It's all fiction anyway

I do it to make my life more exciting and hopeful. I do it because I want something better than what we have now. But in the end, it won't change anything and rent still needs to be paid and food must be bought.

In other news, I'm still exercising, doing some digging in the garden and hoping that I'm building my stamina enough to be stronger in the future. Doing 10 angled push ups, I put my feet against the wall opposite the kitchen and lean on the counter edge. Perfect angle and man those are hard! When i get to six reps, it's like okay I'm done but then keep going because you have to push a bit further than you're comfortable to do any good.

It was harder today because I not only dug in the garden yesterday but dug a little more today so I got  my arm work out two days in a row on top of my leg exercises when I take Rocky out. I'm not comfortable walking the neighborhood anymore but since the weather is getting better might start driving to the park again and walking.

The weather has turned from winter to spring. Santa Ana conditions, clear warm and dry with a slight breeze. From two days ago of 35 degrees by morning with frost on the roof. Mockingbirds are singing, the doves are back and the hummingbirds and bees are out now. I know if we move way north winter will definitely last more than a few days or weeks. 

Which is one consideration when I look at the heating and cooling in various properties. I would say that 99% have a wood stove or fireplace of some sort even if it's a 'ventless gas' log 'fake' fireplace. I also look at the HVAC systems or whatever they have. Heating and cooling is important and some of the places (mobile homes) have huge propane tanks frighteningly near or close to the house. Scary. That's why that one place with the solar panels was so exciting. We would prefer gas for heating and cooking as well as the dryer but having solar and 'off the grid' to a point is great!

Oh speaking of 'off the grid' I saw one place closer to Redding that I laughed so hard at. It was listed as having well water and a generator so it was 'off the grid' tucked into the woods supposedly built in 2015 but looked much older than that. On a hillside with ..I kid you not... three full size planting beds under the house for marijuana. Venting system and water right there with full on potting soil in them. Off the grid and off the radar as well I suspect. I showed it to Jon who looked puzzled as to way there were planting beds 'inside'. I had to explain it to him.

So the days march on, was able to catch the manager and tell her that last months rent will be coming next week but we were waiting for our tax returns. She totally understood when I said, 'It's been hard'. So glad they understand and aren't pushing us. Any other place we'd have notes on the door, calls constantly and a pay or quit notice by now. Thankful for that.

So more looking, hoping and wishing.