Summer wrap-up!
With much to report since my last post, this entry is a collection of snippets gathered from the past several months. Life at our southwest Arizona home continues to be a mix of challenges and blessings the way life always is.
I apologize for the lapse in posting. You are never far from my thoughts and hopes for your happiness and well-being never cease. — Sue
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So, here we go . . .
After dreaming about roses for the 30-foot flower bed that runs the length of the front porch, Wal-Mart has the sale I hoped for. It’s late spring and not a good time to plant roses. Regardless, I take the risk and scoop up ten bushes of cherry-red Knock-outs.
Turns out Arizona has one of the hottest and driest summers, according to my neighbor’s recent memory.
If I can just keep them alive through the summer . . . .
Success!
It’s touch-and-go in July. It looks like the war may be lost. I fertilize them on Labor Day and, wow, victory! Bright, beautiful blooms over healthy, dark green leaves — I count 22 blooms on one bush alone!
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Dang, I love our truck!
It’s a 2013 Chevy Silverado, V8, 4×4, with an ARE camper top.
The crew and I haven’t gone camping with it yet (too hot). Gradually I’m outfitting it for a new-to-us style of camping.
From Amazon I purchase a Luggable Loo portable toilet and a Wolfwise privacy “room” to put it in. I got a nice-sized cooler with wheels last spring for our camp at Blythe, California. Next on my wish list is a little propane stove for making coffee. Not sure which brand to get . . . .
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Rabbit Village!
The rabbit population in our neighborhood has exploded! Rabbits are everywhere, including three that reside within our fenced yard. Roger chases them. They zigzag so much that he can’t keep up and quits. I don’t think he really wants to catch one; just has to show that this is his yard. Reggie chased a few times. Now he sits and watches the chase with mild interest.
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Friday night crisis!
Absentmindedly I press the lever and . . . “Oh no, the toilet doesn’t flush!”
What to do? I don’t want to call a plumber over the weekend. Hmmm . . .
“Aha! Now’s a good time to try out my new Luggable Loo!”
The portable toilet does what it was designed to do and the following Monday the plumber unclogs the drain ($119).
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A great start to every day!
Since last spring Reggie, Roger, and I go for early walks around the neighborhood. We take off at first light, sometimes so early the neighbors’ automatic lights are still on. Anticipating daily highs in the 90s and often into the 100s, the cool morning air is a delight.
Reggie appoints himself personal trainer. At the first seep of light through our bedroom window, he pops up like toast from a toaster and burrows his head under my back, pushing with hind legs.
“C’mon! Get up! Let’s go!”
Once we’re out the door, Roger sets a brisk pace as we head down the middle of the road (in the middle lessens stops for marking bushes).
Watching what I eat, plus this daily walk of only 1-2 miles, takes off the extra pounds of winter-weight!
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Everything’s clearer now!
Over the summer my vision becomes increasingly cloudy. A visit to the eye clinic confirms what I suspect — cataracts. Laser surgery is scheduled.
It being The Summer of 2020, here’s the routine: Get tested for Covid, self-quarantine for ten days, have laser surgery on one eye, recover, get tested for Covid, self-quarantine for ten days, have laser surgery on the other eye, recover.
In case you have cataracts developing, I want to assure you the surgery isn’t something to worry about. Just go ahead and get it done. It’s not a big deal. You’ll be happily surprised how clearer and brighter your world becomes.
The morning of the first surgery . . .
I’m lying in the reclining chair while the technicians bustle about, preparing me for the procedure. My blood pressure is taken.
“Excellent! Usually blood pressure rises before surgery. Yours is perfect!”
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Sorry, no photos!
My camera is old and worn-out. I can take pics with my phone, although I find it more difficult to get the composition I want. The port for the cable to transfer photos to my laptop is also worn-out. A wireless transfer is possible. It’s a cumbersome and tedious task, especially getting the photos into Picasa. I’m hesitating to spend the bucks for a new camera at this time.
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Expenses are piling up.
In addition to the camera, my glasses are old. The eye clinic gave me a new prescription for progressive lenses which I prefer to use instead of readers. This on-and-off business is not cutting it!
Oh, and the air conditioner died. Yep. Happened in June and we’ve been living without a/c ever since. I blocked the skylights and a western window and set up two oscillating fans. Amazingly, we haven’t suffered. By 5:30 p.m. it’s hot in the house. That’s when I take a cold shower (heavenly) and then, sometimes, the boys and I go out on the porch while the house cools.
The HVAC guy showed me photos of how the coolant poured out from several leaks, making repair costs nearly half the price of a new unit. It’s a hybrid (gas and electric/heat and ac) and sits on top of the roof. The estimate to replace with a quality unit is $5,000 plus.
Since the heater part still works, I probably won’t have the unit replaced until after the first of next year.
All those years boondocking prepared us for this! Funny how that works!
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The summer of 2020 . . . .
Life for Reggie, Roger, and me has been good these past few months. I’m grateful for our many blessings, large and small. It’s not all cherry-red roses, of course. The main thing is we’re happy, healthy and content, and I know this is where we should be at this time in our lives.
Thank you for being here. I appreciate you sticking with rvsue and her canine crew, through thick and thin.
God bless you,
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM RVSUE!
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable 5 Gallon Toilet
It works! What more can I say?
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WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Shower Tent Portable Outdoor Sun Shelter Camp Toilet Changing Dressing Room
I’ll put the Luggable Loo in this privacy tent and that will be my restroom when truck camping. It will also be my dressing room. (Ever tried getting dressed without standing up?) The tent provides plenty of room. Easy to pop up and easy to fold up, once you get the hang of it. Stores in a handy bag.
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I used this cooler when we camped at Blythe, CA, last spring and was pleased how it kept my food cool. It’s the perfect size to slide into the truck bed next to the mattress.
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You can use any of the links above to enter Amazon. Then shop for whatever you want and a portion of what you spend supports this blog. Thanks! — Sue
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