May 2018

May 2018

Tuesday 01- Thunderstorm 70° | 53° 0.01 in of rain.
I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged three miles.
I listened to four podcast episodes of Astronomy Cast.
I finished chapters 18 and 19 (1000 to 1300 high middle ages) of my history book.

Wednesday 02- Thunderstorm 70° | 50° 0.22 in of rain.
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 3 miles.
I listened to four podcast episodes of Astronomy Cast: 425 Naming Spacecraft, 424 Lightning, 423 Cyclones, and 422 Geysers
I finished chapter 20 (continuing high middle ages) of my history book.

Thursday 03- Clear 82° | 53°
I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged two miles with Cassie.
I listened to four podcast episodes of Astronomy Cast: 429 Living on Mars, 428 The Moons of Mars, 427 Clickbait vs Clear Science, and 426 Confirmation Bias
I finished chapter 21 (continuing high middle ages) of my history book.

Friday 04- Clear 89° | 57°
I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, and jogged a good mile.
I finished chapter 22 (still stuck in the high middle ages) of my history book.
Watched Launching of InSight Mars Lander... moved really fast towards the south... I believe I saw about two or more minutes of the glow of the rocket before I lost it :)

Saturday 05- Scattered Clouds 96° | 63°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 1.5 miles.
I took Cassie for a night run. It was overcast so I didn’t watch the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower.
I received word that my friend Mike Long’s sister Mae had passed away.

Sunday 06- Scattered Clouds 99° | 64°
I did my stretches and jogged a good mile.
Kjtel invited me over for lunch. She lives about a quarter mile away, so I just walked. We had a very nice veggie meal she prepared and then watched a movie called “Gravity” a sci-fi thriller about being stuck in space with few options to get back to Earth.
Still overcast, so it’s a no go for the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower.
I also listened to 2 Astronomy Cast podcast: 431 The Search for Life on Mars, ans 430 Coming Home from Mars, Part 2.
I received word that my dear friends Dorothy Jacobsen had passed away; she was 90 years old.

Monday 07- Scattered Clouds 96° | 70°
I did my stretches.
I went to the post office in Twentynine Palms to pick up a ..... Subway then on to Staters Bros.

Tuesday 08- Scattered Clouds 100° | 70°
I did my stretches and jogged a good mile.
I went over to Kjtel’s with Cassie and my guitar. Barney wasn’t feeling well so he had to stay behind. We messed around playing songs and we ate a veggie lunch.

Wednesday 09- Scattered Clouds 104° | 73°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 1.5 miles. On my run I tripped over a root that was exposed above ground and took a good tumble. I got right up and continued my jog. I was a little bruised, but I’ll keep an eye on myself for the next couple of day and kinda take it easy.

Thursday 10- windy Scattered Clouds 98° | 70°
I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.
I went to Yucca Valley and got my blood work done, stop over at Subway, then over to Staters...
I’m getting a little concerned about Barney. He isn’t eating much and is having a hard time with his back legs standing.

Friday 11- Scattered Clouds 90° | 66°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 3 miles.
I also listened to 4 Astronomy Cast podcast: 435 The Butterfly Effect, 434 Am I On An Alien World? 433 Volcanoes on Mars , and 432 Geologic Ages of Mars – From Wet and Wild to Desolate Desert

Saturday 12- Clear 82° | 62°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 3 miles.
I worked cleaning up the patio sweeping up all autumn and winter leaves and dirt buildup and tossing the whole mess into the dumpster. Did some watering of the plants and picking up trash in the yard.
I also listened to two Astronomy Cast podcast: 437 Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 1: The Torino Scale , and 436 Common Misconceptions in Probability.

