Not A Gully Washer

Morning brought rain to the desert.  There's nothing like that smell of wet mesquite trees while drinking my coffee.  Add to that an occasional bird tweet from the bushes and it's a perfect morning.  

It didn't stay that way however, as boredom quickly set in.  I sewed, cleaned, puppy played and sewed some more.  Time to get out!!  Cooper was making me crazy.

As you know, he rarely (if ever) goes more than a quarter mile.  Although a little slow on my gravel road, he hit his pace on the pavement with me barely able to keep up.  Apparently there are LOTS of good smells because we stopped probably one hundred times.  

I'm pretty leery of that since there could be snakes and bad critters lurking in the bushes that he demands be smelled and of course marked.  SO many good smells.

Surprisingly, we walked all the way to the Chance house without me becoming a taxi.  

Yes I've contemplated that water valve replacement every other minute but haven't gotten up the nerve to try it.  Mr. Chance volunteered his plumbing expertise, which he asserts is not his forte.  This should be good, right?  Not one but TWO unexperienced plumbers trying to change one little valve.  At least I can hold my hand over the hose to keep water from coming out while Dan runs to the store, or vice versa.

This is his latest project with his handy dandy backhoe.  Concrete will be poured sometime next week to keep the driveway from washing out with those gully washers.  Surprisingly, it's cheaper than asphalt.

As you can see the sky above, it was getting blacker and blacker.  I didn't want to get caught on the walk home, not being able to run because I would be carrying Cooper who hates getting wet.  I made it just in time.  It wasn't a really big rain, but steady enough for long enough to give the desert a nice drink.  Luckily the temperature stayed in the 40's so there was no snow.

Dinnertime came quickly as I prepared the latest recipe from Every Plate.  Moo Shu Beef.  The picture looked fabulous and my mouth was watering.  Sadly, it did not meet my expectations in the flavor department.  The Thai chili disappeared completely into rice and hamburger. 

This looks like a tiny amount, but only because the bowl is huge.  I was trying to make it look like I didn't really use paper plates and bowls every single day, even though I do.  Maybe the next recipe for parmesan chicken will be better.

There were 22 images on the critter cam, including lots of rain.  Mostly it was the pack of coyotes that come by around 7:30 every night and again at 5:30 every morning.  Watch closely for the eyes in the bushes.  It's fun how I can recognize them by their behavior now.  I'm not sure why they are so skittish since they have no predators here.  But then again, there's MAN who probably chases them off.  Maybe I'll let them try leftover Moo Shu Beef!!

Time to clean the house before Mr. Chance and my Quilting Guru arrive so they don't think I live like a hoarder.  

Let's FRY Something!!

I could have stayed in bed were it not for the puppies playing tag on my back.  They wanted out, as in when you gotta go, you gotta go.  That 3:30 train didn't help.  Cooper snuggles made up for it.

I didn't hear the patter of rain on the roof, but it's been happening on and off all night.  The desert really REALLY needed a drink, so I hope it continues for a few more days.  It has helped my humidity too.  I'm all the way up to 27!!  WOOHOO!!

I was finally able to figure out how to trim these movies to size.  It's rather weird that one should be bigger than the other since they are all filmed at the same size and the same speed for the same time.  At any rate, check out these two.  They are a little skittish due to the strap flapping in the breeze very near the water.   

The older females don't seem to mind however.  Now THIS was interesting behavior.  I expect the males to mark their territory, but not the females.  There must be a little jealousy going on because right after this one, a second female did the exact same thing in the same place.  Look at the time.  This is MORNING!

Glad I got that "your file is too large" thing figured out.  After that, I spent most of the morning again cleaning the rig.  Since I'm not traveling for 9 months out of the year I really don't need all that JUNK, or rather really important cooking implements.  I did leave the fire extinguishers, just in case.

I have about half of it clean, but the worst is yet to come.  The couch and the living area will take the majority of time.  With all the wind, it seems to have become a vacuum cleaner for dirt and dust.  The part that really bothers me is all the screws I seem to find here and there.  Where the heck did they come from?  Surely they just fell from the sky!!

One last discovery for the day was these corn tortillas from a carniceria not far from here.  These are probably about as close as I'm going to get to those tortillas I had in Yuma.  They are thicker and so don't break apart as easily.  I'm sure if I fried them quickly in hot oil, they would be even better.  

