We'll Be Seeing You Soon

 

We've been home since June but will be going back on the road in February.  It's been a long time and although I love being home, I will be happy to cross the country again.

I hope I remember how to drive a semi.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Peacocks In The Park
2023: In The Heart Of The Baroque City
2022: Campo Wind
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Rock Solid Saint
2018: Rainforest Adventures
2017: Low Ceiling In The Desert
2016: An Original Recycler
2015: There's A Black Hole In The Desert (With Truck Parking)
2014: Strength In Numbers
2013: Woman Cannot Live On Bread Alone
2012: Why Milk Is ALWAYS At The Top Of My Shopping List
2011: Fun For Sale
2010: Dublin Is Incredibly Corny
2009: Welcome To Snowhio
2008: When Big Hair And Denim Were King
2007: Open 24 Hours
2006: Lucky One Eye
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Cousins Are Forever

 

My cousin Deana was a little beauty.  She looked like a doll.  Porcelain skin, giant brown eyes, glossy cascading hair.  She is 11 months younger than me and one month younger than my brother.

At this point, we were the only girl cousins in the family.  The next girl cousin is 21 years younger than me and came along 15 years after this photo was taken.  She just got married last November.

I was the family's first grandchild and granddaughter, so I reigned for almost a whole year before the next two grandchildren came along within a month of each other. 

Today, I'm happy to say that I have a relationship with both of them and I treasure it.  I have a lot of memories that I hold on to and keeping in contact with them, even if it's sporadic, is important to me. 

Life is definitely better with cousins.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Surf's Up!
2023: Getting The Lay Of The Land
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Iron Wildcat
2018: The Early Bird And All That
2017: The Early Bird Gets The Education
2016: Love On 4th
2015: Distorted Delicious Beauties
2014: The Cockroach Cowboy
2013: Slap 'Em Right Up Here, Ma'am
2012: A Documentary In My Head
2011: Weeding Out The Assholes
2010: Does It Fall Under Some Kind Of Secret Guy Code?
2009: Over 140 Million Years In The Making
2008: If “G” Means Good, Then “I” Must Mean Incompetent
2007: Ft. Lauderdale Storm
2006: You Don’t Need Makeup Or Starbucks
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Stirred, Not Shaken

 

One of my favorite meals to make is a stir-fry.  This one has asparagus, onions, mushrooms, carrots, and red and yellow bell peppers.  I typically put this over brown rice or noodles and have made a variety of different sauces for it.

It's always quick and delicious.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2024:  Nature's Edge
2023:  A Third Of The Golden Triangle
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  I Roll
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Gilded Tourist Attraction
2018:  Dining Up North
2017:  Promoting International Cooperation
2016:  Truly A Man Of Leisure
2015:  Beer Run
2014:  Field Two
2013:  We Are A Very Rich, Blessed, Lucky, Fortunate Lot Aren't We?
2012:  Passion Creates Pure Art
2011:  Reflecting On The Day
2010:  Crunching The Numbers
2009:  Looking Grand At The Grand Canyon
2008:  Overshadowing Government
2007:  Miami International
2006:  Did You Check The Solenoid?
2005:  Sorry, no post on this day.  The blog didn't start until May 2005!

Did He Ride His Horse To The Post Office?

 

This dapper fellow was standing in line in front of me at the post office.  What an outfit!  The first thing that came to mind was the Australian Outback.  Kinda everything about him was cool.  I should have asked him to post for a portrait.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: You Have Goat To Stop Here
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: Safety Check
2018: Cactus And The Catalinas
2017: Teaching People How To Unite
2016: Shining A Light
2015: Tooling Around The Old Pueblo
2014: Next Blog, Please
2013: My Mother Never Fried Chicken Like This
2012: Shocking
2011: Awesome All-Star
2010: Have Pots And Pans, Will Travel
2009: This One Contains A Young Rider
2008: When She’s Not Sleeping, She Tries To Look Purty
2007: Eddie McSteamy Friday
2006: Pepparkakor Cat
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Who Doesn't Love When This Happens?

