July was another month of learning odd facts, interesting tidbits, touching stories, and annoying experiences.

1. A friend who knows odd facts said that the biggest danger while sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is running into cargo containers that have fallen off of ships. Eventually someone will figure out a way to locate those missing Seatrains and turn it into a teevee show.
2. Got an answer about Iron Springs and Soda Springs from my friend Fort Worth Jim, a geologist: “The water has carbon dioxide in it which makes the water acidic. Acidic water can dissolve iron but when it flows out it loses its carbon dioxide, and iron is forced to precipitate out of the rock.” (But will I remember this info?)
3. Remember I told you about the inefficiency of Home Depot last month? The saga continued. After not being able to fit the mini-fridge in Fernando, I took it back into the store to put it on will call. The self-checkout had neglected to provide a receipt, so it took a very long time to set things up. Trail Guy and I returned for the fridge the following week, and it was gone. They chose another model for us through lots of computer tapping and lots of wasted time, and when we went to retrieve it, it didn’t exist either. We picked a third model, loaded it up, and figured it was a done deal. Then I started getting phone calls to come pick up my “merchandise”. The first caller didn’t even identify the store, much less the “merchandise”. The second caller did, so I called back to be sure I wasn’t getting charged for two. Sure enough, I was. Much computer tapping, hold time, exchange of various numbers and dates, and now I think it is solved. THIS IS WHY I HATE TO GO SHOPPING!!! Excuse me for shouting. If it isn’t at the Three Rivers Mercantile, I don’t need it.

   

4. Sometimes when our cabin neighbors leave, they give us their extra groceries. That way they don’t have to toss them or take them home. It is fun! We don’t always consume everything, of course. Last month we received a tub of potato salad, something I don’t usually eat because I just don’t like potatoes or raw onions. Trail Guy had a bite and said it was sweet. “Sweet?” I read the ingredients, and the third one on the list was SUGAR!! Really?? In potato salad?? Why on earth?
5. Peripheral neuropathy makes toes go numb and can be helped by L-methylfolate, a B vitamin referred to as a “medical food”. I don’t know if it works yet but I do know that numb toes are a nuisance while hiking (or walking or standing to paint or just being alive). I wish I didn’t have to learn about this.
6. If you know this amazing lady, congratulate her on a promotion to Chief Ranger at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
7. There are some people who exceed the average definition of generosity in life. These are people who donate organs, people who pay for meal services for recipients of organs (one of my incredibly generous blog readers is paying for a meal service for my friends Rachelle-of-new-lungs and Steven-the-husband-of-the-century), and someone who received a heart and now helps transplant patients and their families. Her name is Ava and you can see her story (and give if you are so inclined) here: Ava’s Heart.
8. Some customers/friends have been wanting a logo for many years. I recommended someone to them and it didn’t work out. Why didn’t they think to ask me, or why didn’t I think to offer? Because logo design is not my main thing, but after a year passed, I got the courage to offer my feeble design services. More will be revealed in the fullness of time. What I learned was this: ask!
9. Fake Crocs cost less, have a thicker sole, are narrower, and don’t have a visible brand name; they are made in China and sold by Amazon. Lesson learned. I liked the color, but I got a blister on the TOP of my toe (hunh??) and tripped twice while walking in them so they will become hang-around shoes, not walking shoes.
10. Sending cookies from Three Rivers to Los Angeles costs $14 via UPS and $9 via the Post Office.
11. Is Three Rivers in a third world country? Our neighborhood went 5 days with extreme minimal water due to a failed pump and unavailable part. This coincided with the largest power bill we have ever had, while our A/C is on a voluntary rolling black-out discount because there isn’t enough electricity in California. (Can you believe that hydroelectric power – using rivers – is considered non-renewable energy??)
12. My neighbors are very generous and let me use their swimming pool. What I learned while in the pool is that Cleveland Sage smells terrific and overpowers the smell of chlorine.

    

P.S. Stupid HD just sent me a check for the amount of the fridge. WHATSA MATTUH WITH THOSE PEOPLE??

 

Things I learned (and probably forgot) in previous Julys.

July 2020 ° July 2019 ° July 2018