Why did I see a 4 wheeled, license-less Kawasaki (it looked like a crunched jeep) - not once but twice on Pipeline Road? The gate is triple locked yet the tire tracks go right under the gate. I'm too lazy to call the forest service to track down what's the story. Who else but the forest service would have a key anyway?
Our neighbor across the street had guests in her garage saying F-U this and F-U that for several hours this evening. It almost sounded like they were rehashing work. I hope the church people at the end of the street tell them to stop. I don't so much care about the F-U's but the neighbor has a loud, shrieky voice and they all were rather loud! How long can they stand, talk and drink in her garage after all? Too long, apparently!
Looked at a townhome in Quemazon. Not for me - way too many windows. It was pretty though with all the light. My main problem would be my bedroom - how would I make it dark when there are ceiling high windows?
Why won't my brother-in-law pay back the $10,000 we loaned him 12 or 13 years ago?
Ex-son-in-law posted photos of daughter's ex-cat that recently got eaten by a coyote. (Photos of when she was alive, that is.) She was a beautiful cat!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tired
Briefly visited neighbor at Sombrillo this morning. She looked good. They are giving her physical therapy. She's hoping to come home soon. Need to water her Mexican Feather Grass this evening. Down to 3 waterings a week. I keep hoping it will rain this evening so I don't need to water at all. I'll give it until she's home and then hope that her hubby will take over.
I didn't go to bed until around 12:30 am last night and woke at 8:45 am. I'm still tired and hope to get to bed earlier tonight.
This afternoon, I walked the Rogue Trail to the library again. Don't really know if it's true that a mad scientist built it. Maybe that's a rumor started by Open Space Czar. Whoever built it, I'm glad for it! On the way home, I stopped at Smith's and bought good food, including bing cherries for $1.99 a pound!!
Spouse is eating dinner with son-in-law's family. Daughter made chicken enchiladas and Boston cream pie. Spouse bought wine over. I was invited but felt too tired to go. I stayed home and had corn on the cob, salad, kidney beans with salsa, steelhead trout (pan sauteed in bottled spaghetti sauce - a delicious way to cook fish!) and grapes with a piece of dark chocolate for dessert.
I didn't go to bed until around 12:30 am last night and woke at 8:45 am. I'm still tired and hope to get to bed earlier tonight.
This afternoon, I walked the Rogue Trail to the library again. Don't really know if it's true that a mad scientist built it. Maybe that's a rumor started by Open Space Czar. Whoever built it, I'm glad for it! On the way home, I stopped at Smith's and bought good food, including bing cherries for $1.99 a pound!!
Spouse is eating dinner with son-in-law's family. Daughter made chicken enchiladas and Boston cream pie. Spouse bought wine over. I was invited but felt too tired to go. I stayed home and had corn on the cob, salad, kidney beans with salsa, steelhead trout (pan sauteed in bottled spaghetti sauce - a delicious way to cook fish!) and grapes with a piece of dark chocolate for dessert.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Santa Barbara River in the Pecos
The WRSC took a long drive (very scenic - Paul even took the High Road back through Pensaco, Las Trampas and Truchas!) for a short hike - 3.62 miles - along the Santa Barbara River. We turned around at the first bridge because a thunderstorm was threatening. There was light rain on the walk back and during lunch. As we finished our lunch, some people asked if we were staying overnight. They were happy to find out that they could claim that primo camping spot near the river! New Mexico has some really beautiful country to explore.
The house painter was gone when I got back around 3:30 pm (first drove by some White Rock houses for sale) but, boy, he accomplished a lot! I don't even recognize the house now - so good to be rid of that dark brown trim. He'll come back next week and finish up. That kid is priceless!!
The house painter was gone when I got back around 3:30 pm (first drove by some White Rock houses for sale) but, boy, he accomplished a lot! I don't even recognize the house now - so good to be rid of that dark brown trim. He'll come back next week and finish up. That kid is priceless!!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Getting Weary of the Paint Biz
Progress is being made on the painting but, even though it's ungrateful of me, I'm getting tired of the whole thing. I'm not mad at him and have no complaints - he's doing a very good job and this will be the best paint job this old house (going on 52 years old) has ever gotten. It's just that I'm wanting it to be done. I didn't realize it would spill over into next week when my sister is visiting. Oh, well...
