Can’t ask for better weather with lovely sunshine and a balmy 7C. Of course we have no trailer lights or brakes, so instead of getting under way we are in search of a truck/RV place that might be able to provide the missing cable. Good thing I have my handy dandy cell phone. Yellow pages gives a toll free number for a truck place. How convenient, only it’s been disconnected. Operator assistance has no listing; this call costs me $2.90!!! Finally we decide to try and find a place recommended by a trucker. We luck in not too far down the road. (Seems I have run into a new version of the 'luck' which makes no sense & is perverse in my books to say 'luck out' when you really mean the opposite - think of all those people learning English as a second language, never mind me)

As it is not quite 9am we cool our heels waiting for the mechanic who will jerryrig a cable, the best option as the RV place further down the highway will only sell us the parts - assembly not included. While the operation is in progress, the dogs and I do 3 turns around the building. A welcome reception inside the showroom has me almost flat on my face as Gypsy lunges forward to greet the owner’s wife. However the burst of energy is quite short-lived. Her hunger strike continues with another refusal of food this morning. We are left wondering who is going to give in first – Gyspy or us by offering a different food or an embellished version of her present kibble.

After our little escapade I should be glad of the present boredom: 4 lane divided highway, virtually no 18-wheelers, clear skies with the sun beating down on us. Road names have limited entertainment although Dry Bread Rd. catches my fancy. Al notices that the side road accompanying us was probably the old highway if the number of abandoned gas stations and buildings is any clue. Next stop I must retrieve some reading material as I finally finished ripping the two quilted patchwork jacket pieces earlier this morning.

We're now at yet another Quality Inn. I pray that this place will not be like the dump we had to take last night. After discounts & extra charge for the dogs, we're paying the same. Room is advertised as new - well that's debatable, but it does have a hair dryer (not that I ever use one), shampoo, conditioner etc., bar fridge, microwave and last, but not least, everyone's coveted and absolutely required motel item: looks like a game boy, well what would I know except that there is a keyboard and a 2-handled thing-a-ma-jig.

I have just spent the last hour trying to remember how to solve the 'can receive, but can't send email' delimma from last year. In the end I was quite proficient in accessing the settings and re-setting the #$%$#. Of course my memory doesn't serve me well enough, 'cause I can't remember where the dialogue box is. Too bad, so sad for those whose emails continue to sit in the ever-expanding outbox.

So if you're reading this, Mary, JA, Arlene, Jan ... just went to check who else and the blankety-blank outbox is empty. Think I'll have another glass of wine. Seems that's the only thing that is working.

Until tomorrow or whenever. I'm heading for the tub.

But before I do - food for thought - Is the expression jerryrig or gerry rig (after the Germans), or juryrig as in rigging a jury?