November 2019

November 2019

Friday 01- I did my stretches.

I help Kelly hookup her propane to her trailer.

I spent the evening editing “Azure Sea of Dreams”.

Saturday 02- I did my stretches, situps, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I listened to two more Astronomy Cast Lectures: Ep.

I dug out and removed the clothesline thingy so I can start working on phase 2 of the patio.

I took Cassie for a bike/run 

Sunday 03- I did my evening stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I did some chores around the house.

I took Cassie for a bike/run over to check on Jimmy Stonebraker’s cabin.

Later in the evening, I took Cassie for a nice walk.

I cooked up a big pot of spaghetti and stuffed myself.

I started editing and adding more poems, parables to “Azure Sea of Dreams”.

Monday 04-  I did my evening stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, yoga, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I continued to update and edit “Azure Sea of Dreams.

Took Cassie for a bike/run and later for an evening walk.

I did my evening stretches.

Tuesday 05- I did my stretches, core trainer, jogged a mile with Cassie, exercised on the weight bench.

Still working on “Azure Sea of Dreams”.

Took Cassie for a bike/run.

Cassie and I went to visit Bodie and Kjtel and watched two episodes of 

Wednesday 06- I did my stretches, core trainer, jogged a mile with Cassie. Later in the evening, I took her for a bike/run.

I did some more work on the patio expanding it.

Still adding and editing “Azure Sea of Dreams”.

FedEx delivered my new ebike a 54.19Ah Juiced City Scrambler. I quickly put it together. The WatchTower people paid me a visit and we sat around talking ebikes.

I took Cassie for an evening walk.

I did my evening stretches.

Thursday 07- I did my stretches. Cassie killed a jackrabbit and ate most of it... I’m kinda afraid of her sleeping with me. I think I’ll keep her well-fed for now on.

I went to my appointment for my physical. Had a nice chat with the Doctor there talking about everything. He is 6 months older than me and we had a lot in common.

Still adding and editing “Azure Sea of Dreams”.

I did my evening stretches.

 Friday 08- I did my stretches, core trainer, jogged a mile with Cassie, exercised on the weight bench. Later in the day, I took her for a bike run.

Worked on the patio. Still adding and editing “Azure Sea of Dreams”.

Saturday 09-  I did my stretches, core trainer, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Our little community held it annual meeting on Saturday the 9th of November to elect or re-elect a new 2020 board of directors for our Copper Mountain Mesa Association. A regular board meeting was held first to wrap up the year. I can tell you they are a talkative bunch covering all kinds of issues. One issue was the dangerous condition our roads were left in when the county decided to use Winters Road as an emergency bypass when Highway 62 was shut down for a day. Another issue was the new cell towers being trenched and erected.

The meeting had a light turnout but those of us attending were treated to beef and turkey sandwiches, refreshments, and Mary Helen’s famous yummy cookies. The General Meeting started off with the Pledge of Allegiance. There were openings to fill and we got right down to voting and we are proud to announce the new board for 2020:  President Kip Fjeld, Vice Pres Stephanie Smith, 2nd Vice Pres  Crystal Wysong, Secretary Michel Cicero, Treasurer Mary Helen Tuttle, Director Mack Dodd, Director Steve Tuttle,  and Director Chiara Giovando.

We should all be thankful for these wonderful neighbors of ours who are willing to donate their time and perform the duties that keep our little community functioning for so the rest of us can continue to enjoy our desert home.  

I went right back to work on the patio and edit “Azure Sea of Dreams”.

Sunday 10- I did my stretches.

I took Cassie for a walk over to visit Jimmy Stonebraker and his family who are up here from LA for a family reunion.

Worked on the patio and editing.

I did my evening stretches.

Monday 11- I did my stretches, core trainer, worked out on the weight bench, and jog a mile with Cassie. Later in the evening, we went for a bike/run.

Worked on the patio and editing.

I did my evening stretches.

Tuesday 12- I did my stretches and went for a mile jog with Cassie.

Worked on the patio and editing. I went to the wellness clinic in Yucca Valley for my annual physical.

Wednesday 13- I did my stretches, took Cassie for a mile jog, and exercised on the weight bench.

I did a whole lot of work on the patio extension and was pretty tired when I got done.

Thursday 14- I went to Yucca Valley to get an X-ray and complete my physical. I stopped off at the post office first to sign and pick up a registered envelope for Kelly’s property transfer documents.

Friday 15, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17- kinda got busy and forgot to write down what the hell I did in those day.

Monday 18- I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, and ran a mile with cassie.

I am still editing my poem book.

Shanna arrived from Arizona with her three sons ages 4, 12, and 17. She needed a place to stay until she finds a house... tough times. I’m been a batular all my life and haven’t been around children. I guess I’ll find out how I’d do as a parent for a short while.

Tuesday 19- rained most of the day. I did my stretches.

I took Kelly down to Yucca Valley to pick up her rental car so she can drive to Palm Springs to see her doctor. I had an appointment to see my doctor so it wasn’t out of the way. My chest X-ray turned clear but my triglycerides were high and she gave me a prescription that I filled at Rockey’s.  

Wednesday 20- rained a little here and there. I did my stretches.

I picked up Kelly at the place in Yucca where she dropped off the rental car. I needed to get my vaccinations; one for pneumonia and the other for shingles. The shingles one hurts really bad and I have felt pain for many days after.

I made a big pot of spaghetti and it was all eaten up by the end of the day.

We sat around watching a movie and eating popcorn again.

Thursday 21- My arms hurt and I’m not feeling very good so I didn’t do my exercises.

Shanna’s two older sons never rode a motorcycle so I took out my scooter and gave them instructions on how to start and ride. Then I let them go. They had a whole lot of fun. I also let them ride one of my eBikes and they had fun on that too. Later once night fell I took out the telescope. We saw Saturn and a few meteors shoot across the sky. We sat around watching a movie and eating popcorn again.

Friday 22- I did my stretches, core trainer, worked out on the weight bench, and jog a mile with Cassie. 

Shanna took the two older boys to visit her ex for the weekend and didn’t come home until late. This gave me time to work on my poem book and I got a lot done on it.

I started feeling a cold coming on.

Saturday 23-  Yup I came down with a cold, bummer. I am adding and editing Azure Sea of Dreams.

Sunday 24- I am Sick. I am adding and editing Azure Sea of Dreams

Monday 25- I am still sick. I am adding and editing Azure Sea of Dreams

Tuesday 26- I’m sick but I went to the store to get a few things like cough drops. I finished adding and editing Azure Sea of Dreams... I think.

Wednesday 27- Feeling better now and was able to get around more. The past few days I tried not to give whatever I had to anyone else staying at my home.

Thursday 28- ThanksGiving! Shanna cooked up a storm. She used the BBQ to cook the turkey... it took a few hours to do but it all turned out fine. First time I ever had people at my house for Thanksgiving or anything else; it was fun. Later we watched movies, ate popcorn, and had hot chocolate with marshmallows. 

Friday 29- I woke up this morning and noticed Bon Bon wasn’t in the yard, and I thought you took him with you over to your friend's house. Then I went online and read your text and hunted down your letter. I realized right then I will really miss you guys. It was the most excellent Thanksgiving ever for this old bachelor. It made me feel like a father to the kids. Yesterday Markiss asked me to help him with his history and science homework; I felt mighty good, and I was available to help when he was ready. I couldn’t wait to get the telescope out on a clear night again with CJ, who I think is interested in astronomy as I am. I’m happy for the time you guys spent here; me getting to let the two boys ride a motor scooter for their first time, an experience I hope they never forget. I even got used to Riley’s tantrums... Well, kind of sort of ;)

Tears welled up in my eyes as I read your letter, and I felt very lonely for the first time in many years, but I quickly fell back into my perpetual bachelorship.  

Saturday 30- cold and rain in the evening.

Kelly’s puppy Lily passed on and I dug a deep hole and we buried her. She was a very strong and resilient dog.

There were about 20 denizens of the desert attending our Annual Saturday Thanksgiving Potluck. Elizabeth West rowed to shore from the Mayflower bringing us apple sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean salad, and pumpkin cheesecake. Pretty Patti Huges manned the oars rowing alongside Elizabeth with dinner rolls, cranberry salad, cookies, cream cheese and crackers. Dyan Carroll hunted through the forests of Massachusetts stalking us down a turkey, yummy pecan bars, and a corn casserole. John Jacobson arrived in the New World bearing Hawaiian buns and fruit tray. Chris VanNortrick and Mary Kobal trudged all the way from Plymouth Rock through ten feet of snow carrying veggie chili casserole, yams, and assorted cookies for everyone. Mary Rider added to our food coma with her delicious potato salad. We all had a wonderful time gobbling down the cornucopia of vittles with our pilgrim friends who donated money and went home with plenty of leftovers and a Tryptophan hangover. Happy Holidays from our little community.

******************** Poems for November 2019 **************

Poems are like this: We reflect our souls into them, and they shine right back at us in words of rhyme and reason to comfort us in times of despair, to enlighten us in times of doubt, and to give us joy in these times of uncertainty. Poems are our way of expressing the inexpressible…

~RD

Don’t let the past be your anchor, but your guide.

~RD

Basically, I’m done with all this Political Correctness nonsense and have moved on in life. Some people are too easily offended that it stifles communication. But it is, to me, more frightening to think how some would have us being ruled and our ideas sequestered and condemned if our beliefs and actions do not comply with our PC overlords.

~RD

Surround yourself with interesting people who have the courage to be different, who dare to exhibit profound creative ability, and the unpresumptuous audacity to think they can change the world for the better, for they are the ones who can.

~RD

Creativity is what follows the realization that everything is possible, and the only boundaries you will encounter are those set by others who haven’t come to that realization yet.

~RD

Paintings, sculptures, or words of description cannot render the lively soul of such a sweet girl, but only a poet’s heart or an angel’s touch could ever come near to knowing such a bonny young lass as thee.

~RD

Forever is not a place in time but a realm of colors in our minds. Shades of blue and shades of green paint this landscape of our dreams. Little we know the parts we play when we wake up to face another day, to search this realm of flesh to find, a friend so dear, not left behind.

~RD

The end of the road looks hidden and gloomy as I walk this path of my life’s final journey. I hear a cry, a shout, a wild winter’s scream, I stop to glance back and caught sight of a being, who might be following, and stalking me down, who hides in the shadows to strike me a blow, to be left to die slowly on the side of the road.

Ascending now quickly into these cold damp dreary hollows, where forsaken souls arrive quickly from dark, dismal dreams. I am now attacked on all sides by these evil swarms, covering my ears from screaming Banshees. I jump, I sprint, I windmill my arms to fight off this curse, to run away swiftly before it gets worse. I slow in my journey down a two-legged highway and come to rest on an old wooden bench. The bench seems alive but all weathered and gray, from paint that has chipped and rotted away. Across lies a field all covered in thorns, I shall not tread over there for my shoes are quite worn. This old bench which I sit catching my breath is really a trap as its limbs start to unwrap. With twigs for fingers, they pick, and they tear, shedding my clothes, my flesh, and pulling my hair. Reaching out grabbing and squeezing, the limbs are now closing, blocking my view, from all things that I love and friends that knew. Cherished loved ones whose paths I have crossed, most have gone missing, perished, or lost. I have no regrets on this wild road I’ve chosen, what lies beyond this dream of a life, nobody knows unless woken.

~RD

I hope you find a sturdy boat someday and begin your voyage far, to the fairy realm to witness the unicorn races and watch fairies sprinkled in pixy dust dance to the strum of the centaurs' harp. Indeed it is a magical place, which lies nearby in twilight’s break between a tick in time, where dreamers of dreams meet to celebrate the coming of a new dawn. I hope to see you there one day, I hope your travels are perfectly fine. I shall meet you there someday, my friend, between the tick in time.

~RD

It probably sounds crazy of me, but if I could only find the right words, to plant a seed that will grow and spread, of love and peace, in the minds of those who would bring us all down, if I could just find those words everything would be okay.

~RD

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

October 2019

Early October cement pond ice

October 2019

Tuesday 01- 85/59 and clear. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit and broke the heavybag and it fell to the floor while I was punching it, and jogged a mile with Cassie.
I moved my solar panels to about where I want them on the back patio roof.
I did my evening stretches.

Wednesday 02- 90/63- I did my stretches and went for a mile jog with Cassie.
I worked on connecting the wires to the panels. It seems to me I spend most of my time looking for the tools and parts I need. It might be to my benefit to collect them all into one place.

Thursday 03- 93/65- I did my stretches. I worked on the electrical of my solar system.
I did my evening stretches.

Friday 04- 93/65- I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench and the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and took Cassie for a mile jog.
I needed some connectors for wires connecting the panels together, so I made a run into 29 Palms. I also got some supplies at Stater Bros. Supermarket.
I did my evening stretches.

Saturday 05- 94-/60. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a bike/run (I bike, she run).
I worked on my solar panels.
I did my evening stretches.

Sunday 06-
I did my evening stretches.

Monday 07- 96/59F. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench and the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Tuesday 08- 98/62F. I did my stretches
I did my evening stretches.
I completed my book but just don’t know what to name it... I called it the Kneeling Man, but that might change. Anyways, I posted it on my FaceBook page as a PDF my friends can download. I will leave it posted there for one month only and then delete it before I publish it.

Wednesday 09- 93/59F and windy. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, and jogged a mile with Cassie.
I went to the post office in 29 to pick up the solar wiring I ordered. The went to do some shopping. I checked out the health club while there to see if my membership was still good; it was. I think I might start using it.

Thursday 10- 85/59F and windy. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench and the 10 and 20-pound dumbbells, and took Cassie for a mile jog.
A guy called Jason and his girlfriend ran out of gas
I frisky and did my stretches, core trainer, did 50 setups, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Friday 11- 84/55F. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, and jogged a mile with Cassie.
I did my evening stretches.

Saturday 12- 85/ 54. I did my stretches, core trainer, situps, and jogged a mile with Cassie.
I did my evening stretches.

Sunday 13- 87/ 58. I did my stretches, core trainer, situps, and jogged a mile with Cassie.
I did my evening stretches.
Solar panels

Monday 14- 89/ 56. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, and took Cassie for a mile jog.
Monday night's dinner thingy at the community center.
Solar panels
I did my evening stretches.

