Author: The Buchanans Rolling Down The Road

What can be said, about a crusty old curmudgeon, with no fixed address … not much I guess.

Day 2353

Wednesday March 13th 2024

Dear Journal:

Well 6:46 has now become what I classify as sleeping in, at least for me, I was rousted out of bed by Mister Sam this morning, he wanted the bedroom window shade up so he could watch the birds, bunnies, and chipmunks. He had already had his morning treats thanks to Miss Laurie who was up and had the coffee perking when I was awoken from my sleep. Oh well it is light out and the sun will peak over the mountain any moment, so I guess it is time that I was up. The smell of the perking coffee almost makes it seem like a good time to be up and a few moments latter after that first sip of coffee, my whole world seems to make much more sense.

A little television this morning as we enjoy our coffee and see that the folks up in Ontario are getting some spring weather this morning, We just hope it is going to be an early spring and that the nice weather is still there when we arrive in a month or so. Miss Laurie prepared an omelet this morning for breakfast, we will try and connect with some friends today, but as of yet have not heard from anyone. I’m going to hike around the Arboretum this morning, it has been a while since my last walk, and it is always a good idea to know where the best spots are for the weekend crowds, and I have not been as mobile as I would like to be this year, but I’m feeling good this morning.

Spring has obviously hit the Arizona desert as well as we have roses budding, cactus and yuccas blooming along with a splattering of spring flowers, the cotton wood trees in the Queen creek canyon are in full leaf and we have had enough rain that even the Ocotillo have leaves. A walk in the Arboretum shows that this warm weather has got everything bursting to life. Ayer lake is almost full, the area looks so much better now as the barriers have been removed and the water foul appear to be making this home. The Arboretum is busy today, not weekend busy but too busy for me to enjoy my walk, there were people in all of my favorite spots, and with spring break there was too much noise to see much wildlife, although there was a vermillion flycatcher enjoying some insects around Ayer lake, too far away for my iPhone to capture but great to observe anyway.

Well after my walk I settled into my recliner and started a new book this morning, I’m still experiencing problems with the Libby App and the Hamilton Library, I have been able to log in again and have got a few books but for some reason the reciprocity with other libraries is no longer in place, making it difficult to get some of the books that I want in the order that I want them. I have been reading a number of different serries and it just is nice to read them in the correct order, but now that I only have the one library to draw from I have a few issues getting the next volumes. I’m not sure what the problem is but I’m assuming it still has something to do with the Hamilton City hall hack last month.

After reading and sneaking a short nap while enjoying some lap time from Mister Sam, I figured it was time to get back to work on todays blog. I did not write one yesterday as I just worked around the coach while Miss Laurie went on a rock hounding adventure, I resealed Thunders windshield in prep for our trek north, and I ordered a number of items off of Amazon so I can finish a number of projects before heading north. The items should all be here next week, giving me a couple of weeks to get things finished off.

Day 2351

Monday March 11th 2024:

Dear Journal:

Can 6:10 be considered sleeping in? Whether yes or no, this morning I woke up to dawn in the Arizona desert, it was light enough that it just felt like time to get up. I made my way to the galley to get Mister Sam his morning treats, check the coach temperature 61ºF (16ºC), chilly enough to prompt me to start the heater, to just take the chill off. At 6:39 I’m standing on our patio in my housecoat to snap the above photo, well most of you folks have just endured another time shift for daylight saving time, a practice that Arizona has decided not to participate in and it is great, no worrying about being late to events, oh we still get lots of clock adjustments as we travel and we now have three hours to adjust for as we head back to Ontario next month.

Miss Laurie has been recruited to help in the garden this morning as with the wet winter has a surplus of unwanted growth (weeds) in the gardens in front of the Arboretum visitor center. Everyone looks for Miss Laurie to help in so many areas of the Arboretum, she has been taught most tasks around the visitor center and of course she finds weeding to be relaxing, which makes her a hero with the horticulture staff. I on the other hand, I’m not nearly in as much demand, which works out ok for me, I have some projects in the coach today, and a book to read, possibly a beverage or two that I need to consume before heading back north. I know sounds like a tough job but I am up for the task.

With Miss Laurie starting work this morning at eight o’clock, it make me feel a little guilty so I will tackle some of my projects earlier than normal. It is not lost on me that we are heading north in less than a month, and I have so many things that need to be done before we start the trek. And this is going to be a few weeks of so many little updates and repairs.

Miss Laurie didn’t make it back to the coach till after two in the afternoon, as usual she ended up finishing the weeding on her own as the other volunteer had to leave before eleven o’clock. Then she offered to cover for some of the staff lunches in the gift shop.

The afternoon was spent with Mister Sam and Miss Laurie napping on the bed and me ordering some items from Amazon and reading. Mondays are our down day after a weekend of volunteering in the admission booth.