Windsday (thanks to Steve Stucker)

I completely neglected the pond today. The winds were so intense that I probably would have been blown into the water anyway.

High Winds but the Birds Sound Nice

Spent most of the day waiting to tell Camron to not climb on the waterfall or it will fall down. Mission accomplished. This is a teaser picture.

I Wouldn't Have Asked for More

I can breathe more easily now. What an absolutely beautiful day. The local weather site noted the high as 72 degrees. The school bulletin board (or whatever that big flashing sign that loops through temperature, time, and current events is called) had 79 degrees at 11:30. I spent a good part of the day just meandering around the pond and finally figured out the problem with the waterfall. If I had just started looking for a big, leaking hole at the top of the structure instead of at the bottom, I could have avoided all of the deconstruction and fill. Oh well. That bench, and the berm under it and the waterfall were distractingly ugly and needed to go anyway.

It's Starting

The current bushes have leaves since yesterday. The elm leaves aren't out yet, but any day for sure. I pulled yesterday's tumbleweeds out of the pond and planned. The waves are the only interesting view so far today.

I came in early because the bittern is lurking around waiting for me to leave. I wish he weren't so skittish.

Saturday

The winds started just after midnight and the highest gust recorded here today was 64.3 mph. Right now they are sustained at about 25 mph - which is almost a relief. Have picked tumbleweeds out of the pond all day because they sink fairly quickly if I don't, but for the most part, it just isn't a good day to be outside.

Totally Windy Day

My mom's sister-in-law (and husband) came here in wagons before New Mexico was a state and her first memories of the place were - how big and colorful the sky was, how quiet it could be, how featureless and flat (disorienting) the endless sea of tall grass, and how intense the spring winds were.
This was almost like then.

Nice Sunset

Excellent and busy day at the pond. The trees will have leaves within a few days. It was in the 70's again and will be tomorrow also. Warm enough that the pond surface is covered with bud casings since this morning.

Passed Cashlin and her mom during their exercises this morning and Camron showed up to practice golf this afternoon.

A Sense of Semi-Accomplishment

Ron - can you believe it? And no, I didn't dig the bumper up, I buried it. Bill still won't let me use his tractor, but he did find the time to show up and critique my methods, and I am totally grateful. As you know from personal experience, I treasure the wisdom of the elderly.

In the 70's with very little wind. Almost perfect.

I am now More Enthusiastic than these pictures Indicate

Took a closer look at the waterfall situation today and although I still would like to do some serious renovation to the whole North berm, including the waterfall, when I actually take an inventory of my energy, tools, and resources, that isn't going to happen any time soon. The alternative (which I have treated with contempt up until today, leaving that whole area a trashed out eyesore) is to fix what we have. It worked well and still will with just a few changes, so I started that today. Mainly I just planned what I am going to ask Cashmere to do since she is the only other person living in the neighborhood who will do any kind of work to the pond, but it's ready for the next step. Fixing the old structure just involves fill and patch work and that won't take long. Why do I want to do it? Because from the first cut by the bulldozer, I started dreaming of early mornings in the late Spring, surrounded by maturing plants, sitting in a comfortable chair and enjoying a cup of my favorite coffee, and I have never done that yet. This July will be seven years and I have never once sat and relaxed long enough to finish a single cup of coffee, or enjoy a single beverage of any kind. There has always been something else to do and I have never been able to sit still while I was out there. Now that sitting is what I do best, this is the year that I intend to have that comfortable spot.

Brief Encounter with the Pond

The wind is too high to do anything, but the surface canvas is interesting.

Sunday

Cold day and the winds are starting, but the clouds and waves are nice.