had been a good one.

Several good friends send some great email. I especially loved a PowerPoint video of animals and people loving each other. Very beautiful. Thank you so much, Birdman.

We bought red t-shirts from the bar and then ate lunch down the street at the outdoor restaurant. I tried their huevos rancheros – delicious! David ordered beef burritos. They were so different from what pass for burritos in the states. These were on regular size tortillas and not stuffed to the brim with refried beans. Looked really good. Alexa, the waitress, greeted us with great big hugs and talked about how busy they’d been last night. While we ate, a small mariachi group of three men played their music across the street. We listened for a while and tipped them on the way back to the car.

Next stop was the market because David had to get some bottled water. The other day he got what he thought was water---until making coffee with it this morning. Turned out it was 23% booze of some kind. Can you imagine how the coffee must have tasted early in the morning? The stuff looks exactly like bottled water; in fact, I almost bought some on Wednesday. Sure glad I didn’t.

Still very windy this afternoon, so I pretty much stayed inside and finished another China Bayles mystery and hemmed my t-shirt, cutting off about 4-inches from the bottom. Probably could have used it as a nightshirt.

Life goes on. And this time at the beach is very needed and welcome.

I wish all of you an excellent New Year.

San Felipe – Dec. 27, 2009 - Hermit Crab

2009-12-30T12:19:00.006-06:00

First, a picture of a street musician the day after Christmas. He played 1960s oldies – pretty good, too. There were lots of people in town having fun, especially the kids riding their new scooters. I even saw a few brave souls in the cold water.

It was so cold here last night I almost thought I was back in Coffeyville, Kansas. I think you’d call it at least a “two dog night.” Lacking those critters, I made do with three blankets, a couple of pillows stuck between me and the outside wall of this rig, a pair of socks, and a sweatshirt over pajamas. Tonight I’m ready for it, having cleared out the space under the bed in front of one of the furnace vents, just in case. Warm socks, along with sweat pants and a sweat shirt, and an extra blanket, just in case. So far it’s okay. My wish is that the wind will calm down a little and the temperature will get just a bit warmer.

Lots of beach walking today, at both high and low tides. This afternoon I went on my normal low-tide shell walk and found more and more sand dollars – very fragile. However, today something new was added – a hermit crab inside a very large shell.

I saw the shell down the beach surrounded by several seagulls. When I walked closer, the gulls flew off and I thought – aha! A huge shell for my collection. I picked it up and discovered a large hermit crab inside. Hmm. Didn’t want to pry him out even though the shell would have been wonderful for my collection. So, I put the shell down near the waves and watched. The crab slowly inched its way almost out of the shell, first legs and feet, then tentacles. However, for some reason it got spooked and drew everything back into the shell, doing this several times. Darn, I hadn’t brought my camera. So, I placed the shell quite a distance from the incoming tide and made the long walk back to get the camera.

David was walking toward the beach when I returned, so I invited him to take a look. We did a fast walk back down to the shell and continued to watch what the crab would do. It moved a little, but then stayed inside. When I put the shell into the water, I guess it was waiting for the right time. Actually, I’m not sure it could get out as the crab looked quite large, at least its legs and claws. I took several pictures, and we decided to just leave it in the water. Although it would have been a great shell for my collection, I figured the crab needed its home more than I needed the shell. I’m wondering if it will still be there tomorrow and will check at low tide.

We bought a kilo (about 2.2 pounds) of extra large shrimp today from Joe, the fisherman with the net stretched out into the ocean here. They’re probably the biggest shrimp I’ve ever seen – at least three to four inches long shelled. For 200 pesos, about $16, I’ve got enough in the freezer for at least three more meals for two, not including the ones we cooked tonight. Very simple, too – just sautéed in butter, a little garlic, and some lime juice. Delicious with rice, a tomato I bought yesterday, and some wine.

What a hard life.

