A Chair Repair

February 13, 2022February 14, 2022 — Eclectic, Travel — 1 min read

Another post where I try something different in the way it is presented. Clicking on the image will enlarge it.

We’ve had a problem with the rivets breaking on our Saddleback chairs. I’ve fixed them during our travels with an assortment of small bolts and nuts I had on hand, even an eyebolt one time. Unfortunately I’ve discovered I used bolt diameters that fit tightly in the original holes. With an increasing number of times the chair was folded and unfolded they would bind and eventually shear off. This time by drilling a hole slightly larger in diameter than the bolt, then using a nylon insert lock nut meant they would no longer bind. At last I got the fix right.

Sonnet to the Glorious Fire Ring

February 11, 2022February 12, 2022 — Eclectic, Inspiration, Other, Travel — 1 min read

Some days ago I played around with posting something entirely different, a video in praise of the fire ring. Done hurriedly, it was definitely NOT one of my better moments. Now comes the greatly revised edition which will be inflicted upon you if you click on the image below. My guess is there will be no popular demand for something like this again in the future.

Shredded Chicken with Tomatillo Sauce

February 10, 2022February 10, 2022 — Food — 1 min read

We love Mexican food, which means most our meals are, you guessed it, Mexican. For the longest time we resisted buying an Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker) thinking we didn’t have room for it in Sophie. Since buying one, the smallest size they make, we aren’t sure how we got along without it. This is a cooked chicken breast rubbed with cumin, course ground black pepper and Mexican oregano. Next the two fork method is used to shred it.

Roasted garlic, peppers and onions on the plate. Halved tomatillos in the skillet ready to be roasted. Combine them all in a blender and, voilà, our version of tomatillo sauce. (Sweet peppers in this batch, other times it is poblano, jalapeno or some other Mexican peppers. Variety is the extra spice of food.

All mixed together and ready for a tortilla and cheese. And yes there is way more than we can eat for several meals in the bowl. That’s when Ziploc bags and our freezer come to the rescue. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Keeping Warm at Night

February 9, 2022February 10, 2022 — Other — 2 min read

When the temperatures dip down near freezing and we have hookups we can stay comfortable at night. Our RV, Sophie, has a combination air conditioner/heat pump which we could use. When my hearing aids come out at night it produces no noise. Unfortunately she who is attempting to sleep beside me has the hearing equivalent of eagle eyes. Meaning the heat pump is a no go. Sophie also has a propane furnace, but having lived in RVs for over 16 years our rule is that we never use the furnace. Of course we could go the route of piling on the blankets, quilt and down comforter, unfortunately she who resides beside me at night doth protest long and loud at being “hampered” under such conditions.

Our solution is a small electric heater, which because of Sophie’s small size and the fact we have no pets or children works to keep us nice and warm. We use a silicone pad under it to protect the table which is where we place it at night. Something like this is not for everyone, so make sure you understand the risks before using this or any other method to heat your RV.

A Place Where Nature Rocks

February 8, 2022February 10, 2022 — Travel — 1 min read

Some 26.5 million years ago a nearby volcano erupted spewing out huge masses of ash and pumice. In the end over 2000 feet (610 meters) had accumulated, hardening into rock. It is the weathered remains of that rock that gives the park its strange and beautiful appearance. Because of the cold and windy weather we didn’t hike nearly as much as we did when were last here some 16 years ago, but then again, we are also some 16 years older.