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Category: life

Rather a slow week

view SW stormy sky Skull Valley AZStorms came and went, temperatures rose, and the bugs haven’t left so I’m still not spending much time outdoors.  It’s been a slow week.

SR89 S clouds Yavapai County AZSR89 South to Yarnell

Gaelyn new haircutNot really much to share.  Finally got a much needed haircut at my Yarnell hairdresser.  If she ever retires I’m screwed.  Of course it had been close to a year since the last cut.  That’s how good she is.  Guess that’s not supporting her business much is it?

Sierra cat on desk Skull Valley AZ

trail cam on RV ladder Skull Valley AZI’ve been feeling lazy but labeled over 500 photos and still over a year behind.  Haven’t been taking many photos, especially with the Nikon, since the monsoon clouds are gone.  The daily roadrunner is usually to fast for me, though I believe the trail cam caught it.

Gaelyn on berm clouds sunrays Skull Valley AZ

late light crepuscular rays clouds Skull Valley AZWhen the light is right I quickly go out for a few shots before the mosquitoes chase me back inside.

fall oak leaves Skull Valley AZA few oak leaves turned to Fall but guess the bugs didn’t get the message during days still in the 90s.

sunset clouds Skull Valley AZ

reverse sunset clouds Skull Valley AZWednesday afternoon I turned the camper fridge on in preparation for the next day’s run to town and overnight visit with a friend.

plants cattle gaurd fence gate Skull Valley AZNot much traffic through my gate

After a stop at the local dump I worked my way across Prescot and Prescott Valley headed east to Dewey.  My recent new glasses were just not right so dropped them off for new lenses.  Wearing old glasses is a pain but better than nothing.

Gaelyn's reunion outfitsBought three pieces, had the boots and belt, sadly the hat won’t go, will add bold turquoise jewelry

Stopped at several thrift stores in search of an outfit for the evening functions at my upcoming class reunion.  Which one to wear, 1-5?

stormy sky Ferguson Valley Rd Skull Valley AZEnjoyed a wonderful visit with a North Rim friend and we talked and laughed until after midnight, way past our bedtimes.  On the way home the next day I had a propane tank recertified and filled plus picked up groceries.  So I unpacked in the heat of afternoon and just before it rained.

view S stormy sky Skull Valley AZEast view

view S stormy sky Skull Valley AZSouth view

That evening a huge dark storm circled around my little valley dropping only a little rain.  But the lightning show to the south was amazing and I heard from friends the wind was brutal.  Power went off about 6:30pm.  I wasn’t too worried as I still operated on 12volt for lights and propane for cooking.  Word was it would be back on around midnight, and I was sound asleep before that.

camper view Skull Valley AZCamper view northwest

However, still no power Saturday morning and not expected on until late afternoon or possibly evening.  So I ferried everything out of the household electric fridge in the 5th-wheel to the propane fridge in the camper.  Then I moved Sierra and I to the camper where I could continue to charge my phone and laptop off the solar system.  It got warm inside but tolerable with windows open and 12 volt fan.  If it hadn’t been Labor Day weekend, I would have driven to higher elevation, but I don’t travel on holidays.  It cooled into the mid-60s and after ice cream for desert, we slept fine in the camper that night.

life, RV life 27 Comments

Become part of the conversation

desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaKofa Mts, AZ 1-28-21

As I sit out here in the all alone desert watching my daily world much like above, spinning stories, taking photos, and generally letting time slip away, I sometimes long for conversation.  Not necessarily long periods of time or in need of a full-time person(s) around.  However, I do talk to myself quite a bit, oh and Sierra also who is a lacking conversationalist unlike other cats I’ve known.  I do realize conversation requires at least two, but in today’s world not always face-to-face.  The internet has made it possible for us to communicate with people all over the world, quickly depending on your signal.  I LOVE that!  I do however, also like real time, maybe still at six feet apart these days.  Is anybody else hurtin’ for hugs?  Either way, or all the ways, conversation requires a back and forth of words, one talks while other(s) listen, then respond.  It’s an exchange, give and take, a movement of energy back and forth.  Otherwise, I don’t see a conversation.

When I put out a rambling blog post about my previous week’s activities and mind-drifting I am shocked that hundreds of people at least view the post, and hopefully read.  Thank you.  I wish you’d leave a comment so I’d know who you are and I can respond, creating a conversation.  All you lovely lurkers have me at a disadvantage with knowing so much about me.

White Pocket Vermilion Cliffs National Monument ArizonaSandstone layers at White Pocket, AZ 5-28-15

Since blogging, my life is pretty much an open book.  (And speaking of books, I am scheduling time almost daily to work on that.)  A really big thanks goes out to all those people I’ve met online (and frequently in real time too) and gotten to know through conversation over the many years.  Your blog post comments feed my ego, thank you.

red Cholla cactus flower Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaA prickly situation, Cholla & Saguaro, Organ Pipe National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Never met a stranger

Since childhood I’ve been a talker, stranger or not.  Never would have gotten by with that in today’s world.  I got in trouble for talking in class when I was suppose to be doing something else, like reading, studying, or paying attention.  However, I was a good student.  And over and above all the art classes I could take, my favorite class was Improv, a drama class.  Sorry, I got ahead of myself here.  Talking and conversation are two different things.  I’m still working on that.

desert cactus mts clouds Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaDotted with color, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Telephone to dial-up

Does anybody else remember the first phone in your house?  A large black plastic box on the wall or desk with a handset for speaking and listening.  (I’m not old enough for the cranking wood box version or switchboard operators.)  Not that I was allowed, or old enough, to use the phone, but I remember is was a “party-line” shared with a neighbor and each of us had a different ring combination.  You could listen in on their conversation, but don’t get caught.  It was considered a privilege to own a telephone.

