Oh, the stories I cannot tell!

Friday, June 1

Living in a house after years on the road is quite a change for me and the canine crew.  I’m often aware how this change influences my thoughts and actions throughout each day.

Okay, I’m stating the obvious, but I’ll keep going with this.

Yesterday I stop at the thrift store and zero in on books.

I’m not interested in fiction these days, not like I was when vagabonding.  I want to build a library of books relating to the house, mostly about gardening and landscaping in an arid climate.  I figure Nancy and I have a lot to learn and could use the help.

I score five such books for a buck apiece!

My typical blogging practice would be to insert a photo of the thrift shop somewhere in the text above.  Can’t do that now because such a photo would reveal our location. I want the house I’ll be sharing with my sister Nancy to be a private sanctuary.

This need to conceal is making blogging about my present, stationary life with the crew very difficult. It’s frustrating as all get-out.

Oh, the stories I cannot tell!

For instance, shortly after moving into our house, I was in a store shopping mainly for tools and maintenance supplies.  As sometimes happens to me — why, I don’t know — I find myself listening to someone, a person to whom I’ve never been introduced.  Typically this person shares personal information with me, as if we’ve been faithful friends for years. In a matter of a few minutes, a connection is made, a bond is forged.

This always astounds me.  I guess because I’m reticent about sharing my own personal info.

Anyway . . . to get to my point . . . 

On this day I meet a thirty-something man.

He’s a store employee, helping me find stuff.  We pause in a store aisle talking.  As a natural part of the conversation, the young man shares a condensed version of his life’s story.  A series of extremely difficult occurrences in his life and in the life of his wife has brought him to a place of accepting much less than what he had hoped for.

He’s suffered serious setbacks.

Now before someone reading this gets it into their head that I’m being hustled, forget it. The man is working hard at a low-paying job in order to make ends meet.  Besides, at my age I have sensitive radar about such things.  Plus I’m leaving out a lot of information.

Again, the man is NOT giving me a load of bull.  

He remains cheerful throughout the conversation in an “It is what it is” sort of shrugging way.  I’m struck by the contrast between his situation and my own.  

“Life has a way of turning around,” I say in an attempt to encourage.  We hug and exchange God-bless-yous.   I roll my cart to check-out, pay for my items, and leave.

I have so much more in the way of health, possessions and security.  My dreams have become reality, whereas his dreams are fading away.

By the time I return to the Perfect Tow Vehicle . . .

I’m humbled right down to my socks.  I lean on the steering wheel and weep.

Since then we’ve run into each other a couple times and the warmth of our connection remains.

What you’ve just read — assuming you didn’t skip over it — is an eviscerated version of the powerful story I would love to tell but cannot.  I left out most of what transpired because it involved the setting and other details that would reveal where we are.  This is a damn shame, because stories about people are the heart of this blog.

~ ~ ~

Random stuff in and around the house . . .

I leave the back door open during the day so Reggie and Roger can go in and out as they please.  Even though the temperatures are going toward three digits, I’d rather have the door open for them than the air conditioner running.  It’s comfortable inside our house without a/c.  So far anyway.

A hummingbird flies inside!  Poor thing beats against a window, trying to get out.

Gently, holding a broom, I try to move him toward the open door, but he goes to another window instead. Seeking the light, I guess.

Not very different from people.

Eventually he tires enough to allow me to cup his little, fluttering body in my hands and carry him outside to freedom.

(Photo isn’t that great.  I was more interested in helping him than making a pretty picture.)

~ ~ ~

I’m sitting in the lounger under the mesquite tree.  

Reggie bugs me to play fetch.  I toss the rope toy a few times and this makes him happy. Here’s a photo of Reggie the Retriever, trotting across our lovely lawn.  Ha!

Hmm . . . Where’d that Roger go?

“Roger!  Why are you climbing the tree?”

Roger is climbing the mesquite tree!

He loves to chase lizards.  Probably one skittered up the tree and the ever-determined Roger forgot that he’s a dog and not a lizard.  He climbed up the tree after it.  All this transpires within a few moments and I don’t get a photo.  I try to reconstruct the scene (above) and Roger will have no part in it.

Could it be?

I think the ant population around the house is down.  It may be wishful thinking on my part or maybe it’s the work of Spigot Lizard and Horned Toad Lizard.  I know some credit goes to the Curved Bill Thrasher who lives in our yard, despite Roger’s repeated attempts to chase him out.

Spearmint tea . . .

Every evening I was making myself a cup of tea from the plants growing out back, adding honey.  Too hot for that these days.  I’m going to try Spearmint Iced Tea instead.

rvsue

FLASHBACK!

I change the photo on my desktop screen often.  I jump into the thousands of photos I’ve saved over recent years and choose one from the list of jpgs, not knowing what will open up.  I like the surprise and the memories that follow.

Delmoe Lake near Butte, Montana — Summer, 2013

~ ~ ~

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

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177 Responses to Oh, the stories I cannot tell!

  1. milliehubbard says:

    first?

  2. Barb in Florida says:

    The following comment came in at the end of the previous post. Since it’s interesting and contains a question for blogorinos, I’m reposting it here. — Sue

    Hi Sue,

    I wondered about your finding opportunities to photograph. Perhaps just a small sample of your railing paint might have given you away. Do any of your neighbors know what a celebrity & crew they have living in their midst? I was going to post over the holiday and suggest trying to check out the local or nearby activities (parade, etc.) but then thought even that might give your location. Good vibes your way that you find inspiration.

    Last night we finally had a sunset. Not great so went to look out front and was treated to a beautiful full rainbow. Almost a double, quite bright at the end closer to the sun. Today’s a sunny day for a change. More rain for later, they say.
    It’s been rainy, soggy, humid here thanks to Alberto. Not much to get worried about, but Happy Hurricane Season. Starts officially today. They can make a season out of anything I guess. You get tax free on stuff this week, i.e. flashlights, tarps, Generators, etc.

    Blogorinos: Any recommendations for quiet generators for after-storm power outages that won’t cost a fortune?

    I’d like to plug in my fridge and hopefully a fan. Maybe one I could use later in an RV or trailer or a battery/solar set-up of some kind.

    Uh-oh. The cat we’ve been seeing in the back-yard just led three kittens out of the ferns. They look about 6 weeks old – boinging, playing and sharpening their claws. Took mama a small bowl with a few pieces of wet dog food which she ate after I walked away. Kittens went back in the brush. Our yard is fenced, but a street behind us. I bet, at least, the kittens are feral. Oh dear.

    Have a good day everybody. Gotta go.

    • We love our dual fuel (so propane or gas) generator, it’s a Champion 3500, not too noisy and under $800 on Amazon I think we got ours for around $600 just 2 months ago.

    • Cinandjules 🌵 says:

      Back in NY we have and depend on our Generac generator during power outages. Ours is huge 10kw…but Generac has portable ones at Home Depot. Just make sure you use non ethanol gas. As with ANY small gas powered “tool” or boat..the gas with ethanol will destroy it!

    • chas anderson says:

      I have the Honda 2000 which seems to be the generator of choice with boondockers.I counted 9 of them one day in Organ Pipe.They are pricy though $999 or so but I have been using it extensively for 5 years.It is quiet and easy to start when run at least once a week.Most generators are balky if not run regularly.Had a Champion and am not a fan of those.Mine was really noisy.

    • Karen LeMoine says:

      Better get a humane trap and catch the cat family before there is a population explosion! She will probably stay around since you fed her. Poor little family especially in this heat. I’m dealing with a small feral family myself here in northern Az. My heart breaks for these precious stray animals.A shelter is better for them than life in the desert

    • Lauri C says:

      With all the research I’ve done on generators I can say that Champion is the third in line of the top gennys. Honda being the most expensive and Yamaha coming in next. One tip, if you get an “Inverter” generator it will be quieter (but, yes, a tiny bit more expensive). It’s also better for using electronics.

      Most full RVs come with an “Onan” 4000 to handle the A/C. I’m looking at maybe a Champion 3100. The rated number, 3100, is only the surge wattage; it’s running wattage is around 2700 (I think). Which should be equal to or higher than the calculated wattage you plan to use it for. Such as refrigerator, a/c, hair dryer etc.

      I’m continuously looking on Craig’s List as I really don’t want to pay top dollar for something other people are purging due to (the all American) upgrades!

      I hope some of this helps anyone!

      It really is a shame RVSue that you need to be so vigilant on keeping your words so guarded. Happy to hear of your gratitude & appreciation!!

      Thanks.

    • Alice says:

      from what I’ve seen at hurricane fairs Honda was the quietest. Not sure of your experience but please remember to buy a carbon monoxide (sp) alarm. Too many sad stories after the storms. I’m in the same position as you so will be shopping this week while it’s tax free so I also appreciate the advice and links Ms. RVSue. Love the pics of the boys, and bird.
      Take care and be safe. Glad you have the ferocious guard dogs. LOL

      • I as you all know I run on Solar, only 200 watts , but I have no Micro wave and tap on wood haven’t lost any electricity yet or I and Piper wood be eating a lot of Ice cream, I’d lose tv, but I have a Radio that runs off the solar and this tablet runs on solar, the trains run on solar and I have LED Lights that run on Solar, so I wouldn’t lose much in a storm, but someday I’ll have enough solar to run those things I’d lose now, but I’m not worrying about it till then,,, and Solar is Real Quiet, I don’t hear it at all,,,,,, 🐾👣👣

        • JazzLover says:

          Rusty, love to read what you write… “Haven’t lost any electricity yet or I and Piper wood be eating a lot of Ice cream”. Shucks, that might be terrible for a while, lol. What flavor does Piper like? Think it is wonderful how you have things set up there. Glad you are happy and getting what you need taken care of.

  3. milliehubbard says:

    Lovely post Sue, as sad as it is that you can’t share details…you have the memories in your heart…and we can dream a tale of our own. Sometimes the imagination leads us to just where we ought to be…love the pics of the boys and that Roger is an adventurous sort!! Reggie seems to be developing into a real “homebody”!! Loving his backyard and “freedom”. All the best to you and your family and your homestead 🙂

  4. Jolene/Iowa says:

    Hi Sue,

    Heartwarming story of the young man even without the details. Life has a way of dealing each of us hard and troubling times. An ebb and flow in life. Praying this young man and his wife will see happier, less trying times in the future. As all of us with any age on us knows, things can change fast! And for you, I love reading whatever you feel you can share with us! Your writing is so good we still feel the emotion and story.

