catlinyemaker

We’re back in Texas after meandering across New Mexico and Arizona over the past month or so.  The only problem with our route (Interstate 8 from San Diego to Interstate 10 through El Paso) is the fact that it runs through El Paso.  Which means there are lots of road signs for El Paso.  Why would that be a problem, you ask?  Because of earworms.

Earmworms are songs you just can’t get out of your head.  Endless repetitions of even the best tunes and lyrics are guaranteed no-fun after the 50^th loop.  I happen to like fairly complicated songs, and usually only learn some of the words so it’ll be a chorus or at most one or two verses firmly lodged in my brain.  In this case, it was "El Paso", by Marty Robbins.  It’s a beautiful melody, a classic western theme, and far too catchy for me.

Every time I saw a sign for El Paso there went Marty, warbling away about his hapless lovesick cowboy and his very bad end.  But wait: there’s more!  Since I don’t learn songs all that well, about the 30^th time or so another complicated melodic tune (that I know about half of) supplanted Marty with a Viking theme.  It turns out that the words to “Song of the Shield-wall”, by Malkin Grey and Peregrynne Windrider, scan very well to the tune of “El Paso”, with only minor tweaks.

Click on the links at your own risk; I’m not responsible if you find yourself singing of Saxons in the Old West!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season! Ours was wonderful; in December, after escaping the winter weather in Texas, we gift-shopped across New Mexico and Arizona. We had a pleasant stay in Mesilla, where we met the Pancho-clad Santa complete with reindeer-burro (picture posted earlier) after a tree-lighting ceremony in the old town square.

( Traveling through Arizona... )

How the heck is it March already? I wanted to be sure to post something about the second half of our New Mexico adventure, which was in early February. Well, better late than never…

( Our trip to Carlsbad, NM... )

In the way of things when full-timing (plans writ in sand) right after I wrote the post about making the speed run (fast for us, anyway) to get to Baton Rouge for Mardi Gras, our friends had to cancel the party. Bummer. But no cloud without a silver lining; the gap in the schedule let us slot in some sightseeing time and some needed work stops.

( From Tehachapi to Niland, CA... )

December has been a quiet month in the Central Valley of California.  Since Thanksgiving we’ve been living in Turlock for J’s weeks of radiation therapy.  That’s going well, and the doctor is happy with his progress.  Our holidays were peaceful and pleasant; we spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve at home and went out for small shopping jaunts and walks around the local lakes.

( Our trip to Yosemite )

J and I are doing well; his treatment is going quite well so far, and I've been quilting like mad and have actually sent a few tops off to the quilters. We've been in one place since the middle of June, which is great for the quilting and the healthcare but not so good for the wanderlust. I think it’s our longest stretch in one venue (including time spent at our house in Pennsylvania) since 2009, when we started to travel seriously with the RV.
( October will be patch-up and prep month, November, we roll again! )

I hope everyone is ready for Fall and enjoying some cooler weather wherever you may be!

We came into California in mid-April and made our way to the Bay area for J’s work, initially. Our first stop was in San Jose, at an RV park close to J’s work.

( San Jose, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay )

It's been a craptastic day, starting with lousy donuts and finishing with an emergency vet visit (for something which turned out to be nothing at all - except the vet's fee, but there's a bright spot.)

In the middle I drove from Tucumcari, NM to Cochita Lake, NM (near Santa Fe) while J dealt with work crises and was on the phone to the point that when we got close to where we needed directions, which normally the passenger provides, we had to pull over onto an offramp so I could look up how to get where we were going. Where we were accosted by a homeless guy who wanted a lift "uh, sorry, no" (but was grateful for the sandwiches I made for him when he asked if we might have snacks to share - there's another bright spot.) I made sandwiches for us too and we ate them while J was on the phone. Still. Again.

We got to the campground,spotting the turn at the last possible second. We didn't have reservations, the sites which were supposed to be open were booked, there was only one site available and it took two tries to get in, and then about 15 minutes after we got in and I was reviewing a fic for posting and thinking how much everything I write sucks (that's stress, it'll pass) there's Mister Guy staggering along the floor looking like he's having a stroke while Mercedes pukes. Four times (the puking, not the staggering.) So, fast Google search, vet 40 minutes away, called, made appointment, stuffed the now perfectly nonchalant cat back in his carrier, and drove to the vet.

Where Mister Guy charmed the nice no-nonsense lady vet and acted like a perfectly healthy cat.

One more bright spot: the campground is absolutely stunning. Which I will appreciate tomorrow, I am sure. Tell me something good that's going on for you.