tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77740046834715216542024-03-16T13:53:18.818-05:00Travels with EmmaTravels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.comBlogger1727125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-84413977037022396512019-08-18T23:03:00.000-05:002019-08-19T00:13:47.534-05:00RIP Judy, I love you very much.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am not sure if anyone reads this anymore but I thought I would let anyone who does come across this that my mom passed away yesterday August 17, 2019. I hoped this day would never happen. I loved my mom sooo much and I hope that when I retire I keep the tradition of traveling the US as she did and her mom before. Emma, her dog, came to live with my wife and me two years ago. Emma is still around and full of energy. In the summer of 2018, the traveling bug bit my mom and she traveled in a small rig from southern California up to visit me and my brother in MN and my sister in Indiana. This past winter she sold the rig and bought a car. She was finally done with traveling. Early tomorrow morning I fly to go to where she lived in southern California to tie up loose ends. I may make another post or 2 when I have more to say or maybe, one day, I will use this as my blog when I travel. My wife and I are going to drive her car back to MN at the end of the week and plan on visiting Zion National Park. We wanted to stop at a place she has been as we travel back home. My brother, sister and I hope to take her ashes to one of the parks she volunteered at next year and throw them in the wind. That is what she wanted. I remember when I showed her how she could do a blog and we got so excited every time we saw a new subscriber. I know she had the pleasure to meet a few of you and that really made her day. Thank you all for following her blog through the years. I know she liked to finish a post with the butt of some animal and say "The End", butt, pun intended, I thought this would be a better one. I love you mom!<br />
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Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18082479246607518893noreply@blogger.com127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-33641498166705672492016-04-12T21:18:00.001-05:002016-04-12T21:18:47.532-05:00There comes a time…<p>This June will mark my ten year anniversary as a fulltime RVer.  It has been a wonderful journey with so many memorable experiences for me.  I’ll never forget each and every one of the fifteen National Wildlife Refuges I’ve volunteered at, but there comes a time when it’s best to ‘hang up the keys’.  I have reached that point in time.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-swhvESADLB0/Vw2scvPt29I/AAAAAAAAlqI/q2SQewVCvj4/s1600-h/_MG_2709%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2709" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2709" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ldVhuDW7lwY/Vw2sdNC_Q-I/AAAAAAAAlqM/jbZYZgjH3XM/_MG_2709_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="507" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">          There’s a bench here in the park to sit upon and contemplate things.  It’s a favorite place of mine.</font></p> <p>Driving the rig has never been my favorite part of this lifestyle, and I was literally dreading getting ready to do so again.  I’ve grown tired of the stress and all of the work involved in traveling solo.  Beginning in October, I gave Jojoba Hills a try and it turned out that I really feel comfortable here.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g4iiJ-_Ta1A/Vw2sdnzn7lI/AAAAAAAAlqQ/4_C02AJ7Fcw/s1600-h/_MG_2713%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2713" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2713" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yTD92cPADvc/Vw2seQ3i0WI/AAAAAAAAlqU/-qRTbFtsRKc/_MG_2713_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="579" /></a></p> <p>So, for the last couple of months I’ve been investigating how to stay.  It seemed silly to me to have a motorized rig just sitting on a site for who knows how long.  Well, today I signed my name on the dotted line and in about eight weeks a Cedar Creek Cottage destination trailer will be installed on my site. (think kind of a park model)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rMHIjvA5znM/Vw2se40_y_I/AAAAAAAAlqY/93Oi9XLZQLU/s1600-h/IMG_1345%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1345" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1345" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pg2yT4o49JE/Vw2sfT0YqAI/AAAAAAAAlqc/FMaqVrZyCNc/IMG_1345_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="503" /></a> <font color="#c0504d">Can you believe a black-crowned night heron showed up at the pond below me in the middle of the desert?</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">I was thinking that perhaps with trading in the motorhome I could get the trailer and maybe have something left over towards a small rig for summer travel.  Pipe dreams for sure!  Seems to me that we always think what we have is worth more than what it really is worth.  That’s been my experience anyway.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NmwWewH9SI/Vw2sfz7JeDI/AAAAAAAAlqg/6aBgL3-HfY0/s1600-h/_MG_2715%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2715" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2715" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFAmeD7H8rc/Vw2sguZrh_I/AAAAAAAAlqk/o7xNhE8dXfY/_MG_2715_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="768" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">                                                                      Pepper tree peppers.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">So, no little rig, and tomorrow I’ll be calling my financial advisor to get some funds for the trailer.  Mind you, I chose what I think is a quality rig with several upgrades to be my new ‘home’.  I’ll not be pulling this baby anywhere.  I was a nervous wreck this morning while waiting for the guy to come and evaluate my motorhome for a trade in.  I was hoping for more than what was offered, but that didn’t pan out.  (This was the third or fourth place that I had been in contact with.)</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Tonight I’m feeling excited about starting a new era in my life, but it seems ‘Travels with Emma’ has come to an end.  Not many travels in my future until I can save up for something to travel in.  Probably won’t be posting much of anything now that I’ll be sedentary.  One door closes and another opens…</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_wCdX7rc6sk/Vw2shJMiXmI/AAAAAAAAlqo/d3HtvR_DE7s/s1600-h/_MG_2720%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2720" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2720" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yR3trmm7lno/Vw2shhhE_SI/AAAAAAAAlqs/4K_PxsM9LiE/_MG_2720_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">          I’m taking this as a good omen.  This rainbow was the view from my door during last night’s storm.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</font></p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com323tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-39231469557697615202016-03-28T20:12:00.001-05:002016-03-28T20:12:19.446-05:00Last week was a busy one<p>Want to get yourself worn out?  Well, just have two grandgirls (8 and 6) visit for six days and that will do it!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rfh1x9sFZnY/VvnWQMnMnLI/AAAAAAAAlnw/xlTKwJuctrQ/s1600-h/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020154%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="83 Jojoba Hills 20154" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="83 Jojoba Hills 20154" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WOUYmEZwuhk/VvnWQ1fa4fI/AAAAAAAAln0/QdyVWBrMkWg/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020154_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>Of course picking lemons for lemonade was one of the first things we did.  There’s a small lemon orchard in the park and members can pick what they need.  The biggest and best lemons are up high, so it was great to have Robyn agile enough to climb one of the trees for the prize fruits.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q5f0IYFmxxE/VvnWRq4WXQI/AAAAAAAAln4/y76WPkPMTzQ/s1600-h/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020155%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="83 Jojoba Hills 20155" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="83 Jojoba Hills 20155" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IDGFvaQWA7Q/VvnWSVlskSI/AAAAAAAAln8/j6-bUMDTGgs/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020155_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>Tuesday found us on a very long day trip to visit Joshua Tree National Park.  The trees, cacti, and wildflowers were all in bloom.  It was the perfect time for a visit.  Avery and Phoebe were even able to earn Junior Ranger badges by the end of the day.</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="894" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CXjvfjjYVXo/VvnWS1y-B-I/AAAAAAAAloA/rZyHQVluJ-A/s1600-h/_MG_2705%25255B33%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2705" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2705" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5F9Dx6x_vE/VvnWT4cABtI/AAAAAAAAloE/Yav6vbnx1E8/_MG_2705_thumb%25255B24%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="300" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="692"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ESY9APmU-jA/VvnWUm2O_VI/AAAAAAAAloI/z7xAymQPyJ4/s1600-h/_MG_2707%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2707" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2707" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zlTcVIxP-no/VvnWVfd-MYI/AAAAAAAAloM/Hc8d5OpQ8LA/_MG_2707_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" height="300" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>With a little help from their mom, both girls got to shoot my air rifle.  We practiced one afternoon to be ready for the Thursday morning Ladies Poker Shoot.  Avery, on the left, really didn’t like it, but Phoebe ended up being a little Miss Annie Oakley.  The Poker Shoot pays out on the best high and low hand, with at least a pair being required.  Robyn won the low category and I wasn’t even in the running this time around.  We didn’t enter the girls in the shoot, but I think Phoebe might have been in the money if we had.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V8a85_lz0PY/VvnWWAiErGI/AAAAAAAAloQ/y6UXqRW2YQ8/s1600-h/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020153%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="83 Jojoba Hills 20153" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="83 Jojoba Hills 20153" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lp3_OFi_eLc/VvnWXMlpVxI/AAAAAAAAloU/fTe6MqH6LGo/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020153_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>On two afternoons, we did soap felting.  The finished products are on the lower right.  With all those soap suds flying around everyone had sparkling clean hands, and I now have the cleanest picnic bench in the park!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N0xqEaFhlPg/VvnWXxzeplI/AAAAAAAAloY/ONrtgB3viEQ/s1600-h/IMG_1274%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1274 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1274 (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RlMpqYKMkXI/VvnWYuDBr5I/AAAAAAAAloc/hqjKiA262hw/IMG_1274%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="531" /></a></p> <p>We had cookouts every night, and while waiting for me to finish cooking dinner the Indiana ladies went on a hike up the big boulder hill that can be seen from my patio.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m56s8dfZv2Q/VvnWaUwnhhI/AAAAAAAAlog/JAHDmTfbAJU/s1600-h/IMG_1289%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1289" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1289" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QoAWXNHdrgk/VvnWbOTQZaI/AAAAAAAAlok/JEEMlB7VPgA/IMG_1289_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="647" /></a></p> <p>Up and up they went.  I had to take these photos with my 600mm lens.  They were really just specs on the hill to the naked eye.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h_MqRw4L-Vo/VvnWbyP1YhI/AAAAAAAAloo/g4GIWlZHDc8/s1600-h/IMG_1310%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1310" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1310" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qKEL1jiveYA/VvnWcu5_CJI/AAAAAAAAlos/Ez9VJ32jlC4/IMG_1310_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="418" /></a></p> <p>But before you knew it, they had made it to the top.  Sure wish I could have made that climb.  All the things I did get pictures of were interspersed with numerous trips to the pool and spa, two ice cream socials, and miniature golfing.  The girls took turns driving the golf cart to these events, and I’m happy to report that we didn’t crash even once.  Of course, the girls sat on my lap and I controlled the gas and brake pedals.  They’re not quite tall enough to do all that yet.</p> <p>It was a busy week, and after taking them to the San Diego airport on Friday I was pretty tuckered out.  But you know what?  I wouldn’t have missed last week for the world!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com129tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-57494324539565994432016-03-19T21:26:00.001-05:002016-03-19T21:26:05.590-05:00Getting ready for more visitors<p>My daughter, Robyn, and the grandgirls, Avery and Phoebe, will be flying into San Diego Airport tomorrow afternoon.  They’ll be here until next Friday, and I’m more than excited.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2mItXBmkwBY/Vu4KM-00E6I/AAAAAAAAlmw/HFoNmUuu5QU/s1600-h/IMG_1311%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1311" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1311" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oQbSb3yc1ho/Vu4KN3sJtqI/AAAAAAAAlm0/UQ5uA3M29FM/IMG_1311_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="675" /></a></p> <p>The weather forecast looks much better than when my sister visited two weeks ago, and the park is just about at peak blooming for the spring.  I’ve been planning what we’ll do while they are here.  Avery is the one that sent me Flat Stanley last December.</p> <p>Remember a couple of weeks ago when I took that soap felting class?  Well, what better way to have some good clean but messy fun.  We’ll also be making a few day trips.  Being eight, Avery is the perfect age to get excited about Junior Ranger Programs, so a trip to Joshua Tree National Park is on the itinerary.  I’ve heard that the bloom of the trees is spectacular this year, and we’ll make it just in time, I’m thinking.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTLT8lkgd5U/Vu4KOWzMIdI/AAAAAAAAlm4/H6fNIBhL_VQ/s1600-h/IMG_1313%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1313" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1313" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lSJl5WDrRJo/Vu4KPAwFDJI/AAAAAAAAlm8/5zXFUmoowfE/IMG_1313_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Of course there’s swimming, miniature golf, root beer floats, and a trip to the air gun range to fit in as well.  Nothing better than having some time with family!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-78644748759526200262016-03-11T20:07:00.001-06:002016-03-11T20:07:55.577-06:00This week was a mixed bag<p>It’s kind of exciting to have visitors, and this week my sister, Pam, and my grandniece, Amy, flew in from Chicago to spend a few days with me.  They had delays and missed connections and didn’t arrive until the wee hours of Sunday morning.  Since I don’t drive at night, they holed up in a motel in San Diego until I could get there once the sun was up.  Of course it rained for my whole drive to the motel.