June 2012

Welcome to the month of June!  Not as hot as yesterday and with a little bit of breeze.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I watched lecture 25 on the Berkeley biology course about: how to isolate and use Genes.
I went for my evening walk; took a picture of a Horney Toad on the trail.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I read a chapter of “Grand Design”.
I went for a night run, and played guitar.


Saturday 02- the temps got to 106.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I called up family and friends.
I cleaned here and there getting the dust off the shelves. It gets very dusty being that I live next to a much traveled dirt road.

Sunday 03- temps around 103.
I continued cleaning up my little home.
Piper Cort called to invite me over to a party she is throwing for her daughter who is leaving for Australia. Joey, her boyfriend, asked her to tell me to bring my guitar. I got there at 7:30PM with two guitars. Piper is a fantastic cook and there were all kinds of this and that to eat. After yapping and eating for an hour, me and Joey went into the back room where he had set up a set of drums. We started playing but needed a drummer. Joey asked Piper to get someone in here to drum. Robert was elected and we played for three hours. Damn crazy we were and my fingers were, and still are, very sore. I left there a little after midnight.
At 1:30 I went outside and got everything setup for the Partial Lunar Eclipse that would be starting in about half an hour. I had every camera I own sitting on the table ready to shoot the Moon! About 2am it started and I was clicking away, trying different settings on different cameras, to get a good shot of the Moon. At 4:03AM it was at as eclipsed as it was going to get. That’s when my neighbor’s rooster started crowing- stupid rooster. I stayed out a little longer and then started putting everything away. I didn’t get to bed until way after 5AM.


Monday 04- a little hot but not bad. A nice breeze came with the setting Sun.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I continued the cleaning of the dirty dusty house.
FedEx delivered a leather cover for my Mead Composition book. I’m going to start carrying it in my backpack so I’ll always have something to write on.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I watched lecture 26 on the Berkeley biology course about: Genetic regulation of development.
UPS delivered 2Gigs of memory I ordered for my Toshiba Satellite laptop. I installed that and used the old memory1Gig in another Toshiba laptop I have.
I went for my evening walk.
I read a chapter of “Grand Design”.
I watched lecture 26 on the Berkeley biology course about: Genetic regulation of development.
I went for a night run. I would have played my guitar but “I got blisters on my fingers” (not really, but they do hurt. The phrase comes from the lyrics of an old Beatles song)…

Tuesday 05- very cool day outside and a bit windy after sundown.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
USP delivered Linda’s truck registration that I need to take to DMV on Friday.
I called the Honda dealer up to tell them my little scooter won’t start and I want them to fix it. After I explained the problem the service guy said that it sounds like bad gas and Honda wouldn’t cover it under warranty and I’d have to pay. My heart rate and blood pressure went up but I kept control. I told him that the scooter I purchased on April 17 only has 85 miles on it and that I hadn’t put any gas in it and is still running on the gas they at the shop put in when I bought it. Well, he went on to say that I didn’t run it enough and other hogwash to make it seem like it was my fault. Finally he said he’d check in with Honda about it and call me back.
The Transit of Venus started at 3pm and I went to Kelly’s house to watch it. Yes and Venus is 60 some million miles from the Sun and 30 million something miles from us on Earth! We live on a wee teeny tiny little speck of dust; the flotsam and jetsam which obit the huge Sun. We got a few picture of the transit with my camera. We quickly went down to Staters Bros. and got some hamburger meat. We got back and continued to view the transit and take pics until sunset. Then we watched it on NASA TV using my iPad. I had to make a special run back to Staters because the butcher put way too much seasoning in the hamburger meat which made it unfit to eat. Kelly made some mighty fine cheeseburgers!


Wednesday 06- a little warmer but still nice.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, and punched the heavy bag.
Well the Honda service guy called me back and told me the same old story he told me yesterday that Honda would only cover it if it was a bad part. I asked him if he bought a new car and it died and wouldn’t start and was told he had to pay to get it fixed, how he would feel. He said he’d be upset that the gas in California was so dirty. He said to bring it down, but didn’t say if I’d be charged.  Later I called and got a hold of the sales guy who sold me my little scooter and he asked me to try draining the carb and putting new gas in the tank and give it another try before I bring it in; he said that they would work with me on getting it fixed. I mean, only 85 miles on the scooter and not even two months old and they’re going to “work with me on it”, give me a break! I’ll try what he said tomorrow and see what happens. I do love my little scooter.
I read two chapters of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I decided to help Kelly get her operation that will relieve the pain in her spine. The medical office has been giving her the run around denying her access to her doctor and the operation. Beware there’s Greedy Evil people out there! But we knew that already, didn’t we…


Thursday 07- the weather is warming up.
I did my stretches. My hip is acting up so I’m going to lay off it for a spell.
I called Kelly’s doctor’s office and got that all squared away so she can go ahead and get her operation.
I worked on the Honda scooter, draining the float bowl and mixing new gas with what little was left of the bad gas they put in. I finally got it started and drove it around. Then I parked and left it for to idle for a long spell and run the good gas through. Little did I know that when it idles it doesn’t charge the battery, in fact it discharges it! I found that out when I turned it off and tried the electric start. Good thing is it has a kick start!
I drove the scooter over to a neighbor’s house to check to see if he was doing okay. He was in an argumentative mood, said some mean things to me, so I left… abruptly.
I tried to put argumentive in the sentence above, but MS Word, Google Search, and most dictionaries say there’s no such word. Well who are they to tell me there ain’t no such word! I’ll give the Grammar Nazis a crumb or two to feast on in their slimy little damp shadowy dungeon where they wither away at unspeakable doggerel. He was in an argumentive mood. So there! I guess I’m being argumentive about argumentative, but I feel better :)
I rode my little scooter to the mailbox and back home; 12 miles round trip.


Friday 08- I didn’t notice the weather I was so busy.
I did my stretches.
Kelly and I went to the post office to pick up her packages. We went to the military surplus store across the way and found it too expensive. Then onto the DMV where I took care of Linda’s registration for her truck in Texas and Kelly took care of her business and her handicap placard renewed. Then shopping at the Dollar Store, Staters Bros, and ate the chicken we bought at Staters in Burger King with their Kung Pow Sauce, French fries and drank a gallon of Coke between us.


Saturday 09- it was kinda warmer than yesterday somewhere around 103 degrees. The wind came up late evening.
I did my stretches; I’m laying off the running for a short spell until the pain in my right hip goes away. I think it’s from an old skydiving injury from the 70s.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter.
I watered all the plants and then tinkered around the house all day doing this and fixing that.
I rode the little scooter to the mailbox and back around 9:30PM, about the same time the winds started howling. I made this special trip to mail Linda her new tags for her truck that I went to the DMV yesterday for.


Sunday 10- it was very nice outside with temps in the low 90s.
I did my stretches and went for a short walk.
Still cleaning the house. I decided to move all my astronomy books from my desk area in the front room, onto the shelves in my bedroom so they will be in handy reach.
I ran updates and installed MS Works on my friend’s iMac.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I read a chapter of “Grand Design”.