Living Life by the Sun - San Felipe – Dec. 26, 2009

2009-12-28T13:56:00.002-06:00

The sun goes down here around 4:30 PM and it’s usually dark about an hour or so after that. If I had electricity here, other than a noisy generator in my motorhome, I’d still be reading, watching a movie, or doing something using that power source. My house batteries – two marine batteries – are old and in poor condition, and do not keep a charge for long. Therefore, in order to maintain enough power to keep the igniter for the refrigerator in gas mode working, I use lights and other electrical things as little as possible. We’re making a trip up to Yuma next week for two new batteries for me and one for Ruben, the caretaker here. In talking with him yesterday, I found out that he is also having the same kind of problems, but batteries here cost about twice as much as in the States. He offered to install mine since he’s very knowledgeable about things like that.

In the meantime, living according to when the sun rises and sets is an interesting experience. I’ve done it before when tent camping, but not for so long at a time. For one thing, I’m getting PLENTY of sleep, probably too much. I’ve always been an early riser, so it’s not a problem to get up in time to take a walk on the beach and watch the sun come up over the ocean. This morning I discovered where the large brown pelicans hang out early in the morning and watched them for a long time. I also saw at least two larger mammals in the water, perhaps small whales, but more likely dolphins. They swam very close to shore, among the pelicans.

The sunrise begins as a faint orange glow in the east, over the rocks, and that glow becomes brighter and brighter until the sun fully rises. It’s a time for walking slowly, for climbing on the rocks, for discovering new places, for seeking out more beautiful shells and small stones for my collection. Right now sunrise comes when the tide is still fairly high so there’s a limit to how far out I can explore. But, there’s still plenty to see.

There is a downside to living according to the sun, though. I don’t like to use the generator at night because it’s noisy and disturbs the silence here. I’m living by the ocean because the sound of the waves is peaceful, and I hate to add more noise. So, I usually get into bed shortly after sunset to read or work on the computer for a while. I have a battery-operated Coleman lantern and a flashlight, as well as a small inverter to provide power for the computer. So, no problem there. It’s easy to write up my daily impressions and take care of photos for my blog.

The problem lies with the equation that darkness = time to sleep. I’ve been going to sleep around 7:00 or so each night. That’s fine, except my body usually rebels a bit about 11:00, saying “you’ve had enough sleep. It’s time to wake up.” And I do, at least for a while. Tonight I got dressed and walked down to the beach. The strong wind of the past few days has finally abated a little, at least temporarily, and the stars were out in full display. Orion glowed clear and bright, as did the more reddish Mars. I sat on the sand down by the water and marveled at how lucky I am to be here in such a beautiful place.

However, that still leaves the problem of now being wide awake again. When I finish this reflection, I’ll most likely attempt to go back to sleep. That’s usually not a problem. I know people have lived their lives according to the rising and setting of the sun for thousands of years, and I believe it’s a perfect way to live. But, after a lifetime of living according to clocks and “expected” times for doing things, it’s taking a while to get used to this more natural way of measuring time.

I’ll eventually return to that way of life, at least for part of the year, to living by a clock and performing expected tasks at expected times. However, this much simpler life on the beach in Baja will always call to me. And I’m sure I’ll respond by returning again and again. Right now, I’m ready to go back to bed and look forward to seeing more life early in the morning.

San Felipe – Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T14:46:00.006-06:00

This Christmas was quite different than I’m used to, but nice all the same. It began last night when Ruben’s wife brought David and I each three freshly-made tamales and wished us Feliz Navidad. I ate two of them for dinner – delicious. She told me her kids loved the chocolate chip cookies I’d made for them.

It’s been very, very windy for the past three days, and today was no different. So this morning, instead of taking my usual walk down the beach to see the sun come up, I looked outside the window by my bed, saw the sky, heard the wind, and decided to go back to bed. Of course, with the sun setting so early, about 4:30 PM, I’ve been getting more than enough sleep. But, it felt pretty good anyway. Finally roused myself out of bed sometime – no idea what time it was. In fact, I even had to ask someone what day of the week it was.

