January 22 to 28, 2017

Sunday ;  Sunny, windy, mild.

After repeated attempts, including multiple attempts today, I finally solved the city water inlet leak on Harvey the fifth wheel trailer.  I hope !  Despite the strong wind ... AND Joanne's disapproval .... I did some work on top of the trailer roof.  I conducted a 6000 km. inspection on Lanoire the truck.  I paid some bills online.  I posted my weekly journal to my blog.

In the evening we watched the movie "Argo" about the six American embassy employees in Iran who escaped the hostage taking in the American embassy in Tehran and found refuge in the Canadian ambassador's residence until being exfiltrated by a CIA operative.  Well ... the movie certainly did downplay the heroic efforts of the Canadian ambassador, didn't it ? ! ?

Monday ;  Started out sunny and mild, deteriorated throughout the day, became cloudy, cold, and raining by suppertime.

Laszlo and Gail drove their daughter and granddaughter back to Phoenix today to catch a return flight, so ... we took DeeOJee for a two lap walk around the dog park with us at noon.  It turned into a pack walk with five dogs ; Bo, DeeOJee, Angus, Molly, and Lucy.  DeeOJee the Pit Bull and Lucy the Chihuahua had a squabble !  < rolling my eyes >  Lucy the Chihuahua started it.  Lucy the Chihuahua lost the squabble.  HA HA HA ... no surprise there !

I did some routine household chores.  I watered our plants and gardens.  I cut some rubber roof membrane to size for a roof top repair I need to do.  Late in the afternoon we left to run some errands, and go out for dinner.

First stop was Wal-Mart.  Getting there was the first time we drove Obie the SUV in the rain.  And realized that the windshield wiper blades were in desperate need of replacement.  Wal-Mart's inventory of windshield wiper blades was extremely low.  HA HA HA !  I guess I wasn't the only one who needed wiper blades RIGHT NOW !  The intense desert sun and heat destroy wiper blades, and it doesn't rain very often here, so when it does ... many people realize ... "WHOA ... we need new wiper blades RIGHT NOW" !

After Wal-Mart we went to PetsMart to buy dog food and cat hairball treats.  Then Harbor Freight for some guy stuff.  WOO-HOO !  HA HA HA !  Last shopping stop was Lowe's for some "home improvement" project supplies.  When we were finished there about 8:45 PM we went to KFC for our annual ETYS Kentucky Fried Chicken buffet dinner.  HA HA HA !

Tuesday ;  Sunny and cool.

Today was National Change A Pet's Life Day.  Okay !  So we did !  We adopted
Emma !  HA HA HA !  Welcome to our family, Emma !

This afternoon when we went to the Humane Society for our regular Tuesday afternoon shift of dog walking and cat cuddling we advised them that we wish to adopt Emma.  Her "paperwork" seems to be "lost in the system" ... < rolling my eyes > ... so when
( if ? ) it is found we will formalize her adoption.  The staff member who was most likely to know where Emma's paperwork is, was not in to work today.

Wednesday ;  Los Algodones, Baja California, Mexico

Sunny and cool.

Late this morning we headed out with neighbours David and Shauna for a day in Mexico.  They are not very experienced in Mexico, and wanted us to show them where the veterinary pharmacy is in Los Algodones.  We drove in Obie to the parking lot on the American side of the border and walked into Mexico.  The parking lot was VERY crowded !  UH-OH ... probably will be a very long line up to return to the United States.

We walked through town to the veterinary pharmacy.  Shauna bought the pet medications that she needed.  Walking back into town we stopped at a couple of different grocery stores and bought a few items.  We went for a long leisurely lunch at a nice restaurant that we have been to before.  Best feature is ... WOO-HOO ... free margarita with lunch !

After lunch Joanne and I went for pedicures for both of us, and a haircut and beard trim for me, while David and Shauna went browsing.  After the four of us got back together we wandered around browsing some more.  We bought some pan dulce at a new panaderia.  Shauna bought a stained glass window for their park model manufactured home here in Kofa Ko-op RV Park.  And then ... < sigh > ... we walked back to the border crossing line up to discover ... the longest line up we have ever encountered in our twelve years of crossing the border here.  Fortunately, because of some border crossing improvements made here a couple of years ago, it was not the longest duration line up we have ever experienced ( that was about three and a half hours ! ) but it was the physically longest line up.

We were in line for two hours and ten minutes, from 4:45 PM to 6:55 PM.  < sigh >  We arrived back home at Kofa Ko-op at 7:45 PM.  Bo was in desperate need of a bathroom break by then, and both Bo and Emma were hungry !

Thursday ;  Sunny and cool.

This afternoon while I worked on the roof of the trailer Joanne went to the Humane Society and formally adopted Emma.  Yes, yes, she's now officially ours.  In celebration, tonight I fed her some of my supper, baked Chinook Salmon from Haida Gwaii.  She LOOOOOVED it ! ! !  HA HA HA !  Who knew ?  She has decided to relinquish her American citizenship and become a Canadian cat ... if I feed her salmon.  HA HA HA HA HA !

Friday ;  Sunny, mild, very windy.

While Joanne was out shopping with Gail all day, I baked a birthday cake in the Sun Oven.  And I cooked supper in the Sun Oven.  Joanne had prepared a pot of something before she left to go shopping.  All I had to do was stick it in the Sun Oven for a few hours.

I spent the afternoon dismantling our solar panel system.  It is three solar panels all connected on a plastic pipe frame.  One of the pipe frame legs is broken.  I dismantled everything, then cut out the damaged section and began to rebuild it with new pipe and connectors.  I didn't finish.  I need more materials.

Saturday ;  HAPPY 63rd BIRTHDAY TO JOANNE

Sunny and mild.

