Tuesday, November 7
After a day of leisure at camp, Reggie, Roger, and I board the Perfect Tow Vehicle. We rumble across the desert to the paved road that connects Midland Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA) to the town of Blythe, California, ten miles to the southeast.
“Hold on a second, guys. I’ve never seen a cotton plant up close.”
Gosh, all those years living in the Southeast . . . .
I park the PTV on the shoulder and get out.
I hop across the ditch and position myself at the edge of the field.
After a few shots of the field, I squat and aim the lens for a close-up.
Lovely! I’m glad I took the time . . . .
Midland Road becomes Lovekin Boulevard. We approach Palo Verde Middle School and High School.
The parking lot is full of vehicles and students.
The sidewalk is lined with bushes spilling yellow blossoms in brilliant colorfalls. Of course, I want to take pictures.
(These photos were taken the following weekend. I didn’t think it a good idea to be found peeking through the bushes with a camera while school is in session.)
(After this post was published, a blogorino informed me this is Yellow Trumpet Flower.)
“Go, Yellow Jackets!”
We turn onto Hobson Way.
“K-Mart, here we come!”
My selection of clothes for warm weather could use a few additions. I’ve never been a “clothes hog” but, living as a full-time RVer who relies on laundromats, one needs to maintain clothing balance.
“Do tell us, RVSue . . . What is this thing you call “clothing balance?”
Okay, since you asked . . .
Clothing balance means one’s supply of clean shirts and shorts keeps pace with one’s supply of clean undies. I mean, what’s the point in having a four-week supply of panties if the other stuff you wear needs washing in two weeks?
I say, old girl! This is just the kind of fine tuning of the full-timing life that brings folks to RVSue and her canine crew!
~ ~ ~
“Oh, darn! K-Mart has closed down.”
Well, not a big deal for me but I bet it’s a big deal for a little town like Blythe or at least for the people who had jobs there.
After a quick turn-around in the sad and empty parking lot, we shoot across the street to Ace Hardware where the parking lot is happy and full.
“What pretty flowers!” I exclaim.
Grabbing my camera again, I jump out and rush over to a planter at the edge of the parking lot.
I’ve seen these blooms somewhere . . . in a Japanese painting? In a design on fabric?
(Blogorinos identified this plant as Mexican Bird of Paradise.)
Wonders never cease!
I don’t expect to buy clothes at Ace, but I’m all set to shop and, dang it, SHOP IS WHAT I’LL DO!
Let’s see . . . What shall I get? I know! White spray paint! (The metal cover for the stove is worn and shabby.) Oh boy, another project to procrastinate about!
I find the “helpful hardware woman.”
She takes me to an aisle with shelves of spray paint lined up like prisoners behind cage-like doors. She finds what I want, inserts a key, and unlocks the floor-to-ceiling metal door.
“What? You keep the paint locked up?”
“Yeah,” she replies. “California state law.”
At the PTV two cute faces bob around on the other side of the window as I fumble with my keys while holding my wallet, a can of spray paint, and a package of chew bones “Made in U.S.A.”
(I forgot to bring my own bag, of course.)
Reggie and Roger are tired of waiting in the PTV.
“Just a little bit longer. You can get out and run around at the library.”
I keep my promise. Reg and Rog are happy boys, zigzagging on the grass in a high-speed sniff-a-thon. My library card that I obtained last winter is accepted. I carry out my treasure — five books.
It’s nice to be here . . . pleasant weather, sharing another day with my boys, doing ordinary things.
Before returning to camp, the crew and I zip over to the other side of town, the east side.
(The plant in the photo is Bougainvillea.)
At Twin Palms RV Supply and Repair where the BLT got her new fridge last winter, I chat with Karen, the pleasant and cheerful woman who keeps the place going.
If you need a crazy, obscure, little thing-a-ma-jig specifically made for the whatcha-ma-call-it in your RV, you can depend upon Karen, without skipping a beat, to find it for you, either in the store or in the catalog.
Women like Karen are the backbone of our nation!
Ha!