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2024: Taxi!
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: Teepee Pee Stop
2018: Bread And Wine
2017: Loaded
2016: Sprouting The Good Stuff
2015: Economic Stimulation
2014: The Ninety-Two Year Old Horseman
2013: Where They Store The Crop Goodies
2012: Inside The Trucker’s Studio
2011: The Next Project
2010: Why Would You Want To Be A Zero When Looking Like This Is Clearly A Plus?
2009: The Giant Dirty Bird Goes Sailing In The Four Corners
2008: Soft Core Porn
2007: Almost Fully Integrated
2006: Downtown Scenery And Deals
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Dying Population Of The Dying City

An elderly lady sitting outside of her house in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy, the dying city.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2024: Floating Into Victoria
2023: Bienvenido A España!
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Moto Cop
2018: ¡Salud!
2017: Eddie On Ice
2016: My God, This Reminds Me Of Why I Love Adele
2015: Making Friends And Dinner Plans
2014: It's So EXHAUSTing Being Right All The Time
2013: A Marriage Of Two Loves
2012: I Love A Man Wearing A Damn Good-Looking Workboot
2011: MMXI At Full Throttle
2010: Maybe There’s A Reason Ed Never Lets Me Out Of The Truck
2009: Napolitos
2008: Pull Up A Chair
2007: The Story Of The Uppity Barista: Otherwise Known As A Texan Gittin’ Above His Raisin’
2006: Rock, Paper, Eddie
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

This Is How You Make It To 80

After finding the debris left by the pack rats, I was reminded of all the work my stepfather did on our property to get rid of the majority of the prickly pear cactus, which is one of their main food sources and also where like like to hide and build their nests.

At 80 years old he was out in the yard almost daily, using a giant machete to cut down the prickly pear cactus and then hauling the pieces to the garbage can. He cleared almost a half-acre of cactus.

This photo was taken on one of his "work" days.  80 years old and pushing a wheelchair around an acre of property.  I don't even like to walk to the mailbox!  I might have to put this photo on my refrigerator to inspire me to do what it takes to get to 80!  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: A Spectacular Spiral To The 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: See You On The Flip Side
2018: Let Your Love Light The Sky
2017: Step One, Neutralize
2016: Penetrating Gaze
2015: Worst Trucking Day Ever
2014: Books Are So Much More Interesting Than Guns
2013: Contemplating Broccoli Cheddar
2012: I’m Totally Contemplating Thievery
2011: Some People Are Just Fucking Nuts
2010: 7am In Beantown
2009: Eddie Taking A Moment To Enjoy Nature Friday
2008: Pull Up A Chair
2007: Brad Blows
2006: Expressly American
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

A Date Etched In Memory And History

This photo was taken on January 8, 2011.  My brother and Ed were installing new concrete pads for the sheds behind our house.  This is my youngest nephew who was there to "help".  Here, he just looks like he's having fun.

This was also the day that  United States Representative Gabby Giffords was shot.  The Safeway where she was shot is just two miles from my house.  I shop there often.  We heard the emergency vehicle sirens and saw a helicopter overhead.  We had no idea what was happening until my sister-in-law called and told us.

One of the people who died, Christina Taylor-Green, was a classmate of one of my nephews. My brother knew her parents. 

A terrible tragedy for all.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Bringing Awareness To A National Crisis
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 post.
2019: A Ruined Medieval Castle Overlooks An Abbey
2018: Grand Architecture And Strict Discipline
2017: Setting Moon
2016: Happy Fucking New Year
2015: Smart And Talented
2014: Who?
2013: Doing A Complete 180
2012: Apple Is My Life. I’m Living It To The Core.
2011: Men (And One Little Man) At Work
2010: Miss Me Like It’s Forever
2009: Speak Already!
2008: On The Hunt
2007: Cash For Life
2006: Nice Melons
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

On The Steps Of The Capitol

 

This is a photo of my eighth-grade class sitting on the steps of the Capitol Building during a school trip to Washington, DC.  I am in the front row, fourth from the left.  I was 13 years old.  We were all excited to make the trip from New York to Washington, DC. 

This was my first introduction to our government and sadly, I don't remember a thing about it (it was 44 years ago!), but I know getting on a bus and traveling six hours to the nation's capital was a big deal.  

Ronald Reagan was President and the photo was signed by House Representative, from Middletown, New York, Benjamin Gilman.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: More
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: It's A Sunny Side Up Morning
2018: A Ruined Morning
2017: A Burst Of Design
2016: El Niño Hits The Old Pueblo
2015: Cackling Is One Of The Rules
2014: Ugatz
2013: All The Better To See You With My Dear 
2012: Gratuitous Cute Dog Photo
2011: How To Kill Bees
2010: A Mirage Of Sorts
2009: Clouds Aflame
2008: When You Get One Like This, Don’t Let Him Get Away
2007: A Good Tipper Can Always Get Away With Being A Little Bossy
2006: Like Day And Night In Utah
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Destructive Little Bastards

 

Our old truck is parked on our property waiting for Ed to decide on what he's going to do with it.  There have been several ideas floated - turn it into an RV, fix it up and sell it, customize it and take it to truck shows - but nothing has been decided yet.

Today Ed went out to check on it and found that the pack rats had gotten into the cab!  They ate through the rubber on the boot of the shifter, as you can see in this photo:

Pack rats are a real problem in this area.  Almost everyone has an issue with them.  Most people, if they aren't parking their vehicle in a garage - out here, many people have carports so their vehicles are outside - they are susceptible to pack rat invasions.  Most often, they get into your engine compartment and chew through the wires.  Or they use the enclosed area as a spot to build their nests, bringing in dried prickly pear fruit (as seen above), insulating material like foam or stuffing, twigs, etc.

If you have a vehicle that is parked outside, like a second vehicle or an RV, it's wise to put some sort of deterrent in the vehicle.  Most people use rope lights underneath the vehicle which keep them away.  My parents used dryer sheets in the engine because they didn't like the smell.  Some people use sound-emitting devices or peppermint oil.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  Some people set traps.  Some people, like our neighbor, poison them.  That works but doesn't really rid the property of them.  And some people say that if you poison them, you might be poisoning other animals who eat them. 

They're just invasive, destructive creatures.  Cute, but not very loved.  Over the years my friends and family have had run-ins with them and have had to clean out their engines of the mess they leave behind.  They don't always eat wires, sometimes they just build a nest in your car.  In addition to chewing through the shifter cover to get into our truck, they also ate the vinyl on the boot between the cab and the sleeper.  Thankfully, they didn't go into the sleeper at all.

Here is the pile of dried prickly pear fruit they left for us.

Ed closed up the shifter hole with some stainless steel mesh wire and a layer of aluminum foil to keep them out but they ate through that, too.  His next attempt was to cover the hole with sheet metal and weigh that down with cinderblocks.  

Ed said if they get past that, they deserve to move into the truck.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: A Wonder Of The Ancient World
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: Christ With A Toothache
2018: A Different Life
2017: It Was A Dark And Stormy Night...
2016: Prep Work
2015: Just A Pier
2014: Third Time Is Not A Charm
2013: A Sure Sign You're In A Truck Stop
2012: Waiting For The Bell To Ring
2011: You Don’t Need I.D. To Buy Booze If You Have One Of These In Your Pocket
2010: The Pros Slip In And Out With Ease
2009: Mine. All Mine.
2008: No, You Can’t Fly It
2007: Flying Parasols
2006: Seattle In Motion
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Nature In Silhouette

A saguaro and a palm stand together and watch the setting sun.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: A Passion Project
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: Stephansplatz Icon
2018: Gateway Saguaro
2017: Sweet Sixteen Heartthrob
2016: The Spirit Of The West
2015: Our House, In The Middle Of Our Street
2014: I'm Pretty Sure I Was Born With One
2013: Gettin' The Juice To Stay On The Move
2012: Light On My Feet. Literally.
2011: We Got Smashed
2010: One Provides Light, The Other Just Stands There
2009: Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!
2008: C’Mon In
2007: Eddie Hits The Bricks Friday
2006: Take It As It Comes
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Front Stoop

My aunt went through old pictures this week and sent me this one of my brother and I with our grandparents, sitting on their front stoop in the Bronx.

Their house smelled like cigarette smoke and my grandmother's perfume.  I was twelve in this photo, my brother was eleven.  And I remember that one-piece romper I was wearing like it was yesterday.

