Another step ....

One step closer! It's actually on its way! See that top line? Da TV has left da location, a-huh-huh!


The info says it is estimated to be delivered on 7/1, just day after tomorrow! Wooo hooo!

I knew you'd all want to be kept up the minute on this. LOL! OK, OK, the form says the next update won't be till tomorrow, so don't sweat it. I will try to contain my excitement and not bug you again about this today, alright?

Bad Blogger

Blogger is being quite cantankerous this morning, and is intermittently disallowing me to comment, here or on your blogs, too.

I'll get back later with everyone later.

BAD Blogger, BAD Blogger, BAD Blogger!!

Oh, oh, oh!!!!!

Wooo Hoooo! It's on its way!!!!





Maybe it will be closer to 7/1 delivery that 7/8 (the two dates of the "estimated" delivery)!!

Thoughts for Tuesday

I'm beginning something new. On Tuesday I plan to take a quote that has inspired me in some way, and write a little about what it means to me. Nothing complex, just my thoughts about why that quote is important to me, how it interests me, how it touched me. Feel free to comment on it or to post your own, and please let me know if you do that.

So here we go .....

I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.
~Rosalia de Castro, (1837-1885), Galician romanticist writer and poet.

I have always had a sense of adventure, and I enjoy new experiences. At least most of the time, I do. I see life as a journey, and a journey without having fun along the way would be terribly boring. I think everyone should stop and visit the historical landmarks, the tourist traps, the scenic overlooks, etc., as they go. So that's what I do. I have no idea where the next segment of my journey will lead, but unless I go with it, I won't ever find out, now will I?

I can't, none of us can see into our future. I can choose to hunker down and wait for the next wave to hit me, pounding me into the sand, or I can lean forward and dive into it and see where the swell takes me. I choose the latter!

Through my life, some of the best things to come to me have been total surprises. Conversely, some of the biggest disappointments have been those things that I decided I wanted and worked hard to get or to achieve, only to have them blow up or fizzle out before my eyes. At first I had to accept that I wasn't in charge. That was a challenge! Next I came to realize that sometimes we don't get things we desperately want or are convinced we can't live without, possibly because they aren't good for us in the first place! And eventually, I began to let the forces bigger than myself take the control in my stead, and I began to find more happiness and peace than I've ever known.

I don't mean to suggest that we give up on making plans or planning for the future. Mercy! We would all be floundering like ships on the sea with out sails! No, we still plan for our needs down the road. BUT .... we need to be flexible in those plans. When Plan A doesn't work, I usually have a Plan B to fall back on. And when I get to Plan H (OK, I usually don't wait this long!), I know it wasn't meant to be. If I've remained open to the changes of the wind and the storms and the other obstacles, "going with the flow" as often as I can, and it still isn't working, then I accept that I must have been unbelievably off course, and I return to the drawing board.

Frankly, I like riding the tide, seeing where it takes me. I've had more fun on those side trips than on the interstate. That is where I've met the most interesting people and had the greatest fun in my life. When I stick too closely to "The Plan," I've had my biggest disappointments. So I've most often chosen to simply follow the path, although I can't see what is around the bend ahead. I've chosen the adventure of accepting what comes my way, and I enjoy the surprises as they occur. Of course, I watch where I'm going so I don't step into a gully and break a leg as I go. My life has been more fully blessed with people and things and places than I can convey, because I'm not fighting against the forces, but letting them direct my feet.

So .... is your path leading you, or are you leading it?

One after one after one after one .....

Lawdy, I'm frustrated!

I spent most of the morning trying to figure out what to do about my ailing TV set. It is not quite four years old.

Aside: Bah on Westinghouse

It began giving me problems around February, I think. I'm not going to bore you with the details of the problem, but the short version is that the sound and picture simply quit at random intervals.

