Follow up...

 

18 months since someone harvested my prostate.  I hope they're happy with it - apparently, it was trying to do me in.  Today was my follow up visit with the doctor.  They take blood, ask a bunch of rather personal questions, and seem fine charging Medicare for it.  I understand that each of these blood tests is an indicator of the recurrence of cancer.  On my last follow up, the PSA number was up a bit from the previous check up, but still considered "remission."  I don't know how long these follow ups go on.

It probably violated some HIPAA rule, but I heard a guy in the hallway saying it had been 14 years since his prostatectomy.  14 years?  A year ago, the surgeon told me to "go have a good life" after that follow up... and then: "We'll see you again in 6 months."

When we have to drive into the big city - OK, Harlingen isn't that big - we try to take care of other things when going there.  Today, it was get stuff at H.E.B., get stuff at Sam's Club, lunch, go to our storage unit to drain the water out of the holding tank in the motorhome, put some stuff in the storage unit, and the doctor's appointment.

It's a good thing we planned extra time: we got caught for almost an hour on the Expressway when traffic got stopped due to an accident right before a construction zone.  We decided lunch would be drive up at Chick-fil-A and the traffic slowdown put us in the middle of their lunch rush.  Fortunatly, Chick-fil-A does a better job at moving people through than whoever was in charge of that mess on the Expressway.  I'm kidding - no one was in charge of that mess on the Expressway.

We thought we'd have at least an hour and a half at the storage unit... we needed to get through that task in a half hour in order to be there early for the doctor appointment.  We got 'er done.

 Fresh water tank emptied.  Water heater emptied.  Sta-bil run into the engine and generator.  Nothing leisurely about this part of the day, then on to the doctor's office, which was the main reason we were out and about today.

They did all the stuff I mentioned in the first paragraph.  She (the doctor) said, "You look like you're staying fit."

I said, "Doing what I can for an old guy."

She said, "You're not that old."

I said, "Compared to a giant redwood?  You have my age in your file there."  Whippersnapper.  A little pep talk ("Keep doing what you're doing"), another prescription, a "we'll call you if anything doesn't look good", and the expected: "See you again in 6 months."

You know that's how often Medicare will pay for the blood test.  Coincidence?

Music Day...

 

A good day for cocooning here in the Tropical Tip.  I got out early on my e-bike while it was quiet.  Since shortly after 10:00, the local news has shown traffic congestion for traffic on the causeway and through Port Isabel... people are heading home from the island... reported 11mph or stopped.

For me, it was a music day: I recorded 7 background vocal tracks for Mark on a song we've been working on since Joan and I were in Arizona.  For my own project, I had recorded a song with my new Taylor 652ce WHB Builder's Edition 12-string (that's a mouthful).  The guitar is a delight - I have been enjoying the tone, and comfort of this guitar.  No one beats Emerald for ergonomics, but this Taylor Builder's Edition has an arm bevel and a compound cutaway.  And from my perspective, Taylor has my favorite neck profile.  I find most 12-string guitars are "a handful" to play - this Taylor plays as nice as my other 6 strings.

This afternoon, with Joan's help, we shot some video to go along with the audio I had recorded a couple days ago...

I wanted to put some bass, a cajon, and background vocals on this recording, so the reason for using the Spire Studio.  This is Rufus's second favorite song (the song I wrote for him is is favorite) - did you catch the Rufus reference in the video?

:-)

A Parade...

 

After I finished making breakfast on the griddle this morning, I announced to Joan, "Well, that is 5 in a row."

She asked, "Five what?"

"Five meals in a row that I've cooked on the griddle," I proudly said.

There was some discussion along the lines of "How many meals in a row do you think I made in the past 50 years?"

Apparently, "Yeah, but - 5 in a row," was not the right answer.

She asked, "So, what do you want for that?"

"I don't know... a parade, maybe?"

She laughed and said, "Your parade should pass by here shortly after noon."

Any reason for a golf cart parade here on our island.  I don't think most people understand this holiday, where it should be respect and regard for those military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Somehow, driving by honking, waving, and playing Freebird at full volume on the golf cart stereo isn't my idea of... well, you know.

 And, of course, one Trump flag because some people feel the need to inject politics into everything.  But, we did go out to watch.  I did not, however, yell out "Happy Memorial Day!"  And not a damn one of them hollered out, "Five meals in a row - way to go!"

And so it begins...

 

It may not say it on the calendar, yet... but summer is upon us.  The heat and humidity have been here since we got home.  The crowds have been a weekend thing, but this weekend, things really "blossom."

I got out on my bicycle this morning - the resort is busy.  People have been BBQing overnight.  Driveways are full of vehicles.  There are a lot of people here this weekend.  While this resort is home to some of us, it is an escape for others, owners and renters.  They tend to leave their work and home brain behind when they come here.  Simple tasks, like looking both ways before pulling out of a driveway, are beyond them.  Letting their unlicensed (as in drivers license) kid drive around in a golf cart with the stereo blaring is fine with them.  Not fine with the rules here, but "rules are for home, not a coastal getaway."

I had to make "evasive maneuvers" several times while on my bike this morning.  In spite of what I write about when out on my motorcycle or scooter, that isn't the norm on this island.  Except during the summer.  Especially on weekends.  No, I won't be going out on the motorcycle this weekend.  Other than an early morning bicycle ride, I won't likely be going out at all.  We are stocked up on food.  Plenty of propane for the griddle.

When I was a kid, this holiday was called Decoration Day.  It was a day to remember the service people in our families who had died; we put flowers on graves.  Over the years, it has morphed into another 3 day weekend for camping, picnicing, traveling - to the beach, to the mountains - anywhere you can get away from home.  And, in this part of the state, people come to the coast; for the beach and the Gulf; temperatures are cooler here than inland; fireworks; beach bars.  And for some reason in the past few years: driving around in golf carts.  Because... well, I don't know why.  Maybe driving a golf cart does for them what riding a motorcycle does for me?

;-)

The short bus to Crazytown...

 

Warm and humid start to the day.  "How warm and humid?" you ask.  Thanks for asking - I got out on the CTX just before 9:00 - it was 80º and 92% humidity.  You notice that.  Blue sky and very light breeze.  Even with protective gear on, it was pleasant on the bike as long as you were moving.

Today is the Friday of the Memorial Day Weekend.  With the weather we're experiencing, I expect big crowds coming to the beach... it is generally 10º or more cooler at the beach than inland.  My goal of getting out before the traffic rolls in worked - easy riding.  Plenty of stupid behavior out there, but nothing that felt life-threatening.  On the side street heading to the causeway, I was doing the speed limit - a guy blew by me like I was parked; he got to the stoplight almost 8 seconds before I did.  I watched him jump lanes back and forth across the causeway.  Maybe he was late for work?  Maybe he's just an asshole?

Once on SPI, I watched a guy (also in a pickup) blow through the red light.  Green means go, yellow means go real fast, red means only 3 more cars.  Driving up Gulf Blvd, I saw people dart out between parked cars without looking, heading to the beach.  A young lady in a one piece thong swimsuit was roller skating on the bike/walking lane... I thought to myself: it would be a darn shame to scuff up that pretty posterior if she falls.  She seemed very steady on her skates.  A tan tush, so she had been doing this a while... those thoughts went through my head while I was wearing boots, armored pants, armored shirt, riding gloves, and a modular helmet.  Ahead of me, a car was coming at me - in my lane.  I slowed to see what that driver was going to do, and after driving a block or so in the wrong lane, they turned into a beach access parking area.  An air conditioning service truck backed out of a driveway, apparently without looking - didn't affect me, but a car in the other lane had to get all over their brakes.

Holiday brain.  It's a thing.  People get stupid when a holiday approaches.  The most annoying was something I saw as I was coming back across the causeway: a guy driving a pickup with a service body left a steady stream of trash behind him as stuff flew out of the bed of the truck... cardboard, fast food bags, a couple empty beer cans... apparently he had been using the truck bed as a dumpster.  No, I didn't get close enough to get a license plate or see if there was a company name on it - I sat back to not get caught in the debris being strewn about.  I don't understand that part of the culture here: the thoughtless trash tossing.

My cousin called while I was out on the bike; I had my Airpods in my ears (good noise reduction) and Siri asked if I wanted to answer the phone.  Everything hands-free.  My cousin is what I'd politely call irreverent.  I asked if he could hear me OK, and he said it was just fine.  Same on my end.  I told him I was out on my motorcycle, but I don't think he understood I was riding at the time.  Steph called while I was out on my bicycle the other day, and she said the sound wasn't good - I guess the helmet makes the difference.

I think I will take some time off the motorcycle the next couple days.  Joan went to the grocery store yesterday, so there isn't any reason we have to get out and mix it up with the holiday crowd.

A photography discussion...

 

Well, more of a monologue, but feel free to ask questions in the comment section.  I am occasionally asked about the 360 cameras I use (Inst360 One R and Insta360 One X2, which I used today).  Today, though, I just shot some still images (the 360 cameras are at their best when shooting video).  As with video, you can just press the shutter release and decide afterwards what view you want.  For those not familiar with 360 imaging, that sounds unbelievable... but, that is how it works: the camera is looking around in a 360º view... if you want to look left, right, in front, behind, you have that option after the fact.

So, with that in mind, here are some photos of some island cruising today:

In LIV...

 The camera was mounted on my left mirror stalk - works good for a selfie on the bike.  Then, across the swingbridge...

And onto the causeway...

All those different views above without ever moving, or even touching, the camera; I use my phone as a remote.  I can see the phone (mounted near my left hand) while still looking forward, so I don't have to take my eyes off the road.

Cruising down Gulf Blvd...

Heading into the Convention Center grounds, the next 4 images are made from the same image file...

The image immediately above is a "tiny planet" view - kind of gimmicky, but just to show another possibility with 360.

A couple of the "big chairs" by the Convention Center...

... with a forward view.  A different look at the Whaling Wall...

Again, both views directly above from the same 360 file.  Then, leaving the Convention Center...

Back down Padre Blvd, a stop in front of one of the beach shops, with 3 different view from the same file...

