So, this post is for someone that I am assisting in making a decision about a transportable device to allow for:

• Internet
• Email
• Text
• Facetime
• WhatsApp chat

The contenders are:

• 9th gen iPad (10.2 inch)
• 14 inch laptop

Left to right above … and this is just for size comparison…

iPhone 12 Pro MAX, 9th Generation iPad 10.2 inch, my 13 inch laptop (similar in size to the one I’ll show later)

Again … size … my hand which is largish! … holding the 9th gen iPad vertically.

Better photo of vertical with some basic apps. Top apps with text descriptions are the home page.

The bottom row, called the Dock is where you put your most frequently used apps.

The location of apps is fully customizable … YOU get to decide what goes where.

The keyboard … when you activate an area that expects typing, the onscreen keyboard pops up. It is touch like texting on a phone, but with this 10.2 iPad, it is much larger.

Kindle app in portrait/vertical mode.

AND, a new feature of the Kindle app which I LOVE is the ability for vertical scrolling vs page turning.

So … instead of touching the right or left side to page on or back, you scroll bottom to top or top to bottom. I find this much easier, especially when I increase text size.

Ok … the laptop. This is a basic laptop that I found on Amazon. It is actually $80 less than the iPad and works the same as the desktop you currently have.

But transportable!

Much as I love iPad … I kind of think that the laptop might be something you’d find easier to use: visually and less (MUCH less) learning curve.

Links to both on Amazon:

Windows Laptop

9th Generation iPad

First … Emmett, Oscar and I are all well.

As noted in the last post, I’ve been dealing with a worsening internet access issue and finally I was done!!! and I made a change in equipment.

I think shortly after last Summer’s slow down, I happened on a YouTube video by a digital nomad … a seriously technical person … who referenced CradlePoint mobile routers. I bookmarked CradlePoint and then did nothing.

Cutting to the chase, after rodeo week (this year) with large chunks of time without ANY internet at all, I bought a CradlePoint IBR900 Ruggedized Router. Yes. Ruggedized!!

Anyway, the router is made for RV/Truck/Mobile applications, but after speaking with sales and tech support … no reason I couldn’t use it in the house as well as in the RV same as I have my MIFI devices.

Bottomline, I’ve had the new router for almost 2 weeks, but fully operational for 1 week (challenges getting correct SIM) and had a stellar week of consistent Internet access/speed.

And that is not all of my techie news…

So.

Router upper right. It is sitting on an upside down small stainless steel colander. Routers run hot and this is my solution to make sure there is air flow all around.

Lower right: EcoFlow Max

Upper left: EcoFlow Wave

EcoFlow is a newish company that makes … “We create the world’s most innovative, eco-friendly power solutions that enable you to live, dream, and explore without limits.” Translation = lithium power stations aka solar generators.

I hope to eventually have a backup power system for my house and/or RV that allows me clean backup power. The Max is part 1.

While I was researching and watching EcoFlow, they released the Wave A/C which can be powered by the Max, their “Pro” or a supplemental battery pack. I opted for the Max/Wave bundle in their Kickstarter pre-sale.

The Max-Wave bundle allows me to run A/C in the case of a power cut. And while the Wave is only 4000 btu, it is enough to cool my bedroom, or my office.

In the photo above, the Wave is plugged into a normal U.S. AC outlet. It has been cooling my office nicely this past week with temps in the 90’s F. ***I have my normal 2 behemoth “portable” 12000 and 14000 btu units running in the living room and boy’s room as well as 2 small fans going to move air around. The house is VERY comfortable!

So.

Good internet access. Cool house. We are very happy here!!

Hmmm.

Usually, I am in bed first and then Emmett and Oscar join me and they find their spots around me. But this evening, I was hot and sticky so after making normal “going to bed” motions, opted for a quick cooling shower. When I went to get in bed …. “Wait … where is my spot???”

Morning sunshine in the woods.

And microgreens in the kitchen! Radish on the right about ready to harvest. Broccoli starting on the left.

Afternoon nap…

That’s it for July!

We are all well! Above photo is from June 1 but we still look pretty much the same except the woods grasses are much taller!

I’ve not blogged because I have been using my blogging time to work on video learning: shooting AND editing. I have made good progress and hope to have some videos uploaded shortly. Currently, the typical 4th of July to ??? overload of visitors is playing havoc with my internet upload speed while everyone sends selfies of their vacation, etc.

So, taking a break from video and posting some photos that didn’t make it to Instagram.

The lupins are blooming all over! They have been beautiful but above photo is June 29 and now, July 7 they are coming to an end :(

All of the wildflowers were happy this year: wet and cool spring was to their liking … mine, Emmett’s and Oscar’s also.