Back in the OLD days, I do remember ALWAYS frying those tortillas for tacos.  Nowadays we are all about NO OIL ... HEALTHY ... but mostly flavorless.  Today I'll try frying one just to see the difference.

In the meantime, I'm now on the hunt for the pinkish sauce.  Elva found a recipe for same using sriracha, which may just be the secret.  

I already duplicated the salsa.  I bought a container at the carniceria and ran it through a chopper I found in the rig.  You know, the one that I almost cut my finger off with a couple years ago.  Had to drive to the ER with my hand in the air.  Everyone thought I was waving at them.

I'm really glad that hasn't happened here since the ER is a long drive!!

This morning I'll be madly cleaning the house so my neighbor doesn't see what a terrible housekeeper I am.  She's coming down to help me with cutting the pieces for that quilt.  It's good to have nice neighbors.  Now let's go FRY something!!  

Big Winds In Little Tucson

 I spent a nice long morning out on the patio yesterday, watching the sun rise.  Little did I know I was spending it with the coyotes too.  An entire pack, mostly females stopped by at 7:30.  As soon as I figure out how to make those files just a tad bit shorter, I'll post them.  

For some reason, even though the camera only shoots for 20 seconds, it thinks this file is larger than another 20 second file and will not load it.  It's going to be a big challenge to figure out how to make them smaller.

And then the winds came!!  Last night things were going bump in the night ... all night long.  We call it the Vail Gale ... and Gale is up and kicking!!!  Rain is predicted this week ... the desert needs it badly ... but I don't know if any will actually land here.

All that dry wind doesn't seem to help with the humidity problem.  See ... it's not just me.  Cooper has the same shocking problems I have!!  

And the same bad hair days due to all the electricity in the air.  

Here's a new find for you ... one that came in the mail yesterday.  When Cindy and Ray gave me that spaghetti squash, they had sprinkled something on it that was delicious with a capital D.  Although I could not find the HICKORY variety, THIS stuff is pretty amazing.  It gives everything a little smoky flavor.  I have to say it's not my favorite on scrambled eggs, but the chicken came out pretty tasty.

Then I was off to find a new valve for my plumbing.  Apparently I'm just too strong and broke the last one.  It doesn't want to turn off at all.  I'm pretty reluctant about this job since I could not find the exact same valve as what's there.  So what if the threads are the wrong size?  There I will be with my water turned off completely while I contemplate what to do next.  

And no, I haven't even THOUGHT about replacing that strap on the rig.  The honey-dos are adding up.

Since I couldn't get the coyotes to load, here's another beauty that stopped by around 2 am.   Boy is he ever a HUNK!!  I had no idea they wander around at night!!  If I was a doe, I'd be after him in a hot second!!

I just picked up the game camera, but rather imagine there will be 85 images of branches waving in the wind.  I doubt critters will be roaming around much.  As with my horses, the wind takes away all their regular scents, making them very skittish about what might be lurking around the corner!!  Even the bunnies don't come out when it's windy.

Oink Oink Oink!!

My timing was perfect.  It was a nice warm trip to Yuma and upon my return, it's nice and warm in Tucson.  At least that's true for the next couple of days, but by Thursday it looks like SNOW!!  OH BOY!!

Seems I've been a little piggy for the last couple of months, as the scale keeps telling me "one person at a time please"!!  Tomorrow .... tomorrow I'll start that diet again!!  In the meantime, I had two tacos left over ... shrimp this time .... that reheated like a dream and tasted just as good.  

I have GOT to find these corn tortillas.  It seems they may be available deep in the heart, as in its a 50 minute drive.  I'm not sure they are worth THAT much fuel.

In the meantime, Mr. Jonathan seems to be doing okay after inhaling fumes for who knows how long.  He's still sleeping this morning.  If he can disco disco in a couple of hours, I'll know he's okay.  In the old days, they used to take canaries into the mines (and in fact in some countries may still do that) since they were so sensitive to gases.  If the bird died, the miners would get out quick.  Poor birds.

In between deep cleaning the rig, which to be honest I haven't even started yet, and playing with the kids who are SO excited to be off-leash, I'm back working on the latest pineapple quilt.  