The image above, another tiny planet, below is an inverted version...

Back across the causeway (same file)...

And a stop at the stoplight at the intersection on the other side of the causeway...

Again, all 4 of the above images are from the same file.  Because of all the different options with each file, it takes a long time to go through.  If you want to, and have the file storage space, you could also load any of these files in a 360 format, where the viewer could click on the image and "move around" within that image.  Time, storage space, and computing power.

So, why aren't we all using 360 cameras?  Why don't the phone manufacturers include that capability in their high end phones?  Thanks for asking.  Most people want to shoot, then be able to look at and share what they shot - not so easy with 360 files - it takes time and patience to look through all the views and edit, then some skill to work up the image.  As far as putting the capability in a phone: cost and equipment.  You'll be spending about $400 on something like an Insta 360 One X2 camera - phone manufacturers have to decide if this is something their users would be willing to pay for above and beyond the cost of the phone.  Even more significant: a 360 camera uses lenses that stick out beyond the body of the camera - those lenses are delicate... they would not take the abuse that many people put their phones through.  A drop that your phone case would protect your phone would scratch the lenses on a 360 device.

I don't see that happening any time soon.  Personally, I really enjoy the 360 capability... but, there are things it can't do that other cameras can: telephoto images.  Even in a "narrow view," it is still quite wide angle.  There are some "abberations" with 360, mostly with the perspective... some straight lines will looked curved, items closer to the camera may get that "fish eye" look.  You have to be willing to accept that it isn't necessarily the way your eye will see it.  The flip side of that: you can get some dramatic images.

When using it for video, plan to spend a couple hours editing your way through 15 to 30 minutes of 360 video.  You will need significant storage space and processing power.  Many people shoot 10 second clips and post that clip directly to social media from their phone - cute, but that doesn't tell much of a story.  Insta360 has a great app for working with those videos.  If, however, like me you want to put together 20 or 30 360 video files to make a "mini movie," you will also need to have video editing software... and time to do that.  You will learn all about using key frames to direct the action in the video, picking formats (16x9, 9x16, square, etc), adding audio to the finished product, and/or using a remote mic with the camera, editing (which is more deciding what to cut to hopefully keep the video interesting).  It takes time... a finished 8 minute video clip, edited with music and/or a voice over, uploaded to to YouTube will take hours to produce.  Something like that first music video Mark & I did took me several days to create.

If I didn't enjoy the process, I wouldn't be shooting 360.  Let me know if you have any questions.  

 

Round Two...

 

I was up at 6:30 this morning.  Working through my morning routine, I had to stop to look at the TV: a severe weather warning for our area.  I looked out the window... it looked relatively calm, but overcast.  Part way through getting Rufus fed, the first gust hit - there is a lawn ornament that Steph bought for Joan that Joan strapped to a brick so we could have it on the patio table... the wind blew that ornament and the brick off the table!  By the time I got out there to secure things, the rain hit.  Coming down heavy and horizontal.

I heard on TV that gusts were peaking at 70 mph.  I believe that.  40 minutes later, the rain has pretty much quit, winds are down to a sustained 26 mph.  When we went to bed last night, the weasels were predicting "a slight chance of a stray thunderstorm."

Here's the radar...

 Yeah, it looks like a re-run of the screen shot I posted yesterday.  On the bright side, this didn't come through in the middle of the night.

Late yesterday afternoon, I duct taped the neighbor's golf cart cover as best I could.  He does not live here fulltime - it is a weekend getaway.  I called him to let him know the cover had ripped and asked if he wanted me to do anything with it.  The cover on his outboard motor was half in the water.  He was grateful for whatever I could do.  With this morning's gust front, that cover is shredded - no amount of duct tape is going to put it back together.  The outboard motor cover held.

The other bright side: only a few claps of thunder.  Rufus is laying beside his Momma.  Storms didn't used to bother him until that hail storm last summer.

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Of course, the morning news is full of the Uvalde school shooting.  The death toll is worse than originally reported.  A lot of calls for "something to be done."  The sad fact is the schools will have to be made tougher to enter; metal detectors; armed guards.  70% of school shootings are carried out by someone 18 years old or younger.  "Thoughts, prayers, and moments of silence" aren't enough.  I don't know how to keep guns out of the hands of a determined young person.  Further gun legislation or bans won't stop the black market.  We have created a culture of violence.

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I thought I might be able to get out for a bicycle and motorcycle ride this morning.  Either is good for clearing the head.  Not today.

Arcy-Sparky...

 

My old sailing buddy Steve used that term for a thunderstorm.  Thunder and lightning - we had that big time overnight.  The first rumbles of thunder in the distance didn't wake me - Rufus did.  Since that hail storm last summer, whenever we have been in a storm, he wants to be comforted.

That was around 2:00.  By 2:15, it was as active of a storm as I have seen.  Joan was already sitting up on the couch when I got up.  She and I went out in the worst of it to roll up the sun screens on our deck... the rain was pounding, the wind was howling, and lightning was non-stop.  We were both soaked when we came back in the house.  After drying off with a towel, we sat up, checking weather... thunderstorm warning (duh) and flash flood warnings for the next county over.  Radar was showing it wasn't going to let up for at least two more hours.  Something I haven't experienced in quite a while: I was cold after coming in out of the rain.

