Anna's Hummingbird

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
November 30, 2014

 After just putting out the feeder the day before, imagine how excited I was to have visitors for Thanksgiving. Anna's Hummingbirds don't migrate. In fact, it is the only hummer that stays in the West for the winter. Being one of the most common hummingbirds here, they are quite spectacular and anything but common with their iridescent emerald feathers and sparkling rosy-pink throats.

According to allaboutbirds.com they are no larger than a ping-pong ball and no heavier than a nickel.  

 The iridescent throat of the male is called a gorget. The Anna's gorget extends over its head making it more of a balaclava (o.k., I had to look that one up...its a fancy name for a ski mask...) than a bib.

All hummingbirds have tiny legs and can not hop or walk. They can scoot sideways when perched.

Anna's Hummingbirds
 enjoy nectar from many flowering plants. They also feast on a wide array of insects...smaller ones like whiteflies and leaf hoppers.

In the 1930s, Anna's Hummingbirds were only found in California and Baja California...but thanks to widespread feeders and introduced trees such as eucalyptus, they can be found all the way to Vancouver, Canada.

So who was Anna? She was Princess Anna de Belle Massena (1802-1887).

Joe and I have enjoyed sitting on the patio and watching these amazing and beautiful birds. Today there were 3 of them sitting in the lemon tree beside us. We can always hear them before we see them.

So until next time, take care and...

happy trails!

The Easiest Floor Ever!

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
November 25, 2014

It has been a busy time here in Tucson. In between chemo and appointments for me, we have worked on our new floor. I think chemo effects people in different ways. Joe's energy comes...we work about 2 to 3 hours, then his energy goes. We have been patient with ourselves...unlike days past when we would put in an 8 hour day to finish projects in a timely manner. It has been 18 days and we are finished! Well, except for a few small places that need grouting.

I had to find pictures in the archives to show a before. Look closely to see the carpet in front of the sofa and under the TV. All that carpet was removed. We did leave the carpet on the slide under the kitchen table and chairs and under the sofa.  

Also, we made a straight cut just under the captain and passenger chairs...we left the carpet in the cab of the bus.

Our floor of choice was an Allure product we found at Home Depot. It runs about $50 a box which has 8 interlocking 12"X36" pieces.

This shows the old linoleum that was under the carpet and the cut we made in the carpet to separate the living space and cab space. Our new floor was placed on top of the linoleum.



All done here!

The easiest floor ever...maybe if it is installed in a large square room. We have lots of angles and curves in Belle...not so easy!


A big plus though, is that the tiles can be scored with a razor on the back and snapped apart for odd sizes. It is a floating floor...it sticks to itself and no glue was needed.



And yes, that's a large bottle of Tylenol  on the counter!


We made several trips to find a 4X6 rug to put in front of the sofa...mostly for Sally!  First one we found at Target...nice price, but decided it was too light for 16 paws and 4 feet. We found another one at Pier 1...perfect pop of color. But it was a loop pile and after about 3 hours, the loops were pulling out. Not puppy friendly!

Too bad girls...this one went back too!

Well, now we have a rug on order from Lowes. Should be here by the 30th. My fingers are crossed!

Until then, a blanket will do.


 

Dover did a great job over-seeing our project!








We have no real blog worthy news. In our down time we have enjoyed naps, the patio and walking the pups! Not very exciting!

Happy Thanksgiving...we sure have a lot to be thankful for!

Until next time, take care and

happy tails...umm, I mean trails!