Tuesday 15- 90/57F. I took Kelly to Yucca to rent a car so she can see her doctor in Palm Springs. I went to get my flu shot and then went to Labcor to get my blood work done.
Jason came by to use my air-pump to inflate one of his tires.

Wednesday 16- 87/59F with clouds. I did my stretches. I followed Kelly so she can return the rental car in Yucca. We did a little shopping at a new supermarket there called Grocery Outlet Bargain Market. The store had many discounts with fair pricing. We had lunch at Carl’s Jr.
I visited Shanna and her kids at Motel 6 in 29 Palms. They drove out from Arizona to visit me and she’s thinking of moving back here.

Thursday 17- 86/52F and very windy. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, and jogged a mile with Cassie.
UPS delivered the 200AH gel cell battery I ordered. It weighs 127 LBS and I think I may have pulled a muscle lifting and moving into place (I gots to remember I ain’t 24 anymore). Got it all hooked up with the other 200AH gel cell battery, making a total of 400AH the inverter has to pull off of.
I had dinner with Shanna and her kids at Pizza Hut in 29 Palms. I had a very good time.

Friday 18- 89/67F.  Saturday 19- 89/67F.
I did my stretches and walked Cassie.

Sunday 20- 90/63F.
I wondered where all that traffic came from going past my house yesterday all night. The last time when Winters Rd was used as an emergency bypass was many years ago when there was a bomb scare on Hwy 62.
I wonder when the County is going to pave Winters Rd if it's going to use it as an emergency bypass in the future?

Monday 21- 92/65F.
Well, I found out why all the traffic came down our road: Hi-Desert Star “A fatal collision happened late Sunday night, Oct. 20, on Twentynine Palms Highway east of Rotary Way. A huge section of Twentynine Palms Highway remained closed to through traffic Monday morning in as investigators continued to work on the scene. At Lear Avenue, Citizen Patrol volunteers spent Sunday night sending westbound traffic north on Lear to Winters Road, but in the morning they got word that overuse of the road had made it impassible.”

Tuesday 22- 94/68F. Wednesday 23- 91/59 degrees F.  Thursday 24- 82/50F.
I did my stretches and worked editing my books.

Friday 25- 83/52F. For the first time since I hurt myself deadlifting a 127 pound battery last week, I did my stretches, core trainer, jogged a mile with Cassie, exercised lightly on the weight bench. Just a little pain, so I think I’m still healing and will probably take a few more days off from exercising.

Saturday 26- cloudy with evening sprinkles.
There were about 15 denizens of the desert attending our Halloween Potluck.
Dyan Carroll haunted us with her bloodcurdling barbecued chicken, beefy enchiladas, beets, and sweet potatoes. Elizabeth West dragged in a coffin full of white bean & ham soup, chili cheese cornbread, and peach cobbler. Pretty Patti Huges spooked us all with her cabbage salad, pear crisps, and handed out jars of homemade jams and loaves of lemon bread. Chris VanNortrick and Mary Kobal flew in on their broomsticks carrying veg mac cheese casserole, pea salad, fruit salad, and chocolate cookies. Mary Rider avoided the Zombie Apocalypse outside to bring us a delicious potato salad. We all had a Ghoulish time chowing down with our Poltergeist and other apparitional friends who donated money and haunt the halls of our little community center.

Sunday 27- I did my stretches.

Monday 28- I did my stretches and went for a mile jog with Cassie.

Tuesday 29- I did my stretches and took Cassie out for a bike/run.
I installed a 5Watt solar panel to the house fan.

Wednesday 30- 59/36F. I did my stretches, jogged a mile with Cassie, and exercised on the weight bench.
I wanted to continue with my studies since I completed most of my solar patio. I listened to three Astronomy Cast Lectures: Ep. 517: Fritz Zwicky and the Zwicky Transient Facility; Ep. 518: When the Universe tried to Declare War; Ep. 519: Transients: What They Are and Why They Matter Part 1.
I did my laundry and went on poop patrol.
I helped Shanna and her kids find a hotel in Mesa Arizona.

Thursday 31- 67/37F. I did my stretches, jogged a mile with Cassie, and did some situps.
I gathered all my tools together so I could sort them all out and have them handy without looking all over hell to find them. I still have more to do on sorting other things like nails, screws, and more tools for electrical and woodworking.
I listened to two more Astronomy Cast Lectures: Ep. 520: Transients: What They Are and Why They Matter, Part 2; and Ep. 521: The Deep Space Network.
I colored a page of the heart and its parts in my anatomy coloring book.


******************** Poems for October 2019 **************
I reflect upon my wild endeavors
of youth unburdened indiscretions
free to challenge the world
but as grains of sand
slowly fill the glass
iron turned to rust
to gather like dust
upon the vast desert
of my mind
~RD

Coffee: the lifeblood of poets who awakens thy spirits and illuminates this darkened void with the brilliant colors of poetry and purity of verse.
~RD

To me, life is like writing a book: it depends upon how you edit your story. What type of characters you want to include. The adventures and mysteries you and your characters dream up along the way to life's final chapter.
~RD


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

September 2019

September 2019

Sunday 01- 112 degrees F with late night rain into Monday morning. 

I went to our community center's Art and Music Festival and there were a lot of desert folks showing up. There were Belly Dancers too!

Monday 02- 102 degrees F. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit the heavybag, and jogged a mile.

Tuesday 03- to Tuesday 10- I had a bad case of hay-fever and there was extreme heat alerts for our area, so I decided to stay inside and focus on getting my book edited and editing my other books getting everything ready to put them all on paperback. I did do my stretches and took Cassie for her walks when possible.

Wednesday 11- 98 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, jogged a mile with Cassie, weight bench, and punched at the heavybag for a spell.

Thursday 12- 98. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Bonnie and Larry came for a visit

Friday 13- 106. I did my stretches.

UPS delivered the 12V 200AH Gel Battery. I hooked it up

Saturday 14- 108. Sunday 15- 103F. Not feeling well.

Monday 16- 101 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit the heavybag for a spell, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I worked on my books.

Tuesday 17- 98 degrees. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I worked on my books.

Wednesday 18-  97 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised with the 10&20 pound dumbbells, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Thursday 19- 99 degrees. I did my stretches. I helped my guest set up her solar system on her trailer. 

Friday 20- 96 degrees. I did my stretches. I continued to help my guest with her solar system. Now she has power and is ready to move onto her own property.

Saturday 21- 93 degrees. I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Sunday 22- 96 degrees with some clouds. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised with the 10&20 pound dumbbells, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Monday 23- 98F. I did my stretches. It’s Cassie’s birthday and we were going to celebrate, but she was sick during the night and I stayed up with her until 6 AM in the morning. She started feeling better in the evening... what a relief because I was going to take her to the Vet if she wasn’t better. I wasn’t feeling all that great myself.

Tuesday 24- 94 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag, and went on a mile jog with Cassie.

I drove to Stater Bros to pick up some supplies.

I did my evening stretches.

  Wednesday 25- 91F. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised with the 10&20 pound dumbbells, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I did my evening stretches.

Thursday 26- 87 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag, and went on a mile jog with Cassie.

I did my evening stretches.

Friday 27- 86F. I did my stretches.

I went to our community’s Friday nite BBQ.

I did my evening stretches.

Saturday 28- 88F.  I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag, and went on a mile jog with Cassie.