I said, "I'm surprised we haven't lost power."

Joan said, "You should not have said that."

Surprisingly, the power stayed on.  We didn't go back to bed until just after 4:30, when things finally calmed down.  Rufus remained unsettled.

Just after 7:00, I got another nudge.  Rufus wasn't scared, he was ready for breakfast.  He usually patiently waits for me to get up... and I'm always up before 7:00.  Joan was already up.  I started my morning routine, and before I got to sit down, the next round of rumbles fired up.  And rain.  Checking weather, it looks like we'll be in it again 'till at least 11:00.

I'm gonna need a nap.

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76º at 1:00 pm; the wind has clocked from NNE to SSE @ 20+mph and gusty.  The rain has moved off shore.  Looks like we had more than 4" of rain overnight.  On the bright side: it did a good job of rinsing off the siding on the house.  The cargo trailer was dry as a bone inside.  Further up the Valley, there are reports of hail... didn't happen here.  Reports of flooding now in our county and a request from our water district to reduce water usage as much as possible due to overflowing storm drains.  Not an issue on our island, as the water can run off into the canals.

Looks like an inside kinda day.

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I am horrified - another mass shooting in an elementary school, this one in Texas, 80 miles from San Antonio.  An 18 year old shooter; murdered 14 students and a teacher, others seriously wounded.  I don't have an answer for this... there will be hand wringing and calls for "something needs to be done."  I don't know what that will be.  Truly gut-wrenching when a crazy person does this to innocent young people in the place where they should be able to feel safe.  Beyond evil.

They ARE out to get me...

 

Paranoid much, Jim?  No, just a single noid.  And, surprisingly, I'm not talking about the crazy drivers here.  Oh, don't get me wrong - you have to be on the lookout for them all the time.  I don't have many close calls because I am hyper vigilant... not just when I'm out on the motorcycle, but also the car, the motorhome, and the bicycle.

I went for a longer ride today.  Oh, I did my island crusing, but then took it out on the highways to the west.  Getting close to the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge, at 60 mph, a deer bolted out from the bramble on the side of the road.  It was close enough that I had to clamp down hard on the brakes, and start my evasive maneuver.  Of course, you can't trust deer, because they will dart back and forth, seemingly to stay on a collision course with you.  This one did not do that - when he saw me (after I saw him), he put the coals to it, looking to get to the other side of the road.  Yes, it was a deer, not a chicken (that's a chicken joke).

Big difference between this deer and the one I collided with last summer while on the Vespa: this one was fully grown.  Big.  Obviously smarter than the one last year, to have made it to this size.  Now, to be transparent, we don't often see deer crossing the road down here in the Tropical Tip.  This fella was tough looking... not in the "I'm gonna kick your ass" kinda way.  Deer have it tougher around here (probably why we don't see them all that often): they can't scamper through the woods, like the deer in the Black Hills... we have that bramble I mentioned before; it would be good stuff to cultivate around a prison, because it has some seriously thorny stuff.  This muscly looking deer had plenty of scars.  Yes, I was close enough to see that.

But, this deer was smart enough to get out of the way (still had an "Oh, shit!" look on his face), and I got the bike slowed down to give him room to do that (also, with an "Oh, shit!" look on my face).  No underwear was soiled in the making of that situation.

On the way back east on that same highway (it's nice smooth road, which is the best thing I can say for any road around here), a turkey vulture flew out from the side of the road.  For those not familiar with that species...

From the genus: BUFD (Big Ugly Freakin' Bird)... well, the scientific name doesn't use "freakin'," but this is sometimes a family friendly blog.  Well, the Adams Family.  But, I digress.  I ducked my head as this big stupid bird passed way too close.  The shadow moved over me like standing at the end of the runway when a B52 is making a landing!  I don't know if it was pissed because I didn't leave a blob of deer road kill for him, or if he thought my white helmet was a prey's egg.  Either way, making contact with this thing would not have made for a good ride.  We were close enough that I could hear its wings flapping.

So, really, I'm not paranoid... but I think the animal kingdom is out to get me, too.  Other than that, it was an OK ride.  And by "OK," I mean it was warm and humid, but surprisingly not too windy.  That was nice for a change.  I have my head into getting north for some great riding roads and cooler weather.  Won't happen for a while.

Lost dog...

 

No, we didn't get a dog.  Rufus is quite happy being the one and only furry family member.

I was out washing the Equinox this morning, when a couple in a golf cart pulled up and asked, "Have you seen a Pomeranian running loose?"

I told them "No," but that we would keep our eye out.  I asked what color (black) and the name (PomPom) and where they were in the resort.  When they said the lot number, Joan knew that it was a rental.

