Waiting In The Lot

 

I took this picture while waiting for Ed, who was shopping at Menards in Norfolk, Nebraska.

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2024: Box Seats
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Few And Far Between
2019: Salz Und Pfeffer
2018: Hot And Sweet
2017: My Kind Of Salad
2016: In Disguise
2015: Hawaii Five-O
2014: I Like Big Boteros And I Cannot Lie
2013: The Young Never Have Trouble Screwing
2012: Making Tracks Across The Country
2011: Eddie Is The King Of The Dome
2010: Do It For Half An Hour A Day
2009: Sipping In Nyack
2008: The Tink Tink Tinkle Of Recycling
2007: Ralph’s Service Station
2006: The Isle Of Capri
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

Recycling Paper And Stuff

 

Recycling location in Norfolk, Nebraska.

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2024: Iron Sky
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Tucked In
2018: This Is Who I'm Meant To Be
2017: No Chickens 'Round Here
2016: Piquing Interest
2015: Not Your Average Hula Girls
2014: Some Links Are Sexier Than Others
2013: Who Says I'm Spoiled?
2012: So That’s How It’s Done
2011: Sunny Bright Yellow Moments Ahead
2010: Loaded
2009: C’mon, Just Do It Already!
2008: Counterproductive
2007: If You Need A Reason To Cook More Often, I Think I Have One
2006: Warning: May Contain Traces Of Nuts
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Migratory Expressway

On our way through Nebraska, heading to a small town in the middle of nowhere to get our tarps replaced, we were overwhelmed by the amount of birds we were seeing.  So so so many birds!  A quick Google search revealed that Nebraska is a migration hotspot for birds because it's located between wintering and breeding grounds. 

Millions of birds fly over Nebraska each spring through what's called the Central Flyway.

More than 25 species, including Canadian geese, northern pintails, mallards, and sandhill cranes make their way across Nebraska each year.  About 500,000 Sandhill Cranes, or roughly 80% of the world's population, make a stop on the Platte River valley during spring migration.

This migration begins in February and continues through mid-April.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Daughter Of The Wind
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: View From The Hill
2018: Where Congress Is Cool
2017: Inside The Queen
2016: Glorious Tulips
2015: Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
2014: ¡Bienvenido! 
2013: We Couldn't Catch Him
2012: It’s Vital For My Existence
2011: Boxed In By Hills
2010: Ask A Trucker
2009: Getting Our Truck Tweaked While Making New Friends And Enjoying A Free Lunch Pie*
2008: Sunglasses Also Required Here
2007: Windows Vista, Trucker Style
2006: Being A Girl Again
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

The Waiting Game

Here we are, waiting in the driver's lounge at the Volvo dealership in Utah for a repair to be done on our truck.  It had fairly comfortable chairs, clean bathrooms, a crappy vending machine, and an even crappier coffee station. And we were there for TEN hours.  TEN!

The repair is finally done and we're back on the road but holy moly.  The reason it took so long is because they put the part in, it didn't work, and they had to take it out and do it all over again.  Sheesh!

What's next?

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2024: Power And Nature
2023: Sorry, no post on this day. 
2022: Sorry, no post on this day. 
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Church Near A Castle
2018: Sock It To 'Em
2017: Linked
2016: Stop And Pray
2015: Stateroom 342
2014: The Higher The Hair, The Closer To God
2013: My Two Cents On Oscar Fashion
2012: A Little Nip Of A Love Affair
2011: It’s A Serious Addiction
2010: Why Play Fantasy Football When You Can Spend Your Time Making Lists For The Halle Experiment?
2009: I Hope There Isn’t Going To Be A Quiz
2008: Sunglasses Required
2007: Golden Eye
2006: Making A List And Checking It Twice
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Vintage Snow

Well, not really “vintage”.  This was just last week in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Worshiping In Adobe
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Country Calling Code 420
2018: Skull Rider
2017: Winter Nuts
2016: Taking A Surf Break
2015: Not So Fat Tuesday
2014: Dinner And A Show
2013: Everything You Need To Live A Bountiful Life Is Inside Of You
2012: From A Bodyguard, To Men Of Honor, To Good Deeds
2011: Just What I Need
2010: Waterfront Dining
2009: The Best Is Yet To Come
2008: It’s Not Just A Medicinal Oil After All
2007: Tracy Hilltop
2006: Calming The Flatulent Tiger
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Going Up

 

I took a photo of these steps at a restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah called El Cholo.  The whole restaurant had a cool design vibe but I thought to snap this staircase while I was in the vestibule (vestibule?  What, am I a hundred??)  waiting for my Uber.  