Delicate Arch Arches National Park UtahPeople and rock, Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, UT 9-30-15

As a teenager, I begged for a pastel colored princess phone in my bedroom but was told no as I already tied up the line for way too much time with useless conversation.  I did eventually pay to have a separate line put into my bedroom.  Had it done while my parents were on vacation.  Upon their return, we had quite a conversation.  I don’t remember that being good, but I did have my own phone and local calls were free.  Long distance on the other hand was costly.  Good thing I didn’t have friends far away like I do now.

desert sunburst BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaGoodnight desert, Ghost Town Road, Congress, AZ 4-1-20

Those first main-frame computer rooms were the size of a large walk-in closet and kept almost as cold as a freezer.  The first cell phone I saw in the 1990s was the size of a lunchbox and didn’t work very well.  That was about the same time I was introduced to the internet where I thought all the information in the world would be at my fingertips.  Not so as I quickly discovered most of the “information” was one person’s opinion.  Not like a book reviewed by peers and editor.

trees sunset clouds crepuscular rays Walnut Grove ArizonaView from a friend’s, Walnut Grove, AZ 4-30-20

Then there was email, and how cool was that.  Sending a message, short or long, around the world without licking a postage stamp.  Of course, answer time varied depending on the recipient of said email.  Responses could vary from minutes to never.  There was the possibility your email went into SPAM and never seen by the recipient.  Sure took me a long time before looking in that overflowing folder where I’d always find a long-lost “real” message.  That algorithm has greatly improved over time and I check more frequently looking for those occasional keepers.  A great way to have a conversation.

Stormy sky last light Wotans Throne Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLast light, Wotans Throne, Cape Royal, North Rim Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 8-24-16

For me, blogging was next when back in the fall of 2008 a friend on the North Rim encouraged me to blog, and first I had to figure out what that meant.  The name comes from the idea of keeping a journal, or a web log.  Heck I’ve been a journal writer almost all my life.  After first discovering the internet I worked hard for years not to leave any footprint.  And now, 13 years later, I’m all over the web.  I love having a conversation with people from all over the world.

I began blogging on dial-up and posted everyday.  I can’t imagine doing that today.  Did I have more patience and time?  I linked to memes and got into conversation with other bloggers.  It’s a time consuming process to write and read, but I love it.  Many folks have stopped blogging, and a few have passed away.

desert mts dark sunset clouds crepuscuar rays BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaShine the light, Ghost Town Rd, Congress AZ 4-12-20

Social media time suck

About a year after starting the blog, I joined FB and was hooked.  How fun to see what my growing number of friends were up to.  I love to chat, such a nice conversation with real pauses.  My preference is to use the laptop where it’s easier to type than the phone.  Even easier now with voice messages.  Make it short and sweet please, otherwise call me.

I tried other social media.  Twitter is just too fast for me.  Pintrest was too much work to keep up with.  Same true with Instagram.  I already spend way too much time online and don’t want it to BE my life.  MyTwitFace is too much conversation, thank you.

flowers cactus mts Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaFlowering desert, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Over and above the blog, I have a photography website that costs me $30/year and I never make enough selling anything to pay for it. (Link on sidebar.)  Good thing it’s cheap.  If something does sell I don’t even know who bought it, there’s no option for conversation there unless they make a comment.  Or, it’s one of you folks making the purchase and let me know.  Thank you.  I haven’t added any new photos to the site in years.  Takes lots of time and bandwidth that I don’t often have.  Besides, I gave up thinking I’d become a famous photographer and get rich.  LOL!  More fun to keep that a hobby and continue to challenge myself to learn.

fall trees reflection Mirror Aspen Lake Dixie National Forest Duck Crk UtahFall reflections, Aspen Mirror Lake, Dixie National Forest, UT 10-2-20

Conversation

With all the choices for conversation, does anybody talk on the phone any more?  I so rarely get or make phone calls.  Oh, other than “the warranty on your vehicle…”  And now days, everybody has a telephone, even kids.  I haven’t bought into this yet, but think of the convenience of walking and talking on the phone.  However if I’m multi-tasking, I’m not really part of the conversation.

light & shadow desert mts storm clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaLight and shadow, Ghost Town Rd, Congress, AZ 4-18-20

I was late in the game to texting and now I’m hooked.  Especially with voice messages because that QWERTY board is a pain.  Once again, make it quick please.

flowers desert cactus mts clouds Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaSoldiers at attention, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Yet I always come back to blogging, sharing stories and photos.  Yea, it’s me talking, you reading, and hopefully making a comment that I will reply to and then there’s conversation.

light & shadows hoodoo window tree Bryce Canyon National Park UtahShadow play, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 10-20-20

Any of this ring a bell?  I’m trying to provoke you.  What is your favorite form of conversation?

view N across Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook SR89A ArizonaThe Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook, AZ 4-28-21

I may have gotten carried away here.  When my mind gets on a roll, I can’t easily stop it.  Hope I didn’t offend, or bore, anyone and you’ll keep reading whether you comment or not.  But if you’re so inclined please leave a comment and become part of the conversation.

