Welcome to the month of April!
Dang windy today with temps in the low 70s.
I did my stretches.
A recap on Sunday: I spent all day replacing the fuel pump in the Cougar. I started the car and the engine worked just fine, but there was a hissing noise coming from where the the fuel pump was. I looked and noticed that it was spraying gas and quickly turned off the engine and disconnected the battery. What had happened was that the fuel line somehow had gotten a small nick where I cut the metal to get at the fuel pump and was spraying gas everywhere. I won’t go into detail of all the cuts, scrapes, and bumps to my head installing the pump.
Today: I took Mac’s little car to Autozone in Twentynine Palms to get a union, a long brass fitting with ribs, and use it to connect two ends and splices them together.
I did as the instructions said and soaked the two cut ends of the fuel line in hot water to soften the plastic tubing, then put the union inside each half and pushed until I got them as far up on the union as I could. I connected the battery back up and started the engine...no leak, Yay for me!!!!
I took Mac’s little car back to him and picked up my truck that I had left there and drove it back home.
I remembered I needed to install the new fuel filter and got under the car to do that, but when I disconnected the fuel line from the old filter, it sprayed gas all over me; I’m glad I quite smoking decades ago :)
With all that done, I drove the Cougar to pick up my mail and she ran very well.
Later in the evening I drove over to Kelly’s home for a short spell...
I watched season 2 episodes 19 and 20 of “Numb3rs: Guns and Roses, and Rampage.
Tuesday 02- still a windy day but not as bad as yesterday.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes. I had to stick around waiting for the Honda dealership to call about the lemon scooter, so I didn’t go for a run... I need to go for a run soon.
One of the dove eggs hatched! Earlier in the day I heard a noise of loud flapping by the nest and found that a quail had sat on top of a trash can that had a hinged top and fell inside when it opened. I let the poor creature out; it was okay and I fed it some seed. The mother dove flew away at that time and I checked on its nest and found that one of the eggs had a small crack in it. I checked a few hours later and discovered the baby dove.
The Honda dealer Rocky called and we seem to have come up with a plan.
Wednesday 03- a very nice day with temps in the low 80s.
I did my stretches.
I left early around 9am to take the trip to Yucca Valley to the Honda Dealer to finalize the demise of the Lemon Honda and the birth of the new Yamaha Zuma 5occ scooter. Rocky was very helpful and we agreed that the deal was a fair one. I am now the owner of a Yamaha Zuma; the bike I should have bought in the first place. After all the problems I had and the time and frustrations trying to get it working I can truly say I will never buy a Honda again. Austin will deliver it on friday.
After I got back I took a nap and spent a few hours reading the Zuma’s owner’s manual.
I checked up on the dove nest and the mother and dad were both there at the nest and decided not to disturb them.
I watched season 5 episode 19 of “Castle: The Lives of the Others”: a very big surprise at the ending!
Thursday 04- a little windy and temps in the low 80s.
I did my stretches.
I had to get the Cougar washed and ready to drive Kelly down to her doctor’s appointment in Palm Desert at 1pm.
I picked her up at noon and we were driving down the road from her house when the car started acting like the engine was hesitating. Kelly thought it might have air in the fuel line or the injectors were clogged. We made it all the way to Yucca Valley where I pulled into the parking lot at WalMart to get some injector cleaner when the engine stalled completely and wouldn’t start. I checked everything that may have been wrong and all I could think of is that the new fuel pump I installed on Sunday was defective. I had to have Kelly made the call to AAA and arranged for the tow, that’s how truly upset I was, not in a mean way, but in a confused kinda way trying to think things through. We went to Subway to get sandwiches and did a little shopping at WalMart as we waited for the tow truck to take us back home. I could tell that Kelly was in lots of pain and had the tow truck driver drop her off at her house first since it was on the way. Once we had the Cougar in my driveway I transferred Kelly’s groceries into my truck and drove to her house to mellow out for a spell watching Star Trek Next Generation. She fell asleep and I read from my laptop I had brought with me that I was supposed to use while waiting at the doctor’s office we never made it to.
Friday 05- it was a really nice day, but a bit breezy!
I did my stretches, yoga, core trainer, lifted weights, and punched the hell out of the heavy bag. I needed to hang around the house and couldn’t go for a run because I was waiting for a call from the Honda dealer to deliver my brand new 2012 Yamaha Zuma 50cc scooter.