There were about 20 denizens of the desert attending our little community’s potluck. Cal Mayers- fruit plate. Pretty Patti- pulled BBQ pork, Hawian rolls, cheese bread, pear dump dessert. Mary and Amuyah: potato salad. Chris VanNortrick and Mary Kobal- pork beans vegetable pasta and cornbread. Mary Rider- potato salad. Other kindly donated money. 

I’d like to include this quote from Dyan Carroll she sent me by messenger: 

“BBQ Chicken, Reuben casserole, pork in a chili Verde sauce, spinach casserole, cauliflower with cheese sauce, Spanakopita Appetizers, bacon ranch dip with crackers, and last but not least a banana cinnamon trifle. I know it sounds like a lot but, you can’t make any of these dishes for yourself and enjoy them. They all require friends.”

We all had a wonderful time with wonderful friends jawing and chowing down the yummy grub!

I did my evening stretches.

Sunday 29- 84F. I did my stretches, core trainer, jogged a mile with Cassie, situps, and punched at the heavybag for a spell.

I did my evening stretches.

Monday 30- 82F. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag, and went on a mile jog with Cassie.

I went for a bike/run with Cassie.

I did my evening stretches.

******************** Poems for September 2019 **************

My successful life I'm still working on and never did care about how others measured me... and my satisfied life will probably never be satisfied; I'm forever searching, endlessly discovering, and always questioning. 　

Sometimes we can love too much and are taken for granted

Sometimes we are loved too much and take this for granted

Sometimes we live on the edge

Sometimes we fall off

Sometimes we laugh with friends

Sometimes we cry alone

Sometimes we triumph

Sometimes we fail

Sometimes we move on 

Sometime there will be no more sometimes 

~RD

I might be wise but indifferent 

I have pain from my diligence 

I love by my envy 

I hate by my sorrows

I cry for my loneliness 

I frown at my laziness

I smile for my kindness

I shout at my stupidity

I yawn at my emptiness

I fear for my jealousy 

I laugh at my incompetence

Deranged or inspired

Intrepid or loathsome

I am amused 

~RD

In this world of ours, it's difficult to find the truth...

In this world of ours, the truth may not be what it seems...

In this world of ours, it's hard to hear the voice of truth among the deafening roar of falsehoods...

In this world of ours...

It's best not to lie...  

Because that's the only truth you'll really get to know.

~RD

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

August 2019

August 2019

Thursday 01- 103F with blue skies. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I did my studies.

Cassie and I were invited over to Kjtel and Bodie’s house to watch “Das Boot” (2018) the new series.

Friday 02- 107 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit the heavybag for a short spell, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I went to pick up some packages, one containing 100 feet of wire ordered from Amazon, from the post office. I gassed up the car and stopped off at Stater Bros to pick up a few supplies.

I went to the BBQ night at the community center.

Saturday 03- 109 degrees. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I did my studies and wrote a song.

Sunday 04- 110F. I did my stretches; rest day.

I did my studies.

Monday 05- 111 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched at the heavybag, and went for a mile and a half jog.

I did my studies.

I went to our movie night at the community center. We watched a very interesting kinda who done it called “Bad Times at the El Royale” (2018) starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman and Chris Hemsworth. I believe one of the wonderful songs from the early ‘60s was kinda out of sync with the times portrayed, “He’s a Rebel” (1962) but maybe I’m wrong, it might have been a flashback of Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo) the female singer, who is a mighty fine singer. Lots of hidden easter eggs that most of the older generation would get.

I give the movie an A!

Tuesday 06- 109 degrees humidity high. I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie early in the morning when it was cooler.

I did my studies.

Wednesday 07- 110 and very humid. did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched at the heavybag, and went for a mile jog.

I did my studies; too humid to do anything else.

Thursday 08- 107 degrees with a bit of humidity. I did my stretches and jogged a mile.

I took my guest Kelly to her doctor’s appointment in Cathedral City, then on to Star Pharmacy, Home Depot, and then to Applebees to celebrate my birthday.

Friday 09- 105 degrees. I did my stretches.

UPS delivered the new modem to replace the old failing one that has been giving me headaches for the past month. The old one was a workhorse for me given its 12 years of service at my house.

I went to the community BBQ...

Saturday 10- 

Sunday 11- 98F and kicking back on this beautiful sunny day.

Monday 12- 102F and not a cloud in the sky. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag for a spell, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I went to Movie Night at our community center to watch “American Hangman” (2019) starring Donald Sutherland. We all seemed to like it and it was very suspenseful, well thought out, and had a surprising ending. I’ll give it a B+ 

Tuesday 13- 

Wednesday 14- 

Thursday 15- 

I took Kelly my guest with me to Stater Bros. to get some supplies, and then to Burger King for lunch.

Friday 16- 

Saturday 17- 

I took Cassie for an evening mile jog; she was very happy to go and so was I. 

Sunday 18- 

Monday 19- 

Movie night at the community center. We watched “Arctic” (2018) starring Mads Mikkelsen and María Thelma Smáradóttir. 

Tuesday 20- 112 degrees hot. I did my stretches and then Cassie and I jogged up the hill and back down.

Wednesday 21 to Tuesday 27 got kinda sick from my hayfever and there were excessive heat warnings throughout our area through this period, so I stayed inside and finished editing my new book and started editing on past books in the Copper Mountain Series and will combine them all into one or two books. I did go to the store a couple of times for supplies and I also did my stretches and took Cassie for a walk every day :)

Wednesday 28- 110 degrees. I did my stretches, lifted weights, went for a good mile jog with Cassie, core trainer, and sit-ups punched the heavybag. 

Thursday 29- 108 degrees. I did my stretches, lifted weights, went for a good mile jog with Cassie, core trainer, and sit-ups punched the heavybag. 

Friday 30- 112 degrees. I did my stretches, lifted weights, went for a good mile jog, core trainer, and sit-ups punched the heavybag. 

Saturday 31- 110 degrees. I did my stretches and went for a mile jog.

To me our last Saturday of the month potlucks are more like a monthly Family gathering around the dinner table than anything else. Over the past 20 years since we started potluck I’ve seen many a dear friend pass-on and watched others come and go. Their images I capture with pictures, but my fond memories of them are deep-seated into my soul which no camera can capture.

There were about 20 denizens of the desert attending. Dyan Carroll- cabbage rolls, yams, broccoli salad, and deviled eggs. Cal Mayers- fruit plate. Elizabeth West- chocolate strawberry banana cake, taco bolosh, and BBQ pork. Mary and Amuyah: potato salad. Jeff Dongvillo- BBQ pork. Chris VanNortrick and Mary Kobal- BBQ bean vegetable casserole and fruit salad. Yvonne Francis- banana pudding cake. Charles Lange- blueberry pie. Other kindly donated money. There was so much food we all got stuffed and made off with the rest for dinner the next day. 

******************** Poems for August 2019 **************

If I don’t receive my morning coffee, I'd be forced to cavitate my mood into a deeper darker abyssal state of apocalyptic proportions...

~RD

Life is a beautiful wondrous phenomenon. We only get one chance at it but have many chances to take different paths. Have fun on your journey :)

~RD

Some friends can't dance, don't want to cast shadows on your sunshine, and only come out during the worst of storms when you need them the most 　 

~RD

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

July 2019

July 2019

Monday 01- temps in the high ‘90s with lots of haze. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit the heavybag, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I took Kelly to get her prescriptions filled and then stopped off at WalMart to get some supplies.

