Bitter Air Moves into Elephant Butte State Park, Helping Hands, Indoor Stuff

Elephant Butte Lake State Park, New Mexico

We were up around 6:30 on Wednesday, Nov. 27^th aka Hump Day in the working world. Peeking out my blind I could see that it was still quite dark which meant clouds. Usually when it is a clear overnight sky, it is colder. Well, this morning it was 29F/-1C in the great outdoors! Brrr! Funny thing though, no frost on the windshields. Because of the darkness, I waited 15 minutes before bundling with an extra layer, my windbreaker, and headed out in daylight.

The morning sky as I headed out for my walk

There was no wind but the extra layer on my arms still helped considerably. I had a plan to walk up to Desert Cove, along the trail, so slipped 2 painted rocks in my pockets. One rock is my creation and one was found at Tres Rios RV Resort last spring in Glen Rose, TX. However, as I approached the Loop of Quail Run (which is before Desert Cove) I saw Wile E. crossing up from the road into that area.

I stopped. I debated and thought ‘why put myself in an on-guard position?’ so turned around and took the Dirt Road up to Ridge Road, down towards the beach and zig-zagged across the lanes to our Loop. I felt winded this morning, for some reason, and maybe because of the cooler air I was breathing heavier than normal. Also, cutting across sand requires more exertion. Back at home, I told Bill of the coyote and he was surprised that he was traipsing up through their camp too.

Can Jack ever move

He did say that it wouldn’t hurt me, more afraid of me but agreed that I was wise to avoid a situation since I was alone. I don’t want to be discouraged from walking so will just continue to be aware. I’ve never seen it in the early morning before. I had my tea and read a few blogs. I responded to a question on my blog a couple of days ago with some information (check your last post, Cheri) and wrote up one last Christmas card. Woops! We just remembered a birthday coming up so need to pick a card up for that.

One of my views this morning

 Today, we’re waiting to hear from Walmart about my items and once they're ready for pickup we can get a card then. Bob called Bill around 9:30 asking if he could borrow our blue boy to dump his tanks so Bill finished his coffee and took the b.b. and the macerator in Black Beauty and went up to help. Bill had left it out after using it for our own tanks and told Bob not to hesitate to ask if he needed it before we pull out. We have 5 more days here so he will be happy to have the tanks empty. 

It was a rougher walk on this 'dippy' path

Going back a few months, I made an ornament for our tree when I was at the pottery class in August. Today I found some twine to get it ready for hanging. I hope it isn’t too heavy or it will remain on the wall sconce. I emailed my cousin, Rita, with some info on the old pictures I mentioned yesterday so hopefully I’ve helped her with at least a couple. I also sent the pics to my siblings, if not for recognition, for their enjoyment. Don’t we all love the clothes from those days?

Funny to see this colour out in the desert

At 10, I pulled the stuff out for breakfast for when Bill returns and made myself a bullet proof coffee. Then, it was time to finish some rocks before getting the duster out. The Suite needs a good cleaning but whether I just do a touch up today and a full cleaning at Pilot Knob or whether to go full gusto today is yet to be determined. I’m thinking the former, I don’t feel too energetic.

My onament

Last night, Bill had a phone call from Guelph but because we didn’t recognize the number or know anyone who ‘lives’ there, we let it go. We always say, if it is someone we know or need to hear from, they will leave a message. They did. What joy it is to hear from rv’ers whom you’ve made an impression on. We both met this couple in March of 2017 at CanAm at one of the drive test days. And then, a year later in March.

The other little decorations I made at pottery class
The sunflower was my sister, Wendy's creation

Remembering them specifically is difficult but their names and the story of our meeting is very familiar. He even mentioned Clemson (‘your little dog’) and talked about the tour of our Suite. They have purchased an rv and will be travelling to Yuma in January with another couple. This is one of those very cool things about what we do. Both the CanAm connection Bill has but mostly our lifestyle. I’m sure we’ll work on a ‘meet-up’  while we are both in the area.

Another quail meeting
Maybe it is about their diet, they are all so fat

Bill and Bob made a couple of trips into town working on trying to improve our blue boy. Bill has not been happy with it completely for a couple of years. I got my paints out again and finished the 3 rocks that I prepped yesterday and then got addicted. I painted a few more. I was enjoying myself and therefore not much else got done. No, dusting didn’t get any more thought. There’s always tomorrow morning as we’ll have company tomorrow afternoon.

I wondered why kind of bird this was

While the boys were gone, Higgins and Jo-Anne dropped in to keep me company. We had a nice chat and Higgy settled down and caught a couple of ‘dog’ naps. 

Higgins watched Bill and Bob rehang the blue boy

When they went home, Bill came in and we had a cheese snack. Something that will tie us over until supper. I completed the rocks and turned the tv on after putting everything away. I wanted to catch the London weather but missed it and instead caught some of the news. News is depressing but it was interesting to watch their local stuff.

Madame IP gets Christmas gifts too

At 6, I started supper.  Leftovers, once they are out of the fridge, it is amazing how much space we have. The rain started this afternoon around 2 when Bill and I drove in to Walmart to pick up Madame IP’s Christmas gifts. All 4 items came in and I’m thrilled! Can’t wait to put them to use. Since then, the rain hasn’t stopped and with the cool temperature not rising above 41F, it was a good day to be inside.

My workshop

Supper was good. I fried my pizza on the stove and warmed Bill’s spaghetti in the microwave. I didn’t eat all of the crust, but enjoyed the toppings along with the cheese-filled garlic knots. We had some programs to watch on PVR so after getting the dishes out of the way, we put 9-1-1 on. For a treat, we opened our new container of Tillamook Oregon Strawberry ice cream. We’ve been waiting for this since we picked it up. Next best thing (or better?) than Chapman's back home.