After we catch up on things happening in Blythe (her) and on the road (me), I make an appointment for the Best Little Trailer to have her (the BLT”s) 12-volt system repaired. I mention wanting the new Wave 3 heater installed, too, and Karen advises me to go to Cosme’s Propane up the street.
More about those appointments in another post!
rvsue
NOTE: You might have missed some of the recipes and late comments that came in after I posted the Thanksgiving card. You can find them under the post “Cotton fields and hefty rotisserie chicken — Back in Blythe, CA.”
BTW, I loved your Thanksgiving greetings! My readers are the best in all the blogosphere! — Sue
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
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Love the pictures!
CONGRATULATIONS, JOY! FIRST AGAIN! WHAT A CHAMP! 🙂
I always love to see cotton fields…looks like snow.
BLOGORINOS.… I probably won’t reply to all comments. I spent so much time putting this post together that Reggie and Roger are being pesky, like toddlers who’ve been ignored. I’ll stop in here now and again and see what I can do.
Revision: “and see what they’ll let me do.” 🙂
I love it when I come shopping and find a new post!
Sadly I’ll read it later. I need to put something in my cart and get going to Church.
See y’all later. Happy Sunday!
Good morning sue and the crew, looks like fun times in Blythe. I hope your thanksgiving was peaceful and quiet.
Stay safe out there my friend, judy
Blythe looks from Ohio!
Top 5!
Hi Sue, was on the previous blog when you popped up with a new entry…used to see the cotton fields near my previous home and when I saw your photos I felt like I was seeing an old friend…cotton fields reminded my siblings and I of living in snow country growing up…some of them go to snow country now but I don’t handle cold very well so I’ll see their videos and albums in the comfort of my home. Thank you for the lovely flowering plants…beautiful…Thank Reggie and Roger for my cute doggie fix.
Take Care and may your days be peaceful
They were harvesting cotton in NC on Thanksgiving,Fascinating to watch.It is a cash crop for areas with poor soil.
Sounds like everyone had a good Thanksgiving, except possibly those who were harvesting cotton on thanksgiving day. I am ready to get back into the “wild” and out of Henderson but have to wait til after my bone scan tomorrow. Have been in an rv park for the past week and am feeling claustrophobic. Boy, do they pack ’em in close together! It is a relief to see your photos of wide open spaces and the boys. Thanks, again, for sharing with us.
Those cotton pics were lovely. But look at the prickers on them! Can you imagine picking cotton by hand! You wouldn’t have skin left by the end of the day – or at least I wouldn’t.
The hulls as they are called are as sharp as razor blades and very hard. My Grandparents were both sharecroppers and picked cotton in Arkansas. They told us stories when I was young about how your hands are bloody by the end of the day and your back feels like it is breaking. Hot, dirty, painful work and very exhausting work back in the 1920s.
Hi, Deb,
So many of us have it far easier than our grandparents had it. I had a friend in Georgia, she was in her 80s. She picked cotton as a child.
Thanks for an interesting comment!
Seems so funny to me that you’re buying summer clothes when we’re getting ready to hunker down for the winter here. I think I might be a tad jealous.
Thank you for the photos of the cotton, it’s such an amazing plant, beautiful and with so many uses. The one time I stayed with friends who grew it ( in Mississippi, on one of my cross-country trips) it was late December, so I’ve never seen a field of it growing.
Hopefully, you’ll find somewhere else to balance your summer wardrobe. I’m glad you found great ways to spend your time on that trip into town . Seeing blossoms, getting the crew chew bones,and books to read all sounds nice. Watching your happy boys zip around on grass, and finding solutions to long term problems you’ve had to deal with sounds terrific 🙂 !
Loved the pics. But a question of a random nature. The cotton looked ready to use as a cotton ball. Is it processed in some manner before being sold as cotton balls? I know nothing about cotton. And those flowers. Wow. Beautiful colors! What are they?
Hi, Stephanie,
I found this at answers.com: “After the raw cotton has been cleaned, bleached & dried it gets carded and made into large sheets, which then get compressed and cut to the appropriate size.” I don’t know if that’s correct or not.
Some cotton balls are synthetic, not real cotton.
Blogorinos: Do you know the identity of the blossoms: 1) the yellow? 2) the red and orange? 3) Is that bougainvillea?