Went to movie night.

I took Cassie for a night jog up the hill and back.

Tuesday 02- temps still in the ‘90s.  I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Wednesday 03- 105F. I did my stretches.

I drove to the post office in Twentynine to get my new computer, a Surface Go, and also a 2006 Britannica Concise Encyclopedia I purchased on Amazon in brand new condition for $13. I find I like real hold in your hands reference and textbooks. If I find a decent whole set of Encyclopedia Britannica I may purchase them. I remember as a kid I’d sit cross legged on the floor flipping through the set of Funk and Wagnalls dreaming of all things possible.  

Thursday 04- 104F. I did my stretches and jogged a mile.

I painted 3 coats of paint on 8 2x4s for mounting the solar panels on the patio.

Used the BBQ for the first time and invited my trailer guest Kelly over for hamburgers.

Friday 05- temps around 100. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit the heavybag, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I worked on getting the solar panels ready to mount on the patio.

I rode the scooter to the community BBQ and yammered on about nothing of importance. 

The 6.4 quake hit while I was on my scooter on our bumpy road coming home from the BBQ and I didn't even feel it.

Saturday 06- temps in the lower ‘100s with light cloud cover. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog. Later in the evening we went for bike/run; lots of fun.

The 7.1 earthquake hit and I slept right through it. If it wasn't for FB I wouldn't even known there was a big quake. I really feel for those in Trona California

I mounted 4 panels onto the patio roof; no small feat doing it by myself.

I went for a cruise on my scooter just to get out and about.

Sunday 07- around 100 degrees with a bit of wind. I did my stretches.

Cleaned out the garage work table draws of pack rat nests; a nasty job.

Monday 08- nice weather today. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, jogged a mile with Cassie, and hit at the heavy bag for a spell.

Movie night “Duel”

Cassie and I went for a night jog up the hill and back, and then I did my stretches.

Tuesday 09- high ‘90s. I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Kjtel and Bodie house for dinner and a movie.

Wednesday 10- 106 degrees. I did my stretches.

Thursday 11- 110 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, jogged a mile with Cassie, and hit at the heavy bag for a spell.

Friday 12- 111 degrees. I something I ate the day before gave me stomach pains and had a hard time sleeping... no exercise today.

I did go to the bbq at the community center. I didn’t eat much but had fun yapping away at the good folks there.

Saturday 13- hot. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, jogged a mile with Cassie, and hit at the heavy bag for a spell.

Sunday 14- hotter. I did my stretches. 

I went back to work on the patio hooking the solar panels on the roof. 20min outside, 20min inside for most of the day so I wouldn’t get too overheated.

Monday 15- hottest. I did my stretches. Took Kelly my guest to the DMV to get her licence and a few other errands she had to do. I went to the post office to pick up my whole set of Encyclopedia Britannica (1989). Though they may be old, they are in great condition and wasn’t very expensive at $200. I always wanted these. I remember sitting on the floor of the local library flipping through them when I was around ten to thirteen. The Encyclopedia Britannica sadly went out of print in 2012.

Tuesday 16- really hot. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, jogged a mile without Cassie, and hit the heavy bag for a spell.

I continued to work on the patio painting some rails to hold the panels to the roof.

Wednesday 17- a bit cooler. I did my stretches.

I went to work continuing installing solar panels on the patio. I will hook up the last of them tomorrow. I just need to wire them altogether.  

Thursday 18- a bit cooler still around 104 degrees. I did my stretches.

UPS delivered my new 49” television I’m hooking up in my bedroom. Watched it tonight and boy it’s really nice watching movies on a bigger screen.

I got the last bit of wire connected in but all mickey moused until the parts come in I need to do a more professional job.  

Friday 19- hot. I did my stretches, core trainer, and jogged a mile.

I went to movie night at the community center.

Saturday 20- 103F. I did my stretches and jogged a mile.

Sunday 21- 108F with a few clouds. I did my stretches.

I went to the poetry reading at Space Cowboy Books in JT to read my poem and listen to other’s read theirs. Took lots of pics I shared online with them all.

Monday 22- 103F and overcast. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag for a spell, and jogged a mile.

Movie night at the community center. The movie was called “Confidence” (2003) and everyone kinda got bored of it and went outside. 

Tuesday 23- overcast. I did my stretches. 

Wednesday 24- rain. I did my stretches

I went to Home Depot and then onto Walmart to gather supplies.

Thursday 25- more rain. I did my stretches.

I went to visit Bonnie and Larry.

My car sent me an email at 10:44 telling me my left-rear tire was flat. I went to check it out and sure enough it was flat.

Friday 26- 106 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag for a spell, and jogged a mile.

I spent most of the day hunting down parts to fix the flat. The cheap floor jack from WalMart didn’t work; it only worked once before. 

Had ribs at the Community BBQ and jawed with friends and some new folks who showed up.

Saturday 27- 108 degrees. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog. 

I’ll have to wing it on this potluck story folks because I had forgotten to pick up the list of people who contributed when I left for home stuffed happy as a pig in slop. 

I want to thank those who worked so hard cooking in this desert heat, taking the time to drive on our bumpy dirt roads to our little community center and carry inside container after container of homemade yummies. All the regulars showed up, some first timers living in our area, and a few more arrived I’ve never met. They were well received by us desert denizens and mighty happy to share our little part of the desert with them. The serving table was cram packed with all kinds of wonderful dishes of meats, casseroles, and yummy desserts we all pigged out on. What a wonderful bunch of folks we have living up here. I feel mighty blessed to be one among them.

Sunday 28- 110 degrees. Rest day.

The computer I picked up at Bonnie and Larry’s to work on was a complete loss. I dismantled the iMac G5 to take out the harddrive and found the graphic and processor cooling fans were so stopped up with dirt and hair that they wouldn’t spin up; the system was fried, toast, bricked. I applied power to the harddrive with my own data transferring equipment, but the drive was as dead as a fossil. I put the computer all back together and called Bonnie I wasn’t going to waste anymore time than the three hours I already wasted on a machine someone had badly neglected and had not taken the time to backup their precious pictures I was trying to recover for them.

Monday 29- 103 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag for a spell, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Tuesday 30- I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Wednesday 31- 102 degrees. Rest day!

******************** Poems for July 2019 **************

Remember: interesting people with their misadventures are what makes life interesting for the rest of us :)

~RD

It's the quality of friendships we hold close to our hearts and those wonderful memories of old friends that surface in our minds from time to time which create the wholeness we all share together <3 span="">

~RD

Sometimes those born out of adversity glow the brightest <3 span="">

~RD

The Dream

I was following a steep trail making my way very carefully climbing over boulders, scaling ridges, traversing gullies and cobbly streams of icy-cold glacial melt. 

Ever so slowly I climbed higher through the pass as billowing dark clouds grew towering before me. Ominous in their vast glory of turbulent foreboding warning me away. With much arduous effort I finally reached the summit of the great mountain I fought. 

I saw a man standing alone before me, immobile, right knee bent at the edge of the precipice, looking casually out at the grand expanse of snow enshrouded mountain ranges. 

Cold thin dry air forced its way down nostrils and lungs from my panic upon seeing this unholy aberration who stood before me. My nose began to bleed. I could feel its warmth as it oozed down against my numbing cheek. 

The mysterious man seemed oblivious to this extreme environment as he stood glowing brightly against the dark ambiance of the surrounding storm. Wind-blown hail pelted him as his long black cloak rippled in the winds like the sounds of a gale flapping through untrimmed sails of a mighty clipper ship rounding Cape Horn. 

Weakened by my climb, I clung to rocks and crevices as I slowly crawled to the foot of the man. Fighting the bitter icy winds, frost formed encrusting my beard, teeth chattering, and I could no longer feel my stiff icy fingers. Both hands felt heavy like cast iron claws connected to my arms. I reached out in a feeble effort to grab onto this omniscient man’s ankle. 

He finally took notice of me and bent ever so slightly to peer questionably into my face. What I saw shocked me to my core. Like a mirror, it was my own image staring back! Now I became that man standing immobile, right knee bent at the precipice, looking casually out at the wide expanse of mountain ranges. 

Stunned by what I saw of this lowly creature who dared to climb up to the precipice where I stood to grab at my pant leg, I swiftly kicked the weakling of my former self back down the mountain trail far from the raging madness where I now stood at the edge of forever. 

A blast of brilliant light so intense it seared deep into the tendrils of my soul and I awoke from this dream a different man. I felt empowered by this vision I have dreamt many times before with different endings with me always falling down that tall mountain. Now I am that man standing on the precipice at the edge of forever. I am now in control of my own destiny.

~RD

Treat everyday as if it is your birthday. Awaken to a fresh renewal of self-awareness and reflect upon life and all its wondrous diversity. Go out and find a new adventure to undertake. Dance barefoot through a field of grass. Stand in awe like a little child beneath the glistening stars and become whole again at peace with yourself and the universe.

So, Happy Birthday to you!

~RD

Her passing was to me as if a tornado ripped a deep chasm into my chest and tried to suck away at her existence, but my heart prevailed <3 span="">

~RD

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

June 2019

June 2019

Saturday 01- warmer with a light breeze. I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and took Cassie for a mile jog. We saw a tortoise on our jog; we stopped for a sec to say hi and then jogged on leaving the critter be. 

It’s been awhile but I did the poop patrol because Cassie was running out of places to go.

I finished the wash I let soak overnight and hung it out to dry.

I edited April’s journal and posted it online.

When it cooled down enough we went for a bike/run; just don’t want Cassie to overheat.

I did my studies, practiced guitar, and read aloud.

Cassie and me had a bunch of leftover energy so we went for a night jog up the hill and back. I then did my nightly stretches.

Sunday 02- a little windy. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, and Cassie and I went for a mile jog.

I did my nightly stretches.

Monday 03- getting warmer. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a walk.

I went to Twentynine Palms to pick up a package containing an old Apple Clam shell and then did some shopping at Staters Bros.

I went to movie night at our community center and we decided to watch “Backdraft 2” (2019) Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego. With Joe Anderson, Donald Sutherland, and William Baldwin, Alisha Bailey. It is the sequel to the 1991 movie with the same name starring Curt Russel. It was nice to see Sutherland again playing Ronald Bartel, and William Baldwin playing Brian McCaffrey as they did in the original Backdraft. My guess this is the longest, 28 years, for a sequel ever. Now I’ll have to go back and watch the first one to make a bit more sense out of this one. I’ll give it a B :)

I did my studies of biology.

I did my nightly stretches.

Tuesday 04- breezy and warmer. I did my stretches, yoga, and went for half a mile jog with Cassie. It would have been a mile but she seemed to be getting overheated and we walked back. We’ll have to go for evening jogs for now until cooler weather.

Cassie and I went for a night jog up the hill and back to make up for earlier’s failed attempt.

I did my nightly stretches.

Wednesday 05- hazy and 106 degrees. I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and later in the evening took Cassie for an evening jog up the hill and back.

I messed around inside the house doing the little stuff that keeps things running efficiently. 

I did my nightly stretches and jogged up and back down the hill with Cassie.

Thursday 06- hot at 102 with a stiff wind blowing. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, and jogged a mile with Cassie; I got up earlier when it was still cool. 

Went right to work on the new patio before the wind comes, nailing the two plywood sides up. I got them up okay but had to stop at that point because I was getting overheated.

I did my studies

I did my nightly stretches and jogged up and back down the hill with Cassie.

Friday 07-  103 degrees with a bit of wind. I did my stretches, yoga, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

It got up to 103 degrees and I've been trying to get work done on my new patio I’m building. If it ain’t wind it’s heat that’s been hindering me. I should had got it all down by now. I did go out early and continued working on the wall of the patio.

I went to the community movie night and we all watched “Gravity” (2013) starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney; the only people in the movie. With megastars like these two we all thought the producers couldn’t afford anyone else to cast. This one had us all glued to our seats. There were a few squeaks I heard emitted from a couple of females in the crowd behind me as Sandra Bullock bounced around among all the debris of the space station as it was broken apart by bits and pieces of satellite wreckage. I’ll give this one an ‘A’ for astounding.

I did my nightly stretches and jogged up and back down the hill with Cassie.

Saturday 08- cooled down into the ‘90s. I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and took Cassie for a mile jog. We saw another tortice on our jog, stopped to say hello, and continued on our way.

I did my studies and read aloud from the biology book. I practiced on my guitar “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by the Beatles.

Cassie and I went on an evening jog up the hill and back. I did my nightly stretches.

Sunday 09- in the high nineties. I did my stretches, yoga, and took Cassie for a walk. 

I did some of my studies.

I went to the poetry reading at Space Cowboy Books and read one of my poems. I asked Charles to read one of his own instead of one by Leonard Cohen. He said it was the first time he read one of his own poems in public... He did really good :)

Monday 10- 103 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag for a bit, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I worked on the new patio painting the first coat of white paint on the walls. I could only work 20-30 minutes at a time because of the heat.

Did a load of laundry too!

I went to movie night. The movie I thought was mighty gross so I left early.

Me and Cassie went for our nightly jog up the hill and back.

I did my studies.

Tuesday 11- 106 degrees. I did my stretches, yoga, and took Cassied for a fast walk.

I took Kelly, my guest, to her post office box in Twentynine Palms to collect her two 200 watt solar panels. We stopped at the county office so she could get some filing papers she needed. Shopped at Staters.

Cassie and I went for a night jog up the hill and back.

Wednesday 12- 108 degrees. I did my stretches and went for a mile jog, but it was too hot to take Cassie.

Kjtel came by with Bodie for a chat just before I left for the DMV.

I went to the DMV to get my driver’s licence renewed. It wasn’t all that bad as I imagined it would be.

I took Cassie for a bike/run when it was cooler; I kinda owed her for staying in the house most of the day.

Thursday 13- 107 degrees. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog. I sprained my left wrist somehow and it hurts when I move it in a certain way. I’ll have to give it a rest for awhile until figure out what weight lifting I can do without making it worse.

I did some of my studies.

I smelled the fire around 11pm 

Friday 14- 106 degrees. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a walk.

