Bye Little Quail

So each time we leave our mountain home we declare when we're coming back. In a couple of weeks. By the middle of the month. Later this month, etc. Now we say in a couple of weeks, but probably 3. It makes us feel better to have a plan.

It'll give us time to make more soup and stews, freeze them and bring w/us in the cooler. When we're ready

Mountains

Winding down from 3 days at Quail. It’s beautiful here at this time of the year: changing leaves, cool nights – enough to build fires in the wood stove – and some gentle rainfall last night continuing thru til morning. Friend Marie joined us for BBQ steak dinner last night. We pick her brain about re-modeling, renting, selling, all that good stuff. As I told her last night, she thinks out of the box.

I’ve been on Prednisone for my lung infection. It’s strong stuff and makes me jittery, jazzed and a bit crazier than usual. Due to finish it in a few days, I’m grateful that it probably will be done before I get divorced. But hey, maybe not. We have that almost 5 hour drive ahead of us this afternoon…

South America

Friend El Winters and I are planning a South American trip in the spring. First to the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador, then on to Machu Pichu in Peru. I've always wanted to go to these places -- badly and for years. My Mom also wanted to visit M.P., so I'll take her with me in my heart. If it wasn't for my inheritance from her, thus my investments, I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I've been reading up on the areas. Finished a memoir by a woman who lived on the Galapagos as a child (My Father's Island), it was fascinating. Just returned from the library with Spanish for Dummies; an English/Spanish dictionary; and a book called A Traveler's Guide to El Dorado and the Inca Empire. Seems to have a lot of useful info about traveling down there.

Patrick said he'd speak Spanish to me every morning so I can practice. I took 3 years of it in high school, but that was 350 years ago...

It's an all inclusive tour and I'm told they take really good care of you. We will be sailing around the islands for 5 days. The only animal I don't care to get up close and personal with are the giant lizards -- I've already expressed my feelings about those creatures. Small, medium, large, gigantic. Nah.

Off to hit the books.

Friend El Winters and I are planning a trip to South America next Spring. The Galapogos Is. off Ecuador, then to Machu Pichu in Peru. I've ALWAYS wanted to see both places. My mom always wanted to go to M.P., so I'm taking in my heart. And, if it weren't for my inheritance, thus my property investments, I couldn't afford to go either.

Just rturned from the library, checked out a Spanish for Dummies: Spanish/English

Computers and Sled Dogs

I've been postponing working on my blog -- I know why. I thought I should practice writing it on my laptop and transferring it later to the blog itself. I just did it successfully and feel more confidant.

Most of you who are about my age know what I mean about confidence. We weren't brought up with a computer in the house. I think the first one I ever saw was when I worked for the county of Santa Barbara in the early 80's. It took up a very large room in the basement of the Admin. Bldg. And it was scary!

So we get dragged, kicking and some of us screaming, into the 21st Century. I say that I just want to know enough to get by. I do love my new laptop. Neat Solitare.

Well, I'll write on this off and on today. It's fun, Nancy. I know, I know.


SLED DOG FOOD & BOOTIES

A few weeks ago I began to receive large boxes, delivered by the USPS. They were addressed to daughter Jen, forwarded by the P.O. in Skagway, Alaska. Now, although she has some mail forwarded to her here, I knew she wasn't purchasing boucoup stuff from large companies and sending them to herself in Alaska.

One arrived with REFRIGERATE IMMEDIATELY stamped all over it. With some sleuthing it was determined that a woman in the Yukon had been granted permission to use Jen's Skagway post office box -- but not by Jen. So Michelle's stuff was forwarded to Jen here.

Turns out that the box to refrigerate contained perishable dog food for the woman's sled dogs. She participates in the yearly Iditelrod. Another had dog booties in it.

I hope Michelle finally gets her goods. I told the USPS to return to sender...

Question:

IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE?