A FREEZING COLD DAY HAS US DREAMING OF WARMER CLIMATES

IT WAS SO COLD IN DOUGLAS ARIZONA TODAY EVEN THE COWBOY CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS WERE  BUNDLED UP AGAINST THE WEATHER

Ohhhh, how the miserable icy wind did rifle itself down the Sulphur Springs Valley today.  It was narry a day fit for man or beast as we watched snow clouds touch down on the Valley floor.  With night time temperatures already below freezing the winds just added insult to injury today by driving the temps ever further downward right into the dungeon!!

KELLY BRAVED THE COLD TO TAKE THE GANG FOR A WALK….I STAYED IN THE RIG WITH AN ELECTRIC HEATER STUFFED IN MY SHORTS

Don’t think we even thought about getting out of our jammies until well after 9.  I was late getting the chores done and didn’t waste any time outside.  Pheebs brought Pearce and Gleeson back to the rig for a game of toys after breakfast. 

PHEEBS IS ALWAYS PLAYING THE CLOWN

About 11 we braced ourselves for a cold dash to the Jeep and headed ourselves on down to Douglas with heater on full blasters. (not the one in my shorts) There were sun splashes on the mountains and with the snow clouds moving through the Valley it was very pretty.  Rolling into Douglas we drove into a mild snow cloud.

CAN’T SEE IT BUT THERE IS SNOW IN THE AIR AS WE ROLL INTO DOUGLAS ARIZONA

Walmart was busy so it took a big extra dose of patience on my part navigating our cart around hurried Christmas shoppers.  We didn’t need a lot of things but just wanted to make sure we didn’t run out of anything over the next couple days.  The parking lot was like a game of bumper cars but we managed to safely maneuver ourselves through the metal maze and point our nose back up the Valley highway out of town.  Driving anywhere around here any time in any conditions is always scenic:))

 

I ACTUALLY FELT A SPURT OF CHRISTMAS SPIRIT SEEING A BIT OF SNOW IN THE AIR AS WE MADE OUR WAY INTO WALMART

Boondocker Rick over on Darby Wells had told me of a book I might like so we headed for the Elfrida Library because we knew the book was in.  ‘Blood And Thunder’ by Hampton Sides…..An Epic Of The American West. 

KELLY MAKES HERE WAY INTO THE COLD WIND ON HER WAY BACK TO THE JEEP FROM A DOUGLAS STORE

Quick stop at my favorite little western gas station in Elfrida for a fill up & then on to the library.  Grabbed the book and made some mighty fast tracks back to our warm & toasty Motorhome at the Ranch.  Lots of happy wagging tails to greet us.

 

THESE CHRISTMAS GRILL WREATHS ARE POPULAR THIS YEAR

Did the afternoon chores on the early side so I wouldn’t have to go back outside again and that was just about it for our Canadian like winter day.  I may not like this cold weather one bit but it sure beats sitting at home in frightfully cold weather and snow up to our Keisters.  At least here we do not have to shovel or drive in the miserable snow stuff!!

Had a question about the Sand Hill Cranes….Yes, the Cranes are here all winter.  It is their winter quarters until they begin making their way north again in March.  Bob had a question about our hook-ups here at the Ranch.  We have full free hook-ups (30 amp) including on site sewer.  And, we get to eat all the eggs we gather from the chickens.  We are averaging 2 eggs a day right now:))

I liked the Santa hats on Tucker and Lily in E & R'S TRAVELS.  They are under the Christmas tree waiting for Santa:))  In a few days they will be happily on their way with Mom & Dad to Myrtle Beach where they will exchange their Santa Hats for New Year’s Eve party hats:))

Also heading for Florida shortly are Montana Rancher’s JANNA AND MIKE.  Hopefully Mike can keep the snow drifts plowed out of their driveway enough to get their Motorhome rolling.  Crank up the rig’s heater folks. 

Another Snow Bird couple has opted to fly back north for a few days preferring to spend Christmas at home with family.  Canadian Ranchers JOHN & BRENDA flew home to Dogpound North, but I don’t think they flew their Dogpound South Maricopa horses home:))  Thanks for the invite to Dogpound South J & B.  One of these days we’ll get ourselves up around your way:))

Nice composition on BARNEY'S header photo and despite the big winds trying to blow JUDY & EMMA off the Planet she managed to get herself some nice bird photos.  And, how about this great gift at Christmas time.  RETIRED ROD was greatly relieved to wake up Thursday and not find himself dead after yet another round of serious surgery.  IVAN AND HAILEY have finally made it to warm and sunny California after digging themselves out of an Alberta winter a week or so ago.

