The landscapers installed several new things in the courtyard, by the driveway and in the “orchard.” They planted several silver sage shrubs along the driveway. The image is the before and after of the sage. We also had a flowerless plum tree, three fragrant cleveland sage and three red bird of paradise shrubs planted in the courtyard. The “orchard” has been planted along the RV drive through, namely one lemon and one orange tree. Click on the image to enlarge.
At the California house, the weather in June typically is mild temperatures with night and morning low clouds and fog. Late spring and summer in our town in Arizona is a completely different story. We have sunny days, warmer temperatures and a weather phenomenon known locally as “dust devils.”
Image: Arizona dust devil
The little twisters have shown up at our new home a few times since the weather has warmed up to highs in the 90’s. We quickly learned that lightweight objects are best stored indoors rather than on the back patio or behind the garage.
Three buckets we had out by the garage got caught up in one of the devils. Two of them got lodged in palo verde just to the east of the lot. We found those right away, filled them with something heavy and put them away. The third bucket was at large for about two weeks until Verna spotted it under a large creosote in the vacant lot to the east several hundred feet from where the twister picked it up.
Our trash bin has been knocked over three times and once was thrown across the driveway at the same time the buckets were taken. Frankly, I don’t know what I can do to the trash bin short of dumping a boulder in the bottom. I’ll think of something.
The devils, though rarely fatal, have done some pretty interesting things, like this:
In 2010, three children in an inflatable jump house were picked up by a dust devil and were carried over three houses and a 10-foot fence, in east El Paso, Texas.
We have been neglecting our shooting at the range activities due to finishing up the details for the new house. Today, however, we brought out (almost) the entire gun collection for a badly needed clean and lube. Our carry guns, although not fired recently, needed the lint, salt and other crud removed. We set up the cleaning table in the shade on the patio and spent an hour or so engaging in gun love. Click on the image to enlarge.
The saguaro company that delivered our giant saguaro brought two smaller ones to plant in a couple of other locations out in the front this morning. These two come from a nearby ten-thousand acre cactus farm over near the Hassayampa River. To move a saguaro (and possibly other plants) requires a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
The image above is of one of the tagged saguaros after they were planted. To see a large image of the tagged cactus where the tag is legible, click here. I was surprised that it is a felony to move a saguaro without the tag.
Click on the image above to view the second saguaro along side of yours truly. I’m about 60 inches tall at the shoulder so you can see the relative height of both saguaros, which are approximately the same height. To view the second photo, both courtesy of Verna, click here
I can’t take credit for this pretty marigold since it is actually growing downtown by the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. It is very pretty though. Click on the image to enlarge.
Almost every day in spring and early summer, saguaro cacti produce flowers. Ours had several new ones today, this one being one of the prettiest we have seen. Click on the image to enlarge.
