Home Sweet Home
What did I do? Not a lota’. Or more of the same. My basic story right now is stay home so as not to spend unnecessary money that I don’t have. Does leave me a lot of time to label and work on photos. Not to mention all the time I waste online. And I messed with the website which might be good and bad.
Sunset view over the Weaver Mountains from the end of the driveway
Still driving a couple locals to town for groceries and doctor appointments. Still volunteering one day a week at the local YRCC community thrift store. Dangerous when I’m there as I always buy something, the deals and stuff are so good.
Last month I sold a print of Sun Sets At The End Of The Line to Sally, a long-time virtual friend. She purchased the print through my Fine Art America (FAA) GLOlmsted Photography website and was disappointed that it didn’t have my watermark. There is actually disagreement over watermarking printed photographs and FAA doesn’t recommend it. In addition, the image is an unusual size at 14×9.375”, not a standard like 8×10 or 14×11”. So that either requires major cropping or custom matte and frame. Something I didn’t even think about until recently. The camera doesn’t typically take standard print sizes. That doesn’t matter much in the webworld, although I’ve seen many sites crop photos. Cropping this particular shot would ruin it IMHO.
So, when Sally decided to add Waiting for the Train to her walls I emailed her a high resolution, already cropped my way one inch from the top to a 5×7 print with watermark.
Then she sent the digital copy to a local printer and easily bought a frame and matte. Transactions were done online between us for payment through PayPal. This is a service I’ll gladly offer anyone. So if you ever see a photo you want let me know. My prices are reasonable.
I didn’t go out much with several days of gray and rain followed by clear and cold. Sierra spends more time inside when the temperatures drop. We want to go outside, but not far from the house. She frequently sits on the sunny stoop, but not for long if a cold wind ruffles her fur. She also spends more time on my lap. Not sure who is keeping who warm in that case. Sometimes I feel like a grumbly ole bear when it comes to the cold of winter, even in Arizona.
First sighting of a Pyrrhuloxia, bottom left, looks much like the Cardinals I see regularly
Maybe these friendly Ravens will nest nearby this year
I’ve spent a lot of time watching the birds. Been too cheap to buy birdseed but get a bucket filled by a friend when needed. Instead of filling a feeder I simply broadcast a few handfuls out in the morning where I can see from my desk. (My desk is a rather make-do folding table situation so I can watch outside.)
Also one hummingbird feeder that I try to remember to bring in over the freezing cold nights. Sometimes I forget and bring it in the morning to thaw out. I read somewhere that super cold water is bad for the little hummers, which totally made sense to me. Could be like an ice cream brain freeze but deadly.
Yesterday morning awoke to a light dusting of snow. Oh joy. Not my favorite weather event especially if I have to go out further than my yard. And sadly, I had to drive to Prescott which thankfully turned out OK. Apologies to those who are experiencing multiple inches to feet of this white stuff but that’s one of the reasons I live in Arizona.
I dressed up for the weather.
What I didn’t do is continue to empty the 5th-wheel. Although it is listed for sale in several places I’ve had no bites. Part of me says to keep it as I may need/want that bigger home someday and in another year it will be paid for.
Looking up at sunset
I’m still asking myself, “what did I do” by deactivating the Jetpack plugin on this blog last week. I’d been playing around, adding some new items to the sidebar. Why didn’t I notice the items that were missing? After a few days I did miss the way Jetpack displayed stats. And then I noticed nobody leaving a comment from the last post. Oops! If you ever subscribed to get an email notification when I post that might be gone. If you’re not getting notifications and still want to I think you’ll have to sign up again. Commenting may be back to using the “Tab” key to move from one information block to another, at least according to one reader. I re-activated Jetpack and had to reset a bunch of things. Please let me know if you notice a difference or any problems. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Checking out the comments. I do love your photographs, but as you might have figured out if looking at Sunset House, there isn’t an inch of space left. Too many windows and too much art!! LOL I had to give stuff to my daughters and we both ended up hanging favorite art we love in the garage. Still, your photos are really breathtaking. I hope you sell manyl And now let’s see if this posts!