It made us both think back to the time we took Smoke (our first cat) out for our first weekend out in the first motorhome we bought.  We went to a campground about 100 miles from home... everything was going fine until we realized that Smoke was nowhere to be found.  We looked all over the motorhome - "Maybe she got out when I went to get ice?"  We started our search of the campground.  Within a few minutes, we learned about the comradery (at that time) among RVers: an army of volunteers were searching all over the campground with us.  No, we didn't find her.  As it grew dark, the worry compounded:What if we don't find her? What if she wandered into the nearby woods?

A lady came to our site and asked if we found Smoke.  When we said we hadn't, she said, "You need to get a flash light and look in every nook and cranny in your motorhome - do you look up under the dash?"

I got a flashlight and when I shined it up under the dash, I saw a pair of glowing eyes.  "She's here!"  That may have been the first time I realized that I was a "cat person," and that Smoke wasn't a pet, she was family.  Prior to that, I considered myself "the feed-me guy"... from that point on, I was a Cat-Dad and protector.

I continued the car washing.  As people drove by, I waved and asked if they had seen a Pomeranian... several said, "We're looking for PomPom, too."  Pretty much like our experience over 30 years ago.

As I was picking up my car washing stuff (it took a long time - with the wind we've had, the car was really dirty), Joan saw a golf cart go by and shouted to me: "That couple just went by with PomPom in their golf cart!"  Apparently, Security found the pooch and contacted the people.  My heart was lifted by that news.  And by the fact that other people cared.

Just when you think that people suck... all it takes is a furry family member to remind folks about the importance of humanity.

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On edit: it's my fault... I washed the car.

A 10% chance of precip this afternoon; that cell just west of the blue dot (us) is coming this way.  Of course.  On the bright side, PomPom is back with his family.

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One last edit: while I was out making chicken breast sandwiches on the griddle, it rained.  Oh, well; we need the moisture.  Hopefully, it will keep down the blowing sand and dirt.

Uncle!

 

Remember when you were a kid and your older sibling (in my case: sisters) had you pinned down?  "Why are you hitting yourself?  Does this hurt?  How about this?"  Yeah, you learned to cry, "Uncle!"  I don't know why, and I have no idea if that is what kids today do to get out of familial torture.

Today, I am ready to cry, "Uncle."  No, not from a sibling - I am the last man standing.  This would be directed at Mother Nature.  The wind has been unrelenting the last couple weeks.  If you could get out early, you might get a motorcycle ride in.  Wednesday, it was gusting to 30 mph; yesterday it was 35; today it is gusting to 40.  Maybe higher.

When I went outside to make breakfast tortillas on the griddle, Joan asked if I'd be able to keep it lit... "I think so."  The good news: yes, it stayed lit.  When I was cleaning up afterwards, the tongs (pretty heavy) blew off the table next to the griddle.  Just being out in that wind is tiring.

I got out early (around 7:00) for a bicycle ride, and it was blowing like stink by the time i got back.  I did roll the scoots out of the cargo trailer to make sure nothing stuck to the touched-up floor... only one thing: a plastic kick stand plate that I put under the kick stand... there was a paper tag on the bottom of it... yep, it stuck.

Joan did some arranging in the trailer while I checked oil and aired up tires on the bikes.  When I was ready to put the bikes back in, there was a layer of dirt on them, thanks to the wind.  I cleaned Joan's bike first and ran it into the trailer, then did the same with mine.  That's the only outing they will get today.  I would say the same for me, too, but I did tell Joan I'd make smash burgers for supper.  According to the hourly forecasts, it isn't going to get any better until after 9:00 tonight, when the sustained winds are supposed to drop below 20 mph.  That is what passes for "breezy" around here.

Where does the time go?

 

Been looking at Facebook Memories again, Jim?

Sure, but that's not the theme of this post.  This morning, instead of a bike and a motorcycle ride, after taking Rufus for a walk, I got the bikes and everything that was on the floor of the cargo trailer out and went to work at touching up the Herculiner (like Rhino-liner) textured paint on the floor.  The spray can of Herculiner Joan ordered came in yesterday.  A decade of motorcycle and scooter kickstands, tool boxes, and motorcycle chocks have worn it down in places.

I know what you're thinking: you'd think it would last more than a decade or so, huh?  Kidding; I am impressed with how that stuff held up.  I put three coats on the areas that needed it, giving it time to get tacky in between.

When I was done with that, Joan thought I should reward myself with a ride... on something.  It is the time of year when it is windier than usual.  What's that?  Yeah, it's always windy here, but today is another blowing-like-stink day.  I was thinking I would take the day off from riding anything... but, I did have the scoots sitting out... yeah, that's a good idea.  Joan's Xmax was the least encumbered in the driveway, so I geared up and took that.  That bike impresses me everytime I ride it - it just does everything so well. 

Heading off our island, I was behind someone who was driving 5 miles per hour under the speed limit.  When the speed limit is 15 mph, 10 feels painfully slow.  Fortunately, they turned off a block after crossing the bridge off our island.  Up to Highway 100 and the causeway.  I turned onto the causeway, and... it was a slow race: a work van and a minivan... someone being paid by the hour and someone on vacation... driving side by side.  With traffic backing up behind them.

