Settling in - Again

This is a diaroma at the Central Arkansas Nature Center here in Little Rock that we visited last last week. The bear is about 4' tall and the tree was about 30' tall. Cute!

We're settling into the new apt today. I think the last 2 weeks caught up with me since I was tired when I got up this morning. We didn't do much today but at least I got the "office" set up so feel more settled. I even have a printer now! We really like the new appt - especially the window blinds which roll down to filter out most of the sun. Morris is back to just eating and sleeping. He didn't even greet and help the cable installer that was here today like he normally would have.

Today was really hot again which doesn't thrill me. The difference here is that the heat is for a couple of months instead of 6 months like in the desert.

Tomorrow we will look at out Arkansas Bucket List and get a plan together.

Moved to a different apt today

We moved down one floor today to another apt, directly below the other one, after the bank foreclosed on the owner of the original unit. The corporate housing leasing agency we used had no idea there was a problem. They offered us 3 choices, including a much larger unit in another building, but we really wanted to stay in this building so we took this one. Actually we like it much better than the first one. The ONLY problem is that Morris doesn't have his throne (ottoman) anymore. He'll have to find a new spot which will hopefully be on the back of a big easy chair that is right by the window. He sure has been in a lot of new places lately! By the way, if anyone has any magic tips for cooking on a ceramic cooktop then I sure would appreciate them. I've never used one before and I hate them - either the skillet isn't hot enough to brown something or it burns whatever is in the skillet!

Raccoon

Here is a raccoon having breakfast in a bird feeder at the Pinnacle Mtn Visitor Center. I couldn't believe how much he ate. Then he hopped down and went for a swim in a small water hole.

Pinnacle Mountain Park

This morning we drove out west to Pinnacle Mountain State Park. However, it was too hot to do any hiking or anything so stuck to the observation deck at the Visitor Center. This is a view of the Arkansas River from there. Would love to go back when it is cool enough to do some hiking.

By the way, Morris has perked up a bit today and met us when we got home to give us heck for being gone. First time he has done that since we got here. We have decided that he was just wore out from the trip, stress, etc. However, his appetite was not affected as he is eating much more than usual. Maybe we'll get our fat, lazy cat after all. 8-)

Little Rock Organ Transplant Support Group

We went to the monthly meeting of the local group today and it was quite interesting. In Sacramento and Tucson where we have attended support groups, the groups were organ specific. i.e. Sacramento was liver and Tucson was kidney with liver being recently combined with the kidney group. Here, the group is for all transplant recipients. There were 5-6 people there who have had heart transplants. One woman has had 2 heart transplants - in 2004 and again in 2007 after her body rejected the first one - and she is doing great now. Others have had liver, kidney or pancreas which we are much more familiar with. They made us feel very welcome. I don't think people in the south have never met a "stranger". They act like they have known you forever.

Odds & Ends

MORRIS: He has settled in so good! But, all he does is eat, look out the window and sleep. This is the "Morris Throne" and where he spends his time. He has certainly become a lazy cat but then there isn't the stimulation that he had in Tucson with the golfers, animals, etc.

EUROPEAN WASHER/DRYER: The concept is great but it takes forever to do the laundry. To start with, you can only get about 1/2 the clothes in it that we usually can put into a washer. Yes, it's great that they go from wash to dry in the same machine. But then you can't put any Bounce or any thing in the dryer cycle. What people do is do the wash, set it for abut 40 minutes dry and then put it into a European Dryer with a Bounce, etc. It takes 1.5 hours to get through the wash and initial dry plus another hour in the regular dryer. It takes forever! I can't imagine someone with a family using these machines.

STAINLESS STEEL SINKS: People who have them and live in Tucson know that it is a constant battle with water spots on the sinks. After about 3 days here with one, I realized there are no water spots on it. What a difference the water makes!

