tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21458997376844439622024-03-18T09:06:11.207-07:00Captain JimCaptain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.comBlogger5975125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-38806537354741335832024-03-18T09:05:00.002-07:002024-03-18T09:05:30.111-07:00So, how'd you sleep last night?<p> </p><p>We often ask that of each other. With the Select Comfort (Sleep Number?) bed we have, you can have empirical data - it keeps track of how many hours of "restful sleep," how often you toss, if you get up and for how long, your breath rate, and some other stuff. And then in the morning, the app gives you a "score" of how you slept...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYQ9ebG0qd_ED8y1Zcl9i6OgdktbIqb7EYkh_30z57ued2aZg5PxU4NYlX4VOwJrf3mKyWkCDIsF5C3wfxYJt9wm_cUdlymzKrayFGPOdt49TMDZH5IxgPc1IQlEWvvRcfvsrGExi3__zuQXbb45ROU8D7M71c4mdqXG40tgxyOi9zZ6wRvjsuflaWMif/s2556/IMG_6832.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="1179" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYQ9ebG0qd_ED8y1Zcl9i6OgdktbIqb7EYkh_30z57ued2aZg5PxU4NYlX4VOwJrf3mKyWkCDIsF5C3wfxYJt9wm_cUdlymzKrayFGPOdt49TMDZH5IxgPc1IQlEWvvRcfvsrGExi3__zuQXbb45ROU8D7M71c4mdqXG40tgxyOi9zZ6wRvjsuflaWMif/w185-h400/IMG_6832.PNG" width="185" /></a></div><br /><p>In the words of the philosopher Maury Povich: "That is a lie!" I base how I slept on how I feel when I get up. I don't "feel" 89... well, some days I feel 89, as in age, but not in my sleep score. My "average" is 72... I did not sleep 17 better that usual. Yeah, it feels silly just to say all this. I'm not sure how I feel about all this... I'll have to sleep on it. ;-)</p><p>I mentioned that Joan made corned beef and cabbage for (the day before) St Patrick's Day. She had left overs from it yesterday...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ-hpaLmdIc2ejR_9Ew3pQLC7LHRrg-wH3kJ6KmyiDKHNCJCUC_Zk4w6S54E_p7vG6tTKefhKa_qtk9atLiUlknU_D9_Gsi9HzT1fvptkR8IMw6cAvjoXqg_X7jn0EhZqWqFkqokqtt9gUhyphenhyphenF9fC9Cy1tHvzvgvLJAYA0SmxqWAl78P9IVAfWhG8E7bYB/s1000/CornedBeef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1000" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ-hpaLmdIc2ejR_9Ew3pQLC7LHRrg-wH3kJ6KmyiDKHNCJCUC_Zk4w6S54E_p7vG6tTKefhKa_qtk9atLiUlknU_D9_Gsi9HzT1fvptkR8IMw6cAvjoXqg_X7jn0EhZqWqFkqokqtt9gUhyphenhyphenF9fC9Cy1tHvzvgvLJAYA0SmxqWAl78P9IVAfWhG8E7bYB/w400-h305/CornedBeef.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm not one to take photos of every meal, but I just thought this looked interesting. No, I didn't say delectable. I'm not a fan of corned beef... or rye bread... or carrots. But, with a few changes, this can be turned into a real meal: exchange the corned beef for a quarter pound hot dog, swap the rye bread for a nice white hot dog bun, eliminate the lettuce and carrots and add chili and cheese. See - a few simple changes can really bring a meal to life. If you really want to take it to the next level: bacon! Follow me for more fun meal tips.</p><p>Cat antics. Joan opened the door to let Tango come over; instead: Murphy went into their house and ran into the bedroom. Joan went after him. Alfie and Tasha were there - Alfie was disinterested, Tasha said, "Remove this peasant from my presence." Yes, she is the queen. Joan brought Murphy back, then opened the door for Tango again. Murphy ran through the door. Joan went after him and brought him back. Are you keeping up with all this? She then put Murphy in the bathroom so she could open the door for Tango. Tango came over and hopped up on my chair for some rubs. Joan let Murphy out and the wrestling was on...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_3nIv-eFRrDUO_jz-9xYcmX646Ih-2bBTWVtUvyviMW1UceNDdxUG9MY8y9BtWYUrEzab_eUJ3Gyuf8TVB-LqcX2WMc9ZiWY2c4nK6NLJLuUpytD_vep7x3SdfMlpIyBJkanqTw4uWgsnfiTFKL3aCHRflmlaIh8zMsxsYXhJxcBpPDuz56TxSGjWN4D/s1000/IMG_6833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1000" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_3nIv-eFRrDUO_jz-9xYcmX646Ih-2bBTWVtUvyviMW1UceNDdxUG9MY8y9BtWYUrEzab_eUJ3Gyuf8TVB-LqcX2WMc9ZiWY2c4nK6NLJLuUpytD_vep7x3SdfMlpIyBJkanqTw4uWgsnfiTFKL3aCHRflmlaIh8zMsxsYXhJxcBpPDuz56TxSGjWN4D/w400-h251/IMG_6833.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F1GiYgQiboyvGOJS-bFjUmi9yYdcY5LH26MIh3F6pwvWhG5z_6k1dTdCS25gP38x6qbkIO1c3GaYyrNAAnvuTIvyD9ij06dYaNVxCGIxOoKjYoJ2OBIj8DKwMs0MzARwcQ0pzUCWd5O2zwqaskePbOjNyQJyO-P8uRc9TlVRq_zQUy-K7r4ocq1ud6nC/s1000/IMG_6834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F1GiYgQiboyvGOJS-bFjUmi9yYdcY5LH26MIh3F6pwvWhG5z_6k1dTdCS25gP38x6qbkIO1c3GaYyrNAAnvuTIvyD9ij06dYaNVxCGIxOoKjYoJ2OBIj8DKwMs0MzARwcQ0pzUCWd5O2zwqaskePbOjNyQJyO-P8uRc9TlVRq_zQUy-K7r4ocq1ud6nC/w400-h271/IMG_6834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd7jVsd0FpoGCJMp-I5CzvuUt0WBH35qrUOXFO9_pMytpqsP18SuF2euFWNPXaomKl6LoyGsdePaD3m_1Ae8nueOcJ12iUkS6vwna5rjns_oqdEt9WQi1ZuEQI4CGv85ZeBFb5I0meks0CbuXi3b4eRt1QOTDcwYOVD8L2N_nEYfdOhUgeOT1Ir_IFOlx/s1000/IMG_6835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1000" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd7jVsd0FpoGCJMp-I5CzvuUt0WBH35qrUOXFO9_pMytpqsP18SuF2euFWNPXaomKl6LoyGsdePaD3m_1Ae8nueOcJ12iUkS6vwna5rjns_oqdEt9WQi1ZuEQI4CGv85ZeBFb5I0meks0CbuXi3b4eRt1QOTDcwYOVD8L2N_nEYfdOhUgeOT1Ir_IFOlx/w400-h297/IMG_6835.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>That usually lasts for a couple minutes, then they settle in. It gives them some morning exercise. I think I'll see if Joan wants to wrestle.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-50258321683841236312024-03-17T08:45:00.001-07:002024-03-17T14:38:30.235-07:00Happy St Patrick's Day...<p> </p><p>It's that day, once a year, when everyone thinks they have "a bit o' the Irish in 'em." Or, just an excuse to drink... like celebrating Cinco de Mayo. St Patrick's Day was originally about remembering St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who died on this day.</p><p>Or, about drinking. Green beer. Pinching someone who isn't wearing green. And drinking.</p><p>So, in honor of this day of celebrating...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIqtYn9KyjeLhXc097yvDtuILUdf2UiRRVeMF9OVwC2amvYLGUdbU18OlUUIyMiW8XC0rUsUdurYt30gzGeo5mAEBStgXh6aEcTgiTyfj6RDUgVoDiXEJj9zZs4tcGzqNdlap58CrwB4qcfmeu8mJPjMq5fX9qZ5plLLgogzM1NKj_WnaxvbEJGPdeRDy/s1000/StPats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIqtYn9KyjeLhXc097yvDtuILUdf2UiRRVeMF9OVwC2amvYLGUdbU18OlUUIyMiW8XC0rUsUdurYt30gzGeo5mAEBStgXh6aEcTgiTyfj6RDUgVoDiXEJj9zZs4tcGzqNdlap58CrwB4qcfmeu8mJPjMq5fX9qZ5plLLgogzM1NKj_WnaxvbEJGPdeRDy/w289-h400/StPats.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /> Joan made corned beef and cabbage yesterday. Yes, I am half Irish, but I am not a fan of corned beef; really don't like cabbage. I'd rather have a burger. Hold the beer; make it a Diet Coke, thanks.<p></p><p>--------</p><p>Steph and Dan are out on their patio this afternoon; we gave them a TV (same one we use on our patio) for Steph's birthday. They decided to pull out a pet enclosure they had with Blaine when he was a pup... I would call it a catio. Steph sent us a text showing that she had Tasha and Tango in it... and Tasha was not happy about it.</p><p>I went over to check it out, then suggested they let Tasha go inside and I'd bring Murphy over... since Murph and Tango have spent time together in Murphy's catio. That went well...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUhZ2Wk6Lcj-MWtA65iWZ6ARco2rzjxiG3lQ4ORsGMlSia2kH8V7v5P9CxVkOBpAkBdIct_Diiz1zitcUfMZ0PvrjzVXe9XwP9CpcG3wD4ShLD0sWM0FFL2AdZIEe8SiS8wf1HAusrZT6iZfiL97ePucErXu2Adm6my4R-bAubyxS_yjy39F1Ds73SSg4/s1000/MurphTangoCatio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUhZ2Wk6Lcj-MWtA65iWZ6ARco2rzjxiG3lQ4ORsGMlSia2kH8V7v5P9CxVkOBpAkBdIct_Diiz1zitcUfMZ0PvrjzVXe9XwP9CpcG3wD4ShLD0sWM0FFL2AdZIEe8SiS8wf1HAusrZT6iZfiL97ePucErXu2Adm6my4R-bAubyxS_yjy39F1Ds73SSg4/w300-h400/MurphTangoCatio.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p> </p><p>The boys do well together.</p><p>--------</p><p>I heard from my friend Earl - he is coming to Phoenix today and we have a tentative plan to get together this evening and tomorrow. For those of you who read this blog and <i>aren't</i> Earl: yes, Earl is the one who comments most frequently here. He and I met years ago on a guitar forum and have gotten together when he is in Phoenix. </p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-16536259053413406582024-03-16T11:58:00.004-07:002024-03-16T19:49:27.145-07:00Where do you go to buy a farmer?<p> </p><p>A farmers' market. Steph and Dan went to one last weekend and invited us to go along today. They lured me along with the promise of a stop at McDonald's along the way (I haven't had a Sausage McMuffin in a long time). I was told there would also be a variety of food at the farmers' market.</p><p>Up I-17 to Camelback, then east. It is held in the parking lot of a big church... and the parking lot was plenty full. I knew we were going to buy stuff - Joan brought along her rolling cart; this is serious.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkniooQaI6kzBHbf4oRY69khIqV_QV0mMP4vnDG7JgzN11sESpqZsCK33W6jWIbIWUMSMuQhrGk94TOZQk2ZmrB2CwaEiU2QUkrx9rA5HNj6q45Z8qwgER3y2u1wOeuGSfHkCVE5Gim8QkoYq38EnXwY1fZdNLrvqlAnIOgCRGSuMZodAa-oiWeea1ApkD/s1000/1UptownFarmersMkt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1000" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkniooQaI6kzBHbf4oRY69khIqV_QV0mMP4vnDG7JgzN11sESpqZsCK33W6jWIbIWUMSMuQhrGk94TOZQk2ZmrB2CwaEiU2QUkrx9rA5HNj6q45Z8qwgER3y2u1wOeuGSfHkCVE5Gim8QkoYq38EnXwY1fZdNLrvqlAnIOgCRGSuMZodAa-oiWeea1ApkD/w400-h259/1UptownFarmersMkt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFWIU07aaluBji8nJtyrwM960njm7B66sF68656g3srFNVQCCwaRZNTWMmjPucFZZ8eGl-Bh-RGacXfLFBaEZrFtF7DCOhZx82wYj6sT5JhLDQ3W39rLeV-9Vy4zfQzvRPNzZlwOZ1LEp4roqQNKRC2woXLFLanVeyPpbmFNyheNqa9IRrS7dRDsWnbdX/s1000/3Crowd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="1000" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFWIU07aaluBji8nJtyrwM960njm7B66sF68656g3srFNVQCCwaRZNTWMmjPucFZZ8eGl-Bh-RGacXfLFBaEZrFtF7DCOhZx82wYj6sT5JhLDQ3W39rLeV-9Vy4zfQzvRPNzZlwOZ1LEp4roqQNKRC2woXLFLanVeyPpbmFNyheNqa9IRrS7dRDsWnbdX/w400-h191/3Crowd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> I didn't count, but there are a lot of booths here. One whole section just for pet stuff...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX9smX2CmPHr4ShgVaDAPoQBaVa4iKfzAGcZsk0VdHCFpqKLzwLOHYB3KMXxxPBn9fUlpQsjzaAB2l5Ds3WNzCFOz4PDPZL5JpHmmXy_FKz_53m7EAkepE1LBCIiQ_j8Qs0qpauhyphenhyphenwwifWa_vDzvQTgX5uFbEYDqlrSDPdNQkOg8h_B78DJ01p3C9d9b9/s1000/2Boothds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX9smX2CmPHr4ShgVaDAPoQBaVa4iKfzAGcZsk0VdHCFpqKLzwLOHYB3KMXxxPBn9fUlpQsjzaAB2l5Ds3WNzCFOz4PDPZL5JpHmmXy_FKz_53m7EAkepE1LBCIiQ_j8Qs0qpauhyphenhyphenwwifWa_vDzvQTgX5uFbEYDqlrSDPdNQkOg8h_B78DJ01p3C9d9b9/w400-h225/2Boothds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv8d8-rAtjmumQdOccSqeobiVuXiJ3LlT4qV0sOyBooBsH_CjxM-W4UD4jy8iFd7iqywZMkrvVRmLd1rpPRGavK8vkzNLv7IV84SF3yORE1J6alNpoGIAB3gfdIOChqMoLXLgc7ghyphenhyphenKa9Sla7RfD2cgrOyHbkzIqqrekOfkc3uHz8XS4LXipeMnCJwu_I/s1000/4JoanStephDan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv8d8-rAtjmumQdOccSqeobiVuXiJ3LlT4qV0sOyBooBsH_CjxM-W4UD4jy8iFd7iqywZMkrvVRmLd1rpPRGavK8vkzNLv7IV84SF3yORE1J6alNpoGIAB3gfdIOChqMoLXLgc7ghyphenhyphenKa9Sla7RfD2cgrOyHbkzIqqrekOfkc3uHz8XS4LXipeMnCJwu_I/w400-h225/4JoanStephDan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Understandable, since there were plenty of people with dogs on a leash. Rufus would have done fine with this - I don't think Murphy is quite ready for this level of crowd. But, I digress. Joan and Steph found bread, jam, yard ornaments, and other goodies. My belly was happy with my Sausage McMuffin, but the Joan and Dan had breakfast burritos with brisket, while Steph opted for a New York breakfast sandwich (which looked quite tasty). Then more shopping...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22t1FBDv3ZJTrgAsG9JdSol2xwkke0oHLoqABrydOEPk1bwYwjtUlDbSTkPaoCiTEunRfjN3_mfikda4VrcUqJM9r37oQlmkPm5UJF9YckCnAK9FNMVUsjNveYVXQdSABS0zhAYotX06NsAwSj4x5sWv75RoUBz6-7WfQ9om6Dx3jKRgpwXzc358hrNa2/s1000/6Crowd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="1000" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22t1FBDv3ZJTrgAsG9JdSol2xwkke0oHLoqABrydOEPk1bwYwjtUlDbSTkPaoCiTEunRfjN3_mfikda4VrcUqJM9r37oQlmkPm5UJF9YckCnAK9FNMVUsjNveYVXQdSABS0zhAYotX06NsAwSj4x5sWv75RoUBz6-7WfQ9om6Dx3jKRgpwXzc358hrNa2/w400-h204/6Crowd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_iKst3_W_0BMHoeM-2aP1r5XGx1GG4Xu0Mj2uML5Kc79WzQEc4iDlj3YHMZGQea5lKD6hiyZq9SUHX0RdbjtUFeKde5sIXB0CflOCKJYTTwprwG57-8m_LOSK6eTphHOOFYSXq-KNHlRNgu__mxCqh8_mv8smF4H2eIa6uMM5EfuohWiFadAOmdWKIwo/s1000/7JoanBuying.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_iKst3_W_0BMHoeM-2aP1r5XGx1GG4Xu0Mj2uML5Kc79WzQEc4iDlj3YHMZGQea5lKD6hiyZq9SUHX0RdbjtUFeKde5sIXB0CflOCKJYTTwprwG57-8m_LOSK6eTphHOOFYSXq-KNHlRNgu__mxCqh8_mv8smF4H2eIa6uMM5EfuohWiFadAOmdWKIwo/w400-h225/7JoanBuying.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAD2vDh5Krvg-MVeqTQEwcChpgtww1zFUmmH3Iqr1RXqPAdmUaA14jSz-y2FatsLVsqi4rkpxlH4DHIi4LTSxxcBeWBt9sGuxyTAvr3ELMlabnoso-tcPM2vDIKRrldmwKKcygdP4lmAOexrO8iZLi24THLnHSkAq5DgDh3EyiWgTe9q-7H7pbFZcjFoi/s1000/8sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAD2vDh5Krvg-MVeqTQEwcChpgtww1zFUmmH3Iqr1RXqPAdmUaA14jSz-y2FatsLVsqi4rkpxlH4DHIi4LTSxxcBeWBt9sGuxyTAvr3ELMlabnoso-tcPM2vDIKRrldmwKKcygdP4lmAOexrO8iZLi24THLnHSkAq5DgDh3EyiWgTe9q-7H7pbFZcjFoi/w285-h400/8sign.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><p>Plenty of variety (biggest farmers' market I've been to in a while) and good exercise this morning.</p><p>--------</p><p>Update!