BTW, photos are from 2021 “because” file (even though some of them are older), and hopefully haven’t been shared before.

life, Ramble , 38 Comments

Doin’ a whole lot of nuthin’

RV window view Mule Deer Skull Valley ArizonaNot much to say because I’ve been doin’ a whole lot of nuthin’.  Why?  Mostly because it’s cold in the mornings and evenings and, for me, only tolerable outside for a couple hours mid-day.  And I do try to get outside but it doesn’t always happen.  Other than before I go to bed if the temperature is predicted below 34°, and then I go outside to turn off the water overnight so it don’t freeze.

trees mt sunset clouds Skull Valley ArizonaI’ve told myself several times that I can go further south, any time, where the temperatures are at least 10° warmer than Skull Valley.  Then the sun comes out, I go for a walk or sit outside and read, and don’t pack to leave for yet another day.  In the morning when it’s cold and I’m hoovered over a heater I think once again about being someplace warmer, but it’s too cold to pack and leave.  It will happen.  I am slowly packing a few things.  But it’s really hard to pack until the last minute because it’s mostly stuff I use every day.  Already have pots, pans, dishes, silverware and more aboard the camper all the time.  I’ll have to winterize the 5th-wheel while I’m gone an indeterminate amount of time, as in weeks or months.

Thanksgiving dinner Skull Valley ArizonaThanksgiving came and I was really excited about having oven baked organic duck for dinner.  It’s a family tradition as we didn’t like turkey and loved dark meat fowl.  Only took a couple hours with no stuffing and smelled divine.  My neighbor had given me a Costco container each of mashed potatoes and turkey gravy, knowing she couldn’t eat both from the packaging of two each.  I also had some green beans with bacon, like mom used to do.  Sadly, the duck was tough.  But I ate enough of it to satisfy my annual desire and I made one cold duck sandwich, another favorite, with leftovers.  Other than labeling a whole lot of photos, I spent the rest of the day doin’ a whole lot of nuthin’.

Red-tailed Hawk bird on pole Ferguson Valley Rd Skull Valley ArizonaRed-tailed Hawk

Black Friday, no shopping for me thank goodness.  But I went into town (Skull Valley 10 minutes away has no businesses or services) to mail calendars and drop garbage at the dump but the later was closed due to the holiday and are only open three days a week normally.  Dang it.  Here on the ranch I feed the pigs my organic garbage, burn the burnables, and the rest goes to the landfill/recycling.  If I was hangin’ round I’d buy an animal proof garbage can to hold a couple bags.  Instead they ride in the camper until the following week.

Joann & Gaelyn shadow hiking Skull Valley ArizonaSauntering Saturday when Joann came over and we took a nearby walk starting on a rocky OHV two-track.  My landlord had told me about a native ruin in that area.  One of those turn left at the large Alligator Juniper type of directions.  Which we did, twice, and found no ruins but it sure is pretty country.  Plus I needed the exercise.

metate & mano on berm Skull Valley ArizonaFunny thing, Joann returned my metate (native grinding stone) that I gave her when I left Yarnell in 2019.  I bought it in 2005 at a yard sale my first year in Yarnell.  It was presumably found near Bagdad, Arizona less than 50 miles west of Skull Valley.  I actually hauled it around for several years between summer and winter RV home sites.  Must weigh about 100 lbs.  Became comical with us moving it out of her van into my yard where it now sits proudly on the berm, with the mano.  I can put water in it for the birds.

Southern Utah agate & Southern Arizona rocks on berm Skull Valley ArizonaAgate on the left & desert right

That motivated me to put out some rocks I’ve been hauling around for a couple years.  I left rocks at Berta’s place in Yarnell for a lot of years.  The colorful Agate came from southern Utah.  Every winter I gather a few rocks here and there.  I usually share a photo of what ends up on the bumper before I leave a site.  So there’s some of them here now also.

rocks & metate & mano on berm Skull Valley ArizonaI sure do like having a safe place to leave my rocks.  Later as I sat outside admiring the view I dreamed of planting wildflowers and started looking up what grows local in zone 8.  OMG, I’m landscaping!

book Sierra cat on lap Skull Valley ArizonaSo I told you up front, I’ve been doin’ a whole lot of nuthin’ for the past week, or more.  Sure feels good.  I am finally starting to decompress from a summer of crazy at Bryce Canyon National Park.  I foresee a move further south next week, or so.  Because it’s gettin’ cold here at 4500 feet.

grass fall Cottonwoods Ferguson Valley Rd Skull Valley Arizona

life, Thanksgiving 18 Comments

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