The Class-less Class

[IYQ]

Well, I found out the valley fever test came back negative so that eliminates that for the cause of my lung problems so we are back to square one. The second lung specialist hasn't reviewed my case yet so I don't know if he thinks he can do anything to help or not. If he takes six weeks just to review the case, like the other one, I'll tell him I wouldn't send a dog to him also. I'm beginning to think I'll have to go back to North Carolina and get an appointment at Duke or Wake Forest to find out anything. That would probably put an end to my full timing. If I needed major surgery I'd have to get an apartment near my niece for recovery. If there is nothing they can do about my breathing I'd still have to find an assisted living place near my GGniece. Or get a cowgirl to travel with me and do all the set up and hitch up work. Huuummmmmm. Anyone know a cowgirl nurse with a very strong back and 15 inch biceps.

After coming back from the doctor's office, I went out on a mechanized reconnaissance to get some intelligence on goat head encampments. Found more than I would have liked and had a few skirmishes with them. Hoeing them from the golf cart doesn't take much energy but it sure gets hot.

Edited August 12, 2014 by IYQ

[sandsys]

STEVE, You're right I wish I had one almost as bad as I wish I could get my hands on that illusive ice cream machine. It sure would be nice for starting campfires. But, if I remember right my campfires seemed to start themselves. Especially when someone puts a Christmas wreath under the cable reel end.

I remember that self-starting fire. I noticed because it was the wrong time of day to be starting one. It caused just a few minutes of excitement as I remember it.

 

Linda Sand

[Roger & Lynn]

Well, I found out the valley fever test came back negative so that eliminates that for the cause of my lung problems so we are back to square one. The second lung specialist hasn't reviewed my case yet so I don't know if he thinks he can do anything to help or not. If he takes six weeks just to review the case, like the other one, I'll tell him I wouldn't send a dog to him also. I'm beginning to think I'll have to go back to North Carolina and get an appointment at Duke or Wake Forest to find out anything. That would probably put an end to my full timing. If I needed major surgery I'd have to get an apartment near my niece for recovery. If there is nothing they can do about my breathing I'd still have to find an assisted living place near my GGniece. Or get a cowgirl to travel with me and do all the set up and hitch up work. Huuummmmmm. Anyone know a cowgirl nurse with a very strong back and 15 inch biceps.

After coming back from the doctor's office

Lee, let's hope it doesn't come to you having to hang up the keys...especially before we get a chance to harass each other at Q this season. I could loan you Lynn for awhile...retired nurse but no 15" biceps. I refer to her as "nurse ratched" when she tends to me...the one in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"! Get well soon buddy!!

[Wanderin]

I sure wish everyone would stay healthy because I don't like hearing people aren't feeling good. Even Terry's been sluggish lately. It's a good thing it's not Valley Fever. My fingers are crossed they figure this out soon and get you on your way to feeling better.

[IYQ]

I think I'll declare a truss in the goat head war. I'm not getting any help from anyone and the hot weather is getting to be too much for me. I've been asking them to spay the gravel and grass areas with a broad leaf weed killer for a month now and it isn't getting done. the Goat Heads in those areas are setting seed now and it negated everything I've done. Cause next year with all those seeds being tracked around with tires and shoe soles I'll be right back to square one. The only way to get rid of goat heads is to keep them from setting seeds and that takes staying on them for the whole growing season. So my mighty army shall go down in defeat. And my back and hips will rejoice and maybe stop hurting. Besides, the Peace Nix are complaining about me picking on those poor little goat heads.

 

The gal that keeps the grounds cleaned up just came into my shop and announced that they are going to spay the grass area maybe tomorrow because it is apt to rain today. I've got news for them it is too late the goat heads in those areas have already started producing seeds and spray won't harm the seeds in the least.

 

In the meantime I'll sit around and become a couch potato thinking about what I'm going to do about this breathing problem. Just thinking about taking out the trash gets me winded and I use the golf cart for that. That's hard on the heart. Oh I forgot I don't have a heart. Maybe it's the thinking that is getting me winded. I've heard that is a bad habit.