Oscar continues to be happy staying very close to the house, so he gets to go outside with us when I’m doing yard chores or playing yard games with Emmett. He likes to hunt in the big stick pile and the other wood piles. He has not caught anything outside except bugs and flies. Inside he got a mouse one night and he is an excellent fly catcher! He traps the flies under a paw and then is mystified that they are dead. I am very happy with that outcome, though! I am thrilled that he is home boy and sticks with us.

It is the season of color at the moment … the wildflowers …

Sunset …

Lupins, canola fields and misty mountains along the road home!

And speaking of mist … this past Tuesday, after a rainy 4th of July weekend, it cleared overnight and got very cool: 45F. The dewpoint also 45F which = morning fog.

That fog put on quite a show as the sun rose:

Holy Cow!! Emmett and I walked and I gawked, took some photos and some video and it was just stunningly beautiful.

I will keep that day in mind. This week has been very nice, and we might get a bit more moisture off and on through the weekend. But next Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be hot: 88F and 91F. We’ll see how things go but it might be A/C time :(

*** All photos taken with my iPhone 12 Pro Max. I add this because I shared some of the misty morning photos with my work group and they were astounded. I am a little also when I think how far phone cameras have come. I have only had iPhone since the phone cameras took a leap in capability but get better and better! Most of my video is also coming from my phone … wait until you see :) !!!

It is a good thing.

Emmett had a dental appointment today. It has been scheduled for 2 months and as the calendar rolled to May, I was counting the days until it would be over.

I really dislike the early drop off … the waiting, the worry over how he is doing.

I LOVE my vet, and the vet techs and the place which is just over 10 minutes away … still…

But, thankfully all went well. It is over and Emmett is sleeping off the anesthetic.

Oscar really missed Emmett! He seemed baffled that I came home this morning without Emmett.

Oscar was very snuggly all day … he went outside for a little bit, but came right back in … not the same without his buddy!

Meanwhile … in the above, Oscar’s collar has a GPS tracking device…

The fambly Summers switched GPS collars! Tractive (see link at end of this post for Tractive website) utilizes 4gLTE (vs 3g in my previous collar). Tractive focuses on tracking and activity. My previous collar went down the health path of licking, scratching, etc. … important, but since I am with Emmett and Oscar nearly 24/7, my need is more to know where they are … tracking. And I do like keeping on top of our activity levels as we all work to maintain fitness and healthy weight.

From the Tractive website, a photo of the dog tracker which is larger than the cat tracker.

Info on my phone…

I can choose Emmett or Oscar’s tracker and see where they are. If we are out walking, out of the “zone”, I can activate LIVE and see where one of them is in relation to me.

Both trackers are working very well! They track faster than my previous device and give me the information I want. The phone app has links to tutorials on all of the features as well as a great help section. I am very happy!

Oscar’s tracker is light enough to fit his little collar. He is not fussed about it at all. Currently, he is Mr. Home Boy and I hope he stays that way. He explores and hunts (no kills yet!) in the woodpile by the garage, the brush around the house and a little down towards my back door neighbor. So far, he has not gone beyond the “safe” zone that I defined in the app.

So.

Tuesday evening. I had a very good Monday and Tuesday work days meeting some work deadlines. I am SO VERY HAPPY to have Emmett home after his dental and on we go.

But.

Holy Cow – the weather!! Well, typical Montana … back and forth Spring and almost Winter.

From NOAA:

Ha!!

*** Tractive for cats and dogs.

Typical back and forth from Spring to Winter to Fall to Spring…

Lovely rain on new Spring leaves …

And then snow/graupel … this day there were several squalls: snow, graupel, snow and some sun in between!

Fast forward to a Spring morning!

Baby-ish Western Larch showing its new needles!

Play time! Emmett and I were playing fetch with Wubba (red toy) and the HurriK9 flying ring (yellow). Oscar gets in on the action also :)

So, after a snowy-coldish weekend, we have now transitioned back to warm spring-like temperatures and sunny skies. BUT … there is some cool-cold-snow in the forecast before another warm up on Sunday!

We roll with the weather!

I actually love the back and forth and particularly relish the cool-cold weather … I am very happy to put warm-hot as far in the future as possible.

Here we go!

New needles on Western Larch … I love the “baby paintbrush” look!

Succulent start in the front porch rock garden :)

Emmett thinks it is time to play in hose and sprinkler! That water is COLD, but we’ve been playing … I make sure to not get him too wet.

But temps have been in upper 60’s F this week so not too bad for a little bit of water play.

Two messy boys!

A halcyon kind of start to May … greening up!