Daily observations of my simple life.

Summer Days:

Wind and sun are the main menu of summer days here. Earlier this week it was windy and hot now it is just hot. This weekend I tolerated two days of having the mechanic here to fix my motorhome. A new clutch, $500. He seemed like a good mechanic but seemed like he was hiped up on something because he talked a blue streak. After the first day,. I was ready for some quiet again. The motorhome is running smoothly again, to my relief.

My days start early, yesterday by nine a.m. I had made 4 trips to the water station to bring home water for my trees. It made me feel good to get them all satiated and comfy for another hot day. I'm so pleased with my trees. I don't know how many I've planted , pomegranites, plums, figs, apples, pistachios, pecans, apricots, nectarines, cherries, pines, eucalypses, desert willow, mulberry, desert bird of paradise, palo verde, mesquite, fruiting olive and it goes on. One of these summers I'm going to be able to just go out and eat in my yard from my trees. Won't that be grand.  The spreading branches will make much shade and shelter.

My first early morning chore is to go out and see that all the animals are fed and have water. This is an early morning and evening chore. Fresh water and food. The chickens dash out of the house once I open the door and scatter around the grounds. Waterfall, my pet hen walks up to greet me. This morning at 5:30 Cheriki and Sage were still laying down in the corral so I went back in and got my coffee and sat on the porch for 20 minutes to watch the sunrise.

After all the animals and plants are checked out and cared for I usually sweep the porch and straighten up before I go in and do some early morning food prep for later in the day. Dishes done and kitchen clean , I'll run for one or two loads of water while a load of wash is chugging away. That's it, then I settle in to relax and stay cool until evening. Lazy , lazy, me.

I'm learning about cactus living in the desert. I have planted different kinds here and what surprises they give. A tiny little one I put in a pot by the front door just keeps making more and I keep putting more in pots. This past week it has looked like blossoms forming and then yesterday , "Oh my, what a gorgeous flower."  Like a huge shell pink water lily,enough to take your breath away. Earlier this month one I had planted out has grown so much and is making all kinds of new plants bloomed. And yes, it was gorgeous too. White and large and lily like. It's a night bloomer so you have to catch it early in the morning before it closes for the day. I can see, I'm going to like cactus a lot. When I went up to Burro Creek for my swim the suquaro's were blooming . They look like ladies in their easter hats. Crowns of flowers .

After such beauty I don't want to gross you out but here goes. Got roaches? I had been noticing roaches running past my back door at night. It isn't  pleasant to know they are around but I found an unpleasant remedy. Since I've been sleeping outside, I keep a pitcher by the door so that if I need to pee at night I don't have to trapes into the house. In the morning if there  is a pitcher of urine there are many roaches floating dead in the urine. Waterfall came strolling by early before I got it emptied, ( urine helps break down compost by adding nitrogin) and looked in . Well, she just picked out those urine soaked delicasies as fast as she could and downed them . Marinated roaches for breakfast, can't beat that.

Summer moves forward, leisurely warm days, leisurely cool nights, I look at books about Majorca with grottos, vineyards, olive trees and little tables set with oranges and lemons and cured olives with fresh cheeses. Off to far away quiet, simple lifestyles.  

Posted by: cactusandquail at 17:58 | link | comments (15)

Comments:

#1  30 June 2005 - 18:10

 

This all sounds wonderful - apart from the marinated roaches.
It will be such a pleasure to watch your trees grow.
You make it sound so peaceful except for motormouth mechanic, thankfully he'll not be required too soon.
I admire your dedication as I'm sure it is hard work.

But you know the saying, 'You reap what you sow.'

Jackal

#2  30 June 2005 - 19:09

 

Sounds like a wondeful life. I'll be moving out into a country life soon as well. Our state forestry service offers tree seedlings at a very much reduced price to the local nurseries. I am soon to be ordering 50 trees for $100. I am able to order everything from apple trees to live oaks. I can't wait to enjoy watching the wildlife partaking in the fruits.
Where (generally) are you located?

Aheadau

#3  30 June 2005 - 22:03

 

What a great post--and I love the marinated roaches!--well, not personally, mind you.

Late last night, Majorca came to mind, and I didn't know why! I went there five years ago, and my favorite place was Valldemosta (sp?) where George Sand lived with Frederic Chopin. The place is a monastery, and there were treasures preserved there, including a piano she gave him, but the thing that struck me most was the view from their terrace. The valley lay far below, circled by the mountains, and you could see peace for miles. Very, very beautiful, you are right. But I bet your view is just as beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

InMyLife

#4  01 July 2005 - 19:45

 

I certainly hope I reap what I've sown or at least someone will carry on with my dream.
Thanks for all the comments.
Your account of your visit to Majorca is beautiful. There are so many beautiful places on this earth, hopefully we will appreciate them enough to preserve as much as we can.
Those trees sound like a real bargain. I will have to check out to see if our state does anything like that.

cactusandquail

#5  03 July 2005 - 11:07

 

My sandwich kinda stuck in my throat when I ran into the marinated roaches delicacy...paloverde...they grow with saguaro cacti.. providing shelter until they die of old age and the cacti keep growing. Nice visual. Arizona's state tree. *swallows rest of sandwich* Lazy? You sound more like a busy bee. *yawns and drags herself off to bed* Nite my dear.

alohalani

#6  05 July 2005 - 05:53

 

marinated cockroaches!! sheesh!! apart from that... it sounds really peaceful and beautiful where u are...

darkscarlette

#7  05 July 2005 - 17:51

 

Marinated roaches! I'm going to have to try your roach control system. A friend used urine in gopher holes to drive them away, and it worked (so he claimed). Urine is sterile when it comes out of the body.

Thank you for all your beautiful thoughts and your words expressing them.

Anonymous

#8  12 July 2005 - 13:13

 

In the flat lands of South Georgia, we are "blessed" with flying roaches. They have the tendency to land in places where you'd least like to have them.

Aheadau

#9  24 September 2005 - 08:09

 

perhaps the jabbering by the mechanic was he was nervous because you hovered over him-motorcycle mechanic

Anonymous

#10  25 September 2005 - 13:19

 

Where did you go? Come back now.

rustymadgal

#11  27 September 2005 - 00:05

 

I just read that roaches like beer.
Perhaps you drank beer that night and
that is why roaches were in the urine
can the next day.

Anonymous

#12  30 September 2005 - 10:52

 

Yes, please come back. We miss you.

InMyLife

#13  21 October 2005 - 18:17

 

I hope that you are ok, I don't recall that you haven't written here for this length of time. You are a fantastic writer and I miss getting a glimpse into your lfe. Hurry back...

Anonymous

#14  08 December 2005 - 23:25

 

hello?

rustymadgal

#15  14 December 2005 - 16:04

 

hey
i just discovered you this last 10 minutes and found you have not written since July or so. I was wondering if that blabermouth came back and murdered you--or if i should call the sheriff--but i do not know where you are- terrible...who do we call? Does your daughter know about her site? I had put in the words moon and broody and eggs and ended up getting your blog as a google cash. susan

Anonymous

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