Poisonous Cactus!!

Are cactus poisonous?  Asking for a friend.

I totally enjoyed the morning warmth yesterday at 78 degrees, unlike THIS morning when it's a lovely 69.  I turned on the AC fan to distribute the cool and listened to two separate families of coyotes talk about territory.

Okay, it really wasn't a friend I was asking for.  I admit while doing some cleanup in the back yard, I whacked a cactus by mistake.  That agave spine went deep into my finger like butter, right near the top joint.

In no time it swelled up and the pain began.  By evening, it was throbbing and I couldn't move it.  It's poison, I know it!!!  Just like a snake fang, it injected me with something awful!!  Yes I'll live, but you'll never convince me it wasn't poison!!  Serious pain!!  I even thought I might have broken it.

So ... onward and upward ... I finished this quilt top after fussy cutting the borders.  That means laying the fabric out and cutting exactly where required, instead of doubling the fabric and cutting by width.  Different (meaning harder) than anything I've ever done, I rather like it.

Since I'm taking care of the entire contents of a greenhouse the size of San Francisco (not really), with the added bonus of the fish, I was offered the use of the RV cover at the Chance residence for my rig.  Wow is that ever amazing!!  You never realize just how much you need one until you park in something akin to the Taj Mahal.  I'm back to negotiating for one at my little ranch.

The entire time I've been here, rain clouds and rain have skittered all around me.  The monsoon season is heading this way.  It actually rained just a tad.  I'm looking forward to lots of lightning images.

Here's my surprise for today.  Guess what's hidden under this foil?

In pro handyman (or rather handywoman) style, I finally purchased a big bottle of propane.  That meant installing the hose to the barbecue.  Easy peasy for you men, but it's something I've never done before.  I'm rather afraid of propane bottles.  I was told many moons ago that you had to carry them in the back of a truck so they don't leak gas and kill you.  

I called Mr. Chance to make sure it was okay to carry it in the back of my Jeep for the trip home.  Are you sure it won't explode or something??  Thanks to the guy at Lowes who actually got the right hose for me that went on perfectly the first time I tried.  

Looky here!!  Perfectly barbecued boneless pork chops!  I'm going to be using it a lot more from now on since I won't have to buy those $5 green canisters every other day.

With my hand bandaged up and a couple of advil to take the edge off, I sat outside and enjoyed the sunset.  For the second time, I was reminded how much I love the desert colors.

I'm convinced!  I'm SURE that was poison.  My finger still hurts every time I lift my cup of coffee.  Maybe a little fabric shopping will take the edge off!!

If You Can't Fight Em, Join Em

How many times have I complained about not having a handyman around?  WAY too many.  I'm tired of hearing that myself.  So instead of fighting it, I'm joining them and becoming one.  Handyman Nancy at your service.

But first, how much would you spend for a good night's sleep?  I won't tell you about myself because my wallet is still crying big crocodile tears.  The bed I bought two years ago wasn't cheap by any means, but the mattress was.  In less than two months, it started to slump in the middle.  I turned it around several times, but it didn't help.

Since I need a bed for the guest room, Miss Patty and I trotted off to Green Valley to find a suitable Stearns and Foster.  If you think THOSE are expensive, you should check out Tempur-Pedic.  Guess which bedroom gets the OLD bed.

I've always had trouble sleeping ... nightmares and all that nonsense, not to mention aching hips.  I wake up many times a night.  So I pulled the trigger and bought one with the help of Mrs. Chance saying it's probably the last one I'll ever buy.  I'll let you know how that works out when it's delivered in a week!!

On to Handyman Nancy!!  I have recently seen the combination locks that replace your old fashioned "key" locks.  Always having my hands full going to and from the rig, why not give those a try and see if it's more convenient.  

First up, remove the deadbolt.  Easy peasy with my trusty phillips screwdriver.

Second, watch a demonstration on You-Tube.  How easy was THAT!!  Once the entire thing was installed, the directions said to TEST the keys to be sure it was working.  Yes, there are keys, just in case the batteries go dead while you are out quilt material shopping.  Wait ...... there are NO keys.  Are you kidding me?  I removed the entire thing, smashed it in the box and hitchhiked a ride with Mr. Chance to Lowes, a good 30 minutes away.

With a new box in hand, one that had NOT been opened, I returned to begin the job all over again.  Note to the handyman ... never EVER buy anything in a box that is already open.

Once installed, turn the lock.  It didn't work.  I never said I was a GOOD handyman!  THIS was my problem.  The hole wasn't large enough.  I tried to remove this so I could buy another, but wasn't I surprised to find it was screwed in UNDER the door jam.  

I tried to pry it off ... uh oh ... that was a mistake ... only to find the flange part was movable.  Okay then ..... I moved it forward and VOILA!!!  It worked!!

I can't believe I figured this out all by myself!!  I installed the batteries and proceeded to read the instructions on how to program it.  With the front door unlocked (just in case) and the keys in my hand (just in case number 2), I hit the buttons.  Wasn't I surprised that it WORKED!!!  I'm so excited!!!  I can't believe I did it!

The other cool thing is that you can tell if it's locked by the blinking red light on the back.  If it's green, the door is NOT locked.  Just as an added measure of security, I programmed in not one, but TWO codes, you know, just in case I forget one.  

So there you go ..... you need a Handyman, just call me.  Unfortunately, my skills are limited, but I could use the extra money to pay for that bed!!!

I Won The War!!!

It's only temporary I'm sure, but for now, I have the upper hand.  When wasps grow in Arizona, they must think it's Texas.  I've never seen such huge beasts in my life.  Not the usual half inch long irritation, these babies are over an inch long and HUMONGOUS!!!  I can't even imagine getting stung by one.

This is my bird house, made with all natural materials that were scavenged from the forests of Oregon.  It should be the perfect bird residence.  Instead, the wasps took it over and filled it to the brim with a baby hatchery.  Wasp condos are NOT good.

Lucky for me, my pest guy happened to stop by.  He was wafted by wasps as we talked on the patio.  He instantly turned his spray nozzle around and soaked the interior.  The wasps are dead, but the lovely bird house can no longer be used for birds, not that they would have used it anyway.  It's mostly for decoration.

Apparently it wasn't big enough, so they planted another condo in the rafters of my patio.  I grabbed my trusty can of killer spray, stood 20 feet away with a clear path to shelter and sprayed for all I was worth.  It took awhile, but they finally died and I knocked the nest down.

It happens I was waiting for a package to be delivered.  I checked the front door steps, only to be dive bombed by MORE wasp jets.  The war was ON!!  Half a can later, THOSE guy lay at my feet.  I scraped the nest off the ceiling and looked around the awning.

Sure enough, there was another HUGE nest ... this one at least 4 inches across.  Prolific little buggers.  For this one I had to get my ladder and perch it on the porch to get enough height to reach with the spray can, which was now empty.  No worries, when in battle, always have enough ammunition!!

These guys are gone now too, but the nest is too high to reach.  I'm pretty sure I've only won a few battles and the WAR will continue.  Wasp spray is on my grocery list.

I was rewarded with a magnificent Arizona sunset.  It just amazes me the colors and cloud formations you can find in this desert country.  

It lasted almost half an hour.  How can you not love it here??

Next up?  How much would you pay for a GREAT night's sleep???

SURPRISE!!!!!

I love surprises.  Not the kind where someone jumps out from behind the door and scares the heck out of you, but the good kind.  Like when the bobcat (I've named her Missy) came to visit.

Here was the first surprise of July 4th.  FISH!!!  Any good "Gramma" (which I'm not) worth her salt takes care of the fish when the kids go on vacation.  Wasn't I surprised when the Greenhouse Sitting opportunity involved fish!  Instead of me going back and forth, the entire greenhouse contents were transported to my back yard, along with a tank of the biggest goldfish ever (they live in the water fountain in the greenhouse).  I LOVE THEM!!

No, I have no intention of getting any.  My motorhome menagerie is plenty big enough.

