Oh the guilt!
I see the sitemeter turning, turning, big wheel keep on turning. . . and I feel guilty for not posting an entry. Yesterday’s sunrise was lovely . . .
The crew and I are still here, boondocking on a lane off the Darby Wells Road near Ajo, Arizona. The famed Arizona sun has been elusive of late, peeking through clouds but hiding most of the day. I put on my Nanuck of the North winter coat with hood up, place the crew in the pen, and sit alongside to read most of the morning. The hummingbird feeder, a great success yesterday, is rejected by the local hummers. Hmmmm. That’s me humming pensively, not the hummers.
I wonder if it isn’t sweet enough.
I pour in some more sugar. A hummingbird gives it a taste . . . one sip, two sips, three … and whoosh! He flies straight up about forty feet and does a bank turn down and away, all at lightning speed. Gee, talk about a sugar rush.
Whereas the hummingbird feeder is a success, the seed feeder is a bomb.
The feeder, carefully crafted out of a plastic water jug and artfully tied up with a piece of clothesline, apparently doesn’t appeal to the local seed-eaters. It’s not the fault of the seed, as the ground-feeders are happily chowing down. Not one bird at the hanging feeder all day.
On the ground there is much action.
A persistant male finch with dusky crimson head and chest and his modest female companion peck away oblivious to the stares of the crew, a few skittish sparrows repeatedly hop from low branch to ground and back again, and a very contentious bunch of doves hop at each other, bickering. Yes, doves. All the antagonism originates with one very aggressive bully who can’t stand the thought of any of his kind enjoying some seed. I have to chuckle at a female dove who circles around a bush to grab a few seeds unbeknownst to the big shot who’s busy jumping with wings outstretched at all who would dine at HIS table. He’s so intent upon defending the seed that he doesn’t get to eat any of it.
Rick rumbles by in his Jeep Wrangler with Lady riding proudly in the passenger seat.
Yesterday Lady came visiting, whining outside our door, which thrilled Spike, who’s always ready to socialize. Rick soon followed. Bridget and Spike were on-leash due to the threat of coyotes. A panel of their pen was open. Lady went in and lay down as if it belonged to her. Rick and I are puzzled at first and then decide she likes not having to be constantly alert. The pen feels secure.
Speaking of territory, a couple walked up to our campsite yesterday.
I greet them with a hello and mention my name. They introduce themselves as Kathy and Wolfgang. The first thing Wolfgang says is, “How many channels do you get on your tv?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t turned it on. But the guy on the hill — Rick — he gets about four or five English and a few Spanish stations.”
Wolfgang is looking at his cellphone. I tell him I get a Verizon signal and cellphone.
“Do you mind if we park on the hill next to you?” he asks.
“No, not at all. Go ahead.” They walk on down the lane, apparently to prepare to move. Soon they’re hauling a big trailer into the spot that Al and Kelly of the Bayfield Bunch recently vacated. I was going to move us up there, but I’ve grown to prefer where we’re at.
Back to today . . . or forward to today . . . whatever!
I get restless reading and watching birds, so I take Bridget and Spike on a long walk.
It doesn’t help. There’s just enough breeze on this cloudy day to make the outdoors uncomfortable. I decide to drive the Perfect Tow Vehicle into town. Its warm heater will soothe the three of us and I need to pick up a few things I forgot the other day.
I notice for the first time that several businesses have put up “closed” or “for sale” signs. Times are hard all over. I’m one of the fortunate ones. I don’t have the troubles a lot of people are suffering through. As I drive past the tiny homes with the cheap glitter and tinsel of Christmas decorations, I’m thankful I’m not worrying how to feed a family and put presents under a tree for children programmed with high expectations. Yet, at the IGA, the casual chatter is cheerful among smiling folks comfortably acquainted.
I turn onto Darby Wells Road and make a quick glance at the bench seat.
Bridget and Spike are fast asleep. Driving past big ol’ Coffeepot Mountain (above) and the saguaro raising arms to the sky (those that have arms), Christmas seems far away. As soon as I get us home, I’m going to eat that fried chicken breast from the IGA deli and share some with the crew. They’re gonna’ love it.
rvsue
Such beautiful pictures you take and those you paint with your words. I loved hearing about the bully at the birdseed. Some days I’m restless and nothing seems to take care of it. So I hope it passes quickly and here’s hoping your fried chicken took the edge of. I know the crew loved it.
Hello, Sandie,
When I’m restless, I move. .. even if it’s just a drive down to a store, walk around, leave … and I feel better. Yeah, the crew loved every bit. Sometimes I wonder what they’re thinking when I eat most of something and they only get pieces.
hi sue…have been travelling vicariously thru your blog—just wondering if you’ve run into any snakes/scorpions/other such nasties while in the desert….or is it too cold for them?
Hello, theresa,
No, I haven’t seen one snake, scorpion, or other “nasties” while in the desert. The cold keeps them underground or in hiding. I was warned that it’s possible a snake might come out to get some sun, but so far I haven’t seen one. Last summer I did see a tarantula in Santa Rosa, NM . . . that’s all.
