Normalcy

Things have returned to normal on SA and the Golden Spread, at least for the moment.  We haven’t had rain for a couple of weeks and the grass is not growing like it was.  I’ll still need to mow in the coming week but, if it doesn’t rain, I don’t expect  to have to mow again for a while.  Before June is over I will have spent over 16 hours on the mower and that doesn’t count the push mower, trimmer or edger.   I’m not feeling sorry for myself.  I know there are probably Chinese guys who have no yard to mow,  I won’t mind a little respite, though, especially since there are so many other things around the place that need attention. Continue reading “Normalcy”

The Emerald Isle

yucca in bloomIt wasn’t easy but I finally finished mowing and trimming the place about 4 o’clock Friday afternoon.  Abigail was having her drama class, including teacher, over for an end-of-school party and she wanted the place to shine so the pressure was on.  Truth is, I wanted to get it done even if there were no party because, though I mowed the south end a couple of weeks ago, that was, well, a couple of weeks ago and the grass it be growing.  My John Deere is a sturdy fellow but I still had to mow at a slower rate than normal and in some places slower still.  Since I mowed the north end earlier in the week, I had the satisfaction of having the whole place mowed up all at once.  Unfortunately it looks like I’ll need to go over it again in the coming week. Continue reading “The Emerald Isle”

Recharging the aquifer

Abigail's award
Abigail’s award ceremony

So far this month, approximately  1,466,330 gallons of rain have fallen on Six Acres.  That is 50% more than all of 2011, the worst of the recent draught years.  Though our temperatures remain mild, any savings on A/C bills will probably go to gas for the mowers.   No complaints, though.  This deep watering was much needed.  The mosquitos teetered on the edge of extinction but have made a nice comeback and have been removed from the endangered species list.

Early in the week we got to see a performance of Tom Jones by Abigail and her merry band of thespians.  It was entertaining.  The next day they, along with the rest of the city’s eighth-grade theater troops, performed for the judges and I’m told they got the highest score the judges give any group, not to say other schools didn’t do as well in the scoring. Continue reading “Recharging the aquifer”

the Alibates

milkwee
Antelope horn milkweed at Wildcat Bluff

Most of the week was devoted to mowing the south end.  Kari was having a bible study at her house and wanted her place mowed.  No problem.  I was going to mow it anyway.  It only takes around three hours to mow the south end but it takes at least that long to trim it.   That may not sound like a lot of time, but that’s a net figure.  Add in time spent spraying weeds and a morning spent working at Wildcat Bluff and it seemed a lot like work.   Wednesday I was rained out so those net hours were compressed into four days.  However, even if I do say so myself, by the time I was finished the south end looked like J.A. his own self was back in action.  The north end will get a similar treatment in the coming week. Continue reading “the Alibates”

Rain forest

Grady's flower
Grady’s flower

Friday morning I braved the mist to mount an assault on weeds threatening to take over.  We got over an inch of rain Tuesday and the ground was in prime condition for pulling weeds.  It is also in prime condition for growing weeds.  And grass. About lunch time the clouds thickened and lightening caused me to skedadle for the house.  Over lunch we got another half inch.  Then Saturday morning about 5 o’clock a squall dumped another inch on us.  Such is life here in the SA rain forest. Continue reading “Rain forest”