Wondering!

Mistake Remedied

2012-01-15T21:20:00.002-07:00

I made a mistake about four years ago. Julie was off work for the summer and I had many enjoyable plans but not enough time. I decided to work eight hours straight so I could get home as soon as possible. I had been going to the weight room at the University for about five years and felt good. The summer progressed and I didn't take time to lift weights so I decided to cancel the membership at the recreation center. That was a bad mistake.

Lately I've watched myself decline and decided I had to do something. Last week I started another membership and lifted weights three days. It felt unbelievably fantastic the first day. The second day was better and the third was even better. I was surprised to learn I hadn't lost as much strength as I suspected.

For the last few years Julie and I have discussed building an exercise room as part of a work building that I hope to construct next year. Until that happens I plan on keeping the recreation center membership.

Geraniums in the sun room. I took this photo last week. I think we started with two or three. Julie likes to prune and I enjoy rooting what she prunes. This photo has nothing to do with the subject of this post. I simply like the geraniums and wanted to use the photo.

Behind Schedule

2012-01-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

January is one-third history and the greenhouse is unfinished. As is normal, I'm behind my optimistic schedule. Next weekend I'll finish some small details on the exterior, move in a few water barrels, fill them and let then begin collecting heat while I work on final details.

The addition is beside the utility room. The original cat door now exits into the greenhouse. Last weekend I installed the lower vent before Julie and I made a trip to town. The cats had been using the vent opening. When we got home we found one cat outside unable to get in and one in unable to get out. I knew I had to install another cat door so Maggie and Macy could get from the utility room to the greenhouse and then outside. Fortunately I had about an hour before dark to remedy my forgetfulness. I was able to install the new door in a few minutes.

Maggie, on the left, and Macy.

I've begun perusing seed catalogs for greenhouse varieties. By the end of the month I should have some seed planted. As soon as I have seed started in the greenhouse I'm going to construct two large cold frames using the ends of two polycarbonate panels saved from the greenhouse construction.

Solar vent openers warmed and opened. I'm testing the openers prior to installing them.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T21:56:00.001-07:00

We've had an enjoyable Christmas Eve.

This year Julie and I decided not to exchange gifts and we don't decorate so Christmas is much like any other day. Rather than exchanging gifts we try to do something together. I prefer this approach.

Julie baked bread this afternoon which I took out of the oven and photographed. She's been using her grandmother's dutch oven which was manufactured in Holland -- a true Dutch oven. The bread has been excellent.

A loaf of bread Julie baked in her grandmother's Dutch oven.

I worked on the greenhouse much of the day. I had to move a water hydrant which I installed a few years ago in what I thought was an out-of-the-way location. The addition of the greenhouse resulted in the hydrant being located just outside the doorway. The digging was fairly easy after breaking through the top six inches of ground which was frozen. I knew I had buried the waterline well below the frost line. As I dug I discovered I had buried it about thirty-six inches deep.

The shadows of rafters on the north wall of the greenhouse and the shadows of studs on the south wall on the ground.

Today I installed the first piece of polycarbonate. Fortunately there was only a slight breeze because the panels are six feet by twelve feet in size. I had hoped to install on Thursday or Friday but the weather didn't cooperate. I need one more day of calm weather to complete the enclosure before beginning on inside tasks.

Julie and I worked most of the day and walked almost five miles for exercise but it was a pleasant day of leisurely work.

Day 5 of 18

2011-12-20T17:55:00.001-07:00

Today is the fifth of eighteen days off work. It's been an enjoyable five days.

Last weekend we hosted supper for friends one of whom celebrated her sixty-forth birthday the day before mine. I didn't anticipate a gift but she gave me a puzzle. For several years I looked forward to winter in anticipation of assembling a large puzzle. It's been at least five years since I last had a puzzle so her gift was appreciated and enjoyable. Next time I'm in town I'm going to purchase another puzzle.

Gift Puzzle.

The weather has been nice. The high temperatures have been in the thirties and forties with sunny or mostly sunny skies and little or no wind. Today I worked outside wearing only a long sleeved tee shirt.

My main project at the moment is the attached greenhouse. I've finished the north wall, framed the south wall and cut all the rafters. Tomorrow I'll frame the east wall, nail the rafters in place and install blocking. On Thursday I hope to install the polycarbonate. By the weekend it will be finished on the exterior and I'll be working inside. Exciting!

I'm itching for another backpacking trip. Some how, some way I'd like to squeeze in a short trip before I go back to work but I don't think there's time. Regardless, the next thirteen days will be good.

For Childhood Hunger Instead

2011-12-15T11:37:00.001-07:00

I received an email from one of my sisters with the the following enclosure. I think she and my brother-in-law have a wonderful plan.

December 2011

For Childhood Hunger Instead

It is so extremely sad and distressing to us to know there are children actually dying of starvation across the world. We find it incredible and very troubling that there are hungry children in our own country. How, in this country, can there ever be even one? To us, that is unconscionable.

For the last two years, in memory of our little granddaughter, Natalia, we have made contributions to charitable organizations that benefit children; at Christmas time, for her birthday, as well as any other time of the year we might have been buying little things and celebrating with her.

Our plan was to do the same this year. But we decided to expand the idea by adding an ongoing “project”, at least through December 2012. We’re doing two things to save money to contribute to organizations that specifically fight childhood hunger. First, we are taking the amount of every “savings” and putting it aside as a contribution. This means any discount, any difference between a sale price and regular price, etc. Secondly, we are not doing some things or buying some things that we might normally. We certainly can do without some of the things we want, knowing that there are many, especially children, who don’t have what they need just for survival. So those “saved” monies are also being set aside as a contribution.

To help towards our goal, both this year and next we are only sending Christmas cards to certain individuals, such as elderly friends and/or family who are now much more confined in how often they can be out and about and friends and/or family who are alone or do not have computer access. The money we would spend on cards and stamps is instead to be used as an additional savings for our accumulating contribution. It has been fun and uplifting to see how a dollar or two, even a few pennies here and there, are adding up!

Unfortunately we did not come up with this idea at the beginning of 2011. So at year’s end we will contribute what we have saved thus far and begin again January 1st of 2012. That way we will know how much can be saved to contribute in one entire year.

In the past we have contributed to both the World Vision and Stop Hunger Now organizations. We will continue to make our contributions to them. We know the contributions go to feed children both in our country, as well as Africa, of course; or anywhere across our world where hungry children might be found. For Stop Hunger Now there have been two initiatives at our church. From those two drives we were able to pay for over 90,000 meals! A gym full of people gathered both times to package the meals, making them ready for immediate shipment to any area of need. And that packaging was completed in less than 3 hours total! With World Vision, in addition to contributions to feed hungry children, monies can also donated for much needed clothing, shelter, and/or educational materials for children.

What better thing could we do in Natalia’s memory than to concern ourselves with the needs of children, especially hungry little tummies? We feel comfortable that friends and family will not only understand, but cheer us on. They are that kind of people. We also feel comfortable that they know we wish them an especially blessed Christmas and a healthy, peaceful 2012!

Beauty

2011-12-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

During the night I put wood in the stove and took a few minutes to gaze out the sun room windows. The snow was shining and the moonlight painted shadows beneath the trees. It was tempting to feel my way to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee or tea in the dark and return to the sun room to watch the still quiet beauty outside.

Snow and Fog.

In the last part of the night the moon disappeared and fog hid all but the closest parts of nature as the sun tinted the sky. It was beauty cloaked in a warm cloud.

Saddle crater above the fading fog.

Before we left for work the fog began to dissipate and the snow turned brilliant white under a blue sky.

I had to work today so there wasn't time to play. Friday begins eighteen days off work. Hopefully there will be another snow, another sunny morning and time to walk and explore the beauty.

Almost Finished

2011-12-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

The current phase of the remodel of the house is almost finished.

I have perhaps 2 hours of work remaining to complete three trim items that I pushed to the end of the project. But these will wait. Julie's daughter, son-in-law and son-in-law's sister will arrive in about two hours for a week's visit.

Next weekend I want to finish these items and return to the attached greenhouse and attempt to finish it over the Christmas break.

Kitchen. We installed the cabinets a year ago and left the breakfast bar until this phase of the project. Note the unfinished window to the left of the microwave.

Dining Area. We have ordered a larger dining table and chairs which are scheduled for delivery the first week of January. Note the unstained piece of trim on the left end of the breakfast bar.

Sun Room. The doorway leads into the dining area.

First Week of December

2011-12-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Snow under low clouds that hid the hills. Any form of precipitation is always welcome.

Maggie on a cold evening. We had a fire in the stove as the temperature dropped to two degrees. Maggie slept contentedly on Julie's lap.

The current remodel project is almost finished. We have the flooring installed and much of the trim completed. All that remains is to install toe kick on the pantry, a few pieces of trim, some other miscellaneous items, touch up some paint, store the tools and plan the next project.

This little device merits an entire article. We did not request it but received it from an insurance company. It plugs into the ODB port on a car, records driving records and transmits them to the insurance company via cell signal. It's an example of corporate research, manipulative marketing, spy technology, big brother,animal husbandry of humanity and a few other bad things. I took this photo before returning the device.

Thanksgiving in Tucson

2011-11-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Early Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day, Julie and I packed quickly and left for the drive to Tucson. We stopped in Flagstaff for a cup of coffee, in Phoenix for breakfast and arrived in Tucson midday. We had reservations at a resort that gave us a room number a week ago and said the door would be unlocked since the office would be closed for the day.

There is a swimming pool, a volleyball pool, a hot tub and a conversation pool, a long curved pool with seating on both sides to facilitate conversations. We met a group from California, Arizona and Colorado that had met for Thanksgiving dinner. One lady will retire next spring after teaching German for 40 years at two universities. I enjoyed talking with her about changes in Germany since she came to this country as a young woman. The gentleman from Colorado told of his experiences walking coast to coast across Great Britain and recent hiking trips with Road Scholar, the new name for Elderhostel.

Julie had researched options for supper and had made reservations for the Cup Cafe in the historic Hotel Congress. We drove into Tucson, had supper and took a short walk around a few blocks before returning to the resort and the hot tub for more conversation with a couple from Phoenix.

Friday morning we made tea and returned to the hot tub where we met a couple from Reno, Nevada. He works for a online school that offers classes for K through 12. I don't have experience or much knowledge but have had a generally negative feeling about online K-12. I posed a few questions and learned much. The program isn't for all children but I learned it may be the best choice in some situations. It was a good conversation.

Friday afternoon we visited Saguaro National Park, West. The park is divided into two areas, East and West, that are separated by several miles. We watched a video at the visitor center before selecting a loop hike.

It was a good trip.

Saguaro National Park, West.

Our hike took us close to the abandoned Gould mine. Julie is picking up pieces of what I assume are iron pyrite.

Iron pyrite or fool's gold.

A healthy mature saguaro. Arms being growing at about age 75.

Sun behind a saguaro.

Good Progress

2011-11-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

We made good progress this weekend on the living/dining area remodel.

We picked up materials, finished preparing the walls, textured and painted the walls, painted and installed wainscot paneling, crown molding, door and window casing. I am well pleased with the wall texturing. I applied the compound and Julie came behind me knocking it down. She did a job equal to a professional.

Julie staining an oak panel that will trim the side of a pantry.

It will take another weekend to finish some trim items on the south wall, finish the breakfast bar, install flooring and baseboard and two lights.

This has been an enjoyable project.

Progress to date. This area needs flooring and baseboard. Note the side of the pantry that Julie stained in the above photo.

Future, Past and Present

2011-11-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

I'll celebrate my sixty-fifth birthday before the end of 2011. Seems strange in a way. I used to think of fifty as old and, for many years, joked that I hoped I died before I turned fifty. Why? Because most of the older people I knew were grouchy, set in their ways and unpleasant company. I didn't want to join their ranks.

Julie and I have been planning for the future. We've checked investments, talked schedules and identified goals to be completed before I quit work. We're on a "five year plan" as Julie likes to call it. I hope to work until I'm seventy and one-half. This will coincide with Julie's plan to quit work and the end of the spring term at the university. But I'm not as interested in the future as I am in the present.

Nor am I interested in the past. I did my "twenty-five years in hell" as I like to define it. Once I was free my two most enjoyable activities were grocery shopping and going to the laundromat. That may seem strange but they represent control. I was in control of my life. Life began to improve, become more hopeful and, finally, took on a sense of euphoria.

I like my life with Julie, I enjoy the present, my job and co-workers, the things I give myself to and the things I do for recreation. I find myself reading more which is a good sign. Throughout my life those times when I quit reading for enjoyment were bad times and low spots. I like to think an increase in reading is a good sign.

Lately I've been wondering why the present is so good, why I generally feel a sense of quiet euphoria most of the time. I know parts of the answer. I'm not wealthy but not impoverished, I'm aging but in good health and I have control in my life. I know genetics plays a part but not a determining part. Undoubtedly, a huge part of the answer is Julie. However, I'm wondering to what degree my sense of optimism, well being and euphoria can be attributed to conscious choices I've made in the last fifteen years. I'll never be able to identify a definitive answer which is OK. I'll just enjoy the moment.

Recent Events

2011-11-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

Our sun room is an aromatic delight. Several days ago I noticed a flower stalk on a round leaf sanseveria. Tonight when I entered the room I immediately noticed the scent. The flowers have opened and the room is filled with a wonderful fragrance.

Round leaf sanseveria in bloom.

Julie bought the plant on a trip to Amarillo two or three years ago. It had four arrow straight round leaves perfectly aligned in a unnatural row. After a period of time new leaves began to sprout and the original leaves began to curve. I know some people cut the new leaves and attempt to keep the perfection created by the nursery. I prefer things natural. I let the leaves grow and curl and change shape from round to oval. The smooth surfaces developed long depressions between high ridges. I had it hanging high above the counter. When the leaves touched the ceiling I lowered it to give it more room. Sanseverias bloom when crowded and I didn't expect it to blossom since it seems to have ample room. It has been a pleasant surprise. What the flower lacks in showiness it more than compensates with fragrance.

Our Christmas Cactus is blooming but I anticipated this. It blooms each year just before Thanksgiving. It seems a more appropriate name would be Thanksgiving Cactus.

Last weekend we began remodeling the living room. We removed the furniture, carpet, window and door casing, baseboard and crown molding. I did some drywall work and created a materials list. Tomorrow I'm purchasing laminate flooring, paint and new trim. Julie and I are taking a day off Thursday to work in the room. Hopefully, this weekend we'll texture the walls, paint, install beaded paneling, chair rail, flooring and much of the casing, base and crown molding.

In addition to beginning work on the living room we installed a cell phone repeater. The repeater that we bought in the summer worked fairly well but after six power supplies failed we returned it and the manufacturer refunded our money. We researched another brand that is more expensive with a better reputation. The repeater is working and is giving excellent service. It has better construction and better service. We are getting four bars on the cell phone with a signal strength of -60db. We're going to wait another ten days and if all is well we'll replace our oldest cell phone. This will enable us to remove the original antenna and retire the Dock-N-Talk. There are other benefits to this solution. Visitors will have cell service and we can investigate installing a hotspot for Internet access. This will eliminate the need for satellite service. We'll get better and faster access for less money up front and less expense per month.

I've bought two new books. The first is The Man Who Walked Through Time: The Story of the First Trip Afoot Through the Grand Canyon by Colin Fletcher. This is a old book that I've know about for a long time. I found a copy for $2.50 and bought it on impulse. The second book is The Evolution of Everything: How Selection Shapes Culture, Commerce, and Nature by Mark Sumner. This was another impulse buy and a used book store.

I realized I left two recently read books off my reading list. I've corrected this omission and added The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan and Raising Fences: A Black Man's Love Story by Michael Datcher.

Today I received the first 2012 seed catalog! Thank you Pinetree Garden Seeds.

And finally: We've made reservations at a resort in Tucson for Thanksgiving weekend. It's been a few years since we've been to Tucson. We're planning a relaxing trip of swimming and hiking.

That's the summary of recent events in my small corner of paradise.

Highlights

2011-11-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

I'm enjoying Realm of the Incas by Victor W. Von Hagen. Some of the pleasurable aspects of many books are little asides that catch my attention or small insights into the values and beliefs of the author or turns of phrase that have a special quality. As I'm reading the book I've highlighted portions that caught my attention. Some feed my biases, some cause me to stop and think, some surprise me, some amuse me.

I've italicized the portions that made me stop reading and do a little musing.

Human beings everywhere act like human beings. They knew that the gods were dead, but they persuaded themselves that they were living and fell, just as we ourselves do, into inextricable contradictions.
Unlike modern society, wrote Osborne, in which work is regarded as a necessary evil undertaken to secure a leisure which society is untrained to utilize, in Inca society work was regarded as an end in itself.
Pleasures and pains are universal; amidst the eternal illusion that envelops us one thing is certain -- suffering. It is the cornerstone of life.
There are almost everywhere two aspects to religion. In its first aspect, it is the simple expression of natural man who faces the unexplainable and stands in awe of the supernatural and makes his obeisance to it. In its second aspect, the organized religion took his simple faith, here as in all other religions, and embroidered these fears with elaborate borders of hocus-pocus.
Such, more or less, was the daily life of an Indian's life, a life which, if it were reduced to a moral platitude, could be summed up in one short sentence: Ama sua, ama ilulla, ama checklisa -- Do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy.
More than half of the foods that the world eats today were developed by these Andean farmers.
In a verdant valley, Nazca, south of Paracas, which breaks the naked misery of the desert, is another lost culture....
This is the sort of folklore that most peoples invent about themselves. If the mythos of Christianity were reduced to a five-line synopsis, it would have much of this naivete.
The Incas expanded; they expanded as all empires do -- by conquest.
At the age of twenty a man was expected to marry; if he did not, a woman was chosen for him. There seem not to have been, nor was there allowed to be, voluntary bachelors in the realm.
Death and taxes are not a modern preoccupation; they were just as inevitable if one lived under the rule of the Incas. Since they did not have money, that great human convenience, the Indians' taxes were in service, called mita. Each taxpayer was obligated to give a stated amount of work annually to the government. It might be as a laborer in the mines (an odious service which all resented, and the Inca recognized it by rotating the miners rapidly), on roads, or in bridge building....or any other of the multiple services that a fully organized state needed.
The American Indian did not have, it scarcely has to be repeated, draft animals of any form. Outside of woman, who was the first carrier, the closest that indigenous man got to a domesticated animal was the llama.
Such were the advantages of a womb-to-tomb society; its disadvantages will appear later.

I selected this book because I thought I would enjoy it. I underestimated how much enjoyment it holds.

The Why

2011-11-08T16:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday morning Julie and I discussed the my planned backpacking trip. I got up at 4:00 AM to check the weather. It was raining. By 5:00 AM the rain had turned to snow. The forecast called for cold, wind, more rain and snow. At we talked Julie made the comment "I don't understand why you want to go in weather like this".

Why? I answered her question quickly but I've thought about it more.

Camaraderie. Todd and I always have a great time. He's a good partner with experience, knowledge and a good even disposition and demeanor. I like his company and enjoy backpacking with him.

Challenge. I enjoy challenges in which I may succeed or may fail. Success isn't the goal. It's the challenge of trying. There's not much challenge on warm sunny days on level ground.

Memories. Recently I heard the old saying that people near the end of their lives regret not the things they did but the things they didn't do. I want memories, not regrets. I learned long ago to never wait for perfect weather.

Endorphins. The first 15 minutes of any trip is generally the toughest. After those few minutes my breathing settles, any stiffness in my legs disappears and I feel great and grateful to be alive and doing what I'm doing.

Beauty. During "bad" weather when it rains, snows or is windy I see beauty I don't see on good weather days. Dry waterfalls begin flowing, the light glistens off leaves and snow drifts, dust and sand make fragile patterns, clouds hide the tops of hills and create a sense of mystery.

Accomplishment. Valuable things come only with hard work. I appreciate the sense of struggling and working hard to accomplish a goal.

Health. I try to exercise regularly but one hour of walking on level ground or slight grades each day doesn't compare to climbing 3,600 feet in four hours while carrying a pack. I feel the effect when I reach the top but during the next week I feel healthier, stronger, better.

Balance. I live in a safe world that's heated, air-conditioned, dry and predictable. Evolution didn't prepare me for this sterile artificial world. Doing a trip in bad weather gives me a sense of balance in my life that makes a warm bath followed by a good meal with Julie much better.

I can think of other reasons but in the end the answer to why is because I enjoy it.

