We Did NOT Spring Forward!

 

Nor did we "fall back" last fall.

 Arizona is a rebel.  Well, that, or the voters decided to not participate in all that "springing and falling" years ago.  For the record, Arizona tried it.  Didn't see any point in it.  I'm good with that.

--------

Long In The Tooth...

You, Jim?  Yes.  There is dirt out there that isn't as old as I am.  We have had that discussion - I am grateful for all these "bonus days."

I am talking about an early Apple device.  I bought an iPad Mini when they first came out in late 2012.  Going on 14 years.  I have used it almost daily since then.  Here's a shot from 2013, using it as a music prompter with OnSong loaded on it...

 I've had podcasts loaded on it since those early days.  I play those every night on that iPad.  I've used it to internet surf and do email.  I have set it up to control the "sleep pods" I wear at night.  And through all that, the battery has continued to work like a champ.  I am amazed.

That said, Apple quit supporting that first iPad Mini years ago: no updates.  It has gotten to the point where some of my apps no longer work because they have updated, requiring the ever-updating operating systems.  A 14 year old Apple device would be the equivalence of a 118 year old person.  Probably.

 

After some regular urging from Joan, I picked up a new iPad Mini today.  It is a unique form factor (niche?) that works well for me.  Significantly smaller than my iPad Air 4, and especially my MacBook Pro M4.  But, bigger than an iPhone.  I use that size to read and/or play simple games like Ten-Ten or Solitaire while I get sleepy.  The old Mini has been needing to be restarted somewhat regularly, recently, due to the screen freezing.

 

Apple is good about having a means to load apps and data from an older device to a new one.  Rather than load from the original Mini, I loaded from the more recently (like 4 years ago) purchased iPad Air 4.  Faster than reloading apps and data - especially all the music data I have in there (like charts for about 400 songs).  I didn't use the old Mini much for photos or videos, but that may be an option with this new one.

These devices are kinda like a "factor of 2": the iPad Mini7 is about twice the size of my iPhone.  The iPad Air 4 is about twice the size of the Mini.  And, each of them serves a function.  If the new Mini lasts as long as the first one, it will probably outlive me.

--------

I spent most of the evening messing with the new iPad Mini.  I tried to find a way to save about 100 podcasts I have on the old Mini that are no longer posted on Apple Podcasts.  No way to upload or save them on that ancient machine.  So, I started downloading several new series of podcasts - I like to listen to them to fall asleep.

I am guessing it will take several days to find out what didn't transfer well, what didn't retain the passwords, and what apps I will want to add.  The old iPad Mini had 32 gig of storage; this new one has 256 gig.  I have already put close to 80 gig of apps and data on it.  When I am done figuring out what is missing, I will go through it and delete apps and data I no longer use.  You update technology to make your life easier... it rarely works out that way.  ;-)

 

 

Lap Cat...

 

Yes, there is a definition of sorts for that title: "affectionate felines that actively seek out warmth, comfort, and security, by sitting on their owners' laps.  Top affectionate breeds include Ragdolls, Maine Coons, Persians, and Siamese. Encouraging this behavior involves creating a warm, calm environment with treats and soft blankets."  We haven't seen lap-sitting since Rufus - that big boy loved being on his Momma's lap.

Murphy is not a lap cat.  He will sit beside us... not on us.  Stella was certainly not trusting of humans when we first brought her home.  About 10 weeks now.  She seems to love being around us, loves to be petted, is willing to be held, but doesn't initiate it herself.  Last night at bedtime, she got up on the bed on her own; that's a big deal.

This morning...

 That is Joan's lap that Stella is laying on.  Without being held in place.  Joan put her there, but it was Stella's choice to stay.  This is a start.

--------

And for afternoon nap time...

 Not too close, but on the same couch.  Murphy and Stella are doing good together.  Not 24/7 - I would say it's around a half hour of "wrestling" split up over several times during the day.  Like that photo above shows, they can be around each other peacefully.  Treats together a couple times a day.

And right now, Murphy is laying right next to Joan while she is reading.  Stella is on the top section of the taller cat tower.  It's pretty quiet here right now.

 

Pulled An All-Nighter...

 

Nothing to do with an extended study session. 

For men of my age, that is often the term used when you can stay in bed all night without getting up to pee.  I was up several times during the night, but that wasn't why... Murphy and Stella made it overnight, sleeping on our bed.  Murphy was on his pad at the foot of the bed, and Stella was generally between us.  No scuffling or smack-downs.

That is the first time Stella has been out of the catio for the entire night.  We have been gradually working up to this, starting with an hour with us, then out to the catio in the living room.  And building up from there.

