Winterhaven, California, Thursday, Jan. 29, 26

Yesterday was a great day.  I walked Madigan to the dog park and then left him in the Thor while I walked across the border to Algadones.

I had a dental appointment at 12 but came early because the Arizona and California time zones overlap.  I had the right time but being early Marta said that they could see me now. The petite female dentist who did my crowns did a check up. She found that one of my older root canals and crown ?Casta Rica ? Cancun had come lose. The senior dentists ?owner came in and removed a crown and tightened in a new one.

“You are lucky . That’s an older root canal you have and we had a crown that fit the screw.”  It was resolved in minutes and now I no longer had a loose crown.  The female dentists finished things up and took an impression from my night guard.  Suddenly I was done.  No fuss and despite the issue with the crown the cost was just fine.  I had to come back for the guard.  The one I had last year I’d ground through in 10 months.  I grind my teeth in my sleep when I’m under stress.  

St. Thomas was a delightful visit. I really feel good to go.

I also dropped in a SOL Optical for another pair of glasses.  I had funky ones from earlier that really were good but I wanted a pair that were conservative and stronge. I now have them.

I also saw Sandra and bought the jewelry. I’d taken a picture of and sent it to Laura and she replied which one she wanted, the opal flower one.  Sandra who is very beautiful and always so well dressed told me she had a daughter in her 20’s and a granddaugther  I sold her about Laura’s children and grand children.  Israel was with her and I took a picture of the two of them. He reminds me of a college professor. 

Myhappypet vet was open and had a half dozen dogs in the waiting room. I had wanted to get Madigan groomed but they didn’t have a time for him to be sedated till a week away.  They could however trim his butt hair so he doesn’t get his poop all tangled in the hair.  That’s now booked for Friday because it will be ‘quick’ .  Madigan doesn’t like any grooming at all and is terrified;  I’m pleased that I know he’ll be fine now till I get him back to his vet who sedates him for the groomer.  

I lucked out after that and in the beauty salon I’d seen earlier there was a girl who did a fabulous pedicure.  I even found some Mexican flip flop leather sandals on the way out.  Before going to the border I picked up fresh baked bread too.

A whole list of errands done and everything went well.  I had to take a day off work but I really am happy with my dental work done and all the other things.  Without Madigan along I was able to get the pedicure as well.  

My friend Barb has been writing poetry and songs and playing guitar. She posts them under her name “charm’.  I’ve been enjoying her creativity.  

I was very impressed last night that I did my laundry. In the dessert there’s dust and sand and clean laundry and showering and pedicures and clean teeth all have a special appeal.

I’m grateful to God for all the gifts and blessings.  

I’ve been reading Vaughan book of WWII underground radio operators and lying on my couch I just look up and feel peace.  I’m in an elegant home and bright blue sky outside the windows,  feeling warm and cozy.  Madigan lies beside me or encourages me to throw the squeaky toy for him.  

This morning I’ve walked him 

Someone woke me at 6 with a call from Quebec.

Don’t wake a doctor unnecessarily.  

I’ve work today and thankful to be of service.

Reading John, John the Baptist seeing Jesus for the first time said “Look this is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  The sacrifice as correction.  Sin meaning to err.  Restored the path or way, To right the ship back on course.  

I feel today that politically the world is off track with mass migration and turning to China aetheist corrupt nation.  I pray that we will find our way. There is revival and so many are turning to Jesus.  

As kids we were told not to talk about religions and politics in polite company, I was raised Christian and prefer it to aetheism and Islam.  Communism is the largest religion of aetheism.  I like Hinduism and Buddhism and some from the neo pagan religions. At the end of the day I’m Christian and feel good studying the Bible and being around like minded people.

Thank you Jesus

Algadones, Mexico, Day 13

I’m so happy to be here.  I woke at 7 am, even had a shower and walked Madigan before I attended my morning meeting.  It’s a wonderful group of inspirational friends. Some call us family.  I try to attend as often as I can on line.  There’s an overlapping meeting Monday and Friday with some of the same people.  We talk of god and the unmanagability of life. Fate and free will discussion and spirituality.  It’s a wonderful way to begin a day listening to geniuses and sharing.

I crossed the border into Mexico at 930 am but here in the time zone was 830.  I first met Sandra and was able to buy the earrings Laura picked from the photo I sent her after seeing Sandra yesterday.  It’s Laura’s birthday so jewelry goes well and is easy to ship with Fed Ex or UPS. Last year I used the US mail but don’t trust Canada Post yet after their strike,  Sandra’s husband’s name is Israel and they got to the Catholic Church Sunday.  I bought some more earrings for the girls in the family as well.  I sent purses last year and they were liked .I’ll send wallets or little purses this year so it’s easier to mail.

