Casita Klatsch

A Man and His Toys

Life right now is about missing.  It's also about taking the necessary steps either to get reunited with those missing things or people, or learning how to let things go and move forward.

I miss my partner and son, but through the wonders of Skype and other technology, I can keep in touch really well.  The distance is bridged and my heart is calmed.

I miss my profession.  That's why I'm back in the desert, after all, plucking cactus needles from my fingers and fiddling with swamp coolers.  Whether relocating to this tectonic plate while I go through the application process makes a difference remains to be seen.  It hasn't yet, but I just got here, and it's a little late now for any academic jobs to open up.  Hopefully in the fall.

I miss my friends, but I am having a blast reconnecting with old ones and making new ones.

I miss my U.S. family, but I am planning a visit to the South to see them.

I miss my critters.  Thankfully, I can walk the few steps to Homer's house and pat his three pussies whenever I need a fix.  Especially Mama Cat.  Now completely blind (but otherwise as healthy as ever), she spends most of her waking hours relentlessly pacing a counterclockwise circle in the kitchen.  It's heartbreaking to watch, but I realize that cats need to move about, and this at least is a safe way for her to do it in an environment full of walls, furniture legs and dangerous human feet.  She's not much for being held and stroked, but at least, I hope, doing so now and again breaks the monotony of her routine.

Finally, as any blogger whose camera has crapped out can attest, I miss taking photos.  Yesterday, thanks to Lyle and his red Toyota, I was able to do something about that.  After doing my usual geeky research into models and pricing, I am the proud owner of a new Canon SD1100 IS.  (That's the Ixus 80, for you Aussies.)  It's a beauty. 

I tried it out last night while enjoying wine and spicy hermits with Homer and Lyle.  It's a lot like the old camera, only newer, faster, sexier and, yes, pink.

My new Canon

Lyle, my new pal and photography savior

Homer in yet another obligatory arm-length blogger snap

LOTD

Because my camera died while trying to take a photo of the following flower in my garden, you get a reprieve from the photo gallery.  Evil flower.  Evil.

In the meantime, take a look at List of the Day's entry on the new Wal-Mart vintage.  What's your favorite?  It's hard to choose.  I think I'll go with Chateau Trailer Parc.

And in other blognewz, Homer's baking cookies tonight!  Which will he bake?  Go and vote now!  I need cookies.

Day 7

A.S.  I'm experimenting with CK's design.  Forgive if the occasional changes drive you crazy.  Feel free to share comments.  (You might need to refresh the browser page if it always looks the same to you.) 

It was 104F (40C) yesterday.  Homer had electricians here all day fixing the coolers.  He got mine working first.  He's a good guy. 

Now the weather is changing drastically as a "cold" front moves in.  It should drop as much as 20 to 30 degrees over next few days, and although the accompanying high winds might fuel duststorms and wildfires, I welcome the cooler temps. 

It's very cool in the mornings, and because of jetlag or birds or the new mattress...whatever, I'm waking up very early.  I don't mind for the time being, however.  It means I can hang out in the garden and watch the critters begin their daily routine. 

A lizard sat on the chair next to me for a while.  I think he was horny, as he kept doing his push-ups, baring the dazzling blue color on his belly.  I was flattered until, on the ground, I saw another lizard, whom he scurried after hurriedly.  I didn't get any pictures of her (him?), in order to protect her virtue.

With some patience, I finally managed to snap a glimpse of his beautiful underbelly as he did his courting calisthenics.  It was the color of the sky.  (Click the picture to enlarge.)

A hummingbird also paid a visit.  One of my goals is to take a good photo of these entertaining creatures.  This is far from good, but it's the best I have thus far.

I can also play with the camera settings in the early morning sunlight.  (Cut me some slack.  I'm learning.)

David and Goliath

I really like this acacia and its overwhelming flowers.

Spirals in nature

Fun with sepia