tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45750537437170581652024-03-20T20:23:57.549-06:00Desert ReflectionsQuirky humor, travel, art and observations.Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.comBlogger790125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-86849975402759906092024-03-12T07:22:00.002-06:002024-03-12T15:02:09.791-06:00Borrego Springs, CA<p>It's been on Trish's bucket list for several years because it's said to have a fantastic dessert bloom about this time of year. Key word: <b>about.</b> We missed it. You need to reserve an RV space months in advance and there's no way to tell exactly when the bloom will occur. We reserved the only space available.</p><p>The other big attraction is metal sculptures, which are spread out around town. We saw most of them. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdeuyqKz8Xm6eO7W8LyPvfPo4UZh42esvm2JMu1khhXc0LX9wbvsR8HIuHxE5xAXKrP82B-M5sJWHhLweOsiQSYIOtJUq6R_So0b2kSrlz2zJ4z122DUweuhOabEdAodhzl14nkxd3Q0vct3KiLQqseP4ebuU27N_C0UjDr5Mdb-yQe5AEc3W1_-p/s2169/P1020960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="2169" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdeuyqKz8Xm6eO7W8LyPvfPo4UZh42esvm2JMu1khhXc0LX9wbvsR8HIuHxE5xAXKrP82B-M5sJWHhLweOsiQSYIOtJUq6R_So0b2kSrlz2zJ4z122DUweuhOabEdAodhzl14nkxd3Q0vct3KiLQqseP4ebuU27N_C0UjDr5Mdb-yQe5AEc3W1_-p/w400-h198/P1020960.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhLNGspfEntA_RR7gC_1xPHt_j-0MUgOQwnBmW2KR771To9u7_-LWfMCZHmp88LpjB9TaRlWcc4pbAqRo1pNTciWCPu9KeTCQ97Js6Wq7qkKzGE3_fVUbg0mF_gahyCHaJ-GT8TaamhlG5O5WUWUNCaNgWUZVLUQyQ_3AFdmsCyQUpNXLnB7GT8Nx/s2303/P1020965.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="2303" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhLNGspfEntA_RR7gC_1xPHt_j-0MUgOQwnBmW2KR771To9u7_-LWfMCZHmp88LpjB9TaRlWcc4pbAqRo1pNTciWCPu9KeTCQ97Js6Wq7qkKzGE3_fVUbg0mF_gahyCHaJ-GT8TaamhlG5O5WUWUNCaNgWUZVLUQyQ_3AFdmsCyQUpNXLnB7GT8Nx/w640-h180/P1020965.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This <i>sandworm</i> is about 300' long and goes under the road.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bz-XKRvcbLW6gfDITS1324xhQ8PQnpTFLpEg_aCfV1xCvzBrZN-c_iH8YLo2KKxlgccXygQAQ6JN4JAGW5qDi7yAQfUVV92kj1uScAycAx7W_F95m6aj0K3Y_mjEfRpXnSnzL38GdK2Ttw76mhteKqiFY66DSm7DgfzPhMNqDll9xrGho9Tf3TEv/s1974/P1020961.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1974" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bz-XKRvcbLW6gfDITS1324xhQ8PQnpTFLpEg_aCfV1xCvzBrZN-c_iH8YLo2KKxlgccXygQAQ6JN4JAGW5qDi7yAQfUVV92kj1uScAycAx7W_F95m6aj0K3Y_mjEfRpXnSnzL38GdK2Ttw76mhteKqiFY66DSm7DgfzPhMNqDll9xrGho9Tf3TEv/w400-h254/P1020961.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQaqHEinGMUQFPKbaNt4-g_Q9i-M3p5maFMdS2EepWTvdeGJLo01diuFnarJNntKactab0OBmDQO6dZ5EtGtDHuefMkmRym2c4TJySE6_YUf4IjgtPd2iF_iygJSLIr7zCyMEFFLDFYwxToC_2JhCahzP-ctvoh_naji2MAxvWNSDD_hTjMsTR7By/s2188/P1020963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="2188" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQaqHEinGMUQFPKbaNt4-g_Q9i-M3p5maFMdS2EepWTvdeGJLo01diuFnarJNntKactab0OBmDQO6dZ5EtGtDHuefMkmRym2c4TJySE6_YUf4IjgtPd2iF_iygJSLIr7zCyMEFFLDFYwxToC_2JhCahzP-ctvoh_naji2MAxvWNSDD_hTjMsTR7By/w640-h286/P1020963.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The young one seems large to be hitchhiking on mom's back.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbT0jGttZjpkkVTqVJ8UVSN6DjPvtge8oyGAZv8BJx3p_QxOfx9O7Sjn43zGzEYlnYlu6imGu-hgL6QDlGmRsyy1fjIPQ-1kigWEQh0P9OMa8U8v0TpnbRdI9UAxSUXubkjMeAicyYBilo0rIL5iRlcTny7tlu4zGG0qa-wlHIlr2TzMKKa4AYUAaG/s1966/P1020966.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1966" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbT0jGttZjpkkVTqVJ8UVSN6DjPvtge8oyGAZv8BJx3p_QxOfx9O7Sjn43zGzEYlnYlu6imGu-hgL6QDlGmRsyy1fjIPQ-1kigWEQh0P9OMa8U8v0TpnbRdI9UAxSUXubkjMeAicyYBilo0rIL5iRlcTny7tlu4zGG0qa-wlHIlr2TzMKKa4AYUAaG/w640-h210/P1020966.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Farmworkers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhrmb4DpByIf6dsnQ2F7y-LIBzbM3UO0-L-UoBjI9GtHZ8_qAXrLvmCRQfeEuv89mewadKWk6ozTS5Ca6k229G2nUCoIV3HacaSMb90LX1tJlnISo6cGmME-Wp6p0okzJx-FsMccDRSpSmwgMVBciu3fGau5s1bKTQAtavFKPW8gUb8viCtuWqwSO/s2247/P1020967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="2247" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhrmb4DpByIf6dsnQ2F7y-LIBzbM3UO0-L-UoBjI9GtHZ8_qAXrLvmCRQfeEuv89mewadKWk6ozTS5Ca6k229G2nUCoIV3HacaSMb90LX1tJlnISo6cGmME-Wp6p0okzJx-FsMccDRSpSmwgMVBciu3fGau5s1bKTQAtavFKPW8gUb8viCtuWqwSO/w640-h296/P1020967.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Our rv park was old and was designed for smaller rigs than our 32' 5W. I spent 40 minutes trying to back into our space, finally gave up. Spent another 30 minutes getting into the only other available space. Finally gave up trying to back it in straight, left it at angle, said the hell with it.</p><p>It's a spendy place. My sons' hotel room was $475 a night. Restaurants were expensive, too, - grossly overpriced for marginal food and lousy service.</p><p>The frosting on the cake: rv park wifi was so f-ing weak, I couldn't do diddly squat.</p><p>Definitely not a happy camper!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-37445701138207316512024-02-14T14:46:00.001-07:002024-02-14T14:46:34.734-07:00Cowboys vs Aliens<p>Movie review. It may be the stupidest, most ridiculous, most camp flick we've ever seen. But - we loved it! Laughed our asses off. </p><p>Star power: Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Keith Carradine, Olivia Wilde, several others you may recognize. How they ever got this much talent for such a lousy movie is beyond me. I'll bet the actors laughed a lot when they were making it.</p><p>A combination of Alien, Star Trek, James Bond, and cowboys and Indians movies.</p><p>It streams on Netflix.</p><p> https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tLP1TdITjbNTc4yYPQSSszJTM0rVkjMS1FIzi9Pyq8sBgCk3QrH&q=cowboys+vs+aliens+cast&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS867US867&oq=aliens+%26+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBEC4YChiABDIGCAAQRRg5MgkIARAuGAoYgAQyCQgCEAAYChiABDIJCAMQABgKGIAEMgkIBBAuGAoYgAQyCQgFEAAYChiABDIJCAYQABgKGIAEMgkIBxAAGAoYgAQyCQgIEC4YChiABNIBCTE0NDg0ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&si=AKbGX_pdKZ2aImOX4iClatj4MUUcJH3UAn06I4n4vwyWsCLA5i5gUDavrK5TCIr_BZ6aOS3_zOg3pUKnZeX1Ag0NCPlqXSdswq4HoHo_s6j6J-u3epB8UYqp1PMpcGR40m0nlRfVBgRLDxjPOnBFOd_pTicu3QskOw%3D%3D&ictx=1&ved=2ahUKEwjtlLy05amEAxUqEkQIHfljBcUQ9JYCKAd6BAgwEBE&clie=1</p><p>If you watch it, please let me know if you enjoyed as much as we did.</p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-63481439431988032332024-02-05T07:22:00.000-07:002024-02-05T07:22:36.026-07:00Cheapskate<p>Lots of folks my age were children of parents who suffered through The Great Depression. We grew up on the cheap. I grew up on a farm. The Depression didn't impact farmers as much as city dwellers. We grew or raised most of our own food, preserved it by canning and freezing. We never went hungry.</p><p>Farm kids worked hard and darned few were compensated for it, other than food, shelter and clothing. Allowance? Uh, uh. I doubt my Dad even knew the word. My Mom and us 8 siblings had to beg a few bucks from Dad for Christmas shopping, personal items, anything and everything. I suspect other farm families were the same, but I never asked my school friends if they got an allowance. </p><p>Now, we are senior adults, and most of us don't need to live on the cheap. But - no matter how successful we are, how much our net worth, how much we don't<i> have </i>to be frugal - we still are. Case in point: me. Although comfortable financially, I'm still a cheapskate. Yes, I could afford to buy top-of-the-line groceries (I even use coupons), clothing, furnishings, do high-end travel, you name it, mostly I don't. </p><p>Funny thing is, I've donated hundreds of thousands of $ to a favorite cause. But that doesn't change my day-to-day behavior, my spending habits. Kinda weird.