Afternoon Travels

I have been spending a large amount of time traveling out to the areas I enjoy. The sun seems to compel me to do this. These are places I have not seen since the last summer because they are covered in snow and impassable in winter.

These places are quiet and peaceful. When one sits quietly for enough time, all types of animals soon appear. Some simply move through. Others can hold your attention for some time watching their activities.

Mostly, I believe, it is the reminding of my home in China. Many of the scenes cause me to recall similar places that I once enjoyed.

I have always found myself drawn to these places. I tend to avoid the equally beautiful places that have more visitors. I can stay in town and hear people and cars. In my vists here, I wish to hear only the wind, water, and animals. It is calming to see the fish quietly swim past in search of the next morsel worth eating. It is thrilling to see the hawk crash to the water and snare the fish.

It has been said by the nieces and nephews that I lack excitement. Perhaps this is so. But these things I enjoy and they relax me.

Things will become more interesting soon enough. Jiao will arrive in 4 weeks to stay with me during the summer. I believe I will see enough excitement then. She will wish to see and do everything possible. There will be enough to satisfy her I think. There will be fairs and shows to attend. There will be many firsts for her; rodeos, horse shows, county fairs. And then there will be the activities the nieces have planned.

I may need to send Jiao home early so she is able to rest before returning to school. (As if she would agree to such a thought :D )

Trucks and Kites

I have spent my week searching for a suitable truck. I have found two that I prefer.

The first is a Ford. It is large enough to do what work I require of it. It has the towing equipment installed already. This will save me some time. It is red. It has a step so it is easy to get inside. It would take some time for me to become accustomed to it since it is large. It uses diesel fuel. That would cause me to drive farther to fill the fuel tank. I am told diesel is more powerful so this may be a benefit.

The second truck is a Chevrolet. It too is large and red. A step bar makes entry easy. It uses gasoline. That makes it more convenient to put fuel in. It is without the towing table. It is only slightly easier for me to see from it. Driving it is similar to the Ford.

The cost is less than the Ford but I will need to install the table and wires for towing which almost makes them equal in cost. I think I will need to see them again before I am able to decide.

It is funny to see the faces of the men that wish to sell the trucks. I do not think they were prepared to see a small Chinese woman considering their truck. I was asked of my husband and when he will come to see them. They were not so fast to speak after I said to them I have no husband and the truck is for me. Then they would attempt to speak to me as though I did not know what it was I was looking at. It seems small women are not allowed to want a truck since I was informed the truck may be too large for me and may be happier with a small car. Pffff....

To consider things I went to the beach. There was a kite festival of sorts so I stopped to see. It was very colorful. The wind was too high for me to fly my wing kite. I did not wish to be dragged to the ocean so I flew my dragon kite instead. I enjoyed myself immensely. There is nothing so relaxing as flying a kite sometimes. The only thing to make it better would have been having my Coastie with me. He was on the watch this last week end.

I was able to have dinner with him at the least. Though even that was done at his cafeteria. It was not the best but also it was not the worst.

Perhaps the weather will remain pleasant for the next week end and I will spend a sunny day on the beach with my Coastie. Or maybe I will need to enjoy more kites alone. The first is best but the second is good also.

Nothing exciting

There has been nothing exciting to write of.

My monitor stopped working. >:( It was with warranty still. I have returned it to the store for repair. At this moment I am looking at an old VGA monitor that is 14". It hurts my eyes. I am accustomed to my 19" flat screen.

My Coastie and I have spent many hours repairing fences here. He has gone without much recreation to help me. In return I have fed him well and rubbed sore muscles. Yesterday I insisted he relax. We accompanied Mother and Father Bing to the lake. They fished. I read a book and showed appropriate pride for his fish when necessary. After returning home Mother Bing and I grilled the fish.

I have been considering a new vehicle. I like my car but it has been impractical lately. It is difficult to transport hay and feed in an Impala. It becomes a burden to continually ask others to bring them to my house and delivery fees are rising faster than prices due to the cost of gasoline.

I did not know it would be so difficult to choose a truck. I am told I should buy this one or that one. I hoped for a small one but everyone I speak to says it would not be practical since there is a horse trailer to pull.

I have decided my requirements for this truck. The maker is not important but it must be large enough to tow my trailer. It must have enough power to drive in the mountains while pulling horses. It must be short or have steps so I am able to get into it. It must be red to match my trailer.

Perhaps this week I will find one.