He powerwashed the eaves today. A little water came in at the bottom of the sliding glass door and this time some came in on the sill of yet another one of the cheap, double pane windows that the former owner installed. All of this was minor and easily cleaned up but because of the powerwashing, it's all too evident how filthy the screens and windows are. I'll be forced to clean them one day!!
For some reason, the circuit breaker that powers the TV tripped. That's odd because the powerwasher smelled like it runs on gasoline. To reset the circuit, I had to cut open the masking on the electrical circuit box. All the bedroom windows are masked (I told him that was all right for tonight but not for this weekend) so I can't open them tonight. Fortunately it isn't too, too hot.
There was a little rain earlier today and the roof didn't leak. My neighbor said it only rained a few minutes but it rained much longer than that and really hard at the library.
For my 4 miles, I first walked to the airport and back. Then I continued on the Mesa Trail to behind East Park and Aspen Ridge where I went down to Graduation Canyon. I took the Rogue Trail (below Rim Road) over to behind the Walkup Center. I hung out at the library and then walked the streets back after the rain stopped.
The Rogue Trail is reputed to have been built by a mad nuclear scientist who goes over to CERN in Switzerland when he's not building awesome trails that hang on cliffs above Pueblo Canyon. Rogue Trail is my name for it. The first part of it is very narrow - a singletrack hanging on cliffs and could also be called the S__t Your Pants Trail (SYP). I much prefer the part with a tread that's three times as wide as the SYP!!
I enjoyed watching a large bird wheeling around high above Pueblo Canyon but I was even higher and could look down on it - it was a vulture maybe. It showed some interest in me!!
Thor was rumbling overhead as I walked but oddly enough even though it rained like crazy and there was even some light hail, thunder and lightning was absent from the storm event this afternoon. Hopefully it doused the South Fork fire!!
When the house is painted, it will be worth it!!!!
He powerwashed the eaves today. A little water came in at the bottom of the sliding glass door and this time some came in on the sill of yet another one of the cheap, double pane windows that the former owner installed. All of this was minor and easily cleaned up but because of the powerwashing, it's all too evident how filthy the screens and windows are. I'll be forced to clean them one day!!
For some reason, the circuit breaker that powers the TV tripped. That's odd because the powerwasher smelled like it runs on gasoline. To reset the circuit, I had to cut open the masking on the electrical circuit box. All the bedroom windows are masked (I told him that was all right for tonight but not for this weekend) so I can't open them tonight. Fortunately it isn't too, too hot.
There was a little rain earlier today and the roof didn't leak. My neighbor said it only rained a few minutes but it rained much longer than that and really hard at the library.
For my 4 miles, I first walked to the airport and back. Then I continued on the Mesa Trail to behind East Park and Aspen Ridge where I went down to Graduation Canyon. I took the Rogue Trail (below Rim Road) over to behind the Walkup Center. I hung out at the library and then walked the streets back after the rain stopped.
The Rogue Trail is reputed to have been built by a mad nuclear scientist who goes over to CERN in Switzerland when he's not building awesome trails that hang on cliffs above Pueblo Canyon. Rogue Trail is my name for it. The first part of it is very narrow - a singletrack hanging on cliffs and could also be called the S__t Your Pants Trail (SYP). I much prefer the part with a tread that's three times as wide as the SYP!!
I enjoyed watching a large bird wheeling around high above Pueblo Canyon but I was even higher and could look down on it - it was a vulture maybe. It showed some interest in me!!
Thor was rumbling overhead as I walked but oddly enough even though it rained like crazy and there was even some light hail, thunder and lightning was absent from the storm event this afternoon. Hopefully it doused the South Fork fire!!
When the house is painted, it will be worth it!!!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Cemetery-Rendija Canyon-Bayo Canyon
I parked at the Bayo Canyon Trailhead and walked through the pedestrian tunnel under San Ildefonso Road to start walking on the Dot Grant Trail toward Guaje Pines Cemetery. Dick had marked the route with red, plastic flagging at crucial points so hikers could find their way back up to his house on Chamisa Street, Barranca Mesa.
The Dot Grant Trail turned into the Upper Rendija Trail and soon I saw the red flagging on the side trail that led up to Dick and Judy's home. There are beautiful views toward Pajarito Mountain on this shelf below Barranca Mesa.
I waited a little bit for the group but no one showed up so I wondered if I had missed them somehow. Everyone else started from Dick and Judy's home but I wanted to skip the aprés hike birthday party. (It turned out that they had started late while waiting for Barbara to arrive.)
I decided to continue on the Upper Rendija Trail, descend into Rendija Canyon and wait for the group as they emerged from the Rendija Narrows. I saw Dick first and he jokingly said there were 50 hikers behind him. I never really counted but 50 was too high by about 30.
I showed the sink-hole, the one that Tom had shown the LL group, to the hikers who hadn't ran ahead. Judy says it's a well, possibly from the homestead era. Tom had said it just showed up once after a rain. Who knows! I took off a few of the logs that cover the deep hole so people could look in. Someone asked how deep it was and I guess-timated 12'. (Grandson almost fell in a few weeks back. Maybe he wanted to empirically test the depth!)
We continued down canyon and then climbed out of Rendija Canyon on the Pajarito Trail as gunshots from the shooting range seranaded us. We crossed Rendija Canyon Road (FR 57) and then went up to Barranca Mesa on the homestead era Romero Road, also called Barranca Crossing. We crossed Barranca Road and continued on the Barranca Crossing Trail down to the North Bayo Bench Trail.
On the way down, Marge pointed out a house that has a toy train in the backyard. She called it the U.F. and I.W. - Under Foot and In the Way. She told us that name came from when the people originally kept it indoors. It was loved by their two boys. Marge, a music teacher, once used it to effectively teach special ed kids some railroad songs. They weren't much motivated to learn until after they had a lemonade party at U.F. and I.W. and got to ride the train - it's that big!
The group ambled over to the North Bayo Bench Overlook for lunch but found it too sunny. They split up into two groups, each eating at a separate, shady spot. Kathy walked behind the group the entire hike and ate her lunch by herself under a tree. It's nothing personal - sometimes she feels like company and sometimes she doesn't.
Me, I continued down into Bayo Canyon, as per the original plan set forth for the Friskies, and walked up the other side on the Bayo Canyon Trail.
On the way back, I saw some odd splotches of blood in the dirt that still had a reddish tinge.
My GPS says I walked 7 miles. It was hot on the way back - still no rain.
It's funny how sometimes I can feel lonelier after one of these group hikes than hiking by myself. Part is my own fault because if I have a choice, I'll walk briskly even if I would enjoy hanging behind to talk with a slower hiker; although, I did talk with Marge who's slower than me and I enjoyed talking with her. The group is so large, though, that it's impossible to connect with everyone even if I wanted to!! (I wish I hadn't drawn a blank on Paul's name or at least that I kept my mouth shut about it!)
House painter did a lot of caulking today. I'll go around to look at it when the sun goes down. It's the time of day when the afternoon sun pours light and heat into the west side of the house. It's now 88 degrees and I have a large box fan blowing on me as I sit here typing.
The Dot Grant Trail turned into the Upper Rendija Trail and soon I saw the red flagging on the side trail that led up to Dick and Judy's home. There are beautiful views toward Pajarito Mountain on this shelf below Barranca Mesa.
I waited a little bit for the group but no one showed up so I wondered if I had missed them somehow. Everyone else started from Dick and Judy's home but I wanted to skip the aprés hike birthday party. (It turned out that they had started late while waiting for Barbara to arrive.)
I decided to continue on the Upper Rendija Trail, descend into Rendija Canyon and wait for the group as they emerged from the Rendija Narrows. I saw Dick first and he jokingly said there were 50 hikers behind him. I never really counted but 50 was too high by about 30.
I showed the sink-hole, the one that Tom had shown the LL group, to the hikers who hadn't ran ahead. Judy says it's a well, possibly from the homestead era. Tom had said it just showed up once after a rain. Who knows! I took off a few of the logs that cover the deep hole so people could look in. Someone asked how deep it was and I guess-timated 12'. (Grandson almost fell in a few weeks back. Maybe he wanted to empirically test the depth!)
We continued down canyon and then climbed out of Rendija Canyon on the Pajarito Trail as gunshots from the shooting range seranaded us. We crossed Rendija Canyon Road (FR 57) and then went up to Barranca Mesa on the homestead era Romero Road, also called Barranca Crossing. We crossed Barranca Road and continued on the Barranca Crossing Trail down to the North Bayo Bench Trail.