Sunday 13- Clear 84° | 61°
I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged 1.5 miles.
I went to the poetry reading at Space Cowboy Books in Joshua Tree. I had my poems already picked out and on my Fire Tablet which decided to do a system update just then. I had to apologize to the audience, quickly go back to my backpack, grab a book with some of my poems. I jumped back on stage to fumble through a couple of poems I wasn't prepared to read. Other than that I had a wonderful time with some really great poets and storytellers.
I also listened to 6 Astronomy Cast podcast:  443 Destroy and Rebuild Pt. 7: Tsunamis, 442 Destroy and Rebuild Pt. 6: Magnetic Pole Reversal, 441 Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 5: Continental Drift , 440 Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 4: Supervolcanoes! 439 Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 3: How Do We Terraform Earth? And 438 Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 2: Geoengineering


Monday 14- Scattered Clouds 84° | 61°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 3 miles.
I read a few pages of my “A Short History of Western Civilization” (1300-1500) I’m now in the Late Middle Ages. I kinda gotten tired of the history book, it’s the one I used in my history class in college, and started on the “Chemistry- A Molecular Approach” textbook. I also listened to one Astronomy Cast podcast: 449 Robots in Space! 448 Prepping for the Eclipse, 447 Animals in Space Pt. 3: Dogs, Monkeys and More, 446 Animals in Space Pt. 2: Mice and Other Small Animals, 445 Animals in Space Pt. 1: Insects and Arachnids, and 444 Fractals.
I did a night run with Cassie and then fell asleep watching a video on Quantum Theory and why physicist can’t agree on which Hypothesis to use; the Copenhagen interpretation, Many Worlds Quantum Theory, or a number of others.

Tuesday 15- Clear 90° | 63°
I did my stretches and jogged 3 miles. I’ve been really building up on my jogging mileage lately and also upping my time spending ten minutes punching on the heavybag, but I need to take a day off tomorrow to rest up.
I was given penicillin for Barney to take. He doesn’t like it. I switched dry food to only canned dog food and he seems to be eating more.
I listened to four Astronomy Cast podcasts: 453 Favorite Things We’ve Done These 10 Years, 452 Summer Observing Challenges, 451 When Can I Buy My Ticket To Space? And 450 Inflatable Habitats.
Cassie cut her ear and there was blood all over. Freaked me out when I first saw her with blood running down her head to drip big splotches on the floor; ears bleed a lot! Every time I got her bandaged up she would flap her ears like dogs do and it would start to bleed again. With the help of a friend (my guest who is staying in my trailer who wants to remain nameless) we were able to stim the flow and bandage her up. I was going to start editing book two of “Upon Ashen Roads,” but my mind isn’t into it because of Cassie’s injury.

Wednesday 16- Clear 91° | 60°
I did my stretches and yoga.
Took the dogs for their morning and evening walks. Barney is feeling much better now and is putting on some weight. Cassie’s ear is healing and has stopped bleeding thank goodness.
I tinkered around outside putting some cactus in planters and watering the plants with water from the laundry I did.
Fedex delivered my new iPod Touch I ordered the other day. My old one wasn’t holding a charge for long and would die in the middle of a lecture.
I listened to two Astronomy Cast podcasts: 455 Your Practical Guide to Colonizing the Milky Way! And 454 Things We’re Looking Forward To...
Dream:
I was in a classroom taking a test. The teacher handed them back. I was at the right front first desk. The test I got back was someone else's. It had one hundred percent. I could not read the writing of the name, it was blurry, but it looked like Rachell with two Ls. I looked around asking for her, but no one seemed to know her; I might have gotten the name wrong. I went back to my desk and there sat a bunch of books bound with twine with a note on my notebook. I thought maybe the teacher put the books there for me to take back to the library. I pushed them aside rummaging through my notebook for my own test to see what grade I received; it wasn’t there. I went back to trying to see if I can find the student whose paper I had. It was recess and the students left the room to go out into the school yard. I followed. There were a few tough boys who said something mean to me, I looked different from the rest of the students, so I took them no notice. I found I could float an inch above the ground and glided through the yard. There were others doing the same and I followed them trying to rise my feet higher to my knees. We floated to the back right side of the chain link fences which separated the school grounds from a dense jungle. We were going to follow it around to continue, but a mass of rebels, some wearing army fatigues and peasants wearing Asian rice hats, were carrying machetes and rifles broke down the middle of the fence and charged the school. They didn’t see us. I decided to get out of there by going over the fence and hiding. There was a street on this side with small industrial buildings. This is where my dream ends.