The second surprise was the 6.6 earthquake in Ridgecrest.  My cousin by marriage is now married to the Editor of the Ridgecrest Newspaper.  He headed off in a rush because they were evacuating the hospital due to no electricity.  Thankfully there was no major damage, just one very large crack in the road to Trona that I drove just a few months ago.  This is NOT the GOOD kind of surprise.

This one IS.  I looked out my glass doors to see this baby creeping up through the brush.  Oh my gosh ... my heart went straight to my throat!!  I haven't seen deer here in two years. 

My camera is always within reach, so I began snapping away as she snuck up through the bushes looking for water.

That's when I realized there is not just one, but TWO!!  You can barely see the second one on the right.

He couldn't quite get through the bushes and finally came around front.  Sadly, he was limping.

You may just want to skip on down to the next image.  Poor baby had a very bad back leg.  It looks like it was disjointed (probably running from coyotes) and never returned to the correct position.  It certainly didn't slow him down any.

My lucky streak continues!!  Both drank their fill before wandering off down the hill, just in time for the Chance family to miss seeing them.  Isn't she a beauty???

Serial Grillers has the best salads on the planet, so instead of barbecuing for the fourth, we went out to eat.  By the time I got back home, the fireworks started up again around the neighborhood.  Lucky for me, Miss Jessie's hearing is so bad she didn't even notice, as opposed to last year when I had her scrambling up on top of my head!!

On the other hand, my carpenter skills have not been in the "lucky" range and my wallet is still shedding tears.  I'll relay that message tomorrow.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

Picture Overload!!!   Happy Fourth of July ... full of fireworks!  Yes, you are right, it was July 3rd all these images were taken.  I'm not sure why Tucson celebrates a day early, but who cares when there's gorgeous fireworks!  This one I picked up on the internet ... don't you just LOVE this flag??

Lucky for me, the Chance household knew there was going to be a show right across the gully from my house at the Golf Course.  I've never seen a golf course/housing development put on a fireworks show, but who am I to ask why?  I had a front row seat right on my patio!!

I had my camera all set up and ready to go ... click click click!!

It was a little past my bedtime, but I hung in there, standing over my tripod, watching the police lights flash as traffic backed up.  

I admit it's not the flashy "lights with music" show you see in Havasu, but surprisingly (for a Golf Course) it was a very long show with multiple shots every time.  This rivaled anything I've ever seen.

I love the way they look like flowers.  

I'll be quiet while you watch the show.

Sorry for all the pictures.  I took 166 images.  I think I did good paring it down to only eleven.

That was it ... the final big blast which was followed by a long and loud train whistle.  I celebrated the THIRD of July with a big hit to my wallet.  I'm almost afraid to tell you, so I'll wait until tomorrow.  Now to celebrate the REAL fourth of July!!

Sometimes I Get Lucky!!!

You all know I'm an animal freak.  I just LOVE seeing the critters and capturing them with my camera.  My water station draws a lot of interest in the summer time, what with the heat and all.  There are always many quail and other birds, as well as these guys.  He's pretty well camouflaged!

Two years ago I actually caught "Mom" bobcat wandering the area.  This was BNWS.  Before the new water station.  The old station was always getting beat up by the javelina.  Isn't she a BEAUTY!!

I can't tell you how excited I was when she showed up, letting me take picture after picture.

People who live here permanently mentioned seeing her and her new baby about two years ago.  I was never lucky enough to see Missy until this July 1st.  I was standing at the window talking to my pest control guy.  DON'T MOVE AN INCH!!!  I opened the door as quietly as I could and grabbed my camera.

How lucky could I be?  My heart was pounding as I snapped one image after another.  Look at those eyes!!!  

You can tell she's young by the color of her coat.  They get much whiter as they grow older, just like us old folks, which makes their spots show up more.  She stood about 18 inches tall.

Sometimes, I just get lucky!!  Hopefully I'll have a few more encounters.  With monsoon season coming on, water will begin to pool in the river bed and I will see less of the critters I love so much!!

S T R E T C H I N G It Out!!