    It sounds like the boys are really enjoying their new home as much as you are! I love seeing the flashbacks. I am still reading your past blog post from the beginning for the 2nd time now. I have been busy and have not been back to it in the last week or so but I know it is there waiting for me when I get there!

    Have a great weekend!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Wishing you a great weekend, too, Jolene. Yes, the crew loves their home. I have to laugh at how they march around on the alert for any intruders. And when they chase each other around the house until they’re worn out.

      Thanks for the compliment on my writing. It thrills me when someone reads or rereads the old posts. 🙂

      • Beth and Rosie dog, Arizona says:

        I’ve been rereading your blog for the second time too! It’s wonderful reading! You really should try writing a book, your storytelling skills are awesome, you have what it takes to be a book writer, as well as your blog has done… go for it 🙂!
        We Blogorino’s will be here ready to read whatever you post! And I’m sure there are other Blogorino’s, besides me, willing to cheer you on as you write a book! But I understand the frustration you are feeling making sure you don’t give out too much info on where you are; you deserve your privacy!
        Thank you for sharing through your blog for over seven years!

  5. Deb says:

    I love spearmint tea! Have a great day😁

  6. I think you told enough of the young man’s story for us to understand. You can share stories about people without letting on where you are located…and they’ll still be good and heartfelt stories.

    I liked the hummingbird picture too…and am glad he got to freedom finally.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      You’re right, Dawn. I can still tell stories and hope they contain enough to be worth anyone’s time to read them. My problem is I know the rest of the story and how much better it could have been.

      Besides concealing our location I have to be careful not to reveal info that would lead to the person being identified.

  7. weather says:

    This post published just as I was ready to go out the door to run an important errand. So I’ll come back a bit later and respond to what you wrote, Sue. For now I’ll just mention that when you were that young man’s age you couldn’t have predicted that your life would be as great as it is today, there can always be hope in one’s future… I’m glad you were able to write such an interesting post, thank you, bye for now 🙂

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      You’re welcome, weather, and thank you for dashing off this note before heading out on an errand.

      I think empathizing with what the young man and his wife need to go through in order to reach a place of contentment is part of what broke me down. Nothing I could say would give him that long perspective, only the passing of years and overcoming obstacles can do that. He’s too deep “in the trenches” these days. That’s what made his cheeriness so touching.

    • weather says:

      Now I’ve had time to read all of the comments, there’s too much to cover in saying how nice it is to see everyone’s reactions to this post and all the other information being shared here. I’ll just mention a few things that I’m glad about-

      Because you have a home in your community you’ll probably be able to see that young man’s life go through changes as time goes by. It’s nice to have personal connections with a few folks around town and let those develop, grow or fade without only wondering whatever became of that person or couple. I would have liked to know more about some folks you met while on the road and what happened in their lives later, I’m sure you would have, too.

      Your decision not to fictionalize accounts about people or events pleases me very much. It’s alright to withhold details, names, and places and what goes on in our personal lives, whether that’s to let our home remain a sanctuary or for any other reason. Changing names and facts can too easily become a slippery slope and flirts with not telling the truth, I think you are wise to avoid becoming less real/honest than you have always been with your readers.

      It’s fun to see how excited you are about getting the books from the store and Amazon to learn about plants and gardening for your yard. I know that your getting them so inexpensively makes you happy. Which brings up something I’ve been thinking about since your first announced that you had bought a house.

      From your first post you began teaching people how to live on less and enjoy life more. Before that you had the foresight to know that you needed to scrimp and save in order to be able to afford the BLT, a solar powered lifestyle and the PTV. You knew how important it was to not embark on your journeys as a fulltime Rver without having an emergency fund, too.

      It would take pages to mention everything it took for you to make your blog as successful as you have. When you began to receive an income from Amazon, again you had the foresight to save every cent of that for a home without wheels. The internet has far too many stories about folks that found themselves in situations that they didn’t want to be in after not considering the future carefully enough.

      We readers are watching a success story with ever post you publish from your house, Sue. You’ve taught us how to do so much for years now, and still are. I’ve yet to read a comment with someone telling us they had an unlimited income. I know your followers have paid close attention to the wonderful adventures you have and many hope to have similar ones. By your example you show that it takes years of diligence, dedication and prudent decisions to get to where you are today.

      Now that you have the house there’s still a lot of work to be done to make it into the kind of home you, Nancy, Reggie, Roger and Marg can enjoy. This is as exciting as any of your boondocking stories are to me. It would have broken my heart to see you wind up having less after all you’ve done for so many people and creatures in this world.

      • rvsueandcrew says:

        I don’t know how to respond, weather. I’m astonished at how you can relate the tiniest detail and also see the big picture spanning several years, and then extract the essence of it all. What you wrote fills me with wonder and your last sentence touches me deeply. I’m blessed you are a part of my life.

  8. Kathy (NC) says:

    I am enjoying reading about your ‘new’ life as a house owner so much! Just as I have enjoyed your travels over the years (and will enjoy the future ones as well). That last photo is beautiful – maybe you could use some more of the many you have taken in the past. I’m sure everyone would enjoy the memories – but please include more of R & R for us!
    So glad you have a cool house to retreat to when the weather is hot. We have so much humidity right now that we can’t leave windows open!
    Kathy.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Kathy,

      Oh dear, the humidity of the Southeast. You mentioned your windows and I immediately remembered limp curtains from Georgia humidity. I hope you can keep cool.

      Thank you for the reassurance about these house posts. I think I’ll take your suggestion and include more flashback photos. 🙂

  9. Becky in NJ says:

    Hi Sue- glad you saved the poor little hummingbird.
    In thinking about your blog dilemma, it reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Anne LaBastille, the “Woodswoman” She wrote books based on her life as a wildlife biologist, but was also a very private person. She had built her own log cabin on a lake, and wrote all about people and events, but wanted her location private. Her solution was to “fictionalize”. She invented a different name for her lake and town when she wrote about them. When she wrote about people, she gave them a different name. She kept these things consistent, so readers didn’ t feel they were missing anything.
    Could you do something similar? Give your new home a fictional town name. Use photos that don’t contain specific info, or use a photo program on your computer to remove identifiers. Give people a fictional name- such as your new friend, and change enough details to protect his privacy. I know I would rather read your stories somewhat fictionalized, than not read them at all!
    Think about it, see if it would work for you. You are a creative person!
    Also, I think now that you are in a home, less people will be trying to seek you out than when you are travelling on the road. I think people that do things like that have some romanticized idea of seeing your road life for themselves, but seeking out a lady who is living in a private home? Maybe not so romantic, lol… Anyway, these are just my random thoughts. Have a nice weekend!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Thank you, Becky, for all those ideas. You give me much to consider.

      I did try changing names of persons I met and wrote about. This was about three years ago. Then later I returned to the same area and wanted to mention a verbal exchange with that same person and I couldn’t remember his phony name. I knew it was only a matter of time before I called someone by their made-up name when seeing them in person!

      To be honest, “fictionalizing” doesn’t appeal to me much. I did try that once and veered off too far with it. It requires a great deal of care and thought, more suited for book form than the time demands of blogging.

      Not discounting your suggestions. I’ll let them “percolate” in the back of my mind and maybe they will lead to a solution.

      You have a nice weekend, too!

    • ApplegirlNY says:

      OMG! I was thinking the exact same thing about Anne LaBastille! Love her books. Great minds.

      Sue, I read your comment in regards to this idea. There’s no way I could do it, but you’re halfway there in Mayberry anyway. Just keep doing what you’re doing.

  10. Jool in N. TX says:

    A few blogs back I saw a photo of the ants you posted. (They did not give away your location, except that it is probably not Texas). I was SO EXCITED because those are what we always just used to call red ants, and they would make distinctive little trails through the grass, perhaps leading to a water spigot, a cow skull, or the local WalMart. Anyway, they are what the Horned Lizards eat. The main reason Horned Lizards are an endangered species (the Texas ones are, anyway) is because the fire ants have eaten up all the red ants. Hence, no food for my beloved Horned Ones. 50 years ago we could just go out and catch a ‘horny toad’ at whim – they were everywhere – now I can go a decade without seeing one in the wild. So sad.
    Jool in N. Texas

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Jool,

      I admit I have moments when I want to kill the crap out of those ants! Then I remember someone telling me — maybe it was you — that they are food for the Horned Lizards and I regain my sanity.

      Your comment today gives me the strength to keep in touch with my kinder self. 🙂 I will let the ants live …. and die in the mouths of lizards and birds!

  11. rvsueandcrew says:

    Karen… Are you mixing up my post with someone else’s? I didn’t write about a cat and I’m not feeding a cat.

    ???

  12. Virginia620 AL says:

    I am so happy for you and your new home. I think it’s kind of disturbing that people, if they had an inkling of your location, would think they have the right to seek you out…especially without an invite. Just my humble, honest opinion.

    I love your blog, with and without photos.

  13. Nora now in Shepherdsville KY says:

    Hi Sue,
    Think it is just a shame that you have to protect yourself that way. I, for one, would have loved to hear all the details. Unfortunately, you can’t just post a couple of days after you’ve left a place behind any more.
    Glad you’re settling in to the new place and I’m sure you’re looking forward to your sister’s arrival.
    Hugs to the little guys. Always love seeing their pictures.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Nora,

      Thanks for the nice note. Yes, both Nancy and I are definitely looking forward to her arrival here. She’s counting the days to retirement and hopes to head west the middle of August, the same week of the year that I changed my life, too!

      It’s the details of a story that make it seem real. I agree. It’s a shame. I knew this day would come, just didn’t know how, which is partly why I’ve fought for privacy over the years.

  14. chas anderson says:

    Just a thought but my prediction is that as your blog develops your location will cease to be an issue.I cannot put it into words properly but people are less likely to respect barriers when both parties are in a transient situation.An RVer is less likely to be nosy about where someone lives than where someone is camped.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Southern AZ is a winter home for many RVers. We will travel again and then return here among them. All it takes is one person’s actions to remove the sense of private sanctuary.