[steved44]

Sorry about the goat head battle, and just when we were getting ready to napalm the area. I found an old Air Force buddy of mine that said he could probably still fly a phantom to carry the napalm if I would get him out of "the home" for awhile. I was going to have to fly with him and give him IFR (I follow roads) directions to your location, but I think he may not be able to hear very well. Hmmmmm Maybe the flame thrower was a better idea. l hope you can get some help with that breathing problem, no fun being winded all the time. Especially for someone as full of wind as you are. Maybe you huff and puff and blow the goat heads out of there. Steve

[hdrider]

Dang Lee,,, Have you tried goat heat weevils yet? And if they don’t work and you revert to the blow torch they just might be a tasty morsel.

Edited August 13, 2014 by hdrider

[steved44]

Hmmm goat head encrusted tilapia!

[IYQ]

. l hope you can get some help with that breathing problem, no fun being winded all the time. Especially for someone as full of wind as you are. Maybe you huff and puff and blow the goat heads out of there. Steve

. Hey, I'll have you know that I stand on my constipational rights and represent that remark. But I wish I could huff and puff a little bit better than I can right now. By the way do you have the recipe for that goat head encrusted tilapia.

 

Dave, I don't think either the seed laying or stem laying mites would be able to stand the 100 + degree arid weather. And it would take a billion of them to whip up a tasty fried mite snack.

 

Roger, I don't think you cleared that offer with Lynn but it sounds good to me. Is she a good cook? She might object to crawling under my rig to change the batteries in two of my weather stations. Or to grease the equalizer bars on my Hensley Arrow hitch. Maybe the lack of a 15 inch bicep is a good thing. She wouldn't be able to swing that skillet at my head quite as hard.

 

JERI, Thanks gal you have a heart. I'll try really hard to not be sick just for you. Really I feel good just run out of breath before I can get to where I was going to do something. All the sore joints don't count. They don't hurt unless I use them and I don't have enough breath to use them.

[Roger & Lynn]

Roger, I don't think you cleared that offer with Lynn but it sounds good to me. Is she a good cook? She might object to crawling under my rig to change the batteries in two of my weather stations. Or to grease the equalizer bars on my Hensley Arrow hitch. Maybe the lack of a 15 inch bicep is a good thing. She wouldn't be able to swing that skillet at my head quite as hard.

 

 

Lee, judging by my girth, I'd have to say that she's quite the good cook. However, if you can get her to do those other chores you're a better man than I! It's hard to get good help these days! At least she's not a hitter...but, watch out for her "mom look"...it can be a killer...LOL!!

Edited August 14, 2014 by Lil' Red Rooster

[Roger & Lynn]

Having a war with the mice camping here at the fairgrounds. Think we may have picked them up when we were at Yellowstone because I found a mama and her seven babies in my cargo bins yesterday. It didn't end well for them. Think I got the old man this a.m. Went out to make sure the sun was coming up and heard a noise in the other compartment. He was stuck in a sticky trap that the previous owner had placed. Think I'll get some more of those! Had to take all of the gear out of the bins and vacuum. Was gonna do that anyway but, this forced me to move it up on the to do list. Love this life...every day is different!

Edited August 14, 2014 by Lil' Red Rooster

[IYQ]

Roger, using a vac on mouse nests is a no no. Hantavirus is prevalent in rodents in the west. The virus is spread to humans from urine soaked nest material by an airborne spore. Using a vac kicks that spore into the air that you are breathing. It's better to use gloves to pick up the material, put it into a plastic bag and toss it in a dumpster. Then, wash the nest area with soap and water containing a disinfectant.

 

Oh, that "Mom Look". I don't know if I could handle that!

 

I'm not doing much of anything this morning except ride around in the golf cart gadding with any un expecting soul who had the misfortune of not seeing me coming.

