Category: 2013

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Tuesday evening we had a nice get-together in the man-cave.  Barbara Howard and her daughter Marsha joined us as we rode out the super cell that cruised through town.  My weather radio rousted me from bed about 11:00 with the news that the storm that had been in eastern New Mexico was now in Bushland and would arrive on our doorstep about 11:30.  Joyce called the neighbors and Barbara.  Kari and the girls were already at the shop by the time we got there and I went across the street to collect Barbara and Marsha.  The storm arrived on schedule and the civil defense sirens began to wail.  Even Chris, who generally prefers to ride out storms in the rigging, joined us bringing Tino with him.  I can tell you, it was nice to be in the man-cave and not fear for life and limb.  That of course didn’t stop us from worrying about damage but there is a difference, a matter of priorities. Continue reading “Aw, hail” →

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Monday the painters started the prep work for painting the house but were interrupted Tuesday by a lovely gentle rain in the morning that gave way to a sunny afternoon.  Unlike the poor folks in Granbury and Moore, we’ve enjoyed a pleasant May, this week especially.  It got a little warm last week but cooled off nicely this week and the rain, though just a half inch, made everyone feel better.  Why, pulling weeds is just so much more pleasant when the ground doesn’t have the consistency of concrete. Continue reading “May is a good ol’ gal” →

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Abigail helped me plant more flowers in the pond.  Joyce had gotten a tray of several different varieties in 4-packs.  They were small which made them easier to plant in the tough clay of the pond bed and it also made them cheap.  We also planted a patch of corn next to the flowers, just for fun.  No use in letting all that water go to waste. Continue reading “Spring finally arrives” →

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Der Christian set up another beehive.  The first one survived the winter, though many individual bees did not, and seems to be prospering.  Chris even made a little raid on the first hive, collecting a small jar full of honey and comb.  I sampled it and, while it tasted stronger than store-bought honey, it was quite good.  I can see where, if one didn’t have the ready access to candy, ice cream and all manner of other sweet things we are tempted by daily, a taste of honey would be a real treat.  Continue reading “More bees” →

One evening this week as I was about to brush my teeth, Joyce came in from tending her flock and told me to come outside to hear a strange noise.  She said it was coming from the pond area so we strolled through the crepuscular gloom in that direction.  We didn’t have to get very close before we could hear the sound.  I told her it sounded like a frog and later revised that to toad, thinking that the more likely explanation.  Darkness was descending rapidly so we got a flashlight and were able to identify the source of the noise.  It was indeed a toad, sitting in the water at the edge of the pond and sending forth its plaintive call into the night hoping for a response.  I like to think eventually it found company if not love.  A love-sick toad is a terrible thing to waste. Continue reading “Lonesome toad” →