Friday, July 22

New Front AC

I think our warranty people are holding their breath along with us that we are finished with breakdowns for awhile. We have a new $1000 AC for $34 thanks to the warranty we purchased nearly 4 years ago. And this after a $4000 refrigerator for $1500. That one hurt a bit more but at the 3 year mark we were sure we were not getting our money's worth. Little did we know. The Route 66 warranty cost us $1500 or thereabouts.

So we are back in Jefferson behind our bedraggled but happy little house getting back in the routine of things. Butch went to his physical therapy session this morning and I went for a walk. It certainly felt good to get out and moving. It is still hot but not as oppressive as it was last week.

 Finished number two of six bracelets and started number three while we were in Webster City.

Thursday, July 21

Free Books on Kindle

I am hoping these links work. This is an example of the free books you can get for your Kindle. I do not buy books for the kindle unless it is a specific book or author I am looking for. I got this list from www.pixelofink.com You can sign up for their newsletter and they send you lists of free books you can get for your Kindle. Great little website and newsletter.

My Garden website

I am sure there are some of you who both garden and compute, although if you do either I do not know how you find time for both! But here is a website that may interest you. It is free.
Barb
Link of the Day:

If you like sharing your triumphs and troubles with other gardeners,
you'll like MyGarden. It's a social network specifically for gardeners
with helpful tips and ideas. You can create a digital version of your
garden, upload photos of your progress and then swap information with
other site users.  MyGarden also has an interactive plant database and
suggests garden-related events near your location.

http://www.mygarden.org/

Wednesday, July 20

Hill Country Salsa

Hill Country Salsa

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
4 large tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, peeled and chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large jalapeƱo pepper, chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cumin

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; toss gently. Cover and chill.
Makes 7 cups.

Webster City RV / Briggs Woods Campground

Early this morning we ventured north to the Webster City RV place to have our front Air Conditioner analysed. It is toast. But they are overnighting a new one so we too are overnighting here. We could have stayed at the RV business at no cost but there was not one speck of shade. We were not sure our rear AC could keep up without some shade so we came south about 2 1/2 miles to Briggs Woods. It is a county park. It has a nice golf course nearby but once again it is way too hot for the ol' guy to play.
Another wonderful bonus is the free wifi! Much superior to what I am enduring in Jefferson with Verizon. After my blasted 2 year contract is up with them I may have to break down and pay the local telephone company a boat load of money for a decent connection. It indeed gets very frustrating.
Not much else is newsworthy...Aaaah I almost forget! More Elise Videos!
Thanks Gary!


These were taken by Amanda.


Tuesday, July 19

A Rant

Hang in there K-Mart, Pamida, Alco and many others. WalMart is shooting themselves in the foot and if they do not quickly come to their senses  they may shoot themselves in the heart. They wiped out most of their craft departments. No longer can we buy monk's cloth at WalMart and their yarn selection is minimal at best. That was the first sign. Next Butch wanted Rolaids and went to WalMart to buy. They no longer carry Rolaids. Tums but no Rolaids. I wanted Folex which is an excellent stain remover. I bought my first bottle at WalMart. Nope-not any more. No Folex. I have now found it at H.E.B. in sunny South Texas. And there are many more examples of this "downsizing" of WalMart shelves. WalMart thinks you will adjust to not having your favorite brands. Not Butch. Not the guy who ate the very same lunch every day for 20 years. And not me if I can help it. Just as I am trying my best to buy from the stores of the town I live in I am trying very hard to not choose WalMart. They do not deserve our business.

Walking

Went for a walk before 7:00 AM the last two mornings. It was 80 degrees both days. But if I am going to get a walk in, it has to be then or nothing. I do not deal well with this kind of heat. I took a picture of the depot which serves as the trailhead for the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Light makes all the difference in taking pictures and the morning light served well for this photo.


We have stopped work on the house because of the heat. The good news is I can get some bracelets done and I am way behind on them.  I am not overly proud of this bracelet. It is my first attempt at odd-count peyote. The design possibilities are greater but if you make a mistake too far back it is either live with it or give up on it. We say that when you make a mistake in peyote it is the Indian spirit in the bracelet. This one has the most Indian Spirit of any bracelet I have ever made. I have started adding "Indian Spirit" to every bracelet I make sort of as a trademark. That part is fun.


Butch is off to physical therapy. He says he thinks it may be helping his back. That and the layoff from work due to the heat is most likely helping too. The boy gets bored very easily so it is hard to get him to slow down. Tomorrow he gets to drive the moho to Webster City RV. That will cheer him up! We have been doing okay with one air conditioner. Just between you and me I haven't minded one bit. With two it often gets too cold for me.

Sunday, July 17

My photo taking abilities were compromised yesterday. Little people are very quick and dart around like little bugs. And then Iowa was like a sauna  and my lens kept fogging over. But below is an album of what I did take. Excuse the blurs and the fog.
We had a great time with our Missouri kids coming up and joining with the Iowa kids. Leo and Keri were there too. Our menu for supper was Grilled Iowa Chops, Sweet Corn on the cob, Broccoli/rice casserole, Pasta Salad and then Keri brought her famous Pecan pie and a Key Lime pie. Tremendous meal!! We all enjoyed eating, visiting and watching the wee ones play.