Monday 11- kinda hot but not by much…
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I’m still cleaning!
I went to the Neighborhood Watch and also the Board Meeting. At the Neighborhood Watch meeting they were trying to come up with how many members it takes to make a quorum to conduct business. They started out with 51 percent of those on the member’s list. Everyone was for it and they rushed to vote when I stopped them and basically said once you pass this we might as well go home because we don’t have 51 percent here and thus no quorum; we all settled on 7 members present with two of those being an officer. The Board meeting was just a bunch of yammering except when a few folks came up who wanted to use our facilities for their business: one wanted to lease the old fire station for an art studio, another wanted to use the kitchen to prepare vegan food once a week to ship out to clients, and the last was for a community garden. Ray did a very good job pointing out to them that they need some kind of plan to present to the board before the board can act. Earl Wilbert was at the meeting and I was glad to see him in good spirits, a little hard of hearing, but in good health.


Tuesday 12- it got up to around 110 degrees today.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, and lifted weights.
I ordered an Apple iBook G3 Clamshell laptop made in 1999. I always wanted one but couldn’t afford the $1400 it cost back then. I found one on eBay for $99 in good shape so I bought it! I watched it being shipped by USPS and it started its long journey from Stockton:
STOCKTON, CA 95204 June 04, 2012, 7:58 pm
BELL GARDENS, CA 90201 June 05, 2012, 10:30 am
CINCINNATI, OH 45235 June 08, 2012, 6:50 am
DES MOINES, IA 50395 June 08, 2012, 10:32 pm
BELL GARDENS, CA 90201 June 11, 2012, 4:47 am
Notice Left TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA 9227 June 12, 2012, 8:12 am
What a cross country ride this little laptop had via the USPS!
I washed the Cougar getting her ready for tomorrows drive to take Kelly to her Doctor’s appointment.
Been catching up on my reading of http://hikeforheart.blogspot.com This 59 year old woman is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail- Her trail name is Heart- I think this is incredible and have been following her story on her blog since April. I've read it all from the beginning where she started from the Mexican Border to where she is now in Mammoth. She's been chased by bees, encounters with a bear, fell a few times and got a black eye, been scared, tired, and just plum weary, but she continues on. She has made a bunch of trail friends along the way, too! We should all be so brave.


Wednesday 13- kinda warm around 109.
With only 3 hours of sleep, I got up at the ungodly hour of 7:45AM to take Kelly to her 10:30AM appointment in Desert Wells. I picked her up at 9AM, which would give us plenty of time to get there if we didn’t get lost, but we did. We followed Google Maps, but I made a few mistakes too with the streets in Palm Springs and ended up lost and 30 miles from our destination. Kelly called to tell them we’d be late and also got the right directions. We were only 30 minutes late, but the Doc understood. Kelly was in there for an hour and we were on our way back to home when we got lost again; I dislike navigating the labyrinth of roads in Palm Springs with their small teeny tiny lettered street signs. We got to Yucca and WalMart to do some shopping. We went to Jack in the Box to have lunch and fill out Father’s Day cards. I didn’t get home till a little after 5PM.
Terry called and then came by to pick up a mail key I have of Linda’s. He misplaced the one he had. Then we sat outside for a long spell and jawed under the darkening skies about astronomy.


Thursday 14- hot…
I did my stretches.
I took Kelly for her eye exam where I got into an argument with this guy. Someone had brought up a forest fire that happened some years ago. I made an innocent comment about it; he interrupted me and yelled for me to shut the f*** up. Nobody tells me to shut up. I asked him why and he wouldn’t tell me, and then it escalated from there. Seems like the old woman he brought there to get her glasses cries every time the fire is mentioned. Now I can understand that but the rude and mean manner in which this guy went on to tell me was uncalled for and I stood my ground. He finally backed off and they left. I hope he resolves his anger issues before he or someone gets hurt.
We went to the post office where I picked up my Apple iBook Clamshell laptop and a SSD memory upgrade for the Dell Mini 9. Then we went on to Rite Aid, Burger King, and Staters Bros. I got a flat while leaving Kelly’s house and but the spare tire on and drove it home; I fix the flat tomorrow.
I was all excited to have the Clamshell and just couldn’t wait to plug it in and fire her up and spend the rest of the evening messing around on it. I put it on the table, plugged it in and…NOTHING, not working, DOA. I contacted the seller after doing a few different fixes at Apple Support. He will give me a full refund.


Friday 15- hot…
I did my stretches, core trainer, and lifted weights.
I’ve been burned out because of all the driving and shopping and this and that and other stuff I decided to chill out today. I just upgraded My Dell Mini 9 with the new SSD drive and loaded Win XP onto it.

Saturday 16- hot but not to bad.
I did my stretches.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the newsletter.
I put another plug in the tire next to the one I did yesterday in hopes of stemming the escape of air.
I worked on the Honda generator getting it cleaned out and running correctly; still needs a little more done to her.
I moseyed on down to the Community Center where we were having a Community Garden Get-together. A group of us got together to figure out where and how we want to set up our Community Garden and have a written plan to present to the board. I stayed for an hour or so until the discussion lost focus and went from planning to everything else under the Sun. I tried to switch it back earlier a few times but felt I was being pushy and just let them be and left.
I think I’ll watch a movie tonight and forget about things for a while.

Sunday 17- dang hot out there at 111 degrees.
I did my stretches.
I put another plug in the tire and mounted it on the Cougar. I’ll probably take it down to get it patched or buy a new one.
I read two chapters of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I read three chapters of “Grand Design” and finished the book. Great book- tries to explain the path that science has taken and the methods used in understanding how we got here and why is it that we live in a universe on a planet where life can flourish. The Weak Anthropic Principle and Multi-universes are discussed along with questions he asked at the beginning of the book: Why is there something rather than nothing?
Why do we exist?
Why this particular set of laws and not some other?
Feynman diagrams are explained and I think I understand them now :)


Monday 18- cooler with temps in the low 100s but with a whole lot of wind.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I watered all the thirsty plants outside- they were calling to me “water us, please water us.”
Chris Jonas dropped me off a bag of groceries from the USDA food distribution.
I went to post office to send the DOA Apple iBook G3 Clamshell back to whence it came.
I noticed that the tire wasn’t holding air all that good, so I went to Gary’s Tires and had them patch it. They sell birdseed there and I bought 25lb bag for $9 and paid $15 for the patch.
I read two chapters of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I watched “Sphere” (1998). I saw it before and had to see it again.


Tuesday 19- very windy but not as it was yesterday- temps into the low 100s.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I got back to cleaning the insides of my little home- it not dirty, just disorganized.
I started pre-reading “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking. I can’t find my “Princess of Mars’ book, but it’s here, somewhere.

Wednesday 20- Today is the Longest Day; it’s Summer! The temps got to 111 degrees.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I worked on the carport, extending the roof out some.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I went for my evening walk with my old back pack I was going to throw away, carrying one brick inside. It’ll carry two tomorrow.
I read chapter 1 of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking.
I did my stretches and went for a night run. I then sat outside for the better part of an hour doing a little stargazing. My favorite, Cygnus, is up in the east now!
I practiced my guitar for a spell, and then watched lecture 27 on the Berkeley biology course about: Cell and tissue specialization.


