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 it was to be together. Well done, you say? OK. But we're not finished yet.

In 2022, you can find us moving toward another destination. Hopefully, our final home will be 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 horde 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 unknowingly brush against one of these beetles (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, I dislike the crusty 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...