Waitin' for the rain

Clouds form every day, the air is filled with moisture, but no rain. Maybe tonight?

Hmmmmm

Wow. I haven't written here for awhile. I must be really busy or have nothing to say. You decide. I did find out today that the name Okerlund, as in our fine ancestor Ole Okerlund was not a family name. It was a name Ole selected for himself from the area where he trained to be a blacksmith--it means Oak Grove and became the family surname from Ole down to the present. A lot of fine oaks in this bunch--Swedish, Hebrew, Basque, Danish and us!!!

Viewed cousins, nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, outlaws, aunts, uncles and friends on facebook. All are looking good. Especially YOU!

Rabbit Proof Fence

Cloudy weather, waiting for the rain!

Will this thing ever stop growing? Do you think there really is a treasure at the top of the stalk???

Here is my grape vine that I planted last year. The other one to the right of it is out of the picture. It was dead so I pulled it out.

Oh What a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day . . . .

Thank heavens I don't live in Australia where there is a constant war with jack rabbits. I have been chasing cottontails out of the yard. I got up early, picked a bag of tomatoes and a bag of broccoli. Then I set to work cutting and wiring chicken wire to the sides, bottoms, edges--you name it--of the gates and entrances to the yard. The rabbit war continues, but so far this year, the garden is definitely winning.

I made a big pan of brownies before I went to work on the rabbit-proofing. When they were done baking, I boxed them up and mailed them to Graham. I should have just sent him the postage--he could have gotten himself an expensive meal. But it was fun to make a care package. Don't tell. It's a surprise! (The fancy dinner anyway)

I read that the Post Office may be next to get the ax. I say go for it, although in Rio Rico, we don't have many alternatives--really, none. I just think the PO is pricing itself out of business. Oh well. Better to order on line with free shipping (I started to put free shopping, I think that would be great too!) except for home made cookies.

I traded my neighbor whose yard looks like a tropical paradise, a bunch of empty plastic planters for a new grape vine and 3 tropical plants from Nayarit. I hope I can keep them alive! The grape vine is already planted and I actually made wells around both vines and a canal between them. Maybe this time I can keep two grape vines alive. We shall see.

I think the monsoon is here. The humidity certainly is.

Chao chao. All for now. Have a great day.

Chao chao. Have a good day all.

Walking

I got up this morning early and decided to go for a walk. Mike was asleep so I left a little note: "Gone for a walk, Back soon. Left at 7:20" Then I went up the hill and over to the end of the paved road and back.
I came in, picked up my note and looked at the clock. It was 7:05! I must be magic. It's either magic or I can't read a clock. Which would you choose?
I did notice how fresh and cool it was--no surprise. The computer said it was 53 degrees in Rio Rico when I got home. But by 7:30 the sun was up and the desert once again began to assert itself. Oh, what good luck I have.

Miscellany

OK This blog entry has no theme. My arms are stretched out to you. Ready for a big hug?? Oh wait. This is really just me trying to figure out how to take self portraits--hold that camera out and away from the face. Click!

And on Monday the monsoons officially begin. Here you can see clear skies and palm trees. But it has been overcast and humid all day. Along with the palm trees, you might imagine this was Florida. On second thought--no.

Up close and personal. See why you have to stretch out the arms. Can you tell I got a sunburn? Remember most Americans are deficient in Vitamin D. Get out there and burn!

My garden keeps growing. This pictue is kind of overexposed. But tonight we ate steak with fresh onions, broccoli and tomatoes. The crookneck squash is sitting on the counter waiting for Sunday's dinner. I think there is nothing like a garden to actually make you WANT to eat your vegetables. I love, love, love it. And you too.

Self portrait

I got my haircut; I took my picture. Whadda you think?

Headed south. . .headed north. . headed???

After spending the last two days mostly sitting in the car, I woke up early this morning and decided to go for a walk. What better way to start the morning than walking outdoors and enjoying the cool air, the birds, and the flowers.

I got to the bottom of the driveway and a coyote standing in the middle of the road froze in mid-step to stare me down. He tilted his head, I tilted mine. I looked right, so did he. He took a few steps forward--heading south--

I stood still. He paused, looked left, tried the stare down again, then turned tail and sprinted back the way he had come, onto our hill. I then realized that I had missed a major photo opportunity. So, on the very off chance that the coyote would creep back onto the road I ran inside and got the camera.

This is not the coyote. I didn't see hide nor hair of him after our first encounter. This is the neighbor's yappy dog, the only life form I saw on my walk once I was armed with our excellent camera. Even the 3 birds splashing on the top of the fountain had disappeared by the time I reappeared. Oh well.

Had I been thinking I could have used the cell phone in my pocket. It never even occurred to me even after looking at the wonderful pix Mike takes daily in NYC.

I did enjoy a pleasant walk. It looks like the monsoons are coming early. . . Have a wonderful day.

Just spreading the news. . .

Yes it is true. The youngest son is leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when he'll be home again. He is on his way to the bright lights, big city. And we will miss him. And all the rest of you too.

I won in the Woot off!!!

Yes. I got a sansa music thingie from the Bag of Crap. Thank you Megan!!

Mr McGregor

Okay, I know these are not rabbits. They don't come in through the gate. . . .

The rabbits are back. They have to come all the way up the driveway and in through the gate, but they are sneaking into the garden. Never fear, I am on patrol.