I was never one for doing stretching exercises until I started running.  It keeps your muscles from cramping up when running long distances.  I've learned however, that in my old age, stretching first thing in the morning helps to get rid of those naggy aches and pains.

It also helps if you have an amazing sunrise to look at while doing contortions outside in the cool 79 degree morning air.

The entire time, I'm visualizing this image.  Cool ......... calm ..........  pretending it's 65 degrees.

Speaking of stretching, ever since I purchased this house, the carpet has been full of lumps and bumps.  The one you see here is big enough to trip me.  It's hard to find someone to do this kind of work because it's usually attached to purchasing carpet.  

Luckily, I looked up on Angie's list and got a carpet installer who said his guy does stretching work on the side.  Obe called me back right away and said he would be there the same day.  Wow ... that's service!!  

He showed up right on time.  I called the Chance residence, just to be sure someone knew I was over here with a strange man.  Happily, the strange man brought his wife with him.  It was actually his day off.  That's REALLY service!!

Here was his take on the problem.  They probably didn't stretch it with a power stretcher like he has here, and he thinks it was "washed" at some point, which makes carpet stretch even more.

In no time it was tight again, with about two inches trimmed off one entire side.  He was so nice, I gave him a big tip.  I mean really, who comes on their day off????

On a side note, I asked Mrs. Chance (guru of all things growing) if I could grow tomatoes here.  Was it too late in the season?  When I arrived, she had this beautiful tomato plant for me which already has four tomatoes on it!  I'll add it to the greenhouse residents visiting my patio.

My duty for the next couple of months is to keep all these babies alive, along with a few big house plants.  That's a pretty tall order for my black thumb, but I'll do my best.  I just never know how much to water cactus!!  By the way, last year it was only ONE table.  The wet winter has resulted in a multitude of new cacti!!

Today, the war of the wasps begins.  So far I've knocked down two nests, with one big one to go.  I've got 911 programmed in to my phone, just in case!

Home Sweet Home

Here's Miss Jessie trying to stay cool in Quartzsite.  Although it was only 102 degrees, it took both of my air conditioners to get the rig down to a comfortable 80 degrees.  I finally found my one pair of shorts so I would be cool as a cucumber.

My first adventure arose when I discovered I brought food for everyone except me.  I scrounged through the fridge to find cheese sticks and peanut butter cookies, along with a couple of frozen pork chops.  With those temperatures, I wasn't going to cook.  I'll survive.

Here's a big shout out and thank you to Mister Ed.  He provided me with this i-pod full to the brim with music.  I just plugged it in and hit the road.  I don't think I listened to a single song twice.  I did sing along with Alice in Nogales once or twice, just for old time's sake.  This worked like a charm and I'm so thankful!!

I fueled up in Quartzsite before taking off in the early morning coolness.  Okay, so maybe it wasn't so cool.  It was 85 degrees at 6:30 when I pulled out of the RV park to pass under these amazing clouds.

I had the generator running and the AC on full blast as we passed saguaro's that looked pretty sickly.  The last time I was here, they were all fat and beautiful.   Now they are so skinny they look like they are dying.  It's a good thing monsoon season is right around the corner.

As I came into Casa Grande, the fields were full of alfalfa and corn.  They must be getting lots of water from somewhere!!

At last ..... heading in to Tucson.  Another 90 minutes and I would be home!  Too bad for us my one little AC unit couldn't keep up.  It was 105 as we passed through Tucson heading southeast.  92 degrees in the rig was a tad uncomfortable.  

By the time I unhooked the car and got backed in, I was completely overheated and a little dizzy.  I just kept trying to imagine this image.  A huge thank you goes out to Mr. Chance, who while watering the greenhouse transfers (more about that later), turned my house AC unit on.  In no time I straightened right up!!

There's so much to do, but I'm determined to take the day off and rest up.  As warm as it was, I took all the covers off the bed, to Cooper's dismay.  He just would not lay down on the sheets.  What the heck?  We played an hour past bedtime before I threw on a blanket, on which he promptly went to sleep.  I of course, was wide awake.  

Today I'll be fighting the war of the wasps.