</p><p>There is an update for the HoverAir X1 (flying camera) that I use. This is a slick little unit, and the company continues to issue updates that give it even more capability. I am a bit leary about updating my tech stuff, because experience has shown me that updates on some stuff are put out a bit prematurely, with bugs that make a product less functional.</p><p>This update was released 2 days ago; I waited to see if there were any people on the owners group on Facebook screaming about problems with the update... nope. So, I held my breath and went for it. The update loaded on my phone fast and transferred to the X1 in about 5 minutes. I took the X1 outside, did the 3 Dolly Track flights required to unlock the new Side Track mode, and tried it out, as well as the "hand gesture" feature (also new). Side track will follow you from the side. The hand gestures allow you to change from orbit to zoom out to bird's eye (without having to land on your hand between those modes) by moving your arms. Slick!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-19730358374629753862024-03-15T18:08:00.002-07:002024-03-15T18:08:53.826-07:00Beware...<p> </p><p>Yeah, the Ides of March. If you said, "They did the song, Vehicle, 1970," you get 25 bonus points. If you said, "I think it had something to do with guy a long time ago," you get 3 bonus points. If you said, "What's an 'ides'?" you get no bonus points. Back when I was a kid, before the birth of Christ, "the ides" were the middle of the month. The old guy from a long time ago was Julius... no, not Dr. J.</p><p>This may give you some idea...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-SlEazG0B9Ev7btdhkBvFyPZ9afvKhXGlC1u9mCE_MHPspMlgy8k_xqcttvu5bkH2FYrInkKrUYrU14YZzjVTKvaEBtHNzBdfT620LSos4v7jEm7b_1eRP7JWyvA-3PqTGUmMHdLO_aY-J_LagzpV3IAvmnQUVpbDEqnY6XLSJvLwMEmfyDOX-NRk9Cm/s1000/CaesarSalad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-SlEazG0B9Ev7btdhkBvFyPZ9afvKhXGlC1u9mCE_MHPspMlgy8k_xqcttvu5bkH2FYrInkKrUYrU14YZzjVTKvaEBtHNzBdfT620LSos4v7jEm7b_1eRP7JWyvA-3PqTGUmMHdLO_aY-J_LagzpV3IAvmnQUVpbDEqnY6XLSJvLwMEmfyDOX-NRk9Cm/w400-h225/CaesarSalad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>If you said, "Some guy named Julius stabbed a bottle of salad dressing," yo Momma must have dropped you on your head too many times when you were a kid. Not only do you get no bonus points, you need to take a class on ancient Roman history.</p><p>Julius Caesar was a Roman dictator (and brilliant military strategist) who was <span class="NA6bn UiGGAb ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">assassinated by his homies, who thought he was becoming too powerful. A fortune teller had warned Juli "beware the ides of March," which was when they took him out. No, it has nothing to do with salad dressing - that's just a visual pun. In the words of the late philosopher Mork from Ork: "Humor, arr, arr."</span></span></p><p><span class="NA6bn UiGGAb ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">The band Ides of March had one big hit, Vehicle, but it was enough of a hit that the guy who wrote it is still out making a living from it, playing at casinos. Probably not at Caesar's Palace, but that's a good way to bring this all together. ;-)</span></span></p><p><span class="NA6bn UiGGAb ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">--------</span></span></p><p><span class="NA6bn UiGGAb ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">The 4 of us went out to lunch. One year ago today, we had done a Segway tour in Scottsdale...</span></span></p><p><span class="NA6bn UiGGAb ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8qyXSiPuB6Ag-yqC4iYErZ5pSBkJM8tRGQdCUM-meqxJh_2GwFAZHaXk3QbQ2jhOYmnkPQ7yneC1unSfRXjANoAGYRzz3URS3LYJnzXJK-bgzptNfBMDA6Pf0VDR8ZT9LXop73d4mjM40VxxZ_UtQd5eHzIpD5jKpeG0J2paiwZpIlj4lzFOlxcpLo6r/s1000/SegwayTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8qyXSiPuB6Ag-yqC4iYErZ5pSBkJM8tRGQdCUM-meqxJh_2GwFAZHaXk3QbQ2jhOYmnkPQ7yneC1unSfRXjANoAGYRzz3URS3LYJnzXJK-bgzptNfBMDA6Pf0VDR8ZT9LXop73d4mjM40VxxZ_UtQd5eHzIpD5jKpeG0J2paiwZpIlj4lzFOlxcpLo6r/w400-h270/SegwayTour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> When we were done with that tour, we went to a nearby Mexican restaurant. We all remembered that it was a good experience there, so we decided to make the long trek to Scottsdale for lunch. According to Apple Maps, the freeway was barely moving, so we took side streets. Zigging. Occasionally zagging. And also barely moving. Fourteen hours later, we made it to the restaurant (yes, I am exaggerating... as I call it: literary license; as Joan calls it: "That is a lie!").<p></p><p>The food was OK, but the service was painfully slow. I'm guessing we were really hungry a year ago. And, it wasn't a Friday. Around here, Friday means: more traffic, more crowds. On the bright side, I took freeways coming back and we made it home in about half the time. And I took a Tums. We'll take that restaurant off our list.<br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-48409780720342877322024-03-14T15:30:00.006-07:002024-03-14T15:30:46.724-07:00Live to Ride, Ride to Eat...<p> </p><p>No, that's not what it says on the Harley t-shirt. Joan met Cindy this morning to go to a plant sale. That left me without adult supervision. So, after Murphy got his lunch, I decided to go out for mine. I opened the garage door and was getting ready to gear up when Steph and Dan's garage door opened. Steph came over to our garage and asked where I was heading, then said, "You can take one of our cars if you want."</p><p>"Lunch out is just a reason to go ride - I don't need no stinkin' car." Well, OK, I didn't say the "stinkin' car" part, but that reads better. I'm off for a gastronomic treat: hot dogs. Not just any ol' hot dog, I'm heading to Weinerschnitzel. A 50 mile or so round trip for a couple chili cheese dogs.</p><p>I took the Burgman, and it did fine on the Loop 202, Interstate 10, and the Loop 101. It gave me a chance to check some speedometer speeds vs actual speed: like many scooters, the speedometer is a bit optimistic, but not bad; at 71 mph on the speedo, I was doing an actual 68. At 75 indicated, I was doing 71. And there was more to be had if I needed to go faster; well, it would take a while to get to a faster speed, but the scoot can do it. I headed west, north, west, and north with a 5 to 10 mph north wind. No fuss.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtMwFdrn30ia-x5hTaVqan-1g8X_LL2Zt_mZ6Nwtv3YniHfAGc_kKW4M85uYSghTJHYhfKofVSC2C3VUvMt9SnmjVSISBOZkfIVtX_b18EYmPjNIfuMuUwSoBf2nghiTXOJl7_qzAerVjut5IBAwx5iC5HkA5kqsKbHFQmMWTgRr8ahk2NiKb0H6WGy4H/s1000/2Schnitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="659" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtMwFdrn30ia-x5hTaVqan-1g8X_LL2Zt_mZ6Nwtv3YniHfAGc_kKW4M85uYSghTJHYhfKofVSC2C3VUvMt9SnmjVSISBOZkfIVtX_b18EYmPjNIfuMuUwSoBf2nghiTXOJl7_qzAerVjut5IBAwx5iC5HkA5kqsKbHFQmMWTgRr8ahk2NiKb0H6WGy4H/w264-h400/2Schnitz.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kJdmFnrk5OeYvD9TnbdYgl5-ZyV-mvGr9pfL-jM1cHep3R1pkkc7vNB0xKgifDc4c5QouIVxt7T9ugQetA8Wxg8KLLRPm6sW_1B3zF4NLxLd1pnykJSEh9IOmLiB56LFaloZ2hQCYaf-OAmqRDDm_qJ5Vx2TW4OgV0rU5XX3v-paeNNVRzFMcz3bP70F/s1000/3Schnitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kJdmFnrk5OeYvD9TnbdYgl5-ZyV-mvGr9pfL-jM1cHep3R1pkkc7vNB0xKgifDc4c5QouIVxt7T9ugQetA8Wxg8KLLRPm6sW_1B3zF4NLxLd1pnykJSEh9IOmLiB56LFaloZ2hQCYaf-OAmqRDDm_qJ5Vx2TW4OgV0rU5XX3v-paeNNVRzFMcz3bP70F/w225-h400/3Schnitz.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /> The Schnitz was good. The girl at the counter asked if I wanted "the all beef dogs"... I said, "No, I want the ones with the eyeballs, gonads, and toenails - they taste better."<p></p><p>"You're funny," she said. Better than: "You're funny looking."</p><p>I finished my chili cheese dogs and went back out to my bike. A Mom with what looked like a 7 or 8 year old boy were just coming out, and the kid said, "Nice motorcycle!"</p><p>I didn't correct him, because the State of Arizona calls this a motorcycle, too. And, it is - just a slightly different shape. I said to the kid, "Do you want to try it on?"</p><p>He looked at his Mom for approval, and I guess I looked harmless, she said, "If this nice man has the time."</p><p>"Sure. Hop on." I had the bike on the centerstand, but I held it just in case. He had to kinda hop to make it to the seat, and he couldn't quite touch the floorboards. "Hold on here," as I pointed out the grips. He beamed. "You're going to have to do some growing before it will fit you, but that will happen in no time."</p><p>He and his Mom thanked me (she said, "He loves motorcycles!), and I finished gearing up. There was more traffic on the ride back, but I was just enjoying being out and about... with a belly full of Schnitz.</p><p>Back home, I was just changing out of my riding gear when Joan came in. She had the back end of the Equinox full of plants, so I guess it was a successful outing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRnHbMt1trCo7vbrv4Pq1tj-pbpq47Cegf9ZAOt3q6OidXxmQKbL0d4M_0ZR_Kchl80GBKjnmMBJQZ_e5_CnSCH65V7NxTqVdSrfTaFUtMqcp3S0_ljrfPjfNOVxm5pP9WsUJoegv5plsIWqKqUKjiW9L9ObKo8EqKlZ3UDspF9jVF7pYfxuf3y1gWEbr/s1000/4JoanStephPlants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1000" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRnHbMt1trCo7vbrv4Pq1tj-pbpq47Cegf9ZAOt3q6OidXxmQKbL0d4M_0ZR_Kchl80GBKjnmMBJQZ_e5_CnSCH65V7NxTqVdSrfTaFUtMqcp3S0_ljrfPjfNOVxm5pP9WsUJoegv5plsIWqKqUKjiW9L9ObKo8EqKlZ3UDspF9jVF7pYfxuf3y1gWEbr/w400-h370/4JoanStephPlants.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GVhFK_QypTl5BhdSFmiLik6XfN-WjRbIteL5anGb2BcJIV8GTYDEgWp0KaZ2LTwPBUiRdq-p9owHXcZp-ThFSfTZwqMOekIgAsZTW9wOV46RiEj_HZTJAhgOMckSvmPxPSeTihRPHG7bkcevaSYzOjk__Ax3_49_oLcRLTfUn74mloobmrnEzCnSaWqe/s1000/5Plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="661" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GVhFK_QypTl5BhdSFmiLik6XfN-WjRbIteL5anGb2BcJIV8GTYDEgWp0KaZ2LTwPBUiRdq-p9owHXcZp-ThFSfTZwqMOekIgAsZTW9wOV46RiEj_HZTJAhgOMckSvmPxPSeTihRPHG7bkcevaSYzOjk__Ax3_49_oLcRLTfUn74mloobmrnEzCnSaWqe/w265-h400/5Plants.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><p>Steph and Dan were back, so we all helped get them from the car to the yard. Somewhere in there (maybe not in the photo) there is a catnip plant.<br /></p><p>It was a lovely sunny day. This was not predicted as of yesterday morning: the weasels were calling for "cloudy, cooler, breezy, and a chance of rain." They moved that back a day, so today was a "bonus ride day."</p><p>-------- <br /></p><p>I didn't get this one posted earlier, but Murph and I were out for a yard walk this morning...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-p-PndkCzRbB7HXKfldeN1wH0ur0YQ6Sdn2mjDYlaLtty8ytv2y5MElHOJaJDVt6M4hnO-AtsLOXmzAGe4MvA3klQlj6sdaTzWOEa-2lKjlKS_893_tigg0DnGVAIZ9hkRdFqhMif6SkH8NNxaD_lSfkgYYC3inmNPoXvszq_eUmP4lGW0B_IuPT13iyB/s1000/1Murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-p-PndkCzRbB7HXKfldeN1wH0ur0YQ6Sdn2mjDYlaLtty8ytv2y5MElHOJaJDVt6M4hnO-AtsLOXmzAGe4MvA3klQlj6sdaTzWOEa-2lKjlKS_893_tigg0DnGVAIZ9hkRdFqhMif6SkH8NNxaD_lSfkgYYC3inmNPoXvszq_eUmP4lGW0B_IuPT13iyB/w225-h400/1Murphy.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p>Yes, it looks kinda like the one Joan shot yesterday, but this one is mo' betta' because I shot it. :-)</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-8257736725759611682024-03-14T14:50:00.000-07:002024-03-14T14:50:59.876-07:00Happy Pie Day...<p> </p><p>Well, Pi Day... or π Day...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBA0fV2ueuMN8sHEDKwX9uze5AcMIbNUpfr-T4J7qRwPJ9meYMxv7k14DqHjK-I8IZWZLTMAlaaQRGe_BStsEANwmle8e0DJwNzeB0oe_1ni-2E2QjyBiNxfKarkxmz3u2MMj_m0oMNb_gdn1yfWVSSZ_jRmoTBAMM5qIowDp9lnYYzyFUx16tZ8UukGy/s1000/PieDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBA0fV2ueuMN8sHEDKwX9uze5AcMIbNUpfr-T4J7qRwPJ9meYMxv7k14DqHjK-I8IZWZLTMAlaaQRGe_BStsEANwmle8e0DJwNzeB0oe_1ni-2E2QjyBiNxfKarkxmz3u2MMj_m0oMNb_gdn1yfWVSSZ_jRmoTBAMM5qIowDp9lnYYzyFUx16tZ8UukGy/w400-h266/PieDay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>To quote my friend Rick: "Pi Day is just a fake holiday made up by math companies to sell more math." Humor.</p><p>Pi Day? Yeah, 3/14... as in: the beginning of the decimal points of π: <span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">3.14159... so, have some pie. Or, take a pie to lunch. Or, eat pie as lunch. Just don't be irrational about it. Yeah, that's more math humor. ;-)</span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><br /></span></span></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-44188257647977822832024-03-13T19:17:00.002-07:002024-03-13T19:17:13.271-07:00Mountain Lion...<p> </p><p>I have mentioned that we are on the edge of population and mountain at our home. This morning, we were treated to this mountain lion in our back yard...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzcIdtrBRCwVOYMfYvr8oKXHRB4XcDSAqYyDKtEgxgf7DRickHYoTNSKA91GGL_P0nppwBkOv8dFQvyDVqhiKbY3tpTOcNpqOeqb83WUYD7-uLkvus4TksfAOcsR6NftCEQfjkv7V0MJ8iXaU-zalF9scKL1ESHB7EVQUW91HC4sp8l86jRYFNDTAGWmf/s1000/MurphyBacklit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzcIdtrBRCwVOYMfYvr8oKXHRB4XcDSAqYyDKtEgxgf7DRickHYoTNSKA91GGL_P0nppwBkOv8dFQvyDVqhiKbY3tpTOcNpqOeqb83WUYD7-uLkvus4TksfAOcsR6NftCEQfjkv7V0MJ8iXaU-zalF9scKL1ESHB7EVQUW91HC4sp8l86jRYFNDTAGWmf/w300-h400/MurphyBacklit.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Photo courtesy of Joan. I was cleaning up... and then off to make some music. Mark, Ron, Tom, and I got together today at Ron's house (in downtown). We played a few songs we know and worked on guitar, harmonies, and timing on several other songs - a musically productive day.<p></p><p>It was a nice day, with temps well into the 70s and sunshine. We're in for a change in the weather for a couple days coming up... 10% cooler, breezy, and a chance of rain. Locally, we are ahead of the typical precip for the year. Joan has several potted plantings in the yard, and checking them on a moisture meter, they are wetter than ideal for these desert plants... we moved them into the shed for the next couple days so they don't get even more moisture.</p><p>Joan made sure Murphy got outdoor time today while I was off at the music salt-mines... nah, I'm kidding - it is a pleasure to get together with my friends. Joan's turn tomorrow: she and Cindy are off to a plant sale at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-17524208573803591732024-03-12T08:21:00.001-07:002024-03-12T19:35:59.539-07:00Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuuuuu!<p> </p><p>On this day, many years ago (Is it still rude to state a woman's age?), a screaming, crying bundle of joy came into our lives. Today is Stephanie's birthday. For the record, she doesn't look a year older. Well, to be fair, I won't see her until she gets home from work today... I suppose she could have changed since last night. But, I digress.</p><p>It has been said that having a child changes your life. It gives you someone to care about more than yourself. It is a hope for the future. It gives you gray hair and keeps you up at night. And, if you raise them right, and they make good decisions, it gives you pride that you can't describe. We raised a good kid. She made mostly good decisions... I won't talk about the ones that weren't good, because today is her birthday... but, I digress again.</p><p>Stephanie has a good heart. She is kind and caring. It is her birthday, and while we're celebrating, I will give her Mother and me a pat on the back - we did a fine job.</p><p>Happy birthday, sweet girl!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9b4pYbNVO31s5nS0o2BqISp_Gij6zuMSIZ6wiNAwdqyJ0IARl3GgQOeHnwisZ4OKaMMw3-urlMNzOKpiYJ-smjDPAY0mURUSxhEXUDbxz6COvSa4YFrkF9vLcBhhTb211xEpSeW8wnGIlr6_skkTZAwwJ-9zkLY7gP9MFtWoGbrKUjkquwygm5doMYa3/s4608/StephGuitar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9b4pYbNVO31s5nS0o2BqISp_Gij6zuMSIZ6wiNAwdqyJ0IARl3GgQOeHnwisZ4OKaMMw3-urlMNzOKpiYJ-smjDPAY0mURUSxhEXUDbxz6COvSa4YFrkF9vLcBhhTb211xEpSeW8wnGIlr6_skkTZAwwJ-9zkLY7gP9MFtWoGbrKUjkquwygm5doMYa3/w300-h400/StephGuitar.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk-5KVKLEDavn51BniSq_jUUX_3iEIZRmSHR72QinaIqpG_bf08MYRwwqg6R1aP-TgATIiiGIRlL9GiFeINu4BR31RnUahx1Y1wXtn8ltXp1lRyXjEgmmYiCWpY6Yw_0W7Un1vn5yUEXGzZB6I1wYDyb0ZDkkxWdGBI980xCPbsHpbYuccFH5idNavqol/s4608/StephOutside.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk-5KVKLEDavn51BniSq_jUUX_3iEIZRmSHR72QinaIqpG_bf08MYRwwqg6R1aP-TgATIiiGIRlL9GiFeINu4BR31RnUahx1Y1wXtn8ltXp1lRyXjEgmmYiCWpY6Yw_0W7Un1vn5yUEXGzZB6I1wYDyb0ZDkkxWdGBI980xCPbsHpbYuccFH5idNavqol/w300-h400/StephOutside.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>--------</p><p>When Steph and Dan got home from work, we went out for supper. She requested Texas Roadhouse - I was all in for that. It was our treat for her birthday... and we shared a couple of tasty (sugar-loaded) desserts. Then, back home for cards and presents (after her day at work where she got cards, presents, and balloons)...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMPdmwhQXxiR71cFlzVSsXGr3HOYt3DILLiujhxF2k07T_AWmyzrTnIkufbtmGsF4IokXf4kHlGa3TVHim0Ud_AFM-Q_upvl1YrBoNMR67CteVXVU81y2EMKxMQtEbaklM5q5xp6_KH2iEAOcGgzGPUKjUe6OLSndCLR5ECmgNUIEFVFWJ7sB3eNmi6Fg/s1000/StephBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMPdmwhQXxiR71cFlzVSsXGr3HOYt3DILLiujhxF2k07T_AWmyzrTnIkufbtmGsF4IokXf4kHlGa3TVHim0Ud_AFM-Q_upvl1YrBoNMR67CteVXVU81y2EMKxMQtEbaklM5q5xp6_KH2iEAOcGgzGPUKjUe6OLSndCLR5ECmgNUIEFVFWJ7sB3eNmi6Fg/w400-h245/StephBD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>A good day.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-23834561130015350952024-03-11T22:19:00.002-07:002024-03-11T22:19:25.845-07:00The Video...<p> </p><p>The video from yesterday's ride on the Burgman 200...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8JjqEF_kV3Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="8JjqEF_kV3Y"></iframe></div><br /> No narration, no voice over... no effects (like: speeding up the video or adjusting the lean angle) other than the transitions between clips. A bit of music and a few captions. Otherwise, it is all about the ride from the rider's Point Of View. Pull it up and enjoy the breeze.<p></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-41835711389021275862024-03-11T17:17:00.004-07:002024-03-11T17:57:04.186-07:00Just the opposite...<p> </p><p>I took the Burgman scooter out today, running some of the same roads as yesterday - yes, a day makes a difference, especially from Sunday to Monday... almost no traffic and not a Stupid Driver Trick in sight. A beautiful day, lots of sunshine, upper 70s, very light breeze... and did I mention: almost no traffic?!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXyzeoJ0xwvJSeMs6tRVq0x-no_au8us1EAvGOUWEA09oi44755b8MbUBYSXIskKOejc8cIpp1PRLfB6SzVbVKx_mnlT5tHHza3DyTRYImbJTcqsqyazH703MIrnh3jWRIXw5Y31rQe6XtN2VDAvCbpe6bXf44Cpf6ZvxVHqPXVAlI_WeT15rFm7FwYxA/s1000/11IntoPark.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXyzeoJ0xwvJSeMs6tRVq0x-no_au8us1EAvGOUWEA09oi44755b8MbUBYSXIskKOejc8cIpp1PRLfB6SzVbVKx_mnlT5tHHza3DyTRYImbJTcqsqyazH703MIrnh3jWRIXw5Y31rQe6XtN2VDAvCbpe6bXf44Cpf6ZvxVHqPXVAlI_WeT15rFm7FwYxA/w400-h225/11IntoPark.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3ZTe5zjY0GOpHb_zsTa6kszwIjvStkp9JHBLPNzvDH3E5ZvYO5HpenpGttFi4tOBY5XLS12iKujXk-ZEdsYdXhK8h2fdnaXFtwDmcliJ8-7jpcRE7u8ptkvCQD2gZpaQWBoaEWBZUxk_5YrPe-QLKIe0_w9BMjjAn59wFj7MbrVOTNS94K9g3fKg-UNA/s1000/13Road.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3ZTe5zjY0GOpHb_zsTa6kszwIjvStkp9JHBLPNzvDH3E5ZvYO5HpenpGttFi4tOBY5XLS12iKujXk-ZEdsYdXhK8h2fdnaXFtwDmcliJ8-7jpcRE7u8ptkvCQD2gZpaQWBoaEWBZUxk_5YrPe-QLKIe0_w9BMjjAn59wFj7MbrVOTNS94K9g3fKg-UNA/w400-h225/13Road.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPR8DSydbQlNswWGQjMlk3YzgIMWxUjj-Ba4jN5FLZLJQyir6vGUwahQS9HQX-qrzgfHJlvlzD6VRqLjuGIcU_DFa40HWuydbOcD_t7t14PU-L3vhR22h4Ui3w0eRHhm8PLBnHQ3qg17TvaB5-eUYo3mh-fiXU9o2vUDIvPf9UKeqxtUqGSYgthBi37le/s1000/14BikeRoad.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPR8DSydbQlNswWGQjMlk3YzgIMWxUjj-Ba4jN5FLZLJQyir6vGUwahQS9HQX-qrzgfHJlvlzD6VRqLjuGIcU_DFa40HWuydbOcD_t7t14PU-L3vhR22h4Ui3w0eRHhm8PLBnHQ3qg17TvaB5-eUYo3mh-fiXU9o2vUDIvPf9UKeqxtUqGSYgthBi37le/w400-h225/14BikeRoad.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ENYb2X29yu4Ycpzp9wniGBp1g_J43MHvvchGzC-suA2Is3c1Td-8zCVzlYMKqx4D5zhKfgoDpQhVXSfVBgVTmsjeApL6bDQCqEU7I9cksKuS0-3e_0pTBbHfWWD6C1EQTc-wRPJATq6CIdBlJDF-TEL8Ys6DT4Xqkx7G55qM_dhwKfQouV7CCxwLvtHw/s1000/22RoadCloseCurve.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ENYb2X29yu4Ycpzp9wniGBp1g_J43MHvvchGzC-suA2Is3c1Td-8zCVzlYMKqx4D5zhKfgoDpQhVXSfVBgVTmsjeApL6bDQCqEU7I9cksKuS0-3e_0pTBbHfWWD6C1EQTc-wRPJATq6CIdBlJDF-TEL8Ys6DT4Xqkx7G55qM_dhwKfQouV7CCxwLvtHw/w400-h225/22RoadCloseCurve.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8_srdTA7dVu9i3637dQrcaUO7KaSy24drUzypHqfmR37NG_DEi5rkOBbIqa6MfEGqKzsNiQXG36y8JR0_zz686ZBrrBYgoeKu6wVlZ7KF083vuV9_Oqlzri5jdU7N62yq75r6oveY5HoVYSE34Mo8Mw3f_jE4OfmjMmNfGWSB_FXK8u8m68sCDxVelZA/s1000/20Jim.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8_srdTA7dVu9i3637dQrcaUO7KaSy24drUzypHqfmR37NG_DEi5rkOBbIqa6MfEGqKzsNiQXG36y8JR0_zz686ZBrrBYgoeKu6wVlZ7KF083vuV9_Oqlzri5jdU7N62yq75r6oveY5HoVYSE34Mo8Mw3f_jE4OfmjMmNfGWSB_FXK8u8m68sCDxVelZA/w400-h225/20Jim.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B4Q3T0oTjw0QSRUAEvVrKLxOr3sDEsxB1VwHzA_uobLAfeZgv3V28wHY7O_s7ljZ4oYOOIsebOG8G87PLJ5FPYv8Wg0pRTj_uVoCy2c4K9_FxIqbnnhtSZSRYz7X0Sc4VEvuMQ9F6qVKDEat37OmZc41aL39qk3H1fPtdLFMqgBQPj_yd1Otc2Vf-Cp_/s1000/17CurvyRoad.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B4Q3T0oTjw0QSRUAEvVrKLxOr3sDEsxB1VwHzA_uobLAfeZgv3V28wHY7O_s7ljZ4oYOOIsebOG8G87PLJ5FPYv8Wg0pRTj_uVoCy2c4K9_FxIqbnnhtSZSRYz7X0Sc4VEvuMQ9F6qVKDEat37OmZc41aL39qk3H1fPtdLFMqgBQPj_yd1Otc2Vf-Cp_/w400-h225/17CurvyRoad.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuwusy48QKrQETrNMDzudpaHC6rWDFXOm1tt-BRFTwAtmqQ1SrjhD-zbVFlofsIarOEeXf1DuN0zrA75FwqaFh4h8SwtqtZpJwM5mDvURUqhJ3ZjkIe7geSmDc5hAG2GJXtfRyhyphenhyphenivAu0W8Q-M4IuiEPNj-0Wck5aS7B2ggMW3d70pAtup7Jw73p7f_BL/s1000/16Cactus.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuwusy48QKrQETrNMDzudpaHC6rWDFXOm1tt-BRFTwAtmqQ1SrjhD-zbVFlofsIarOEeXf1DuN0zrA75FwqaFh4h8SwtqtZpJwM5mDvURUqhJ3ZjkIe7geSmDc5hAG2GJXtfRyhyphenhyphenivAu0W8Q-M4IuiEPNj-0Wck5aS7B2ggMW3d70pAtup7Jw73p7f_BL/w400-h225/16Cactus.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSC7TIaRjs5sIgLZ3RCymEgmLddyAgYs7gkR80TvXSKSTVIrwc5dGU7I8ZI95NdUQitbpMT9O7MvtzkCGqYzuaEYXCTqi5HRqiJz4nslx5hYZ4PU6-7O1EbmXAE6fKbJ9sgnDSApGMvtyoUoBX_Ut6QeLoEZJb66OnLymlbo7A3GThWCy9Am_7K6L7cLF/s1000/15Curve.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSC7TIaRjs5sIgLZ3RCymEgmLddyAgYs7gkR80TvXSKSTVIrwc5dGU7I8ZI95NdUQitbpMT9O7MvtzkCGqYzuaEYXCTqi5HRqiJz4nslx5hYZ4PU6-7O1EbmXAE6fKbJ9sgnDSApGMvtyoUoBX_Ut6QeLoEZJb66OnLymlbo7A3GThWCy9Am_7K6L7cLF/w400-h225/15Curve.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Coming home, I rode on that road south of our house - it is marked "Closed" when coming from the west, but some people drive around the barricade. I don't know why - the road is a pothole mess, much of it is dirt and gravel. It is listed as "outside County maintenance" and looks like it hasn't had <i>any</i> upkeep in a long time. Back onto real paved roads and coming back into our neighborhood - lots of new houses going up...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx677qkNt1FWhwda2IXPS0BMDZS0aHScSQBy-RtmK9H9JNn-1P6XWGevWYGXwwZaeto7mKUnrTqYDwbISGX-dSPV_6u9YRRx32zZ80GJfr29SvqIK4UDXw7AX_GE9xQ8eXEyt0eHTuwiyiVV6INQd5FcjC5r_bLiFIIG8QmLFpT-6EPGlPlT2KoILdfA5i/s1000/27Neighborhood.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="1000" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx677qkNt1FWhwda2IXPS0BMDZS0aHScSQBy-RtmK9H9JNn-1P6XWGevWYGXwwZaeto7mKUnrTqYDwbISGX-dSPV_6u9YRRx32zZ80GJfr29SvqIK4UDXw7AX_GE9xQ8eXEyt0eHTuwiyiVV6INQd5FcjC5r_bLiFIIG8QmLFpT-6EPGlPlT2KoILdfA5i/w400-h178/27Neighborhood.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>--------</p><p>Not long after I got home, Amazon made a delivery; some boxes for us, some for Steph and Dan. When Joan took the boxes into Steph's house, an orange furry boy followed her into our place. After some All Star Feline Wrestling, they settled into their new arrival...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATzlmHKAoxjNwsO0_SVwGtEuC_QqHVaJBNK89UEr_rwn65PmxbWVqRqzRq1Snufgi1c_BSmGokAi68ssypjVlpn52_8lKVoRM6SIqNxG8powk_ynrsg1LxlyTB6i7EZ3P_s8uud6Ctv-A-E1Zj59OjAW5OGE-fZuBNCgREcAcvCqtdYOilWfv9zQys5No/s1000/MurphyTangoBox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1000" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATzlmHKAoxjNwsO0_SVwGtEuC_QqHVaJBNK89UEr_rwn65PmxbWVqRqzRq1Snufgi1c_BSmGokAi68ssypjVlpn52_8lKVoRM6SIqNxG8powk_ynrsg1LxlyTB6i7EZ3P_s8uud6Ctv-A-E1Zj59OjAW5OGE-fZuBNCgREcAcvCqtdYOilWfv9zQys5No/w400-h264/MurphyTangoBox.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>--------</p><p>I had Joan order me a couple locking mounts that I use to put my phone, cameras, and a drink holder on my bikes...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJIdExQcdD3Fq8oXVQaGl5C4kHCO9suyaarE7tN7-1dU8ltVUWk52c8I17WLtvGP6t_Ou27ZgQDEW2oHRotjRx9J8jm_b1xyfB1ZZ0hyPL-DVTrdP4USfUOP-KdvmhT4MdI3P4BQ2OfvVkipkw0xrfocP11YEWK3BiqyZwKmx1Wh4WZUupaMsioxX1HO-/s4032/IMG_6791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJIdExQcdD3Fq8oXVQaGl5C4kHCO9suyaarE7tN7-1dU8ltVUWk52c8I17WLtvGP6t_Ou27ZgQDEW2oHRotjRx9J8jm_b1xyfB1ZZ0hyPL-DVTrdP4USfUOP-KdvmhT4MdI3P4BQ2OfvVkipkw0xrfocP11YEWK3BiqyZwKmx1Wh4WZUupaMsioxX1HO-/w225-h400/IMG_6791.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5YlfXoNNqLR961Sb1gB4YBlmbJluyH5oXWXLHlCQ2lEmc2JABG9Gdbn3jnC69kwBF2OCq5zo4lDxgM_-PXKZCF_lKGSzGQz9zH8IFeR94Qi3C-UsY_uokX0oES_Dsk0_UYpvwWpnGDXZXOoufv0wJssW5_wUZ0VEOkdKpkMZP0mDuHQ_nNH7PxVyVlA0/s4032/IMG_6792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5YlfXoNNqLR961Sb1gB4YBlmbJluyH5oXWXLHlCQ2lEmc2JABG9Gdbn3jnC69kwBF2OCq5zo4lDxgM_-PXKZCF_lKGSzGQz9zH8IFeR94Qi3C-UsY_uokX0oES_Dsk0_UYpvwWpnGDXZXOoufv0wJssW5_wUZ0VEOkdKpkMZP0mDuHQ_nNH7PxVyVlA0/w225-h400/IMG_6792.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p></p><p>When away from the bikes while out and about, I've had a concern that someone could take the mount (I don't ever leave my phone or cameras)... the Quad Lock I use for my phone is not an inexpensive mount; these locking connectors will insure that it stays on the bike. No, these weren't a Vine procurement - had to pay actual money for them. ;-)</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-42495049168830866752024-03-10T15:21:00.000-07:002024-03-10T15:21:06.402-07:00Shit Show Sunday...<p> </p><p>If you said, "Is that another reality show?" you get no bonus points, but I think we're onto something.</p><p>I spent some time outside with Murphy this morning. Before we got out of bed, he was a sweet boy: cuddled up on my chest - on his own! That is a first. It must have been too much for his sensibilities, because he spent the next two hours being a pill. He is not allowed on the kitchen countertops, so of course, that is the only place he wants to be. To be fair, he only got up there about 40 or 50 times. So, he and I were cordially invited out to the courtyard. He got to walk around on his own, off the leash. Yes, I kept a close eye on him.</p><p>That wasn't the shit show. Early this afternoon, I got out for a ride. I didn't decide which bike to take until I was in the garage... looks like a good day for riding the CTX. Beautiful sunny day; predicted high of 80º, it was 75º when I headed out.</p><p>I fully expected South Mountain to be full of traffic - Sunday drivers and all that. I headed there not expecting an exhilarating ride. Got there, and the traffic was less than I expected. Most of it was driving slow, though... maybe because a couple days ago, a woman was killed on this road in a roll-over accident; seriously injured her two kids. It had been all over the news.