By Susie-Q

Let me introduce myself and tell you a little about me.  I’m Susie-Q the newest member of the Happy Campers crew.

I was born on April 23, 2009 and enjoyed my littermates and the first eight weeks of life with momma. Life was good!

At eight weeks old and after just getting used to dry cat food, I, and my litter mates, were taken to the dog pound in Henderson, NV a suburb of Las Vegas.

Immediately after being “Dumped” at Animal Control, we were inspected and prepped for major surgery!!  Having your belly sliced open and your Sex life permanently removed is not the way to start your day!!!

The next day we were displayed in a hallway cage and my brothers and sisters started disappearing? By the time The Happy Campers arrived after Cocktails, there was only my sister and I. We were as identical as casino dice.

My sister was removed from the cage and handed to Rex.  She did a great job of purring and acting lovable, plotting her escape from the dog pound.

I mentioned that our cage was in the hallway, and thru the door was a huge room full of adult cats awaiting adoption and escape, or death.  Trust me when I say, that every cat in that room had that lovable, “Take me home” smile and glazed over eyes, that said, “Get me the fu*k out of here”!!

My sister was returned to the cage, and Mary left to do the paperwork, saying to Rex, “You choose which one”. Rex simply said to the lady, “Give me the biggest one”. As the cage door opened I jumped into the lady’s hands and was presented to Rex.  As I said before, we are as identical as casino dice, and today was my lucky roll!

The paperwork involved registering my new phone number to the micro chip imbedded under my skin.  The $55 adoption fee included all the shots , micro chip, and surgery to date. Mary was given a gift certificate for my rabies shot and another booster for my cat shots at 13 weeks old for free, although I am pretty sure Rex and Mary will take a large bag of cat food to donate.

Rex wisely bought a cardboard box pet carrier for $5 and it was out the door to freedom!!

My first stop in the outside world was Heaven. Although I was trapped in this box, I could see out the little holes as we walked the isles at Petco.  Look at all those cat toys, scratching posts, food, bowls, beds, and everything.

Another $60 spent on me, and I was returned to the backseat of the hot car for a two hour trip across the desert to Oatman, AZ.  I wisely curled up in my box and listened intently to The Happy Campers plan and discuss my future in the RV.

MOUSE WAR FALLOUT

WE WERE COMING OUT OF TRADER JOE’S IN LAS VEGAS, WHEN WE DECIDED TO CROSS THE PARKING LOT TO HAVE A COCKTAIL. A RECENT TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AROUND THE HAPPY CAMPER HAS BEEN THE MOUSE WAR.  EVEN AFTER CATCHING TWO MICE THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNS OF MORE.

I’M NOT SURE ABOUT MARY’S HANG UP WITH MICE, BUT IT’S FAIR TO SAY SHE DEFINITELY HATES MICE!  SHE EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO SAY, THAT SHE’D RATHER HAVE A CAT IN THE TRAILER THAN MICE.

MARY EVEN ADMITED THAT SHE HAD STOPPED AT THE LOCAL PET SMART TO SEE THE SELECTION OF CATS AVAILABLE FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY IN BULLHEAD CITY.

AS WE CROSSED THE SMALL STRIP MALL WE NOTICED A STORE FRONT CALLED “CAT HOSPITAL”.  AN ENTERPRISEING YOUNG FEMALE VETERNARIAN THAT SET UP A SMALL BUSINESS DEALING ONLY IN CATS. 

AS WE EXPLAINED OUR SITUATION AND ASKED OUR QUESTIONS WE SET OFF A BIT OF AN OFFICE ARGUMENT.  THERE WAS A CAT AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION IN THE BACK. EMPLOYEE #2 THOUGHT WE WERE A PERFECT MATCH, AND EMPLOYEE #1 THOUGHT IT WAS ALL WRONG.  THE EMPLOYEES BOTH PRESENTED THEIR POINTS IN THE ARGUMENT, AS MARY AND I STOOD THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS LIVELY DISCUSSION LEARNING THE GOOD AND BAD POINTS OF THE CAT.

THE ARGUMENT ESCALATED TO THE POINT OF THE BOSS (DOCTOR) COMING OUT FROM THE BACK AND SHE SEPERATED THE TWO EMPLOYEES, SENDING ONE TO THE BACK ON SOME SORT OF EXCUSE. MARY AND I USED THE INTERRUPTION TO MOVE OFF INTO THE OTHER ROOM TO LOOK AT RETAIL ITEMS AND I MADE IT CLEAR TO MARY THAT I AGREED WITH EMPLOYEE #1 AND ALSO OBJECTED TO THE CAT BEING LONG HAIRED.

