Spent most of the morning clipping, pulling, sawing, low limbing, and removing dead cedar saplings from the stands beside the road way to the entrance of Fairview. It is a real chore. This is down once a year in the winter. One would not realize that is winter, since it is very warm and the sun is shinning brightly.
The weather is expected to change around Thursday. Shall see if that happens.
Will have much kindling for starting fires in the wood stoves and the fireplace. Winter is not over and March can bring more snow than any other month.

Been under the weather all day. Much indigestion last night with little sleep. Took a walk around the back part of the property looking for fungi.

One of the Favorites

Yesterdays sunset was just gorgeous. Fall and Winter are always good sunsets at Fairview. The flame is so intense.
China Lily Narcissus is right on top for the most favorite bulb. The smell is intoxicating, the color combination so cheerful, and the petals dance about like tutu's on a ballerina. There are not many of this kind of bulb at Fairview. Not able to buy them new, only found in old gardens established before the 60's. These were dug up from abandoned empty lots and fallen down houses that were going to be torn down. Most of the old fashioned bulbs here were gathered that way. Kind of like recycled landscaping.

It's A Brand New Day

Planted a new bare root nectarine, Juneglo today. It is supposed to ripen late June with semi-freestone fruit when soft (whatever that means). Trying to replace the empty space from the apple trees that have died over the years. Most fruit trees life span is 25 years. The trees in the orchard are 35 years old. Some of the apple trees that died have been replaced with peaches; however, the deer ate most of them and now 2 1/2 are left compared to the 6 that were there.
Thinking of planting some more trees. A pomegranate and a persimmon would be nice to have in the orchard. Lost all of the cherry trees a few years ago besides the birds eat most of those delightful little gems. A pecan or 2 would also be nice.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

It poured most of the night. Woke up to freezing temperatures. The sky is bright blue with no clouds. A bright sunshiny day is most welcome. Gathered wood for the woodstoves and fireplace. A neighbor called to express his disappointment about his well going south (like Fairview's). It seems like all the wells put in during the 1970's are going down, down, down way down. Too many people moved into the area combined with the potential of a third year of drought. So far the day has been glorious.
At 3 p.m. the clouds are forming and moving south. The sun is hiding. Temperatures are lowering. Brrr!!!

Day 4 of No Sun

It started to snow at 7:00 a.m. By noon it had stopped and the temperature rose to 36* F. making what snow that fell to start melting. The sun peered out for a few seconds and then the clouds continued to cover it making for a dark afternoon with more rain. At 3 p.m. the clouds departed and the sun came streaming down with many cheers of hurray. It was the first time in 4 days to see such a magnificent sight. What will the evening and night have in store? At 5 p.m. the storms clouds gathered again making a spectacular sunset. What a day it has been! The sky has been the entertainment. Once again nature truly has orchestrated a magnificent show of inspiration and gratitude for being alive on this planet.

Roses are Red Violets are...

A white patch of violets are blooming at the entrance to the property. It is certainly another sign that Spring is coming. Much low clouds today, looking like London fog, with drizzle and the occasional shower with a down pour. Definetly an inside day with a date of vaccuming and mopping. It is always great when it is ugly outside, means making the inside of the house shine and sparkle. JoJo doesn't like the vaccum; however, it makes her go outside for fresh air. It has been 3 days of inside work and most of the work is done.

Not so much rain today; however, more is on its way with possible low snow on Sunday. Oh, just not looking for this. A winter storm watch is for tonight through tomorrow morning, possible flooding for small streams and low lying areas. Hopefully with all this water the well will fill up.
18 in. of snow is expected to fall in the mountains by Monday. Temperatures are lowering. Good thing wood is dry and ready to burn.
Now the Air people are trying to do away with all wood burning. Too much laws and regulations. People just think they can legislate and regulate about everything. Empire building continues with this kind of superior complexes.

