June 8 Apparently we have been working under a false sense of security. We believed the chickens were safe enough from predators during daylight hours that they could be allowed to free range. They took full advantage and roamed over the whole place to the point of sometimes straying away from the watchful eye of King Julian the rooster. In the last couple of weeks several hens have gone missing leaving behind only scatterings of feathers. It had been the consensus that a chicken was too big for a fox of the variety we see around SA to handle, and that may be true. It seems, though, that there may be more foxes around and less food, so that the foxes have learned to work together and that two or more can in fact overwhelm and consume a chicken. The chickens are no longer allowed to free-range, which is not popular with the chickens or the humans that care for them. It remains to be seen if that is a permanent solution.
Chicken incarceration didn’t last long. They looked so forlorn shut up in the chicken yard after being accustomed to roam freely the powers-that-be decided it was better to risk their lives by letting them free range. There are only six hens left and maybe the six will stick a little closer to the rooster.
There were a couple of deer on the place when we got up Friday morning. They looked like a couple of adolescents; one male and one female judging from the fact that, though about the same size, the former had velvet-covered horns and the latter didn’t. They sought the cover of the perimeter tree line and kept a safe distance from the scarier bipeds. We couldn’t think of a way to handle them so we just left them alone, hoping that they would take care of themselves. Saturday morning they were still around but somewhere along the line moved on, probably by hopping over the 1911 fence. Here’s hoping they find their way back to the country-side and live happily ever after.
June 15 Our week began with more rain. We didn’t get a lot of rain with any of the storms but each added to the accumulation of previous weeks and the grass and weeds grew apace. I was unaware that there were some terrific hail storms and downpours in the area, notably between Amarillo and Canyon. One of Rebecca’s previous teachers from Amtech who lives in that area reported significant hail damage to house and livestock. We were blessed with rain, not much wind and little to no hail. We were fortunate.
By Friday, the lanes were sufficiently dry to drive the pickup down and we took advantage to haul off a load of trimmings, the first in weeks, or maybe even months. There is still a load on the ground which we will deliver to the brush site this week , provided it doesn’t rain.
June 22 We are celebrating two birthdays today; Kaylee’s and Jill’s, both born on the summer solstice, albeit decades apart. Celebrating may be a little strong. The Wylie girls arrived Saturday evening, attended church with us this morning but otherwise there has been no, um, celebration. Maybe the fact we are heading to Red River in the morning is on everyone’s mind.
SA is still pretty green despite the heat of the last ten days. Also, there is some nice color from some of the foliage. The Mojave sage has been showing out all month. It continues to slowly grow and makes me wonder if it will eventually take over the entire front yard. The desert willow put on a nice display of blossoms the early part of the month. The evening primrose continues its fabulous display when it usually ceases to do so when it gets hot. Throw in the annuals and wildflowers and there is a display worthy of, well, I won’t go that far but I’m satisfied.
June 29 We observed our mid-year break this past week in lovely and pleasant Red River. The Wiley women arrived at SA Friday evening. We loafed around the house after church, resting up for the drive next day, which was uneventful. I’m glad to report that the countryside along our path and in the mountains was lush and green. We were dry in Amarillo the previous 10 days or more and had engaged our old friend Doc to do some watering. Chris made it home the Friday before so the dogs and the watering around 2005 were taken care of.
As it turned out, SA received over 2 inches of rain over the week we were gone and there was little to no need for additional watering. In Red River it rained nearly every day. The weather was cool mostly but we did enjoy some outside activities, including a somewhat lengthy walk up a mountain to Cabresto Lake. Some of the girls and I found playing pool in the hotel rec room was a good way to spend the time while we waited for the afternoon shower to pass on.
Back home we celebrated the 4th early. Other than Nicole, Carson and Parker, it was just me, my daughters and their families. Attendance has diminished over the years and we didn’t play any volleyball. Still, we spent a pleasant afternoon, warm but breezy enough to keep us cool.