A QUOTIDIAN ROUTINE

When day is done, leftovers are wrapped, the kitchen is spruced, and the water stops running, the birds, Beezer and Squeeky, know it's their time for some quality interaction with their "mates," Joe and Janet.  This is Squeeky in Janet's lap chowing down on her special out-of-her-cage, after-dinner treat.

Janet was originally Beezer's "mate," but after that traitor went and introduced Squeeky to the household, and Beezer was no longer an only-parrot, he stopped singing and talking, snubbed Janet and defected.  Joe became Beezer's new "mate."  Sometimes Joe is a little late to hit his chair so Beezer will deign to *temporarily* perch on Janet's old familiar shoulder.  But only for a few minutes!

Beezer's special after-dinner, out-of-his-cage treat is the opportunity to groom Joe's nails!  Or maybe his beard.  If you click to enlarge this photo, you can admire Beezer's Mabeline lashes.  

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL -- 2.

Spotted down the road from my sister's in Enumclaw, WA, not Hartford, CT! ... never did see his harem.

AND THEN...

... there are days when Rainier looks like this.

MY SISTER...

...has great hair.  She was born with popcorn curls and doesn't do one damned thing to get it looking like this!!!  Doesn't even use a blow dryer!

GREETINGS...

From the Pacific Northwest... 

...where Mt Rainier makes its own weather.

SO COOL!

HARVEST HOSTS

A little over a year ago, friend and fellow Lazy Dazer, Joan Taylor, introduced our RVing "cult" to a novel camping approach conceived by Don and Kim Greene, based on their RV travels throughout Europe:  cost-free overnighting at small wineries, ranches, orchards, working farms, etc.  

The Greenes' endeavor, Harvest Hosts, charges a nominal annual membership fee to RVers; the fee entitles RVing members to detailed regional listings from Alaska to Baja, California to Maine, of their Host Members -- those mostly-agricultural operations willing to allow (host) RVers to spend the night on their property free of charge.  However, like Walmarting, it's not actually "free" if travelers show their appreciation by purchasing the Host's offerings of wine, lavender, fruit and the like!!

Kelley Orchards in Weiser, Idaho recently hosted two of us in their lovely fruit orchards -- ever so much more quiet, green and peaceful than "pavement parking" when one is aiming for a distant destination down the road.  

For a unique going-down-the-road experience, Harvest Hosts is a highly recommended resource.  In addtion to the Greenes' website, there is a nice write up at "Rv.Net," and "Trailer Life Magazine" gave them a "shout-out" in their July issue.  (The article's superimposed [lame layout] photo of the Lazy Dazes was taken by yours truly while visiting Purple Haze Lavender Farm in Sequim, WA last year.)

http://blog.rv.net/2010/11/free-camping-at-wineries-and-farms/

http://www.harvesthosts.com/images/Trailer-Life-article.jpg

http://www.harvesthosts.com/

FOR PLAY...

...first find a gaggle of kids, a socialized animal preferably still in puppyhood, throw in a ball or a frisbee, turn on the water, let 'em loose in some wide open grassy spaces while the sun is shining, hear them squeal, watch them dance, hear them sing and make music -- do you remember having energy like this?  And not a care in the world?

Embrace the joy.  Enjoy the memories!