Operator Error?

 Over the years, I've spent lots of time with electronics.  Between computer programing when they were the size of my house and numerous electronic devices, I can usually hold my own.

Wasn't I surprised yesterday when I went to download the SD card from the game camera.  "This card has no supported media".  Wait, WHAT?  I've been downloading videos and images for the last month.  Yes I had that first urge to throw the thing out the window, but the challenge got the best of me.

It's either the camera or the card.  Nothing was different ... no rain, no snow, no javelina dragging the camera off into the cactus.  I tested it by making a video of me dancing in the kitchen.  No, it's not one you will see because it recorded nothing.

It sounded like it was recording, so my initial assessment was the card had gone bad.  I've never had that happen in any electronic device I have ever had in my life.  SO ... it must NOT be operator error.  With dark glasses and a big black mask, SANS makeup, I headed off to Walmart at 7:00 am.  I figured if it wasn't the card, I would have plenty of time to complain to the camera people.

I'm very happy to say the NEW card worked just fine, recording a video of me turning it on and off.  No dancing this time.  This morning will tell the tale as I retrieve the camera from last night.  Keep your fingers crossed.

In the meantime, here's one of the javelinas pushing and shoving.  You may have seen this one.  Although I can rename them, I've completely lost track of the dates.  That is DEFINITELY operator error, or in other words, something went wrong with my brain memory card.

 Since the morning weather has cooled off considerably, I actually wore a long sleeve shirt to wash the windshield of the rig.  The rest of the day I loaded up plants, frozen food, clothes and dog food.  How exciting.  The good thing is I actually have a list so nothing is forgotten.  Usually that is.

When I spotted this guy however, I had to grab my camera.  After looking at dozens of images, this appears to be a female rufous hummer.   The one on the other side of the nectar is a reflection of a second one.  They seem to guard this feeder very jealously.

My nerves have calmed down considerably since the weather report for the next week or so seems to be good, or at least there no XXXX predicted.  I'm not even going to say that word.  I'll finish packing up this morning and be off into the wild blue yonder with the two puppies and Jonathan in tow.  

 

 

 

Game Camera Discoveries

 NEVER FORGET

9/11 Twin Towers

 

The good news of the day is I think you are right ... I MAY have won the war.  I'm sure I harassed the poor Sonoran Lyre snake until he had enough and left for quieter pastures.  I have not seen hide nor hair of him since sweeping him off the wall with my broom (yes they are GREAT climbers, but I'm sure he could not have scaled the 5 foot fence).

Just for identification purposes because they resemble a rattlesnake, look for a thin tail (no rattles) and a V shape on his head.  Their fangs are rear facing, so must chew on their victim to inject the poison.  More than you ever wanted to know right?

 

 

These are the two babies that showed up very early one morning in the dark.  They are the first does I've seen all year.  Sadly, with no rain and therefore no grass, they are very thin.  Hopefully some rain will fall soon and they survive.  I haven't seen the bucks around for about two weeks now.  At least I can help them out with a little water.

 

 

Here's that beautiful boy that dropped by for a nice long drink.  He seemed to be distracted by something, then came back again, but didn't drink.  He was probably just strutting his stuff for the camera, for which I am VERY thankful!!  I just can't get enough of these videos.

Here's the two thorns in my side ..... not really.  I love to watch the bunnies with their ears twitching every direction to hear what's coming.  I've figured out their pattern.  They come out every two hours and wander around the water station, taking a sip or two.  They do this all night long.  I thought bunnies slept at night!  

What that means is I get 23 videos in the morning, 19 of which are bunny pictures.  Seems to me they would make a great kitty snack, but so far they have eluded both the kitty and the coyotes.

 

 

Lastly, another of my favorites .... yes you are right, they are ALL my favorites ... but these guys just crack me up the way they use their paws to gather food.  They obviously have someone's number because they are definitely fat and happy!!

 

I have a few more videos to show you, but they will have to wait a bit.  I'll be on the road tomorrow morning heading East.  Please pray for none of that cold white stuff ... I'm not even going to type the name.  I'm about half packed and nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof.  I'm sure it will get better once I'm on the road.

 

 

Cooking, Smoking and Critter Cam

I can't tell you how happy I am every morning when I go out and retrieve the critter cam.  The weather has been cooling off and the coffee clatch kids have been meeting up quite often.  It seems the rabbits never sleep, but wander around the water looking for tidbits.  Unfortunately for all the critters, there has been little to no rain, meaning little to no food.   These guys however, seem to have found the secret, as they are fat and happy! 

 

Here are the two dove babies, only two weeks old and almost completely grown.  Sadly, the desert is not always nice.  I woke up one morning to find feathers spread across the yard.  Apparently something was very hungry because the babies disappeared.   I'm guessing owl or roadrunner.

 

Time is getting short, so I've been packing up and trying to get organized.  There are post-it notes on every available table and door to remind me of things I need to do.  I check my phone every ten minutes because it's snowing in Colorado right now, making me a nervous wreck.  If it starts to snow when I'm there, I'll be gone in a flash.  Driving in snow is not in my DNA, just like cleaning and vacuuming.

I threw a chicken on the BBQ so the puppies and I would have something to eat while on the road.  I swear, that's the easiest way to cook a whole chicken EVER.  I thank George Yates every time I cook one.

 

I also thought I might try my hand at smoking salmon.  As it turned out, that one is not in my wheelhouse.  Oh it was edible, but too dry.  I smoked it too long at too high a temperature.  I would much rather have it sauteed in a cast iron skillet anyway!!

 

Back to the videos, this young coyote was very hesitant and it took me awhile to figure out why.  The water had just turned on, filling the tank.  The noise and water movement made him very wary.  So much so that he decided not to drink.  In a video from another wildlife fan across the valley, the young coyote would not drink because of the rain drops hitting the water.  I think if you double click, the image will be larger and easier to see.

 

What about the snake you ask?  Well ....... Snake 3, Nancy 0.  I was all set up for a confrontation, whereupon I would fling it out the open gate, but he never showed.  I'm hoping he was harassed so badly by the broom of the night before that he decided to get the heck out of dodge.

Just to ensure that theory, I lit up the back yard like a freeway.  They are nocturnal hunters and don't like light.  I haven't seen him since, knock on wood, and hopefully WON'T again!!  Everyone else is more than welcome ... except those scorpions and centipede things. 

 

 

 

SNAKE 2 NANCY 0

Well ...... needless to say there was more snake action around my house yesterday.  But first, lets visit the Vintage Market held at the Wine-Health-Horse Ranch not far from my snake palace.  Just a quick note ... thank you Judith for letting me know you TOO got stung by a scorpion in bed!  Now I require sleeping pills to go to sleep!!

This is a beautiful location with trees around for shade.  Vendors actually have lots of antique "stuff" ... treasures to be sure.  It's definitely in your face to discover that much of what they are selling is what I still use every day.  

 Patty and I are all about the "old" stuff.  I can't tell you how many days we spent on the road hunting down the things we HAD to have until the trunk was full to the brim.  If we were sure our husbands would not approve, we just said it was a GIFT from the other.  YEAH RIGHT!!  This faire brought back lots of memories, including the fact that yes, I once DID have a husband.

 

 

Sorry for the terrible pictures.  I just could not pass up this hair.  If it was combed, I would be jealous.  It is Patty's favorite "do" by the way ... or maybe NOT!  Why would you have such gorgeous hair and not run a comb through it.  Dredlocks are the latest hippy vibe I suppose.

There was so much stuff I could use for decorating my Arizona house, but alas, I have too much already.  I can't believe I used so much restraint that I didn't buy a single thing!  It's a miracle!  Oh wait ... I did buy 5 chocolate chip cookies and boy were they delicious.  I didn't even take a picture!!

It was hot ... something like 105 ... but we headed on off to another marketplace at Target.  This one was a much smaller affair.  Events don't last long in the heat of Arizona, so we weren't surprised to see some people already packing up.

Nothing really caught my eye but THIS!!  Are you kidding me?  Sexy Grilled Cheese!!  Oh my goodness and they had Mac 'n Cheese Grilled Cheese on the menu.  It took all my fortitude not to buy THAT.  I owe it to my empty wallet.

That was it for the day ... nothing NEAR as exciting as the snake fiasco that's happening in my back yard.  The next morning I spent an hour with the garden hose, washing down my oleander tree trying to dislodge the snake.  No luck, he must be gone.  

Then LAST night, I went outside with the flashlight looking everywhere.  Nothing.  I turned around and made a quick pass over the brick patio and what should I see but THE SNAKE, casually crawling along the edge of the gate.  

I quickly went over, reached as far over him as I could and flipped the gate latch.  Of course when I OPENED the gate, it caught him and rolled him over.  He took off like a shot.  Anyone who says snakes are slow, LIES!

I raced to the house for a broom.  I'll just sweep him out the gate.  After all, they eat mice, right?  I can't kill him.   I chased him under another oleander, stopped him from climbing up and then ....... POOF ....... like magic, he completely disappeared.  How can that happen?  Where the heck did he go???  

I spent an hour shaking the bushes hoping to dislodge him.  Nothing.  I finally gave up, but left all of my outside lights on all night in the hopes he will go look for a dark place to hunt elsewhere.  Here's a picture of a Lyre Snake taken by Gary Nafis I snatched from the web.  He's only as big around as my thumb, but he's three feet long and needs to go find another home.

Seriously, if he comes out again tonight, my shovel (now perched by the back door) has his name on it.  I can't take the chance of him biting one of my puppies.  So you know the count ... Snakes 2, Nancy 0.

 

 That of course resulted in a sleepless night.  The fear of snakes is so strong in me that for years I could not even touch the cover of a magazine that had pictures of snakes in it.  Apparently somewhere along the way I was traumatized, but I have no clue what might have happened.  

More critter videos will be forthcoming for tomorrow.  I never knew I had such a popular meeting place at night!!

 

NOOOOOO ..... Not Again!!!

After this one, I'm about DONE with the critters.  There are two things I DO NOT like about the desert.  You already know one of them is scorpions.  By the way, let me tell you a little tale that will curl your toes.

My neighbor just down the road, slid into her bed not long ago and came out screaming.  Yessirree, she was stung by a scorpion IN HER BED.  They rushed her to the ER where she was treated and sent home.  Now I'm freaking out, ripping the sheets off my bed every single night before I lay down.  True story!!

So last night, I noticed right at dark as I let the puppies out, there were two deer at the water station.  Pictures tomorrow ... so I stood outside and watched.  They drank a long time, so I walked over to the irrigation system to refill the tank.  Let me just say I'm barefoot.

I completely and totally FREAKED OUT when out of the corner of my eye I saw something move.  OMG OMG IT'S A SNAKE!!!!!  I literally RAN back to the concrete patio and through the house to the garage for a shovel.  I know, you should not kill them, but this is MY back yard.

Of course by the time I returned with a flashlight, it had disappeared.  I looked all around until I saw the tiny thin tail of a NON-venoumous creature.  Oh ... it must be a gopher snake.  I suppose they are good, but really, there's nothing in my yard they would eat.  I left him alone and went back inside.

I didn't stay long.  I just couldn't stand that there was a SNAKE in my back yard.  I'm petrified of them.  As a kid I had nightmares every single night of hundreds of snakes crawling all over my bed.  I can remember every one of them to this day.

Back outside, I took this picture to try and I.D. it for sure.  I posted it on Facebook.  Well that made my predicament even worse!!  It is another Sonoran Lyre snake, rare they said.  Gosh, how lucky can I be because now that's TWO I've found in my back yard.

 What to do, what to do.  I finally decided to chase it off with the water hose, a Patty suggestion.  Well you know what happened ... it completely disappeared.  No sign of it anywhere.  They are not exactly poisonous, won't kill a human, but they might have enough venom to kill my dogs.  Obviously I will be out with the garden hose this morning trying to locate the darn thing and convince it to leave my back yard.  It's only an inch across it's back and maybe three feet long.

 

 

I seriously don't need this stress in my life.  Leaving soon for Colorado is MORE than stressful enough since I got the warning of SNOW!!!  Yup ... the Nature Gods are attacking me from all sides.  If that continues, I will be canceling the trip.  I am NOT driving my rig in the snow.

 

This video made me feel a little better.   These guys are just so elegant looking.  I wish they ate snakes!!

His coloring is so light.  In contrast, here's one from across the valley with much more tigerish markings.

The very boring end to my very exciting day was some pork chops I tried to cook in my Instant Pot. 

Patsy  seems to be able to make these taste delicious.  Me, not so much.  I did make a gravy that came out better than the chops.  Ugh ... three more meals of this.  I wonder if Lyre snakes like pork?

I'll get back to the Vintage Faire tomorrow when I calm down from my snake wrangling.

 

 

The KING Of The Night

 It was a better day yesterday from the moment I checked the game camera.  I obviously love the critters that wander the desert at night.  The King of them all is this guy.  I've been waiting to capture his image ever since I got my newest toy.  

In the past, Mom and her babies have been more visible.  This year they have not shown up at all.  I've seen lots of them in pictures in back yards however, as Moms everywhere have figured out it's cooler and safer for the kids to grow up on someone's patio.  Neighbors have mentioned seeing Dad and I have actually heard him yowling in the night air.  Finally ... here he is.  

It's very interesting to note that he does not have the coloration I've seen on other bobcats that live very close to here.  They seem to be more tiger-like in color.  Don't you just want to pet this beauty?

These guys try to steal the show all night long.  I downloaded twelve videos.  Eight of them were these two sneaking around in the dark.  Maybe it's just cooler at night to forage for food.  What they could possibly eat is beyond me.  Pickings are pretty slim since we haven't had any rain.  The fattest one is the guy who figured out how to jump over my fence for the grassy buffet.

I know you've just been waiting on pins and needles for THIS image.  It's not my picture, but was taken by a gal just North of me who leaves her feeder outside at night.  With this type of feeder, the bats kind of stall out and lap up the nectar like crazy before falling off the side, then flapping their wings before hitting the ground.  Now that's a face only a mother could love!!  EEK!!

 

In between stalking the critters, I've been trying to finish this quilt.  If it looks a little wonkey, that's because those 63 squares are not sewn together yet.  Six more, along with a little adjusting, and it will be ready to go together.  I'm trying to finish up all the odds and ends before packing to leave.

 With temperatures hovering around 107 every day, it's been difficult to go out, but Patty and I wandered around a "Vintage" sale yesterday at the Wine/Health/Horse Ranch nearby.  Pretty weird combination and I've never seen anyone on a horse there.  The facilities were beautiful, but the heat made me forget to take many pictures.  I'll post a few tomorrow.

From there, since we weren't hot enough, we went to ANOTHER one at Target.  Who knew Target had antique sales? 

 

A Comedy of Errors

Sometimes I think I should just stay in bed.  Not that my puppies would let me, but it might be safer for all if I did.  What can I say, weird things just happen to me.

With quadruple this many hummers flying round my two feeders every morning, it doesn't take long to empty them.  It doesn't help that honey bees have found the nectar and like to partake of something sweet too.  The hummers actually give them plenty of space, just like me.  Yup same picture .......

I looked out an hour later and it was completely empty.  I had already made more, I'll just grab the feeder, fill it up and they will be back in business.  I unhooked the chain, rushed inside and set in the sink.  WHAT THE HECK?  A cloud of bees came up from the sink and swarmed me.  

I ran screaming like a little girl into the living room, snuck around the corner and grabbed my flyswatter.  I spent the next 30 minutes chasing them around the house trying to swat them midair (you can just imagine how successful I was at that) before they got close to Miss Jessie the Jack Russell Terrier fly catcher, who will try to eat them.  That's bad news.