</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-92006050929528282562024-01-26T10:47:00.002-07:002024-01-26T10:47:51.344-07:00Big Blue Phrog <p>Folks of my vintage may remember the Peter, Paul and Mary song, 'I'm in Love With a Big Blue Phrog'. </p><p>Trish's brother, Doug, loves frogs. I did a mixed media frog for him, presented it after watching PP&M do the song via Youtube. He liked it.</p><p>Grant, a friend of mine, recently replied to my 'how ya doin' with "I'm finer than frog hair." It's an old saying I hadn't heard in some time. Given that refresher, I added hair to the frog.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS2o-DVGv6CxloSzDbPLiZqCWCBSWa43vyz_bsBF1a8TtLaxhld6WW23yHAbjzs0ot62WA2wwKwjULA3Z8dzqQ8G_FDzEsTsiYBRyMSgzYgzZGISfruR7Ff8n8jq3Q0a7vNyAml6TjrashgUTZX-Uf3-QIALjWd3N0ZDYkbPCj-8PYJk8v7WgmwYH/s3276/bluefrog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="2809" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS2o-DVGv6CxloSzDbPLiZqCWCBSWa43vyz_bsBF1a8TtLaxhld6WW23yHAbjzs0ot62WA2wwKwjULA3Z8dzqQ8G_FDzEsTsiYBRyMSgzYgzZGISfruR7Ff8n8jq3Q0a7vNyAml6TjrashgUTZX-Uf3-QIALjWd3N0ZDYkbPCj-8PYJk8v7WgmwYH/w548-h640/bluefrog.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-18571498368124985372024-01-15T15:59:00.002-07:002024-01-15T15:59:31.172-07:00A Horse Of a Different Color <p> Trish wanted me to paint a horse. I tried to paint a realistic one but failed, can't draw or sketch worth a damn. So.....paint an<i> un</i>realistic horse. More fun to do, more fun to view.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__b9dpzsvy1cf0UJd3DwbvgvgjpI63Fi3qnYspFEh3xptkFMQy-HZLXyVLIKcCoVKYtlhjWaBHfZgAtf-9Kcbw5FX_9r9iKdkK3v4hfGW_z9kPF2grhDTbBkAYbJvpZipfwAy9WWYE1B1NpDSM2HN7mhYwMr9KgMBzRkMq6On2DUJgcuHxf8QfXGp/s2302/Horse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2302" data-original-width="1768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__b9dpzsvy1cf0UJd3DwbvgvgjpI63Fi3qnYspFEh3xptkFMQy-HZLXyVLIKcCoVKYtlhjWaBHfZgAtf-9Kcbw5FX_9r9iKdkK3v4hfGW_z9kPF2grhDTbBkAYbJvpZipfwAy9WWYE1B1NpDSM2HN7mhYwMr9KgMBzRkMq6On2DUJgcuHxf8QfXGp/w492-h640/Horse.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><br /><p>Some of the mixed media items have meaning. The RV near LHC on the map. The dark chocolate (Trish loves the stuff) label. The old station wagon driving down to Phoenix to hang with college fraternity brothers twice a year.</p><p>As for the rest - pure whimsey. The mane is fake doll hair from Hobby Lobby</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-91415810375918025682024-01-12T14:24:00.000-07:002024-01-12T14:24:04.556-07:00Losing It<p>It's temper I'm talking about, recalling times I've lost it. </p><p>Lost it a lot when I was a kid, had a short fuse. My closest sibling, Gerry, 3 years older and much larger, knew that well. He'd either hold me in a bear hug until I cooled off or run like hell to get out of range of whatever I'd throw at him. He didn't run fast enough to avoid the barbecue fork, though; nailed him in the arm at 12'. He'd pissed me off by snapping me with the wet dish towel when we were doing the dishes.</p><p>My most recent blow up was at a pickleball player. He called me 'flak jacket' after seeing me wear a tan vest. I told him what the term meant to me, that a flak jacket had saved my life twice in Vietnam. It didn't sink in; he called me that every time he saw me. </p><p>I finally lost it, reamed him out, reminded him that a real flak jacket saved my life, and that he should show some respect for combat veterans who'd laid their lives on the line. Later, I apologised, told him Nam vets were treated harshly when they returned to the US, were sensitive about it, had a short fuse when disrespected. He's a good guy, had no idea he'd pissed me off repeatedly.</p><p>Then, there was the time I lost it in Egypt in '83. Once a month I had to sit down with the client (City of Alexandria) to review the US dollar invoice. The invoice was huge, over a million $, and usually about 150 pages. It had to be approved by the client before being paid by USAID, which funded the project. The Egyptian guy who reviewed the invoice would go through the invoice page by page, asking me what each item was, took 2-3 hours. </p><p>The approval procedure was well established, since the project had been in progress 4 years. Omar, the Egyptian guy, ignored the procedure once, disapproved a few items, prior to the sit-down review. When the invoice was returned to me, I wrote VOID on the front page in big black letters. He didn't know what void meant, looked it up in some Egyptian/English dictionary, which said it meant 'silly'. </p><p>He was quite unhappy about the void/'silly' thing. I explained that void meant invalid. He didn't accept that. I told him again, using different terms - which didn't work either. I tried one last time. And failed. That did it! I grabbed my briefcase, stormed out of the office, slammed the door as hard as I could.</p><p>Next day, my boss told me that Omar wanted me replaced - immediately. Didn't happen. I don't recall how the matter was resolved, but the invoice was finally approved and paid. I never needed to write void again.</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-88413465670327510662023-10-29T08:27:00.002-06:002023-10-29T08:27:57.540-06:00Maisie<p> Trish brought her home from UT 2 days ago. Parker hadn't been her usual bouncy, happy self since Artie's demise. Although we weren't planning on getting a second dog, we couldn't stand seeing Parker so down in the mouth.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY8JT9d8gRQ4JrG5sk7i6A4eT0DeEGV3CY7EjU69XbBNJ570J4Ys7QGeuzOm_f40f04C50pMweMfgIfQaMLcl66UHG7qj4s-Dd3ZmxFj8nvU403Q_-uYV4gCbsIazMVD9asXVgKFhKVRDQKyIC_WnQVq3vV2cL6a84_atzvqwczWdD_02kX4eG1PZ/s1811/P1020946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1811" data-original-width="1018" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY8JT9d8gRQ4JrG5sk7i6A4eT0DeEGV3CY7EjU69XbBNJ570J4Ys7QGeuzOm_f40f04C50pMweMfgIfQaMLcl66UHG7qj4s-Dd3ZmxFj8nvU403Q_-uYV4gCbsIazMVD9asXVgKFhKVRDQKyIC_WnQVq3vV2cL6a84_atzvqwczWdD_02kX4eG1PZ/w360-h640/P1020946.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p>Her coloring is called 'phantom'. Why? Beats me. Trish's last 4 dogs were all red poodles, so this a break from tradition - although she (Maisie, not Trish) is a poodle. Maisie is 11 weeks old, high energy, into everything like a 2-year old kid. Our bedroom closets all have full-length mirrored doors. She sees her image in the mirrors, and barks at that 2-dimensional dog at every opportunity. Her eyes are actually quite dark, the light spots in the picture are because I used the camera flash. We think she'll be close to Parker's size when she's fully grown</p><p>Parker's much happier. The two of them chase each other around and wrestle a lot. Life is good again.</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-80512888399976081142023-10-21T07:43:00.000-06:002023-10-21T07:43:01.016-06:00Cataracts<p> Over half of US citizens will get cataracts (cats), usually starting around age 40. Initially, cats are very small and of no consequence to one's vision. They enlarge gradually over time and may become problematic around age 70 or later. That was the case with Trish, various friends of ours - and now me.</p><p>I've had annual eye exams for several years and was always told my cats were small. Until this year. Several months ago, my eye doc said I should have cat surgery on my right eye. So, off I went to visit the local eye surgeons, who, after many checks of both eyes, said I should have both eyes done. The right one was done last Wednesday, the left will be done in 10 days.