EMPLOYEE #1 CAME OVER TO US, AFTER BEING TALKED TO BY THE BOSS, AND APLOGIZED AND INVITED US INTO THE BACK TO MEET THE CAT. MARY AND I EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE NOT INTEREST IN THE LONG HAIRED CAT, AND AS WE MADE OUR WAY TOWARD THE DOOR, THE DOCTOR CAME OVER AND GAVE US THE PHONE NUMBER AND DIRECTIONS TO THE HENDERSON ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING JUST A FEW MILES DOWN SUNSET STREET.

OVER OUR COCKTAIL NEXT DOOR WE DECIDED A “USED CAT” DIDN’T SOUND LIKE THE WAY TO GO, AND THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR A KITTEN TO TRAIN TO RV LIFE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

DO WE HAVE A NEW CAT?

THE SUMMER OF ‘69

REMEMBER THE SUMMER OF 1969? THE MUSIC, THE HIPPIES, AND MAN WALKING ON THE MOON? WHERE WERE YOU THAT NIGHT OF THE FULL MOON WHEN NEIL ARMSTRONG MADE THAT SMALL STEP FOR MANKIND?

FORTY YEARS AGO……….

THE SUMMER OF 1969 IS THE MARKETING THEME FOR FREEMONT STREET AND DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS. FROM THE MAIN STAGE BY THE FOUR QUEENS WITH “BOBBY MAGEE”, TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST VIDEO SCREEN OVERHEAD PROCLAIMING “THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED”.

HALFWAY UP THE STREET IS UNCLE HANS’ FAVORITE SAXOPHONE PLAYER PLAYING HIS HEART OUT, AMONG THE SPRAY PAINT ARTISTS CREATING MOONSCAPES.

A SLIPPERY VEGAS MAGICIAN DOING CARD TRICKS WITH HIS DOG IN FRONT OF THE VEGAS CLUB, AND ANOTHER BAND STANDING ON THIER HIPPIE SCHOOL BUS AND ROCK’IN OUT. YOU COULD ALMOST SMELL THE POT FLOATING ACROSS THE GENERATIONS FROM WOODSTOCK AND THE ROCK CONCERT AT WADENA.

WE WILL BE BACK THIS SUMMER FOR MORE OF THE SUMMER OF 1969. ALL OF OUR GENERATION WILL APPRECIATE OUR DESIRE TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE MORE OF THAT!!

MICE AND THE “OD”

THE “OD” (OLD DUFFER) WAS, BY HEREDITY, A SWISS CHEESEMAKER. HIS FATHER IMMIGRATED FROM SWITZERLAND IN 1920’S AND SETTLED AROUND MONROE, WISCONSIN TO BE A SWISS CHEESE MAKER.

DESPITE HIS EFFORTS TO RUN AWAY FROM THE FAMILY BUSINESS AND JOIN THE NAVY AT VERY YOUNG AGE, IN THE END, THE “OD” BECAME AN ACCOMPLISHED SWISS CHEESE MAKER HIMSELF.

NOW WE’VE BEEN LUCKY AS RV’ERS KEEPING MICE OUT OF THE CAMPER, THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN TEN YEARS THAT THEY’VE COME INSIDE.

AS A CHEESEMAKER, THE “OD” OF COURSE, WAS WELL VERSED IN DOING COMBAT WITH THE MICE OF THE WORLD. AS A KID I WATCH HIS ATTACKS AND LEARNED MY LESSONS WELL.

HE USED THE OLD FASHION WOODEN MOUSE TRAPS. HE WOULD CAFEFULLY AND THOURLY RUB EACH TRAP DOWN WITH SUMMER SAUSAGE TO REMOVE THE SMELL OF HUMANS. HE THEN CUT THE PERFECT WEDGE OF SAUSAGE AND CHEESE WHICH HE TIED ON THE TRIGGER OF THE TRAP WITH THE SKILL OF A FLY FISHERMAN.

HE EVEN RUBBED THE STRING IN SUMMER SAUSAGE AND EMPLOYED HIS NAVY KNOTS TO SECURE THE BAIT. THE TRAPS WERE ALWAYS STRATICALLY PLACED ALONG THE WALL WHERE THE MICE WOULD TRAVEL. “ONE THING TO REMEMBER SON”, HE EXPLAINED, “IS THAT THERE IS NEVER ONE MOUSE IN THE HOUSE, THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO!”

