Hunger Games – The Four Legged Version

Posted on March 30, 2012 by TheJessicaness

I became vegetarian for many reasons; one of them being – I don’t like to see animals get tortured and watch their blood make a mess. Well, Sparky is under the impression that I need to be reminded that he loves the taste of blood in the morning. Today is our trash day and as soon as they picked up our yard waste I set to refilling our bins. I was busy picking up spiny plants when something moved in the dirt. I didn’t have time to react before Sparky grabbed it and put distance between us.

He had no problem flaunting to the world that he just killed the beautiful lizard I saw the other day in our yard safely guarded by cactus. He did a pride walk and showed Piggy and then flung it about in his mouth some to make sure it was no longer moving of its own free will. He came to me to make sure I had seen what he had done. I wish instead that I could teach him to kill weeds and leave cute animals alone. I grabbed the camera to get some evidence, though now I’m not so sure I want to be reminded of his hunger games. If that wasn’t enough, he took to rolling around and savoring the dirt where blood had been spilled.

I will finish cleaning up the yard and wait for the carnivore with thumbs to get home and clean up what’s left. Caleb just happened to come home as I was typing this. He got to witness Sparky’s savage side and apparently the lizard has some after-death defense mechanism that makes Sparky’s mouth foam. He waits for the foam to go away and then goes back for another taste. Caleb picks up my use-to-be garden pet and kindly ‘buries’ it with the yard waste. I was looking forward to having critters to photograph in my yard, but I hope they stay away now so they too don’t suffer a similar fate.

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A Slow Reading Month

Posted on March 29, 2012 by TheJessicaness

I had planned to be on the road and reading park brochures, but somehow I still seem to have fallen off the reading path. I finished February reading two more mystery killer lawyer books – Killing Time and King of Lies. I started March with Retribution and the story made me sick – to think these things actually happen. To get on a more positive side of reading I chose to reread Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey. He’s a guy that sees trees for branches and leaves; rocks for sediments that have flowed and settled over time; and the desert as a place to call home.

This isn’t his only novel. He has written plenty of fiction and non. I will get around to reading them all one day. I enjoy experiencing the desert he so lovingly describes – if only through his great details. I will one day hunt for the same beauty and sounds he roamed for in his long hot treks through the ever-amazing canyons and creeks. There is something profound to be learned about oneself when living in a harsh environment. Whether drought or flood, hot or cold, the author chooses this place for its simplistic difficulty – rocks, sun, and poisonous critters.

I’ve read some 7,000 pages this year. I like that parts of the stories stick with me and become a part of my story. With that in mind I want to make sure only books that urge me to think and smile become a part of my reading repertoire to keep me happy and learning. My Dad was kind enough to ensure that I had reading material for April. His selections include cook books – important, and books of nature – my favorite, and others of codes, objects, and science.  And in an emergency my new library is only 0.6 miles away.

Posted in Books, Education | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Newly Updated Unknown Current Noobness

Posted on March 24, 2012 by TheJessicaness

Front

Wow! A whole month has gone by since I have written a post. My keyboard is working, but I have yet to hook up my speakers – coincidence, maybe. I have plenty of back-dating to do, but will, for those begging to see, post about the new place with perhaps a photo or two. The house we are renting is located in Imperial Beach, California – the most southwesterly city in the U.S. that was built prior to 1978. It’s a two bedroom with wood and tile floors. Our backyard has a messy pine tree growing into the power line and a palm tree with spears that bloody our fingers. We are slowly removing all the spiky weeds as well.

I am very happy to have a walkscore.com of 74 in a friendly community. We live about 0.8 miles from the Pacific Ocean and about 8 miles (less if you walk through the state park – off-road) from the Mexico border which makes a difference in the local language. The temperature is a chilly 62 – a ten degree difference from the sunshine state. This is our first time renting a house that runs on gas heat and that has recycling. There is a lot of art in the area – on buildings and electrical boxes. It is easy to get lost, but enjoyable.

Back

We have been busy remembering to pay our last electric bill in Florida, unpacking boxes and packing the fridge, cleaning the lawn and dirtying the house. We can let the dogs out more often – any visit to the garage, eating outside, adding to the compost. We are still hanging pictures and making curtains. We are updating our address so we can pay our new bills. Changing our phone number again to have a local area code. I’m overwhelmed with the amount of activities to do here – everyday! There are so many local programs to help you with home, school, volunteering, recycling, greening, sharing, outdoor adventure, shopping, eating, and living the southern California dream.