I love the colors and patterns.  It almost makes me wish I had stairs in my house. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Souper Tasty
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Soaking In European Bubbles
2018: Roasted And Tossed
2017: Only A Boob Drives Into A 'Boob
2016: A Citrus Oasis Awaits Me
2015: Ed Travels Light
2014: La Ventanita
2013: Big Fat Proof Of Your Weight
2012: This Could Be Very Confusing For Men
2011: The King Of Thrift
2010: Dances With Sheepskin
2009: The Seat You Offer Your Arch Enemy
2008: The Man With The Silver Handbag
2007: Silver Snowscape
2006: Let Go Let Flow
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Dirty Windows In Wikieup

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: A Snarl In The Valley Of The Sun
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Hidden Prayer Garden
2018: Picking Peccary
2017: Sometimes Inspiration Comes From Having Cool Tools
2016: Roll On
2015: Adiós
2014: Shades Of SOBE
2013: Set In Stone
2012: How To Make A Mustache Famous
2011: Homemade Dessert Is The Bombe
2010: Olga And Eddie Travel The Country Viking Style
2009: They Say
2008: Eddie Lounges In Cozumel Friday
2007: I Think I’m Dating A Narcoleptic
2006: Groundhog Surprise
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

Researching The Best Wines While Buying Tires

 

We are sitting in a dirty tire shop in Utah waiting for them to put new tires on the truck and do an alignment.  There are only four chairs - not super comfortable - and a dirty bathroom, but they do have a few things going for them.  

There are two vending machines (which I’m not partaking in, but which are stocked with good snacks), a Keurig machine with some delicious flavored coffee choices, and a nice ice and filtered water machine.

But what surprises me most is the magazine selection.  In addition to Guns & Ammo and Ratchet & Wrench magazines, they also have Essence and Wine Spectator.

Fancy.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: The Clothing Of A King
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Life Between The Cracks
2018: Well, I'll Be Damned!
2017: My Sentiments Exactly
2016: Ed's Last Look
2015: The Lido Line
2014: Puttin' On The Fritz
2013: Proof That A Snowball Does Have A Chance In Hell
2012: I Just Want Tiny Little Elephants To Massage My Earlobes
2011: App-solutely Crazy
2010: NCIS Investigates The Kitchen Aftermath
2009: Sometimes There Are FOUR Sides To A Story
2008: Made With Pride
2007: Coke Crushes The Competition
2006: Tired And Mute
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Fresh

Snow in Utah.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Land's End
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Trucks Bring It To Them, They Bring It To Us
2018: Cloud Cover
2017: Vintage Sip
2016: Amateur Arborists
2015: Sea Day
2014: Art Deco Color
2013: Formed Around A Grain Of Sand
2012: Pinwheels, Cartwheels, What’s The Difference?
2011: Maybe You Left It On Mars
2010: The Art Of A French Cooking Friend
2009: Eddie Supervises Friday
2008: Squeaky Clean
2007: Rushing No More
2006: My Constant Gardner
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

I Might Have To Slip Someone A Note About This

 

I saw this comic framed on the wall of a restaurant we recently dined at.

This is so me.  

I wouldn't say anything to the waiter, but I'd be so disturbed by the misspellings that it would bother me throughout my entire meal.  I'd want to say something but I know that if that menu is being placed in front of me, it's been in front of the eyes of hundreds of people before me, and the restaurant owners or managers are probably well aware of the mistake, and no one has bothered to correct it. Are they really going to care what I think?

Here are a few other incidents where spelling made my head explode:  this one and this one.