These repeatedly colder southwestern winters sure have us thinking about warmer southern climates these days.  No, not Mexico…………………..

AWWWW, IT’S A DOG’S LIFE:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the wife sarcastically asked, "Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the husband replied, "In-laws."

--------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ PRETTY WELL SUMS UP MY DAY

MULE MOUNTAINS AT DUSK

The Whitewater Draw is a mile south of us and I could hear a great cacophony of sound arising from the thousands upon thousands of Sand Hill Cranes this morning.  No birds in the air so I was wondering if they were having a huge great argument about who was going to be the flight leaders for the day.  A short time later great waves of Cranes began lifting off and making their way up the Valley.

We were under cloudy skies and cool temperatures all day.  Aside from Pheebs and I getting a little more done around the corrals late this morning it was kind of a non energy day.  Just wasn’t feeling quite up to par and seemed to doze off just about every time I sat down.   With warmer weather and sunshine headed our way I am hopeful we’ll be out on some trails very soon.

CLOUD PATTERNS ON THE SWISS HELM MOUNTAINS

Both Kelly and I are sun people and seem to function at a higher mental and physical level on sunny days.  Really don’t think we would do well in some of the western States or coastal British Columbia with their higher rate of clouds and rain.  I do believe in Seasonal Defective Order and so does Jool.  Might want to catch her post entitled, S.A.D.  While there you might also like Jool’s post about SMALL SPACES.  Being a small spaces kind of guy myself I could sure identify with her thoughts.  Having grown up in a large two story brick house I would certainly not want to live in all that kind of big open space again.

Our yucky weather day got even yuckier about 3 p.m. when a short cold rain rolled through the area.  Pearce and Gleeson came in reminding me of a couple times they pulled a few overnighters a couple years ago.  We had a total of 5 furry dogs in the rig some cold nights.  Max and Checkers were with us then.  I love having all the dogs inside.  Some people like having a bunch of kids around.  I like having a bunch of dogs around:))

GLEESON AND PEARCE LIKE HANGING OUT WITH THE BAYFIELD BUMS…..CAN YOU FIND THE LITTLE  MOTORMOUSE 

Kelly made sure to gather up all my medical records from the Tucson hospital Wednesday just in case we travel further west next month. (which I think we will) Also wanted as much info as possible for our medical people back in Ontario when we get home in late March or early April.

We are leaning towards continuing our travels as planned next month and dealing with whatever happens, if and when it happens.  And, we just may be back at the Ranch again around the end of February.

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Recently a guy in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his van ran out of gas.
When asked how he could mastermind such a daring and otherwise brilliant crime and then make such an obvious error...
... He replied: "I 'ad no Monet to buy Degas to make de Van Gogh."

--------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

MY HOSPITAL VISIT….OH DEAR:((

ON OUR WAY TO TUCSON ARIZONA

Sure was a frosty early morning start to the day as I made my way around in the dark feeding confused Chickens and sleepy Ranch dogs.  This was our morning to be in Tucson so the Bunch was up early.  Jeep was completely covered in frost so fired it up to thaw it out.  Beautiful crescent Moon played hide and seek with a wispy cloud cover as we waved good-bye to Pheebs and Motor, slipping out the gate at 6:43 a.m.

COULD YOU TURN OUT THAT LIGHT DAD, I’M TRYING TO SLEEP IN THIS MORNING

I was looking forward to our early morning drive all the way to I-10.  I knew how the fiery sunrise was going to light up the Valley floor and surrounding Mountains.  I wasn’t disappointed and how rewarding it was to see Mother Nature at her dawning finest.

Traffic was lighter than expected so we had no problem rolling westward right into the southern end of Tucson where the hospital is located.  We are a tad familiar with this area so had no problem driving right up to the University of Arizona’s Medical Clinic Center.  Spotted an ‘In N Out’ burger place on the way in and made a mental note of it’s whereabouts for our way out.

Lots of room in the parking lot and we walked through the door right into the clinic end of the Hospital.  Reception had us fill out a lot of paper work which I do not remember much about, but here’s what I do remember.  The young girl at the desk asked for our address and I told her, Canada,  “Wow” she said, “I’ve never met anyone from Canada before.”  My words back to her were something like, “well, we’re not much different looking than you folks here in America:))”  That didn’t seem to go over too well so I let Kelly do the rest of the talking.