LATER: Thanks for your help, all you flower experts! 🙂 I inserted the identity of the plants under the photos in the post. — Sue
1) hibiscus 2) is mysterious and hard to discern, it looks like a flowered vine with bulbs on it is growing amid a separate bush, so at first glance I’d guess an orchid, it could be wild amaryllis, or ? 3) yes, bougainvillea
The red and orange flower I had in my backyard in T or C! Its called the dessert bird of paradise! One of my favorites!
I answered earlier but it showed up at the bottom instead of under your request! I’ll try again and you can delete the one on bottom!
I think the first yellow one is Oleander.
Thanks, Geri, it was driving me bonkers, ha! I looked up desert bird of paradise photos, found one called Mexican desert bird of paradise, it looks just like Sue’s pictures.
The Mexican Bird of Paradise is the correct name. Had a temporary brain fart and all I could think of was desert Bird if Paradise, I knew as soon as I posted it that it was wrong but could not think of the correct name to save my soul! Thanks to Emily O and Weather for the correct name!
EmilyO has the best answer for number 1, I looked for photos of yellow trumpet bushes and found they are just like your photos. I’m glad other people are identifying flowers today 😉 !
I’m glad for their help, too! And yours, weather. You’ve shown your talent for identifying birds and flowers more than once on this blog. 🙂
Oh oh, Roger is looking down out the PTV window. Hope he’s not planning on jumping down. We had a dog once who tried to jump out the window with her harness and collar on…she about hung herself except a good Samaritan saved her. The tied her to shade tree with a note on our car window. Now, I roll my windows up so they can’t get out. They’re good about staying in vehicle except our new dog Izzy. She will find a way to escape no doubt. She hasn’t learn the word ‘stay’ yet or ‘down’ and other commands. Nice to see photos of flowers. We got invaded by desert termites this summer and they destroyed most of our plants (even tho they are suppose to eat only dead plants). My cactus plants, pine tree, cotton wood tree are either dead or in various stages of dying. We had termite treatment done and probably will do so again late spring.
Hi, Rita,
No need for concern about the crew jumping out, although it looks like they could. When you see a photo of them looking out the window… The window comes down for a few seconds while I aim and focus the camera. I snap the pic and the window goes up. I don’t even take the time to see if their faces appear in the side mirror. If they do, I’m happy.
Bummer about the termites.
Great post, as usual.
Comments and questions:
1) I appreciate your sensitivity in when and not to take photographs. I’m not sure that would be on my radar.
2) I hope someone can identify the flowers in your photographs, especially the yellow ones. I’ve seen them around but have no idea what they are called.
3) Thanks, too, for posting up-close photos of the cotton plants. We passed miles of them when traveling from Casa Grande to Maricopa (and also outside Tucson) and really wanted to stop and examine the plant as I wasn’t sure if those white blobs were blossoms or the actual cotton but there was no good place to stop. What I remember from my Civil War era reading is how hard the so-called fluffy cotton was on hands.
4) And the nosy librarian here wants to know what books you checked out from the library but my librarian confidentiality ethics will respect your privacy if you don’t wish to divulge that info. 🙂
5) My book rec for the week is ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman. I kept hearing how good it was and it lived up to its reputation; it was marvelous and I didn’t want it to end. Readers of A MAN CALLED OVE will love it.
Take care everyone!
Robin
Hi, Robin,
1) Thank you.
2) Maybe identities of flowers will show up in a reply to Stephanie. I don’t know what they are.
3) You’re welcome.
4) I don’t recall all the titles of the books. Some of them were duds. One was a Louis L’Amour western. Ever so often I like to read a L’Amour. This one was “Wild Horse Mesa” which is near Glen Canyon and Page. Another book was “The Green Mile” by Stephen King. Not a horror book (people think that’s all he writes). It was a very good read. I like the way Stephen King puts words together and he sure does know how to invent a plot and reveal characters!
5) Thanks for the book recommendation!
Have you seen the 1999 movie (The Green Mile)? Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan. It’s available on Amazon streaming.