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJtvuLKfPYk/VuN5w0VRTwI/AAAAAAAAlU8/uRFsq2STddQ/s1600-h/_MG_2627%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2627" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2627" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V5zcuhcl18g/VuN5xm2wcgI/AAAAAAAAlVA/qnajxAmtBJ8/_MG_2627_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="579" /></a></p> <p>On the way back to Jojoba, we took a side jaunt to the Palomar Mountain Observatory.  The drive up Mt. Palomar was socked in with fog, but skies were beginning to clear at the top.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JQF8rYwqXGw/VuN5yZEtj2I/AAAAAAAAlVE/iTrhRD8HKRI/s1600-h/_MG_2629%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2629" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2629" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-360tjninf8s/VuN5y8vrqjI/AAAAAAAAlVI/Uv0hXSoE8j4/_MG_2629_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>The 200” telescope is used nightly by astronomers.  If you visit, you get to go inside the building, but there’s no looking through the telescope.  I found it interesting that the huge lens was made by Corning in New York.  I used to live not too far from Corning, and had visited their glass works many times in the past.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5SFZSf5iMZY/VuN5zlu5fVI/AAAAAAAAlVM/nUOkQIYWV3A/s1600-h/_MG_2634%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2634" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2634" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tTBSPO2uP6Y/VuN50C4youI/AAAAAAAAlVQ/BDt0WhO4nTU/_MG_2634_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>That’s the road up the mountain.  Lots of switchbacks.  It’s a good thing we went on Sunday because by Tuesday morning the road would have been snow covered.</p> <p>On Monday we spent most of the day inside the rig since it rained almost all day.  I did show them around the park, and we went for the Monday afternoon root beer float gathering.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-awzQ2D2gq9I/VuN50haGg0I/AAAAAAAAlVU/mjBdMd7SxNU/s1600-h/_MG_2637%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2637" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2637" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uu_EDKYuDj4/VuN51cuaG7I/AAAAAAAAlVY/-Ih6e7TGW5w/_MG_2637_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="443" /></a></p> <p>Tuesday the sun was out so we headed for Borrego Springs early in the morning.  Kind of surprising to see snow on the mountains along the way.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xKsm0BSsjqg/VuN5179ZJGI/AAAAAAAAlVc/2WyMg5DyAmM/s1600-h/_MG_2642%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2642" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2642" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OdqM3l-tbOc/VuN52sVvnaI/AAAAAAAAlVg/C6O53nZlByE/_MG_2642_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="558" /></a></p> <p>I took the scenic Montezuma Valley Road down to Borrego Springs.  Pam really enjoyed the scenery and couldn’t get over all the big boulders strewn about.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L-KNbPG2uXA/VuN53Yyz7lI/AAAAAAAAlVk/BiL7R4Ix0Uk/s1600-h/_MG_2649%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2649" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2649" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MNmW0IlsXWc/VuN53x1FTLI/AAAAAAAAlVo/8BC6-JSKE4c/_MG_2649_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>Of course there was the mandatory picture with the serpent to take care of. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EX1HSDvlx08/VuN544REkXI/AAAAAAAAlVs/CAcqFvQyKZk/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  You know, the last time I saw Amy she wasn’t even in school yet, and now she’s 14 and a freshman in high school.  Her mother, Christine, used to come and spend the summers with my family in upstate New York when she was about that age.  Time sure flies.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2JuWWYiTmH8/VuN55cZmARI/AAAAAAAAlVw/T7hNS0tbADA/s1600-h/_MG_2654%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2654" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2654" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J1-6Eageu9s/VuN56Jb4ykI/AAAAAAAAlV0/wmjIAuy6UAg/_MG_2654_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="463" /></a></p> <p>I do believe we found all of the sculptures that were scattered around the countryside.  Some, like this one, I had never seen before.  <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vHlNq4OOiOI/VuN56xzUp-I/AAAAAAAAlV4/NWvJsuQq0GA/s1600-h/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020152%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="83 Jojoba Hills 20152" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="83 Jojoba Hills 20152" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kt1xslGK06k/VuN57h1QUcI/AAAAAAAAlV8/iCZpEePjJgY/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020152_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a>The brittlebush was blooming everywhere along with these desert wildflowers.  I have no idea what they are.  We stopped for lunch at Carmelita’s in Borrego Springs before heading back to the rig.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pTeUrETWMWg/VuN58JL5j7I/AAAAAAAAlWA/ZXgjhM47hxM/s1600-h/_MG_2664%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2664" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2664" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IGFeHhaPN0U/VuN59JvoTII/AAAAAAAAlWE/QRUgaamKWqA/_MG_2664_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>About 3:30 we went down to the air gun range so Amy could have her first experience shooting an air rifle.  She did very well.  We were all having a good time, when I suddenly knew I was going to be sick.  Thank goodness there was a large garbage can at the range.</p> <p>Needless to say I was toast for the rest of the day.  Spent most of my time in the bathroom.  We’re thinking it was possibly food poisoning from the shrimp taco that I had for lunch.  I was worried about being able to take Pam and Amy back to the airport the next morning.  Thankfully, Fredericka, a fellow member here, volunteered to drive them at the crack of dawn.  I never would have made it.</p> <p>So I’ve spent the last couple of days recuperating from that miserableness.  I sure am glad they visited, but I just wish I hadn’t gotten sick.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nu_MXTuAC8g/VuN598_1x-I/AAAAAAAAlWI/F3RIb0Wct48/s1600-h/_MG_2662%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2662" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2662" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WiFxcV6A4_g/VuN5-UMDuII/AAAAAAAAlWM/l53xaLQtRoY/_MG_2662_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>                                                                              THE END!!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-69244984503705951502016-02-28T21:04:00.001-06:002016-02-28T21:04:22.328-06:00Felting Soap?<p>“Join me for a couple of hours of messy fun!”  That’s what the class description said.  I had no idea what felting soap was, but if it was messy and fun, I decided to sign up.  So I was off to the Ranch House at Jojoba this morning to find out what I had gotten myself into.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C-_TVbuSnPo/VtO1A-2a9LI/AAAAAAAAlR8/61Yo15T4jnU/s1600-h/IMG_1292%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1292" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1292" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HtrGZNSANcs/VtO1BuAozAI/AAAAAAAAlSA/LnGtu6rn7SQ/IMG_1292_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="471" /></a></p> <p>The first step in this process was to pick a bar of soap.  That’s my lavender scented bar on the lower left.  There were bags of wool scraps to choose your colors from.  The purple jumped out at me, but the instructor wasn’t sure it was really wool, so I had to pick a different color.  (I did wonder why she would bring stuff that you couldn’t use, but we’re all just volunteers here.)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwfARR9_zMk/VtO1CA0b63I/AAAAAAAAlSE/hqBJ540WAYU/s1600-h/IMG_1293%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1293" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1293" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ixnd5nmsU-g/VtO1Cq-zjLI/AAAAAAAAlSI/TQe5819nc6Q/IMG_1293_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="795" height="768" /></a></p> <p>                   Next you have to shave off all the edges on your bar of soap to make it easier to cover.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tReQlTOM1rQ/VtO1DE0rnUI/AAAAAAAAlSM/nD7s1wSWm9g/s1600-h/IMG_1296%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1296" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1296" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-avaCwJOemOU/VtO1Dto1ydI/AAAAAAAAlSQ/ZM7CaFkmuNQ/IMG_1296_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="632" /></a></p> <p>After pulling the wool strands apart, you begin wrapping your soap in the first layer.  Making sure the corners get covered is most important.  You don’t want to be able to see the soap at all, so it might take several layers.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6kVVyIucOWk/VtO1ETfjhYI/AAAAAAAAlSU/WWoKZji1U3Q/s1600-h/IMG_1298%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1298" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1298" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SqeQPtFBjCc/VtO1E0G378I/AAAAAAAAlSY/WmtC_w1uFkk/IMG_1298_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="868" height="768" /></a></p> <p>            I decided I wanted some white highlights to that burgundy, so I wrapped on a cobweb of white.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6CxXdfk6EbE/VtO1Fk449oI/AAAAAAAAlSc/lpPZCfV9nbE/s1600-h/IMG_1300%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1300" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_L0M3R4zSoc/VtO1GdU1v9I/AAAAAAAAlSg/0B6StinJq_g/IMG_1300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="748" height="768" /></a></p> <p>Once you’ve got the colors and layers you want, you wrap the bar in a section of pantyhose; creating a bag for the bar to be in.  Our leader, Sarah, said she wished she had called some of us to bring along some pantyhose.  Good thing she didn’t call me.  It’s been well over ten years since I’ve had any of those around. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-eyerollingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Eye rolling smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SOXtETmBW3A/VtO1G2kCdFI/AAAAAAAAlSk/uVmdegADsGg/wlEmoticon-eyerollingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  Someone suggested that maybe you could pick up some pantyhose at Goodwill.  Used pantyhose??  Yuck!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uca2U2CCB70/VtO1HfjrFEI/AAAAAAAAlSo/fwI6aZkFCpY/s1600-h/IMG_1303%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1303" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1303" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NNIMeAweCnI/VtO1IJX3HwI/AAAAAAAAlSs/g-v955mPJK4/IMG_1303_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="875" height="768" /></a></p> <p>Then we went outside for the messy part.  You have to immerse your soap bag in hot water to get it good and soaked.  Then you start rolling it in your hands; around and around.  Soap suds go everywhere!  You’ve got to do this for about a half an hour until the wool begins to ‘felt’ and seize up around the bar of soap.  (The scenery around us was not too shabby either as we were working.)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5LUvweX9eg4/VtO1InElKrI/AAAAAAAAlSw/dJQfWcP4Q44/s1600-h/IMG_1305%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1305" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1305" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u7vT3AZMOYA/VtO1JaBiqvI/AAAAAAAAlS0/STmJL5sa3Y4/IMG_1305_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="488" /></a></p> <p>You can squirt it with cold water to keep it wet as you work.  Sarah said that it also helps to shock the wool by rubbing it on old fashioned scrub boards.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3rfTyO6c0es/VtO1KM8V7yI/AAAAAAAAlS4/xSsPVKJhOHE/s1600-h/IMG_1307%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1307" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1307" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6LN9LOm7wb4/VtO1KlsEFlI/AAAAAAAAlS8/W575hkQbR4w/IMG_1307_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="675" /></a></p> <p>Well, after about 45 minutes, my bar of soap was still lumpy and not seizing up.  I took it out of the pantyhose bag to discover that the white stuff apparently wasn’t wool.  It hadn’t transformed at all, but the burgundy underneath was perfectly felted.  So I ended up with a rather mundane felted soap.  Guess it just wasn’t my day for picking the right materials.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-izyAy-DkrKg/VtO1LKbC4sI/AAAAAAAAlTA/-xoBuHt5Id0/s1600-h/IMG_1308%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1308" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1308" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SWfdzlrX3Bo/VtO1L7LyTvI/AAAAAAAAlTE/38Czw1yZm88/IMG_1308_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="675" /></a></p> <p>Everyone was pretty happy with the results of their labors.  You might ask why the heck would you do this to a bar of soap?  Well, I’ve been told it’s something like having a loofa sponge with the soap built in for your shower.  As the soap gets used up, the felting shrinks to stay tight around the bar of soap.  Sarah says that when the soap is gone, you end up with a little pouch that perhaps granddaughters would like to hide little precious items in.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vOoMcKe1_dk/VtO1MmWQu1I/AAAAAAAAlTI/gZvW6YMUbIU/s1600-h/IMG_1309%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1309" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1309" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bq_aC4Z1zhk/VtO1NOXn1iI/AAAAAAAAlTM/gq95zQTH2_0/IMG_1309_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="680" /></a></p> <p>I do know that after 45 minutes of felting/washing my hands, seven hours later my hands are still creamy and smelling like lavender.  </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-44011971847989589122016-02-22T21:42:00.001-06:002016-02-22T21:42:33.483-06:00The first time is always more exciting<p>Emma and I headed out early this morning to revisit Sony Bono Salton Sea NWR.  I was hoping to see lots of waterfowl before they began their journey north for the summer.  An ulterior motive was to get some photos for the latest Photo Bug group challenge here at Jojoba.  Our assignment for next Friday is to bring in some photos where we only took one shot of the subject, and did no after shot processing of the photo.  I almost always process my photos before putting them on the blog.  Cropping is the most frequent tool I use, and I absolutely can’t stand tilted horizons.</p> <p>This is a good challenge for me.  You have to think about composition, lighting, and myriad other things before pushing the button to take the shot.  I have to admit that I cheated a bit though, since I have difficulty keeping the camera steady.  If I thought the photo was blurry, I took a second shot.  It also helps if your subject isn’t moving, but as you know, wildlife is my favorite subject and it seldom holds still.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZJZSA_WFM5g/VsvVEaDOtOI/AAAAAAAAlRQ/-cxOBJA17uk/s1600-h/IMG_1249%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1249 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1249 (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6cJVudAnfGc/VsvVF41igZI/AAAAAAAAlRU/JvqgiHaVz4A/IMG_1249%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="620" /></a></p> <p>Sony Bono NWR is a two hour drive away, and I was excited to find this coyote coming down one of the hills only a half hour into the drive.  I pulled off the road, lowered the passenger’s side window, and whipped up my 150-600mm lens camera only to find I couldn’t extend the lens.  