Can you figure out this picture?  Me either, which is why I'm now at a standstill until my quilt guru friend up on the hill can help me interpret.  This involves cutting, so I don't want to mess it up and have to buy new material.

In the meantime, here's a little piggy (javelina) who probably weighs more than I do!!  What a hunk!!  It's surprising that he or she is alone.  I'm guessing he has outgrown his welcome with the MAN of the tribe and is now on his own.  

As to my propane alarm in the rig, it was NEW just about five months ago.  I checked the date when I purchased it and it should be good for five years.  I've no idea why it didn't go off.  I'll try some hairspray next to it and see if that works.  That ALWAYS sets it off.

Almost A Catastrophe!

You know those times when you are lucky enough to escape with everything intact and everyone alive?  I think that was me yesterday morning when I was getting ready to leave the RV Park.  I decided to replace some of the original artwork on the wall.  It's crappy artwork at best, but I thought I would put it back up.

Even though the screws went in the same holes, there wasn't enough room for the artwork to go behind the slide as it came in.  I had to climb up on the sink and remove it.

Next I went about my business hooking up the Jeep.  When I returned to the rig, I smelled gas.  LOTS of propane actually.  What the heck??  Somehow when I got down off the sink, I must have hit the knob on the stove and turned the gas on.  

Frantically I opened all the upper vents and turned the fans on.  Poor Jonathan was panting for air with his mouth open.  OMG OMG !!!

Funny how the alarm never went off.  Not even a peep.  At long last the smell dissipated enough I thought I could head on down the road with three windows wide open.  Oh the disaster that COULD have been.  I suppose in to every life some rain must fall but boy am I thankful it didn't POUR!!

Everyone is fine now, so off I headed East on this fabulous not-bumpy-at-all highway.  Traffic was very light ... only a few RV's here and there.

There is just enough scenery to keep you awake, along with a hill or two to capture your attention on the engine temperature gauge.  At one point I raced this train, winning by a nose.

At last it was time to turn off on a detour in Casa Grande to visit with Jan and Bill Mains.  I'm hoping they adopt me.  Their house is decorated like no other ... COWBOY.  Definitely up my alley, right?  

Very old handcuffs, calvary saddles, handmade kachina dolls.  I was in heaven!!  Talk about hospitality, they even barbecued hamburgers for lunch.  YUMMY!  While we were inside, I could hear the quail calling out for lunch too!  Jan fed them some seed and they went crazy for it.  This is only a small sample of the number that flew in.

While we ate, even more sat on the fence like the royalty they are, waiting for us to leave the table.  We settled the world's problems, but agreed it was best to leave the television off so our brains didn't explode.  As I got ready to leave, the quail got down to clean up all the leftovers.

In the blink of an eye, two hours had passed.  It was time to hit the road for home.  I landed at the Lost Horse Ranch with everything intact and everyone alive.  Hopefully Jonathan won't have any residual effects from breathing all that propane.

It's time to head out this morning for the game camera.  I've missed my critters!!

Good Food - Good Friends

 One of the things I love about Mexico is the good food, tacos in particular.  Really good and true to form Mexican food is hard to find.  The further North you go, the worse it gets.  Having had the real deal from the wives of our construction crew who all hailed from Mexico, it's hard for me to get excited about Taco Bell.

THIS is the real deal.  I was introduced to this place by Cindy and Ray last year.  I was not about to miss it on this trip.  Meet Tacos El Cositas.  It's not exactly your five star restaurant, but the food is authentic.  

It's on the frontage road off Highway 8 just West of Foothill Boulevard.  If you head there at noon, you will have a very long wait in line, so go early.  They have tables for eating, or you can get it to go.  You order, you eat and THEN you pay.

The fish tacos are authentic with the best corn tortillas I've ever had.  Of course you can get flour if you wish.  Pile on chopped cabbage and your choice of three sauces PLUS salsa.  In spite of all the jalapeños I saw in the salsa, it was not really hot ... just enough.  Look for the big bull and park by the fence.

DELICIOUS!!!  I was a piggy!  I ate two for lunch and got two more for dinner.  Surprisingly they reheat VERY well.