Being Canadians, we continued to run into more paper work and insurance related stumbling blocks but with Kelly’s patience we were able to get through it all.  I probably would have just turned around and left again.  We were surprised to have to pay a deposit fee of $150 right up front.

The Urologist guy was in surgery but we got to talk with his number 1 Nurse Practitioner who turned out to be very pleasant, patient and knowledgeable lady.  Her first words after entering the examination room with all my files was something to the effect, “Boy, have you got a Whopper of a Kidney Stone.  I liked her realistic attitude right away.  She then went on to tell us that it is not just one stone I have, but several, and in different places.  And, that’s not all she told us:((

WAITING IN THE EXAMINATION ROOM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TUCSON’S MEDICAL CLINIC

Cat Scans are very revealing things so she had a full report on not only my kidney stone status but other things going on in my abdomen as well.  Looks like I am going to have a very interesting medical summer coming up when we get home.  That ought to finally fix all my blah blah complaining about my boring summer days.  Now, how nice is that eh:))

Back to the Stone….NP said there is no way anything other than surgery is going to get that boulder out of me & it will likely involve a laser, amongst other things.  Right now, the stone has temporarily and apparently shifted to a non painful area.  She prescribed a muscle relaxer called, Tamsulosin which I am to begin tonight.  Said it is very unusual to see a Kidney Stone this size and she almost seemed a little excited by that.

I SWEAR THIS LITTLE BANTY ROOSTER IS STALKING ME……

Here’s the plan we are hoping for……..  We are all going to cross our fingers and hope this large stone remains where it is until we can get back to Ontario in the Spring.  I will then immediately have to set in motion plans for having this large stone and smaller stones removed.  If the stone shifts, sending me back into the Hospital I may be faced with Emergency Surgery.  Not knowing how our Insurance Company is going to react to all this it is going to be a real crap shoot to see who might have to pick up the tab for all the medical expenses.  Them, or us.  

So, long story short…..we are now faced with a slight dilemma.  Do we leave here as planned next month, moving further west to some of our favorite but more isolated boondocking sites or do we stay put in case something goes ‘bump’ in the night.  Sounds like that University of Tucson hospital is the best place to be if things turn sour before we can get home.  Anyway, it is something for us to mull over in the next couple days.  Personally, I think we should keep on rolling and enjoy the rest of our winter here in the great Southwest.

THE DISTANT SNOW CAPPED HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS

I do consider myself extremely fortunate to have reached the age of 67 without any serious medical problems in my life. Just the usual cuts and bruises. Don’t seem to even get colds anymore. No surgeries or prolonged stays in hospital and no pills of any kind except for one I take for Arthritis in my legs every few days. Sure can’t complain now just because I have a few normal aging things going on. So, no complaints from me Folks…..I have been a very lucky fellow indeed all these years:))

Hopefully, I will have something more interesting and RV related for Thursday’s blog other than medical stuff.

Upon leaving the hospital today we made tracks for the ‘In N Out’ burger joint we had spotted near the hospital.  Hadn’t eaten anything all morning so how great it was to sink my face into a Double Double burger.  We split the fries and washed it all down with water.  Seems I have to accept water now as my newest best friend in dealing with my current situation.  Water is soooooo boring……..

 

KELLY REALLY GETS INTO HER ‘IN N OUT’ BURGER

More than once in past blogs I have given my opinions on people using rude or sarcastic remarks in comments or blogs.  I particularly liked Deb’s recent post about sarcasm and the types of people who use that approach.  You can find Deb’s post at, FIND AN OUTLET when she writes about, ‘The Difference between Satire and Sarcasm’.  Thanks Deb, my feelings exactly and I also found your reader’s comments most refreshing.

Two new Blog Followers to welcome tonight.  BILLYBOB200138 climbed aboard our travels Tuesday and JOHN swung up the RV boarding plank just today.  Welcome aboard fellas:))

I’M SORRY CORA, I DIDN’T MEAN TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS

GROANER’S CORNER:((  There's a little fellow named Junior who hangs out at Tim Alley's Grocery Store. The owner Tim doesn't know what Junior's problem is, but the boys like to tease him. They say he is two bricks shy of a load. To prove it, sometimes they offer Junior his choice between a nickel and a dime. He always takes the nickel, they say, because it's bigger.
One day after Junior grabbed the nickel, Tim got him off to one side and said, "Junior, those boys are making fun of you. They think you don't know the dime is worth more than the nickel. Are you grabbing the nickel because it's bigger, or what?"
... Junior said, "Well, if I took the dime, they'd quit doing it!"

--------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.