While I was waiting I checked out a few more things on the Cougar to see if it’d start; it didn’t. I will work on it tomorrow.
Austin dropped off the scooter around 3pm and it appeared in good shape. I thanked him and then after I called AAA to update my insurance policy, headed on over to Rite Aid to pick up Kelly’s prescriptions she desperately needed. The scooter had plenty of get up and go, and rode on the dirt road without any problem.
I picked up a roasted chicken over at Stater Brothers and shared it with Kelly when I dropped off her prescriptions.
I watched season 1 episode 19 of “Elementary: Snow Angels”: about a guard being shot and killed during the biggest storm to hit New York City.
Saturday 06- pretty windy today, but warm.
I did my stretches.
I went right to work on the Cougar. My thinking was that I didn’t have it screwed into the bottom of the tank all the way; there is a little bracket you twist it into until it locks. I twisted it into the bracket and thought that I fixed the problem because it started right up. So I put all my tools that I might need to repair it again in the trunk and took it for a test spin. It was a good thing I did bring the tools because not more than a mile away it sputtered and died. I was in the middle of a side road and said the hell with it and took the whole unit out dripping gas and all. It seems that the top of the unit came unsnapped, so I took the unit all apart, put everything back in place inside the way it should be, snapped the top back on unit, twisted the unit back into the bracket at the bottom of the gas tank, put the top back on and connected the hose and electric connection. The Cougar fired right up and I drove it home. I will not trust this car until I drive it around for a spell. I will borrow a car from someone to take Kelly to her doctor’s appointment on Tuesday.
I decided to drive my new scooter around for a spell. I stopped by at Mac’s to yap of my tales of woes at him and show off my new scooter.
I got back home before sunset to feed the doves.
I updated the Copper Mountain Mesa Website and sent out the newsletter.
***** Stuff I Wrote this Week******
the FDA scientists are known to look the other way and then get hired by these pharmaceuticals later on; labs and scientists are paid to produce conflicting studies and become spokespersons. I made up my mind last night to finish using up what I have that contains aspartame and buy no more. Same thing with GMOs... they release these alterations of nature into the wild, like the public is some kinda test bed or petri dish, then hope that they can make as much money as they can before their product is found out to be a killer. :(
Good Teachers always pass on a little seed that grows and spreads beyond anything they could ever imagine. Be the harvester of dreams and the dreamer of realms yet discovered.
Lost in a sea of darkness with no light at end, you set your sails and cast lines to sail away again. The little boat has food to last beyond the crimson pillar gates, the wind is swift and tugs the sail from this evil place.
Those words we never spoken, to those we feel so dear, of hearts that may be broken, by words they’ll never hear. Fear of love is endless, a feat that may be tamed, by those who treat you kindly, and love you all the same. If you fail to ponder, of what the future holds, you may live beyond your time and always live alone.
So listen hard and listen long to what the songbird says, if your life you never seek a truer heart instead. You'll end up on that road alone lost in realms of woe, to travel forth, but hesitate, never to walk this way again.
Surround yourself with interesting people who have the courage to be different, exhibit profound creative ability, and the unpresumptuous audacity to think they can change the world for the better!
Interesting!
I water witched before! I was in Washington state on a friend's property and he was doing it... I didn't believe him and he gave me the rods and said for me to try it. He showed me but it didn't work until he laid his hand on my shoulder and the rods crossed... after that I was able to walk around and find water where the rods crossed. I could back up and down from where I found it and the rods would cross and uncross; I thought that was pretty neat, so I keep an open mind of things I can't explain...
I was visiting a friend's house and there were 5 guys playing cards. They were drinking... I told them I didn't know how to play cards. They said it was easy and showed me. I kept winning... I had to go to work at Mattel Toys and told them I had to quit. they got really mad and said they wanted me to stay so they could have a chance to win their money back...it wasn't very much money about maybe ten bucks, but I was upset that they would be mad at me and very vocal about it. So I pushed my winnings to the middle of the table and said they can have it. They actually fought over the small amount of nickels, dimes, and quarters as I left for work... That's another lesson I learned...
******
Sunday 07- very windy.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
I called Family and friends.
I watched season 2 episodes 21 and 22 of “Numb3rs: Rampage, and Backscatter.”