      You make a valid point, chas. I hope what you say proves to be true.

  15. Stephanie Turner OR says:

    Your blog was still powerful albeit stripped of identifiers. I think for myself your writing is so good I can easily put myself into many of the situations and see myself or someone I’ve loved or known. That’s a pretty powerful gift you have. I just finished a book yesterday that reminded me of you-in a good way. Gonzalez and Daughter Trucking Company. If you haven’t read it, it may be of interest. I enjoyed it. After not reading anything longer than 2 pages for 3 years, I’ve jumped back into books with gusto. Regaining my peace and recentering. Hope your new acquaintance is also blessed to find his peace. I think it’s in the air right now.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      What a wonderful, optimistic closing to your comment, Stephanie! I love that thought of peace being “in the air right now.” 🙂

      Good for you, reading again! I’ve been through dry spells like that, where I couldn’t care less what someone has written. Then I pass through to where I love reading again. Enjoy!

      Thanks for sharing the book title. Sending a big hug for the compliments on my writing …. wow!

  16. Kat and Cookie Dog in NYState says:

    I loved the picture from the past. Beautiful location, hope to camp there someday soon. Enjoy your new home and once your sis arrives you two can make a lot of wonderful new memories together. I understand why you can’t post any details, privacy is very important Pet the boys for us.

    Kat and CookieDog back in NYstate for a while.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Kat and Cookie Dog,

      I hope you are enjoying New York. It’s a beautiful state!

      I also hope you get to camp at Delmoe Lake someday. It’s located on a mountain which gives it a special appeal. That’s the lake where Spike got himself some muddy “boots.” 🙂

      Thank you for the wish for our new home.

  17. Cinandjules 🌵 says:

    Your efforts to keep your privacy…hasn’t changed from your boondocking days. No explanation needed….it is what it is!

    Good to hear the ant population is down…and you save the hummingbird!

    Not knowing the set up of your house…sliding glass patio door or a regular door…I have a suggestion. Install a doggie door. When it gets hot….and it will…having the AC on will be very costly if you leave the door open. My sister does this with her French doors and her electric bill is 600 a month. Gasp! Okay back to the doggie door…a sliding glass door one will run you 150.cheaper on Craigslist…..the one on the regular door would be small (Rog and Reg) very easy to install and probably 50. Both have locks. Teaching them is a snap( we taught the ferals) and most importantly doesn’t let the hot air in.

    Personal preference of course with the choice.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Cinandjules,

      It’s a sliding door. I had a doggie door on a house I lived in several years ago. I’ve decided I’ll play doorman for the crew once it becomes necessary to turn on the air conditioner. They are creatures of habit (as am I to a certain extent) which will make it easier to know when to let them out and let them in.

      A PITA, yes, but I have so many projects going right now, I’ll see how long I can last without the doggie door project.

      No, I won’t run the air with a door open!

  18. Dinae says:

    So glad you are happily settling into your home. Not sure if you have thought about it, or have experience with them, but a doggie door installed in your door might be a double bonus. Dogs can get out and birds cannot get in 🙂 Saves on energy bills too. The doors come with a sliding partition to close the door from being used if needed.

    I am enjoying your new journey. Thanks for taking us along.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Dinae,

      You and Cinandjules were thinking the same way when writing. Good point about birds not being able to come in with a doggie door installed. When Marg joins us, a doggie door will probably be essential — too many canine needs to anticipate!

      I’m glad you both suggested it.

  19. Norman in San Diego says:

    Hi Sue,

    Happy Friday! Hope you enjoying you house.

    Norman

  20. Carlene and Corky in NoCal says:

    Being the kind soul you are I believe people are drawn to you and you kindness and yet you are also street smart and won’t get roped into the other types of folks.

    You and the crew seem to be settling in nicely. We have been driveway docking at my sons house. Staying longer than planned only because I seem to have missed this place and kids and friends that I haven’t spent time with in a long while. It’s so good to have the flexibility to do so.

    We will head north next week as its warming up inNoCal.

    Hey have you tried sun tea. I remember making it during the many years spent in the southwest deserts. Didn’t have to boil water…

    Have a great weekend.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Carlene and Corky,

      I made sun tea years ago. I wonder if it would come out well using fresh leaves from the spearmint plants. First I need to find the right jar . .. .

      I’m glad you’re able to spend time in a place and near people you enjoy. Thank you for the kind words. Kindred spirits are drawn to each other, as well as those who need to talk to those who are willing to listen.

      You have a great weekend, too!

  21. Barbara in Phoenix says:

    Good morning Sue and crew. Well, our summer here in Arizona is just beginning, the highest temperatures here usually occur during this month,which ushers in the monsoon rains of July-August– keep your camera ready, you should be able to get some awesome pictures of the angry clouds that start in the morning that builds to a lightning fueled downpour.

    When we moved here from California in the mid 70’s, I had no idea what would thrive in this arid environment. Top of my list was shade trees, so we put in an olive tree that can litter olives and leaves, but there are remedies to that as well. We found citrus trees do well here and also produce a crop for all your effort. I love roses, but the sun in summer just burns the petals, unless you have a location that will position the plant to get early morning sun only with afternoon shade. I’m glad you found some gardening books for researching.

    I’m so happy that you and the boys are settled in and enjoying life, and looking forward to Nancy’s arrival. Also have you thought about putting a covering over the BLT to protect it from our harsh sun? Might be worth looking into.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Barbara,

      It’s nice to hear from a fellow Arizonan and also a fellow gardener. 🙂 This house has a flower bed on the east side that is perfect for roses.

      I did think about a covering for the BLT, already I can see an increase in oxidation and that bothers me. There’s just so much that is needed right now, to catch up maintenance that has been neglected on the house and to do things that will make it “our” home. I’m forced to replenish things I gave away, simple things like tools for yard and garden care. It adds up!

      You have me anticipating photo opportunities with the coming of the monsoons!

  22. ApplegirlNY says:

    Sue, I’m sad that you have to protect your privacy so much, but people can be crazy, so I don’t blame you at all.

    Just keep your stories coming, any way that you can. We love to hear it all.

    It’s hot and muggy here in upstate NY. I don’t mind a bit, though, since I have really grown to dislike the cold dark months. The fragrance of locust blossoms and peonies are in the air. Oh how I love May and June! There’s something so nostalgic about those garden aromas. I also feel that way in the fall when I kick up the dry leaves and release their fragrance. Like heaven!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      May and June in New York … ahh, I remember the peonies. That time of year is rivaled by September and October.

      Breathe in those aromas and enjoy, Applegirl!

  23. Marilu in northern California says:

    I can understand your excitement about getting your house all set up. I think we’re drawn to the new experiences. Looking at the BLT sitting in that lovely Montana campground makes me wonder how you’ll be able to spend the summers in a stick home. I hope you can have a good helping of each😉.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      That’s the way to live — “a good helping of each” of whatever one loves. 🙂 Oh, I suppose I’ll get restless for the road soon enough.

  24. Luvmyhorse-Ohio says:

    “…because stories about people are the heart of this blog.” Seems like they still are, and I didn’t think there was anything at all lacking in this post! I don’t need to know more details regarding the young man’s ordeal to understand that your willingness to listen to him was—no doubt—a gift to him. Bless you for taking time to really hear what he was sharing with you.
    I, too, am surprised when I experience the occasional meeting of a stranger and share a connection however brief. Is it because, as introverts, we’re more likely to quietly listen and seek to understand than to speak or advise??? I don’t know, but I love it when it happens. Always feels like a divine moment rather than a chance meeting.
    Hoping you have a pleasant, peaceful weekend.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Wouldn’t it be grand to find out someday, when all things are revealed, that there were moments in our lives when a divine Hand guided us to meet someone who needed to connect with us? Actually, it might be the guidance of angels.

      I’m rereading Billy Graham’s book on angels that I read many years ago, so my head is full of thoughts about those celestial beings. 🙂

      Interesting comment, Luvmyhorse. It’s nice to hear from someone who shares like experiences.

  25. No matter how vague you are in your storytelling, it is still compelling reading.

    Re: the hummingbird in the house. It’s time to cue the Twilight Zone theme song. Night before last I had a dream that I went into our house (of course it was something totally different from our real house) and my spouse cautioned me about a giant wasp that had come into the house. As I watched it near the ceiling I realized it wasn’t a stinging insect but a hummingbird, and there were more clustered around the ceiling light! We shooed them out and all was well. Now how WEIRD is that??

    Since we sold the Green Valley, AZ, condo and decided to “winter” in Oregon, we just had a gas fire stove installed for its cozy heat and are awaiting the City inspector. We are hoping for a wee bit of cool weather so we can try it out.

    I love “back-to-the-land” wilderness type nonfiction and cut my nonfiction teeth on John Stallard’s”Four in a Wild Place,” and continued with “Driftwood Valley” written in the 1950s, plus Annie LaBastille and countless others. A very interesting book is Michael Finkel’s “Stranger in the Woods,” about a true hermit who was recently discovered living in the Maine woods.

    I assume you are watching for fire ants; I hear they impart a nasty bite.

    I hope you can continue to blog as I look forward to stories about working on your house and how Nancy likes the SW. I went to a friend’s retirement party the other day and her ear-to-ear grin didn’t falter. I imagine your sister will feel the same on her last day of work.

    Robin

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Robin,

      Yes, Nancy is hanging on the best she can, counting the days when she is free of that job!

      I see a hummingbird when sitting on the front porch and when out by the mesquite tree. I don’t know if it’s the same one or if there are more than one. Seems they have plenty to eat as they fuss around with the pine boughs, drink nectar from the yucca plants, etc. If it looked like they needed more, I’d put up feeders. I’m a bit wary of anything that would encourage the ant population and, oh how ants in the desert LOVE spilled sugar-water!

      Strange dream indeed! 🙂 I hope you get the chance to check your heater, although with each passing day, that likelihood is further and further away.

      As Denise in Richmond commented recently at seeing her first lightning bug of the season, “Summer is here!”