Thanks Sue. I totally understand lack of space, especially in my RVs where it’s mostly windows just the way I like it.
Hey Gaelyn ~ I received the email notification for the new post. I can see the differences on your sidebar, it all looks good. For what it’s worth, if your 5th wheel is going to be paid off in a year, keep it. Whether your get a new park job, or a 9 – 5, or you just decide to settle… you’re going to need a home. And, having your home on wheels suits your lifestyle. Keep it!
Thanks for letting me know. I just discovered two lists of email subscribers to the blog so guess I didn’t loose it after all.
I’m not anxious to sell the 5th-wheel, but wouldn’t mind being out of debt. Especially now while not working. And I do still have the truckcamper.
I really like many of your artful pics, and intend too acquire several once I figure out my relocation situation. As it us now I have a substantial collection of wall art stored that I change out frequently, though, some pieces seem to be on permanent display. Houses have to be designed for art.
Winter is a time to reflect, relax, and rest, or hit the road & trail, or leave a big carbon footprint in the atmosphere. Soon, and probably not soon enough, we will have to absorb a big carbon tax for travel. So I do as much as I can now and deal with my guilt as I can. I somewhat mollify my conscience by limiting my local carbon based travel by walking into town(7-miles RT), or biking.
We are under that brrrrr regime in southern Oregon. Snow and cold to freezing temps and I thought this was a Mediterranean climate…lol!
Cheers, all.
Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. I’d hang more art if I had more walls.
My carbon footprint is pretty small when I travel by RV. But right now, just not in the budget.
I was surprised when Portland friends got snow over the weekend. Stay warm, or head south.
Seattle is nearly buried, and my friend living at The Farm in the Columbia River Gorge won’t be able to get out for at least a month. Good thing I bought The Farm a breadmaker a few years ago. I know it’s the lazy way, but it sure is nice and uses less energy.
It appears the comments are WORKING!, With all the issues with Blogger, it’s almost a relief to see that WordPress can also have issues, even if self induced. I did get my comment section finally working! But lost my Blogs-I-Read sidebar.
I agree with Patti, hang on to the 5th-wheel you have rather need to replace it later. If/when the Yarnell home is sold you’ll want the room it offers. And you can use it to set up camp at the various art-shows around the west.
BTW – I did an ‘belated’ email notification of this post!, bet I was working on restoring my sidebar when it cam in. The email link to the blog, comments, all comments worked perfectly!
Good to hear comments are working. That’s what I get for messing with it. If it ain’t broken no fix it. 😉 Isn’t there a go-around for your blogs I read on the sidebar? Been too long since I was on Blogger.
I do love the space in my 5th-wheel but it’s too big for me to haul around by myself and no good for boondocking with a household fridge. Such a quandary.
Funny, your apology to people experiencing worse winters. I feel like adding an apology to every post in the winter! You are sure getting some cold for there weather and I definitely feel sorry for you, even if people from “up North” (or Seattle, for that matter) do not. Hope it warms up soon p. Meanwhile stay indoors watching those pretty birds and be careful on the road when you do have to go out. I imagine it’s the same as Eugene, people don’t know how to drive in snow. (My daughter feeds birds the same way you do scattering seed under her big tree and it works great.).
I just feel bad for those getting buried in snow or freezing, unless they like it.
We’re in a blizzard. You takecare!
You take care!
Hi, Gaelyn:
Yes, it’s been cold in the north-central highlands. If you have time to be on line, here’s some thoughts.
I had to deactivate JetPack on my WP sites because it was causing me problems. I found this article when I searched for JetPack replacements:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/best-alternatives-to-the-wordpress-jetpack-plugin/
….and, I use the plugins they recommend as alternatives to the JetPack plugins. But, that was my experience on my sites. YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).
If you’d like to “waste time” online, I love these two sites:
https://www.WPBeginner.com
https://www.WP101.com
I think both websites have YouTube channels as well.