I've explained it before, but the causeway is a 2 1/2 mile long bridge that connects Port Isable and South Padre Island.  The speed limit is 55 mph.  This being south Texas, no one drives the speed limit.  Most are doing 10 to 15 mph over the limit, the rest are doing 20 mph less than the limit.  The Queen Isabela Causeway is an interesting bit of road: a different Police jurisdiction on either side of the causeway, so it seems that neither of those municipalities have claimed responsibility for traffic on the causeway.  Usually, people blow by you like you are standing still, and then occasionally you get this slow stuff.

Onto SPI and driving along Gulf Blvd... a 25 mph speed limit on this street.  The golf cart with a family of 5 in front of me was doing 15 mph... with their left blinker on... for two miles.  The young girl facing back in the golf cart waved at me.  I waved back; then pointed at my turn signal on the front of the bike and did the hand single for "your blinker is on" (closed fist, open all the fingers, back to the closed fist, open again).  She waved again.  As slow as they were going, I considered passing, but that left blinker on gave me second thoughts.  After two miles, the girl looked down at their turn signal and told the Dad it was on... he turned it off, and 50 feet later (just as I was about to pass) made an abrupt left turn into a driveway without signaling.

It was then I realized it must be "National Drive Slow In Front Of Jim Day."  I thought we celebrated it just a couple weeks ago, but time flies when you don't know what you're doing.  Too many slow drivers (the vast minority around here) for it to be a coincidence.

Truth be told, I didn't mind driving slower than usual across the causeway with that gusty crosswind.  Oh well, I have no agenda now that my trailer floor painting is done.  And I enjoyed riding Joan's scoot.

The bikes are going to have to sit outside in this wind while the paint dries.  I told Joan that they are going to need some clean up thanks to the sand and dirt in the air.  She said, "No problem - I have a guy who takes care of that for me."  Yeah, she is a lucky woman.

;-)

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You two were so cute...

Past tense?  Rufus and I laid down on the couch for a nap early this afternoon.  Well, I laid down and he was quick to join me.  We slept through Joan taking this photo...

When we got up, Joan said, "I took a photo of you two napping - you were so cute."

"Were?  What about now?" I asked.

"Now, you're awake."

Nice.

Handsome Boy...

 

Yes, I'm talking about Rufus.  Today was the day for his dose of flea and tick stuff - it goes on the back of his neck, and he doesn't like it.  But, we have to keep him protected.  It's a small packet of liquid that Joan squeezes on him, then he can't be petted for a couple hours... that may be the part he really doesn't like, 'cause he is a very social boy.

After gathering stuff to take to the Animal Shelter Sale, I sat down with my guitar... Rufus is a very attentive audience.  And, a handsome boy...

 With all we had to do today, breakfast got pushed to brunch.  I made a skillet breakfast on the griddle...

That was just the beginning.  I get busy as it all comes together.  And, it came together tasty today!

Like the blowing sands of the Sahara...

 

You're back in the desert?  No.

With the shortages of everything these days, we make it a point to stay up on Rufus's food supply.  There are times that we can't find the healthy food brand we feed him.  Joan goes back and forth between Chewy's and PetSmart (on-line and in the stores)... when I got back from a motorcycle ride this morning, Joan said to me, "The PetSmart in Brownsville has all the food and his litter." 

I said, "I guess we're going to Brownsville."

Yep.

Highway 48 connects Port Isabel and Brownsville.  Back when it was a 2 lane road, it was listed as "the most dangerous highway in Texas."  Over a decade ago, the highway was upgraded to 4 lane, with a concrete barrier as a median, to prevent head-on collisions (the reason it had that reputation).  There is nothing along that road other than flats that dry out and create blowing dirt.  Over the years, different sorts of greenery have been encouraged to grow there, along with some digging to the Brownsville Ship Channel to allow some water to flood into that area to keep the blowing dirt down.  All those efforts have been reasonably effective... until you get an extended dry period and big winds... like what is happening currently.

Thank goodness for "recirculation" in the car's climate control system.  The blowing dirt and sand is nasty ugly today, with wind blowing from the south at 25 gusting into the upper 30s.  The wind changed from the usual southeast to more south - that also plays a part in this.  Can't be good for the car's paint... and you sure wouldn't want to be out there breathing it in.

This area is flat.  You can see the blowing sand and dirt from miles away.  It is clear (pun intended) that these clouds of dirt are more than what's blowing off the flats - it is coming from Mexico as well.  And Joan told me that she saw on last night's weather forecast that we will be getting sand carried from Africa in the upper winds in this area in the next few days.  Because, apparently we don't have enough of our own blowing sand and dirt.

A good time to spend the rest of the afternoon inside, enjoying the air conditioning.

 Those symbols at the bottom are chance of precipitation, not humidity; the humidity right now is 73%... so if you do go out in the blowing sand/dirt you will be sweaty so it will stick to you.  I was going to wash the car today... looks like I get out of that for the rest of the week.

Stupid Driver Tricks...

 

When I get back from a motorcycle ride, Joan always asks how it went.  Seems like all to often I have to tell her about someone pulling out in front of me, left turning, or running a red light or stop sign.  There really is a lot of stupid people out there.

Today, it wasn't someone who put me in jeopardy, but this has to be one of the dumbest things I've seen; going down Padre Blvd, the main drag on South Padre Island, a guy came off a side street.  In the past few years, the city has put a raised median along much of the boulevard, and turning access isn't available at every side street.  Sometimes this means: if you want to turn left and there is a median in front of you, you have to go right and go maybe a couple blocks to get to an intersection where there isn't a median.  Then, do a U-turn.  Pretty easy.

If you've read this far, you probably know where this is going.  The guy coming off the side street was driving a pickup.  He didn't have that crazed look in his eyes, nor did he seem to be in a big hurry.  Yes, he drove straight across the intersection, drove over the raised median (curb height), drove off the median, and made his left turn.  Really.  What person of reasonable intelligence (as in: able to get a drivers license) would think this is acceptable??  It wasn't a ratty pickup, looked pretty new.

Stupid people are among us.  They drive.  Be careful out there.

 

Look Up...

 

A lot going on in the sky this evening: first of all, the full moon.  Plus, it is a Super Moon.  The full moon will reach its peak around 11:15 local time.  And, this will coincide with a total lunar eclipse this evening.  The eclipse will happen between 10:30 and 11:30 Central Daylight Time.  The eclipse will cause the moon to look red, as the Earth will cause a shadow between the sun and the moon.

For those keeping track, this full moon is referred to as the Flower Moon... yes, for the blooming flowers this time of year.

This heads up, in case you need to get a nap in so you can stay up to watch the full moon and total lunar eclipse.  ;-)

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The first part of the evening "sky show": the full moon...

About an hour away from the start of the total lunar eclipse, so more coming.

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Even pumping the ISO to 3200, it was tough getting any kind of an image with the cameras I was using...

But, you get the general idea.  Watching it underway, you could see the brightness of the moon peel away until it was a faint red version of itself.

Drummer for hire...

 

I work cheap.  Mark and I were visiting yesterday, talking guitars, life, guitars, and more life.  He asked me if I would record another drum track for a song he and I are working on... "Sure, glad to."  And then he asked if I would mind recording a drum track for a song he is working on with one of the guys from MIM that we got together with when Joan and I were in Arizona.  Again: "Absolutely - send me the files on what you have and I'll see what I can do."

He sent the files to me last night, and I listened to them and did a bit of practice playing along with the files before laying down a couple tracks.  Drums, not a cajon.  Good exercise, with all 4 appendages going.  I may need a nap.

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Shooting the loop...

When I was a teenager, that's what we called it: driving around the main streets in our city.  It was a mile or more long on a one-way street, turn on another main drag, and back down a mile or so on another one-way street.  Round and round.  Oh, occasionally there would be a stop light to stop light drag race, you'd see your friends, and maybe pull into Burger Kwik to hang out... it sure wasn't to eat the questionable burgers there.  But mostly, it was pointless; a way to pass the time.  I think most places have their version of this.

Pretty much the same thing happens around here... except it is golf carts and alcohol is involved.  Well, to be fair, there are plenty of people driving up and down the streets here in cars and pickup truck, too.  Mostly adults, some families (all 6 or 7 of them in a 4 person golf cart, although there are plenty of 6 to 10 person golf carts around), and a few with just kids in the cart (may be old enough to have a drivers license, but doubtful).  This is all happening around dusk.  The demographics will change after dark, when the adults settle into their house or rental, and it will be more kids on carts.

I will admit that I "shot the loop" back when I was a kid... and gas was 29¢ a gallon.  But that was 50 years ago.  It is seasonal here: in the winter, it is the over 55 set who drive around in golf carts as a mobile happy hour.  As we get closer to summer, it is more the weekend folks and Valley people who have a getaway here on this island.  Spring and fall tend to be more quiet, without the regular sunset cruisers.

Walking Rufus this evening, he seemed intrigued by the constant flow of traffic... "Oh, look at the kitty!"

Ah, summer time.

 

Friday the 13th...

 

In the words of the philosopher Dirty Harry: "So, do you feel lucky, punk?"

I considered not leaving the house all day and keeping myself wrapped in bubble wrap.  Nah, I'm kidding; I'm not superstitious... well, except for: green motorcycles are unlucky, 'cause that's a real thing.  ;-)

It's a lovely day in the Tropical Tip, so I did my usual morning routine and got out there to enjoy the day.  Of course, it's still early, so things could go into the crapper.

Enjoy your day!

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A Blast From The Past...

I was going through some old photo files today, and came across this...

 I think it is from 1983 or 84.  On the right is Joan's Honda Goldwing Aspencade, on the left is my Harley FXRT.  That Harley was HD's first shot at a sport touring bike.  I liked that bike - it was "lightweight" (for a Harley, and compared to the full-dress touring bikes I had) and had an aerodynamic fairing... since getting the CTX, I have commented that the styling reminds me a bit of that FXRT.  Well, a much more modern take on it.

And this one from a few years before the photo above...

Me on my first Sportster.  It shook like a paint-mixer, but I was hooked on the torque - it felt like you could pull out tree stumps with it.  I must have been a lot tougher back then, as we traveled a bunch on those bikes; Joan had a Yamaha Midnight Maxim at that time, that you may remember from this photo...