1 marks the left point of Horsehoe Mesa; 2 marks the location of Cave of the Domes; 3 marks the trail down to Cottonwood Creek; 4 marks our camp site at Cottonwood Creek.

The day was partly sunny and windy with a chill factor that required gloves. There was a few inches of snow on the rim. On our trip to and from the trail head we passed small herds of elk grazing under Ponderosa. The snow on the trees, the elk and the light filtering through the trees created a memorable scene.

Todd near the top of the Grandview Trail. After descending about 400 feet in elevation we came to the end of the snow.

Todd at a narrow section on the left end of Horseshoe Mesa. We went to the end where we had to back. At the narrow section it was possible to stand in one position and look down both sides several hundred feet.

Todd is signing the register in the cave of the domes. The cave was a surprise and seemed out of place. It is about 100 feet below the top of the mesa and is accessed by a drain which leads to a ledge that arrives at the cave after a few hundred feet.

Todd exiting Cave of the Domes. The cave is dusty. In addition to an ammo box containing a register there are remains of candles and string leading to deeper sections of the cave.

Cottonwood Creek is about 3,600 feet below the rim of the canyon and 1,100 feet below the point where the photo was taken. After taking the photo we hiked about two and one-half miles to get to our campsite beside the small six-inch-wide stream that flows from a spring. The temperature dropped to 36 degrees at 7:00 AM the next morning. When we arrived at the rim later in the day it was snowing lightly and the temperature was 35 degrees.

Todd with a stuffed rabbit. As he set up his tent he discovered the rabbit. Apparently his six year old daughter put it in the bottom of his pack without his knowledge.

Walking Across Campus

2011-11-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

It snowed early this morning. I took a few photos while walking to my office.

Lumberjack.

Life Zones Arboretum.

Fruit under snow.

Blue Bicycle.

Bird feeder behind icy bars. A few months ago I moved my office into an old stone house on the edge of campus. I hung two bird feeders outside the office window. The house has no guttering and it never occurred to me at the time that it was a bad location during winter.

Change in Weekend Plans

2011-11-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

The weather last weekend was beautiful. This weekend it's a little more challenging.This is the forecast for an area 15 miles west of Grand Canyon Village.

Tonight: Rain before 11pm, then rain and snow. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 30. Breezy, with a southwest wind 23 to 26 mph decreasing to between 15 and 18 mph. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. West southwest wind between 8 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. West southwest wind between 7 and 13 mph.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. South southwest wind between 7 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Dave, Todd and I had planned a 3-day, 2-night backpacking trip to the Painted Desert this weekend. The forecast left little doubt of rain (translate that as mud) and strong winds with gusts of 60 MPH. We decided to forgo the mud and wind and do one night in the Grand Canyon. We selected a 15 mile loop with some exposure (i.e. steep ledges and climbs were a fall would be fatal) and Dave opted out.

Todd and I leave at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning to get to the Back Country Office at 8:00 AM. Hopefully we can get a permit. If not, we'll try for a permit in another area.

Dave and I hope to do a backpacking trip in the Painted Desert soon.

Reading List Update

2011-11-01T20:49:00.001-07:00

I've added four books to my reading list on the right sidebar.

Several months ago I read Brian Capon's Botany for Gardeners: Third Edition. When I read the book I failed to add it to my reading list. This is the first book in years that I've highlighted. Normally I buy used books and resell them after reading but not this book. It's a keeper. In high school I learned a little about photosynthesis. About all I remembered was something vague like "plants use sunlight in cells with chlorophyll to make food from water and carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in the process". This book explains photosynthesis in much detail which evoked fascination and wonder. The material in the book was excellent and the examples marvelous.

The first biography I've read in years: Naturalist by Edward O. Wilson. The material was interesting and sparked memories and visions in my mind. Most of all I appreciated Wilson's personality and demeanor. When I finished the book I gave it to a co-worker. Some months back she gave me a couple books that led me to think should would enjoy Naturalist.

For expediency I've added The Flying Tigers, author Russell Whelan, to the completed list but I have a few pages to finish. The tone is that of an old black and white newsreel that was projected on movie screens in my early childhood. I don't consider it a good book. It was written in 1942 and is almost pure war propaganda. However, it's interesting reading it as a historical piece. The part I find most offensive is the use of the term "boys" and "kids" when referring to the pilots. Just a personal peeve that I'll not explain.

My next book is an archaeological tome: Realm of the Incas by Victor W. Von Hagen. I expect this book to be a little dry but filled with interesting knowledge. As a kid I was always intrigued by history and ancient civilizations. As a child I read some fanciful book in which a young American boy became lost in Peru and was found by a remote group of Incas who had remained hidden for hundreds of years. It was fiction but it bolstered my interest in the Incas, Mayas, Aztecs and other civilizations.

I have had John Steinbeck's The Log from the Sea of Cortez on the "to read" list for several months but I've misplaced the book. It will turn up some day and I'll read it.

Together Julie and I are reading two other books. I'll add them to the list when we finish them.

I've read all my life but lately I find reading more and more interesting and attractive.

After updating the reading list last night I was left with the feeling of omitting a book. This morning I remembered Japanese Destroyer Captain by Tameichi Hara, Fred Saito and Roger Pineau. Hara was the captain whose experiences are recounted in the book.

Hoseshoe Mesa

2011-10-31T13:21:00.002-07:00

Last weekend Julie and I did a backpacking trip to Horseshoe Mesa. We had an enjoyable time.

The mesa was mined for copper in the late 1800's so the trail and area is full of history. It's a short hike of only three and one-half miles with an elevation loss of 2,500 feet. There were other groups camped on the mesa and we passed several day hikers so it was a social trip. We talked with university students as well as people from England, Ohio, Colorado and California.

Our destination on Horseshoe Mesa is marked by the red arrow. The elevation loss is about 2,500 feet.

Radiation hazard. Recently congress has been debating allowing more uranium mining near Grand Canyon.

Campsite.

Remains of a cabin.

Toilet with a view. Note the shadow of the second toilet.

Historical riprap trail.

The last mile of the trail climbs 1,200 feet. The red arrow points to a backpacker.

Sections of the trail are supported by wooden cribbing.

Julie nears the top.

Julie.

Paul.

Short Trip

2011-10-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

I parked at the trail head where I would exit the canyon and started cross country to the point where I would enter the canyon. It was about eleven o'clock and I had about two and one-half miles to go to get to the rim. My plan was to get to the rim, take a break, eat lunch and then begin the descent. I was walking fast using a compass to navigate and wading through brush when I hooked my rear foot on something. I couldn't catch my balance in time and fell.

I extended my arms to catch myself and came down on my hands and knees. My stomach was above some broken branches and I had the thought "I'm glad I didn't impale myself on them". (Now I find that thought amusing.) As I pushed myself up I realized something was holding my left forearm. I had caught a pointed dead limb at the right angle to force it about three inches into my arm.

I bandaged my arm and debated what to do. In the end I thought I would go back to the car, wash my arm using some extra water that I had left in the car, unwrap my arm to see if the bleeding had stopped and then decide whether to continue my trip or drive to the clinic at Grand Canyon Village.

When I unwrapped my arm about an hour later it started bleeding again and I began considering the risk of infection. I created plan two: drive to the clinic (which would take a little over an hour), get the wound treated (hopefully within an hour), drive back to the trail head (another hour plus) and enter the canyon at that point rather than my original entry point.

I was in the clinic almost three hours. Paperwork up front, make a couple attempts to call to get my insurance number because I had intentionally left the card at home since I wouldn't need it, get the wound washed and irrigated, wait on a doctor, get xrays of the arm, get a steri-strip and bandage. I expected a couple stitches but the decision was to leave the wound open in case of an abscess.

By the time I got out I was starving and thirsty since I had missed lunch. I chose not to continue the trip because I couldn't eat and get back to the trail head before dark. I considered starting the next morning but I would been one day behind and wasn't sure I could make up for a lost day.

In the end I chose to head home and work on the greenhouse I'm building. I was able to phone Julie in Amarillo each morning, afternoon and evening. I made good progress on the construction and I read a book during the week then started a second book. I had a good week.

Todd, my hiking partner, and I have discussed doing the same trip next spring using a third entry point into the canyon. I'm determined to do this trip.

A New Anticipation

2011-10-17T02:00:00.003-07:00

It's Sunday evening, my pack is ready, my clothes are laid out and I'm planning on leaving at 6 AM for the canyon.

I did a final check of the weather forecast. The predicted low on the rim for the week is 29 degrees and the high at the river is 92 degrees. This is much warmer than I prefer but it does mean I can take a lighter (i.e. less weighty) jacket. On the down side I'll need more water. I've packed eight liters (19.4 pounds) for the first two days.

The satellite phone I rented felt heavy. The scales stopped at 12.9 ounces, much less than I guessed. My pack passed sixty pounds so I began reevaluating contents. I took out a small video camera (8.9 ounces) and tripod (5.8 ounces). My camera goes but extra lenses (3.2 ounces) get left behind. I generally take too much snack food (nuts, dried fruit, etc) so I left almost half of what I originally packed. In the end I trimmed down to 57.2 pounds.

Over the last few weeks when it's early in the day and the sun is shining I've look forward to this trip. Tonight less so. Julie and I have not been separated for seven days since before we married, possibly as long as 15 years.

I've anticipated this trip. Now I'm anticipating her return from Amarillo next Sunday.

An End

2011-10-16T02:00:00.001-07:00

I consciously and intentionally put a positive upbeat veneer on my blog. I do this for a variety of reasons. Sometimes I am tempted to address issues that ruminate behind the veneer and I've chosen to entertain a temptation on this occasion.

A few months ago I noticed the counter on the right side of my blog that tallied US deaths in Iraq was no longer incrementing even though hostile and non-hostile deaths continued. A the end of September the graphic disappeared. I tried to navigate to the website but the domain no longer exists. The person, persons or organization that created the domain and the counter have brought it to an end. As a result, I'm removing it from my blog template.

US deaths continue but not at the rate that occurred in the not too distant past.

I had and have both a rational and emotional reaction to valuing one group over another group. People are people and differ only in insignificant superficial ways such as dress, hair styles and religion. I didn't feel good about counting US deaths while ignoring Iraqi deaths so I searched for a counter to see both sides. The domain that provided the counter continues to exist but I am removing it also.

I don't experience epiphanies. Generally a feeling slowly builds over a period of time and I come to a conscious realization of some belief that has evolved and has been adopted. It's not always a new belief. Sometimes it's a realization that a belief should be tossed on the refuse heap. I tend to approach life cerebrally or I deceive myself that my beliefs and reactions are rational rather than emotional. The older I get the more I realize I'm probably more self deceptive, less rational and more emotional than I once imagined possible.

The Reagan years pushed me toward cynicism. This last ten years have entrenched that cynicism. I've come to realize that democracy is an intellectually attractive concept that does not exist. Both political parties are equally reprehensible. I know of no person in the political light that I respect.

One of my realizations is that it was naive of me to give credence to concepts such as truth, honor, honesty, integrity when spoken by men and women in office or running for office. My bad, not theirs.

Without regard to nationality, I feel for families who grieve for those who died.

Tomorrow I'll put the veneer back in place and return to positive events in my life and continue to watch the world without comment.

Variety

2011-10-15T02:00:00.003-07:00

Last night was game night at a neighbor's house. She lives less than two miles from us straight line but a hill is between us. By road it is probably four miles to her house.

Our neighbor lives in a rammed earth house that she designed and built. The house is semi-circular and has ample south facing glazing to provide passive solar heat. The circular portion is built into a slope to provide insulation so a backup heating system is unnecessary. A solar array provides electricity, harvested rain water is piped into a cistern and hot water is provided by a solar collector. The only need for carbon based fuel is the small amount of propane required by the kitchen range. The house has a small second story with windows that provide passive ventilation on summer nights.

Bird on sandstone.

The house was designed with an earthy look that I like. Stone flooring and earthen plastered walls create a warm feeling. The windows sills are a mosaic of tile, earthen plaster and painted pottery shards that were collected on the property. Embedded in the plastered walls are random irregular pieces of sandstone that contain paintings of birds. Some are resting and some are in flight.

Jay.

One of the things I like about the area in which we live is the variety. Each family or each person gives body to a dream using stone, logs, earth, straw bale or more traditional materials. Some houses cost a small fortune and some cost less than many new cars. There's something relaxing about this variety. There's not a look or style that has to be matched. Each of us has the opportunity to be ourselves and create our small paradise. In my opinion, this is as it should be.

Weekend Plans

2011-10-14T02:00:00.004-07:00

Both Julie and I had to work late today but we are now off for the next ten days. On Monday morning I'll head for the canyon and she is going to Amarillo to celebrate her father's and sister's birthdays, 85 and 60.

I have a full weekend planned prior to our trips on Monday.

Mix and pour 36 linear feet of concrete footer.
Adjust the tilt on the solar panels.
Harvest a few items in the garden and work the compost bins.
Make a trip to town to fill a propane cylinder and pick up the satellite phone.
I'll run some errands in town while Julie has supper with a friend.
Join some neighbors for supper and game night.
Stop by the library for audio books.
Dehydrate apples.
Maybe participate in the road pick up on Saturday morning.
Write three more blog posts.
Update the reading list on my blog.
Make a template change to my blog.
Check both cars.
Final packing for our trips.

Those are the plans but I doubt the list will be completed. When I was younger I would get up early and start work before breakfast and try to complete every item I put on my to-do list. Now, I get up, have breakfast with Julie and think about what I want to do, have another cup of coffee, talk a little more and finally get to work. The important things will get done and the others can wait. I like this new approach.

Happy Ending

2011-10-13T02:00:00.002-07:00

Julie and I have two cell phones. A good one and an old one that barely gets signal even in town. To get cell service at home we must have an antenna plugged into the old phone and it works fine. The new phone does not get signal at home.

The problem is that the old phone must be replaced and new cell phones do not have an antenna port. The only viable solution is to purchase a wireless extender or repeater that has external and internal antennas. The cell signal is picked up by the external antenna on the roof of the house, is transmitted to the repeater via coax cable and is broadcast inside the house via the internal antenna. This solution gives us the ability to use both phones at home and for guests to receive phone calls. The downside to this solution is that wireless extenders are not inexpensive and they require a constant source of electricity.

In June we purchased a unit after doing research and reading product reviews. The price was excellent. After receiving it I waited until the weekend to test it. We ran the coax out the door and I moved the antenna around the roof to make sure it worked adequately. The following weekend I bought the materials to mount the antenna on the roof and installed the system. It worked for four days and the power supply failed. I phoned the manufacturer and they agreed to send another power supply at no cost to me. By the time it arrived it was more that 30 days since we purchased the unit. We could no longer return it for a full refund.

The new power supply worked less than a week. I bought a replacement at a local business. I intentionally bought one with a slightly higher output. Two and one-half amps rather than two amps. It worked less than a week.

I phoned the manufacturer and arranged to return the unit for exchange. The new unit with a new power supply arrived and worked less than a week.

I emailed the manufacturer to put the sequence of events in detail and asked for options. I received a reply that I was being shipped three new power supplies. While waiting for their arrival I purchased a UPS specifically for the unit in an effort to insure the unit would work. The new power supply worked for seven days, the longest of any power supply and I was hopeful. Then it failed. I plugged in a second power supply and it failed within twenty-four hours.

I emailed the manufacturer and requested they buy the unit from me for the original purchase price since I couldn't return it to the merchant. In all of my conversations and emails I tried to be factual, courteous, straight forward but not demanding or angry. A few days ago I received a reply, a portion of which follows.

I spoke to our head engineer about this issue and he suspects the problem may be caused by an abundance of RF energy at your location. This could be overdriving the unit and burning out the power supplies. Since it doesn’t seem like the product will be able to work at your location, we will do what we can to fix this. We will be sending you a return label to have our product returned to us, at our expense. If you will provide your proof of purchase along with a mailing address, a refund check will be issued to you. We apologize for the inconvenience you have endured and regret that our product could not help you in your situation.

I really didn't expect to get my money back. In the end I have no complaints.

Rappelling

2011-10-12T02:30:00.003-07:00

Last night I sat on the edge of my seat, held the camera above me with my arm extended and snapped a photo. I didn't get the result I wanted so I snapped a second photo from a different angle. The second photo was a little better but still not what I wanted. I'll practice a couple times more later this week.

Next week on Tuesday afternoon or early Wednesday morning I'll come to a rappel as part of my solo backpacking trip. The solo part is the problem. I won't have a partner to photograph to give perspective. I'm going to try taking a photo of myself as I do the rappel.

I've rappelled only once and that was about twenty years ago. I was hiking in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky and climbed to the top of Courthouse Rock via a crevice on one side. The other sides were sheer drops. On top of the rock were two small struggling stunted trees anchored in cracks. Two guys were rappelling down a 160 feet face, climbing back up, drinking another beer and rappelling again. As I talking with them one asked "do you want to give it a try?". Before I answered I compared their weight to mine, glanced at the way the rope was tied to both trees and counted the number of empty beer cans. "Sure!" I replied. I put on the harness, fastened the carabiner, listened to their instructions, stepped to the edge, turned around and leaned back. No problem. Actually enjoyable.

Next week I plan on getting a bad photo or two of myself.

Algonquin

2011-10-11T02:30:00.004-07:00

As part of our summer vacation we took a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. I first visited Algonquin in July of 1973 and last visited the park in 1983. I have good memories of those times and wanted to experience the beauty again.

I don't remember how I first learned of Algonquin, how I selected a canoe route, how or if I got a back country permit or if permits were required at that time. I bought a canoe, packed for a trip and took my wife and children, aged 3 and 4, with me. We canoed up a lake whose name I no longer remember, portaged to another lake, canoed to what looked like a promising area, turned left into a cove and found a campsite.

Some special moments get fixed in our memories and are embellished as the years pass. My daughter was a little chatter box. We had eaten supper and the sunset was fading when a loon called from across the lake. Her chattering stopped instantly. She didn't wait for me to pick her up. She climbed my leg with huge wide eyes. I assured her there was nothing to fear and tried to point out the beauty of a loon's call.

When my wife and I divorced I did one dishonest thing. Without telling her I slipped a box of 35 millimeter slides and photos out of the house. They were photos I had taken over the years and among the slides were images of the Algonquin trip. At the portage the kids found a paper cup and played with it by the edge of the water. I have a photo of them playing intently. I kept my son between my knees while paddling. He got restless but I refused to let him move about. Finally he dosed off. My wife took a photo of him sleeping while wearing a PFD and leaning against my leg. Good memories. Recently I went in search of the slides of this trip and couldn't find them! Perhaps the loss was repayment for my dishonesty.

While in Algonquin this summer I bought a map of the park. The map identifies canoe routes, access points, permit requirements, distances, portages, water levels and campsites. The park is about 2,955 square miles in size, larger than the state of Delaware, and has over 2,400 lakes. Among the wildlife are loons, beavers, bears, deer, otters, wolves and moose.

I've spent several enjoyable hours with the map planning potential routes, looking for options in the back country, calculating distances and the lengths of portages, trying to find an ideal five day trip. My next step is to find someone interested in going along.

Leon, Gale and Julie sit on a log by a lake.

One of over 2,400 Algonquin lakes.

Another Fix-It Story

2011-10-10T03:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterdays post about repairing a tire and my comment about living in a disposable culture brought back the memory below from the time when my son and daughter were teenagers,

My son bought a small car that was within his financial means. It was economical, clean, ran well and looked good. One weekend my daughter was driving it when another young person hit her on the passenger side front bumper. The bumper was driven to the left several inches and the right front fender was dented. Nothing serious.

I took the car to a repair shop and was quoted $1,200 for repair to replace the bumper and fender. I asked why the bumper couldn't be reused since on the bumper was undamaged, the brackets were bent and why the fender couldn't be straightened, filled and painted. The response was "We don't do that. We replace parts."

I decided my son and I would repair the car. We lined up the bumper with an electric pole, turned the wheels at the correct angle. did a couple slow tests without hitting the pole and prepared to force the bumper back in place. When we were confident we had the right angle I hit the pole hard and the bumper moved. We repeated this a couple times until we had the undamaged bumper close to it's original position. We had to do this in order to get a wrench on the bolts that fastened the bumper brackets to the frame. We removed the bumper then removed the bent brackets and straightened them. I took the brackets to a local shop and had them welded in the spots where the metal had torn.

We hammered the fender back in shape and completed the repair using an epoxy body filler. The last step was to get the car painted. We ordered the painted and I took the car and paint to a friend who painted vehicles.