OFFICE: We miss having an "office" with a printer, etc. The laptop has worked out better than I expected since I don't like doing much typing on a laptop keyboard. But having it on a corner of the counter isn't the most efficient. I do have a small printer but haven't figured out where to set it up. But oh well......

RESIDENT VS TOURIST: We have a list of things we want to do and keep forgetting that we are going to be here for more than a week so don't have to get them all done in a few days. Today we kicked back and played dominos for the afternoon.

It's Friday night so we're going back to the Peabody Hotel to listen to the duo who will be playing in the Lobby Bar again. 8-)

Big Dam Bridge

Yes, it's name is the Big Dam Bridge! It is one of two bridges over the Arkansas River along the 19 mile River Trail that I have mentioned before. This bridge is the longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in North America. It is 4,226 ft long, 3,463 ft of that over water and 90' above the water surface. This picture is taken from the bridge looking down at the open lock at the Murray Dam. The Big Dam Bridge is built above the river dam, one of 18 locks and dams on the Arkansas River.

Larry pointed out some typos when he was reading the blog yesterday but hey, you probably figured out what I meant anyway. 8-)

Yes, it's humid...

Over lunch today at our favorite, local pub, Larry and I discussed "Living with dry heat versus living where it is humid." When you walk outside here, it doesn't feel like you are walking into a furnace - it's just hot. I don't like the condensation that forms on a cold glass or anything else that is cold. But the humidity makes it easier to breath and the hot, dry air doesn't burn when you take a deep breath. Morris can now actually purr since his sinus problems have cleared up. However, that is not a good thing when he is purring in my ear at 1 o'clock in the morning while we are sharing a pillow. While we were having lunch on the patio, a breeze can through and it was cooler air - not a hot wind blowing on you. Yes, 96 degrees with 40% humidity (currently) is hot. But it doesn't seem as bad as 110 and 5% humidity - at least in our opinion.

Farmer's Market

Crawled out of bed this morning and walked down to the Farmer's Market which is 3-4 blocks away, down by the water front. It is held on Tues and Sat, May - Oct. Tuesday's market is much smaller than the one on Saturday, so they say, and we'll find out when we go back on Saturday. It's in a permanent structure and next door are coffee shops, bakeries, etc. It was so exciting to get field ripened tomatoes, corn that was picked yesterday, peaches that are ripe when you buy them and field ripened cantelopes, etc. However, no fire roasted chilies... 8-)

July 4th Fireworks

The fireworks were spectacular! They are set off from a bridge that is about 5 blocks away so we had a great view.

Busy 4th of July

We started the day by going to the Clinton Library which had free admission today. They have a special Elvis exhibit right now that is pictures of him taken by a photographer who followed him around for about 6 months. During this time he recorded "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel" and appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was mostly candid pictures and really good. The usual admission is only $5 for seniors but it was the idea.... 8-) Then this afternoon we went next door to the Arizona Historical Museum for an open house type thing celebrating their 70th year. Kinda scary to think it is 4 years older than we are! The oldest house in Little Rock is on their grounds and dates back to the early 1800's. After a "militia" marching on the grounds, they had a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Then tonight, we walked down to the Riverfront for dinner and a concert. The group in this pic is a Dixieland Band. After them was the Symphony Pops Concert. Then at 9:30 is firewalks. They shoot them off a bridge that we have a perfect view of so it should be interesting. We had to get home before the fireworks since the "kid" doesn't like fireworks, thunder, etc. Different kind of 4th for us - usually we just stay home and do nothing.

European Washer/Dryer

If you have been a viewer of House Hunters International, you have seen the washing machines in Europe which are also dryers - all in one unit. Well, that is what is in the condo! I currently have a load of towels in it since I figured towels were a safe start. I'm curious to see how it does. However, I sure like the idea. One drawback is that you can't put as much in them as we do in out traditional washers.

Summer night on the town

After dinner last night, at around 7:30 pm, we headed down to the River Front area. The sun was starting to go down so it wasn't quite so hot. It was absolutely delightful down there. Little Rock really did a fantastic job in the design of the River Front park. There is somthing there for everyone - trails, gardens, gazabos, play gounds for kids, schulpture garden, etc. It was amazing how many people were there. The park and trail goes 8 miles up the Arkansas River, goes across on the Big Dam Bridge (honest, that is the name), comes back the other side of the river which is in North Little Rock and than you cross this bridge to get back to the main area which is 4 blocks from our condo. This bridge was once a bridge used by the railroad but was abandoned when the rail road was rerouted. When they built the trail a few years ago, this bridge was turned into a pedestrian bridge. After wandering around for awhile, we cut through the Peabody Hotel to get back to a street. However, we ran across a duo that was playing in the lobby bar of the hotel. One black guy was on keyboard and another black buy was on sax. The were outstanding! Their music ranged from blues, jazz, 60's to current. We set in the bar for over an hour listening to them and drinking pink lemonade. 8-) Then we walked home at about 10 o'clock. A fun way to spend the evening.

He's at it again....

This morning the climber discovered the top of the TV in the bedroom. The dresser is 4.5 ft high and it's a 46" TV. I guess our first clue was when he was on the highest perch possible at the rescue shelter where we got him...

Settling In

It was sooooooo good to wake up this morning and not be getting on the road again! Instead, we got up and enjoyed the sun rise over the city. Now it is settling in time. The block of windows between the 2 gray columns (where the red arrow is pointing) is home for the next 2 months. In Tucson, Morris sleeps on the bed, usually I share my pillow with him. However, he didn't sleep on the bed at all either of the 2 nights we were on the road which I thought was kinda strange. However, last night he was back on the bed as usual. Even he is settling in and just doing his usual things - eating and sleeping. The first thing on the list for today was finding a grocery store. Tried out a WalMart Super Center but not happy with it so will look at another store tomorrow. Gotta also find a Target and shopping malls. 8-) We had lunch today at Dugan's Irish Pub which is about a block away and it was really good! They make their own french fries each morning and they were so, so good. Larry had the corned beef and cabbage and not even crumbs were left on his plate. I think we will be frequent visitors there... And then there is the chore of getting used to all new TV stations.. The list goes on and on but we will slowly work our way throughthem all.

His Majesty Surveying His Kingdom

It didn't take him long to find the window ledge - a few hours after his previous escapades. This was as the sun was starting to set. Had a great dinner tonight in the restaurant downstairs. Now that, I can get used to... Down the elevator, out the front door and back into the restaurant next door.

Life with Morris is not dull!

Are you saying to yourself "This picture has to be a mistake." Well let me tell you how our first 3 hours went in the condo. First of all, we were all tired this morning and Morris was kinda noisy but not temper tantrums. He didn't go to sleep until the last hour which means we listened to him for 3.5 hours. We get here and everything goes smooth with the check-in, etc. The condo is really nice and the view is incredible. Of course we went through it like they do on House Hunters - "only one bathroom sink? No lamp by the sofa to read by, etc". I put the litter box in the laundry room which seem like a good location and show it to Morris. A few minutes later, after having just seen Morris back in the laundry room, I hear this "meow" and it is coming from up high. Yep, you guessed it.....He was up in the open ceiling in 3 jumps - one to the counter, one up to the top of the dryer and one on up to the open ceiling. I can see him but can't get too him. The building maint. person happened to be here fixing a faucet and he went and got his ladder. Still, Morris would come close to the edge where we could see him but not come down and not close enough to reach him. I wouldn't have worried except the guy said the ceiling is open for the whole floor and there are some hollow spaces between walls he could fall into. By now I'm somewhere between worried, mad and pissed. I would have waited him out if I knew he would have been safe. He would come to the edge but not close enough we could grab him. Larry said to just ignore him and he'll come down when he wants to. We decide the only thing that will entice him is tuna so off to the store I go. By the way, when you are right downtown, there isn't a grocery store around the corner... So with some tuna on a plate, I climb up and finally coax him within reach. I grabbed his head and started pulling him down as he is screaming all the way. I give him to Larry to set him down on the floor and he just meanders off as if to say "what's the big deal?". The laundry room is now off limits but he keeps trying to get back in there. I think he liked it up there wandering all around.

Co-Pilot Morris McClelland

Today was much better with our co-pilot. We carried him to the car this morning with his leash on and just put him in the car. The leash came off as soon as we were through McDonalds. I don't know that he made much more noise that he does when we are home and there certainly wasn't any of the temper tantrums like yesterday. He's always active and vocal (just meowing) in the morning and then quietens down and goes to sleep for a long nap. Larry and Morris had their usual morning conversations but today it was about other vehicles instead of the usual birds and lizards. Morris spent quite a bit of time on the center console looking out the window as he is in this picture. He was dead to the world by noon in the back seat. He would occasionally let out a "meow" without out even raising his head. We converted that to "are we there yet" in people talk. He checked out the hotel room when we got here and "settled in". One thing we have noticed is that he doesn't eat, drink very much or use his litterbox while we're in the car. From what I've read, that isn't unusual.

It is taking forever to get across Texas and what a boring drive it is! Yesterday we were on the road for 9.5 hours, today was 6.5 hours and tomorrow will be about 4.5 hours. The 2 hour time change was tough yesterday but we'll get used to it. I used to do it about every week and not think twice about it but that was when I had had fewer birthdays. On to Little Rock tomorrow - finally!

Traveling with Morris - Day 1

The first 30 minutes of the trip this morning was our worst nightmare come true. We got the car all loaded and then tried to put Morris in his carrier. All 4 of his long, bony legs went in different directions. We would get 3 in and one would escape. It was like putting an octopus in a box.... But we made it and he immediately started in. He yelled, screamed, howled, cried, hissed - you name it and he did it - all at the top of his lungs. We left McDonalds and then Larry unzipped his carrier so he could come out. He didn't shut up but every few minutes we would get a moment of quite. We had decided that if he didn't shut up by the time we got to Wilcox (about an hour) then it was time for the Kitty Valeum. But the quite moments began to be more frequent so we kept driving. By the time we had been in the car for about 1 1/2 hours he began to quite down - maybe he was exhausted but whatever it was we were thankful for it. He started exploring the car and setting on Larry's lap while looking out the side window. By El Paso, he was sound asleep on top of the suitcases. The last few hours he slept in his carrier which really suprised us. In the above pic, he has just woke up from a nap and was having a conversation with Larry. We got to the motel and he immediately checked out every single square inch of the room before settling down for a nap. Hopefully, tomorrow will be quieter at the beginning... 8-)

We were suprised that the speed limit, after we got out of El Paso, was 80 mph for cars and 70 mph for trucks. Both drop to 65 at night. Miles and miles of nothing..

On The Road Again

Car is packed, road map is marked, hotel reservations made, house ready to close up and in the morning we are on the road again. This time we are heading to Little Rock, Arkansas to spend 2 months in a furnished condo on the 12th floor of a building that is right downtown and 3 blocks from the river. The big difference for this trip is that Morris gets to go along. His stuff takes up about 25% of the car with his crate, litterbox, box of food, etc. His Kitty Valium (tranquilizers) is within easy reach if we need it. We have this dream that he will fuss for no more than 1/2 hour and then settle down and be the perfect traveler. Morris knows we're going somewhere because of the suitcases, etc but he will in for a big suprise when he gets put in the car to go along. We're looking forward to the trip but there are a lot of unknows... How will Morris travel? Will we like Little Rock in the summer as much as we do in the fall and winter? Will we like living in a high rise? Will we like living right down town? Will Morris settle into a new place as easily as he did when we brought him home 3 1/2 years ago? How long will it take for me to go back to my mid-western accent? Can Larry and Morris get used to thunderstorms? Should be an interesting 2 months!