Good Morning From My Van

Kira enjoys her morning nap after first morning potty walk. 

Good coffee to you. What's today like in my van (that is waiting for fuel pump replacement)? 

We woke at 830 a.m. to a chilly 45 degrees.  The desert gets very cold at night, then by 10 a.m. it's sunny and comfortable.  

Mornings in a camper van aren't much different than traditional style in a bricks and sticks house.  Get up,  go to the bathroom, walk the dog,  make coffee,  fold the door curtains and fold up the bedding.  

I'm still trying to balance repair tasks and totally rearranging interior of van at the same time.  It's getting better but interior still a disaster in terms of things having their own place

Kira decides napping in the dog bed next to me is a better option 

Add a chihuahua who always wants to be right in the middle of everything (might be food involved)..

But finally I've a spot on the couch to sit and a spot on the end table to set my coffee.  Ah coffee,  nectar of the gods,  my sanity potion.

As usual,  I'm in waiting mode.  A friend coming to charge my battery,  small check tonight at 11 p.m., the fuel pump to pay electronically tonight plus labor.  So I'll do a bit of housework and organizing. 

I've a fresh bunch of bananas one of the panhandlers left on the corner,  and a full, unopened cherry Pepsi.  While I am a purist on my cola,  i won't turn down a free,  full,  unopened cold pop. 

I think breakfast will be peanut butter with Fiji apple preserves (on sale $1.09) on whole wheat,  with a banana and a big kosher dill pickle on the side, accompanied by my second cup of coffee. 

A simple no cook breakfast.  No dishes to wash,  a couple of paper towels and a paper plate for the trash,  a knife and a spoon to wipe clean.  That's living my dream.  

No,  I'm not living the dream,  I'm living my dream.  Life still happens whether in a traditional house or full time in an RV. 

So, good coffee to you,  from Kira and Lou in my big green vintage class b plus van. It looks to be a wonderful day today. 

~Just Lou~

If you've enjoyed this blog,  feel free to donate $1 or more at PayPal.me/LouBurgess

Adversity or Opportunity ?

It's the time of harvest and plenty.  Storing up for the cold and lean months.  A time to tell the stories of days past.  To teach the younger generation.  

Put the man-made calendar away.  Ignore the clock.  Eat plenty of the vegetables and fruits in season.  Lots of variety and color.  

Gather around and read together.  Instead of tv or video,  stream an audiobook or old radio dramas.  

Stock up popcorn,  dried fruits,  dried beans,  lentils,  rice,  split peas. String green beans and cranberries to dry.  Stock up on cocoa powder,  dried milk,  cinnamon sticks. 

Open the windows and let the fresh air circulate. 

Go through your closets and drawers.  Either give away or use old time rag bag.  

Just as covid-19 as changed the world,  it's an opportunity to look at our lives and our ways of living.  

Adversity always brings reflection and opportunity.  You can bemoan change or become the change. 

It is truly your choice

Responsible, Safe, Traveling During Pandemic

Let's talk cleaning and disinfecting 

With the pandemic,  it's critical knowing what to use to stay safe. 

Rubbing alcohol 70% and paper towels for hand sanitizer. 

A bottle of water,  a bar of soap,  and a small bucket for washing hands.  Time the handwashing for 20 seconds.  An old toothbrush makes a good nail scrubber. 

Cleaning:  bleach and water in a spray bottle or bucket.  The proportion is 1 cup bleach to 9 cups water. 

A face shield or goggles as well as a mask covering both nose and mouth.  

I traveled during the height of the pandemic through Arizona aand Nevada. 

Use your debit card or phone to pay whenever possible. I use scan to pay as much as possible. 

I don't dine in at all.  If i eat out,  it's drive through or curb service.  Pay on app whenever possible. 

You don't need a build out van to wash hands.  A simple large to go cup makes good sink to catch water.  A bar of soap,  and a small 16 oz bottle of water.  You may dump the water on any tree or Bush. 

My soap dish is a washed out dog food container.  Recycling.  Orange lid makes it easy to spot. 

Washing hands with soap and water is a lot safer than the alcohol hand sanitizers. 

The hand sanitizer requires 60 seconds wet to provide protection.  

Travel safe. 

Funny but social distancing is fairly normal for many vandwellers.  

And although 6 feet  the recommended distance,  I'd encourage more distance.