Rainy Day

It has rained all night and all day. It is about time to have something falling from the sky. The canyon is full of moisture blocking the sight of the ridge. Many low clouds at 3200ft.
Yesterdays burn day was a success, to the point it had to be canceled at 2:25p.m. about 3 hours after the wood pile finished. Apparently so many folks had burn piles, that the western half of the county filled up with smoke making some experience respiratory problems. It doesn't help much with this county being the number 1 retirement community in the whole state. So many complaints by so many about so many things. It becomes downright hysterical on occasions. People sometimes resorting to such childlike deeds.
Been in the house most of the day stoking the woodstoves and fireplace. It is certainly is toasty. It is a good excuse to do floors. Sweeping up the wood chips. That is the 1 thing about burning it is so messy.
Probably will be glad when the sun is visible again, sometime on Monday. Been taking vitamin D supplements so SAD doesn't occur. Some weather reporters are saying the Sun may not see the sunshine until next Thursday. That is when cabin fever starts to settle in making every little thing aggravating.

Today was an outside burn day. Woke up looked out the windows at the canyon and say smoke rising from several spots. Thought it might be a burn day so called the Fire Department and sure enough it was a burn day. The recording said between 9a.m. and 3p.m. was the best time for burning. At breakfast hurriedly and started to burn. Last year John helped in the garden and removed wild berries and wild lilac (Ceanothus), carted those down to the burn circle along with apple branches, Liquidambar (December's snow broke 3 large branches off), ans wild native trees that are unknown to me (lovely in the fall but not along the wall). Exhausted by noon. Had to quit. It can't be because of age. NO!!! This is not acceptable.
Rain is coming for tonight, tomorrow, and the next few days. Will be inside by the fire.

Spring is Really on the Way

Daphne odora marginata is in full bloom and is going to pop any day now. One of the favorites of the garden. The smell is heavenly and the plant is really good looking. Have success in making cuttings of the mother plant so more can be added to the landscape. The more aroma the better. Frangrant gardens are so wonderful.
Spent more time nekkid today in the orchard. Finished pruning of the fruit trees. Will finish cutting suckers off the 16 walnut trees after the rain that is coming for the next few days.

Spring is Really on its Way

Nekkid in the Sun

Snow Drops are starting to bloom. Another sign of Spring is coming!!! However it feels like Spring already. Spent time finishing pruning an apple tree nekkid as a jay today. Feels so good to have the sun warm up old tired bones and skin. Tomorrow will have the orchard pretty much finished for this year, just in time for some rain that is predicted for Wednesday. Much rain is needed to get out of the drought. Spent some time rearranging the wood pile and stocking the inside wood boxes. Temperatures are expected to drop down. Snow could fall in the mountains. Forecasters are saying rain for at least 3 or 4 days.
Today watered my beets, turnips, chard, lettuce and carrots. Just in case no water falls they will be okay. Deck plants also received much desired water. Rain barrels collect the rain water that runs off from the garage roof. Every once in awhile they must be emptied especially during warm weather because of the mosquitoes.

Listening to the Lincoln Memorial celebration. Our radio station is broadcasting it live. Tried to see it on the web, however; lousy feed (so much for HBO). Everyone seems to be there. Being here at this time is so monumental. It is something not ever expected to happen in my life time, even though that is what we stood up and put ourselves on the line for. Hurrah, we are the ones we have been waiting for. Tears roll down my cheeks in awe over how wonderful it is to know that it is correct to be free and we are all one. Much hope for this administration to do the correct thing.

Today is just another one of the beautiful warm days. This Camellia sasanqua 'Blood of China' has been blooming since November. The December snows froze all of the blooms, however; now it is blooming again. Been on the puter all morning searching for who knows what? The orchard needs to have some more sun on it before adventuring out.
Waited a couple of hours and returned to the orchard. Only 1 1/2 apple trees left to prune. Yippie!!! Feeling better about finishing before the rains.
Rain is predicted for later this coming week. It will be just enough time to finish pruning, raking all litter from around the trees, removing suckers from the walnut trees and turning the compost pile.
My leg where the tick bite is getting better. Have found out the oil I was applying to the bite was not Tea Tree Oil but Catnip oil. It is a good thing no cats are in the house. I would be used up like some rag doll. lol

Well, today a tick was removed from my leg. Oh yuck!!! How did that happen??? I was going to the orchard to lie down in the warm sun with my birthday suit. I felt some discomfort on my leg and investigated to find a f@**_6 g tick. I hope it was pulled out correctly. Ran into the house to put disinfectant on it and some lotion for the swelling. Living in the woods is so much fun.

