Gathering...

 

Last night - well, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm - there was a gathering in our community at the home of one of the people who is actively participating in the recall of a board member.  Beautiful home, nicely landscaped yard (pool, hot tub, large ramada with lots of seating, outdoor TV); plus, she had set up chairs and tables to seat people who were eating the tasty food from the Brazilian food truck that was there.  Plus, I think there was a good amount of interest in how she had done her back yard... let's hear it for curiosity!  ;-)

This is where I will be playing my first solo gig since Covid on Saturday.  The homeowner and I talked about where I will set up - I like going into a gig knowing what to expect. 

A good turnout.  I met a bunch of new neighbors.  Joan and I answered a lot of questions.  People are turning out for this recall vote.  They are tired of the nastiness, the lying, the stonewalling, and complete lack of this woman doing the jobs she volunteered for.  This was a great opportunity to meet with people in a positive manner.  This is a good community with a lot of friendly people - I'm looking forward to moving beyond this issue.  

--------

Contacting Emergency Services...

We're fine, thanks for asking.  I learned something today about my aging iPhone 14 Pro: in an emergency when you don't have cellular coverage, this phone can connect to emergency services via satellite.  I tried a demo on it to see how it works.

This came about after a Facebook discussion with the RoadTrek Owners Group.  Someone had asked how to keep in touch with family, especially in case of an emergency, while on the road and somewhere that has no cellular coverage.  A participant on that discussion mentioned this feature for iPhone users that have iPhone 14 or newer.

I started the demo, stepped outside to get a clear view of a satellite, and within 30 seconds it had connected.  With it being a demo, it did not connect me to any emergency services, but walked me through what to expect if that need arises.  It will ask the nature of the emergency and location (give descriptors with landmarks if known, like highway and mile marker).  It even told me what direction to turn to keep the satellite in view.

 

 

While I hope to never need it, there is some reassurance to know that the service exists.  It is text only, but that could be enough in an emergency.

 

Clear the cookies...

 

On one of the sites I check most days, it was requiring me to sign in, even though my settings are clicked for "always stay on."  I asked on that forum if anyone else was having that happen.  One friend said no, but the site owner said he was having the same issue.

It was recommended that I clear my cookies.

Fine - I ate the rest of the package.  Chocolate chip.  I have no idea why they thought that would help, but when it comes to cookies, I am in.

Clearly, that didn't help.  I will try again with a fresh package of cookies.  If my blood sugar is up, someone is going to have to explain this to my doctor.

 --------

The voting has started...

Nothing to do with our idiot lawmakers.  I am talking about the recall effort happening in our homeowners group.  There is a small group that wants to keep this woman on the board.  The majority who have spoken up want her removed.  The real majority is the number of homeowners who are unaware of the whole situation.

The group wanting her removed have been giving people facts: providing verifiable information.  The side that wants to keep her on the board cannot defend the fact that she hasn't done her job and then lies about it to the board and the homeowners... so, they go around the community tearing down anything that has been posted about the vote.  

The next four evenings have gatherings planned: food trucks coming into the community where people can get together to meet their neighbors and have questions answered.  There will be volunteers there that will show people how to get on the homeowners portal so they can vote.  Ballots will be available for those who want to mail in their vote.

It is at the gathering on Saturday where I'll be providing the "live music."  The lady who is putting on that gathering is opening up her backyard so the food truck can pull in there and be off the street.  It is great to see people getting involved in the community.

--------

The Instigator... 

No, that is not an alligator that is delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less.  Two cats: one an adult at 3 years old, the other an adolescent at 9 months old... somebody is always "startin' something."

Mid-morning, Murphy was settled into a nap.  Well, they were both napping, but kitten naps come on fast and end abruptly, as well.  Stella awoke from her nap first.  The "target" was too enticing - she pounced on Murphy.  He hopped down off the couch and settled back in on the floor.  Stella went over to Joan to try to start something.  The main rule in this house: don't mess with the Momma.

Stella went over to Murphy, and started licking the back of his head.  That lasted almost 2 seconds, then she chomped down on his ear.  Murph shook her off and started slowly walking towards his food dishes... Stella followed, trying to play tag with Murphy's tail.  I stepped between them... "Don't pick on your brother."

"He started it!"

"No, he didn't."

"He was gonna!"

"No, he wasn't."

"You don't spozed to tell Stella 'No'!"

"I will tell Stella whatever she needs to hear."  OMG - I am arguing with a kitten, trying to use logic... "Leave him alone because I said so!"  Pretty sure I lost that argument.  I sent them to neutral corners.

Joan sent me these photos...

 

 

Bonus Points...

 

Music trivia has been a thing in our family.  We often played "Who Does This Song?" during our studio days.  I awarded bonus points based on how popular or obscure I felt the song/band was.  A "one hit wonder" song/band would get more bonus points than something "everybody knows."

It was easier back then.  Well, to be fair, I was a lot younger and kept up with music trends.  Now, I am in the camp that thinks music was better "back in my day."  (And get off my lawn ya damn whippersnapper!)  We had radio, or a cassette or CD player in cars.  Now, there is Sirius/XM and all the different music streaming sources like Spotify, Apple Music, etc.  We don't really have that "collective music experience" - where we all know the same songs.

Much like watching TV: back in the 80s and earlier, we had 3 networks and we all watched the same shows.  The next day, you could talk about it with co-workers, because a show was on at a set time and you watched it when it played.  No streaming, so unless you had one of those fancy VCRs where you could set a time for it to record, if you missed a particular show, you were out of the loop.  You had to wait for reruns.  ;-)

So, my "bonus points" are kind of a thing from the past.  Doesn't matter - I like 'em, and I'll continue offering them.  And for full disclosure, here are the details regarding the bonus points:

1. Bonus point awards are at the sole discretion of this blog creator.
2. Bonus points have no cash value and can't be turned in for any prize.
3. Even though they have no value, bonus points do accumulate - no expiration date.

And that's pretty much it.  Well, with the other exclusions: void where prohibited by law, no purchase necessary, winning bonus points may cause euphoria or a sense of superiority (that's on you), family (including employees, associates, and friends) of the blog owner may participate in any bonus point competition, the blog owner accepts no responsibility for hurt feelings if you don't win the bonus points.

Odds are pretty good I'll never know if you answered correctly or not - with over 97,000 views on the blog just this month so far, there aren't many who comment here (my buddy Earl excepted - and I think he does that so I won't feel ignored).  I'm good - this blog is a form of therapy for me... like writing in my private diary... with over 2,000,000 views so far.

 This is as of 8:48 this morning...

 --------

Happy Earth Day To You...

Everybody sing!  Yes, today is "Earth Day."

Earth Day is an annual global event celebrated on April 22  to promote environmental protection, awareness, and sustainability.  Founded in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, it is recognized as the world's largest secular day of protest, encouraging advocacy for a healthier planet.  The 2026 theme is "Our Power, Our Planet". 

Do we get an Earth Day cake?

 

With Two Cats In The Yard...

 

If you said, "A line from the song Our House, by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, 1970," you get 15 bonus points.  If you said, "Our house is a very, very, very fine house.  With two cats in the yard..." you get 5 extra credit points.

If you asked, "Did you take Murphy and Stella outside this morning?"... no.  Stella still shows no interest in going outside.  Murphy and I had our guy time out in the courtyard this morning.  The "two cats" part...

 Murphy chillin' in front of that black and white cat planter.  If you look close, there are two more cats behind and above Murph.  If you look around the yard, you will see about 15 cat items...

 I enjoy the whimsical array of yard decor out there.

It isn't unusual for a bird or three to land on the block wall while we're out there.  They squawk at Murphy, and he postures for an attach that never comes...

 In this yard kingdom, he is the apex predator.

"And where is little Stella during all this?"  Thanks for asking.  She will often come to the patio door to check out what we're doing...

 When Joan gets up, Stella will go lay by her.  Maybe snatch a bite of Murphy's "grown up" food.  Stella is now 9 months old and has shown us a fun personality: playful and sweet; strong willed; curious and adaptable.

 

All By Myself...

 

If you said, "Eric Carmen, 1975," you get 25 bonus points.  If you asked, "Did Joan finally dump your ass?"... not yet, and you lose 30 bonus points.

I haven't played out solo since Covid first hit.  I did a bunch of "Stayin' at Home" music videos during the uncertain days of the pandemic, but no playing out.  It has been interesting playing out with the Hip Replacements and once with the Allan Lindsay Project.  "Interesting," you say?

Yeah, with someone else handling the details, it is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get.

I have made no inquiries into playing out solo.  Until this weekend.  There is a recall happening for an HOA board member who was a pain in the ass for the board I was on; she is continuing that with the newly elected board.  She hasn't done her job as secretary (only turned in one set of minutes in a year's worth of meetings); she lied during the last board meeting, saying: "Jim banned me from voting on the Architectural Committee."  That's not even something the president can do; she simply didn't participate in the voting.  She is constantly saying that she works "60 to 80 hours a week" when asked why she doesn't do the jobs she volunteered for.  Too busy to do the job, but not too busy to stalk the community and turn in neighbors for what she considers violations.

Homeowner were fed up.  A movement started, and the legal process to recall her is underway.  A petition was circulated, with more than enough signatures from homeowners to bring it to a ballot.  The voting will start this week.  With that in mind, one homeowner scheduled gatherings for 4 nights this week, with various food trucks and "voting parties"... come enjoy the food, meet your neighbors, and sign and turn in a ballot (one per home).

I made one call to volunteer to provide live music for one of the gatherings.  I was asked if I could do all four.  I had to politely decline all four, but let them pick which one they wanted me to play for.  So, my first solo gig in years.  I did a 2-hour run through yesterday... I have enough material for 4 hours solo, but I will be keeping it to two hours.  I have to say that I am looking forward to the opportunity.  I'll be working on a set list over the next few days. 

Shadows and Light

 

Murphy and I were outside first thing this morning.  He was chattering at a quail that was sitting on the wall...

 He figured out that he wasn't going to be able to jump up at the quail before it could fly off.  But, they stared at each other for a while.

Next, the furry boy in the light and shadows...

 

Then, in the sun and looking under the gate...

 That's part of the "morning routine" I sometimes mention: it's our "guy time" out in the courtyard.

 

Together On Scoots...

 

It's been a while since Joan and I got out together on our scoots.  I've ridden, she's ridden, just couldn't make the scheduling work for both of us to get out at the same time.  Yesterday was a treat: fun ride, gorgeous weather.  I grabbed a 360 camera at the last minute to get some video of the occasion.  Once home and the video edited, I added a voice over, comparing and contrasting Joan's Yamaha Xmax 300 and my Suzuki Burgman 200..

 And, a few stills from the ride...