Sun Dog

Monsoon!

It's become such a rarity it's now worthy of a blogpost. As noted in the video's description, an afternoon shower was, in the '70s and early '80s (and probably before) a common occurrence, usually happening every few days. 

This is the 1st in several years.

Sparkler Egg

 Check this out!

See more here...

https://travelsofaramblingvan.blogspot.com/?m=1

New Tent

Jessica, my hospice nurse, enjoys going to estate sales. Five months ago I mentioned my interest in a sleeved tent. Today it was delivered...brand - as in never opened - new! 

I tightened up the bungee cord in the poles but otherwise it's ready to go. 

Coleman Go! 4-person.

Chaco Canyon is the destination but we're thinking of one or two test runs. The National Forest campgrounds, there're two, along the Jemez River feature pit toilets, are only $2.50 for seniors and there's a noisy little river (for aqua enthusiasts, dogs and what have you.)

The Ojito Wilderness is free, doesn't have weird-smelling asphalt and best of all, no neighbors. Will i make it to either one?

Remembering Al Christensen

Al didn't post to his blog on any kind of regular basis, but after the better part of a month and no replies to my or other peoples' inquiries, i filed a missing persons report with the Sheriff in Crescent City, California and with the State Highway Patrol. He turned up (dead) in Arcata, California where he'd gone to get checked for a uti. Somehow, probably due to some minor surgery, sepsis got loose, and it was soon over.

Details here...

https://albertsturkey.blogspot.com/2025/08/al-christensen-died.html?m=1

Rereading this post,

https://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2025/07/what-view.html?m=0

i found my comment w the coordinates to the turnoff to the Elwha River area. Pursuing it further led to this Youtube video 

about the dams being taken out after the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's lobbying culminated in the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act of 1992.

Signed by President George H.W. Bush (41st prez from '89 to '93, a.k.a. Bush the Elder, of all people!!), this federal law authorized the government to buy out the dams and dismantle them specifically to restore the native ecosystem and protect tribal treaty rights.

Al's last post on July 23rd, 2025, conveyed his laid-back style & showed him chillin' somewhere among the big trees.

https://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-talk-to-trees-but-they-dont-listen-to.html?m=0

Gone, but not forgotten.

And, at least as far as rivers go, it appears reincarnation is a fact. ✨

"Jugz" he wuz known as...

 ...in them days. No one wanted to see his though.

There're 3 melons hiding amongst the foliage at the bottom of the photo.

Hints of a cob

 

Hiding in upper left

Treasure Tray

A few weeks in the making, it arrived today. I'd requested it for a selection of tiny treasures i found in a big arroyo at the foot of the Sandias. How did a deposit of tiny shells get in that arroyo?

SR Shelves

Efforts to bring the Smirket Room (SR) online as a maker space took a major leap forward w the addition of Eric Montoya's custom-crafted shelves.

Eric is a retired engineer from Sandia Labs. He has extensive experience in all aspects of residential construction and has a complete wood-working shop. This, his latest contribution, helps maximize storage for boxes of  small items.

Joinery you'd expect from an engineer.

A facing to hide the unfinished edge of the plywood.

Two removable shelves made it easier to move the unit into place.

Finished plywood adds a level of aesthetic appeal.

Yesterday's Clouds

 

Watering gets me out for the sunset.

Summer!

In days of yore we cavorted in the lakes of the California Sierras.

July 7, 2017

https://newmexnomad.blogspot.com/2017/07/sierra-mountains-california.html?m=1

July 28, 2017

https://newmexnomad.blogspot.com/2017/07/paddleboarding-union-reservoir.html?m=1

Now I guage the time of remaining temperate temps by the sun's morning position on the Sandia Mountains. That hump to the right (south) of the tree beyond the wall is a marker.

Then the wildlife stops by for breakfast...

And departs

Farmer

 

Riders

 Riders on the Storm

After a palliative dose of LSD and an evening of music, found these to share.

A bunch of people around the world doing The Doors's: Riders On the Storm

About Playing For Change

https://playingforchange.com/join

All below are Riders in the Sky

Vaughn Monroe

Blues Bros

Neil LeVang

Spiderbait

Gene Autry

Pedal Steel (instrumental)

Doug Beaumier's website

Duane Eddy (with a hint of saxaphone)

Horseweed

Trying to trim nose hair, Mr. Nose took a hit. Michelle had tooken a liking to the horseweed growing in the front and learned it whar good fer whut ails yuh including staunching of blood flow. It worked! Instantly! Amazing!

My left eye is blind. I had a little LSD too.

Chairs

Recently, Greg in Travels of a Rambling Van, told how they get every penny's worth out of their stuff. I had to tell how much worth i get from fewer pennies and lauded my $4.00 chair that needed $0.53 in repairs. 

A kind woman in an Oregon thrift store saw it was broken and i saw it was easily fixable. A win-win.

Here it is on the back veranda. Look closely at the front starboard leg and you'll see the machine screw, washer & nylok nut.

Here also is a Pietro Costantini chair rescued some 35 years ago from a street in the student ghetto. Worth approximately $1,500.00, i recently paid $150.00 to have it refurbished.