Pruning Again

Made much headway today during the morning hours, almost finished pruning the orchard. Predictions for rain are in the forecast for next week. I definitely will be finished with pruning the orchard by that time. Roses are next in line.
Yesterday my neighbor called to say his well water would be available for use. It is so pleasing to know people with kind hearts still exist.

Day 3 Pruning

It is looking like Spring is just around the corner. China Lillies and Narcissus are starting to bloom. They have to be one of my favorite bulbs. The fragrance they emit is so heavenly. Thousands have been planted here over the years. One good thing is the deer will leave them alone.
I finished another 7 apple trees in the orchard today. Looking like I will finish before the week. It was again 80* F. Shirt was cast off and felt the warm sun on bare skin. Loving it all the way.

JoJo would like to prune some trees. lol

It is such a beautiful day. The sun is shinning and it is 80* F. I finished another 2 1/2 apple trees. Stopped to eat lunch and will continue after eating. Blue skies will continue for a week. Yeah, will probably finish pruning by that time.

Pruning

Started pruning the orchard yesterday. I finished the 3 pears, 2 peaches, and 1 and 1/2 of apple. Much more work to do today. Posting more later after more pruning.

Just another beautiful day in the neighborhood. Temperatures are rising in the gold country foothills of California. The environmental film festival is coming to a close. This year I did not attend, sort of out of whack and now it is so crowded downtown with tourist from around the world. It is just what is needed for the merchants trying to make a buck. Maybe the town will not be a boarded up ghost town like it was in the early 60's.
Will be pruning tomorrow after calling the propane gas company for a fill. This is something dreaded always. Will it be cheaper this time since, gas is down? The tank is 400 gallons.
A friend has come for the film festival and is spending 2 nights. A game of scrabble looks like it is in the works for tonight. Well going back to studying the dictionary. lol

Wolf Moon

Pruning

It is that time of year again, to prune the orchard. What fun it is to take off the layers of clothing and have the sun shine on naked skin while working. Today the temperature was a great 72* F. It seems like this happens every year when the January weather warms up and is bright and sunny, while the valley is cold and foggy. It takes a week to finish the job of pruning 3 peaches, 16 walnuts, 3 pears, and 24 apple trees. Praying for a good harvest this year, since; the last 2 years have been nothing, nada. Most of the trees are semi dwarf. The deer just love to tease me all season by coming into the orchard. Two years ago a bear stopped by to eat everything. Now a radio dialed into a right wing 24 hour talk shows plays full blast in the orchard. It has been very successful.

Pre Full Moon

Looking for an art modeling job on the internet. Saw one a couple weeks ago, however; not able to locate it this week. One may be available locally. Two to three hours would suffice for now. So grateful it is lighter longer now and will continue till mid June.

A foggy layer

This morning, evaporation from the forest floor transformed in to clouds and then misted the land. An awesome sight was seen. No real rain though and probably will not be any tonight. Tonight a red sunset.

One wheelbarrow at a time. Must load the wood boxes in the house while the snow has gone. Thursday loos like some rain. Yesterday's rain was not very much.

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck wood?

This is 10 cords of wood for this year. All of it will not fit in the image. I spent many months cutting it with a chain saw and splitting it by hand with an axe, then stacking it. Some say wood heats ya twice, I say 4 times.

Holy Daze

The girls took my car to be fixed. After the accident I was not able to comfortably drive the little one. The eldest has a mechanic husband. Probably will not receive the car back until April, o well. Speaking of, I received some change in my jar labeled WELL DONATIONS WELCOME. It turns out $25,000.00 will make the well come back. What a number this is for me.

Light My Fire

It has been raining all day. Keeping warm with the wood from the Timber Harvest of last year. The wood has heated the house now for 2 years. The removal of the trees was the best thing that happened at Fairview. No longer worrying about if the trees are going to fall on the house when full of snow like it did in 2001. Keeping the 2 wood stoves full and the fireplace is a full time job, but worth it.

New Years Day

The sun is shinning brightly and the temperature is warm, making it a vary unusual New Year's Day. Rain is expected tonight and continuing through Friday. New Years Eve was a quite time at home. Since my accident in November, I have decided driving at night is a thing of the past. Night blindness has taken its toll. Oh well. Most things happen in the day when I see much better.