  26. Gail Cox says:

    In the age of the internet we all have a level of privacy that makes us (un)comfortable. Despite your blog or maybe because it gives you the ability to share your thoughts without actual human contact.. you are a private person and your followers understand that. You have

    I’ve read your blog and enjoyed it for years but I’ve only commented once before. But this blog today moves me comment again.

    I’m a retired and great reader of blogs and watcher of youtube videos. Since my husband and I were long time rv’ers I stumbled on yours and added it to my feedly reader along with many others. Among the blogs I read are Gypsy Journal and Travel with the Bayfield Bunch. In the Gypsy Journal he and his wife have recently retired from their RV travels and are a little north from me in Florida. In the “Bayfield Bunch” he spends half a year in Canada in his home and a half a year traveling. He and his wife recently sold their home in Arizona where they spent the winter.

    The reason I mention them specifically is because they have many blog followers and I haven’t read of them being bothered by unannounced drop in’s despite being very open about where they live… with many photos posted and tales of home told. I also read many blogs dealing with cooking and home decor where they are open about where they live and I’ve never heard of unwelcome company being a problem.

    Would it be possible for for all of those bloggers with very large followings to get unwelcome company? Certainly. But the vast majority of readers (probably over 99 percent) understand that they wouldn’t want that done to them so they wouldn’t do it to someone whose life they enjoy reading about. So the writers are able to enjoy their privacy, while writing freely, without the worry of unannounced company knocking on their door.

    I just wanted to put it out there that maybe you don’t have to have the same worry over privacy you did when you were on the road everyday. Maybe you don’t have to be so careful about what you write or what photos you post any longer because people don’t generally feel the same way about dropping in unannounced in someone’s home that they would dropping in on someone camping. It is so different. Most people who write RV blogs don’t mind unexpected company so it was important for you to be very upfront with your need for privacy.

    In the end you need to do what makes you the most comfortable. I just hate to see you feel constrained in your very readable prose. Thank you for many hours of enjoyable reading.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      You’re welcome, Gail,

      I appreciate you taking the time to write your thoughts on the subject of privacy. I also appreciate your telling me to do what makes me the most comfortable.

      Regarding Travels with the Bayfield Bunch: Al is one of my favorite bloggers. He and Kelly helped me get started in boondocking. Al promoted my blog to a level where it could take off on its own. I’ll always be grateful for their help. They’re good people.

      Yes they bought a house in Arizona. At the time I worried that their house would become a tourist stop. (This is where I correct what you wrote: “The reason I mention them specifically is because they have many blog followers and I haven’t read of them being bothered by unannounced drop in’s despite being very open about where they live.”)

      Quite the opposite is true. It wasn’t long before Al and Kelly had numerous drop-in visitors and this continued up until they sold the house. They handled these interruptions in their daily lives with hospitality and grace. Maybe they loved having drop-ins; that’s not the point. The fact is people did drop in on them or asked for invitations.

      You’re right that most readers understand the need for privacy and wouldn’t dream of coming to my house. And yes, maybe the potential for unwanted visitors is minimized by the crew and I not traveling.

      However, the fact remains it only takes one, just one nosy person to destroy a sense of sanctuary. I know this from experience: I’m happy, content, and at peace in a camp. Someone drives by, rubbernecking, and from that point forward I’m paranoid about every vehicle that slows down by my camp.

      Previously I could pack up and leave and there were times I did that. Not so easy to do that now.

      There are other reasons why I’m more at risk for privacy invasion than other bloggers, but I’ve gone on long enough (too long!) on this subject.

      Again, I appreciate you caring enough to write. You’ve given me much to ponder!

  27. Elizabeth in WA says:

    Seems to me you told the most important part of the story…that of the hope of connecting with other people even in places you have just moved to…that has happened to us some here. We do not have time yet for any more intense relationships…maybe never will at the pace we have to keep in helping our family out…but here and there we will have a nice conversation…and it is enough. So Sue, you told enough to make it seem like you have landed in a nice community!! I hope it will always be so for you and your sister too!!

    My dear internet friend who died in December, had been oh so lonely for all the years we were in contact (15) due to her being mostly homebound…but though it is terrible to die of cancer and to have to live those last months in a hospice…she landed in one that for her, turned out to be a taste of Heaven…the most lovely of caregivers and visitors she connected with that no longer did she need me really. I was SO happy for her and so encouraged…may it be so for any of us who must live thus.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Elizabeth, I do believe this is the most insightful and heart-stirring comment you have ever presented on this blog. Thank you for sharing your friend’s “story.” How wonderful that she had those connections at the end of her life. And you are understanding, knowing that’s what she needed and enjoyed… There’s a lot of love, compassion, and wisdom in your words — “no longer did she need me really.”

      I also need to respond to your first paragraph. Wow! You found a message in the post that I didn’t know was there . . . about “the hope of connecting with other people even in places you have just moved to.”

      Powerful comment, Elizabeth. Well done!

  28. Chris B and Diego says:

    First thing I thought…….”I’ve never heard of a Spigot Lizard.” Then the lights in my brain turned on. LOL!
    I was doing a little landscape job for a friend of mine and she had a few “Yard Lizards” that hung around the gate that I was going in and out of. Once they saw me a few times, they would come out and greet me every morning. They are very curious little creatures, aren’t they?

    Low water plants and succulents are extremely popular now with such a variety. The bad thing is that the prices have gone up with their popularity.
    Here’s a tip: If you purchase succulents, don’t be in a hurry to buy more than one. Even some of the teeny tiny ones can grow pretty big in a fairly short amount of time. I always trim mine up a bit to keep things neat and the cuttings easily grow if you stick them in the dirt and water them. It’s fun to see what you can do with what you already have. I had no idea that growing succulent cuttings could be fun and that I could be successful at it. (anybody can do it) Also, if you want some lights in the back yard without huge spot lights or something that requires power, go to our favorite online store. I just purchased a bunch of solar tiki torches to put around the pool and some color changing spot lights for the planters. You can place them wherever you need light and it won’t affect the electric bill. On at dusk and stays on for 6 hours plus.
    Great post, as always.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Chris!

      Gee, the comments today are like rummaging through a treasure chest. Gold bullions and ruby rings spillling out all over the place!

      Your info on growing succulents has me enthused. Nancy and I are going to have so much fun! Good advice on buying the plants. Better to purchase a variety rather than a lot of one type. Then go crazy propagating those babies!

      More great ideas with solar lights. “spot lights for the planters'” — That’s the kind of thing that Nancy goes for. Ha! She enjoys creating a special world.

      Oh my, yard lizards who love you! How fantastic is that? If it weren’t so dang hot right now, I’d run outside and give Spigot Lizard a friendly smile!

      You’re doing landscaping…. Hmm… I thought you were retired . . . .

      Always fun hearing from you, Chris. Hugs to Diego!

      • Chris B and Diego says:

        I’m totally retired. I just help out these friends every now and then with various small projects because they so nice to work for. They just tell me what the project is and turn me loose! Can’t beat that!

  29. Geri in the FL panhandle! says:

    So cool to have a hummingbird bless your house! Time to set up a feeder or two!
    I guess I will have to try spearmint tea! I have both spearmint and peppermint growing outside, but their primary purpose has been as mosquito deterrent! But iced spearmint tea sounds so good!
    Alberto left the panhandle a humid soggy mess! Need a scuba mask to breath! Chuck and I are spending lots of time indoors thankful for the a/c!
    I love your stories, be they about life in the road or crossing paths with another interesting soul or painting a fence! KEEP them coming! They are ALWAYS welcome! 💗😁

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Geri,

      You’re always upbeat and enthusiastic. Love that about you. Glad to know you and Chuck and your crew are fine, if a bit soggy in the humidity. Stay well and happy!

      Usually when I see a hummingbird, I think of you….

  30. Columbus Calvin says:

    I still like your pictures. The hummingbird picture, for example, is a clear picture of a beautiful creature. That’s good enough for me. The picture from Montana is a good choice. It’s evocative and beautiful.

    I have been a pet/house sitter enough to appreciate doggie doors. They make life easier for all parties.

    One thing I’ve done is refuse to let anyone tell my story but me. I myself only tell any part of my history to people who share enough of my background to have legitimate empathy. (I met one of those today at a bus stop. We both have reasons for not driving at present, and that’s a great starting point.) If I write for public consumption, it’s political or something else, but not personal.

    I no longer blog, but that’s not about privacy. No stranger has tried to find me, as far as I know. I am a skilled enough editor to know that there’s no self-pity in my stories. Most of the time, I was either celebrating something or bragging outright, but I got comments three or four times expressing sympathy/pity/condescension. This annoys me far more than criticism, and I am unable to respond peacefully to that. End of blog.

    Yes, I’ve had a “hard” life, at least according to people who have not lived it. (I suspect everyone has a hard life until they grow up. After that, it’s all about attitude.) So what? I would not want anyone who had recently met me to talk about me, with or without identifying details and whether or not they say what they believe are positive things about me.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Calvin,

      Interesting, thought-provoking comment. Your experience illustrates the baggage that accompanies blogging. People will comment based on assumptions. They will make comments more about them than about you the blogger. In other words, people read into a post what they’re feeling at the moment or respond to forces in their own life that have little to do with the blogger or what the blogger wrote. I understand you wanting to avoid being the target of that. I’ve felt a similar way several times.

      I also appreciate what you wrote about not wanting your story being told by another person publicly, whether identifying details are included or not. This is something that I grapple with whenever writing about an encounter with another person.

      I choose one of two courses: I tell the person I have a blog about my daily life and that includes the people I meet. I make sure they understand what a blog is. I ask for permission to write about them. I determine from their reaction and from what I know about them whether or not I should go ahead.

      There have been a few times when a person has given me an enthusiastic “yes, go ahead!” and I didn’t do so because I sensed they might change their mind. Some people try too hard to be accommodating and say that which they don’t really mean. When in doubt, I leave them out. I learned this lesson in the early days of blogging.

      That’s one course of action. The other is the case of this post: I write about a person in such a vague way that it could be the story of any number of other people. Our world is full of people who have had setbacks, who struggle, whose dreams are fading, who keep their chins up regardless, etc.

      In other words, the man I wrote about may not be “every man,” but he shares commonality with many, many men/people in our society. That truth cloaks the person with anonymity. The story could be about another person. Hence it’s imperative that I not disclose identifying details.