I’m looking forward to home-ground coffee, home-pressed juice, home-cooked meals, home-grown fruits and veggies, and some home-schooling. I’m looking forward to more sand in my toes, more sun on my face, more wind in my hair, more friends at my door, more family during the holidays, and the opportunity to photograph and blog about it all here. I’m looking forward to not having to move every year, for a while, due to bad neighbors or landlord fee disagreements. I’m looking forward to riding my bike around a city with more bike lanes. I look forward to swimming in the ocean, walking in the sand, hiking in the mountains, camping in the forests, and staying hydrated in the deserts.

Posted in Food, People, Places, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Day 5: Tallahassee Finish Line

Posted on March 4, 2012 by TheJessicaness
Lake Miccosukee

Lake Miccosukee

I woke up through the night with the disturbance of the hotel light coming in the window. I got up at 7:30 am and Caleb called letting me know he would meet me in Tallahassee. My odometer is at 140.7 miles and it’s 26 or more miles into the capital city where I’m looking forward to warm pancakes, eggs, beans, pizza, and donuts – carbs and protein. I had applesauce for breakfast while I microwaved my clothes. My shoes were still dripping water when I put them on.

My clothes and my bags stink. This makes me wish I had known about warmshowers.org sooner. It’s a good idea for so many reasons – shower, laundry, internet, dinner, sleep, and possible new friends. I backtracked some for a gas station breakfast. Dressed in my cycling gear drew attention and I talked to the man behind the counter while another customer and an officer listened. They were watching River Monsters and the guy suggested I fly to San Diego – yet another reason I’m proud of my accomplishment.

I got to see 16.6 miles of rolling hills, lush green grass, spanish moss in the trees with a light breeze and a temperature of 77 degrees. I feel a bit of disappointment in myself, but realize I learned lots in these last few days – proper gear being an important one. Cycling is not for the weak of heart. Doing long miles daily and meeting challenges along the way is demanding and takes determination.

Got home, unpacked my bags, and packed my stomach full of food from Mellow Mushroom – half a sandwich, half a calzone, and a pretzel – cycling burns calories. Then I set up the tent to let it air out. Called my parents to let them know how my day/trip had gone. My mom had faith and my dad was proud. Hearing them helped cheer me up. I like how great it feels to ride my bike and look forward to doing it again soon.

Posted in Cycling, Family, Food, Media, People, Places, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Day 4: Seven Miles in the Rain

Posted on March 3, 2012 by TheJessicaness
rain lily

rain lily

Up at 6:20 am, protein bar in hand, with feet on the trail. I take a right at the boat ramp to walk through the hardwood hammock along the Suwannee River. An hour later I am rejoining the group. Their tents are already packed, but they are going the opposite direction. I would enjoy riding in a small group. Bob mentions that I might cross paths with another lone female cyclist – we are few.

Bit of a late start, but I was in no hurry for a sore ass and I can feel my leg muscles getting stronger. The first 12 miles went by easy. I stopped for a sandwich at Subway at 11:30 am in Madison, then in Greenville to refill my Camelbak. The wind was strong enough at one point to blow me off the road. Ride a bike long enough and you will encounter wind and hills – take them at your own pace.

Last night’s experience and luxury (hot shower) gave me more motivation for today’s ride. Seven miles from Monticello and the rain began to come down hard. I got storm kisses all morning. I put the rain poncho on just in time, held it for a while to make sure my phone stayed dry and then tied it close. So many trucks with empty beds drove by and only a few slowed down to turn.

one tree - two trunks

one tree – two trunks

Seven miles later when I reached town I found three nice people to point me west to the other side of town (1.5 miles) to the Brahman Inn. My bike didn’t fit in their tiny office and after giving my driver’s license number and credit card number I paid $40 in cash for room 107 that I had to shoulder the door to get in. I took off all my wet clothes – everything but my bra and hair tie and then called Caleb to let him know I made it.

Tried a vitamin packet in my water and instead of watermelon must have accidentally bought crap flavor – trash that idea. Junk food for dinner and, though I think how nice a warm pizza would be, I’m glad to be dry. I totalled 46.5 miles in six hours and burned 1,200 calories. I was sweating in 74 degree weather, but that obviously wasn’t an issue with the cold rain.

Lots of odd-shaped trees, small red flowers, and dead animals on the road today. I’m grateful for the introduction to riding up hills in wind and rain; it’s the best way to learn. On the road I smelled laundry and farts. The big room smells like wet and sweaty clothes. My feet are cold, my shoulders hurt, and my ass is chapped. The tile floor is covered in dead bugs. There is used toilet paper in the bathroom and a cigarette butt in one of the drawers. The walls are a mix of brick and trailer house wood.

There is a difference in riding long distances on the weekends, no matter how difficult, and riding your bike everyday, no matter the elements. I watched some random TV for 30 minutes. I’m going to call Caleb and then go to sleep. It has been a long, adventurous day.

Posted in Camping, Cycling, Places, Plants, Travel, Water | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment