24/7 Chat About Anything

[GypsyJan]

Treated myself to a holiday road trip to see the decorations at Biltmore Castle. 2 nights at a motel and 3 nights at truck stops. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the cooler weather. I slept about 12 hours last night, snug as a bug, under a super duvet and a heavy throw. It was 33 degrees at 7 am with thick ice on the windshield, so I guess it was even cooler during the night.

I cooked breakfast earlier in the week at 42 degrees at a rest stop picnic table. It has been a good chance to tweak my set up. I wish I was more of a minimalist so the car would stay tidy, but it was enjoyable and worked out anyway.

I shift items at night from the cot to "shelves" I jury-rig using the camp chair, two 2x2x33 inch "table legs" and a fold-flat side table. One shelf I set up from the dash to the top of the front passenger seat and another from the top of the driver's seat to the top of the left rear passenger seat. Then I sit items in baskets on the "shelves"...the items being paper goods, groceries and clothes. The baskets snug up to the curtains and hold those close to the windows. In the morning I transfer the baskets, chair, etc. back to the cot and drive to the next place.

When I stay at a campground, I set up a tent and put the baskets, chair, table, etc. in there so there is more room to manuever around the cot in the car. When I go on the road full time, I plan to get a swing-out hitch basket and maybe a Thule cargo box for the roof.

 

[nature lover]

I’m laid up in Florida with his foot problem. But I just wanna say have a blessed and happy CHRISTmas to everybody, if you can except that, if you don’t well happy whatever to you. You know Christmas time is a wonderful time for me. always has been because I’m a fat man and I have a large white beard, about down to my navel, and I get called Santa Claus quite a bit. But hey, December is the only month a fat man with a beard gets a break, I can even get some women to sit on my lap at Christmas time. For the children I keep a list of those who are good. For the more mature women I keep a list of those who are bad.

 

[crofter]

And Merry Christmas to everyone! I enjoyed walking around looking at lights and some fireworks this evening, as well as looking at the Conjunction. Pretty cool.

Earthsky says its the last full moon of the decade, so here is their link for stargazers.
-crofter

https://earthsky.org/tonight

 

[maki2]

A project I built, Santa's Workshop

 

[maki2]

Cloudy and windy Christmas eve day. I had planned on having Tamales for my diiner and that is happening. It is cold enough that I was going to appreciate extra warmth inside. I have also been wanting to try making a slow simmering pot of chili con carne on my diesel cooktop. Pleased to find out it does a great low heat simmer. The trailer is plenty warm but easy to keep from getting too hot by letting in some extra fresh air. The blower fan in the atove is not even making a dent on my battery capacity on this overcast day. My 150 watt panel is sufficient for running the heater, the fridge, charging devices and lights.

With an all new build there are things yet to be tested to see how good it will work out.  But so far so good

I might have gotten this batch of chili a little hotter than normal but I am not yet done making it.

 

[Freelander]

I might have gotten this batch of chili a little hotter than normal but I am not yet done making it.

I like Hot Chile. If I'm not sweating from a big bowl of Red it ain't done yet!!!

 

[travelaround]

Hello, Merry Christmas... hope you're having a good Christmas Day wherever you are. I'm in my (loaned) travel trailer and it is warm in here but cold and raining outside. I will have to venture out into it to put the spare propane tank on the front of the trailer soon enough. Also I have gifts to take to my daughter's family... later, when they call and tell me it is time. They're still only two spaces away in this RV park, but soon will be moving across town to a property with a fenced yard, good for the children. Maybe by New Year's Day.

Last night I watched "Surviving Christmas" on Amazon Prime. It was good enough to make me laugh a few times. Great Christmas Eve therapy for a person who lives alone.