It’s been several months since I’ve used this lens, and I really fumbled around trying to unlock the zoom.  This photo is severely cropped to even tell there was a coyote out there.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zo2rqy2gDIs/VsvVHZ8rHlI/AAAAAAAAlRY/DVYG2GhXe6A/s1600-h/IMG_1256%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1256 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1256 (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AYXu_jSwF_o/VsvVISDqhCI/AAAAAAAAlRc/6YQCA0aGpH0/IMG_1256%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="416" /></a></p> <p>Eventually I got the lens unlocked, and got this parting shot.  It’s cropped too, so I won’t be using it at Photo Bugs.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGfyxu36vUE/VsvVJFJO90I/AAAAAAAAlRg/3DglMZQJDzY/s1600-h/_MG_2620%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2620" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2620" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K8VqIUVAKas/VsvVJ0k6DHI/AAAAAAAAlRk/SmkRRPTCibk/_MG_2620_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="446" /></a></p> <p>Along the way I had to travel through a portion of Anza Borrego Desert State Park.  I just wished these ocotillos were in bloom so the flowers at the tips of the branches would have brought out a pop of red.</p> <p>I got to the refuge and stopped at the visitors center to find out what was around.  Compared to the volunteer I talked to in October when I was here, this lady was lack luster.  It was rather disappointing.  What the hay?  She couldn’t answer my questions with anything other than a maybe or I think so.  Not the best person for the job I’d say.</p> <p>Overall the visit was a bomb.  Didn’t find much, and took next to no photos.  The wind was blowing like crazy and the area made me think of what I had read about the dustbowl of the 1930’s.  You could barely make out the surrounding mountains.  </p> <p>Oh well, I’ve found that the first time volunteering at a refuge is always the most exciting.  Everything’s new I guess.  It’s not so exciting the second time around.  I won’t be making any more trips to Sony Bono this year.  Time to set my sights elsewhere.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy  </p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-35167779040991398952016-02-13T20:54:00.001-06:002016-02-13T20:54:36.906-06:00Such a bargain!<p>Have you ever rented one of those rug shampoo machines?  I have not, but I think they’re at least $25, and then you have to buy the soap and stuff and wrestle the machine around yourself.  In the almost six years I’ve owned this rig, I’ve never had the carpet shampooed, and believe me it needed it.  </p> <p>There was an announcement on the park website that the library and card room would be closed today at 4:00 to have the carpeting cleaned.  The person that set that up also said that the shampoo company was willing to do carpets in rigs on the same day.  (Years ago when I attended my first Escapade Rally, the going rate for getting your rig’s carpet shampooed was $100.  I thought that was too much, so I passed on that opportunity.)  </p> <p>The company that was coming to do the work normally charges a minimum of $100 for each call, but the person setting this up was able to negotiate a lower rate since a number of folks had signed up, and the cleaning crew would be in the park anyway to do the library.   I’m sure glad I signed up for this.</p> <p>The total cost for doing the carpet and two five foot runners was $29.80!   Such a deal!  It wasn’t all roses though.  I was originally told that the guys would be here probably around noon, but that there was an 11:00-3:00 window.  Well, I ended up being second to last on the list so they didn’t show until after 4:00.  Emma and I had sat outside since 11:00 waiting.  I had given the rig a good vacuuming in the morning, and I didn’t want Emma shedding all over it before they got here.  I was getting a little ticked by the time 4 o’clock rolled around, but I just reminded myself that I was retired and in the bigger scheme of things it was really small potatoes.  </p> <p>The guy that led the two man crew was surprised that almost everyone paid cash.  With such reasonable rates, why not?  It was this company’s first time in the park, and they assured me that a better window of time would be set up if they returned.  I’m happy with the results, although it would have been nicer to be at the beginning of the list so the carpet had more time to dry before the sun went down and we had to come inside.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1RYf0Z_t_E0/Vr_sXqtYVdI/AAAAAAAAlQQ/AWZChEQXCOc/s1600-h/IMG_1282%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1282" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1282" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d8vRugq2tOM/Vr_sYv_sv1I/AAAAAAAAlQU/7p-JdP-ZtmY/IMG_1282_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="675" /></a></p> <p>I did take this shot of all the flowers right past the edge of my patio.  It’s really a ‘blooming’ carpet out front.  Seems so odd to me in February.  I’m not complaining though…</p> <p>A friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, has also sent me another photoshopped picture.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3GFqPCxH62g/Vr_sZedHT1I/AAAAAAAAlQY/yAgG_N6PFGg/s1600-h/oakley2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="oakley2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="oakley2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ChiAj2heSpY/Vr_saDV0uxI/AAAAAAAAlQc/jixU4ZELz2A/oakley2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="768" /></a></p> <p>I’m thinking I like this one better than the other one.  It not only has the background of the poker shoot, but I actually have a waist in this picture! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-openmouthedsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Open-mouthed smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eTBgoEIKe6Q/Vr_sa-NvmuI/AAAAAAAAlQg/s0Jw-CFvL04/wlEmoticon-openmouthedsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  Haven’t had one of those in eons!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com141tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-76499399140539525122016-02-11T21:34:00.001-06:002016-02-11T21:34:56.472-06:00The tale of ‘Stealer’<p>About a month or so ago, there was an announcement in the park that a feral cat was stalking around, and was very dangerous.  Apparently it had tussled with two other felines in the park; one had to be put down and the other had over $1000 in vet bills.  At the weekly membership meeting, the park manager said that food baited traps had been set out, but someone in the park had been tripping the traps and taking out the food.  He asked that if we saw anyone tampering with the traps, it be reported to him.</p> <p>The next week the manager reported that he had found out who was tripping the traps.  Turns out that there was also a stray dog in the park, and it was big enough to eat the food, trip the traps, and back out free as a bird.  The culprit was a young yellow lab mix, and had obviously been on its own for some time…kind of skinny and disheveled looking.  It was seen by quite a few folks, and was quite skittish of human contact.</p> <p>As the days passed, it was thought that someone felt sorry for the dog, and was putting out food for it, so it hung around.  It wasn’t at all mean, but it took up the habit of stealing people’s shoes and other items that were left outside their rigs overnight.  Hence the nickname ‘Stealer’.  Being young, it not only stole the shoes, but tended to chew them up as well.  Stealer also chose to leave large ‘droppings’ at favorite sights.  Of course these were at the homes of people that didn’t own a dog.  </p> <p>Last week, while taking Emma for a short walk on her first outs, we were approached by Stealer.  Oh boy!  Mayhem insued!  Jumping and running around in circles and nearly yanking my arm out of socket.  I finally had to take shelter in the nearby laundry room where dogs are not allowed.  I explained to the couple inside that we would leave as soon as Stealer left the area.  Didn’t want to get reported for breaking the rules, don’t you know.</p> <p>Well, just two days ago, someone was able to gain acceptance by Stealer, and was able to get a collar and leash on her.  She’s now in a no kill shelter, and goes by the name of Grace.  Shoes are now safe in the park, and hopefully this exuberant young lady will soon have a forever home.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zO5pElJkIjM/Vr1S0PjmNuI/AAAAAAAAlPk/3eGQGHkfDw4/s1600-h/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="83 Jojoba Hills 20151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="83 Jojoba Hills 20151" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M-w_8NrG20I/Vr1S071BrYI/AAAAAAAAlPo/eHWy7X2TU90/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%25252020151_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>In the meantime, I helped out at the annual maintenance day at the air gun range.  Most of the volunteers that showed up were men, but there were two of us women.  See all those yellow targets?  I re-painted every one of them.  Lots of work got done, and the range was in spiffy shape for this Monday’s Poker Shoot.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4IRSrm5NG3c/Vr1S1UpuM7I/AAAAAAAAlPs/vfkiCotFxZI/s1600-h/IMG_1276%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1276" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1276" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qAq1MNrYiyg/Vr1S2FJG4eI/AAAAAAAAlPw/N3ILzYvZu2Y/IMG_1276_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="504" /></a></p> <p>I decided to compete with the ‘big guys’ at the Poker Shoot.  A wooden horse with cards are placed about 33’ out and you have five shots to hit five cards.  Two shooters compete at a time.  Once you get your five (or less) cards, you can try a second time to improve your hand like five card draw.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ySR-5vqhjWE/Vr1S2kUIXUI/AAAAAAAAlP0/SagOvNmVhDs/s1600-h/IMG_1279%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1279" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1279" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wBZ9kswNNYY/Vr1S3M02cLI/AAAAAAAAlP4/e88mNUxLfYw/IMG_1279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="549" /></a></p> <p>I initially shot a pair of nines, kept a king, and paid for two more cards.  I thought I had it in the bag to win this shoot out when I ended up with two nines and two kings.  It was not to be, though, when one guy ended up with a five diamond flush.  Aw shucks!  Second place doesn’t get you anything.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-cryingface" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Crying face" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zxyrzdEDTCc/Vr1S3h8PqTI/AAAAAAAAlP8/sDClD4TKtxw/wlEmoticon-cryingface%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  A lot of good natured bantering and trash talk goes on at these gatherings.  It was a lot of fun, and maybe I’ll be luckier next time.</p> <p>Judy Oakley signing off for tonight.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-69165561943277847182016-02-04T20:00:00.001-06:002016-02-04T20:00:16.144-06:00Belle Oakley??<p>First off I want to thank everyone for their comments and suggestions about Deep Brain Stimulation.  I’m not jumping into anything half cocked, but I am looking for a solution.  </p> <p>I think it was last Sunday that I got an email from <a href="http://gypsy97.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gypsy</a> with a picture of me attached.  She was forwarding it from a friend of hers known as GC.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bfsL2RT070c/VrQCJVn0jYI/AAAAAAAAlO4/8hoFj131Ikc/s1600-h/belle%252520oakley%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="belle oakley" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="belle oakley" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9sar6cn4EWw/VrQCKreVn3I/AAAAAAAAlO8/UYZJvUIjK-U/belle%252520oakley_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="534" /></a>She had photoshopped it using a picture of my face, and entitled it ‘Belle Oakley’.  Ha!  What a hoot!  It inspired me compete in Tuesday morning’s Poker Shoot on the air gun range.  We’d had quite a storm on Sunday with very high winds and rain.  I had the slides pulled in all day and was still rocking and rolling.  I looked out the kitchen window at one point and saw one of my tire covers take flight and travel half way down the steep bank at the end of my patio.  Luckily, the back strap was far enough up the bank that I could just reach it without falling down.  I did get pretty soaked on that mission, though.</p> <p>Anyway, Tuesday morning I headed out to the range in the very chilly temps.  I was determined to make a good showing.  Well guess what?  I was the only one there.  Bummer!  I did a little practicing since I was there, but only got off about a dozen shots before my fingers were too cold to pull the trigger.</p> <p>When I got back to the rig, I checked the park’s activities website and found that a change of date had been posted over night.  Rats!  Guess I’d better learn to check things early each morning.  Well I’ll try again next Monday, but you can bet I won’t be wearing a dress!</p> <p>Today was the Annual Membership Meeting at Jojoba.  You had to be there by about 8:00 in the morning to register.  The meeting was scheduled for all day.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-disappointedsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Disappointed smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_6lP5piU35c/VrQCLWewqeI/AAAAAAAAlPA/hMdXatjaYNM/wlEmoticon-disappointedsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  OMG!  I don’t mind short meetings, but all day??  Members were voting for three new Board of Directors positions, and four candidates were running.  There were also three propasals being voted on.  As it was my first Annual Membership Meeting, after taking Emma out I grabbed a quick breadfast and headed out.  I didn’t want to be late.  Little did I know that a continental breakfast was provided.  I’ll know better next year.</p> <p>I think I mentioned in a previous post that I thought one of the board candidates was pretty full of himself, so I chose not to vote for him.  Guess I wasn’t alone in that decision because he was soundly beaten; only garnering about half the amount of votes as the other three candidates. </p> <p>Thanks to the outgoing President of the Board, my new next door neighbor, all business was taken care of by noon.  I did not participate in the beef stew luncheon nor the wine and cheese gathering to celebrate the new board members later in the afternoon.  Four hours of socializing in a big crowd was enough for me.</p> <p>Tomorrow I’ll be helping with the annual maintenance of the air gun range.  All those targets and posts need to be repainted, and I gained quite a bit of experience painting posts at Tamarac NWR.  Just give me a paint brush and stand back!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-72299096149471695902016-01-30T21:13:00.001-06:002016-01-30T21:13:51.168-06:00A no brainer?<p>Over the last ten years or so, I’ve experienced an increase in the shakiness of my hands… tremors.  I just figured it was a part of growing older.  The shakes are worse under stress.  It’s kind of embarrassing at times.  Driving my big rig is stressful for me, and I’ve even had people ask me if I have Parkinson’s disease when I’ve stopped to gas up the rig or sign in at a campground.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NzK9hEka04w/Vq17tC2ImvI/AAAAAAAAlMc/DcXHTetdNBI/s1600-h/IMG_1247%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1247" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1247" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pn0KltZoqKo/Vq17ty2_7AI/AAAAAAAAlMk/zzuTsDd8ssg/IMG_1247_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="524" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">                       Tonight’s photos are from around Jojoba Hills… this is Pond 1 of six in the park.