This Close To A Real President Today

The President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla came to the new school just up the road from where I stay. She walked up from the street where she then cut the ribbon that I got a piece of by the way and went inside for the rest of the dedication festivities.

I could go all over the place with this but will keep it brief. This was nice to be a part of. I wasn't going inside but this certain man kinda brought me with him. Glad I went. There's a video and soon other pictures at the other place.

This has a lot to say about other countries in the sense of how close I was allowed to get this woman. This is in no way a "Banana Republic" like in the old days. There is so much going on and I have seen very little of CR.

Could have easily stepped up next to her and asked for her sign my piece of the ribbon or gotten a picture but there were others who wanted her attention as it's not often the president of your country comes to your school.

The bottom picture she looked up and gave me a smile.

May she always remain safe. Just to be clear she was walked up to the school with security on either side front and back. When she got up to the school where all the kids and adults were these men made themselves pretty scarce. There are security guys in three of the four pictures.

The Roll Is Over

May not mean a whole hell of a lot in the big scheme of things but to me it's huge and have enjoyed this for the longest time in my life excluding the time spent in West Africa.

Didn't leave the house much yesterday. It was rainy and low 50's. This morning overcast and 50 out. May get to 60 with some sun today maybe.

I need to go out and that will mean the shorts have to come off for the first time in four and a half months. From the end of April till the middle of September it's been put 'em on in the morning and take 'em off at night.

That's what I call a roll and it's been a giant simple pleasue for me. They'll be back on Friday when it warms up.

It's part of my job now to take full advantage of these simple pleasures that are free.

Imagination

Was at the zoo for awhile yesterday. I enjoy this exhibit a bunch. I peer in every window I can see into each time I go. There is so much going on here. My imagination runs wild every time. Put it together and let yours go too.

Soon I will be seeing many  new and exciting things like this fellow did before it turned bad. I can't tell you how excited I am!

Dodged A Bullet

It was a good time and I saw things not seen before in some of the same places. It is spring but there was only three Paint Brush wild flowers blooming in all the miles I hiked and they were at the base of a ruin in partial shade.

On the way home four miles below the west summit of Wolf Creek Pass the 'ol Chevy man's Chevy actually shit the bed and quit - yup! I could just see the $100 bills blowing away in the breeze. We won't go into the why here because that is still a bit of the unknown except it was fuel related. What to do - what to do. 20+ back into Pagosa Springs and all downhill.

The vehicle did start but would die after a bit. Rolled backwards and swung around and headed back west driving all the way to a gas station without incident in Pagosa. Took 20 of the possible 27 @ $3.89 btw.

There was a towing/repair shop on the east side of town that looked clean and active. I took note of that because I felt there was a distinct possibility it might be needed. Went to a parts house to get a fuel filter and inquire about that business.

Did not want to ask in public at the counter and and put someone on the spot or what have you. It's a small town. There was a man working in the back in the area of the rest rooms and I asked him about this towing and repair business.

He says for the most part - "Not to worry my friend that's my business. You call this number pointing to his business card and if the boys don't pick up it comes directly to me. You need help we'll take care of you. Not to worry!"

It may not be much in the big scheme of things but I sure get a kick outta shit like this.

Let's finish by saying there was pottery all over the place. Much of it in the road. 

I did nothing to this vehicle and drove the 150 home and it ran better than ever.

Craving Gravy

Biscuits and gravy that is. Serious business it is. A couple weeks ago spent some time driving around Pueblo. There on the south side I saw a sign "Biscuits and Gravy 99 cents). That we can remember and had to spend the whole day there last Thursday. After getting the two reasons for being there early pretty much out of the way made easier that they coincidentally and conveniently were less than a block apart. I knew where I was headed as this had been on my mind for all that time.

The days of going out for lunch/breakfast are over. Have had lunch a couple times since my new life started last October but not once breakfast. Like 98% of Chinese joints a place that serves 99 cent B&G is gonna be a gamble but for 99 cents it will happen. Have to try it - what the hell it's an experiment and you just never know. I always hope to be surprised but very very seldom does that happen.

Was way up on the north end and real hungry so beat it down to the south side using the fast lanes. Ordered one biscuit and it's gravy plus a cup of coffee so I didn't appear too cheap. I need to add there were at four others eating having the samo. The girl was sooo nice and it cost like $2.15.

I was blown away as when it came it actually looked real good and to get to the point this was in the Top 3 of the best I've ever had. What a treat and great surprise. It may not be much but it's something anyway and very much get a kick outta shit like this I tell you.

This sweet young thing came over and we talked for awhile and my compliments were appreciated. They put some homemade into this long time used recipe and the menu they have is interesting and inexpensive.

A decision was made and even though I wanted another biscuit with gravy badly the experiment continued with a chocolate malt instead as am always hoping to be surprised there as well. They have a failure rate as high as Chinese joints. It was very acceptable and cost like $2.50 or something.

Spent until 4:30 looking around including downtown in the historic part and had just a real fun day.

Problem is all that's on my mind is not just one biscuit and gravy but two. Cannot drive 80+ miles to get two bucks worth of those but maybe I have to.

Lucy Made It Home

A definite feel good and shake my head about things I didn't know about a desert tortoise who wandered away from home.

This tortoise answers to it's name and follows people around.

The 7-year-old reptile, who usually suns herself during the day and then knocks on the back door when the sun sets so she can sleep inside the house. Because no one was home, Rockley said that Lucy saw some movers at the house next door and started following them, much like a family dog, perhaps hoping they could help her into the home.

Of course the good part is that Lucy was found and this animal is like a dog.

"She came right to us. She had her head out and her little arms wrapped around me," said Sheila Rockley with a laugh. "It was really cute."

And the dogs were happy as can be to have this animal back in the house. I get a kick outta shit like this and this is the type of pet I could use.

A Short Fun Story

UPDATE 7/15  Marcy sent me pictures of her orchid and they appear to be slightly different. You can compare for yourself. What do you think.

This morning I open up the local fish wrapper and what do I see but a picture of an orchid just like mine below. That's interesting they must have been at Dinosaur where they are found.

Then I look and here it was submitted by Marcy who lives over the pass and ranches with her hubby Dave I suppose 60 miles away. The reason I know them is that they bought my pickup that I sold when I got my new ride. I totally enjoyed these two. Cool -off went an e-mail inquiring about this. Plus they have trout and they liked me enough that they're going to let me and my bud come over and fish. I've been looking forward to that.

Didn't hear back and after work the second stop I made was at the grocery store and who's there but these two. Nice! We're going to compare pictures to be sure. The ones they found are much closer to here than the ones I photographed at Dinosaur National Monument. I want to see the ones they found as well.

My point is this. I can't tell you how a big a kick I get outta shit like this and it happens every now and then.

In the big scheme of things it may not be much but it's something anyway. Stuff like this is what makes it go round.

What a treat to see you two today!

Marcy's orchid-

A Feisty Little Shit With Skills

I get a kick outta shit like this and here's why. If you watch the video look closely and several times you will see this guy attack. Not only that he takes up a defensive positions as well. PLUS these arachnids jump.

Yes a spider you can actually interact with to me is unusual for sure.

These Guys Are Still Flying Fast

A while back an acquaintance was having breakfast with two elderly couples. When I left the restaurant one of these men and his wife were leaving. He was well dressed a bit stooped over with jet black hair. He got in a bright red Monte Carlo SS. I immediately had a hunch.

Here is a picture of a life long family friend who came to my Father's funeral and this Corvette is the ride he prefers at this time. A WWII pilot and at 88 he's still flying fast. After his kids graduated Jerry has a long history of driving some of the fastest cars Chevrolet has made.

As for the hunch it turned out to be correct. The man with the Monte Carlo was a pilot in WWII and drives fast Chevy's.

I am curious if any of you happen to know of similar stories as I get a big kick out of stuff like this.