On the way down, Marge pointed out a house that has a toy train in the backyard. She called it the U.F. and I.W. - Under Foot and In the Way. She told us that name came from when the people originally kept it indoors. It was loved by their two boys. Marge, a music teacher, once used it to effectively teach special ed kids some railroad songs. They weren't much motivated to learn until after they had a lemonade party at U.F. and I.W. and got to ride the train - it's that big!
The group ambled over to the North Bayo Bench Overlook for lunch but found it too sunny. They split up into two groups, each eating at a separate, shady spot. Kathy walked behind the group the entire hike and ate her lunch by herself under a tree. It's nothing personal - sometimes she feels like company and sometimes she doesn't.
Me, I continued down into Bayo Canyon, as per the original plan set forth for the Friskies, and walked up the other side on the Bayo Canyon Trail.
On the way back, I saw some odd splotches of blood in the dirt that still had a reddish tinge.
My GPS says I walked 7 miles. It was hot on the way back - still no rain.
It's funny how sometimes I can feel lonelier after one of these group hikes than hiking by myself. Part is my own fault because if I have a choice, I'll walk briskly even if I would enjoy hanging behind to talk with a slower hiker; although, I did talk with Marge who's slower than me and I enjoyed talking with her. The group is so large, though, that it's impossible to connect with everyone even if I wanted to!! (I wish I hadn't drawn a blank on Paul's name or at least that I kept my mouth shut about it!)
House painter did a lot of caulking today. I'll go around to look at it when the sun goes down. It's the time of day when the afternoon sun pours light and heat into the west side of the house. It's now 88 degrees and I have a large box fan blowing on me as I sit here typing.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Where Else But in Los Alamos
This afternoon, I decided to hike trails near where I live rather than driving anywhere. I crossed the Main Hill Road near the airport to pickup the Canyon Rim Trail, the section east of the fire station and above DP Canyon. I hadn't walked very far on the graveled path when along comes a county vehicle and the passenger is calling my name, long, drawn out and raised up at the end like when you've caught a child doing something naughty. It was none other than our local Open Space Czar! He advised me that they were still checking out the Canyon Rim pedestrian bridge for safety. Whatever gave him the idea that I would have snuck on the bridge before its official July opening?? ; D Anyway, I cheered "Yay!!" for what he'd accomplished in getting that bridge put in!! It was expensive and the County Councilors weren't thrilled about it but Los Alamos is a community of hikers and there was a lot of public support for it.
I walked as far as the new pedestrian bridge and observed that workers were truly checking it out. I walked back on a dirt road nearer the Main Hill Road, my shoes raising clouds of talcum powder dust, looking for a break in the barbed wire fence to get across to the airport but had no luck. I had this wild idea that I could walk over to where they are building the Los Alamos Food Co-op to check out the area east of the airport runway, including the Pajarito Cliffs-Entrada Road section. Instead, I went back on the official, graveled Canyon Rim Trail (it will be asphalted to make the surface ADA compliant) until I finally found a piece of barbed wire broken down enough to step over. (Even then, it almost snagged my clothing!!)
I continued over to the Mesa Trail, at the western edge of the airport, but instead of going west toward Aspen Ridge Assisted Living Facility, I went east. The Youth Conservation Corps has extended much further to the east the Pueblo Canyon South Rim Trail that they started last year.
The trail tread is much improved from last year. The trail workers took out a lot of tripping hazards like roots and rocks. The eventual plan is to connect this with the Tent Rocks Trail, far below in Pueblo Canyon. Right now, it stops below what looks like a concrete dam (some kind of water runoff retention structure) near the end of the airport runway.
I am so pleased to have this trail to enjoy with it's beautiful views north to the cliffs of North Mesa, west to the Jemez Mountains and east to the Sangre de Cristos - my sacred world! I could see to the northwest that smoke from the South Fork fire was roiling up in the afternoon winds. I sat for a peaceful while on a rock above awesome cliffs enjoying the views and then headed back home.