Lou, I was going to say the same thing. 🙂
Sue, I don’t know if you are aware of this, but I remember when the Green Mile books were published as a series in five (I think) separate paperbacks. It used to drive us bonkers trying to help find the books in the correct order. I was so glad when it was published as one book.
And yes, Stephen King is a master in creating fabulous and sympathetic characters. Every year one of his books would appear on my best list, and I would tell patrons that even if readers don’t like every book he’s written, we have to admire his storytelling and character development abilities.
Robin …. Something about the way Stephen King writes, parts of a sentence will jump out at me and stick. For instance….(as best I can recall)….
“hammering out their horrors on the demon forge.”
Haha! What an outstanding way to describe evil people!
No, I haven’t, Lou. I bet it’s good. I’m glad I read the book. I’ve seen the movie, Shawshank Redemption. I enjoyed that movie so much that I recently read the book, another by Stephen King.
When I finally do get to full-time in my rv (8ish years, and counting!), I really think I would like to stay at an LTVA. I’d never heard of them before your blog, and the more I research, the more attractive they seem. I plan to start that lifestyle long before actual retirement age, so having such an inexpensive place to live for several months out of the year sounds very attractive. Although I know you don’t partake, I’ve read that they can be rather social places, with gatherings and goings-on with the longer term residents. Do you know if that is accurate? I’m not a huge social butterfly, but I do need interaction with other humans. I’m realizing that especially now, with all my kids gone and the boyfriend is out of town for a few weeks. I’m going stir crazy all by myself.
Sarvi,. Sue mentioned in a post two years ago that as soon as she pulled into the LTVA a gentleman walked over and invited her to their gatherings and answered her questions. Folks are real friendly, you shouldn’t be lonely.
Teri is right, Sarvi. It’s been my experience that one can find people with whom to socialize very easily when RVing, whether full-time, part-time or whatever. No matter where I camp— from RV park to dispersed camping to LTVAs, I meet plenty of folks (without them knowing about this blog). I don’t always include them in posts I write, for one reason or another.
Don’t worry. If you want to be around people, choose camps where they are, like at La Posa LTVA over on the east side of the Colorado River near Quartzsite. (Midland is on the west side, not as many people, and very few “activities.”)
How to meet people when RVing? Ask a question. “Where does one get water when camped here?” That sort of thing. RVers love being helpful! First thing ya’ know you’re telling each other where you’re from, why you bought your rig, blah, blah, blah.
🙂
Good to know!
I am so grateful for the cotton plant. I love cotton clothes!
I believe the pink blooms behind Reg and Rog are bougainvillea, although I could be wrong. The yellow flowers and the orange and yellow, I don’t know.
Was Roger happy to go on a flower expedition? Did he get to check them out, aka, sniff them?
Hi, ValGal,
No, Roger had to appreciate the flowers from the passenger window.
I agree about 3)…. bougainvillea.
If you’re looking for something to do
Take a little trip along with RV Sue
She goes here and sometimes there
Try to out guess her if you dare
One thing we know and it’s for sure
Two little doggies will be on her tour
If you do see her while you’re out there
Respect her privacy, it’s only fair
Hi Missy an fellow Blogorinos!!
Love it, Jim! You are so talented. It’s nice to know you’re thinking of Reggie, Roger, and Missy. 🙂
Made my final destination 🙂 Juno didn’t leave me stranded. Just saying hi. Tomorrow or Tuesday I’ll be checking out Blythe! Loved the little tour. But man is it is hot!! Looking forward to the cooler weather that is supposed to be on its way 🙂
Is it time for the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous? I need to bop over to Bob Well’s blog. I haven’t read it in a while. (cheaprvlivingblog)
Hey Sue – January 11th – and this year, at the end of it they are tacking a couple of days for a “women’s RTR” which fits right into my research on solo women nomads, which I was pretty tickled to hear. Suanne (of the Prius travels) is organizing it.
Had a great time exploring Blythe and the Ehrenberg “laundromat”. Funny how being on the road “resources” become so important. If you think we might cross paths and want to do the nod just email me. I completely respect your privacy though and don’t expect it 🙂
Glad you made your final destination. Congratulations!