I bundled up in a Christmas sweatshirt, jacket, jeans, shoes, and socks instead of the normal shorts, t-shirt, and sandals, and wandered down the beach a bit. The tide was still pretty high, so not many shells. Came back, ate a little breakfast, and read a little. It was so quiet!

David and I had decided to cook chicken and veggies in his slow cooker for dinner tonight, so I chopped up some onions, garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Browned the chicken a little, then threw everything into the pot with some seasonings. We’ve been using an unoccupied campsite (as of right now, anyway) for electricity, so plugged the cooker in there, along with my small stereo. This campsite is one with a permanently installed trailer with solar panels, tables, a porch swing, etc, right next to the beach. Very nice. We’ll have to make friends with the owners when/if they return. In the meantime, we have permission to use the spot outside. I left the dinner to cook all day and walked on the beach some more.

David told me his phone had a pretty good signal and asked if I’d like to call my mom or son for Christmas, so I was able to talk with David (my son) and left a message for my mom and for my friend Steven. That was nice since my phone doesn’t work here.

I took advantage of the very low tide later this morning and took a walk up to the lighthouse and small chapel on the hill. It was so quiet and peaceful up there sitting on a large rock in front of the chapel, looking out over the rocks and ocean below. I took many pictures of some of the eagles flying overhead as well as a seagull and a heron.

We talked to Joe on the beach who was checking his fishing nets, and found out he has lots of very large, fresh shrimp for $16/kilo, about 2.2 pounds, so will buy some tomorrow. Joe is also a San Diego Charger’s fan with a hat to prove it. He lives in a trailer nearby.

Puttered around rest of the day, trying to stay warm and out of the wind as much as possible. We finished up the bottle of Riesling and decided that even though the potatoes weren’t soft yet, it was time to eat. I’d made some Japanese cucumber salad, so we had a feast. Lit a candle for light and listened to a Neil Diamond CD. Watched the stars come out and did a lot of talking. Fed leftovers to one of the dogs here who loved all the attention. And the wind finally abated this evening. All in all, a very nice time.

If the wind stays calm tomorrow, it’s my turn to drive into town to check email, do laundry, top off propane, go to the store, etc. I need to check on a couple of marine batteries for this rig as the present ones no longer hold a charge very long even when filled with water. This is the longest I’ve been boondocking and hadn’t noticed the condition of the batteries before this. Since I’ve had this RV for three years and it was used as a rental before that, it’s probably time for some new batteries. I can live without electric hookups here except for one thing: the igniter for the fridge in gas operation.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas filled with warmth, love, and many blessings.

San Felipe – Around Town Dec. 22 and 23, 2009

2009-12-23T13:45:00.004-06:00

Jean and Beth left for Ensenada and points south yesterday morning, and I moved into Beth’s site further up the hill. Pulling my rig in facing forward made my water hookup easier to get to since the faucet is so far away. My water hose was just fine although the old faucet leaked like the proverbial sieve. I turned it off until I could get it taken care of.

After getting all set up and seeing the view from my bedroom window – directly down to the beach – I felt right at home. My neighbor David invited me to ride into town with him, and I accepted since it was time to do a little grocery shopping, find a hardware store, check on an inexpensive cell phone at The Movie Star that works here and for international calls, and check email.

First stop was parking the van in a good area. We walked a few blocks over to The Movie Star and checked prices. They had a choice of phones from 495 up to about 1000 pesos with a plan of 15 minutes for $1. Not too bad, but I’m going to wait on it since I really don’t do enough calling to make it pay for itself. In the meantime, David offered to let me give his number to friends and family “just in case.”