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The tremors have gotten progressively worse over time, and presently it’s a real challenge to even butter a piece of toast.  It’s really effecting the quality of my life.  At the Christmas Dinner at the park, I had to ask someone to put some gravy on my mashed potatoes.  If I had tried to do it, that gravy would have ended up all over everything and everyone.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vaw-1aZMEL8/Vq17urJAnEI/AAAAAAAAlMo/aQGKmJPA6TA/s1600-h/IMG_1249%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1249" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1249" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ziNOwXlaMqs/Vq17vd4awHI/AAAAAAAAlM0/O2F7bfM76mY/IMG_1249_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="510" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">                                                                    Croc Creek Mill Pond</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">About two weeks ago, a couple pulled up to my site in their golf cart and knocked on my door.  They introduced themselves and then invited me to attend a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) information meeting.  I had no idea what they were talking about.  It seems someone in the park had told them about my tremors, and the wife, Lou, related to me how DBS had helped eliminate her tremors.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wovECNOFANs/Vq17wHHpvOI/AAAAAAAAlM8/53InHE-EIJg/s1600-h/IMG_1256%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1256" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1256" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4MBMO-Z2aSQ/Vq17xPbOoCI/AAAAAAAAlNE/AAr9jGa9xtc/IMG_1256_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="546" /></a></p> <p>I signed up to attend, and then did some investigating on the internet.  That meeting happened this morning.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RkcBZEEXQ0I/Vq17x2xotRI/AAAAAAAAlNM/F7XgVddlZ0g/s1600-h/IMG_1259%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1259" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1259" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4yLwWADTLGI/Vq17yvcGDWI/AAAAAAAAlNQ/cfGcPYlfbyg/IMG_1259_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="477" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">                The air gun range in the park.  All those yellow things in the distance are what I shoot at.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Dr. Adam Burdick, a neurosurgeon from Scripps Green Hospital, gave the presentation.  He explained the difference between Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors.  Listening to him, I’d say I have essential tremors.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_-42Ha7JSDE/Vq17zTzYLBI/AAAAAAAAlNc/51YpZjkMqzo/s1600-h/IMG_1261%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1261" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1261" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B16yXgadvyY/Vq170bRSdrI/AAAAAAAAlNk/zOpQNrMWiEE/IMG_1261_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="654" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">                                  The flowers are in front of my patio.  This one is my favorite.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The clincher was when he said that folks with essential tremors experience a lessening after an alcoholic drink.  If I have a glass of sherry in the evening, I’ve found I can actually write legibly.  The evening is when I fill out forms or write checks.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g5J0oXve_Zs/Vq171TNk-mI/AAAAAAAAlNs/aqKHRDskEcE/s1600-h/IMG_1263%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1263" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1263" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9D8nJMlsV2s/Vq1713l1lpI/AAAAAAAAlN0/nZwbT048dGY/IMG_1263_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="825" height="768" /></a><font color="#c0504d">Those silver points around the center of the flower are actually the background between the petals.  Kind of neat aren’t they?</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">So what is Deep Brain Stimulation?  Well, in a nutshell, it’s brain surgery.  A probe is inserted into the deepest reaches of your brain, and is then attached by thin wires to a battery source that is implanted under the skin just below your collar bone.  Kind of like a pace maker.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cJd2rfQiu7k/Vq172lTBKtI/AAAAAAAAlN8/KPSfKj7Weuw/s1600-h/IMG_1268%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1268" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1268" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O2hwPfgVL2A/Vq173Rvj1WI/AAAAAAAAlOE/OeW5f1cW2W8/IMG_1268_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="762" /></a></p> <p>The patient is actually awake for much of the surgery so the probe/electrode can be placed in the exact right spot.  You have to be awake to converse with the surgeon during this placement.  Seems kind of spooky to me, but the results are astounding.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v1gtz8R9pLw/Vq174bl0q8I/AAAAAAAAlOM/YK-HfqsDO7U/s1600-h/IMG_1266%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1266" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dqi-6I83MDw/Vq175dr-8zI/AAAAAAAAlOU/dlCzXOcIezo/IMG_1266_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="642" /></a></p> <p>Unless you’ve had this problem, it’s hard to imagine the frustration of not being able to do things that seem so natural and easy.  It is progressive and can only get worse.  The surgery doesn’t cure the condition (there is no cure), but alleviates the symptoms.  It takes some time to fine tune the system after the surgery, so that has to be taken into consideration also.  I’ve got some thinking to do…</p> <p>I’ll leave you tonight with a photo of Emma on vigil.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z5fsftzoCw0/Vq176FGbrvI/AAAAAAAAlOc/VjaasbmVN6Y/s1600-h/IMG_1271%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1271" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1271" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7E3IHM5RzM/Vq177Ow1hWI/AAAAAAAAlOk/njbXpHZucos/IMG_1271_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="657" /></a></p> <p>Can’t have any of those little lizards stalking my oranges, don’t ya know!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-35458821242971555082016-01-22T21:03:00.001-06:002016-01-22T21:03:07.690-06:00Here it is, Friday again<p>Seems like I’ve become a once or twice a week blogger since I’ve arrived at my winter home base.  It’s been a transition time for me after nine and a half years of volunteering at various wildlife refuges.  It’s not as exciting, but I’ve reached a stage in my life where I’m enjoying not having the commitments to deal with.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vk87xIPv47E/VqLtURAMqxI/AAAAAAAAlKo/YHi0OPVzAos/s1600-h/IMG_0332%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="It takes a village to raise a child" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="It takes a village to raise a child" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jm3l2P-JKu0/VqLtVSo5kyI/AAAAAAAAlKw/oDJLBFItkK0/IMG_0332_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="581" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">            Tonight’s pics are the rest of the ‘closeup’ photos I took to the Photo Bug meeting this morning.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">There’s an Annual Meeting of the park members coming up soon, and I’ve made sure to go to all the meetings of the candidates running for the Board of Directors.  It’s pretty calm compared to the upcoming national elections, but there’s definitely one candidate I won’t vote for… a little too swell-headed for my tastes.  </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">I also went to a Budget and Ballot Issues forum this week.  I needed further clarification on one of the issues before voting.  It concerned what happens to your rig and belongings if, as a member, you die.  </font> The proposal is to allow the heirs 28 days to remove all belongings from the site.  I believe it now stands at seven days, and I just can’t imagine my kids being able to take care of things in that short amount of time should that happen to me.  I will vote yes on that proposal.  Right now, I could add one of them as a member so they would have unlimited time to remove belongings as long as they paid the monthly maintenance fee, but the rule is a second member has to be at least 45 years old.  Guess I’ll have to hang on a few more years before I can do that.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-disappointedsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Disappointed smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mpIWvLiAStE/VqLtV7fGbcI/AAAAAAAAlK0/-QTxJoKxTDQ/wlEmoticon-disappointedsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Owz8-BHwV7I/VqLtWX8lscI/AAAAAAAAlLA/CsSr1OIfGNo/s1600-h/IMG_2606%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2606" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2606" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rbQXivvaDvk/VqLtXeLdAFI/AAAAAAAAlLI/baI-7mnSGEY/IMG_2606_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="688" height="768" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">                                        Wasn’t really happy with this closeup, but it is what it is.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">On Wednesday, <a href="http://mohotravels.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sue</a> and Mo and pipsqueak Mattie came for a visit.  We had an excellent visit, and Emma and Mattie pretty much wore each other out.  I can’t believe I didn’t take any pictures, but I didn’t.  At one point, Sue asked me something along the lines of whether I was content with not volunteering.  Without hesitation, I immediately answered yes.  My response kind of took me by surprise, but it’s true.  I guess I’ll just see what happens in the future.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CGNCClQPnwA/VqLtYKfWvnI/AAAAAAAAlLQ/5mX3-z88yU8/s1600-h/IMG_2598%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2598" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2598" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CqaJ7_Iuf8c/VqLtY5dT6BI/AAAAAAAAlLY/dDDaCr_-gT0/IMG_2598_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="589" /></a></p> <p><font color="#c0504d">                 Ha ha!  This pic kind of took the group by surprise.  You know who is the smiling model.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The theme for the next Photo Bugs meeting is ‘humor’.  I don’t know</font><font color="#000000"> what I’m going to do with that, but for sure I’m thinking I can certainly come up with something for “The End” of my group of photos.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gLM7R73Z8ro/VqLtZTD12kI/AAAAAAAAlLg/UUfbnbrWja4/s1600-h/IMG_7913%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7913" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7913" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C_xcj10mqdo/VqLtaC0PfaI/AAAAAAAAlLo/W9DDWuui4Sw/IMG_7913_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="638" /></a></p> <p>I hope a good many of you enjoy your time at the Blogger Fest tomorrow in Quartzite.  I won’t be making it there this year.  I think I’ll go down to the range and practice shooting for a while.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-67559001309616460752016-01-17T21:01:00.001-06:002016-01-17T21:01:05.827-06:00Interesting turn of events<p>After the Poker Air Gun Shoot on Thursday, I was more interested than ever in purchasing an air rifle so I could enjoy this sport.  Mike had called to let me know that a Gammo Whisper rifle was on sale at the Big …(something) Store in Temecula.  I thought I knew exactly what store he was talking about and set out Saturday morning for town.  I planned to stop at the Farmer’s Market first, but that turned out to be a bust. </p> <p>It’s in Old Town Temecula, and there was absolutely no parking within blocks of the market.  Since I can’t walk very far any more, I had to pass.  Perhaps if I got there when they first open, I’d have better luck.</p> <p>So, I made my way back to the Big Horse Feed Store and Mercantile right on HW 79.  Seemed like a likely place that would sell guns.  It was a very interesting store; full of cowboy boots, saddles, and all manner of things you might need for riding a horse.  However, they didn’t sell guns.  Luckily one of the staff straightened me out and said I should go to the Big Five store across the highway.</p> <p>This brought to mind one of my pet peeves about shopping in Temecula.  HW 79 is a six lane road with a 55mph posted speed limit.  Of course, I have found that California drivers take that to mean that 55 is the slowest you should drive.  Couple that with the fact that almost all the businesses are so far back off of the highway that you can’t see the store fronts, and it’s no wonder I had never heard of Big Five.</p> <p>Anyway, after dealing with a very inept young sales person, I was finally able to purchase the Gamo Raptor rifle thanks to help from the store manager.  (Being a bird lady, I thought Raptor was a good omen.)  To answer some questions; a background check or special license is not necessary for purchasing an air rifle.  All you need is money.</p> <p>When I got home, Mike called to ask if I’d bought a rifle, and I said yes.  He told me to keep it in the box for now, and we would meet today as he had come up with an idea of something I might like better.  Oh great!  The hardest thing for most women about using these rifles is to ‘break’ the barrel so you can insert a pellet.  The rifle Mike and Terry showed me today was not only lighter in weight, but it used a CO2 cartridge that meant you didn’t have to muscle the barrel in half.  I gave it a try, but decided to stick with what I had purchased.</p> <p>The kick on the Gamo is a lot more than the CO2 gun, but I can shoot a greater distance with the Gamo.  Those far out targets are what I find most fun, so much to the guys’ surprise, I chose the harder to use rifle.  They helped me assemble (meaning they did it) and install the scope.  Then Terry took the time to adjust/tune the scope.  I’ll tell you, without these two fellas to lead me along, I doubt I’d have done this on my own.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zUaWdnxowZ8/VpxVU60TZOI/AAAAAAAAlJQ/hlCeW9FrePg/s1600-h/_MG_2596%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2596" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TRwBueZHxD0/VpxVVg587GI/AAAAAAAAlJU/3cY6RcQ8Edk/_MG_2596_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="729" height="768" /></a></p> <p>Then it was finally time for me to take aim at the target.  I nearly fainted when my first shot was in the red section at 10 meters.  I’m all set to go now, and can practice on the range any time I want to.  I’m thinking I’m going to do better at the next Poker Shoot.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LQ1TH7zqz0s/VpxVYWcRCAI/AAAAAAAAlJg/SWZ36Nuhhe0/s1600-h/IMG_2585%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2585" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2585" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OkHpFzD0zP4/VpxVZyD_lAI/AAAAAAAAlJo/rI1yyVQ64WA/IMG_2585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="683" /></a></p> <p>In the mean time, I’ve started working on this week’s challenge for the Photo Bug group.  I don’t have a macro lens, so I’m working on close ups.  This is one of the roses I got at the Poker Shoot.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EOcCvkw9Ekc/VpxVaprGdjI/AAAAAAAAlJs/wlJ2dtsNDfE/s1600-h/IMG_2590%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2590" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2590" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nVxjjFdW48U/VpxVbZLcbpI/AAAAAAAAlJ4/pSTFrkv0Vp0/IMG_2590_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>I got this blood orange from Carol, the hair cut lady.  