I walked over to Sol Opticians but they had a line up so I said I’d go for breakfast. He recommended the outdoor Prius cafe down the snowbird alley.  It was good to sit outside in the sun. I loved the huevos rancheros.  Huevo Rancheros is a favourite food I first encountered in Mexico 40 years ago and have loved ever since.  The same goes for Mango Lassies I discovered in Bomba India when I visited there in the late 80’s.

At Sol Optical, the lovely woman optican told me I needed to see a specialist since she was concerned I may be developing cataracts,  My night vision has declined. She asked about floaters but I ‘ve had those since I had a ball hit me in the eye.  She recommended I see my ophthalmologist before investing in another pair of glasses. I’ll definitely do that when I return.  Dad said blindness was the worst in his late 80’s as it took away so many of his enjoyments, watching, tv, reading, driving.  I liked that at Sol opticians they were more interested in my health than making a sale.  

After I left there I walked around the corner to my favourite leather store.  The last couple of years I’ve sent purses to family and bought some for Laura when she visited. This time I only bought my sister in law a large purse while the niece in laws and Laura I bought new smaller Coach purses that appear contemporary.  I liked that being smaller they’d be easier to ship with UPS or Fed Ex.  Now I’ve done all my major gift buying but will be in the area a week or two more at least. I’ll have time to consider the God kids in that time.  

For now I’m having express at the Coffee Shop. Each year I come and sit in this corner typing with my iPad and enjoying the Mediplaza atmosphere, fairly tranquil and out of the way.  The street vendors haven’t bothered me as much this year but then I’ve only been au drab while in previous years I was dressed au femme most of my visits  alone.  It goes in waves apparently aligned with my anxiety and boredom. Right now I’m rather content with my masculinity.  Also medical conditions tend to focus attention on survival.  I don’t seem to be able to escape aging.  I might want to face it and try not to be distracted.  

I’m ambivalent about the future.  I have lost my two best friends of decades in Vancouver and my brother these last years.  My childhood best friend remains in the islands and I’m grateful for his contact.  On Facebook I see school friends and am inspired by them.  It’s difficult aging and making decisions for the future.  I am wealthy today but poor without pension and if I live to be 100.  I continue to work because I enjoy being of service.  The alternative would be to write books and I’ve certainly been procrastinating that. I really should write a discourse on psychiatry and gives talks when I travel so I can continue to write off trips.  

With the high costs of living in Canada and the punitive tax burden of the communist oriented Liberal government and their corrupt PM Trudeau who has just retired, I don’t know what to plan for the future I envisioned living in Mexico younger. I thought it would be great to live in La Paz on my ship and work half the year.  Now here I am living in southern Arizona relatively inexpensively.  I’m essentially on a mixed work vacation and can afford to do this as long as I’m working.  But there’s damage to my Camper that will cost to repair.  Last year my camper repair costs were $10,000.  My RV home costs were $2000 a month.  If i moved out of Vancouver to the country I could live for $1000 a month for housing like it is here.  I simply don’t know.  I’m mostly here because Laura is here and I’ve work and friends in the two clinics I work at.  I have my men’s group and George and others there give me a sense of belonging.  

I’m very grateful for the adventure of life.  I love my dog and travel and have enjoyed sailing, skiing and scuba diving but don’t do those anymore. I’m not even excited as before about hunting. I like motorcycling and quadding, camping, reading and writing.  I like my meetings and church.  I would like to get back into Tai Chi.  

It’s the whole issue of living in the present.  I’m calm and happiest when I’m present.  My mind is mostly at peace,  I drift into future zooming and dooming and then the anxiety strikes.,  Being told my eyes are aging is unsettling ,  For several years my back pain has interfered with sex and exercise. I’ve tried to do the exercises and swim but the pain is straining.  

I am thankful that Trudeau has stepped down. He was evil and my nemesis.  Now I feel there is perhaps hope.

I am lonely at times .  I returned to Canada earlier last year after only a couple of month because I was lonely.  I am a lone with. God.  I enjoy being here than being alone in wilderness as I did before. I like sitting in cities writing. I have my camper and it’s isolated in an RV park miles front Yuma.  Tomorrow I’ll ride my Vespa with Madigan into Yuma to attend church.  

Madigan is beginning to bark at strangers When he gets into sheriff mode, he’s bored and wants to move on,  There are children playing on the crow in the plaza and he wants to play with them.  Considering how many people I’ve seen in my life I am rather aloof now in life . That goes with the territory.  

Thank you God for this life Thank you for the color and sights .  Thank you for Madigan. Thank you for Laura. Thanks you for Adell, Graeme, Andrew , Allen , Tanya, Meagan,  Elliot and Finn. Thank you for the dogs.

Thank you for all the blessings, Thank you for the glorious hot dry weather. Thank you for the kindness and friendliness of people. Thank you for coffee. Thank you for my ability to travel. Thank you for all o the senses. 

Time to use the washroom and head for the border crossing. 

