Ordinary challenges

Today was a day filled with those little challenges that I choose to think of as making life interesting.  First up on my list was learning to use the on board washer/dryer.  You wouldn't think by this stage in my life that washing clothes would be a challenge, but it was.  :(  This is one of those all in one machines that first washes and then dries your load (a very small load).  I started out with socks, undies, a couple of wash cloths, and one pair of jeans.  Oh my goodness, what a long time that first load took!  It was over two hours, and you should have seen the jeans.  There's no way I could have worn that wrinkled mess of a pair of pants without steam ironing them first.  And since I've given up ironing in the last year, I wasn't about to start in again.  The second load, I did pants and a sweatshirt. (I rewashed the first pair)  I didn't put it on automatic dry.  After the wash, I pulled the stuff out and neatly folded the pants and put them outside in the sun to dry.  That worked...no ironing needed.  Then came the third load of tee shirts.  I've been dealing with that load for over three hours.  I think I need to talk to someone with one of these Splendide washers.  It has to be easier than this!

Next on my list was to change the outside light by the door.  The bulb had apparently blown out.  Hmmm...do you know the term vertically challenged?  There is no way I can reach that bulb even with a step stool placed on the outside stairs.  Luckily, a six foot neighbor has volunteered to give it a try tomorrow.

Remember all those beautiful birds I had visiting my feeders?  Well, in the last couple of days a gazillion cowbirds have moved in and are hording all the seeds.

See all those dark dots in the field?  They're cows, and that's where the cowbirds should be!  Until they leave, I'm not putting out anymore seed.  Can you tell I was a teenager in the '60's?  I've had enough and I'm not going to take it any more!  :)  Move on, you blasted cowbirds.

When I arrived at Red Rock RV Park, I asked if I could extend my stay for another six weeks.  I thought it would be nice to stay in the Yellowstone area for a good share of the summer.  I was told that probably wouldn't be possible.  So, this afternoon I pulled out my maps and campground books and started looking into where I might go with a final destination of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon by the last week in August.  Then this evening, the owner stopped by to inform me that I was now number one on the waiting list to be able to stay.  Okay, I don't wish anyone ill will, but I hope there is a cancellation in the next two weeks.

About 4:30 this afternoon (while I was waiting for load #3 to finish), Emma and I were sitting outside enjoying the balmy temperatures and sunshine when an unbelievable blast of wind suddenly began.  Remember those three pair of pants that I had drying in the sun?  Well within seconds they were air born!  I was chasing them all over the front yard.  Then I rushed inside to roll up one of the window awnings before it took off and landed in Iowa!  Sheesh!  That blast lasted about a half an hour before the rain arrived.  As quickly as the wind and rain arrived, it moved on.  It's amazing how quickly these fronts arrive and depart.

The view out my front window shows yet another round of rain clouds approaching.

I had several other little challenges today that I won't go into.  It's a little after 8:00 right now, and I think load #3 is finally done.  I wonder what a wrinkled mess my tee shirts are in.  :(  I'd better go check.


Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy