Saturday, October 20, 2018

‘JUST ONE MORE TIME’

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FIVE MINUTES LATER AND THE SUN WAS ALL GONE

It was a beautiful morning, for about 10 minutes then 'zap' we were under clouds again.  Pheebs and I persevered and got us a Jeep ride in despite the impending rain.  

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Working away between periods of afternoon thundershowers I was able to set up a few extra birdfeeders for the coming winter.

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DUSTING DOWN A FEW COBWEBS IN OUR SUNROOM

Often it was the third Saturday in October when we would leave our cozy little place just outside Bayfield, load ourselves into the Motorhome and head off down the road in the direction of America's Great Southwest.  Not so this year but I couldn't help but think late this afternoon which 'Cracker Barrel’ we would have pulled into for supper and an overnighter in their parking lot.  ‘Cracker Barrel’ was always our fav.  We would look for one either somewhere north of Indianapolis or east of Chicago.  Always liked to leave Bayfield early on a Saturday morning to position ourselves for doing either of the big cities on a quieter Sunday morning. 

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‘WELL LET ME SEE WHAT’S FOR LUNCH HERE AT AL’S SMORGASBORD OF SEEDS’

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I have travelled through many of the States south of the border and hands down it was, still is, and always will be the Southwest I love best.  Yes the other States all have their good points I suppose but they don’t have the magic or mystique of the deserts and mountains, , nor the same flora or fauna the Southwest has.  And oh those crystal clear winter night skies.  New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Utah.  Love the wide open spaces, the loneliness and longing, the old west’s fascinating history.  Ghost towns, cattle herds, cowboys, Indian lands, mountains and desert roads and trails and oh how many times we have camped out in the Sonoran desert among the tall and stately Saguaro Cactus.  Funny to think we once had 3 of our own very old Saguaros right beside our little Adobe house in Congress Arizona.  Seems so long ago already and yet it has only been a few years.  Oh how I would love to drive by and see how all my planted cactus Pals are doing.

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CHILDREN’S SCHOOL BUS SHELTER AT THE END OF A FARM LANE

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I sit here tonight wishing we were once again on our way and yet there is a calm feeling inside knowing I do not have to endure those stressful highways anymore, the cities, the traffic, the unexpected RV problems and a plethora of other worrisome things that go along with the traveling lifestyle.  I won’t miss them, yet I already miss them.  There is a comfort being away from that stress but I know in my mind just around the corner I will always be longing to climb aboard another RV and adventurously head once again for the great American Southwest to gaze upon distant mountains and hear the whispering of those cactus winds across the desert floor…………. just one more time. 

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GROANER’S CORNER:(( Boudreaux was feeling guilty, so he went to confession. "Father, I kinda took a little lumber from that new construction site." Priest: "What did you do with the lumber, my son?"Boudreaux: "Well, Father, my porch, she's had a hole for a long time. I'm 'fraid someone will break their leg, so I fix the hole."Priest: "Well, that's not so bad."Boudreaux: "Well, Father, I had a little lumber left."Priest: "What did you do with it?"Boudreaux: "Well, my poor dog, Phideaux, he ain't never had no place to get outta the weather, so I make him his own little doghouse."Priest: "OK, anything else?"Boudreaux: "Well, Father, I had a little lumber left. So you know, my truck, she ain't never had no place to get outta de weather either, so I make her a two car garage."Priest: "Now, this is getting a little out of hand."Boudreaux: "Well, Father, I still had a little lumber left."Priest: "Yes?"Boudreaux: "Well, my wife, she always want a bigger house. So I add two bedrooms and a new bathroom."Priest: "OK! That's definitely too much. For your penance, you are going to have to make a Novena. You do know how to make a Novena, don't you?"Boudreaux: "No, Father... But, if you got the plans, I got the lumber."

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A little kid's in school, taking a true-false test and he's flipping a coin. At the end of the test he's flipping the coin again. The teacher says, "What are you doing?" He says, "Checking my answers."

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16 comments:

  1. I too have ". . . just one more time". It may not be that one but hopefully can make some small ones. Hang in there.

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  2. Well you made me cry one more time,

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  3. I know the birds are really going to appreciate those feeders this winter. I haven't taken a trip to my favorite places in 4 yrs and I still miss them so much. But it is what it is I guess

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  4. Oh the times I’ve wished “just one more time” I could look over at The contented look on Joe’s face as we headed for the desert.

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  5. Al, in my case it's "just one time". I've procrastinated too long, and now I'm no longer able to travel to the great Southwest you have so eloquently described. Thank you for all the wonderful posts and pictures of your many trips. At least through them I can experience the desert magic vicariously.

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  6. What an amazing array of feeders, the birds will be a welcome distraction I am sure. Tell you what, I will be sure to hang a couple feeders for you when we set up near Ajo. Even though you wont be anywhere close, I will still be looking around for the Phebes and the EEE.

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  7. It is not too late to change your mind and keep the RV. Then maybe you could have quite a few "just one more time".

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  8. Al, those first few photos were just breath taking, After 88,000 miles we too hung up the keys but at times wish we had "just one more time."

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  9. So many memories of the southwest and your description of it is exactly why we love it. And your wonderful property there in Congress and the amazing gardens you sculpted. Your travels have inspired us so much over the years. We gonna miss hoping to run into your in the desert somewhere. Enjoy your country drives with Pheebs, and some winter snow scenery for a change.

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  10. I hope Bill and I can travel the southwest as long as you and Kelly did. Your details of those beautiful sights have captured us as well. We're hooked!

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  11. Hope you find contentment in this new chapter of life. The birds and squirrels should keep you entertained for a while.

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  12. It was great to see another post from you Al, and to see you are up and about. I'm looking forward to seeing the birds at the feeders this winter.

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  13. al could you not buy or hire an rv and fly down

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  14. That is quite the choice of bird feeders - you're going to have lots of visitors just outside your window. Love the long view country roads. You still have lots of leaves on the trees so maybe a late winter is coming. Nothing is written in stone and the southwest will still be there.

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  15. Who knows for sure..... A few more travels are still a maybe
    when the time is just right.
    Lucky for you and Kelly, you live in a beautiful area!
    Take it a few days at a time .

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