FUNNY THE MEMORIES THAT POP UP FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD DURING A BONDING MOMENT WITH YOUR DAD.

SO LAST WEEK WHEN WE FOUND EVIDENCE THAT THERE WAS A MOUSE IN THE HOUSE, OUT CAME THE OLD WOODEN TRAPS FROM THE BATTLE TEN YEARS AGO.

FRESH OUT OF SUMMER SAUSAGE, BUT NEVER OUT OF SWISS CHEESE, I GRABBED A PIECE OF HAM AND CAFEFULLY FOLLOWED MY CHILDHOOD INSTUCTIONS ON THE FIRST TRAP. GEES… THIS IS A LOT WORK FOR A DAM MOUSE, AND REMEMBERED ONE OF MARY’S DAUGHTERS DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM , AND SHE SAID THE PERFECT BAIT, THAT NEVER FAILS, IS PEANUT BUTTER. GOOD TIME TO TEST THE THEORY…..

AND MUCH EASIER TO BOOT!!!

I HAVE THREE TRAPS IN MY ARSENEL AND SET TWO WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND ONE WITH HAM AND CHEESE. I CARFULLY PLACED THE TRAPS ALONG THE WALL ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER.

WHEN WE CAME HOME FROM WORK, HA SUCCESS ……

AND THE LITTLE BASTARD WENT FOR THE PEANUT BUTTER.

“ONE THING TO REMEMBER SON”, HE EXPLAINED, “IS THAT THERE IS NEVER ONE MOUSE IN THE HOUSE, THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO!”

SO I LEFT THE TWO REMAINING TRAPS AND WENT OFF TO BED. IN THE MORNING, JUST AS “OD” SAID, THERE WAS THE SECOND MOUSE CAUGHT, AND AGAIN IT WAS THE PEANUT BUTTER.

(HOPE I DIDN’T RUIN YOUR BREAKFAST WITH A PICTURE OF A DEAD MOUSE.)

“SUNNY & 80”

DAYS “OFF” IN LAUGHLIN

WE ENJOY GETTING AWAY FROM THE CAMPER AND HEADING OUT TO ONE OF THE LAUGHLIN OR LAS VEGAS CASINOS FOR A NIGHT OR TWO. WHEN YOU GIVE A CASINO ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION THEY ARE SURE TO CONTACT YOU WITH SPECIAL OFFERS TO GET YOU INSIDE THEIR BUSINESS.

THEY GET THESE OFFERS TO YOU IN THE MAIL, E-MAIL, AND EVEN TEXT MESSAGES. SINCE WE HAVE A DEAL WITH OUR MAIL SERVICE IN SOUTH DAKOTA THAT ONLY FORWARDS FIRST CLASS MAIL TO US, ALL OF OUR MAIL OFFERS ARE SHREDDED AT THE MAIL SERVICE AND WE NEVER SEE THEM.

WE’RE CAREFUL NOT TO GIVE OUT OUR CELL NUMBER TO AVOID ANY UNWANTED TEXT ADVERTISING, BUT WE ARE QUICK TO PROVIDE CASINOS WITH OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS.

SO WE HAD AN E-MAIL OFFER FROM THE COLORADO BELLE CASINO TO COME AND STAY FOR TWO NIGHTS AT $20/NIGHT. IN RETURN THEY GAVE US $20 IN FREE SLOT PLAY.

ONE OF THE SUMMERS YEARS AGO WHEN WE RETURNED TO MARQUETTE TO WORK AT THE “BOAT” WE MET ANOTHER SUMMER DEALER, PAUL GARBER, FROM NEVADA. WE QUICKLY BECAME DRINKING BUDDIES AND FRIENDS AND ENJOYED MANY HOURS AT THE RIVER QUEEN WITH EMMA’S PIZZAS AND LOTS OF COLD BEERS.

AT THE END OF THE SUMMER WE RETURNED TO LAUGHLIN FOR THE WINTER, AND PAUL CAME BACK TO NEVADA AND SETTLED IN MESQUITE, AND WE LOST CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.

ABOUT A MONTH AGO HE FOUND ME ON THE INTERNET, AND WE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET IN LAUGHLIN AT THE COLORADO BELLE TO RENEW OUR FRIENDSHIP AND GET CAUGHT UP.

THE “GLOOM & DOOM” OF THE NEVADA ECONOMY CLOSED IN ESPECIALLY HARD IN MESQUITE, NV, AND PAUL TOOK A DEALERS JOB AT A NEW CALIFORNIA INDIAN CASINO JUST WEST OF YUMA, AZ A FEW MILES.

WE SPENT THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING ON A COUPLE OF BAR STOOLS AT THE BAR AND REALLY ENJOYED OUR VISIT. MOST INTERESTING IS, PAUL HAS A NEW WIFE SINCE WE KNEW HIM EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND SHE IS FROM THAILAND. A VERY INTERESTING AND ADVENTUROUS LADY WE BOTH REALLY ENJOYED MEETING.

JUST A NOTE, THAT THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE BEEN COOLER THAN NORMAL AND HERE IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING…..

“SUNNY & 80”

Desert Plants

The day we moved to this new construction site, I saw these beautiful plants on the property. Of course I had to get the camera out and take some pictures of them.

I don’t know the name of this plant but this bloom will only be around for about a week and the color is a beautiful celery green. They look breathtaking!!

I took this close up of the flowers using the macro setting. The little bitty flowers look almost like orange sections. Really cool.

The faded bloom, these are kind of like lilacs-not around long enough. I guess that is why it is important to enjoy and appreciate these plants while they are blooming.

I have been doing quite a bit of hiking here and have seen lots of beautiful plants and rock formations. Good thing I have 40 acres to roam around this summer!!

Laughlin Library Art

Everyone that knows me, knows that I am a huge library user and have been since I was 8 years old and started going to the library in Fennimore. Anyway my current primary library is the one in Laughlin, Nevada. It is a beautiful building and they have a room in which they display ever changing art exhibits. The current exhibit is sculptures by Dave Thompson.

My favorite is that peacock.

As you can see, he creates wildlife out of metal and stuff. It is really cool!! At least I enjoyed them, and hope you do too.

BUMPS & SNAKES

“ARE YOU SCARED?”

“DO YOU HAVE A GUN?”

“IS THERE ANY WILDLIFE?”

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE GET FROM FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS ABOUT LIVING ALONE IN THE SECULDED BLACK MOUNTAINS.

HONESTLY WE’RE FINE AND BOTH LOV’IN IT !!!  MARY STARTS HER DAY WITH A MORNING HIKE IN THE DESERT.

HERE IS WHAT SHE BROUGHT HOME YESTERDAY…..

OUCH !!!  THAT’S GOT TO HURT !!!

AND TODAY?  SHE ASKS ME TO COME OUTSIDE AND SHE SHAKES OUT HER BACKPACK ON THE PATIO, AND OUT FALLS THIS RATTLE SNAKE.

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SNAKES, YOU’RE LOOKING TO COUNT THE RATTLES TO SEE HOW BIG AND HOW OLD THIS RATTLE SNAKE REALLY IS?  IT’S PRETTY YOUNG AND WAS JUST OVER A FOOT LONG.  MARY FOUND IT DEAD, AND BROUGHT IT HOME TO SHOW ME AS A REMINDER THAT THE SNAKES ARE OUT THERE.

Cheddar Bacon Dip

A few years ago Rex found Cheddar Bacon Dip in the dairy case at Wal-Mart.  He really liked it and would buy it periodically.  For some reason, all of a sudden we could only find it occasionally, then not at all.

But since Rex really liked it I decided to try and make a reasonable facsimile.  After giving it some thought these are the ingredients I came up with.

Rex saw Rachel Ray sauté onion to put in a dip one day so he thought that is sounded good to sauté the onion for this dip.  I use the entire jar of “Old English” cheddar cheese and the whole package of “Oscar Mayer” real bacon pieces.  The  dressing and Worcestershire sauce to taste.

Looks good, tastes good, and is pretty chunky. I would recommend making it a day ahead, the flavors blend nicely if it sits for a day.   Rex really likes it, so I guess I did good in coming up with something to replace the dip----but it was a LOT cheaper when Wal-Mart was stocking it for me!!

UPDATE

WE GOT THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK IN OUR NEW CAMP. WE GOT LUCKY WITH A COLD FRONT COMING THRU. THERE WERE EVEN A FEW DAYS WHEN WE DIDN’T RUN ANY AIRCONDITIONING. TO ILLUSTRATE THE POINT, WE ONLY USED 125 CLICKS ON THE ELECTRIC METER.