</p><p>The operation only takes about 7 minutes. They give you an intravenous drug to relax you, but you're otherwise wide awake during the procedure. Trish said the drug was wonderful; I think she was given a more generous helping than I. Next time, I'll ask them to increase the dosage because I felt something less than wonderful.</p><p>So, now my right eye has the best replacement lens available (there are different types and different prices), and the left eye still has cats. The difference in vision is remarkable: right eye is much brighter and whiter; left eye is duller and yellowish. Before the operation, I had no idea how much the cats negatively impacted my vision. I'd used reading glasses for years and prescription sunglasses as well.</p><p>I think vision is the most critical of the senses. Life without it would be tough, less valuable. If and when, your eye doc says you need the surgery. Do it!</p><p>To be honest, there is one drawback: when I look in the mirror, I see a lot more wrinkles in my face. I look like an old man, for cripes sakes!</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-20022666902683484282023-10-12T17:36:00.000-06:002023-10-12T17:36:43.787-06:00RIP ARTIE<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYhf-Q_IfdXTvx-1qYAqs3lqDf06jAI6MQK5f-86dyNmQpTQfNBj66bGiguHzI31J4nE_yByVp8-N2Xtdal-Ti1ab38MOzE0zuQ_BdDH96v5WLN5_IAAypWupu1z3v0QlTAnrEMcURg/s1600/P1020356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1414" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYhf-Q_IfdXTvx-1qYAqs3lqDf06jAI6MQK5f-86dyNmQpTQfNBj66bGiguHzI31J4nE_yByVp8-N2Xtdal-Ti1ab38MOzE0zuQ_BdDH96v5WLN5_IAAypWupu1z3v0QlTAnrEMcURg/s640/P1020356.JPG" width="564" /></a></p><p>My favorite picture of Artie, all ready for his burger on Mackinac Island.</p><p>A fine little pooch he was. Artie was a certified therapy dog and visited elementary schools with Trish numerous times over the years. The kids loved him, nearly wore him out doing high fives, a trick I taught him early on. Trish taught him several other tricks as well.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMihKNPIKq9XfzMVwNq1AUtejRDryvu3Q60nrV36cC17MAsAUE-jUawhdQ2ulIX6XUMXptlQ_AghsE2f_EMepkVIihHU0FiTKj1rPGX48A1ZyRs1Ip_jxL6PJhkXDIUDmeKUozTvSUrg/s1600/P1020325.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1573" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMihKNPIKq9XfzMVwNq1AUtejRDryvu3Q60nrV36cC17MAsAUE-jUawhdQ2ulIX6XUMXptlQ_AghsE2f_EMepkVIihHU0FiTKj1rPGX48A1ZyRs1Ip_jxL6PJhkXDIUDmeKUozTvSUrg/s640/P1020325.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>In Sioux Falls, S D. He didn't like the cat statue a darn bit, felt put upon.</p><p>He liked to spin around in circles - counterclockwise only - before meals or going outside or doing anything he enjoyed. I often wondered if, someday, he'd totally unwind, spinning around the other way for hours and hours.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFxbdQ5b57zCI9FB5NwHc2X5VlvdvByar9AydmCd-UquPiPG9LmHJKS-3hd7fWdL32LoELnG2WhoXhOEq6n9q280Id0AU2etiH8U0uU_LpyggQ3klmXQ2JitFLUZLWMl98R96M7xUJA/s1600/025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFxbdQ5b57zCI9FB5NwHc2X5VlvdvByar9AydmCd-UquPiPG9LmHJKS-3hd7fWdL32LoELnG2WhoXhOEq6n9q280Id0AU2etiH8U0uU_LpyggQ3klmXQ2JitFLUZLWMl98R96M7xUJA/s1600/025.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>In Monterey, CA with big brother, Ranger. Was Artie embarrassed or focusing on an ant?</p><p>Every evening after dinner while we were watching TV, Artie and Parker would conduct a loud wrestling match, sometimes so loud we paused the TV for several minutes. They'd merrily chase each onto the recliners, the sofa and the floor, growling like it was a fight to death. </p><p>He had cancer, was off his feed a lot in the final days. He passed away at home early one morning, the same day we had planned to have him put down. He always hated going to the vet.</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-86966969187296101912023-10-12T08:51:00.000-06:002023-10-12T08:51:36.545-06:00Rain Chain<p>My first rain chain was on my last home in Oregon, 30 miles northwest of Portland, overlooking the Columbia River and Mt St Helens. It got lots of business.</p><p>The next one was near the front door of my current home in Lake Havasu City. Although it didn't get anywhere near the amount of business as my first one, it (and the gutter that fed it) did keep folks from getting soaked when they entered the house during infrequent downpours. I recently retired that one.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's the new one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK8fc03RjoofSx2O-ir66yIgXYZ6Sx_n9ayJFMRk9sPDEW4gSEV3U7_wrTZcTGOEapYy1YHcLO-9rTnLWpPJA5UkzcSVUiXlTp3rlqvXaDjCH3TuAXdyb8UbkN3xl7bOiV-vuLs-jOP5rkfBinpukVFFOYsHzprVTYvX2G2Txtg7tNOUc0OT73kBx/s1924/P1020939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="858" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK8fc03RjoofSx2O-ir66yIgXYZ6Sx_n9ayJFMRk9sPDEW4gSEV3U7_wrTZcTGOEapYy1YHcLO-9rTnLWpPJA5UkzcSVUiXlTp3rlqvXaDjCH3TuAXdyb8UbkN3xl7bOiV-vuLs-jOP5rkfBinpukVFFOYsHzprVTYvX2G2Txtg7tNOUc0OT73kBx/w286-h640/P1020939.JPG" width="286" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's copper, named Origami by the vender.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It'll likely turn green in time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuy2HDKXDMUCR_fD6oT9jhOeMzk6mhSVw9Kkf2IpzOGA8xHlFq_CIIYoXjPDTEt8KjntXEaiJqwsxIy_TMYNupuzegYEXH28vrMc6mbARUdCZ_9dMVlhy8FIZ1EJL9wl4NbnGu4JrLKwxc_oxYsvooGf2PkXnWYFgWbZTfbCMBNslulxykO1jep4C/s2560/P1020941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1166" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuy2HDKXDMUCR_fD6oT9jhOeMzk6mhSVw9Kkf2IpzOGA8xHlFq_CIIYoXjPDTEt8KjntXEaiJqwsxIy_TMYNupuzegYEXH28vrMc6mbARUdCZ_9dMVlhy8FIZ1EJL9wl4NbnGu4JrLKwxc_oxYsvooGf2PkXnWYFgWbZTfbCMBNslulxykO1jep4C/w292-h640/P1020941.JPG" width="292" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-59688742596951277272023-09-28T16:53:00.000-06:002023-09-28T16:53:23.692-06:00ODORIFEROUS OOPS!<p> For non-RVer folks, I'll set the scene. Larger RVs have 4 tanks: fresh water, shower and bathroom sink <i>used </i>water, galley <i>used</i> water, and black (toilet) <i>used</i> water. Those larger RVs have 2 water inlets to which you connect a hose: one to fill the fresh water tank, and one to flush the black water tank. In our fifth wheel, those two water inlets are right beside each other. </p><p>When flushing the black tank, the gate valve must be open and the sewer hose connected to allow the flush water and filth to escape. If the gate valve is closed, one or more of three things will happen: the tank will burst, the filthy water will escape through the ceiling vent, or it will fill the toilet and overflow onto the bathroom floor.</p><p>Pendleton, OR 2 days ago, tired from driving, I intended to fill the fresh tank. By now, you can guess what happened: I connected the hose to the black tank flush inlet instead of the fresh water inlet. And let it run for 5 minutes. Was the black tank gate valve open? No. Did the filthy, stinking, toilet water overflow the toilet? Yes. Did it create one helluva stinking mess? HELL YEAH!</p><p>Not only did it flow on the bathroom floor: down the heat vent into the duct, and into the basement. Trish was less than totally delighted, loudly proclaiming my stupidity, while cleaning up inside, as I worked on the basement and outside. Afterwards, deep six the stinking mop-up towels, bathroom rug, gloves. Spray 409 on everything, wipe hands with alcohol.</p><p>Once was more enough for this 'adventure'. Never again.</p><p>On the bright side, I think the tank didn't burst. We'll see.</p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-37251970195250469692023-09-20T09:23:00.000-06:002023-09-20T09:23:34.205-06:00My Ducks Are In Line!<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It took nearly 8 decades but I finally got my ducks in line. Never mind that there's always an odd duck (I named him Ralph) that just has to face the wrong way. This is on Lake (a shallow pond, actually) Quinevere, looking out the back window of Tiny.