I’ve never tried a blood orange before, and I told her I felt like I was on the Food Channel.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DRpqEruvYAg/VpxVcBbpQdI/AAAAAAAAlKA/pf4kD_uoSwM/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  There must be about a hundred of these tasty beauties on her tree.  They sure are hard to peel, though.</p> <p>Tomorrow I’m off on another little excursion for an idea I have for other close ups.  We’ll see how that turns out.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-13312434035717291602016-01-15T20:06:00.001-06:002016-01-15T20:06:49.160-06:00Another week gone by<p>Time does seem to get away from me here at Jojoba.  I had my training for volunteering in the library last Saturday, and I’ve spent some time a couple of days this past week taking care of returned books and DVDs.  There’s quite an extensive DVD section, and lots of people take advantage of the very reasonable $.50/DVD rental rate.  All rentals and book borrowings are done on the honor system, so working there is quite easy.</p> <p>There are two off leash dog parks here, and if you have a dog that uses either or both of them, you are automatically a member of the dog park committee.  On Thursday, about 25 of us dog owners met for a potluck dinner and short meeting.  Plans are in the works for establishing a dog wash station in the park.  Now that’s something I’d like to see happen.  Emma won’t know what hit her once that is built.  Just like most everything else here, it will be funded and built by park members.</p> <p>One of the challenges for ladies living on the road is trying to get a decent hair cut.  I’ve had my share of scalpings in the last nine years.  It turns out that there is a lady in the park that does cuts right out side her rig, under a cabana, for $8.  I think there’s even a heater out there for chilly days.  Her big old dog, Murray, welcomes you as you arrive in your golf cart.  The first time I went, the cut was a little short.  I went again this week, and the cut was just right.  She now knows my hair and where my cowlicks are.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gy-BxCkVR8c/Vpmls5-UFOI/AAAAAAAAlI0/s5sS45aImqs/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Since I had such a good time at the Ladies’ Day Air Gun Shoot in November, I decided to return to the airgun field yesterday for the Ladies’ Poker Shoot.  I had no idea what that meant, but I ran into Mike and Terry (two of the biggies in the air gun club) earlier in the week while I was at the dog run with Emma.  I’m so glad I stopped them to talk about my budding interest in this sport.  They both took me under their wings when I showed up for the shoot.  </p> <p>A Poker Shoot means each contestant has two minutes and five shots to try to hit up to five playing cards that are set up on top of one of those wooden work horses out in the firing range.  You are shooting at the backs of the cards.  What ever cards you hit determines your poker hand.  Then it’s like five card draw, where you can choose to buy up to five more cards (that you have to hit with a bullet) to replace the cards you discard for your final hand.  Is that clear as mud?  Anyway, suffice it to say that I didn’t win, but I sure did have a lot of fun, and the guys really taught me a lot.  I did come home with six long stemmed roses for participating.  You can’t beat that.</p> <p>Mike even called me tonight to let me know that the gun I was most comfortable with was on sale at a local feed store in Temecula.  Since I’d planned to go into town tomorrow anyway to find the farmer’s market, what do you think the chances are that I’ll be coming home with an air rifle??  Look out Annie Oakley!! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-rollingonthefloorlaughing" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Rolling on the floor laughing" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ACtKVC9Hlk/VpmltiNOAII/AAAAAAAAlI4/X6GnK6ApnOQ/wlEmoticon-rollingonthefloorlaughing%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-70850281808199049282016-01-08T20:33:00.001-06:002016-01-08T20:33:28.657-06:00Keeping busy<p>One of my frequent commenters has asked a couple of times what it is I do to fill my days now that I have a home base, and am not tooling around a National Wildlife Refuge and volunteering.  Well, guess what?  That’s what I’m going to post about tonight.  Thanks for asking, <a href="http://directionofourdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sherry</a>.  </p> <p>I’ll start with today.  At 10:00 I went to my second meeting of the Photo Bugs Club in the park.  Normally, they meet every two weeks to view members photos on an assigned topic, and give constructive criticism.  Today was the first time I brought some photos, and those are the pics I’ll include in tonight’s post.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-IyjgdUr8c/VpBxTwW3RBI/AAAAAAAAlGQ/53noJ6pJf8Y/s1600-h/IMG_2532%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2532" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2532" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nv9sbaRjjQM/VpBxU95EZBI/AAAAAAAAlGY/10kKAOLuw3Y/IMG_2532_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="590" /></a></p> <p>The topic for this session was winter plants.  I’m hoping to learn more about photography.  I think I generally do OK with  composition, but I don’t have a clue about ISO settings or some of that other stuff.  Might as well take advantage of free learning from others, and believe me many of the other members have great knowledge.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-njCTb5p-Ku8/VpBxVfYUYqI/AAAAAAAAlGc/dS3h45FOELM/s1600-h/IMG_2533%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2533" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2533" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KI0Ei3CKr80/VpBxWGUURhI/AAAAAAAAlGo/q8R-Zy20qDU/IMG_2533_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="768" /></a></p> <p>Last Tuesday I went to a tree and shrub pruning class.  I learned a lot in a rather short time.  We didn’t get any hands-on experience because it was pouring rain outside, but I think I know how to take care of my orange tree now.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g0G70hQQDOU/VpBxW0E4RoI/AAAAAAAAlGw/k_A-9L0W-JA/s1600-h/IMG_2535%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2535" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2535" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a97FkbATbJU/VpBxXtWIBCI/AAAAAAAAlG0/S2b8onOsKKw/IMG_2535_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="628" height="768" /></a></p> <p>(These flowers are blooming on my lot in January!)  On Thursday, I went to the Fitness Center open house to learn how to use all of the equipment.  The beauty of this experience was that it was geared toward people my age that may be afflicted with back, shoulder, knee, etc. problems.  Right up my alley.  I’ve only used the treadmill and recumbant bicycle there, but now I know how to use the other equipment as well, and got to try it out with someone to coach me on its best use for me.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-anLI2GehVmU/VpBxYIJ0iII/AAAAAAAAlHA/S8OGJhG4TzA/s1600-h/IMG_2539%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2539" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2539" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KotMRD37hkQ/VpBxY8DwiQI/AAAAAAAAlHI/AjoMfRzZNZY/IMG_2539_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="626" /></a></p> <p>Tomorrow, I’m going to be trained in on volunteering at the park library.  I make great use of that library, and wanted to do my part.  In a Co-Op Park, like Jojoba is, just about all the amenities and activities are run and maintained by member volunteers.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eH-yC8z02E8/VpBxZjd5iyI/AAAAAAAAlHQ/wiO4OBJcsvE/s1600-h/IMG_2543%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2543" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2543" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U7mjhelmdso/VpBxaU0J0dI/AAAAAAAAlHY/gOLTLt07sBg/IMG_2543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="710" /></a></p> <p>(Can’t wait to taste this juicy morsel.)  On this coming Monday, there’s another air gun day in the morning, and a baked potatoe dinner with all the trimmings, after the weekly members meeting, to support the fitness center.  On Tuesday, the solos in the park are going out for dinner.  I think I’ll give that a try.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xpDlibZ4emE/VpBxbDVAyaI/AAAAAAAAlHg/thWVdwZwjO0/s1600-h/DSC_0126%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0126" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0126" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtG_N56G9r4/VpBxb66GHtI/AAAAAAAAlHo/yHoj1NpZhF4/DSC_0126_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="648" /></a></p> <p>In addition to the assigned photo challenge for the meeting, you can also bring two of your favorite photos from the past.  You know I had to bring one with birds in it.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aj5d5nnWJts/VpBxcQJqm1I/AAAAAAAAlHw/T-lj4hbph6I/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  The next assignment is ‘macro’.  I don’t have a macro lens, so I’ll be bringing several close up shots.  Since I’m not on a refuge, the photo bugs give me an incentive to go take some pictures.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Mwj1kLb_dU/VpBxdKBPKAI/AAAAAAAAlH4/2rP9oEPi2m0/s1600-h/IMG_9009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9009" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9009" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mN6jNLBU3bk/VpBxdo4FPyI/AAAAAAAAlIA/AFN_kYcqdrk/IMG_9009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="528" /></a></p> <p>This is the second ‘favorite’ photo that I brought, and I’m pleased that everyone enjoyed it… a foggy morning in the long leaf pine forest of Mississippi.</p> <p>So, I keep pretty busy here at Jojoba, with plenty of time to take care of mundane chores and not have to set the alarm clock.  I’m enjoying it.  As is usual, it’s mostly couples here at the park and I’d like to find a ‘best friend’.  You know, someone you can call up on the spur of the moment to do something.  I’m no big social butterfly, and I know relationships take time.  I’ll just give it some of that time…</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy  </p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-88577888184294868582016-01-05T19:57:00.001-06:002016-01-05T19:57:41.794-06:00Flat Stanley is heading home<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k4QzZpeJgQw/Vox0XnKtkmI/AAAAAAAAlDQ/1scu3kSDVjw/s1600-h/_MG_2550%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2550" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2550" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DjYEB19Mgoo/Vox0YfMxH2I/AAAAAAAAlDY/9ZxsagMiKdc/_MG_2550_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>Hi Everybody!!  I’m Flat Stanley and I came to Jojoba Hills, California, to visit my Grandma Belt.  Can you see me hanging on to the handle by the door of her rig?  She lives fulltime in her motorhome.  Some people think she is homeless, but she’s not.  Her home just has wheels to take her places across this country.  She is spending this winter in California.</p> <p>I guess I have to tell you that she’s not my real grandma, but my friend, Not-So-Flat Avery, said she would adopt me as her grandson while I visited.  If you look closely at this picture you can see two other things in it that are important to this story.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyZbOBd1bIQ/Vox0ZBGClaI/AAAAAAAAlDc/mzNpREsMK3c/s1600-h/IMG_2547%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2547" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2547" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ArEhEqMS_eg/Vox0Z7pYhbI/AAAAAAAAlDo/F_CqEe5VaH4/IMG_2547_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="573" height="768" /></a></p> <p>The most important one is that I made friends with Emma the Dog!  Can you see how happy she is to have me sitting with her?  She’s funny!  She smiles by sticking her bottom teeth out.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ku2f6_XMtyk/Vox0auD-HiI/AAAAAAAAlDs/7iOVRxiy0Ag/s1600-h/_MG_2558%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2558" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2558" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q7Zrrl67XlE/Vox0bbu7LlI/AAAAAAAAlD4/pRw7LiacOgY/_MG_2558_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>The second important thing is that I got to help Grandma Belt drive her golf cart around.  Did you see it behind the motorhome in the first picture?  Well, when I got behind the steering wheel, Emma the Dog told me that she was a little nervous about me driving.  Ha!  I fooled her.  I didn’t hit anything as we made our way each day…</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ZdZxUy_wQE/Vox0cJXFu5I/AAAAAAAAlEA/C8vFs7riam0/s1600-h/_MG_2564%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2564" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2564" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mLOoHzyA20A/Vox0c0fYFQI/AAAAAAAAlEE/KaPBxtjmAlk/_MG_2564_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="471" /></a></p> <p>… to the dog park.  Emma the Dog gets to run around without her leash here, and take care of ‘business’ if you know what I mean.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile with tongue out" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NnBUW2jPwbc/Vox0dLAAsdI/AAAAAAAAlEM/IXH3DTuodfY/wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  Poop patrol isn’t much fun, though.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gTr3KzKi9WU/Vox0d1q0koI/AAAAAAAAlEY/fNBsvAd1W1E/s1600-h/IMG_2571%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2571" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2571" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbIiEpX9Ufw/Vox0eqTuzrI/AAAAAAAAlEg/hhJAtriqMo8/IMG_2571_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="607" /></a></p> <p>One day we went on a real adventure to find the Sea Serpant Dragon in Borrego Springs.  Oh boy, was it ever big!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_b2TaOhxcYE/Vox0fKJ6s9I/AAAAAAAAlEo/qdkSfkqoTd0/s1600-h/IMG_2572%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2572" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2572" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zr00iA7ISZk/Vox0f7jTtGI/AAAAAAAAlEs/ih5mvgH4b8g/IMG_2572_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="662" /></a></p> <p>That’s me and Not-So-Flat Grandma Belt standing under it’s fire breathing mouth!  I decided to call this dragon Puff.  Grandma knew why as she used to sing Puff the Magic Dragon.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vw7OZsWK-Qs/Vox0hFnku_I/AAAAAAAAlE4/0NDjx6THqK8/s1600-h/_MG_2517%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2517" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2517" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nPVnucTQqWU/Vox0hmZbkmI/AAAAAAAAlFA/WrW_jVmNcag/_MG_2517_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>Another day, I had to go to work with Grandma.  Our job was to stop people from driving on a road that was being paved in her park.  Lots of people wanted to drive right through, but we didn’t let them.  Their cars would have gotten stuck in all the new hot tar.  We were the safety patrol.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xi3YL3g3XkE/Vox0iYNEBEI/AAAAAAAAlFI/DMLMxujJ_Pg/s1600-h/_MG_2565%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2565" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2565" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M2q7DNNn0R8/Vox0jJ7Zg2I/AAAAAAAAlFQ/NUBIBz0D0zE/_MG_2565_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="600" /></a></p> <p>Taking Emma the Dog to the park every day, being on the safety patrol, and talking to Magic Dragons was a lot of hard work.  So, a couple of times we went to the pool to relax and ‘catch some rays’.  (That’s old time talk for sunbathing.)