WE SOLVED OUR PROBLEM OF FINDING THE DRIVEWAY IN THE DARK BY ADDING A BIKE REFLECTOR TO THE POST THAT MARKS THE HIDDEN DRIVE.

THINGS RETURNED TO NORMAL ON OUR DAY OFF AS WE DRUG TOGETHER FOUR PALLETS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION SITE TO FORM A PATIO OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR. IT FELT GOOD TO SIT OUTSIDE, POP OPEN A MILLER 64, AND FIRE UP THE GRILL.

WE PLAN TO COVER THE PALLETS WITH THE OLD BLUE RUG.

WE FOUND A WI-FI HOTSPOT UP IN OATMAN SO WE CAN AT LEAST CHECK OUR E-MAIL ONCE IN AWHILE.

ON THE ISSUE OF NO CELL PHONE SERVICE, WE BOUGHT A “NET 10” PREPAID, (DISPOSABLE?) CELL PHONE AT WALMART FOR $33. A LITTLE SPENDY AT 10 CENTS A MINUTE BUT THE KIDS HAVE THE NUMBER IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, OR AT LEAST WE WILL BE ABLE TO CALL OUT IF THE MONSOON SEASON WASHES OUT THE NEW DRIVEWAY. ODDLY ENOUGH AT 10 CENTS A MINUTE WE HAVE FULL BARS FROM THE TOWER.

WE ARE BOTH VERY HAPPY WITH THE ISOLATION OF THIS SPOT. THIS SUMMER SPOT IS GOING TO BE MY BEST BOONDOCKING TEST OF ALL.

HERE IS ANOTHER VIEW OUT THE FRONT OF THE CAMPER, AND ACROSS THE VALLEY TO BLACK MOUNTAINS, NEITHER OF US WILL TIRE OF THIS VIEW!!!

HIKE

WE CAN LITERALLY STEP OUTSIDE THE CAMPER AND TAKE OFF IN ANY DIRECTION FOR A DESERT HIKE. THE HOMESITE IS 40 ACRES, BUT THERE IS NO OTHER DEVELOPEMENT IN THE VALLEY.

WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE OWNER OF THE SURRONDING LAND AND HE ASSURED US THAT NO ONE WOULD BE SHOOTING AT US FOR GOLD CLAIM JUMPING WHILE OUT HIKING.

JUST DOWN FROM THE HOUSE IS A WASH, WHICH MAKES FOR EASY HIKING.

HERE’S A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE “HAPPY CAMPERS” OUT FOR A HIKE. I’D LIKE TO POINT OUT THE LIGHT BACKPACK MARY’S WEARING WHICH CONTAINS BOTTLED WATER. ALSO, MARY USUALLY TAKES A WAL MART BAG WHICH SHE USES TO PICK UP TRASH SHE FINDS.

ONE OF OUR FIRST FINDS WAS AN OLD MINE SHAFT FROM THE LAST CENTURY.

THERE ARE 100’S OF THESE ABANDONED MINE SHAFTS IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS. THEY PRESENT A DANGER TO HIKERS AND ATV RIDERS. YOU COULD EASILY FALL IN AN OLD MINE SHAFT CAUSING INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE. MANY OF THESE SITES ARE MARKED AND FENCED TO PREVENT THESE ACCIDENTS.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF THE NEW HOUSE. THE FIRST IS FROM BELOW THE HOUSE AND SECOND FROM EAST OF THE HOUSE.

THE FAMOUS “JUMPING CATUS”.

AND OUR VIEW ACROSS THE VALLEY TO THE MOUNTAINS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VALLEY.

AS OUR SUMMER STAY CONTINUES I’M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE PICTURES FROM HIKEING AROUND THIS BEAUTIFUL DESERT VALLEY IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS.

WE MADE THE MOVE

WE MADE THE MOVE TO A 40 ACRE HOME CONSTUCTION SIGHT SOMEWHERE IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS BETWEEN BULLHEAD CITY AND OATMAN, ARIZONA. IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DESERT VALLEY, SECULED, AND COMPLETE WITH DIRT ROADS.

THE WHITE BUILDING YOU SEE IN THE PICTURE ABOVE IS THE ATTACHED THREE CAR GARAGE, WHICH INCLUDES A BATHROOM FOR THE RV SITE OUR CAMPER IS SITTING ON. OF COURSE THE BATHROOM ISN’T FINISHED YET, BUT WHEN COMPLETE WE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO IT, COMPLETE WITH A BATHTUB/SHOWER. SO WHAT A BATHTUB…….?