Monday 08- very very windy.
Way to windy and dust in the air to exercise so I’ll take the day off.
I drove my new scooter to the community center for the board meeting; the Neighborhood Watch was called off due to Linda S. being sick. Strange things happened there at the meeting which I had nothing to do with.
I watched season 2 episode 23 of “Numb3rs: Undercurrents.”
Tuesday 09- very windy.
I did my stretches but it was still windy outside.
I took Kelly to her doctor’s appointment in Palm Desert. On our way back home stopped at Chilly Willy's fish and chips in Yucca Valley on our way home from a doctors appointment in Palm Desert. Our waitress was named Sandy; she was very knowledgeable about the menu and the area and treated us just fine. The fish and chips were mighty good, served with five different sauces to dip the fish into.
The price was right...
Only problem was they no longer take credit cards and we had to scramble for cash, but I won't take a star away for that...
I watched season 2 episode 23 of “Numb3rs: Hot Shot.”
Wednesday 10- a little breezy but not bad.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran up the hill with 5lbs, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
I rode my scooter to Twentynine Palms to get Kelly’s prescription filled; it took them over an hour to fill it. I went to Stater Brothers and picked up an 8 piece fried chicken for us to eat, and a few other things. I stopped in at Burger King for a cup of coffee. I had a nice conversation with Derek an employee there, about college and stuff like that.
I stayed at Kelly’s for a few hours watching Star Trek and got home around 9pm or so.
Thursday 11- a wonderful day outside with temps in the low 80s.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
The Mother dove was gone for a long spell and I started to panic... should I bring them inside if Mom doesn't show up, how to feed them, stuff like that went racing through my mind.... I rode my scooter to my friend’s house who is on vacation to water their garden.
I watered my own plants when I got back home. The Mother dove was back sitting on the nest...what a relief!
I did my stretches, lifted 10lb dumbbells and went for my evening walk with my backpack, listening to lecture 5 of Geography 130: different ways of looking at how the environmental problems and issues are quantitated using abstract methods of data gathering that are somewhat erroneous .
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book, and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: a house.
I did my stretches, lifted 20lb dumbbells, and went for a night run.
I finished chapter 15 of “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: Creating Punnett Squares.
I practiced my guitar.
While messing around with my notebook trying to install Linux I lost my master boot record. It’s too late in the night to do anything about that now.
Friday 12- a few clouds and temps in the low 80s.
I did my stretches.
I went outside and noticed that the mother dove wasn’t there so I went over to see the little ones in the nest. I was talking and cooing to them when I noticed, not a foot away, the mother dove was sitting right on one of the buckets next to the nest watching me. I backed away slowly and left them alone. I was surprised she let me that close to her babies.
(This next part is for Techies only) I spent the better part of the day messing around with my notebooks. I won’t mention the little stuff like downloading OSs and loading them onto USB sticks, or searching for drivers and such.
I have found the reason that I lost my MBR (master boot record) on the notebook is recently there is something called a Secure Boot, or UEFI, (a surprise to me) which prevents programs like the GRUB bootloader from creating a dual boot system; like Windows 8 and Ubuntu Linux. So when I forced GRUB to write a record there it erased my MBR and I wasn’t able to gain access to any OS; the notebook was basically bricked. The fix I found was quite easy; put in a Windows system DVD, I used Win7, and click on Repair when it’s all loaded. Then go into the terminal and type: “bootrec /fixmbr” and that fixed it so I was able to boot up into Win8 with no problems and nothing lost. I tried several other methods today to get Ubuntu Linux to boot up; creating a new partition; even their new download that was supposed to work with UEFI wanted me to delete Win8! Not the solution I was looking for. I will continue my search for the answer later.