I miss these days.  And I hope my memory of them doesn't fade too soon.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: The End Of The Road
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: Slovakian Scenes
2018: New Jersey Wonderland
2017: A Resting View
2016: Harmoniously Incorporated
2015: Buy Sandwiches
2014: A Room With A View
2013: Is The Coast Clear Yet?
2012: Why So Angry, Birds?
2011: One Hand In The Air For The Empire State
2010: Hitching A Ride From The Frying Pan Into The Fire
2009: Don’t Look At Me Like That. No, Really. Don’t. You’re Making Me Melt.
2008: A Mid-Winter Pick Me Up
2007: I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You
2006: How To Get Rid Of Your Girlfriend
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

Life In Miniature

My mother is an endless source of entertainment.  Over the years I've shared some of the things she's said and done right here on this blog.  

This is the latest.

I pick up her mail several times a week and sort everything for her - junk mail and flyers go in the garbage, bills go to me, and personal stuff goes to her.  She gets medication by mail so there's often a package from the pharmacy and sometimes the smaller packages from Amazon or Walmart.

I picked up one of those packages.  What you see in the photo is what was in it.  An incredibly tiny can of paint.  I was perplexed.  

When I asked her what her intentions were for this teeny tiny can of paint, she said she had planned on painting the end table in the living room.  When I showed her the can of paint, she said in disbelief, "Noooooo. Really?"

I said, "Didn't you read the details about the size?"

She said, "I thought I did."

Apparently, she did not.  This can of paint is 0.47 fluid ounces.

It's pretty safe to say that no end tables will be painted anytime soon.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Peaceful Beauty
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: Double Dutch
2018: Dirty Potato Chips And Cornichons
2017: Neighborhood Vacation
2016: Where The Flamingos Survived A Blizzard
2015: It's All In The Details
2014: You're Not Alone
2013: More Bling Than One Person Can Handle
2012: Instantly Tucson
2011: Start With An Ollie, Finish With A Shred And Grind
2010: Fire In The Sky
2009: Free Advertising For Erectile Dysfunction
2008: High Flame Toni
2007: Ripped From The Headlines
2006: Our Truck Looked Reallllly Good…
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Everyone Wants To Be On Team Godfrey

This Christmas, Ed set up a racing corner in our family room so he could entertain our guests over the holidays.

Our friend, MacG, is a big Formula One fan, so this is right up his alley.  You can see some of the racing flags in the background.  

The poster with the helmet on it represents Franco Colapinto, an Argentinian Formula One racing driver. Through family, he's also connected to our friend Marlaina (MacG's wife). Marlaina's cousin is one of Colapinto's managing executives. Small world.

Ed and MacG had fun over the holidays with this setup, but every guest who entered the house was also impressed with his setup.  And they all enjoyed playing.

But the kids next door seemed to love it the most.  The oldest girl said to Ed, with sheer amazement, "Does anyone else know this exists?"  Ed said, "Like who?"  She said, "Anyone." Then she told her mother it was a "hidden gem".

Not only does Formula One have fans, Ed has fans.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: This Place Rocked My World
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Honoring The Support Of Mexico
2018: Rucks, Mauls, And Scrums
2017: The Power Of The 'Po
2016: Down The Hatch!
2015: New Year Check Up
2014: Because...Perché No?
2013: The Big Little Giant
2012: All The Color I Need
2011: Bobbin’ Around The Neighborhood
2010: Getting Ready For Bathing Suit Season With Bananas
2009: Ed Happy Little Trees Friday
2008: Sorry, no post on this day.
2007: Forty Two Days
2006: I Should Have Never Had That Last Drink!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Ring It In Loudly!

 

Wishing everyone the best in 2025!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Drifting Into 2024
2023: The Queen Of The Tulsa Skyline
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Blue Skies Ahead
2018: Happy 2018, Y'all!
2017: 2017 Is Looking Up
2016: Good Morning, 2016!
2015: A Good Sign For 2015
2014: Good Luck And Prosperity Is On The Way
2013: As Pure As The Driven Snow
2012: Quiet On The Set
2011: I’d Rather Get A Little Taste Of Mark Ruffalo Than Eat Swiss Chard
2010: Two Very Different Ideas Of Fun
2009: Caution: New Year Ahead!
2008: Fresh Dreams. Clean Slate. High Hopes. New You.
2007: Two Thousand Seven
2006: Happy New Year!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!