In the end the car looked as good or better than before the accident. The total cost of repair was $200. My son and I paid for this in cash rather than getting the insurance company involved and raising premiums.

I have only good memories of this experience, laughing with my son as we prepared to ram the electric pole and working together to fix the damaged fender.

Inner Tube

2011-10-09T02:30:00.002-07:00

Several months ago I picked up a nail in the right rear tire on my tandem axle trailer. The nail entered through the tread and made two exit holes in the sidewall. I needed the trailer to haul water so plugged the holes knowing the sidewall plugs weren't good permanent fixes. Each time I went for water I had to put air in the tire.

The tire has good tread and it seems wasteful to replace it rather than repair it. The problem is that we live in a culture that no longer makes repairs. I checked with a local tire shop about putting a tube in the tire. They refused as I expected. It appears bias ply tubeless tires with tubes installed generate heat which leads to tire failure.

I use the trailer on average once per week to haul water. The round trip distance is 4 miles -- 1 mile of dirt road, 1 mile of blacktop, wait will the tank fills, 1 mile of blacktop, 1 mile of dirt road, wait while the tank drains. I doubt the tire can generate much heat under these circumstances. The trailer has tandem axles. If the tire fails then the other tire on that side is capable of handling the weight.

I decided to put a tube in the tire. I checked at a auto parts store in town to buy an inner tube but the clerk told me they can't get them. No problem. I bought a tube on the web and installed it myself. I used the weight of the trailer to break the bead, got the value stem out without damaging it, found the right tools to get one side of he tire off the wheel and installed the tube. It was an enjoyable task, really enjoyable.

Not only was the task enjoyable but I got satisfaction out of repairing something rather than buying a new one.

Growing Season Ends

2011-10-08T02:30:00.007-07:00

The official growing season ended yesterday morning. We received a light frost as the temperature dropped to 32 degrees. According to my records the growing season was 126 days. The last spring frost was on June 3 and the first fall frost was on October 7.

I began covering the garden earlier in the week so there was no visible damage. The forecast predicted another drop to 32 before warmer nights for the next week.

Since April 17, when I began keeping records, we received 4.79 inches of rain. I measured 4.59 inches and estimated .20 inch during the two weeks we were on vacation. A neighbor said he received about one-quarter inch during that time. I extrapolated a value based on the two weeks prior and following the time we were gone.

April 0.00
May 0.21
June 0.00
July 1.09
August 0.75
September 1.63
October 0.91

The average rain per month was .96 inch
The average rain for 31 days of rain was .19 inch.
The median rain for 31 days of rain was .09 inch.

It's interesting to exclude the rain in October since the growing season is basically over and the temperatures have dropped. Prior to the end of September we had 27 days with rain totaling 3.88 inches with an average of .14 inch per rain and a median of .09 inch.

I was pleased with this year's garden but not as pleased as last year. I'm already planning for next year which, hopefully, will be a better garden

Macy

2011-10-07T02:30:00.000-07:00

We have two cats, Maggie and Macy. We got Maggie when she was a few weeks old and she's a normal cat. We can pick her up, turn her upside down, check her for injuries, in fact, do about anything and she is trusting and quiet. Macy, by contract, is semi-normal and a bit of a miracle.

She was trapped on the University campus when she was several months old. She was pregnant and wasn't neutered until after the kittens were weaned. She came to our house after she healed and was totally wild. We couldn't touch her for fear of losing skin and blood.

After a period of a few months of attempting to acclimate her to us, the house and the sounds and scents of the area we turned her loose. The plan was to have an outside cat to help control the mice population. We saw her maybe once every two weeks but continued to insure food and water were available. Before turning her loose we trained her to use a cat door so she could come into the utility room for food and safety.

When he weather turned cold in November she unexpectedly came into the utility room through the open door and into the living room where we could see her and meowed. That was a first. She had never voluntarily let us see her in the open. I slowly moved to get some food, put in on the floor where she could see it and backed away. She ate quickly and left the house. Two nights later she came in, meowed for food, ate and never left. It was an uneasy transition. She hid from us, jumped at the slightest movement, was always tense.

After a few weeks of feeding her we could get close to her. One night I put mayonaise on two fingers and held out my hand to both cats. Maggie began licking the mayonaise immediately but Macy was more cautious. This became a nightly ritual. She became addicted to mayonaise and would beg for it. One night as she licked it form my finger I touched her with my other hand and she ran. Two nights later I attempted to touch her again. She flinched but didn't run. This became a regular practice. After a few weeks she relaxed some but always flinched.

It's been two years now. She's still addicted to mayonaise but I give it to her only occasionally, generally when she keeps begging and becomes annoying. She gets in my lap each evening. She loves to be petted. I can ruffle her hair aggressively and she purrs loudly, rolls on her back so I can rub her belly. She's a glutton for food and affection. I never expected this two years ago.

I can pick her up but she stiffens, squirms and appears on the verge of panic. It took several months to work with her to get her to this point and I doubt she'll ever be comfortable being held above the floor or carried.

Occasionally I look at her and marvel at the change in her. It's been a miraculous transition. At one time I hoped just to be able to touch her. I never expected her to become so affectionate and needy. I've become attached to her and hope she's with us for many years more.

Macy hiding under a chair. During the heat of the summer she appeared too lazy to crawl further and got in the habit of sleeping with only part of her body under the chair.

Macy sleeping on a chair and foot stool with one leg swinging in the gap.

Unsettling Experience

2011-10-06T02:30:00.004-07:00

I had two motorcycles but sold one recently. I serviced it, checked everything, washed and waxed it, replaced the battery and replaced the front tire. The tire had plenty of tread but it's age made me suspect its reliability. I wanted to sell it with confidence that the buyer had a safe, reliable motorcycle.

I listed it on Craigslist with my phone number and received a few bogus emails. Then a young man phoned and asked to see the motorcycle. I agreed to load it on trailer designed to haul a motorcycle and meet him at a convenient location rather than give him directions to my house. This saved time and avoided the dust of the dirt road leading to the house.

When I met him he had a girlfriend with him. As I unloaded the motorcycle he sat in the car for a minute talking with her. His first question concerned me. "It's a five speed right? First gear is down and the others are up?" I answer in the affirmative and then asked him a question, "Do you have a license to operate a motorcycle?" He didn't and I knew I wasn't going to let him take it for a test ride.

We talked for a few minutes and I told him the good and the bad about the motorcycle. After a little discussion he said he had cash with him and would buy it. I agreed with a promise that he would get some safety training.

My next question was "how are you going to get it home?" His girlfriend quickly replied "We'll give you $20 to deliver it." I wasn't interested in the $20 but agreed to follow them to their apartment. As I loaded the motorcycle I heard his girlfriend say "When you ride it down to the DMV to get it licensed don't tell them you rode it there. Tell them a friend did it for you."

When we arrived at their apartment I unloaded the motorcycle, took the license off and put the keys in my pocket. I suggested a time to meet the following day and committed to having the title with my signature and the required notary stamp. I told him I would give him the keys at that time when we exchanged title and cash.

As I drove home I felt unsettled. He appeared to be in his early thirties, an adult, educated, healthy, but I felt somewhat responsible for him. It was an understandable parental reaction but I didn't enjoy it.

The next day we met and he brought up the subject of safety training and reaffirmed his promise to go for training.

In a way it's ironic that I'm concerned for his safety. When I was 19 I bought my first motorcycle. Prior to that time I can remember riding one maybe twice for a very short distance. For some forgotten reason I decided to buy a motorcycle, had a friend take me about 40 miles to another town bought one, got on and rode home. I don't remember being afraid or concerned but I do remember a feeling of exhilaration. My only other memory is my father's anger when he learned what I had done. I wasn't afraid but he was afraid for me.

I survived and, hopefully, learned to ride safely. I hope the young man who bought the motorcycle learns and becomes a safe rider.

Summer Vacation

2011-10-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

This past August Julie and I flew to Buffalo, NY, to visit my youngest sister. As we planned the trip we discussed some options and made a few plans. I tend to have a need for more solitude than many people so I warned my sister that Julie and I may take a couple days to ourselves and take a short two day trip on our own. It never happened.

When we arrived my brother-in-law, Leon, had a calendar. Only two days out of fourteen were free days and in the end these weren't free. As my sister would say, "We had a blast!"

What did we do?

After getting unlost on country roads accidentally found the farm and picked blue berries until it rained
Walked up the stream in Zoar Valley
Rode a Maid of the Mist to the base of Niagara Falls
Crossed into Canada to have ice cream in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Toured gardens in an historic part of Buffalo during the annual garden tour
Visited cousins and an aunt who recently celebrated her 88th birthday
Stayed two nights in a bed and breakfast outside Algonquin Provincial Park
Enjoyed the lakes and history of Algonquin Provincial Park
Stopped in Toronto to experience the city under the city
Camped in Watkins Glen
Saw waterfalls in the gorges of Ithaca
Visited a children's garden during their annual festival
Canoed a section of the river in Buffalo
Swam in Lake Erie
Bicycled along the Niagara River
Laughed and talked and ate too much and enjoyed the rain, lots of rain

After Julie and I got home I phone my sister and she said something to the effect that she and Leon experienced a quiet empty house after we left. I know what she meant. We missed their company also.

Julie and Gale as we rode along the Niagara River.

Julie cooling off before we stopped for more ice cream.
Hopefully, over the next week I'll write about a few of our experiences and include some photos.

Change of Plans

2011-10-04T02:30:00.002-07:00

My son cannot make the Grand Canyon trip so I'm left without a partner. I called Todd without much hope. He has to work as I expected. I asked a co-worker who was interested but he has responsibilities also.

I knew this may be a possibility so I researched PLBs (personal locator beacons) a few weeks ago. PLBs are reliable but do not give the ability to explain an emergency. The device will send a distress signal to a satellite containing the latitude and longitude of the emergency so a search and rescue team or plane can respond. The rescue party has no clue as to the details of the emergency until they arrive on the scene. A better option in some ways is a satellite phone.

Saturday I phoned a local business to check on renting a phone. Fortunately, a phone is available at a rate of $8 per day which is the going rate. I asked about the per minute rate and was surprised to learn it's only $1 per minute. Most advertisements I've seen recently have listed $1.69 or $2 per minute. I reserved a phone. Originally I planned on taking the phone only for emergencies but now I'm rethinking my plan. I could and will phone Julie simply to check on her and assure her I'm OK.

I have my pack ready with the exception of a tooth brush and water. I've calculated my starting weight and it will be 58 to 60 pounds. This is more than I want but everything is necessary including an MP3 player, a paperback book, a small book weighing only 3 ounces, and spare batteries for a headlamp. The bulk of the weight is food for six days and water for the first two days. By the morning of the second day the weight will be down to about 50 pounds. The fourth day will be the longest and will be another heavy day since two days of water will be needed. I should climb out of the canyon with about 32 pounds.

I had planned a short day on the sixth and final day so we would be home in the evening with ample time to rest before my son's departure the next day. Now I think I may spend the last night at the river. I'll get home late but Julie will be in Amarillo so there's no reason to rush.

At first I was really disappointed my son couldn't make the trip but I've readjusted my expectations and I'm looking forward to a solo trip.

Attached Greenhouse

2011-10-03T02:30:00.001-07:00

This weekend I began digging the foundation for an attached greenhouse. This will be a true greenhouse designed for plants. The original plan a few years ago turned into additional living space. We're raised flowers, tomatoes and peppers in this addition but it's not an ideal environment.

Last spring I discovered twin walled polycarbonate sheets listed on Craigslist. I purchased the panels and stored them with intentions of having the addition almost finished by the beginning of October. I'm behind schedule but I'll pour concrete next weekend and work to finish it by early December.

There are multiple benefits to this addition.

create an environment to start and raise vegetables and flowers
provide additional heat for the east end of the house
eliminate the need for an electrical heat tape short sections of existing water pipes
include solar hot water collectors
protect the solar oven from winter winds
reduce propane consumption
give the cats a safe environment not in the main part of the house
be an enjoyable environment on cold windy winter days

I've been looking forward to having a functioning greenhouse for a long time. Soon it will become a reality.

Canning Peaches

2011-10-02T02:30:00.002-07:00

Tonight Julie and I made a rhubarb cobbler. It was excellent, even better than the last rhubarb cobbler. Before long cold weather will freeze the rhubarb but we're prepared. We'll have peach cobbler.

A few weeks ago a co-worker asked if I was interested in purchasing a box of peaches. She knows an elderly lady who buys them from a grower in Utah and resells them. I was interested but deferred answering until I checked with Julie. Our freezer is small and is usually full. A box of peaches could be preserved only if canned.

Canned Peaches.

It's been years since I last bought a box of peaches, probably somewhere around 1985. I have fond memories of winter pies.

When the peaches arrived I wanted to work in the garden, feel the breeze, enjoy the sun, listen to the birds and do it all guilt free. Impossible! It was just plain wrong to say "Here's a box of peaches. Spend all morning in the kitchen canning them. When the weather turns cold make a peach pie. Oh, and a pot of coffee."

Instead of going to the garden I put peaches in boiling water, took them out and removed the skins, sliced them, tossed them with fruit fresh, packed jars and had a great time doing it. We both did. We canned several quarts and froze two quarts.

In about two months when the weather is cold and a wind is blowing I'll build a fire in the stove, I'll start a pot of coffee and I'll suggest making a peach pie. We had fun canning the peaches together and we'll have fun making the pie together.

Today is October 2. Were he still living, my father would celebrate his 99th birthday. Interesting how, after all these years, I still remember this date and anticipate it.

Verbal First Aid

2011-10-01T02:30:00.001-07:00

Last Friday Julie and I attended a presentation on verbal first aid by author Judith Prager. The main message of the presentation was that words can kill and words can heal. We received training in using healing words.

Dr. Prager talked briefly of research and gave examples of rapid dramatic physical improvement experienced by accident victims who heard healing words like "we're going to get you to the hospital right away and they have everything ready and waiting there to help you". Contrast this to "don't die on me" which puts thoughts of death in the victim's mind, elevates blood pressure and initiates a chain of harmful physical reactions.

I enjoyed the presentation and learned much. On the way home that afternoon we stopped at a local grocery. While there emergency medical persons arrived in response to a young woman who fainted. Both Julie and I listen closely as they spoke with the woman to see if they were employing verbal first aid.

Over the last few days I've been pondering a broader subject. If words can kill or heal then what's the effect of the media on our health? News is almost always negative. Horror movies elicit a fight or flight response. Some television programs portray brutality as entertainment. Years ago I chose to be selective in what I consume be it news, music or videos. I think that choice contributes to my health. (I haven't missed a day of work due to illness since 1986. On that occasion I worked on a sewer line and scratched a hand which led to bad consequences.)

Verbal first aid is good but I want to expand the underlying concept to daily living and my choice of words as I interact with people.

We've ordered a copy of The Worst is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts. We'll read the book together as we ride to and from work, discuss it and learn to speak more healing words.

Time to Visit and Talk

2011-09-30T02:30:00.003-07:00

Earlier this month Julie's son and daughter-in-law, Neal and Beth, where in Las Vegas for a long weekend. The trip is a little less than five hours so we drove over one Friday afternoon to spend the night and visit with them. Rather than stay in the city we planned a trip to Gold Strike Canyon which is in Nevada about two miles from Hoover Dam.

Julie and I visited Gold Strike Hot Springs in 2003 and 2008 so this trip enjoyable but not spectacular for us. The best part was having time to talk.

Neal, Julie and Beth.

Julie descends past choke stones.

Neal in a hot pool.

This photo was taken in 2003. Julie is swimming in a large hot pool. This pool no longer exists. It has been filled in by floods.

Beth climbed the choke stone above the hot pool.

Neal watches as Julie and Beth climb out of the canyon.

Neal climbing around a tight spot.

Beth and I taking a break.

Solar Oven

2011-09-29T02:30:00.002-07:00

Summer cooking is always a bit of a challenge. When the temperature outside is 100 degrees we don't want to use the kitchen range since we don't have air conditioning. We had a second gas range on the deck the last two summers so we could avoid adding heat to the house. Last spring we disposed of the extra range.

Early this summer Julie purchased a solar oven. After doing research she settled on the Sport model from Solar Oven Society.

The oven weighs only 10 pounds which makes it easy to set up and store after use. It came with two pots and a thermometer.

Among the things Julie has cooked in the oven are baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, stew, pinto beans, chicken breast, turkey tenderloin and rice. Every thing has been excellent. In fact, I think sweet potatoes cooked in the solar over are much better than those cooked in a traditional oven.

If we're home for the day Julie faces the oven toward the sun and periodically turns it as the sun moves. The meal cooks more quickly by following the sun. If we're going to work she faces it due south and the meal is ready when we get home.

Julie purchased reflectors to be used when the sky is partially cloudy. She used the reflectors only once and the temperature in the oven was about 250 degrees even though the sky was overcast.

We'll use the solar oven year round. Not only does it keep the house cooler in the summer but it doesn't use propane which translates into saved money.

It was a win-win-win-win purchase: keeps the house cool, saves money, easy to clean and cooks excellent food.

Solar Oven and Pots.

Solar Oven with Reflectors.

Good Design, Poor Execution

2011-09-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Early last spring I was at the local recycling center dumping cans into a large dumpster that was labeled 'Cans Only'. In the dumpster was a metal head board from a double bed. As soon as I saw it I decided to swap my recycling for this marvelous opportunity.

Before I planted pole beans in the garden I split an eight feet long two by six into two uprights. I was concerned about the wind so I planned holes two feet deep to insure the uprights and head board wouldn't lean.

To install the head board I drilled three holes half way through each upright, inserted the ends of the metal into the holes and then drilled one hole through the upright and the metal head board. I inserted a sixteen common nail through the hole and bent it on the back side to insure it remained in place.

It seemed like a good design at the time.

I installed the pole bean support, cut two pieces of scrap pipe and stapled them to the ground. Next, I tied cord from the horizontal pipes up to the head board. This gave the beans a secure cord to climb.

Young Pole Beans.

During early summer I watched the beans grow and climb upward. One day they were a foot below the bottom of the head board and the next they were above it looking for something to twine around.

Mature Pole Beans.

In mid summer I came home from work one evening and saw two bare uprights. The head board and vines were on the ground. As I inspected the damage I discovered one of the uprights had split. Straight grained Douglas Fir wasn't strong enough. The uprights were in the ground solid so all the force of the wind was transfered to the lumber that was weakened by my design. One end split and the other end pulled loose.

With Julie's help I raised the head board and beans into position inserted the ends of the metal into the sockets and used wire to secure the broken end to the upright. Solid! I was confident it couldn't break again as it had.

This morning I went to the garden and found the beans on the ground. The opposite end had split. Yes, it was dumb of me to secure one end and not do the same to the other end. Repair this time wasn't as easy. The vines are heavy with numerous large bean pods encasing large beans.

Using some wire I hoisted one end half way into position then did the same to the opposite end. I repeated this process again and have the head board back in position. But, I'm not as confident about my repair this time.

I have another plan for next year involving a decorative support for pole beans. I'll use the head board again in the garden but I plan on planting beans near the house so I can enjoy the brilliant red blossoms. Rather than write about that plan now I think I'll dream about it over the winter and let it evolve. I'll have photos next July.

Pole Bean Blossom.

Thirty Days

2011-09-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

A Ted Talk that I heard recently advocated the benefits of committing to something for thirty days. The focus was on something new. I liked the idea and immediately thought of several possibilities one of which was writing one blog entry every day. This doesn't classify as new but it's been years since I've written daily. I continue to enjoy my blog and writing about things I find enjoyable. This is an opportunity to record a few more experiences and memories.

This is the fourth of twenty-some consecutive entries. I would commit to 30 but three weeks from yesterday I'll be in the Grand Canyon several miles from an Internet connection so 30 consecutive posts isn't possible.

I have several subjects among which are a recent trip to Las Vegas, an on-going saga centered on a cell signal repeater, a psychological test and an inner tube in a tubeless tire (yes, they are connected), descriptions with photos of our two-week vacation to New York and Ontario and this summer's garden experiences. I don't have twenty subjects but, in my opinion, this is a good thing. I'll be forced to think of things I find interesting and, perhaps, do a few things so I can write about them. It will help keep me alert to events around me, positive events I experience since I have a ban on negativity.

Ah, that make me think of last Friday's conference on verbal first aid. I have another subject! And there's the recent sale of a motorcycle. Another one.

This should be easy, enjoyable, constructive and rewarding in a small way.

Twenty-four Hours

2011-09-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I began working 24 hours per week. I've enjoyed the extra 8 hours of free time.

I keep a daily record of my work in order to report the number of hours I work on specific projects. However, there's another significant and more personal reason to keep a journal. I'm paid a salary, do not punch a time clock and have relaxed scheduling. It's not a problem if I have nothing on my calendar and get to work 30 minutes late or leave early or take an extended break in the middle of the day. Some days I work extra, some days I work less. By keeping track of my hours I insure I earn my full salary. I like this system of personal supervision and integrity.

My original plan was to work 9:00 until noon and 1:00 until 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. This schedule gives me the opportunity to walk from Julie's office to my office before work (about 1.4 miles), walk to some destination during midday break and then walk back to Julie's office at the end of the day. This gives me a minimum of five miles of walking each day.

Two weeks ago I worked 28 and 1/4 hours. Last week I worked about 27 hours. At present I'm carrying about 36 extra hours that I've worked over the last year or so. The net varies. Sometimes it drops to about 24 hours extra and sometime it exceeds 40 hours.

Some days I plan on taking an extended lunch but I get interested in a problem and don't want to quit until I solve it. Then Julie calls and I realize it's about 4:00.

I can see a bad habit starting so this coming week I'm determined to work only 24 hours.

Cool Weather

2011-09-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

It's almost fall backpacking season. I use to endure the heat but I've gotten to the age that I prefer to wait for cooler temperatures.Three weeks from yesterday my son arrives. We have planned a Grand Canyon trip of five nights and six days. The weekend following this trip Julie and I have a permit for two nights in the Canyon. The average high temperature on the South Rim in October is 65 and the low is 36. The inner canyon temperatures are 84 and 58. The following weekend, the first weekend in November, I have a Painted Desert trip planned with Todd and Dave. November's average temperatures for the Desert are 59 high and 39 low. Four consecutive weekends of cool fun to anticipate.

Rescue

2011-09-24T10:22:00.001-07:00

Maggie, one of our cats, was sitting in the yard batting at something. I started toward her to identify her victim. If it was a mouse it was fair game; if it was a horned lizard then I would rescue it. As I crossed the yard I noticed Maggie jump back in a defensive move. What was she tormenting? A young rattlesnake! Dumb cat!

The young snake I rescued from Maggie.

Maggie wasn't in near the danger that confronted the snake. It was so young that I doubt it's fangs were long enough to penetrate the depth of her hair and break her skin. I took Maggie to the house, got a cardboard box and placed the snake it in to move it to a safe location. As soon as Maggie was freed from the house she went back to the original location of the snake to resume her game.

A few weeks ago Maggie, our second cat, disappeared for a day. When she came home she was lethargic and wouldn't eat. As we checked her for injuries or wounds she reacted with pain when we touched her left rear leg. The only sign of an injury was one small puncture. We don't know what injured her but I suspected a snake.

Some days I think cats are more trouble and expense than they are worth. Then the evening comes and they climb in our laps and purr and beg forgiveness for the day's transgressions and we get all warm and fuzzy. Dumb humans!

Third Weekend in September

2011-09-18T17:18:00.001-07:00

Friday was a town day. We spent all day in town which never meets my definition of fun. Julie took a temp job to help an academic office prepare for a conference. Friday morning I accompanied her to town as she insured preparations were finalized and helped attendees with directions and parking permits. Once the conference started she was done with her responsibilities.

While Julie worked I hung bird feeders outside my office window, bought oil in preparation for servicing the Jetta, scheduled a front end alignment, checked a co-workers irrigation system (which had been turned off unintentionally), checked on renting a backpack and 10 degrees down bag for my son in anticipation of a Grand Canyon trip next month and purchased fifteen dehydrated meals (almost half of what we'll need). Julie and I met for coffee then drove to the mall for some shopping. While she bought new outfits I read. (More about the book in a few minutes.)

Friday evening Julie met two friends to celebrate their birthdays which are in September. I accompanied her to town so she would not have to drive after dark (which is hazardous due to less-than-perfect vision and scar tissue from radial keratotomy surgery before lasers.) While the ladies enjoyed dinner I stopped by the cafe at a local bookstore to write my last blog entry and listen to a local musician.

Saturday was a work day. I awoke to a long to-do list. First on my list was the kitchen range. It appears one of the cats caught a mouse, brought it in and turned it loose in the house. It's not the first time it's happened. Unfortunately, this mouse escaped and found refuge in the insulation of the kitchen range. An unpleasant odor brought this to our attention. I disconnected the range and took it to the deck and began disassembly to see if I could remove the insulation, clean the range and install new insulation. I quickly concluded this was more work than I wanted to invest in an aging kitchen range. We took a trailer to town and began shopping unsuccessfully for a new range. No store had one in stock that met our specifications. We've decided to make do with our range until we can find the right replacement, preferably a model with a spark ignition for the oven. Most new ranges use a glow plug that requires 300 to 400 watts of electricity. Rather than a brief trip we spent so much time that nothing else on my to-do list was touched.

Today, Sunday, was an ideal day. I accomplished several things, enjoyed mild sunny weather of 80 degrees with a gentle breeze and took a few breaks to read. I'm reading a biography, actually an autobiography, the first that I've read in years. (I think the last biography was Mahatma Ghandi and that was many years ago.) In keeping with my plan to read more widely I went to a used bookstore last week and walked through the non-fiction area. The first book that caught my attention was Naturalist by Edward O. Wilson. I didn't realize I was in the biography area until I opened the book. Fascinating! Yes, I know I've said that about too many books lately but I'm on a roll of good reads.

Back in the 1980s a biology professor at the school at which I worked at that time gave me a book, Sociobiology, and said, "Here. This will mess with your mind." He was wrong, I found Wilson's views in line with my own beliefs about evolution and related subjects. It's good to read Wilson's autobiography. I'm looking forward to the section where he discusses the uproar over his beliefs on sociobiology.

While in town yesterday I stopped by the local library and searched for books by Wilson. I found Consilience, The Unity of Knowledge. This is the book I read while waiting on Julie as she shopped. My opinion thus far? Fascinating!

In a few minutes friends are arriving with supper, a vegetarian meal. The weekend will end with good food, good friends, good memories.

Pipe Spring

2011-09-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

The second day of our labor day weekend trip was more fascinating to me than the first. I've been in other slot cayons so Antelope Canyon was enjoyable but not unique.We had planned on breakfast in Page, Arizona, mid-morning coffee in Kanab, Utah, and a late lunch on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon before returning north to spend the night in Jacob Lake. After leaving Kanab we rode south through Fredonia, Arizona. As we left town we saw the sign to Pipe Spring National Monument, a site that we researched for this trip and have wanted to visit for a few years. After a discussion of 30 seconds we changed our plans, made a U-turn and set our next destination as Pipe Spring. Winsor Castle, the fort named after the first resident. The fort was built because the previous owner of the property and the ranch foreman were killed by Native Americans. Sadly a group of Paiutes were hanged for the killing though they were innocent.

Pipe Spring was a Mormon tithing ranch constructed in the late eighteen hundreds. Mormons living on the frontier has little cash so they paid their tithes with cattle and goods. The ranch was established to collect the cattle and care for them until they could be taken to St George, Utah.This history was fascinating and the lady who led the tour was knowledgeable, entertaining, pleasant, experienced and well suited for her task. She communicated enthusiasm.We stayed about three hours during which time we took a tour of the fort, toured the garden, petted the horse and long horned cattle, watched an excellent video and strolled around the museum and grounds.I highly recommend a visit to Pipe Spring to learn the intertwined history of Mormons, Paiutes and the American Government.

The fort is two buildings facing one another connected by gates on each end.

Note the gun ports high on the walls in this bedroom. The fort was never attacked. The women who lived at the fort stuffed rags in the gun ports during winter to keep out cold winds.

The first telegraph station in Arizona was installed in one of the upper bedrooms at the fort. A fifteen year old girl was the first operator.

The fort was built over the spring and the water was piped into a lower room where it flowed through a wooden trough before exiting the opposite wall. The temperature outside was near 100 degrees but the water and the room were cool and comfortable.

Near the wooden trough a post and cross pieces provided a location for cheese and other foods to be kept cool.

After exiting the bulding the water flowed into two large ponds or tanks.

I walked to the top of the bluff behind Pipe Spring to see the oasis created by the water. The rest of was last was barren of trees. Before cattle were introduced the area was a prairie with grasses that "tickled the bellies of horses".

Pipe Spring is on the Kaibab Paiute Reservation. There are about 240 Kaibab Paiute. I asked one of the interpretive rangers about the population in the previous century. At that time there were around 5,000. The loss of the spring marked a point in their decline. A young woman was working at this interpretive center but, unfortunately, left for lunch before we could talk with her.

Home for the night. Julie made reservations for one of the historic cabins at Jacob Lake. We had one-half of the cabin which had another entrance and room with bath on the opposite side. Small and comfortable with character.

Antelope Canyon

2011-09-07T13:06:00.002-07:00

We took a motorcycle trip over Labor Day weekend. Our original plans, as illustrated in the map below, entailed three days. As the time approached the weather forecast for St. George was over 100 degrees. We modified our plans and first day reservations. In the end we spent the first night in Page, AZ, and visited Antelope Canyon rather than kayaking.

Labor Day weekend trip. We modified our plans and did not got to St. George. (Larger version)

Antelope Canyon, from what I've read, is the most photographed slot canyon in the world. Julie and I have been in other slot canyons but thought a tour of Antelope was needed. Upper Antelope Canyon is wider and most visited but we chose the lower canyon.

Looking up stream while standing near the entrance to Lower Antelope Canyon.

The entrance to the slot is sudden and unexpected, a small split in a level sandy wash. Julie follows a young man into the entrance.

The descent is facilitated by steel steps. The slot is over 100 feet deep.

Lower Antelope Canyon is longer and more narrow that Upper Antelope Canyon. The twists, turns and changing colors from filtered light was intriguing.

Julie smiling with enjoyment.

In much of the canyon the sky is hidden and the light is reflected and filtered. In this location sun light colored the sandstone.

Lower Antelope Canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon.

The top of the canyon is about 133 feet above.

Climbing the steel steps out of the canyon.

Looking down canyon after exiting. The slot ended as suddenly and dramatically as it began.

Looking up canyon from the exit at the top of the slot.

In the Garden This Morning

2011-08-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

Cauliflower. Tonight we'll check the flavor and texture.

Three varieties of red leaf lettuce. Salad is on tonight's menu.

A visitor dozing in the garden. Three-fourths of the time I find them in the northwest corner of the garden. What attracts them to that spot?

Warning Light

2011-08-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I was in my utility shed when I noticed a flashing red light on the inverter. Solid read indicates a critical error whereas flashing red indicates a warning. I checked the control unit mounted in the kitchen and learned the internal fan had failed.

Internal fan? That was a surprise. It is a sealed unit for harsh environments. Seals prevent moisture, dust and air from entering the unit.. The inverter has an external fan that was working and the indicator was a warning so I assumed it wasn't time critical. This happened less than a week before we were scheduled to leave for two weeks of vacation.

I phoned the manufacturer and a person answer the phone. No "push 1 for sales, push 2 for tech support, etc". A person and not a recorded announcement. Nice!

I explained the failed internal fan to the young lady who answered the phone and she replied "I'll transfer you to Robin (or Kathy or some female name) and she'll take your name and address and send you a free replacement fan." Wow! Pleasant, knowledgeable, courteous, efficient. Robin answer the phone after only one or two rings. I explained my problem and she replied "Oh, I'm sorry. We'll get a replacement shipped to you. I need some information...". And it was free. I didn't expect that. I was ready and willing to pay.

When we got back from vacation I expected to find a box containing the replacement fan. No luck. I phoned the manufacturer a second time and a gentleman answered the phone. He apologized for the problem and said "let me walk back to shipping". I heard him ask a woman about the order and then he said "I'm sorry, we were out of fans and when they came in we failed to send one to you. We have printed a label and put it on a box. It will go out today."

Three days later I received the fan.

Outback inverters have a good reputation. I can affirm the customer service is excellent.

The replacement of the fan was simple. I connected the defective fan to a twelve volt battery and confirmed it had failed.

The instructions advised testing the unit by connecting three nine volt batteries in series to insure the twenty-four volt input inverter powered up safely. This drained the three batteries quickly but was safer then connecting it to the large battery array that has enough power to do serious harm and expensive damage. I was confident the inverter was reassembled correctly but decided to be cautious and perform the test. The unit powered up and I heard the fan running, The green light illuminated indicating the unit was working and the red warning light never flickered. Success.

I mounted a board under the inverter to hold the weight before removing the screws that mount it to the wall.

The external fan and polycarbonate cover have been removed. The next step is to turn off the breaker between the inverter and batteries and disconnect the wiring.

Inverter, tools, instructions and replacement fan.

The defective fan mounted inside the top cover.

The fan cools the copper colored component in the bottom of the photo.

Reassembled and ready to perform a simple test using three nine volt batteries connected in series.

Fleeting Beauty

2011-08-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

During the last week I watched a blossom form on a cactus. This morning the blossom opened. It's a fleeting beauty that will close this evening.

The last time this cactus blossomed was on February 14, 2010.

Cactus Blossom.

Another Book

2011-08-17T21:47:00.000-07:00

I am nearing the end of a book -- Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. The subtitle is Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West. It may sound dry but it has been one of the best books I've read in quite a while. By the end of chapter one I felt like I had a new friend, the kind of friend that makes life warm, comfortable, good. Each day I look forward to bedtime to pick up the story and return to the hardships, adventures and miraculous excitement of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

It's been a fascinating book full of history, politics, ethnology, archaic medical knowledge, greed, deceit, perseverance, ingenuity, adventure, suffering, wisdom, fraternity and good luck.

I have a good impression of Thomas Jefferson but the book has rattled my opinion of him. He saw Native Americans as savages who could be civilized and made citizens. He saw Blacks as incapable of being elevated to be worthy of citizenship and thought Blacks should be freed but not by his generation. He vocalized some noble thoughts but was an astute politician seeking power and empire. He was human and greatly flawed like all of us.

Somehow, in high school or through popular media, I learned Sacagawea was a guide to the expedition. Not true. She was a fifteen year old slave. She was captured by one Indian tribe and later sold or lost in a bet to a French Canadian trader who lived in a Native American settlement. Lewis employed the man with the agreement that he take Sacagawea, one of his two wives, as a translator. The man left his second Native American wife and took only Sacagawea who was six months pregnant.

I am amused at Lewis's plan. Sacagawea would translate Shoshone into Hidatsa, the language of the tribe that had captured her four years earlier. Her husband Charbonneau, who was 45 years old, could understand a little Hidatsa. He would translate the Hidatsa in French to a man named Jessaume who spoke a little English. Lewis was an optimist to expect an accurate commnication.

Lewis asked Sacagawea the Shoshone word for "white man" and she replied "tab-ba-bone". Lewis planned on approaching the Shoshones saying this word. The problem was the Shoshones had no word for "white man" having never seen anyone other then Native Americans. The scholarly guess is that tab-ba-bone meant "stranger" or "enemy". But, somehow Lewis spoke the word and lived to write about his initial encounter with the Shoshones.

Lewis and Clark journals are full of encounters with wildlife. They passed heard of bison over twelve miles in length. Lewis was bold when first encountering grizzly bears but quickly learned to respect their power. I find their wastefulness and slaughter of wildlife appalling. They would kill a bison and take only the tongue and the hump. On one occasion they killed twenty-seven deer or elk for nineteen men. The majority of the meat was left the next morning as they continued their journey.

Media fiction has portrayed Native Americans as savages quick to kill but the Lewis and Clark journals tell a different story. They would have perished had they not had the help of Native Americans.

I've been most intrigued by Sacagawea. I wonder what she felt? How did she cope? She was a teenage slave, gave birth to a son, the only female in a group of strange men, endured two years of cold, hunger, heat and other hardships during the journey while suffering from a venereal disease. Lewis, Clark and the men of the Corps of Discovery were amazing but, in my opinion, Sacagawea was far more amazing and intriguing. I've been researching a book about her life and have found one that I want to purchase.

It's a cliche but I would give my right arm to have been on that expedition.

Standing

2011-08-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm standing as I type this.

For quite a while I've been reading about the health consequences of sitting. Then I read an article that was surprising and a little disheartening. The latest research indicates that periodic exercise can NOT compensate for the detrimental effects of sitting too many hours each day.

My job is software development. I sit at a computer eight hours per day four days per week. Some days I want out early so I work eight hours straight without a break and eat lunch while working. Not smart I know but the free time in late afternoon after work is important to me. So, it appears stretching and walking before work and getting more exercise in the evening can't compensate for the damage done by sitting eight hours.

The solution is simple -- stand rather than sit. I requested a stand-up desk and one was purchased, delivered and installed.

I anticipated this change with a little trepidation. Would I be able to concentrate as well? Would my productivity drop? Would my feet begin to complain? I like to approach some change with abruptness so on the first day I committed to not sitting regardless of how tired I became. The first day wasn't too bad nor was the second so I knew I had made the right choice.

There's another change coming on September 12. I'm reducing from 32 hours per week to 24 hours. I'll work six hours per day for four days when Julie is working and eight hours per day three days per week when she's off between semesters and during the summer.

With a little luck I'll stay healthy enough to keep backpacking into my eighties.

Eleven Years

2011-07-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our eleventh anniversary recently.

Some years we plan a significant celebration and some years we plan a small celebration. This year we went to La Posada for breakfast on the weekend prior to our anniversary. We had talked for several years about La Posada, a railroad hotel in Winslow designed by Mary Jane Colter. The hotel is being refurbished and is on the registry of National Historic Landmarks.

I assumed the trip would be short; breakfast, a few minutes of browsing and return home. We were gone six hours and could have taken longer. While wandering around the grounds and the hallways we met artist Tina Mion who owns the hotel with her husband. Many of Tina's painting are displayed throughout the building. Her descriptions of the histories behind some of the paintings made them more interesting.

Julie leading the way into La Posada.

One of the refurbished and decorated areas of La Posada.

On the day of our anniversary I was working on something and needed to know the date. I asked Julie and she wasn't sure and suggested I check the calendar in the kitchen. I guess this isn't surprising since about eight years ago we began discussing the date of our anniversary and neither of us were certain so we had to check our marriage certificate.

Julie on our eleventh anniversary.

Me on our eleventh anniversary.

We had a small celebration that day by driving to town for lunch.

Monsoon Garden

2011-07-11T12:57:00.005-07:00

I've turned off the irrigation to the garden. The monsoon season has begun and is doing well so irrigation is needed for a while. Hopefully a long while.

I read somewhere that we have a 50% change of rain on July 4 because the monsoon season normally begins about that time. We get one half of our annual precipitation between mid-July and mid-September so the next seven weeks are critical.

Thus far the season is great.

7/3 - sprinkled
7/4 - .02
7/5 - .23 then .02 in another shower
7/6 - .02
7/7 - .015
7/8 - .09
7/9 - .33
7/10 - .30
7/11 - today the rain forecast was 60%

At our garden gate we're received 1.005 inches of rain in one week.

What's in the garden?

Fruits and Vegetables

Parsnips
Rutabaga
Beans - 4 varieties
Kale
Rhubarb
Spinach
Broccoli
Broccoli Raab
Radish - 2 varieties
Summer Squash - 2 varieties
Winter Squash - 6 varieties
Pumpkin
Melons - 4 varieties
Asparagus
Beets
Shallots
Garlic
Peppers - 5 varities
Tomatoes - 5 varities
Potatotes - 3 varieties
Turnips
Peas - 2 varieties
Carrots - 2 varieties
Cabbage - 2 varieties
Lettuce - 4 varieties
Arugula
Pak Choi Tatoi
Endive
Onions
Leeks
Corn Salad
Chard - 2 varieties
Cauliflower
Amaranth - volunteers in the aisles from last season

Herbs

Basil - 2 varieties
Cilantro
Chives - 2 varieties
Chocolate Mint
Sage
Parsley - 2 varieties

Flowers

Hibiscus - potted and on a summer vacation from the sun room
Bougainvillea - potted and on a summer vacation from the sun room
Zinnia
Nasturtium
Portulaca
Alyssum
Iris
Day Lilly
Hollyhocks
Unknown - 2 packages of collected seed that I failed to label

Both the monsoon season and the garden are doing well. As am I!