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SbpfEQqyXz0/Vox0jzU98aI/AAAAAAAAlFY/-cf5KIbD3o0/s1600-h/_MG_2567%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2567" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2567" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YYr4b9LQ0p8/Vox0k0MfVNI/AAAAAAAAlFg/8iYNdcoA1gw/_MG_2567_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="578" /></a></p> <p>One day, I even got to go in the hot tub with the guys.  That sure felt good.  They knew all about Flat Joey and his travels.  I figured out that many grandparents do.</p> <p>Now it’s time for me to travel back to Dyer, Indiana.  I’m thinking that just maybe I can come back again  when Not-So-Flat Pheobe (Avery’s sister) is in second grade.  In the meantime, Grandma Belt wants me to tell Avery, Phoebe, and their Not-So-Flat Mother that she is very excited about them coming to visit in March.  Say hi to Puff for me, and if you’re really lucky you might get to help drive the golf cart too!</p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p> <p>P.S.  Since I don’t have a printer, this is the only way I could think of for getting the story I was supposed to write about Flat Stanley’s visit to Avery’s teacher.  Hopefully Robyn can print it off and give it to her for me.</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-47047409936921179902015-12-31T20:40:00.001-06:002015-12-31T20:40:56.777-06:00It’s that time again<p>The 31st of December is a day I set aside each year for taking the time to revisit what I’ve done and experienced in the past year.  The best way for me is to review all of the photos I’ve taken.  They readily conjure up memories for me.  So as I’ve done for the last six years, I’ll highlight some of those times for you, my much appreciated readers.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fYScgEURClU/VoXm-O0jb5I/AAAAAAAAlAQ/0GccpZEyW04/s1600-h/79%252520Imperial%252520NWR%2525202014-1520%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="79 Imperial NWR 2014-1520" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="79 Imperial NWR 2014-1520" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CMVUsNorqJE/VoXm-3LllnI/AAAAAAAAlAY/uPm-V44HRNo/79%252520Imperial%252520NWR%2525202014-1520_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>As Jan. 1, 2015, rolled around, I was in the middle of my 5 month volunteer stint at Imperial NWR outside of Yuma, AZ.  As usual, people, whether fellow volunteers, or fellow bloggers, or family, played an important part in my time at the refuge.  And of course, there was the first ever Bloggerfest up in Quartzsite in January.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RN9pJ0dYKTE/VoXm_ot0tBI/AAAAAAAAlAc/w1IoFiZRsO4/s1600-h/79%252520Imperial%252520NWR%2525202014-1521%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="79 Imperial NWR 2014-1521" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="79 Imperial NWR 2014-1521" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7x19_EJV388/VoXnAsR-E4I/AAAAAAAAlAk/XLWHLqZZh0s/79%252520Imperial%252520NWR%2525202014-1521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>Wildlife and beautiful desert views were abundant while I was there.  From a boat trip on the Colorado River to Emma howling with the coyotes!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6yAKpDBLaM/VoXnBlInaMI/AAAAAAAAlAw/_rULOWWyQdM/s1600-h/80%252520On%252520the%252520way%252520to%252520Oregon%25252020151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="80 On the way to Oregon 20151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="80 On the way to Oregon 20151" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vg-3rRlleVE/VoXnCYkkl_I/AAAAAAAAlA0/cg9_siL4lkI/80%252520On%252520the%252520way%252520to%252520Oregon%25252020151_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>I left Imperial the day after Easter and slowly made my way to my next assignment on the coast of Oregon.  I had five weeks to get to Brookings, and wasn’t looking forward to the high campground fees in California in order to get there.  I thought I’d spend a week at the Jojoba Hills SKP Resort near Temecula, CA.  Little did I know that that one week would stretch into three, and I would end up becoming a member of the co-op at the beginning of June.  The highlights of my time at Jojoba and the rest of the journey to Brookings included my first time ever attending a happy hour, and trips to Joshua Tree NP, Crater Lake NP, and the home of Jelly Belly candies.  </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M6VguuByuEg/VoXnDZjqbgI/AAAAAAAAlBA/SpQ3Cd_Ohno/s1600-h/81%252520Oregon%252520Islands%252520NWR%252520201513%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="81 Oregon Islands NWR 201513" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="81 Oregon Islands NWR 201513" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--fahfL0a8Hw/VoXnEuELzpI/AAAAAAAAlBI/cXpf_VVH1Tc/81%252520Oregon%252520Islands%252520NWR%252520201513_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>From the middle of May until the middle of August, I spent my time volunteering for Oregon Islands NWR and manning an overlook of Bird Island four days a week.  What a summer it was.  Friends and family visited, and how can I forget sifting through Emma’s dung for the swallowed Apache Tear Stone!  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile with tongue out" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zmu3sC7Z4Z4/VoXnFRdBr1I/AAAAAAAAlBM/kDSZqmleYMM/wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lq91fQrpNqk/VoXnGUeesLI/AAAAAAAAlBU/jlIwj0CpgXU/s1600-h/81%252520Oregon%252520Islands%252520NWR%252520201514%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="81 Oregon Islands NWR 201514" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="81 Oregon Islands NWR 201514" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FAt9pID99SU/VoXnHQmHy2I/AAAAAAAAlBg/aM5zP3-JWpg/81%252520Oregon%252520Islands%252520NWR%252520201514_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>Again, the scenery was fantastic; from the turbulent Oregon coast to the close by giant Redwoods.  It was a surprise to me to find the coast so down right chilly in summer.  It took a couple of hours each day for me to defrost from my post on the overlook.  I don’t think I’ll ever do it again, but I’m awfully glad I had this experience.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uVQixPbKMQ0/VoXnIdoSbTI/AAAAAAAAlBo/LAX3r7sjVOw/s1600-h/82%252520Tule%252520Lake%252520NWR%25252C%252520CA1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="82 Tule Lake NWR, CA1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="82 Tule Lake NWR, CA1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mq5nbTdrwJA/VoXnJc8XLtI/AAAAAAAAlBw/VD4fGTFSGQw/82%252520Tule%252520Lake%252520NWR%25252C%252520CA1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>Late August found me making my way down to Tule Lake NWR in northeast California.  I spent a couple of months in the Klamath Basin, and liked it enough that I plan to return next summer/fall.  The refuge is at an elevation of 4000’ in the high desert.  I had to do some adjusting of recipes for higher elevation.  I felt back in my element at this refuge.  Lots of birds, and a variety of things to do on my assignments.  I’m hoping for Emma’s sake as well as mine, that the goathead problem around the campsite will be eliminated before my return.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wNSt-SxSN9g/VoXnKL5_ZoI/AAAAAAAAlB4/llz1jV8ZmZ8/s1600-h/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%2525202015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="83 Jojoba Hills 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="83 Jojoba Hills 2015" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6okZj1lKRgA/VoXnKzL8KhI/AAAAAAAAlCA/AL72u46xS5Q/83%252520Jojoba%252520Hills%2525202015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="506" /></a></p> <p>By late October, I returned to take up winter residency at Jojoba Hills.  Yep, I’m one of those golf cart owners now, and am trying to settle in to having a home base.  <a href="http://merika-merika.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Merikay</a> and Craig were certainly a part of helping me get settled.  I have one orange tree with about a half dozen oranges on it on my site, and I’m not sure how to tell when they’re ready to be picked.  I’m sure they’ll be the best oranges I’ve ever tasted. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nknjiYoQXUY/VoXnLQaDaSI/AAAAAAAAlCE/vDuUd9DkYJY/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>I leave you tonight, and this year, with what I think is my best ‘The End’ photo of the year.  Get a bunch of RV Bloggers together, and it’s amazing what they will do for you…</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v7lOMdE0i60/VoXnMY33j2I/AAAAAAAAlCQ/cH_rPaVX10Y/s1600-h/_MG_1515%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_1515" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_1515" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gTxKfmrn6oQ/VoXnNv9AfyI/AAAAAAAAlCY/SAWunWzGqCQ/_MG_1515_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="900" height="311" /></a></p> Thanks for stopping by… talk to you next year,  JudyTravels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-47392711686963806772015-12-27T19:31:00.001-06:002015-12-27T19:31:36.874-06:00Test of Open Live Writer<p>Since Windows Live Writer went kaput a couple of weeks ago, I just haven’t had the interest in writing a post to the blog.  I seriously thought of just packing it in and quitting.  But like so many others I’ve decided to give it one more try.  This is a test to see if it will work.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v1eYVyXgCVc/VoCQ9A7pyAI/AAAAAAAAk_Y/X66xacIO1cI/s1600-h/IMG_1211%25255B40%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1211" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1211" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZCRqhZ1kp0/VoCQ951sm5I/AAAAAAAAk_c/6zxwCxJ2XDs/IMG_1211_thumb%25255B34%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="653" height="308" /></a></p> <p>Looks like getting the photos the way I prefer is going to take some work.  Let’s just see what happens.</p> <p>It’s really not like I’ve done anything exciting in the last two weeks anyway…</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p>Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-6624232032127299702015-12-15T21:03:00.001-06:002015-12-15T21:24:21.202-06:00Sometimes newer is betterJust some domestic happenings and observations to talk about tonight. Not very exciting, but I learned a few things. First of all I have to say that I ended up hiring a RV Mobile Repair Service to install my new kitchen faucet. I'm sure glad I did. It took Jason less than 30 minutes to take out the old faucet and replace it with this new one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ598OEUSCPuo3O9WMhdVOFSZ_UlthDpQVqsht2uslU1sR4jh1m8dNwXwXAPmVReH3nO0C6oRKT4V4xH4Aq7ROGZk4joTDqnE9FecaxKW9ksDXW88ttpd-KdMPkP8fGc91fgyWcMtlOie/s1600/IMG_2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ598OEUSCPuo3O9WMhdVOFSZ_UlthDpQVqsht2uslU1sR4jh1m8dNwXwXAPmVReH3nO0C6oRKT4V4xH4Aq7ROGZk4joTDqnE9FecaxKW9ksDXW88ttpd-KdMPkP8fGc91fgyWcMtlOie/s640/IMG_2527.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to do this. A reader recommended that I get one with the pull out nozzle sprayer, and I did. I think I'm going to like this new-fangled invention. Never thought I'd be so enamored with a kitchen faucet, but you folks that live in rigs think about living for a week without one; or one that becomes an Old Faithful geyser every time you turn it on. I must admit that I'm still a little leery every time I turn it on though. I'm braced for getting a shower!<br />
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Since I had an RV tech here, I pulled out my little list of other things that needed looking at. Like why the heck doesn't the residential fridge work off of the inverter? It did when I had it installed. My idea was that when I had that compressor replaced during the 2013 government shutdown while I was at Tamarac NWR, when the refuge manager and LE officer put the fridge back into the space for me, they plugged it into a different outlet so it wouldn't be on the inverter. (Oh my, isn't that quite a sentence?) They didn't know any better, and neither did I. Well, I explained that all to Jason. He was skeptical, but it turned out I was right! He knew how to figure out which outlet was connected to the inverter, and now so do I. :) Hmm...does this open up possibilities for doing a tiny bit of boondocking??? Maybe Quartzsite for a couple of days in January???<br />
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Then I had him climb up on top of the rig. When I had the rig washed and waxed last week, I asked the guy how all the caulking on the roof looked. He said the right rear corner needed a little work. Yep, it needed a little silicone, but Jason found something more important near the front of the roof. There was a hole that had been stuffed with a rag, and covered with caulking that had come loose. Not sure what that's all about, but it's now fixed. I saw the rag and old caulking, and he showed me pictures he had taken with his cell phone of the hole and his repair. I have my ideas how this happened about a year and a half ago, but I can't prove it. It's been some time since I've given up climbing on the roof.<br />
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There were a couple of other little things I had him look at, and then I held my breath for the bill. He had been here about two hours. Turns out the bill came to $349, and $164 of that was for the new faucet, fittings, and other parts. Money well spent as far as I'm concerned. I've paid much higher rates in the past for less reliable service. Jason has a new customer.<br />
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Can anyone tell me what's more economical. Using the propane furnace verses the heat pump on the rig. Propane is very reasonable here, and I actually prefer it to the electric heat. Electric is .11/KWH and propane is $1.27/gal.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by... talk to you later, Judy<br />
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<br />Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-33326937754923587012015-12-12T19:10:00.000-06:002015-12-12T19:11:24.068-06:00Had to work today, and a visitor...For the first time in almost two months, I had to set my alarm clock so I
could get up at 6:00 to greet the day. I had to be at ‘work’ by 7:00, and what
with Emma and all, I needed an hour to get ready. She really gave me the stint
eye for not going to the dog park first thing, but that’s life when you’re on a
schedule.<br />
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My job today was to be part of the road safety crew. For four hours I sat at
this intersection with my cart blocking any cars from going through. Today was
the day that the main drag at Jojoba was being repaved. Amazing to me was that
anyone would try to go through, but they did. Why in the world would they
try?<br />
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The road closures were well publicized ahead of time. They were talked about
at the weekly membership meetings, as well as on the park website, and on the
cable television that comes with each site. And there was a big sign at the top
of the hill that said ‘Do Not Enter’! I was rather astonished that some folks
had no idea what was going on. Some were really put out that they had to turn
around and use the emergency exit to get out of the park. You have to let the
asphalt cool before driving on it or there will be grooves and lumps and bumps.<br />
<br />
Not a terribly exciting job to sit there, but I had my I-pad and the
companionship of a visitor that will be staying with me for the next couple of
weeks. He was a great help to me in keeping folks off of the hot asphalt.<br />
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Meet Flat Stanley! He’s the star of a famous children’s book. I’m told that
Stanley always wanted to travel, but couldn’t until one night, while he was in
bed, a heavy bookshelf fell on him and made him flat. That way he could fit in