[Roger & Lynn]

Crikey Lee...didn't give the Hantavirus any thought. Had to handle a lot of miscreant meeses in my life but, they were the midwest variety. If I start getting flu like symptoms or muscle aches I'll have my RN PDQ me to the ICU. Thanks for the heads up! BTW, she's givin' me that "mom look" right now...LOL!!

Roger

[Onthego]

Roger - I discover mice in ours while at the fairgrounds too. Shredded paper towels. Bought a couple of Ortho traps, they are white and kind of stand up. Had no luck with them. You could see mouse footprints going in, eating the peanut butter then leaving with a full tummy. I've had better luck with the ones that look like a hockey puck. I think they are d-con. Must've had 3 at the fairgrounds. Never had one in the coach just then compartments. I've used caulking and spray foam sealer to fill cracks. The foam sealer (Great Stuff) I bought has something called pest block in it. Good Luck.

 

Jeff

[IYQ]

There is more information on hantavirus and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome than you probably want to know at:

www.medicinenet.com/hantavirus_pulmonary_syndrome/article.htm

 

It's bad stuff and because we frequent places where rodents may invade our rigs, maybe we should all be familiar with how to clean up the mess our tiny furry neighbors can cause.

[Roger & Lynn]

Good advice Lee and Jeff!

I noticed the mama mouse shortly after arriving at the Helena Fairgrounds so, I'm thinking she hitched a ride? Suppose that I could've picked up the second here. Got that one with a sticky trap.

Fire ants in Florida, mice in Montana...looks like I'll need to get some bear spray for Idaho next!

Heading to Missoula on Tuesday, Challis, Idaho 23-27. Caldwell, Idaho till the the 3rd and need to find a stop between there and Bend, OR for some "tune ups" at the Beaver service center on the 9th.

Roger

[hdrider]

Sounds like you are making PLANS Roger, what's up with that LOL!!!

[IYQ]

I did pretty good on my walk this morning. I walked at a pretty good speed all the way without stopping and didn't get excessively out of breath. I only walk a little over a half mile to keep my back and hip from getting too sore. Maybe I'll beat this lung problem all by my self without any help from a Lung specialist. I couldn't do that two months ago. I'd have been gasping for breath and trying to cough up my toe nails. If I get so I can consistently walk the half mile without gasping for breath I'll increase the distance and speed a little.

 

They are supposed to spray the weeds and goat heads this morning. I'll bet it don't happen.

 

I'm thinking about trying a test run to a near by campground for a few days to see if I can handle all the maintenance and setup work. It will be hot but I can handle up to 95 with just my fans. And, if it gets too hot for me I'll move to an electric site and turn on the AC or come back here. I rent this site by the year so I always have the choice of coming back and get my good site again.

[steved44]

Well Lee, it sounds like your condition has at least stabilized. The walking seems to be having a positive effect on it, so march on. We have no hot weather up here in Wisconsin. They said they haven't had summer yet, so I guess that's a good deal. I even had the furnace on a little last night as it got down to 44 degrees. We went to the movie Journey of 100' today and it was pretty good. Nice scenery, and a good story. What, no explosions, car chases, fights, bloodshed, etc: ha ha and it wasn't in 3D either! Good to see something that doesn't ruin your ears for a change. I did do a little bus maintenance today though. Polished the left headlight as it was trying to get yellow on me. We must have been parked with the left light in the sun all the time and the right not, but anyway they both look pretty good now. We will be here a few more days and then pull up the pin and head toward Colorado. We have enjoyed Carol's family, and don't want to overstay our welcome too much. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get out of her front yard. We had a fine time getting parked here and I still don't know how we made it in. I need a big helicopter to lift me out and set me on the road. Guess I'll have to wait on that for a while. Steve

[IYQ]

Taking care of a few chores around the rig this morning. I'm about to take my walk now. Here is hoping it goes as well today as it did yesterday. The party for the gal that is hanging up the keys didn't happen last Saturday. She was sick and didn't come out of her rig all day. We have it scheduled again this Saturday. Word is, we are going to have the party wheather she is there or not. Then Sunday morning we will have another Mesquite pancake breakfast. Last night at happy hour I prepared some prickly pear fruit to give everyone a taste. It went over well. One gal reported that it caused mild diarrhea with her. All the medical web sites say it should be eased into gradually because this is one of the side effects for some people. Oh well she's back in tune this morning so all is well. Most of the people said it tasted a little like watermelon. I found it to be very cooling with a fresh taste with a slight kick. Sort of like watermelon but with a very slight tartness. If you try it watch out for the gloclids. (Tiny stickers) handle them with tongs until they are gloclid free. Then peel them. They are filled with tiny seeds that are too hard to chew. either swallow them or cut the pears in half and scoop out the seeds. The juice from them diluted with water makes a very refreshing drink. They also make great margaritas according to reports.

[IYQ]

Steve, I have a crowbar you can borrow to pry your way out of that parking place. When you get all your maintenance done come over here and do mine so I can cure my hitch itch.

[Wanderin]

Good advice Lee and Jeff!

I noticed the mama mouse shortly after arriving at the Helena Fairgrounds so, I'm thinking she hitched a ride? Suppose that I could've picked up the second here. Got that one with a sticky trap.

Fire ants in Florida, mice in Montana...looks like I'll need to get some bear spray for Idaho next!

Heading to Missoula on Tuesday, Challis, Idaho 23-27. Caldwell, Idaho till the the 3rd and need to find a stop between there and Bend, OR for some "tune ups" at the Beaver service center on the 9th.

Roger

 

I just want to know where you're heading from Bend???? You're "almost" in our territory.

Taking care of a few chores around the rig this morning. I'm about to take my walk now. Here is hoping it goes as well today as it did yesterday. The party for the gal that is hanging up the keys didn't happen last Saturday. She was sick and didn't come out of her rig all day. We have it scheduled again this Saturday. Word is, we are going to have the party wheather she is there or not. Then Sunday morning we will have another Mesquite pancake breakfast. Last night at happy hour I prepared some prickly pear fruit to give everyone a taste. It went over well. One gal reported that it caused mild diarrhea with her. All the medical web sites say it should be eased into gradually because this is one of the side effects for some people. Oh well she's back in tune this morning so all is well. Most of the people said it tasted a little like watermelon. I found it to be very cooling with a fresh taste with a slight kick. Sort of like watermelon but with a very slight tartness. If you try it watch out for the gloclids. (Tiny stickers) handle them with tongs until they are gloclid free. Then peel them. They are filled with tiny seeds that are too hard to chew. either swallow them or cut the pears in half and scoop out the seeds. The juice from them diluted with water makes a very refreshing drink. They also make great margaritas according to reports.

At least you're keeping busy and that can be a good thing. Then, again, sometimes keeping busy isn't always a good thing but at least it keeps you from finding all those goatheads. Take care of yourself!!

[Wanderin]

There are several events that August 16th are known for ...

 

1) Ed Lavin was born on this day. (Happy Birthday, Ed)

 

2) Freddy and Delcie tied the knot. (Happy Anniversary you two)

 

3) Elvis Presley left this world. (Or, did he?)

[sandsys]

Moving more seems to be helping my breathing, too. But, I was never coughing up my toenails so I hope my breather just got out of condition. Maybe I'll be able to go back out there this winter after all. Hope, hope, hope. If so, I'll probably leave later than last year, though, so missing Dave doesn't hit quite so soon.

 

Linda

[Roger & Lynn]

Jeri, we're not sure where we're headed after Bend. May check out the SKP park in Sutherlin, OR and head over to Crater Lake? When are you and Terry making your way south? Hopefully, we can run into each other before AZ!

Jeff & Tina, your pin appears to be stuck at the Elks in ID! Any chance we can intersect also?

Roger