Cooking With Fire

I rarely make a fire but some nice person left this splendid pile of oak on the cliff behind our (Phoebe's fur is getting rubbed off so she increasingly makes us a "we") camp. That's the Kanab Creek bosque in back.

In my youth I watched as the vendors in Mexico threw the meat directly on the coals. I had no idea what kind of wood they were using, but it tasted good. Over the years, when I find something besides creosote and the wind isn't too high, I'll hunker down and pretend I'm a paleo. But maybe they had mastadon grills.

Awaiting the Coals

Perfect!

For many years I ate off Meissen or Rosenthal china from my mom's collection (died '92). I had to give it up though, washing just took too much water. I still use silver-plate flatware.

Organic green beans (frozen), cranberry sauce for dessert on a paper (UGH!) plate.

I got a new camp chair but after about a month I decided NOT & left it in the storage locker. The settee works okay.

Point Imperial - North Rim

Notice the brown haze on the mountain on the horizon. It also occludes the view of The Canyon.

ElessDee

I estimate it at 25 - 50 mcg.

Everything falls into alignment.

Home At Last!

I arrived in Flagstaff to find the National Forest closed. Fortunately, having traveled this way many times, I knew a place.

This morning I discovered there are pot shards scattered about in an area of volcanic ash where it seemed unlikely there'd have been anyone camped. Still, it was nice to know they'd been here. Somehow the shards are more appealing than Bud Light cans.

By the time I was nearing the Vermilion Cliffs, it was time for a nap. When I awoke, I could hear the sound of running water. I crossed the highway to find this flash flood in progress.

Exploring roads I'd noticed on previous trips, I came out to an overlook a few miles below Lee's Ferry. The morning sun'll light the cliffs.

I wonder if the strains of accordion practice reached Cliff Dwellers Lodge?

Luis Jaramillo - Accordionist

The strap had broken on my new accordion and I wasn't able to get in touch with Tony Tomei, the guy I bought it from. I called The Accordion Club in Albuquerque and they gave me Luis's number.

I told Luis I was only in town for three days and he said, "Bring it by."

He called the next day and asked me to come take a look (see: Accordion Repairs, 22, June). When I arrived the next day to pick it up, I had the afternoon free and we commenced to visiting.

A famous former Mariachi performer and now a gospel singer who performs at churches throughout the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area, I was honored to be able to record these two songs. 

What A Day That Will Be (lyrics & music by Jim Hill)

Yo No Soy De Aqui (I am not from here)

There was not a dry eye in the house.

Bluewater Creek Canyon

Bluewater's famous for having one of the last remaining Bowlin's outposts. Nothing's certain, but I think they were once affiliated with the long-departed Stuckey's, famous for their pecan log rolls, rubber tomahawks and polished stones. They also own The Thing, a roadside attraction in Arizona.

It's a four-wheel-slog up the hill to the canyon overlook. There were still large ponds swarmin' with 'gators, piranha and deep, deep mud.

I walked (I amaze even myself!) the last 1,500 feet.

Working "Device"

Devices are distinguished from huggies und uzzer absorbent vareables. YAH!

Der Inner Schleefe - ist tapered und may need trimming to obtain a goot fit. Der objecteef ist to haf it be tight enoof to create ein seal behind der glans.  Vunce penetration ist achiefed, de design of "the jock" (the elastic waistband) keeps it in place. Und der waistband fit VEEERRRY schnugly on mein 48" vaist, but it fits.

Der Inner Schleefe

McGuire Style - who ist dis McGuire persons?

Via Amazon as: DMI men's urinal

Complementary Pee Pads

 

I didn't need any nitrile gloves

....and I didn't learn much. Dr. Vu said my prostate felt a bit soft, but that apparently didn't indicate anything; no masses and it wasn't abnormally large.

She prescribed Finasteride 5mg, to further shrink my prostate as that's the usual cause of urinary problems. It can take up to six months to reach full effect and it's most common side-effect is suppression or dissolution of one's libido, but I probably won't need it anyway.

BooooOOOOORing.

My Gallery

Across the street is one of 14 super-computers in the U.S. I tried to intetesr them in my national, juried show of digital art (c. 1993) likely the first in the country, but couldn't get past the receptionist.

One of the few times I was thwarted in my endeavors.

Accordion Repairs

I had bought the accordion less than two weeks earlier from Tony Tomei. Throughout, he emphasized I was getting a $600.00 dollar instrument for $450.00. In addition, I got an hour and twenty minute lesson and a beginners book on how to play. 

The strap on the side with the bass buttons was frayed, but Tony said he'd sell me a new one for $30.00 and put it on for free...presumably sometime in the near future. Ten days later the strap was hanging by a couple of threads, but when I passed through Los Alamos Tony wasn't home. 

When I contacted The Accordion Club in Albuquerque they referred me to Luis Jaramillo.