@Gypsyjan - your getaway vacay to Biltmore Castle is inspiring. I looked the place up on Google. What a lovely castle! I'd also like to go on a short vacation. Too bad so much in this West Coast area is closed due to Covid. CA tourist attractions are pretty much hopeless. Oregon is not the direction I'd prefer to go in.... trying to avoid snow, of course. Not sure where I'd want to go or when or how. I hope this Covid lockdown stuff ends soon. Truth is, I'm in a good place, in the middle of a forest in a tiny secluded community where fear of Covid isn't as much an issue as in many other places. It seems I should just stay put for a while. That was the general idea of the tribe loaning out all these travel trailers... to keep us (homeless forest fire survivors) away from areas with a high incidence of Covid.

So, since I'm alone and I want to have fun, I'm going shopping online. Yes, a good old fashioned shopping spree. That should keep me happy for a while. I honestly rarely do this, but right now there's no reason why not to, and I don't want to get in the rut of being a single person ruminating about how awful it is to be alone on Christmas. I see plenty of those on Facebook groups. In the past in Idaho I invited another loner out to Christmas (or Thanksgiving) dinner at a fancy restaurant. They have such nice holiday buffets! I recommend that to anyone wanting to have a nice time on a holiday... and make it nicer for a friend as well. Here in the forest, there are no full service restaurants nearby and if there were they'd be closed due to Covid... so I'm reinventing the loner Christmas for me, with a movie and shopping online. Have a nice day.

 

[maki2]

It is intetesting that the last few years have brought more loner Christmas time than in years wnen I was out and about at Christmas. This Christmas season is no exception to that. I am spending the holidays with new friends many who are members of this forum and frieds of theirs as well. For all of them this is a real gift just to have fun conversations and getting to know you. It is absolutely not a Christmas where giving exppensive gifts is of any importance. It is all about goodwill and kindness and having pleasant times.

Fortunately I am not in a stage of grieving for past Christmases. If you are not with others this day then be your own best friend and be of good cheer. Savor the little things the day brings. Right at the moment I am listening to Christmad day caroling from coyotes.  this is the most active vocalization I have heatd since I arrived and it is mid day so I know that this is their special concert they have arranged just for me   I would give them peanut butter sandwhiches if they revealed themselves. no canine biscuits so sanwhiches will have to do.

 

[nature lover]

The Biltmore at Christmas time is spectacular. But the spring time there are more tulips and azaleas than you’ve seen in any one place in your life. I’m talking about acre after acre. A 40 x 60 side porch covered with a trellis of wisteria. Watch out for bees on the wisteria porch. The house is gorgeous the grounds to me are spectacular.

 

[crofter]

I am making dinner for a relative soon, simple meat and potatoes but a good meal. I did the Christmas Day church thing online, it was pretty sweet. My gift was money for shoes - yes ! You have no idea how big the blowout is in my tennies. So all in all a nice Christmas.
Blessings.  -crofter

 

[travelaround]

The West Coast equivalent to the Biltmore is Hearst Castle. I've been there only once, a long time ago. The Hearst family built another castle-like home in the county I live in, on the other side of Mt. Shasta. That property, Wyntoon, is not open to the public. The family apparently still uses it.

I had some fun yesterday giving Christmas gifts to the grandchildren (and their parents) . . . so happy to see they liked what I gave them. The granddaughter got a nice art set in a wooden carrying case because she was so happy to use my art studio table in my mobile home. She could not wait and immediately created a watercolor painting for me. It is now on my refrigerator door. The grandson got a scientific sort of magic set because he likes science and enjoys doing magic tricks. Also a few other presents for each. Gotta love the kids. Babykins got another blanket and clothes. He's not quite a month old and wasn't terribly impressed, and didn't complain about just getting clothes.

So here we are on boxing day - and I love that I have a peaceful place to do whatever I'm going to do. The only thing that comes to mind as a needful thing is laundry. It rained all last night. It rained hard. The road looked like a lake. There was incessant pounding on the ceiling of my trailer. But now, it is silent. Oh, and there's one more needful thing - more propane. Since I have so little to do, I think I'll start on my 2021 goals. I like to ponder on this topic between Christmas and New Year's Day.

 

[nature lover]

This year I am making the same New Years resolution I’ve done for the last 10. My New Year’s resolution is to make no resolutions. And this is the only resolution I’ve ever made that I’ve kept.

 

[maki2]

The really fun NewYears day was the year 2000, that really brought out the crazies.

This year there is a somber note to people's hopes and dreams.

I wish for everyone to have a prosperous New Year. In the nature of "live long and prosper" which is not soley focused upon finacial prospgerity but much more related to having a good all around life.

 

[nature lover]

If you always wonder why I am always trying to joke on my posts it’s because if I don’t I’ll go nuts. Depression has plagued me for years and humor usually makes it better Right now I’m depressed and I actually thought of going home. But I have no “home”. Or better said this is my home. So I’m going to make the best of it.. I started out this journey knowing that I was not really fit to do it but was determined anyhow. I’m trying to keep that same attitude today.

 

[crofter]

If you always wonder why I am always trying to joke on my posts it’s because if I don’t I’ll go nuts....

I find that keeping a journal of my observations is important. On here I write about things of general concern. In my journal, it is more about nature observations, study of a bird or other animal, geological features or even the bright colors of a flower or a sunset.

I also keep project notes and punch lists, helps me feel forward movement when there seems to be none. There is always forward movement.

To reinforce this writing practice, I belong to a contemplative group online. I sometimes take classes there. www.spiritualityandpractice.org

For me these observations are the physical manifestation of the wind beneath my wings, and they lift me up. Writing down my observations helps to cement the good into my spirit.
-crofter

 

[nature lover]

Thank you crofter - I also do a lot of writing, I keep a notepad and pen in. my pocket always. I keep track of my meds and other stuff that way but most of the notebook has to do with ideas that I have that I don’t want to lose. Then when those ideas get bigger I make a file in my file cabinet and think they might turn into something bigger. I often write down quotes from signs, books, and websites that are meaningful to me. And yes jokes that I hear are written there too .

I have written five books in my life three were self published the other two there was a minor publisher. When I say books I’m taking liberty with one it’s really a booklet and it’s about humor. It’s called “udder-ly ridiculous” Caw jokes and other farmyard humor. I mentioned it because it’s sold more than any other I have re-printed dozens of times. Most of my writing is about nature and how I draw spiritual inspiration from it for my Christian faith.

The depression I deal with is a result of bipolar disorder. I’ve been on medication for nearly 30 years. When I have a Manic time I am very productive I have finished more projects in the days and nights it came without sleep and boosted my energy. Course the doctor says this isn’t healthy. But what does he know he’s only a doctor

 

[maki2]

I have used about 1 gallon of diesel for heater/ cooktop since I arrived in Quqrtzsite aripoundvthe 20th or so of November. So under $4.00. The erlectric to run the fan on my heater has been provided from my battery that is charged with solar.

But to be clear, I am not running the heater all night, I turn it off when I go to bed. But now in late December I do typically run it for a few hours a day in the morning and evening. 

Last year I was trying to estimate how much my fuel cost for diesel would be for a winter month in Arizona I figred it on being closer to $20.00 a month.

Sp far its working out OK. But I think it is almost t ime to head further south and take advantage of it being a little bit wasrmer closer to the border. That means getting off my duff and begining the clean and sort process sdo it is easier to pack things up. I will space it out ovebthe next week otbtwonwhile finishing up some build task to get materials fixed in place for the intended purpose.

 

[travelaround]

I've had a wonderful day inside my trailer. Didn't go outside at all, not even to change propane tanks. It is nice to be able to rest, relax, and think about where I'm going in life. Reading is happening. Blogging is happening.

 

[nature lover]

I just had another “home“ visit from my nurse. I wonder how many times they visit a pasture field with a van sitting in the middle of it. I asked her how long do you think I’ll need to stay here with my leg propped up waiting for this thing to heal, a month? Her answer was at least. So here I sit in Florida enjoying bright sunshine during the day but not going anywhere or taking any nature pictures. I am not gonna let that get me too far down I’m going to keep going mentally if not physically. God bless the nomads all across this continent and a few of our friends from elsewhere.

 

[bullfrog]

Endeavor to persevere! One of my favorite movie lines from “Outlaw Josey Wales”.