Sunday, February 06, 2011

MOTORMOUSE TURNS THE TV ON….IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!

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WITHOUT IRRIGATION IN THE SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY THERE WOULD BE NO CROPS

When I go to bed at night I always leave the TV remote on the chair beside my bed.  Motormouse always sleeps on the other chair but last night about 1:30 she decided to switch chairs.  When she jumped up on my chair she flopped down on top of the remote turning the television on & of course I was immediately awakened by Vince & his dam ram jam Sham-wow commercial.   Geeeeez, I hate that commercial!!!!  It was 3 a.m. before getting back to sleep again & I don’t even think the little Mouse knew she had turned the TV on.

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THE LATE NIGHT TV REMOTE BOSS

Already I am sad about leaving our great spot here in the Sulphur Springs Valley….& we haven’t even left yet.  Happens to me all the time no matter where we go.  I always get attached to places & yet with my restless nature I don’t like to stay in any one place too long.  Can you just imagine the inner turmoil that causes a person.  I can’t either but it’s a part of my life every single day.  Always that urge to move on to new things & always that urge to just set a spell awhile longer.  Awwwww, what  a life.  Aren’t you glad your not me:))

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WITHOUT IRRIGATION THE SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY IS A VERY DRY PLACE

Another beautiful weather day as I cranked up an IPod Bose load of Cowboy tunes  this morning.   We had a semi busy time bustling about the rig getting things ready for travel soon.  Soooooo nice to have our showers this morning.  First showers in the rig since getting here last November.  Boy were we dirty!!  Ok, that was a joke:))  Up until the water line break a couple of days ago we had been using the nice big spacious shower in the house.  I’ve heard of people taking military showers in their rigs to conserve water.  Not me!!  I’m like an Elephant in a broom closet with a trunk full of hot water flying everywhere.

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SAND HILL CRANES FEEDING IN A HARVESTED CORNFIELD

This recent cold snap had the lowest temperatures in Arizona’s history & people are still without water in many areas.  Here’s a couple excerpts from emails we have received from friends here in the Valley.  (despite our Hermit like ways, we do have some friends you know)  A friend from near Gleeson writes….”So we still have no water. Haven't done dishes in 5 days. Took a shower at a friends yesterday finally. Can't get the parts we need since everyone is in the same boat and stores out of stock. At least no more 1* degree weather. I am finally starting to get depressed. Southern AZ is in shock.”  Another friend from Bisbee writes…."No water? Tell me about it! Today is Sunday, and our water just came back on this morning! The water in the tub/shower isn't back yet (wow, would I like a shower) but hopefully there is no problem there.....or
is there? We were scrounging water everywhere we could, and it wasn't
easy, since the whole town of Bisbee was out.”

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ED from the THE PEREGRINATING GRAYBEARD over in Huachuca City says in his blog…."The first thing I needed to do was dump my holding tanks. When I opened the bay door to where all my pipes are I could see a lot more water than what I saw yesterday. This was not good!
After dumping I connected my water intake to the Park's water, which now had good pressure, and immediately had a VERY bad leak(s) at the MANABLOC®.”  After that, Ed writes…''I got some good news about my frozen pipes. I tried the fresh water tank pump again this afternoon and it worked; it has taken two days with high temperatures of over 60° to finally thaw all my pipes.” Yep, it sure was darn cold in these here parts alright:((  Jeanie & Ray had broken water lines at the ranch as well.

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When we leave our favorite area of Arizona shortly we will make our way over to our favorite area in California.  We first discovered BORREGO SPRINGS in January of 2007 & have returned there every year since.  

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ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK is the largest state park in California.  600,000 acres, five hundred miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and many miles of hiking trails wandering through the wonders of the California Desert.  The little town of Borrego Springs lies in the heart of Anza Borrego & is completely independent of the Park.  This quiet & quaint place is a true gem in the rough.  With stretches of desert to the east  & the towering San Ysidro mountains towering over the west end of main street, this greening oasis in the desert has become one of our favorite places.  Lots to do here with programs put on by the Anza Borrego State Park Visitor’s Center & the Desert Nature Center downtown.

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EAST OF McNEIL ARIZONA

I particularly like the Astronomy & Photography programs.  For instance, on Feb 16th there is a Sunset/Moonlight Hike.  (‘Description says to join Volunteer Naturalists Ted Caragozian and Paul Larson for a desert hike to enjoy the sunset over the mountains and return under the nearly full moon to get a different perspective of the desert at a surprise location. Bring warm clothes and a flashlight.’)  I like these kinds of outdoor learning experiences & field trips.  Mentally challenging to the mind & physically challenging for the body.  But, not toooooo challenging:))

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SWISS HELM MOUNTAINS IN OUR BACK YARD

If you type Borrego Springs into our search bar at the top of our right hand column you can access my many posts on Borrego Springs.  Here’s one I picked at random that had me out early one morning on a photography outing with a bunch of like minded people.  BORREGO SPRINGS PHOTO HIKE.  Coincidentally, it turns out to be the same day we met, WANDERING WILLY:))

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It is the Desert Nature Store downtown that organizes the free desert Jeep tours on Saturday mornings so we’re looking forward to that as well.  Yes indeed Borrego Springs, we will soon be on our way to see you yet again for another year:))

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DRAGOON MOUNTAINS AS SEEN FROM NEAR McNEIL ARIZONA

GROANER’S CORNER:(( 

Q: What's the purpose of an airplane propeller?
A: To keep the pilot cool. If you don't think so, just stop it and watch him sweat!

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16 comments:

  1. It is a sobering thought that we really can't take our clean running water for granted. When we have to do without it for a few days or weeks, we really appreciate it.

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  2. Ohhh that poor little Motormouse looks soooo repentant!

    Poor thing was suffering from insomnia and wanted to watch some infomercials. Good thing she didn't have access to your credit cards and a cell phone!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  3. We really want to check out Borrego Springs on our trip south in March so am reading all your old blog posts about it. Lauri Brown said you knew the best places around there. Thanks, Al. Sure glad you got your shower.

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  4. poor little Motormouse..woke the whole house and didn't even know it!..glad to hear that the water issues are getting resolved..we knew you had 'friends'!!!

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  5. I suppose you're now going to blame Motormouse for turning on the flashlites last month.

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  6. Glad to hear you weather is starting to warm up... that was quite a bad spell you had going. We will spend a week in Borrego Springs in March ourselves, and look forward to it.

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  7. Ahhhhh - that Mouse is a pretty smart pup!

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  8. Enjoy your hike during the full moon, I would always try to plan our vacations when there was a full moon, so we could sit outside under the moonlight.

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  9. How funny your little Motormouse turned on the TV... bet it surprised all of you!
    Have fun & travel safe
    Donna

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  10. I think Motormouse couldn't sleep, and she wanted you to be awake with her....Be safe on your next jaunt...Come on,let's go!!

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  11. I still say we are going to miss you being close, even though we've not seen you often this year.

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  12. Smart dog that Motormouse! Glad to hear it's finally warming up over that way, too bad it's happening as your making plans to leave. California beckons though and it's very nice and warm here.

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  13. Leave it to the Mouse to mix things up a little bit in the middle of the night! :)

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  14. I am totally with you on the "sad to leave, but itching to go" feeling. Been there all my life! By the way we're also huge fans of Borrego Springs...great little town and place. A fabulous spot to see the desert wildflowers if you ever stay that late. Nina

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  15. I think she looks innocent, perhaps there was just an intermittent short in the remote.

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  16. I learned to keep the remotes for the TV and the AC upside down. Otherwise my critters would be turning on the TV, or worse, turning on the AC in winter.

    Happy Trails, Penny, TX
    www.pennys-tuppence.blogspot.com

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