A Little Bit of Everything! -- Sep 3, 2015

Howdy!  Howdy again….from Payson, AZ!  Yepperoooo….it’s September and I’m still here!  This has not been my plan at all, but that’s one of the good things about the RV lifestyle…it really doesn’t matter!  I'm using Safeway's (grocery) internet....didn't realize they provided it until today...and it's fast!  It's a short walk from me, so I'll be using this often!  The weather is getting picture perfect here now, too!  Hard to give that up!

Here’s the deal --- I have some business to attend to down in [still hot – 107*] Scottsdale.  It’s only about 1.5 hours away, so I really don’t want to stray too far from here or there at this point…why use up gas?  I’m just waiting for it to cool off a bit down there.  I’m going to be helping my friend (who is letting me stay at this house in Payson) declutter and reorganize his elderly parents’ home in Scottsdale so it can be put on the market.  It will be quite a project, but a necessary one, and I'm happy to help in return for this long term parking spot!  I’m really good at all that moving and organizing stuff….I’ve moved 40 times and organized countless spaces!  That’s one thing I’ve got on my calendar and one thing that is keeping me here a little longer.  The other thing I need to take care of is my storage unit in Scottsdale….I left it full five years ago!  Now that I’m in an RV….well, needless to say, I can’t take that stuff with me anywhere, so I have to figure that all out.  So, anyway, in a nutshell, that’s why you’re not seeing pictures of mountains, sunsets, lakes, sunrises, sweeping vistas, etc.!  But, that’s just part of this lifestyle…..it’s “life”……not an endless vacation to perfect locations!

With all that said, I do have some great photos to share, however.  I’m going to take you on a little tour of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ....taken a few years ago in April, with my great friend, Theresa.  If you want a break from the cold next spring, this is the place to go!  It’s a wonderful day trip if you’re coming through that area.  Almost hooked to the arboretum area is the Boyce Thompson State Park.  I don’t think they have camping there, but I would still like to take a spin around the park and stop for a picnic and a hike sometime!  So, without further ado, here are several photos taken throughtout the arboretum….enjoy!  First some closeups...then a walk-around....

There are lots of walkways to explore....

Surprise water areas!

A cactus "forest" !

Maybe an idea for your own garden... I love gazing globes!

I hope you've enjoyed this picture tour of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ!  There's lots more to see around the Superior and Miami, AZ area!  I hope you can stop there sometime!  It really is a very nice (and educational) spot in Arizona…one of  very, very many!

New topic --- the Go Sun Solar Oven.  In a word – FANTASTIC!  I have used this oven almost every day…if not making something from scratch, just for heating up leftovers.  It is so efficient! Among other great dishes, I made mini meat loaves and pineapple upside down cake recently.  Both were delicious!  My sister also has one and has made meat/veg skewers, cooked apples and beer brats.  Great results at her end, too!  I am highly recommending this oven to anyone who is curious about solar cooking, interested in solar technology in general, is wanting to dip their toe into the “off grid” way of living pond, or just likes new and interesting things that really work!  Again, here’s the link to the Go Sun Solar Oven on Amazon….try it!  I know you will like it!

GO SUN SOLAR OVEN

While I’m having the time here in Payson, I’m continuing my zen-art drawings.  I love the southwestern kachinas, so I thought it would be fun to do a series of zen-art kachinas.  I’ve had a lot of interest in these and other designs on various levels – one being to create an adult coloring book….with the kachinas and other zen-art designs.  I’ll do the drawings – you can do the coloring!  It has become a PROVEN way to relax and let your mind go free of all those oppressive thoughts that overtake our well being.  We are all so busy these days, we need a way to quickly decompress --- this is it!  Just get some fine point colored pens and you’re all set to go down the road of relaxation!  Please let me know in the comments section if this would be of interest to you….the more interest I have, the more likely I am to pursue the coloring book idea.  I really don’t need to print 250 books if I don’t have the level of interest to support an order.  You can find many articles on the virtues of adult coloring on the internet.  It is definitely the simple, self-help way to go to free your mind! I know the drawings do it for me!

Here are some samples of what you would see in the coloring book.  OR if you are interested in the black and white prints to mat and frame for your own décor or for a gift, those would be available, also. I'm exploring other ways to use these designs.....mugs, notecards, t-shirts….just about anything!  Just ask!  I’m creating new designs every day.  If you have something particular in mind (animals, insects, vehicles, etc.) let me know and I’ll work up a special design for you. (These are cell phone photos....not the best, but.....)

Oh – by the way – I mentioned the Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT) classes in my last post ------ welllllll….I won’t be spending almost $2000 for 3 days and traveling to Rhode Island!  I’m sure they are great classes, but that’s a bit out of my particular budget and I don’t plan to be in Rhode Island anytime soon!  I think I can teach the zen-art techniques to anyone interested without that "investment".

That wraps up my smorgasbord of topics for today!  I hope you have gleaned some interest out of at least one of them! 

BIG THANK YOUS to everyone who has been ordering from my Amazon link!  Don’t you just love Amazon?!?!  There’s something for everyone!

Click here for some special Amazon deals!

Enjoy a great Labor Day weekend!!