Exploring The American Southwest

A statue of Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in Tucson, Arizona.  

From Desert USA:

Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Francisco Kino was one of the early Spanish explorers of the deserts of the American Southwest. In addition to establishing a number of missions in the New World, he proved that Lower California was a peninsula, the Baja Peninsula -- not an island as had previously been believed.

Eusebio Kino was born in Segno, in the Val di Non, a valley in Tirol (now in Italy), on Aug. 10, 1645. He distinguished himself in the study of mathematics, cartography, and astronomy in Germany and taught mathematics for a time at the University of Ingolstadt. He became a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1665. His work as a missionary began in 1678, and he was assigned to Spain's colony in Mexico.

Kino arrived in Mexico City in the spring of 1681. After an abortive mission to Baja California in 1683, he began his longtime mission to the Pima Indians in Pimeria Alta, a district comprising present-day southern Arizona and the northern portion of Sonora State in Mexico.

In 1687, Father Kino established his first mission among the rural Indians of Sonora at Nuestra Senora de los Dolores. It became the headquarters for his explorations, as well as for the founding of other missions, including San Xavier del Bac (1700) near Tucson, Guevavi, and Tumacacori (now a U.S. National Monument).

San Jose de Tumacacori Mission

In 1691, Father Kino made the first of about 40 expeditions into Arizona. In 1694, he was the first European to visit the Hohokam ruins of Casa Grande (now a national monument). He is also said to have explored the sources of the Rio Grande, the Colorado and Gila rivers. His explorations of the area around the mouth of the Colorado River in 1701 convinced him that Baja California was a peninsula, not an island. His 1705 map was the standard reference for the southwestern desert region for more than a century.

Father Kino helped the Pima Indians diversify their agriculture and aided them in their constant wars with the Apaches, while opposing Indian enslavement in the silver mines of northern Mexico. His Favores celestiales (1708) was translated into English as the two-volume Kino's Historical Memoir of Pimería Alta in 1919 (reissued 1948).

Father Eusebio Kino died at Mission Magdalena in Sonora on March 15, 1711.



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2017: Celebrate Like A Cat
2016: Cargnegiea Gigantea
2015: Celebrating Labor Day By Not Laboring
2014: A Taco Garage Worth Pulling Into
2013: Who?
2012: You Can’t Ask For A More Convenient Setup
2011: The Thoughts In My Mind About This Guy, Are Criminal
2010: The Queen Of High Society
2009: An Icy Glare For The Heat Miser
2008: Jazz Funeral On Decatur
2007: Keeping The Homeland Secure One Dog At A Time
2006: Reputation Is Everything
2005: ”_________________”

Labor Day Of Love

I spent my Labor Day laboring in the kitchen.  I made sixty meatballs and a fresh gravy.  My mother and I say "fresh gravy" when we make it the day of, not defrost one we might have made prior.

I invited my friend Kim to join us and we had a nice, relaxing dinner.  

Who says you have to barbecue on Labor Day weekend?


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Powering Moab
2016: Friday Night Lights
2015: From Here To There
2014: Delicious Demolished Tamal
2013: Scenic Route?? Please.
2012: My Handsome Melon Headed Angel
2011: It’s My Turn
2010: Bird Traffic Waiting For The Light
2009: The Lady And The American Pro Driver
2008: The Signs Don’t Scare Me
2007: Pocket Full Of Min Pin
2006: Less Is More
2005: Sleep Deprived

Amazing In One Pot

photo credit: Joe Lingeman

I made this for dinner tonight.  Not as dinner - although I could have eaten the whole pot - but as a side dish.

I made Lemon Rosemary Grilled Chicken, sauteed green beans, white wine braised mushrooms, and this amazing Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo.

First, let me tell you I love orzo.  It's pasta, but more like rice, but not rice.  We had it often when we were kids, mostly in soup (when my mother was out of Acini Di Pepe).  I love the way the shape of orzo feels as it rolls around my mouth. 