I walked as far as the new pedestrian bridge and observed that workers were truly checking it out. I walked back on a dirt road nearer the Main Hill Road, my shoes raising clouds of talcum powder dust, looking for a break in the barbed wire fence to get across to the airport but had no luck. I had this wild idea that I could walk over to where they are building the Los Alamos Food Co-op to check out the area east of the airport runway, including the Pajarito Cliffs-Entrada Road section. Instead, I went back on the official, graveled Canyon Rim Trail (it will be asphalted to make the surface ADA compliant) until I finally found a piece of barbed wire broken down enough to step over. (Even then, it almost snagged my clothing!!)
I continued over to the Mesa Trail, at the western edge of the airport, but instead of going west toward Aspen Ridge Assisted Living Facility, I went east. The Youth Conservation Corps has extended much further to the east the Pueblo Canyon South Rim Trail that they started last year.
The trail tread is much improved from last year. The trail workers took out a lot of tripping hazards like roots and rocks. The eventual plan is to connect this with the Tent Rocks Trail, far below in Pueblo Canyon. Right now, it stops below what looks like a concrete dam (some kind of water runoff retention structure) near the end of the airport runway.
I am so pleased to have this trail to enjoy with it's beautiful views north to the cliffs of North Mesa, west to the Jemez Mountains and east to the Sangre de Cristos - my sacred world! I could see to the northwest that smoke from the South Fork fire was roiling up in the afternoon winds. I sat for a peaceful while on a rock above awesome cliffs enjoying the views and then headed back home.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Rancho Viejo and Oshara Village
Yesterday we met a realtor in Santa Fe to look at a condo-townhome in Rancho Viejo. It was really nice and we could definitely see ourselves living there. There is a lonely German Shepherd next door that the owners leave outside. He tends to bark at people and moan. Not sure how well that would work out.
The problem is that we're not truly ready to move from Los Alamos. We like living in the mountains, away from a big city. To us, Santa Fe is the big city!
We also looked at a model home at Oshara Village, just down Richards from Rancho Viejo. They are green built and the model has zero energy use. Its solar panels generate enough electricity to take care of all the house's needs and have some left over! All this is at a cost and the cost would exceed our budget but it's nice to know there is green building in Santa Fe. Truthfully, we don't want to go to the bother of having a home built for us as we'd prefer just to find one we like and move in.
Our house painter has begun priming!!
The problem is that we're not truly ready to move from Los Alamos. We like living in the mountains, away from a big city. To us, Santa Fe is the big city!
We also looked at a model home at Oshara Village, just down Richards from Rancho Viejo. They are green built and the model has zero energy use. Its solar panels generate enough electricity to take care of all the house's needs and have some left over! All this is at a cost and the cost would exceed our budget but it's nice to know there is green building in Santa Fe. Truthfully, we don't want to go to the bother of having a home built for us as we'd prefer just to find one we like and move in.
Our house painter has begun priming!!
Conclusion of Roofer Saga (Until First Big Rain!)
What to my wondering eyes did appear this morning but two white pickups, hauling the roofer and his crew. He was out of town all last week but promptly showed up today to extend the VentSure material out to where the eave overhangs start.
I asked him not to put any tar layer on the woodstove chimney base for now. He assures me that the silicone caulk is very good and especially made for roofing application - it's even used to seal openings in metal roofs. He did have his workers add some more silicone caulk around the hot water heater vent.
He really was only going to put the tar on to please us and in his professional opinion, it wasn't necessary. I'd rather trust his professional opinion and not worry about it myself. If there would be a leak, I'm sure it would only be a small seep not a flood and we'd have him come out at that time to address it. Case closed!!
He apologized for his behavior of a week ago. I'd recommend him now.
I asked him not to put any tar layer on the woodstove chimney base for now. He assures me that the silicone caulk is very good and especially made for roofing application - it's even used to seal openings in metal roofs. He did have his workers add some more silicone caulk around the hot water heater vent.
He really was only going to put the tar on to please us and in his professional opinion, it wasn't necessary. I'd rather trust his professional opinion and not worry about it myself. If there would be a leak, I'm sure it would only be a small seep not a flood and we'd have him come out at that time to address it. Case closed!!
He apologized for his behavior of a week ago. I'd recommend him now.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Looked at Three Houses Today
Looked at 3 houses today with realtor we had met this spring during an open house on Barranca Mesa. He's young - born in 1976 - has a two year old and another child on the way. He seems nice and we both think we could work with him. Afterwards, he was taking his family into the Jemez Mountains for a cookout.
