The Wandering Minstrel

The Better Half and I decided to drain the spa for the winter season. Even though we are likely to get 70° + days during the winter months, we figured that keeping the spa heated up would be a losing proposition.

Clickable image - ice chunks coming out of the hose

I hooked up the hose to the drain on the spa after running the other end down to the wash west of the house. I was mildly surprised by the chunks of ice coming out of the hose as the water started draining. I should have expected that since there was a layer of ice floating on the water in the bucket under the RV drive hose bib.

After we got the spa drained, I went to the spa manual and read the section about winterizing. I have to get out the shop vac and remove the water standing in the spa’s internal plumbing pipes to avoid freezing damage.

I saw a bumper sticker in town the other day that said “RETIREMENT IS A FULL-TIME JOB.” I’m beginning to believe that very thing.

. . . and there’s nobody there to hear it, does it make a sound?

This is the spectacle that greeted us as we pulled into our driveway after our trip out to California. Clickable image courtesy TBH.

We went to the grocery store to shop for provisions for the California house. As we passed the meat counter, The Better Half and I saw this great-looking New York strip steak. I knew it was a good thing to have an outdoor gas grill at both locations. This was excellent, served with broccoli and an artichoke that The Better Half steamed. Please do not drool on your keyboard. Clickable image.

Eat your hearts of Romaine out, you poor moonbat vegan bastards.

I reckon that we were only five and a half hours past the solstice on the first day of summer when I took this photo of the time and temperature atomic clock on our patio. At 3:46 PM, or so, the temperature hit just on the slightly high side of 107° here in Wickenburg, Arizona. I’d say summer is off to a good start in our town.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The Better Half and I are used to the warm temperatures; we used to own a time-share in Palm Desert, California and were the only one of the four families in the group that stayed there during the summers. We rather enjoy the desert temperatures and, in fact, we spent most of the afternoon on the patio reading and enjoying the back yard.

Regardless of our tolerance for the warm temperatures, we are looking forward to having the new spa installed later this month or early in July. A nice dip in the water (without the heater or bubbles) seems like it will be refreshing.

The Better Half and I took a ride a few days ago. Our route took us to the north and east of town driving past ranches and farms. Twice along the route, we crossed the Hassayampa River. The “raging” Hassayampa isn’t as dry as it looks, though. The river flows along the bedrock below the river bed and flows on the surface south of town where the bedrock is close to the surface.

Clickable image courtesy of The Better Half - Looking south towards town with the Vulture Mountains in the distance and Vulture Peak at the far right.

This area used to be one of the places the nomadic Yavapai Indians dwelled as they wandered between seasonal agricultural and hunting sites. I’m reading a book about the history of this area and find it to be very interesting to learn about our chosen retirement town’s past and culture.

I don’t usually post flora and fauna pix, but today, The Better Half caught this nice (clickable) photo of one of the cardinals that are frequently seen in our back yard on his way from the mesquite tree to the seed block that she hangs near the patio. We have seen at least two pairs of cardinals contending for the goodies that The Better Half hangs out for most takers. We shoo the greedy cowbirds away to leave the munchings to pretty birds like this.

The Better Half snapped this (clickable) photo of a sign along a scenic route north of town today. It appears that some folks get their target practice on public property.

C’mon guys - stay classy. The sportsmen’s club is more than happy to have you shoot at their facility.

By the way, click the image to see how beautiful the scenic route is.

The Better Half and I spent most of the day today watching the critters and birds that populate our backyard. She took this (clickable) photo of one of our neighbors, a rock squirrel. I have heard about squirrels storing nuts, but this little guy is taking it to extremes.