Today's rocks

This wasn’t a productive day for anything other than painting rocks. Good thing that I don’t have a boss to report to. The rain started to get a bit heavier around 7 but we sure didn’t get the 1” that was forecast. That is a lot for this area. By 9, it had stopped completely. How was your day?

Supper was good
Good night from Elephant Butte

Thank you for stopping by.

Windy Walk Didn’t Deter Me, Christmas Cards, Old Photographs

Elephant Butte, NM

The wind was pretty strong last evening and through the night although I slept through it after 11 pm. Bill and I curled up and watched a Christmas movie in bed that didn’t end until then. We both admitted when he turned the tv off that we’d missed some key parts but at least caught the predictable ending. I was asleep really quickly after that and first woke at 3 am on Tuesday, Nov. 26^th. I’m grateful that I can drop right off again easily and we both woke at 6:30 and got up.

I couldn't decide on which pictures so chose collages

I could sure hear the wind then but it was a mild 47F/8.5C so it didn’t deter me from my walk. Unless it is raining, I push myself to get out there. I don’t have to push too hard, really, I enjoy walking here so much. Today, down Sumac to Dirt Road and then across Ridge Road back to Sumac again. Not as long as some mornings but each day involves hills so I’m feeling that this is great exercise for me when away from home.

A map of the state park
Now the names of the roads will make more sense
The green line is what the host marked our second visit here in 2017

With my tea at home, I read the blogs, happy to see so many regulars keeping up daily. Yay! We are all keeping busy. I’m especially happy to hear that our friend, George, is able to control his pain and find some satisfaction from eating again. With decent rest, these are all good things for the betterment of his health. Suzie is doing an awesome job keeping up with the blog posts, keeping us all informed.

When the Francis's stopped in to discuss plans
Higgins kept watch out the window

My heart melts over this little guy

My cousin’s wife, Rita, whom I haven’t met is working on a family tree and has asked for some help naming people in old family photos. Both my aunt and uncle have long passed so that makes it difficult for her. I’m really enjoying seeing these pictures from Aunt Joan’s collections as many of them are ones that I’ve never seen before. Even I’m having difficulty with some faces in the photos but it is making my brain work! I can send them to my siblings if I need to for some help.

Daddy with my 5 older siblings
I wasn't born yet

It was just after 9:30 when I made us our omelettes for breakfast and then I had another coffee. Bill was very close to finishing his book so he sat to get a few more chapters read before we did the dishes up. He did manage to finish it during the morning. The sun is glorious outside and I’d love to get out my paints again but it might have to wait until this afternoon in the hopes that the wind dies down. The picnic table won’t be in the sun then and I want to be warm enough.

An adorable picture of Mom and her Dad

After dishes, I stepped out to add to our recycling bag, they do recycle here which is nice, and that wind sent me back inside really quickly! Our meter registered a 33-mph gust just went through. Bill’s wind sock is really dancing up there. Since it was only 10:30 and I was all cleaned up for the day, I sat and finished addressing Christmas cards so they could be sent in the next day or two. I’m focused each year on sending them, where other people have let the tradition go.

And one last one with my 3 cousins on the left
and yours truly on the right

Like with family and close friend’s birthdays, I want to carry on with Mom’s way of doing things. She can’t send them anymore but I know if she could, she wouldn’t miss anyone’s special day. Obviously, it doesn’t matter whether we get them in return, since we’re traveling, I don’t expect them back. Sometimes when we arrive home, other ‘die-hard’ traditionalists have sent them out as well and it is fun to open them in April.

Today, a Happy Hour rum and egg nog was in order

When that was finished, we chatted with my sister, Donna, news from back home and then I started painting rocks. I had a couple of ideas and sometimes it just depends on the size and shape of the rock itself. I did that for a few hours inside on the dining table while Bill and I discussed where we’re going next with Bob and Jo-Anne. We booked our next 2 parks for when we leave here on Dec. 2^nd and they did the same.

At 4, I slipped out for a walk before it got cool and dark

It was peaceful and I never met a soul

The sky was clear as I headed back towards home

 Later, around 4:00, I went for a walk while my rocks dried. I need to remember to take my walking stick at that time of day as well as in the morning. It is the time when we’ve seen Wile E. Coyote out and about. I didn’t think of it until I was halfway around so picked up a rock. I wouldn’t hurt him! It was ‘just in case’ I needed to spook him but I was watchful and didn’t see him at all. Back home, it was only 4:30, too early for supper, so I painted a couple more rock bases.

Sitting here by itself, a prickly pear cactus

Jo-Anne texted around 5 when I was getting ready to warm up supper (leftover pizza and spaghetti) and offered us some fried Wall-eye that they had too much of. Well, that beats our supper plans so I popped some fries in the air fryer and that was our feast. Thanks guys! We enjoyed it very much. For dessert, we finished off the last two pieces of New York cheesecake and took care of dishes by 6:30.

My rocks from today
At the bottom, 3 painted waiting for pictures
An island on the left in the middle of an ocean of waves
Top left, a teapot for my buddy back home
top cenre - an aerial view of The Ridge in August
A little Suite humour on a heart
Top right - I don't know - a whale/fish

We have 3 programs set up for recording tonight and we’ll watch The Voice as well as the Dolly Parton special. In between glimpses at the tv, I managed to download the pictures from today and finish my post. This has been a quiet, 'hang around the house' day. The wind has died down from earlier but is still around 7 to 15 mph and I suppose working on bringing the rain in that we are expecting tomorrow.

Fried wall-eye and fries

It will be an inside day again but that’s okay, with our hobbies and whatever to fill the time. I hope you’ve had a good day too.

The last of our cheesecake (until next time)
Good night everyone
Stay well

Thank you for your visit.