Friday, January 23, 2015

LESLIE & PETER’S LAST DAY SO WE HEADED OFF FOR A DESERT HIKE PLUS A LAST MINUTE REMINDER……….

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POINTING TO CONGRESS AZ ON AN AFTERNOON HIKE

Well it was my last day in the RV & after tonight’s sleep Pheebs & I will be moving back into the house.  Peter & Leslie leave Saturday heading for Las Vegas to get themselves on a big shiny bird for their flight back to Buffalo where they will make their final 1 hour+ drive back home to Webster New York. 

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Have really enjoyed my 5 days & nights camped out in our driveway.  A great opportunity to catch up on a lot of reading.  Despite having a TV here in the rig the only time I turned it on was to watch President Obama’s State of the Union speech earlier in the week.  Not being the least bit politically minded who would have ever thought I would have watched that……but I did.

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IT IS A WILD & WOOLY COUNTRY OUT HERE IN THE SOUTHWEST

After Thursday’s cold windy day it was nice to step outside this morning & feel that warm sunny touch on my skin.  Could immediately feel energizing rays coursing through my body pumping up my enthusiasm levels again.

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DIDN’T TAKE PETER LONG TO GO FROM THIS……….TO THIS:))

Some may wonder at times when I occasionally write about enjoying my alone times such as my week in our RV or the many country road drives Pheebe & I take when we are back home in Bayfield.  Some may wonder how Kelly feels about that.  I can assure you we are on the same page in our thinking.  It is not only an alone time for me but it is an alone time for Kelly as well.  It agreeably works both ways.  She too much appreciates her alone time & it is one of the reasons we were attracted to each other right from the beginning.  We both sensed in each other our independent natures.  We like our private space & appreciate the peace of mind it brings to each of us.  We are not & have never been a couple who needs to be together 24/7.  First couple years of our relationship was week-ends only.  We lived in distant cities & never saw each other between Sundays & Saturdays.  But we hung in there & really appreciated seeing each other when we did.

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TODAY’S INTREPID HIKERS

I never feel lonely or alone unless I walk into a big crowd by myself.  It’s rare anymore that I do that but if & when I do I am immediately aware of my feelings.  Needless to say I avoid big crowds.  Even for short periods between relationships or marriages years ago I do not remember feelings of loneliness but that’s not to say it couldn’t happen if I were to spend a long time by myself or suddenly find myself without a partner again.  I sometimes wonder about fellow RV’ers traveling solo.  They have by choice decided to travel on their own & I often wonder what their true thoughts are & how they really feel about that.   Different for me & my enjoyable short periods of alone time because I always have a partner to come home to or a partner who is returning home soon.  But what if I had no partner, how would I feel about that.  It is a question I have no answer for.  Would I like years ago seek out another partner for companionship or would I now at this latter age & stage of life finally just throw in the towel & go it alone?  Not something I dwell on of course but the thought is always there just as I am sure it is with everyone else out here from time to time……………    

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A NICE SPLASH OF COLOR IN THE AFTERNOON DESERT

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THE BEAUTIFUL SONORAN DESERT JUST GOES ON FOREVER

And an interesting excerpt (to me) from a book (Quiet) I am presently reading & I may add, enjoying.  “Studies have shown that, indeed, introverts are more likely than extroverts to express intimate facts about themselves online that their family & friends would be surprised to read, they say that they can express the ‘real me’ online.  They welcome the chance to communicate digitally.  The same person who would never raise his/her hand in a lecture hall of two hundred people might blog to two thousand, or two million people without thinking twice.  The same person who finds it difficult to introduce himself to strangers might establish a presence online.’ ……… ‘Aha’ I thought as I smilingly read this & thought, so that is my excuse is it:)) 

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HEADING BACK TO THE JEEP

Kelly, Leslie & Peter headed off to Nichols West for lunch.  Luckily I didn’t have to go.  Not that the food isn’t good or anything it’s just that I’m not comfortable in certain kinds of environments & higher end restaurants is one of them.  Maybe it’s because they won’t let me eat my soup with my fingers in there.

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SAY CHEESE PLEASE

Two o’clock this afternoon saw us piling into Jeepers for a drive & short hike in the desert out behind our house.  Same place Kelly & I were hiking one morning in March of 2013 when we came upon Two Dead Rattlesnakes.  We had a high cloud cover move in this afternoon dropping our temperatures.  Combined with a westerly wind we were all bundled up on the warm side.  Leslie spotted a Saguaro with an odd top to it & I think this cactus may very well be in the early stages of morphing into a rare Crested Saguaro.  We all agreed to come back in 50 years & see how it is progressing.  We were back home before 4.

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Right after a supper of Chicken Parmesan we hustled ourselves outside for a backyard campfire.  First one this year actually.  Night was cool so we had to dress warm.  Had my fingers crossed a big red fire engine wouldn’t pull up in front of our house like it did a few months ago when I was burning some brush.  Winds had died down so it wasn’t too bad out.  Still had to dress warm against Arizona’s desert night air.  Nice fire & nice coals.  We all ended up smelling like Smokey The Bear:))DSC_0004

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<<< AND A LAST MINUTE REMINDER TO EVERYONE

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A fourth grade teacher in Ventura County, California as a fun assignment, I gave her students the beginning of a list of famous sayings and asked them to provide original endings for each one. Here are some examples of what her students submitted.

The grass is always greener….. when you leave the sprinkler on.

A rolling stone….. plays the guitar.

The grass is always greener….. when you remember to water it.

A bird in the hand….. is a real mess.

No news is….. no newspaper.

It's better to light one candle….. than to waste electricity.

It's always darkest just before….. I open my eyes.

You have nothing to fear but….. homework.

If you can't stand the heat….. don't start the fireplace.

If you can't stand the heat….. go swimming.

Never put off 'til tomorrow what you….. should have done yesterday.

A penny saved is….. nothing in the real world.

The squeaking wheel….. gets annoying.

We have nothing to fear but….. our principal.

To err is human….. To eat a muskrat is not.

I think, therefore I….. get a headache.

Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry, and….. someone yells, "Shut up!"

Better to light a candle than to….. light an explosive.

It's always darkest before….. 9:30 p.m.

Early to bed and early to rise….. is first in the bathroom.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a….. blister.

There is nothing new….. under the bed.

The grass is always greener….. when you put manure on it.

Don't count your chickens….. it takes too long.

18 comments:

  1. Amazing chilly weather out your way. We just came in from a 10 pm walk and flip flops, shorts and tee felt very comfortable.

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  2. I am one who can sing in front of hundreds ( did a lot of that in church in my past,) and can feel comfortable writing my blog. Tomorrow Joe and I will be at the blog fest. Now that will be difficult for me to, in person, introduce myself to so many people. Interesting. Enjoyed your blog tonight as always.

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  3. I didn't watch the State of the Union speech because the news people have to rehash it for the next week. These speeches make me think of what my Dad would say about them, he hoped they wouldn't break their arm patting themselves on the back.

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  4. Very interesting posting about your feelings , I think a lots of people are like that too I know we are. We both do our own things during the day, but do enjoy our times together as well.

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  5. Al, I uploaded the book Quiet to my iPad and I started reading it! WOW! I'm 62 years old and Susan Cain knows me better than I do! Excellent read so far! I wish I had it 40 years ago. Yes, she is right about us being able to express ourselves digitally or in writing. I've NEVER been able to express my thoughts well verbally.
    Cheryl Ann

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  6. I have never been afraid to speak in front of a small or large group. I think it is the schoolteacher in me. But....I could never travel alone. I admire those that do. I would not feel confident enough to travel on my own. For the many loners I have met, they seem so confident, but quiet. I need companionship.

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  7. "...RV’ers traveling solo. They have by choice decided to travel on their own & I often wonder what their true thoughts are & how they really feel about that."

    I don't feel any different traveling alone than I did living in a sticks-n-bricks. I have lived alone most of my life. Early childhood my have reinforced the natural introvert when I lived in a rather isolated place with only my mother and father. I was my own companion and have been so all my life. That may have been part of the reason that my one attempt at marriage did not suite either of us.

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  8. One other thing Al. There is no The in Smokey Bear.

    Smokey's correct name is Smokey Bear. In 1952, the songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins had a successful song named "Smokey the Bear". The pair said that "the" was added to Smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm.

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  9. Glad you are enjoying Quiet. I liked learning the science behind being an introvert and Ms. Cain's describing how introverts interact with the world. If only it were required reading for everyone...so all the extroverts out there would finally understand that just because some folks are reticent doesn't mean they are shallow or shy or boring!

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  10. As a mostly solo traveler I find I see more, and take more photos, when alone. Learned to enjoy my own company many decades ago. I'm not against having a partner, there's been a few, but I can't imagine anyone putting up with me. Yet there are times when I wish I had help doing certain things and I do enjoy sharing nature with others.

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  11. That was a quick five days! Glad you could share a campfire under the stars before they had to leave!! While most would define me as an extrovert, I enjoy and need my alone time. I had planned to travel alone before Bill and I got together, and am still often surprised that I am so looking forward to sharing it with him. Neither of us require the 24/7 togetherness, nor do we "martyr" ourselves when the other wants to do something without the other. I'm finding that a lot of RV couples are that way :-)

    I look forward to reading that post on the crested saquaro in 2065!

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  12. I am an introvert, in that I recharge my energy when I'm alone. I also love to talk to people, so I can't stay alone for long - just going to the grocery and talking to the cashier as I'm leaving, or to people who are in line, or going to the library and talking to the librarians is great for me. Having traveled alone most of my life, I have to say that now in my older years I don't like it! I wish I had someone to share the travels with. I detest getting into big crowds, but love small groups. Yes, I'm definitely an introvert, with maybe a little extrovert inside. I think you seem to have enjoyed the recent get togethers with RVing friends, and it's a good thing, in my opinion.

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  13. great thoughts about loner's choosing to communicate digitally. Works for me! Although I am not considered a loner in the least when it comes to those close to me. Also...I keep meaning to answer your email and it got lost in the shuffle...so thanks for that email, Al, hopefully you will make it to Mojave and I can go back and find that email!

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  14. Thinking a lot about this loner thing myself lately. A little over a year ago I lost my Mother, then my Wife within a couple months. Have decided if I'm ever going to get back on the road this is the time. Having worked alone most of my life, I feel comfortable that way, but I always knew downstairs was company if I wanted it. Like Gypsy said being older she feels more like having a partner to travel with. I am leaning this way too, but it's so hard to find someone who I think would be compatible, or even willing to travel. Not to mention put up with me ... Maybe on the road, hopefully this year, I'll meet a kindred spirit or soul mate.

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  15. The groaner is hilarious. But seriously, those are wonderful fire pictures. Sounds like everyone had a great time on the visit doing just what they wanted and that's as it should be. The question of what will I do when I am alone, as I will certainly be, plays on my mind. I"m trying not to dwell. I'll deal with it when it happens.

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  16. I read "Quiet" and really enjoyed it. As an extrovert, it helped me to understand and value my introverted friends and students. One thing that stuck with me is how when introverts do speak up, others tend to listen and take note. Diana

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  17. It was great to see you from afar today. At least I could give Kelly and Pheebs a hug.

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