Monday, July 31, 2017

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Saturday, July 29, 2017

a sprinkle














Big storms in the area today...caught just enough to settle the dust and take the heat off.  74,100,76, .07",B

Friday, July 28, 2017

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

back in business...











Part of the production yesterday was Ben helping me reassemble my solar oven.  As it turns out, I wasn't called upon to prepare anything with it so I am enjoying my first solar oven cooked meal in over a year tonight.  94,97,76,0,B

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Ben Fogle returns...
















Had a return visit today from Ben Fogle.  My Ben was named after him when his show New Lives in the Wild filmed here 5 years ago.  Nice when a celebrity insists on getting selfies with my famous animals and includes my favorite UPS driver.  They were here for 8 hours today to do a follow up on my episode from the first season of the program.  95,97,74,0,B

Monday, July 24, 2017

Sunday, July 23, 2017

all things

Philippians 4: 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

Saturday, July 22, 2017

say hello to my little friend...

I really need to do some welding tomorrow on the solar oven...but a spider has made a home in my welding jacket.  I hate to disrupt all the hard work he has put into it so I think I will make do without the jacket for this little project.  92,98,71,0,B

Friday, July 21, 2017

Thursday, July 20, 2017

another bump...

Nearly 3 months in and just when I think "the bucket" has had its last dying breath - someone new finds it.  This morning it was the Ukraine.  This is the second time it has made the rounds there.  88,92,73,0,B

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

solar project...

Looks like I have something to keep me busy through the weekend.  I have committed to cooking a pizza when the film crew is here next Tuesday.  My big solar oven has been laying in the same spot since the stand broke last year.  A little welding and a lot of cleaning and it should be good to go.  Let's just hope we have a sunny day.  77,88,74,0,B

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

plenty of room...

Looks like it will take at least one more big storm before I won't be able to squeak by.  The rest of the road is all dry now and clear sailing for at least the next week.  87,94,71,0,B

Monday, July 17, 2017

Sunday, July 16, 2017

how much more...

Matthew 7:
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Friday, July 14, 2017

Thursday, July 13, 2017

the goggles have landed...

A bit of touch and go this morning with the weather.  Was afraid I wouldn't get my deliveries due to rain.  Luckily the nearby storms passed this morning with only a brief sprinkle and it was clear sailing.  Headed out at 2 PM and caught a new FedEx driver headed my way with the goggles.  I told her I was sorry she didn't get a chance to meet Chupa.  She was more than happy to avoid the encounter since she had already heard all about him.  Ventured south and caught a substitute UPS driver on the road with another delivery.  I figured Manny must be on vacation because normally I am his first stop and he gets here by 1 PM.  Brought the new gear home and charged everything up.  Easily got through linking the goggles with the Mavic and luckily my poor eyesight is just right to be able to see an incredible image without any glasses (the view is truly amazing).  The fit of the goggles on my noggin was a little iffy and they tended to slip (as I have seen in some of the reviews).  Figured out that wearing a backwards baseball cap under the rig was just what I needed to keep them in place.  Lots of little things to still figure out.  Will do a full review of all the new gear eventually on YouTube.  82,88,75,0,B    

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

7 years ago...











Had a return visit today from Larry D. Hayden.  Good to get caught up after 7 years and Chupa was on his best behavior (sort of).  Ben really enjoyed seeing a Hasselblad for the first time.
Larry shot this iconic image of Benita when he was last here. 
93,97,78,0,B

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

glad that is finally done...














Tackled the worst of it yesterday.  First major clean up since my accident 2 1/2 years ago.  Last on the list is to find out what is going on under the bed - where the monsters live... 95,96,76,0,W

Monday, July 10, 2017

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Saturday, July 8, 2017

another tail light














Just over a year ago I replaced this tail light.  2 months ago the new one jiggled loose and lost a vital part and I have been nursing it along by applying a little duct tape to hold it in place.  Last week I forgot to check the tape and took a trip south for some errands.  That evening I noticed the tail light was gone.  Found it the next day along the highway about half way to Study Butte.  Just installed a new replacement today (and put some thread lock on the 2 screws that hold it in place).  90,95,75,0,B

Friday, July 7, 2017

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Name that critter.

First time I have noticed one of these at TFL.  Do you know what it is? Note: proper identification includes being age specific... 79,90,73,0,W

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

FPV

Made an executive decision today (I love making those) and ordered the DJI Goggles for my Mavic Pro.  Rather than get another dedicated tablet (I already have 3 tablets and none of them work very well in this application) I decided on the FPV (first person view) goggles.  Came to that conclusion after a good amount of research.  When I first started hearing about the goggles, I sort of wrote them off as a silly racing drone accessory.  What I have come to discover after seeing a lot of reviews is that they are the perfect solution for being able to precisely control the drone while filming (which is the whole point of why I decided to buy the drone in the first place). They are 20 bucks cheaper than the new bright DJI CrystalSky 5.5" monitor and there is absolutely no issue with glare from the sun when you wear them.  From what I have seen it is a truly immersive experience and just like being in the cockpit when flying the drone.  They work wirelessly with the Mavic Pro with DJI's new OcuSync technology and provide a flawless HD video feed from the drone throughout its full distance range and a touch pad on the side of the goggles gives access to all the configuration and flight mode menus.  80,102,75, .04",W

Monday, July 3, 2017

Sunday, July 2, 2017

let not the sun go down upon your wrath

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  27 Neither give place to the devil.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Big Ben is 5 years old!

95,98,75,0,B, 68.25" tip to tip