      Never do I seek out information from anybody in order to write about them. They come to me.

      • Columbus Calvin says:

        I see either of your methods as acceptable, although I prefer the first. I often enjoy talking to people, but I’d rather avoid misperceptions and people I find it difficult to share empathy with. There are enough of those to become a burden if I’m presented to a wider public. In ordinary life, it’s not a big deal.

        In my personal case, I have enough non-ordinary features that I cannot see myself as an “everyman” figure for any given facet of my experience. However, there are much more-“ordinary for condition x” people who can serve as role models or examples of one part of life or another. That’s a sound thing to write.

        • rvsueandcrew says:

          I feared you were rebuking me for writing about other people. I’m relieved you see that I do my best to avoid causing discomfort or problems for people.

          One might ask, “Well, why write about the people you meet?”

          The answer to that is in the responses from readers. Not infrequently I’m told how another person’s story has helped them. That is gratifying for me.

          Thank you, Calvin, for what you have shared here.

  31. Gingerita says:

    I love the stories that you can tell . I also love hearing the details that you can provide about settling into your new home and discovering the nifty quirks about the area around you. I am curious to learn if you will need the ac at all this summer. I have some friends who spent a summer without ac in Tucson (they couldn’t afford to get it fixed) and their home actually stayed reasonably comfortable with fans. I was surprised.
    I am impressed with the young man’s character. He is still cheerful at a difficult time in his life. Not any easy thing to accomplish.
    Love the photo of Roger in a tree! Guess climbing back down was not a problem. That photo of the BLT in Butte is so cool and refreshing. It is humid as all get out here. Thanks for your blog. I enjoy your stories about life on and off the road immensely.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Gingerita….

      The boys are pestering me for being on the computer too long. They’re right!

      Be back later today…

      LATER…

      Well, we went on our walk. Kept it short today because of the heat. Interesting about the person going all summer in Tucson without air conditioning. If the humidity stays low, I think we can live comfortably in this house, even when it goes into the 90s. We don’t have any furniture to speak of, maybe that helps to keep it cool.

      Thank you for letting me know you enjoy my posts and photos.

      I was impressed with the young man’s character, too.

      • Geri in the FL panhandle! says:

        Do you have an air conditioner or a swamp cooler? We had a swamp cooler while living in NM, we were so pleased with it we had one installed on the MotherShip! Much more efficient in the arid SW than the a/c and less expensive to use! If you don’t have one, you might want to consider it!

        • rvsueandcrew says:

          I don’t know what you call what this house has. It’s not a swamp cooler. And I never heard anyone refer to it as a heat pump. I forget the term used. It uses both natural gas and electricity for heat and for cooling and, dang, I can’t remember which for which. I’m revealing the air in my head. Oh, well..

          I do know that it works very well. The home inspector turned it on for both settings and measured the output temperature.

  32. Laura Roorda says:

    I think you need to make a fictitious name for your town, something like Mayberry. Maybe you could ask your readers for suggestions. Love your blog, never miss an entry

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Laura,

      Another blogorino suggested that, too…. a fictional name for town. I might do that. I don’t know. 🙂

  33. Maddy in stormy North Dakota says:

    Hi Sue, always a blog reader, rarely a commenter. But today I have something to share with you that may be useful for Arizona living. It’s a youtube video about Brad Lancaster entitled “Dryland harvesting home hacks sun, rain, food & surrounding,” videographer is Kirsten Dirksen. Link is here, but in case it doesn’t show up, you can search for it if you’d like.
    https://youtu.be/KcAMXm9zITg
    Be sure to check out the info about him in the video’s description.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Maddy,

      I hope you are safe in the storm. Nice hearing from you!

      I opened up the youtube video and watched a couple minutes of it. I’ll have to wait for a new data cycle before letting the rest of it load for viewing. Thank you for thinking of us!

  34. How’s it going down there in the Town of NO NAME,LOL, like in the Movie Paint Your Wagon or you could do like the Grateful Dead , it all belongs to Nobody, they have a store called Nobody’s Business and it’s a Thrift store in Northern California, not to far from Nobody’s Farm where they live in between Concerts and when the time is right they paint on their Tour Bus Nobody for President, ya got ta have injunetion to live free from nosy folk, Sue,,,, have a great and pleasant weekend and give the Boys a huge hug from us,,,, ok,,,,, 🐾👣👣

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Rusty,

      How’s it going in No Name? Nobody’s happy here. You ought to meet him someday because not only is Nobody not sad, Nobody cares! He’s a really caring guy!

      You have a great weekend, too…. Hugs to you and Piper.. 🙂

      • And I went to customer care thru Verizon on my phone to change my phone number and now nothing works at all on the phone, can’t call out or receive calls and their website is too fast, time wise, to do a new set up to get HELP, guess I’ll be paying for nothing till I drive 70 miles to spend more money for a phone that works, Can I get 911 on the web? I doubt it,, the #%&#!!?&%$#@=!! Greety @#$%=÷#@#=÷%&***,, sorry for the bad language, but you 3 have a nice night,,,,, humfp, and Verizon is the only service that works in this area, catch 22,,,,,,,,, argh

        • rvsueandcrew says:

          Rusty…

          Do not buy a new phone unless yours is physically broken. You can deal with this problem, by phone or in person.

          In person:

          Go to a Verizon store and sit down with one of the people there. I’ve done this a couple times in different places. I was treated very well and I wasn’t charged anything. The person will take your phone, do what needs to be done to fix your problem, and hand the phone back to you. Part of what you pay every month is for this service so go get the help you need.

          There are 5 Verizon stores in Louisville. The store on the south side of Louisville may be closest to you. The address is: 4800 Outer Loop, Louisville. If you’d like to see where all 5 stores are on a map, do an internet search for “Verizon stores in Louisville, KY.”

          By phone:

          If you can borrow a phone to call, the Outer Loop Verizon’s number is 502-968-0222. It will be much easier to talk to someone at a Verizon store than through the Verizon website. Tell them what you tried to do and what the problem is and ask for their help fixing it. Call when you’re not upset and I bet they’ll be happy to help you.

  35. Desert Ginger says:

    Hey gang! Great pics of the pups Sue. Sounds like you are still enjoying being stationary. I’m pretty stationary too. Was just in the hospital again for a few days. I think I’m doing better then something happens. But I will persist!

    About the young man with the problems…in my life I have numerous bad things happen: death of my husband and later my daughter, most of my retirement money stolen in a Ponzi scheme (200,000+), having to file bankruptcy after the theft and having my home repossessed, to name a few. Yet as I look back I think about the happy memories and the good times, and feel proud of how I have managed. If you see him again you might tell him on good authority that he will get through, and when he does he will feel proud of his survival skills and aware of how much he learned through his trials. In fact he might feel, as I do, that his life may have been challenging but it was never boring. Constant struggling definitely doesn’t leave energy for feeling bored.

    I am trying to focus on my work, and on getting through a bunch of backlogged chores. Like dealing with the contents of my storage unit and ending monthly rent payments!

    Meanwhile I am enjoying the weather, and thinking about relocating. I am very isolated here. All my friends are either in SF Bay Area, or N.Y. Both are too expensive for me. I am considering moving back to Tulsa, my home town, where I have an old friend and several cousins. But I hate the weather. Still, as I age and have health issues I am awareof wanting to spend more time with friends and family. But who knows what I will eventually do; I’m still trying to figure it out.

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Hi, Desert Ginger,

      Good luck with the sorting of your storage unit. It will be a huge relief to no longer have to budget for the rental fee. Please take good care of yourself! **hugs**

      • Hey Desert Ginger, I threw a lot out or gave it away to fellow Vets when I made my move back on the road , ya one can get sentimental on some stuff, but the rest is JUNK and who wants to carry around JUNK with them, not me,,, keep what you want as long as it has some type of value or something, so ya, keep the stuff that means a lot to You, and toss the rest, or just give it away, I hope you understand and it’s just me, I mean, life and all,,,,, love ya and hope all is well,, with life and all and be well and Bless you, love, peace and freedom,,,,,,,,,,,, 🐾👣👣

      • Desert Ginger says:

        Hi Denise! Am I crazy, I thought you were preparing to leave Richmond?

        • Denise - Richmond VA says:

          Hi, Desert Ginger,

          No, I am not leaving Richmond, but have been paring down my possessions via donations and a yard sale. I had been considering a local move to downsize, but my research has shown that it makes more sense to stay where I am for now. I truly believe that things will fall into place if and when they are supposed to. I wish you luck in finding the right spot for you and Chloe to move to be closer to friends and family. 🙂

  36. ValGal (westernWA) says:

    I have every confidence in you that you will come up with a way to write blog posts that is comfortable enough for you and protects your privacy. It just takes time to adjust to your new life in all its aspects.

    That struggling fellow- the times we live in are increasingly tough for a significant percent of people in our society. It is indeed enough to cause weeping for the individuals who suffer as a result. I pray that fellow has the courage, fortitude, and lucky breaks to live a better life.

    On a happier note, I’ll bet the boys love being able to race in and out as their hearts dictate. That Roger! Whoever heard of a tree climbing Chihuahua? Lol!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, ValGal,

      I appreciate your confidence in me, that I’ll come up with a way to keep the blog interesting while living in a house.

      I also appreciate your prayer for the young man I wrote about. He does have a job and is working toward a better future. I’m optimistic about a lot of people of working age now that thousands of jobs are opening up around the nation and the economy is growing. The “news” has to make everything seem dismal.

      You’re right — Reg and Roger LOVE to race in and out of the house and around the house, up on the porch, around and around they go. It’s a nightly ritual that has me laughing and them collapsing with exhaustion.

      A tree-climbing chihuhua… a very rare breed! 🙂

  37. Rochelle in IN says:

    Haven’t commented recently as we were preparing for our maiden voyage in our new motorhome. We went to a geocaching gathering in the Cincinnati area over Memorial Day weekend. We stayed in a nice county park on a 30-amp electric only site. We are not new to RV’ing, having had a pop-up and a 5th wheel before. Still, every rig is different and we put on quite a show trying to level the RV. Supposedly it auto levels, but it would go through its gyrations and then throw the error “extreme slope”. Joe would head out, add more blocks under the jacks and we’d try again. After about 4 attempts, we decided to pull forward a bit, which required bringing in the 2 slides. We eventually got level (took all the Hosspads we bought from Amazon a month or so ago as well as every plastic Lynx leveler we own). We are comforted knowing we’ll get better at it with practice.