Proof that the two feline family members can co-exist peacefully and quietly.  By 4:00 am, they had both moved off the bed and into the living room.  Joan and I each got up at different times to check on them... so, yeah, we each had multiple "bed exits."  And since I'm up, I might as well... you know.

Once everyone in the house was up (around 5:00 am), there was some running about playing tag.  The cats, not Joan and me.  They got an early breakfast (separately, since they eat different food).

I sense naps in our future.

--------

There's no place like home...

Home Show, that is.  In spite of the early morning we had, today was "Senior Day" at the Home Show - geezers get in for half price between 10:00 am and noon.  This was on our radar, so off we went.  To State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL Football Team... it looks a lot different when it is full of over 1,000 vendors, taking up 3 levels of the stadium...

 

There were a couple potential things we had in mind.  Unlike the last time we went to one of these (just over 2 years ago, before we moved into the house), we didn't have "must get" things on our list (last time: major landscaping, a hot tub, pergola, whole house water filtration system, Tuff Shed, garage storage racks, etc).  This time, there was no pressure to get things picked out and scheduled.  I had one thing in mind; Joan had one thing in mind.  Neither of us made a purchase today, but we did get good ideas and contact information.

We walked by all the vendor booths; a few of the categories: awnings and shade structures, bedding, blinds and screens, closets and storage, decor and furnishings, financial and real estate services, floorings, garage solutions, garden and plants (so many desert plants), home security, energy solutions, landscape and turf, lifestyle and leisure, lighting and electrical, outdoor living, painting and wall coverings, pet products and services, pool and spa equipment, remodeling services, roofing and skylights, vehicle and automotive services, water treatment and plumbing, wellness services (one place offering full body scan services had booths in 3 different areas), windows and doors.  Workshops and seminars.

We got our exercise.  When we first went in (not long after it opened at 10:00 am), the vendors were all happy, smiling, and welcoming.  By the time we left, some of them were starting to sound a bit more desperate.  We also did a fair amount of smiling and saying, "No, thank you."  There were a few places where we stopped to visit and get more information.

Many of the vendors were geared up for the mass of senior citizens: free stuff like candy, pens, can koozies; wheels you could spin to win some of that same free stuff.

 Pages and pages of the vendor listings - in case you wanted to plan ahead and go right to a specific booth.  There did not appear to be anyone doing that; more like slowly shuffling, looking to each side of an aisle, and moving through like cattle.  The upper level, surrounding the widest circumference of the stadium was one very long aisle... you were a captive audience.  By the time you went down two levels to the "floor" of the stadium, the vendors were arranged like blocks in a downtown area.

It was a lot to take in.

We all got a nap when we returned.  "All?"  Stella napped with Joan in the living room, Murphy was with me in the bedroom... kinda like a junior high dance: boys on one side, girls on the other.  ;-)  I'm going to need a soak in the hot tub this evening.  Oh yeah, there were at least a half dozen hot tub vendors there, including the place where we bought ours.  I had a short visit with the guy who owns that place (he's the one we bought our hot tub from)... and got a great tip on some maintenance we'll need in the next year or so.

 

DONE!

 

Really.  My last duty as the president of the HOA board was tonight: open and run the annual meeting.  Four new board members have been elected.  Only 5 homeowners ran for those 4 open positions.  Obviously, others who likely would have been good were smart enough to not run after seeing all the roadblocks and rancor two board members and a small handful of hateful homeowners threw at this board.  And, as president, I got the brunt of it.  

Three of us on the board did the work, dealt with vendors, got the budget done, attended all board meetings (prepared).  With no personal agenda.  It was a lot more work than it needed to be.  I am glad to be done with it.  It's too bad - service for your community shouldn't have to be an uphill fight, month after month.

On the bright side... done. 

--------

On a MUCH more pleasant note...

 

Music today with the Hip Replacements...

 

Making music with my friends.  Some discussion about an upcoming gig, but mostly making music.  It felt good - whatever was going on with my voice seems to be gone: no issue with moving from my chest voice to falsetto; smoothly. 

I had to leave early - there was an RVSP only meeting with the Phoenix department that is responsible for major road projects.  There is going to be something developing with the surface road that runs in front of our housing development.  There has been SO MUCH growth in this area that this feeder road is inadequate.  The Road Development is looking for input on what this area needs so a plan can be formed.  They are looking out several years.

There were 8 people from this City department and about the same number of people that were there to offer input.  Our Community Manager from the property management company had invited me to attend; she was happy to have Joan there, as well.

It was an interesting presentation.  SO many things have to fall in line for this to come together.