</p><p>I get it - it is a mountain road with a lot of tight curves, and up and down grades. The truck in front of me (California plates) was driving slow, with their driver's side wheels frequently over the double yellow line. It meant traffic coming the other way had to swerve on this narrow road... and the woman driving the pickup hit her brakes with each car coming the other direction. I gave her plenty of room, expecting her to trade paint with oncoming traffic.</p><p>Fortunately, she went straight where there was a turn off to more fun twisties... and not a single vehicle in front of me for the several miles to a parking area. And a stop for a couple photos...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE5CQI6xxT8o1pEIJbJ-lu1bBJF46gmjIJyumTDpnrZczVMIiUsJ576ViqZyMa-m9NCTNFRWWJ7PoFCPQ57DZvmV_a0pgKtXqxt8lFnLO-q8lmaoNEn5bpsaalIvmFYRcEB2Ii5NB2tKugqnKRaRELlnWo6-mFzrUBIXT48SaC85T2xgMAXtihkUPaACb/s1000/CTX1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="651" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE5CQI6xxT8o1pEIJbJ-lu1bBJF46gmjIJyumTDpnrZczVMIiUsJ576ViqZyMa-m9NCTNFRWWJ7PoFCPQ57DZvmV_a0pgKtXqxt8lFnLO-q8lmaoNEn5bpsaalIvmFYRcEB2Ii5NB2tKugqnKRaRELlnWo6-mFzrUBIXT48SaC85T2xgMAXtihkUPaACb/w260-h400/CTX1.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjUPULkzHenMqGEO-TDon4ZkvEb4OBQ-7hq7MMrzXx1Ob7SZsBvr-omefFekUqpDvmOAcW1Ba4GSbN0pHhppCRKbaMSMTXc3Evdux_YGz4V_-Q0lLuLjlNlSjUjGUUQlQxDLzcGuOVTgCqRoIXnv1-ulU91qzGSDVhNl6TOh7CdYRxg1xFaaBH2bBi4d9/s1000/SouthView.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjUPULkzHenMqGEO-TDon4ZkvEb4OBQ-7hq7MMrzXx1Ob7SZsBvr-omefFekUqpDvmOAcW1Ba4GSbN0pHhppCRKbaMSMTXc3Evdux_YGz4V_-Q0lLuLjlNlSjUjGUUQlQxDLzcGuOVTgCqRoIXnv1-ulU91qzGSDVhNl6TOh7CdYRxg1xFaaBH2bBi4d9/w400-h225/SouthView.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> The CTX in the first photo, the view from my parking spot in the lower image. Back on the bike, heading back. On the first part of this road, there was again no traffic... until I came up on a car where the girl driving it was <i>stopped in the driving lane</i>, while she was scrolling through her phone! Stupid. I got around her, and she was oblivious to the traffic that had to stop behind her. Onto the main road down and... a pickup stopped in the driving lane, while a kid leaned out the window to take a photo. He took his time composing the image on his phone. As I saw another car coming up fast behind me, I honked. They were in no hurry to get moving again. Again, I passed on the double yellow, to keep from getting pancaked by upcoming traffic.<p></p><p>I wonder why anyone would think it is acceptable to stop on a narrow two-lane mountain road... for any reason? The rest of the way down the mountain wasn't crowded with traffic, but about every 5th vehicle coming at me was over the centerline. Not as blatantly as the woman going up the mountain, but still road hazards. There was a pickup and 4 motorcycles pulled to the side in a curve - something had happened there: one of the bike riders (you could tell by what he was wearing) was directing traffic on this blind curve. I have the feeling that the pickup crowded a rider off the road.</p><p>No stupid driver tricks the rest of the way home. Going up the mountain on a weekend last month, I told myself not to do that again. I didn't listen to me. Really, the ride was very pleasant, with the exception of some stupid people in cars and trucks. Sunday drivers. Stupid drivers. I will probably ride there again on a weekend, but you can be sure I will be very vigilant.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-55824782588495248432024-03-09T12:11:00.004-07:002024-03-09T13:12:41.126-07:00Here we have the wild predator...<p> </p><p>... stalking prey on the savanna. (You have to hear that in a "voice over" Marlin Perkins kinda voice.) OK, it wasn't an actual savanna, but Murphy isn't really a wild predator... he did go after a gnat. It takes a LOT of gnats to make a meal.<br /></p><p>Another new experience for Murphy: while I made breakfast on the griddle this morning, Joan kept an eye on Murphy, off-leash (intentionally) in our courtyard...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrpL5vMrf5zxf77dAwNQd5BJDY-8INTCvmhBv7xuJqaMp4U7SSfu3gkWNdtzmUxFak2dP5fvwF0_JCFU4Qweuy-yl6UTVNFd5gVnSPl02lfYLCt6dhd_AxbotCXDtRlNr2ycAdF6uDKZYAr6fItTMOC0Nw82e-5GeCsW2q7YbckTBOk_-ztPa-nWMN5EA/s1000/IMG_6768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrpL5vMrf5zxf77dAwNQd5BJDY-8INTCvmhBv7xuJqaMp4U7SSfu3gkWNdtzmUxFak2dP5fvwF0_JCFU4Qweuy-yl6UTVNFd5gVnSPl02lfYLCt6dhd_AxbotCXDtRlNr2ycAdF6uDKZYAr6fItTMOC0Nw82e-5GeCsW2q7YbckTBOk_-ztPa-nWMN5EA/w400-h275/IMG_6768.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-KXlomq7cUO9axhFiwSAw_XYuXoKDGZcelr3e-LBn3gAG6UXJn8NVuS98scyAhxt7gTWNoB0eYPZ-vP6TLVPKSr3EfzxkQ2rVlNL1za5HX7Rb3uSsw7n_KeiGm-Dd3OSpgQ04o7Kedk4UICj4X2CldDoq2ALFxgflD-M6JZOfYzxeUauazW3aUbzc_Ml/s1000/IMG_6769.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="910" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-KXlomq7cUO9axhFiwSAw_XYuXoKDGZcelr3e-LBn3gAG6UXJn8NVuS98scyAhxt7gTWNoB0eYPZ-vP6TLVPKSr3EfzxkQ2rVlNL1za5HX7Rb3uSsw7n_KeiGm-Dd3OSpgQ04o7Kedk4UICj4X2CldDoq2ALFxgflD-M6JZOfYzxeUauazW3aUbzc_Ml/w364-h400/IMG_6769.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIo8HEFXJG3RrTGNddGgy5SJtioXO7TaBUbH7jQK5uU2GSGFURUlpBZeN87JjD1MwNGyhIfla7AxSgykK9sPYBqGGLVcGNn6VgGPDDTRatztjNM3rw2kgz3SzacyQpYpD5cunD69YsT6zqiQ-2tRQiewN_LxSDh2e6q5C0mmHAFky1GwIR5fUb-Fg21rI/s1000/IMG_6770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1000" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIo8HEFXJG3RrTGNddGgy5SJtioXO7TaBUbH7jQK5uU2GSGFURUlpBZeN87JjD1MwNGyhIfla7AxSgykK9sPYBqGGLVcGNn6VgGPDDTRatztjNM3rw2kgz3SzacyQpYpD5cunD69YsT6zqiQ-2tRQiewN_LxSDh2e6q5C0mmHAFky1GwIR5fUb-Fg21rI/w400-h249/IMG_6770.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUcFp5n9KjCCyBZcVuJwCboHS3FYmpoPU24KfZ8sa-RXAve_CUX4tf2zH_FQ3Ctdn2BJJ6t-Mn8HNCGqdJVKs_JEoHLIQ84_M9bly3IzJdXKW_ZpIvQxb3XdNGOUR8lY_4IBCvEzMvnzH8THkDRqNP04uC_accOwQJYFsOiCNunZBreg0xXMvnhOAPZaU/s1000/IMG_6771.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUcFp5n9KjCCyBZcVuJwCboHS3FYmpoPU24KfZ8sa-RXAve_CUX4tf2zH_FQ3Ctdn2BJJ6t-Mn8HNCGqdJVKs_JEoHLIQ84_M9bly3IzJdXKW_ZpIvQxb3XdNGOUR8lY_4IBCvEzMvnzH8THkDRqNP04uC_accOwQJYFsOiCNunZBreg0xXMvnhOAPZaU/w400-h285/IMG_6771.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxXyfa2PpMYg9IwamuDYT0RT-GEGGRR9z8j-mHDUijdBrkTVsv0ZgEqt5ZBYK826soAklPUez_YiFDckRibaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIIONMYLZJAoTEol7nd_qMdufLwNfM9FkmZIQidGrwAH7HeoQIWCY6psU4nkHYQt_amQPT8VncYT57MCUX7w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZ44jxccIfVHCdauAIN_J6WlNlQfNNnYErGh-koqkh2GrZ0B26BU960JBGBHMO61f1clnGbqbBuX0eTYTLeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Steph came over while Murphy was walking about. Murph invited Tango to come visit in the catio...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic85p62deQ_BNOlLK5V7Uay-hJfzJCGXYyf2TRmxXHbkIz0m83CZB23yv6rdB0Z8nL7edwlw6kqxRSpnvH3eU3sOKnd1PhkFtxCfGHdCeDOZxagMZib78mOOEmmUoRkqmCTKt68-bpfQWboryzZ4nlNkjJxac1Xm1OtrNQWvLcodgvXXx2ZAp67CrEQet2/s1000/MurphTango1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1000" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic85p62deQ_BNOlLK5V7Uay-hJfzJCGXYyf2TRmxXHbkIz0m83CZB23yv6rdB0Z8nL7edwlw6kqxRSpnvH3eU3sOKnd1PhkFtxCfGHdCeDOZxagMZib78mOOEmmUoRkqmCTKt68-bpfQWboryzZ4nlNkjJxac1Xm1OtrNQWvLcodgvXXx2ZAp67CrEQet2/w400-h335/MurphTango1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Yes, they played nicely together in there.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-47521384204714713592024-03-08T08:45:00.002-07:002024-03-08T09:10:38.462-07:00Daylight Saving Time...<p> </p><p>It's coming this weekend: time to "spring forward" on Sunday. And along with that, the semi-annual grousing of people about making the change. I always appreciated the extra daylight at the end of the day... "But what about getting up in the dark?" some will counter. If I had to choose, I'd take the dark in the morning rather than having it earlier in the evening. But, that's just me.</p><p>How do you end this twice a year debate? Move to Arizona. Arizona does not participate in Daylight Saving Time. Why? I have no idea. But, it's the main reason we moved to Arizona. Oh, sure, there's that being close to Steph and Dan thing, and being ready for change after 20 years of living on an island, and... yes, I'm kidding.</p><p>But look at all the time we'll "save" by not messing with clocks and watches...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhRLCsx6oVMjV3P5rJT_OGvYJHZQUoLVPB086NWMN5XedPIwb4oPuHpWLzCIb__fIEB7ZVteNVyDkjSkFlpgBinpWXR7RVTRpJPdkqMKcjAG1jX-WEruF61StllvMCzkvlDgVkrzrqSCmxwki8XUHIHIuhPJgg841W-ud2d6QWcY3JJTqGmXdKGBMDTnL/s1000/Clocks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1000" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhRLCsx6oVMjV3P5rJT_OGvYJHZQUoLVPB086NWMN5XedPIwb4oPuHpWLzCIb__fIEB7ZVteNVyDkjSkFlpgBinpWXR7RVTRpJPdkqMKcjAG1jX-WEruF61StllvMCzkvlDgVkrzrqSCmxwki8XUHIHIuhPJgg841W-ud2d6QWcY3JJTqGmXdKGBMDTnL/w400-h283/Clocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>What's that? Yes, we wear Apple Watches, and they take care of themselves. And, a lot of our clocks handle that, as well. But, we still have some old school clocks, as well as the clocks in the car and bikes... and I have to get the owners manual out each time I reset the clock on Joan's Xmax (nothing intuitive about that reset). Just go with me on this - how many man hours are wasted twice year with all this clock resetting? That's a rhetorical question... I don't have time for all this.</p><p>The real question this weekend: Who are you wearing for the Oscar parties? The real answer: Who cares? I'll be busy not re-setting clocks.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-76066942502688557022024-03-07T12:43:00.004-07:002024-03-07T13:11:19.987-07:00So that's the way the day is going to go...<p> </p><p>I woke up this morning with something tickling my face. No, it wasn't Joan gently caressing me... it was Murphy's tail. When I opened my eyes, I was staring right into his ass... and he was backing it closer to me. Yep, that puckery cat butt will wipe away the groggy!</p><p>It was a precursor of the way the day was trying to go. The furry boy was full of energy and raring to go. I got up and got him his breakfast. It didn't make him sleepy - it energized him further. The house is is race track and he is a Formula One cat.</p><p>Joan thought inviting Tango over might help settle Murphy's case of the zoomies. It didn't. There was some All Star Wrestling, but Tango finally said, "I'm going home - this kid wears me out."</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKWCnEUGkHHimRq5rLShQQOzuRNCRgk3cxN-EwKhWO3s0iBIPMsEQrD3PXUj47OqWMOQOkZe_F__WiZN3Za0PR4dwBuHazxadsSsntwvtAK67N1KxTS_Yl6dEglV4R_0gOlyaGqADHUY5fBqAgRdVhx_knLvDf-chzWwlEDmgVAUuhyphenhyphenXtG2HfZWhpbL-Q/s1000/Murphy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKWCnEUGkHHimRq5rLShQQOzuRNCRgk3cxN-EwKhWO3s0iBIPMsEQrD3PXUj47OqWMOQOkZe_F__WiZN3Za0PR4dwBuHazxadsSsntwvtAK67N1KxTS_Yl6dEglV4R_0gOlyaGqADHUY5fBqAgRdVhx_knLvDf-chzWwlEDmgVAUuhyphenhyphenXtG2HfZWhpbL-Q/w400-h225/Murphy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> "Who? Me?"<p></p><p>Joan took him outside for a while - he seemed content in his catio... until it started sprinkling. 'Cause that's the way the day is going. Finally, after lunch, Murph settled in. Now I just want to go play some bagpipes next to him.</p><p>-------- <br /></p><p>The State of the Union speech is tonight. It will be one old guy telling us how good everything is, while another old, but oranger, guy will say, "That's not true. I am the best President ever and he is the worst. Everybody says so." When the truth of the matter is: how the hell are these two guys the best we can come up with to guide this country in these trying times??</p><p>I don't generally discuss political stuff on this blog, and I'll zap any political comments posted here. I have said that I could solve all the world's problems if I were the Emperor of the World (by unanimous proclamation)... I don't say that any longer - I am too old for that job. And these two guys are older than I am. I dread what is ahead for the American public with this upcoming election. One guy that can't remember what he had for breakfast and the other a fear-monger spewing constant lies. We used to look up to our Presidents; now it seems most Americans don't approve of either choice, while each seems to have a small, but rabidly fanatic, group of supporters. Prepare to be bombarded by a nastier than usual political advertising season.</p><p>This would be a good case for getting another cruising boat and going way from civilization for the next 8 months. But, I am too old for that stuff. ;-)</p><p>--------</p><p>Just before 1:00, the rain started pounding. Followed by hail!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcwvIUfQD3Moko8IlqwgmWnJk3QBJWntx_opF6IiF6evU15w75Qb5qOFbX1Rta5peVUB0pQumuKz9GzUCNzn69O7ju5w2vmCpAmHvgCM-kHneqbN4AsoccnX5FnOp95AtPkDBBdvbIjTaP2BH3Jfu3ZB86sDaYBaDtFkSWxo7InrN-67h9U9ygtJCLuAW/s1000/Hail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcwvIUfQD3Moko8IlqwgmWnJk3QBJWntx_opF6IiF6evU15w75Qb5qOFbX1Rta5peVUB0pQumuKz9GzUCNzn69O7ju5w2vmCpAmHvgCM-kHneqbN4AsoccnX5FnOp95AtPkDBBdvbIjTaP2BH3Jfu3ZB86sDaYBaDtFkSWxo7InrN-67h9U9ygtJCLuAW/w400-h225/Hail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Looks like snow out there. Along with thunder and lightning. On the bright side the hail is small. On the even bright side, when it started hailing, I pulled our car into Steph and Dan's garage (ours is full of bikes).<br /></p><p>Yep, this is how the day is going. Murphy didn't seem affected by the storm. Checking in on Steph and Dan's 3 kitties, they seem fine. The house is well insulated, with a tile roof, so it was quiet in comparison to being in the motorhome. Sure looked ugly, watching it build up in our courtyard.