After I gave up on the dual-boot the Win8 notebook, I worked on another one that’s been giving me problems; my HP Mini-note 1000 running XP like it was pouring honey on a cold winter’s morn. I had installed Ubuntu on it and it ran about the same and didn’t have WIFI and doesn’t have an RJ45 slot to hook it to a router to get the drivers needed to get the WIFI to run. Well last night when I went looking for my Win7 DVD, I came across an old USB Wifi dongle I used on my old Win ME desktop. So I plugged it into the Mini-note and the WIFI worked with Ubuntu, yea! But it still ran really slow. I remembered that Lubuntu, which is a lighter Linux OS version of Ubuntu, ran mighty fine on my Dell Mini 9 Netbook. So I installed Lubuntu over XP and Ubuntu wiping them off my drive for good. It ran just fine and I was able to install the needed WIFI drivers for the HP Mini-note’s WIFI through the dongle; all is well and it feels like a new system. I went into the Terminal and typed: "sudo apt-get install Lubuntu-restricted-extras" and was able to get and run flash on the Chrome Browser. The only thing that didn’t work was the Amazon movie player on their website. Skype works as well! That’s how I spent my day; I love this stuff :)
I started chapter 16 of “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: Non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance.
Saturday 13- a bit breezy with temps in the low 80s... it really started blowing hard around 2pm and is building as I write this.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
I took the Cougar at for a short spin; seems to be running okay, but I still don’t trust it yet after last time; just trying to build up my confidence little by little.
I checked and filled the batteries with distilled water.
I listened to lecture 6 of Geography 130: Economics, the dismal science.
I kicked back after doing all my chores around the house and mindlessly surfed the internet. I wanted to go do some stargazing tonight but because of the high winds I’ll wait until tomorrow.
***** Stuff I Wrote this Week******
Awaken from a dream in a garden of spring's delights by dandelion seeds buckle in tiny parachutes dancing upon the sky.
Memories of bittersweet sorrows, of a love that refused to die, Majestic flows of vivid colors, leave their patterns written in my mind.
How to contain these deep emotions, running wicked through my brain, in breaking waves of pounding sorrow they wear away reality as if waking from a dream.
Oh faithful memories do matter, they dwell to keep me warm, I am balanced on a scale of forever whose fulcrum is quite worn.
Tither be the handmaiden to a religion of utter greed, to refuse these deep obsessions of life and love, a burden, a soul in flame.
I gathered all I’ve spoken, I gathered the sorrow all the same, for the road yet untaken they follow, leaving footprints in the rain.
So please forgive my ramblings, they are from a mind that’s quite been used, simple is forgiven my friends, in the land of silent scorn.
******
Sunday 14- a very nice sunny day; no wind until the early evening.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
I took the Cougar out for a spin again to test it; it died not more than a mile from home. I fixed it again so I could drive it back home and remove the whole assembly to have a really good look at it. I knew it was something I did wrong. So I compared it to the pictures I first took and found that I had somehow put this thick plastic ring upside down so that the top would keep popping off. Now it is really fixed!
Monday 15- windy!
I did my stretches, lifted weights, core trainer, yoga, ran up and down the hill with 5lbs dumbbells, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
Chris Jonas came by with my USDA groceries; said over 80 folks showed up.
Later I found out on my computer about the bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon; very disturbing. I turned on the TV after months of nonuse to get updates, but of course the news stations played the two blasts over and over and over......
I drove the Cougar down to our community center for the Neighborhood Watch meeting feeling confident it wouldn’t die on me on the way there.
Looks we’ll shoot for a September date for the community cleanup. We’ll coordinate this activity with the CMMCA board of directors.
We are thinking of having a get together potluck where we are going to make our own watch signs to put up; this is all tenitive and will be discussed at future meetings. All members agreed I’m to ask Annelies to write a piece about the diaper dumper.
The Cert Training will begin in May 23 6PM and continuing every Thursday evening from 6-9PM (except for the 4th of July) with the last class on July 13 being at 8AM until Noon. The Training is free and graduates will be provided official documentation and equipment at no charge. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend; just notify any CMMCA board or Neighborhood Watch member to get your name on the list.
Tuesday 16- very windy!
I did my stretches and yoga.
I am trying to sort out in my mind what happened in Boston. I’m doing it by writing poems and such, and have been posting them on FaceBook most of the day.
Wednesday 17- windier! Colder!
I did my stretches, core trainer, lifted weights, yoga, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
A Fertilizer Plant Explosion Near Waco, Texas; I hope everyone is okay, something else to ponder this week.
I’m still writing poems on FaceBook.
I watched season 4 episode 11 of “Warehouse 13” trying to take my mind off of events of this week... worked a little.
Thursday 18- windy, windy and windier!
I did my stretches.
I was supposed to take Kelly to the city to do her shopping, but she had to cancel.
The two baby doves took flight today! I saw them hiding in the bushes nearby. I will toss some extra seeds out for them this evening.
I watched season 5 episode 20 of “Castle; The fast and the furriest”, but I just wasn’t much into it.
Friday 19- not as windy today!
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
Mac called needing help loading his Harley onto his truck. This only took half an hour and his Harley was all secured to the truck with tie downs.
I was trying to get back into the swing of things and go for an evening walk, but before I went I checked the news to see if there was any update on catching suspect 2. As I watched; the news said that everyone could leave their homes and that they thought that the suspect had left the area. Then all of a sudden there were reports of shots fired. Needless to say, I didn’t go for my evening walk, but stayed glued to the TV until they caught the (you can add your own word here of what to call him) alive. I’m feeling better already!
Feeling relieved, I watched three episodes of season 3 of “Numb3rs”, one of my favorite shows!
Kelly called at 2am saying someone was outside her house on a motorcycle. I threw on my clothes and quickly drove over. I searched around with my flashlight and didn’t find anyone, but stayed with her until she settled down; didn’t get back home till 4:30am.
Saturday 20- a very nice day!
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
I called Family and Friends throughout the day.
The baby doves are doing just fine! I see them everyday and they come out to eat the seeds I toss in the evenings.
I did my stretches, lifted 10lb dumbbells and went for my evening walk with my backpack, listening to lecture 7 of Geography 130: Adam Smith and Karl Marx.
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book, and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: a woman with long hair.
I practiced my guitar.
I did my stretches, lifted 20lb dumbbells, and went for a night run. I did a little stargazing when I got back!
I finished chapter 16 of “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: Building a map of a chromosome.
***** Stuff I Wrote this Week******
Absorb, ponder, write, and share...
Yes, I have many written notes on my writing tablet and scraps of paper hidden here and there. I must find them all, go back over them; these faint glimmers of thoughts that rattled through my head til I wrote all them down, reluctantly, a scribble of a thoughts so clear. They are calling me now, most urgently they await, to put them together with their friends before it be too late.
I want to change the world, but I think we must change first....
I probably sound crazy
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 ♥
Riding on unicorns, they're off with the wind, to a fairy castle that floats near heaven, in clouds of cotton candy, happy they'll be, to live there forever and ever in peace and harmony. To gaze down upon, from their loft high above, to a world so unfriendly to pixies as these.
The wonders of spring fill our minds with awe and hope. She's hiding a bit right now, waiting to spring upon us with her beautiful treasures of life full of brilliant colors to fill our eyes and bedazzle our souls.
Yes! To rise above the impossible, to set our sights on those places unknown, and hang on for dear life as we ride a wondrous dream!
After the heinous evil event that unfolded today shocking us all, I am going to take some time off of FaceBook to reflect....
I love you all ♥
Washed away by the rumbled blast, go fragments of a young dreamer’s past.
Far away and safe at home, I watch behind my plastic throne, as pixels display the crimson flow, that runs to mix upon cement so cold.
Bereaved as the wounded drift away and children to play not another day.
I dwell, I wonder, I go inside to seek answers to this senseless homicide, of who or what evil walks this land, I cannot pretend I understand.
Only time will wash away, these heinous moments for a better day. That day will come, all live in peace, to share, to love, but today we grieve.
I have found a jewel, a rare stone of many facets, on a beach of ordinary faux jewels, and I am glad to welcome this rare jewel into my life.
Expressing thoughts hidden deep inside that surface once in a great while. Though fleeting they may be, we catch them, ponder and praise them, those sweet memories of things and times gone past. Then and only then will we write these words of inner soul to share among our friends.
******
Sunday 21- A nice day.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
I rode the scooter over to Stoney’s to do my laundry and I listened to lecture 8 of Geography 130: Economics: more on Karl Marx.
I did my stretches, lifted 10lb dumbbells and went for my evening walk with my backpack, listening to lecture 9 of Geography 130: the Dust Bowl; the why and how of why it happened. Sod busters.
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book, and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: a funny face.
I did my stretches, lifted 20lb dumbbells, and went for a night run.
I started and finished chapter 17 of “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: DNA Synthesis.
I practiced my guitar.
I watched an season 3 episode 4 of “Numb3rs: Providence”; a painting worth 22 million is stolen and is also reported to have been confiscated by the Nazis in WWII.
Monday 22- Happy Earth Day.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran up and down the hill with 5lbs dumbbells each in each hand, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
I found a one egg in the new nest on my porch. (later the next day there were two)
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book, and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: a face of some kind.
I picked up Kelly at 3pm and drove to Yucca to do our shopping. WalMart, pet store, Vons, and Stater Brothers; We ate fried chicken we bought in town at her house...I didn’t get home until 9:30pm.
I watched an season 3 episode 4 of “Numb3rs: The Mole”; a Chinese interpreter is run down by a car.
Tuesday 23- another nice day.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran up and down the hill with 5lbs dumbbells each in each hand, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
I worked in the yard and made a shelter for the new nest while listening to lecture 10 of Geography 130: WPA and other government involvement in farming and the distribution of food.
I drove my scooter down to Lear Ave to collect my mail; none there.
I did my stretches, lifted 10lb dumbbells and went for my evening walk with my backpack, listening to lecture 11 of Geography 130: seed and grain elevators and how they changed the way grain is sold and then manipulated by a new market.
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book, and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: another face.
Vern came by to drop off the helmet I lent him. We stood around to chat for a spell yapping about motorbikes.
I did my stretches, lifted 20lb dumbbells, and went for a night run.
I listened to lecture 12 of Geography 130: Economics: .
I started and finished chapter 18 of “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: Molecular Genetics: reading the book of life. It is becoming clearer to me now how ribosomes form to read mRNA to create a peptide chain....sorta of :)
I watched season 3 episode 21 of “Castle: The Squab and the Quail”; someone tries to poison a brilliant inventor.
Wednesday 21- a sunny day.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
I listened to part of lecture 13 of Geography 130: Economics: corn field drainage.
Andrew came by for a visit and to take care of some business with his property. We jawed for a long spell catching up and yakking about old times.
Kelly called telling me she left her cell phone in my car on Monday when we went shopping. I drove it over to her and Andrew came by for a visit with her too. I didn’t get home till late...
Thursday 21- a wonderful spring day.
did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
While I cleaned around the house I finished listening to lectures 13 and 14 of Geography 130: corn field drainage.
I did my stretches, lifted 10lb dumbbells and went for my evening walk with my backpack, listening to lecture 15 of Geography 130: El Nino drought and the distribution of food.
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book, and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: a toad.
I read chapter 19 of “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: Control of Gene Expression.
I did my stretches, lifted 20lb dumbbells, and went for a night run.
I practiced my guitar.
I watched episode 20 of “Elementary: Dead Man’s Switch”.
Friday 26- it’s getting a little warmer into the high 80s.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for five minutes.
I watered the outside plants listening to lecture 16 of Geography 130: the ideas that led to the downfall of British rule in India.
I did my stretches, lifted 10lb dumbbells and went for my evening walk with my backpack, listening to lecture 17 of Geography 130: ideas romanticized by a rural lifestyle; things were always much better in the old days, but looking to find when the old days existed, one could go back a millennium.
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book, and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: a face.
I did my stretches, lifted 20lb dumbbells, and went for a night run.
Andrew called about getting a car for Kelly.
I studied “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: Recombinant DNA Technology.
I practiced my guitar.
Saturday 27- great day for a potluck!
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran up and down the hill with 5lbs dumbbells each in each hand, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
Sherry stopped by to say howdy and we yapped for a short spell. I’m going to go mend her roof in a week or so to help her out a bit.
I listened to lecture 18 of Geography 130: Economics of using of artificial nitrogen and genetically enhanced seeds and the effects it has on the poor farmer and the price of the crops.
I took the little scooter carrying my rice and chili bean surprise; it seemed to me we had quite a few desert folks had already showed up before I arrived.
Mary and Chris Koval cooked up a tasty tater tot casserole, a jello fruit salad and dinner rolls. Ruth Malton brought a bundt cake that was mighty delicious. Chris Jonas made his world famous award winning macaroni salad, and his family had pitched in to help. Dorothy Jacobsen cast a spell on all of us with her taglierini and cheddar biscuits. Again, Dyan Carroll outdone herself whipping up a four course meal of ham and cheese roll ups, cauliflower with cheese sauce, a key lime jello fluff, and finally a savoury spinach dip with veggies in sourdough bread bowl. Marie Morrison made a delightful carrot cake that gotten all ate up. Tim Atzei provided drinks for all. It was a mighty fine potluck, and there wasn’t a scrap of food left over it was so yummy!
***** Stuff I Wrote this Week******
This is neither mere rock nor stone, but an invisible line of departure well felt by all who come this way. Leaving a safe harbor on a voyage of awe and excitement. I've sailed past this point many times in my life. This is where I cast off ties to all land and its trappings to seek independence and regain my solitude of soul.
I post this every year on EARTH DAY:
I remember the first Earth Day way back in April 22, 1970. There was a rally held in a park next to the college I was attending at the time. The main speaker, a young well dressed bearded scholar, was lecturing us poor uninformed folk about how bad pollution and our way of living was destroying the world. After the rally I had some questions to ask this knowledgeable leader of the environmental movement. So I followed him out to his car and tried to ask my questions, but he said he was in a hurry and couldn't spend the time with me. He then drove off leaving me in a cloud of black smoke billowing out from the tailpipe of his Mercedes diesel.
I learned a great number of lessons on that day... Practice what you preach. Even back in 1970, as it is today, it was hard to find anyone who does. And another lesson learned was “Experts” don't know crap! You just gotta keep an open mind and evaluate what knowledge you accumulate, because you are ultimately the one responsible for what you do and how you live.
Oh and by the way, the electrical in my home is powered by solar panels. I hope you have a wonderful Earth Day and actually do something to lower your carbon footprint. Every little bit helps!
You just do it anyways regardless of who or what because it is the right thing to do!
There are words that take flight upon the backs of angels
to roam until they reach the ears
these lovely words that spell out loud
the words that we long to hear
we listen, we wait...
******
Sunday 28- A nice but breezy day with temps into the low 90s.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran up and down the hill carrying 5lbs dumbbells, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
I saw the weirdest kind of moth that almost looks like a hummingbird fly around my desert willow collecting nectar with the bees. Found out it was a White-lined Sphinx
My car didn’t start up yesterday when I was going to potluck; I had left a door ajar and the battery went dead. I left it that way and went to potluck on my scooter. Today I tried to start it with a jump from another battery, but all it did was make a clicking noise. So I hooked it up to a 120 watt solar panel to charge all day and will wait until tomorrow to put it back in the car and see if she’ll start.
I called family and friends throughout the day.
I waited till night to drive the scooter down to my mailbox on Border to collect my mail.
I went outside with my binoculars to stargaze and also to see Saturn at its closest to Earth. Saturn is rising in the east as Jupiter is setting in the west. The seeing wasn’t very good though...
Monday 29- windy and hotter!
I did my stretches and yoga. I kinda didn’t feel much like doing anything today, seeing how I only had about three and a half hours sleep last night. I think it might of been the news I recently heard of a couple of my friend’s health that has me a bit worried.
I let the car battery charge a bit more and finally took it out to the car around noon. I set the battery in the battery holder and connected the cables, turned the key and she fired right up, instant relief!
I installed a small 5 watt solar panel on the roof and connected it to electric leads to the inside fan I have to circulate air in my house; very nice when it’s hot.
In the evening I drove my scooter to my other mailbox on Lear to collect my mail.
Tuesday 30- such a beautiful spring day! A little breezy but very pleasant.
I did my stretches, lifted weights, yoga, ran a mile and a half with 1.5lbs around each wrists, core trainer, and punched the heavybag for two minutes.
I listened to lecture 18 of Geography 130: guest speaker Paul Johnston. (from this point on the lecture numbers on iTunes skip here and there and I lost track of which was which)
I did my stretches, lifted 10lb dumbbells and went for my evening walk with my backpack, listening to lecture 19 of Geography 130: guest speaker Sandy Brown talking about Fair Trade and bananas.
I did my studies; a lesson in Beginning Latin book (only 3 more lessons to go), and another in “1100 words you need to know workbook”, and I drew something: a face.
I did my stretches, lifted 20lb dumbbells, and went for a night run.
I listened to lecture 20 of Geography 130: guest speaker Elizabeth Havish on tuna.
I studied “Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies”: Genomics.
I practiced my guitar.
I watched season 5 episode 22 of “Castel: Still”; very touching.
Goodbye to April, you’ve been a worrisome and eventful month.