I thought it might be good to give the puppies a little more shade before I headed out to the big town of Wellton to meet up with friends I met last year.  CRACK!!!  The strap broke.  Gosh I hate it when that happens.  Luckily I have another one in stock, just not the ladder to crawl up there.  Wouldn't you know, it's the biggest outside shade I have.  It may take some work to get it fixed, but it will have to wait until I get home.

I met Elva and Jerry Shannon quite by mistake.  In my home town, Jerry Shannon owns the pump repair and drilling business.  He did ALL our work at the ranch, so I knew him well.  When I saw the name on Facebook, I thought ... oh ... Jerry retired and got an RV.  

Or not.  I became Facebook friends and went to meet them.  Wasn't I surprised to find out it wasn't THAT Jerry Shannon.  THIS one has a beautiful wife named Elva who is as nice as they come.  You know how you just click with some people?  We met at the laundromat and yakked up a storm.  

This year they purchased a place in Wellton, just outside of Yuma.  It's karma ... who knew I would actually go visit them on the exact same day of the year as last time.

I was surprised to find Wellton is quite the agricultural community.  The green fields stretched for miles.

Like long lost friends, we caught up on everything and in a flash, two hours had passed.  Time to head back and check on the puppies.  

We made a date to meet up on the same day next year.  It's tradition now!!

Good food and good friends.  The best way to end my stay in Yuma.  Sadly I have to say goodbye to Cindy, Ray and Penny also.  I'm packing up and heading out this morning, along with a few stray ants that have become my newest pets.  Every morning I find a few more waiting for breakfast.

Antville ... New Digs

I was up earlier than normal yesterday.  I wanted to take advantage of every single WARM minute I could.  It's been in the 80's and sunny, but a tad bit windy.  

I tried to be patient until the office opened.  I had no intention of sleeping with the ants another day.  No big deal, they didn't get any further than the floor, I just didn't want to deal with an infestation.

That big bump on my head with accompanying purple spots will disappear eventually.  While on the floor killing ants, I ran straight into the edge of my table.  OUCH!!

I finally called ... they offered to come spread some "stuff" down, which was very nice ... however, I have critters that don't need to be walking in ant bait.  Jenna is the BEST!  She said I could move to any spot I wanted.  That took all of ten minutes after knocking on the neighbor's door.  

That's one thing about RV people, they are always willing to help.  I know I can back up fairly well, I just never want to take a chance of running over or into something if there's someone to watch for me.  I'm now on the used-to-be empty side.  YAY!!!

Before heading out to revisit the fabric shops (Hi my name is Nancy and I'm addicted to fabric), I took Cooper for a walk on the wild side.  He never gets to go to dog parks, but they have a great one here.  Sadly there were no puppies for him to play with.

So we took off down this trail that goes around the entire park.  He LOVES this walk.  So many SMELLS!!  At one point he spotted a bird and was just fascinated by it. 

All along the trail are these gorgeous blooms.  We got all of a quarter mile and he was done.  He sat down and was having none of it.  I had to carry him all the way home.  We won't be doing THAT again!!

Instead of cooking this trip, I decided to eat out every day.  There's a Panda Express right down the street.  Would you like to try our firecracker chicken?  My brain said heck no, but my mouth said SURE!  I've no idea why since I really don't like HOT stuff that burns my mouth.

For those that DO, I'm sure this is mild, but to my shy taste buds, it burned like fire, thus the name I suppose.  It was filled with little chicken, lots of veggies and LOTS of those little red HOT peppers.  I'll be skipping that next time.

I did think my fortune was rather nice.  It made my burning mouth feel a little better.

AND I WAS OFF!!  Back to the fabric store I went with patterns in hand.  This line caught my eye.  For those that aren't familiar with quilting, fabric for a queen sized quilt probably runs (at least in my experience) about $200.00.  THIS bundle came to a tad over $60.  Now you know why I LOVE the Arizona Marketplace quilt store.  I may just have to go back one more time!!

In the meantime, I made THREE trips to Gramma Jos, the other quilt shop in town.  Luckily I found some fabric for Patty.  Yay!!

Here's my new location ... between the fire hydrant and the light pole.  I see even more ant hills, but at least not on MY site.  

I'm off this morning to visit friends in Wellton just over the hill.  I can't tell you how nice it is to have people to talk to here in Arizona versus California.  Even the neighbors you DON'T know, talk to you.  