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHIJ-FscNtg0BvCWvHxulVcXqzO4pd9fwPA7n5wd816Ebpu7lFLmJ3FOsbmcAhtg1L7in-c3n0SswQJ8a4Qwu1TRnUupnJmWPZ6ZdLOLjswbt6I3Kd8LUPnUNeAJqkXUB8lsolamb20FKoityY7xxkrb8whtHzQ59VDZ1WIX50Ttp5cII5PHpa0ua/s1576/P1020924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1576" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHIJ-FscNtg0BvCWvHxulVcXqzO4pd9fwPA7n5wd816Ebpu7lFLmJ3FOsbmcAhtg1L7in-c3n0SswQJ8a4Qwu1TRnUupnJmWPZ6ZdLOLjswbt6I3Kd8LUPnUNeAJqkXUB8lsolamb20FKoityY7xxkrb8whtHzQ59VDZ1WIX50Ttp5cII5PHpa0ua/w640-h554/P1020924.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The pond attracts lots of birds: ducks, geese, herons, blackbirds nesting in the bordering growth, bald eagles snarfing up baby blackbirds. Also turtles and frogs - including Canadian frogs that croak out a deep bass 'EH'.</span><p></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-13345200381364801202023-07-24T11:55:00.000-06:002023-07-24T11:55:24.757-06:00Tiny is Done<p> Yup, all completed. Finally.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingMLU_h3wI-dJNoIER2chKNlivbkQvEff-1_G8o5FtnNddQB4ndyRSWgEXI9wu3MHYQDkqCkjmtEbPqPZB2XiBOWIj3yf1hlMtvfFtT5wqJELNXx0o761DiCpiDJ_UvyF2_0UFCX60GiQxh22hq6X4We15bADV_7wDd5XrCAQYHXKcjhzDO9BBKlV/s2028/P1020919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="1607" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingMLU_h3wI-dJNoIER2chKNlivbkQvEff-1_G8o5FtnNddQB4ndyRSWgEXI9wu3MHYQDkqCkjmtEbPqPZB2XiBOWIj3yf1hlMtvfFtT5wqJELNXx0o761DiCpiDJ_UvyF2_0UFCX60GiQxh22hq6X4We15bADV_7wDd5XrCAQYHXKcjhzDO9BBKlV/w508-h640/P1020919.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><br /><p>Although it took 3 times as long as we hoped, we now have a covered entry deck.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT1sBSsz451vu2mDFEkGSfPr4Ue0175AmQkZXy93AUdh4LA8MAnF99XZSnRUtLsTpIMQ6jnLjwT-_JInHvkF6BIWzQCABzxx63LoFVEZNRzn7-dMCsUPJ_MP6DB-VjNTJE2C-ZrKq43xpHMZCJdGp0w6auTMp4c7O8a9ycWE2fYyzZtVgQIE2tMJ-/s1780/P1020918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="1173" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT1sBSsz451vu2mDFEkGSfPr4Ue0175AmQkZXy93AUdh4LA8MAnF99XZSnRUtLsTpIMQ6jnLjwT-_JInHvkF6BIWzQCABzxx63LoFVEZNRzn7-dMCsUPJ_MP6DB-VjNTJE2C-ZrKq43xpHMZCJdGp0w6auTMp4c7O8a9ycWE2fYyzZtVgQIE2tMJ-/w422-h640/P1020918.JPG" width="422" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Washer and dryer to be installed this week. Supposed to have been last week, but: they didn't tell us we had to run the dryer vent line and vent. I've just about completed it.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-27790767418193650342023-07-01T15:28:00.000-06:002023-07-01T15:28:35.495-06:00Tiny<p> Here are pix of Tiny, done inside but not outside. First 2 pix were taken 180 degrees from each other.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgh0rJXN_kPXGCExNpnXzltY3nEOlj5e35VlogIVXzQi97BLlBvMJaNuX8sh6-hhjq6I0t-nfqHx9DRKN-o5nELRYU-yM_8vD8Sc2qW48eKtny4BQp_uaLnxb2XleTaUV1IuRXuOq68rfQbcyfpnl7kL80Cy994sLRk_1-Ndnn_M_YK45N11q703w/s2560/P1020911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgh0rJXN_kPXGCExNpnXzltY3nEOlj5e35VlogIVXzQi97BLlBvMJaNuX8sh6-hhjq6I0t-nfqHx9DRKN-o5nELRYU-yM_8vD8Sc2qW48eKtny4BQp_uaLnxb2XleTaUV1IuRXuOq68rfQbcyfpnl7kL80Cy994sLRk_1-Ndnn_M_YK45N11q703w/w640-h480/P1020911.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6jXAlYhIs4sZ11T0Bc2fjqYwMSPaYeEfFXSCqZ2O5Y2120oUHj1gayPs_HU5FuFVHQqPXO_VypQf2vRbbB1dTaHroYq_2lK7h9Otw_V_8DPo9xq6O0HL5QtpR74xCPjNOzj9R0mzzpUfjFtimz5HAMyVFxWGRi3FAZbw7f06kTJ16QYG6GiEhl1Y/s2560/P1020910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6jXAlYhIs4sZ11T0Bc2fjqYwMSPaYeEfFXSCqZ2O5Y2120oUHj1gayPs_HU5FuFVHQqPXO_VypQf2vRbbB1dTaHroYq_2lK7h9Otw_V_8DPo9xq6O0HL5QtpR74xCPjNOzj9R0mzzpUfjFtimz5HAMyVFxWGRi3FAZbw7f06kTJ16QYG6GiEhl1Y/w640-h480/P1020910.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWkILt1m2t60dUFwpfGh8IAL_rUwAWhs4qf3tDpX5a5oAEAT6AGWwgKCjoOu8ecBMmmPm7DdA3AahNLceb7TqSBQ5MFeIz2VJLrI3v71T3X2RMPdEhA0lKz14W7_ny7kO5Klqp1o5M1gIfval62IZd-CwORFZGXzQfb8dQC5g1iXXkYMcUPmcsjfa/s2560/P1020912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWkILt1m2t60dUFwpfGh8IAL_rUwAWhs4qf3tDpX5a5oAEAT6AGWwgKCjoOu8ecBMmmPm7DdA3AahNLceb7TqSBQ5MFeIz2VJLrI3v71T3X2RMPdEhA0lKz14W7_ny7kO5Klqp1o5M1gIfval62IZd-CwORFZGXzQfb8dQC5g1iXXkYMcUPmcsjfa/w640-h480/P1020912.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgievilh3fseiyCjyyIN1Z0Aj45hSqc2DjwzoqUrLCklSRalGDDCYwsq59RWuguRE5ZmEQD2gPw652NlAJ7R96wNQFjnYwWpaQIJN1fqiADtaz7xogZjMHt_X1oYsioBhrN_ZoZluGBn-IQGR-cszuiOxVwFay7w_ZrXPNvVRQAko5hZE4LOr0bb7V1/s2560/P1020913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgievilh3fseiyCjyyIN1Z0Aj45hSqc2DjwzoqUrLCklSRalGDDCYwsq59RWuguRE5ZmEQD2gPw652NlAJ7R96wNQFjnYwWpaQIJN1fqiADtaz7xogZjMHt_X1oYsioBhrN_ZoZluGBn-IQGR-cszuiOxVwFay7w_ZrXPNvVRQAko5hZE4LOr0bb7V1/w480-h640/P1020913.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1T36bWrmu5R9N_1KLL_26GrFOlBGy0aeWvilLmEo5yvASbrBTb18G15YyucwAYXiShRqNbPcw8k7pjVhtBHStxMdjI7FNLOoHbMFJpDJvMfizXt2vhnNx0_rCp-mDgWg0YKwhC3-SB1NP9CDuDds485-x-q9Myl6Sbu_VR_k0NkhnROUNNSy7fL3/s2560/P1020914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1T36bWrmu5R9N_1KLL_26GrFOlBGy0aeWvilLmEo5yvASbrBTb18G15YyucwAYXiShRqNbPcw8k7pjVhtBHStxMdjI7FNLOoHbMFJpDJvMfizXt2vhnNx0_rCp-mDgWg0YKwhC3-SB1NP9CDuDds485-x-q9Myl6Sbu_VR_k0NkhnROUNNSy7fL3/w640-h480/P1020914.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The skirting is done but the covered entry deck is not. Should be done in a few days. The contractors have been plagued with illness, injuries, rain, sick dogs (not ours) and everything else possible. What could have taken 8 workdays has taken 3 weeks and will take at least one more. Hopefully.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhSE0sPzMJDXfOHBGfM9wt8Da5l1mTsTn6VX9bdtiUdR_DKwYwsdaUED84r0IyGJen0CmgqThzCDN6k0LBJR1S02Bydg0A4GlV_KZcceWu_DtqExYHbL-ExbakHGmYP2F3yAQFobiVWsuBI_EMQrp0xNIA4WvutjeIhQtJw7gm7mSXzBT08K1LRyS/s2560/P1020915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhSE0sPzMJDXfOHBGfM9wt8Da5l1mTsTn6VX9bdtiUdR_DKwYwsdaUED84r0IyGJen0CmgqThzCDN6k0LBJR1S02Bydg0A4GlV_KZcceWu_DtqExYHbL-ExbakHGmYP2F3yAQFobiVWsuBI_EMQrp0xNIA4WvutjeIhQtJw7gm7mSXzBT08K1LRyS/w640-h480/P1020915.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP85RZ-W5aiZ-U035nQ5FOJjY7VhrrY57y_Is-S25lG9AKRCYkdJ6EGr-uxykUvFtoBJccKvuHsNCYR5qWby6Dy8MC9qXLspPwnKu68uVQmCSjOVaRtE6E5QMQgrNJIUszHPO4zbPgYAgg8qHQelg6OpnaSJ6h0FIzGOjRncK1xHohVDfgRdYRhzjs/s2560/P1020916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP85RZ-W5aiZ-U035nQ5FOJjY7VhrrY57y_Is-S25lG9AKRCYkdJ6EGr-uxykUvFtoBJccKvuHsNCYR5qWby6Dy8MC9qXLspPwnKu68uVQmCSjOVaRtE6E5QMQgrNJIUszHPO4zbPgYAgg8qHQelg6OpnaSJ6h0FIzGOjRncK1xHohVDfgRdYRhzjs/w640-h480/P1020916.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3ajtq4JTCsOpl8rJflFfDHA1pCZ3XrMrJb4Y5_4UxjxIvFONOZNs6xYzpGOZFRQKrRQ6FhTf7t5sT1rjlZ6K70ktxb9yNQ4hDl60wJ34hvyW8-EQmzSLxNwSQ3xY43KIx61gTI3fTf2AttQKNYZRS_oEsZtBa9u6T7H-CqtYUdMKJ35yhMIpGMOY/s2560/P1020917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3ajtq4JTCsOpl8rJflFfDHA1pCZ3XrMrJb4Y5_4UxjxIvFONOZNs6xYzpGOZFRQKrRQ6FhTf7t5sT1rjlZ6K70ktxb9yNQ4hDl60wJ34hvyW8-EQmzSLxNwSQ3xY43KIx61gTI3fTf2AttQKNYZRS_oEsZtBa9u6T7H-CqtYUdMKJ35yhMIpGMOY/w480-h640/P1020917.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-67229732726782380502023-06-03T16:49:00.000-06:002023-06-03T16:49:10.950-06:00Park Model aka Tiny Home<p style="text-align: center;"> Here's Tiny (my name for it) as it pulled up to our lot yesterday at 4:30. It came from Indiana.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTwOzB243YlF5MOtdY7dS1qz5MEVny2Il2tKPlKtFyU7FHoCHWP9H4VZUBJawi5rz8CSBVEuSusjlzQ9-pXqPBa9GUNMeXQsY8Ss4C59HdIUCRI3NQJS87us6YQQB5ZX_6e_Qq0dAEx7XjglEsHL7YkyhYh_T1d-HDlccJlm38N_T3eAa0FgoFw/s2045/P1020905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="2045" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTwOzB243YlF5MOtdY7dS1qz5MEVny2Il2tKPlKtFyU7FHoCHWP9H4VZUBJawi5rz8CSBVEuSusjlzQ9-pXqPBa9GUNMeXQsY8Ss4C59HdIUCRI3NQJS87us6YQQB5ZX_6e_Qq0dAEx7XjglEsHL7YkyhYh_T1d-HDlccJlm38N_T3eAa0FgoFw/w640-h232/P1020905.