Long Weekend Trip

2011-07-08T22:46:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, the weekend of July 4, Julie and I took a leisurely trip to Colorado. I took a vacation day on Thursday so we had five days of leisure, four traveling and one at home.

The first day was windy, extremely windy. The open terrain gave the wind a clear path. It was difficult to talk because of the wind noise so we turned off the intercom and rode with our thoughts. We rode for a few hours leaning a few degrees from plumb to be able to travel on straight level ground. We've traveled the road several times but I forgot about one stop sign at a cross roads. The air was filled with thick red dust blowing across the road. When we exited the cloud we were just a few yards from the stop sign.

About 45 minutes south of Shiprock we took a break to retrieve eye drops and a bottle of water.

For the first night Julie made reservations in Mesa Verde National Park. I was surprised there were vacancies available on short notice on a holiday weekend. I guess the heat and remoteness of the park doesn't attract a large crowd. The drive from the park entrance to the lodge was about 45 minutes. Part of the drive is a twisting and turning climb to the top of a mesa that provided broad vistas. After checking in we had supper at a window table in the dining area. I had a dish called the three sister which was a puff pastry containing corn, beans and squash. Julie has a pasta dish with spinach, mushrooms, pine nuts and dried cherries. Both were excellent. There was no cell service available and we had a room without a television so it was a quiet contemplative evening.

Mesa Verde Ruins.

The next morning after breakfast we rode farther into the park, visited the museum, watch a video and stopped at a few overlooks. Due to Julie's foot surgery and restricted ability to walk we didn't visit any ruins. I read there are over 1,400 archaeological sites in the park. We discussed another visit in the fall when we can explore some of the several miles of trails.

After leaving Mesa Verde we traveled east to Durango then turned north to Silverton, Ouray and Ridgway. At a roadside stand in Silverton we bought cherries, two varieties, sweet, fresh and tasty. The road between Silverton and Ouray is called the million dollar highway. We climbed over 13,000 feet where the air was cool and snow remained in shaded spots. The road twists and winds through the mountains around turns without guard rails and drops of hundreds of feet. It was a beautiful ride.

Hot springs cat taking a nap in our room.

Originally we had reservations to camp at Orvis Hot Spring just south of Ridgway. Julie called to see if a room might be available due to a cancellation. No luck. A couple days later she phoned again. Success! This was about our sixth visit. On previous visits the resident aging cat seemed so fragile. He was old, decrepit, slow and had long matted hair that was thinning. He looked as if he might drop dead at any moment. This time we encountered a new cat, a young healthy friendly cat.

Telluride, Colorado.

We had planned two nights at the hot spring but could get a room for only one night so we decided to cut our trip short by one day and return home by another route. We stopped in Telluride for lunch and an hour of wandering the streets. The temperature was pleasant, everything was deep green and snow melt was flowing from the mountains. It was a radical change from home and the remainder of the ride. Later in the day we stopped in Shiprock, New Mexico, to get something to drink. The temperature was 98 degrees, a dusty, brown, dry 98 degrees

The window from which Windrock took it's name.

The previous evening we made reservations in Window Rock which is on the border between New Mexico and Arizona. This was our first time in Window Rock. Before leaving the following morning we searched for and found the namesake, looked at the memorial to the Navajo Code Talkers and read many of their names inscribed on bricks surrounding the memorial.

It was a great trip. By the time we arrived home we had ridden 903 miles. As we neared home we began discussing another trip. We're planning a Labor Day trip to St. George, Utah with stops in Bryce and Zion national parks. We can make a loop of part of the trip and may include a stop on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

One reviving trip in our memories and another to anticipate.

Summer Slump

2011-07-06T14:04:00.004-07:00

I enjoy blogging and have no plans to quit. I like writing about good things Julie and I experience and recording odd things I encounter. It amuses me to relate some of the dumb things I do. (Lately there have been several things to relate.)

But...it's summer! Translated that means the sun is up longer, the weather is warm and I have a strong need to be outside away from a computer. I'm in my annual summer blogging slump.

I am grateful for those who've contacted me and regularly check for updates. Thanks to Beverly, Karen, AC and Tim.

Following, in random rather than chronological order, are a few pictures and short summaries of some events since the rhubarb pie.

Antelope Squirrel.

One of the cats caught an antelope squirrel, brought it in the sun room and turned it loose. It was unharmed, healthy and fast. It immediately found refuge under the counter behind a water barrel where we (cats, Julie and I) couldn't reach it. It cried continuously for hours in a pitiful voice. Julie suggested setting a live trap. About 24 hours later it entered the trap. This was the squirrel that tipped the scales. The cats are banned from the house unless we open a door and grant entry. They can get into the utility room but not the main part of the house.

The weather is warm so they spend each night outside. About the time of the squirrel incident at dusk one evening I saw two horned owls circling low in the back yard. I went out and saw Maggie in the center of the circle. I called her in to safety. The next evening the owls returned. We haven't seen them since. Owls are the main predator for cats. Their talons have a crushing power of 250 pounds.

Rain Gauge.

We somehow learned about an opportunity to become weather spotters. We arranged to attend an orientation class at the NOAA facilities west of Flagstaff. The training was excellent. We stayed for an optional session on lightning. We received a rain gauge which has a scale of 1/100th inch. Less than a week after installing it on the garden gate we had rain, the first rain in months. Three one-hundredths of an inch. Not much but welcomed.

Motorcycles.

We took a trip to Jerome with some friends. This is the trip that we planned in April when we had a pulse-increasing flat on the motorcycle. This time some friends went with us. They have a Ural which is a Russian motorcycle with a sidecar. It was a good trip. We stopped in Sedona for coffee and had lunch in Jerome.

Last weekend over the holiday Julie and I took a trip on the motorcycle to Colorado. The trip was about 903 miles. Hopefully, maybe, possibly, I'll write about that trip and include a couple photos.

Cows outside the sun room windows.

Early one Saturday morning about a month ago we walked to the mail boxes. On our way home we passed two cows. I jokingly said "Don't follow us!" About mid-day we stopped work for lunch and sat down in the sun room. A short while later I noticed movement. The cows were in the back yard.

I snapped a couple photos and drove them several hundred yards from the house. They came back just as I was about to take a shower. Armed with a red broom Julie drove them off this time. I understood their plight. When she gets the broom the cats disappear as do I.

Julie sending the cows on their way.

Unfortunately, one of the cows stepped on a hot water solar collector that I bought and stored in a area where I thought it was safe. The tempered glass shattered. I can use the collector but will have to install it in the greenhouse that I'll build this fall.

Early spring garden under frost cloth.

The garden is growing. I planted it late and covered it nightly if the forecast called for temperatures low enough for frost. On two occasions the forecast was wrong and the potatoes were bit. They came back but one variety isn't doing well. I enlarged the garden this year. I planted pumpkins, squashes and melons in recessed beds around the fence. I added about ten containers, a screen covered lettuce box and an elevated bed headboard to support pole beans. We've been giving away arugula, a variety of lettuces, spinach, radishes, Bok Choi and other greens. We've eaten our first tomato, a Green Zebra. Julie bought the plant at the first farmer's market of the season.

I had one major blunder. I filled the three garden cisterns and had 7,500 gallons of water. I wanted to measure the amount of water I use this year. One evening after work I was using a hose to water a few items while talking with Julie's brother-in-law who was visiting. I placed the hose in the rhubarb bed in preparation for walking to the end of the row and turning off the water. It's not a valid excuse but we were talking and I'm in my sixties and I'm a male which means I can't multitask. The next evening when I got home I noticed a large wet area in the garden. I estimate the rhubarb got about 3,000 gallons of water. At two cents a gallon that was a $60 mistake. I don't mind the cost but now I'm obsessive. I turn off the water, close the gate, open the gate and check both hoses again. On the bright side I double check only once so I'm not too obsessive.

Compost pile temperature.

I reworked my compost system this spring. I removed the commercial bins and created containers using wooden pallets. I've monitored the piles almost daily. One pile reached 163 degrees before cooling to about 140 where is stayed for quite a while. When the temperatures dropped below 120 I turned the piles and watered them. Last time I checked the temperature was about 144 degrees.

Snake. In early spring we visited the arboretum near Flagstaff. It was cool and not much was growing or flowering but it was an enjoyable outing. The highlight for me was the animal presentation. A man who (if my memory is correct) works with a state agency had three birds, a snake and a wood rat. All had been injured and couldn't be returned to the wild. The animals and his presentation were fascinating. Julie asked to touch the snake but some laws, regulations or something made that a no-no.

There's been another significant experience. Julie had foot surgery about a month ago. She developed a toe that elevated and didn't touch the floor or the sole of her shoe. She learned that had she seen a doctor as soon as it first elevated that it might have been possible to fix it without surgery. But, it was too late. A section of bone was removed and a pin was inserted to keep the toe aligned.

Oh, yes! I went for a hearing test. Moderate to severe hearing loss. Hearing aids? That's the question. The answer is pending. Do I really want to hear all of the pervasive noise pollution. That question is easy to answer in the negative. Hmm? I'm still pondering when to get hearing aids. Did you know that insurance companies classify hearing aids as "cosmetic devices" and do not pay for them? Julie and I are fortunately. Our insurance will pay a substantial amount toward hearing aids.

That's a quick update of events in our world. Life is good as it should be.

Rhubarb Pie

2011-05-13T20:57:00.001-07:00

We had dessert this evening. Rhubarb pie!

Thirty-eight years ago, with dreams of rhubarb pie, I planted rhubarb for the first time. Shortly after I moved. A few years later I planted rhubarb a second time on rented property with no plans to move. But, shortly after I did. Jump forward another few years. I owned the land so I planted rhubarb. I no longer own the property and I never harvested rhubarb.

Rhubarb Pie.

Last year I planted three crowns. Two did well but one was stunted. This spring the three began growing well and endured one night and day of snow. The stunted plant from last year is a fraction the size of the two larger plants. I have them in one bed planted a little closer than ideal. The two healthy plants bolted but I removed the flower stalks.

This afternoon Julie asked for some stalks so I pulled seven from the largest plant. After a few minutes of working together we had a pie in the oven.

While we worked I had two surprises. First, Julie had never make a rhubarb pie. This pie was her first. Second, Julie had never eaten rhubarb! That was a big surprise.

Her first pie was excellent. I've never had better.

Numbers

2011-05-07T22:02:00.002-07:00

This week I've measured, counted and calculated a few items.

The low temperature last week was on Tuesday and was 27 degrees.
The high temperature yesterday, Friday, was 87 degrees.
I have five compost piles.
The total volume in the compost piles is about 12 cubic yards.
The temperature of compost pile two on Thursday, 5/5, at 6 PM was 150 degrees.
The temperature of compost pile two on Friday, 5/6, at 6 AM was 145 degrees.
The temperature of compost pile two on Saturday, 5/7, at 6 AM was 130 degrees.
The temperature of compost pile two on Saturday, 5/7, at 6 PM was 125 degrees.
I am starting 12 varieties of tomatoes and peppers.
Yesterday and today Julie and I planted 12 varieties of vegetables in the garden.
There are 20 seeds soaking for 24 hours that will be planted tomorrow morning.
This evening I picked 31 tomatoes from the three plants in the utility room.
The soil temperature this morning at 6 AM at a depth of three inches was 57 degrees.
Yesterday I filled the last cistern and have 9,500 gallons of water in reserve.
This afternoon our batteries reached a high voltage of 29.7 volts.

Timing

2011-05-05T15:45:00.001-07:00

We had our monthly community meeting last Monday. A month ago Julie suggested the topic of firewise safety. We do not live in a fire district and do not pay taxes for fire protection. It's up to us to be prepared.

As a result of the suggestion a battalion commander from the closest fire district joined us last Monday, did a presentation about fire safety and firewise landscaping. His presentation was informative, useful and enjoyable.

One person present asked about burning the mass of tumble weeds that line the ditches and fences along the road. We learned about permits and procedures necessary to burn materials.

Yesterday afternoon a fire started along the road away from any houses. The fire was northwest of our house about two miles away. I haven't seen the results yet but I understand it wasn't extinguished until it had crossed the line to the Navajo Nation. If I understand the starting location correctly that's a distance of more than two miles.

Fortunately yesterday was a fairly calm day. Winds were forecast at 3 to 6 mile per hour. Tomorrow we're back to winds in the twenties.

Before we go home tonight we'll drive by the area, see how far it went and learn a little more about protecting our house and property.

Fire.

Fire.

Fire.

After posting the above I received two emails that indicate there were two fires and that the one fire did not cross the Navajo Nation line. That was a separate fire. How the rumor mil is discussing arson.

Hmmm?

One Ends, Another Begins

2011-05-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

Life has become too busy of late.

Last Monday Julie and I stayed in town to attend a CERT meeting (Community Emergency Response Team). I had to work part of the Friday on my day off, a responsibility that seems to be happening too frequently lately. Friday evening we had supper with neighbors followed by a night of games, a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Yesterday, Saturday, I attended a workshop for well owners while Julie had lunch with a friend, browsed an art show and ran errands. At the end of the day she met me and we had supper with two couples in town, a meal that occurs each fall and spring as one couple stops on their trip between summer and winter residences. It was another enjoyable evening.

I waffled on the well water workshop. I wanted to attend but wanted to spend the day in the garden. As I drove to town I felt a growing sense of anticipation. The workshop was excellent and the time passed quickly because the speakers and material were fascinating. I don't own a well and have no plans for a well but water is critical. Recently the local newspaper published articles about reduced flows in rivers and concerns that we are entering a thousand years drought. The workshop presented information on geology, legal issues related to wells, information about installing a well, water quality, filtration options and cleaning cisterns. At the end a local representative presented information about hauling water. In the unincorporated areas of the county seventy-five percent of residents haul water. It was a good workshop. I'm glad I attended.

One week ends and another begins. Tomorrow we have a local community meeting and on Tuesday evening we are registered for a training session for weather spotters.

All of these things are good but they take time from gardening, reading, necessary tasks, shared time with Julie and personal time. Next weekend I hope the weather is right and we can take an over-night trip on the motorcycle. Just a fun trip with no specific itinerary or route.

Kitchen Progress

2011-04-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

It's been seven months and the kitchen remodel isn't quite finished. We did the necessary items quickly, took a break to work on other projects and resumed work about a month ago.

Over range microwave.

One of the items needed left unfinished was installation of a microwave over the gas range. We have a small counter top unit that we've used for several years but it's small and only 700 watts. Julie had been researching over-range units and we were getting close to making a purchase. Last week she saw a listing on craigslist for a unit similar to what we wanted. The owner bought it but never installed it. Cost $50. The owner offered to deliver the microwave to campus for $10 which was well worth the expense since it saved us time and fuel for the drive to Williams to get it. We installed it this weekend.

The last major item to be completed is putting tile on a bar. We bought tile for this a few weeks ago but decided we don't like the color and pattern. If Julie can find replacement tile then we may complete this task next weekend.

Seven months! I'm not certain if I'm slowing down or just getting lazy and prone to procrastinate.

Repeat Performance

2011-04-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I had a flat on one of my trailers and didn't know it until I got home since it is a tandem axle trailer. I plugged the hole and it went flat again. In the end I discovered the nail had entered the tread and punctured the sidewall in two places. I fixed three holes.

It happened again today but I knew it before the tire was flat. Julie and I planned a motorcycle trip through Sedona to Jerome for lunch. We were about two miles from home when something didn't feel right. I was doing about 55. In about one second the not-quite-right feeling became a slight shimmy. The next two developments were totally unnecessary. The strange, undefined feeling got my attention and the shimmy locked it into my consciousness. The shimmy was followed by a wobbly which was followed by a pronounced fish tailing. All of this occurred in less than ten seconds.

Julie locked in the back of a deputy sheriff's vehicle. She seems happy!

I began slowing down, cautiously applied the brakes and checked my mirrors. There was a county deputy sheriff some distance behind me. As we stopped on the shoulder of the road the deputy stopped and offered us a ride home. Perfect timing! On the trip we talked motorcycles. As an eighteen year old he broadsided a vehicle, went over the handle bars, put a helmet sized dent in the side of the car and was knocked unconscious.

Julie and I took a trailer back and loaded the motorcycle. I found a nail had gone through the tread and put two obvious holes in the side wall.

In the end it was a short trip but all turned out well. We were close to home. I'm glad it didn't happen when we were 70 miles away.

Cute

2011-04-13T10:26:00.002-07:00

Last night I found this photo on Facebook.

One of my grandsons and my great granddaughter.

I vowed many years ago never to live with regret because I try to make the best decision given the information I have at the time. I don't regret my decision to move west but I am disappointed that I've missed experiences with my grandsons and now with my first great grandchild.

Plans

2011-04-09T08:05:00.007-07:00

We planned a trip this weekend, an adventure in Utah with slick rock, big vistas and slot canyons. Early in the week the weather reports looked bad so we decided to postpone until next weekend.

Since our plans were altered I created a long to-do list for yesterday and began working the list at 5:30 am. I picked up one-thousand gallons of water, forty gallons of propane, one cistern and one iPad. I fixed a flat tire twice which wasn't on my plans.

Cistern.

Winds where strong yesterday so I left the cistern on the trailer and hope to unload it today and put one thousand gallons of water in it to anchor it in place.

Tomatoes in the utility room.

I'm impatient to get in the garden. Lillies and rhubarb are growing. I left a few parsnips in the ground and dug them over winter as we wanted them. The remnants began growing and put up healthy green tops but I dug them and put them in the compost last weekend. This weekend gardening is limited to house plants and tomatoes in the utility room due to winds yesterday and snow today.

Garden covered by an early April snow that wasn't in my plans.

My laptop died this week. It hung so I did a forced reboot. It booted partially but the display became a kaleidoscope of colors and it hung again. After a cool down period it booted and was normal for about sixty seconds. After that, nothing. I did a few diagnostics, bought a drive enclosure, pulled the hard drive and dumped the data to Julie's laptop. She suggested I take her computer and she buy an iPad. In the end this was the least expensive solution ($299) with the most benefits.

A hard drive enclosure containing the remnants of my laptop.

Today's plans include fixing a tire on my trailer, the same tire I attempted to fix yesterday. I pulled a 16 common nail from the tire, plugged the hole but it was low on air in a short while. I replaced the plug but it lost air again. There must be a second puncture because I'm certain neither fix was leaking.

Punctured tire.

At the end of yesterday I didn't feel like I'd accomplished much. I have a suspicion that today will be the same. It appears that slowing down is part of aging that wasn't in my plans.

Cisterns

2011-04-06T10:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I saw an add for a cistern, two thousand gallons. The price seemed fair so I phoned and arranged to see it in the evening.

Julie and I have six cisterns. For storage we have two 2,500 gallons (by the garden), one 1,550 gallons (for the house) and one 500 gallons (collects rain from our large shed). We have two tanks to haul water: one 250 gallons and one 500 gallons. I use the small tank if I need to go to town for water (which is rare) and use the large tank for the local water station. The weight of the large tank and trailer pushes the limit of my tow vehicle and I don't feel safe using it to haul water from town.

But, back to the cistern listed on Craigslist. It was misrepresented. Rather than holding 2,000 gallons it holds 2,500 gallons which made the price even better. I arranged to pick it up on Friday. I'll put it by the two garden cisterns and put 500 gallons of water in it immediately to prevent the winds from moving it. This cistern will bring our total storage capacity to 9,500 gallons.

In the next few weeks I'm going to connect the house gutters to these cisterns to collect rain during the monsoon season. I have materials to build a collector up hill from the house and hope to finish that some time this summer.

Assuming 10 inches of rain per year we'll be able to collect 15,000 gallons of water over the year so 9,500 gallons of storage puts us in the ballpark for what we need. But, we question the 10 inches assumption. One August about six years ago we received five inches. Summer before last we received a total of five drops for the entire monsoon season.

(Speaking of cisterns, deserts and monsoons, for an interesting short story try Max Brand's "Wine in the Desert". I found it thoroughly enjoyable. I liked the irony and the sense of justice as well as the description of living in a desert on the edge of disaster.)

Fruit Cake

2011-03-31T08:44:00.001-07:00

This week I received a late Christmas gift from my sister, a fruit cake.

For many years my mother baked a fruit cake each Christmas. I don't remember when the tradition started but it was some time when I was a kid, maybe before my memory begins. After I left home she began mailing a large fruit cake each year in a round metal tin. I rationed the cake and and made it last until the end of January. It became the only gift I anticipated. Shirts, ties and other material gifts I could easily buy for myself. The fruit cake was different, special, something I couldn't buy. I've had fruit cake bought at a local store. No, thank you, but not now, not ever.