FINALLY ... I opened the sliding glass door and most of them flew out.  Wow .... what a workout!  Doug would be proud I didn't kill them!!  I filled the feeder and back outside it went.

Immediately it was swarmed with bees again.   I grabbed my trusty fly swatter and tried to move them on to better hunting grounds since they refused to let the birds eat.  Okay, I swatted one HARD.  Boy was THAT a mistake!!!

He lived and flew away, but the entire bottom of this feeder fell to the ground and all that lovely nectar went with it!!!  I was so shocked I just stood there and watched while it splattered all over me.  I really should have stayed in bed!!

So I unhooked it again and refilled it, tracking sticky sugar water everywhere in my kitchen.  I had no doubt every ant within a hundred miles heard the dinner bell ring, so I tried to wash all the sweet stuff off the patio.  After six trips trying to untwist the garden hose, spraying a couple of bees along the way, it was finally clean and the bees had retreated.  

Next up, clean the kitchen floor so said ants don't come INSIDE!!  That's ALL I need.

 After resting up, I downloaded the videos from the game camera.  Those silly rabbits ... they are out at 1:00 am wandering around and having a nice long drink.  Don't they know that's prime coyote time?  Not to mention Mr. Bobcat.  In scanning all my videos, I discovered I missed one.  What a beauty, although not the best of shots.  I erased seven videos of the rabbits from just one night. 

 Since I was on a roll, I decided to smoke that last set of ribs I had in the fridge.  I'll relate that story later.  It didn't go much better than the hummingbird feeder.  In the meantime, I finished up the binding on this quilt, making it one for the books.  Each one of those triangles is made up of TEN pieces sewn together.  In the beginning, I hated it.  It's funny how sometimes you end up loving it!

 To finish off the night, since I had such a good streak going, I decided to film the bats.  I set up the game camera facing the feeder and parked myself in the dark.  All the hummers had left and the quail were ensconced in the trees to stay safe from predators.

It was quiet ... peaceful ... and completely devoid of bats.  I guess they are mad because I took the feeders away for one night.  An hour later I fell asleep in the chair.  Okay, enough of this nonsense ... and I went to bed.  I'm sorry to say there will be no bat pictures.   Maybe next time.

 

 

 

 

I'm Going Batty ....

The hummingbirds have been out in full force.   I thought maybe it was the cooler (in the 90's) weather, but yesterday kicked us in the butt again at 107.  It's okay though, because Quartzsite and Indio were 117.  YIKES!!!

These guys can drain a feeder pretty fast.  In fact, I've been making up 2 quarts of "juice" a day.  That tells you just how many hummers have been hanging out.  As for the bats, I fooled them and now bring the feeders in every night. 

 

Google still seems to be messing with the blog.  Honestly, I don't know why they can't leave well enough alone.  Now all my pictures load as tiny images that you have to click on to get them to size.  The spacing is uneven and everything is centered rather than left aligned, which also requires changes.

 

The other really annoying thing is you cannot load more than one picture at a time.  Oh you can click on them all at once, but after you add one and return to add the rest, they disappear.  Maybe it's just Firefox, which is the only browser I can use with this new programming.  They don't like Apple's Safari any more.

 

So ... between boiling up hummer food and trying to get organized (a hard task for me), Mr. Chance offered his repairman services one last time before he's off on a trip.  I took him up on my let's-replace-the-light repair.  This one is halogen, throwing out a very nice light in the back next to my rig.  

To save on electricity, I purchased an LED dusk to dawn version.  We did the usual "click" ... is the light off? ... NO ... "click" ... how about now thing, until we thought we had it.  Nope ... that's when I discovered I have a separate breaker in the outside panel, just for the garage.  Well that's good to know!!

 

Dan of course did an amazing job and VOILA!!!  I have a new LED light that works like a charm.  It came on last night and kept the pack rats off the property.  They are a real problem in this area, causing everyone to put bright lights under their vehicles to keep them away.  Otherwise they get inside and chew up all your wiring.  I use strings of flashing lights under my rig both front and back.

