Unexpected Results Of No Rain

We have had no rain since that flood we had Memorial Weekend.  The yard is full of huge cracks and I continue to water our baby trees every three days so we don't loose them.  But one area where the plants have thrived is in the Septic Field.

So I gave Peg an opportunity to ride the Bad-Boy!  There was some fear that she might disappear into the weeds and be lost for good.

However, that Bad-Boy is a mowing monster and the task was completed!

We sure could use a bit of rain!  Rumor has it, we may get some in a couple weeks. 

Finally We've Filled The Garden Boxes!

This past week we ordered and received the soil to go into the garden boxes.  We were lucky to have our Laborers to help.

I must confess, there was a lot of interest, activity and discussion about the equipment they were willing to use.  This was followed by a bit of work, then much more interest in beverages, snacks, and suitable seating to watch us complete the job.

Now we need some seeds, rain, and cooler sunny conditions!

Now What Do We Do?

The cows have decided that if they want something all they have to do is "strong-arm" their way into whatever they want.  In our case, they wanted into the fenced area where the deer feeder is tossing out the corn.  It use to be the calves who were naughty pulling at the wires, etc.  Recently, the "mamas-on-a-mission" just pushed and shoved their way through the fence to gain access to the tossed corn.

 As this mama looks into the camera lens, I see her symbolically "thumbing her nose" at us!

 It's a regular "coffee clutch" at our expense!

Their behavior has resulted in overwhelming destruction.  After repairing the mess a couple times this past weekend, we gave up.  We are evaluating how to proceed...

Mud Daubers

We deal with many pests and distractions.  The mud dauber is both interesting and scary.  Our over hangs and covered porch areas are a calling card to a variety of buzzing (stinging) pests.  The regular hornets with their "paper" type of nests were a problem during the first part of the summer.  We sprayed and have since knocked down all of their nests.  The mud daubers arrived a little later or have stayed active longer.  Their nests are everywhere.  They generally don't hang out at their nests so are harder to kill.

The small nests grow and become like the mini condo below.

Or they build a row of townhouses.  This one is about eighteen inches long.  I have left it undisturbed just because I am curious about how big it will get.  Below is about a month's worth of construction.

At some point, I will knock all of this construction down.  Until then, I watch out for these workers as they pursue their destiny. I have no doubt that next year at this time I will again be lamenting these pests.

Routine Management

I usually head down to the area of the deer feeder in the evenings whenever the cows have spent the day hanging out under the nearby trees.  I want to make sure the calves have not been pillaging the feeder and the area fencing around it.  Make no mistake, this is not a chore.  The evenings are cool and it is great to be out enjoying the sights and sounds at this time of day.

A few of our latest visitors...  Still nothing exotic, but we have to be ready when the unexpected happens.

  I bet this coon weighs 30-35 pounds!  It is huge!

I hear the crows calling and coming in to the feeder area after the corn gets tossed out.  Once the deer arrive, they are out of luck.

It has been a good summer for the deer in terms of forage.  They look great!

No AAA Coverage!

We were out in the pasture spraying Mesquite on Saturday when I got sidetracked while driving and I ran over a bunch of dead mesquite.  Remember this is the plant with the 1-3 inch thorns.  Even though the dead plants I ran over had been killed three to four years ago, the thorns are still lethal to tires and foot ware.

The front tire went flat before I had driven ten feet.  What a pain in the drain!  We limped back to the house and lamented about our misfortune.   Unlike a car, these buggies come with no jacks or spares. Add to that, NO AAA!  

Called the Buggy place and they'll be out tomorrow to pick up our buggy, take it to town, fix the tire, and return it, all for a fee.  I am hoping it will be returned before the weekend.  In the meantime, I've learned my lesson and will watch where I'm driving in the future.

Hummingbird Update

After posting my hummingbird observations, the hummer visits to the feeders fell off completely. Since Saturday afternoon, two days ago, I have seen maybe three hummers.  It may have been that the large numbers at the feeders prior to that time were migrating birds.  I wish them well on their journey!

Within two days of the above posting, all the hummers were gone.  It has been a week with no visitors.