It’s a good day.  God is good all of the time 

Golden Shores RV - Departure, Day 12 to Yuma , Sleep Hollows RV Park and Algadones

LA fires were all the news. Arson and smoke and evacuations. I received an amber alert on my watch.  Decided that I’d travel south rather than head straight west to Salton Lake.

I’d thought to stop in San Diego but the cost of RV Resorts ranged from $150 to $250.  That’s American money and Canadian is only 70 cents to the dollar. I stopped at San Mateo Campgrounds and they were $50 a night. The California campgrounds were reasonable for full service but they required reservations.  I almost stopped but I’d only gone an hour or so and I was enjoying the trip down the coast. I almost stopped at Oceanside again because I’d loved it there but really was enjoying the ride.  

I stopped at Encinitas and took pictures of the SRF meditation centre I visited and meditated at .  I studying Yogananda when I was 20 doing the Kriya Yoga lessons, being initiated and always feeling positive about the learning.

It noted my door lock was broken and stopped at el Centro to see an RV repair man. It was just 5 pm and I couldn’t find anyone so late.  I drove on and stayed the night boon dogging outside Yuma off Fortuna in the desert flats. I’d tried to find an RV park in the dark but the offices were closed at 7 when I was there and I was a bit exhausted and crossed into an oncoming traffic lane. Luckily it was empty but time to pull over.  

Madigan peed . I slept and only once did he bark and wake me. No one was there. I worried it was the police saying you can’t stay here. It wasn’t. I was glad to sleep and wake refreshed.

Foothills RV Supply and Repairs , 11242 S. Foothills Blvd, Yuma, 928 342 1704 were the best.  I got a new lock and some really good advice.  Great people.  

I enjoyed topping up the propane at my old haunt and checking out Walmart for a lounge chair. I drove past the Marine Air Force base and Madigan got his beef paddy and I had Sausage Egger.  All was good as we moseyed out to the Sleepy Hollow RV Park near Algodones.  Great native run RV park with security doing patrols,  Madigan liked it. I paid for a week, reasonable rates.  No pool or laundry or whirlpool but dog walk and store. I just liked it.r.

Once I was set up i walked Madigan to the US Customs and the cutest officer kindly reviewed the paper and said he was good to come and go.  I’d had a virtual meeting which I enjoyed with all the lone time travelling.  Then I walked over to Mexico and enjoyed how they’d fixed up the Mexican side of the border crossing with white paint and X-ray machine.  The guard checked my bag thoroughly and I was in. I’ll be able to come and go this week. They’d put up fencing and changed the town a little to improve security at the crossing.  Lots of building going on.  A prosperous community. I was less harassed on the street but it was late in the day and St Thomas Dental and Sol Optician were closed .I was able to get meds at Trury’s. 

I enjoyed chatting with merchants and  talked to one of the fellows who asked about my ring and shared he was 5 years clean and sober in NA.  Miracles of miracles 

I saw Sandra of Sandra Jewelry with her husband .  I’ve enjoyed them each visit and Laura loved them. So I bought some jewelry for Laura’s birthday.  She’s been wearing the Sandra’s Jewelry all year to praise and comment so I’m glad to gift her some more.

I’ve totally set up the camper and even unloaded the Vespa myself without too much difficulty. I’d had a hard time with the HD Nightster Specail.  This is 100 lbs lighter and makes all the difference. There was a terrific guy at the Foothills RV who showed me the Vespa’s he was working on restoring.  We sung their praises together .  I’m looking forward to riding into town to church on Sunday assuming the weather remains so splendid,

It’s hot in the afternoon,  Sunshine and blue skies.  Such a healthy relief from Vancouver right now.  I feel my joints enjoying the dry and hot and I’m uplifted by the sun,  What a blessing to be able to do this.

Thank you Jesus,  Thank you God. Thank you Creator.

It’s cooled off with the sun going down. I ‘ve turned on my electric heater and it’s heaven. I’ ve hot dogs to barbecue and potato’s salad. I phoned the patients that texted me and took care of prescriptions and concerns so I’m caught up.  I will enjoy watching TV tonight.  I finished the see history and started a western I’m reading.

I’ll have to walk him again.  He pooped in the office and I had to clean it up checking in. I felt so badly. He’d not had a walk of any merit so it was my fault. He walked for an hour or two with me crossing the border and such. He’s tuckered out whereas when we camped at night I didn’t walked him concerned about traffic and night and dependent on flash light.  I’d then focused on fixing the lock and until that was done I wasn’t  able to leave the camper .  He’s such a good boy and no harm done as I cleaned it up with Clorox towels, Poor guy. The woes of travel as a dog.

I made up for it taking him with me and he loved all the smells and everyone friendly.  He likes it here.  So do it.

Thank God!!!

Larry and Peter, Bella and Luka

Golden Shores view of the docks at sunset

Encinatus

Boon docking

Fabulous Foothills RV Supply and Repairs. Yuma

Sandra Jewelry