My mother told me once about her first fruit cake which she baked some time after she and my father married. It was dry, hard, unpalatable, not a success. She cut an apple in half, placed it cut-side down on the cake, wrapped it in waxed paper, put it in a tin and let it set for a few weeks. In the end her father and my father ate it but she always questioned their motives. She wasn't convinced the cake was good and thought they ate it out of politeness and concern for her.

As Mom got older and ingredients became more expensive the cakes became smaller, less than half the size of the large ones. I knew there would come a time when they would stop due to her death or a serious decline in health. I think the last cake was baked with the help of my younger sister. Finally assisted living and a nursing home brought the end of the cakes.

My sister's first cake is excellent! If I did a blind taste test I would be unable to tell it from my mother's cakes. The only clue that Mom hadn't baked it was the missing pineapple rings, walnut and cherry halves decorating the top. I clearly remember them because they became a reason to over eat. Cutting to the left of a nut or cherry made the piece too small, cutting through them was unthinkable for some non-rational reason so the only solution was to cut to the right which made an over sized piece.

It's been over ten years since I have had a piece of fruit cake. It's good to enjoy it once again. Even better than the cake are the memories and the relationships with my sisters.

Another Mistake

2011-03-28T20:27:00.002-07:00

Julie and I went to work today two and one half hours late due to a mistake I made. I am unable to multitask. I cannot talk, think and mix grout at the same time.

I was mixing about three-quarters of a bag of grout and added too much water, way too much water. I added the remainder of the bag but the grout was like soup, unusable. It was late in the day, too late to got to town, get more grout and finish the job enjoyably.

Maggie appears to be inspecting our work. Actually she's pacing while waiting for her supper.

We decided that Julie would make the trip for another bag while I worked on another project. This morning we got up at 5:00 AM, had breakfast, grouted the floor and made it to work by 10;30.

On Friday we'll seal the grout. The finished job should look good.

Kitchen Tile

2011-03-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

This is the weekend we chose to lay the tile floor in the kitchen. We've had the materials for months but other priorities took precedence.

Yesterday I prepared the area and installed concrete backer board. This morning we gathered the tools and began work. By supper time the job will be finished.

Laying kitchen tile.

We extended the area to be tiled to include the outside entrance door so we can come in on a durable surface. This area will necessitate cutting a few tile at an angle near forty-five degrees.

Aread ready for tile.

Soon, after an appropriate period of procrastination (on my part, not Julie's), we'll take out the remaining carpet and install laminate. We're both looking forward to a carpet-free house.

A Theory

2011-03-25T20:32:00.000-07:00

I finished my most recent backpacking trip feeling not good but better than good. I never feel muscle soreness but normally I feel stiff and my knees ache. Not this time.

We increased our mileage on the second day which gave us a short third day and an even shorter last day. When we got back to the car I was surprised by our speed. I felt better than I've ever felt after a climb out of the canyon.

Preparation for the trip doesn't offer an explanation. I did not do anything to prepare. I walked as much as is normal and wore a forty pounds weight vest only occasionally. No hill climbs, no stairs, no weight training, nothing special.

Part of the explanation has to relate to new trekking poles. A few weeks ago I bought a pair that are a little on the heavy side but are strong. I made a conscious effort to use them to relieve the stress on my knees especially on the long steep down hills. This helped but doesn't fully explain the difference.

Here's my theory.

Julie stretches every morning and has done so for the last few years. She has books and videos on yoga. I sometimes watch her and wonder how she can do some of the stretches. Months ago I tried some and failed matching her movements by several inches. I enjoyed the experience so I started stretching daily. After several months I could do a few of the things that she does regularly. More time passed and some of the stretches seemed easy so I started trying variations that are more challenging. I glanced through her yoga books with the intention of selecting new stretches.

Daily stretching! I think this is what made the difference.

Nankoweap Experiences

2011-03-24T09:46:00.003-07:00

I thoroughly enjoyed the Nankoweap trip. It was a good blend of weather, scenery, effort, history and the unexpected.

I felt fairly well when we left the parking area. Within a quarter mile I was struggling to breathe. I would take a breath and have to force it out. I began wheezing. If I didn't know better, I'd say my daughter inherited asthma from me. I was in trouble. But, I know better! I was hurting bad, really struggling and couldn't back out. Todd was with me and it takes months to get a permit. I kept going and tried to keep up with his pace.

After a couple miles we had climbed several hundred feet and the wheezing and struggle to breathe eased up and I began to feel more normal but extremely exhausted and out of energy. We had agreed to stop for something to eat on the rim before entering the canyon so I kept going anticipating that stop. When we did break I drank a quart of water and had a large lunch. Afterwards I felt good. In retrospect I should have eaten two breakfasts, the small one I had at 2:30 AM and a large one about 8:00 AM before we left the parking area. Also, I should have locked the cats out of the bedroom that night.

Nankoweap Trail Profile. We started at the lower north access point (rather than the higher west access) and hiked up to the trail head so we were never over 8,000 feet as shown in the upper access point in the graphic.

We each took six liters of water with plans to cache two liters at Marion Point for the return trip. A short distance beyond Marion Point we came upon a gallon jug. Someone had cut the top from the jug and placed it beneath a ledge in a shaded area. About ten or twelve feet above almost two feet was snow was melting, running down the face of the cliff and dripping into the jug. We took the time to fill our bottles.

We found an unexpected water source. A couple hundred yards beyond Marion Point we filtered snow melt water.

Early on our first day we discovered a problem with our plans. I had gotten a permit for five days but Todd thought we would be out on the fourth day and had made other plans that couldn't be altered. I had scheduled us for one night at Tilted Mesa, two nights by the river and the last night at Tilted Mesa. This would have broken the trip into four equal days with one day in the middle for exploring. We quickly changed out plans to the first night at Tilted Mesa, the second night at Nankoweap Creek and the last night at Marion Point. By doing this we would be able to drop our packs when we reached the creek and make a quick, light trip to the river and granaries before returning to the creek for the night. This would increase our mileage for the day but would make the next two days shorter.

Filtering water from Nankoweap Creek. This was our main source of water

The first night on Tilted Mesa was excellent. I've seen videos of tents being destroyed by winds on this exposed ridge but we had a gentle breeze and temperatures in the forties. I got a little warn in the down bag. The night by Nankoweap Creek was the best. Soft sand, a quiet breeze, sounds of the creek, a bright moon and singing frogs. Shortly after I stretched out and began reading I heard something trying to get into my trash bag that I had placed close to my backpack. I didn't see anything but I rearranged things within easy reach. A short while later I heard it again. I sat up and saw a large, healthy, well-fed mouse chewing on the trash bag. He wasn't scared by my movement or the head lamp. I gave him a crash course in literature with my book which propelled him into the darkness. He never returned.

Camp site one at Tilted Mesa.

I fixed supper by a large boulder on the edge of the creek. It provided a seat and a wind break for the stove. As I was watched the stove a lizard ran up the boulder, hopped on my lap, ran across, jumped back on the boulder and ran behind a group of small boulders stacked on top of the large boulder. For the next several minutes he (she?) would come out look at me and return to a hiding place. It's little things like this that add to the enjoyment of a trip.

Camp site two by Nankoweap Creek.

The last night was an adventure. We climbed to the top of Tilt Mesa and took a break from about noon until 1:30 PM. The morning's breeze developed into a noticeable wind during our break. By the time we got to Marion Point the wind was serious. As we selected camp sites for the night I looked for low, protected areas. Todd wanted a level area. I selected a cramped area on the leeward side of the ridge that was protected by a high spot and a Juniper on the wind side and brush on the other side that prevented rolling over the edge into the canyon. About 7:00 PM I estimated the winds at sustained fifty or sixty miles per hour. I asked Todd what he thought the gusts were reaching. He replied seventy which seemed to confirm my estimate.

About 7:30 PM I crawled into my sleeping bag and tried to read for a while. I thought I would finish the book that I began two nights earlier but the wind made reading difficult. Occasionally a stray gust of wind would circle the Juniper and inflate my bag like a balloon. I decided it was time to stop reading, get my arms inside, pull the draw strings tight, put a scarf over my mouth and expose only my nose and eyes. The purpose of the scarf was to keep wind blown grit out of my mouth.

It wasn't a bad night. I slept well and woke only two or three times for brief periods. Once an exceptionally strong gust hit my back and rolled me over on my face. I awoke with the thought "that must have been an eighty miles per hour gust". The next morning Todd said the wind was moving his legs and he was wishing he had chosen a less exposed spot.

Camp site three at Marion Point. I kept my backpack close so I could roll it on to my sleeping bag to prevent it blowing away.

These are a few of our experiences. We saw fish entering the creek from the river, watched rafters on the river, passed other backpackers, watched gray-green frogs with yellow legs, bemoaned the gnats and had an enjoyable time.

I wish we could have had the fourth night and fifth day but it was a good trip, an excellent trip. Even the windy night was enjoyable for me. I came out of the canyon feeling fine, as if I had been on a gentle stroll which is ironic given my struggles for the first three miles. I've never felt this good at the end of a trip. No soreness, no aches, no stiffness, no pain in my knees. I think I know why. I'm not certain but I have a theory and that will be the subject of my next post.

Nankoweap Trail in 31 Photos

2011-03-20T07:43:00.002-07:00

The Nankoweap trip was perfect!

When I was researching and anticipating the trip I was unable to find photos that gave a good feel for the trail. Following are 31 photos that give a sense of what to expect.

The trail divides into four distinct sections: trail 57 from House Rock Road to the Nankoweap trail head (3 miles, climb 400 feet, descend 400+ feet, climb 1200 feet); the Supai traverse from the trail head to Tilted Mesa (4 miles, descend 1600 feet); the descent of Tiled Mesa to Nankoweap Creek (4 miles, descend 2600 feet); the junction with the creek to the delta on the Colorado River (3 miles, descend 600 feet). At the Colorado the climb to the granaries is about 750 feet.

House Rock Road. The parking area is about 23 miles away and takes one hour to drive. (Larger version)

Saddle Mountain and the saddle are visible for miles. (Larger version)

Start of trail 57 that leads to Nankoweap trail head in three miles. (Larger version)

After climbing about 400 feet the trail descends into a rivine and drops over 400 feet. (Larger version)

Snow melt more than doubled the water in the ravine in three days. The small creek was crossed several times (Larger version)

A few areas of snow remained near the top of trail 57. We were knee deep in snow in one spot. (Larger version)

Looking back on trail 57 from the rim. The climb was about 1200 feet from the bottom of the ravine. (Larger version)

Start of the Nankoweap trail. There was no snow on the trail for the first two miles and then only a minor amount. (Larger version)

Looking ahead it's impossible to see the trail which follows the base of the cliff for the first four miles. Marion Point is visible in the background. (Larger version)

The unmaintianed trail rises and falls continuously as it meanders close to the edge or cliff due to obstacles. (Larger version)

The views on this section of the trail are fantastic. (Larger version)

The section of the Nankoweap known as the Scary Spot. (Larger version)

The stone pillars mark a camp site at Marion Point. (Larger version)

The Marion Point camp site is small and exposed. We had strong winds all night with gusts we estimated at 70 mph. (Larger version)

About two miles past Marion Point the trail drops down from the Supai layer to Tiled Mesa. (Larger version)

There is an interesting climb near Tilted Mesa. The tree makes it possible to climb both directions without removing packs. (Larger version)

The camp site at Tilted Mesa is larger than Marion Point but just as exposed to wind. (Larger version)

The trail down Tilted Mesa is about four miles in length. (Larger version)

The contours of the mesa are followed as the trail works around rather than straight down. (Larger version)

At a few points there is no option other than switch backing straight down hill. (Larger version)

At the base of Tilted Mesa is the easiest section of the trail. Short but welcomed. (Larger version)

From the junction with Nankoweap Creek it is three miles of boulder hopping, scrambling and multiple crossings to the Colorado River. (Larger version)

The first sighting of the Colorado River is welcomed but not spectacular. (Larger version)

The granaries at Nankoweap are about 750 feet above the river low on the vertical cliff. (Larger version)

The first group of granaries are impressive. (Larger version)

The first granaries are easy to access. (Larger version)

The second group of granaries to the left of the first are more difficult to access. I was able to take photos inside the granaries only by holding the camera high above my head. (Larger version)

The third opening (out of sight in this photo) to the left of the second group of granaries is the most difficult to access. (Larger version)

A six feet section of the ledge is missing that leads to an area below the third opening. Not obvious in this photo is a small protrusion that supported almost half of the outside of my foot and enabled me to step across. (Larger version)

The cliffs on the opposite side of the Colorado are 3000 feet high. (Larger version)

Colorado River as seen from below the granaries. Visible in the larger version of the photo is a rafting party setting up camp on the beach. (Larger version)

In another post I'll describe some of our experiences.

By Its Cover

2011-03-13T20:13:00.003-07:00

I stopped by a used book store today to get a book. I went to the WWII section and looked for something small and light with yellowing pages. New books tend to be larger, heavier, printed on weightier paper with weightier ink. I've heard it's not wise to judge a book by its cover but I want something small and light to carry in my backpack. I found only three choices. The elimination of two was easy. I selected Kriegie: Prisoner of War by Kenneth W.Simmons. It is copyrighted 1960 and cost 35 cents at that time. I paid $2.50 for it.

I've almost halfway through The $64 Tomato by William Alexander. It's been thoroughly enjoyable but it's too large and too heavy to carry. My backpack is ready. I weighed it and was surprised: 48 pounds. I like to draw the limit at 40 pounds but we won't get to water until the second day so I'm carrying extra.

Preparation for this trip hasn't monopolized my time lately. In fact, I got ready quite a while back. The thing that has interfered with blogging is preparation for a gardening class that I'm teaching on April 2. It's a four hour class and I want to do a good job. I've been reading sections of the Arizona and California master gardener manuals, library books, gardening books that I own and doing web research. All of this work is being distilled into electronic presentations along with show and tell items. I've found this preparation extremely enjoyable.

It's 8:07 PM. My alarm will sound in six hours and twenty-three minutes assuming I've set it correctly. We rarely use an alarm and Julie always sets the clock. I've never done it and yearn for the old, easy mechanical clocks rather than the high tech electronic imitation. Julie is in Texas. I phoned and asked instructions.

I'll be back in a week!

Spring Break

2011-03-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Next week is spring break. Normally I procrastinate if possible. I get topo maps early, read trip reports, search out photos and think about an upcoming backpacking trip. But, when it comes to getting out the equipment and packing I generally wait to the last minute. That's not usually a problem since everything is cleaned and stored after a trip in preparation for the next adventure. But last year I procrastinated too long. In the end I finished packing about 11 PM and had to get up at 2:30 AM to start the trip.

This time, however, it's been different. The front bedroom is full of equipment. Last year I took a twenty degrees synthetic sleeping bag and the night time temperatures pushed it to it's limit. This time I'm taking a ten degrees down bag. I checked my water filter, lubricated the o-rings and put a coffee filter over the intake. Batteries for headlamp and camera have been charged and the permit has been stacked with maps. The last thing to do is pick up a few additional items for mid-day meals. Everything else has been checked, cleaned, completed and laid out next to my backpack.

Last week I phoned the Back Country Information Center to check on the condition of the road to the trail head and the depth of the snow near the trail head. The road off the blacktop is twenty-seven miles long and should be fine the entire length. The ranger advised snow shoes for the three miles from the end of the road to the trail head. We'll be climbing the north side of a mountain to get to the canyon rim and the snow may be deep. I read a report from May of last year that indicated there was one to two feet of snow in the area at that time. But, we had anticipated this and already had snow shoes laid out with other equipment.

This is my third trip with Todd. I've arranged to meet him at 4 AM Monday morning for the three and one-half hours trip to the north side of the canyon. My son phoned two weeks ago and canceled. We tentatively discussed another trip in the fall. I'll miss him.

Last year for spring break Julie flew to Dallas to spend the week with her son, daughter and spouses. This Saturday she leaves for Amarillo to visit parents, sister and extended family. I'll miss her.

This time next week I should be camped on the Colorado River at the Nankoweap delta.

Too Busy

2011-02-28T08:26:00.001-07:00

Life has been a little too hectic and too busy for the last week. Blogging has taken a distant second. Perhaps tonight I'll have some time.

Yesterday I came across this photo from 1998 or 1999. We have changed.

From the left: Isaias, Anne, me (less bald and without a beard) and Julie. We had been bicycling somewhere around Lubbock, Texas.

Weekend Training

2011-02-21T08:57:00.002-07:00

Julie and I have had many fun and interesting experiences over the years and this weekend was another one.

I looked forward to the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training but didn't want to loose the entire weekend. The Friday night session (6-9 PM) was enjoyable and made me anticipate Saturday's sessions (8-5 PM). Long before we finished Sunday evening we both agreed it was a good experience. In the end I didn't feel like it was a lost weekend.

CERT Training Group. Julie and I are second and third from the left.

We met new people from the area (one a master gardener who lives a mile from us!), got better acquainted with neighbors we've know for a few years, learned new skills and laughed a lot. Now that we've completed the basic training we scheduled to attend a regular monthly meeting in town tomorrow night.

One of the interesting things for me was discovering that much of what I was taught years ago about emergency first aid is no longer considered valid. One of the instructors, a retired police officer, told stories from his experiences that related the same message concerning emergency procedures other than first aid. Time passes and new research reveals the fallacy of current practices. This emphasized the need to keep learning.

Initially I expected only training but we were given backpacks, helmet, eye protection, gloves, tools and manuals. A second basic class will be held in April for a group unable to attend this weekend. Both groups will meet in May to organize and plan periodic meetings and on-going training.

Julie and I worked together as buddies on each exercise. We put out fires, put splints on one another (my arm, her leg), did search and rescue and used a lever and cribbing to remove a wall off a training dummy.

A good weekend!

Piki Bread

2011-02-18T06:48:00.001-07:00

Yesterday morning a co-worker came to my office with a gift of piki bread, a gift she promised several months ago. Piki bread "is a thin dry rolled bread made by the Hopi with nixtamalized corn meal, obtaining its dark grayish-blue color and unique flavor due to the use of blue corn and culinary ash. The light, thin sheets are dry to the point of brittleness, melt in the mouth, and have a delicate corn flavor." (wikipedia)

Piki Bread.

While digging a footer to begin construction of a sun room in July of 2008 I hit something hard. Thinking it was just a layer of caliche I came down hard with a pick and pulled a piece of sandstone out of the ground.There is no sandstone for miles, only volcanic cinders, so I know I had found something.

Piki stone discovered while digging a foot for the sun room.

A co-worker is Hopi so I showed her a photo asking what it might be and she replied "a piki stone", a stone used to bake piki bread. At that time she promised a gift of bread.

Reassembled piki stone.

When she gave me the bread she said it was made different than usual because it was the time of the bean dances and the initiation of children. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to talk so I was left which many questions that will have to wait. I did a web search and found the following.

The Bean Dance (Powamu) is the most complex of all ceremonies and is considered to be one of the most important of the Kachina dances. It occurs in February, and is divided into two parts. One part is the time when disciplining of the children occurs, and the second part is to promote fertility for the upcoming growing season, which is when the initiated males grow beans in the kivas. The Katsinam appear in the villages carrying the bean sprouts and bringing gifts for the children in the morning and a dance is held later that night. Young children are also initiated at this time into the Katsina societies.

The disciplining of children occurs during the other part of the Bean Dance ceremony. That is the time when the Katsinam in this painting appear. During the Powamu, or purification ceremony, there is a procession of Katsinam that will go from house to house to lecture unruly children, and in some situations, adults. They are, from left to right, Ha-hai Wuhti, the grandmother Katsina and also the mother of the monsters. Behind her stands a Soyoko known as the Black Nata-aska, an uncle from the Ogre family, and two Soyok' Wuhti's who are attendants and considered to be Aunties. Behind them is another Ogre known as Wiharu, or White Ogre. He is also an uncle, as are the four other Soyokos standing behind him. The last three Katsinam are He-heya's. They are uncles also.
As the Ha-hai Wuhti talks to the children, she will tell them what they are doing wrong and give them assignments to prove their worthiness. She also informs the children that she will feed them to the Soyoko's if they fail to meet their tasks. At this time all of the Uncles will begin growling as their mouths flap and their saws are raked across the ground. At the same time, the Ha-hai Wuhti will also inform the children that the Aunties have baskets of food for the Uncles, but, they could be added to the basket if they don't behave. During this ordeal, the three He-heya's will be intimidating the children with their ropes as if they want to tie them up. This is a very solemn time, and the audience watches with great reverence. It is a time of regeneration, a time when purity is renewed and the beginning of another life cycle.