On the way back, dinner will be a special treat.  I'll describe it tomorrow.

Mexico Is Alive And Well

Here I am parked at this lovely RV park with lots of things to do.  They have pools, shuffle board ... if you're in to exercise, they've got it here.  I was rather surprised that they parked me next to neighbors ....... 

when the entire other side is completely empty.  Sadly, there are MANY empty lots.  This park in particular seems to house a lot of Canadians who of course are not here.  The good news is you are not required to wear a mask when swimming!  Actually you're not required to wear a mask here except in the check-in building, although I do occasionally see someone wearing one outside.

For those who were interested in Algodones for glasses, dentists or meds, the border IS open.  On this day it opened at 6 am.  We were walking across at about 7:55 and headed directly to the pharmacy which opened at 8:00.  Yes I messed up this image on purpose.  Although there are no signs at this location stating NO PICTURES, I know you are not supposed to take any in case it reveals something about their security. 

This pretty much shows what 8:00 looks like.  The pharmacy is just down the street.  In less than five minutes I had my order in my hot little hand.  In no time at all, as in less than 30 minutes, we were walking through the exit gate.  

They only let two at a time into the building, where you hand them your passport and stand on the yellow circle.  You take your mask off and they take your picture.  That was surprising ...  I'm not sure why ... maybe to throw me in jail later for having the nerve to cross the border.  They asked what I bought ... vanilla and meds.  She didn't even look in my bag, although they went through Cindy's bag with a fine tooth comb.

At any rate, we were allowed to pass on through and headed back to the car.  I breathed a big sigh of relief.  I don't know why, I would never do anything wrong, it just always makes me nervous.

Here's another tip ... they close the gate at 2:00 pm.  If you don't get out, you can ask where hotels are.  The pharmacy we shopped at actually had a hotel inside the building in case you get caught after hours.  Not sure I would want to do that, but it's an option.

The next stop was the Arizona Marketplace for fabric.  We arrived here just as they opened at 9:00, taking full advantage of it not being busy.   

When you shop with Cindy and Ray, you are privileged to enter the "back room" with even more bolts of fabulousness.  

This is part of the regular store ... just look at all that fabric!  I'm in heaven ... and this is just ONE rack.  The store is FULL of racks.  Too bad I forgot my patterns and only bought a little.  I plan to remedy that situation today.  

We didn't investigate any further, but did check out this ship in the desert.  This is not something you see every day.  

I was suitable impressed until I discovered it's made of poly-something or other and not wood.  No matter, it certainly is an eye catcher.

In to every life some rain must fall, and today is the day for me.  I walked into the living area at 4:15 am to discover I'm inundated with ants.  Are you kidding me?  I don't even have any food in the rig except what's in the fridge!!  

The first order of the day will be to MOVE to another site and buy a large bottle of ant spray.  The problem there is I have pets.  Hopefully moving will solve the situation.

I MADE IT!!

I was off in the freezing morning air after getting bit by Jonathan.  Yes, he bites the hand that feeds him.  He wasn't the least bit happy about being dumped in that big cardboard box for the trip to the cage in the rig.  Add to that the chill in the air, and he was having none of it.  My finger will heal, eventually.  OUCH!

The first stop was for fuel, just a couple miles down the road.  It's always refreshing to get 40 gallons of diesel for a measly $2.29 a gallon.  In California that would be $3.70.  Don't you just wonder what they do with that money?  

I waved to Jan and Bill as I passed through Casa Grande and headed up the first big hill.  My rig purred like a baby.  Sadly, the camera battery died after one photo.  RATS!!

In no time the puppies were due for a break.  It was still pretty chilly, so it didn't take them long.  They weren't interested in the cold air either.  

At Gila Bend, I was heading into new territory.  I've never driven this stretch of Highway 8 before.  California should take note.  These were the smoothest roads I've been on in some time.  Maybe because they were just recently rebuilt, but even the rough spots were smooth comparatively.  

One more pit stop was in order while I called my "guy" to get better directions for that oil change.  I thought I had it in the bag.  Turns out, it had fallen out all over the floor.  I landed on the side of the road next to an Urgent Care (something he never mentioned) and waited for twenty minutes.  Finally I put in another call.  

He came a few minutes later and I followed to the appointed spot, no where NEAR where I was.  At least the weather was much warmer when I stepped outside.  I'm sorry I didn't take pictures, but I was so entranced with the WARM that I completely spaced out.  Could also have been the five hour drive.  

60 Minutes and a check later, I had new oil and all new fuel filters, along with greasing whatever needs to be greased.  Can you imagine, a mechanic who comes to where you are to service your rig?  He's one in a million.  Too bad he's married.  I can tell you that there was not one single drop of oil spilled anywhere.  He even picked up one tiny drop of grease.  

I'm good to go for another year, so off I drove to the Palms RV Park where I'm staying.  I like it here because they have 24 hour security at the front gate.  At last I got to see Ray, Cindy and little Miss Penny. Penny jumped up in my lap and made herself at home.  My heart melted!

I dropped off three bags of fabric scraps that made Cindy's eyes light up!  She's the quilter extraordinaire that uses pieces as small as one inch to create masterpieces.  Me .... I have to have pieces I can actually SEE!!

At long last it was time to hit the hay ... I was pretty tired from driving.  I was offered half of a spaghetti squash already cooking in the oven.  Who could turn THAT down!!  I don't know what they used for spices, but it was WONDERFUL!!

Early this morning we are heading across the border.  It's open from 6 am to 2 pm every day.  Most of the shops open at 8:00 so we'll be at the door waiting.

Heading Out

 It's been pretty chilly trying to get the rig loaded.  Here's the ice gathering on the patio, so there was no need for hanging out in the morning darkness.  Instead I went right to work trying to remember everything  I just might need.  You know the drill.

The humidifier is doing it's best, but getting it above 22% requires I hook a garden hose to the fill spout.  Thus Cooper's bad hair day.  I can be included in that, but I'm not showing you a picture.  I am thinking one of these days when I get real brave, I'll take a video of that blue lightning going from my finger to the light switch.

Here's a video of the kids who grace my water station more than anyone.  There are a few quail running around, but very few.  I think they have all gone to warmer temperatures.  I'm following them today.

I'll catch up with you again when I'm parked and enjoying the company of friends.

Camping Out

It's almost relaxing as I sit listening to the trains rumble by in the darkness.  Yesterday one got stuck out back for over two hours.  That had to put a crimp in someone's schedule, since they roll by here many times a day.  I could camp out there and watch the world go by, at least until the puppies demanded dinner.

Earlier in the day I was treated to this magnificent scene.  There's just no way to show how spectacular this sunrise was.  Yup ... this is an Arizona SUNRISE.  

It got even better as the minutes ticked by.  This time I camped out in my garage with the door up until every vestige of color was gone.  I must be sick, because I NEVER do anything like that.  I'm too much a type A personality to sit around.  It definitely reminded me of why I love Arizona.

Yesterday, I spent the day packing, as I will today.  Since I cleaned out the RV, now I find I have to put a lot of that stuff back.  Things like coffee and puppy food cannot be forgotten.  There are now colorful yellow post-it notes on every counter and doorway.  Otherwise, I might forget something important, like Jonathan!!

As I grabbed the trail camera from its overnight home, I noticed the quail have been camping out at the water station.  They are really good at digging holes for their daily dust bath, followed quickly by bunnies who lounge in the same holes.  

Wasn't I happy (and surprised) to see the coyotes are back.  Well at least ONE of them is.  I haven't seen this one before, nor have I seen even a glimpse of the pack.  As you can see, he/she is very skittish, so most like hasn't been around this water station much.   

The next day, this guy showed up, not afraid at all.  They appear to be loners, unlike the pack that appeared a few days ago.  Also a big surprise, they came by at 6:00 pm.  That's a really good reminder to keep an eye out when I let the puppies go in the back yard.  Puppies are NEVER allowed to camp out.

I'll soon be off to Yuma where the first order of business will be to get an oil change.  That's no easy task in this monster I drive.  I usually meet my "guy" (too bad he isn't single) in Indio, but this year since there is no rally, I'm going to try and find him off the freeway and before I park for the week.

Of course the problem is, I don't have very good directions, which makes me MUCH more nervous than it should.  You know the old "I can't turn around here" problem.  I'm packing extra lunch in case I get lost.  I also hope to hook up with a few RV friends while there.  That's the best part of having an RV.  You meet the nicest people!!!