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting to back on to our lot, had to move our mailbox.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnHksGzo7VrcefNdve9Mb-gjXb3eONozKL_7roT4iZqGgbysLLUcXl4Rg8jMxVGvwZIenpMPlyuqJk60bKbEfd4mPrGZWIFzboYUQY2OgkHrGCL5YPE_ZUndTs_rVNpdIuYzx2YnC9R6jDDFyCMD7RvSXPLlxzKZMwE56OlyWEXUPpQYfEhJw7w/s1701/P1020906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1701" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnHksGzo7VrcefNdve9Mb-gjXb3eONozKL_7roT4iZqGgbysLLUcXl4Rg8jMxVGvwZIenpMPlyuqJk60bKbEfd4mPrGZWIFzboYUQY2OgkHrGCL5YPE_ZUndTs_rVNpdIuYzx2YnC9R6jDDFyCMD7RvSXPLlxzKZMwE56OlyWEXUPpQYfEhJw7w/w640-h394/P1020906.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The guy on the left, one of the Wide Load car drivers, is directing the truck driver. We had the exact area marked with string, stakes and flags.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLJuS2d9JTHzaiaocxfa4bfLLjLLUVM-HMww0Rnk6vZMFT1tEnNzpwGVJ2u64HBcpqel7bzFZ2o-c4s5jthDL7yatsJ8moKAw1jUZhuOPyotswWBBGhZqpHiagkRbsahdck2kbmP6NezvYQ7eP-C5K2nlzZ7oU2ju05l_CBNJVc150sD2uSbxfQ/s2177/P1020907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="2177" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLJuS2d9JTHzaiaocxfa4bfLLjLLUVM-HMww0Rnk6vZMFT1tEnNzpwGVJ2u64HBcpqel7bzFZ2o-c4s5jthDL7yatsJ8moKAw1jUZhuOPyotswWBBGhZqpHiagkRbsahdck2kbmP6NezvYQ7eP-C5K2nlzZ7oU2ju05l_CBNJVc150sD2uSbxfQ/w640-h338/P1020907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Big rig!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPE4wQj9u124ebNE8uranM7wAv8grTtMW4BrgSP9WbtKUBZGuwzvLkLcGkI-qk6amkeDVptbtNXvRZhX9kRrAoVB5MZ1LACTzFEi9JZfFGXWHQ2rlJBB-DtYH17HvnSdJOeTkYrbzy-oI2wldjjVwdn9nN6Sq5ZDcBX-HeLfhY6Y2CCbTXAMj3A/s1548/P1020908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1548" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPE4wQj9u124ebNE8uranM7wAv8grTtMW4BrgSP9WbtKUBZGuwzvLkLcGkI-qk6amkeDVptbtNXvRZhX9kRrAoVB5MZ1LACTzFEi9JZfFGXWHQ2rlJBB-DtYH17HvnSdJOeTkYrbzy-oI2wldjjVwdn9nN6Sq5ZDcBX-HeLfhY6Y2CCbTXAMj3A/w640-h502/P1020908.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In place! The setup crew comes Wednesday, will deflate the tires, remove the tongue, build skirting, entry deck and roof, do utility hookups. Will take about 8 days. Meanwhile, I'm putting together the bedframe, chairs, table, etc. Trish is cleaning, picking storage shelf areas, doing all the domestic stuff.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU78iSzOURxu1BJaEMPctaRW5zT2hCy3d2byAMqotWkvNcggZ1JDVdUY5Zi9hvzxgLx643SyzZNZC3BbK8aOUvJR1OHo4_ZIHsnRFvgheKS2_Z-uDoCcqjSRhtelVJc6upfI8I4BVDn8OG-ntWcT4Y1n7lXkGBDCSBj3DobTZgKQrZTqWASZEag/s2217/P1020909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="2217" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU78iSzOURxu1BJaEMPctaRW5zT2hCy3d2byAMqotWkvNcggZ1JDVdUY5Zi9hvzxgLx643SyzZNZC3BbK8aOUvJR1OHo4_ZIHsnRFvgheKS2_Z-uDoCcqjSRhtelVJc6upfI8I4BVDn8OG-ntWcT4Y1n7lXkGBDCSBj3DobTZgKQrZTqWASZEag/w640-h484/P1020909.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We like it: bright and airy. Quiet. Will do another blog when we're in and have it furnished. We're off to Minnesota on the 16th for the 30th family reunion, should be done by then.</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-72513785940702643892023-05-06T18:59:00.000-06:002023-05-06T18:59:32.388-06:00My Complex<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2jwElGsrFg4J2WsYny9r3w3cPmowocy5gaN151QE-dg69_rDgVGJiz2EM5aqaRoAagjrbrdogrmPpA3vp68w6p_lrVu7D4ZdcCFtVvgvNFpluzFfsJxg4QrhczdLCTIg9WqR5E8qzGjjHJFdlvls2UPwyMX2068VDJwdMTt6_vAAKq_k-PqLErA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="2048" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2jwElGsrFg4J2WsYny9r3w3cPmowocy5gaN151QE-dg69_rDgVGJiz2EM5aqaRoAagjrbrdogrmPpA3vp68w6p_lrVu7D4ZdcCFtVvgvNFpluzFfsJxg4QrhczdLCTIg9WqR5E8qzGjjHJFdlvls2UPwyMX2068VDJwdMTt6_vAAKq_k-PqLErA=w640-h328" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The sign reads MIKE DELANEY Pickleball Complex At Dick Samp Park. The picture includes the LHC mayor, city manager, city council members, parks and rec manager, chief of police and me. It's the City's thank you for my donated $ to build the last 4 courts. </p><p>The City planned to have 16 courts, 12 of which were completed. City management said there'd be no more funding for the final four courts for some time. </p><p>I wanted to see all courts completed while I was still able to play. So, I met with the City and told them I'd fund the last four. It cost a lot more than anticipated, but I went ahead and ponied up the $. </p><p>The big sign and my name on the entire complex was a nice surprise, and the sound of people whooping when they hit a great shot and groaning when they miss an easy one is music to my ears. Love the game and the numerous friends I've made playing it.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-46700937321527319022022-12-22T08:32:00.000-07:002022-12-22T08:32:56.054-07:00Dutch Pour<p>Dutch Pour is an advanced acrylic pour technique.<i> </i>First<i>,</i> flood the canvas with a base coat of paint, any color you like. Second, pour 2 or more different colors in a wavy stripe across the canvas. Third, use a hair dryer to blow the color around. Sounds easy, right? It's not.</p><p>My first attempt was a disaster. Took a critical look, thought <i>yuck,</i> wiped the canvas clean. The second attempt was better, kept it - for now. I like the third one, definitely a keeper. Depending on personal taste, some may say it's beautiful, others: "It looks like dog barf". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AyJfyimQ1xgV4gJ-HKuYMx7lj5kY0K3KIdKT029VwHEAgmGWcf98XEQ4wl1At06vT-lm9fbEfMTESA3xLeBYcUsZB03MLASv0v9DaJsv6rmUbVlJPXuHK7gCELLpPPxALbnbMkiUSWvLHXkPSsvDvBWY6mQzAba689TWwkp0pzX1qK-uWv-o0Q/s2000/P1020883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="2000" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AyJfyimQ1xgV4gJ-HKuYMx7lj5kY0K3KIdKT029VwHEAgmGWcf98XEQ4wl1At06vT-lm9fbEfMTESA3xLeBYcUsZB03MLASv0v9DaJsv6rmUbVlJPXuHK7gCELLpPPxALbnbMkiUSWvLHXkPSsvDvBWY6mQzAba689TWwkp0pzX1qK-uWv-o0Q/w640-h536/P1020883.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Why is it called a Dutch Pour you ask? I wondered, too. Turns out, the woman who came up with the idea is Dutch, like the Dutch Masters - who would surely sneer at a Dutch Pour. Unlike Master Van Gogh however, she didn't sacrifice an ear to her art. I'm guessing V G was smoking some really good shit, not the cigars named after him and his fellow artists of the Dutch persuasion.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcOb5JwsPoVOB0-SexpgxxzXxwe915-t1FTpJtwFuDaPMWmdkwZUPicb_LA58Lf_XgO_rDRhnZ9mTs3eLPHqg-D62Ew1xoPTUnUwi80OGTIb0ycN_ai_Ake2QxBonDLa2pEn6eaJbXbsEsvVbsdGYsjXMQI44Zq6Bnbg0-rtpuTxSn1a2LJ-MmgA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="148" data-original-width="148" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcOb5JwsPoVOB0-SexpgxxzXxwe915-t1FTpJtwFuDaPMWmdkwZUPicb_LA58Lf_XgO_rDRhnZ9mTs3eLPHqg-D62Ew1xoPTUnUwi80OGTIb0ycN_ai_Ake2QxBonDLa2pEn6eaJbXbsEsvVbsdGYsjXMQI44Zq6Bnbg0-rtpuTxSn1a2LJ-MmgA=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></div>Maybe I should come up with an Irish Pour. Drink a Guinness Stout. Rinse the bottle and fill with several shades of green paint. Pour it onto the canvas. Drink another Stout.<p></p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-47462401909579319972022-12-06T09:21:00.000-07:002022-12-06T09:21:36.841-07:00States and Provinces<p>Our long-haul RV trips are over. Now, it will be mostly short trips that require just one day to reach our destination. And the number of days on site will rarely be more than three.</p><p>In our 12 years of RV touring, we've hit 38 states in the US, 2 in Mexico and 11 Canadian provinces. We managed to miss most of the southeastern states - but didn't miss them much. The deep south doesn't appeal to us.</p><p>Our furthest south stop was San Felipe, in Baja California; don't recall why we went there, it being a small seaside village with little to offer tourists. Across the Sea of Cortez, aka the Gulf of Mexico, is Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), a much larger city with lots to see and do. We went there several times with RVing friends. The picture below was taken there.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFpRFjvnmiDKUV7Vvsrma54PpnlB81m8AFz4dj7iohQtX79EjbnhKfAi1KVaS0LBLibTVkKuwR9F3R-eJPZdOCUuCNrQ6qr0TEWROn8xSdo0uGF1RSUkqDXUdZR0WAQD2kXLllImhMw/s1600/pp3+003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFpRFjvnmiDKUV7Vvsrma54PpnlB81m8AFz4dj7iohQtX79EjbnhKfAi1KVaS0LBLibTVkKuwR9F3R-eJPZdOCUuCNrQ6qr0TEWROn8xSdo0uGF1RSUkqDXUdZR0WAQD2kXLllImhMw/s1600/pp3+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Our Alaska trip was the longest, 15,000+ miles, augmented by an en route stop in MN to attend the family reunion. Furthest north stop was Fox, Alaska, 10 miles north of Fairbanks. Had dinner there at the Silver Gulch Saloon, the northernmost brewpub in the US. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zd0D8UfyyWcvAqcn7SUZRd-4Vl_f5bdYYJxHBj-KGSQE5tvrRXfIisNFYcl0C046xOlYqPw58KTb9RHlBRuH6hu2GGpbnjUpS9FCyQaBaFoQFBQJXJkMWqKVUBVgVjArBYJwUZUrW9k/s1600/TCrk+008.JPG"><img border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495265734143058258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zd0D8UfyyWcvAqcn7SUZRd-4Vl_f5bdYYJxHBj-KGSQE5tvrRXfIisNFYcl0C046xOlYqPw58KTb9RHlBRuH6hu2GGpbnjUpS9FCyQaBaFoQFBQJXJkMWqKVUBVgVjArBYJwUZUrW9k/w640-h480/TCrk+008.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 240px; width: 320px;" width="640" /></a></p><p>2nd longest tour was to the Canadian Maritimes, the highlight of which was Nova Scotia. The seaside boardwalk, shown below, is awesome.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQp9RfY9px69WJ28ZTH3uCRVWtDKiYXyDMfiAiezpMOCfdHQ6Xbhsx6TmyULI3XgeSNN1K1aoY1l80iWGj302xKf4_gJRhD1GUY94HUgXCRTTp9Gq_P83QRRBG9fsWbqU6zOrnNdkwB4/s1600/H5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQp9RfY9px69WJ28ZTH3uCRVWtDKiYXyDMfiAiezpMOCfdHQ6Xbhsx6TmyULI3XgeSNN1K1aoY1l80iWGj302xKf4_gJRhD1GUY94HUgXCRTTp9Gq_P83QRRBG9fsWbqU6zOrnNdkwB4/s400/H5.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">I could ramble on indefinitely but why bother? </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The bulk of my 773 blog posts over the last 12 years offer travel details.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-88212178698545592662022-11-22T16:47:00.003-07:002022-12-02T18:17:51.636-07:00Reflection Swipe Triptych<p> 2-3 years ago, I painted my first acrylic reflection swipe triptych. Trish liked it, asked me to do one for our summer digs in NE WA state. "Okay", said I. They're fun to do, quick and easy - except for selecting the best color combinations, spent a couple hours doing that.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Decided to go with all-metallic backgrounds this time: gold, silver, copper.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPflAM8TUc8nrkmFgXFMtMMpMY4dJJ32DF_o25TNNzbpTe9vKF6SWxpuLiP9C9Vor-iTEhLBzqvvzckG5vz337KNPE33QdvEyJL79N9bvRPv60pCSbnoN5Wbl6rEl1_E3KF6Kipr2zR6Gqrmeuiy0fcs7v3GFkrhDfNmJ61W9vfy_d5xasPPsAeA/s2332/P1020862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="1464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPflAM8TUc8nrkmFgXFMtMMpMY4dJJ32DF_o25TNNzbpTe9vKF6SWxpuLiP9C9Vor-iTEhLBzqvvzckG5vz337KNPE33QdvEyJL79N9bvRPv60pCSbnoN5Wbl6rEl1_E3KF6Kipr2zR6Gqrmeuiy0fcs7v3GFkrhDfNmJ61W9vfy_d5xasPPsAeA/w402-h640/P1020862.JPG" width="402" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The copper is my fave, love the look of copper!</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-39076967408736952362022-11-02T17:00:00.000-06:002022-11-02T17:00:15.274-06:00Rub a Dub Dub<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rub-a-dub-dub,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;">Three men in a tub,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;">And who do you think they be?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;">The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif;">And all of them out to sea.</span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There weren't 3 men in our tub. At that time, circa 1950, it was just 2 small boys, my brother Gerry and me. We were too young to know any trades, and definitely too young to be out to sea.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was a fold-up rubber tub, like the one below except black.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpRgVtuwt02WxRr5ZGeWlLGHIJs_ek-HjQ3IPB-T92Bz7lCR6EuT5Zm23-IX-8RrvloY74kodECTR1Jn3kZCSxKPsiOZTWwzH6MGzWNqMhNemWV5CTkjn-O0b817v9b0Ss9ZNxSmXQ97V3WgUrQBZ9Uwh2WQmLxUDf38wz-1AzkrhAIV2bJsodVw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpRgVtuwt02WxRr5ZGeWlLGHIJs_ek-HjQ3IPB-T92Bz7lCR6EuT5Zm23-IX-8RrvloY74kodECTR1Jn3kZCSxKPsiOZTWwzH6MGzWNqMhNemWV5CTkjn-O0b817v9b0Ss9ZNxSmXQ97V3WgUrQBZ9Uwh2WQmLxUDf38wz-1AzkrhAIV2bJsodVw=w334-h400" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was before we had running water and electricity. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Water was hand-pumped out of the cistern.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3mihF9j7NgTAm2kiuEaPqrJNQu77VTeoP-8YbFrPr_n8CLWBc5cctfNUnVGp-rAElT8MipyztojtFsor2ZTnaKCXJpY3f70K9UHtq3X9I1OTycLdqmq0AH0j1OSXYDJK0OmlNKmLm6LSD-1uu0uaC0-9Rjh0cRWODuDlIXdfBg7oZt_Fg6TXuIA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3mihF9j7NgTAm2kiuEaPqrJNQu77VTeoP-8YbFrPr_n8CLWBc5cctfNUnVGp-rAElT8MipyztojtFsor2ZTnaKCXJpY3f70K9UHtq3X9I1OTycLdqmq0AH0j1OSXYDJK0OmlNKmLm6LSD-1uu0uaC0-9Rjh0cRWODuDlIXdfBg7oZt_Fg6TXuIA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then, heated on the kitchen wood stove.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2jNiD_zCzLwdXrUIl3VTCfAuZY0G44eo3L8FFlSgU12Y9BtdLo0GYqut_9-_uPKRflY3z40mlizGbYEm_y9RygL3zgMs5DmONQCKqSqsIHEN6o9B25sbSNnNaL8SxCdkF0r8GE3S9duY7rAYWGndOi_AOCqzWHRqXm7fnI5BDnTuIkiHVauB9ww" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="260" data-original-width="194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2jNiD_zCzLwdXrUIl3VTCfAuZY0G44eo3L8FFlSgU12Y9BtdLo0GYqut_9-_uPKRflY3z40mlizGbYEm_y9RygL3zgMs5DmONQCKqSqsIHEN6o9B25sbSNnNaL8SxCdkF0r8GE3S9duY7rAYWGndOi_AOCqzWHRqXm7fnI5BDnTuIkiHVauB9ww=w477-h640" width="477" /></a></div><p>We got baths on Saturdays, had to be clean for church on Sundays, you know. Later, older, laboring on the farm, too tired to bathe Saturday night, no time to bathe Sunday morning. </p><p>Then, came the en route to church spit-bath, our mom spitting on a tissue, wiping our faces, saying, "You could grow potatoes behind your ears!" Oh yeah, those were the days! </p><p>Are any of you readers old enough to have had a similar experience?</p><br /><p></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-27344987496360579582022-10-08T08:04:00.001-06:002022-10-08T08:42:36.813-06:00Fish Sticks<p> A couple decades back, while living in Columbia City, OR, I made a couple of wooden objets d'art for charity silent auctions. A woman who lived nearby held annual benefits for a good cause, damned if I can remember what it was now. </p><p>The event included a catered gourmet meal, live music, silent and voice auctions. The first year, I made a bent wood trellis out of small, green sapling branches. The second year, I made the thing below, called it Fish Sticks. I named a few of the fish, including the one second from the bottom. Can you guess the name*?