How hot is it?

 

How D.O.G. tolerates the heat

Consort and I decided to change things up a bit this summer.  In past years we have spent the summer in the lush, green verdure of the Smoky Mountains.  This summer we decided to stay put in Brownsville.  There are a lot of things going on behind the scene just now that brought us to this decision.  If any of them ever come to fruition, you'll be the first to know.

When I talk to people here in south Texas about the heat, I get varied responses.  Some people find the heat oppressive and unlivable; others say if you limit your time outside and stay hydrated, it's not a problem.  Consort and I are somewhere in the middle with our opinions.  There's no question that outside there's nothing but hot, sticky heat.  The tropical humidity we have traps the heat overnight so nothing really has a chance to cool down.  It doesn't help that Texas is having an abnormal heat wave.  There have been four heat advisories so far in 2023, and we're not even into July and August.  The only year close to that was in 2016 when there was a total of three.

As humans, we do what we can to avoid the heat.  When we go to the beach, we sit under a huge umbrella.  If there's work to be done outside, it's done early in the morning or -- as is more common for consort and I -- early evening.  We've placed an insulated barrier over most of the interior windows.  We placed a heat reflecting panel on the exterior of the fifth wheel where the refrigerator is located to help keep the fridge cooler.  We wear loose clothing, hats and sunscreen, and we always wear shoes outside.

D.O.G. isn't thrilled with the heat.  D.O.G. is a Puli, and the Puli breed has a double coat of hair.  For him it's a lot like wearing long underwear and a winter coat all day every day.  I've trimmed back all of his cords/dreads, except on his legs and head, to help keep him as cool as possible.  But we needed to find a solution for his paws to avoid the hot pavement.

Note the two pictures above.  On the left, a chart listing pavement temps.  On the right is a picture of a dog's paws that were burned by the asphalt.  (Pics acquired off the internet.)

When we were still living in our sticks-and-bricks in Broken Arrow, I purchased a pair of Muttluks for D.O.G.  Every day, no matter the weather, D.O.G. and I went out for walks.  In the winter on the rare occasions we had snow or ice, I put D.O.G. in his Muttluks to protect his paws from sharp ice and salted snow.

So what are Muttluks?  Shoes for dogs, really good shoes for dogs.  The boots we purchased for the snow and ice are the original fleece-lined boots.  The soles are a soft leather with a fleece lining.  The exterior is made of waterproof fabric.  They were a little tricky to put on, but they worked beautifully.

Around the first part of May, consort and I realized that we were going to have to do something to protect D.O.G.'s paws from not only the hot pavement, but also the odious goat's head thorns that are found everywhere.  It didn't take long for us to also recognize the need for paw protection on the hot, sandy beach.

When it came time to order shoes for D.O.G., I thought the fleece-lined boots would be best.  I liked the idea of the extra fleece lining between paw pads and scorching surfaces.  Once the boots arrived, we began using them for every walk.  That's about 2.5 miles each day.  Sadly, after only two weeks of wearing the boots, the toes of the shoes were ripping out.  I have asked D.O.G. to please pick up his feet when he walks, but it doesn't seem to be helping.

I called Muttluks and explained the problem.  (That's a plus for the company right there:  Humans answer the phone in Muttluks' customer service department.)  The sales person I spoke with was knowledgeable about the product (another plus).  After asking me questions about how the boots were used, the sales rep suggested we switch from the original Muttluks to Mutt Trackers.  It is also important to note that the company replaced the worn shoes with new at no cost to me.

Mutt Trackers, which D.O.G. is showing off in the pictures above, are made like actual tennis shoes.  They have a rubber sole, leather toes, waterproof exterior, and Velcro closures.  They are super easy to put on and the wraparound Velcro strap keeps the boot in perfect position.

The most difficult thing about the Muttluks that I found was measuring the dog's paw for size.  The measuring itself wasn't hard, but trusting the results was a leap of faith.  D.O.G. is a pretty good-sized dog (whether he should be or not), but when I measured his paws for size, he fell into the extra-small category.  I went ahead and ordered the extra-small size even though I was pretty sure I'd be returning them.  I was pleased to find that the measurements were accurate and the boots fit like a glove.

I know buying shoes for dogs seems pretty ridiculous.  I am old enough to remember when dogs lived outside and roamed neighborhoods without leashes.  But I am a real proponent of shoes for dogs.  There are no more goat's head thorns stuck in his paws.  No grass seeds that need to be surgically removed.  And no burned or cracked paws.  What's not to love?   