I found the above here which shows the painting. On another site I read an interpretation/opinion that may help:

Monsters enter the village and go to each house, threatening to eat children who have misbehaved, and demanding fresh meat. (It is my opinion that these monsters represent hunger and the lesson of preparing for winter is well-taught.)

I have three reactions. First, I'd like to know, to hear, to see, to experience some of these ceremonies but ignorant, arrogant and thoughtless outsiders have forced the Hopi to close some of them. Another co-worker who is not Hopi grew up on the reservation where her grandfather and father were doctors. As a child she learned the Hopi language and played with Hopi children. She remembers feeling a sense of shock and horror as a preschool child at the behavior of outsiders at a snake dance.

My second reaction is one of sadness at the challenges that face not only the Hopi but all small cultures. Their beliefs and values are being overwhelmed and lost to a world economy that values only wealth and gain. Sad, truly sad.

My third reaction is one of slight envy. I've lived in seven states and had thirty-some mailing addresses over my life. I had a sense of "belonging" for only the first ten years of my life. After that I was the outsider, the one who didn't belong. I wonder what it's like to live in a small group, to have a sense of culture and heritage, to experience a history with the land and shared memories with extended family.

I am truly thankful for the gift. Next week I want to talk with my co-worker and learn more.

Cat Stories, Customer Service and a Koala Fact

2011-02-17T01:28:00.002-07:00

I woke up when I heard the bedroom door open in the middle of the night. We keep the door closed to prevent the cats from sleeping with us. Julie was it bed beside me so I knew it wasn't her.

While doing some remodelling we replaced all passage locks with lever style handles. Maggie, the younger of our two cats, studied the problem over several months and learned how to open the door. She jumps up, grabs the lever with her front paws and swings her hind feet against the door to cause it to open a few inches. Smart cat. Getting into a room is one thing but learning to open the door from the inside is another. If she ever solves that problem then I'll consider her a feline genius.

Maggie feeling ill.

Julie took both cats to the vet recently for annual shots. It was Macy's first trip. She's become fairly tame but turns into a rigid furry cactus if we pick her up. Through a little deception and artful use of Macy's addiction to mayonaise Julie managed to get her into a carrier.

The trip went well with two slight complications. For two days after the visit the cats didn't eat or move. They chose safe spots and slept. Julie phoned the vet to determine if this was normal and received a "I don't know. I guess it could be due to the shots." She completed an online form expressing concern about the response and a person phoned her. In the end it was great customer service.

The second complication is a little more serious. About a week after the visit Maggie began limping. We checked her leg and she didn't react. We touched her toes and she pulled away. Using a light and magnifying glass we failed to find an injury. After a week of limping where she got progressively worse so we made another trip to the vet. It turns out it was a reaction to the feline leukemia shot which sometimes causes a small lump at the point of the injection. If the lump grows larger or lasts longer than about 10 weeks there could be a serious problem. Wish they had told Julie this when the shots were administered. Not good customer service. The vet provided some syringes of an anti-inflamatory which stopped the limping after two days.

There are three interesting items from the second visit. The man who phoned Julie after her online response to their service heard we were in the clinic. He came in, introduced himself and spent about 15 minutes talking with us. Julie had inquired about cat doors (magnetic, infrared and chip operated). He couldn't answer one of her questions so he did some research, phoned manufactures and emailed Julie. Once again, great customer service.

The second interesting item relates to Maggie's limping. She didn't limp while in the clinic. I commented on this and was told that ninety percent of cats mask symptoms when they enter the clinic and smell dogs and other animals. When we got home she resumed limping until the anti-inflamatory had time to take effect.

The third item relates to koalas. A small video screen in the clinic shows images of animals and relates interesting facts. I learned the fingerprints of a koala are almost identical to human fingerprints. In fact, koala prints have been mistaken for human prints in crime scenes. Being skeptical (as I think is wise in the information age) I did a web search and this fact was confirmed. Either that or there's a world wide conspiracy of misinformation to which the Australians are party. I'll go with it as fact.

It's Beginning

2011-02-16T01:00:00.002-07:00

Julie decided to see an allergist and get tested. The results weren't surprising but one item was of interest. Her strongest reaction was to Junipers. Yep, Junipers like the ones that surround our house.

She started a regimen of shots a few weeks ago. This Thursday she steps up to a higher dosage.

Guess what season is beginning. About this time of year amorous male Junipers begin turning slightly red. Before long I'll be able to shake a branch and watch a red cloud of pollen drift with the breeze.

Seasons come and go. This one will pass without too much discomfort hopefully. In a couple years we'll know if the shots alleviate her reaction.

A photo of us taken in Arches National Park.

MP3 and Me

2011-02-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

I have an MP3 player, a child's MP3 player sold by Hasbro. I never had a desire for one but I have found it to be a valuable tool.

A few years ago Julie and I were walking to the mail boxes when I saw a small device on the side of the dirt road. One of the ear buds had been crushed by a passing tire. I picked it up, turned it on and worked. The music on it wasn't my kind of music (assuming I'm gracious and call it music).

I had neither cord nor adapter to connect the player to my computer so it lay in a drawer for a year until my son visited. He gave me an adapter. I charged it, erased the noise on it (OK, being ungracious now) and put some different noise on it, noise that I label enjoyable.

The player is limited to 128 megabytes so it holds only a few pieces of music but that's enough for me. It's become a valuable tool. I use it regularly.

Before work, before the sun comes up, I ride a stationary exercise bicycle. Normally this would be an immense boring drudgery but the music on the player makes time vanish. During the day I try to walk but without the player. I never take it to work. Before bed I ride the bicycle again. Today I got about one and one half hours of aerobic exercise.

I like this toy.

Post surrounded by Ice Plant. This photo has nothing to do with the subject of this blog entry. While going through old photos I found this picture and like it. I'm not saying it's a good photo but I like it and don't fully know why. The why isn't important but does make me wonder. Why?

Another Weekend in Our World

2011-02-13T22:22:00.001-07:00

The weekend is drawing to a close.

Thursday we took Opie, the stray male cat, to town to meet a woman who needed a barn cat. It's amazing how quickly we can get attached to an animal but he and our cats weren't making much progress in arriving at a live and let live truce. This weekend was heaven for Maggie and Macy. Once they felt safe after his departure they kept the cat door swinging going in and out enjoying the sunny warm weather.

Friday morning I put one load of water in the house cistern which filled it to within one inch of overflowing. My second load went into the garden cisterns. I need about 3,500 gallons to fill them. That's fourteen loads and I want them full by the time gardening season begins. On my return with the second load I heard a noise from the trailer. I've got a bad bearing. It's an old shop built trailer and I don't have a clue where to get a bearing. I have another cistern of 500 gallons designed for a large pickup bed. I've never used the cistern and have it only because a guy owed me money and I knew it was wise to take what I could in goods because he would never come up with the cash. I think I'll clean this cistern and put it on my tandem axle trailer. The problem is that full the cistern and trailer will far exceed the rated towing capacity of my vehicle. But, it's only two miles to the water station and only about one mile is on a highway so I think I'll give it a try and see how it does.

Friday afternoon I worked on a solar hot water system for a friend. She has been having problems and I think we've diagnosed it as dust in the heat exchanger that is restricting flow. About 230 degrees in the collector and only 80 degrees in the tank. Sometime soon I'll take a quarter inch hose and try to get the sediment from the bottom of the heat exchanger. The next step will be to put a filter on the vent to the glycol tank. It appears dust in the air has been getting into the system over the years. Such is life in a dry windy environment.

Saturday we went to the landfill. It's been 18 months since we last took off the trash. For a long time I've been planning on writing about this subject that breaks down into composting, reuse, donations, recycling, scavengers and trash cans. It's an interesting subject in my opinion.

Saturday evening we had supper with a family in town. The young lady lived about one mile from us but moved to town late last summer. Her husband died about two years ago and Julie and I helped occasionally when needed with simple maintenance issues. Her father lives in California and visited about twice each year. We worked together on a few maintenance tasks and got to know one another. He is visiting now which prompted the supper invitation. (Between supper and dessert we cleaned furnace filters. Just for old times sake!) Over Christmas her mother, who lives in Colorado, visited and we were invited for supper. It's good to meet her family.

Today we had planned a motorcycle ride to some location with an opportunity for a hike. About a month ago I checked the motorcycle and the system that keeps the battery full during the winter. All was well and it started immediately. A few days ago I tried to start it and the battery was dead. A test indicated a shorted cell. I tried to find a battery locally but it's not to be. I'll have to order one. Since the ride didn't happen we changed our plans and took a walk to a local cinder hill. I last climbed the hill in March of 2008 but Julie had never been to the top. Last week (or was it week before last) when we climbed to the top of Frances Crater we found the pile of stones marking the summit register but it was missing. Today we found the summit register on Junction Crater, read the entries (which is how I know I last climbed it in 2008), sign it and returned to it's location. Round trip we did a little over four miles.

That was our weekend. Well, part of it anyway.

Now, I'm going to work out on the exercise bicycle. Four weeks from tonight we'll either be camped near the Nankoweap trailhead (on the north side of the Grand Canyon) or be here trying to get to bed for an early start. I'm hoping the snow isn't so deep that this backpacking trip has to be abandoned. But, even if it falls apart, I'll be ready for some lung-challenging alternative.

Jar containing the summit register on Junction Crater.

Julie crossing the cattle guard into an enclosure around a trick tank on the edge of the national forest.

The tank held water with a thin layer of ice on top. This is an ideal bird watching opportunity. As we neared the tank we frightened doves, bluebirds, robins, juncos and other species.

As we meandered through the Junipers toward home I spotted a collection of stones that seemed a little unnatural. We changed our direction to investigate and found several pieces of pottery around the ruins.

We headed east until we came to the national forest fence then turned south to avoid private property. When we came to this 1916 boundary survey marker we crawled under the fence and chose a direct path toward home.

It's always interesting to watch for pottery, historic litter, strange lava pieces and other unusual items. Today we discovered what I assume is a coyote skill. A little hair remained so it's not been dead long. We found only the skull.

Twos

2011-02-11T22:12:00.001-07:00

East of Flagstaff, beyond Twin Arrows, on the edge of Canyon Diablo is Two Guns. Among the ruins from Route 66 days is a small building with two doors. Behind each door are two seats.

Two doors.

Two seats.

I was going through old photos tonight when I came across these pictures. They brought back memories from long ago of a similar building a short distance from the log cabin where my grandmother lived. It had one door and two seats. Or was it three?

It is strange why my brain stores some memories. I clearly see my cousin beside me and the remains of a Sears catalog. Why do I remember this? Was it the fourth of July and the excitement of the day with extended family? Or was it the day we were raking a field of hay? I remember being on top of the haystack holding the center pole and walking in circles to tramp the hay down. Was it that day?

Regardless, strange as it may be, I remember and it's a good memory of good times.

CERT

2011-02-11T08:43:00.001-07:00

Next weekend Julie and I will take part in 19 hours of CERT Training. CERT is the acronym for Community Emergency Response Team.

I don't like the thought of losing an entire weekend (Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday) but I do look forward to the training.

There are seven sessions on the agenda.

Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Fire Suppression
Disaster Medical Operations Part I
Disaster Medical Operations Part II
Light Search and Rescue Operations
Disaster Psychology and Team Organization
Course Review and Disaster Simulation

The county comprises 18,608 square miles. There are 45 deputies in the county. Our response time is 45 minutes, assuming the local deputies aren't covering some other part of the county. There are sections of the county with only one deputy. If a local deputy has to cover that area during the absence of the normal deputy then the response time to that part of the county may be two hours.

Due to the lack of many roads it is sometimes impossible for emergency services to get to individuals in need. Recently during a snow storm Interstate 17 was closed south of Flagstaff. The sheriff's department couldn't get to stranded vehicles. A CERT team in that area provided overnight accommodations and food for 60 people in a local church.

Another problem is that lack of systematic addressing of residences and mapping of roads. (Our address is Leupp Road but we don't live on Leupp Road. Our road has neither name nor number.) At two recent meetings local residents have been highlighting a map to identify roads that still exist and are used. As large tracts of land have been subdivided the new owners have put up fences and closed roads on their property. As a result emergency vehicles have difficulty finding residences. Recently Julie saw an ambulance stop about a half mile from our house. The driver was lost and didn't know which fork of the road to choose.

I'm not in favor of some of the ideas that have been suggested at recent meetings but I can't find fault with the CERT program. Next weekend should be enjoyable and helpful. I like where we live and know we have to rely on ourselves.

What If?

2011-02-10T09:07:00.002-07:00

"Would you ask me to the prom?"

I received this strange question yesterday in a message from Julie. The message came before a photo of her as a graduating senior in high school. The photo gave the question context and took away it's strangeness.

Even though I answered her with a "Yes" before I saw the photo the truthful answer was "No".

Julie as a senior in high school.

By the time she graduated from high school I had completed two and one-half years of college, spent four years in the army, gotten married, had two children and was working at a Ford stamping plant. I would never have given her a second look.

There was another factor that would have caused me to never notice her. She had long red hair, bright red hair. I had a sister with bright red hair and never, ever considered a redhead as a potential date.

Sometimes I wonder how our lives would be different had we been closer in age, met in high school or college and married. There are many indications both our lives would have been happier, easier, better. But when I think seriously about it I doubt it. I would probably have been too dumb to make the best of a perfect situation. Regardless, I got older and slightly wiser, moved to Texas where we met and life is good.

Valentine's Day is next Monday. We're planning a celebration for the weekend.

Pollyanna

2011-02-09T01:46:00.001-07:00

I think old people are wise, experienced, kind, content and knowledgeable. I do not think they are feeble, wrinkled, cantankerous, slow or boring.

The above isn't quite true. Julie and I had a discussion last night about stereotypes. We both agreed that most of the older people we have known have created less than positive stereotypes. That's sad both for them and for us. Here's why.

Early this morning I finished reading Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman. Near the end of the book is a discussion of research by Yale University concerning hearing loss and elders' stereotypes. (A web search led to this article: Elders' Stereotypes Predict Hearing Decline). The findings are intriguing.

To measure age stereotypes, participants were asked, "When you think of an old person, what are the first five words or phrases that come to mind?" The responses were judged on how negative or positive they were and how internal or external they were. Stereotypes rated negative included "senile" and "feeble," whereas stereotypes rated positive included "wise" and "active." External stereotypes included visual images such as grey hair, wrinkles and stooped posture. The study adjusted for initial levels of hearing, as well as several other variables that are known to affect hearing including age, education, gender, race, depression, chronic conditions and smoking history.

Older persons with more negative and external age stereotypes performed worse on hearing measures at the end of the three-year study. According to Levy, "Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition among persons age 65 years and older and can lead to increased social isolation, self-denigration, loneliness and depression.

I have some hearing loss. If I have negative and external stereotypes of elderly people, a population that I am joining an a accelerating rate, then my hearing will decline faster. Scary!

Equally scary is the Brafman brothers' expanded application of this research.

Negative and external feelings about old age, in other words, can actually make people physically age faster. And the effect is not limited to hearing alone. Similar studies have found that negative stereotypes about aging contribute to memory loss and cardiovascular weakness, and even reduce overall life expectancy by an average of 7.5 years.

I think I'm going to take a Pollyanna approach. In the novel Pollyanna (which I have never read but do remember from my youth the Disney movie staring Hayley Mills) the author Eleanor H. Potter penned this line: "When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will." Perhaps we should turn it around and adapt it to read "Look for the good and the beautiful in the elderly expecting to find it and you surely will."

Seriously, I work on my physical health through diet, exercise and stretching. More and more I'm working on attitude, specifically attitudes when encountering people. I'm trying to write stories for them. (ex: "She isn't rude. She's an overworked single mother struggling with stress.") This may not help the other person but it helps me look for the good. I can expand this to see the elderly in the most positive light.

Pollyanna? Let's make that Paulyanna.

Toto Review

2011-02-08T01:00:00.001-07:00

A few years ago, perhaps four or five, we replaced our toilet in order to save water. I decided to wait a reasonable amount of time before writing about our experience to insure no problems developed. It's been more than a reasonable amount of time.

The toilet that was in the house when we purchased it was manufactured in 1992 or 1993. It was an old siphon vortex model that used three and one half gallons per flush. Newer models are required to use 1.6 gallons or less.

We researched dual flush models which have two buttons or two handles, one for a full flush and one for a half flush. I heard complaints about dual flush models that they didn't work efficiently and that they tended to clog waste lines. Interesting, only one person who belittled dual flush models actually owned one.

We selected a model manufactured by Toto. There were three reasons for our choice. First, it was available in Flagstaff and did not require a special order. Second, it has a skirt that makes cleaning easy. Third, it was rated high on the MaP tests (Maximum Performance Testing). In other words, it was tested and found to work well.

One of the complaints I read in reviews was the difficulty of installation. Due to the skirt the installation is different from older models; different but not more difficult in my opinion.

Toto Dual Flush.

Though not required I installed a water meter six years ago in an effort to manage water usage. In theory the toilet was set at the factory to eight-tenths and one point six gallons for half and full flushes. I've tested the Toto. It used seven-tenths of a gallon for a half flush and twice that (1.4 gallons) for a full flush. This is adjustable in the tank but I've never adjusted it.

Is it reliable? Definitely! Works first time every time. Fast and efficient.

This cost was somewhere between $300 and $400. Our costs for water are high when compared to municipal water costs since we pay for water and have to haul it which necessitates a trailer, tank, fuel, maintenance and miscellaneous costs. I estimate the Toto will pay for itself within six years.

Once we get rainwater harvesting completed the dual flush toilet will help minimize the size of storage tanks which can be expensive (40 to 70 cents or more per gallon).

The Toto was a good purchase.

Tomatoes

2011-02-06T22:18:00.001-07:00

I am not pleased with my tomatoes. Well, actually I'm pleased but know they could be better.

Early last spring I found a partial package of Yellow Pear seed dated 2004, six years old. I decided to plant the seed to see if they would germinate and they did. I transplanted them and two other varieties to the garden. A friend gave me one plant. I asked the variety but she couldn't remember, perhaps a Big Boy.

All of the tomatoes did well except the gift which set only three fruit. We had far more than we could use and gave away several pounds. One Sunday afternoon we picked twenty-two pounds and drove around the neighborhood giving them away. During late summer both Julie and I took tomatoes to work and gave them away.

Twenty-two pounds of tomatoes.

Over the course of the summer several tomatoes volunteered in the garden. I selected three and moved them to pots and set the pots in the ground in a garden bed. Near the end of the summer before the first frost I dug up the pots and moved them to the utility room where I moved them to larger pots. The south wall of the utility room is glass, seven feet tall and 10 feet wide. The tomatoes get plenty of sun but the environment isn't ideal.

Tomatoes growing in the utility room.

The plants have done OK but not extremely well. One set fruit, another blossomed but didn't set and the third set a few large fruit and stopped blossoming. I began working with them to encourage fruit set and they did much better. We've picked tomatoes, have more to pick and have several green tomatoes as well as continued blossoming.

I'm going to research greenhouse varieties for next winter. By fall I'll have an attached greenhouse completed. As for these three tomato plants, I'll care for them until I can transplant them into the garden. They should do well this coming summer.

Mea Culpa

2011-02-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

On January 1 the year began with minus twelve degrees. Julie started a load of laundry and the washer failed to fill with water. A little trouble shooting and I knew the water lines were frozen to the washer.

Last year when we built a utility room and moved the washer and dryer I thought about protecting the pipes. Our addition turned an outside wall into an inside wall so I ran the pipes on this wall. No danger of freezing. I cut the drywall close to the floor in the back of a closet, pulled insulation out of the way, installed the water lines and pushed the insulation back in place. What I didn't realize was that my "inside" wall was actually an outside wall for the first foot. Our addition didn't extend as far as I thought with just a quick visual inspection. Since I had put the waterlines behind the insulation I had doomed that one foot section to freezing at some time. My mistake. It took about 10 minutes to open the wall, thaw the frozen pipes, put the insulation behind the water lines and put the drywall back in place.

Last Wednesday it happened again but a little more serious this time. We discovered we had water to the bathroom sink and washer but nowhere else, not to the tub or the kitchen. The overnight temperatures were about minus ten for two or three nights and the daytime temperatures were barely out of single digits.

When we remodeled the kitchen in November and December I had to move water lines, a drain and a gas line. This necessitated cutting the vapor barrier and insulation under the floor. I finished the task but left the cuts unrepaired for a few days to check for leaks. No leaks so all was fine. Wanting to finish the kitchen I left the vapor barrier unrepaired with intentions of finishing the repair "soon". Small holes only large enough to get my hand through them didn't seem critical but they let a freezing wind get to the pipes. A complicating factor was the fact that we no longer use our central furnace and I had closed all floor vents. Had the furnace been running it would have heated the ducts that run parallel to and a few inches from the water lines. Had the floor vents been open a little warm air could have circulated through the duct. Once again, my mistake.

Since both Julie and I are working and since we had hot and cold water at the bathroom sink we ignored the problem and left it for today to fix. But I had to work today on my regular day off. Shortly before noon Julie phoned and said "Good news! We have water" Last nights low of 20 degrees and today's high of 47 took care of the problem. The water pump hasn't come on at unexpected times so that's an indication there are no breaks in the lines. Problem solved.

Actually, small problems like this are enjoyable. They provide a pleasant break to our routine. This is my opinion. I haven't asked Julie for her opinion.

Tomorrow I'll fix the holes in the vapor barrier and insulation.

Reading List Update

2011-02-03T10:59:00.002-07:00

I've updated the reading list on the right sidebar.

By coincidence I read two WWII books authored by women. I found both books a little disquieting. Rather than portraying the horror and revulsion of war they tended to romanticize the experiences of the men about whom they wrote and ignored the tremendous suffering and abuse they experienced. The books were U-Boat Adventures: Firsthand Accounts from World War II by Melanie Wiggins and 4000 Bowls of Rice: A Prisoner of War Comes Home by Linda Goetz Holmes. Interesting books but needing more brutal honesty.

By contrast I picked up a book written by a German officer (Five Years, Four Fronts by Georg Grossjohann). Before my trip to Kentucky I wanted a second book to take along. I spent five minutes in a used book store and made a quick decision. When I bought it I thought the book seemed familiar but I was short of time and didn't browse it but for a second. When I started reading it on the plane I knew I had read it before. It's a good book that more honestly portrays an unpleasant reality.

A conversation with a co-worker led to the loaning of Click: The Magic of Instant Connections by brothers Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman. I found the book interesting but not gripping. It was easy reading but was too long on examples. The jacket mentioned Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior that was authored by the brothers. I found a copy of Sway at the local library and am well into it. Once again it interesting but a little too wordy on the examples for my preference.

Freakonomics, a gift to Julie from a graduate student.

A graduate student gave Julie a copy of Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. The student is a brother to one of the authors. I found the book fascinating. I recommended it to one of my sisters. Her reaction: "Went to the library Saturday and got Freakonomics. It is SO me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for recommending it! You know what I like best about the book? That there are independent thinkers who don't just accept a given explanation. I find that totally refreshing and it gives me hope! I don't feel like I personally run into too many of those types.".

Julie and I enjoyed Freakonomics so much that we tracked down a copy of Super Freakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance by the same authors. We are about halfway through the book. Do I agree with everything they've written? No, but it does challenge me to think which is a good thing.

Of Education, Men and Women

2011-02-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

One of my sisters has begun blogging. She is intelligent, educated and many other good things. She is opinionated (unlike me). One thing she is not is brief, to-the-point, of few words. To my surprise, like me but not to the same degree, she makes typos!

Recently I sent her an email ~~asking~~ instructing her to read a post by AnvilCloud entitled Of Men and Women. She posted a comment, a LONG comment, to his article. I find her response interesting.

My brother Paul sent this to my email. He was supposed to be answering a question but told me I had to read this first. I loved it! (He knew I would. Glad I was compliant.) Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the blog post, but I loved the unretired grampa part and the picture of you little granddaughter. She is precious and wonderful!

I will soon be 62 so this is particularly interesting to me. For several reasons. First because of the grief my dad had to put up with when the men he worked with found out I was going to college. (He was a machinist.) I guess his co-workers kept telling him how foolish it was for him to let me go to college. They said I would only get married anyway. Although my dad really liked the guys, he was truly irritated. He finally responded that evidently they considered their daughters second class children. He went on to say that he had two daughters and they were not second class children to his son. I guess he couldn’t resist. But he ended the conversation that had persisted several days by saying that if I wanted to get married some day, at least at college I might find someone who would appreciate me; and he liked that idea a whole lot better than thinking I would marry someone like them who would not. When he was telling me about the incident, he went on to say, “Remember honey, you never have to work for a man if you don’t want to. You can do whatever you want. Let them work for you!” I doubt my brother or sister have ever heard that story. I don’t see why they would have. He was ahead of his time, and I am so glad for it!!
The second reason I love the story is that from the first day of school I knew I wanted to teach. I loved school! Imagine if I had lived at a time or in a place where little girls were not educated. At that time, at least in West Virginia, there was no kindergarten. So we entered first grade. My brother and all my cousins next door were already in shcool. And I thought it highly unfair that I couldn’t go when I wanted. When I finally got to go, I waited patiently for the teacher to give me homework like by brother and cousins had. She didn’t! So finally I asked for some. She wisely gave me some. When questioned at home about why I had homework, I explained I had asked for it. I’m SURE Paul does not remembe this, but he went around complaining that he had the dumbest sister in the whole school and everyone would know it and he didn’t want to go the next day. I ignored it all and did my homework!

I like these stories. I had never heard the one about my father since I was in the Army at that time. I like the first grade story and do not remember my reaction.

My father had an eighth grade education. There was no bus service to a high school so he attended eighth grade twice in hopes that rumors of impending service were true. After the second year he gave up and went to work in the coal mines.

My father and my sister knew the value of education many, many years before I saw the light.

(Read AnvilCloud's article. I think you'll find it interesting and informative.)

Twenty-Four

2011-01-30T12:27:00.001-07:00

Last year I made a mistake that I don't intend to repeat this year. I sought and received approvals (team lead, director and VP) to reduce from thirty-two hours per week to twenty-four. The team lead who is my immediate supervisor approved the request but asked that I continue at thirty-two hours since one person was retiring in December and another was planning on leaving. We have a great relationship so I agreed to remain at my current work level.

During the course of the year the director left and another person was assigned to the position. Fortunately I've known this man for almost ten years. I approached him about reducing my hours and he was receptive. Last week I approached my supervisor and received a verbal OK.

My reasons for cutting back are mainly physical. Research indicates the more hours a person sits the greater the negative impact on health and longevity. I have far more energy and less stiffness in my knees on weekends when I'm more active.

So, hopefully, I'll begin working twenty-four hours on July 1. I've never enjoyed rigidity and am open to changes in my schedule if the work load dictates. If things evolve the way I hope then I'll work six hours per day Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters to match Julie's schedule and I'll work eight hours per day Tuesday through Thursday during the summers when Julie is off work.

How much longer will I continue to work? I'm not certain, maybe another eight years until I'm about 72. Basically I enjoy my job and the people with whom I work. Currently I'm working on a problem that's a little challenging and I'm actually looking forward to picking up the problem tomorrow morning. Often my job is like a game, like trying to solve a puzzle. It sometimes has a feeling of art as in "This works but is there a more elegant solution?". Being physically active is important but there are social and mental benefits from continued work even though there is no financial necessity.

Sun Room

2011-01-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

What began as a plan for a functional attached greenhouse and source of passive solar heat for the house became "additional living space" per Julie's request. I'm glad she made that request.

I don't enjoy being indoors and would rather live outside but, having to be inside during our winters, I spend most of my free time in the sun room. The room is a thirty feet window into the natural world. The sunlight, potted plants and Julie's decorations made the room relaxing and soothing.

Bowl, spoon, coffee cup and napkin in moring sunight.

In warm weather we eat our meals on the deck but in the winter we eat in the sun room. We' on our way to work Mondays through Thursdays and miss the first direct sunlight that hits the western wall. On the weekends, however, it's a spectacular show as light moves, reflects, creates shadows and brightens colors.

Breakfast is a delight in the sun room.

Sunlight on stove handle.

Today's Walk

2011-01-28T21:55:00.001-07:00

Today's walk was a little over two hours in length. We climbed the north side of Francis Crater, descended the curling and less steep west side and turned toward home.

Along the way we searched for and found an old wooden picnic table that we first saw a few years ago. It's isolated, about a mile from the nearest house, in a area that offers no hint of who moved it to that location or why. When we found it we discovered it had collapsed and was lying in a neat stack as if someone had folded it up. Parts of the top have rotted away and nails have backed out.

The temperature was in the mid-fifties, the sky was cloudless and the wind was calm with an occasional gentle breeze. Occasionally we spooked a jack rabbit and though we saw no antelope we saw many tracks. While on top of Francis we removed all the stones from the cairn that contained a jar with a small log book. The container and log were missing. Someone has removed them.

It was another pleasant day in paradise.

Julie pointing out something in the distance.

Blue gramma grass inflorescence in a full circle.

Tumble weed against a fence.

An old picnic table.

The peaks were sharp against the blue sky.

In Kentucky

2011-01-23T19:19:00.002-07:00

I am in Kentucky visiting my daughter, son and grand children.

Recently my daughter was forced to call 911 twice and spent one night in the hospital due to severe asthma episodes. She has worked at the hospital for the last 20 years and made the mistake of attempting to wait until Monday morning when she would have gone to work to check with a doctor. The delay necessitated the emergency call. It was her worst attack ever.

When she was young we installed carpet in all of the house except her bedroom. Her room had hardwood flooring which is easier to keep free of substances that aggravate asthma.

By phone we discussed options and decided to replace the carpet in her house. Over the last three days we (my son, grandsons, my daughter and a friend) replaced almost 800 square feet of carpet with laminate. The job is done and furniture is back in place.

Honestly, I didn't look forward this trip. I don't enjoy flying but the main issue was Julie. It's the start of the semester and she is working diligently to get caught up after visiting her father when he was hospitalized. She was unable to come with me.

However, I have enjoyed my visit immensely. It's pure pleasure to work together on a common task. I always enjoyed being a father and teaching my son and daughter skills. This week I had the opportunity to teach my grandsons a few new skills. Equally enjoyable was standing back and watching my son teach his sons and compliment them on their abilities. He braved the task of permitting them to use the table saw. I always found that trying when he was their age.

My daughter is doing fine. I feel good about what we accomplished.

Yesterday, for the first time, I met my great granddaughter.

Songs of the Sespe and Other Rhymes

2011-01-19T20:21:00.002-07:00

Friends came over last weekend for supper and brought a small book. It's a small ragged warped book missing it's back cover. I had heard of it a year ago and it sounded interesting.

The book is titled Songs of the Sespe and Other Rhymes. It was published by Frank D. Felt who homesteaded 160 acres along the Sespe River in Ventura County, California. Most of the poems relate his homesteading experiences, his views on life and friendship and his values. One came from his experiences in World War I. Interspersed among the poems are short proverbs.

It's a jewel of 99 pages that conveys emotion and paints brilliant scenes. I've read it and want a copy to reread periodically but it's no longer available. I'm going to photograph each page and transcribe it.

Here are some samples.

"You can lead your horse to water,
But you can't make him drink."
You can send some folks to college,
But that don't make 'em think.

Don't cuss your old mule 'cause he's dumb. If he wa'nt right stupid -- you'd have to walk.

Time To Go To Bed

When the books grow dull and heavy,
Lines begin to weave and blur;
And the kitten at the hearth-side
Drones her slumber drowsy purr;
When the kettle's softly singing
To the crumpled glowing coals --
Then the day is nearly over,
For a pair of sleepy souls,
But we've held a cherished custom
Since the day that we were wed,
And we needs must pop a pan of corn
Before it's time for bed.
So the hearth is soon a-quiver
As our corn barrage resounds--
Whil'st the kitten chases kernels
That go popping out of bounds.
Then, our toes before the embers,
Fading--flushing--blushing red,
We crunch a fill of pop-corn --
Then it's time to go to bed.

Trees of Life

This life of ours is indeed a very strange and brief condition -- all of us seem to trudge along striving to create something, to leave something that might win admiration from our fellow men of today and more from those who chance to pass after we are gone. Many men accomplish this by their good deed, while a few are long remembered, only for the blots they leave upon the pages of memory.

Roving idly thru the wildwood,
Two lads frolicked, glad and gay;
One, rejoicing, gathered acorns,
Cast them wide along the way.
'Neath an oak, the other tarried,
Carved his name, in youthful glee;
Told the legend of his journey,
By the branding of a tree.
Ages wrought a verdant forest
Where, but acorns -- once were cast;
Yet--one withered oak bore witness,
Of the selfish soul that passed.
Thus, the bent of vain ambition;
Thus, poor blinded mortal's goal;
But to live -- and write his legend
Ere the flesh gives back the soul.
But to leave on earth, some token
That each passerby shall see;
Some rejoice -- to cast an acorn,
Others, rudely mar the tree.

Songs of the Sespe

Opie

2011-01-19T09:10:00.001-07:00

For the last few weeks a large male cat has intimidated our two females. He found the cat door that gave him access to the utility room and, if the door was open, to the house. Julie, being the official labeler-of-cats, decided "the big red cat" wasn't appropriate and chose "Opie" as his name.

On Sunday evening we set a live trap and baited it with food. Early Monday morning I heard the cat door close and looked into the utility room. Opie was considering the food. We had been feeding him in a white cup for a while to lull him into a mistaken sense of security. A few minutes later I heard the trap close.

Opie shortly after being trapped.

I suspected he was tame but afraid of us. We could get close to him and he never showed strong signs of stress. After trapping him I gave him a few minutes then put a finger through the trap. He didn't react. Next I offered him mayonaise on an outstretched finger and he immediately accepted it. We took him out of the trap and he never showed signs of terror or aggression. He's tame!

We have debated what to do with him. One thing wasn't debated. Feral cats should be broken, unable to reproduce. A few phone calls and Opie had a 7:30 AM appointment with a local vet. We picked him up yesterday evening and returned him to a large cage for the night. This morning we turned him loose. He has his freedom after 48 hours in our B&B.

We're still debating what to do to prevent him coming into the house without spending too much money. (Hmmm? Cats don't spend money. Maybe that should be: We're still debating the most economical way to prevent him coming into the house.)

I like him. I hope he stays around.

Filtered Sunlight

2011-01-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

Early morning winter sunlight filtered by bracts on Crown of Thorns.

Polycarbonate

2011-01-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Last fall I wanted to build an addition to the southeast end of our house, an attached greenhouse. Time was short, the weather was changing and the materials weren't to be found in the state. I checked Albuquerque, NM, and southern California but couldn't find a source.

It appears all polycarbonate originates in Wisconsin. Minimum order amounts, crating fees and shipping charges caused me to want more time to plan an attached greenhouse, a garden shed and, perhaps, passive solar heat for a work building that I will build next year. Buying a larger quantity would offset some of the costs.

I watch Craigslist and occasionally find items that are free or a good buy. Recently I saw an add for 6 feet by 12 feet sheets of twin wall polycarbonate. I contacted the seller and discovered he was trying to sell excess materials from a job. The cost was the same as if ordered from the supplier while paying crating and shipping. It wasn't a savings but it was convenience.

Today Julie and I picked up seven sheets, about 500 square feet. I have enough to build the attached greenhouse, a garden shed with a sloped south facing polycarbonate wall and ample cold frames. The greenhouse will include a batch solar hot water heater for the house.

This winter Julie and I are growing tomatoes in the utility room. Next winter I'll be able to grow a wider variety of vegetables.

Life is good and keeps getting better.

Paid Work

2011-01-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Tuesday I return to my office. For the last four months I have been working in another building on a special project. A group of analysts and users were pulled together to form a team to complete a software project that probably cost well over one-half million dollars. Two consultants, one from Utah and one from Virginia, commuted weekly and led the development process.

It was a good experience for many reasons.

I was the only University developer assigned to the project and the only male except for one of the consultants. The young man from Utah with whom I worked is sharp, knowledgeable, competent, fast, courteous and pleasant. I have never been fast and am at the age that my mental speed is declining further. It was enjoyable working with him and following his lead to learn the system. The two of us did all the development. Next week I'll add further enhancements, fix problems as they are found and begin another related project. I'll miss being able to turn to him and get his opinion.

The other consultant was a young woman. The same description applies. She is sharp, knowledgeable, competent, fast, courteous and pleasant. Her laugh and mannerisms are fixed in my memory. I'll miss the opportunity to work with her.

Many years ago the first job I found after getting out of the army was as receiving manager at a local business. I supervised a staff that was predominately female. It wasn't a good experience. I stayed with the job only a few months before moving to another position. At that time I vowed I would never work with women again.

In my current job I work mainly with females. Over half the developers on my team are female. My immediate supervisor is female. The team that worked together for the last four months was eight young women, one young man and me. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time sitting back, watching and listening to the group. I'm glad I failed to keep that vow from 40 years ago.

It was a good four months.

Compassion and Empathy

2011-01-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Julie is home from Amarillo. She drove from Amarillo to Albuquerque, stopped at a grocery deli to pick up some items for lunch for the next day and spent the night in Albuquerque. The next day she was in Flagstaff and back to work by 1 PM.

During her trip home she stopped at a place to get something to drink. As she walked into the business she passed a man who was dirty, ragged and looking tired. He had a bicycle and a few items and may have been traveling across the country. She anticipated him stopping her but he said nothing.

As she watched him through a window she thought about how much she has and felt compassion for him. When she left the said hello and asked "Do you need some help today?" He replied he could use some help so she gave him $5 that she had ready.

This isn't the first time. A couple years ago I drove her to Albuquerque and she took a bus the rest of the way to Amarillo. On the bus she sat next to a Vietnam vet who was down on luck. She listened to his story before he dosed off to sleep. When she got off the bus he was sleeping so she slipped $20 in his shirt pocket.

These aren't the first times and won't be the last. I'm glad she's home and I'm glad she feels empathy and compassion.

Empathy: the intellectual identification of the thoughts, feelings, or state of another person

Compassion: deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it

A Walk Alone

2011-01-10T21:22:00.001-07:00

I'm alone for a few days. Julie is in Amarillo visiting her father and mother. The unplanned trip was prompted by her father's illness and admission to a hospital. She should be back in a couple days. Her father is home and doing OK.

After she left on Saturday I planned a walk for Sunday morning. Here are some photos.

My destination was the top of Frances Crater. It's been two or three years since I last climbed to the top.

Part of the reason I chose the climb up Frances was to try out new trekking poles. Last March during a backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon I bent a pole which prompted me to purchase new poles.

I started climbing straight up the slope. About half way up my lungs told me it was time to begin switch backing. The rest of the climb was easy compared to the first half.

Looking northeast toward home which is located in the edge of the trees in the top left corner of the photo (underlined in red).

I spent only a few minutes on the top. The temperature was below freezing when I left the house. As soon as I crested the top of the hill I was in the wind from the southwest. I wore knit gloves but the windchill had my fingers stinging within three minutes. I moved down the northeast side out of the wind and phoned Julie. We don't have cell signal at home without an antenna but I knew at this height I would have a strong signal.

It was a good beginning to the day and, hopefully, many miles with the poles.

New Bloggers

2011-01-06T15:36:00.001-07:00

Over the last few month four new blogs have been created by family members. (I'm biased so I'm saving the best for last.)

My older sister (who is younger than me) created this blog: Meditations of My Heart.

My younger sister (who is also younger than me) agreed to write for my blog about her experiences in South Africa. It appears the holidays, a cantankerous-husband-after-minor-surgery (her opinion, not mine) and a new grand child have delayed the journal. Soon hopefully.

My older brother-in-law (who is younger than me and is married to my older sister who is younger than me) created this blog: As I Gaze Through the Window

A few weeks ago my older sister (who is younger than me) phoned and introduced me to Eric a cousin once or twice removed (however it's to be labeled). Eric is the son of a first cousin whom I haven't seen forty years. Eric graduated from college and moved to Taiwan for seven years. He returned to this country and took two months to travel from New York to Oregon by way of North and South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Nevada,Utah, Arizona and California. He spent Thanksgiving with us. We had a wonderful visit. Hopefully, not his last visit. His blog, aptly named Eric's Oregon Trail, is a journal of his trip. He's a rock climber who has posted some great photos.

Julie (the love of my life, the one who nags me about going to a doctor, the one who pretends to listen to my rantings) has a blog! She named it Part of something bigger.