Thank you – as am I. I feel like I held my breath all the way across the country – HAHA.
Sue, That sure looks like a great way to spend a day. Sorry that the K-Mart closed down tho’. When I look at your campsite and all of that sunshine, I wonder if you still use solar power for your battery charging. Betty (our BLT) has a connection for a solar panel, but it only accepts a certain brand of a panel that is a bit pricey. May have to rig something myself. Keep us posted on the clothing balancing effort. All the best!
Hi, Joe,
I’m still charging the two batteries in the PTV and the house battery via the solar panel. Works great! Provides enough power for my usage.
I’m a strong proponent of solar for RVs. Silent and no gasoline to fool with.
“All the best” to you, too!
The orange red flowers are called Mexican Bird of Paradise…they’re everywhere here in Phoenix.
Thank you, Sharon!
The cotton plants that look brown like that in general have been heavily sprayed with herbicide to get them brown,dry and pick able all at once. The “bolls” of cotton are picked/ removed from plants and baled to go to processing. (look up Eli Whitney and the cotton gin).They are run through machines to separate the seeds in the middle of that fluff from the cotton. As Sue said, it is washed and often bleached and cleaned for further turning into mats and eventually yarn and fabric, insulation, etc the seed is often used to press for oil and for animal feed or additives. I grew up visiting my grandparents near Fresno and many years there was cotton in the field across from the ranch. Somewhere there is a,photo of me at about age 4 or 5 with a cotton bag helping pick so my Dad could take photo. My husband actually picked cotton as a job when young outside of Tonkawa Oklahoma.
Interesting, Velda! I’ve seen some harvesting equipment since I took those photos. Thanks for teaching us!
The red and orange flowers I used to have in my backyard in T or C NM, they are desert bird of paradise! One of my favorites!
Hi, Geri,
You and Sharon have identified the second flowers! I think the exact name is Mexican Bird of Paradise which can be confused with Red Bird of Paradise.
I read this at “Designing in the Desert” (Landscape and Garden Design in Our Amazing Sonoran Desert).
Scroll down to the bottom of that page — gorgeous photo of the beautiful Yellow Bird of Paradise bloom.
Hi Sue,
Love this post – as usual. I am happy to see you all survived Thanksgiving. LOL… I don’t know about you, but I’m always glad when the Holiday passes. 😉 Your boys are always so darling in the photos you share. What sweet faces.
I’m getting in as much serious hiking as I can between the rain showers. It’s “that” time of year again here in the PNW. When it’s not raining, I’m usually out hiking somewhere between WA and OR. It’s hard to admit that the rainy season has set in, as I’ve been spoiled by a pretty nice Summer, except for the smokey parts since September. The Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge 20 minutes of Portland, OR did extensive damage; to the tune of about 45,000 acres. Hiking next Spring will be definitely limited in the Gorge, and I’ll be seeking out other locations within a 2 hour drive from Portland. During the Winter months, I tend to hike in “Urban Parks” , or along the river trails on the Columbia, and stay pretty close to home.
I wish I was where you and the boys are! Ha. Next year I will be, and I’m looking more and more forward to that day all the time. Then I can get to know the Desert; which I never have. I went straight from the beaches in Hawaii to the Mountains in Washington. I know the desert holds a different kind of beauty that I’m looking forward to getting to know. Your blog has introduced me to much of what I imagine I will be seeing. It’s delightful looking.
Cheers! xo
Enjoyed your comment, suzicruzi!
The thing about appreciating the desert is to remember to see it for what it is, not for what it isn’t. 🙂
Sue,
Your statement “remember to see it for what it is, not for what it isn’t“ is so true. It can be applied to all things.
You have a knack for photography. Love the up close shot of the cotton.
I was also going to echo that the orange/yellow flowers is the “fancy” Bird of Paradise, I (as Geri said) have the plainer desert Bird of Paradise that grows wild in this area. The yellow looks like A Yellow Trumpet Bush and I’d say the pink are the bougainvillea without seeing the flowers up close. Just had a fantastic week with both my kids here to spend the Turkey Day with us.
Hi, Emily,
I’m happy you enjoyed Thanksgiving with your kids. Nice hearing from you again!