I drove to WalMart to do a bit of shopping and get a haircut; my hair was getting way too long for summer. Stopped off at Home Depot to purchase a showerhead cutoff. 

I went to movie night to watch “Gran Torino” (2008) starring Clint Eastwood.

Saturday 15- 104 degrees and breezy. I did my stretches

I worked on the patio.

Sunday 16- 101 degrees and breezy. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Space Cowboy Books 

Monday 17- 106 degrees. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag for a bit, and took Cassie for a mile jog. Wrist still hurts so I will lay off it for the time being.

I went to Movie Night.

Tuesday 18- I got very sick

Wednesday 19- 108 degrees. I did my stretches. I went right to work moving some of the panels off the house and positioning them on the new patio roof. I would work for 20-30 minutes in the heat and then take the same off inside where it was much cooler.

Thursday 20- 103 degrees. Still not feeling very well, but had to get up early at 7AM to hook up the solar array to the new battery. Went back to sleep until 12:30.

UPS delivered my Radio Shack TRS 80 Model 200 computer. It was built in 1985 and it adds to my collection of TRS 80 Model 100 and 102 computers. I have many old computers I collected over the years, so I guess it’s kind of a hobby of mine which I never really intended it to be.

Friday 21- 105 degrees. I did my stretches and went for a mile jog with Cassie.

I went to the community BBQ. A few sat around jawing swapping stories, some started playing board games, and I kinda mingled here and there with everyone.

Saturday 22- 102 and windy. I did my stretches.

I sat around outside trying to figure out how I want to arrange the solar panels I’m putting on the patio roof.

I did part of my studies.

Sunday 23- temps in the high ‘90s. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised with the dumbbells and on the weight bench, went for a mile jog without Cassie because it was too hot and I don’t think she wanted to go anyways.

I did part of my studies and practiced on my guitar.

Messed around with some electrical stuff around the house.

Took Cassie out for a night jog up the hill and back.

Monday 24- around 100 degrees. I did my stretches and went for a mile jog with Cassie. 

I went to Home Depot to get me some wire for the solar panels I’m putting up.

I picked up my neighbor Jeff and arrived at our community center for movie night for a movie starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin called “Dead Silence” (1997)

Tuesday 25- a little cooler today. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised with the dumbbells and on the weight bench, went for a mile jog Cassie. 

I did all of my studies and more :)

Wednesday 26- temps in the high ‘90s. I did my stretches. I just decided that Sunday and Wednesday will be my easy days and won’t do any strenuous exercise.

Thursday 27- temps still in the ‘90s- I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit the heavybag, and  jogged a mile and a half; too hot for Cassie to come along.

Cassie and I went to Kjtel and Bodie’s home to eat apple pie and watch the last three episodes of HBO’s “Chernobyl” one of the best shows I’ve seen in a longtime.

Friday 28- temps climbing back up to the hundreds. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Saturday 29- into the hundreds again. I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit the heavybag, and  jogged a mile with my faithful doggie.

I did the poop patrol and there was a lot of it.

I cooked up my pot of rice and headed on down to our community potluck. There was quite a crowd showing up and this was a good thing because we had enough food to feed a company of hungry Marines; I had to loosen up three notches on my belt! The theme this month was celebrating the 4th of July 1776 when 13 small colonies declared independence from Great Britain. 

Dyan Carroll fired off the first salvo at the attacking British with a pot roast, stuffed peppers, and a strawberry trifle; that was two notches off my belt right there. Elizabeth West, along with Sarah and Andrew made a direct hit on the enemy with their ham mac and cheese. Pretty Patti Huges picked up her friend Kim as she landed in Texas on a flight from China, and then they drove nonstop all the way to our little community with her lip smacking lemon bread to feed our famished troops. Crystal and Ted bombarded our foe with strawberry pear crisps. Mary Koval and Chris VanNortrick poured vegetable chili and pea salad on the advancing British forces. Jeff Dongvillo, John Jacobsen, Charles Lange financed our cause as Gil and Bruce reloaded our canons with yellow cherry cake.

Finally our antagonists retreated and Cal Mayers and his daughter Tina planted our flag in their fruit salad plate. 

We here at Copper Mountain Mesa wish y'all a very wonderful and reflective Independence Day.

Sunday 30- dang it I forgot to write down what I did today, but it must have been really important ;)

****************** Poems June 2019  *****************

If you rely only on actors for your political views and opinions you’re living in a bigger fantasy world than I.

~RD 

Bullies come in groups of two, three, or more, but hardly ever alone and never on even ground.

~RD

Remember: Seek out that special reality fitting to your beautiful nature and go out and live it.

~RD

At this particular moment in my life when friends and lovers become distant memories and the future grows ever present. When violent discord rips through our great nation brought on by a biased news media infected with their own self-righteous indignation and complacency. When social media giants have become our censors banning those with opposing views. As our elected officials sit high on their moral asses promoting character assassination based upon vacuous unfounded claims. I find I have no need to impress anyone anymore but myself.

~RD

We should not be so selfish as to keep all life contained here on Earth. Instead, let the universe drink deeply upon our planet’s sweet biological nectar and share our most precious rare commodity out there among the stars...

~RD

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

May 2019

May 2019

Wednesday 01- very windy. Exercised on the weight bench jogged and took Cassie for a jog.

I finished the second coat of paint on the new patio.

Thursday 02- very windy still.  I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Worked on the patio putting on a third coat of paint.

Friday 03- I called my doctor about the anti-inflammatory steroid pills Prednisone. I told him I’m only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night, also it’s making me feel irritable and short-tempered. Oh, I got a whole lot of work on the patio and around the house because of the pills, but now I am feeling really burned out. He told me to stop taking them.

Saturday 04 and Sunday 05

Wow, coming down off the Prednisone is really bad. My body aches all over and has retained a whole lot of water which I’m expelling quite rapidly.

Monday 06- cloudy, windy, with evening showers. I did my stretches, jogged a mile with Cassie, worked out on the weight bench and punched the heavybag.

Tuesday 07- windy day. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a bike/run.

FedEx delivered 2 lithium batteries... one had 13.9 volts, but the other had .69 volts. I’ll have to call MightyMax tomorrow and ask them what’s up.

UPS delivered my GenZe E-Bike, but it didn’t have a battery! I called and got a hold of John at the company and he is going to ship me out a battery right away and also a lock for the bike for my troubles.

I put another coat of paint on the patio.

Took Cassie out for an evening walk.

Wednesday 08- still windy. I did my stretches.

Me and Cassie went for a walk with Kjtel and Bodie and ended up at her house watching two episodes of GOT.

I received two ML100-12LI - 12V 100AH Deep Cycle Lithium Batteries I ordered. One had a charge of 13.9 vdc, but the other had a charge of .69 vdc 

I called customer service and was told to take the bad one to AutoZone and have it checked out, which I did. The store manager tried to test it and said to me the device he was using cannot detect any charge at all. I took the photos and emailed them to MightyMax for their reference. They emailed me a return UPS label I printed and taped on the battery package getting it ready to ship back to them.

Thursday 09- cloudy with a bit of wind. I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I went to Yucca Valley to the UPS store there with the bad battery to return it. Then I went to Home Depot to collect some wood I need for various projects.

Me and Cassie went for a night jog.

Friday 10- windy, cloudy with some rain. I did my stretches and took Cassie for a mile jog.

UPS delivered the new battery that was missing for my new e-bike. I put it on charge right away and will test it out tomorrow.

I worked on building a frame for the fan vent for my little trailer. I didn’t saw through the roof to put it in because it might rain today.

I went to the Friday night movies at the community center. Mack, Pat, Steve, Melody, a girl who rides horses, Lana and her husband (I didn’t ask his name), and Kip showed up and we stood around yammer on and about this and that and other things. The movies were western horror film called “The Burrowers” (2008) , written and directed by J. T. Petty. Evil creatures live below the surface of the prairies in Dakota Territory around the 1870s and prey upon the living. I’ll give it an S- for kinda scary.

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12- not feeling well again... very tired and just stayed in the house. On Sunday I couldn’t get any sleep until 6am or so, and then slept until 4pm missing the poet reading at Space Cowboy Books.

Monday 13- nice warmer day. First day I really felt better since I stopped taking those anti-inflammatory Prednisone steroid pills on Friday the 3rd.  I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I went to movie night at our community center and watched “The Meg” (2018) directed by Jon Turteltaub and starring Jason Statham. It reminded me a lot of “Jaws” (1975) with those underwater shots with dangling swimmers’ legs. I could almost predict what was to happen next and most of the time I was right. I enjoyed the action and was nailed to my seat with anticipation a few times. Of course there were a few scenes that were over the top impossible.

Tuesday 14- warmer still but with a nice breeze. I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and jogged a mile with my Cassie.

I did some writing in the book

Wednesday 15- a windy day outside. I did my stretches, exercised on the weight bench, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I wrote a bit in my book.

Thursday 16- very windy. I did my stretches and jugged up the hill and back down with Cassie; too windy for our usual mile jog.

Friday 17- less windy but still very windy. Not feeling very well and couldn’t sleep last night; must be my allergies kicking in again. I did my stretches and that was about all.

Saturday 18- another windy but nice day. I did my stretches, yoga, and went for a mile jog with Cassie

I cleaned up around the house, and swept the floor of my utility trailer.

I stopped off at my neighbor’s house for a birthday party for Sophia; absconded with a few cupcakes. 

I did my studies: the anatomy drawing book, pre algebra, Linux, practiced guitar, and read aloud from the biology textbook; trying to get back on point with my studies.

I did my nightly exercises (finally) and went for a night jog up the hill and back with Cassie.

Sunday 19- Windy! I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, and went for a mile jog with Cassie.

I again cleaned around the house; swept out the bathroom and washed the small trash container in there.

 I did my studies: the anatomy drawing book, pre algebra, Linux, practiced guitar, and read aloud from the biology textbook.

Cassie and me went over to Kjtel and Bodie’s house to have a long walk, dinner, and watched the last 3 episodes of Game of Thrones. It was mighty fine show and sad that it ended.

I did my nightly exercises. 

Monday 20- still windy but not as windy as yesterday. I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I went to the post office to pick up a part I ordered for my Honda Generator, went to Stater Bros (I ran out of butter) and picked up a few other items.

I took Cassie for an evening walk. 

Kelly my Guest came over for dinner and a movie.

I did my studies, practiced guitar, and read aloud from the biology book.

Again, I did my nightly exercises.

Tuesday 21- cold and windy. I did my stretches, yoga, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

I replaced the starter rope assembly of the Honda Generator with the new one I picked up yesterday. It was a bit of a challenge getting the nut off the rotor shaft but a little ingenuity and patience I got it all together, done, and working.

They looked a little thirsty so I watered them all the plants outside; they be happy now.

My sister Lynn called and we talked for over an hour about this and that and other things.

Kjtel came by with Bodie and we went for a walk all bundled in coats and scarves to keep warm in the cold wind.

I remembered to do my nightly exercises.

I did my part of my studies; mostly some online pre-algebra course, and the anatomy coloring book.

Wednesday 22- rained most of the day and was mighty cold. I did my stretches and took Cassie out for a short walk between the rain showers.

I did some of my studies...

Thursday 23- windy and cold. Took Cassie for a walk.

Drove truck back and forth on the driveway I’m creating to pack it down.

I did my studies.

Friday 24- a very nice day finally. I did my stretches and went on a mile jog with Cassie.

Saturday 25- another very nice day but with a tiny bit of wind. I did my stretches and went for a mile jog with Cassie.

I made my rice and headed on down to our community potluck. We were all happy and surprised to see Mary Kobal take up her usual seat at our dinner table after a two year respite. She arrived bearing peach and key lime pies along with a jolly old smile planted on her face being glad to be back home among her desert friends.

Chris VanNortrick stirred up her magical bean casserole. Cal Mayers and his daughter Tina brought a fruit plate full of fruity goodies. Elizabeth West with her Grandson in tow prepared biscuits and gravy for us to quickly devour. Yvonne Francis thrilled us with an Italian bean salad and her famous dump cake. Dyan Carroll loaded our plates with her amazing spicy but mild tamales, a tasty mac and cheese, along with a tossed green leafy salad. Charles Lange, Bruce Chronister, Gil Aiken, Mack Dodd, John Jacobsen, and Bruce Kroeze, donated huge amounts of kindness, friendship and support for our little community. We hope y’all had a wonderful Memorial Day as we did.

I did my nightly stretches.

Sunday 26- really really windy. I am lucky because just before the high winds hit I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag, and went for a jog with Cassie my sweet doggie. And then all hell broke out as 60 MPH gusts hit our area!

I did my nightly stretches.

Monday 27- windy again, even rained a bit here and there. I did my stretches.

Jimmy called and we talked for over an hour. I cooked breakfast while we talked. I was so into our discussions that I forgotten to turn off the gas to the pan I cooked the eggs in. I only noticed after filling the room with grease smoke, making me open all the windows to air my little cabin out. 

Cassie and me were invited over to Kjtel and Bodie’s home to watch two episodes of HBO’s series “Chernobyl” wow! Can’t wait to see the rest!!! Very intense!

I did my nightly stretches.

Tuesday 28- a nice windy day. I did my stretches, yoga, and took Cassie for a mile jog.

Wednesday 29- a wild and windy day. I did my stretches.

Thursday 30- windy still. I did my stretches, core trainer, exercised on the weight bench, punched the heavybag, and went for a jog with Cassie.

I did my nightly stretches.

Friday 31- a bit breezy and warmer. I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged a mile. It was too hot for Cassie to go along but I’ll make it up to her tonight.

I drove to Yucca to pick up a port-a-potty like you see on construction sites. Paid Hamid (a very nice easy-going fellow) $250 for it. 

I first stopped off at Bank of America to withdraw the money and found out they are shutting down this bank on September the 9th. The closest BofA is in Desert Hotsprings 40 or so miles away! I decided to close out my savings account and thinking of going to another bank or credit union with my checking and money market account too. 

Cassie and I went for a bike/run. She was overjoyed because we haven’t done it for a while. 

****************** Poems May 2019  *****************

Never give up! Never stop learning! Never stop asking questions! Never let others stand between you and your goals!

~RD

The writing of a book is never complete even after it is published. There’s always something nagging at the author’s mind of a bit of a thing to add or change. This is why the souls of writers haunt the halls of libraries, coffee shops, and old bookstores... they just can't seem to let it go.

~RD

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