Of course, it is not under warranty now, and I understood that. But I had hoped to get enough information from Westinghouse to at least know what is most likely the cause of that problem so that a local service person wouldn't rip me off. And I hoped to find out an idea of what the cost might be, if they could tell me a general range. In over thirty minutes on the phone, I was actually speaking to a person (with a very slight, but suspicious accent) for less than ten minutes. During that conversation, she blamed it on everything but the TV itself. Cable/dish reception? Nope, all four others are working fine. Lines in wrong places? Nope, it's been just like that for 3 years, no changes. Etc., etc., etc. She kept saying they would not reimburse me, and I kept saying, no I didn't expect that, but I wanted info about the product so I wouldn't be taken advantage of. And she would repeat they don't reimburse or repair out of warranty! Arghhh!

I finally got exasperated and said that this call was worthless, and I'd never buy another Westinghouse TV. I realize that digital TVs are a different thing, but I've had TVs in the past that worked for 20 or more years. In fact, there is a little analog TV in my guest room that is about 15 years old and still works just fine! Next, I tried to find a place at the website to issue a complaint, but, guess what??? Of course, they don't have one!

Then I googled for a Westinghouse repair place. The closest one is 75 or 80 miles away. A service call would have cost me almost $150!!! And then parts! If the repair/parts ran just $100, I was already looking at half the cost or more for a new set. Now, it might have been a $25 part, but I seriously doubt that. In fact, hoping for a $100 part is optimistic, I think. So I asked what a diagnostic would cost if I bring it in. I was told that they don't do in-house on anything over 25", because if it is damaged or jostled in taking it back home, they can't guarantee their work. I understand that. But without knowing what the parts costs might be, $150 for the service call seemed too much.

So I went online shopping, and I will have a new 37" delivered between 7/1 and 7/8. It also includes a new surround system. I'll move the sound system I have now to the office to have better listening there. I have a good one already in my bedroom. With it delivered to my house, I don't have to wrestle it up the steps myself. That, in itself, is worth the wait.

While I was looking for the repair service, I found several complaint sites about Westinghouse TVs. There were dozens of issues I read through, and it seems that they were all about the 32" sets, and all of them had similar problems to mine. They seemed to range from about the age of mine to brand new ones purchased in 2110! Huh? You'd think that Westinghouse Customer Service (WCS) would have been able to say what the general cause is, since there are so many problems out there! However, the ones I read all reflected similar problems with WCS: slow response to inquiries: uninformed and uninforming personnel who were of little assistance; sets under warranty being sent back for repair/replacement (at the customer's expense, mind you) and not returned for weeks; even replacement sets developing the same/similar problems.

I'll be happy to get the new set here and set up. And I won't be dealing with Westinghouse any more.

I also got some replacements ordered today for the two remote controls. Did I tell you about that? I can't remember. While I was in Colorado, one of the dogs age the remote control for my Bose in the bedroom! Probably Sammy. That boy will eat anything, I swear! Linda found it in the back yard one day, totally ripped apart! And when I returned from the last Tucson trip, the remote for my Kodak Easy Share digital picture frame was missing. I figured it fell behind the couch, but I moved all the furniture in the area, and even unfolded the hide-a-bed to see if it might have been tangled in there, but no luck. I walked all over the deck and the back yard looking for it, but found no trace. I assume someone ate that, too. And before some smart alec asks, YES, I DO FEED MY DOGS! Lola's little round belly is proof of that!

Now, I need a replacement battery for my laptop, and I need to update some of my software, too. I ned to replace the lawnmower with one I can start more easily. I'm going to need new tires on the truck by fall. The dogs are needing shots.


ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know how we keep up this busy pace!

It has been a really jam-packed day.




Joey guarded the back yard from the window seat ....















.... while Lolita had my back on the couch.













Maxwell's post was at my feet.














Jazmyn was a but uneasy about the weather, so she was alertly beside me on the couch.












Sam was Joey's backup at the window.














When Joe got a little warm in the window, he stretched out on the floor ....














.... and Lola and Sammy took over his responsibility.











Finally, knowing everyone was on alert in her stead, Jazi decided to relax a little.












Yeah, it's been an action packed day.

Hairy legs, LAWDY!!

I think I should shave my legs. Soon. Very soon.



What do you think?















Max is gonna help.












OK, I admit, it isn't hair. It's grass. And here is how I got it on my legs.


I gave up on trying to get the mower started. I'm going to have a "broken" rotator cuff if I don't quit yanking on that cord! So I got out the weed eater and "mowed" the grass with it. Not too efficient, not a nice even finish on the lawn, but at least it isn't twelve inches tall!

Here's the story: Three years ago I bought my mower. I decided that I didn't need the electric starter, because I could pull the cord to start it. And I didn't have a lot of problem in the beginning. However, I've used it ten or twelve times, three or four times each year I've lived here. And it seems to be more difficult each year. When I get it out for the first time every year, I have a LOT of trouble getting it started, and then it is OK for the rest of the season.

This year, I've tried for four days to start the dang thing, without success. And my shoulder is getting so sore I can hardly stand it. I've decided I need to sell this one and buy an electric. With my little patch of grass, I don't need anything heavy duty, but I need something that will start!!



I also finished the railing on the ramp today. WHEW! Now all I have to do is replace a ton of floor boards on the ramp. sighhh. There is never an end to the work.

And then, there is the scrub oak.

And planting seeds.

And painting the well house.

And refinishing the deck.

And paining the deck.

And touch up painting inside the house.

Oh my.

Complicated life

No, not really.

We had thunderstorms for the a couple hours this afternoon. I'm so glad to get the rain. However, I had two dogs glued to me (Jaz and Joe), and then it seemed the other three think it's unfair for them to get so much attention, so all five were clustered around me on the couch.

It's nice to know I'm loved and trusted by these dear little dogs. Rather than feel "put upon" by them acting as if I had static electricity and attracted them to me, it makes me feel good that the trust is there. And knowing that they can trust a human at all is very good.

That set of storms moved on, and this evening, another passed over, but I didn't get any rain from the last one. It's OK, storms are in the forecast everyday for the next ten days, so I'm pretty sure we'll get some more.

Linda came over for dinner this evening, and we watched "It's Complicated." Neither of us had seen it, and we enjoyed it so much! If you're over 50 and have been divorced, there is a lot to identify with, even if you never considered getting back together with the ex. We both laughed and said "Oh, yeah!' over and over! Such a fun movie!

After grilling pork chops I left the grill on to burn off the grates. Two and half hours later, I remembered it was still on! I hope I still have gas in the bottle! I do wish those bottles had gauges so I could tell. If I ran the world ....

OK, I need sleep. Hasta mañana, y'all!!

High class dogs in my house!

My pups are patrons of the arts. They appreciate good work, whether paining, sculpting, mixed media .... whatever it is, they know good stuff when they see it. Trust me, they are discerning.

To wit, they sponsored Linda in a studio art tour that is coming up in August. No, I'm not kidding. My little guys have gone from rescues to critics and patrons in just two short years!






See?????

And Shamana is the sophisticated canine who owns a friend of ours. She also chose to sponsor Linda.

I'm telling ya, I run in a high-falutin' crowd! I'm not sure I can keep up with these Kids!

Tonight

Sorry.

I can't help myself ......





Some parts were fiery .....





Some parts were softly pastel ....






And other parts were just misty and mysterious ....



It was beautiful in all directions.

.... Life is beautiful!!!!

Dealership waiting rooms

I'm home from the expensive 50,000 mile "tune up." GAH!! But let's not talk about that depressing expenditure of my money.

While I was waiting I read from my Kindle and just relaxed. They gave me a courtesy car so I could go for lunch and shopping, if I wished. I had a delicious lunch with cousin Kelly. I had a crab salad stuffed avocado, and it was absolutely awesome! We chatted for over an hour, but unfortunately she had to go back to work. She is really stressed, because her older brother is going through a serious depression, and she is the only one in the family who will take time to help him. Another brother and two sisters are pretty much ignoring him, saying they don't have time. Yes, they all have problems in their lives, too, but Kelly took care of their mother with Alzheimer's and an aunt (I think she had dementia, too) for over ten years. You'd think someone else could step up to the plate and at least give her some break time. Poor girl.

After lunch I stopped at Hastings. Are you familiar with Hastings? I love it because they have used books, CDs and DVDs, as well as new ones. I'd hoped to find some audiobooks, but zeroed out on that. However, I found some good CDs for next to nothing. I came home with Il Divo, Siempre; John Coltrane, Settin' the Pace; Nina Simone, Best of ....; a Lena Horne Anthology; and Il Divo, Il Divo. All are used, and were under $5. Two problems: I already had the second Il Divo (Il Divo); and the Lena Horne won't play in my computer. This latter issue is that I always upload to the computer, then if I want to take it with me, I make a knock-off. I only play the originals at home to avoid damage. So this one I can only play here. Or take a risk. But for $2.99, I'll risk it. It is apparently an older CD, because the computer tells me "This format is no longer supported on this computer." I'll try it on my desktop since it is a couple years older, but I doubt it will work there, either. The duplicated Il Divo will go to a friend. Haven't decided who. It won't be wasted, for sure!

The dealership waiting room was hotter than blazes when I returned from lunch. Arghhh. They said the air conditioner was not working right and the repairman was supposed to be out this afternoon. I was miserable, and sitting on a plastic couch didn't help! Shortly before I left a man came in from Lubbock, and we talked a while and really enjoyed our time. As I was getting in my truck, he opened the waiting room door and called, "Now if you come to Lubbock, give me a call." I nodded, but as I pulled out, I thought, "How the heck does he think I could do that? I don't even now his name!" Yes, I know, I could have gone back in and traded numbers, but I didn't. He's a retired banker from Texas .... chances are he is politically conservative, and I'm just not sure I want to even go there. He was also a bit of a conversation hog, and I just wasn't that excited about it. There were about 15 minutes between me leaving the waiting room and getting in the truck, so I figure if he really wanted to now me, he would have made use of the time. Oh, well!

As I was leaving to drive home, I saw that there were lots of clouds. I knew it was possibly gong to rain today, but I didn't think much of it. When I got close to home, I began to smell it. Ohhh, I love that smell! After leaving the highway I could tell there had been a good rain, as the dirt road was still moist. The closer I got to home, the more puddles I could see in the bar ditch! I was really glad to see that and hoped Jaz wasn't a basket case. She was very glad to see me but seemed to have her mind in tact! I got almost 1/2 inch! Woo hoo! The weather forecast now says to expect rain for the next 9 days! I'm guessing the monsoon season is officially here. And it is welcome!

I'm gonna get some dinner on. It has already been a long day, and although I had a fabulous lunch, I'm getting hungry again. Y'all take care!

Day Trip .... Santa Fe!

I'm happy to report that Santa Fe is alive and well. And still intact, for the most part, after our day trip!

I was very tired when I got home last night, especially in my lower back. I was on my feet atop concrete for a greater part of the day than is normal with me. However, it was well worth it!

We had decided to eat lunch at El Farol, a delightful restaurant on Canyon Road. If you're familiar with Santa Fe, yo know that Canyon Road is THE art district of the city, although you see art everywhere you turn. When we arrived Pearl, Linda and I visited a number of the galleries near the restaurant, while we passed the hour before we were to meet my friend Enid, who lives there. I did not take pictures inside the galleries. Most of them have posted signs forbidding that, and I respect it, although the gallery I worked in for a while did allow it. Therefore, you will be seeing just what was outside. That's actually good because I would have to post at least 400 pictures if I'd shot everything that captured my eye inside!

One of the real eye-catchers was one featuring metal art. A cactus plant:


Whimsical wall art of metal:

And various animal like this moose:
And an elephant:


And this metal man that was set back behind a wall. Only when I got home and downloaded these did I realize it looks like he is, uhmm, relieving himself in back of the wall!!
This was from a different gallery.
A fountain of a huge stone with a tiny pool in the top was a favorite piece I saw there. I have enough big stones to do something like this, but no way am I going to be able to drill through one like this!




Even the external ends of the vigas were decorated, like this one with glass inlays. (If you click on it, you will be able to see the beautiful glass.)











This chrome or steel with brass sculpture fascinated me. It's interesting that many forms of art are not my style, but I'm still drawn to them and admire them.
I liked the metal and glass yard art around the are and this is a favorite.
And this is no slouch as an example of yard art.
We all liked this mermaid.


I adored this Horned Toad or Horny Toad. He is about three feet long, and I would love to have him in my garden!












We also enjoyed all the adobe buildings. Most of the building in this area (in fact in most of Santa Fe (excluding residential in the new areas) are adobe. I especially like this shot of one with the huge trees and the rich blue sky and puffy clouds.









Another with ivy growing on the side. Doesn't it look peaceful?



An adobe wall outside a building with trees and clouds caught my eye.










As we walked around, we were enchanted with the flowers that were everywhere! In front of buildings:

And in flowerbeds around the buildings:












I liked the clematis growing around this metal and glass piece:





Color was all over the place!










Does anyone know what this plant is? None of us recognized it. So pretty!









And then it was time for lunch. We had chosen a restaurant that featured tapas on the menu. It is called El Farol. We ordered ten different ones and shared them. They were all wonderful! Our selections:

jamon serrano (Mountain cured Spanish ham)
boquerones (white Spanish anchovies)
curried chicken (chicken salad w/celery and grapes)
roasted red bell pepper (w/feta cheese)
bonito (seared ahi tuna w/ spinach and chipotle-mustard vinaigrette)
chorizo de rioja (smoky paprika sausage w/ fig aioli)
gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic, lime & madiera)
puerco asado (pork tenderloin w/ figs, port & idiazabel)
aguacate (flash fried avocado w/ salsa and lime crema)**a definite favorite!!
polenta (Grilled manchego cheese polenta w/ romesco)

These are the first four brought to our table.

And a plate before we began to ruin it!

Six more followed, but I didn't take pictures (1) because our plates didn't look so pleasant once we began to eat, and (2) Hellooo??? I never gave it a thought once I tasted these things!!

Along with that was a pitcher of sangria, shared by the other three. I personally had a margarita, as I was afraid with the wine I might have a headache later. Some wines do that to me, so I'm careful. Since I was driving, that would be bad. One margarita, accompanied by food and followed by nearly three hours of talking and walking left me good for the road.

We sat outside, in the open air, under a vine-covered pergola, which was perfect. The temperature was around 80°, and it was so pleasant.


Pearl, my British-born friend who is so delightful and fun. She lived for long periods in Spain and Italy, among other places, and her knowledge of these foods was helpful in our selections.







Linda, dear Linda, who wouldn't quite making faces when I tried to take her picture!! Well, this is the least objectionable, and a lesson for all who don't think I will publish it!! She was in rare form yesterday!






Enid, my long time (back to grade school) friend, also a world traveler and in the know about the various foods. I was so happy to see her again!




Yes, I was there, too! And since you know me, no further excuse explanation is necessary!

Update: I remembered I have a better picture of Linda, so in fairness, I'm adding it. But remember if I'm taking your picture, I will continue, even if you play with me!! LOL!








After an extended lunch (I have no idea how long. Who cares or looks when you're having a wonderful time with good friends?) Linda, Pearl, and I browsed a few more galleries, then we headed to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. We all spent a lot, but oh, the wonderful foods we brought home with us! I personally brought fresh halibut steaks, salmon, sword fish, and the marvelous crab cakes from Whole Foods! Oh, yum! I also brought cheeses: Leyden with caraway seeds, Cottsworth with onions and chives, Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano. Then there is the assortment of breads, nuts. crackers, cookies and other treats for the gustatory palate.

Our ride home was quieter than our trip there. We were all tired. Happy, but tired. I dropped Pearl and Linda at their car, and we headed our separate ways. When I saw this in my rear view mirror, I immediately whipped the truck to the side of the road and jumped out for a snap. What a gorgeous sunset to mark the end of a great day!