That plant is definitely Bird of Paradise. I looked up images of it and that’s it!
I’m going to look up Yellow Trumpet Bush now.
It does look like Yellow Bells or Yellow Trumpet Bush (Tecoma stans)…. Here are photos and a description at fireflyforest.com
I’m from Texas and we always called it esperanza or Texas Yellow Bells. Your pictures of esperanza and bird of paradise are making me homesick!!
Hi, mostlylost,
“esperanza”…. lovely word!
What pretty flowers thanks for sharing Paula
You’re welcome, Paula!
Even with the two prisons built just south of town, and the Colorado River and Quartzsite right there – Blythe has not been able to maintain many shopping options. For years there was (and may still be) only one grocery store. If a new one was opened, one of them closed within a couple years. Hobson Way looks the same way it did in the late ’70s.
I bought a lot of jeans at the local Yellow Mart which probably still there.
Hi, Jodee,
The Yellow Mart might be closed. Don’t quote me on that; I didn’t pay much attention as I drove past it. A large, variety type “mart” that carried a lot of imports and some consignments did close last year. It was next to Smart and Final grocery. There are two more grocery stores in Blythe, Albertson’s is one and then there’s one whose name I don’t recall, located in the shopping center next to the vacant K-Mart building and the thrift store. That last one has only been open about a year.
That was a delightful post!
Never knew what that acronym stood for …LTVA.
Cotton is quite pretty! Helpful hardware woman was great! Jingles we remember!
A four week supply of granny panties? 😳 Do you “ranger roll” them? You tube it.
We STILL ranger roll our clothes…habit I guess! Saves a TON of room!
CA Laws make me smile…paint is locked up so no underage sales…huffing and graffiti. Similac (baby formula) powder…due to the grab and dash. They use it to “cut” drugs. In Hawaii, they lock up….get this…Spam!
The heater should be installed as we speak…and the leak…fixed.
Would have never guessed the plant.
Enjoy your Sunday evening.
Hi, Cinandjules,
I hope you enjoyed the tamales for Thanksgiving. 🙂 I know you did!
About panties… I don’t have an exact count. I own a lot of them. Never want to be without clean underwear! Sometimes I’m a roller ranger and sometimes I dump them in the drawer they share with my socks. I always match my socks at the laundromat, BTW. (Some need-to-know info for ya!)
Whoa! What people will do for their drugs. Hawaii locks up spam? So people won’t steal it? Gosh, if I’m going to steal, I’m going for something better than spam. At least upgrade to rotisserie chicken!
You have a good night, too.
Spam theft by the cases is a product of the “ice epidemic”. Meth heads will steal anything…and spam is a staple food on da island!
You dislike Spam? I didn’t like it as a kid…guess it’s all about how you cook it. Spam fried rice, loco moco (spam over rice) and Spam musubi (sushi). 🏝🏝
Jules is in charge of matching the socks.
I especially like the close up of the cotton. Beautiful! And interesting to hear it’s sharp. I never knew that.
🙂
Hi Sue and crew- Funny about the clothes. I am still trying to get my clothes to a minimum but still have enough to wear. Someone define enough! I will get there. This only about the 5th time that I have reorganized. I think I lost that skill somewhere.
Loved the flower pics. Gorgeous!
Hi, Linda,
I laugh at myself remembering how long after I retired and hit the road that I carried around go-to-work clothes in the PTV. Finally got rid of those dressy items and stupid shoes.
LOL! And ditched the bras. My idea of being really free!!
Happy day everyone
Love, Barb
Happy day to you, too, Another Barb! 🙂
My first reply! I am so excited. You made my day!
Hahaha! You make me laugh, Barb! What part of the country (or world) are you in, BTW, if you don’t mind saying?
Hi, AZ Jim, love your new? talent of rhyming with RVSue and the boys. Please keep it up & thanks!
Wonderful photos of flowers and plants that I’ve never seen before. These “miracles” are everywhere, aren’t they? Just takes time to stop and see them. And your sense of humor about clothing and most everything else in life is infectious. 🙂 Thanks Sue.
You’re welcome, Ann.
