Tuesday, March 9...Hold The Line (Toto)

 There was the smell of a very interesting kind of smoke in the air this morning when I left the camper.  It smelled like burning leaves but there are no leaves to burn around here so next guess was pot but what do I know about that. No heavy smoke in the air; only a sky full of very legitimate clouds.  Never did figure out the source of the smell...I just know that it wasn’t regular campfire smell and it lingered most of the morning.

--------------------

   I disturbed the clean-up crew this morning when I stepped out the door. Birds were busy cleaning up the popcorn mess from our movie night last evening.  I had swept up what was on the rug but did nothing with the popcorn that landed in the dirt.  Figured the birds or other ground critters would think they’d hit the jackpot if they found it...and they did indeed find it. 

--------------------

 We had plans for the middle of the day so this morning’s walk was going to be short.  I took the kids with me for one last scramble up the tractor tire.  Shelby and Charlie sat in the stroller watching Dylan and Clayton scamper up like little monkeys.  In fact, that’s exactly how I envisioned myself doing it a couple of years ago.  My technique was less monkey and more a sprawl and crawl with a push now and then from Kim.  But the boys just climbed right up the tread.  And they even felt bold enough to stand up this time...although Dylan said he really preferred to lay down with his face propped in his hands and his feet hanging off the back.  Didn’t get as many steps as I would normally during my morning walk but I didn’t have the time and was happy to be able to get even a short walk in.  Kids were happy to accompany me.  Whole lotta happiness gained by going on that walk.

   And bonus! we found a squished snake.  Not exactly on my list of fun things to see but the kids were intrigued.  I guess the last two days might have been warm enough for snakes to start seeking the warmth of the pavement.  As if seeing it once wasn’t enough, they were on the lookout to see it again on the way back.  Even Shelby who’s scared of most things that Nature has to offer was squatting down, checking it out. Snakes obviously don’t bother them as much as they bother their dad.

--------------------

   The clouds a few sprinkles of rain today.  About enough to turn on the wipers.  By the time we were heading home from Tucson the sky had turned blue, the wind had picked up and there was blowing dirt just outside of Marana...but it was just windy at the campground, no flying dirt.

--------------------

   Today we headed to Tucson for Kim’s appointment to get his first COVID vaccine.  It was a drive-thru situation located at the University of Arizona and he was scheduled for 11:45 a.m....be there 15 minutes early the email said.  We happened to be about 25 minutes early and were directed to join the
right lane up ahead to get on with the process.  At this point we starting interacting with people who were wielding tablets and talking to those in line:  ID and registration number was checked against info on tablet, registration number was written on the windshield...up ahead ID and registration number checked again against info on tablet, a check mark was added to the windshield...pull ahead, please, and keep your ID handy because you’ll be asked for it again.  Pull up behind a stopped line of vehicles, vaccination tent in sight...and the system shut down.  As in the system that everyone was using on their tablets shut down.  Aghhh!  So everyone in line has nothing to do but wait...for about 15 minutes.  Line finally started moving again and at 12:23 p.m. Kim got his first vaccination.  Yay!  Then it was off to wait in another line for 15 minutes to make sure he has no reaction and to set up his next appointment...and all numbers were wiped off the windshield. 

   Shut down of the computer system aside, it was a very slick process.  So many volunteers making it run like a well-oiled machine.  I was impressed and those responsible deserve a shout out. 

--------------------

   Went to Arizona Pizza Company for lunch.  Split a calzone, which is really a heart attack waiting to happen.  OMGoodness! those things are huge...and so cheesy good!  One more stop and then we were on our way back to the campground.

   Willie and Ann stopped in for an overnight and Marshal grilled brats and burgers for supper.  Followed that up with a campfire and s’mores.  Kiddos went to bed and adults stayed out by the fire a little longer.   Although it got into the high 70’s for temperature today, it became necessary to ward off an evening chill...long pants and jackets were just the ticket.  Of course, drawing close to the fire helped, too.  No wine tonight but some had beer. 😎

--------------------

   Tomorrow Marshal, Callie and the kiddos head out to Tennessee...they’ll stay at Zac and Angie’s while Callie attends a homeschool conference.  It’s fun to listen to the kids talk about what they’ve seen and done during their 4 ½ months of travel...they can tell me what but usually get confused as to the where.  It’s been a big adventure for them but I know they’re all looking forward to getting back to Michigan.    

--------------------

    Sky cleared up enough for Kim to do some imaging tonight.

--------------------

  A couple of years ago I made Kim a Hawaiian style shirt using a really fun multi-color batik fabric.  I liked it, he liked it and it seems to appeal to random strangers also. It’s interesting how many people have commented to him about it.  He always gives me the credit but it’s all about the fabric.

   Last night while we were gathering ourselves to leave Organ Stop Kim walked to a nearby store.  There’s major construction in the area so there’s a lot of stop and go traffic.  A vehicle stopped to allow Kim to cross the road in front of it...the driver rolled down his window down to call out, “Hey, man, that is the coolest shirt!”  So now maybe the shirt can add ‘traffic stopping’ to its resume. 😉

--------------------

   Loose ends: I asked Dylan tonight what his jam was...he thought about it some then said that his jam was the same as Daddy’s about burning the ships.

---