rvsue and her canine crew

I sit outside the open door so I can hear the coffee perking. 

Ooh, that sun feels good!  Spike and Bridget agree with me.

It’s warmer outside the BLT this morning, than inside.  I sprinkle more birdseed on the ground under the ironwood tree.  I fix my coffee and settle into my camp chair.  

I love the little Black-Throated Sparrows with their white facepaint and black bibs.

A flock of eight of them visits our campsite every day.  They all seem to live in harmony.  Sometimes one will run over to another and touch beaks.  They move so quickly I can’t tell who’s feeding whom. 

The Mourning Doves bring a different atmosphere to the seed buffet

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They swoop in with much ado, flapping wings at each other, bullying, and hopping about in hormonal hissy-fits.  Usually they drive off the sparrows.  And can they chow down!  Geez, I’m going to have to buy more seed.

It’s always a pleasure, however, to see Mr. and Mrs. House Finch arrive.

They like to dine at the hanging feeder, getting right inside it.  Rarely do they join the hustle-bustle of birds on the ground.   Their chirping is a delight to hear.

I notice a Cactus Wren perched at the very top of “our” saguaro.

He’s facing the sun singing his heart out, but he doesn’t visit the happy throng enjoying breakfast before me.

The Cactus Wren flies away, and a Gila Woodpecker claims the saguaro.

He clings to its side among the thorns.  Sometimes he drinks from the hummingbird feeder.

Last but not least are the Anna’s Hummingbirds.  When positioned toward the sun, their crown and neck glow irridescent pink.

And their aerial maneuvers make the fighter jets that occasionally fly over from the missile range seem slow and clumsy!

My thoughts turn to mundane matters.

While I watch the birds, I take stock of my situation. I’ve got almost-full propane tanks and water tank, and near-empty waste tanks.  (I took care of those tasks the day before yesterday.)  It’s almost laundry time again.  And I’ll need groceries again soon.  Buying groceries at small stores in small towns really increases my outlay for my food, for the crew’s food, and for daily-living sundries.  I mull this over until I see a way I can cut down on my spending at mom-and-pop groceries with their high prices.

After almost six months, my pattern for full-timing is in better focus. 

I’ll travel in spring, summer, and fall, but in the winter, I’ll camp in one general location in the desert.  I may have to move to keep within the 14-day limit, but I won’t go far.  Winter will be my time to re-discover the desert I’ve come to love, renew my spirit, and re-evaluate my life choices.

The bright yellow blooms of the Brittlebush cheer up the drab roadside.

Back to the groceries . . .

In late fall, on my way to the desert, I’m going to stock up on groceries at Wal-Mart.  Really stock up.  Buy by the case.  Why not?  I’ve got plenty of room in the PTV to store non-perishables, and I won’t be doing much driving so the weight isn’t a problem.  Also, I can always hide cases or milk crates of canned goods under the BLT.   Saving money makes this old bird sing!  Cheep-cheep!

The downside is fewer of my dollars will go to small business, which I would like to support. Oh well, I’ve got to be prudent with my money.

Speaking of spending or not spending my money . . .

Yesterday I checked with my credit card company and found my accumulation of points amounted to $79!  I jumped online to Amazon.com and spent it in record time.  I like to buy fun stuff with points-money.  It balances the miser in me. 

Last time I used my points to buy the blue patio mat for $65.  This time I ordered acrylic paints, paint brushes, and other artist supplies to be sent to the Ajo post office through general delivery.  I love getting packages!  What fun!  

rvsue

P.S.  Bird identification and photos came from http://www.cabezaprieta.org