Thursday 17- Clear 88° | 62°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 3 miles.
I listened to one Astronomy Cast podcasts: Ep. 456: Pluto Revisited.
Barney stopped eating so I made another change in his diet; he likes cooked hamburger.

Friday 18- Clear 90° | 63°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 1.5 miles.
I listened to four Astronomy Cast podcasts: Ep. 460: Earth from Afar: Remote Sensing, Ep. 459: Arecibo Observatory, Ep. 458: The Science of Cassini, and Ep. 457: Why Did Cassini Have To Die? In Memoriam.

Saturday 19-  Scattered Clouds 91° | 66°
I did my stretches.
I went to my dear friend Dorothy’s services. The parking lot was full and I was 20 minutes early. I saw many of our potluck friends there. The services were very nice and comfortable.

Sunday 20- Scattered Clouds 91° | 66°
I did my stretches, yoga and jogged with Cassie for over a mile. She likes to run with me.
I listened to four Astronomy Cast podcasts: Ep. 461: Measuring the Weather with Satellites, Ep. 462: Modeling the Weather, Ep. 463: Pareidolia and the Moon, and Ep. 464: Why the Hype over an Exorock?
I’m still stuck in the Late Middle Ages reading in the history book. I read a little more of chapter one in “Chemistry- A Molecular Approach” textbook.
I went over to Kjtel’s for dinner at 6pm and took Cassie and Barney with me. It was a fantastic meal with fish and vegetables. Afterwards we watched “New York: A Documentary Film” episode 1 which was two hours long, but very interesting.
I dreamed I was an astronaut and almost missed my flight because some thief stole my yellow VW Baja Bug. I walked up to a curved road which led to the launch site. Because my ID was in the bug a young man had to hack the system to get me through the gates. I found a shortcut on my own and was strapped into my seat and the rocket took off for the stars.

Monday 21- Partly Cloudy 86° | 66°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag, and jogged 3 miles.
I listened to one Astronomy Cast podcast: Ep. 465: Exploiting Interfering Light.
I finished chapter 24: “political, economic and social tensions 1300- 1500” in the history book, and read a little more of chapter one in “Chemistry- A Molecular Approach” textbook.
Cassie and me went for a night run up the hill and back. Barney looks like he may be recovering from whatever it was he had.

Tuesday 22- Scattered Clouds 87° | 63°
I did my stretches.
I went to Tractor store to get 4 bales of hay for archery. I then got gas filling mt truck with about 11 gallons and a five gallon gas can for $70!
I went to WalMart to pick up a few things and bought a small pool. I got home putting stuff away and I went outside to see what the dogs were barking at; it was a woman walking down the street! I asked her where she was headed and she said to Landers. I told her Landers is about 15 miles away and gave her a ride. Her name was Stephanie. 
I went over to Kjtel’s to watch episode 2 of “New York a Documentary Film” with her.
I dreamed I was back in the Army and no matter how I tried I couldn’t find my locker and no one would help me. This is a continual dream I had many times.

Wednesday 23- Clear 89° | 64°
I did my stretches, yoga, exercised with 10 and 20 lbs dumbbells, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag for 10 minutes, and jogged 3 miles.
I listened to three Astronomy Cast podcasts: Ep. 466: Origins of Zero (0), Ep. 467: Resonance, Ep. 468: Simulations for Science and Fun.
I worked in the yard doing the Poop Patrol and also clearing and preparing a spot of flat ground to put the 10 foot pool I bought the other day at WalMart for $44; gotta cool off when the summer and the high temps come. I also stacked the four bales of hay I bought at Tractor Supply on top of each other for my archery target site.
I finished chapter 25: “the decline of the church 1300-1500” in the history book, and read a little more of chapter one in “Chemistry- A Molecular Approach” textbook... this textbook is going to take me some time to finish.
I took Cassie for a night run up the hill and back.
I practiced guitar.