Oh shoot Sue, you just made me hungry for chicken! Hmm, and I have some thawed out . . . Well, we are preparing for another snowfall early this coming week. Somehow I wish I was staring at a saguaro, sipping on a margarita, nibbling on some chips and dip instead. Have a good week.
Hi, Emily!
The thought of snow gives me a chill . . . The blast we got in NM was enough to last me a long time. I’m so sorry you aren’t here . . .You could make the margaritas and dip.
Thanks, Mumsy . . . glad you enjoyed them.
Humming bird feed is a simple but precise formula. 1 part sugar for every 4 parts water. I use 1/2 measures personally and mix it fresh , what doesn’t fit in the feeder, stores in the fridge. DO NOT put in red die. Pour it into a feeder that has red colors on the feeder holes. DON”T add more sugar cause they ain’t eating. . .don’t do a bit of good. If you don’t believe me, Google it.
One part sugar to four parts water . . . . no wonder they weren’t interested, at first. Mine was way too weak. Tomorrow I’ll start being more careful preparing it. Thanks for the advice.
That’s what I do too. 1/4 cup sugar to one cup water and mix it fresh each fill. That qty usually fills our feeder with nothing left over and I make sure the sugar is dissolved before filling.
I love bird feeders and watching the birds interact. We get the male cardinals chasing the females away. I also have a heated bird bath that gets a lot of action.
Mmm – fried chicken. Haven’t had that in ages. What a wonderful life you and the crew have. Love the photos.
Thanks, Marsha!
I know what the health people say about fried food, but gee, every life should have some fried chicken once in a while. Glad you enjoyed the photos . . .
Howdy Sue,
Glad you got the upload fixed, somewhat!! If it took the sun as long to rise as it took the pic to load, you had breakfast about ‘noonish’!! But the pics were good.. Lady was just wanting some more enjoyment with the crew!!!
Hope today went well and tomorrow even greater!!! MERRY CHRISTmas from the RSR!!!!
Hi, Butterbean.. . Well, tomorrow is now today and it’s raining! Oh well . . . You have a great day!
We know that bully finch!!!! He was at our feeder earlier this year!!!! Ya’ll are having to much fun and relaxation! Great photos!!! Chuck n Geri n the herd
C, G, & the H,
No, no, no…. You keep your bully finch. We;ve got a bully dove , , ,
Glad you liked the photos, given you get to see professional ones all the time!
Seems to be cooler everywhere in Arizona this year. C’mon higher temps !!
Hi, Sassy!
I want more of that Arizona sunshine! It’s cloudy and rainy today.
I don’t know about the mine. There doesn’t seem to be much activity around it. Of course, I’m on the outside looking in. Things like mines don’t interest me at all . . .
The town has definitely seen better times.
As long as boondocking campers visit, Ajo will survive. It might never be the town it was, but winter visitors will always need gas, groceries etc. ! Glad to see you got your glitch fixed! It’s gloomy here today…. yuckky actually. One of those grey winter days that make you want to curl up and read blogs, books, kindles or watch old movies! Good to know you have local birds to entertain you!
Hi, Geri!
Mostly grey sky here today. The sun broke through for about an hour, that’s all. Tomorrow looks like more of the same. I hear another snowstorm is going to roll into NM soon. . .
Seems that all we will be getting from this latest storm (FROM AZ by the way!) is lots of rain and gloomy skies! Kindle time! Oh, while I am thinking about it, I want to thank that follower of yours for posting the link to free kindle books! I have downloaded a dozen or more and the 2 pages lists give lots of books to choose from! If you didn’t sign up for the free daily list, let me know and I’ll post it here for others as well! SUNSHINE WHERE ARE YOU??? I am a solar lady and these cold cloudy days are depressing! ;-(
Sue, I also use the 1 to 4 part recipe for the hummers. I just make up 1 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar, put in a pan on the stove top and heat to dissolve. Don’t know if the heat does anything else like sterilize, etc, but it makes me feel better. Then, of course, it cools, and I pour into the feeder. Looked at the temps at Ajo, and we are a degree or so warmer here in northern Oklahoma. Crazy!
Hi Cathie,
So I might as well be in Oklahoma!
Sounds like you are doing pretty well inspite of the weather. I loved the “nanook of the north” coat–lucky you had it as people seem to expect it will always be shorts weather in the south. How are you doing with the solar power now?
http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com/
The PTV has quite an assortment of clothing. I’m ready for all eventualities!
The solar is doing okay considering the panel hasn’t seen two consecutive days of sunshine . . . . It’s rainy, cloudy, dark. I’ve got enough to keep the laptop charged. What more could a person want . . .
Sure can’t add anything to what’s already been said but I can’t help saying how gorgeous these pictures are. Your posts make me feel calm and relaxed. I look forward to them.
Sherry
http://www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
Hi, Sherry,
. . . and I appreciate your frequent comments. Thanks, I’m glad you like the photos.
Merry Christmas to you, too, Susan. You’ll be amazed what you can do once you decide you can do it. Thanks for your kind words.
Don’t let the game warden catch you feeding the doves…it’s illegal in AZ. However, feeding the pigeons is OK… and just because a few doves happened along… hint hint 🙂
Are you kidding me? Feeding doves in AZ is illegal?