Second, I love spinach.  Any way you make it, I'll eat it.  My dad used to put it in a pie.  You need to try that recipe right now. 

And third, I love cheese.  I was raised on Locatelli Pecorino Romano - it was the only grating cheese any of our family members used - but I love all kinds.

So this recipe is nirvana to me.  And let me tell you, it was the easiest part of my meal.  I followed the recipe exactly, which is unlike me, and it was total perfection. It took 20 minutes from start to finish.  The most time-consuming part was grating the cup of cheese. 

It was so delicious, I could have easily done without the chicken and other vegetables and eaten a giant bowl of this as my meal.  I have quite a bit leftover, so I'll be having some for lunch this week for sure.

You've gotta make this.  You will thank me.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Note To Self: Shut Phone Off Before Bed
2016: Where You Live When You Love What You Do
2015: The Best Snark On Screen
2014: The Only One Working Today
2013: Only The Lonely
2012: Tunnel Of Love
2011: A Stinking Welcome
2010: The Star Of The Spinning Centerpiece
2009: My Nizzl Fa Shizzl
2008: When You’re Smiling
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Decision Dilemma
2005: Alaska Later!

Leaving Summer Behind

Rides at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio - the rollercoaster capital of the world.

It's the first of September.  Summer is mostly behind us.  Fall - my favorite season - is right around the corner.

I'm looking forward to less heat, less sun, and less traffic on the road.  The kids are back in school, RVers are heading to their winter homes, and the crowds are dispersing.

Bring on leaf peeping!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2017: Missing Cabbage
2016: Primary Refraction
2015: But I Love It
2014: Imaginative Perspective
2013: Somewhere Out West
2012: All You Have To Do Is Feed Them
2011: Homeward Bound!
2010: Foreign Invasion
2009: Downtown Detroit: Occupied And Vacant
2008: Barracks And Decatur
2007: Dicks In Tennessee
2006: Canoe The Blue
2005: Minalicious

A Word

This song is from the movie Man on Fire .  Released in 2004 and starring Denzel Washington, I recently caught it on one of our movie channels.  I really like it.  But then, I like anything Denzel does.   

The song is called Una Palabra, by Carlos Varela.

It's a haunting tune and perfect for the scene it's used in.  



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2017: The Chief Over All Winged Creatures
2016: Remembering The Old Spanish Trail
2015: Rain Frog
2014: Wanted: Traveling Maid
2013: Flippin' Fantastic Finds
2012: There’s Room At This Inn – For Dancing And Gambling
2011: Later, Fishies!
2010: It’s In The Details
2009: Plenty Of Places To Roam, No Place To Park It
2008: E Vac You A She Own!!
2007: Eddie Steals A Bite Friday
2006: Steal-A-Meme
2005: The Day In Pictures

Pork Chop Express

We see all kinds of livestock being hauled when we're on the road - horses, cows,  chickens, bulls, turkeys, pigs.

They always smell awful but sometimes you'll see them sticking their noses out of the holes in the trailer and think, "He's so cute!"

This one guy, though, with that blue eye, is kinda creeping me out.  It looks like a person's eye. 

It's as if he knows he's headed to Bacontown.



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2017: Full-Blown Wonder
2016: Saguaro Nest
2015: I Do Laundry And Bring Strawberries
2014: A Match Made In Trucking Heaven
2013: Shiny Ride Home
2012: Chow Fun And Coconut Bliss
2011: Beautiful By Nature. Dirty By Choice.
2010: Let’s Go Shopping!!!
2009: A Magnificent Place To Wait For A Train
2008: Old Blue Eyes Was Right When He Said It Was A Very Good Year
2007: The Hills Are Alive…Or Are They?
2006: Nostalgia
2005: 37 Going On 20

I Like The Light

I like the light of sunrise better than sunsets. 

I like driving in the early morning when there's no one on the road. 

I like to see the top of the sun as it peeks over the horizon. 

I like the morning fog that hovers above the grass. 

I like the way the light plays on the clouds. 

I like this hour.

It's my favorite time of day.


