Out of Quarantine YEAH

So, I have finished my 14 day quarantine, now I have nowhere to go.

Got up to take pictures of the moon setting, didn't get any that I liked. Went ahead and filled the bird feeders and checked to mouse traps. Since we had a good downpour yesterday I don't need to water.

I set aside this morning to get the lawn tractor going. Was already with my curse words, the manual and the phone numbers for customer service. I had charged up my battery jumper so it was ready to go this morning. Went out and attached the jumper, no luck the starter whirs but does not engage. I look around the engine compartment, I don't want to do too much as it is still under warranty. It looks like I can remove the cowling with out disrupting to much. Mouse pee everywhere, wash it off and spray a little WD40 on the spring of the starter. After about 15-20 minutes of taking this apart and putting it back together, it starts right up. No cursing, had to put those words away for later. 

I had allotted the whole morning to get worked up and now what am I supposed to do with this pent up energy.

Came in the house and worked on two months of gallery sales. That went smoothly, too. Then reviewed my pricing.

Well, at least, the energy has dissipated and I can carry on with what is looking to be a beautiful day.

Besides cooking, the rest of the day was relaxing. One load of laundry. 15 minutes in the massage chair. Finished one book and have started another.

Quarantine Day 12-14

French Toast with Bacon for breakfast.

Started the day with a nice breakfast.

Cooler today, just kept the windows open all day. Didn't need the A/C at all.

Worked in the garden timing back some bushes, preparing to work on the dikes I am making.

Okay suddenly it is Tuesday. How time flies.

Saturday and Sunday were just working in the yard, photos and eating.

Sunday I was gathering the things I will need at the gallery, on Monday, I will be moving and rehanging all my photography. 

Went out to the gallery and rehung my work. I have to bring some more pieces down since I have more room.

Started to put together a shopping list for Tuesday. I figure to hit all the store first thing in the morning and get home before the thunder storms.

Went to all the stores on Tuesday and loaded up the freezer, should be good for awhile.

Sunset on August 31st

Quarantine Day 10 & 11

Awoke with a bit of energy this morning. Less smoke in the air, I can actually see Santa Fe, though it is still hazy.

Did the morning chores. I am now making a loaf of bread and a tray of chocolate brownies.

Today was a cooking day, made some wings for lunch and snacking on.

So basically I cooked and stuffed my face all day.

Not much else to do while sitting in self-isolation.

Did do some more trimming in the garden. Working on figuring out why my lawn tractor won't start. Went through all the trouble shooting, will have to call support on Monday.

Smoke continues to clear. We have had some very strong gusts of wind at sunset the last two nights. It has blown over my plants and hammock.

Quarantine Day 9

Sunrise

Did the morning chores. Charging up the batteries for the garden tools so I can do some yard work later.

Added some wood to the hot tub.

My house sitter came by to drop off a few things and pick up a few items. She sure is going to miss the hot tub.

Air is a little clearer today, I can almost see Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Already hot and muggy, am inside with the A/C going.

Received a call from the USPS about the missing package. They told me what I already knew and said they would send it to the next level. Have a feeling that I will never see this package again.

Climbed in the hot tub at sunset and relaxed before going to bed.

 

Quarantine Day 8

Still no sign of the smoke letting up. Got up too late to get a picture this morning. Went out to water and feed the birds. I will reheat the hot tub in a bit.

Made french toast and bacon for breakfast.

Have to call and see if the local feed store has any peanuts, my scrub-jays are looking for them.

Before leaving Rhode Island, I sent 3 packages to myself, two were delivered and the 3rd is missing. Just sent a inquiry to USPS, let's see how long it takes for a reply and how long it will take to receive the package.

Went to the Feed Store and stocked up on bird feed. Grabbed another sprinkler attachment for the drip system in the vegetable garden

The smoke seems to be starting to dissipate a bit. I could actually see a few lights from Santa Fe at night.

Quarantine Day 7

This morning's sunrise.

Did the daily watering and threw some wood on the hot tub. It is such a pleasure to get up and climb in a nice hot tub. Watch the birds eating and there is no sound.

Pretty lazy day, smoke is making it hard to do much. 

Did a bit of weeding and triming the plants. Tomatoes are starting to ripen, there are a few ears of corn that are looking good. Hoping to get some good potatoes out of the remaining plants. There are only a few melons and onions, the carrots are looking good.

 

I believe squirrel has moved into the garden, but it is not touching the vegetables, yet.

Hoping these fires will get under control and the smoke will start to dissipate.

