Taking the Waters

On our way to Death Valley via Tecopa Hot Springs, we decided to take a side trip to Zzyzx—pronounced ZYE-zix.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zzyzx,_California









The resort was founded in the early 20th century as part of the healing ministry of a “roll your own” protestant evangelist. He built the cottages and swimming pool at the edge of Soda Dry Lake and used the naturally hot spring waters for his guests to bathe in. You can still see the abandoned pool with its wheel chair ramps down into the waters and crumbling cottages where people stayed. The main building is still maintained and is occasionally used for meetings. Huell Howser did an excellent show about Zzyzx for “California’s Gold.” Meanwhile, here are some pictures of this beautiful spot. The desert peaks surrounding the dry lake had touches of snow on them but at the old spa, it was just glorious sun and pristine air. I could feel my health improving just standing amidst the ruins.


Within 15 minutes of pulling into Peterson’s RV Park I was “taking the waters.” It was wonderful! The water comes out of the ground at about 105o and the minerals make it feel silky. After the Waters, there was just enough time to mix a drink and get to the clubhouse for Happy Hour. Most of the people have wintered here for years—they come and stay for as long as six months. They all swear to the healing powers of the Waters. As yet, though, there are no crutches or walkers nailed to the sides of the bath house.

As usual, everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Plans are being made for the New Years Eve party tomorrow. Everyone is supposed to bring finger food. I just might find a use for the (now) 15 cans of Vienna sausage we hauled down here. We intended to give it to the monks’ food pantry but forgot. Perhaps if the sausages marinate overnight in a nice sauce they could be palatable. I think 12 cans of Vienna sausages with a festive toothpick in each sausage might be just the potluck contribution!

Some Monk Chanted Evening,...

On the road again! It is wonderful to exchange the chaos of the house for the familiar tidiness of the Minnie. It was good to see the monks again after our longest absence in 10 years. They have their own anxieties to deal with since they have sold the monastery to the Coptic monks and now need to find a new home. A property down in Banning looks very good if they can raise the money to help them resettle.

http://www.hrmonline.org/

It seemed so usual to park the RV in our customary spot behind the outdoor chapel. In addition to catching up with what the monks have been doing we got the chance to visit with a friend who might best be described as a native desert original. To protect his identity, I’ll just call him “Frank.” “Frank’s” life could be the inspiration for 3 generations of Country/Western music. He drives whatever pick-up truck is running at the time, his Grandma taught him the Bible, and yes, he has done time in prison for a crime he didn’t do. Well, he did it but if ever the “Texas Defense” applied, it was in this situation.

“Frank’s” Christmas was ruined when an ex-girlfriend appealed to his chivalrous nature to help her rescue her cat which was being held hostage by an angry boyfriend. Since “Frank” had a soft spot for said cat he went to the lady’s aid. The belligerent boyfriend who had been swigging down entirely too much Christmas cheer was threatening to burn the cat alive. Apparently there was some aggression but the cat and girl were rescued. And how was the noble “Frank” repaid? The ungrateful wench went back to the abusive boyfriend and then filed a false police report on “Frank.”

By the time “Frank” had been sprung from the hoosegow all his friends had eaten every morsel of the grand Christmas spread provided by “Frank’s” employer. Nothin’ worse for a man than a cold-hearted, ungrateful woman. However, I was very impressed by “Frank’s” ability to grasp the mathematical nuances of the Three Strikes sentencing laws in California as well as the breadth of his knowledge of jailhouse law. I also learned a new expression—“Choo Choo Charlie.” One need not elaborate any further. Desert folk can be a tough crowd and I’m glad we can call “Frank” a friend!

Very Close to White Christmas

24o!!! I fear for the plumeria, the lime tree and the orchids. But the beauty of the frost! The ice on the manzanita reminded me of the glacier snaking its way into Glacier Bay.




















Even Miss Tiggie Winkle got a dusting of the crystals.



























http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000005834.cfm


A Cyber Friend sent me the above link. It is a great little video about TOSSMAS--what to do with all the "holiday" catalogs that clog the mailbox this time of year. If it's for a 'holiday' it gets TOSSED! I think I'm noticing a slight increase in the use of MERRY CHRISTMAS this year. Lowe's even mentions the "hush hush" word. Congratulations to them!



The first robbery and pillage of the American taxpayer was for approximately 800 billion dollars. Somehow this is supposed to help "us." But what if 300 million of US got one million dollars each? That would be about 300 trillion dollars. Have you tried to find out how many residential mortgage loans there are? In 2006 it amounted to $3.267 trillion in residential loans that originated in the U.S How many people have their homes paid off? How many people have more than one mortgage? Do we trust the politicians to handle a sum of money that is so large the calculator on your cell phone can't handle the number of zeroes?? Can you even count the zeroes without losing your place?
Just wondering......


And one more thing--are the same people who think Caroline Kennedy is the most gifted person in New York to be a US Senator the same people who think Sarah Palin is an unqualified provincial yokel? Odd how that works. One comes from parents who value marriage and their faith, who attends church and is invested in having a Christian home, who put herself through college and who goes to work everyday. And the other---well, we all know about those family values.

Global Cooling Arrives

Californians don't do well when the mercury drops below 65o. We have to forego the sandals and lightweight hoodies for real clothes. Add gray skies to the restrictive clothing and you get an entire state full of people who feel uneasy that the world is about to go very, very bad.

We got snow last night! A little bit--ok, a light dusting in one spot on a hill we can see from the backyard. But it's still snow. And the temperature is not getting above 37o. Normally this would be cause for hunkering down in the house and unpacking more boxes but a trip to the paint store was necessary.




















On the way to Kelly Moore I heard a politician named GOMER presenting a great idea for the financial crisis! He wants the government to give taxpayers a 'tax holiday' for 2 months. What a great idea! It's far better than the billions the crooks in congress siphoned over to their banking buddies! It would be direct help to those of us being asked to foot the bill for their intentional, greedy incompetence. We need to get behind GOMER on this one!

As my granddaddy would say about the government, "At least Jesse James used a gun!"

Not a Good Day

Ever have a really bad day? Does this one qualify?

First of all, Byrdie stepped in a--how do you say--drop offering and dragged in into the house on one of her paws. Surprise by the doggy door and lots of clean up throughout the house. Oh yeah--and paw clean up after catching up with her.

Then the garage door opener broke. Oh well--we can deal with that. There's still no room in the garage anyway because it's still stacked with boxes of books.

The Hallmark ornaments are still lost.

Next I tried to heat up Costco baby back ribs in the oven. Yes, the same oven that malfunctioned on Thanksgiving Day. How was I to know that the plastic pan was only for the microwave? It melted all over the oven and then caught fire. What a mess! No ribs tonight.

And, to top it off, the first person calling to inquire about renting the condo wants me to allow her to have her dog. The ad said specifically NO PETS! But this is a CERTIFIED Service Dog--a five pound pomeranian. Oh puh-leese--gimme a break!!!

Oh well--tomorrow is another day!

We Say Merry Christmas!

While O'Reilly first advertised these bumper stickers, one has to purchase $20.00 worth of merchandise to get the thing. So--off to Ebay where I was able to get one for $2.00 plus shipping. I'm still on the rant about displacing Christmas for the generic, inferior word 'holiday.'

Meanwhile, the Christmas season is observed even if the boxes surround us like a fortress. 20,000 pounds of junk and what is missing? One box of very special Christmas ornaments. My mother had given me a dated Hallmark ornament every year since 1969. THAT is the missing box. How can it be? More junk has shown up. Box after box of unwanted accumulation has been trekked up to the Condo for the Grande Estate Sale. But the one box I wanted is nowhere to be found. What will it take to itemize 39 Hallmark ornaments and file a claim with the moving company?

What I found in the 20 boxes of Christmas decorations that did make the move was an unopened, artificial Christmas tree. I had forgotten buying it a few years ago when a particularly great deal came along.

So Mr. T went to work assembling it. We should have stayed with the fresh trees! This tree is HUGE! What was I thinking? I couldn't even lift a section of it. When it was finally all unsquished and spread out and plugged in, it was 7 1/2' high with 1600 lights!!! Now if we only had some ornaments it would look quite grand.

Get out the bears--

Don't forget the Advent Wreath for this year--

Lest anyone think it is all Deck the Halls and Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel around here let me put that notion to rest.

As difficult as it is to understand, I was overcome by a powerful craving for VIENNA SAUSAGES while in Costco this week. Since it was Costco I had to buy a case of 18 cans. But I didn't care--I think the entire case only cost $6.00!

When I got home I immediately heated up one can, scarfed it down, and vaguely wondered what I would do with the other 17 cans. I shouldn't have worried.

Byrdie managed to knock the case onto the floor and snag a can for herself. I found her with the mauled and punctured can of Vienna Sausage in the middle of the new Persian carpet! Why bother with anything?

Labradoodles, missing ornaments, looming Estate Sale, drowning in boxes--a small life goes on. But it's a life that says MERRY CHRISTMAS.