I thought I'd have to leave the instrument with him, but he assured me he'd have it ready the day after next when I planned to leave. But neither of us expected to find that all the black keys were close to falling off. In addition to fixing them he crafted a new strap and repaired a "foot" of one of the white keys that fell off while he was making the other repairs.

He has the black key that fell off in his hand.

Leo Garcia - Abiquiu

At Abiquiu I met Leo Garcia, nephew of Jackie Suazo. He's had his gallery for 33 years and has a couple of pieces signed by Georgia O'Keefe. 

He's holding a book written by his dad about he and a brother, Jackie Suazo, who was adopted by Georgia and worked for her death in 1986.

Leo's uncle is in his eighties and in poor health, but the book contains stories of Leo's dad and Jackie's experiences with Georgia; well worth the $20.00.

Leo's gallery is a half-block off the plaza.

Only $18.66 from Amazon.

The Abiquiu Artists' Studio Tour is usually the 2nd weekend in October.

Chama River

Cibola National Forest was closed but I called the main office and was told there are only four enforcement officers for the entire forest; so I risked it.

There's a secluded spot overlooking the river where, if I put Phoebe behind the junipers, she can't be seen from the road.

 

Some Rocky Mountains

 

Incontinence Devices

The one on the left, the unisex one, worked now and then, but I had to pull my testicles outside the device and wedge the side of it into the side of my groin to create a seal. If I lay on my back the seal broke and it leaked. Likewise if I turned on my other side; I had to move it over and hope to create a seal. More often than not, it didn't work. It looks as if it would work for a woman.

I had high hopes for the one on the right as it looked more "ergonomic." Unfortunately, I was unable to figure out how to secure it tightly against my groin and it just wouldn't stay on. Plus, the band that secures the upper cloth part goes around close to my navel. My stomach is so huge there's no way it'd stay in place...there's not enough flat surface.

Lastly, I'm of average size and found the opening to be tight. A small dose of lubricant facilitated.

It's amazing, isn't it, what there is to discover?

"Olde age ain't for sissies," she said. "I'm in trouble," I rejoined.

South of Pagosa Springs

With a prolific oak understory, it seems like there aughta be a bear or two.

The two satchels on the hood are recent additions. The blue one holds fabric incontinence pads. The purple has doggy pee pads and several urinary incontinence "devices" that have been, over the last month or so, proven to be useless and now await disposal. 

Most disappointing were the condom catheters. These interesting devices go on similar to a pregnancy-prevention tool, but have adhesive to help keep them in place. After several days of use the adhesive took patches of the top layer of skin with it as I removed the device to replace it with a new one. It took several weeks for the skin to grow back. As a Buddhist monk is purported to have said, "It's always something."

My initial enthusiasm means I now have $150.00 worth. If you're interested, I'll make you a deal. Coloplast Freedom Clear Advantage with Aloe Vera 31mm (22 of 'em) Ref# 2330140 and 25 (30mm) Coloplast Conveen Optima Ref# 22030.

Tony Tomei & The Continental

On my way out of town, the thought occurred to see if Tony Tomei, master rebuilder of accordions, was still alive. When we'd last spoken, about two years ago, he'd recently had heart bypass surgery and didn't sound as if he was gonna make it.

After a complimentary lesson of an hour and twenty minutes, getting my new beginners' book on how to play signed, I strolled out to Phoebe with this splendid Italian-made Continental (with a case) tucked under my arm.

RaaaaWWWWRRRR!!!

En Route To Los Alamos

The plan was to spend the two weeks before the urology appointment going over the mountain from Jemez Springs to Los Alamos, down the other side to Espanola and thence to Taos...and back. But the Santa Fe Forest was closed due to the extreme fire danger. 

Having gotten to Jemez Springs before discovering the forest was closed and it being too far to go back, I continued on toward Los Alamos.

As I went past I noticed the "teeth."

Unsure of what I'd seen, I made a u-ee....and discovered.

Coleman Blown Away

The wind was blowing sumpin' fierce when I heard a crash. I pulled over and noticed the rope that holds the for'ard boxes on the roofrack was loose. I cinched it and went on. The next morning when I went to make breakfast, I discovered the stove was missing. 

WHY did it not occur to me the crash was the sound of the stove ending its flight?

Adaptation is the word for the times. My backpacking stove means the toast'll be cold by the time the eggs are poached.

It could be worse. And it probably won't be long.

Sawtooth Mountains

It was out in the wilds somewhere where there was a place with the same name as several others ...Loon Lake or some such.

He was complaining about how annoying it is to discover there's a Loon Lake around every corner....and god nose where else.

But these are completely different from the Sawteeth in Idaho.

Yuh gotta get yer steps in in the morning cuz by 10a.m. it's too hot to do more than lie around waiting for the heat to abate. Then you get an hour of spectacle.

Morning light

Mindless Entertainment...

 while waiting for something.

Zen Metal

 

Seriously.

           Seriously?

Wiki article...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningen_Isu

Ursula Martinez - Hanky Panky

 

Wiki article

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_Martinez