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-52166457934782085442024-03-06T09:37:00.002-07:002024-03-06T09:37:33.293-07:00On this day, 11 years ago...<p> </p><p>After 40+ years of motorcycles, we got our first pair of scooters...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMZYGpWLa8y4CtVMRAWD0D73WUIpsHzPABECBtAQKjLGnQ9bKr_vL2KtDkEvWHnjhQucFgI1AxJnRZU1443lezUX3f_vI_eWQLSL59CMeAYltg6lfECqpaxIlBkTUNtXWxpRpBmHeDBWiVZ3jnMCzlidw4lKQ2UZVOMK-0rHt4bLHmbGeFfUAP2Fl-2Wq/s936/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%208.57.50%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="672" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMZYGpWLa8y4CtVMRAWD0D73WUIpsHzPABECBtAQKjLGnQ9bKr_vL2KtDkEvWHnjhQucFgI1AxJnRZU1443lezUX3f_vI_eWQLSL59CMeAYltg6lfECqpaxIlBkTUNtXWxpRpBmHeDBWiVZ3jnMCzlidw4lKQ2UZVOMK-0rHt4bLHmbGeFfUAP2Fl-2Wq/w288-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%208.57.50%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="288" /></a></div> <p></p><p>One of today's Facebook Memories. Those were the Honda PCX 150s that reignited our passion for riding. Due to my creaky hip, I was about ready to be done riding. Joan suggested we get a couple scooters. I resisted. We got a couple scooters... and it turned out to be more fun than I could have imagined.</p><p>I thought those scoots would be our last bikes. I have learned to not say that. We kept them for 5 years before moving on to something bigger, with some highway capability.</p><p>Having these scoots was a lifestyle change for us, as well. It was the beginning of the end of our boat cruising. We had the scoots in Friday Harbor for a few years while we were working boat jobs, both while living on our boat and then for a couple years with the motorhome. I looked forward to my "scoot commute" each day; plus, big fun putting the scoots on the Washington State Ferry to ride other islands or go "to America" (the mainland).</p><p>The scoots changed how we got around while in the Phoenix area during our visits here; we rode them all over the Valley (avoiding the Interstates and freeways). The PCXes were good up to about 55 mph... oh, you could get them up to 65+/-, but it wasn't any fun at that speed. The bigger bikes make that a non-issue.</p><p>Our Christmas photo that year...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3UrGfScoYh4vMsYto7w7ZQEDhtsblRv5ndbnL7mieLJwSzGm88gd9VJriLMr5KBXfHI_4ZZfJWPhY0ThOBtEMugHJ5FMrncBSWDOB-wSt6GdGVqY4COtBNAqLjsm4mYd7Pq0mjOUUZuyLr4u33di6MpjkUK1dPnnL4Qr4of4a2Y1eImLwoGqW9kpOJpO/s550/JimJoanScoots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="550" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3UrGfScoYh4vMsYto7w7ZQEDhtsblRv5ndbnL7mieLJwSzGm88gd9VJriLMr5KBXfHI_4ZZfJWPhY0ThOBtEMugHJ5FMrncBSWDOB-wSt6GdGVqY4COtBNAqLjsm4mYd7Pq0mjOUUZuyLr4u33di6MpjkUK1dPnnL4Qr4of4a2Y1eImLwoGqW9kpOJpO/s320/JimJoanScoots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Where we are today...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrjwlIfFooRv5y12u6pIPMyCm_Ti8CQfdh5mlQhghSpLApAVmUdw6iyCqHbOnHWEgfW1BgXiI3BaTl5ttII7YbOUi1NvlLHS-XBj2MQzrFT2_OWekoHVJHgAkRUZSncWrHD5M93n_y38E4jmN4Mfbk0IM4Xtd3HyoA7m_ZvgOIVB4DSDBNatj3JfboT8R/s1000/UsCTXXmax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrjwlIfFooRv5y12u6pIPMyCm_Ti8CQfdh5mlQhghSpLApAVmUdw6iyCqHbOnHWEgfW1BgXiI3BaTl5ttII7YbOUi1NvlLHS-XBj2MQzrFT2_OWekoHVJHgAkRUZSncWrHD5M93n_y38E4jmN4Mfbk0IM4Xtd3HyoA7m_ZvgOIVB4DSDBNatj3JfboT8R/w400-h311/UsCTXXmax.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxQaWw2mcv6E2vcyFJ3Ev211zCcBBm4pqBWdV0E3Cl_VN7rhEsTN4qtmimiHIoIiEoCe9bfyoVYb3VuMy7Mfx1Y-veDFaX68xN0hjxbY_F9wc1RXZSZxSxhM59cZP4OUaGIKYTeU1vkSppC3Tcdm_FnF7Qx9PxTTMWklXiIiSQ_DjqiqX2lyIlYRhoY0_/s1000/44UsDownMtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxQaWw2mcv6E2vcyFJ3Ev211zCcBBm4pqBWdV0E3Cl_VN7rhEsTN4qtmimiHIoIiEoCe9bfyoVYb3VuMy7Mfx1Y-veDFaX68xN0hjxbY_F9wc1RXZSZxSxhM59cZP4OUaGIKYTeU1vkSppC3Tcdm_FnF7Qx9PxTTMWklXiIiSQ_DjqiqX2lyIlYRhoY0_/w400-h225/44UsDownMtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJVKuBzb_pxI2Gc8r3elz5BLWRTeYGPNS3CuBQ6lxhyphenhyphenCX0sMQxycEQrukrsB80gaCPXDBE4geJCcivw2fSNFzRJcSxhlyD0bQMtB_hFN7GcaCGX3yqc_ZqDxhf_xfDPOrJBRFBJjvhvkIoFtqggZLDC2O7NhYOwRtkLbzXm4ubjgTCD0gxTvIzJMHCgwg/s1000/13JoanBikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1000" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJVKuBzb_pxI2Gc8r3elz5BLWRTeYGPNS3CuBQ6lxhyphenhyphenCX0sMQxycEQrukrsB80gaCPXDBE4geJCcivw2fSNFzRJcSxhlyD0bQMtB_hFN7GcaCGX3yqc_ZqDxhf_xfDPOrJBRFBJjvhvkIoFtqggZLDC2O7NhYOwRtkLbzXm4ubjgTCD0gxTvIzJMHCgwg/w400-h279/13JoanBikes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc513tGbvLFa1YHfQFE6sttpb69kqbhFLsEZZ-KGY00q6bKxysB0NOxnBSljXQfaKubteWjvCAkZFnjZuRcRs9QI8Gp4IoQM1WBKk5lbU2jfClQeCxclM3eg9x1tNTe54Eq-n1cfZW60II9c99DKx-gEyU2fAWfkSo36smnseADRzFAouxl_Yxfolvarl_/s1000/07JimBikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc513tGbvLFa1YHfQFE6sttpb69kqbhFLsEZZ-KGY00q6bKxysB0NOxnBSljXQfaKubteWjvCAkZFnjZuRcRs9QI8Gp4IoQM1WBKk5lbU2jfClQeCxclM3eg9x1tNTe54Eq-n1cfZW60II9c99DKx-gEyU2fAWfkSo36smnseADRzFAouxl_Yxfolvarl_/w400-h254/07JimBikes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-6695251709282536682024-03-05T22:05:00.004-07:002024-03-05T22:05:59.238-07:00Garage Band...<p> </p><p>Not the app you get free with your Apple device.</p><p>I try to get a blog post in most days. Today, I had music with the guys at Mark's place. I got there early to help get equipment set up, then stayed late to get things put away. He and I set up the mics and PA, so that takes more time.</p><p>It was a good time today - Tom had 3 guests: his wife, sister-in-law, and a friend of theirs, along with Cindy (Mark's wife). They went out for lunch while we were getting started, then had to leave early for Cindy's yoga class. But, we had an actual audience for a good hour or so. Not to mention the occasional neighbor slowly walking by (we were in Mark's garage... yes, a garage band today). </p><p>--------</p><p>This morning, while visiting with Joan and watching Murphy run around the place like a wildcat (the boy can make us laugh), I had a realization. About our cats.</p><p>Smoke was our first; lived to be almost 22 years old. She was a great cat. The rest of the cats have reminded me of different celebrities.</p><p>Molly was Oprah - a big personality that drew people in. She liked everybody and everybody liked her. However, she never said to us, "You get a car! And you get a car!"</p><p>Izzy was Claudia Schiffer. Long, lean, and moved with elegance in her walk. I called her our feline supermodel. People would look as we walked by, but they weren't always sure they should approach.<br /></p><p>Rufus was Clark Gable. Rough and tumble, self-assured. He had a look and charm that drew people to him, especially the ladies. Joan called him my chick-magnet when he and I were out walking...the ladies all wanted to run their fingers through his fur (and he loved it). Yes, I was his wingman.</p><p>And now Murphy. Murph reminds me of Squiggy (David Lander) of Laverne & Shirley fame. He makes us laugh with his kittenish antics. We have yet to see how he does out in public, since most of our walking has been in our yard. As he matures, that comparison to Andrew Squiggman (yes, that was his character's real name) may change. ;-) He has not yet been exposed to other people (besides Steph and Dan) in our walks.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-68844597403163018932024-03-04T17:44:00.004-07:002024-03-04T20:34:43.789-07:00Living together in peace and harmony...<p> </p><p>Tango came to visit this morning...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qr-imCW3MpftcrswdvTJVRzXMO0OTnFaFLKSA_jOkOqjChWIVRpvUOHA4N-8rOdGQwJ7Kj6h8wK9tODf_FvlhE2C6dFOTxVzK6UzOI5VgwSuaOstYEEbBJcj6C_u53k5UOMyjAJmaNCyBMEv2boQnXCMGT4s74ue0K2sCXFDfYikeTlPzkdvu0iAjV4P/s1000/JimMurphTango.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1000" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qr-imCW3MpftcrswdvTJVRzXMO0OTnFaFLKSA_jOkOqjChWIVRpvUOHA4N-8rOdGQwJ7Kj6h8wK9tODf_FvlhE2C6dFOTxVzK6UzOI5VgwSuaOstYEEbBJcj6C_u53k5UOMyjAJmaNCyBMEv2boQnXCMGT4s74ue0K2sCXFDfYikeTlPzkdvu0iAjV4P/w400-h351/JimMurphTango.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Yes, that is yours truly with a kitty on each arm. Those two are getting more adolescent boy-like: there is more wrestling and scuffling, but it looks like they are just playing. No ears laid back, no growling, no claws. But, Joan got this moment of everybody being sweet.<p></p><p>--------</p><p>Later, Joan and I went out for lunch and stopped at a Neighborhood Walmart for groceries. It is a bit further to go to this grocery store, but we both enjoyed the feel of the place. Joan will still shop at Fry's, but I think this will be our new go-to instead of the closer Walmart.</p><p>When we got back, I geared up and headed out for a ride. Nice afternoon - a bit cooler than it has been, with a high of 72º; crisp blue sky. I took the Insta360 Go 3 along today; in spite of the company name, it is not a 360 camera. I clipped it onto the chin mount on my helmet.</p><p>On the way to the mountain, Dobbins Road is sporting some new tar snakes...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_vQpd9hWXIZTnsqVy2OOWLbJsCxwcC9-EjL-7tLlxe5JYEhbcT2Brwvm4PZpzyaSBHD17emXSfbm8ki2ZTuXDL9APYP_Pd0P56cxe9i0sbHPjOmIJu_bH5kzLVQWEM-5G1_GTulkcnFQ6PmaGC9zxZYZCKVG9KAwLuQ37uANo0cGmERClQp_PkymtcGT/s1000/13TarSnakes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_vQpd9hWXIZTnsqVy2OOWLbJsCxwcC9-EjL-7tLlxe5JYEhbcT2Brwvm4PZpzyaSBHD17emXSfbm8ki2ZTuXDL9APYP_Pd0P56cxe9i0sbHPjOmIJu_bH5kzLVQWEM-5G1_GTulkcnFQ6PmaGC9zxZYZCKVG9KAwLuQ37uANo0cGmERClQp_PkymtcGT/w400-h225/13TarSnakes.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Not slippery now - we'll see how they are when it gets hotter. These things in the Black Hills are apparently made from monkey snot and goose shit.</p><p>Into the park/preserve, I counted 15 speed bumps before you get into the fun roads...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ2-MAi_uVDFTEuV5RCE8_IcwnV5RWcG2HD3I7XrJ7LE3s4aR1kjwt4jicQJx7ThBMxrjj-qod8hkBM4tP6mdmnFyH8aSLvY4vUsBlfPh2YNPcdiIq7prEvpjt65BDjHRIgb-g0-mp0i3sQHqb9xIbOVh9-VogIGzMLhM7Maeuo3sAVe1dmTtzaeeFDYZ/s1000/15SpeedBump.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ2-MAi_uVDFTEuV5RCE8_IcwnV5RWcG2HD3I7XrJ7LE3s4aR1kjwt4jicQJx7ThBMxrjj-qod8hkBM4tP6mdmnFyH8aSLvY4vUsBlfPh2YNPcdiIq7prEvpjt65BDjHRIgb-g0-mp0i3sQHqb9xIbOVh9-VogIGzMLhM7Maeuo3sAVe1dmTtzaeeFDYZ/w400-h225/15SpeedBump.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>As usual, the Burgman scooter provided an entertaining ride. With the camera on a chin mount, it gives a pretty decent POV (Point Of View) from the rider's perspective...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqceHpLBn_D69KVpspyIcb3UehpD7aiLKn3O3bFhZkwKnSj-QO5ymGg1SoP8huv43-xFZKYjdV7WRU1W1pvXpqlIu-xJ4ebrEGWyl-wxQZoh1iTQ6So-s0-uqHt-ayPuLGbSq2YC59P0vVQ6oAmA6iTtx6yp3Eitqmrh-SL4w0VY8ELZ1gL9qRAqPLLO_k/s1000/18UpMtn.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqceHpLBn_D69KVpspyIcb3UehpD7aiLKn3O3bFhZkwKnSj-QO5ymGg1SoP8huv43-xFZKYjdV7WRU1W1pvXpqlIu-xJ4ebrEGWyl-wxQZoh1iTQ6So-s0-uqHt-ayPuLGbSq2YC59P0vVQ6oAmA6iTtx6yp3Eitqmrh-SL4w0VY8ELZ1gL9qRAqPLLO_k/w400-h225/18UpMtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhOizb-TiXAo2lqPJiKjEU8j28l0FrR_wDiUZH9MBFfvmPv5Ylr26dqiFnGShJrJVjMmVL2Edim_SqdiMNyXbnCTUJR8xZXdrceyY-YRx6KCqKh1FHYFsiqL0sH1_iZNSZc7vCegnvg-7wy8_pTFgy35pTT6Uws_RcPFfo6gCM3Ig1rs0fDGSUAoVBV_A/s1000/19UpMtn.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhOizb-TiXAo2lqPJiKjEU8j28l0FrR_wDiUZH9MBFfvmPv5Ylr26dqiFnGShJrJVjMmVL2Edim_SqdiMNyXbnCTUJR8xZXdrceyY-YRx6KCqKh1FHYFsiqL0sH1_iZNSZc7vCegnvg-7wy8_pTFgy35pTT6Uws_RcPFfo6gCM3Ig1rs0fDGSUAoVBV_A/w400-h225/19UpMtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV3fuANDs9xivDjjBB0zuA_fHfLejXq-ZZAsDz_1Nlo42Y-Hu0Dg-czD3XQ_jfEwBwsn0b90kpTyyzrQZ1_FKPz3ExVB0fItB5MXtE0kocrUAiH2q-WxD8ymupRgwd2gy1v0yFqlzyMrBYNxz9U31WEI3be7tQ6p_XP01_xG2QBqGUHpWn3GCYnMBAUWR/s1000/20Curve.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV3fuANDs9xivDjjBB0zuA_fHfLejXq-ZZAsDz_1Nlo42Y-Hu0Dg-czD3XQ_jfEwBwsn0b90kpTyyzrQZ1_FKPz3ExVB0fItB5MXtE0kocrUAiH2q-WxD8ymupRgwd2gy1v0yFqlzyMrBYNxz9U31WEI3be7tQ6p_XP01_xG2QBqGUHpWn3GCYnMBAUWR/w400-h225/20Curve.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Very little traffic, which means no one is coming at you over the double yellow line. You can't let your guard down, though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoWcgd78SoM1UAbczxuaZAPaqzrNixaToJeV69tVsz1rB8bYtmRys6PKMiYXjvgEsShmFOZy652bRHBn6GsKNFZP27qsP4uTcRDeqqd23Wq6NgQ8NgypAoRDdav9sYNfmfGEBh77t5R5B8jSSu0bTObWq_ZP0kgP0xW23rWKq24L5bqN3HyfRYjWSu0Or/s1000/23UpMtn.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoWcgd78SoM1UAbczxuaZAPaqzrNixaToJeV69tVsz1rB8bYtmRys6PKMiYXjvgEsShmFOZy652bRHBn6GsKNFZP27qsP4uTcRDeqqd23Wq6NgQ8NgypAoRDdav9sYNfmfGEBh77t5R5B8jSSu0bTObWq_ZP0kgP0xW23rWKq24L5bqN3HyfRYjWSu0Or/w400-h225/23UpMtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyCSZ_A-juH-PJLSNt0Flk3B2xGEEfJnpdnLZ_hQSV4sEvNKbZG6Oeto-DNXktslNt3EobtdPVj48tigvKxZHoWXDLYBO5KM8jrPjoomXpWCwDE7rU6xV6u-SqhC3fRtKgKlNnS4fAJX-YwiDC-RzmZApoAkP53odM8Nyc9DUrhpiRrc9Gqp7SHKCprl_/s1000/24Curve.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyCSZ_A-juH-PJLSNt0Flk3B2xGEEfJnpdnLZ_hQSV4sEvNKbZG6Oeto-DNXktslNt3EobtdPVj48tigvKxZHoWXDLYBO5KM8jrPjoomXpWCwDE7rU6xV6u-SqhC3fRtKgKlNnS4fAJX-YwiDC-RzmZApoAkP53odM8Nyc9DUrhpiRrc9Gqp7SHKCprl_/w400-h225/24Curve.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFHg602Iv7RfFk5Xyt8caPM6_8qhlgFzBWN4L1dgaoW0NDN7uDaOjnwAtAKQZVN1EpoHJfsMn0y4FwH3cZF3vGGn7qw-2cJMrXnyfdg8_XxYAxfhRSSGXGjlFyVnQT3m5HrpVmyVFQkPKPQg3xkG6yaBvqRU6xKFYo5ZgJDYtbv-s79zYjwBA8Q6etCMK/s1000/26Curves.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFHg602Iv7RfFk5Xyt8caPM6_8qhlgFzBWN4L1dgaoW0NDN7uDaOjnwAtAKQZVN1EpoHJfsMn0y4FwH3cZF3vGGn7qw-2cJMrXnyfdg8_XxYAxfhRSSGXGjlFyVnQT3m5HrpVmyVFQkPKPQg3xkG6yaBvqRU6xKFYo5ZgJDYtbv-s79zYjwBA8Q6etCMK/w400-h225/26Curves.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozNcprM_IUo0oqocdokz8b2ElSOl2kwB11YWd1Mr1z0j09jmwY8_P00kn7yt8nInScZ0-mAI0R2tFq7Y6xC9uijWCUL3OQ4HRSKwWlHwpqcsd3IyWulSjGf2oZZ8P39hOsV2EMuz4UiadhJdgwNmFw81Ba1Lu0S_57-2_sgG3emEsmSd2S3NIZK7jdoWO/s1000/27Curves.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozNcprM_IUo0oqocdokz8b2ElSOl2kwB11YWd1Mr1z0j09jmwY8_P00kn7yt8nInScZ0-mAI0R2tFq7Y6xC9uijWCUL3OQ4HRSKwWlHwpqcsd3IyWulSjGf2oZZ8P39hOsV2EMuz4UiadhJdgwNmFw81Ba1Lu0S_57-2_sgG3emEsmSd2S3NIZK7jdoWO/w400-h225/27Curves.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_v2I2RsevakRwC4blbvb8cL2XSKULrhDmssxSiw30Mi20FNYgkJOkp7xUF1uu9ucnpUt0GXINuEWw8RztaCLV6-sM_xBErrcMOYuJLyXT3a5SlOSgyeyalhyHfplCqCYGrlOV0tHQ3YP7qujeG3FRt7dCzd9_NpTIffXbRpEtIl30IBMZHZHaFpyRK4F/s1000/28Cactus.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_v2I2RsevakRwC4blbvb8cL2XSKULrhDmssxSiw30Mi20FNYgkJOkp7xUF1uu9ucnpUt0GXINuEWw8RztaCLV6-sM_xBErrcMOYuJLyXT3a5SlOSgyeyalhyHfplCqCYGrlOV0tHQ3YP7qujeG3FRt7dCzd9_NpTIffXbRpEtIl30IBMZHZHaFpyRK4F/w400-h225/28Cactus.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>No stops today - just enjoying the ride...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCHjfU3eICm0-1ZqNVGn_2ghNZiENwbF-ocSSUhqOw4yOYo7LLjWWDK31GUorYKicY-yAO5TmjTT0fx4O8c0NxfPdlBjh4EgzVnnlKJkWtJbhNucqoB8IrAZ5UApThKUwok1_c8MQenPr7VctuXFQ7KkE0X715SYL3We68FHDoLE3jF9oN0pYVLfVkVXf/s1000/35Road.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCHjfU3eICm0-1ZqNVGn_2ghNZiENwbF-ocSSUhqOw4yOYo7LLjWWDK31GUorYKicY-yAO5TmjTT0fx4O8c0NxfPdlBjh4EgzVnnlKJkWtJbhNucqoB8IrAZ5UApThKUwok1_c8MQenPr7VctuXFQ7KkE0X715SYL3We68FHDoLE3jF9oN0pYVLfVkVXf/w400-h225/35Road.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-cKwgahmF9_QjeBFtR_3MGoBZHg6G7efZLRe3BrFGWCdzCNAzAZT2pp7FkV2fFEBqTgaC4mFXR72vJ3lW1aM6o0KLubdkuORExj3MOSxhIPq6Yx4ll0-tr3r5HwE0lAyGDOFJa0hWyHEqIP6TEqOGwCJPcg7UhT15c7eS-1mWHDFu2wKCOB0ak6Ax-GS/s1000/29Curve.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-cKwgahmF9_QjeBFtR_3MGoBZHg6G7efZLRe3BrFGWCdzCNAzAZT2pp7FkV2fFEBqTgaC4mFXR72vJ3lW1aM6o0KLubdkuORExj3MOSxhIPq6Yx4ll0-tr3r5HwE0lAyGDOFJa0hWyHEqIP6TEqOGwCJPcg7UhT15c7eS-1mWHDFu2wKCOB0ak6Ax-GS/w400-h225/29Curve.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS_7pbIuo9TiDYfMYyU4WgjxutE3XFwKlaLnnM1oRxs4ZFOWeQbDwi-ctUL8CE1ovwDY_f3-loDYKan9uuGYQOv9pKI7tdgLNGtxBw1l8JivBCaMPwds7qQvwbrSC3KIf9FkLOaniZ-nlDlVipj63aC6XhVqhFZZsc09gb55iX4eS9pIZwTJ8xyCOU4EN/s1000/31BikeWave.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS_7pbIuo9TiDYfMYyU4WgjxutE3XFwKlaLnnM1oRxs4ZFOWeQbDwi-ctUL8CE1ovwDY_f3-loDYKan9uuGYQOv9pKI7tdgLNGtxBw1l8JivBCaMPwds7qQvwbrSC3KIf9FkLOaniZ-nlDlVipj63aC6XhVqhFZZsc09gb55iX4eS9pIZwTJ8xyCOU4EN/w400-h225/31BikeWave.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>And the views...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKE_CTKM_uSJXv1-5ssL5fo-1j2h2cd54kuDhcDn8uMgCJOeYdEqYB3FfGAkokUtN93M940CGrn5pNeHNy0vYDFVi8S99P1z9p3BghE1Nf5RddxQld1CCVV7XOWCBMg9GZf7KmbXDT-BdNlbuv2Qz-97GMDDKW1lCz3XnOby047yIrJkgLeigzSmidZ12/s1000/32View.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKE_CTKM_uSJXv1-5ssL5fo-1j2h2cd54kuDhcDn8uMgCJOeYdEqYB3FfGAkokUtN93M940CGrn5pNeHNy0vYDFVi8S99P1z9p3BghE1Nf5RddxQld1CCVV7XOWCBMg9GZf7KmbXDT-BdNlbuv2Qz-97GMDDKW1lCz3XnOby047yIrJkgLeigzSmidZ12/w400-h225/32View.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT5NP-aBQe4QOcwxYdU_yGdAgvqU2zC9IAK6mGZuCWP2Y77Mtf2xakdnQsSzm2IbAbB-tD516Q8HJKnOn47mObgqugumrdNZ7WtOsGH-E0qs6co_ItzX_AkYFZ9VE98gs2K0LEeT5CSzLf_J0xRxfBa6vjY9xfnqJLmOtuo1TM2wrTm6fR88hN_lN2ofI/s1000/36View.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT5NP-aBQe4QOcwxYdU_yGdAgvqU2zC9IAK6mGZuCWP2Y77Mtf2xakdnQsSzm2IbAbB-tD516Q8HJKnOn47mObgqugumrdNZ7WtOsGH-E0qs6co_ItzX_AkYFZ9VE98gs2K0LEeT5CSzLf_J0xRxfBa6vjY9xfnqJLmOtuo1TM2wrTm6fR88hN_lN2ofI/w400-h225/36View.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>After leaving the mountain, I was stopped at the intersection of Dobbins Road and Central Ave, where I make my turn west to head for home. A sport bike with a young guy and girl pulled into the lane on the far right... across the road were 8 or 9 other sport bike riders heading toward the mountain. There was a LOT of throttle blipping and posturing. No, I cannot participate in that - if you twist the throttle on a scooter, you are going to <i>go</i>. The bikes across the intersection came across the road like the start of a race...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN_7ldlQEn43IRDh037xTYdivxJvno42JQR7O0undRvifSrqo6zY-yBsUEDnwq7tKbgJORZTaL84dpbW5926rV3kc2z-Ggi_DpLHzokeTeYhqLODlSZEiV8NgqTq2FWw0I7i0v53vo-SSBHGc5__AS37UZvzXlP23EnaA_DHP2d0Ofd1b8Q_87buQBfN5/s1000/40Wheelie.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN_7ldlQEn43IRDh037xTYdivxJvno42JQR7O0undRvifSrqo6zY-yBsUEDnwq7tKbgJORZTaL84dpbW5926rV3kc2z-Ggi_DpLHzokeTeYhqLODlSZEiV8NgqTq2FWw0I7i0v53vo-SSBHGc5__AS37UZvzXlP23EnaA_DHP2d0Ofd1b8Q_87buQBfN5/w400-h225/40Wheelie.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3s05Hag2mVq3NzuRCe2rfIiEHxLhU6VwCtNU_swj2M4ZT970URPW5GrD8FcadpHm8ziQQqM7ldUnKqu8wSRTO-ZXwHHsWSmSfAc013ySeHSS7Zw4TA2EdqQ9rimUoTkiTw_wy8lLMmqVYudLTv3hMJMDguQAHH2xYio76RimAgzFWF-EHy75ovt4fZnv/s1000/39Wheelie.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1000" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3s05Hag2mVq3NzuRCe2rfIiEHxLhU6VwCtNU_swj2M4ZT970URPW5GrD8FcadpHm8ziQQqM7ldUnKqu8wSRTO-ZXwHHsWSmSfAc013ySeHSS7Zw4TA2EdqQ9rimUoTkiTw_wy8lLMmqVYudLTv3hMJMDguQAHH2xYio76RimAgzFWF-EHy75ovt4fZnv/w400-h329/39Wheelie.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Yes, I did shoot video (these are all still from the video clips)...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz25pslTLE6-swZcqwHtlzMSfCWMbQAQKCZf3-CDqyOWvTrFf8zahCp5G2HvEmN3amp1VQa7-l2qLj1Ii-wyA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>I am pretty sure, the Burgman 200 will not wheelie... well, not with me on it. ;-)</p><p>--------</p><p>Well, so much for "peace and harmony." Not Murphy and Tango - they do fine together, playing like you'd expect with 2 boys. This evening, we took Murphy to meet Champ in Steph and Dan's yard (me thinking it would be "neutral ground." Champ was fine, Murphy puffed himself all up and let out a spitty hiss. I thought it might be the first reaction at seeing an animal 5 times his size. Spending a bit of time with Steph and Dan kneeling by Champ and Joan and I taking turns holding Murphy... well, things did not warm up. Champ does fine with their 3 cats. Well, he was totally chill with Murphy - it was Murph that wasn't up for this get-together. We'll see if Champ wins him over with more meetings.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-62780240296514611202024-03-03T17:47:00.003-07:002024-03-03T17:47:47.948-07:00He's a Champ...<p> </p><p>Murphy? Yeah, he's a good boy... well, enough kitten in him that he can be "spirited." But, there is another 4 footed critter in the household - Steph and Dan's household. Meet Champ...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WxSCQ0UlUNjfHsedQgPKlnRc-gRsJbQNsFtdwj0rQ4iEp3pu93U_XJsuudOphSiwGjpzF592PUBcZp7Db3FvIvh7BxXUjh-XeA_kHnmNOf_QGalKRltqbn0yI_dg6bG9XqZ2vhbnsurQ79NN0JxaBUm68N_rOzwFDUY36Mbyj5t9LRPw5Gh4kdmz_hsQ/s1000/Champ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="701" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WxSCQ0UlUNjfHsedQgPKlnRc-gRsJbQNsFtdwj0rQ4iEp3pu93U_XJsuudOphSiwGjpzF592PUBcZp7Db3FvIvh7BxXUjh-XeA_kHnmNOf_QGalKRltqbn0yI_dg6bG9XqZ2vhbnsurQ79NN0JxaBUm68N_rOzwFDUY36Mbyj5t9LRPw5Gh4kdmz_hsQ/w280-h400/Champ.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /> That's Dan with Champ. Well, we think Dan is a champ, too. Champ (the dog) is in the Guide Dogs for the Blind training program. Steph and Dan are "puppy sitting" for the next 10 days or so. It is not unusual for dogs within their local group to spend time with other handlers. This is the first time Steph and Dan have been sitters since Blaine (the dog they had for a year) went back to the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in California.<p></p><p>Champ will go to work with them while he is here, giving him more socialization experience. It is good for these dogs to get new experiences. I only spent a short time with Champ today - he seems very well behaved... yes, a good boy.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-43321842440846254432024-03-02T15:13:00.000-07:002024-03-02T15:13:28.302-07:00I C U...<p> That's: I see you, not Intensive Care Unit.</p><p>Today was "put up the rest of the cameras" day. Our house is smart and came with front door(s) cameras and alerts for opening doors or windows. We had cameras all around our house (inside and out) in Texas, because we did spend several months each year away. While we haven't gone anywhere since moving into this house, the time will come. However, because we have Steph and Dan literally right next door, it is less of a concern about what's happening in and around the house while we're gone.</p><p>Joan and I have put up cameras in our courtyard and in the house already. But, she had a couple new ones, another set of motion lights, and Steph had one that goes with their system that needed to be installed. Steph and I were in the installation crew, with occasional oversight from Joan. Dan was otherwise occupied with one of his clients until we were almost done. He got to be the "walk this way... now that way" guy while we aimed cameras...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfEVzeRoNNYqAm6BDaQ7UAos9HWDrEix8sEhGS0sfP7a9dZ9uaPWinu-OjIHind1dTVVvif_Rj3s68KDtXKwNhyphenhyphenZxnjGm8xN7Ks05mniRM4_MfpOuWx3yFjRs86QoifeY7KLUxfBc_gdjdgFcNqvCN5-pBSwmD2_Gw2MXdPaC2QeME7c-bVomynOIyC5F/s1000/IMG_6752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1000" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfEVzeRoNNYqAm6BDaQ7UAos9HWDrEix8sEhGS0sfP7a9dZ9uaPWinu-OjIHind1dTVVvif_Rj3s68KDtXKwNhyphenhyphenZxnjGm8xN7Ks05mniRM4_MfpOuWx3yFjRs86QoifeY7KLUxfBc_gdjdgFcNqvCN5-pBSwmD2_Gw2MXdPaC2QeME7c-bVomynOIyC5F/w400-h249/IMG_6752.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcMGQ6xsVBNrsXsHf9iwFpzHGfQrWEFecVOqhEAroU4zVyzK18sNsK2wO8AKNsYiLeRLPg5yAVllE4y0kmarcFUJEvMahxtn5Hgetk6lEzIwslvAcWgWq8vom4uhEzWJiEygrzlXjvCGjyGdxNqmPc-wtrW_SJkutb2HZhHwDfk_YSck5KhrNkuVS1QEo/s1000/IMG_6748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcMGQ6xsVBNrsXsHf9iwFpzHGfQrWEFecVOqhEAroU4zVyzK18sNsK2wO8AKNsYiLeRLPg5yAVllE4y0kmarcFUJEvMahxtn5Hgetk6lEzIwslvAcWgWq8vom4uhEzWJiEygrzlXjvCGjyGdxNqmPc-wtrW_SJkutb2HZhHwDfk_YSck5KhrNkuVS1QEo/w400-h225/IMG_6748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ71aBjlkgawNqbR4KmrLV_YEQA8q2699LQC39R4YCCtLDV2uhYuM2O4wHdfA1zlJzMVcFJgAp-1NsFbQtXXJlGTDRmUxYif1-A9PUYprnbFSVav1peuBb95cQWFtlUKU0W7zgdgaGlME3HcxJpiy2aCmlaDSZsNEk2eYaaM1U12CAKGdoAOCB38Kpim0u/s1000/IMG_6749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ71aBjlkgawNqbR4KmrLV_YEQA8q2699LQC39R4YCCtLDV2uhYuM2O4wHdfA1zlJzMVcFJgAp-1NsFbQtXXJlGTDRmUxYif1-A9PUYprnbFSVav1peuBb95cQWFtlUKU0W7zgdgaGlME3HcxJpiy2aCmlaDSZsNEk2eYaaM1U12CAKGdoAOCB38Kpim0u/w400-h244/IMG_6749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp4XFeIckFVcwx1U0ebFo4tdB6CEAApEpuSWtplCPjYoR9TdlhyphenhyphenRAXn9NpLRlNGg_F8PTlkudDCi72NXV5qr_bjMHIPo2hsbrNrCXMq4Rbfd2JDq6Wr2HQwcg6Drd2usskO-lzdvKMlKSNPsf5Fbsc6mrKKOixyYUszDRkhKXr5YcOvLDAK785UH3dj-F/s1000/IMG_6750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1000" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp4XFeIckFVcwx1U0ebFo4tdB6CEAApEpuSWtplCPjYoR9TdlhyphenhyphenRAXn9NpLRlNGg_F8PTlkudDCi72NXV5qr_bjMHIPo2hsbrNrCXMq4Rbfd2JDq6Wr2HQwcg6Drd2usskO-lzdvKMlKSNPsf5Fbsc6mrKKOixyYUszDRkhKXr5YcOvLDAK785UH3dj-F/w400-h233/IMG_6750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORDNzi3nLlUgnryomou3-LOKhscfwUyV0vXCko9tJiDfE4BrQKRCcBDKkn20aDhKtD0lZyNi_y-Gwg-h5vSr3M7_K3j7sN2dXvKGhgxx7sCYVfEDtZTL0nsJldQNYbjW1btb8q_mF74V1HOgbFnXvsclEPeKakUC8VuZYFIkqVlz1plwdQTMVu1xY8-JF/s1000/IMG_6751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORDNzi3nLlUgnryomou3-LOKhscfwUyV0vXCko9tJiDfE4BrQKRCcBDKkn20aDhKtD0lZyNi_y-Gwg-h5vSr3M7_K3j7sN2dXvKGhgxx7sCYVfEDtZTL0nsJldQNYbjW1btb8q_mF74V1HOgbFnXvsclEPeKakUC8VuZYFIkqVlz1plwdQTMVu1xY8-JF/w400-h225/IMG_6751.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>We had tested everything before getting them mounted. Joan is now going through each camera, setting "zones."</p><p>No, we are not paranoid. I checked - just one noid for me, thanks for asking. If someone is prowling around, the cameras and lights are a deterrent - send them to another house. Before getting these cameras set up, we have alerts that let us know when someone is approaching our front doors. It has been handy for all the Amazon deliveries.</p><p>--------</p><p>More Murphy and Tango coverage. The two cats are playing like a couple of boys...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzKyPGzMMQ1g4F8p5g90hy7-rXT1oyFspLW6v37ywphg0IXHG1gI-4v-Rcbk5QVK9dqmiHwyxyXPV29yU8XeA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-81197770273386000192024-03-01T12:25:00.003-07:002024-03-01T17:22:26.581-07:00Them Changes...<p> </p><p>If you said, "Buddy Miles, 1970," you get 25 bonus points. If you said something about somebody called Thundercat, get off my lawn ya damn kids.</p><p>The construction in our development is hoppin'. There is a house going up between us and the view of the Estrella Mountains to the west...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jvxZcM7PfosBkH-Wi2yvuM_ozjb3ljXvccIondUUcGomg_MPdFUXlp4WBlzuzsk3MZju6JnDY7zd3cIHxre7IkP0MnqS-Bf2erv5hso_1H79aTTHdYtzS6NibpZD_gfuGcGEoUg1xK95igg1qF1_wVcrMan_CWI8F1IADTm7iBghZUAXSqxUjp4pl-MH/s1000/IMG_6743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="1000" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jvxZcM7PfosBkH-Wi2yvuM_ozjb3ljXvccIondUUcGomg_MPdFUXlp4WBlzuzsk3MZju6JnDY7zd3cIHxre7IkP0MnqS-Bf2erv5hso_1H79aTTHdYtzS6NibpZD_gfuGcGEoUg1xK95igg1qF1_wVcrMan_CWI8F1IADTm7iBghZUAXSqxUjp4pl-MH/w400-h179/IMG_6743.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> That will likely be the only home build that will impact our view that way, but it is in-line with the notch in the mountains where the sun goes down in January. Ah, progress. Not much impact to the south of us, with another "upscale" community starting to develop... South Mountain is much closer to us than the Estrellas.<p></p><p>I made breakfast for us this morning, and we ate out on the patio. Murphy did a walk, then settled in his catio while we were out there...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4X4jqNaW3uTDVrANwME3ZLGVZkBxNgLrO1ubijF8qix1GR6kBbu7hfBUGdyNZ5TThr8wmNrmj47LL7YRkSO26R4ZqPbGa2hw_fUg6iddgT80CsMST_CMNvQ22-sxJUac8_tTsjFYsjdKsvfruQVPExEmJ0KqnMB3JQU48P4kX2saN9JVMYA0R9AbDcor/s1000/IMG_6744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4X4jqNaW3uTDVrANwME3ZLGVZkBxNgLrO1ubijF8qix1GR6kBbu7hfBUGdyNZ5TThr8wmNrmj47LL7YRkSO26R4ZqPbGa2hw_fUg6iddgT80CsMST_CMNvQ22-sxJUac8_tTsjFYsjdKsvfruQVPExEmJ0KqnMB3JQU48P4kX2saN9JVMYA0R9AbDcor/w225-h400/IMG_6744.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p>I can't say for certain, but I think he likes the catio more than walks on the leash. When he goes outside, he will go the catio and wait for one of us to open the door on it. Yes, you can still see that bare patch where the vet shaved his leg to put in an I-V a couple weeks ago. And, for an update on that: the culture that was generated showed no infection. I guess all the ear drops and cleaning did make a difference.</p><p>--------</p><p>I got out for a ride this afternoon (while Joan was grocery shopping); took the scooter. As I mentioned to Earl in the comments: lots of bicycles and motorcycles out enjoying the beautiful weather and fun roads on South Mountain. I didn't shoot and photos or video, just out enjoying the ride.</p><p>A guy on a sportbike blew past me as I slowed down for the last speed bump (there are a bunch of them as you first come into the park) before you get to the fun roads. I half-heartedly tried to stay with him, but his bike was made for this. I enjoyed the ride, and when I got to the parking lot at top, he was standing by his bike... I pulled up by him and raised my helmet: "Nice riding back there."</p><p>He said, "Sorry if I got too close to you when I passed."</p><p>I said, "You didn't - looked like you were having fun." I think he was relieved that some old fart wasn't going to cuss him out for riding too fast. We visited for a bit. He asked me, "How does that bike do on roads like this?" I think he was looking for a polite way to ask if it was any fun.</p><p>"You may have heard the saying: 'It is more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow.' That is an absolute fact." He nodded in agreement, but I'm not sure he was convinced. "Well, I'm off - I'll watch for you behind me and give you plenty of room to get around." And then I was off, enjoying the ride back down the mountain.</p><p>I was behind a car for a while, but the lady driving it eased over to the side the first chance she had so I could safely get around. I gave her a friendly wave as I went by. Not to much later, and I saw the guy on the sport bike coming up in my mirrors. I moved to the right side of the lane and waved him around. Everybody should get to ride their own ride.</p><p>I was home shortly after Joan got back from shopping. She had stopped to pick up Firehouse Subs for a late lunch for us. Then, some guitar time with Joan and Murphy as my adoring audience. And now, out on the paito for late afternoon, in the shade of the patio umbrella and the pergola.</p><p>My kinda day.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-51097721193607858262024-02-29T18:34:00.003-07:002024-02-29T18:34:37.493-07:00Horizon Job...<p> </p><p>Back in our sailing days, if you were racing another sailboat, and they passed you, pulled away from you, and disappeared over the horizon, that was known as a horizon job. In racing terms, you were getting your butt kicked.</p><p>It was another lovely day; I don't take these for granted. Joan got her patio set back up (after putting away stuff yesterday when a gust front blew threw. Murphy got a walk and some time in his catio. I cleaned the filters in the hot tub, after taking a relaxing soak.</p><p>When we were riding together on Tuesday and discussing where we wanted to have lunch, Joan brought up the Old Spaghetti Factory. We agreed to continue on to Amadio Ranch that day, but put OSF on the agenda for today.</p><p>Lunch was good; the place wasn't busy. Prices have gone up noticeably since we were here last. But, did I mention: lunch was good.</p><p>Once back home, there was a package waiting for us: "a zebra blind" that Joan had ordered for the living room. Navy blue to go with the shade on the patio door. I asked if she wanted me to get it hung right now... she said, "You were planning to go for a ride - go take advantage of this beautiful day and we'll get it done when you get home." I have to say, that sounded like a good plan.</p><p>I took the Burgman scooter. I'm not really sure what to call it... it's a Suzuki; the model is a Burgman 200 (identified by Suzuki as an UH200 or a B200). The name "Burgman" apparently has some distinction in Germany, where the Burgman line (650, 400, and then later, the 200) was first released. Really, what the heck is "a Burgman"? I think they were supposed to be an upscale scooter.</p><p>Yes, I digressed. Again. I took the B200, and was enjoying the ride. Then I came upon 2 younger guys on sport bikes. This is the part of the story where I tell you that these bikes with 10 times the horsepower of my scooter couldn't pull away from me. I could tell you that, but it would be a big fat lie. They powered out of the curves faster than I could ever hope to on this scoot... they kept pulling away, until I couldn't see them around the next curve ahead. Until they got behind a slow moving minivan, who had a couple other cars trapped behind them. Prior to getting caught behind the slow moving traffic, I would call that a horizon job.</p><p>I took a turn to head for the antennas at the peak, while all that other traffic went straight. I had another couple miles of some fun riding. I stopped in the parking lot at the view area, and took a couple photos...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi2Al8XnlxOwN79xzXqTHoQMFAWW0X8yUW5fydREeuBmC9x5y_TZcHho0kwJDgZxdadiRDljOwi0cKQWCn1CiCpQSPuOWvQR06JtiUTOYh004ewjkXpL-odW-NrCOQry5WLff1x6RVEAwtaZWrPyY9xndOegT7IEDLgoTi-V89I4Pcr70KKRBaEnwMdBE/s1000/1B200RightSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="626" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi2Al8XnlxOwN79xzXqTHoQMFAWW0X8yUW5fydREeuBmC9x5y_TZcHho0kwJDgZxdadiRDljOwi0cKQWCn1CiCpQSPuOWvQR06JtiUTOYh004ewjkXpL-odW-NrCOQry5WLff1x6RVEAwtaZWrPyY9xndOegT7IEDLgoTi-V89I4Pcr70KKRBaEnwMdBE/w250-h400/1B200RightSide.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmUNQ0YIgknmDCtzvQot0nLY_rXM4d_YXPHsQBnPScVOCUK1J-qE77d9j-OW2vnsnbAuDcnzopVYhL-Iz-DEhJJ_E6FInQgcjqmWbdZQCz9mim9BN2uB4hH3Rygelm44Wn3LufTANYh9M-ntOb0ggUawsUUrM00rKi6J8DsfpTfWi7IAyPzlAk22XmrnO/s1000/2B200LeftFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="702" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmUNQ0YIgknmDCtzvQot0nLY_rXM4d_YXPHsQBnPScVOCUK1J-qE77d9j-OW2vnsnbAuDcnzopVYhL-Iz-DEhJJ_E6FInQgcjqmWbdZQCz9mim9BN2uB4hH3Rygelm44Wn3LufTANYh9M-ntOb0ggUawsUUrM00rKi6J8DsfpTfWi7IAyPzlAk22XmrnO/w281-h400/2B200LeftFront.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYU5awG_kR0CNkp1Ebce5MtnqV2tRPGMiL1t3i-GRVYQBELsRqcHv24u20tjc72cO_FiVTx6hZgeJ4_9QXK_F8yVxOC7GiA17PYnYtP5_jHcvmmipymtt3KemgtIBBnGpeqrEptDabFZgha4hnFzYU2d7JwVt6sBmiUa5y-Wz6kWBLkcknr99lYbBHbDGO/s1000/3B200Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="642" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYU5awG_kR0CNkp1Ebce5MtnqV2tRPGMiL1t3i-GRVYQBELsRqcHv24u20tjc72cO_FiVTx6hZgeJ4_9QXK_F8yVxOC7GiA17PYnYtP5_jHcvmmipymtt3KemgtIBBnGpeqrEptDabFZgha4hnFzYU2d7JwVt6sBmiUa5y-Wz6kWBLkcknr99lYbBHbDGO/w256-h400/3B200Front.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p>Someone on my YouTube channel commented that the B200 "is the best bike in its class, but it needs to be updated - it's ugly." I would call it an acquired taste. Back in 2014 when I first saw one, I didn't think it was near as sporty looking as the PCX scooters we had at the time. Now, I consider the Burgman 200 to be "classic"... that sounds much better than "needs to be updated." No doubt, it could use some of the latest touches, like a keyless fob, and some "pointier" styling... but, this scoot does what I bought it for.</p><p>I took this photo of the view looking south from the parking area...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwGFzxV-3_WLW0ROLqB9Y-Imf7xVenaqJ4QJGOmMQAuMYk0TY4El444gk-dTZRp0P76rhzdvppvsSyLCC2oxW1dGcxUvB9zZkhBH3HUIIW_S5KQjKudvU6rmr_DD8GdmdIsGrjUOo0Z5yQ5LKCyf9UJUDdy6PpG281QQcOZI9PHBqfeWR7spI00jeEf_n/s1000/4ViewSouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwGFzxV-3_WLW0ROLqB9Y-Imf7xVenaqJ4QJGOmMQAuMYk0TY4El444gk-dTZRp0P76rhzdvppvsSyLCC2oxW1dGcxUvB9zZkhBH3HUIIW_S5KQjKudvU6rmr_DD8GdmdIsGrjUOo0Z5yQ5LKCyf9UJUDdy6PpG281QQcOZI9PHBqfeWR7spI00jeEf_n/w400-h225/4ViewSouth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> That is looking away from Phoenix. You can see some of the other new housing developments off the Loop 202; this is on the other side of the mountain from our house. The interesting "feature" of these developments: the only way to get to them is off the 202... and that same exit is the only way out of the development. There are 3 of these, residential only, no retail. Not my idea of a good situation.<br /><p></p><p>Coming back down the mountain, a Mustang convertible came up behind me. Quickly. Yes, I put the coals to it, and... couldn't pull away from it. Light and easy is fun (as I've described the Burgman), but when it comes to putting down the power, horsepower rules. I did not do a horizon job on the Mustang.</p><p>When I came to a pullout, I did just that, and the Mustang flew by. I jumped in right behind it, twisted the throttle, and... it pulled away from me. It's not really a horizon job if I'm not riding flat out... and I wasn't. Mostly. But, when I came around that last tight curve, I didn't see the Mustang anywhere. They must have enjoyed those curves, because a minute or so later, they were headed back up the mountain - we waved at each other as we passed.</p><p>Back at home, I put away the scoot, came in from the garage, and Joan had the ladder out and furniture moved... waiting for me to hand this new blind. I was delighted to find good solid wood to screw the brackets into, but I had to scrape away some drywall at the top of the window opening to get the mounting assembly to fit. Yes, we had carefully measured the window opening when we ordered the blind, but there was more drywall at the top of the window than at the bottom. Other than that, it went smooth, and once the blind was mounted in place, my services were no longer needed - Joan cleaned up the drywall I had scraped and figured a way to mount the valance from the window blind that was there to this new one. It looks good...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4B05k2i0nsKeNTCLMVlQpW1drIpk_DlGnp0Qdlh5HMPYHuvEn_kUeGfB9suKGsz6BTkUC6qCA3wSkJjbh075LMZlZ7NTM0zgBs5dOfRFUXKj02puaxiWORs4NTyX1PJKNXtv-j9VnNaa1rTWlQx0s45EgNr_90U8yjdgckosJuDdeRcYPgvt8kT6BbQj/s1000/Blind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4B05k2i0nsKeNTCLMVlQpW1drIpk_DlGnp0Qdlh5HMPYHuvEn_kUeGfB9suKGsz6BTkUC6qCA3wSkJjbh075LMZlZ7NTM0zgBs5dOfRFUXKj02puaxiWORs4NTyX1PJKNXtv-j9VnNaa1rTWlQx0s45EgNr_90U8yjdgckosJuDdeRcYPgvt8kT6BbQj/w225-h400/Blind.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p>The blind is on a loop - it can be adjusted to allow a little light in, a lot of light in, or be a blackout shade. Steph and Dan put much larger versions of these on their 4-panel patio doors/windows, and we were impressed. We like the look of it. The living room and hallway is white, with navy and gray accents, and this fits in nicely.</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-46864945386553934782024-02-28T17:35:00.003-07:002024-02-28T19:43:34.756-07:00A partial gathering...<p> </p><p>Today, it was just 3 of us getting together to make some music. Mark couldn't make it, because his sister is visiting. So, Ron, Tom, and I worked mostly on songs with 3-part harmony. The actual guitar playing was the minor part of the music making this afternoon.</p><p>I think the 3 of us enjoyed it.</p><p> --------</p><p>Some fun facts:</p><p>I've posted about our motorcycle/scooter rides on South Mountain... here are some fun facts about South Mountain:</p><p>It is the largest city-owned park in the US. It encompasses roughly 17,000 acres. By comparison, Vail Resort is the largest ski resort in the U.S. at 5,300 acres. There are actually three mountain ranges within the park, with the
highest peak rising some 1,600 feet above Phoenix proper. The park’s
main trail, National Trail, spans the entire 14-mile spine of two
mountains within the park.</p><p>With access points in six zip codes, South Mountain Park is a
recreational oasis for residents and visitors alike. Runners, hikers,