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV-jxOnzefR4Lmp1IEYGWdVuRg434r4_O69FWGUf7mMcGujpfaMtWxd4RCVkf3fTyTP7OEMb1kcNrNzlIMidj_NYZLj2cPke6aeS2YTis0Xjmypqs97IrkLVa56WH2KHIow4bv9_KQubj1vLVwmVgnsvgW8jOGprQ3807gsutEiBez_HU0YnC9fA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="640" data-original-width="336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV-jxOnzefR4Lmp1IEYGWdVuRg434r4_O69FWGUf7mMcGujpfaMtWxd4RCVkf3fTyTP7OEMb1kcNrNzlIMidj_NYZLj2cPke6aeS2YTis0Xjmypqs97IrkLVa56WH2KHIow4bv9_KQubj1vLVwmVgnsvgW8jOGprQ3807gsutEiBez_HU0YnC9fA=w336-h640" width="336" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br />I had fun with the project, so I made another 'school' of fish for myself. They now reside on the pot shelf in our kitchen. For sure, you can name one of them. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyGxvP6fbACqwudpdOiGjjWVNWnz4CXst2Q-cD6YirnZVRRLvv0632actRgjw6gFRLUbED0F89k2uran9FegOxobzzJNVo5ql-tCZ4YMDPYpZfy3zOt7LeQgeah1KlYrPTdZprzdtnXtL1Va4UbDEoW_R9g0r6Z6SmM1LW4C1Zvr8UZ4kD14wnw/s2275/P1020857.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="2275" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyGxvP6fbACqwudpdOiGjjWVNWnz4CXst2Q-cD6YirnZVRRLvv0632actRgjw6gFRLUbED0F89k2uran9FegOxobzzJNVo5ql-tCZ4YMDPYpZfy3zOt7LeQgeah1KlYrPTdZprzdtnXtL1Va4UbDEoW_R9g0r6Z6SmM1LW4C1Zvr8UZ4kD14wnw/w640-h230/P1020857.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>*Cardshark. The dorsal fin is a hand of cards, kinda hard to see in the small picture.</p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-91660575697799908062022-09-29T03:00:00.000-06:002022-09-29T03:00:16.210-06:00RV Recap<p>It started in 2009 when I bought an A-Frame travel trailer like the one below. No bathroom, but otherwise surprisingly comfortable for 2 people. The top triangular part folded down for road travel, could be expanded to full size in 2 minutes. It was a trial balloon to see if I liked RVing. I most definitely did - and still do. Trish and I got together shortly after I got the rig. She already had RV experience, having lived in a fifth wheel for several months.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeBCA_71epkhblnEnxXwQ50CpIsJ_Py3atOaXiqoQwNMmYE-Uz605jcCMfRO18rjGLBhtM4Jyg4WzaUrQGlg50rDnRAiTumXNnVXlDsZrm_h4x11lMCpGXsLGc0Y3rHBzR5ooOnjsP6FUJw7Cvbc6Eb8D-nhil3DXlk-g1vMkmp9c9CucNyf8DEw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="479" data-original-width="760" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeBCA_71epkhblnEnxXwQ50CpIsJ_Py3atOaXiqoQwNMmYE-Uz605jcCMfRO18rjGLBhtM4Jyg4WzaUrQGlg50rDnRAiTumXNnVXlDsZrm_h4x11lMCpGXsLGc0Y3rHBzR5ooOnjsP6FUJw7Cvbc6Eb8D-nhil3DXlk-g1vMkmp9c9CucNyf8DEw=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm8gSSh_zxdQ5Bslt1DiqYsw29-VP7FwCO8VvA05L9kwBG0KDN6kfaWQioT5pr9uBp-mbqVeBrnRa9as0wzV80GeIWxcu2fC4Ukac8c72GzLhBt3-vXRZ2JOpFbPFU1DcMIQPAeVxCt36XP92KW3ThQgP0O_6i74VJflaPATJNXyNt1YDQbOyN3Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm8gSSh_zxdQ5Bslt1DiqYsw29-VP7FwCO8VvA05L9kwBG0KDN6kfaWQioT5pr9uBp-mbqVeBrnRa9as0wzV80GeIWxcu2fC4Ukac8c72GzLhBt3-vXRZ2JOpFbPFU1DcMIQPAeVxCt36XP92KW3ThQgP0O_6i74VJflaPATJNXyNt1YDQbOyN3Q=w640-h240" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>Next up was a 21' EDGE travel trailer, purchased in 2010. We towed that puppy all over, including Alaska and Nova Scotia. It had all the basics but some irritating design flaws. The bathroom door opened in, which was asinine, took up most of the floor space, had to sidle around it to get in and out. It should have opened outward; or been a slider. And, the light above the lavatory wasn't above the lavatory; it was in the middle of the ceiling. I shave my face, not the back of my head. Hold a flashlight in my teeth so I don't cut myself to ribbons?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBhr9Mned7A_ByRKNOJV17OdwGacVk-TgiqZVe-dsdH7bzlly59OsoOn2qe4k6r94hs8piv1VQdiGhqv2cLZCNuh9OaiipiaQScu7p_6PNutQxkr5zW3xVjBfA__YnjSdlSl-XHHaxoT4nDJL8iRdAp6nmAvVd3S0NyBGfJ4oqlAteRn3-TEJ9wQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBhr9Mned7A_ByRKNOJV17OdwGacVk-TgiqZVe-dsdH7bzlly59OsoOn2qe4k6r94hs8piv1VQdiGhqv2cLZCNuh9OaiipiaQScu7p_6PNutQxkr5zW3xVjBfA__YnjSdlSl-XHHaxoT4nDJL8iRdAp6nmAvVd3S0NyBGfJ4oqlAteRn3-TEJ9wQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />We upgraded to a 30' Cougar fifth wheel in 2013. Cougars are low-end rigs with all the basics but few amenities - so we added several: plumbing and lighting fixtures, light-filtering and blackout shades, several more. We would have gladly kept the rig for many more years, had I not bought a new truck in 2017; it's side rails were too high to fit under the trailer overhang. Oops!</div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-ozxw38D8bDlWPq7D3STl2pyw-qYGCVKZ-HE3XtP8ExZpT-0qm48k-t6djGQXYRzZHf8qkVwmPM1A0X1JKB4V6JI6AZjGtLYV7dIeh34TDMm2QJBbSEHZjiHewlhQZgE-En8P9kNIWA/s1600/276RLSfloorplan.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-ozxw38D8bDlWPq7D3STl2pyw-qYGCVKZ-HE3XtP8ExZpT-0qm48k-t6djGQXYRzZHf8qkVwmPM1A0X1JKB4V6JI6AZjGtLYV7dIeh34TDMm2QJBbSEHZjiHewlhQZgE-En8P9kNIWA/w640-h282/276RLSfloorplan.gif" width="640" /></a> So, off we went to Vegas to buy a new 5W, the Reflection, which we still have. It's a high-end rig, which doesn't mean much: quality control was definitely lacking. We've had to replace numerous parts at numerous places around the country. Pain in the butt.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiBJ5rDzVaMfE6l8ieNDYsOkRGGMUYwgviv-YriyxCX9ecsnNE-M8-9aX64Mz7K6pSLSQODkrlvV-YnuNu7JX6Wx0JAsyplNi3pQh5dP0y78xuUITKQgK8Rxz-QZmMMMuPRh80LtICOH5qjYpdRefnk9OTA94P3dzWI1DvdRUBBe9d_y68H9mgyg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiBJ5rDzVaMfE6l8ieNDYsOkRGGMUYwgviv-YriyxCX9ecsnNE-M8-9aX64Mz7K6pSLSQODkrlvV-YnuNu7JX6Wx0JAsyplNi3pQh5dP0y78xuUITKQgK8Rxz-QZmMMMuPRh80LtICOH5qjYpdRefnk9OTA94P3dzWI1DvdRUBBe9d_y68H9mgyg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-9741744857124384792022-09-27T21:15:00.000-06:002022-09-27T21:15:36.842-06:00Park Model<p> A Park Model (PM) is a tiny home, no more than 400 SF, a tad larger than our RV with slides extended. It's similar to a mobile home in that it comes with wheels, but once placed on a site, it's seldom if ever moved. The one below is a stock photo; the decking and steps are add-ons, not part of the basic unit.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJoRw78gOCpqB2vu2pNYeKDy09rx0K5aSvpOHukBlnOrT9Hv0K17A5H84AKLE9DaKXRF6DHNfoSGV_Mf4r5fnJhzoBWzUe2kzW5MZoUALYLPaYJDuNz72LBaBc2RWPGOdzEMWDk9as8MeAMGxRxfTBAr5PLcYcd70GjGLo0DQILY5F-7OV4yJ3fw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJoRw78gOCpqB2vu2pNYeKDy09rx0K5aSvpOHukBlnOrT9Hv0K17A5H84AKLE9DaKXRF6DHNfoSGV_Mf4r5fnJhzoBWzUe2kzW5MZoUALYLPaYJDuNz72LBaBc2RWPGOdzEMWDk9as8MeAMGxRxfTBAr5PLcYcd70GjGLo0DQILY5F-7OV4yJ3fw=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here are 2 more stock photos, showing typical interiors.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx6L-nqcFboNz5ePb1ltwWw9xCM0T1_4AR8QWQYQ-q4Xip6_1EVR1CJS8jMc_0MD7FwftTsNXkIjpMVSeWWhcdrC7_0Vq6sq29rtJVkKVhd_QXSOKtwePK5wF3aQ0VOl1-JWCT4HrCeKz4PU0HWJXLMelnjJ-zG4eUKMJFljU9OO-M6fid5rtr7Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx6L-nqcFboNz5ePb1ltwWw9xCM0T1_4AR8QWQYQ-q4Xip6_1EVR1CJS8jMc_0MD7FwftTsNXkIjpMVSeWWhcdrC7_0Vq6sq29rtJVkKVhd_QXSOKtwePK5wF3aQ0VOl1-JWCT4HrCeKz4PU0HWJXLMelnjJ-zG4eUKMJFljU9OO-M6fid5rtr7Q=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuJvrZG6R1gQxa2-rknuyIni5HoON5FC0LL-xX1JkvtdQTAOrEixLEWd9wWHQOWy5XgcFMPvGU_1v--Dzl2rTkwCO9C6gVIFA4fmihP561Ajxbo8n4-NHCj2QcJLBK48dHjXTimpfjXsyr5mdxTg1kxo6Xj546X3ikJdbrT34Zi8uRMq4sYWkI1w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuJvrZG6R1gQxa2-rknuyIni5HoON5FC0LL-xX1JkvtdQTAOrEixLEWd9wWHQOWy5XgcFMPvGU_1v--Dzl2rTkwCO9C6gVIFA4fmihP561Ajxbo8n4-NHCj2QcJLBK48dHjXTimpfjXsyr5mdxTg1kxo6Xj546X3ikJdbrT34Zi8uRMq4sYWkI1w=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />And here is the floor plan of the unit we're buying to place on our RV Resort lot near Usk, WA. Website: http://skookumrendezvous.com/<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOyHvYXKtakoUsfilPtkoEqU70yyzFzTVNVhXc9uYjjntm0dMVQbdgeR5LzggaSysfOwdDuUjyWFlIHeoVqmI56bX4vVslLm3umx_RxhgBzA_JGtdSgNn7MtoNP5DcZbHhlVZzIZGR_flUB6azb4AQQKJpm7-C1x60HtN35eU-G6Cx_vczbG-WPw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOyHvYXKtakoUsfilPtkoEqU70yyzFzTVNVhXc9uYjjntm0dMVQbdgeR5LzggaSysfOwdDuUjyWFlIHeoVqmI56bX4vVslLm3umx_RxhgBzA_JGtdSgNn7MtoNP5DcZbHhlVZzIZGR_flUB6azb4AQQKJpm7-C1x60HtN35eU-G6Cx_vczbG-WPw=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />PMs have several advantages over RVs. Household appliances are a biggie: RV appliances take a lot of abuse on bumpy roads and there's no lack of bumpy roads. Some RV appliances are also dual/triple-powered to run on AC, DC and/or propane, meaning many more things to go haywire. <p></p><p>Furnishing a PM is like furnishing any house. You select your own stuff and place it wherever you want. You can - and I have - modified and upgraded our RVs over the years but only a few things can be modified.