Thursday 24- Clear 91° | 64°
I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged 3 miles.
I listened to three Astronomy Cast podcasts: Ep. 469-470- 471-472: Sci Fi books part 1 2 3 and 4. Episode 473: remembering the best space science of 2017.
Worked more on clearing a spot for the pool; lots of junk and debri to move and clean up.

Friday 25- Clear 86° | 63°
I did my stretches.
Finished chapter 26 of my history textbook.
Ep. 490: What’s New with Supernovae, and Ep. 491 Exoplanet update.
I did some more work in the yard clearing a spot for the 10 foot pool, but it was too windy to set the pools up.

Saturday 26- Clear 80° | 57°
I did my stretches.
I went to Potluck today with my usual rice... maybe someday I’ll surprise them and cook something else for a change. Jeff Dongvillo simmered a crockpot full of beef chunks and veggies. Mack made up some pasta that got all eaten up. Cal Mayers brought a tray full of assorted fruits to share. Dyan Carroll cooked up some delicious enchiladas, chicken casserole, a banana split truffle, and asparagus puff pastry. Chris VanNortrick made up an egg and cactus stew, along with a chicken casserole. As usual, Yvonne Frances waltzed at the last moment with KFC bucket of chicken, cake, and pasta. We all sat around yammering about everything under the sun and had a great time doing it!

Sunday 27- Clear 88° | 60°
I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.
I finally got the pool all setup and filled it part way with water. It took longer than I thought to fill it up and I wanted to go inside to watch a movie and I didn’t want to forget and have it overflow, so I turned off the water and will fill it all the way up tomorrow.
Barney stopped eating altogether and can hardly stand. His back legs keep going out.

Monday 28- Clear 93° | 68°
I did my stretches and yoga.
Got the pool all filled up and went for a nice dip!
Me and Cassie walked over to Kjtel’s for dinner and watched episode 3 “New York: A Documentary Film.” I told my friend Ami Ven it was made before 911 and you can see the Twin Towers; I guess history never stops. She replied, “Old documentaries - and especially old non-fiction books - can be fascinating that way. They're true, up to the point when they were made, which might have been a long, long time ago.”
I was home and I heard both dogs barking, Barney was up on all fours at the fence howling like hound dogs do. I looked to see what it was, there right across the dirt road was a big coyote walking up the hill growling at my dogs. Barney went back to lie down. This would be his last act of providing Cassie, me, and the house protection, because he wouldn’t be able to walk anymore.


Tuesday 29- Clear 97° | 72°
I did my stretches.
I have a doctor’s appointment at 3pm so I left the house early and did my all shopping before going there.
Took Cassie for a long walk when I got home.
I played guitar for Barney, about two hours worth, while he laid curled up not feeling well. I decided for now on to keep Barney inside the house in my bedroom next to me and Cassie on his favorite cushion where he likes to sleep. 

Wednesday 30- Clear 98° | 73°
Had to run into town to get my shoulder X-Rayed... On my way there was a guy walking down Winters Road and I gave him a ride to Yucca Valley. I went to the pharmacy, and Staters to get lots of healthy vegetables for my high cholesterol my doctor now says I have to eat.

Thursday 31- Windy Clear 91° | 64°
Drove Cassie to the Vet for her rabie and other shots.
We got back only to find Barney had passed away while we were gone... I covered him up and carried him to the front room so Cassie wouldn’t see him like this. I put her in the bedroom and closed the door. I found a nice spot in the yard near where he liked to lie in the sun, chase lizards and bury his bones. I dug deep a resting place for my dear friend and my last connection with Sherry, his former owner, who I am sure Barney is with right now.

**************** Stuff I wrote this month ****************

How time drifts away, moments turn to memories, only to fade slowly from my mind as age takes its final bow to bend a knee to thee my love.
~RD

I hold no hate towards anyone just dismay for those who do...
~RD

***********************