Friday, July 30, 2021

The post with no name...

Corona deTucson

July 30, 2021

Last week end as I published the weekly post, we were under a flash flood warning.  It rained for two days.  We hunkered down and did something we rarely do...binged on movies !  Not just any movies...we watched five Rocky movies in order.  We didn't start out with that in mind, it just happened.  Rocky (the first in the series) was filmed in 1976. It was written by and  starred Sylvester Stallone.  The 45 year old classic is a rags to riches story about hard work, determination, and a desire to fulfill your dreams.  It won "Best Picture" that year and in 2006 was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the US National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".  Rocky spawned eight sequels.  My favorite in the series is Rocky IV.   


Sometimes on our walks, we pass by a reservoir.  It has been dry the entire time we have been walking.  That was until last Monday.  What a difference a couple of days of torrential rains can make, and...


 the open area (that was once a fairway) behind our home has greened up nicely too.  We have had a couple more storms this week in the wee hours of the morning. Yipee !  















We haven't walked since Monday morning.  Joe had the first of several MOHs surgeries (on top of his hand close to his wrist) this past Tuesday morning.  It hurt pretty bad Tuesday night and Wednesday.  Thursday morning, we had an appointment with The Countertop Factory rep to do the field measure for kitchen countertops.  

Guy pointed out things, asked lots of questions and answered all our concerns.  We were most impressed with him and his equipment. Things (technology) have changed since we had countertops installed in the GA home and in the MH.





  









Now we wait for Home Depot to contact us. When Guy's detailed CAD drawings are complete, they will compare his actual dimensions to the dimensions Joe and I submitted on the original order.  This means we probably owe more money!

And this morning we had an appointment with Bill's Home Service to install in-ground Sentricon bait stations to deter termites from invading our home.  Eighteen stations were strategically placed around the perimeter of the house for safe measure. 


Termites were always a huge concern in GA, but we never realized they were just as invasive, if not more so in the desert.  We are discovering a lot about pests here...like how destructive pack rats are (they love to chew the plastic coating off wires) and kangaroo rats that burrow complex living chambers and then there are the scorpions.  Joe found one in our bathroom.  We should be pest safe now !   

Feeding the birds is evolving every week.  The large cedar feeder like we had in GA definitely was not a good idea here. We replaced it with smaller feeders for the smaller birds and added ground trays for the dove thinking they would be satisfied to enjoy the seeds on the ground.  Well, it didn't take long for them to figure out they could pile on the feeder and feast non stop. It is quite comical watching them maneuver onto the feeder, perch and try to get a seed.  They aren't bullies, just bigger than the other birds and I figure they need food too, but sometimes it's a little ridiculous. 












Not feeding the birds is not a good option for us...well make that me.  Every morning Joe fills the feeders and puts fresh water in the birdbath.  I fill the suet feeders.  We have two single suet feeders and one double suet feeder with a roof. 

The happy dance...I feel the same way when we get ice cream !




















Do you have napkins ?














Dang it...















Just watch...I can do tricks for food !

















Sometimes we see a pair of Gila Woodpeckers.  I even saw him feeding her one morning.  I think he was introducing her to the suet.  So sweet to watch them.

The male

The female
















Felix, our youngest grandson, turned 5 years old today.  And yes, we sent socks...one pair with saguaros and the other with tacos.  One could say it might be a "bribe" to entice them to visit and one might just be right ! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FELIX!

I couldn't come up with a title for the post when I sat down to review pictures and write.  Our week at a glance seemed rather dull, but now I realize it hasn't been so dull after all.  Instead it has been somewhat busy getting things done that need to get done and somewhat enjoying not having anything to do.  Such a nice place to be !

So until next time, enjoy the day, and...

Our favorite backyard bird !















HAPPY TRAILS !

14 comments:

  1. Got a laugh out of your title. I’m sure you’ve explored Canyon sin Nombre in Anza Borrego.
    In hot/humid Moab we also enjoyed the very localized thunderstorms. Never experienced such specific patterns before.
    Best to you and Joe. Enjoy the birds

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    1. Hi Jeff, can you be,I eve we have never been to Anza Borrego? We’ve had reservations there 3 different times and had to cancel for one reason or another. It’s still on the list and an easy ride from Tucson so hopefully one day! We have spent many a summer in Moab the past few years…I know exactly what you are feeling! But I am glad to hear Moab is getting rain…πŸ‘.

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  2. Glad someone is getting lots of rain. Of course, we didn't expect much here. The Mojave Desert is so much drier than the Sonoran Desert. We are in a severe drought but only need two inches of rain to be out of it. Crazy! Can't wait to see your new countertops. Love all your feather friends. I'm sure they are very excited you moved in. Felix is adorable:) Love the new socks and the shoes on the wrong feet. Too cute! Give Joe our best. Hope all his surgeries are successful.

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    1. Thank you Pam. We both have MOHs surgeries on the calendar for next week…😩! The rain and cooler temps have been wonderful. As I catch the weather from around the country, it surprises me that Tucson is wetter and cooler than a lot of places…so different from summers past when we had to be here for appointments.

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  3. We could sure use some of that rain up here in Montana. When we get back to AZ everything is going to be so green that I won't recognize it. I only saw the first two Rocky movies. And I must admit I dont remember too much about them. You have the happiest best fed birds in town. And they all say thank you. Love the socks.

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    1. If I could send some rain your way, I sure would Sandie. You have definitely had the heat and wildfires this summer. Hope you get some relief soon!

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  4. I must say I've never seen not one Rocky movie!--obviously I should, right?? I would love to feed the birds in AZ but we have such a pack rat problem out there in the country--don't want to encourage those buggers to take up residence! I do feed the birds in Montana and love watching them and their antics. Right now the hummingbirds are going through a feeder full every day. Hope the rest of Joe's and your surgeries go well. Those socks on Felix are adorable!

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    1. Thank you Janna. I have always enjoyed sports and war movies that have a good story. Unlike Rocky, a lot of them are true stores. The pack rats are for sure a problem and concern. We are contemplating not feeding the bird anymore seeds, but I can’t give up the nectar or the suet as I do love the hummingbirds, cardinals, cactus wrens, woodpeckers and curved-bill thrashers. We will see what happens…πŸ‘.

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  5. I love those wrens, especially the photo with them striding along the wall! They are so personable and Loud, you're never in doubt where they are! Life is good, easy and good.

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    1. I love the wrens too Sue…always busy and entertaining! And yes, life is good!

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  6. The weather seems totally unpredictable lately.
    Always nice watching the antics of the Birds.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Unpredictable works as we sure are enjoying the rain Rick and Kathy. The desert has enjoyed it too…we actually see green these days instead of all brown. The birds are so entertaining…πŸ‘

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  7. We too think bird feeders are a necessity at our desert home! Great pics of your feasting visitors. I'm always happy to see that some of the precious water is being captured from good storms :-)

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    1. Thank you Jodee! Wish we could share some of this rain to help with smoke and field fires!

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