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2024: Olive You
2023: Where The Turia River Meets The Mediterranean Sea
2022: A Hail Mary, Lucky Horseshoes, And Some Really Good Trip Planning Are All That's Needed
2021: Beautiful Freak Of Nature
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Ring The Bell For Tips
2018: Snacks & Bar
2017: So This Happened Today
2016: Agrarian
2015: Tied Off
2014: Seek And Ye Shall Find
2013: Frantically Trying To Get Back To Indonesia
2012: I’d Like Some Snow For Dessert
2011: Getting A Little Carried Away
2010: On A Need To Know Basis
2009: Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong
2008: Flying Into The Sun
2007: Riding The Rails
2006: Keeping Me Quiet With A Chocolate Snap
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

D.I.Y. Visual Merchandising

 

While shopping in Hobby Lobby over the weekend, Ed took it upon himself to exercise his creative juices and create a display from the items being sold in the store.

He found a painting of a beach, took a few metal lawn ornaments, draped them in Hawaiian leis, and strung a flamingo garland across the whole setup.

I was browsing in another section of the store and I kept getting texts with each step of his creation - first the beach painting, then the frogs, then the caterpillar, then all of them wearing leis, then the group with feather boas, and finally, the pièce de résistance…the string of flamingos.

We might be on to something here.  I think Hobby Lobby should hold design contests where they give a shopper shelf space and then the shopper creates their own display using items found in the store.  Think of the possibilities!  Well, you don't even have to think, you can just look at the picture.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Death Defying Entertainment
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Slow Skate Slow Jam
2018: Running Through Hollywood In The Desert
2017: Demo Day
2016: What? This Is Perfectly Normal.
2015: Inside The Walls
2014: What A Difference A Day Makes
2013: The Inner Path To The Outer Banks
2012: The Greatest Love Of All
2011: Step It Up
2010: It May Not Be EVERY Day You Learn Something New, But It’s Certainly True Of THIS Day
2009: Dreams Of Do-It-Yourself Dolloping Come True
2008: Rest In Peace Sweet Green Eyed Beauty
2007: George And Ira
2006: Zip It Up!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Plying The Sister Wives With Ale

Every time we're in the Salt Lake City, Utah area, we stop in at Winger's for their famous wings - the ones with the spicy and sweet Amazing Sauce. 

While there, I saw this sign hanging in the bar area.

You can't tell me the Mormons don't know how to have fun!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Peace Run
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Parade Of Light For The Year Of The Pig
2018: Three Hippie Chicks And Me
2017: The Fanciest Digs In Town
2016: Moon Rising
2015: Almost There
2014: Winter Water Running Through Watertown
2013: The Pretty Pink Sailor
2012: Many Thanks To Those Of You Who Come To Peer Through My Window
2011: And I Thought My Feet Were Big!
2010: ABC. Easy As 123. As Simple As Do Re Mi, ABC, 123, Baby You And Me
2009: Under The Black Palm Tree
2008: The Zoo In Stateroom 7377
2007: Pillars
2006: Fiori Di Como
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Light Dusting

Mountains in West Valley City, Utah. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Feather Dancer
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Discover The Magic
2018: Garlic Is Life
2017: The Queen Of Copper's King
2016: Working The Land
2015: Pre-Columbian Toothlace
2014: Who Needs Sochi? We've Got Watertown.
2013: On The Brink Of A Duel
2012: Cheap And Accessible
2011: What’s In A Name?
2010: Missing The Day
2009: Shameless Self Promotion
2008: Dwarfed By A Behemoth Of The Sea
2007: Ditched
2006: Hudson River Solitude
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Custom Design

It's not the prettiest picture, but it is photographic evidence of my sewing skills.

Ed came to me with a problem - deteriorating airbags.

The airbags on our sleeper, like all airbags, are made of rubber.  We have five airbags on the back of our sleeper that you can see here - three in the middle, one on each side.  Over time, with exposure to the environment, road schmutz, chemicals, and sunshine, the rubber deteriorates and the airbags need to be replaced.

What Ed wanted, was a way to shield the airbag from these destructive elements.  He gave me the tarping material he wanted used and asked if I could sew a cover.

Well, I did.  With the measurement of the airbag Ed gave me, I created a little jacket for each airbag.  It was a very simple sewing project - I pleated the material all the way around to create a curved sheath that would hug the airbags, and closed each one with a wide piece of velcro so they'd be easy to remove if needed.

Ed loves them!  And they work.  