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2017: In The Stacks
2016: Isn't He A-Moose-Ing?
2015: Ten Saturday Links
2014: Farm And Garden Since 1936
2013: Waiting In The Waiting Room
2012: Waiting Out Our Mistake
2011: A Brilliant Island Adventure
2010: It’s Getting So Much Easier These Days To Spot Idiots
2009: Scenes From Motor City
2008: Eddie Mad Hatter Friday
2007: What A Grape Idea!
2006: You Couldn’t Pay Me Enough
2005: Due Amici Designs

Displacing Large Volumes Of Water

Today was Arizona's Primary Election.  Ed and I usually vote early, by mail, because we're on the road but this year didn't get our ballots in time to mail them out.  Thankfully we got home just in time this week to walk them into our local polling place in person. 

Next up, the General Election in November.  We will definitely be here for that.


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2017: My Brain Loves Order
2016: A Good Atmosphere Doesn't Always Equal Good Food
2015: Will Walk For Coffee
2014: The Real Challenge Was Getting In And Out Of It
2013: Stormy Wyoming
2012: Entertaining The Masses
2011: A Very Expensive Day Of Laze
2010: A Little River On A Big Lake In The Middle Of A Floating Stage
2009: Eddie The Cicada Whisperer Friday
2008: Maybe We Should Sell Our Truck And Buy An Airboat
2007: Me And My Man
2006: If You’re Going To Rescue Me, Bring Sandwiches
2005: Hurricane Equality

Just Hangin' Out

Hanging out on the pier in Oceanside, California.  



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2017: As The Crow Flies
2016: Mall Princess
2015: Oklahoma Wind
2014: All Along The Shining Sea
2013: Waterfront Wedding
2012: Crossing The Mighty Hudson For Our Radio Debut
2011: All-Inclusive Social Butterflies
2010: The $7 Date Night
2009: Them’s Fighting Words!
2008: Skulls And Hot Chocolate In The French Quarter
2007: Once As High As An Elephant’s Eye
2006: Trouser Snakes On A Plane
2005: Big Honkin’ Truck Makeover

In A Dream, I Saw A City Invicible

The motto of Camden, New Jersey is, "In a Dream, I Saw a City Invincible."

It's excerpted from American poet Walt Whitman's poem, I Dreamed In A Dream.

Walt Whitman spent the last years of his life in Camden, New Jersey. 

"Today the Walt Whitman House, a National Historic Landmark, provides an intimate glimpse into the life of the poet, attracting visitors from around the world. Whitman's original letters, personal belongings, the bed in which he died, and the death notice that was nailed to the front door have all been preserved, as well as a collection of rare nineteenth-century photographs, including the earliest known image of Whitman - an 1848 daguerreotype."


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2017: Music For Meatballs
2016: Flashing Back To '79
2015: Pugly Curiosity
2014: Our Rear View Looks Fantastic
2013: An Oasis Of Tranquility
2012: Clouds Over The Whitestone
2011: Room And Board
2010: Filler And Fluff
2009: Ghost Town
2008: Second Only To Feet
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Heading South With One Wayward Goose
2005: Red Texas Sunrise

The Maverick Says Goodbye

I'm a native New Yorker but have been a resident of Arizona off and on for the past 35 years.  John McCain was my Senator.

He passed away today at the age of 81.  Although he was way too conservative for my liking, and he supported many policies I disagree with, he did have a way about him that evoked old-school manners, class, and dignity.  He wasn't perfect, and he made mistakes, as he'd be the first to tell you, but he did serve his country for sixty of his 81 years.

This is his farewell letter to America:

My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans,

Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else's.

I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America's causes — liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people — brings happiness more sublime than life's fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

Fellow Americans' — that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world's greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

We are three-hundred-and-twenty-five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.

Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening.

I feel it powerfully still.

Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Weird Video, Good Song
2016: Grab A Banana And Get Shopping!
2015: Castles And Murder Ballads
2014: Not Really Trucking From NOAA To WHOI
2013: Paddling The Hudson 
2012: Cue The Flying Monkeys
2011: Project Island Life
2010: Be Italian
2009: I’m Not Just In The Granny Lane Anymore
2008: Where Pretty Resides
2007: The Sweet Sight Of Summer
2006: You Oughta Be In Pictures
2005: Oh, Brother!

And That's The Truth

Ed relaxing on the oversized Adirondack chair in front of the Pilot in Dunn, North Carolina.

Flashback to Lily Tomlin as Edith Ann.


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2017: The Sunny Side Of Friendship
2016: The Party Is Over
2015: They've Mastered Chocolate, Cheese, And Watches. Maybe They Should Tackle Trucking.
2014: This Is What Sweeping Looks Like
2013: This Takes Fresh Chicken To A Whole New Level
2012: Exemplary Exemplar Prints
2011: Hurricane? What Hurricane?
2010: The Summer Of 1947
2009: From Pablo Neruda To Mother Goose
2008: Almost Two Beautiful To Eat On
2007: Sweatin’ Eddie Friday
2006: Steel City Glow
2005: Bravo, Bravo

Plain And Simple

If I were in Texas, I'd most certainly cast my vote for Beto O'Rourke.  But since I'm not a Texas resident, I did the next best thing - I donated to his Senate campaign.

In this video, he explains why he supports the NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. 

There is no disrespect in their kneeling.  They do not have any ill will toward the flag, military members, veterans, or our country.  They are just using their platform, their visibility, their very fortunate high-paying positions, to bring attention to a subject that needs it.

Plain and simple.

  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: A Step Up From Shine
2016: MOD Is What You Make It
2015: There's A Reason They Call Them Massholes
2014: Delicious Assembly Line
2013: The Greatest Invention Of Human Kind
2012: I Can Haul Yer Explosives And Stuff
2011: That Bitch Irene Is Trying To Ruin My Vacation
2010: Licking Our Chops
2009: I’ll Start Working On That Sarcasm Font Right Away
2008: False Security
2007: Protecting The Posies
2006: Asking Too Much
2005: Slotsa Money

Named For An Earl

Wilmington, North Carolina.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Dining On The Local Devil's Food
2016: Named By A Canadian, Mined By A Western Legend
2015: 34-Hour Restart
2014: Founded By A Millionaire Fur Trader
2013: Woke Up This Morning
2012: Trust Me, I’m A Truck Driver
2011: Doesn’t A Gastropod Always Have A Helmet On?
2010: This Is How We Do It
2009: Storage In The Storm
2008: Devil Horse In The Louisiana Wetlands
2007: Not Sloppy. No Joe. Just Bob And His Loosemeats Residing In The Ice Cream Capital Of The World
2006: Playing With Your Money But Not Really SPENDING It
2005: Glamour Puss

Classic Livery

1965 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 limousine seen in a shop in Wilmington, North Carolina.

In this book by Thomas McPherson, he says of the Series Seventy-Five: 

"From the late 1930’s through the mid-1980’s, it was truly the Cadillac of Cadillacs – the car of choice for the titans of American business, government, and the entertainment industry. The stately long-wheelbase Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Eight-Passenger Sedan and Imperial Limousine occupied an exalted niche at the very pinnacle of the automotive pecking order in the US and abroad.

Introduced in 1937, Cadillac’s new Series 75 included 11 Fleetwood body styles ranging from coupes and convertibles to a seven-passenger touring sedan. In 1938, the restyled Series 75 got what was destined to become its signature body style—a severely formal long-wheelbase sedan and companion limousine. Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five business Sedans and limousines quickly won favor with commercial livery operators and funeral directors, challenging rival Packard’s long domination of this small but prestigious market.