    Anyway, we had a lovely site overlooking the lake. First day was nice, so we sat out in our lawn chairs reading and enjoying our site. Then the weather turned on us – HOT and very humid. We learned all about how a full campground in hot weather can lead to low voltage issues. Our surge protector did its job, cutting our power when voltage at the pedestal dropped too low. And we learned how to conserve on our power needs. We do plan on adding solar after we retire in 2 years.

    We also learned we could manage quite nicely with our various water and waste tanks. Nothing broke, so it was a successful trip. 😃 And we even “found” the name for our rig – Monty. We would ask each other where something was, like the lawn chairs or camping mat, and say, “Is it behind door #2? Nope, that’s the generator. Try door #3.” LOL!

    We kept a list of things we “needed” and have done our part to keep your Amazon sales up to snuff – ha! Well, this comment has gotten way too long. Sorry about that!

    Oh yeah, I love that last pic of Reggie! Makes me want to cuddle him and smooch him on the noggin! ❤️🐶

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Congratulations on your successful maiden voyage with Monty! Cute name. 🙂

      Sounds like you learned a lot. It’s nice of you to share your experience here. There’s nothing like a first person account to give people an idea of what it is like to head out with a new rig for a trial run.

      Thank you for shopping Amazon here, Rochelle.

      I know what you mean about Reggie’s photo. I want to squeeze his face!

  38. Rob, in North Carolina right now says:

    That guy with the hard luck? He needs new dreams or a bucket of gumption.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      His dream is being able to live in a safe and decent house, care for his sick wife, and pay the bills. His bucket of gumption is overflowing right now with long hours at work, lots of prayer, and a determination to do his best while not giving up.

  39. Denise - Richmond VA says:

    Hi, Sue!

    Wow! Late this morning I checked for a new blog entry…not yet. I saw your note to weather about struggling a bit with the new post. When I checked in this evening there was a new post and over 90 comments! You were missed! 🙂

    Maintaining your privacy will continue to be a challenge. Pictures could be all close up shots: the paint can/brush and a railing post would “show” us what you are working on without exposing your home. (Similar to the picture of the rose from a few posts back). It amazes me how much personal information some people post for the whole world to see. It is not most of ones friends or family that one needs to be worried about – it is the crazies and those who are looking to steal identities. I don’t “do” Facebook for these very reasons.

    Good score on the books! Adding to Chris B and Diego’s advice about cacti: Maybe some of your neighbors would be willing to share a cutting of their cacti or share any volunteer plants. One of my friends has dug up (with permission) little volunteer Japanese Maple trees. She had much success in growing them, and has transplanted them in her garden. That variety of maple tree is crazy expensive. I just did a search for cacti nurseries in AZ. I did not realize how costly cacti are. One firm sells saguaro cuttings for $85/foot! It will be exciting for you and Nancy to learn which plants and flowers will thrive in your area. It will be a Mecca for hummers, bees, and butterflies! 🙂

    I hope and pray that things will improve for that young man and his wife. Details about the situation are not required to convey the compassion that you felt. You were led to him – this I truly believe. You both now have a friendly face to look forward to seeing when you shop that store.

    How special that you were able to gently hold a hummingbird in your hands during his rescue. Thank you for sharing the picture of him. Being backlit by the window, it really shows how delicate his tiny wings are…. If you get a chance, google search the meaning of the hummingbird – very interesting! 🙂

    It is wonderful that the boys love their new home! Reggie and Roger are just too cute! The past two nights, the National news reported two separate occasions of dogs escaping through open windows and being stranded on a 2nd and 3rd story roof, respectively. In both cases, the fire department had to rescue them! Roger – please do not climb too high in the mesquite tree to chase after the lizards! We don’t want to see you on the news!! 🙂

    Have a great night, Sue! Gracie pup and I spent part of the evening watching the world go by from our patio. The birds have been very busy this year! I have nests of newly hatched bluebirds, Carolina wrens, cardinals, mockingbirds, and crows. The crow’s nest must be high up in one of the lob lolly pines. I hear the babies cry, but have not been able to figure out where the nest is yet. It has been fun watching the parents gather food and make dozens of trips to their nests. Sending you and the Crew lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Kiss on the head for the boys! 💕

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Denise,

      I have to laugh at your warning to Roger not to climb the mesquite tree so high that he ends up on the national news. I do everything I can to conceal our location and there’s Roger on tv with a reporter saying “In the town of %#@!, a chihuahua found himself in a predicament . . . . ”

      “Hey! That’s RVSue’s dog!”

      Your home sounds like bird paradise. What a delight to have that variety of birds around you. Crows have a nest at the top of a pine on our neighbor’s property. Oh, what a racket they made today, flying around squawking. Made me wonder if there was a danger that caused them alarm.

      I will look up hummingbirds. They are intriguing little creatures.

      $85 a foot is a good price for a saguaro. I heard the usual price is $100 a foot.

      Thanks for the love and hugs for me and the boys. Sending the same to you and Gracie pup. 🙂

  40. Nancy1340 says:

    I’d like to suggest you look up Diatomaceous earth for exoskeleton critters. It will not harm Reggie or Roger at all nor birds, lizards, snakes, etc.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Thanks, Nancy. Diatomaceous earth was brought up in a recent conversation. I noticed it’s sold in a store near here.

  41. Barb in Florida says:

    Whoa! I was the last comment on the last post and I finally get back and you moved it to the new post. Wow. Thanks Sue. I haven’t had a chance to shop yet as I’ve been reading and enjoying all the comments. I appreciate the suggestions everybody.

    I also feel we are put in a situation at the right place, right time. It happens to me all the time. By word of mouth we found a new friend who needed our help as he fights some health issues. I feel grateful that we are given the opportunity to help out when he really needs it. I think I get more out of it than they do. Once I offered to take a lady’s cart and as I put her last bag into her vehicle, I noticed an old pillow sham she was using as a mat to keep stuff from sliding. It was the same comforter set that was on our bed over 20 years ago. It was like a hello from heaven from my husband. That I had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of something trivial to her (Oh, my sister gave that to me) that just made my day. Like I was supposed to help her so I could see that. Funny coincidence? I don’t think so.

    Well, yes we gave the mother cat some food. Probably not wise, but she looked skinny and seems hungry. It rained pretty good tonight. If they are still there we may have to get a trap. I know from an HOA meeting that they have been trouble in our neighborhood and others have gone that route. I’ll check with the people right behind me, maybe she’s theirs. Our dog does not want them here and they will have to go. We’ve also noticed a decline in the squirrel and bird population in our yard lately.

    Thanks again for all the suggestions everyone. Have a good weekend.
    P.S. I heard ants eat termites. Any termites in AZ?

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Barb,

      What a moving experience that must have been for you, to be led to a tender reminder of your husband. Your kindness was rewarded! Thanks for sharing that.

      Yes, there are termites in Arizona. Every house sold is required to have a termite inspection before the deal is finalized. A house inspection is recommended, which I had done for this property. The inspector explained things that bring termites into a house’s structure, such as stacking wood near the house or having any wood of the house touch the ground.

      As for ants eating termites, I don’t know whether they do or not, but I’m happy to wish them “Bon appetit!” (and I wish the same for the ant-eating lizards).

      Best wishes dealing with the cat situation!

  42. My yard was invaded by desert termites last year. I sent a photo of the mud trails to an exterminator and they confirmed it was termites. They sprayed my whole yard front and back and told me desert termites do not usually invade house. Our trees are doing better and greener than last summer. To be on the safe side I’m going to call the same exterminator to check again this year. I had to rake up the wood chip mulch around the trees and consequently I’m having to water more this spring.

    In the world of advance technology, I’m sure anyone can find another person. Unfortunately, a lot of information is public record that anyone can look up. My friend says ‘I don’t check-in or post where I’m at. I don’t want anyone tracking me.’ I told her I had news for her, our cell phones are tracked and I’m sure other things are as well. We can’t hide anymore if we put ourselves ‘out there.’ So far all these years you’ve been blogging your request to privacy has been acknowledged. We in AZ knew exactly where you were camped albeit it may not have been ‘real time.’ I think the majority of your readers know the importance of maintaining your privacy but there are probably a few lurkers out there you or I know nothing about. Sometimes I think the fact that you emphasize the importance of your privacy might entice others to be challenge to find you. There are crazy people out there who do crazy things. I’m thinking maybe it might have been better to not blog about your purchase of a home (as exciting as it was). Maybe instead might have excused yourself from blogging for six months or more until you start your travels again. I don’t know what the solution is but I feel your frustration in not being able to open up for fear of being discovered and your privacy shattered to Smithereen.

    I don’t know about the young man you met or his circumstances other than he had/has a hard time with a sick wife. It does make you think about things and how lucky we are that we are spared the same ordeal. We just pray for them and ourselves for being healthy, safe, & sheltered. As time goes along, do you think some neighbors might end up reading your blog? As small town goes, I’m sure everyone is as curious as all get out to know more about you. I remember folks peering out their windows when we moved into a new neighborhood. As a teenager, I thought I’d never have friends but one day two girls waited at the corner for me to walk with me to school. They had tons of questions hahaha.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Rita,

      I’m not telling neighbors about my blog. I can only hope that if they come across it they have enough sense not to blab where we are.

      You wrote “Sometimes I think the fact that you emphasize the importance of your privacy might entice others to be challenge to find you.” I’m in a Catch-22. If I hadn’t emphasized the privacy thing, I’d have people dropping in. I know this because as soon as I backed off from the topic, people started coming by. If I say nothing, the problem continues. If I DO say something, I might be enticing people who think it’s a game.

      When one is in process of buying a house it is not a good idea to stop a source of income which is what I would have done by not blogging for six months. RV blogging is very competitive these days, so many are good and people are enticed by youtube videos and other features I don’t have an interest in. I suspect this is why several of my readers have gone away for a few weeks and then came back to catch up.