While he had an extra key for his van made at the locksmith next door, I walked across the street to the supermarket for a few things like milk, fruit, salsa, and chocolate chips for the cookies I wanted to make for the caretaker’s family since they’ve been so nice and helpful. I found a beautiful cucumber so will make some Japanese salad. However the only chocolate chips were tiny little things, supposedly used for decoration. But, I bought them anyway, along with a package of coconut. After paying for everything, one of the little boys, probably the son of one of the employees, offered to carry my two bags to the car. Since we’d parked quite a ways away, I declined but he was very insistent. Next time I might just let him do it and pay him for it. Cute little kid.

David gave me the key he’d had made so I could get into the van in case I had packages or we got separated. I wasn’t sure about that at first, but now realize it might have been a safety concern since I felt a little uncomfortable on the streets by myself. I’m sure that discomfort will disappear soon enough, but having the key now feels like a good thing.

Since the internet is still not working properly at Rosalie’s, we headed to the Bar Miramar where they also have electrical connections. The same friendly waiter was there and knew right off that I’d order a Sprite. The look on his face was cute when I told him I’d also pay for David’s coke. I need to find out his name. Was able to catch up on email, pay a bill online, and write yesterday’s blog.

We sat out on the ledge overlooking the bay for a while since the sun felt so good. Bought some chili peanuts from a sidewalk vendor and just watched people. So much fun. We decided to head back to the camp, but still needed to find a hardware store so I could hopefully get a couple of little o-rings for my propane camp stove. David began talking to an American man on the sidewalk who told us about his temporary apartment near downtown for $150/month – three rooms with tile bathroom, etc. Sounded okay, but I still prefer the nearness to the beach we have at the campground. The Mexican man with him offered to show us where the hardware store was, so we followed him in the van. The store looked like a much smaller version of Home Depot, but they had exactly what I needed. We thanked the man very much for showing us the way.

Back to the campground and we stopped at the top of the hill so I could pay the month’s rent of 1500 pesos for my site ($120). Found out the caretaker’s name is Ruben, or as he says, Ruben the Cuban, although he’s not really Cuban. It’s easy to remember his name that way, though. I let him know about the water leak and he came right down to fix it. The problem is an old faucet, but it’s fixed for now. I was listening to the Mexican Christmas CD Jenny had given me in Yuma and he loved the music. Think I’ll find out if they have a way to play it, and if so, make them a copy.

I mixed up the cookies and baked several batches of six each in the toaster oven. The little chocolate pieces are very good, not semi-sweet but milk chocolate so the cookies taste a little different than usual. But I like them very much. However, today I think I’ll take the toaster oven down the hill and use the electrical connection there since the generator in my rig is so noisy. I hate to have that much noise pierce the beautiful quiet here for so long at a time. There’s also a clothesline there so perhaps I’ll wash out some items as well.

Today I’d like to hang around here for the very low tide and climb up the hill to see the little chapel at the top. Yesterday I found a beautiful shell – can’t remember what Jean called it – but it’s a long cone shape with no barnacles or other marks.

I hope Jean and Beth are doing okay and having fun on their drive over to the west coast of the peninsula. As for me, I’m so glad I stayed here. It’s going to be fun getting to know the people and places in town a little better. And I’m enjoying getting to know my fellow Birkenstock friend a little more as well.

***********************************

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 – Back to town

It was so beautiful and sunny all day yesterday. However, I woke up around midnight to REALLY strong winds and rain. It rocked the RV back and forth the rest of the night – felt almost like a hurricane. I’d washed some clothes and hung them on the line and by this morning they were totally dry. I guess so, with all the wind.

Took some cookies up Ruben and his family and they were very appreciative. Also brought some in to town this morning for the server at the bar where we access internet. Old guy – very nice – loved them.

I took advantage of the great weather yesterday and walked up at low tide to the little chapel on the hill. Today I’ll take my camera. Also found lots of great shells and saw a large heron near the rocks.

Haven’t heard anything from Beth or Jean yet. They were planning to take Mexico 3 from here up diagonally to Ensenada on the west coast, then down. Probably aren’t anywhere with internet access yet.

And that’s it for today so far. If I don’t get back on internet before Christmas, have a wonderful one.

