Desert heat

July is just around the corner and that means the higher temps are coming along. It is also the start of monsoon season. The rain doesn't cool the air or bring in humidity like it did when we lived in MN. But it does a good job of settling the dirt for a bit. It's amazing too that when a monsoon is happening it still doesn't measure much in inches, but causes dramatic flooding. There is no place for the water to do, it just has to gradually soak into the hard packed ground. The first monsoon rain that I witnessed when we first moved here was amazing. Watching the water roll down the streets and hearing it pounding hard on the roof of our trailer was interesting to me and quite confusing to Lola. One forgets what the sound of rain can be like when it doesn't happen often.

The exterminator came yesterday and of course no ants could be found. He sprayed all around our home and out sheds well. Normally he sprays where the ants or insects are coming in but no trace could be found. He told us if we see any to call him right away and he will come back, but we are not to kill the ant. Well this morning no ants could be found. For that I am grateful. We set up an annual time for him to come and spray. The sprays that are available in the stores are not professional grade so you take your chances on it being effective on the insects each year. What worked last year did not work this year, which is why we called a professional. Pete was a very nice man and very concerned that he did the best job that he could. To me that says he is someone you could trust to do the job well. Not many like that around anymore.

Pool time each day has been great. A limit of one hour is necessary to keep from frying to a crisp. Mark doesn't tend to burn, but in the AZ sun, almost anyone can and does burn if in the sun too long. Most of the time we have the pool to ourselves which is what we prefer to get some exercising  done. Otherwise we just float and visit. Most of the residents go to the pool later in the day or evening so they can stay in the pool longer and not burn.

Yesterday the orange maggot come to AZ. He slimmed up the state with his presence and there were protesters welcoming him in Phoenix. That was great to see. Not the welcome he wanted but one he deserved.   He has sullied the title of president since he has never acted like one in any way.

We are staying within the guidelines of social distancing stronger than ever, if that is possible. The virus is still running rampid in AZ and Yuma. Once again it is not a good situation in many states. At least our mayor made it mandatory to wear masks or be fined $250. About darn time too. We have worn mask for so long that it has become a habit to put on the minute we leave the house. We each have several and they get washed each time they are used.

Ants and more ants

My day started out wild. When I got up, through my half open eyes, I saw that my kitchen was in total disarray. Then as my eyes opened more I saw ants all over and Taro in many areas on the counter. This happens once a year if I forget to spray and yep, I forgot. They are not sweet ants or grease ants so Taro does nothing. But I have a spray that kills them on contact and prevents them from coming back until next year.  They get into and on everything. Mark put the Taro down all over and noticed that not one ant went for it. But he did his best and did what we used in MN. I have the area's sprayed and the kitchen is still in disarray. As soon as the spray dries I'll wipe it down and put things back. Needless to say I will have two more things to do this morning. I guess it looks like three more things added to my morning to do list. Good thing Roomba can vacuum the floors for me. I also told Mark where to find the spray when or if this happens again.

Mark goes to the cardiologist this afternoon and I can't go along. But I can be on speaker phone with him. So yesterday we made a dry run of where it is and it was easily found.  I am so happy that our medical profession is taking such strong action against the virus and that they allow me being with him via the phone.

Too bad our idiot president and governor don’t give a damn and opened up the states too early. And then add the stupid people that stopped following the social distancing and wearing of masks. Thanks to all of them the virus is growing, over 2000 a day.  We are proud that we are not in the group with the stupid people, we are still social distancing and wearing our masks.  And we will be following precautionary measures for quite some time. We don't want to catch COVID if at all possible.

Quiet

Not much new happening here. But Mark did finally find a shop that will look at his motorcycle to see if they can fix it. Around here there are way more 4 x4 toys than motorcycles so not many shops specialize in motorcycles. The one shop he found, didn't correct the problem even though it was in there twice. We hope that this time the problem can be corrected.  His bike is ride worthy but just isn't running correctly, according to Mark. One really gets to know their bike and how it should be running.

The virus is on the rise here as it is in most states so we are still on the stay at home status. About twice a month we go into the Fry's grocery store for things that we can't get online at WM. That is our excitement in shopping for now. We don't need much but it would be fun to just go shopping longer than a quick in and out experience. As always we don't go anywhere without wearing our masks. Even when going into the office to get our mail, the masks are on. And we are still the only ones in the park that wears a mask.

This morning Mark informed me that at 3:30 am. Murphy decided to sing. Not for long but long enough. That has never happened before. I know it was after 9 last night when I finally covered him for the night. He was not ready then to go to sleep either. Tonight I'll have to turn the lights out earlier and cover him by 8. He may not have wound down enough last night before I covered him.  He is a small bird with a big voice and he loves to show it off, but it's not welcome in the middle of the night. 😖 I sleep with earplugs so I seldom hear anything. 😉

On the rise

the COVID cases are on the rise by leaps and bounds. So we are going to continue on with our stay at home and social distancing for some time yet. Once things started to open up too many people stopped using precautions, which isn't helping to stop the spread, but is increasing the spread of the virus. 😢 However, yesterday when we picked up our grocery order we noticed more wearing masks than the last time we were there for pick up. Not that it is the norm, but was comforting to see that some still care. Our church is resuming in house services today, but they are going to continue the online services as well. Yep, we are   having church in the comfort of our home.

YesterdayMark surprised me with a Shark Robo vacuum. I mentioned that now one would be nice to have. Cleaning really takes its toll on my neck and arms.   We will use the vac a couple times a week or maybe even daily, making my Saturday cleaning day much easier. After cleaning yesterday and running the Robo, it found spots that I missed. So I was pleased with the machine and sad to see what I missed. Years ago we had one when they first came out. My have they improved over the years. The sensors are better and it has a memory of the home it's to clean once it has gone through the area. When it's done it goes right to the charging dock on it's own. Amazing little unit.

This weekend we got a nice break from the high heat. Yesterday morning and today we got to open the doors and windows and let the fresh air inside. There aren't going to be many more morning like this so we are enjoying it while we can. Coffee on the porch is nice to have when there are so few people in the park. 😎

What’s new in Arizona South West Desert?

Today, upgraded the Window AC unit with my lovely brides help in the Arizona Room this morning. We installed a window unit last year 1 step up from manufactured suggested size for the room we are cooling. I thinking that would compensate for the excessive heat that persisted here in the summer, Surprise, I was wrong……. LOL!

So now we have doubled the BTU size required for the room size and the unit seems to be much more capable of meeting our needs. Guess we will find out as this week it is predicted to be a scorcher! 110 deg. and rising. Now that’s warm……..

On a related note we closed off the AC vent from the central air supply that was feeding the room so we should have an increase in the AC output going to the main house. And………. Wait for it………. Now that I have an extra AC unit just setting around……. My shed is going to be updated from two fan’s to a window AC unit and one fan to be used when needed.

It's Always an Adventure.

Let there be light.

When we moved in here we replaced all the light bulbs with LED bulbs. Well, all but the kitchen fluorescent ones. We did add under the cabinet lights to help with the lack of light though. And they helped a lot but only the area underneath the fixtures  After  a year of trying to work in darkness, yesterday we replaced the fluorescent ones with LED bulbs. OMG, there is light in the kitchen now. Not only are the new ones LED but they are daylight, unlike the ones we replaced, which were soft light and only 34 wt.  Since LED is way cheaper to run than the old fluorescent ones, only on rare occasions did I use the overhead lighting. I mean why turn them on when they do so little to light the room and cost more than they are worth.

Yesterday, because of the senseless violent protesting and looting in the country, the governor of our state put on an 8 o'clock curfew.  Senseless because the violence solves nothing but create more violence. For the last three plus years our country has been on a downward spiral to hell. Hatred and violence has been enforced by the so called president. He fuels  animosity making violent actions sounding like the right thing to do. Thank God they put him an underground bunker so he can not stir up anymore trouble. But it was not soon enough. He should have been locked up way before this. No, what the cop did was not right, I do not stand up for that pig. He did what he did because he is no better than trump, violence is what makes him feel empowered. The pig should be charged with first degree murder and the other swine that were with him should also be charged with not putting an end to the unlawful and inhumane treatment. There is no excuse for what they did and didn't do. But violent protests, riots and looting isn't helping anyone. I feel that many of them are acting out their total frustrations on the way this country has gone. And now is as good of a time as any to get rid of the pent up hostility and anger. Again, what does it solve? Nothing.