We first looked at a 5 year old duplex in Piñon Trails Crossing - only 1,165 sq. ft. and not air conditioned. Not having air conditioning (or even ducts in which to install it) seems a liability because White Rock gets really hot!
There are nice views of the Sangres from the kitchen window. The house is vacant, in very nice, move-in condition and has a single car garage which is where it attaches to the dwelling next door. The house and yard seem cramped to us and too close to the neighbors.
There are some yappy dogs next door. The yard is xeriscaped and includes a small section of artificial turf - yuck! Even though I once wanted to landscape our yard with rocks, this yard looks ugly. Immediately behind the back yard is a large vacant lot and it's unclear if it belongs to the two churches back there or if it's privately owned.
Then we looked at a townhome on Cheryl Avenue in White Rock. It's 31+ years old and 1,934 sq. ft. We really liked the extra space and the fact that it's air conditioned. It backs onto the Cañada del Buey hiking trail and has a pretty backyard that's just the right size as well as 2 small courtyards. The price is right but I really don't want a house that old.
I won't enumerate the various issues that would drive me nuts unless I addressed them but here's one example: The hot water heater is in the garage and instead of it sitting on either the garage's concrete floor or on a structurally sound, actual raised floor, it's placed on what I can only describe as a "table" made of heavy timber, just to hold the hot water heater. I can see that the plywood on the "table" top has already delaminated from a past leak. I don't think the "table" is structurally anchored in any way to the building. That makes me nervous. I love the location, the space and air-conditioning but don't want to take on repairing and maintaining an older house as a retirement project.
The third house, a condo in Los Alamos on Short Drive in the Las Ventanas development, was built in 2000. The realtor says that there is a high ratio of tenants to owners in this development and that similar units have sold for lower prices.
The real problem is that the condo is a narrow, 4 story building with small rooms on each floor. It needs a fire escape!! From the topmost floor, the ground below looked so distant - rappelling off buildings in an emergency is not my strong point. It's bizarre and not for us! What we liked, though, was the downtown Los Alamos location, the air-conditioning, how new it was (and in good condition) and that the condo fee is only $150 a month and covers the exterior building maintenance and the roof.
Hot here today. The South Fork fire was really blowing up this afternoon.
We first looked at a 5 year old duplex in Piñon Trails Crossing - only 1,165 sq. ft. and not air conditioned. Not having air conditioning (or even ducts in which to install it) seems a liability because White Rock gets really hot!
There are nice views of the Sangres from the kitchen window. The house is vacant, in very nice, move-in condition and has a single car garage which is where it attaches to the dwelling next door. The house and yard seem cramped to us and too close to the neighbors.
There are some yappy dogs next door. The yard is xeriscaped and includes a small section of artificial turf - yuck! Even though I once wanted to landscape our yard with rocks, this yard looks ugly. Immediately behind the back yard is a large vacant lot and it's unclear if it belongs to the two churches back there or if it's privately owned.
Then we looked at a townhome on Cheryl Avenue in White Rock. It's 31+ years old and 1,934 sq. ft. We really liked the extra space and the fact that it's air conditioned. It backs onto the Cañada del Buey hiking trail and has a pretty backyard that's just the right size as well as 2 small courtyards. The price is right but I really don't want a house that old.
I won't enumerate the various issues that would drive me nuts unless I addressed them but here's one example: The hot water heater is in the garage and instead of it sitting on either the garage's concrete floor or on a structurally sound, actual raised floor, it's placed on what I can only describe as a "table" made of heavy timber, just to hold the hot water heater. I can see that the plywood on the "table" top has already delaminated from a past leak. I don't think the "table" is structurally anchored in any way to the building. That makes me nervous. I love the location, the space and air-conditioning but don't want to take on repairing and maintaining an older house as a retirement project.
The third house, a condo in Los Alamos on Short Drive in the Las Ventanas development, was built in 2000. The realtor says that there is a high ratio of tenants to owners in this development and that similar units have sold for lower prices.
