I'll be home* for Christmas (*wherever that is)

My five weeks in Truth or Consequences was satisfying, as it usually is. I lived happily in three homes this time, and found a near-perfect balance between solitude and pleasant company. Betty says T or C is my second home, and I suppose that feels true.

Whoa there, cowboy. Didn't you see the hydrant?

One of these guys had a hearty breakfast at Maria's.

I was able to meet up with a couple of RVing friends this time. David, who runs the Facebook groups Staying Warm for RVers and Prius Camping, blew through town and we met up to compare strategies. 

He uses some techniques that I haven't tried and might, and some that I haven't tried and won't. He has fashioned an actual kitchen which is clever and functional (Yeti cooler, induction "hot"plate, and a small pressure cooker). I admired this set-up, and then asked myself, "If you don't cook in a house with running water, gas stovetop and dishwasher, do you think you'll cook in the front seat of Spud?" I replied sheepishly, and so that's an innovation for another (life)time.

David is very enthused with his life in his Prius, and that revived some of my old enthusiasm for Spud-living. I lost a lot of that mojo in August's microburst, and I can feel it returning.

Later that day, I met up with PleinGuy (David), whose art is available here. We enjoyed dinner at BellaLuca, where I learned he has lived in unconventional and fascinating ways. He generously gave me a giclée of one of his paintings, which couldn't be more perfect for my cabin. Also, it has allowed me to say "giclée" a few times.

Lots of you revel in the season's merriment, and lots of you hunker down until it's over. I guess I've done my share of both lately. If you're a hunkerer, relax knowing it's almost done! And if you're a reveler, it's almost here!

Living in your car - vandwellers wanted

I'm assembling a separate Wall of Fame for vandwellers in the right-hand sidebar. If you know of a blog that should be there, let me know. If you think you should be there, let me know. Not in a vehicle, but your blog is about the vandwelling sensibility? Bring it.

I'm about to start living a whole new way. What do you want to know? Should I track my spending? Do you want to know where I found wifi? Public showers? Where I parked?

Scenes From the Blotter


Officer 1: Oh, this is bad.

Officer 2: What happened here?

O1: It's ugly.

O2: [gags] What the ...

O1: Better get on the horn. Tell dispatch we need a ...

O2: [gags]

O1: Criminy, Ed, step away from the scene. Just go call ...

O2: How? Why? [gags]

Roxi: Officers, it's just lunch. Can I get you some ...

[Officer 2 runs behind bush]


Please don't ask me to track what I eat.


For a scene witnessed only once before by an Appalachian doctor, please visit Desert Diva's latest post.    She could have helped me, but she ran for her camera instead. I hope you're happy.

Packing an RV: two stories

While I'm parked here at Desert Diva's house in Las Cruces, New Mexico, life is like it is at your house. There is no camping here in the house. There is comfort and luxury. There is ahhh.

While we're both enjoying the luxury, we're both preparing for our summers. Cheryl has been glamping up her rig. She's breaking it to her house gently that she'll be gone for a while. There are go piles and stay piles, but the house is getting the message that it stays.

In my rig, the organizing principle is where is the bucket?

Spud is waiting (what looks like) patiently for me to be ready. Cheryl has that same look.

It feels like I've tamed the clutter in Spud. Bedding is contained, mostly. Clothing is re-packed and organized. The new window tinting I got before I left Tucson is nicely private, plus keeping the heat down. I have black-out curtains ready, and a black-out panel for the rear hatch window and triangle windows just anterior.

I have a chair and a patio. I have other stuff, too, but I have a chair and a patio. And a Habitent.

The basics of Spud's layout are taken from Suanne's experience.

Cheryl is waiting for a mechanic's appointment, and I'm waiting with her, in case I can be helpful. While we're waiting, we do stuff. Like, I notice that the upholstery has a better body than I do.

I don't know what they call this neighborhood, but I call it AWESOME.

I thought I should crop, but what in the world would I cut out? Not Buddy Christ, that's for darn sure.

Some of you will wonder what the writing says. You'll figure it out, then tell me, and I'll let you.

These pictures are from different houses in this neighborhood. I haven't even included all the awesome that I saw here.

Then I got Moosed.

This is a club that would not have me for a member, which makes me want them even more. The bartender was very sweet, and still made it clear I could not buy drinks, or potato chips, or enter the gambling area. I was there totally under the auspices of my girl-Moose friend.

Thank goodness they gave me a bracelet so I could use the bathroom myself.

Later, I wore the bracelet to Walmart. Naturally.

Rick has done a good job of explaining how Bloogle is consolidating its power. He was so convincing that I added a Google+ "encircle me" widget at the bottom. Not my bottom - cut it out.

~~~~~

Help improve my bottom line.

Solo women RVers in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. And a Habitent.

Cheryl encouraged me out of my funk and into cleaning Spud up. Poor Spud has been in a desert sandy funk, too.

And, lookee what I got her!

Made by Habitents.

There are varying degrees of privacy available, depending on what you zip open or closed.

The Habitent is rain-resistant, I'm told.

Cheryl and I drove up to Truth or Consequences ("TorC" to us New Mexicans) to meet Sue and Lyn.

Lyn drives this droolicious Tiger 4X4

I'm sorry, Phil. Looks like this stance wasn't your father's fault after all.

  

Lark. Lark!Lark!Lark!Lark!

We toured Riverbend while we were here. So THIS is where they're keeping the Rio Grande. Nice resort on the river.

For fun, check out La Paloma's website - that's my pic! 

Living in my 2004 Prius, "Spud."

I prefer to say "living out of my Prius." My stuff will be there, and so will I, when I sleep. Still, "out there" is still out there, and that's where I'll be.

I don't have any pictures, and I haven't left the Duck yet, so this is all theoretical. You've seen the Prius (now called "Spud"); it's pretty typical. The modifications I'm using are pretty close to what Suanne used. I also just found Jessica Spaulding, who lived in her car for five years.

If you had told me two weeks ago I'd be doing this, I would have called you crazy. NOW who's crazy? Unlike Jessica, there is an apparent reason for me to do this. I don't like the reason, but since my first choice is no longer an option, I plan to explore the silver lining.

I don't know exactly when I'll start, but expect it to be soon.

~~~~~

A thousand thanks for doing your Amazon shopping here!