bicyclists and horseback riders all call South Mountain their mountain.</p><p>The TV and radio towers are visible from almost anywhere in Phoenix...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uc1b5CnQ4Dg1U2SwM994PjPkMCFOt9X5CqlSzb7igeQN5-O-EdvpXknbo51tO_Fp9CpSVrznsQWyJ2CRzV6XOtM0_PlAE8PvAJtRgk9eb0mItGLsxRMk2H6hwgsFDUQ7nDvReQ2iLiKOQy2-_u6s7vt5nXcJQSYf_-LMtD9cZ673cYuSJ6VPmN710w4j/s1000/47Antennas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uc1b5CnQ4Dg1U2SwM994PjPkMCFOt9X5CqlSzb7igeQN5-O-EdvpXknbo51tO_Fp9CpSVrznsQWyJ2CRzV6XOtM0_PlAE8PvAJtRgk9eb0mItGLsxRMk2H6hwgsFDUQ7nDvReQ2iLiKOQy2-_u6s7vt5nXcJQSYf_-LMtD9cZ673cYuSJ6VPmN710w4j/w400-h225/47Antennas.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> The image above is one I shot while we were riding on South Mountain yesterday.<p></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-78568059976252290332024-02-27T19:37:00.002-07:002024-02-27T19:37:40.444-07:00This is so sweet...<p> </p><p>I could just puke.</p><p>It's the "movie trailer" for the romantic comedy coming this spring to no theater near you. Starring: Captain Jim & the Blonde...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cD3PdZQ28Fw" width="320" youtube-src-id="cD3PdZQ28Fw"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p>Riding together on South Mountain today. A lovely day in the desert, with abundant sunshine, high in the 70s, and us out on the bikes (Joan on her Xmax, me on the CTX).</p><p>Not sure how it happened: we were riding for a couple hours, and it seems that I shot 73 hours of video. It takes forever to wade through the editing on all that, so, the movie trailer above and some photos below...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisti0MlrebE45AlwIZNIKqYlkwr_CKd-jTeBOA_olqq5FaQCD_3gw1hD1UoJNVdK1cUrlmht6LaJl2zNjXCR4GPcXXPhMv18sh2O9qhNSB9o9bNRvZTSEirCjdaYp4b_yHsTQHAEgsOJPcVmpdZOLk8Y4ej_ZxacK5aIK9pseQ_hGv1WcNOLyysbaCZ8rL/s1000/12Dobbins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisti0MlrebE45AlwIZNIKqYlkwr_CKd-jTeBOA_olqq5FaQCD_3gw1hD1UoJNVdK1cUrlmht6LaJl2zNjXCR4GPcXXPhMv18sh2O9qhNSB9o9bNRvZTSEirCjdaYp4b_yHsTQHAEgsOJPcVmpdZOLk8Y4ej_ZxacK5aIK9pseQ_hGv1WcNOLyysbaCZ8rL/w400-h225/12Dobbins.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfGjTQVV4GgCy0cJO7ce61gIjbdtdnHdVjIWgrViaJZ6OLglaga5-csTesNxns274f9c6zP_cBV_SProVhfnjev2y9Vdt8DY0L_zO2yZw5VY0bp9GYfOCcxfGI1dz7wVJfIkxmv7w9z1JQEmV1D3Kl5XrwEJ2bXYoGrcQRwyFYyJzNIhxX-wcAdmjtDKv/s1000/15DobbinsUs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfGjTQVV4GgCy0cJO7ce61gIjbdtdnHdVjIWgrViaJZ6OLglaga5-csTesNxns274f9c6zP_cBV_SProVhfnjev2y9Vdt8DY0L_zO2yZw5VY0bp9GYfOCcxfGI1dz7wVJfIkxmv7w9z1JQEmV1D3Kl5XrwEJ2bXYoGrcQRwyFYyJzNIhxX-wcAdmjtDKv/w400-h225/15DobbinsUs.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D6pceZW5purNUcEuabNdRtxrt9FgrmWARE4vPbqWKD4l62-Dol1bkQAVTA8D6DWIOrUSyjpo_vGlHMtPgRLJ2tNT98Jn-3sxMPLrlmWsS0yvbR96xPICdYyZ2BoLZs7bQ2k1cXLU2f2_yV-1b8_WlYSMrXBJX0HuH1Gva66BNBc0Hwm_xHLbMLnIIw1b/s1000/20Curves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D6pceZW5purNUcEuabNdRtxrt9FgrmWARE4vPbqWKD4l62-Dol1bkQAVTA8D6DWIOrUSyjpo_vGlHMtPgRLJ2tNT98Jn-3sxMPLrlmWsS0yvbR96xPICdYyZ2BoLZs7bQ2k1cXLU2f2_yV-1b8_WlYSMrXBJX0HuH1Gva66BNBc0Hwm_xHLbMLnIIw1b/w400-h225/20Curves.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4DirNcuSBVFKLNzl26ydnBLytbGFyth9U753ksvMx4ozxAGaobrnAshNCuy0AJVHH66XWKv_JDcnOMR8GAHrYfq3MYWgRhgkHk42J9sWf6rdPr_lGF1rbqGKVr0O0L-oI6m_DRxFEINOfuy8xuuTn3iciCybphNulUFHkqg9BiSq7b3fWDlxE3jyqOe1/s1000/22UpMtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4DirNcuSBVFKLNzl26ydnBLytbGFyth9U753ksvMx4ozxAGaobrnAshNCuy0AJVHH66XWKv_JDcnOMR8GAHrYfq3MYWgRhgkHk42J9sWf6rdPr_lGF1rbqGKVr0O0L-oI6m_DRxFEINOfuy8xuuTn3iciCybphNulUFHkqg9BiSq7b3fWDlxE3jyqOe1/w400-h225/22UpMtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gnYbl-vKBtM6ud3r9e51QsXHuun-yg_MB7WW5BpexNMSBfmnGhImOEgJmwct0-rWMtakw2N7ym6QVb9UOpeiNiNPd6ReAGo6EWnrYJpoVdtA8k3ZHS7sX7tDWvaG4eOPfMTnOjCfqyqNuc2W3qN3mBtTuoDqALUDhwnZDZvdEB1NdTlwnt5ZecAbZnhj/s1000/26UsView.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gnYbl-vKBtM6ud3r9e51QsXHuun-yg_MB7WW5BpexNMSBfmnGhImOEgJmwct0-rWMtakw2N7ym6QVb9UOpeiNiNPd6ReAGo6EWnrYJpoVdtA8k3ZHS7sX7tDWvaG4eOPfMTnOjCfqyqNuc2W3qN3mBtTuoDqALUDhwnZDZvdEB1NdTlwnt5ZecAbZnhj/s320/26UsView.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUj8DEM75wawUH_ENuYAN7B_JaUb_eCmZcD0fvsehAMmZ0m3qbLUDDJ1WnhCIbdjbdW6V1jjNzRJX5yceIdLJAg5iyw72Tl4SpF5q-19gnuO3qgbsVPM2C14vRakD9Ye4_VSvo6eyb1ZHNTE62Tbo11LTsRG6vV6qI8emlfoUNbOuyvUXr-eS6Z1M7N7y5/s1000/27Us.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUj8DEM75wawUH_ENuYAN7B_JaUb_eCmZcD0fvsehAMmZ0m3qbLUDDJ1WnhCIbdjbdW6V1jjNzRJX5yceIdLJAg5iyw72Tl4SpF5q-19gnuO3qgbsVPM2C14vRakD9Ye4_VSvo6eyb1ZHNTE62Tbo11LTsRG6vV6qI8emlfoUNbOuyvUXr-eS6Z1M7N7y5/s320/27Us.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTF4tvLxQrtu7pZtgsruCGr5WYIuBiMcr98hRThw2TK2p9h8aZHZCrS4J9BWeZEl_3XmtTieKAjHkLgwlsCoVAkMJXC_8K3KCZX5qXyTeSys92kAKaqETDwD5M4ywnbHabHWkTAF9SfON1Tes3dc5mca5T9-M1BA9CA180iuhtboZxyvou2WcjZnPzOeea/s1000/30JoanUpMtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTF4tvLxQrtu7pZtgsruCGr5WYIuBiMcr98hRThw2TK2p9h8aZHZCrS4J9BWeZEl_3XmtTieKAjHkLgwlsCoVAkMJXC_8K3KCZX5qXyTeSys92kAKaqETDwD5M4ywnbHabHWkTAF9SfON1Tes3dc5mca5T9-M1BA9CA180iuhtboZxyvou2WcjZnPzOeea/w400-h225/30JoanUpMtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlId9vstJ1Hy2hESfQr-Et1fwSxzK3_sdM1xwDcmTinWzdWF9ezSu-FcK9KaqouB-YD4aQRRLGswKckjJaAkdypVcS6jr4l0tzXu1UwgXJC9X0Ciz8q9goUdvluRdkkSJ58kQGAj2pKmF8Sh0F4mRl0Y3iqPjlZLa6NmC5QiP-Q9Gg-xTXBAWhpxtaI8U/s1000/36DownJoanPass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlId9vstJ1Hy2hESfQr-Et1fwSxzK3_sdM1xwDcmTinWzdWF9ezSu-FcK9KaqouB-YD4aQRRLGswKckjJaAkdypVcS6jr4l0tzXu1UwgXJC9X0Ciz8q9goUdvluRdkkSJ58kQGAj2pKmF8Sh0F4mRl0Y3iqPjlZLa6NmC5QiP-Q9Gg-xTXBAWhpxtaI8U/w400-h225/36DownJoanPass.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt6P-VkoCibW7YH5AFUQP0MRgCOpceKauS9oT5rRrK3FMbdYn2Y_imLar8zb5nmHElBXNumt6pn_JVMo9oFOBv5IUHPXlbVJCJoMtVytyTVFh5Obf-wZ5Ie4TkrYSRzCvwZIt5nnj-_r45zu2cHeS_-bzHcdV4tUIj8T2NEL0MSdG76q4yUUvVDxvnc0G/s1000/41BikesCurve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt6P-VkoCibW7YH5AFUQP0MRgCOpceKauS9oT5rRrK3FMbdYn2Y_imLar8zb5nmHElBXNumt6pn_JVMo9oFOBv5IUHPXlbVJCJoMtVytyTVFh5Obf-wZ5Ie4TkrYSRzCvwZIt5nnj-_r45zu2cHeS_-bzHcdV4tUIj8T2NEL0MSdG76q4yUUvVDxvnc0G/w400-h225/41BikesCurve.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>A view of "the Valley" from one of the lookouts...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY5C5Ggc6MuoCWy04062FXKbhmC33p-ip4UyVbxMxIERzXHzkFi-mMGxAS90vAk7lzvwmArZkx-ITrfd5ryxnxHHqKJqV-VpRpxy7wJV5oWqfyhC6c1DQESjypdvffc-Q9WiTedaYc_aFuHWsA_zeNRaLwSO85-ogZLJcYraklTFGzjTLrvLx76EijoA7/s1000/DobbinsLookout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY5C5Ggc6MuoCWy04062FXKbhmC33p-ip4UyVbxMxIERzXHzkFi-mMGxAS90vAk7lzvwmArZkx-ITrfd5ryxnxHHqKJqV-VpRpxy7wJV5oWqfyhC6c1DQESjypdvffc-Q9WiTedaYc_aFuHWsA_zeNRaLwSO85-ogZLJcYraklTFGzjTLrvLx76EijoA7/w400-h225/DobbinsLookout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>That's downtown Phoenix in the distance...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yyc4HMm2v9T4_Dx7i6rPs1JPw-KuCV7lLzWEI_Xd4_WnrioW2mPG4a7bLcsMJ8ArsuSxso3BYN7GxjDyDyQMe4azbmIOwgHebD3CF5ModesHzUxkJlfebZM467LWWHCLV3EmqHsmKmgJ91m0FJK5vWFEiWpA9IjuHru6Bx6bPHU6wFVL_HRaZe6WcRqR/s1000/Downtown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yyc4HMm2v9T4_Dx7i6rPs1JPw-KuCV7lLzWEI_Xd4_WnrioW2mPG4a7bLcsMJ8ArsuSxso3BYN7GxjDyDyQMe4azbmIOwgHebD3CF5ModesHzUxkJlfebZM467LWWHCLV3EmqHsmKmgJ91m0FJK5vWFEiWpA9IjuHru6Bx6bPHU6wFVL_HRaZe6WcRqR/w400-h225/Downtown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>A late lunch at Amadio Ranch, near our home...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WLHTmu32rzlvrgVtkwON9GWtK2tcC5u31AK5KwO0f-G4g8tbh2IybYhhX9wV5YzCYe2Mic2897msOFpED-gwA7OUSXLBWPQRkCk_1ucKPEFZcBBaBUj12C0y2oAK6Eda2ttR5KO0fZet_WsCh7-6PYYaL6QooVXBXkytJIkQ_LK9bwL0vPTJ_aYOD9Y5/s1000/Lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WLHTmu32rzlvrgVtkwON9GWtK2tcC5u31AK5KwO0f-G4g8tbh2IybYhhX9wV5YzCYe2Mic2897msOFpED-gwA7OUSXLBWPQRkCk_1ucKPEFZcBBaBUj12C0y2oAK6Eda2ttR5KO0fZet_WsCh7-6PYYaL6QooVXBXkytJIkQ_LK9bwL0vPTJ_aYOD9Y5/w400-h225/Lunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-3356437306778400622024-02-26T16:24:00.000-07:002024-02-26T16:24:11.085-07:00Tab A goes in Slot B...<p> </p><p>No, this isn't a sex-ed class - I learned that stuff months ago. More Vine stuff.</p><p>We had a nice morning around the house. Last night, we talked about taking the scoots out, but Mother Nature blessed us with spitty rain; not enough to measure, just enough to be a nuisance. We decided to make a run to Costco, then out for lunch. I got my summer wardrobe at Costco, Joan got a new patio chair for the motorhome (comfy!).</p><p>Lunch at Oregano's, but not our usual thin crust pizza. Last week when the music guys got together, Joan picked up pizza from Oregano's - a large thin crust and a deep dish. We haven't had the deep dish before, and it was tasty! So, back again for a nice sit-down and some tasty deep dish.</p><p>On the way back home, Joan asked, "Will you give me a hand putting together the deck box I got from Vine."</p><p>"Sure thing."</p><p>Thus, the title of this post. It took a few minutes to figure out the directions, but the assembly went easy and frustration free. We took Murphy out to his catio so he could give us some guidance...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT2Yepcj3KGGn130pDNIrWQYrwezezpF4Oeyzi-Bne1hGEMnbhcKId3y35Axvupp0lQ394IC1KQHpa6N1tUYim_kDgTywJ19OzRMFjIUhEjucjewHP_W3zRp066UJEIIZLm2ObolPNivVS-SDSCrhly_FrrbbMS_j9bycfD900VXdhRM0ZdH9FFaGUcou/s1000/Catio5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="694" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT2Yepcj3KGGn130pDNIrWQYrwezezpF4Oeyzi-Bne1hGEMnbhcKId3y35Axvupp0lQ394IC1KQHpa6N1tUYim_kDgTywJ19OzRMFjIUhEjucjewHP_W3zRp066UJEIIZLm2ObolPNivVS-SDSCrhly_FrrbbMS_j9bycfD900VXdhRM0ZdH9FFaGUcou/w278-h400/Catio5.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGDeUfyK4O7fIQ8539NFmWjnxyTm6QF3CT76x3GTXwPgGL6LNPeZDL04rPc-kflgxiw5tT5hd0tVRaeDbiJx3UT_EnSqZK0_sr9Xy88v-WLzTu2nqN8p2A71eIk69WbAFcldeF8GEtPw8BQ9pAxJ_LeGY-Nj7WTtmuSzXuh-491U3g-9OQhkqZIrxKH1L/s1000/Catio4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="913" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGDeUfyK4O7fIQ8539NFmWjnxyTm6QF3CT76x3GTXwPgGL6LNPeZDL04rPc-kflgxiw5tT5hd0tVRaeDbiJx3UT_EnSqZK0_sr9Xy88v-WLzTu2nqN8p2A71eIk69WbAFcldeF8GEtPw8BQ9pAxJ_LeGY-Nj7WTtmuSzXuh-491U3g-9OQhkqZIrxKH1L/w365-h400/Catio4.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVA0MHmeVGhCiZ85xkbRgRYwKxXJD8FTnhkxnVIK2xp6UG3Rv4rnc25rV2-o7yKZ5lX6n8sKdVSQj8fHbKMU617I5CUc_ePzNXoCZF_IyYXoki9CbFV_ohB394WrMmtvo1NBk9y12M62x2BvVId-_RCjlnuWwZzIw_JTV1iNof-dbPmTB1Wn2gzKa4YzE/s1000/Catio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="820" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVA0MHmeVGhCiZ85xkbRgRYwKxXJD8FTnhkxnVIK2xp6UG3Rv4rnc25rV2-o7yKZ5lX6n8sKdVSQj8fHbKMU617I5CUc_ePzNXoCZF_IyYXoki9CbFV_ohB394WrMmtvo1NBk9y12M62x2BvVId-_RCjlnuWwZzIw_JTV1iNof-dbPmTB1Wn2gzKa4YzE/w328-h400/Catio2.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><p>The finished product...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYlKul3gfqWjfHVQPqHEHi_fXz9T7adHrbMEl6czWYILKbDSlDMMgGxAAFxp7uBlV4e3xKGQInoT2pkwmAb_WdVqNFxQatzlyV2J6Oosexp3v9y5lcndfs7F5yIktshBtyZWzyUopd-JJJqdIDKVbZ07C79O-CGhxBR13u-AvG95DiPrep8RzRihFBfkj/s1000/Chest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1000" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYlKul3gfqWjfHVQPqHEHi_fXz9T7adHrbMEl6czWYILKbDSlDMMgGxAAFxp7uBlV4e3xKGQInoT2pkwmAb_WdVqNFxQatzlyV2J6Oosexp3v9y5lcndfs7F5yIktshBtyZWzyUopd-JJJqdIDKVbZ07C79O-CGhxBR13u-AvG95DiPrep8RzRihFBfkj/w400-h328/Chest1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aBRfyVc88o3sfqlaPED-B3wH0qyzXC5R9yE11ITVxywcnrcnVttIeXbpYJFy4QkWr67uVATZ_T6vWPaN6WMusIVFOWESI_i_mZhhXfMPUO2OzsmRjSyzrAky45t7fUyfZ4TiJaOfUvccDd6CS-9ZRUI0edY7TrJ9etEYCa2Bgih0idkHEMJWQOkRH7Yz/s1000/Chest2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1000" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aBRfyVc88o3sfqlaPED-B3wH0qyzXC5R9yE11ITVxywcnrcnVttIeXbpYJFy4QkWr67uVATZ_T6vWPaN6WMusIVFOWESI_i_mZhhXfMPUO2OzsmRjSyzrAky45t7fUyfZ4TiJaOfUvccDd6CS-9ZRUI0edY7TrJ9etEYCa2Bgih0idkHEMJWQOkRH7Yz/w400-h291/Chest2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>It is big enough to put the chair cushions in it... in case it rains. And, yes, it does rain in the desert.</p><p>-------- <br /></p><p>A short video with some "cat play" this morning - Murphy and Tango, a bit of play wrestling...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z1sHpf4OB0M" width="320" youtube-src-id="z1sHpf4OB0M"></iframe></div><p>Videography by Joan. Editing and soundtrack by Jim.<br /></p><p> <br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2145899737684443962.post-1022104514630581772024-02-25T13:37:00.001-07:002024-02-25T13:37:44.499-07:00Profiling...<p> </p><p>Did you get pulled over by the Police again, Jim? No, and what do you mean by "again"? I am too pretty to go back to prison. Yeah, that's a joke, too. Pretty or prison? Yeah.</p><p>About 10 days ago, I sent a message to Corbin (they make motorcycle/scooter seats) with a couple questions about ordering a seat for my Suzuki scooter, through their website. I figured I'd hear back from them in a day or two. Didn't happen. Within a week? Nope. I figured they weren't going to answer.</p><p>And then, yesterday, a return e-mail showed up. Very canned response. Didn't answer all my questions.</p><p>Joan said, "You need to call them."</p><p>"I already talked to them - the girl on the phone said to use the on-line order form."</p><p>"You are being <i>profiled</i>. If you had a hot bike like a Harley CVO or a Yamaha Raider (one of her favorites), they would have sent you a reply right away. Instead, you're on a small Suzuki scooter... can you imagine what the girl answering your inquiry must have thought? 'A small scooter? Like this guy must be 100 years old and do you think he's going to buy a seat that goes for about 20% of the value of that scooter?' Call them and order the damn seat."</p><p>She made me laugh. Yep, <i>some old white guy</i>. Profiled again.</p><p>;-)</p><p><br /></p>Captain Jim and the Blondehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06584031127562111531noreply@blogger.com0