By 1941 the Fleetwood Seventy-Five name was reserved exclusively for General Motors Corporation’s flagship car—the long-wheelbase formal sedan and companion limousine with glass division."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Passing Between The Sun And Earth
2016: Mid-Century Copper Town
2015: Signs Of Summer
2014: State-Of-The-Art Movement
2013: Not My Kind Of Gold Mine
2012: Fat Lou Captured In Rare Photo
2011: Oceanfront Property At Lot 61003/94
2010: Monkey Pod Treasure
2009: Eddie Embraces The Rules Friday
2008: They Have A MAGAZINE???
2007: Planting The Sun
2006: Training Day
2005: Cannonball Run

You Don't Bring A Toaster To A Wedding

I didn't marry an Italian or have a big Italian wedding, but what this comedian is saying is true of every Italian wedding I've ever attended.

It was only when I moved to Arizona that I learned people brought gifts to weddings. What??  It was bad enough that no one dressed up for weddings in Tucson - casual sundresses and jeans were a common sight - but they actually walked into a wedding reception with a wrapped gift and piled it on a table with other gifts.  I'd never heard of that in my life.  We never bought gifts.  We always gave money.  That's just how it was done. 

The small satin bag he talks about, we always called "la buste" (whcih actually means "the envelopes").  And the bride and groom really did go through them at the end of the night. 

And let me tell you, Italians are very generous.  Newly married couples totally make a killing! 



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2017: A Castle In Bluegrass Country
2016: The Crest At Sunset
2015: Over 80 Feet Of Traveling Comfort
2014: Insta-Coastal
2013: Traffic
2012: Fire Hazard
2011: Smiling High
2010: Time Travel
2009: One More Reason I Love The Highway Hags
2008: Boathouse On The Gulf
2007: Canada Is Bubblicious
2006: You Know You’re In A Hotel That Doesn’t Have A Star Rating…
2005: It’s A Dry Heat

A Different Kind Of Catcall

Source:  Pie Comic

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2017: Discovering The Backcountry
2016: The Beauty Fuels The Drive
2015: Making A Killing By Killing People
2014: The Best Damn Piece Of Driftwood I've Ever Seen
2013: Junk Still Exists In The Snail Mail World
2012: Where The Chisled Form Of David Accompanies You In The Restroom
2011: Settling In And Planning Our Day
2010: Por And Parking Served Up With Southern Charm
2009: They Should Put This Scent In A Candle. I’d Have One Lit In My House Every Night!
2008: After All
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Who My Baby Daddy?
2005: South Siiiide Education

Vibrating Eggs

Last week we got new steer tires (the most important tires on the truck).

We drove about 900 miles and Ed said, "There's something wrong with these tires."

There was a vibration.

It was so slight, no normal person would have noticed it.  And on a truck that vibrates the minute the key is turned, it's sometimes difficult to determine good vibrations from bad.  But Ed knows his truck.  Even I can tell when something's wrong.  I don't always know what it is, or even how to articulate it - "It's doing a thing." - but I know when it's not right.

"They're not round," Ed said.  "They feel egg-shaped."

Egg-shaped doesn't work for a tire.  No wonder the truck was wobbling.

We got the tires in Nebraska though, so we had to make our way back to get them changed.  It wound up being an all-day affair.  When they put the tires on the machine, it confirmed what Ed thought.  They weren't round.  And although they replaced the tires for free, and of course balanced them, there is still a verrrrry slight vibration.

But we had to go, we had a load to deliver.  Ed talked to the shop manager and he said if anything goes wrong to come back and he'll take care of it.  Not ideal, because it's freakin' Nebraska and we don't go through there very often, but worth the trip if it means getting the tires replaced.  

We're now in North Carolina.  I'm so looking forward to driving 1,400 wobbly miles back to Nebraska.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: I've Realized I Need Cookies AND A Vacation
2016: Sitting On Secrets
2015: More Montana
2014: 'Scuse Me While I Kiss The Sky
2013: I Feel Like I'm Being Followed
2012: Keeping Pace With The Seniors
2011: Island Bound
2010: Cristo Velato
2009: Flash Dancing Through Summer
2008: Another Day, Another 32 Things About Me
2007: A Bottle And A Nap Would Be Nice
2006: Because You Never Know When You’re Going To Need A Roman Candle
2005: Thank A Trucker