an envelope and be mailed to exotic places to visit. This Flat Stanley came
from my oldest granddaughter, Avery, to visit at exotic Jojoba Hills.<br />
<img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="file:///C:/Users/Judith/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles101AF655/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile2.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
Long time readers may remember when Flat Joey came to visit me at Okefenokee
National Wildlife Refuge a few years back. We had quite a few adventures! I
would have preferred a Flat Avery, but this second grade teacher just had the
students color a Flat Stanley instead of a flat self portrait done by each
child. So now I have to find exciting places to take Flat Stanley and write a
story about his visit.<br />
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I hope we’re off to a good start. I’m thinking I may have to make a trip to
see that big dragon in Borrego Springs pretty soon, and maybe a piece of pie in
Julian, and then there’s Joshua Tree National Monument… Any other suggestions
would be appreciated!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy<br />
<br />
P.S. I wrote this post last Thursday night, but of course Blogger messed up Live Writer. Since it was already written, and only had three pictures, I manually transferred the text to Blogger and re-inserted the pictures. What a pain! Not sure I'll do much more of this...Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-46545792947789437692015-12-08T22:40:00.001-06:002015-12-08T22:40:10.998-06:00Picture this…<p>Occasionally, different streets at Jojoba Hills have get-togethers for members of their little neighborhoods.  Tonight, the Granite Loop (that I live on) had a holiday potluck dinner down at the Ranch House.  Normally, I’m not much for these social gatherings, but I made an exception for tonight.  I thought it would be a good idea to meet my neighbors.  I’m glad I did.  The folks surrounding me at the table I sat at were most interesting.  Some were founding members that have been here since the early 90’s, while others were even newer members than I.  All had the common ground of having lived on the road, and the tales were fascinating.  It was good to have interesting conversations other than the state of the weather…especially for someone that lives solo.</p> <p>But what I really want to talk about tonight is another challenge I’m facing.  Does anyone remember the Golden Girls TV show?  If you do, you may remember that Sophia always started a story she was about to tell with…”Picture this…”</p> <p>I’d been having some trouble with water pressure since I’ve been here.  The pressure at the spigot is super strong, and I have a pressure gauge on my hose that keeps the pressure down to 40-50 PSI.  However, there was barely a dribble coming out of my faucets in the rig.  Very frustrating.  Next to impossible to take a shower, etc.  Wasn’t too happy since I had just replaced the gauge this past summer.  So, I ordered a new gauge from Amazon.  In the meantime, I removed the gauge from my hose and barely turned on the water at the spigot.  I did notice a slight leak at the kitchen faucet.</p> <p>Fast forward to getting the new gauge and installing it.  Now, the water pressure is good.  Not too strong, and not too weak.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J5u1sHC6nXQ/Vmewo1O9_SI/AAAAAAAAk8s/PYdHbyqdFtQ/s1600-h/IMG_2514%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2514" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2514" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o5o9SuHQf6s/Vmewpe_1sGI/AAAAAAAAk8w/c8AXqGDl2-Y/IMG_2514_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="501" /></a></p> <p>So, ‘Picture This’… I’m in the middle of washing dishes the other night, and the curved tube faucet head blasts off of the lower base and hits the cabinets above the sink.  In it’s wake is an Old Faithful geyser spraying everywhere!  I’m stunned!  By the time I had gathered my wits about me, I’m soaked as well as everything else in the area.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-surprisedsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Surprised smile" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3WPECakwkD0/Vmewp7uffBI/AAAAAAAAk84/o9hRRnqrZwA/wlEmoticon-surprisedsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  Eventually I was able to shove the tube back into the base after I shut the water off.  I’ve tried super gluing it back in, but that didn’t work.  I’ve had several showers since. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-cryingface" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Crying face" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jl69GVpICU8/VmewqQTkkoI/AAAAAAAAk9A/jS4Ah9Sfgfo/wlEmoticon-cryingface%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Tomorrow, I’m off to Home Depot to get a new faucet.  I just hope what they have will work with the fittings in the rig.  Anyone know the answer to that?  And then there’s the chore of installing it.  I’m not sure I can get the old fixture out let alone get the new one in without leaks.  Not looking forward to squeezing under the sink either.  How does one fit in that skinny cabinet??  Uff-dah!  </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p> Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-81278511760710825772015-12-01T20:06:00.001-06:002015-12-01T20:06:49.420-06:00Time for a day trip<p>I’ve pretty much been veg'ing out for the last month since I arrived here, so yesterday I finally got my keister in gear.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-StpMYSj5neg/Vl5R8-Ot88I/AAAAAAAAk4w/-zwPZD8s7pk/s1600-h/_MG_2484%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2484" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2484" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2sclIPkszVU/Vl5R9kLoptI/AAAAAAAAk40/60s7QnUdvN4/_MG_2484_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="593" height="437" /></a></p> <p>I packed a lunch, and Emma and I headed a little over a hundred miles southeast of Jojoba to Sonny Bono Salton Sea Nat’l Wildlife Refuge.  I remember doing this drive in reverse last April when I left Imperial NWR.  I can safely say that it’s a much less nerve wracking drive in a car.</p> <p>I was expecting to see a huge salty lake perhaps surrounded by farm fields.  Since it is in the Imperial Valley, there are a lot of crops grown, but I had several surprises when I got to the area.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y0XuXQ-fIBA/Vl5R-e9JAcI/AAAAAAAAk44/v4CaEhtpNjU/s1600-h/_MG_2485%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2485" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2485" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--bFiZPtJwp4/Vl5R-3SRKpI/AAAAAAAAk48/amaJKRbaJQQ/_MG_2485_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="272" /></a></p> <p>As you approach the refuge there are quite a few of these plants surrounding it.  I had no clue as to what kind of plants they were.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I3ZIS4_8VVQ/Vl5R_sXVZmI/AAAAAAAAk5E/CuIpkdj-lRM/s1600-h/_MG_2486%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2486" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2486" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WPjqBS46llo/Vl5SANZ_OvI/AAAAAAAAk5I/meb83vZD6Zo/_MG_2486_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="273" /></a></p> <p>The volunteer in the Visitors Center told me they were geothermal plants.  Who would have guessed?  She said they were kind of ugly in the daylight, but at night they’re all lit up and rather pretty.</p> <p>Another surprise came when she told me mud pots (like in Yellowstone) could be seen on the refuge.  She told me where to find them, but try as I might I never did get to see them.  She was kind of surprised that I wanted to see them, as most visitors just want to see birds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5TI5EeWj4Ts/Vl5SA29JOrI/AAAAAAAAk5Q/uQCBuqUa5kM/s1600-h/_MG_2487%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2487" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2487" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CmvpoF7GxjA/Vl5SBYlkHaI/AAAAAAAAk5Y/jhu8OpvbN6I/_MG_2487_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="202" /></a></p> <p>So off I went to see the Salton Sea.  Saw a sign for a boat launch, so that’s where I headed next.  Turned out to be dry as a bone.  No water what so ever.  I think maybe that dark strip just below the distant mountains might be the sea.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fmuuW_hJwW8/Vl5SB3k77dI/AAAAAAAAk5k/k6fmgFWyx_I/s1600-h/_MG_2490%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2490" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2490" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JZldW2kNKsk/Vl5SCoRxvtI/AAAAAAAAk5o/p34t58rVgrU/_MG_2490_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="240" /></a></p> <p>Kind of a shame.  There’s a real nice picnic area that I would guess doesn’t get used anymore because the water is so darn far away.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ydfvJzUkOb8/Vl5SDCWOgfI/AAAAAAAAk50/1S3AcX1XS7M/s1600-h/_MG_2493%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2493" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2493" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2EVE6Bx-QdY/Vl5SD3NuRBI/AAAAAAAAk54/Q7a-U0LUnfk/_MG_2493_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="437" /></a></p> <p>There is no auto tour route on this refuge.  You just have to wander around on farm roads to see small parts of the refuge.  Most of the refuge is part of the sea itself.  Emma and I went to the top of a tower and found this praying mantis.  I always thought they were green, but I guess in a desert environment tan is a better color.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WP6m9Xdd2A8/Vl5SEat__hI/AAAAAAAAk6A/e7J-KNF_sOw/s1600-h/_MG_2500%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2500" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2500" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZbhL_x145ow/Vl5SE8nWgAI/AAAAAAAAk6E/FZLJxKjL65g/_MG_2500_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="300" /></a></p> <p>                          The view from the tower did reveal a path through the marsh with an overlook.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DicH73pax1M/Vl5SFih6SoI/AAAAAAAAk6I/4W8CZ6ypYhQ/s1600-h/_MG_2501%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2501" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2501" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lkXbNtzN_l8/Vl5SGEStM4I/AAAAAAAAk6Q/X4jgMW5rqFc/_MG_2501_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="356" /></a></p> <p>It took us quite some time to walk this short path.  Seems Emma had to investigate every piece of goose poop along the way.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile with tongue out" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VZvwjERk_AM/Vl5SGpIoDfI/AAAAAAAAk6U/GqLbHV9ULJI/wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  I suppose sniffing each dropping is like humans reading a novel.  Who knows what secrets lie in the aromas.  Emma wouldn’t tell me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1WN-GAu6hnI/Vl5SHF5OMbI/AAAAAAAAk6Y/pl2-8mkO_EE/s1600-h/_MG_2508%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2508" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2508" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EeahUkoBPM0/Vl5SHtq7QlI/AAAAAAAAk6c/Gn0XVvaKzC0/_MG_2508_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="314" /></a></p> <p>Our arrival at the overlook disturbed several egrets who were leaving their own messages on the railings.  Finally saw some water, and all those white things in the distance are snow geese.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xJjfUSNQSCM/Vl5SIW9NtkI/AAAAAAAAk6k/NKk1toXjhU4/s1600-h/_MG_2503%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2503" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2503" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mIPb7AdJk_A/Vl5SI6S7w2I/AAAAAAAAk6o/AWi1be_-apo/_MG_2503_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="281" /></a></p> <p>I’m thinking this is now just a pond in a marshy area as the sea itself has receded far away.  If this keeps up, I’m not sure what impact this will make on the migrating waterfowl each winter.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QUtzdP1nQgY/Vl5SJdvxbgI/AAAAAAAAk6s/NpKRssN2Jmw/s1600-h/IMG_1211%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1211" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1211" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4CtJJq1wQGE/Vl5SKIkmznI/AAAAAAAAk6w/rOs3Od6xAY0/IMG_1211_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="300" /></a></p> <p>By this time, we had to start heading for home in order to get there before dark.  I don’t drive after dark any more.  Found about fifty sandhill cranes feeding in one of the refuge fields.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E40pPwqlzos/Vl5SKwbORYI/AAAAAAAAk7A/VmO2H9tCG6Q/s1600-h/IMG_1215%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1215" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1215" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LIuPKUl2zdk/Vl5SLXHTJ1I/AAAAAAAAk7I/zEsTHSPzJEI/IMG_1215_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="315" /></a></p> <p>I’d be hard pressed to choose my favorite bird, but sandhill cranes would certainly rank near the top of my list if I had one.  That fuzzy white blur in the background is thousands of snow geese that were also gleaning a late lunch in the field.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dG3NSVU6Ghc/Vl5SL2W8zcI/AAAAAAAAk7M/QRafOeRn3T0/s1600-h/IMG_1220%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1220" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1220" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZ6FOABkEqY/Vl5SMkI9uxI/AAAAAAAAk7U/zZojJ14K6FU/IMG_1220_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="393" /></a></p> <p>Something set them off, and I was happy to just watch and listen to the ruckus they made.  The cranes just went about their business and didn’t bat an eye.</p> <p>Now that I know the lay of the land, so to speak, of the refuge, I’m sure I’ll make a return trip when the days get a little longer.  There are also a couple of trails that we didn’t have time to do.  I’ll leave you tonight with a ‘snow’ storm of geese.  (The only kind of snowstorm I enjoy.)  Care to guess how many geese are in the photo??</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yxBR5a9HMDI/Vl5SNRsh3XI/AAAAAAAAk7Y/i4xhI62fJ94/s1600-h/IMG_1225%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1225" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1225" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UdnDbkpI0iM/Vl5SNx2FkOI/AAAAAAAAk7c/4w5JQxRcVpg/IMG_1225_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p> Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-78201088897786981012015-11-22T20:37:00.001-06:002015-11-22T20:37:14.566-06:00Life at Jojoba<p>Several readers have expressed an interest in knowing how things operate here, and how I’m adjusting to this location change over my normal Nat’l Wildlife Refuge volunteering.  This coming Wednesday, I will have been here a month and I have to say that life has slowed down, but I have really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.  I haven’t had to set my alarm in a month.  This Escapees Co-Op Park is successful because it is really based on all members volunteering to keep this place as nice as it is.  </p> <p>I’ve volunteered for two committees, but I want to take my time before becoming more involved.  I have lived alone for many years, and often been quite isolated at my NWR locations, so sometimes all of the social aspects of this park are a little overwhelming for me.  That doesn’t mean I’m unhappy with my decision to come here, it just means I need to slowly adjust and find what’s right for me.</p> <p>Besides the pool and hot tub, there are two other things I’ve found very nice.  First are the dog parks.  Since I can’t walk very far, the parks have been a God send for exercising Emma.  