I have refilled the hummingbird feeders but not many are coming around.

Until tomorrow, have a good day.

Quarantine Day 6

Sunrise on a cloudy, smokey morning.

Sunflower

Curved Billed Thrasher

Awoke to smokey skies, again. Did my daily watering and feeding the birds. Added some wood the hot tub, climbed in for a morning soak.

Sent in my grocery order, for pickup this morning.

Drove into town to get my groceries, contactless pickup. Then I drove straight home again.

Had a chat with Lisa, Lola escaped again. Barefoot chase down a gravel driveway.

Rest of the day uneventful, lots of smoke in the air, makes it difficult to do much.

I did get to watch the Giants beat the Diamondbacks, again.

 

Quarantine Day 5

Smokey Sunrise

Smoke is very heavy this morning.

Did the usual, watered the plants, started to heat up the hot tub and had breakfast.

Jack joined me for breakfast.

Received a text from Lisa last night she made it home at 9:30 pm her time, 11:30 pm my time. Exhausted by she has arrived and it seems the dogs love their new yard.

Smoked filled the skies all day today. Went in the hot tub before lunch and again after dinner. Hoping it is warm in the morning.

Going back to watch the final innings of the Giants game. Love those cutouts. 

Quarantine Day 4

This mornings sunrise

Very lazy day, had to drag myself out of bed. Sore back, need to reheat the hot tub and climb in.

Fed the birds and did the watering.

Made some breakfast and discovered that my food delivery person forgot the eggs.

Just heard that Lisa made to Alaska at about 9:30am.

Update: Lisa made it to Alaska. She had to get up at 4am to make to the border by 9am. They only give you 24 hours to cross the Yukon. They had made a mistake on her paperwork when she entered, it showed her having to leave the same day she entered. It did not turn out to be an issue.

She went to US customs and sailed right through, the dogs even got a treat for the agents. They reviewed her paperwork and gave her a bunch of paperwork, which she threw on the seat on drove off.

I believe she said that she pulled over around 10 am to feed the dogs, which she hadn't had time to do before. Each dog wears a harness, a leash is attached. the leashes are then secured to a carabiner that is attached to the car. She went to get their food and bowls from the back. As she came around the car she saw and animal int the road, then she thought that it looks like a beagle. She thinks someone else has a beagle out here. Then she looks down and sees that "Houdini" aka "Lola" has once again slipped her harness. 

Lisa calls out to Lola and she turns and starts running back. You can not make a move towards Lola after she is headed to you or she will bolt. Lisa made a slight move when Lola was about 6 feet away. Lola turned, Lisa shouted "LOLA DROP", she did and she peed. Lisa put them in the car and they were not to come out until she got home.

Which she had intended to spend another night in a hotel, as it was a long drive to Homer. Remember those papers she threw on the seat, she read them. Basically it said that you will go straight to the place where you will quarantine , do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. No gas station stops, No bathroom stops, No food stops, DO NOT LEAVE YOU VEHICLE "PERIOD". GMAFB

Waiting to hear if she gotten home, she figured around 8:30pm.

So, now you get hear about what I ate today.....

Quarantine Day 2

Sunrise through the smoke.

Cerrillos, New Mexico

Today, I got up and went out to water and check all the mouse and rat traps. The traps had not been checked in awhile, found two petrified squirrels and one snake.

I have refilled the hot tub and will fire it up later for a good soaking.

Came in and made myself some french toast for breakfast.

Contacted my friend, Sammy, sent her a grocery list, since I am in quarantine and can't go out. She will deliver to me tomorrow. 

My hand hurts like hell, so I will probably sit inside with the air conditioner on. The skies are filled with smoke from fires in Arizona, Colorado and one that started here yesterday. 

Lazy day walked around the yard. Searched through my current food situation and mad lunch from potatoes, from the garden, onion, sliced hot dog, brussel sprouts, with garlic sliced, fresh ground pepper.

Sat and watched a movie. When I needed a snack, I made some chocolate chip cookies.

The sun sets on Day 2 of my quarantine.

Lisa made it from Fort St. John to Muncho Lake.

Twilight Zone and Recap

I have come to the conclusion that there is no truck and I am living in the Twilight Zone.

It seems the truck that was coming here, "straight" from Alaska to Rhode Island. They entered the lower 48 in Montana. It then proceeded to South Dakota, then on to Washington State, wait that is not the right direction. It got stuck there for an extra day due to a customer that had to run out during the middle of unloading. Okay, so now the truck is headed here and will be here Friday. Oh wait, somehow it ended up in North Carolina, WTFH. So they were going to arrive Sunday night, Monday morning at the latest.  Sunday night they inform us that will not get here until Tuesday. At this point I do not believe there is a truck coming.