Hi, Sue,
Thank you for sharing the pictures of all the pretty flowers. So bright and vibrant! Thank you to the blogorinos who helped identify the plants. In my neck of the woods, the Fall colors are now muted, and the trees are shedding their leaves. We have had several nights below freezing, so even the hardy garden mums are spent for the season. Several houses down the street were putting up outdoor Christmas lights and decorations today. They look so nice and festive! 🙂
I am glad that you are in a place where you can get the 12V repairs done, and your new heater installed. Having the power issue resolved will be a huge relief for you. Power will be at the ready on your terms. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the up-close photos of the cotton. It really is a pretty plant, but nasty to the folks who harvest it. TCM showed the Sally Fields movie, “Places in the Heart” last week. She was trying to save her farm by planting cotton.
Have a nice night, Sue. Sending you, Reggie, and Roger love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! N’nite! 🙂
Good morning, Denise,
You have a talent for “painting” with words. I enjoyed the stroll through your neighborhood. 🙂
I remember that Sally Fields movie . . . .
I hope whatever gave you a sore throat also gave you immunity to last through the cold months. Love and hugs to you and Gracie pup, too!
I hope so, too! 🙂
Thank you for the love and hugs! 🙂
If you haven’t already, go to La Paloma Cafe in Blythe, home of what I consider the best carne asada burrito ever. Big enough for two meals. Six bucks.
Hi, Al!
I may try La Paloma when the temperatures go below the 80s so I can leave the crew in the PTV. I won’t be ordering carne asada burrito though (don’t eat beef).
Well, I had a nice Thanksgiving, despite the fact I broke both landing gear pads trying to hook up the RV to tow vehicle 😑. Completely my fault. Need DH here to remind me of a few things.
Drove car to daughter’s for the weekend, and back home yesterday to await RV repairman. Hopefully will get repaired within a couple days, so I can return to daughter’s area in RV.
I’m ok. Didn’t completely fall apart. Somehow, life goes on.
Love the post and pics. Hugs to all. 😊
We all do stuff like that so don’t let it discourage you, Virginia. One time I unhitched the BLT without chocking her wheels and she rolled downhill. Fortunately the ground was near level and she didn’t roll far. And you may remember the BLT’s coupler bouncing off the hitch ball and smashing the jack post. Like you say, “life goes on.” 🙂
I’m confused about “trying to hook up the RV to tow vehicle.” I can’t remember you having a travel trailer. Are you talking about your toad being hooked up behind your RV? Sometimes the terms “toad” and “tow vehicle” get mixed up.
No, you didn’t “completely fall apart.” You’re resilient and probably stronger than you know. I’m glad you had a nice Thanksgiving and will visit your daughter when the RV is fixed.
Hugs to you, too!
There’s a Walmart in Parker. A little bit of a drive, but nice. Driving from Ehrenberg to Parker there are more cotton plants to admire also. Cotton growing an interesting thing. The cotton popping out of its seed looks unnatural to me.
My Dad shared with me, many years ago, when he was in High School he and some of his friends would pick cotton for extra spending money. It’s hard to imagine that, especially today. It seems as if the younger generations don’t have the spark to work and of course if they need extra money their parents just give it to them 🙁
Good morning, Gary!
I can hear the typical response by a young person to the suggestion they work in a field for extra money: “Are you kidding me? Pffftt!” I realize there are some kids who know how to work. It’s a shame so many don’t have “the spark to work.”
Ya’ know? I’ve been thinking about making the journey to Wal-Mart at Parker. There are a number of items I’d like to purchase and, for me, living where deliveries of Amazon products are difficult to arrange, it might be worth the trip. After we’re here a while longer I’ll probably enjoy that drive. Parker is a strange town. Not very big but every time I go there, it’s busy, busy, busy!
Ha! Can never see too many cotton fields, eh? 🙂
Yes, I always feel uncomfortable around Parker. Could be because my nephew was found shot to death out in the desert about six months after leaving there (according to credit card purchase).
How horrible, Gloria! I’m sorry. My sympathies to you and your family.
Thanks Sue. It’s been about 25 years but it always left a lot of questions for our family.
