Desert Diva

Coos Bay, Oregon

When living in an eighteen foot RV for two months, space is essential. Yesterday evening I went through my RV and emptied out all sorts of things that I “don’t need.” I limited myself to one saucepan and a small skillet. I find that unless I’m in a remote location I eat out anyway. My biggest problem is deciding upon which shoes to take along. Whichever shoes I take, most of them will say “Keen.” Books take up another important space - however I try to donate them to thrift stores or give them away after I read them.

The inside of the RV has a memory foam pad on the double bed over the cab. I have denim sheets, and a denim duvet for a down comforter. Cali has a memory foam bed that I put on the passenger side of the front seat, but she always barks to sleep at the foot of the bed.

The walls are lined with crosses and religious icons of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Francis. However, there are also little “nichos” with Frida Kahlo and other Mexican symbols. On the table (that I can convert to a one person bed) there is a cactus plant and candles in two intricate holders fashioned out of tin cans. (A man started making these in my area after a motorcycle accident.) When I’m “plugged into” electricity, I have a string of little tin lights. My co-worker sold me a little five-inch color DC TV. However, I rarely watch it preferring to listen to music and read in the evenings while drinking a glass of wine.

OK, I need to get organized. My day has consisted of sending back my broken polarizing filter for a replacement, eating lunch out, and being on my computer at a local coffee shop with a latte. I have a “little corner” that I sit at and watch the influx of coffee drinkers getting their java fix. Gee I almost forgot, I did go to Wal*Mart to buy some silicone adhesive to replace the fitting for my electricity cord on my RV - the cover snapped off and I need to replace it.

This woman was enjoying her “stogie” at the Southern New Mexico Wine Festival last weekend. For some reason, I was more interested in the wine sampling…

If you’re anything like me, you can spend hours and hours in front of a computer screen. One link takes you to another area of interest and then you find hours have gone by. Last night I “stumbled” upon a new WordPress blog template which I rather liked.

So, I found a photograph that I took of some exposed tiles at the Rio Grande theater, flipped it on it’s side - and a new blog header was born. My only problem is that something on the Photo page is pushing the pictures and text out a little. It look “different” than the other pages, but still OK so I’m leaving it for now.  (OK, I actually looked at in in Internet Explorer and it’s icky.  So, if you look at the photos use Firefox…)
In the sidebar widgets I’ve added a Google Map (don’t worry I’m not going to give an “exact location”) so people can see at a glance where I am. I don’t know if other WordPress bloggers have this problem, but I find that I often have to “tweak” the HTML when writing a post. Sometimes the line doesn’t format properly, etc… I guess I’ve taught myself enough HTML to fix little problems.

Yesterday I took a Memorial Day short hike in the Organ Mountains from Aguirre Springs. I wanted to hike all the way to Dripping Springs, but since I did this on the “spur of the moment” I had on Croc’s for footwear.

I “sun screened” up and then made the mistake of changing the filters on my camera. (Note to self: Do not apply sunscreen and change the filter - it’s a smeary mess!) I cleaned the filter later by buying a small bottle of eyeglass lens cleaner (also for coated lenses) and a ultra-fine microfiber cloth from Wally World. However, when I removed my polarizing filter a wire “popped” and separated it from the disc. I wrote to the seller to get it replaced.

My cook-out was a black bean burger with 1% milkfat cheese on a whole wheat bun with a Corona Light as I did laundry and created “piles” of things to pack in the RV for my trip. (I’m in no big hurry and just enjoying the “relaxing mode” of summer.

On Thursday, there is going to be a Blue Moon or the second full moon within a calendar month. Since I now have a tripod, I’m going to White Sands National Monument for “Blue Moon” night. The park is open that night until 11:00 p.m. and there’s a program at the amphitheater. However, my plan is to try to capture the full moon against the backdrop of the white sands.

Well, I suppose it’s time to “do something constructive” and work on packing up my RV…

Manic Monday is hosted by Fleur de Lisa

What’s your favorite food item that is in your refrigerator right now?

• No contest - Athenos Roasted Garlic Hummus. (goes well with pita chips!)

Do you enjoying barbecuing on the grill? What’s something that you make often?

• I like to barbecue, but it’s something that I don’t do often. When I do, I like to make shish kabobs on skewers with marinated chicken and veggies.

What one item (kitchen gadget, appliance, food item) in your kitchen best describes your personality? Why?

• Wine - (it’s a food, right?) is something I always have and can’t imagine not enjoying. I took this little wine quiz.

Has anyone told you you have multiple personalities? Well you have multiple wine personalities. But come to think of it, being comfortable with variety and spontaneity is pretty cool. Almost any glass of wine fits your changing mood. Think of all the pleasure you’re in for!