Bocephus VanMonkey M.D.

I was going to post some pictures we took yesterday. The autumn colors are so pretty!

But it turns out we're going to have to go with Daddy to the emergency room later and I have to get ready to go. Bocephus is running around all crazy, looking for his doctor outfit! He likes to go to the hospital. Not me! I'm worried about Daddy. :(

So instead of Fall photos, here's a picture of my brother in his doctor suit.

Daddy, we love you!

States Visited Maps

My family is going on a long trip. By next year my "states visited map" will look like this!

A webfriend posted this link on a mutual web group:
http://www.epgsoft.com/VisitedStatesMap/index.html

You can make a "states visited map" for your blog too!

Family Pictures

Mom and Dad got us together for family pictures.

Mimi, Tiberious, and Bocephus.

Later my brothers were caught in the act of pulling my tail!

Mimi Makes Pie

Today I made a cherry pie with my mom! If you have a 12v oven, toaster oven, or any other type in your van (or RV), you can make pie too. Now I have to help with the dishes and eat *Pie*! I'll post our easy pie crust recipe next time. Laters!

The Official Unofficial Slab City Map

As it gets cold in many parts of the country, many may be on their way to The Slabs for the winter.

There has been enough written about the area known as "Slab City" or just "The Slabs" that I won't repeat it here. Here is one link that describes some of the going ons there:
http://www.desertdutch.org/slabcity.htm

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What may be helpful to the new "slabber" is a map. You can't get this kind of map from Google maps, so I wanted to pass it on here. This is a map that some of the "locals" give out, if one can be found.

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Note: If the map is blurry when you blow it up, you may email me at mimionthemove@ymail.com and I'll send you a full size copy.

My Swiss Steak Crock-ette Recipe

I use top round beef steaks (they were labeled "London Broil Steaks").

Cut steak into desired size or you can cut it into strips.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in your crock-ette. Add the steak pieces to the pot to coat them with the flour mixture.
Melt about 2 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan and saute the steak pieces until brown.
Add the steak back into the crock-ette with a can of stewed tomatoes (the small can, about 15 ounces). I use the type of stewed tomatoes that has onions and peppers in it. Otherwise, you could saute the onions and peppers with the steak. I do not use the type with italian seasonings. Add a little water to the frying pan to loosen any cooked on seasonings and add to the crockpot. Wipe out the pan and use it to make mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice (about 10 minutes before the swiss steak is done). I like swiss steak over mashed potatoes, but you may prefer noodles or rice.
Cook the swiss steak on high for about 4 hours or low for about 6 hours. The steak should be very tender, but still hold together when done.
A very easy recipee for the road.

Crock-ette Cooking

One of the ways to cook on the move is a crock-ette (a small crock pot). I purchased one at Walgreens for $10. I can use it with an inverter or when I have electricity (many public places such as parks have electric outlets).

You can also find a crock-ette at truck stops or online that plug into the cig lighter (12V). You can cook wonderful meals in it and even make enough for two. There are so many recipees for crockettes online, you will never be bored. I'm making swiss steak today.

Police Encounters

A post from Mimi's mom:

We have a list of subjects we've been planning to blog about. However, now that this blog is being read we've suddenly become quite shy. In lieu of the planned post, we'll just post a few comments with some links. We'll come back to this subject later.

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Living in a vehicle can subject you to unwanted attention. Police scrutiny is a concern for many. Anyone that lives outside the norm is often considered suspect. You might say "I have nothing to worry about; I obey the law." Did you know that, in some areas, you might be breaking the law just by parking a vehicle used for camping on the street?

My advice for dealing with law enforcement is to be polite. Beyond that, it is helpful to know your rights.

The following link will take you to a video where a former criminal defense attorney and a police officer advise that you *never* talk to the police. It is possible to remain polite and still exercise your right to remain silent.

http://community.livejournal.com/anarchists/2367337.html

This link will take you to a site where you can copy the ACLU's reference card on handling various police encounters.

http://www.aclu.org/police/gen/14527res20020304.html

Remember to always get the officer's enforcement agency, name, and badge number. Also, write down the time, date, and other facts as soon as possible.

Lastly, if you do have an encounter with law enforcement please rate the officer at http://ratemycop.com/ . Keeping law enforcement accountable and being able to acknowledge those that treat you fairly and with dignity is just a great idea!

Mimi

The name Mimi comes from the opera La Boheme, a favorite of my mother.

*****An english translation of Mi Chiamano Mimì*****
Yes, they call me Mimi, But my real name is Lucia.
My story is short. I embroider on cloth or silk.
I live a quiet and happy life. My hobby is making flowers.
Gentle things please me. Things that speak of love and spring.
Things that speak of dreams. These things that have poetic names.
Do you understand me?
They call me Mimi, but I don't know why.
I live alone. I don't often go to church, but I pray a lot.
I live alone in my little attic and look over the roofs to the sky.
When the spring is here again...the sun's first rays are mine.
The first kiss of April is mine!
I watch a rose in a vase unfold, petal by petal.Its scent is so sweet.
The flowers I make have no perfume.
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You can listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybTAgvnco0w

I like almost all types of music. My love of opera comes from my mother, as hers came from her father.

If you're still with me...
And because of my origins in opera, I'll start my first blog with my favorite:

Here is one interpretation:
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Ave Maria! Maiden mild!
Listen to a maiden's pleading from these rocks, stark and wild,
my prayer shall be wafted to thee. We shall sleep safely till morning,
though men be ever so cruel.
O Maiden, see a maiden's distress, O Mother, hear a suppliant child.
Ave Maria, undefiled!
When we upon this rock lie downto slumber, and they protection covers us,
The hard stone will seem soft to us. If Though smilest, the scent of roses will float
Through this murky cavern,
O Mother, hear a child's petition, O maiden, 'tis a maid that calls!
Ave Maria, Maiden pure,
the demons of the earth and air, drien forth by thy gracious glance
cannot stay here with us. We will camly bow to fate since thy holy comfort hovers over us; Mayest though be favourably inclined to the maiden,
To the child that pleads for her father!
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You can listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bosouX_d8Y

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Welcome to my blog. I'll write about my life and travels here. .. about the things that speak of love, of spring, and dreams.