Eight years ago when we moved into our Corrales house, we had the front and side yards and courtyard landscaped. We didn't have any experience with Southwestern plants and what we learned is they can grow really big - think Rosemary and Apache Plume - and can spread like wildfire - think Apache Plume again.
Well, last winter we had an unusually bitterly cold spell in early February - near zero at night and in the teens during the day. I know for some of you that's not that cold, but for us that's not normal.
We lost all of our Rosemary and many of the decorative plants were harmed to the point that they looked terrible. So, we decided to bite the bullet and we're starting over.
Our neighbor, Susan, had some landscaping work done last year and was very satisfied with their work. So, we're using the same company. They started on Monday digging up the old plants. They should be finished by Wednesday. Then they're going to install a new sprinkler system. Finally, we're going to have a flagstone patio put into our courtyard.
Here are a few pictures.
First, here are a couple of pictures of the courtyard after the work was done. I didn't get any before pictures. We kept the False Yucca, the Heavenly Bamboo and the few trees we have, but everything else is gone. The flagstone patio will go in the area closest to the swing and will extend out to the edge of the concrete where it begins to go around the hot tub.
Monday, January 30, 2012
New Mexico Stampede
This past Saturday night we went to the New Mexico Stampede rodeo. Galloping Grace Youth Ranch is the official charity of the event and we were given 100 tickets for our volunteers. We made the night into a volunteer appreciation event.
One reason I love rodeos is the patriotic openings and they do a good job at the Stampede.
The first event is the bareback bronc riders. I think this is the hardest event in that it seems to a terrifically hard beating on the rider’s back and neck. It also probably hurts when you hit the ground.
The next event is the steer wrestling. It was a tough night for most of the competitors as they hard a hard time catching up with the steers.
This guy started off well.
But it took him forever to get the steer thrown.
Then it was the tie down roping. I love to watch the horses work in this event.
Next was the saddle bronc riders.
One of the saddle broncs decided he didn’t want to wait in the chute for his ride to start – so he tried to get out on his own.
After that excitement, the team ropers took the stage.
The next to the last event is the barrel racing and this is one of my favorites.
Finally, the bull riders. These guys are both brave and nuts - all at the same time.
Some riders find themselves in a ‘close encounter’ with the bull and that’s when the bull fighters earn their pay.
And some more.
Fortunately, no one was hurt and it was a fun and enjoyable evening. Go cowboys!
Monday Video - Bye
No, I'm not leaving. Today's video is a little girl reaching out to strangers. Need a warm feeling inside today? Check this out.
Enjoy.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday Reflection - It Is Good
Genesis 1:31 -- God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning —the sixth day.
I was looking again at the pictures I posted from our recent visit to the Bosque del Apache Nature Preserve. The beauty of the birds reminds me of the greatness of God's creation. He is the great Artist.
In the first chapter of Genesis God says "it is good" six times as he creates. Finally, in the last verse, as most artists do, he steps back to review his artwork, and he says that it is not only good, but it is very good.
So, when you start doubting who you are, what's your purpose, what's your worth, just remember that God stepped back after creating you, looked at his creation, and said, "you are very good."
Friday, January 27, 2012
Bird Bird Bird–Bird Bird’s the Word
A terrible title, but I couldn’t resist. If you don’t know what I’m referring to just Google The Ramones.
(Warning – lots of photos and a video.)
Thursday Betty and I got up at 3:15 AM so we could leave by 3:45 to drive down to the Bosque del Apache Nature Preserve. The preserve is 8 miles South of San Antonio which is 8 miles South of Socorro which is about 2 hours South of us. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there and we wanted to get there before sunrise.
The reason to get there early is to watch the Snow Geese. They come back to the preserve each evening to rest in the lake. Then, just before sunrise something sets them off and hundreds and hundreds of Snow Geese take to the air all at the same time. It’s called ‘the lift-off,’ ‘the rising,’ and, my favorite, ‘the blast.’ And it is a blast to watch and hear all of these birds rising up and lifting off and flying over you.
After that, we drove around the preserve to see what else we could see.
Well, here we go with some photos. Here’s a picture of the Snow Geese on the lake as we arrived at the preserve. It’s about 6:30 AM and sunrise is 7:10 AM.
Here’s some photos of a Snow Geese ‘blast’ from the other side of the lake.
Just before sunrise, the Snow Geese on our side of the lake took to the air with a blast of noise and wings.
Then we drove around the preserve to see other birds as the sun came up. First, some ducks and Sandhill Cranes feeding.
As we drove around we saw several hawks.
When we got to the Southern end of the preserve we came upon a flock of Snow Geese and some Canada Geese in a field. While we were there they suddenly walked and flew to an irrigation ditch right in front of us. We were the only people there so it was our own mini-blast.
Finally, we watched some Sandhill Cranes, a few more Snow Geese and a couple of Bald Eagles.
Here’s a short video of some of the sights and sounds.
We stopped at a Sonic in Socorro on the way home and had some breakfast burritos. We were tired and worn out when we got home, but it was a great day and we enjoyed it.