She’s certainly not a retriever, but after socializing and watching the other dogs she will run after a thrown ball.  She doesn’t catch it or bring it back, but she runs and runs after it.  That’s a good thing.  I’m thinking I better get one of those throwing sticks that a tennis ball fits into.  Anyone else have one of those?  I just can’t seem to throw a ball the way I used to.  When I take her out first thing in the morning at my site, she won’t take care of business.  She just gives me the stink eye until we get into the golf cart and go to the park.  What a stinker!  I get that same look about 3:00 in the afternoon.   </p> <p>The second thing I like is the extensive DVD library here.  With it dark by 5:00 right now that makes for a long evening.  There’s a fifty cent donation to take out a DVD for three nights, and the money goes toward buying more movies.  If I watched one show a night, it would probably take me a couple of years to go through everything available.  Lots more convenient than Netflix.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ld_aVLNRxSc/VlJ7zC-5aaI/AAAAAAAAk3A/oLlWZphkrnY/s1600-h/IMG_1246%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1246" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1246" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--eRv0DylrUI/VlJ7zvCpHDI/AAAAAAAAk3E/YlpLPTJJ5-U/IMG_1246_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="437" /></a></p> <p>Lots of sandbags are being filled here by members because of the El Nino threat.  There’s only been one day with some rain since I’ve been here, but it was enough for me to order this driving cover for the golf cart.  The seats are not all vinyl, so I ended up with a really wet deck after taking Emma to the dog park. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile with tongue out" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OfFh-WdRjpM/VlJ70PZNpuI/AAAAAAAAk3I/DoFhjyrGhNw/wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Yesterday I tried to install it by myself.  We’re experiencing some high Santa Ana winds, so it was really a comical situation.  It’s all one piece, and the directions said to just drape it over the cart.  Ha!  I did get it on the roof, but as I tried to move around the wind just blew it off the top.  Time for plan B… call Craig and <a href="http://merika-merika.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Merikay</a>!  It was definitely more than a one short person job.  With their help, we were done in about fifteen minutes.  They’ll be heading out tomorrow, so I got their help just in the nick of time.  Even without rain, it should help with chilly early morning drives.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOGlGUHOIvc/VlJ70pLe7jI/AAAAAAAAk3M/OyoCepqUMiI/s1600-h/IMG_1239%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1239" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1239" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wM0ca0ZsfmI/VlJ71KW_bZI/AAAAAAAAk3Q/j6Vl4H-XDt8/IMG_1239_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="430" /></a></p> <p>Seems like my routine has been to drive into Temecula on Fridays to do my shopping.  While at the grocery store, I found some pepino melons.  I’d never heard of them.  They’re about the size of a very large egg.  I bought one as I thought it would be about one portion and I do like melons.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5J47aHkomI0/VlJ71l-KYiI/AAAAAAAAk3U/smMBvqC2o8k/s1600-h/IMG_1244%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1244" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1244" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ekt3DZehjhs/VlJ72ZicnlI/AAAAAAAAk3Y/Jbx_bCbEw04/IMG_1244_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="415" /></a></p> <p>When I got home, I Googled it and found out it is supposed to be sweet and taste like a cross between a pear and a melon and a cucumber.  I also watched a You Tube video done by a woman that records eating things she’s never tried before.  Probably shouldn’t have done that as her opinion was that it tasted like puke!  Well, it was juicy… not terribly sweet… but I don’t think I’ll ever buy one again.  It wasn’t as disgusting as the woman reported, but once was enough for me.  Ever had one?</p> <p>Well I’d better stop blabbing.  Maybe next time I’ll talk about the Dakota bread I found…</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p> Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-30452253537944975142015-11-19T20:41:00.001-06:002015-11-19T20:41:54.644-06:00I’m no Annie Oakley<p>After taking Emma to the dog park before 7:00 this morning, I checked Jojoba Hills’ website to see what kind of activities were going on today.  It turned out it was Ladies Day at the air gun range.  Now I don’t know a thing about guns and certainly am not a hunter, but it sounded interesting so I hopped in my golf cart and blasted over to the other side of the park where the gun range is located.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VlNLVWdWEpI/Vk6IOSbXx7I/AAAAAAAAk00/yAq0ToQjHhQ/s1600-h/IMG_1210%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1210" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1210" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L9tlA_kSUGg/Vk6IPs9NXkI/AAAAAAAAk04/4-F_sDhL7ME/IMG_1210_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="342" /></a></p> <p>The range is located just past the not as popular dog run (as opposed to the very popular dog park).  There is a sun shelter with places to sit to shoot at the numerous targets.  The close ones are for pistols, and the more distant ones are for rifles.  See that orange target in the middle?  It’s made out of sewer pipe, and if you shoot the pistol just right into one of the two round holes, the metal pellet goes around the bend and rings a bell on the way out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1M6t2urqtec/Vk6IRjmYwLI/AAAAAAAAk08/no4pRZMR2k4/s1600-h/IMG_1214%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1214" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1214" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sbzbNbj7gSU/Vk6ISSkHGCI/AAAAAAAAk1A/lh7Rs00SMQk/IMG_1214_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="583" height="437" /></a></p> <p>Since it’s Ladies Day, there were plenty of experienced guys there to help us learn about air guns.  I think they provided all the weapons, but I’m not sure.  Some may be provided by the park.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ryudoiofCPg/Vk6ITHrInQI/AAAAAAAAk1E/sXWr8aFra1c/s1600-h/IMG_1213%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1213" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1213" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DV92KmE947k/Vk6IUyKhxhI/AAAAAAAAk1I/HxMOiQ_MIQE/IMG_1213_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="583" height="437" /></a></p> <p>I started out trying the pistol first.  Had to use both hands to try to keep the gun from shaking as well as the holder to lean it on.  Gritting my teeth seemed to help.  I rang the bell on the first shot!  Ha! Beginners luck!  Matt Dillon has no worries.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-confusedsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Confused smile" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ayygHFp3lMU/Vk6IVfFAtxI/AAAAAAAAk1M/fmMV0gy-Uec/wlEmoticon-confusedsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  That was the only time I rang the bell.  Those are the tiny pellets in that can in front.  With most of the guns, you have to load one pellet at a time (in the right direction).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r0riIVFYCe0/Vk6IWHs-NJI/AAAAAAAAk1Q/CEA5tu92a5E/s1600-h/IMG_1216%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1216" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1216" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nMEAHLT6TlY/Vk6IW8ajBbI/AAAAAAAAk1U/uTRDc1DAmbQ/IMG_1216_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="301" /></a></p> <p>After an hour or so, shooting stopped so that the guys could set up a competition for us ladies.  By this time, I had gotten instruction on using one of the rifles.  I had much better luck with that as I could hold it steadier.  It had more of a kick than I expected.  My biggest problem was reloading.  You have to bend the barrel down in half to put in one pellet.  Pete, the guy in shorts, showed me a way I could do it using both arms.</p> <p>The competition consisted of each of us ladies having one minute to load and shoot up to five pellets in order to hit three balloons that were waving in the wind.  I only competed in the rifle challenge.  The balloons were much further back for that.  Three of us got ready for the first round.  When the bell sounded, we all began.  My two competitors knocked off their balloons in short order.  I wasn’t so quick.  I decided to try to take out my hardest balloon first.  The wind kept blowing it behind that smiling face in the middle of the field.  I got it!  By this time, my competitors were finished with their three balloons.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-umW_5qVwSMo/Vk6IXi6iSgI/AAAAAAAAk1Y/Ddy15wL6P9A/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  I struggled to get my tiny pellet seated in the barrel with my shaky hands, but everyone in the background was cheering me on telling me I had plenty of time.  How great that was!  I hit all three balloons with just three shots within the allotted time.  Yahoo!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IDhHH4jJjIM/Vk6IYcNJTMI/AAAAAAAAk1c/VkBWtVUg5dA/s1600-h/IMG_1224%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1224" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1224" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eNQX7mJgqrA/Vk6IZBDKb6I/AAAAAAAAk1g/hR7nrwEU5Ek/IMG_1224_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="437" /></a></p> <p>Turns out no matter how we did, each of the ladies got two roses to take home.  What a fun morning.  I’m thinking I’ll probably return for next month’s Ladies Day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FtgThuMWDq8/Vk6IZ8Fl_yI/AAAAAAAAk1k/VCbFzrfFnKg/s1600-h/IMG_1234%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1234" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1234" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y56bXStazOQ/Vk6Ia_FbPwI/AAAAAAAAk1o/b9hoWkiNYEA/IMG_1234_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="437" /></a></p> <p>If you’re Annie Oakley, you probably wouldn’t be too happy with these results, but for a beginner, I’m just glad I hit the target most of the time.  Who would have guessed I’d enjoy shooting a rifle?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s8wskwinKSQ/Vk6IboTz1QI/AAAAAAAAk1s/nOBrrdRzaW4/s1600-h/IMG_1218%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1218" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1218" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rD07ZDOMfPo/Vk6IcDLK94I/AAAAAAAAk1w/eb94sKPf5j0/IMG_1218_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="341" /></a></p> <p>Of course, after all that hard work this morning I just had to take a dip in the pool this afternoon.  See that circle in the back?  That’s the swirling hot tub.  Had to relax those arm muscles from all that loading, don’t cha know…</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p> Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-21682771178500580292015-11-15T18:52:00.001-06:002015-11-15T18:52:08.589-06:00Still settling in<p>I haven’t posted in some time since I don’t think much of what I’ve been doing is very interesting to most people.  I had a little excitement a few days after my golf cart was delivered.  I had taken Emma to the dog park at 6:30 in the morning, and noticed on the way back that the cart was becoming more and more sluggish.  The last hill up to my site took about twenty minutes to accomplish.  Seems I hadn’t paid attention to the amount of charge left in the batteries.  Ugh!  Thought I was going to have to put Emma to pulling me home like a sled dog.  Learned a lesson that day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d3THmnJINDk/VkkooUFH86I/AAAAAAAAky0/6l_lehFc7LE/s1600-h/_MG_2470%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2470" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2470" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oeWEeJYKRWo/Vkkoo5BFyVI/AAAAAAAAky4/-WfcJF1hbkI/_MG_2470_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p>When I ordered my new camera lens back in early October, I bought it on Amazon and signed up for Prime.  Never thought it was worth the money for me before, but knew I’d be making some purchases once I got here.  No shipping fees is nice.  This pic shows two of my purchases.  I ordered a stand for my Weber Q, and a picnic table.  I managed to get that Q stand assembled by myself, but knew I’d need help with the picnic table.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VXA814x56PY/VkkopXqmQlI/AAAAAAAAkzA/CLs11KK3f1A/s1600-h/_MG_2473%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2473" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2473" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FjscPQevsRc/VkkoqO-q8nI/AAAAAAAAkzE/BePah0Rz6_c/_MG_2473_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://merika-merika.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Merikay</a> and Craig to the rescue!  I’m not sure they were as happy as I that the table was delivered before their visit to Jojoba was over.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--0AD29c0bNA/VkkoqazFQ6I/AAAAAAAAkzM/bewxWOmZm0I/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TSc8z6W3R_0/VkkorJaiyDI/AAAAAAAAkzQ/YyjrS-7M90k/s1600-h/_MG_2477%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2477" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2477" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FrUmwaGSTFM/VkkortOQUnI/AAAAAAAAkzU/BhrAGYGI9wo/_MG_2477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p>This assembly really needed a couple or three people to make the job go quickly.  It’s nice to have friends nearby when you need them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FblrGYZbFpY/VkkosVD5YmI/AAAAAAAAkzc/aktsC7N86ww/s1600-h/_MG_2479%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2479" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2479" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cYhtA-5B8e4/Vkkos9PMlII/AAAAAAAAkzg/NyveQqHkULE/_MG_2479_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="434" /></a></p> <p>It only took about an hour to get the job done.  Now my huge patio doesn’t look quite so bare, and I’ve got a place to attach Emma’s tie out to.  Of course if she gets excited, she can move the table, but thank goodness there aren’t any squirrels in my neck of the woods!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uyz1Z_0iYVk/Vkkotf_Y9mI/AAAAAAAAkzk/Ue1zCkZjguE/s1600-h/_MG_2481%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="_MG_2481" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_MG_2481" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BR37auTJk0o/Vkkot2aJX5I/AAAAAAAAkzs/QmVCT3U2GDw/_MG_2481_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="397" /></a></p> <p>We all inaugurated the table last night as I had Merikay and Craig over for a cookout.  Emma showed her thanks too.</p> <p>Part of what’s included at each site here is a telephone hookup.  When was the last time you bought a regular telephone and not a cell phone?  I think it’s been close to twenty years for me.  It’s wise to have a phone in case you need to dial 911.  If you do that on your cell phone it goes to Indio, CA, and the response is delayed.  If you use the regular phone, it is handled locally and volunteers in the park come to help and make sure the gate is opened for emergency responders.  You can also call any other site in the park any time you want for free.</p> <p>I’m planning to get back to more regular blogging since most of the basics of moving in have been taken care of now.  It’s also about time I get out and find some little adventures to enjoy!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy</p> Travels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.com33