barefootwalk

 Back in June I notice a tear in ball joint boots. Toyota doesn't put refillable ball joint and basically you replace them but they last a long time, I heard double other brands. I decided to get a press and replace the boots. Meanwhile I can check if the ball joint itself needs a replacement. In my surprise the more torn joint was OK and I just replaced the cover but the other less worn was loose. I may need to replace it in future but everything seems OK now. Easy job and I saved myself time and money going to mechanic.

 I have been walking this path for three years. It is not on my way to campus but it is a nice quiet sidewalk. Actually it is closer to my previous apartment as well, so I am sure it is about 5 years I am walking this sidewalk; but I never noticed there is a fig tree! Until yesterday. Twyla stopped in her usual manner and was checking the leaves and finally I noticed the fruits! Sweet and full bodied. Summers are dead around here. Most people have left the town and it seems no one appreciates the miracle of a fig tree! I helped myself. Small excuse for small happiness.

 I have never been a big fan of social media but I have used it first because everybody is using it and second I could socialize. More I think about it, more I realize in my case it's more harm than benefit. Few weeks ago I decided to reduce my use to once or twice a day, less than 10 minutes and I didn't feel I missed a lot, on the contrary I feel much better! So I will try to keep it very low or make I can stop using them after all.

Twyla needed a new bed. So I made a new bed for her. This one turned great and she appears to love it! This is how I made it: Everything is either from other projects or from thrift store. I got a bundle of fabrics for $1 and I made a lot of stuff with them! One of the best purchases of my life. The floor will be the orange coated ripstop nylon, it's waterproof. Top is a comfortable flowery fabric. 

May 2022  It was getting warm again. Summer vacation was about to start and we decided to take the opportunity and hit the road before it gets too hot. Although I was missing mountains and high elevations, I decided to avoid driving through Great Plains in the heat and I aimed for the north again. A slow paced ride along Appalachian and highest points of the east. We said goodbye to our backyard mockingbirds and started the trip in my upgraded camper. We made a new friend in our first camp in Mississippi. It was nice and quiet.  We explored around Mississippi and Tennessee the next day and made it to Fire creek campsite. It was a nice campsite and our spot was next to the creek. After a nice walk and enjoying the cool weather until noon we headed to another campsite. A few campsites I was planing were closed so I randomly ended at Bull creek trailhead. Nice hiking trail and cool spot in Pisgah National Forest. We arrived late so we had a rest and explored the trail the next da...