WHERE IS DON QUIXOTE?

Wind Turbine I-90 (Husband photo)

When traveling home across lower Minnesota and upper Iowa, I was reminded of Don Quixote, man of La Mancha, who among other feats battled windmills in the two volume classic written by Miguel de Cervantes. Cervante's two volume The Ingenius Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha is considered a founding work of Western literature and often appears on many list of best literary works and basis for musicals and other works of art, including Picasso.

So what triggered my memory of Quixote?

Windmills of course, except they were wind turbines, allegedly to be the modern salvation of energy for electricity, or at least subsidize present sources of electrical power. Texan T Boone Pickens, an oil millionaire, but surprisingly an environmentalist, is a proponent of wind turbines, natural gas as major substitute for many crude oil uses, a grid of electric recharging stations for electric cars and preserving/distributing clean water.

Wind Turbine Field I-90

Wind turbines were on hills and open land along wide spans of I-90 and into upper Iowa along I-35. Husband [H] and I had never seen so many wind turbines located along a single span of highway. Texas has wind turbine farms, especially in West Texas, I have heard. [See another wind turbine at end of this post with a question.]

Iowa Roadside Park (Husband Photo)



Along I-90 in lower Minnesota, at a very nice rest stop, H discovered this plaque about the connection of I-90. A large plaque marks the area and gives a history of completion of this important east-west interstate highway. [See
photo at end of this post.] 

Iowa Roadside Park (Husband Photo)

If you thought you had heard the last of the porta-pot, husband (H) needed rest stop in Iowa somewhere south of Des Moines, I think. The condition of the ROADSIDE PARK  sign at the designated area should have said "keep on truckin" but we stopped.

There was an ancient red house, with every entryway boarded and, yes, an ancient porta-pot in the back yard. I learned my lesson to avoid porta-pots earlier in the trip. H did not use the porta-pot, and obviously the house was not accessible.

Iowa Roadside Park (Husband Photo)

Truthfully, I think Roadside Park and (Roadside) Rest Stop are different genre along highways and byways. Roadside parks usually have picnic tables but not necessarily other facilities. Oklahoma has lots of roadside parks and their signs add 'no facilities.' Rest Stops have facilities, usually outdoor tables, and sometimes places to walk dogs for doggie relief.

Iowa Roadside Park Porta-Pot -Wonder How
Many Snakes Abide Inside/ Outside Here?

We discovered a new food restaurant chain on the return route called Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. The food is reasonably priced; generally two can eat for about $20. The tip may run it over a bit.

It seemed to originate in Iowa and prevalent in the Midwest. There are several in Missouri and one in  Blytheville, AR. See their site for locations. 

Their specialty is an all-in-one dish served in a huge biscuit shell. I did not try that-too many calories. I consider it a personal triumph to have only gained 2 pounds on this near 3-week tour. 

Our arrival in Springfield and then home went as planned. We arrived home prayerfully thankful for a trip filled with memories for the rest of our lives and gratefully to be all in one piece.

H drove every mile and his back suffered some discomfort. My heart-asthma-COPD acted up, but I was prepared with medications to subdue them, nor did either of us miss but one scheduled event.

Luckie Dozing  On Our Covered Deck

Luckie, for once did not pout after her long stay, but she is still a bit apprehensive when we both leave, either together or separately. This is somewhat normal for her as she has anxiety syndrome when left alone. The syndrome is much better than her rather destructive behavior when she was younger.

Posts still to come: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Mammoth Site, Custer Park, Spearfish Canyon, Badlands.

How many forms of energy being generated, consumed or possibly becoming a source of energy or recycled energy,can you find in the above photo. My list below next photo. You may find more!

Plaque At Rest Stop And Junction Where East-Bound
and West-Bound I-90 Were Joined. Very Interesting!

My answers.

1. Wind turbine garners wind energy.

2. Power lines carry energy to designation end user.

3. Trucks [left lane] using diesel or other form of petroleum, and various petroleum lubricants, which can be recycled.

4. White line on horizon may be jet contrails; hence aeronautic petroleum use.

5. Car [right lane] very edge of photo, petroleum or hybrid today; hydrogen, electric or natural gas in the future.

6. There is a crop which appears to be corn in the field which possibly is used to make alcohol to be mixed with petroleum products for vehicle consumption, or, depending on purity, might be used in other commercial products.

7. In the very far distance I believe there is a clump of trees. Regardless, trees, weeds, grasses all could be used to provide heat by burning.

8. The sun was shining this day and photo was early morning. Solar energy can be converted to several kinds of energy.

9. I wonder if atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is supposedly causing the 'green' effect, can be converted to something positive? [Maybe we should be looking at that instead of scaring bejebees out of  us!

See You Later on the Blog Pike

Luckie's Hedge Hog Toy

As we near the end of our bustling week of packing Luckie placed her favorite toy on the bed where we were placing clothes, and other items of travel. I wondered if she wanted to be sure we packed it in her things for boarding, or wanted us to take it with us to remind us of her. The poor toy, which I called a procupine, or groundhog, has lost one ear all four feet and a tail; it is  obviously filthy. I do wash it occasionally, but not lately.

Whichever the case, I am continue to be amazed, how animals attached to us, have the innate sense to changes occurring, or soon to occur, in our routines-that goes for illnesses, too. Luckie knows she has a pile of things that go with her to the kennels for boarding including medicines are on the kitchen island. And she has noticed me fixing my medicines, and sortting through clothes.

Or she wants us to be sure it is packed with her bag to the kennels for her "spa" vacation. Because she is epileptic, we board her at her vet kennels, which is no more expensive than private kennels. The kennel girls love her and spoil her. However, she seems to dislike boarding, even with the extra attention.

She gives me the most forlorn look when I leave her at the vet boarding kennels and pouts for a week when we return home and retrieve her. She knows how to give you guilt trip.  I guess we commit some grievious sin leaving her. She is a rescue dog, and has some anxiety issues. I call several times while we are gone to check on her. Guess I have anxiety issues, too.

She travels beautifully, but our trips are usually to family and friends--in this case, a vacation group tour-- where a dog is not something I impose on my hosts, who may have different pets, or do not like pets. Now that Luckie is older (about 11), the vet is the safest place to be, for near 24-hour supervision.

She really will hate us this time as she is getting her annual vaccines and teeth cleaned, plus I purchase a year's supply of flea repellent tablets and heartworm medicine, while boarding. She can't hate it any worse than I hate to see the bill--boarding is the least expensive item. I buy any medicines she needs throughout the year at a retail pharmacy IF they are also used for human treatment. Price is around 50% less.

LUCKIE knows it is nearly time to say--for about 2.5 weeks: so long, goodbye, adios, adieu, sayonara, hasta la vista, ta ta, cheerio, see you later on the 'Net.'

[Her owners may have time for short blogs or e-mails, depending on the intensity (and exhaustion) of their vacation day's activities.]

"I can't take my favorite 'reserved for me' lift chair to the 'spa.'"

Saga of a Bearded Collie

Most of my readers know I love animals, especially dogs, so when I saw a card at All Creatures Veterinary Hospital in Mountain Home AR, promoting a book about a rescued dog, written by a local author, I ordered the book.

All Creatures Veterinary Hospital played a part in Luckie's rescue story, too. [Luckie and I as kindred spirits...., Luckie's "forever" home, How Luckie acquired her name, Luckie's nickname: Meatloaf, Luckie and all our dogs .]

Sometime ago I mentioned purchasing this book, HaTeya Sam, by Deborah Dreher Lively, author/artist. The principal subject is a rescued Bearded Collie, named HaTeya Sam.

HaTeya means "to make a footprint." The name was selected by the author, but her husband preferred Sam, so Sam became his common name.

The 32-page book is a poem about the rescue of Sam, found with injured, broken foot on a city street, taken to the abovedmentioned veterinary hospital and then rescue facility, Rocky Ridge Refuge, Gassville AR. Rocky Ridge Refuge is home of Lurch, the Watusi steer, featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Nov. 15, 2007 & Jan. 9, 2008.

Sam was rescued by author, Deborah Dreher Lively. Sam, like our Luckie, found and deserved "heaven." Unlike Luckie (rescued as 2.5 year old adult female), Sam was a 6-week-old male puppy.

This easy-to-read book is directed toward children. It could easily be used to teach children (and adults) that all forms of abuse are wrong, whether to adults, children, or animals. Further the indomitable, forgiving spirit of Sam with the help of kind, humane persons culminated into a life-changing experience for him, and his new owners.

Author Lively has a second book, Walkabout Sam, due out early this fall. She has another publication listed with Amazon.com, Vanishing Treasure of the Virungas.