 

 

 Once that was done, I rushed off to an appointment at the Vet with Mr. Cooper.  It's no big deal, he has just decided his feet taste better than my cooking ... no surprise!!  He's been licking and chewing every day no matter what I change.  It's one of those "what the heck" times.

 

They found absolutely nothing, but trimmed his toenails and cleaned his ears just because.  What a great Vet.  It could be anything from anxiety (he's a poodle after all and he lives with ME) to the laundry detergent that washes his blankets.   We shall see if it improves when we leave on our next adventure.

 

 

 Speaking of me going batty, which is pretty much a daily occurrence, I thought I might catch a bat or two with my regular camera.  That of course didn't happen because one, they are VERY fast ... and two, it's too dark outside to capture them.  Wasn't I surprised when I found THIS on the game camera.  Apparently they picked up the electrical impulses or maybe the infrared lights.  Who knows.  It's short ... he flies away and does not come back.

Am I taking this game camera with me?  You bet ... If that dang skunk is still hanging around, I'm going to have pictures!!  In the meantime, I'm nervously packing for an RV rally in Colorado.  Anyone want to go for a ride???

OH LOOK!!! PRETTY COLORS!!!

There's nothing like going through a psychedelic car wash to wake you up.  My poor Jeep has been in desperate need of a wash for weeks now.  Like most things, there's never one around when you need it.  I yelped a car wash establishment and found many to choose from.

The closest one to my location was barely as big as my Jeep.  That won't do.  The next one was a YOU-GET-WET wash that wasn't going to make the grade either.

At long last, after driving around for 30 minutes, I discovered a MISTER car wash.  We actually have those in California and they work pretty well.  Interestingly enough when THERE, you have to wear a mask ... IN YOUR CAR ... WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP.  I kid you not.

Anyway ... for a measly $19.99 you can get a monthly pass.  What a deal for everyone except me since they do not cross state lines.  My choices ranged from $8 (I'm sure that was just water, no soap) to $16.  I went with mid-range $12.

As the machines pulled me into the wash tunnel, I thought I had been dropped into a sci-fi movie.  LOOK!!  PRETTY COLORS!!!

I've no idea why they put a sign in there that you can't see through the suds.  Hot something!!

Oooooohhhhh ORANGE!!  By now I think I must be in dream land ... until the slapping of the canvas rags, loud enough to sound like they were going to break my windows, woke me up!!

Lastly, bright red enveloped my Jeep as the final rinse took place.  That was so much fun, I just might do it again!  If you have the full-service wash, they will dry it for you too.  I used the drive-fast method.

Not as good as an old fashioned hand wash, but Mister did a pretty good job considering how dirty she was.  I was rather surprised when I got home and discovered a $16 charge to my card instead of the $12 I asked for.  I guess I can't complain too much ... the alternative of me out there roasting in the sun is worth the few extra bucks.

 The game camera captured a little tussle yesterday morning which I actually heard through my open let-the-cool-air-in-the-house screen door.  Apparently there is an order to drinking.  Look closely and you will see a baby for a short bit. 

 This is probably the biggest group I've seen come through here.  They definitely emptied the barrel.

 

 I have more videos, but have discovered uploading them chews up my data considerably.  Going over the limit is quite expensive nowadays, so I may have to slow down on posting those.  Actually, I'll just post the videos and not type ... they are so much more interesting!!!

It's time to put the hummingbird feeders out.  They are squeaking for breakfast.  I now have to bring them in every night because the bats are out and about in great numbers.  They can empty a feeder in a very short time.  I'll see if I can get them on video!

 

A Rare Sight Indeed

Sometimes you find the most surprising things in the desert.  One of my favorites to wander around in is the Mesquite Valley Nursery.  They have the most beautiful plants that are SO well taken care of, and the best part ... NO MASK because you are outside, at least most of the time.  Oh how I would love to have all this stuff in my yard.  I'm sure it would be a vast improvement.

Can you just imagine hearing the little water falls all day long?  I'm sure I would feel cooler.  Sadly, the prices are through the roof.  I think the smallest little turquoise thing was $100.  The water pots close to $700.  OUCH!!  

It was definitely an adventure, skirting around the mask-wearing people, on the hunt for the elusive under $100 prize between the Italian statues and the dinosaurs.  All I really wanted was a small bag of orchid potting mix and a pot.  My little piece of the jungle needed a new home.

Although I usually go home empty handed, I actually found the perfect pot.  My little pale green pinkie finger seems to be working on this orchid.  I would tell you the name, but I can't spell it.  The top two leaves are brand spanking new and new roots are growing out everywhere.  This is an extremely rare sight, since I don't think I have EVER had an orchid put out new leaves.

As I was racing around looking for a car wash ... wait til you see those pictures tomorrow ... I spotted Brushfire BBQ.  I don't know what happened, but my Jeep just drove right up to the door and parked.  I was about 10 minutes early for opening and right off the bat, went in the wrong door.  

The nice Manager escorted me to the front to order, but forgot to sign the waitress in to work.  At last, my order was placed for a pulled pork sandwich with (what else) mac 'n cheese.

I was so excited to bite down into THIS sandwich.  That feeling didn't last long at all.  It is rare that I EVER write bad food reviews.  After all, I think any frozen pizza is the BEST!  Sadly, I cannot say anything good about this food.

The pulled pork was more like baby food with no texture other than congealed pudding.  Yes it TASTED like BBQ, but that was about it.  It was pretty bad, but nothing compared to the mac 'n cheese.

This stuff was spoiled ... as in vinegary nasty tasting SPOILED.  The pasta was cooked separately and not drained well, meaning there was a half inch of watery substance at the bottom.  There was no cheese sauce, and only a smattering of melted cheese on top.  I kid you not .... one bite and it went in the trash.  I will not EVER be going back there, nor should you.

 That was $11.00 NOT well spent.  This video however, made up for it.  I keep hoping I will see Bob the Bobcat, but so far just a fleeting glimpse as he walked by in the background.  When I saw THIS image, I thought YES!!!  I CAUGHT YOU!!  

A RARE sight indeed .... but wait ... that tail looks a little long ... I clicked the start button and watched in amazement.  If you know anything about the desert at all, you KNOW there are no kitty kitty creatures around ... nor are there any small dogs.  Coyotes made short work of such critters.

But ..... looky here!!!

 It looks like a Siamese ... a very healthy one who is attentive to sounds, meaning that's probably why it's still alive.  Now THAT'S a rare sight in the desert!

Tomorrow, my exciting adventure in the car wash!!!  I know you just can't wait!!

 

 

 

 

Corn Moon Rising!

Ever had one of those days when you WANT to go out ... you get all jazzed up, actually put on clean clothes even though you're not going to see a sole all day, lay on a little makeup in case you meet Prince Charming ... and then just sit there all day long?

That was yesterday.  All my good intentions seemed to go right out the window.  Maybe it was the full moon, or maybe it was this young coyote that stopped by for a quick drink.  I seem to have spent too much time looking out the window waiting for the next critter.

 Although all my other visitors have been light in color, this kid is darker by far.  He was a little skittish, although he has no enemies.  Maybe that's from being young and trying not to get eaten by Mom Bobcat.

 

 

 He wandered off a short distance, then came back again for a long 3-4 minute drink.  What a beauty, but what a distraction from my intended path.

 

 

So ... I checked the game camera and found absolutely nothing.  That didn't help my mood one bit.  A good shopping trip might have helped, but basically everything around here is closed.  By the way, the CDC has announced it's huge numbers have been reduced for actual virus deaths and now California has hired a firm to COUNT theirs since they have no clue what the true numbers might be.  Meaning we may have been going through all this shut down stuff for nothing?

 

Unless you are Nancy Pelosi who got caught having her hair done yesterday INDOORS at a hair salon while no one else in California is allowed to even have their hair cut OUTSIDE.  You can just imagine how THAT went over.  Do as I say, but I'm rich and can do anything I want.

Maybe it was the full moon.  It gets blamed for everything!  This time it's called the CORN MOON since it's time to harvest all that corn you planted a few months ago.  I almost discovered too late that my watch was wrong in telling me moonrise was at 7:48.

It showed up at 6-something, so I rushed out in the nick of time.  These could be a little sharper because using a new ballhead to affix the camera to the tripod caused some difficulty.  There are three knobs and I kept twisting the wrong one.  

At long last I began clicking away.  She was definitely a beauty and sort of corn colored.  This moon is not to be confused with the HARVEST moon next month.  The corn moon only rises once every three years and is also known as the Fruit Moon and the Barley Moon.  Who knew??

I spent most of the day sewing the last quilt.  Time is running short before I wander off East and I'm wrapping things up in anticipation of all the stress of a new highway adventure.  It's time to start making list after list, check all my maps and start packing!!  Wouldn't you know, just when it has begun to cool off.

 

Lizards Can't Jump, Right?

 It's another glorious day in the desert, and thankfully the weather has cooled off to a lovely 71 degrees this morning.  Hopefully Mother Nature sticks to the weather-guessers plans of under 100 (if only barely) for the rest of this week.

It was finally time to tackle my latest project, a shelf on which to store all the junk in the laundry room.  So far it's lived on the floor, but after finding that scorpion here, I decided it was time to get organized.  Not that it will help really, because scorpions can climb right up the walls and drop in for a visit anywhere.

This is one of those projects with no directions.  Oh there's a piece of paper that shows the pieces, but no actual attach-A-to-B.  It took me awhile and a few cuss words to figure it out.

I think this is the spot for the spare refrigerator/freezer, but my new shelf turned it into my storeroom for hoarded paper towels and dog food.  Lucky for me, it fit perfectly ... I mean with fractions of inches to spare.  It leaves lots of room for the rod I hang most of my clothes on.  No use using a dryer when I don't have to.  My next project ... sew a curtain to cover it all up.

 Since I had to move the vacuum cleaners out, I surprised myself by actually turning them on and vacuuming the family room.  Score one for me!

Here's my latest fun video.  Mom raccoon cooling off in the water trough.  Sadly, I didn't see ANY babies.  I don't know if they are off on their own or something happened to them.  I will say Mom is very well fed!  What a beauty!!

My lizard buddy (or buddies as the case may be) has been visiting me every day, spending his leisure hours on the screen door.  He's a smart little cookie!  He stays at the very top of the screen out of the sight of roadrunners and birds who might think he was a tasty snack.

Yesterday however, he scared the heck out of me!!!  There I was, just walking through the kitchen when out of the corner of my eye I saw something jump right at me.  YIKES!!!  I jumped back three feet and headed for the broom!

What I saw was this little guy jumping up from the top step to the screen, a distance of at least six inches.  That's a lot for a tiny two inch body!!  He climbed right up to the very top as I caught my breath again.  It's weird .. these guys have the tiniest eyes I've ever seen.   

He spent the night gorging on flying things and is still there as I type.  How sad that lizards seem to be the highlight of my life right now! 

The sewing clatch got together yesterday to chew the fat.  No sewing since we haven't seen each other in way too long a time.  It's so very nice to actually be around and talk to people that can talk back.   Yes Jonathan and I have long conversations about the kitty kitty and disco, but it's just not the same.

I did get some exercise in patience and speaking in a sugary sweet tone of voice while trying to straighten out my Dish Network mess.  I hate it when you get new people who know less than you do about their processes.  

Three people and an hour later, they MIGHT, just possibly MAYBE have it straightened out.  They keep charging me for the MLB baseball package in spite of my canceling it three times now.  They charge me automatically, but couldn't seem to get past the part where "I" paid them the incorrect amount.  It was a challenge, to say the least.  Now I have to wait another month to see if they got it right.

It's time for another foray into adventure land.  I've found a couple more ghost towns to visit ... maybe ...  if I can get my act together today, or maybe I'll stay home and finish up that quilt I've been working on.  Such an exciting life!!!