      To stop my blog for months would lose readership, as well as income. Once a reader develops new habits, it’s hard to get them back. Gee, when the email notification doesn’t work, some readers don’t bother even to check if I’ve posted. I’m not complaining, just pointing out the realities of blogging. People are free to do what they want.

      To hide something as momentous a change in my life as buying a house is, plus living with my sister, is opposite of what most of my readers appreciate about my blog: my honesty.

      This is what is called “a sticky wicket” which I suppose is a British way of saying “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

      Thanks, Rita, for weighing in on this topic with your unique perspective.

  43. Deborah Kauffeld says:

    Hello fellow Zonie and desert rat! (AKA Sue)

    Now that you have joined us blessed desert dwellers I have a couple recommendations for you. The first is a book that helped me to really learn about the desert and fall in love with this unique ecosystem – A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert. I cannot say enough about this wonderful book. I have the first edition but a second one is out now, available on Amazon. It’s a real treat, one I know you’d love.

    Second recommendation – if you haven’t already, check out Native Seed Search located in Tucson. They are a wonderful organization tasked with preserving seeds from the desert that would otherwise disappear. If you plan on starting a garden you might find some of their seeds or “how to’s” helpful. This can be done online or in person; if nothing else it should prove interesting.

    Finally, I so get the privacy issue. I had occasion to lose my privacy for a while (nothing nefarious, at least on my part!). Since then I guard my privacy ferociously. While I am on Facebook I have never allowed my photo to be shown either by me or others. It’s my way of keeping my privacy. While I certainly don’t know your story, I not only respect your desire to maintain that privacy but would encourage it!

    Best of luck in your new endeavors as a new desert rat from an “older” desert rat! I cannot wait to see your posts on the monsoon! Here’s to a good one!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Deborah,

      I’m always interested in what a Zonie has to say about our new home state! Immediately upon reading your comment I looked up that Natural History book on Amazon and found it… whoa, way too costly for my budget. I imagine it’s a wonderful book, like you say. I’ll piece together the information I need with books from the thrift store and kindle bargain books on the subject.

      Thank you for all the information you shared. I was not aware of Native Seed Search. What a great purpose that organization has!

      I once had a drop-in visitor take my photo without my permission which made me furious. I have a feeling you are able to understand why that bothered me. Thank you for stating your view on privacy issues.

      Yes, happy monsoon to you, too, Deborah! I’m looking forward to it!

      • Columbus Calvin says:

        Sue, see if your local library can do an interlibrary loan from the Pima County Public Library. They have that book, and it’s available.

        • rvsueandcrew says:

          Excellent idea, Calvin! Now why didn’t I think of the library! 🙂

          • Columbus Calvin says:

            I’ve been reading more books than most people for longer than the average person has lived. If I had to buy them all, I’d be in deep trouble. Thank my fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Finan, for bi-weekly field trips to the local library. I certainly do. She had a reading period in our day, too, when she would read good books to us.

        • rvsueandcrew says:

          I found it! Yay! Thank you, Calvin and Deborah! I looked at the preview page which includes the table of contents. A treasure trove of information. I see many hours of enjoyment and education ahead for me. 🙂

      • Deborah Kauffeld says:

        Sue, did you notice the first edition was available as used? At least one copy was only $1.99 plus shipping, much more affordable than the price of the new copy. Guess I’m really wanting you to have this book! Of course there should be a copy in the library. In my first couple years I made constant reference to it. Because it is broken down seasonally I’d use to to tell me what the coming attractions would be! I hope you can find a way to get your hands on a copy!

        It truly is unfortunate that some people see boundaries that another may set up as a challenge to be conquered, hence taking a photo when the subject has made their “no picture” boundary abundantly clear. Certainly not a person I’d want to be friends with.

        Monsoon, by far, is my very favorite season of the year and I know I’m not the only one. There is something so amazingly magical about a dry desert suddenly turning into the tropics and the life that comes with it! Soon enough!

        Have a great Saturday!

        • Deborah Kauffeld says:

          I see you found it already! Obviously I should’ve read the rest of the comments! Duh! I’m so happy! Can you see me doing my happy dance??? You are going to LOVE it!!!

          • rvsueandcrew says:

            I placed the order…. Hee-hee…. I’m so excited! I also ordered two other items that I’ve wanted for a long time, all paid for with credit card points. 🙂

            • Deborah Kauffeld says:

              Now I’m really happy!!!! However, I must stop my happy dance so I can get my little guy out for his walk before the heat begins to set in. Gonna be a hot one today!!! This, by the way, is my least favorite season which is what makes monsoon all the better when it shows up! Oh, the old measure of mo1nsoon’s official start was three days in a row of 55 degree dew point in a row. Then that first day was considered the first day of monsoon. Much more accurate than what the weather people do now by just assigning arbitrary dates.

        • rvsueandcrew says:

          You are a wonderful mentor for this Arizona newbie. 🙂

          Your words about loving monsoon season echo what my realtor said. She loves monsoon, too.

          Happy Saturday to you, too, Deborah!

  44. Rover Ronda (WA) says:

    Awww! I love the last picture of Reggie and his rope toy.

  45. rvsueandcrew says:

    PLEASE NOTE:

    If your comment is edited or deleted in its entirety, try to understand I only do so with a good reason. — Sue

  46. Anita says:

    Stories about human connection are always special with or without details. I like the fact that the lack of details triggered a memory for me of a similar encounter and I filled in my own details from my memory. To have a moment to reflect and appreciate where we are and how we got there as a result of feeling someone else’s struggle is a gift.

  47. Cynthia in San Clemente says:

    Sue, I was going to make the same suggestion as Becky in NJ about “fictionalizing” your writing, but I can see how that would be difficult to keep the fictionalized details straight. You have a tough dilemma; so much of your blog BH (Before House) was a sort of photo-narrative and now, photos could be too much of a giveaway of your location. On the other had, you are a strong writer and I’m sure you will still be able to convey interesting stories and profound observations using photographs that are not so telling.

    I had to smile at your story of the young man sharing so much of his personal life with you, as someone who defines herself as a very private person. My husband always marvels at how many strangers tell him personal details of their lives, when he is such a private person himself. I tease him that it is his interrogation skills, developed from years of law enforcement experience. But really, I think he is truly interested in other people and a good listener – as I suspect you are.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Cynthia,

      Yes, it is a “tough dilemma.” I’m trusting that I’ll overcome it by taking each day (each post), one at a time. As often is the case with my writing, during the formation of a product (a blog post) a method of creating that product evolves. In other words it’s backwards from the way we usually approach a task by first learning how and then executing the steps we’ve learned.

      Many of my readers are interested in the RVing theme of my blog, whether they’re wannabes, newbies, established full-time RVers or part-time RVers, or once-were RVers. Also I have readers who like to travel vicariously without any plans or desire to do so themselves. This is a large group of folks!

      How do I keep them interested? Well, I assume they are complex, unique individuals with many interests. As I explore and enjoy new and old interests while living in a house, my writing will include that. I’m hoping it will be enough to carry those readers to the times when the crew and I do live on the road again. Maybe new readers will join us!

      I’ve thought very carefully about what you wrote in your last paragraph. Here’s another possible reason for private people being chosen as recipients of personal information voluntarily offered by others. Since we are private, we don’t readily share our own information. Therefore, we are receptive to the information of others. We present an open door, so to speak.

      You probably can recall a conversation with someone where in hindsight you realize it was more a back-and-forth where both parties lob from their side (POV, experiences, whatever) like in a tennis match. This is typical, “light” conversation or what was once known as “polite” conversation. It has strict boundaries and rules. We all participate in this, no matter what our natural inclination regarding interaction with others.

      The private person is less interested in this type of conversation, however, because he/she finds it confining and soon bores of it (often mistaken for shyness). The person with a need to express themselves senses this “door ajar” and subconsciously is drawn to step through it, knowing therein lies an opportunity to go full throttle in revealing what’s on their heart at the time, and they also feel secure that what they say will not be rejected or overridden by a “lob” in return.

      • Cynthia in San Clemente says:

        And I, in turn, have thought a lot (while folding 4 loads of laundry) about what you just wrote. I think your last paragraph really hits the nail on the head, especially the last sentence about feeling “secure” that what they have to say will not be rejected or overridden. Also, I think our Maker has placed deep within us a need for fellowship – which is not “polite conversation,” but meeting another human being on a deeper level. The young man who shared his story with you and caused you to weep in the car shared something much deeper and more universal than a conversation about the weather. In some way, he sensed that you were someone with whom he could fellowship.

  48. Susan in Dallas says:

    So glad you are continuing to blog as your writing is so well done and your stories bring back such good memories for me as well as present new information. I guess I like your blog so much as it is always so positive. Thanks for continuing.

  49. My daughter and I bought seeds from Native Seeds. Unfortunately we planted too late in the season…the corn burned from tense summer heat, the watermelon did well but were not sweet (might be our soil), the squash came out excellent. A year later we visited my niece in New Mexico. Her husband’s family planted and harvested for generations into ancient times. Their produce sell at high price because it’s organic and no pesticide are used in their fields just like they did generations before. Anyway, they gave us six ears of corn, two watermelons, cantaloupe, some squash, chilies, beans. We ate the items given to us and saved the seeds. I have them stored in clay vase like they do on the rez. I’m hoping when I get my garden going again I’ll be able to plant using organic methods.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      You have treasure, rita! Planting those seeds will produce more seeds and the legacy will go on . . . .

      Wonderful! I wish you a bountiful crop from your garden of heritage seeds.

  50. Kaye Schmidt says:

    Kaye from Oregon

    Our home on the side of a hill backs up to a huge wooded area and so we have tons of birds in our backyard. So many times a day I hear “thump” on our windows because the birds think they can fly thru. I had post-it notes hung to break up the reflection on all the windows. So I called the Audubon Society in Portland and asked for advice. They said to hang the post-its on the “OUTSIDE” of the glass NOT inside.

    Sometimes hitting the window knocks the wind out of them so I just get a soft towel and cup them & set them up on the patio table. They recoup from the wind knocked out of them after 5-10 minutes & they will fly off.

    Once a hummingbird flew in our door & right up to the HIGH part of our ceiling. It took me 2 hours 15 minutes to get him outside. He would not fly anywhere low so I finally brought a short ladder half way in the patio door-put my hummer feeder on the top hopeing he would try to eat & then exit backwards & upwards which would take him skyward. That worked !!!

    The craziest save yet was-a bird ended up caught behind the wood trim at the end of the builtin bookcase and the wall(top was not finished & closed) I heard wings keep fluttering- down behind wall & finally figured out where he was stuck. My hubby got a shop vac and a very LONG extension hose -stood on a ladder and luckily it sucked the bird on its side-pulled him up and we let him loose.There was NO way he could of had enough room to fly upwards on his own & get out of there. We were so proud of our quick thinking. (and so lucky hose got him on birds side & not on his beak)

    I am loving hearing about your getting settled-thank you for sharing !!!!Happy to hear you are “home” !!! but yet can still “go” when you feel wanting that adventure !!!

    We all Love hearing about the critters in your yard !!!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Fascinating comment, Kaye. Love your bird rescues! I’m also loving the detailed stories from blogorinos under this post. Thank you for taking the time to tell us what goes on at your nest. 🙂

      I appreciate the feedback on the recent blog posts, the ones since we moved into the house. About critters in the yard, I was thrilled upon waking today to peek out the window and spy two Gambel’s Quail in the back yard. Love those birds! I didn’t try for photos because Roger would barge out of the house with me and chase them away. He’s very much IN CHARGE of this property!

      Hope you’re enjoying the weekend, Kaye.

  51. rvsueandcrew says:

    I appreciate the feelings that prompted your comment, JazzLover. I admit I reacted similarly.

    However, I’d rather that criticisms not be directed at another blogorino. It puts me in a position of someone getting mad at me no matter what I say or do or if I do nothing at all.

    Having stated that, I do want to add a thank you to both of you for caring enough about our privacy to comment on it.

    Okay… {{{group hug}}}

  52. Lisa in San Diego says:

    in your town or city, I hope you have a good library and a fun dog park — with privacy concerns trumping photos, of course

    where I live, I have a county library card and a city card

    maybe your area allows that, too 🙂

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Lisa,

      With internet, all one needs is the electronic device and, voila! one also has a library!

      🙂

  53. Val R. Lakefield Ontario, (Currently in Prince Edward Island Canada) says:

    Hi Sue,
    Was off line so just getting to check your blog. I was having trouble with ants getting at my hummingbird feeder until my daughter told me they hate coffee grounds. My feeder is on a pole so I put lots of my used up coffee grounds around then bottom of the pole.
    It is working well so far. Don’t know if it works for AZ ants though.
    So we have been on the road since last Sunday. Went to see Hopewell cape rocks in New Brunswick, you can walk on the ocean floor & stand under the rocks when tide is out, several hours later it is all water. You can watch it on You Tube…Took 15 minutes to cross Confederation Bridge into PEI….”Some folks love the bridge & some hate it” so said the girl at the tourist info booth. I know the only time I am crossing is to go home and that’s it.😊 I like to read of you and the crew in your new home. I am glad your are all settling in still having the option to travel at will.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      I like your coffee grounds solution for keeping ants off the hummingbird feeder pole. Using stuff we have around the house is always appealing to me. Thanks. I have a feeling I’ll use that tip one day.

      Your report on Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick is quite a contrast to what many of us are experiencing right now. Apparently you are having a great time. I’m happy for you, Val R.!

  54. Ann says:

    I had trouble with ants invading the dog food and kitchen cabinet. I laid down bay leaves. In the morning no ants. Don’t know if it works outside or with different species of ants.
    At my new place, big red ants are having a field day carrying off birdseed from the block. I’m thinking about putting it on a small table with legs sitting in cans of water.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Smart plan, Ann, about the table in water It should work.

      Bay leaves! I never would’ve thought of that. What a clever idea!

      Thanks for adding more good info for all of us…

  55. Ruthie in Fontana says:

    Hi Sue and blogorinos, I have been following along and had to weigh in regarding the privacy issue. Sue you are doing all of the right things, yeah there may be a few “nuts” or “creeps” lurking but by and large they wont take the time to actually do anything. The best way you are keeping private is with the blogorinos. If you are lucky enough to be a blogorino you are the one to protect and defend Sue’s privacy. I did google the question “How do celebrity’s keep their privacy” and there a a few good tips.

    On another note the reason I keep coming back to this blog day after day is the interaction I get from Sue and everyone. There is not one blog or vlog I read that will take the time to respond to a comment. Sue not only responds but it is obvious she reads every word and answers with honest, loving, feelings.

    Sue please keep this going like you said (there are many reasons you have the high readership you have). We are like an Arizona Garden we need tending to in order to blossom.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Ooh, I like that! We’re an Arizona Garden of blossoms! What a lovely variety of blooms appear here. 🙂

      Thank you for the kind words about my blog and for being a part of what makes it “work.” I appreciate you reading my posts and for being a loyal blogorino, Ruthie!

  56. AZ Jim says:

    GAWD! This “privacy” issue has become a monster that threatens to consume what has been a wonderful place to rest and enjoy. I don’t know the solution but maybe one could ask one of the Hollywood stars who have this problem 24/7? Wanna buy a map to the stars? Sharing your frustrations…. Jim

    • az jim says:

      I resent losing a friend and great place to relax because of a few thoughtless jerks who cannot understand the difference between a written word and someones private life.

      • weather says:

        This will pass, Jim, and we’ll be able to relax here as we normally do. I’m not worried because I know Sue will figure out ways to tell stories without causing issues regarding her living in the house. We won’t lose Sue, her blog or our friends on here, we’ll just walk with her through this adjustment period. Love and hugs to you and Detta, weather

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Jim!

      The “monster” will fade away once I cover it up with another blog post. 🙂 weather is right, this topic will pass.

      The blog isn’t going anywhere except plodding along, post by post, as it always has done.

      As for “losing a friend,” I won’t let that happen!

      Love to you and Detta always,
      Missy

      P.S. It’s hot in Arizona.

  57. Terri in Tx. says:

    Well I, for one, enjoy ALL your stories, and have ever since your first year on the road! I have enjoyed your travel tales and now look forward to your tales of AZ! Bret and I are on the brink of retirement and are looking to move out of Texas to get much closer to where we want to travel. I am also tired of the awful humidity we have to endure most of the year. We may just move back to my hometown of San Antonio-except it isn’t a “town” anymore. So, I read that many retirees move to AZ. Is the heat endurable cause its so dry there? Or do people have to go North in the summer? Anyone know of any really nice retirement, mobile home or not, communities? Also love the idea of a xeriscaped lawn! Any stories, or tidbits of info. is appreciated! 😁. P.s. love seeing Roger up a tree and that adorable pic of Reggie at the end!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Terri!

      Great questions! The kind that are fun to answer! I’m tempted to post my answers right away and I’m sure blogorinos will have much to say in response, too. I’m working on the next post and hope to have it finished before lunch, Arizona time. When it’s posted, I’ll move your comment under it.

      As you can see, with 174 comments, most readers have come here and gone. I don’t want your questions to be overlooked. Talk to you later! 🙂

      Blogorinos: Please wait and write your replies under the next post so they’ll all be in one place. Thank you. –Sue

  58. A gal and a cat in Florida says:

    WOW big changes. GO SUE.
    I am not gone as you mentioned some are. Just traveling and super busy, I took a couple months off from reading my favorite blog. I had gotten to the pat in April or whenever you had something to tell us. Have to admit I am surprised. But very happy for you. In reality, you did what you wanted for years. There are few places you missed, gorgeous sunsets,nature adventures and solitude. Family is so important and as we get older it sinks in more. Still having the BLT just makes it seem right. There for when you want. I am so glad you *change*was for the good. You gals will have fun catching up and you can show her around your beloved desert areas you know so well. How wonderful for you!
    My life has changed too and I’m really enjoying it. I have a small tt,smaller than your Casita and SUV I have traveled the west with, my 3rd summer now. Dont do Florida in summer! This year I am in far north Montana my favorite state just outside west entrance to Glacier park. Doing reservations a few hrs a week for a gorgeous park. Love the area, the wildlife and most of all the great people I *work* for if you call it that. Get to meet so many happy people but have a lot of time to myself. Being mostly a solitary person, i surprise myself with the need to chat, wave ect with others. I must have missed it. I still take off for hours to explore the back country alone. Oh and my bosses provided me eith a much bigger travel trailer with all the convienences including bath and kitchen. Just because. Incredible. Loving every minute of this amazing different summer. We (my old kitty and I) have a beautiful prime spot in the back under 2 trees,lots of privacy. Life is good.
    I do hope sometime you will share your location so we get an idea. Doubtful these great blogerinos will sit in your driveway to gawk @you. No address, just the town. I am a loyal reader,not leaving and have enjoyed you, the doggies and most of all the adventures. Keep it up, we luv ya.
    G

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Such an exciting and interesting turn of events for you, G! Also very informative for readers regarding the opportunities that can spring up, unplanned for. I want everyone to see what you’ve written.

      No, I’ll never reveal the town, although I expect someone will do so at a point in the future. Yes, it is doubtful our “great blogorinos” would sit in my driveway. There do exist a few people who would cruise back and forth, rubberneck, gawk, take pictures. Those are the ones I’m guarding against.

      I’m in the middle of putting a new post together so it’s hard for me to respond the way I want right now. Maybe I’ll move your comment under the next post. Bye for now!

  59. A gal and a cat in Florida says:

    PS
    I’m older than you😄

  60. JazzLover says:

    Hi Sue, after reading the comments just a thought and this may not apply as you may have shade trees, etc. When I lived in SE. Az in a mobile, I bought some sun shade cloth, from Home Depot now called, sunscreen shade cloth. Comes in different colors. Had a neighbor make the frame and I stapled the cloth to the frame, the neighbor put it over the south and west facing windows. A huge difference in cutting down the heat before we put the a/c on each day. Brought the rest back east with me, did the same with south and west facing windows here. Been in place for 15 years, stands up well. For what it’s worth. Oh, you may want to check yards sales for cactus, and succulent cuttings.

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