 Laveen is a unique situation in the Phoenix area: this road improvement project will preserve the views of South Mountain, give a nod to the agricultural history, will provide for pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian access, and include artwork in various spots.  I am impressed.  At this point, the City is looking for input and will have another public meeting with information gleaned from this meeting and a few others for an initial public discussion at the end of April.

Full Worm Moon...

 

The March Full Moon will be looking good last night and tonight.  Actual timing for the Full Moon is 3:38 am Arizona Time (Mountain Standard).  For those who enjoy the different names, this one is known at the Full Worm Moon.  Here's a shot I took around 8:30 last night...

 

From the Old Farmer's Almanac: "For many years, it was believed this name referred to earthworms appearing as the soil warms in early spring—drawing birds such as robins and signaling the changing season.  However, historical research suggests another explanation. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver recorded that the name referred to beetle larvae—another type of “worm”—which emerge from thawing tree bark and winter hiding places at this time of year.  Either way, the name reflects the same idea: the land is beginning to wake up."

Another interesting celestial happening:  This year’s March Moon is especially notable because it coincides with a total lunar eclipse. The eclipse reaches its greatest point at 4:33 am, Arizona Time —just minutes earlier—and during totality, the Moon can take on a coppery red or orange glow.  The Full Worm Blood Moon.

--------

I got up just before 5:00.  I could see the Moon with my eyes, but it wasn't a good shot with the camera.  Even with the ISO bumped up to 6400, this was the best the camera could capture...

 In place of my capture of the Blood Moon, here is the file photo from last night...

 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game...

 

Cincinnati vs Cubs.  At the Goodyear Ballpark.  I'm good with whoever we see.  Joan was looking for a spring training game for us.  Back in the "good ol' days," these spring training games were a bargain... like everything else, the ticket prices have gone up.  At least at the Goodyear park, there is still free parking.  Plus, it is only about a half hour away.

It is predicted to be a high of 92º today.  Getting ready here at home, we have slathered on the sunscreen. 

--------

We discussed gas prices on the way to the ballpark: with what is going on in the Middle East, gas prices are expected to rise, quickly.  Joan found us the best price for gas on our way, and we topped off the Equinox.  Gas had already gone up about 30¢ per gallon over the weekend.

At the Ballpark, we lucked out and got parking on pavement, close to the entrance; we had to drive across the dirt to get to it, so the car will need to be washed again.

Joan bought our tickets online, so there was no wait to get in.  We were there about an hour early, so we had plenty of time to walk around before the game started.  And, by "walk around," I meant we could check out the food options.  I already knew I would be having a hot dog with Cincinnati Chili and cheese.  The tickets were around $33 each (before fees and tax), totaling about $78.  A meal that included the above mentioned hot dogs, chicken strips, ice cream for dessert, and a couple sodas was just under $700.  Yes, I am kidding.  But, only a bit.  That said, it's "ballpark food," so not unexpected.

I took some photos with my Sony camera - check 'em out below...

 The ballpark was about half full.  The game turned out to be a slugfest, with 26 runs scored between the two teams.  We stayed through the whole game, but people started leaving around the 6th inning.  A hot day, not much shade (our seats were in the shade about an hour and a half after the game started), and adults consuming copious amounts of alcohol.  Just another day at the ballpark.

A few more photos of some play...

 We had good seats: about 6 rows up, just behind the Cincinnati dugout.  And for those keeping score: the Reds beat the Cubs, 17 to 9.  By the 6th inning, both teams sent over half their players out - it gives everyone a chance for some playing time.  Each team rotated regularly through pitchers... as you might expect in a high-scoring spring training game.

We have done at least one Savannah Bananas game the last three years.  If you are wondering how this compares: I really appreciate the fact that the Banana-Ball games are timed (2 hours).  And entertaining.  Today's game ran almost 3 1/2 hours... to be honest, I was ready for it to be done. 

With about half the crowd already gone by the end of the game, getting out of the parking area was fast and easy.  Getting back home was a slight challenge, with a wreck on I-10... we took surface streets to get to the Loop 202; plenty of stoplights, but it still moved faster than than the stop and go (mostly stop) traffic on the Interstate.

The kitties missed us.  Well, we got home about 8 minutes after their feeding time, so they seemed happy to see us.

--------

Just a heads-up: the March Full Moon will happen around 1:44am, early tomorrow morning (Arizona Time - Mountain Standard).  If you happen to be up between 4:00 and 5:00 am (again, AZ time), you will be treated to a Full Blood Moon - a full lunar eclipse.  A file photo...

 The moon will look full tonight and tomorrow night, so get out there and check it out (if Mother Nature allows for a clear sky in your area).