This morning I presented Joanne with a birthday cake and gifts in our Arizona room.  Bo unwrapped the gifts for her.  HA HA HA !  See pics below !

I repaired the driver's door latch in Obie today.  And that included removing, repairing and reinstalling the door panel.  After lunch we went downtown to the annual Yuma Date Festival.  It wasn't great !  After we returned home I napped briefly then we took Bo for a walk around the dog park before leaving at suppertime to run some errands and have dinner out.

First shopping stop was Lowe's, then Harbor Freight, and finally PetsMart before heading to Olive Garden for a birthday celebration dinner.

Happy Birthday, my love !

DSK

January 15 to 21, 2017

Sunday ;  Sunny and mild.

Late this morning we headed out to Yuma Swap Meet Los Perros ( Spanish for "The Dogs" ) a.k.a. Dog Track Flea Market, the "Mexican" flea market in town.  I bought some automotive fuses and trailer hitch hardware.  Joanne bought some makeup items.  We bought some produce.  I saw a two year old child playing with a toy that amused me.  I bought one to give as a gift to Laszlo's and Gail's two year old granddaughter who will be here later this week to visit them.

After the flea market we went to Subway for lunch, then PetsMart for dog food, then Harbor Freight for "guy stuff".  Gee, I love shopping at Harbor Freight.  Gee, Joanne hates shopping at Harbor Freight.  HA HA HA !

After returning home I napped briefly before tackling some household chores.  Joanne had a phone chat with her sister.  We had barbecued Chinook Salmon for supper.  MMMMM ... it was good !  I bought the salmon at a fish processing plant in the northern Haida Gwaii community of Massett last summer.  Still have one more piece of Chinook Salmon and one more piece of Coho Salmon.

Watched Downton Abbey while having supper, then worked online.  Posted my weekly journal to my blog.  Downloaded some income tax processing software.  Downloaded a bank statement and our satellite dish TV service bill.

Monday ;  Mix of sun and cloud, mild.

This afternoon while Joanne was out doing grocery shopping I installed a new city water inlet on the trailer.  Twice !  I realized as soon as I was finished installing it that I had made a mistake.  I had to remove it and reinstall it correctly ... < sigh >.  I transplanted a Prickly Pear Cactus behind our rear fence in the dog park.

We cleaned and treated Emma's ears.  She is coming along extremely well.  Her flesh is rehydrated and she no longer feels quite so scrawny.  She is eating well and frequently asks to be fed.  She is not particularly demonstrative but asks occasionally for a few minutes of affection.

For supper I barbecued a thick, marinated steak, and baked potatoes, served with a topping of Crema CentroAmericana.  Guacamole and tortilla chips as appetizer.  Fresh green beans and sautéed Portobello mushrooms as side dishes.  Iced éclairs for dessert.  Home run !

Tuesday ;  HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TO JOANNE'S NIECE MADELEINE

Sunny and mild.  Joanne cooked Picadillo in the Sun Oven today.  First time we've had this recipe / meal known as Picadillo.  < whispering >  Hope it's the last.

This morning I sent an electronic Happy Birthday card to Madeleine.  THEN ...
< sigh > ... while trying to view an "I love you ... you're so sexy / hot" electronic card to consider whether it's the right card to send to Joanne on her upcoming birthday ...
< sigh > ... I inadvertently sent it to Madeleine.  < huge sigh >

This afternoon, after an early lunch, we went to the Habitat For Humanity Re-Store to shop for some home improvement supplies.  Then we dropped off a load of recycling on our way to the Humane Society for our regular Tuesday afternoon shift of dog walking and cat cuddling.  Joanne had a particularly productive shift, convincing the "rescue" group to remove an old cat out of the adoption wing and send her to a cat rescue organization, and then ... she facilitated two adoptions.  Well done, my dear.

This evening I put a harness on Emma.  She was NOT pleased !  Her reaction suggests that she has never worn a harness.  And she obviously feels that at her advanced age she shouldn't be required to begin wearing one now.

Wednesday ;  Sunny and warm.  Joanne cooked a chili dish in the Sun Oven today.

Early this afternoon I took Obie to America's Transmission for an automatic transmission service ; change the automatic transmission fluid, filter, and pan gasket.  When that was done I went to Lowe's to buy some "home improvement" project materials.  I arrived back at home just in time to go for a two lap walk around the dog park with Joanne and Bo, then bicycling at dusk.  While Joanne did laundry this evening I reorganized my "TO DO" project list.

Thursday ;  Mix of sun and cloud, windy, mild.

This morning I did a bit of work on Obie.  After lunch Joanne went grocery shopping by herself.  That was a great opportunity for me to nap with Bo and Emma.  Emma got a head start.  HA HA HA !  She's doing extremely well.  More of her personality is showing through as she becomes more comfortable living with us.

Late this afternoon I discovered that the new city water inlet that I recently installed on the fifth wheel trailer is leaking ... inside the wall.  I pulled the assembly out of the wall, leaving it connected, and dripping outside the wall.  I need to buy some additional parts to solve the problem.

Friday ;  Cloudy, cold, very windy ... an unpleasant weather day.

My work plans for the day had to be changed.  I did not feel like doing any outdoor work on such a cold and windy day.  So ... I puttered around throughout the day with indoor chores and projects.  And I napped with Bo and Emma.

We met Laszlo's and Gail's daughter and granddaughter today.  They are here to visit for a few days.  Last Sunday at the Dog Track Flea Market I bought a gift for their two year old granddaughter ; a "bubble gun".  It's a dog shaped "gun".  When the "trigger" is squeezed it "barks" and blows bubbles out of its mouth.  HA HA HA !  It's great !  It was a big hit with two year old Rowan.

Saturday ;  Sunny, windy, mild.

I spent too much time working on a plumbing leak that has plagued me recently.  And after a lot of time and effort, I failed to resolve the problem.  < sigh >

DSK

January 8 to 14, 2017

Sunday ;  Partially sunny, mild.

After five days with us Emma the foster cat continues to improve.  She is eating much better.  She is drinking water regularly.  She is using the litter box regularly.  She sleeps well ... and often.  She has claimed our living room rocker recliner as her own.  She comes to us occasionally throughout the day for very brief "love up" sessions, although she is not all that fond of physical touch.  She only wants physical touch on her schedule and terms.  She has plumped up a bit, so is obviously less dehydrated than when she came to us.  And she has gained some weight, both from drinking and eating.  Joanne is leaning towards adopting her.  I don't object.  She affects my allergies almost none, surprising given that she is long haired.

Early this afternoon I, Joanne, and Bo loaded into Laszlo's and Gail's ( and DeeOJee's ) truck and we headed out for an afternoon picnic and rock picking session out in the desert where Laszlo regularly "prospects" for gold dust and nuggets.  We collected seven hundred fist sized rocks.  Our objective was five hundred rocks, but after picking five hundred, we thought it looked like we would need more.  We are planning to use the rocks to write our names out in a different desert area, not too far from Yuma, where people have been writing their names using rocks for decades.  We were shown this area quite a few years ago by our 94 year old friend Eilene.  After we returned home we all rested in our Arizona room for quite awhile, too tired from our outing to do anything else.  I, Joanne, and Bo even skipped our late afternoon laps around the dog park.

I cooked halibut cheeks for supper tonight, the last of our Prince Rupert, BC halibut.  We watched a rerun of a Christmas episode of Downton Abbey.  I placed online ads in the White Sheet for our neighbour's items that I am selling for her.

Monday ;  Partially sunny and mild.

Late this morning we headed out to run some errands.  First stop was Big O Tires where I dropped Obie off to have a wheel alignment check and brake check done.  While that was being done we walked across the street to Wal-Mart and did some shopping.  As we were finishing at Wal-Mart I got a phone call to advise that Obie was ready.  Good timing.  I didn't get any surprises about the condition of either the wheel alignment, the tires, or the brakes, but ... I did get a lot of "would you like fries with
that ?" upselling attempts.  I don't begrudge a business the right to attempt to upsell, but sometimes, as in this case, it really indicates that the business wasn't listening to the customer.

We returned home for a late lunch, then Joanne went shopping by herself while
I napped with Bo and Emma.  Emma continues to improve daily, and is now not only eating well, but actually "asking" to be fed.  Her health has improved enough in her six days with us that she has an appetite.

In the evening we watched Celebrity Apprentice and I continued working on year end investments file updating and analysis.

Tuesday ;  Partially sunny, mild.

This afternoon we went to the Humane Society for our regular Tuesday afternoon shift of dog walking and cat cuddling.  This evening, while eating supper, we watched Barack Obama's farewell speech.

Emma continues to improve.  Joanne deserves to be proud of herself.  I certainly am !

Wednesday ;  Sunny and mild.

We spent the afternoon doing some difficult gardening ; removing Cholla Cacti. 
I chopped down two Cholla Cacti with a machete, then dug out the roots.  Our park's dumpsters were full today, so the cactus remains are piled on a tarp in our driveway until the dumpsters are emptied.  As part of the process, we dismantled and rebuilt a flower bed, making it smaller.  Then we replanted a Prickly Pear Cactus that we had dug out, and planted a new Barrel Cactus.

We had a pleasant visit this afternoon with the couple from The Foothills ( winter ) / Terrace, BC ( summer ) that sold us a Shaw Direct satellite dish LNB a month and a half ago.  They were interested in seeing Kofa Ko-op, our RV park.

This evening I continued working on year end investment file updating and analysis.

Thursday ;  Cloudy and mild, a perfect day for working hard out in the desert all day.

This morning Laszlo and Gail and DeeOJee picked us up in their truck and we headed out into the desert northwest of Bard, California, into Picacho State Recreation Area to a remote area where for at least the last fifty years people have been writing their names using rocks.  Writing our names out there in the desert has been a project on our "to do" list for the last few years.

Last Sunday we collected about seven hundred fist sized rocks to do this project.  And today we got the job done.  But it was a lot of hard work.  AND ... wasn't without injury.  While unloading rocks out of the back of Laszlo's large pickup truck, I fell off the tailgate.  And at sixty-two years of age I don't bounce anywhere near as well as I used to when I was a lot younger.  OUCH !  Could have been worse.  I'm not hurt much.  Bruised and scraped elbow.  Bit of neck "whiplash".  Bit of a sore back.

We ( sort of ) had a picnic lunch while out there.  Bo and DeeOJee had a great time wandering around out in the desert while we worked.  Two couples on ATV's stopped to ask questions about the area.  It was their first time exploring the area and were quite surprised to stumble across this area where thousands of names are written on the desert floor.  One of the couples was from Okanagan Falls, BC, in our "neighbourhood".

We arrived back home at 6 PM.  We quickly fed Bo and Emma, then Joanne and
I headed out again by ourselves to Yuma Palms Regional Shopping Center for the first night of the Village Jazz Series.  Every Thursday evening from now until the end of March there is a free, outdoor jazz concert in the courtyard of Yuma's newest and largest shopping mall.  We sat and listened to Yuma Big Band for about an hour, then left to go for supper.  We were getting cold and hungry.  We had supper at Eat Asian Super Buffet, one of our "must visit annually" restaurants.

After supper we stopped at Wal-Mart to buy more cat food.  My, my ... Emma certainly is eating a lot !  HA HA HA !  That's great ! ! !

Friday ;  Cloudy and mild.

WOW !  What a mistake it was to plant Cholla Cacti five years ago !  Oh, well ...
I finished correcting that mistake today.  This morning we hauled the large load of Cholla Cactus remains that we dug out on Wednesday to the dumpster.  Difficult to drag it all there on a large plastic tarp.  Difficult to get it hoisted high enough to dump into the dumpster.  This afternoon I dug out our two remaining Cholla Cacti, planted behind our rear fence in the dog park.  And we hauled that load to the dumpster as well.  Farewell !

I also dug out and relocated an Agave.  And I dug out and was going to relocate a small Barrel Cactus as well.  But when I dug it out I discovered ... it was dead.  HMPH !  Hard to tell sometimes when a cactus is dead !  HA HA HA !

Joanne went grocery shopping by herself.  We trimmed Emma's claws.  We cleaned Emma's ears and treated them for a minor infection !  I downloaded and processed some photos.  I sharpened knives.  I continued working on year end financial matters.  Joanne made a wonderful turkey soup for supper.

Saturday ;  Sunny, mild, windy, very light rain late in the evening.

Late this morning we headed east to The Foothills for a day of shopping errands.  First stop was Goodwill Thrift Store.  Bought a brand new, medium size cat litter box for use in our truck camper.  Next stop was the Salvation Army Thrift Store.  Here we bought a brand new, large size cat litter box for use in our fifth wheel trailer.  And a soft baby blanket for Emma's chair.  At Foothills Hardware we bought some Damp Rid crystals.  Next stop was Southwest Exchange for some hardware.  Then Del Taco for a very late lunch.  Last stop was Wal-Mart.  HMPH !  I thought we had a rule that prohibited weekend shopping at Wal-Mart !

In the evening I continued working on year end financial analysis.  And we watched Saturday Night Live.  HA HA HA ... the election of Trump has certainly provided a lot of fodder for SNL.

DSK

January 1 to 7, 2017 ; Palm Springs, California to Yuma, Arizona

Sunday ;  Palm Springs, California to Quartzsite, Arizona

New Year's Day ;  Happy New Year / Bonne Heureuse Année / Prospero Año Nuevo

Mostly sunny and mild during the day, cold in the evening.

This morning Joanne and I left Aqua Caliente Casino and drove to the nearby Flying J to refill Elsie's freshwater tank.  From there we drove to Harbor Freight in Cathedral City to buy some advertised specials.  GEE ... I wish the Yuma Harbor Freight store was as large and nice as the Palm Springs Harbor Freight store in Cathedral City.  We returned to Aqua Caliente Casino to meet up with Laszlo and Gail for departure to Quartzsite.  They had slept in.

With Laszlo in the lead in their rig we drove east on Interstate 10 all the way to the California / Arizona border and slightly beyond to Blythe where we stopped in a shopping mall parking lot to have a very late lunch.  After lunch I took the lead driving position for the remaining short distance to Quartzsite where we turned north on
Hwy. 95 for a few miles to the Hi Jolly BLM unserviced campground.  We found a nice boondocking spot with a lovely rock "fireplace" to have a campfire.  While Joanne, Laszlo, and Gail went for a walk in the desert with Bo and DeeOJee, I did a battery maintenance task on Elsie's "house" battery.

In the nice rock "fireplace" at our desert boondocking spot I lit a campfire at dusk.  Laszlo, Gail, and I shared ( half ) a bottle of Plumiscuous, a plum wine made by Forbidden Fruit Winery in our neighbourhood back home in BC.  Joanne and I had received the bottle as a gift last summer.  Joanne had an upset stomach today so she did not have any of the wine.  Her upset stomach was likely caused by too much champagne with dinner last night.  She prepared foil wrapped packages of chicken thigh meat, potatoes, onions and carrots.  Gail prepared a date salad with Medjool dates she bought yesterday at a produce stand at the College Of The Desert Street Fair.  I cooked the chicken and vegetable packets to absolute perfection over the campfire while we all sat around the campfire and chatted.  Well done, Daniel !  Most times my campfire cooked meals are cooked well.  Occasionally they are cooked perfectly !  Tonight was one of those !

We ate supper inside Laszlo's and Gail's trailer then returned outside for more sitting around the campfire for another hour or so after supper until it became too cold to remain outdoors around a dying campfire.  BRRRRR !

Monday ;  Quartzsite to Yuma, Arizona

Cloudy and chilly.

This morning Laszlo and Gail were feeling ill with colds, so did not want to join us for some Quartzsite flea market shopping as planned.  Joanne and I drove south a few miles on Hwy. 95 from Hi Jolly BLM campground to the town of Quartzsite.  We shopped for about an hour in the flea markets.  I got tired and went back to the camper to nap with Bo while Joanne continued shopping for about another hour.

We continued south on Hwy. 95 towards Yuma, stopping about halfway home, pulling off the road into the desert to have lunch in the camper.  We arrived home about 4:15 PM.  While Joanne unloaded food and clothing from the camper I went to have a long nap.  I, too, wasn't feeling well today.

This evening I worked online, getting caught up on e-mail, downloading month end and year end bank statements and investment statements, and posting my blog entry.  We watched the premiere episode of Celebrity Apprentice with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the boss.

Tuesday ;  Cloudy and cool.

This morning we headed out to run some errands.  First stop was the 76 Fuel Bar on the northwest side of "The Big Curve" where 32nd St. merges into 4th Ave., to use their sani-dump station to dump Elsie's waste holding tanks.  From there we drove over to Fry's Fuel Bar and refilled Lanoire with diesel.  We headed south out of Yuma on Avenue B / Hwy. 95 to Somerton to pick up Obie at Yepez Automotive Repair.

We had left Obie at Yepez Automotive Repair for the last week, while we went to Palm Springs.  They replaced the upper ball joints and idler arm.  The bill was very reasonable.  I plan to have more repair work done there in the future.  Joanne drove Obie home, following me in the truck and camper.

In mid-afternoon we headed to the Humane Society for our regular Tuesday afternoon shift of dog walking and cat cuddling.  I got bit by a ****ing little Chihuahua.  In the years that I have been dog walking at the Humane Society of Yuma, this is only the second time that I've been bit.  And both times were by Chihuahuas !  When we returned home we took Bo for a two lap walk around the dog park.  Joanne went grocery shopping at Albertsons.  I went bicycling at dusk.  I bumped into Laszlo and Gail, and chatted with them for awhile.  They’re feeling very ill with colds.

Wednesday ;  Sunny and mild.  Joanne cooked a sausage, potato, and cheese dish in the Sun Oven today.

This morning I took care of routine household chores.  This afternoon Joanne and I both worked on Elsie ( the truck camper ).  Joanne did cleaning work, inside and out. 
I removed the water heater sacrificial anode plug, cleaned mineral deposits off it, flushed mineral deposits out of the water heater's interior, then reinstalled the sacrificial anode plug.  That's an annual chore.  I also removed the remaining old propane tank, now empty, and installed the second new tank.  I had to do some modifications to the regulator mounting bracket.  Well, actually, I removed the regulator mounting bracket and custom fabricated a new one.  I also reinstalled the newly reupholstered sun visors back into Obie ( the SUV ).

At 3:30 PM Joanne headed to the Humane Society.  Yesterday she made a proposal to the foster co-ordinator.  She ( Joanne ) wanted to bring Emma the cat to our home on a temporary / foster basis to provide Emma with some much needed TLC.  Joanne first saw Emma last week before we left for Palm Springs.  It obviously did not make sense to offer to foster Emma just before we left for a four day trip.  But Emma was still there in the cat adoption wing yesterday, and was in even worse shape than she had been a week before.  Emma is a thirteen year old dark grey tabby, female, long haired.  And very matted.  And very skinny.  Joanne wants to remove the matts / tangles from her hair, with a brush and / or scissors, as necessary, and .... fatten her up a bit.  So ... this afternoon she returned to the Humane Society as requested yesterday by the foster
co-ordinator, and made arrangements to be Emma's "foster mommy".  On her way back from the Humane Society she went to Wal-Mart and purchased necessary food and supplies.

Emma's intake records indicate that she had previously lived with a dog.  And that was obvious as soon as she met Bo.  She's unconcerned about Bo's presence.  She drank a lot of water tonight, and ate a bit.  She needs to eat more than she has been.  Hopefully being back in a home environment will help that to happen.  After having her in our home for about the last six hours or so my cat allergies have not flared, despite her being long haired, so my ability to tolerate her looks promising.  I guess we'll see what happens after she spends a night in bed with us.  Wish me luck !

Thursday ;  Sunny and mild.  Joanne baked eggs and potatoes in the Sun Oven today to make a potato salad for a picnic this weekend.

Emma spent last night in bed with us, but she slept poorly, waking us up repeatedly with her restlessness.  However, we made some progress with getting her to eat today.  By the end of the day her spirits were improved.  She ate and drank a bit today.  She slept quite a bit during the day.  She needed food and sleep.  She is SOOOOO scrawny and bony !

This afternoon I inspected the work recently done on Obie by Yepez Automotive.  I was dismayed to find that one of the upper ball joint mounting bolts, and its nut and lock washer, were mangled during installation.  What sloppy workmanship, and the result of using power tools too big and too powerful for the size of hardware being installed, a common problem in automotive servicing.  It was very difficult to remove the mangled bolt, lock washer, and nut.  And then I did not have a replacement.  I "borrowed" a replacement bolt and nut from our friend / neighbour Larry.

I also spent quite a bit of time over at a neighbour's, sorting through some items she has asked me for help selling.  He has Alzheimer's, she's had a stroke, they no longer have a motorhome and towed car, but they have some very expensive towed car tow bar equipment and brake control equipment, etc.

This evening I summarized our 2016 medical expenses for income tax purposes.

Friday ;  Sunny, windy, chilly.

Joanne went to bed last night upset with the lack of progress made getting Emma to eat.

Late this morning we headed east to The Foothills to run errands.  While I shopped at Al's RV Supplies monthly 15% off customer appreciation day Joanne went to the nearby 99¢ Only Store.  When I was finished shopping ( and eating my free donut ) at Al's RV Supplies I joined Joanne at the 99¢ Only Store.  We bought some cat treats, canned cat food, and canned tuna for Emma.  We drove down the street a short distance to Fry's where I refilled Obie with fuel at Fry's Fuel Bar then we went inside Fry's to do some grocery shopping.  After Fry's we headed west back towards home.  We stopped at
The Foothills Wal-Mart shopping mall and had a late lunch at Del Taco before going
Wal-Martin'.  I bought a new battery for Obie.  Last stop on the way home was Wally's World where I bought some hardware.

Back at home Joanne was thrilled to find that the cat treats she had bought were a big hit with Emma.  Finally ... she was eating enthusiastically.  It doesn't matter that it's "junk food".  As long as some nutrition gets into her !  Otherwise ... all we're doing is providing "palliative care".  Late in the evening Joanne cooked a turkey liver ( from our Christmas turkey ) that she had almost forgotten about.  BINGO !  Another big hit with Emma !  She ate a fair amount of cat treats, and some turkey liver, and drank quite a bit of water today.  WHEW !  Some meaningful progress !  Joanne brushed her a bit.  Her spirits improved.  When I was eating a bowl of ice cream after supper she caught a whiff of it, jumped up on the table and came over to ask for some.  Go ahead ... knock yourself out, Emma.  HA HA HA !  She quite enjoyed eating ice cream out of my bowl.  Bo was indignant that he didn't get the same opportunity.  Joanne was a bit annoyed at me.  HEY ... it's YOUR cat and she needs to eat.  HA HA HA !

Saturday ;  Sunny, windy, cool.

This afternoon we took Emma back to the Humane Society for a FVRCP booster shot.  She doesn't like travelling in the car, in a pet carrier.  And she certainly did not like being at the Humane Society again.  I hope we don't have to eventually return her there.  We are beginning to discuss the possibility of adopting her, or fostering her until we find someone who may be interested in adopting her, although potential adopters of thirteen year old cats are pretty few and far between.  Again today she showed improvement.  She is eating better.  She is drinking water regularly.  She has "claimed" our rocker recliner as "hers".  Possibly because it's the only seating / sleeping surface in our fifth wheel trailer that doesn't have a lot of Bo smell on it.  She's showing more confidence and contentment.

And ... today we received an e-mail updating us on Molly, the little dog that we rescued ( as KayDee ) here at Kofa Ko-op five years ago.  Her adopter sent us photos and an update on how well she is doing, and how much she is loved, five years later.  How heart warming !  And encouraging !  It inspires us to work even harder to "save" Emma.

Joanne went grocery shopping by herself.  I worked on a propane problem.  And I took an empty propane tank to be refilled.  I barbecued chicken for a picnic lunch tomorrow.  We walked two laps around the dog park, twice today.  I went bicycling at dusk.  I spent the evening working on year end investment file updates and analysis.  2016 was an okay year in the stock markets, finishing strongly.  I worked on setting up an inventory list spreadsheet of some specialized equipment I am going to try to sell on behalf of a neighbour who needs help.

DSK

December 25 to 31, 2016 ; Yuma, Arizona to Palm Springs, California

Sunday ;  Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noel / Feliz Navidad

Sunny and mild, a bit cooler than usual for Christmas.  Joanne was a bit late putting the turkey outside into the Sun Oven to cook.  The sunlight ended before the turkey was cooked.  It had to be finished in the oven inside the trailer.

We started our day with our traditional Christmas brunch of waffles slathered with jam and ice cream.  That's actually my family's Christmas brunch tradition, not Joanne's.  But today's jam and ice cream were both so superb that Joanne ate her waffles with jam and ice cream, like a Kirby should.  HA HA HA !  This is probably the first time in twenty-five years she has had her waffles that way.  The jam was a jar of home made Saskatoon berry jam that I bought at a farmer's market in Quesnel, in northern B.C., when we were on our way to Haida Gwaii last summer.  The ice cream was Tillamook Old Fashioned Vanilla, one of about three different flavours of vanilla ice cream that Tillamook ( Cheese Factory in Tillamook, Oregon ) makes.  Best Christmas morning waffle brunch I've had in my entire sixty-two years of life !

After brunch I set up the Sun Oven in the back yard, Joanne put the turkey in to cook, and we went on our morning two lap ( about a mile and a half ) walk around the dog park.  We have cooked a turkey in the Sun Oven before, but never on Christmas Day.  After our walk we opened gifts in the Arizona room.  We thought Bo might be too old to want to open all the gifts, but ... NOOOOO ! ! !  HA HA HA !  He was as enthusiastic about opening all of the Christmas gifts on his thirteenth Christmas with us as he was on the first, in 2004.  However ... while his enthusiasm has not waned, his stamina has.  HA HA HA !  By the time he was finished opening all our gifts, he was exhausted !  HA HA HA HA HA !

After gift opening we went back inside the trailer to make phone calls to family.  Bo napped !  HA HA HA !  I had a lengthy phone chat with my sister, then Joanne had one with hers.  Both sisters are hunkering down for the blizzard that is supposed to hit the Winnipeg ( Manitoba, Canada ) area later this evening.  Late in the afternoon we had another two lap walk around the dog park, then I went bicycling.  Just before going on our dog park walk we removed the turkey from the Sun Oven and put it in the oven in the trailer.

This is the first time in many years that we did not share in the communal Christmas dinner in the clubhouse.  As a result of the disgust we feel after the recent Presidential election here in the United States we have chosen to keep ourselves socially isolated this winter season, and are quite enjoying that change.

Christmas dinner was stupendous !  Thank you, my love / mon amour / mi amor !

Monday ;  Boxing Day ( in Canada )

Partially sunny, windy, chilly.  Joanne partially cooked a chicken, pineapple, and rice dish for supper in the Sun Oven, but once again it had to be finished inside in the trailer oven.

I did routine household chores this morning.  We walked twice around the dog park. 
I took a small load of firewood over to Laszlo's and Gail's lot and dumped it there for Laszlo to load into his truck for our upcoming New Year's Eve trip to Palm Springs that will include a campfire dinner at Quartzsite.  I watered our plants and gardens. 
I cleaned and polished shoes.  I removed, unsuccessfully attempted to repair, and reinstalled the trailer's bedroom shade.  HMPH !  I think we should replace that complicated construction day / night pleated fabric shade with a simple vinyl mini-blind.  And we both spent a lot of time searching for my lost three pack of dental tools that are a staple part of my tool box.

When we went for our late afternoon two lap walk around the dog park it was so chilly that we only did one lap.  And I did not go bicycling afterwards.  Living within spitting distance of the Mexico border all winter has turned us into a pair of wimps, hasn’t it ? ! ?

Tuesday ;  Sunny, windy, chilly.

We skipped our morning walk around the dog park because we were in a bit of a hurry to get going on some errands.  We drove to the storage area, turned on the camper's battery power and propane, and turned on the fridge to get it chilled by tomorrow.  Joanne left in Obie ( the SUV ), and I took Lanoire ( the truck ) out of its parking spot in the storage area.  We drove to Somerton, southwest of Yuma, and dropped Obie off at Yepez Automotive to have some front end / steering / suspension repairs done.  We will pick Obie up in a week after we're back from Palm Springs.

From Somerton we headed back into Yuma, to Dave's Auto Glass & Upholstery to pick up the reupholstered sun visors for Obie.  DARN ... they were closed !  We drove to Yuma Palms Shopping Center and bought dog food at PetsMart.  We were back home about 1 PM.  We had lunch then headed to the Humane Society for our regular Tuesday afternoon volunteer shift of dog walking and cat cuddling.  WHEW !  Tiring !  When we arrived back home about 5 PM we took Bo for a two lap walk around the dog park, then I wrestled a burnt out front signal light bulb out of Lanoire.  I didn't have the correct replacement bulb, so I had to reinstall the headlight assembly without replacing the bulb.  HMPH !  Difficult headlight removal and reinstallation, and I will have to do it again within the next couple of days, after I buy the correct replacement bulb.

Joanne did laundry late in the afternoon / early in the evening, as she also prepared supper.  I did some online bill paying, and responded to a request for a trailer towing quote from back home in BC.  No time frame indicated, but I'm assuming the potential client needs trailer towing service sooner than late April, which is when we will be back home in BC.

Wednesday ;  Sunny and cool.

This morning we walked two laps around the dog park, I did some routine maintenance on Lanoire ( the truck ), Joanne removed and stored all of our Christmas decorations, then we went to the storage yard and loaded Elsie ( the camper ) onto Lanoire.  We had a late lunch, then Joanne worked on loading the camper for our upcoming New Year's Eve trip to Palm Springs.  We trimmed Bo's dew claws.  I trimmed my beard.  We walked another two laps around the dog park, I went bicycling, and ... it was dark !

While Joanne prepared supper I renewed our emergency roadside assistance membership.  I hope !  I think !  It's kind of hard to tell, there was a bit of an online glitch.

Thursday ;  Yuma, Arizona to Palm Springs, California

Sunny and mild.

By the time we were finished our morning chores, had finished our departure preparations, and walked a couple of laps around the dog park, it was noon.  We had planned to depart earlier than that, but ... !  Laszlo and Gail, who were coming to Palm Springs with us, albeit in their own truck and trailer, were running even later than we were, so ... we left without them. We drove to two fuel bars in Yuma, both were sold out of diesel fuel.  HUH ?  We left Yuma without refilling with diesel.  We stopped at O'Reilly's Auto Parts to buy a replacement turn signal bulb for Lanoire.  They didn't have the bulb I needed.  We picked up the reupholstered sun visors for Obie at Dave’s Auto Glass & Upholstery.  Nice work !

We headed west out of Yuma on Interstate 8, immediately crossing the Colorado River into California.  I-8 was under construction, and we missed the turn to Holtville, where we were supposed to meet Laszlo and Gail for a late lunch.  We got off I-8 at Hwy. 111 and had to backtrack about ten miles back to Holtville, where Laszlo and Gail were already waiting for us at Holtville Taco Shop, where we always stop for exceptionally good burritos.  We had our excellent burrito lunch, then I bought the correct truck signal light bulb at Auto Zone, and we stocked up on pan dulce at Donut Avenue before leaving Holtville.

We "dipsy doodled" around rural back roads and Hwy. 78, heading both north and west, until reaching Hwy. 86 running north along the west shore of the Salton Sea, then north on Hwy. 86 until reaching Interstate 10 at the eastern edge of the Palm Springs urban area.  We arrived at Spotlight 29 Casino near the intersection of Hwy. 86 and Interstate 10 a few minutes before darkness at 6 PM.  Well, actually, it was 5 PM California time.  We found ourselves good overnight boondocking spots in the RV overnight parking lot of Spotlight 29 Casino.  Joanne walked Bo, Gail walked DeeOJee, Laszlo unhitched their truck from their trailer, and we headed in their truck to downtown Palm Springs for Thursday evening Village Fest.

We arrived downtown at 6 PM just as Village Fest was getting underway.  Every Thursday evening about a six to eight bock stretch of Palm Springs main downtown street is closed to traffic, and becomes a pedestrians only street fair with food and arts and crafts vendors and street entertainers.  This was Laszlo's and Gail's first time at Village Fest.  We spent a couple of hours wandering up one side of the street, then back down the other side.  I bought a birthday card for Joanne.  By the time we had walked the length of Village Fest in both directions we were all feeling tired.  We drove back to Spotlight 29 Casino, our "home" for the next two nights, arriving about 9 PM.

Friday ;  Cloudy and mild, a few drops of rain in the early afternoon.

This morning we drove a short distance from Spotlight 29 Casino to Love's Travel Center to refill our freshwater tank and dump our grey waste tank.  We returned to Spotlight 29 Casino, loaded Laszlo, Gail, and DeeOJee the Pit Bull into our truck and headed off for a day of shopping in Palm Springs.  On our way to Trader Joe's we stopped and refilled Lanoire with diesel at Ralph's ( a grocery store chain ) Fuel Bar.  Diesel fuel in Palm Springs, California is forty cents a gallon more expensive than in Yuma, Arizona !

As usual, we spent a surprisingly large amount of money at Trader Joe's buying ( on impulse ) their gourmet / exotic / specialty food items.  I bought a HUGE four pound chocolate bar as a birthday present for Joanne.  HA HA HA !  From Trader Joe's we headed off to find the Cathedral City location of Revivals, our favourite thrift store, at their second location.  However, on the way, we stumbled across a third Revivals location, in Rancho Mirage.  We stopped and browsed there, then headed to the Cathedral City location where we had initially been heading.  We shopped at PetsMart for a bag of dog food for DeeOJee, who had never been PetsMart shopping before.  No problem ... Bo showed her how it's done.  HA HA HA HA HA !  Both dogs enjoyed their shopping trip immensely.

It was now mid-afternoon, everyone was getting tired, so we headed downtown to the Palm Springs dog park, the best dog park we have ever encountered.  And we've been to a lot of dog parks !  We spent about an hour or so in the dog park.  Bo and DeeOJee had a wonderful time meeting and romping with new friends.  We spent the entire time in the "big dog" section of the two section dog park.  Bo doesn't know that he's a little dog.  HA HA HA !  Both dogs were tired by the time we left around 4 PM.

Our final shopping stop was the downtown, original location of Revivals, a very upscale thrift store run by a gay men's organization.  Yes, yes ... I know that upscale thrift store is an oxymoron, but where else can you find thrift stores that almost always ( including today ) have donated, used, baby grand pianos for sale.  Actually ... today there were two baby grand pianos.  One had been sold.  The price was $100, and the buyer had used a 25% discount coupon to buy it for $75 !  I LOVE PALM SPRINGS !  At this last Revivals locations that we shopped at I bought a brand new, suede Cubavera shirt
( $4.50 with senior's discount ), and Joanne bought a brand new, pink cashmere hooded sweater ( $15.30 with senior's discount ).

We finished shopping shortly after 5 PM, and it was already dark.  Time to head to nearby Sherman's Deli for an early supper ( we had skipped lunch ).  MMMMM !  As always, we had an extraordinarily good meal at Sherman's Deli.  Each of us brought half our meal home as leftovers, probably for tomorrow's lunch.  We left Sherman's Deli about 7 PM.  On the way back home to Spotlight 29 Casino we stopped at Aqua Caliente Casino, where we are moving to tomorrow, to see how crowded their RV overnight parking lot is.  It isn't !  Just before reaching "home" we stopped at Eagle Truck Wash at the TA Travel Center so that Laszlo could get a quote on how much it would cost to have his fifth wheel trailer washed tomorrow morning.  We were home around 8 PM.  I took Bo for a bathroom walk, he quickly ate supper, drank some water, jumped up into bed, and was asleep and snoring within seconds.  HA HA HA !  Good dog, Bo !  That dog park is tiring, isn't it ? ! ?

Saturday ;  New Year's Eve

Cloudy and mild, with a bit of light rain early in the evening.

This morning we left Spotlight 29 Casino and while Joanne and I went to Love's Travel Center to refill our freshwater tank and dump our grey waste tank.  Laszlo and Gail went to TA Travel Center to get their fifth wheel trailer washed at Eagle Truck Wash.  We drove west on Interstate 10 a few exits to Aqua Caliente Casino, our "home" for tonight.  We got ourselves comfortably parked in the RV overnight parking lot, then had an early lunch.

In Laszlo's and Gail's truck we drove to College Of The Desert, to their weekend "Street Fair", an upscale flea market held on the campus grounds every Saturday and Sunday.  We wandered around there for a couple of hours, buying nothing, but enjoying the experience.  We left there and headed to one of the Revivals Thrift Stores that we were at yesterday so that Laszlo and Gail could buy a couple of brand new memory foam pillows that were on sale there.  For reasons unknown to us Revivals had inventory of a large quantity of brand new memory foam pillows, being sold for the ridiculously low price of $15 each.  While Laszlo and Gail stood in the long line up to pay ... today was 50% off most items ... Joanne and I browsed.  I bought a very nice, long sleeved, pullover sweater, regular men's sweater price $4, but $2 today.  Made in Lesotho, seems to be brand new, never worn or washed.  Must have been some upscale retailer's "last year's style" donation.  HEY ... this is Palm Springs !

On our way back "home" to Aqua Caliente Casino Laszlo refilled their truck with diesel.  Back at home around 4 PM most of us took an afternoon nap.  At 5 PM Joanne and
I walked over to the casino.  We checked out the buffet restaurant's New Year's Eve special menu ... WOO-HOO ... and picked up our "New Year's Eve with Huey Lewis and the News" tickets at the box office.  WOO-HOO, WOO-HOO, WOO-HOO !  I am SO excited !

Fearful of long line ups to get into the buffet restaurant we all went for supper at 6 PM, quite a bit earlier than we are used to eating.  However ... since champagne was being served freely tonight in the Grand Palms Buffet we sat and chatted and sipped champagne for awhile before beginning to eat.  And then, when we did begin to eat ... WOO-HOO ... well ... not our first time at the rodeo, one might say !  HA HA HA !  Tonight's meat carving station featured turkey, prime rib, and roast lamb.  GEEEEEZ,
I love roast lamb.  So ... I ate a LOT of roast lamb ! ! !  HA HA HA !

At 8 PM we all waddled back to our rigs for a couple of hours of resting and showering and dressing for tonight's New Year's Eve party with music by Huey Lewis and the News, one of the hardest working rock & roll bands of the early 1980's.  I have been looking forward to this evening for a long time, since I learned of this opportunity, and bought the tickets as soon as they were available last April.  I am typing this at 9:30 PM, an hour before the party / concert begins.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Well !  It's now 2:30 AM.  The concert is over.  And what a stupendous concert it was !  Best New Year's Eve of my life ! ! !  Huey can still rock it !  And he's a couple of years older than we are !  After the concert ended we walked back to the RV parking lot and joined Laszlo and Gail in their rig for a celebratory drink of "bubbly" to welcome in the New Year.

DSK