Ah, the memories.

Cooler...

 

Not the box you put ice and snacks in; the weather: it was 75º when I got up this morning.  Humidity was below 80% (well, it was 79%).  Doing what has become my "morning routine," bicycle, walk Rufus, get out on the scoot.

I rode by the Wyland Whaling Wall as usual, but stopped this time to get a photo...

 A guy was unloading stuff to take into the Convention Center and asked, "Would you like me to take a photo of you with your bike?  Nice looking bike.  I could use a break from carrying stuff."

"That would be very nice of you - yes!"  So, proof that I was with the bike...

That Whaling Wall is kind of my happy place.

When I got back home, it was project time: the metal rod and fixtures for making another gear hanging space in the front of the cargo trailer came in last night.  Of course, it always takes longer than you think it should.  We worked together on it.  I figured it would take a couple hours to take down the old rod and then mount the new stuff... working together, we were able to knock it out in only 3 1/2 hours.  And then Joan wanted to clean the inside of the trailer (she calls it "de-junking").  Time for me to stay out of the way.

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Joan pointed out a soft spot in the floor of the cargo trailer, right at the V up front.  Yep.  I went to our local building supply place and got some Flex products, paste and seal.  I dug out the soft spot, scraped back a ways; dug down 'till I hit solid wood.  Put on some rubber gloves and went to work filling that void.  When this is cured, I will top it with Flex Seal.

For now, the trailer is done.  Sorta.  We put a lot of stuff that was in the nose of the trailer on the floor into the car.  When that area on the floor is cured, we'll put stuff back.  Fortunately, the rear windows of the Equinox are dark, so it won't look like we are living out of our car.

Joan had the clean up done before I went to work on the floor.  Just like the guys in the circus who follow the elephants with shovels, my job is taking the trash.  Two bags - my little electric scooter has a decent basket in the back that holds one garbage bag.  I have carried flattened boxes on the floorboard of that scoot, but not two garbage bags.  Hey, we have carried two weeks worth of groceries on the PCX scooters - I can handle this...

I may need to pick up a "Wide Load" sign.

Dodging Drifts...

 

Snow?  Not here in the Tropical Tip.

Out for a ride this morning, I went a bit further north on SPI than I usually go.  From the southern tip of the island, the developed part of the island runs a bit over 4 miles... and then, it is a long, skinny island; the Gulf of Mexico on one side, the Laguna Madre (bay) on the other side.  The road goes another 4 or 5 miles, and stops.  If you have a vehicle that can handle the sand, you can drive on the beach from there.

We have done that years ago with the different 4x4 vehicles we've had, but that isn't a big thing for us... salty sand gets everywhere.  But, a lot of people like to head north from the end of the road to camp on the beach.  You are definitely leaving civilization behind.

I took the CTX north of city limits today.  No, not to ride on the beach - it is not an off-road bike.  Far enough that you don't see people, cars, or buildings as you look north.  We've had plenty of wind since we've been home, and that means you have to watch for sand drifts on the road...

 Looking behind the bike in the above photos, you can see where some people drove through the drifts at the edge of the road.  It isn't legal to drive over the dunes (erosion), but when they creep onto the road, I guess it's fair game.  Although I can't understand why anyone would want to do that - the sand is fine and powdery; blasting through it is going to drive that salty abrasive sand into places you don't want on your undercarriage.

It's been a couple months with the CTX now - I think I enjoy it even more than when I first got it.  I have gotten very comfortable with the size and performance of the bike.  I've come to appreciate the looks of the bike, too.  These morning rides keep my head in it... no great roads in this area, but it still is good for my soul to be out on two wheels.

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Wake up, Little Sous-y...

Um, Oh, Sous-y Q?  No bonus points for the Everly Brothers or CCR.  But if you said, "Sous - as in: sous chef?" you get 10 bonus points.  It's no secret that I have spent much of my life avoiding cooking.  But, since we got the Blackstone Griddle, I have done all the cooking with that.  There is plenty of other cooking that gets done by the pretty Blonde inside, but she appreciates me taking some of that load by making meals on the griddle.  And, I am happy to do it.

I am learning as I go with the griddle, and have been picking meals that are relatively goof-proof.  The thing most important in what success I've had on the griddle: good preparation.  Joan is a detail person and figured out right away that her organizational skills will go a long ways towards keeping me the griddlemeister.  Truly, this would be a chaotic process if not for her prep work.

This is what my sous-chef gives me on my way out to the griddle...

I made breakfast tortillas late this morning.  With everything in one place, all I have to do is figure out what order to put stuff on the griddle to make it all ready at the same time.  I didn't get any photos of the cooking in progress; in fact, I had the first tortilla almost finished before I thought to grab my phone...

My Honey has been encouraging and complimentary on my efforts - that goes a long ways towards me sticking with it.  Today, she said, "This may be the best breakfast tortilla I've ever had."  That is a bold statement when you know we used to have Manuel's (now closed down) that was widely known for their breakfast tortillas.  She really liked the way the tortilla came out.  My belly was happy with it, too.