Well, it's about time...

 

You got a new watch, Jim?  No, but thanks for asking.

The last few weeks have been less than productive.  First a cold, then a root canal, then two monsoon storms blew in and made for "hazardous" air quality.  Yeah, that's a thing.  The last several days have been 114º +/- with higher than normal humidity.  Swamp-Ass Season.

We haven't gotten out much.  This morning, I was determined to get out on two wheels... the choice today was the Lectric ebike.  I was feeling the need to move.

It was 94º when I left the house at 7:30.  The humidity was only around 20%.  So, hot and sweaty, but a good ride.  Photos, or it didn't happen...

 It was a good ride.  And then a soak in the hot tub to ease the aches.  ;-)

 

 

More Music...

 

... And Les(s) Nessman. 

If you said, "From the sit-com WKRP In Cinncinnati: what Johnny Fever would say when introducing reporter Les Nessman," you get 30 bonus points.

No reporters on this one - today was music day with Allan and his bunch.  I didn't get any photos, but all 6 of us were there.  Allan's "wee little sister" (that's how he described her.  Good description - I'm guessing she was about 4'10"... she looked up at me when I met her and said, "Goodness, you're really tall."

"I'm guessing from your perspective, most people are... tall is not a descriptor used with me.  But, thanks."

I had a good time making music with these guys today.  A completely different experience from the Brothers MIM or the Hip Replacements.

 

Another Day, Another Monsoon Storm...

 

Well, overnight.  Before going to bed, we checked the hourly forecasts: nothing of any significance.  Not the way it played out.  A dust storm overnight woke Joan up and she went out to take down the cover over the hot tub.  I didn't hear any of this until she came back into the bedroom.

Yesterday late afternoon, Joan hosed off the furniture and patio while I added some water to the hot tub.  Everything was covered with dust again this morning.  'Tis that time of year.  Fa-la-freakin'-la.

I did take Murphy outside this morning.  The dust doesn't seem to bother him.

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Hello, my friend...

Yes, I have friends here.  Many of them are music related.  Some are neighbors or HOA related.  But this friend is one who hasn't received much attention lately...

 

Yes, I am talking about the RoadTrek.  It has been weeks since we've even visited it.  With the monsoon storms we've had lately, I felt the need to go check on my friend.  As you can see from that windshield cover, that's the direction the wind has generally been coming from.  The covered storage keeps it out of the sun here, but there is no stopping the blowing dirt with these storms.

The RoadTrek could use a bath, but it has been hot and humid.  And, with no plan to go anywhere anytime soon, it doesn't make sense to clean it up, just so it can get dirty again.  The interior is nice and clean; batteries are in storage mode and are strong.  The tires have the right amount of air in them.  It is ready to go when we can come up with a place within a day's drive that isn't on fire, smokey, getting localized flooding, or is just too dang hot.  Seems the higher elevation places in the state have been getting rain.  Fun places like Laughlin or Palm Springs are even hotter than here.  

Still Crap Air Quality...

 

I took Murphy out this morning - we didn't stay out too long.  The visibility is better, but you can feel the grit in the air.  A Category 5 dust storm moved through the area early yesterday morning.

That said, cabin fever is setting in for the humans in our house - Joan asked if we could do lunch out.  I suggested it yesterday, but... nope.  I think we are both in for today.

In a response to a comment from Earl on yesterday's post, I mentioned that we have put off any short trips (3 to 5 days) because of smoke from wildfires, hot temperatures, and even localized flooding in a couple places we considered.

On the way to Mark's on Monday, I recorded some rambling with the Oakley Meta Vanguard Glasses.  Finally got around to uploading it today.  This is "unlisted," so this blog post is the only place you'll see this clip...

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NHD...

New Hat Day.  It pays to advertise - I have been seeing ads on Facebook for "vintage" hats/caps.  I've had a version of these from Taylor (Guitars).  I called it a "driving cap" rather than vintage.  Some call it a "flat cap."  This one is denim - casual, but goes with most apparel that I wear.  I like it...

 More stylish than a ball cap... for guys of a certain age.  :-)

 

 

The Heat Is On...

 

If you said, "Glenn Frey, 1984, from the album The Allnighter," you get 15 bonus points.

Yes, I am talking about the weather in the desert again.  I think this is day 16 of "Extreme Heat Warning"... I may have lost track.  Interestingly enough, the high today is supposed to be only (??) 109º.  I guess the warning is because the humidity is relatively high, as expected during monsoon season.

To add to the fun, the wind came up last night and the air is full of dirt.  Murphy likes to go out after his breakfast - I put on a mask to take him outside.  The mask to help filter the dirty air.  I had forgotten how unpleasant it is to wear a mask.

How bad is the air?  Thanks for asking; South Mountain is visible (but diffused), the Estrella Mountains to the west are not.  The Air Quality Index in Phoenix is 104.  I have no idea how that scale works, but 104 is in the Hazardous range.

So, that is fun.  Not.

 

Still Rock n' Roll To Me...

 

If you said, "Billy Joel, 1980, from the album Glass Houses," you get 15 bonus points.

Music at Mark's house on Monday.  With everyone having different travel/vacation schedules, we have permutations of the 7 of us, depending on who is available.  For this session, it was Mark, Danny, Carl, and me.  Carl brought lunch (Jersey Mike's), Cindy provided cookies.  We had a great time making music.  First opportunity I've had for using the new amp with the guys, and it sounds great.

Before we were done, I asked Cindy if she would take some photos of us playing - nothing particular, just some photos for each of us.  She did a fine job - here's the results...

 And some individual shots while we were playing...

 

A good time!  Cindy and Carl's wife Pat were a good audience for us.

 

A Bar Fight...

 

Are you starting trouble again, Jim?

No.  And, hey, it isn't always me starting things.  Last night, I had nothing to do with it.  As near as I can tell, Murphy and Stella got into a drunken brawl.  On our bed.  It extended to Joan's nightstand, where something went crashing to the floor.  I didn't know that Joan had a collection of empty beer cans (since neither of us drink beer), but that is what it sounded like.  Probably some kind of jewelry.  Whatever, it made a lot of noise.

The cats like to sleep by Joan.  Body heat?  Murphy goes for the legs, Stella is more about the torso.  It frequently "traps" Joan under the covers.  So, that is fun.

Then, about 4:48, the "Hugala, hugala" sound that precedes a cat spewing puke.  On our bed.  It was Murphy.  I swear he shoves his paw down his throat, just to make that gagging sound.  It is very effective in getting the humans up from a sound sleep.

When I got up for real, I discovered that Stella had overturned the rack that hold 3 food and water dishes.  That, too, is fun.  There were cat toys scattered about. 

I would say I am going to need a nap today, but I have music with Mark and the guys.  Yes, I am taking my new amp.  We'll have lunch and make some music.  Pretty sure there won't be time or space for a nap.

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Today will be 15 days in a row of "Extreme Heat Warning," with an expected high of 113º.   It was 94º at 6:15.  So, that's fun, too.