smartrvproducts.com

On our way south we stopped in Carthage MO for a week and while there, parked at Coachlight RV Park where we visited with Alan, a friend we met at Coachlight way back in 2002. We always talk all stuff RV with Alan every time we meet up and this time was no exception. So we talked refrigerators. RV refrigerators are notoriously inefficient. They are fine for camping trips and other ventures but they are far from the same as a residential fridge. But over the years we have learned to get by. It is a given that things do not stay as cold and thus do not last as long. Ice cream may not be liquid but is close to it and you can dish it up straight from the freezer with an ordinary spoon. Milk must be used promptly as it will sour quicker. Over time you do get used to it. We purchased a small battery operated fan that takes two big ol' D batteries and lasts about a month. It was a moderately useful step. It circulated the air and increased the efficiency a tiny bit. We are on our second fridge in the RV because our first stopped working. We had made up our mind that if it happened again we were going to replace it with a residential one and that is still the plan.
But now we get to the good part. Alan told us about a fan he installed in his RV fridge that totally changed things. He said he turned the fridge down from 5 to 3 and everything kept colder longer. He didn't have to defrost it nearly as often and on and on about how good it was. We were impressed and decided if  all was true it would be worth doing. So we ordered one and we installed it last Wednesday. It is a bit of a deal to install and takes time, patience and a bit of study. But if a person is handy at all and Butch certainly is, it is a piece of cake. We had been running ours on 5 and we are down to 3 and may need to go lower if possible. Our temp is staying steady at 32 degrees but not freezing. Last night we had to use an ice cream scoop instead of a spoon to dish out ice cream. Whoo Hoo we are impressed!
smartrvproducts.com  is where we ordered it. They are based in Oklahoma. Very helpful if you call.

Before installation

After installation

Ours is a Norcold. Any questions, just ask.

Still hunkered

This morning at 6:00 am it was 43 degrees. It is a wet cold so quite penetrating. Besides, we have been here long enough to get acclimated to warm temps. Not sure I will ever get acclimated to humid
Today was computer class. Only two students ventured out but they were very motivated so it was a fun morning. I often say I learn as much as the students and that remains true. What happens is they will ask a question that requires a bit of research on my part and then I am off on a learning excursion and that is what I enjoy.
Tonight Butch will head to the pool hall as usual and I will find something to do. Last night we watched a feature on Netflix.


Babies is a documentary about babies. It is not about how babies are made. It's not about how babies learn or develop. It's just film of babies doing what babies do. There is no narration or point or anything. It's just about some babies from around the world. Babies are adorable and by extension this documentary is adorable. If you like watching babies being babies give this one a look. Oh, and if you have a girlfriend with baby fever do everything in your power to keep her from watching this movie.

It was very interesting and surprising in places.

Netflix is our savior and never more so than when we are in south Texas. We are on old-fashioned antenna. Yes, the pokey thing on the roof. We get the main 3 stations, several Mexican stations, and public television. In Iowa our main station, that we watch the most is public television or IPT and it is a full-bodied experience offering 3 different viewing options. The main one that has national offerings, then Create and it is like the name suggests offering creative things, and then World, offering stories and features from all over the World. In south Texas it is much different. There are two. One is called Cozi and is made up of old TV show reruns and movies. And the other is somewhat of the main one in Iowa except they also cover local city and county council meetings.  No create. No World. 
So we turn to Netflix. Yes, I must rely on a good, fast Internet service but I rather insist on that anyway. So it works for us.

Taste of Winter!

We are hunkered down in our warmest of clothing, with all our shades closed tight, electric blanket on the bed. The TV keeps beeping and the warning tape runs across the bottom of the screen telling people to take care of their pets and to wear warm clothing because hypothermia sets in very quickly. Keep in mind the AC was running yesterday. They are saying temps could dip into the 30's. Add rain and strong winds and it is very unpleasant. Sunday is supposed to be back in the 80's.
 

Cool and rainy Sunday

We are having a cool (59 degrees) and rainy Sunday. A better day is promised tomorrow.

Butch finished up our decorating...