Thursday 22- another hot day.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I mostly worked on the carport. It seems to be coming along nicely except for some of the longer 16’ 2x4s are warped and are a pain trying to straighten them enough to hammer down.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I went for my evening walk carrying the backpack with two bricks.
I waited till almost sundown to go down to Lear Ave to collect my and Kelly’s mail. We sat outside her house for a long spell looking at the stars.
I did my stretches and went for a night run. I got back and relaxed outside with my binoculars.

Friday 22- a little cooler in the low 100s and a bit of a wind.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I continued to work on the carport and was able to complete the frame and hammered down the 8’x4’ plywood sheets for the roof.
I read half a chapter (long chapter) of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking.
I went for my evening walk carrying the backpack with two bricks.
I read two chapters of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I heard noses at the cabin across the way and went to check- it was Mark out for the weekend.
I watched lecture 28 on the Berkeley biology course about: Homeostasis- Digestion and nutrition.
I did my stretches and went for a night run. Very clear night and there is just a crescent Moon peeking out so I sat outside for a spell.
I practiced on the guitar some.
I’m really tired…

Saturday 23- temps into low 100s with a little breeze.
I did a quick; stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, and lifted weights.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter.
I did some building of the roof in the front section. I must have spent four hours or more in the heat, but with a few trips inside to cool off and drink lots of water. I would have continued working but the tools, nails, wood, and other inanimate entities turned on me and I thought it best I stopped before I gotten hurt.
I’m still reading chapter 2 of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking. Its slow going because it’s a rehash of stuff I already know mixed in with a few I didn’t know.
I went for my evening walk carrying the backpack with two bricks.
I read a few chapters (I kinda gotten carried away and forget how many) of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I did my stretches and went for a night run.

Sunday 24- a little hot but nice.
I did my stretches.
I called family and friends; most were either gone or have caller ID.
I picked up Kelly at 5PM and we went to Rite Aid, then on to Stater Bros to do a little shopping and get some chicken to take over to Burger King to eat; we like their Kung Pow sauce on the chicken.
With our bellies full, we went to the Twentynine Palms Drive-in Theater to see “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” (2012) and “Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012).  We got there late and had to search for a good place. Once we settled on a spot and backed in, we took out our folding chairs, turned up the car radio set to the Drive-in’s frequency, and kicked back to watch the movies. I thought both movies were pretty good. One line out of the Pirate movie caught both me and Kelly’s notice “it's only impossible if you stop and think about it.” Both of us thought that was rather clever. I didn’t get home till a little after 1AM.

Monday 25- temps around 100 degrees with a light wind.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I’ve made a resolution not to turn on my computer until I get some of my studies done, so I continued where I left off three months ago by doing the “1100 words you need to know workbook” and I drew something.
I’m still reading chapter 2 of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking. Now we’re getting into Bosons and Fermions and their spin, also String Theory which interests me.

UPS delivered my Apple iBook G3 Clamshell laptop! I am a happy man! I’ve wanted one for a very longtime. The first one I had to send back because it was DOA, so I held my breath when I plugged this one in and hit the start button. It fired right up, yay! Here are the specs:
Release Year:2000. Processor Speed: 466 MHZ--GRAPHITE SE EDITION-M6411. Memory: 576 MB. Hard Drive Capacity:10GB. Screen Size:12.1"
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4.11, Tiger Weight:6.62 lb.
AIRPORT WI-FI BUILT IN: EXCELLENT CONDITION. HAS ALL ORIGINAL BOOKS & DISCS: MICROSOFT OFFICE 2008
I played around with her for a spell and got all her software updated.
I went for my evening walk with the two bricks in my backpack.
I watched lecture 29 on the Berkeley biology course about: Homeostasis- Circulation.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I did my stretches and went for a night run. The Moon is starting to linger a little more. In the next few days it’ll be up longer and be brighter and washing out the stars.

Tuesday 26- nice day- highs around 105 degrees.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I did a lesson in Beginning Latin book and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, I also drew something.
I watched lecture 30 on the Berkeley biology course about: Homeostasis: Respiration.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
I went for my evening walk with the two bricks in my backpack.
I finally finished chapter 2 of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking. There was a lot of information for me to digest, so I took my time doing it.
I went for a night run.

Wednesday 27- temps a little above 105 degrees and no wind.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I did a lesson in Beginning Latin book and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something.
I watched lecture 31 on the Berkeley biology course about: Homeostasis: immune system.
I went outside and worked on the roof putting the last piece of plywood on the northwest section.
I started reading chapter 3 of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking.
I went for my evening walk with the backpack and two bricks.
I read a bit in “The Practical Entomologist”.
I did my stretches and went for a night run.
I played the guitar for a spell.

Thursday 28- temps about the same as yesterday.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I did a lesson in Beginning Latin book and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something.
I watched lecture 32 on the Berkeley biology course about: Homeostasis: Osmoregulation.
I went for my evening walk with the backpack and two bricks.
I’m still reading chapter 3 of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking.
I rode the little scooter to my mail boxes on Border and on Lear Ave; an 18 mile round trip.
I finished reading Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”, a darn good read I must say!
I pre-read “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”. It seems like it will help me with my studies.
I read a section on Keeping a Field Notebook in “The Practical Entomologist”.


Friday 29- highs to 101, and lows down to 70 degrees.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I did a lesson in Beginning Latin book and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something; a watch.
I watched lecture 33 on the Berkeley biology course about: Integration: Hormones and Chemical Communication.
I finished reading chapter 3 of “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking.
I went for my evening walk with the two bricks in my backpack and I am sure glad it is Friday so I can stop doing this and rest my weary body.
I started reading chapter 1 of Edgar Rice Burroughs “The Gods of Mars”.
I read a section on in “The Practical Entomologist”, about: Dragonflies and Damselflies order of Odonata.
I read part of chapter 1 of “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”, about: the Cell.
I did my stretches and went for a night run.
I treated myself and spent most of the rest of tonight chatting with old friends on Facebook and posting a few items I thought were neat. I have cut down on my time here by going on late at night when no one’s there and give my newsfeeds a quick once over to see if anyone posted something original or funny- I like cat pictures with funny sayings, and family photos. I also peruse for something inspirational that I can think about, reply to, and possibly use my comments for later. I don’t like the political stuff. I keep my political views mostly to myself; I’ll let my views be known to the ballot when I vote. I can’t be bothered by someone’s ‘carpetbagging’ on Facebook.  I have silenced a friend and a family member who have gotten carried away or fanatical about some candidate, issue, or other; at least until the elections are over- I can do that!

Saturday 30- the weather is the same as yesterday and the day before and the day…
I did my stretches and core trainer.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out Newsletter.
I cooked up some rice with taco mix and a can of chili beans to take to potluck.
Roger emailed me yesterday saying the battery died on the Stoneymobile, so I drove there in the Gross Polluter and gave it a jump, then drove it around some to charge the battery; got my and Kelly’s mail while I was about. Since I was there, I did my laundry and checked to make sure things were safe and sound.
I took the Gross Polluter to potluck where pert near 25 famished desert folk waited to Gobble and Go. That’s what I might call it for now on instead of potluck; Gobble and Go, because everyone gobbled down the grub and left! I think it would be fun to try some kinda entertainment, but then again it’s entertaining to watch everyone pig out and make messes of themselves; me included.

Mary and Chris Koval cooked up some skillet lasagna with party cakes and dinner rolls. Marie Morrison showed us all how it is done with her baked beans and ancient brownies surprise. Ruth Malton made her favorite jello bowl. Chris Jonas delivered us to the Promised Land with his fabulous macaroni salad. Cal Myers brought his magnificent fruit tray with whipped cream dip. Dorothy Jacobsen dazzled us all with her broccoli corn bread and fresh corn salad. Not to be out done, Dyan Carroll mystified us all with her seafood lasagna in one hand, a cauliflower with cheese sauce in the other, and when we thought she was all done, she pulled out a third hand holding large bowl of butterscotch pudding! Me and everyone there was quite impressed! Dang, three hands, who'da thunk!
I spent the rest of the night digesting the food from potluck and working on my journal.
Goodbye to June, you been a wonderful and exciting month!

May 2012

Welcome to the month of May! - It was a fairly nice day, a little hazy, with a stiff breeze piping up in the early evening. I did my stretches and ran three miles. I went to Kelly’s and we buried her kitty that had died recently.

  Wednesday 02 – The weather was hotter than the last few days with not much of a breeze to cool things off. I got up early to pick Kelly up and take her down to the Department of Social Services so she could talk to the VA Rep and get her paper work straightened out. This time the Rep showed up and, there being a backlog of cases from the Rep not coming in last Wednesday, it took over three hours of waiting for Kelly to see her. While we waited, we went over across the street to get coffee at Santana’s Mexican restaurant, something we’ll never do again. First there was no sugar. We asked the cashier for sugar and he said there was none. I held out my receipt and asked for my money back. He miraculously found some under the counter. Then there wasn’t any cream. I asked him and he said he was out. I then again held out my receipt and he asked if milk would do. I said yes it would do. The coffee was lukewarm and tasted like it was watered down. We decided to settle for that and took the cups back with us instead of sitting in the restaurant. We went to Burger King and had a Whopper with fries, shopped at Stater Bros. and went home.

  Thursday 03- it’s another pleasant day. I did my stretches and ran three miles. I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter. I went over and checked on a friend’s property while they’re away for a spell.

 




Friday 04- it was windy last night but stopped by morning then the temps rose into the 90s. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I heard a horrible squealing coming from outside underneath the desert willow tree. I ran out to see what it was about. There stood a prairie dog watching its mate being eaten by a snake. The little prairie dog was intent on trying to help its mate and looked me square in the eyes pleading for help. I was too late on the scene, its mate little body already crushed by those mighty muscles of the snake's. The prairie dog stayed with its mate until the end, knowing there was nothing to be done. It's the way of the desert, but it still made me sad. Mac came by with his laptop that we messed around with and kept us occupied for several hours. 


Saturday 05- the day started off windy but settled down to a nice cool day into the mid 80s. I went for a morning walk. I checked on Kelly’s mail I visited Mac and we jawed for a spell. I went outside and walked up the hill with my camera about sunset. I took a bunch of pictures of the SuperMoon; the closest approach of the Moon to the Earth this year until June of next. 


Sunday 06- ditto. I went for a morning walk- called friends and family. 

Monday 07- it’s been kinda windy all day I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. Linda Sibo called to ask if I wouldn’t mind coming over to help Blake move her giant brain onto a platform. Stacy from the Hi-Desert Star was coming over to take pictures of the Brain and interview Linda. The Brain is an approximately four foot round by three feet high paper mache applied to chicken wire brain shaped object that must have weighed over fifty pounds. We had to lift it and seat it upon four foot high stilts; we figured it out after a few attempts. Stacy came and took a bunch of pics and I went home to rest my poor body after all that work… 


Tuesday 08- it’s still a bit windy which is keeping the heat down. I did my stretches and ran one and a half miles. I videoed me playing a song that I wrote called “I See Your Smile” and posted it on Youtube. I went to pick up Kelly’s mail on my scooter. 


Wednesday 09- very nice day! I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I picked Kelly up at 5:30pm and went to WalMart for what I thought was a fast go in and grab what we need and make a quick getaway- we didn’t get home until 11:30pm. We went to Staters Bros to get fried chicken and ate it at Del Taco where we discovered they had WIFI and played with our cell phone browsers. We finally got to her house and sat outside under the stars and yapped until we realized it was 2am!


Thursday 10- it’s getting hotter! I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half. Friday 12- it’s nice and hot, but with a little breeze. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter. 


Saturday 11- the temps are climbing to the high 90s. I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half. Cleaning up the yard and cutting up old cardboard boxes were on my list to do today. 

Sunday 12- the temps have now surpassed the century mark at 105 degrees! I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half. I visited my neighbor Mark for a short spell so he could get some work down before he has to leave. I jumped on the Harley and took it for a spin down to Joshua Tree and back, collecting my and Kelly’s mail along the way.



Monday 14- hot!
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I went to the Neighborhood Watch and Community board meetings.

 Tuesday 15- hot!
 I took Kelly to Palm Springs to see her doctor- went to Sizzler for lunch/dinner.
I stayed up until 5am for no other reason than I couldn’t sleep.

 Wednesday 16- hot!
I woke up really late in the day and didn’t do anything much.

 Thursday 17- hot and windy!
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
John Massey took me to Home Depot in his truck so I could pick up some lumber to build a few projects I’ve been planning.
I went for a night run.

 Friday 18- not too hot but really windy!
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I went for an evening walk. About time I got to doing this again.
 I went outside to do a little stargazing- Saturn is still in Virgo, Mars is still in Leo, and Venus is hanging lower in the western horizon. I saw three satellites cross the starry darkness. I also saw a globular cluster that might have been M3.
I'm watching the first commercial launch of SpaceX Falcon9/Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station... history being made :) ‎ Well dang, it didn't launch tonight: "Launch aborted: slightly high combustion chamber pressure on engine 5. Will adjust limits for countdown in a few days." - But it did something I've never seen, it had already fired main engines and then they shut them down at plus 10 seconds. They'll try again on the May 22nd.

Saturday 19- hot!
I did my stretches and ran a mile.
I went for an evening walk.
I went for a night run.

 Sunday 20- the temps got into the double digits.
I went for a morning walk.
I called a few friends and family early in the day because I’ll be gone at 2pm to watch the eclipse.
 I arrived at the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor’s Center in Twentynine Palms a little after 3PM. There were around twenty folks and a few Park Rangers setting up and preparing for the eclipse that wouldn’t begin until 5:24PM.

One Ranger was using a paper hole-punch to make viewing devices out of thin cardboard stock. The lady Ranger told me she had 200 special eyeglasses for viewing the eclipse and she was hoping it would be enough for those who came to the event.
Two Astronomy volunteers were in the last stages of setting up their telescopes and people began to lineup to observe the Sun and its sunspots; the eclipse was still hours away.
There were folks from all over the world here to see the annular eclipse. I got into a conversation with a visitor from New York State. He came all the way out here to take pictures of the eclipse with his Cannon 7D and this humongous zoom lens stuck to the front.
 Around 4:15PM folks started showing up. The Rangers were showing the kids how to work the pinhole cardboard device, which we discovered later, had too big of hole from the punch and had to be redone by poking a new hole with a nail the Rangers supplied.
 By 4:45PM there were, by my best guess, upwards towards 400 parents with their kids standing in line to get those 200 special viewing glasses. Clearly there wouldn’t be enough. The Ranger asked that only one pair be handed out per family. I decided to wait so those who never seen an eclipse before would get a pair.
One Astronomer volunteers had connected his scope to a projector for viewing the eclipse on a large movie screen. And at 5:24PM the eclipse was beginning and by 5:30 could clearly be seen on that screen. There upon the table by the projector were a few pairs of glasses left and I made off with one. I held it up to the lens of my camera and started taking pictures of the eclipse. I don’t know if I was the first to try this, I didn’t see anyone doing this before I tried it, but now everyone was taking pictures through them using their cell phones and whatever that could go click.
I went here and there taking pictures and videos, listening to folks laughing, oohing and aahing, wearing those funny looking glasses that made it look like they were watching a 3D movie.
 It was mighty fine to see all these folks interested in astronomy. I listened in on one father explaining to his young son about the eclipse; this touched my heart.

At 6:38PM came totality or as close to it as we were going to get from where we were and it being an annular eclipse. You could really notice the dimming of the Sun. I lent my glasses to a young couple from Belgian. They were traveling America and were really excited to be here in our beautiful desert viewing this marvelous feat of nature. I took some fair pictures, but none as good as the ones I took as the Sun and Moon started to set together into the western horizon. I didn’t even need those glasses covering my lens. I just clicked away until the last little speck of light vanished; ending what was a wonderful day.

 The Park had a night program that started at 8PM. The Rangers setup two telescopes to view the night sky. Now I was in my element!







 Monday 21- hot 109!

I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
A new dove nest has appeared on the side of my house. One egg in it so far.
I stayed up late to watch the SpaceX launch. The first attempt on the 19th was aborted just as the main engines fired up, so last night as the countdown reached t minus 0 seconds, me and thousands of like minded folks around the world were willing this rocket off the launch pad and into space! This is history in the making. This is the first commercial spacecraft to visit the ISS. This company is going to open up space big time and make it affordable, too! It cost $63 Million a seat aboard the Russian spacecraft. Wikipedia "At a 18 May 2012 NASA news conference, Space X confirmed that their target launch price for the crewed flights is $140,000,000 or $20,000,000 per seat if the maximum crew of 7 is aboard. This compares with the current Soyuz cost of $63,000,000 per seat."

 Tuesday 22- temp high of 102
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half. I am making a garage out of the workshop so my car can share it with my tools. I did a rookie move trying to drive into the garage; I hit the side post and broke off my right hand mirror. I fixed it with Liquid Nails and it has held so far.
I went for an evening walk. About time I got to doing this again.

 Wednesday 23- it is very windy, too dang windy to do my run or walk.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, and punched the heavy bag.

 Thursday 24- a little windy, but cooler outside.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I worked on the garage that I’m going to call a Carport for now on. I began reading Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.

 Friday 25- it got very windy around noon just as I completed my exercises.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter.

 Saturday 26- it’s still a little windy, but nice and cool outside. I ran a mile and a half. I rode the Harley to mailbox and visited with my neighbors who are up for the weekend.

 Potluck was a pleasant surprise with over twenty-five folks showing up on a Memorial Day weekend. Marcie Hines came with her son Paul and cooked up some Spanish rice for us to enjoy. Cal Myers brought a large fruit dish. Chris Jonas made his fabulous macaroni salad. Rose Matich simmered some corn to perfection. Ruth Malton concocted a very delicate mush mellow color bowl jella that was mighty tasty. Marie Morrison got creative with her gooey chocolate brownies. Not to be outdone, Dorothy Jacobsen spent hours making up a sweet potato casserole, a Mexican casserole, and fig bars. Dyan Carrol’s seafood pasta salad and sugar lemon cookies were to die for, but being the polite folk that we are, we just shared them. Board member Tim Atzei brought beverages. Mary Koval cooked up a storm bringing Chicken Tetrazzini Florentine and wacky cake, while her daughter Chris amazed us all with a mixed bean and ham soup and cupcakes. Of course I brought my usual fare. We had a mighty fine time! Took some potluck over to Kelly's for her to fest on.

 Sunday 27- it was a very nice day! Worked on the carport.

Monday 28- a very pleasant day.
I did my stretches, core trainer, lifted weights, and punched the heavy bag.
I worked very hard on the Carport; worked my butt off getting it done. Now I am able to park the Cougar underneath in the shade.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.

Tuesday 29- a little hotter today.
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I topped off my batteries with distilled water and checked all the solar panel connections.
I did my laundry over at Stoney’s and looked at the work Roger is doing on the stopped up tub drain. Many years ago the drain had stopped up and me and Stoney discovered that it was the roots of the creosote bush that had clogged it up. After cutting down the bush, I had to get down there with a shovel and dig out all the roots. Then Stoney put poison on the plant. I hope it hasn’t grown back.
Kelly and I went to the post office, Rite Aid, Berger King where we had a great time, and Stater Bros. where we picked up supplies.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.

Wednesday 30- temps into the high 90s.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.
I watered the plants; they were mighty thirsty.
I cleaned out the Cougar and put Armor All on all the interior plastic and leather. I cleaned and wiped down the Honda with Armor All, too.
I went for an evening walk. While I was walking I stopped off at John Massey’s to see how he be. I decided to see if I could get the lager SSD to work in the HP Mini Note. I took out the 8Gig and put the 32Gig in and did a fresh install of Win XP- still doing all the update.
I read two chapters of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”. I almost got caught up with my astronomy reading. I went for a night run and played the guitar when I got back.

Thursday 31- temps are 114 degrees or more!
I did my stretches and ran a mile and a half.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter.
I read a chapter of Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”.
The Windows updates for the HP Mini Note are now done. All I need to do is install a word processor.
The red racer snake ate the dove eggs. I went to check on the nest today and the two eggs were gone. I saw the snake yesterday and shooed it off. That sucker is 8 feet or longer!
UPS came with some books I ordered from Amazon: “The Universe in a Nutshell” and “Grand Design” both by Steven Hawking and the last co-authored by Leonard Mlodinow. “Sky & Telescope’s Pocket Sky Atlas” by Roger W. Sinnott.
I finally got caught up with my astronomy reading. I was three months behind on “365 Starry Nights” that I’ve been reading for a bunch of years now and the pages are worn and a few are falling out. There is a paragraph or more everyday about some particular part of the night sky. Chet Raymo is the author.
I did a night run, and played the guitar a bit.
I started reading “Grand Design”.
Goodbye to May! You've been a fun month with all the astronomy I got to do and the people I got to meet :)

April 2012

Welcome to the month of April!- Spent the day packing and getting ready for my trip to the Southbay!

Monday 02- It is still windy as all get go, but I’m headed to Redondo Beach to stay at my friend’s condo on the beach.
It was a nice drive and the Cougar ran just fine using little gas. I stopped off at Carl’s Jr. on PCH and 190th and got me a Big Burger. Called Kula and Tom, they’ll be waiting outside to open the security gate.
They got me settled in, gave me the nickel tour of their beach condo. Then Kula and I went for a short walk down on the bike path.
Kula cooked up some fantastic chicken and rice we had for dinner.
I went for another walk along the beach at night.



Tuesday 03- Beautiful day outside.
A woman from France came to pick up a table that Kula had listed on Craig’s List. Tom and I carried it down to her car and put it in her SUV. Her husband worked on the Harry Potter movie filming. She also said her family is going to JT and I suggested she try Joshua Tree Lakes Resort to see if they could get a better price than the $600 for three days she was telling me about.
Tom helped me get my cheap Chinese bike I bought at WalMart ready to ride the strand. I really need to get a better bike, especially after seeing Tom's nice bike. He does a lot of riding up to PV and back. I don't need anything like his, but I do need a proper bike.
I went for a walk to the pier.
I went for an evening walk.


Wednesday 04- Tom and Kula woke me up at the ungodly hour of 5:45AM so I can drive them to the LAX airport so they could catch a plane going to Iowa. I got back to the condo and went back to sleep.
I rode my bike to Hermosa Pier stopping along the way to take a lot of pictures of the marina where I lived so many years.
I went for an evening walk along the strand.


Thursday 05- Very nice day.
I drove over to visit Tom and Aki in Torrance. They are doing fine and appear to be in good health. Had a nice chat with them about old times and places we’ve been.
I then went to the Fashion Mall in Torrance. I visited a huge Barns and Noble store there and talked to the tech guy there about their EBook readers. I bought a pair of running shoes because the pair I brought are hurting my feet and I forgot to throw my running shoes in the car before I left Joshua Tree. I got a good pair of New Balance for $39, so I didn’t feel that ripped off.
I think I ate my last Super Star at Carl’s Jr. I need to start eating healthier.
I then walked across the parking lot to Albertsons to get some supplies. I saw a woman I recognized, but couldn’t place her. Her name was Fatima or something close to that. She has been working there for 30 years and I used to shop there all the time, so that’s probably where I’ve seen her; she agreed.
I got back to the condo around about 6PM. I tried to help two women put a large table into their car that was parked in the underground garage, but it wouldn’t fit.


Friday 06- Smiley day!
I went to visit Aunt Audrey. I could have spent another 6hrs with her but we both were tired after the first 6 :)
She has so much history. Her service in WWII, her stay in Flim Flon Canada working at a trading post, and her work here in California as a blind man's assistant for a children's charity. One funny thing happened is when Aunt Audrey had called someone and handed the phone to me and said it was Kelly and Kelly started talking to me saying this and that about her family, and I'm going ah huh, ah, huh, while I was trying to figure out how she was related to me. I only found out after finishing the call and hanging up the phone and asked Aunt Audrey who I was talking to. Kelly is my second cousin, my Uncle Frank's granddaughter. Audrey had probably mentioned Kelly before, but there are too many relatives for me to keep track of. Aunt Audrey told me all about the Gooseberry bush out back in her yard in England in the 1920s.


Saturday 07- Another Smiley day!
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter.
Then I went for a long walk down to Torrance beach taking pictures all along the way. Once I got there, my objective was the old steep ramp we had to use in the olden days before the city made less steep ones to the north. I use to climb that ramp struggling to get to the top when I was 8-10 carrying all kinds of beach paraphernalia like chairs, buckets, balls, while wearing flip-flops sandals. Later I would carry my surfboard up and down without any problem. I rode my skateboard down a few times flying out onto the sand for many yards.



Sunday 08- I drove home.

Monday 09- a little overcast here and there, but still nice. I cleaned and mopped the bathroom. I watered the plants. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. Mailed Condo key to Kula. Neighborhood Watch meeting, then Board Meeting.


Tuesday 10- a little overcast and not as warm as yesterday. I did my stretches and ran a mile. I went over to Stoney’s to check on the roof, run the suburban for a spell, took a plunger to tub and tried to unstop it; Roger said it was slow to drain. I talked to Jimmy later in the evening and he said it was okay to use Drano or whatever to free it. I did my laundry while I was there.


Wednesday 11- the wind was blowing really hard. I did my stretches and lifted weights. Kelly called to tell me she saw a big UFO


Thursday 12- the wind is blowing harder and clouds are moving in. I did my stretches and ran a mile. I went to town to get Kelly her meds.


Friday 13- there was bad weather today; wind and rain all day. I did my stretches, core trainer, yoga, lifted dumbbells, rode the bike, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran up and down the hill carrying 5lbs dumbbells in each hand. I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter.

Saturday 14- the weather is still a little nippy at 59 degrees and mostly cloudy. I did my stretches. I was on my way to the Honda dealership in Yucca Valley to buy a Honda Metropolitan 49cc scooter when John Massey dropped by to hit the heavy bag. He also wanted to check them out because he ain’t getting much fuel efficiency. We spent most of the day at the Honda shop jawing and swapping bike stories with Rocky and Chris who work there. The mechanic got the scooter all ready and I had John drive my car back home while I took the scooter. On my way back home I took the side streets to stay off hwy 62 and passed through different neighborhoods were children would wave and tell me what a cool bike I had. I never got that response on my Harley, from anybody! The little Honda drove very well and I was surprised at the power it had- not that I’d win any races, but it did climb up a long hill at an average speed of 30-35mph. At 114MPG it will be very useful on driving short distances here and there. And besides I ain’t in no hurry to get anywhere.


Sunday 15- A fine day outside; just right for visiting neighbors. I heard hammering across and down the street. I knew it was my new neighbors that came out to do some work on their cabin. Watered all the plants. I rode the new scooter around later in the day. I was being chased by dogs and stopped by the house to have a talk with their owner. He seemed not to care, but I was polite to him anyways.


Monday 16- just a beautiful day. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I took the scooter over to visit Mac. He says he likes the little bike. I did a night run.


Tuesday 17- the weather is getting kinda warm out there! I did my stretches and ran a mile. I messed around the house fixing and cleaning this and that. I did a night run. I played the guitar. I need to get back into playing it more.


Wednesday 18- the weather is nice with temps about 85 degrees. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I took Kelly to Rite Aid, state disability, post office, McDonalds for some hamburgers and fries, back to Rite Aid to pick up her meds, then to Stater Bros to do her shopping. I got home around 9:30PM.


Thursday 19- the temps are now into the 90s! I did my stretches and ran a mile. I drove to Yucca with John Massey. I had to deposit a check at BofA and then shopped at Home Depot- needed sandbags to hold down heavy bag, and a few other things to hookup another solar panel. Around 4PM Kelly got a hold of me to fix her air-conditioning unit- turned out a nut was loose on the fan motor which I tightened and that fixed the problem with the loud noise. We went down to her mailbox and painted her name and address on it. We got back to her house where I dug a hole for her kitten that had passed on earlier in the month. Got back to my house and washed the Cougar. I’m feelin mighty tired…
I went for a night run at 11:30pm.


Friday 20- temps are in the mid 90s on a cloudless day. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand.




Saturday 21- temps got a bit over a hundred! I did my stretches. I am rearranging my exercise schedule a little bit where I do the heavy stuff on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be my running days. Saturdays and Sundays are my days off. I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa website and sent out the Newsletter. John Massey came over in the evening after dark and we sat and jawed about astronomy and science while watching the Lyrid meteor shower. John has practically no night vision. I’d be pointing right at a big one that shot across the sky and he wouldn’t even see it. Most of them were dim and if the Moon would’ve been out we wouldn’t see them at all, but there were others that came in hot and their tails smoking. John left around midnight while I stayed out till almost 3AM- I always feel as one with the universe when I gaze into this dark starry vastness. It was well worth it!


Sunday 22- temps are still over a hundred and no wind. It’s Earth Day and I put up a new solar panel to run a small 12volt DC Igloo cooler to keep a few food items that I don’t want frozen by my freezer.


Monday 23- a little bit windy, but still hot with a few clouds rolling by. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I didn’t do much of anything except mess around some on FaceBook. I’ve been doing too much of that these last few months… I went for a night run.


Tuesday 24- the weather was a little cooler with a few clouds rolling in later in the afternoon and evening. I did my exercises and went for a mile run. I rode the little Honda to fetch my mail and then drove it to Landers. Mac came over and we set him up with an online account and he bought himself a laptop on eBay.


Wednesday 25- it was very nice outside today. I got up early to take Kelly down to Social Services to see VA Rep. We got there a little after 9AM and found out the Rep called to say she wouldn’t be in, dang we’ll have to try next Wednesday. We went to Denny’s and ate breakfast. The wait for food was long, but the food and the service were okay. After Denny’s we made our way to the Social Security office in Yucca Valley so Kelly could get duplicates of her stuff. I checked out when I should apply. They said no until three months before my 62 birthday; I’ll be 62 in one year and three months on August 8th…. We stopped off at WalMart and Stater Bros before going back home.


Thursday 26- it actually got a little hot today. I did my stretches and ran two miles. My neighbor Mark Delgado came by with his son Mark Jr. to see my solar panel setup. They are out for the weekend to do some work on their cabin across the street and down a ways from me.


Friday 27- it was nice and cool. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I heard hammering across the way. It was my neighbor Mark Delgato, his son Mark Jr., and brother-in-law Royal working on their cabin. I went on over for a visit. Later in the afternoon I took Kelly to the post office to pick up her new cell phone. We then went to a Chinese restaurant and got stuffed on sweet and sour pork. We sat outside at her house drinking cokes and jawing.

Saturday 28- it was nice and cool again. I did my stretches. I went to potluck were about twenty happy but hungry desert folk showed up. Chris Jonas made his Fabulous Macaroni Salad. Folks were asking Dorothy Jacobsen for her recipe for her macaroni and cheese corn casserole; her fig bars were tasty too. Dyan Carroll provided a wonderful shrimp and crab seafood lasagna along with Sunday truffle that was mighty fattening. Ruthie Malton brought a Bundt cake that disappeared quickly. Mary Koval and her daughter Chris cooked up a feast of Cowboy Casserole, miniature date nut muffins, and chocolate strawberry cupcakes. Marie Morrison’s Au Gratin potatoes vanished quickly from the table. David Royer spent hours concocting a scrumptious pasta tuna salad for our gastronomical pleasure. Rose Matich steamed up some carrots and peas. Pretty Marybeth Rubin cooked us up some vegetarian chili with cheese bread that I really liked. I noticed sadly nobody had any of the rice I brought. I thought that Marybeth’s chili would go good on my rice and I must have said it out load because most everybody came back to put it in with their chili. The rice and the chili were gone in a flash. I stopped off at Kelly’s to drop off some leftovers and we drank a few cokes outside again.

Sunday 29- it was a little breezy and hazy outside. I did my stretches. I called a few friends and family. I dropped over to Linda and Blake’s for a bit of tea and to chat about thermonuclear devices. 

I started writing a new book after seeing a drawing of Bonnie Young’s. Name of the book is “Girl in the Cellar”… I still need to edit my first two books :(



Monday 30- it is getting hotter, into the 90s, and so hazy you can’t see the mountains to the west. I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, yoga, lifted weights, punched heavy bag, and ran up the hill and back carrying 5lbs in each hand. I planted some tomatoes and dell peppers, so I guess I’m finally starting my garden… Goodbye to April- seems like I packed a whole lot of living in ya!

March 2012

Welcome to the Month of March- The wind has settled down a bit from yesterday, but there is still a stiff breeze and the temps never got above 60 degrees.
I lifted weights and did light stretching because of my hip sprain which is feeling better, but I’ll stay the course and favor it for a good week and not do any running and definitely no bicycling where I believe I got the sprain when I powered up the hill like I’ve never done before, outside my house.
I spent most of the day writing a response to an article in the local newspaper about the City of Yucca Valley town council voting to take all the Block Grants themselves and not sharing it with their rural neighbors; which Copper Mountain Mesa, where I live, is one. Got me pretty darn upset!

Friday 02- Ah, a nice day outside!
I did my stretches, lifted weights, core trainer, and punched the heavy bag.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the Newsletter.
I was almost done doing the above when my neighbor John Massey came by to punch the heavy bag. He said he really needed boxing gloves because it was hurting his hands which he had broken many times before, he said. I’ve been thinking of getting some gloves myself and called up Big 5 in Yucca and they did have boxing gloves. They did. So we took his truck to Yucca and did some minute shopping at WalMart and Staters Bros and then headed over to Big 5 and I purchased the gloves.
I went for a short walk that evening. Then I settled down to watch a new episode of “Castle” and “Endgame” before going on FaceBook.


Saturday 03- It was another nice day with temps up to 70 degrees.
John Massey came over and we both beat the hell out of the heavy bag using the new boxing gloves.


Sunday 04- Okay, the weather is wonderful outside, what gives?
I went over to Linda and Blake’s house.
I watched “Fringe”.


Monday 05- It is a beautiful day. The sky was overcast for most of the day, but still it was pleasant.
I did my stretches and ran a mile.
I did my studies outside.
I went for a walk listening to Astro 7B lecture #11 by Joshua Bloom.