It seems there were mushrooms in the Hunan Chicken that was ordered, spent another night with cramps

As if that were not enough, who let the dogs out. The dogs sleep with my sister and there is a gate to keep them in her room. She took the gate down to so we could remove a dresser, it did not get put back. She took the dogs to bed and closed her door. It was hot and humid, so she must have opened her door. At 1:15am, two Collies decided to join me on the couch. They sat on my legs while panting from the heat. This is just what I needed, hot dogs panting in my face and vibrating the bed. I attempted to get them to remove themselves. Then I removed myself to the office floor. This of course did wonders for my stomach cramps. At 1:44am, my sister took them back into her room, or so I thought. I moved back to the couch and promptly had a dog nose breathing in my face, again. Took the dog, in the dark and opened my sister's door to let her in, went back to bed. The dog had gone into the other bedroom in the dark, so a few minutes later, I again had a nose in my face. Turned on the light and marched the dog back to her bedroom and shut the door. By this time it is 2:45am and I can't sleep.

I arrived here, in Rhode Island, on the 10th of July, with the anticipation of leaving for Alaska within a few days. I have now been here a month.

I should be in Alaska, coming out of quarantine, taking pictures of moose, eagles and bears. 

Yet, here I am in the Twilight Zone.

Fishing for Strippers and then the cops came........

Today, my friend, Bill, came by and we headed out to Newport to do some Stripper fishing.

Came across a large horseshoe crab, floating dead in the water.

Though we didn't catch any Strippers we did have an exciting afternoon.

Three police vehicles pulled up to the pier, the officers got out and wandered down to Bill's car. One officers got back in his car and left. The two remaining officers started down the pier.

So, here is what had transpired:

Bill and I had set up our poles and we are fishing.

The pier has steps down to the water so people can get their fish out. People, also, use it to go for a swim.

I was getting something from the car, when a lady asked Bill to move our poles, so she could swim.

Now our poles and lines were nowhere near, nor, were they affecting other peoples ability to swim. 

He pointed that out to her and she got pissed off.

Then I came back and she approached me. Unknowingly, I gave the same answer, now she is really pissed.

She hems and haws, strutting around.

Maybe, I am overly sensitive at this point because of all the crap that has been going on in this country.

I hate to describe the "lady", BUT, she was elderly and white, most likely feeling her "Newport Privilege".

Information: I am white and grew up upper middle class. I have attempted to respect every person for who they are as a "person", that being said, you may do something to cause me stop respecting you. I, also, lived in Newport for a couple of years.

Most everyone, else there was a person of color, I had the feeling that she wanted to strut her crap in front of everyone, because she could, and if we moved what would happen to the next person. Would they follow her ridiculous demand. I would say they might be concerned about "KAREN".

She goes swimming, or I should say, she treaded water, next to the stairs, never more than five feet away. The closest she ever came to our line was when she was on the pier asking us to move the poles.

We had been there for awhile and Bill goes off to take a pee. There is no place to go, so he ducks under the pier.

Awhile later, the lady and her companion leave.

Back to where I left off.

The Officers approach Bill and I.

One says to, Bill, that a "lady" had called and said we were blocking her ability to swim and refused to move.

I pointed to our poles and stated that they had been, where they were, and they in no way affected her ability to swim.

So then, the other officer says that she had said he, Bill, was drinking beer. As an after though he said, "I don't really give a Fuck".

So the first officer then states that, she said she saw, Bill, go under the pier and take a pee. 

Bill gives the officer an "incredulous" look.

I, say, "No he didn't, but, I have to go really bad which is why we are packing up, and then ask him him if there is any place nearby"

He points to some kayaks down the way and says they may have a "Porta-Potty" from some construction work that was being done, or, I should find a secluded spot to go.

I ask if it is okay for me run, and he says; "Go". So, I take off.

Needless to say the "Porta-Potty" is no longer there. I am walking, block after block, looking for a secluded spot. Finally, I end up in some bushes by the bridge. Relief, AAAAHHHH.

I get back, the officers are gone, Bill has most of our stuff packed. We get the remaining items from the pier and drive back to my sister's house.

Yes, we did practice good social distancing, wore masks when required or any time there were too many people or someone got too close. Can't be too careful.

Stay tuned for the next adventure.

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