Another Hummingbird

On a nothing doin' kind of day, this lovely lady showed up to have a bit of lunch. She is much braver than her beautiful ruby throated, emerald backed male counter-part.

Anyway, I must get back to the chores she is distracting me from, so I bid you

Adieu

Sights To Behold

I don't have much to say, but I sure have seen some sights these last few days!!









We have only had the feeder up for 3 days and 1 evening. they started coming from the second evening, and even adjusted to a relocation on day 2. Amazing little wonders, these hummingbirds!

Well, the night is closing in, so I bid you,

Adieu

Lemons

There are many things that are commonplace for the local people, but a wonder to behold for the transient folk that wander various parts of the world. Yuma and similar areas are no different.

One of the things with which the locals like to impress the visitors are the sizes of some of the local produce that doesn't make it to market by the assorted importing companies. An example of said produce that is easily found here, are the ever so common lemon.

Everyone with even the slightest awareness of said fruit will picture a yellow item with skin similar in texture to an orange, and nearly round, except for the stem and opposite end, which jut out slightly from the otherwise circular fruit. Rather common and unnoteworthy, except in noting that it make a great summer drink, topper to assorted fish, awesome tangy pie, a finger degreaser for such delights as barbecued spare ribs, and perhaps a mild flavour supplement to any plainer drink, leaded, or unleaded.

Therefore, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to the ones that miss the market, but are equally capable of attaining the same culinary and supplementary affect, but with far less quantity, shall we say:

BEHOLD, THE LEMON

(No, really, it is not a squash)

With a bit of processing, I converted a single lemon into nearly 2 cups of pulpy lemon juice. Further, after cutting out the 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick white portion - rind, I think EDITOR'S NOTE: White is the Pith - Thanks Rae :-)

(which resides between the zest and the juice sacks) The pile in cling wrap on the left represents the skin ripe for the zesting.

With the additional process of finely grating the skin, a substantial amount of zest for such creations as lemon meringue pie is attained - the juice is still 2 cups with pulp.

And after a large amount of manual mashing through a strainer, voila. 1-1/2 cups of juice, and about a half cup of zest, all from one lemon.

Now what do you think of your common, store friendly little fruit? If I am really brave, and otherwise unoccupied, I might just brave the creation of said lemon Meringue pie.

If I should dare, I will be sure to share the end result with you, in visage, if not by taste.

But for now, I bid you,

Adieu

Scenery shots

I thought I'd put a shot or two of some evening shots:

Moon rising on New Year's Eve

Sunset down by Yuma Lakes (These 2 shots)

It was even more beautiful than the shots show.

Happy New Year, and for now I bid you,

Adieu

Earthquake.

Today, for the first time in quite a while, we actually stayed home. I got some laundry done, Ken was pottering with the model, and the genset.

During the wash cycle, I nearly missed the event, as rigs generally do a really good job at imitating said occurrence, and I am quite accustom to shaking as I potter. However, in hindsight, I think I can recall a particularly noticeable bump, and apparently it registered as 5.9 on the richter scale. Apparently we can expect some aftershocks, but nothing yet.

All things considered, boondocking in a relatively unpopulated area with minimal objects waiting to tumble over is really a good place to weather a quake. You are already dealing with providing your own power, have stocked your water, and have means of dealing with, hmmm, lets just call it the other end of the water supply.

CB radios are all around for alternate communication if cells and land lines are out, and really, I think I am right where I would want to be during a noticeable shake down. - as long as the land directly under myself and my habitation remain relatively secure.

I guess you can chalk that up to another advantage of mobile living. If it really gets bad, just hitch and pull to a better option.

Well, I think that sums up the thought train for the moment, and the sauce for dinner is simmering more enthusiastically that required, so I must move along.

I bid you,

Adieu.

Lighting Solutions For Boondocking

A while ago, a friend and fellow blog writer mentioned something about puck lights in one of her posts.

I read the article, but as the only pucks I had seen were run by button batteries, and were peal and stick, so once place, unremovable and the battery, once dead was unchangeable, I therefore filed the info as not applicable to my situation. (They were probably a first generation puck)

Furthermore, I had no interest in spending any length of time boondocking, as I find the creature comforts too indispensable.....

So here I sit, boondocking in California, and although the solar has improved things, we still run the genny at night because with the sun setting early (yes, even down here, the sun sets by 5:30 in the deepest part of winter), if you are running a TV and a DVD player, by 8:30, the batteries are at the low end of the 12 reading. We are loathed to sit in the dark, but also hesitant to leave a trail of lights.

And then, like the proverbial light bulb going on overhead with the gleaming of a new idea, I remembered her article. Further, I happened to be wandering in the section of Harbor Freight (AKA men's candy store, Yuma style) and saw these beauties:

At 3 for $14.99 USD, I considered it to be a great deal. The batteries (3 AAA) are easy to load, and with the velcro, easily removed. The LEDs are rated for up to 100,000 hours, but I will soon see how long a battery lasts. They swivel and pivot, so the beam can be directed to a much broader range. They are working wonderfully, and popping up all over the rig now.

Well, chores and blue boys beckon, so I will bid you

Adieu.

Wood You Like To See

Okay, I remembered that I promised to take some better detailed shots of Ken's models. So, first, I give you a series on the continuing processes on the '58 Mack:

Next, a collection of shots on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica:

And finally, the 1910 Buick McLauglin (I'm holding one of the headlights as it needs its securing dowel replaced due to a good bump somewhere along the way):

Okay, I think that covers the close-ups. The Hayes truck is back in Canada, so until our return, what was posted is all I have to offer.

I am very late on supper, so I will bid you,

Adieu.