I remember visiting my Grandparents in the valley and we drive behind big cotton trucks and the cotton would be blowing off all over the road. My parents would stop and let us pick some up to take home with us. So soft! I remember picking oranges and grapefruit in the orchards, too. Unfortunately the valley of Texas is now one big commercial slag. There are some orchards there, but not what it was 40 years ago.
BTW, as a former librarian, here is my book recommendation an oldie but goodie about the Valley in Texas. “Uncovered Wagon” A delightful, semi-autobiographical book written by a former U.T. professor about growing up there.
On another note, I just read an article yesterday about shopping trends. Online sales have surpassed sticks and bricks this year. Sears holdings, which owns Sears and Kmart are closing many stores and at least 6 major retailers have declared bankruptcy-including Toys R Us and Radio Shack. Don’t much care except I hate buying clothes and shoes online!
Love your photos and story, as usual RV Sue! Oh and AZ Jim Your poem was so cute! Take care!
Hi, Terri!
What a charming picture of former days in the Texas valley! Fun memory of childhood — collecting cotton balls in the road. Love that!
Thanks for the book recommendation. That one sounds like something many of us would enjoy.
Something about Sears and Kmart that became less than appealing over the years — to me, anyway. I felt like they were stuck in the past or something. Staid. Too many times at KMart I’d find at the register that the tag price didn’t match the shelf-sign or I’d get to the register and the item wouldn’t ring up properly and then everybody waits in line while the cashier signals someone to go back to the dept. and find the price. That sort of thing has an effect on people when they choose where to shop the next time.
Thanks re the photos and post. I liked Jim’s poem, too!
Happy Cyber Monday!! Just purchased bunch of items including Fire 7 Tablet and Montana Benchmark map. I used your Benchmark map link. Hope I did it correctly. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of R and R ❤️
Thank you, Sue . . . I see those items! Happy Cyber Monday to you, too! 🙂
Ah, Montana…. Last summer was such fun! I hope you love it like I do.
Yes, you gave me an idea of going to Montana. My husband and I will be going to Canadian Rockies next summer. After that we will enter back into Montana and will camp hopping with our 17 feet trailer. Thank you for giving us inspirations. We never thought buying our trailer without your blog.
Hi Sue,
I finally came out of lurkerland on Thanksgiving. Mentioned how silly I felt because when the hurricane was coming and Chuck was in the hospital, I felt like driving up there to see them. Glad he made it home in time for the big wind. Besides, I think the privacy thing kindof extends to blogoroos (Hi Rusty).
I’m in central Florida. We rode out Irma. The eye went over us. It was my first hurricane since moving here in 2007. Pretty scary, especially when you have over a week to get ready. More time to freak out. I need a new roof and some fence, but very greatful that’s all.
I enjoy every post, love your photos, dogs & humor. You crack ME up!
Love, Barb
I am originally from Winter Haven, where are you now Barb ?
Are you kidding me?!!! Guess where I live:) Yes, mam. Small world isn’t it.
I moved here after my best friend/sweet husband, Mark, passed away. I needed the sun all winter & had a friend down here that helped make it happen. My house in WI was for sale & got 100″ of snow that year. I left on Halloween and never saw a flake of it. Have been back a few times, only once in the winter. Don’t miss the snow at all. It was 80 degrees today:)
Barb
Sorry, that “Yes, mam” is a WH thing. Was it when you lived here?
1956 to 1966. Came back to care for my mom 1986 to 2004 when I moved up here!
I was a photographer for the Winter Haven News Chief for several years.
Didn’t think that looked right, ma’am.
rvSue, if you have not yet bought your Olympian Wave-3 catalytic heater, I have one that I will sell to you for half the retail price you were going to pay for a new one. Mine is 2 years old but has been used very little and still works great. I bought it for my skoolie but it’s not big/powerful enough for a rig this size. I bought a Wave-8 and no longer need the Wave-3. I’m currently wintering in the Ehrernberg area.
Thank you, David. I bought a new Wave 3 from Amazon while we were camped in Utah. Maybe you’ll find someone needing a heater among the folks who gather at Ehrenberg.