</p><p>RVs have holding tanks for fresh water, gray water and black water, with fill-level gauges that never work. Both the gray and the black can stink to high heaven if not carefully treated and monitored. PMs have no holding tanks: everything goes down the sewer, so no stink. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-22872531926502934062022-07-28T16:55:00.000-06:002022-07-28T16:55:33.345-06:00Home Sweet Home, Part 2<p>The pictures in my previous 2 blog posts did not include 'the big picture' - meaning no view of the entire lot, no perspective. This post takes care of that oversight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgninC_H6ulsPNiTP8poKgxNa7jOupspHPpuinn91SSHYYs5kr9P4DgGZYBcpmYB_c3ribScNam2rqpQRRjGsGL8sY4uBOl9l5DOYwzspEEA13oXy9VOozPd80oNEJMHWG-B1DkZyBdQ0ipusGucNbS26DCSR2taHNjKHvzohMdAA-j0CLZ_uKEFw/s2560/P1020847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgninC_H6ulsPNiTP8poKgxNa7jOupspHPpuinn91SSHYYs5kr9P4DgGZYBcpmYB_c3ribScNam2rqpQRRjGsGL8sY4uBOl9l5DOYwzspEEA13oXy9VOozPd80oNEJMHWG-B1DkZyBdQ0ipusGucNbS26DCSR2taHNjKHvzohMdAA-j0CLZ_uKEFw/w640-h480/P1020847.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> Above and below, views from the rear of the lot.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPmfRovoifgcaExJzB_PiiN-6pAH3Wx4KmETAB8Xa3Nqtr9JFbfwoOZdl94KnjgnOX28y5XHK185_Qv6fke6GoXxN5wDrGHypJEUQUzNw9EV169vWIuPPQOmWjyTO56qpShZoTfY_VUTkNgHtHSVoR6g2gKTQXxhsF58SkliYaemwcC5iM1Hf2Q/s2223/P1020848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="2223" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPmfRovoifgcaExJzB_PiiN-6pAH3Wx4KmETAB8Xa3Nqtr9JFbfwoOZdl94KnjgnOX28y5XHK185_Qv6fke6GoXxN5wDrGHypJEUQUzNw9EV169vWIuPPQOmWjyTO56qpShZoTfY_VUTkNgHtHSVoR6g2gKTQXxhsF58SkliYaemwcC5iM1Hf2Q/w640-h368/P1020848.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div> Below: 2 views from the street side.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA06kl184wxMix3KFy036RcMRgyJvprslCCXTYA6dw-48S1sPcBRIZ9j0-q4_HGPzbg3s3sLycF1StAc7z3WKOC1hRHEEHpnQCAXF9rILo4BOR_Z20UAeT4PZw21DWONkSd-ObDVFioIM3ug6E2RAeRXJ8coB-Pz_aNKT5qluTP_WYfCYLaOLG4w/s2316/P1020849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="2316" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA06kl184wxMix3KFy036RcMRgyJvprslCCXTYA6dw-48S1sPcBRIZ9j0-q4_HGPzbg3s3sLycF1StAc7z3WKOC1hRHEEHpnQCAXF9rILo4BOR_Z20UAeT4PZw21DWONkSd-ObDVFioIM3ug6E2RAeRXJ8coB-Pz_aNKT5qluTP_WYfCYLaOLG4w/w640-h406/P1020849.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchAm-g5l8vbetmmNMX9q6i4ZYYsQeJmFuj2suzLLwWhxHygCEsquM9Zbs4jfIn9-2i8xh3ISpHI9jweKTT_ljW166lG1OoP0mmGdKkSjFangQ5PjYv4jw5fM0NuBtYf3fIXu6rljgBDkl6Dd5oeM9lxw1-8u6djvQiAX40DcgB_PmG3ULyWrtBQ/s2560/P1020850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="2560" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchAm-g5l8vbetmmNMX9q6i4ZYYsQeJmFuj2suzLLwWhxHygCEsquM9Zbs4jfIn9-2i8xh3ISpHI9jweKTT_ljW166lG1OoP0mmGdKkSjFangQ5PjYv4jw5fM0NuBtYf3fIXu6rljgBDkl6Dd5oeM9lxw1-8u6djvQiAX40DcgB_PmG3ULyWrtBQ/w640-h316/P1020850.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div> My work here is done.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575053743717058165.post-14236189661798731852022-06-21T16:11:00.002-06:002022-06-21T16:14:56.371-06:00Home Sweet Home<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIUDDUq-oH5x-0lQX2Y1O4IafKeC8bZ47xSO5DD0RED085sD5L2th_CgbnKDEFg18LdlhTaLhdR865igGK7ymVor8u6zvyEijOmR0kpOWhXMscHlU1obp2wlPB429F2JOfEZB5YytsETavGDE4lZrFTt5wWsV0_qyGHSYdbScvxrAGjw0opzW-g/s1947/P1020840.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1624" data-original-width="1947" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIUDDUq-oH5x-0lQX2Y1O4IafKeC8bZ47xSO5DD0RED085sD5L2th_CgbnKDEFg18LdlhTaLhdR865igGK7ymVor8u6zvyEijOmR0kpOWhXMscHlU1obp2wlPB429F2JOfEZB5YytsETavGDE4lZrFTt5wWsV0_qyGHSYdbScvxrAGjw0opzW-g/w640-h534/P1020840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yup, our home away from home - from mid-May to mid-September - is pretty sweet now. Trish has her She Shed (STUDIO, she insists on calling it) all finished and furnished. I wish. I know darn well she'll get more stuff to assemble and install.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzWz2WI0YRY7jn0HNj6uElgHZ5mn1h3NQPi4v2aZmqlwZMmdA-BocKtpgSuDAxmJtKdrrgf792ca8o8BNsuGjGIdfDybVKyfGrkaUNcfEIARUdMKrM7d2vR2plBdNkuhNx-I88CNKTMHWSNCNvGuJNEaQJvhLE5vdh7zRP9UvEYJCcxl4JbQrGg/s2257/P1020841.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2257" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzWz2WI0YRY7jn0HNj6uElgHZ5mn1h3NQPi4v2aZmqlwZMmdA-BocKtpgSuDAxmJtKdrrgf792ca8o8BNsuGjGIdfDybVKyfGrkaUNcfEIARUdMKrM7d2vR2plBdNkuhNx-I88CNKTMHWSNCNvGuJNEaQJvhLE5vdh7zRP9UvEYJCcxl4JbQrGg/w400-h340/P1020841.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QybJHCm96sNPceRhG1q9cAA3XxI4C-fEp_IG9Jkch1nwoSpb5pOZ_DMjh1BToEMh557U83GgHTXbMDIA4ORm0TaxR4YeUG6nwIyyi9S-eai93Y0NhuWrFnU9JPWTEGPNWhPA-IJmtm83d0KzLHYf0rrUbLfE9Hk7kHduY3Md6_9X6aAfhshHzw/s2560/P1020842.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QybJHCm96sNPceRhG1q9cAA3XxI4C-fEp_IG9Jkch1nwoSpb5pOZ_DMjh1BToEMh557U83GgHTXbMDIA4ORm0TaxR4YeUG6nwIyyi9S-eai93Y0NhuWrFnU9JPWTEGPNWhPA-IJmtm83d0KzLHYf0rrUbLfE9Hk7kHduY3Md6_9X6aAfhshHzw/s320/P1020842.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_17xafpjFp9Q3vtp5AufYox8sz2w2ONQx7beEJKlA3a1xu03Xm7cYo0GCyJQZQtaqK5qVO__2kgNMZubOTVIs9AGMKC-Gh9lefm4M1pftLRyG-N-a2ACQZoGJs0ZS5tXXDx7VGRy_MwPDrcVo0gV0jpjyyxbtSKuLbQH94w7ZaQp-qGVp5Va3Q/s2560/P1020843.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_17xafpjFp9Q3vtp5AufYox8sz2w2ONQx7beEJKlA3a1xu03Xm7cYo0GCyJQZQtaqK5qVO__2kgNMZubOTVIs9AGMKC-Gh9lefm4M1pftLRyG-N-a2ACQZoGJs0ZS5tXXDx7VGRy_MwPDrcVo0gV0jpjyyxbtSKuLbQH94w7ZaQp-qGVp5Va3Q/w300-h400/P1020843.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>And, I have my Man Cave - which, as befits such a manly enclosure is unfinished, rough and crude - much like myself. The STUDIO is 10' x 20'. The Man Cave is 18" by 36". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXCXVF1nXEejxrMFHFWgV-Yw6dykc8bPebu8E00ShW5yO49NHfgr2gjUYHitAhvpPzuV5KEyqwai9iZUaREsDqv8kIiI3BqaIN7FVcfxpro-rnN5bppuMNMIKvnQT_Z56uHcISzeYf6QpMSOG2eXvY_IwUZt_DHSUJqP0EgocpByELLrFvQbhvg/s2560/P1020845.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1636" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXCXVF1nXEejxrMFHFWgV-Yw6dykc8bPebu8E00ShW5yO49NHfgr2gjUYHitAhvpPzuV5KEyqwai9iZUaREsDqv8kIiI3BqaIN7FVcfxpro-rnN5bppuMNMIKvnQT_Z56uHcISzeYf6QpMSOG2eXvY_IwUZt_DHSUJqP0EgocpByELLrFvQbhvg/w256-h400/P1020845.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><p>The LHC pickleball gang lobbied the Resort board to build 2 pickleball courts - and donated $20K for the construction thereof. The courts are finished and they're a 5-minute walk from our lot.</p><p><br /></p>Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07580411826389696490noreply@blogger.com0