Tuesday 06- It is mighty windy but not too cold. The winds must be gusting up to 60mph!
It’s too windy to do a run, but I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, punched the heavy bag, and lifted weights.
Jimmy called to tell me his renter said that some of the roofing is coming off Stoney’s. I called John Demers but he already knew about it.
I watched “Endgame”. I subscribed to Netflix for a free month and watched “Unlimited”.

Wednesday 07- Another windy day and cold too!
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, punched the heavy bag, and lifted weights.
I did my studies.
I’ve been watching a lot of episodes of “Monk” on Netflix.

Thursday 08- Still a lot of wind.
I did my stretches and ran a mile.
Kelly and I drove to 29 to do a little shopping. We ate chicken from Stater Bros at her house.


Friday 09- The wind has died down and it’s a beautiful day.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, core trainer, punched the heavy bag, and lifted weights.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the newsletter.
I did my studies.

Saturday 10- A little breezy today, but nice.
I did my stretches and ran a mile.


Sunday 11- A very nice day!
I did my stretches.
I called Family and Friends. I might have talked too long to one of them…
I watched “Serenity” (2005) on Netflix.

Monday 12- Another very nice day with temps into the high 70s.
I did my stretches, yoga, lifted dumbbells, rode my bike, core trainer, lifted weights, punched the heavy bag, and ran with weights.
I did my studies.
I went for a walk listening to Astro 7B lecture #12 by Joshua Bloom, about: Change of state of the electron in Neutral Hydrogen, in clouds, creates radiation at 21cm or 1420Mhz.
I watched lecture 22 on the Berkeley biology course about: Viruses, Bacteria, Plasmids, and Transposons.
I went to the Neighborhood Watch meeting at 5:30 and stayed for the community board meeting that started at 7pm. Got back home a little after 8pm. Both meeting went well. At the NHW meeting, we’re still getting our rules and procedures in order. At the board meeting, we discussed ways of getting more members and volunteers, also discussed Yucca Valley taking all the Block Grant monies.
I spent a good hour out in the yard doing a little stargazing. Mars was at oppositions on the 3rd and is shining brightly about 60 degrees above the eastern sky. Venus and Jupiter are almost in conjunction (March 14th), hanging together in the western sky. Venus is the brighter of the two.



Tuesday 13- A few clouds but otherwise it was rather pleasant.
I did my stretches and ran a mile.
I went for a walk listening to Astro 7B lecture #13 by Joshua Bloom.
I watched lecture 23 on the Berkeley biology course about: More about hydrogen, dust, and the creation of stars from that dust.
I took another picture of the Venus and Jupiter conjunction.


Wednesday 14- The weather started out nice but grew cold and windy as the day progressed.
I did my stretches.
I was suppose to take Kelly but couldn’t get a hold of her yesterday or today, so I thought I ought to go over to check to make sure she was okay. She had slept for the better part of the time and I stayed for a long spell yapping with her.


Thursday 15- A very nice day outside.
I picked up Kelly and we went into Yucca Valley to do some shopping. We had lunch at the Sizzler and our server was a guy called Matt.


Friday 16- Hazy skies outside today.
I did my stretches, lifted dumbbells, yoga, core trainer, ran a mile, lifted weights, rode my bike halfway up the hill, and punched the hell out of the heavy bag.
I did my studies- need to get caught up on them.
John Massey came by with his friend Richard to get the papers for the Jeep I was trying to sell for him on Crag’s List. I didn’t think I had them because I don’t keep stuff like that for other folks, but searching later I found them and called John I had them.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the newsletter.
I went for a walk listening to Astro 7B lecture #14 by Joshua Bloom about the Milky Way.
I watched lecture 24 on the Berkeley biology course about:


Saturday 17- Very windy with some rain.
It’s Kelly’s birthday today. We went to Stater Bros. where I bought cake and ice cream. She cooked up a great dinner of top sirloin and gravy with potatoes. We watched a move “Season of the Witch” (2011) on Netflix with my iPad.


Sunday 18- It snowed! Temps in the low 30s.
I’m sick and slept most of the day.


Monday 19- The weather is still cold and windy, but there are clear skies overhead.
I’m still sick. So I just stayed in bed mostly watching a few science videos on YouTube.


Okay, the rest of the month I’ve was still sick and when I’m sick, especially with a headache, I don’t feel like doing anying. I even turn off the ringer to my telephone. I mostly watched “Monk” and a few movies everyday. I spent too much, way too much time on FaceBook; that will have to stop! So don’t expect much to read here…

Tuesday 20- I’m sick.

Wednesday 21- I’m still sick.
I had to go to the post office to pick up a package.

Thursday 22- I’m feeling’ sicker.

Friday 23- Just wanted to stay in bed today.
I took Kelly and her cat Calypso to the veterinarian, post office, and onto a sandwich shop in 29 that served falafels; never had one, tasted mighty fine.

Saturday 24- Mostly sunny till mid afternoon when high clouds started forming overhead.
Sick I’m still.
Updated the Copper Mountain Mesa website and sent out the Newsletter.

Sunday 25- The wind blew fiercely and almost rained.

Monday 26- The weather cleared and I felt a little better so I did some light exercises; stretches, yoga, dumbbells, core trainer, punched heavy bag, went for a walk, and rode the bike partway up the hill.

Tuesday 27- I’m still ain’t feelin’ well…
The weather was great so I drove to WalMart for some 12hr nose-spray, then on to Stater Bros to get some supplies.

Wednesday 28- aarrhhgg… laid in bed mostly.

Thursday 29- I did a few light exercises.

Friday 30- I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the newsletter.


Saturday 31- Very windy today.
Annelies sent out an email titled “Tragic News from Copper Mountain Mesa… Bill and Elizabeth Treas lost their youngest son David, in a tragic accident last Wednesday morning... The Treas are holding a Memorial/Celebration of Life get-together at their Home in Landers, tomorrow Saturday March 31st, from 12noon.” I remembered I had some pictures of 2yr old David I had taken at a couple of our Potlucks; Bill had once asked me for a copy a year ago or so. I needed to rush, it was already 11:30AM. I spent the next hour searching through my picture files until I came upon about twenty of them. I burned them to CD and called Annelies for directions; she wasn’t home, dang. I had a hunch and went to the Hi-Desert Star website where I found an article that contained the approximant address and then look it up in Google Maps. All I had to do was drive to that block in Landers and hunt around for about 15mins before I found the place; there were many, many people there. Annelies, Patrick, Chris Jonas, Marcie and her son were there. I gave the CD to Bill and told him how sorry I felt for his family. Before I left I told Chris I wasn’t going to Potluck today because I’ve been sick; he said he’d drop me off some leftovers, which he did a little after 5pm. All in all, I spent about a half hour there and was glad to get back home and covered up in bed.
Kelly’s wonderful cat Calypso has passed on and Kelly is mighty upset right now. At birth Kelly had to breathe life into the stillborn baby kitten, and held that same cat 12 years later in her arms as Calypso gave her last breath.
Clint, my nephew and a Marine, is coming back from Afghanistan tonight around 11pm. Audrey and John drove from Tucson to San Diego to see him.
Goodbye to March! I hope I get over this cold or whatever it is in April!!!