Mountain Geese

While Paul and I were working on the footing for the garage, I heard soft, hen-like bird calls and thought it was a turkey. But, one call came from my right, the other off to my left, and I soon realized they came from the sky. Looking up I saw two Canada geese flying in opposite circles. (We usually see them flying side by side, honking loudly, as they head to their breeding grounds at Nelson Reservoir). These calls were soft, unsure, and private. 

One goose landed on a large basalt rock on top of the mesa, the other circled, and then rested nearby. What? It’s as if they are wannabe eagles. They must have been really tired. They certainly had a great vantage point for about 10 minutes, so if they were looking for open water they would have seen the lake below them. Nope, not what they were looking for. They flew southwest together. Hope they find what they are searching for in Alpine.

 

Geese circling

 

One goose landing on cliff

 

Searching?

 

Two geese on cliff

 

Word Play - Kitchen Fun

Time Flies Like an Arrow; 

Fruit Flies Like a Banana

 

 

Chocolate Paint

 

After eight years in our current home we decided to sell. Our touch up paint from the original can was too light because one area behind a mirror had not faded. “Perfectly normal”, they said at Sherman-Williams. So I bought new paint and it still did not match when dry.

I went back and they added a tad of black pigment to the paint, and it was close, but close does not count when painting. In frustration, I looked around the house for something to add a little more brown to the paint and came up with a perfect choice. Cocoa powder. I used a little at a time and it took of stirring to make it smooth. It blended perfectly and smells like brownies while you’re working! 

Test Area

 

Perfect Formula

 

 

A Gift of Bookmarks

I received a wonderful gift from my cousin Steve today. Vintage bookmarks! He and Mary Ann found them when they cleaned out his mother's books. I do so appreciate them. 

There's a wonderful assortment of paper, plastic, brass, leather, rope, and cloth. They are in celebration of fun, the arts, wisdom, bookstores, publishers, authors, holidays, London, dogs, nature and more.

I will add them to my precious collection and always be grateful for the kind gesture.

Thank you cuz. 💖 

After a Winter Storm

Lovely view of Granite Mountain in Prescott, AZ after a winter storm today. Tumbleweeds in the foreground are awaiting their turn for the next Tumbleweed Roundup. (Photo taken from Paulden, AZ looking south).

Western Style SNOWMAN

 

Have you ever wanted to build your own tumbleweed Christmas tree? We had some nice big parts and accessories delivered to us by surprise in last night's storm. 

FREE to forever homes - come and get 'em!

 

 

 

 

54 Years and Counting...

Our wedding anniversary is this month. Looking back, we were just kids, but we knew what we wanted and that was to be together. Well done, you say? OK. But we're not done yet.

In 2022, you can find us moving toward another destination. Hopefully, our final home, built in Nutrioso, Arizona. It will be small, easy to care for, close to riding, fishing, hiking, mushrooming, and exploring. We plan to have a wild time.

💕 

 

 

 

Veteran's Day 2021

Happy Veterans Day to my dad, Lloyd Irwin Coppock

Best dad I could ever have. Miss you always.

 

 

Blister Beetles (My Bane)

A few words about blister beetles. Most equine owners know to check hay for the beetles as they can cause serious health hazards. Their defensive secretion of a blistering agent, cantharidin (orange or yellow fluid). About 7,500 species are known worldwide. Many are conspicuous and some are brightly colored, announcing their toxicity to would-be predators.

Blister beetles are my nemesis. As an organic gardener I've learned to carefully stomp them. But today we were invaded by thousands as they attempted to reproduce. I had to spray with roach killer and emptied the large can with many still crawling or flying toward the 

garden. And they eat anything! A hoard of these beetles can completely defoliate a mature tree in one day!

 

Their only enduring trait is that they lay their eggs in areas surrounding grasshopper eggs. The immature stage (larvae) feed on these grasshopper eggs.

 

 

 WARNING. If you simply brush against one of these beetles unknowingly (as I did in 2008) the results can be terrible. I was just cleaning out an old hen house that I wanted to make into a tool shed. The next day my ankle itched and I noticed swelling. The doc and I decided not to puncture or lance the growing blister due to possible infection. Instead, I covered and let it go down on its own. Four months later it shed its skin. I continued to cover and treated for protection and cleanliness. Thus my dislike for the creatures.

Winter Nights and Summer Days

The temperature is still freezing some nights, with daytime highs in the 70's. Lost some tomato tops and flowers to frost night before last. Yes, squash and canteloupe seedlings made it fine. It's as if a deadly ribbon of cold sneaked through the garden, selecting its victims in the night.

Dogs in my Life

Sometimes I think my life is measured by the dogs I've loved.  From a child to an old lady, I fondly remember them all. Puppies growing into old dogs,  and then leaving me behind.

I never owned a cat. Never had the desire. But I've always had at least one dog.  The most at one time was 14 ( If you count the 12 puppies born on Thanksgiving by c-section to a stray we took in). Her name was Chance and that's what we gave her. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In chronological order:

1. "Cricket" black Cocker spaniel
2. "Taffy" blonde Cocker spaniel
3. "Boots" terrier mix
4. "Vickie" Basset hound
5. Unnamed Basset hound
6. "Heather" Collie
7. "Ingot" Weimaraner
8. "Carrie" German shorthair
9. "Cassie" Retriever mix
10. "Chance" Golden retriever + 12 beautiful, healthy puppies
11. "Tonka" Border collie mix
12. "Lacey" Border collie mix
13. "Angie" Springer spaniel
14. "Bella" Australian shepherd
15. "Maya" Australian shepherd mix
16. "Tilly" (Matilda) Australian shepherd (mini?)
    

 

To be continued...