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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

What’s a four letter word beginning with “D”?

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It’s one of the RVer’s best friends!  So,tell me, is it Duck tape or Duct tape?  This 3M brand labels it duct tape, but I’ve seen other brands label it duck tape.  What’s the correct name?  No matter the name, I put this tape to some good use the other day.

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Remember when my beloved rocker gave up the ghost and the seat ripped out?  Well, I had an email from my friend, Jack, today asking if I had replaced the rocker.  I wrote him back and told him, no, not yet, but I had done a temporary fix on it with a roll of duc_ tape.  He told me he had a folding rocker that I could have.  I took him up on that deal.  Smile  In the meantime, I very gingerly sit myself down in this temporarily fixed version each afternoon.  Yesterday was pretty hot, and I was wearing shorts when I relaxed outside.  When I got up off of the rocker, I left behind a pound of skin.  Ouch!!  As you can see, I did put the sticky side down, but that didn’t seem to make any difference.  My bare legs stuck anyway!  Now I’ve put a towel on top so that won’t happen again.  I hope this fix holds until Jack and I meet up in Indiana this summer.

 

Another question I had today came in a comment from TERI on last night’s post.  She wanted to know if I would hike the trails I’ve been doing if I didn’t have Emma with me.  My answer is yes.  I hiked trails before Emma came into my life, and would continue to do so if she weren’t.  There are two reasons for this.  First, Emma is certainly not a form of protection for me.  She’s always been more excited to see strangers than she is to see me!  She would certainly jump on anyone giving me trouble, but that’s so she could lick them to death.  Secondly, I refuse to be afraid to do things alone.  It’s not that I’m careless about my safety (far from it), but in my current circumstances, I’d see or do very little if I had to find someone to go with me to do the things that give me the most enjoyment.  I’d be happy to have a similarly minded companion, but I’m not going to sit at home waiting for that person to appear.  I don’t want to let life pass me by.  Sometimes it’s not easy doing things alone, but it sure beats the alternative.

 

SAM also left a comment today with some great suggestions for improving my train picture.  I appreciate his thoughtfulness, but I guess I need to be honest about that picture.  Had it been a bird, I would have done whatever was necessary to get the best shot.  Since it was a train, I have to admit that my biggest concern was snapping a picture quickly so I could get across the tracks before I got stuck waiting for it to go by.  Sorry, Sam, next time I’ll try to do better.  Who me?

IMG_9905Thought I’d show you another view of my setup here on the refuge.  That nice live oak helps give me some shade, and the community area in the left of the picture is where we have our cookouts.  I’m giving some serious thought to perhaps returning here next winter.  We’ll see what happens.

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Sunsets around here are nothing like those spectacular ones in the west, but I did enjoy this calm reflective view just steps from my door last night.

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy

19 comments:

  1. It is actually "duct" tape, "Duck" is a brand.
    We would be lost in this house without it.

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  2. I'll vote for duct tape, not duck tape. Whatever it's called, it's handy stuff. What a nice picture of your motorhome parked at the refuge. I always like to see people's rigs and where they are parked. Great reflection picture!

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  3. Duct tape is the proper name. Duck tape is for people who can't spell Duct.

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  4. What a wonderful campsite. I wouldn't mind joining you there next winter! The sunset looks perfect, to me!

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  5. You and Al are really getting creative with that duct tape stuff. Jim calls it 100 mph tape because they use it in NASCAR. We just use it for everything. Amazing picture once again.

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  6. Judy, you crack me up!! Whoever invented duct tape is extremely rich since no one can live without it! Beautiful pic of your rig & site. I had the same question as Teri and I admire you for your courage and willingness to pursue your dreams!

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  7. Duct tape was invented to hold heating ducts together, or maybe it was really invented to get guys like me out of trouble?

    No matter what it's called it sure is handy!

    Love the reflection picture, you certainly have an eye for a great photo. I have enough trouble finding the view finder... :c)

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  8. I admire your courage and determination, as well. I have to admit that I sometimes allow my fears to limit what I do. Wish I were more like you....maybe I will work on that!

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  9. It was invented for the army in WWll

    It was World War II and there was a need for a strong, flexible, durable, waterproof tape that could seal canisters, repair cracked windows, repair trucks and help the war effort in general. Permacell, a division of the Johnson and Johnson Company, stepped up to this challenge.

    Using medical tape as a base, they applied two new technologies. Polycoat adhesives gave the tape its unshakable stick and polyethylene coating allowed them to laminate the tape to a cloth backing, making it extremely strong and flexible. The resulting tape was nicknamed "Duck Tape" for its ability to repel water, while ripping easily into strips for fast convenient use.

    After the war the tape was put to the more civilian use of holding ducts together. So the product changed from a nameless army green tape to the familiar gray duct tape.

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  10. Thanks for the reply, I have done some walking on my own, but I need to be able to do it more. I don't know if its from growing up and living in Chicago, or from an overprotective husband - but I don't want to not do things because I don't have someone to go with me. Its a fear I will have to outgrow.

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  11. I like your attitude Judy. I continually work on making Fear Knots into Fear NOTS.

    Your set-up at the refuge looks dandy!!

    And it's only Duck Tape in Oregon (Home of the University of Oregon DUCKS).

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  12. we call it '100 mile an hour tape' here too!.love the shot of your rig in it's parking space..I agree with Carol I like to see where the wheels land!!
    have a great day..nice reflective photo today!

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  13. I have always called it (and spelled it) duct tape. To me it's annoying when incorrect spelling becomes accepted because so many people use it, but I'm a proper spelling freak.

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  14. Nice reflection pic & your rig looks cozy all tucked away under the big tree. Both Kelly & I are independent people who are quite comfortible doing things either together or on our own. Very rare for us as individuals or as a couple to be doing things with groups of people. It's just the way we are & it's a preferred lifestyle. We are fortunate in that we both have the same interests & that is the clue. I have briefly traveled alone & thoroughly enjoyed it but in the end I do prefer to have someone to enjoy those travels with now. Sure is much easier to have 2 people working on life's little problems every day instead of one.

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  15. You are to be commended for your brave and great attitude...And even though Emma wouldn't bite a fly, people don't need to know that...Who knows what Emma might do if someone (God forbid) would try to harm you...
    ...It might not hurt to get one of those little mace things you could put in your pocket while on some of those "trails less traveled"...

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  16. That sunset picture is beautiful...

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  17. In Kansas, it's lovingly called "Oklahoma Chrome"...

    Love your campsite! It is worth the consideration of a second term! Are you having any of the mysterious oil slick coming ashore?

    Nice reflection shot!

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  18. Duct or Duck, who cares? The darn stuff really works for most quick fixes... We always have a roll laying around here somewhere.

    Rusty threw a fit in the truck today. We didn't get to do much on our outing because he wouldn't behave. I think he and Emma might be related... :)

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  19. Nice camp site-when ever I spend any time under live oaks, I have to climb on the roof and sweep all the junk off.

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