… the satellite dish is snoring …

Sorry. That was pretty bad but I’m feeling a bit silly. Our spiffy, automated, installed-yesterday, satellite internet system is sleeping … stowed in the down position and not in use because the rain drowned the connection and the wind threatened its safety.

It’s a little disappointing but basically we’re fortunate. It is the first storm in 15 years that didn’t cause worry about our road washing out or a tree falling on our house (I confess I still did worry a little, for the sake of friends still there.) Granted, we are parked at the edge of a lake and things are soggy. The manager recommended we move from our campsite to an adjacent day-use parking space where the water runs off the slighty higher and paved surface, down the boat ramp and into the rising lake. We’re dry and snug inside. The power is still on and if it doesn’t stay that way … we have a generator (and a Verizon air card.)

This is working out. We’re just minutes from Nicole. The bus service to Santa Cruz is good. And it’s nice looking out at a lake.

Pinto Lake, December 31, 2007

Well, not really. But we could … if we wanted to. And if we knew how and had poles and licenses. We don’t but that’s not the important part. We could … if we wanted to. We awoke parked adjacent to Pinto Lake where we scored the best site with nothing but green grass between us and the water. Happy first official day of retirement to Steve!

Life isn’t perfect. It’s drizzly and gray today. Our fears and the Vet’s suspicions were confirmed yesterday when Ginger’s x-rays showed heart disease (with meds we should be able to manage it “for years” and make her feel better.) Our carbon monoxide detector went off in the middle of the night, making for a stressful time with animals in the truck, windows open, fans on, all to the backdrop of a piercing beeper sounding in an otherwise quiet campground. It was a bummer but not as big of a bummer as if it hadn’t gone off. We think the problem was a burner on the stove got left on low by accident but we’ll be monitoring things closely to be sure. And we’re worried about Nicole who hasn’t responded to emails or phone calls since Sunday. (We’ll be pounding on her door soon as we are only 5 minutes or so away from her.)

Even so, it is a good day. I asked Steve how he feels this auspicious morning and he responded with the lines of a Greg Brown song … “free… free … we were boys and we were free.” He also said he felt “kinda playful”. Here’s to playtime!

p.s. Westi just called to say she heard from Nicole. She’s feeling blue but she’s okay. They’re picking me up in a bit and we’re going to get a pedicure together. See … it IS a good day!