San Felipe Monday Morning - How Things Change!

2009-12-21T14:36:00.002-06:00

Monday, December 21, 2009

For several reasons, I’ve decided to stay here at this beautiful spot a little south of San Felipe for at least a month. The more I thought about being on the road for the next two months, driving lots of miles and using lots of gas, the more I realized it would be so much better and relaxing to just stay here for a while. I love this place. It’s quiet and peaceful, the beach is only a few steps away, and it’s fairly close to town yet far enough away from crowds and noise. The caretakers here are extremely friendly and bend over backwards to make sure we’re happy. The site rent is only $1500 pesos ($120 a month) with water and sewer hookups. And, I’ve become friends with a very nice, interesting guy from Victoria, British Columbia. We’ve spent a lot of time talking and getting acquainted, and neither of us was looking forward to my leaving so soon. Perhaps nothing will come of it, but in the meantime, it’s fun having someone to talk to who loves the Pacific Northwest as much as I do, and is also very content to live day to day here for a while. And, he also wears Birkenstocks, as I do. Haven't seen many of them in the past year, none in Oklahoma.

I wished Beth and Jean safe travels this morning when they left for parts west and felt relief to be staying for a while. Moved into Beth's very nice site, then came into town this afternoon with David and found the grocery store (mercado). The weather is absolutely gorgeous with no clouds.

Sunrise yesterday morning

I found this yesterday. Any idea what it is?

Bird's nest on telephone pole

Fishing boat returning

San Felipe, Saturday December 19, 2009

2009-12-20T12:38:00.012-06:00

We left the airport fairly early this morning and drove about seven kilometers south towards Puertecitos, ending up at an interesting looking RV park. It used to be called Faro Beach Trailer Park but now has the name, Betel II. The attendants, a man and wife, three kids, and several dogs, live at the top in a very small trailer. They are very, very friendly and willing to please. The woman drove us all around the place, pointing out which sites had water and sewer hookups, which didn’t.

This place is amazing. Looks like it either used to be a fancy resort or someone built the resort but it never opened. Now it looks like it’s been taken over by sand. There is a huge swimming pool with bar in the center, stools around the bar in the water. Near the pool is a large hot tub. A two-story building appears to have been meant for condos or lodge rooms of some kind. Lots of chairs and tables all stacked helter-skelter in a nearby storage room. Up from the pool/bar is a large one-story building with the word “BAR” over the door. Peering through the doors, I saw a big area with posters on the walls, carpet, etc.

A number of brick roads leading from the top of the hill down to the bottom by the beach, with many RV sites off of those roads. We wanted to make sure Jean could get her trailer into one of the spots, so we let her go first. The attendant found her a pull-through that worked well. I parked next to her, and Beth parked a little way up the hill.

First things first, a trip down to the beach. The tide was very low, with many dry areas usually covered by water. Walked all around, and it almost looked like we could walk all the way to San Felipe from here. I love this beach as it’s the first one in a very long time where we could find unbroken sand dollars of all sizes as well as scallop and clam shells, all in very good condition. Many of the clam shells were polished smooth, almost white. I’d never seen that before. I also found two very fancy shells that up to today I’d only seen in stores for fancy prices.

It seemed like we walked forever, but it was perfect. Very windy but fairly warm.

We drove into town to find something to eat, look around a little, and find Wi-Fi. Rosalita’s had both food and wi-fi, but apparently it was down today as we couldn’t get it to work. We ate there, food so-so, then went next door to a bar that also advertised internet. The people working there pointed out that we could even plug our electrical cords into the wall sockets. The connection was perfect, and we all accomplished quite a bit.

After wandering around the downtown area, the malecon, we drove up to the Lighthouse Lounge and walked up the many steps to Cerro El Machorro. This is located on the point with a beautiful shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe, many lit candles in front of her. What a great panoramic view of the bay!

We finally called it an afternoon and drove back to our site. I talked quite a bit with David, a Canadian from Victoria who is camped here for a month in his VW van. Nice guy. Turned out he’d only had to pay $120 for an entire month here. When I told him we were paying $20/night, he thought about it and walked up and paid the attendants about 300 pesos more. The man said that now he could buy a bicycle. I loved talking with someone who didn’t try to take advantage of other people’s friendliness.

He and I talked quite a bit, about kids, grandkids, where we were from, what careers we used to have, and so forth. He offered us the use of a rubber kayak and his bicycle if we’d like. Probably pass on the kayak in the ocean, though.

We thought about staying here a week, but by sort-of mutual agreement, we’ll probably stay until Tuesday, then take off across to Ensenada, then down the west coast. Of course, those plans, as always, are made in Jell-O.

I’m enjoying this trip a lot even though I sometimes feel like the proverbial fifth wheel since Beth and Jean have been traveling together for so long. They have their own ways of doing things, etc. and it’s taking a while for me to get used to that. But, I figure by a week or so it will be fine. We’ll see how it goes. However, I’m just very happy to be making this trip.

Tomorrow we’re planning to drive down to Puertecitos in Jean’s truck and check out places along the way.

Baja California, Dec. 18, 2009 San Luis Colorado to San Felipe

2009-12-19T14:35:00.003-06:00

Friday, December 18, 2009

Too hundred miles today, from Yuma to a little below San Felipe, on the way to Puertocitos. A couple of long detours along the way on Mexico 5 – looks like they’re widening the road to four lanes. Lots of desert, much sand, quite a bit of wind.

We weren’t sure of the way to Mexico 2, towards Mexicali, after crossing the border in San Luis Colorado, so we stopped and I asked directions of an older man standing behind his fence. He was kind of sure, and we took him at his word. Then he walked me across the street to talk to a doctor who spoke English. It turned out that he was going to Mexicali, so he gave us directions and asked if we’d like to follow him to the highway. That worked out well.

Getting onto the toll road (Mexico 2) cost $24 pesos, or about $2.00. Fairly decent road.
We turned off onto Mexico 5 a little before Mexicali and had to pay another $26 pesos. Jean wondered afterward if we could have just shown them our receipt from the first toll. Will have to check on that.

Because of the detours and losing our way a little in San Felipe, trying to find an RV park or a place to boondock for the night, we somehow ended up at the aeropuerto. Don’t know how we missed the actual road, but we somehow took a turn into the airport and the sun was beginning to go down. So, rather than wander around any longer trying to find an RV spot, we asked permission to park in the parking lot overnight and leave early in the morning. No problem. So, we’re now kind of huddled together in a far corner of the parking lot. Beautiful sunset tonight and a very tiny sliver of a moon. I fixed myself huevos rancheros for dinner and sat outside to eat, drinking Riesling and watching the last of the sunset and the stars coming out. Very quiet except for a generator.

San Felipe itself looks like a fun place to explore and perhaps buy some camarones (shrimp) from one of the many vendors along the streets. Tomorrow we’ll leave here in the morning and find a place to stay for a night or two, then unhitch Jean’s truck and drive into town. She swears that either Beth or I have to drive, though. It was hard on her towing the trailer through, first, San Luis Colorado, then through San Felipe, both fairly busy towns with narrow streets and many stop signs.

I checked for wireless access here at the airport, but no luck. So, am writing this in word to send in some form when we’re able to get on the internet, hopefully tomorrow sometime.

Beth asked earlier what time it was. Both Jean and I said, “who cares?” I turned off my cell phone and am not sure what time zone my RV radio is set for. I really like the idea of “manana,” at least for this trip. Slowing down and just appreciating what we do and see will be enough. I really don’t want to keep track of time on this trip.

In the meantime, I’m practicing my Spanish in order to get a little more fluent.

Photos later.