A BATHTUB JUST ISN’T SOMETHING YOU RUN INTO IN THE RV LIFE. RV’S AND RV PARKS OFFER SHOWERS, NOT BATHTUBS. MARY IS ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO A BUBBLE BATH.

THE WHITE COLOR YOU SEE ON THE GARAGE IS INSULATION COVERED IN CHICKEN WIRE. TO THIS, A STUCCO FINISH WILL BE APPLIED.

THE RV SITE DOES HAVE WATER, SEWER, AND POWER. THAT’S IT!! NO SMOOTH PATIO TO COOK AND MAKE POPCORN, JUST A FLAT PATCH OF DIRT AND ROCKS. NO PAVED ROADS OR GREEN LAWN, JUST 100’S OF DROPPED NAILS THAT HOLD THE PROMISE OF FLAT TIRES IN OUR FUTURE.

JUST SOUTH OF THE NEW BUILDING IS A MOUNTAIN (OK, HILL) WHICH I’VE HIKED UP TO TAKE THE PICTURES, INCLUDING THE NEW PICTURE ON THE HEADER OF THE BLOG. THAT PRESENTED US WITH ONE OF OUR FIRST PROBLEMS OF THE MOVE. THE SATILLE DISH NEEDS TO POINT SOUTHEAST TO GET IT’S SIGNAL AND THE MOUTAIN BEHIND THE CAMPER IS BLOCKING THE SATELLITE SIGNAL. WE HAVE 50 FEET OF CORD AND SET OFF UP THE MOUNTAIN TO FIND A LEVEL PLACE TO SET UP THE DISH.

POUNDING STEAKS INTO THE GROUND TO SECURE THE DISH WASN’T GOING TO HAPPEN ON THIS HUNK OF ROCK, SO NOTICE THE NICE JOB MARY DID OF PILEING ROCKS ON THE LEGS OF THE TRIPOD THAT HOLDS THE DISH. SUCCESS, HGTV AND THE FOOD NETWORK ARE BACK FOR THE SUMMER !!

WE HAD SEVERAL OTHER CHALLENGES IN THE MOVE, THE UTILITIES ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE, INVOLVING ANOTHER TRIP TO WALMART (25 MILES) FOR MORE SEWER HOSE, WHICH LOOKS UPHILL TO ME, BACKING INTO THE SITE, A LITTLE SUNBURN, CONSTRUCTION NOISE AS THE DRY WALLERS ARE WORKING 12 HOURS A DAY, BLOWING CIRCUT BREAKERS AS WE TRY TO GET THE NEW PORTABLE A/C ON A SEPERATE CIRCUT, ZERO OUTSIDE LIGHTS AT NIGHT, IT’S PITCH BLACK DARK OUTSIDE, AND OF COURSE THE EVER PRESENT EXTREME DESERT HEAT.

BUT MARY AND I ALWAYS HAVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK, THE VIEWS ARE SPECTACULAR, THE RENT IS FREE, AND THE BEER HALLS OF OATMAN ARE JUST TWO MILES UP THE MOUNTAIN FROM HERE.

ONE LAST NOTE, THIS IS THE FIRST BLOG WRITTEN ON “WINDOWS LIVE WRITER”, FREE SOFTWARE FROM MICROSOFT THAT ALLOWS YOU TO WRITE ON YOUR BLOG OFF-LINE. THE SOFTWARE WAS SUGGESTED TO US BY A FAITHFUL READER, ROD.

THANKS ROD!!

JUST GIVE US A LITTLE TIME TO LEARN THE SOFTWARE, AND WORKOUT THE BUGS.

MONKEY PLANT

THIS IS A MONKEY (SOMETHING) HOUSE PLANT THAT BELONGS TO THE LADY BUILDING THE NEW HOME WE ARE HOUSE SITTING FOR.

OUR INSTRUCTIONS FOR KEEPING IT ALIVE, ARE TO KEEP IT INSIDE, WATERED, AND OUT OF THE DIRECT SUN.

MARY SAID TO TAKE SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE PLANT SO THAT IF WE KILL IT, WE CAN FIND ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT TO REPLACE IT IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THEY RETURN. GOOD THINKING MARY !!!

I TOLD MARY I'D PUT THE PICTURES UP ON THE BLOG AND THAT WAY IF A 'PUTER CRASHES WE COULD STILL RETRIEVE THE PICTURES AND REPLACE THE PLANT.

SEE A BLOG HAS MULTIPLE USES .......