I can now check this project off my to-do list!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: The Giver Of Much Delight
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Winter Tree Warning
2018: The Dog From The State Of Sonora
2017: More Like A Submarine Sandwich
2016: Good Stuff, Maynard!
2015: Spiky On The Outside, Sinfully Delicious Inside
2014: The Most Awkward Descent Down A Snow Covered Hill. Ever.
2013: At The Top Of My Favorite Cities List
2012: Not Looking Anymore
2011: There Is Hope
2010: Where The Bunnies Of The Desert Hang Out
2009: The Marion County Shirt Factory Incident
2008: Eddie Roams The Mayan Ruins Friday
2007: Self Service Antiques
2006: Begin At Once
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Base Of Love Is Friendship

A Japanese Camellia, or "Rose of Winter", at Butchart Gardens
Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'd like to share a poem from one of my favorite poets, Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

Upon The Sand

All love that has not friendship for its base,

Is like a mansion built upon the sand.

Though brave its walls as any in the land,

And its tall turrets lift their heads in grace;

Though skillful and accomplished artists trace

Most beautiful designs on every hand,

And gleaming statues in dim niches stand, 

And mountains play in some flow'r-hidden place:

Yet, when from the frowning east a sudden gust

Of adverse fate is blown, or sad rains fall

Day in, day out, against its yielding wall,

Lo! the fair structure crumbles to the dust.

Love, to endure life's sorrow and earth's woe,

Needs friendship's solid masonwork below.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: This Is Talladega
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Be Anything, But Be Mine
2018: Comfortable Love
2017: I Heart Cats
2016: Sweet And Undefinable
2015: Grand And Important
2014: Winter Is A Table Set With Ice And Starlight
2013: The Romance Of The Road
2012: Celebrate With A Wild Desire
2011: Powerful Stuff
2010: Falling In Love With Ugly 
2009: A Love Like This Can Know No Death 
2008: Peace To This House
2007: The Sultan Of Love 
2006: It’s Even Better Than Arbor Day
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Moonrise Kingdom

This picture of the moon rising was taken by our neighbor John, in his backyard.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Wandering The Place Of Deer
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: An Icon Of The Old South
2018: Free Spirits
2017: May Your Guiding Light Be Strong
2016: Rock The Moc
2015: Hustle And Bustle In Ancient Guatemala
2014: The Flakes Got Up Early And Stayed All Day
2013: Headed For A Slow Boat To China
2012: A Roaring Forties Tasmanian Devil Of A Blue
2011: Waiter! There’s A Beer In My Soup!
2010: I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Wolf
2009: Eddie Getting His Licks Friday
2008: The Place Is In Ruins
2007: Winter Shadows
2006: The Angels Of The New York D.O.T.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Driving Him Up A Wall

 

A flashback to 2008 when Ed climbed a rock wall on a cruise ship. I think he was trying to get away from me, but really, how far did he think he was going to go?  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: What Are You Looking At?
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Remembering The Shrine Of Texas Liberty
2018: Healing, Herbs, And Community
2017: This Is Everything
2016: Shocking
2015: Waiting For Turistas
2014: The Still Before The Storm
2013: Sizzle, Drizzle, And Pour
2012: Dreams Explored Over Dinner
2011: I’m In Love And It’s Not Even Valentine’s Day Yet
2010: Eddie As Fisherman Friday
2009: Birds And Barbells On Muscle Beach
2008: A Girl On The Shores Of Cozumel
2007: I’m Not Exactly Sure What You’re Proposing Here
2006: The Blizzard Of 2006
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Blazing Across The Night Sky

Last night while on a rest break in Bagdad, Arizona, from the side of Highway US-93, we saw the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket!

It launched 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, 521 miles from where we sat!  

We’ve seen one of these launches before but the skies are very dark in this part of the state so the visibility was great and seeing it come over the mountain was pretty spectacular. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Personal Space
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: The Worst Bar-B-Q In Texas
2018: Bestie In The Caldera
2017: A Living Snapshot Of Another America
2016: C'mere, Give Me A Hug
2015: La Bufadora And Almejas Gratinadas
2014: In The Nick Of Time
2013: This Business Means Business
2012: A Nodding Donkey On The Hill
2011: What A Croc
2010: Flash Of Pole
2009: They Hire ‘Em Young These Days
2008: Setting Sail At Sunset
2007: Happy Bee
2006: It’s Not Unusual
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!