Thoughts Before Leaving for Baja this Morning

2009-12-18T09:20:00.006-06:00

This morning I read Rev. Ron Robinson's blog about the season of advent being the great interruption:

"Advent is the story of the Great Interruption, as God interrupts the life of Mary, certainly of Joseph, interrupting the powers that be with the greater power that another world is not only possible but it is already here, pregnant and growing, about to be born where no one would ever think to look. Advent is about the affirming spirit of waiting on that birth, on the birth of peace and joy and love and hope, waiting and letting it change us from within so we can change the world without, waiting to connect with others on the road to Bethlehem too, and the road to Egypt too, and the road back to Nazareth too, from where nothing good can supposedly come."

I thought about this upcoming two-month trip to Baja as an interruption of sorts, of the interruption of my usually-quiet way of life, of knowing where I'll be and what I'll be doing from day to day. That's fine. But, this period will surely interrupt that way of life in many ways and I want to be sure to be open to all of it.

We visited our friends Jenny and Dan for several days, and I hadn't seen Dan for almost a year. In that year he's lost a lot of weight and looks wonderful. He's been regularly working out with the Wii exercise programs and swears by them. That would be something I could even do in this RV.

Yesterday I finished a wonderful book, Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. It's a "moving and vivid depiction of life with early-onset Alzheimer's disease." I read it in two days - was very hard to put down. I thought about my occasional recent difficulty in remembering words and tried to put that into some kind of context. I thought about my aunt and several aging friends who are becoming more and more forgetful. And I recommend the book highly.

So, some thoughts before leaving. I'm excited. At the same time I have those butterflies in my stomach - in fact, they're swarming right about now. Time to get ready to go. More later on the road whenever we can find Wi-Fi.

Mittry Lake, near Yuma, Arizona

2009-12-16T19:09:00.004-06:00

I'd never guess this place was near Yuma. To me, Yuma is an RV city, built just because of RVers. I remember about thirty years ago there was almost nothing there. On drives from San Diego to Arizona, Yuma was just a sleepy little border town. No more. I prefer it the way it used to be; now it seems to be too crowded and expensive. Oh, well. Mittry Lake is beautiful. And we can camp here free for ten days each year.

Sky around sunset

Views from my RV

And another wine picture, this time Riesling

I attempted to find two geocaches earlier this afternoon, but couldn't locate them. One was up a steep, rocky hill, so I skipped that one. The other should have been fairly easy to find but I looked all around. I'll check again tomorrow.

Day in Algodones, Baja California

2009-12-15T19:34:00.004-06:00

We headed over the border to Algodones today to take care of some last minute stuff, including me paying for my tourist card, all of us getting prescriptions filled, eating shrimp and fish tacos, and doing some general shopping.

I normally get a month's prescription from Wal Mart for $4, or a three-month supply for $10. However. today I was able to buy 100 tablets for $7 - quite a deal. Also in the pharmacia I found a large, 500 gram container of Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolates for $8.50. I have never seen them here in the states and they are absolutely delicious. I've got to make sure they last for a long time because they're so addicting.

After eating wonderful fish tacos and shrimp tacos from a stand, almost inhaling them, we wandered up and down lots of shopping areas, and Beth and Jean each bought t-shirt type dresses. However, they weren't quite my style so I waited. Sure enough, I found a stand selling hand-embroidered dresses and tried a few on over my clothes. Here's the one I chose. For $20 I consider it almost a steal. It's light and cool, which will be nice when we get further south toward the tip of Baja.

I also bought some lightweight straw Christmas decorations which will travel in the RV well. They will be good to mail one or two to friends.

Back in Yuma, we stopped at Al's RV for receptacle testers. We'll use them at RV parks in Baja to detect faulty wiring in order to be make sure we don't fry our electric appliances. Just a bit of caution.

We'll cross the border at San Luis Rio Colorado, near Yuma, head west, then south a little toward San Felipe. I've already turned off my cell phone and clock, intending to be on manana time for the trip.

I'm getting excited and looking forward to this trip very much and can't wait to get started.

When I'n an Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple, and more

2009-12-15T00:28:00.004-06:00

Thank you to my friend Crystal for this website, especially after I fell asleep tonight waiting to go see the Geminids meteor shower and missed them. Must be my current advanced age of (fill in the blank) or something. Or, possibly the really long walk earlier this afternoon. Whatever it was, I love these poems. Hope you enjoy them, too.

When I'm An Old Woman

A Good Birthday

2009-12-12T21:52:00.005-06:00

View of Wiest Lake in Brawley, California from my campsite

This has been a very nice birthday even though I'm out here in the middle of nowhere by myself. My son called and we talked for a long time. He has become a very thoughtful guy at age almost-22. Another friend still in Coffeyville, KS called and we talked even longer. My friend Steven called and we talked for a little while. Many Facebook friends sent birthday wishes, as did friends from my Women's RV list.
This morning I wandered around the campground and the lake, taking pictures, then came back and used up my three apples making apple crisp. I decided tamale pie sounded good, so made that as well. Amazing the things you can do with a toaster oven and microwave.

I found a spot for all the paperback books borrowed from my mom for the Baja trip, then decided my small clothes closet and cupboards needed some work. So, hung everything up that I could, leaving lots of space in the cupboards. Cleaned out another small closet and organized it better. I use it for things like paper, note cards, dish towels, place mats, napkins, and just about everything else that doesn't have a spot. I'd eventually like to build some shelves in that one, but it will do for now. Then it was time to tackle the food/dish cupboards. And now they'll work so much better. Threw away four plastic grocery sacks worth of stuff. Read about half of Steinbeck's Tortilla Flat since I'd never read that one. Moved stuff from a purse to the really nice wallet my mom gave me for my birthday. Got rid of the purse. Washed all the dishes I'd used in cooking. Worked on the computer for a while.

And tomorrow it will be time to get together with lots of friends in Yuma. This RV life is fun even though the year could have been a whole lot better. But, it's turned out pretty darned good even with all the crummy things that have happened.

And no, I don't feel my ancient age at all.

Return to Slab City

2009-12-11T21:29:00.001-06:00

Since my campground at Wiest Lake near Brawley, CA is so close to Slab City, within 18 miles, we dropped things off at my rig this afternoon, then drove out there. The friend who gave me the ride from the Desert View Tower had never been out there, so I played tour guide for a while. We had a 4X so were able to go a few more places than in the RV.

We first went to Salvation Mountain. Leonard wasn't there, but we looked around a little and I noticed the glass windows inside at the top for the first time. We climbed up the Yellow Brick Road, then back down the other side, and took off by foot up to the painted water towers. The artist hadn't left, as he hinted last time that he might. In fact, his little MH is now parked right next to the WAR tower. and it looks like he's still working on that tower. Lots of painting materials laid out.

Drove around Slab City a little, then headed out the dirt roads behind the main part. We found these enormous hills of what I assume are fresh water clam shells. The whole area has been bulldozed up, so who knows how far down the shells were buried.

We also found part of a C-Ration meal. Makes sense as this whole area used to be a military base.

Check out the view of the mountains in the distance about an hour before sunset. Beautiful.

On the way back into town, the car turned into the desert toward some bunkers. This one was occupied. The dog came out to meet us, but didn't seem very friendly, so we didn't get out of the car. When we drove by, noticed the back door was open, but no one seemed to be around.

These particular bunkers looked like they might have been occupied at one time but no more. Interesting graffiti, though.

When we drove back into Brawley to find some Mexican food for dinner, the sun was just beginning to go down. I love this view of the sunset with steam from Plaster City at the bottom.

Lots of dark clouds, but they made for a beautiful sunset.

Excellent Mexican food in town at Fuentes Restaurant, then back to my RV where I'll stay tonight and tomorrow night before heading into Yuma. Tomorrow I'll explore the lake a little. And the coyotes sound like they're out in full force here tonight.