From them, I’ve learned so much about really good plugins. For security, I’m using the free versions of iThemes and of Sucuri.
I’ve also come to love Arty Shark. Here’s an article about where to sell art online, in addition to FAA:
https://www.artsyshark.com/sell-art-online-directory/
And, Renee Phillips, the Artrepreneur Coach:
http://renee-phillips.com/
For work at home jobs, there’s Rat Race Rebellion:
https://www.RatRaceRebellion.com
And FlexJobs (for a fee; search the WWW for a free, intro code):
https://www.FlexJobs.com
Just thought I’d send you a few online distractions that might even be a little fun reading for you!
Thanks for all the recommendations. I do follow a couple WP sites.
We have had a few warmer days though we are still freezing in the morning. The bird bath has to be unfrozen a couple of times. Yesterday I saw thousands of cranes flying North, they must know something, so I am hoping that spring really is just around the corner!! Hope that a job for summer comes up for you very soon. Keep warm, love the winter outfit. Cheers Diane
I see there is now nowhere for me to put name, address etc so I am hoping this goes through!!
This morning at 8 was 46°F with gray skies for the upcoming week of rain. Well it’s good for the flowers.
So the comment form doesn’t ask for any info? It came through as you.
No, no information asked for at all!!
Maybe only if it is someone new but it recognises ‘old’ people!
Hi Gaelyn Just two comments ” KEEP IT AND STAY WARM ” You can bet your bottom dollar, no sooner you have sold your home something will turn up to say that you need not have sold anyway. Love the birds pic feeding.
Everyone seems to agree I should keep my 5th-wheel. Seeing I’ve had no offers it’s not a worry. I just wanted to be out of debt. Thanks.
Either that or a smaller trailer that you feel comfortable hauling. I can’t speak for the others, but I will. LOL! I think we all are feeling that the family will be selling the house, soon, and we’d love for you to be in a trailer vs. your truck camper, as it’s more comfortable and more roomy. Or, maybe a small motorhome with a snazzie scooter or small motorcycle as your townie vehicle. And, a helmet with a turquoise paint scheme with flames on the sides.
How are you marketing the 5th wheel?
LOL! for the flaming helmet. I was thinking something smaller and maybe even towable behind the truck with camper. Trying to stay away from two engines to maintain, license and register. Although I like motorbikes, they suck during inclement weather.
5th-wheel is listed in several locations on Craigslist and also an RV sales sight.
Yes, a smaller towable behind the truck camper. Great idea. There are people RVing full time with that arrangement. Especially those who go camping with their boat.
Craigslist is okay. Did you include postings for the Metro Phoenix area? For Flagstaff, too? RVTrader.com is one of the best sites. Then, there’s RVillage.com (free to join). Have you posted a paper “For Sale” bulletin at North Ranch?
I know it’s cold and gray out today, so I’m just giving you ideas while you’re inside. We might be getting rain, plus snow flurries on Monday.
So… while you’re inside…here’s a few more ideas:
You could create a YouTube channel just for selling your 5th wheel. Do a “tour” of the exterior and interior. You don’t have to use your real name for the channel name. Then, when your rig sells, delete the channel.
There are so many nice, small and light trailers out there, now. And, as people upgrade, I bet you can find some that are gently previously owned.
What a fun adventure for you, Gaelyn! It might not feel like that today, but we all are believing in better days ahead for you. 🙂
Thanks.
Love you photos, wondered why i could not comment previously. Living in Arizona away from the snow is a great place to be.
Thanks George. Hopefully the blog is fixed, again. I love AZ.
I still don’t get a notification of new comments(?).
Your photos really look stunning with the pretty frames! I don’t think anywhere has dodged the cold of winter this year. We’ve had lots of rain and chilly days in SoCal when last year at this time it was in the high 70’s. I complained about not having a winter so I have to admit I’m enjoying the more “wintery” temps for awhile 🙂
Thanks. It’s kind of a treat to have walls to hang them on, not an option in the RV. Guess I’d never miss winter.