I highly recommend HaTeye Sam for children, perhaps as a prelude to introduction of an animal into a household. Children sometimes do not understand a pet is not a toy to be tossed, kicked or squeezed. The book, richly illustrated by author/artist Lively, tells the joy of sharing, caring and companionship of a domesticated animal, in this case a dog.

Other sites featuring HaTeya Sam are listed below:
http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/HaTeyaSam.html
http://www.prlog.org/10279438-playful-pups-true-adventures-will-delight-readers-of-all-ages.html
http://www.target.com/HaTeya-Sam-Lively-Deborah-Dreher/dp/1608600297
and many more. There are 10 Google search web pages for HaTeya Sam!

For photos see web links or author/artist Lively's web site.

Hateya Sam may be purchased from several sources, including Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, or directly from the author at the following address, or e-mail:

Deborah Lively
172 Robin Drive
Mountain Home, AR 72653
e-Mail: jesse045@centurytel.net

Birthday Duet Vacation!

Life is never a nicely defined, straight line. How I wish it were, but I dream and digress.

When my husband and I were considerably younger, whether in military service, or our busy civilian lives, or retirement, the word VACATION usually meant trips to visit families and friends in Texas or the Carolinas.

Exceptions were two or three trips to Arkansas fishing, which fueled our dreams to semi-retire in Arkansas.

Time has evaporated during 40 years of marriage and we are in our supposed golden years, maybe a little tarnished 70s. During that time trips began to have a medical purpose attached--no vacation, but nevertheless, a journey.

One pipe dream, a driving tour of the Northwest, will probably never occur, unless we schedule some kind of tour, or hire a driver.

Of course, some would argue, since we both are retired, we are on permanent vacation.

Since we have birthdays approximately two months apart, we are planning a modest 50 mile round trip up Bull Shoals Lake to the Black Oaks Resort, Oakland, AR., for a week of fishing or whatever the weather permits. We may hire a fishing guide, hopefully to guarantee we catch fish. If I am unable to get in our boat away from our stall, I can be content with my laptop; the resort has WiFi.

By mutual agreement this is our birthday gift(s) to each other; hence, Birthday Duet, no singing allowed.

We are leaving Aug. 13 and returning home Aug. 20. Luckie will be reclining at her friendly vet, although that is forced vacation in her eyes. [left adjacent photo]

I may be fishing and enjoying a week of Slider Days during our modest Birthday Duet Vacation!!!

Again I may find a lot of photos I just have to share as soon as I return to the cabin where my laptop is!!! I will be prepared to enjoy whatever comes my way, fishing or relaxing, surfing the 'Net, or roaming the countryside, if weather permits, with two cameras.

I will be reading posts, watching TV, a little cooking-mostly MICROWAVE. Those who follow me know I hate cooking. But I'm looking forward to a change of pace and hope the health of both of us holds up for awhile.

Saga of the Computer from Hell (CFH), Wireless Problems Begin - Part 2

Part 2 of the saga begins after returning home with the exchanged Computer from Hell (CFH). Again we set it up and I put it through its paces. The DVD-CD ROM recorder/player worked. However, it would not connect to my Internet Provider, no matter how I configured the integrated USB wireless G network provision.

The immediate suspect was the USB Wireless on-board provision. I call integrated motherboards the All-In One (AIO) motherboards. The only repair is replacement of motherboard.

I began a round-robin of long-distance phone calls, some toll-free, beginning with the big box store (BBS). This call alerted me to the unwritten uselessness of the warranty extension/maintenance agreement I purchase at a hefty price.

One provision was "in-home" repair. I was informed it only covered a 40 mile radius of any store in its large chain. No store was within 40 miles of my home. And "NO, I cannot ship the unit to any store--too many liabilities to the store," a limitation not written in the contract, nor orally explained to me.

I felt deceived, so I made additional calls up the BBS chain of command to the executive level officers (XO), reminding them, their customers and advertising extended more than 40 miles outside their location. Every response was a cold " it's our policy!" The last phone call I reminded the XO of the exponential effect of one person's dissatisfaction regaled to seven other persons who told seven other persons.

Since the manufacturer's warranty was one year and still in effect, I contacted the internationally known computer manufacturer (CM) with whom I had registered the computer's serial and model numbers. This action began a round-robin of phone calls between the CM, Internet service provider (ISP), wireless/wired router tech support and me. After I successfully connected to the Internet with a wired network provision also integrated on the motherboard, CM accepted the computer for repair (replace motherboard).

[Luckie doesn't compute - impatient when I ignore attempts for attention or food is on menu!]

Next: Saga continues...this should be a book!