Back in the saddle...AGAIN

      Greetings and salutations from the infrequent blogger... sorry to have been away so long (or maybe it hasn't been long enough), but I have the blogging spirit and so here I go again.  No lame promises about how I will be here more often (which I am the WORST at keeping).  I will try to be more vigilant but let's face the facts... I am in a very good place right now with work and leisure time and I am back to "living the dream" that I set out to do when I moved here.  The job is comfortably routine (8 hrs and go home) and I finally have the sleeping thing down to manageable.  I play golf at least 3 times a week and have made this summer a stay-cation summer in Arizona with hanging around and making everyday life here better and better?  How?, you ask (I, of course, assumed you would ask).  Let's get to it.

     I have been on the job at Desert Highlands for 2 months now and have settled into the "vampire" shift nicely.  Because I now have a handle on the sleep change...I can play golf right after work and still get plenty of sleep before the next shift.  It's mostly quiet at night, a couple of alarm calls once in awhile and watching nature after dark... I handled my first rattlesnake the other night and let me tell you that it was a total rush! I don't know if it was adrenaline or pure terror, but it was SO cool! It was about 4 feet long and heavier than I expected and extremely fast when it struck at the pole...but I picked it up with the "snake handling apparatus" (6 foot long grabbing pole like you use to grab something off a high shelf) and we relocated it to a a non-residential desert area.  Big mixture of awe and fear.  They really are beautiful creatures (from a distance).  So don't worry. I have decided against joining a "snake handling" church and will continue to view them from the confines of my patrol truck unless absolutely necessary.  The alarm calls are usually routine (mostly weather related) but to tour some of these custom homes is amazing...(I mean checking the house for signs of a break-in).  Every one of the homes in the community is custom made and gigantic (one master bathroom and walk-in closet was larger than my apartment). If you want to check out some of the homes where I am check out this website: http://www.danabloom.remaxagent.com and if you buy one I will be happy to make sure to keep your new home secure.

     The golf game has steadily improved over the summer to where I am usually shooting in the mid 70's every time out.  The putter is grudgingly improving and as my confidence improves, so has the results.  We will continue working toward the ultimate goal...a round under 70.  We have come close on occasion...72 last week and a 70 earlier in the summer, but I'm happy with the consistent play I have right now.  I am also trying to get word out about offering lessons and may work with a woman at one of the local courses here and if she likes what I can teach her, she can help get me some students.  Keep you're fingers crossed (but not when you're playing golf).

     I didn't move closer to the job but instead renewed my lease for 9 months...(if I move next year April is better than July). Instead, I have changed my apartment around and moved the television room from the living room into the spare bedroom and change the look of the place completely. So I moved without going anywhere.  It's also a chance to go through everything and get rid of lots of clutter. It's nice to have extra closet space and storage area getting rid of things I no longer use. 

    I hope to do a little in-state travel as the temperatures cool down in September and October (brutal here now with humidity and temperatures at 110+).  Plans include Winslow (to stand on the corner), Jerome (a hippy mining town from back in the day, the four corners area and the Painted Desert. Now that I can add pictures to my blogs (I am self back patting at this moment), I will try to be even more entertaining (is that even possible?). 

     With that I conclude my return (triumphant? not so much) to the blogoshpere.  Happy Birthday to my "little" sister Sheryl.  She means the world to me and I don't let her know that enough.  Best day ever is what I hope for her.  Love you, my dear...