The real problem is that the condo is a narrow, 4 story building with small rooms on each floor. It needs a fire escape!! From the topmost floor, the ground below looked so distant - rappelling off buildings in an emergency is not my strong point. It's bizarre and not for us! What we liked, though, was the downtown Los Alamos location, the air-conditioning, how new it was (and in good condition) and that the condo fee is only $150 a month and covers the exterior building maintenance and the roof.
Hot here today. The South Fork fire was really blowing up this afternoon.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Deadheaded Neighbor's Decorative Grass Tonight
I don't know if "deadheaded" is the right term but I gently removed as much of the dead grass that I could to open it up to light and air.
Our 84 year old neighbor who had back surgery is still in the hospital and we've been watering her beloved decorative grass (have no idea of its actual name!) that she planted in the narrow strip between our two driveways.
She had pointed out to me a few weeks back that she'd have to buy some more plants because they weren't looking as good as when she first planted them. I gently suggested that perhaps it was all the dead matter that was blocking off the new growth. She really didn't have a chance to do anything because she went in the hospital last week with terrible back pain and had to have surgery to try to alleviate a pinched nerve.
I discovered that the grass stalks are really sharp! When I first tried pulling some of the dead stuff this morning, I jammed a small piece into my thumb and had to dig it out with a sterilized needle. I wore gloves this evening. I couldn't pull out every single dead stalk or I'd end up pulling out the live stuff too.
I haven't counted how many of the plants there are altogether but 4 look dead and I left those alone so she can see that they died on their own with no assistance from the plant equivalent of Dr. Kevorkian. Some of the plants are looking very good and she'll be quite pleased that they are "bushing out" now.
I watered the plants a second time this evening to help settle any live roots that I may have disturbed in removing the dead stuff. Taking care of plants is not my forté. I'm just doing it to help them out.
Her husband is very busy every day driving down to visit her at the hospital in Santa Fe. He himself is on oxygen. It's touching to see how he's taking such good care of her. He's arranged for a hospital bed, a walker and a sitter for her until she can get around again on her own. She was such an active woman. I hope her recovery goes smoothly and she can be active again.
The house painter picked up the paint today. He may start priming on Monday. I have some appointments next week. I'll need to be here the day he paints the doors so they can be open.
Grandson was very good on the hike. He even carried his own backpack and water! I'm so pleased that he is such an amazing hiker! He's off to Florida and Disney World this Saturday!
Tomorrow I sleep in until 8 am and we don't have to move the cars for the painter in the morning - yay!!
Our 84 year old neighbor who had back surgery is still in the hospital and we've been watering her beloved decorative grass (have no idea of its actual name!) that she planted in the narrow strip between our two driveways.
She had pointed out to me a few weeks back that she'd have to buy some more plants because they weren't looking as good as when she first planted them. I gently suggested that perhaps it was all the dead matter that was blocking off the new growth. She really didn't have a chance to do anything because she went in the hospital last week with terrible back pain and had to have surgery to try to alleviate a pinched nerve.
I discovered that the grass stalks are really sharp! When I first tried pulling some of the dead stuff this morning, I jammed a small piece into my thumb and had to dig it out with a sterilized needle. I wore gloves this evening. I couldn't pull out every single dead stalk or I'd end up pulling out the live stuff too.
I haven't counted how many of the plants there are altogether but 4 look dead and I left those alone so she can see that they died on their own with no assistance from the plant equivalent of Dr. Kevorkian. Some of the plants are looking very good and she'll be quite pleased that they are "bushing out" now.
I watered the plants a second time this evening to help settle any live roots that I may have disturbed in removing the dead stuff. Taking care of plants is not my forté. I'm just doing it to help them out.
Her husband is very busy every day driving down to visit her at the hospital in Santa Fe. He himself is on oxygen. It's touching to see how he's taking such good care of her. He's arranged for a hospital bed, a walker and a sitter for her until she can get around again on her own. She was such an active woman. I hope her recovery goes smoothly and she can be active again.
The house painter picked up the paint today. He may start priming on Monday. I have some appointments next week. I'll need to be here the day he paints the doors so they can be open.
Grandson was very good on the hike. He even carried his own backpack and water! I'm so pleased that he is such an amazing hiker! He's off to Florida and Disney World this Saturday!
Tomorrow I sleep in until 8 am and we don't have to move the cars for the painter in the morning - yay!!
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