Rascal Flats

Another beautiful day in paradise, sun peaks through occasionally among big fluffy clouds and the occasional dark ominous ones that threaten but have yet to produce much needed rain. We may have had a small amount 1/4" or less in the last 6 weeks and that's about it so needless to say things are very dry, even to the point the occasional yellow leaf is showing. Luckily we seem to have water underground so we are faring better than other areas. Where we graze the horses if it wasn't for the sprinkling we did every 10 to 14 days it would be burnt up. The areas where we put our topsoil from Pioneer Log Homes is especially green without any watering. Therefore with the 1 pile of topsoil remaining we are now applying it to the hardpacked clay areas where scant pasture is growing. We decided that sand and peatmoss would be beneficial so we are mixing it up in our ATV wagon and then spreading on those areas. We did 3 wagonfuls on Sunday, August 16th. Then on Monday I watered as Phil thought the peatmoss would be better that way, expand and not blow away, and proceeded to seed then rack it in. We're supposed to have some warm weather now so this could be a very good time to be seeding - we shall see.

This morning I pulled weeds on the lower lawn, trimmed the spring flowering spirea that's huge and just in front of the tall lattice. This plant was doing nothing when we moved here and after a year or so of regular watering it has turned into one of my favorites!! In driving around when they are in bloom I've always admired their display but never had bought one so I've inherited this one with our home. I believe it was last year that I planted 2 of these in the garden above the back lawn.

Diva and I had our morning coffee break on the covered back patio after I had quickly cleaned the pond and put the fountains on. Within 2 minutes we had birds at the pond sitting on the russian sage and saskatoon bush. Then a big yellow bird tried to bathe in the bullrush pot but the water was down so I topped it up and then put 3 clay pot saucers with water in them around the pond. For the next 1/2 hour I got to watch the big and little yellow birds bathe, fly through the fountain shower and even a big robin have a bath. What a joy and sight to behold. I guess they are feeling dried out and hot just like the rest of us.

Megan was supposed to and said that she would drop off $50.00 in our "welcome" sign this am for her portion of the rug cleaning but possibly her phone and car are both broken today. The bird watching did help to aleviate that concern but I still may make a call but will confer with Phil.