They say you can tolerate the heat in Arizona because it's a dry heat.  I came in from running errands earlier today and made a comment to consort about the blistering heat and stifling humidity.  He smiled and said, Yes, but there's a breeze.

On the stereo:  Hot! Hot! Hot! ~Buster Poindexter

In a Tight Spot

Consort was inspired today to do some work inside one of the bins in our fifth wheel.  I went outside with him to help clean out the bin so he could crawl into it, remove side panels, and access the work to be done.  After everything was cleared, I went back inside leaving consort to work.  I told him to yell for me if he needed any help.

About five minutes later, I heard consort talking to someone outside (or so I thought).  Being a curious Kat, I went outside to see what was going on.  I did not see consort anywhere, nor were there any neighbors in the yard.  I called out to consort and he answered, but from where?

I decided consort must be on the back side of the trailer talking to our back-door neighbor.  As I went down the stairs and turned toward the back of the trailer, I heard consort's voice again.  His voice seemed nearby, but I was still puzzled as to his whereabouts.  He was nowhere to be seen.

Once again I started my walk around the trailer when I heard consort yell out.  The sound was muffled.  That's when I noticed the bin doors were closed tight.  I walked over to the trailer and opened one of the bin doors.  There he was, trapped inside.  The wind had blown the door shut.

I could not stop myself from laughing when I found my sweet husband trapped in such an unlikely spot.  Consort, ever the good sport, laughed along with me.  But later he made the comment that being accidentally stuck in a narrow space is  only hilarious if you're not the one jammed in a tight spot.  Of course he's right, but I have learned to appreciate the little things in life that make me laugh.  This fills the bill.

On the stereo:  There's no way out of here ~David Gilmour

A Thrilling Adventure at Dollywood

Hey there, thrill-seekers and amusement park enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the exhilarating world of Dollywood, the beloved amusement park nestled in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Join me as we explore the adrenaline-pumping roller coasters and share some unforgettable moments of fun with our beloved grandsons. So strap yourselves in, hold on tight, and let the adventure begin!

Welcome to Dollywood!

Notice the sign.  The pie is bottom rack.

Nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a magical destination that combines the charm of the Appalachian region with thrilling rides and world-class entertainment. It's the perfect place to create lasting memories with your grandsons and let loose with a dose of adventure.

The 2 youngest grandsons INSISTED
on riding in the first car every time !

Consort found the nearest trashcan upon exiting a roller coaster.

The Need for Speed:  Roller Coasters at Dollywood:

The Lightning Rod.  Brace yourself for an electrifying experience on the world's fastest wooden coaster, Lightning Rod. With speeds reaching up to 73 miles per hour, this coaster guarantees an adrenaline rush like no other. Feel the wind in your hair and let out screams of excitement as you navigate the twists and turns of this gravity-defying ride.

The Wild Eagle.  Soar like a majestic bird on the wings of the Wild Eagle, Dollywood's first wing coaster. As you glide through the sky at speeds of up to 61 miles per hour, the sensation of flying combined with stunning views of the Smokies will leave you breathless. Prepare for a sensation that's both thrilling and awe-inspiring.

(When I have my grandsons with me, their safety always comes first.  The Wild Eagle looked like a terrifying ride -- and it was, but both Middle and Youngest grandsons wanted to ride.  I got in line with them with the plan to share their ride.  When we made it to the front of the line, we realized only two people could ride at the same time.  The grandsons went solo.  I rode with the next guy in line.  Screamed throughout the entire ride.  Such fun!)

The Tennessee Tornado.  Hold on tight as the Tennessee Tornado sends you spinning and twisting through the mountains at a heart-pounding speed of 70 miles per hour. This steel coaster will leave you grinning from ear to ear as it takes you on an adrenaline-fueled journey of loops, corkscrews, and unexpected drops.

(And the Tennessee Tornado is the culprit that caused consort to seek the nearest trashcan upon exiting the roller coaster.  In his defense, he had just consumed about a quart of soda before starting the ride.)

I think the grandsons' eyes lit up more over food
and less over favorite characters.

Fun with Grandsons: Memories in the Making:

Dollywood isn't just about the thrilling rides; it's also about creating lasting memories with your grandsons. From watching their eyes light up as they meet their favorite characters to sharing laughter on family-friendly attractions like the Dollywood Express train or the River Battle water ride, every moment becomes a treasure.

Dollywood's live shows and entertainment options cater to all ages. Sit back and enjoy musical performances, dazzling acrobatics, and mesmerizing displays of talent that will leave your grandsons in awe. Whether it's the mesmerizing lights of the nightly fireworks or the toe-tapping tunes of the Bluegrass and Southern Gospel Festival, Dollywood offers a feast for the senses.

At Dollywood, the exhilarating roller coasters and the joy of spending quality time with your grandsons combine to create an unforgettable experience. From the heart-pounding speeds of Lightning Rod to the shared laughter on family-friendly attractions, this amusement park has something for everyone. So why wait? Grab your tickets, embrace the adventure, and make memories that will be cherished for a lifetime at Dollywood.

Remember, the next time you're seeking a thrilling adventure and some fun with your grandsons, Dollywood is the place to be. So, get ready to scream, laugh, and create memories that will be treasured for years to come. Happy riding!

{Disclaimer: Due to the dynamic nature of amusement parks, it's always a good idea to check Dollywood's official website or contact them directly for the latest information on roller coasters and attractions.}

Blogger's note.  This entire blog was written using AI, Artificial Intelligence.  I've been reading about AI and am intrigued by the technology.  I wondered what would happen if I gave AI some basic information concerning what I wanted to blog about.  You have now read the results.  Thoughts?

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom on 05/06/2023

Today I'm reposting a blog originally published on Mother's Day of  2020.  It's one of my favorites.  I've included an updated picture of mom.  She is timeless.  Enjoy!

The first time I met my mother was almost 59 years ago.  It was a very intimate setting, that first meeting.  She made me feel like I was the most important person in the world.

For a few years in elementary school, my mother was one of two leaders for my Girl Scout troop.  The weekly troop meetings were packed with crafts and activities, and always ended with the singing of Taps around the flagpole.

As much fun as the weekly meetings were, nothing compared with the campouts.  One in particular stands out in my mind.  It must have been a jamboree as lots of different troops were in attendance.

Mom, as a leader, was present for the campout and quickly became a favorite among the girls. It was easy to find mom despite the crowds of campers and leaders:  She always wore a red ball cap covered with white polka dots.  The hat promptly earned her the nickname of Polka Dot.  When the girls learned that Polka Dot was my mother, I became an instant rockstar simply by association.  Every team wanted her for a member.  No game was as satisfying without her participation.  We were all in agreement:  Polka Dot was a blast!

After high school, I was overflowing with plans and dreams.  Some plans had merit, but many were the ridiculous blather of an overblown and inexperienced teenager.  I remember my mother listening with unwavering patience, and without judgment, as I wandered aimlessly through extravagant thoughts and ideas.  She was a steady anchor available to me as I set sail in unknown waters.

In all of the years from then till now, my mother has been a constant in my life.  She has provided a road map to navigate the difficult terrain of life, of motherhood, by her every word and action.

She's the first person with whom I want to share good news or a funny story.  She offers comfort when the world has me out of sorts.  She never dwells on my many and varied faults.  She celebrates, wholeheartedly, my every victory as if it were her own, which I suppose in many ways, it is.  If I have achieved my goal of being a good mother to my own two children, it is only because of the success of the woman who walked the path before me.

Please accept my deepest thanks, Mom.  I appreciate your guidance, help, and unyielding love throughout my years.  Thank you for always being willing to go to the ends of the earth for me.  You have my highest regard.  I wish you long days and pleasant nights.  I salute you with my heart.


If you live to be a hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus one day, so that I never have to live a day without you. ~Winnie the Pooh

Ack!

I have been locked out of my computer blog for the last five months!  

While we were visiting our daughter and grandsons, back in October and November, I allowed the grandsons to use my computer for a virtual school day.  Everything went smoothly for them, but I had no idea what was in store for me.

We came to Brownsville for the winter season in December.  A few days after we arrived, our friends from Oklahoma, also full-time RVers, came to visit.  We had a great time with sightseeing, dinners out, and generally catching up.  Seriously, nothing in life is better than good friends and full-belly laughs!

After our friends left, I decided it was time to break the silence and write a blog.  That's when I got the message from Google telling me I was not allowed to access my blog due to age restrictions.  Additionally, I could not start a new blog.  Apparently when the grandsons used the computer, they logged into their school accounts through Google, but did not log out.  

Time flew by from December to now, as it generally does.  During these past months, I've tried everything within my limited skills to recapture my computer without success.  The first thing I tried was to log the boys out of their accounts on my computer.  I must have signed them out over a dozen times, but I was still locked out.  

Today I finally made time to take the laptop to the computer repair store.  I explained my dilemma and all I had done to rectify the problem.  The tech was flabbergasted.  He flipped through some different screens and, once again, tried logging the grandsons off.  Nothing.  One of the messages suggested I contact the administrative office of our grandson's school to see if their IT guys could help.

Nobody was home when I called IT and their voicemail wasn't working.  I had little confidence I would receive help when the tech guy's technology wasn't working.

Before giving up all hope, I once again tried to reclaim my computer by following the screens the computer repair guy had pulled up.  One screen led to another until I was at a log-in screen with two of my grandsons' and my name listed.  The prompt said:  Do you want to sign everybody out?  I answered, Yes.  Each name was successfully logged out.  I then logged into Google using my information.

And presto!  Everything is working again.  Yeah, it was just that simple. 

We're nowhere near caught up with our life on the road, but I now have the means to get there.  I hope, dear reader, that wherever you are, you are both healthy and happy, and will overlook my extended silence.  I'm here now, and...

...I'll be back.

We’ve had a windy storm…

No flood, but this…

Consort and I, and all three grandsons, are just fine.  D.O.G. and Fulton are fine.  We were all shaken up.  We were inside the trailer waiting out the storm when the tree fell.  The roof held, the trailer did not tip over.  The impact of the tree did knock an overhead ceiling vent out of its frame in the bathroom.

We don't know for sure what damage we'll find once the tree is cleared.  In the meantime, Consort has placed a tarp over the roof.

Camping, it's ALWAYS an adventure!!

Fulton gets a new hat

 

Road Trip

We left Brownsville, Texas, on Sunday, April 3rd.  Our plan was to leave at 9a, but that immediately changed when Fulton decided to make a break for it.  We spent half an hour just chasing after him.  

The 4 Seasons manager met us at our trailer so he could open the back gate for us to get out.  Saved a lot of effort by just being able to pull forward and out.  He voiced the opinion that our trailer tires were a little low and suggested we check the air one more time.  Hats off to his quote of the day:  Better safe than sorry.  Thanks, D!  

Our dear friend S made a point of stopping while she was out walking her dog Penny.  She hugged us goodbye and let us know she'd be praying for our safe travels.  Thanks, S, you have no idea how much that means to us.  There's nothing better than to know you're being covered in prayers.

Our first day on the road passed without incident -- well, the dead javelina and wild goat herd were a little out of the ordinary.  We drove 540 miles; 9.5 hours from Brownsville to Iraan, Texas, a small town off I-10W.

We first heard about Iraan last year on the Park4Night app.  Iraan has a population of only 1,281, but it has a beautiful city park.  It is the perfect place to dry dock:  secluded, dark, and very quiet.  Funnily enough, just like last year, neither consort nor I slept well.

Here's an interesting little fact.  Iraan is an amalgamation of Ira and Ann Yates, the owners of the ranchland upon which the town was built. ~Wikipedia

We were up early on day two of our three-day trip after an unsuccessful good night's rest.  We left Iraan before 9a headed toward El Paso with a final destination of Deming, New Mexico. 

Let me just say here that if you're wanting to go on a scenic drive, you will not find it anywhere between San Antonio and El Paso, Texas.  I would say there is nothing to look at, but that's not entirely true.  There are beautiful hills, mountains, plateaus, and plains.  Consort and I both find the geography of west Texas quite beautiful.  We passed the time practicing karaoke.

We drove 405 miles on day two, 7.5 hours, ending the day at Deming, New Mexico.  Deming is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, 100 miles northwest of El Paso and 200 miles east of Tucson.  Deming is home to West New Mexico University and a Walmart parking lot that is a beehive of activity.  18-wheelers and RV's begin to fill the parking lot between four and five in the afternoon.  The 18-wheelers come and go, and never shut down.  No matter how many motorhomes, fifth wheels, trailers, campers, and Tow Boys you count before you call it a night, there will be half a dozen more in the morning.  It is busy and noisy.  And again like last year, we left the windows open and slept like babies!

Fulton snuggled up with his travel buddy, Lamb Chop

Fulton absolutely HATES going for these long rides in the truck.  He wears a harness which is attached to a leash which is attached to the seatbelt.  His movement in the truck is limited.  We learned, after our first ride in the truck with the kitty, how necessary it is to limit the cat's movements.  The driver especially appreciates this.  As soon as Fulton is loaded in the truck, he slides down between the seat and the door in an incredibly small spot.  He seldom comes out from this hidey hole until we stop. 

On day two, Fulton again delayed our start time.  We were ready to load the animals and could not find Fulton anywhere.  We had been in and out of the trailer numerous times getting things ready.  Fulton is a wiley cat and has been known to zip out of the trailer without being seen.  I searched the trailer looking carefully in all the cabinets.  Consort walked the perimeter of the trailer.  Nothing.  We checked under the slides in the living room, we checked behind the slides, and once more through all the cabinets.  About the moment I was starting to panic, consort found the mangy moggy hiding under an ottoman.  I'm sure he was laughing as he watched us search the trailer.  But we found him.  Humans: 2; Feline: 0.

On day three, we drove from Deming, New Mexico, to Tucson, Arizonia, and then on to Apache Junction.  We take this route to avoid any mountain driving -- but that's another story for another day.  The trip from Deming to Apache Junction took six hours, 290 miles.  We arrived at our destination, Sunhaven RV Park in the early afternoon.

Last year when parked here at Sunhaven, we had a lovely pull-through site directly across from a small park and gazebo.  Unfortunately, even though we called in February, this year the site was already booked and we ended up in a much smaller spot at the opposite end of the park.  

Consort and I have been in some very tight spots before (both with and without the fifth wheel), but this site takes it to a whole new level.  In the picture above, you can see the black cap for the septic system.  Notice the tire tracks right next to it in the gravel.  Those are the tracks consort made edging the trailer into place.

We are wedged between a permanent shed with an attached awning on one side of the trailer, and the electric meter, water connections, and septic on the other.  There is a neighbor just on the other side of our utilities.  Above are two pictures.  On the left you'll see the living room slide open.  The awning over the slide is flat against the inside edge of the permanent structure.  The picture on the right shows the view looking down the side of the trailer.  We pulled back just far enough to have room for the bedroom slide to open.

But not quite enough room for this bin to open.  Consort has to kneel down and look up under the door of the bin to find what he needs.  There are mere inches on either side of us.  At one point, the maintenance man and his helper were advising consort on backing in.  All of a sudden, the helper is shouting for us to stop.  She ran around to the passenger window and started apologizing.  She said she just ripped our roof off.

We thought she was kidding.

She directed consort a little too close to the permanent structure.  It caught the edge of the fifth wheel roof and just kind of peeled the metal back in a couple of places.  It's nothing major and management here will take care of all costs.  

Consort pulled forward without doing any further damage.  We fired up the walkie-talkies.  I got out and directed consort into the slot.  He backed in without any problems at all.  The man's skills and our ability to work as a team never cease to amaze me.

Yes, it's a tight spot, but it does have a covered patio!

We're parked here through May 5th.  Our friends from Flagstaff have just arrived.  After a year of short trips in their RV, they decided to sell their house and belongings and become full-time RV'ers.  I think champagne is on the menu for the afternoon.  Next week, when they take off to begin their new adventure, we'll have three weeks to spend with my brother and SIL.  We're really happy to be here.  We LOVE Arizonia!

We have a gorgeous backyard.  All gravel and ten-foot-high Oleanders in white, pink, and red.  A perfect place for the kitty to play.  (I'll upload a picture of the backyard and roof damage another time.  I cannot currently get ANYTHING to upload!!!!!)

In one corner of the Oleanders, there's a back gate.  The maintenance guy, George, gave us the code to go in and out.  George tells us if you head out the back gate, just a hundred feet or so across the way is the Dog Run Saloon.  They're supposed to have great food and adult beverages with little umbrellas in them.  I'll let you know.  

There is no cable.  No problem, we seldom watch anything on cable.  

There is no WiFi.  No worries.  We've got it under control. 

Bad cell phone reception.  What??  Intolerable!! 

In the blink of an eye

 

And just like that, five months have flown by and it's time, 

once again, to pull up stakes and leave our winter home.

Of course, at the moment we're ready to load the animals, 

Fulton decides it's time to escape.

Big thanks to R&A for helping to snag the mangy moggy!

We've had a wonderful time this year with friends and family.

Great outings and delicious food.

Two weeks before we took off, our daughter and grandsons came to spend their spring break with us.  We moved all the furniture to one side of the living room and placed a blow-up mattress for daughter to sleep on in one of the slides.  Big thanks to S&R for the loan of the mattress!  It was wall-to-wall family and animals!

While they were in town, we took a tour of SpaceX,

spent a day shopping and lunching in Mexico,

(We're not claiming the little guy in the blue shirt.  

There's one in every crowd, isn't there?)

We went for an excursion on the Black Dragon pirate ship,

and visited the Gladys Porter Zoo.  

Check out the eyelashes on the red-and-black bird (can't remember what it's called).

We had a wonderful week and our best winter yet.

We're already looking forward to next season!

We're currently headed to Arizona to catch up with friends and family, and should arrive in Apache Junction sometime tomorrow afternoon.  The above pic was taken at Van Horn, Texas.  This is about all there is to see between San Antonio and El Paso.  Although yesterday I did spy a dead javelina on the side of the road and eight live goats waiting on traffic before crossing I-10.