Missed storm

The weather alert came in on the phone...Dust storm warning and severe thunder storms in the area..... well, the sky did look threatening and the thunder did sound as well as a flash or two of lightening but not rain … no dust … no storm. I still sent myself to the bedroom! One thing about the storms, the scenery changes quickly and becomes dramatic. The glint of sunset against the tall palm tree fronds is lovely. I secured the garden tools left by the pond and scared a tiny lizard...he actually scared me. It was a quiet evening after all.

If you think it is a new smoke detector you are correct. Yes I did it. This is the one in the hallway outside my bedroom and the lowest one to install. The other two are going to require the higher step ladder and yesterday was not the day with my back still bothering me. They will have to wait... I believe they will require help. While I was finding things to do...like I do not have anything at the ready...I realized while playing music that the 2 wall mounted Polk speakers are not connected to the receiver so they are not needed. There is a Polk sub woofer that also does not work with the stereo...they were part of the home theater. So today they will be disconnected. They have been offered to the couple who will get the system. Remember the sweet little girl from Dianna...

her basil has dried and now looks perfect hanging down from her pot. I picked the piece of basil while it had flowered so the tiny blooms are in perfect proportion. Today I will think about the next bracelet to wrap. I also got the supplies for a tatted ornament ready.  No plans really for the day...except take Bissell for a walk around the place with Swiffer...they need the exercise. Well my friends right now I need breakfast so off I go to accomplish my tasks. Thank you for your kind words and of course for your friendship.

Sunday in the garden

Of course it is almost official summer and Arizona has been hot for some time now. We actually had a little rain and the temps have been under 100! 

The sun is hot and bright so I look for shade and find shadows. the wind is tossing the chimes and buoy bell so there is music in the garden. None of the birds are around mid-day. I guess they are resting in the Ficus tree to stay in the shade. The Dove babies are being watched in the nest and are growing quickly. 

The Fire Cracker glows bright orange in the sunlight. Sometimes a finch will take refuge among the branches but not today. Not even the Hummingbird is searching the blooms for nectar..... just too hot.

Yesterday I was busy with the beaded ornaments.

This is with a smoky grey round drop bead. Looks fancy. The seed beads (which are hard to see) are a metallic blue. Guess you will have to take my word for it... it is prettier than the picture. This morning I finished another one

I used dark black/grey seed beads and the drops are onyx black. I like this one. What color will be next... not sure yet. I am sure someone will like these.

Each year the 19 Palm trees on our community property need to be trimmed. 9 of them are in my courtyard area.

The first time I  watched this I was fascinated. First of all to scale this extremely tall swaying palm is one thing but then to be using both a small chain saw and a small machete like blade to trim the heavy fronds...well, I still find myself drawn to watch. It is a dangerous job and every so often a man will be injured or worse die while doing this.

The Palm is transformed from a large billowing top to just a skimpy few fronds. It does not take long before they replenish themselves. All the while the trimming is happening, dozens of Grackles will scour the ground for the insects that also fall and of course the seeds...the fluffy white fronds. Within a few minutes the tree is done and he move to the next and other guys gather and shred the fronds. They appear and trim and then the clean and are gone. It was a cloudy but humid day for these guys.

Seems strange to be posting so late in my day but I was just lazy this morning. I still feel lazy! Always nice to chat with you when you stop by. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

For some reason Blogger is acting up today...not accepting typing and spacing. So, before I really loose my patience I will say ciao...adios....off I go.

A Rainbow

The clouds rolled in late yesterday and with it a few drops fell but did not land but there was the rainbow

and it was lovely to see. The sky was hauntingly grey. the thought of rain was there but the few drops were really only virga rain. Today is overcast and cool with an easy breeze. The music from the garden is loud and clear as well as the sounds from the front yard chimes.

The fronds glisten on the palms as they bend and whip in the winds. We have 9 ....50+ foot palms in our courtyard and they sway and bend when the winds are blowing. It is amazing to see. As I sit here and look out to the garden the breeze is becoming wind and the buoy bell is sending out it's warning to any passing ship to beware; .... actually that would be a warning to the Dove couple to be careful out there. They are just getting ready for the shift change. The crow has already been here so it is safe for them to be showing where the nest is.
Having rested the hand for a few days I am ready to take needle or shuttle in hand today! I get restless when I can not be creative. The laundry is swishing and the Bissell and Swiffer  is at the ready. Still waiting for the House Faeries to show up.... they have about an hour to do so before I have to do it myself. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Christmas in July*****

This year I joined KimM who is hosting Christmas in July....and Saturday I received my exchange package....

and of course since there is no Christmas tree up yet, I tucked it into my small palm tree.....so if you recognize this package as yours, thank you and it has been safely received! The hard part is not opening it until July 25th! that is why I have left it in the bubble wrap to prevent me from handling the gifts.....I will be good----I will be good....My exchange will be ready for mailing by the requested date....almost complete.
Today it is a cloudy start to the day. The temps is 90 and a slight chance of rain/dust/winds which is all part of the daily forecast now that we are in Monsoon season. The temps for today are expected to be around 111......even without the sun shining it is hot. The heat does bring out

the lizards.... this guy was sitting outside my living room window last evening. I think he is a Desert Spiny Lizard....he has a band of color on his throat of yellow, teal and a black band. They are rather large, a body of around 5.5 inches then the tail which is probably the same. I have not, thank goodness the opportunity to actually measure one, but I judge from the surroundings when I see them. I did some stitching yesterday, not too much because I just could not settle on doing anything! Okay, I was lazy. I am planning hoping to accomplish more today. I really need to buckle down. Mr H is really doing well. Has times of discomfort and has abandoned the walker. Unfortunately with feeling better also comes the "I can do" attitude so I still nag a little. So glad to have the time to chat with you....thank you for your friendship and kind words. Hope you have a great day.

Palm trees and a cloudy morning...

Ready to fly~~~~~

I am so pleased with this my second Punch Needle project.....I am learning as I go. For example...I do not need to punch so close to each row...a little more space is better. Most of the time I am leaving a space between rows... then I think it will not be full enough and I get off track. This had Rayon threads so that was new to me. I am already thinking of the next one! We are still in our heat but they removed the Heat Advisory, because the temps will only be in the 115 range...still hot no matter what you call it. This is also the start of the Monsoon season...dust and lightening/rain storms. I will remain in and out only when necessary. Mr H is starting to pay attention to what he is not suppose to do and is feeling much better. Yesterday was our yearly trim the palms....

I am so amazed at these men who shimmy up/down the 40- to foot trees. The are heavily dressed: head and necks covered, long sleeve shirts and long pants in blazing mid-morning sun. The temp was around 110 when they were here.

3 men do the trimming, and seven do the clean up and shredding. It makes for quick work. We have 19 palms on our property, 9 of them in our courtyard. After they leave all the cow birds arrive looking for bugs and seeds to munch. It gets rather busy! Today I must concentrate on my Christmas in July swap...it has been started but I really need to complete and get ready for the July 1st mail date. Especially since my package is leaving the country. I must tell you how grateful I am for your friendship...thank you for the kind words and good wishes for Mr H. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Chainsaws and Palm trees

Today of course is the Summer Solstice and it happens to be the day our Palm trees are being trimmed.

It is always a busy morning for not only the men doing this task, but the birds who will be swarming all over the courtyard once the men leave looking for insects and seeds. This is a new crew this year as the other company has retired. These guys use chainsaws....

Now if you look carefully at the top of this picture you will see a chainsaw swinging out over the head of the guy on the nest tree...I do not think I would like to have this chainsaw swing out over my head!
Our community property has 19 Palm trees, 9 of them in my courtyard. The noise is quite loud at the moment.... even Mr H went out to look.

So, summer is officially on is it. You could have fooled me. Our Arizona temps have ranged from 100 to 114 already so as far as I am concerned we have already been into summer. While we are on this subject, I dyed a piece of mystery fabric with coffee this morning after I saw the design by The Primitive Hare...just have to stitch it. Fabric at the ready, pattern printed and now to gather the floss.... oh, I forgot, today is a work day. Well at least it will be ready for me for tomorrow. Wait, I have some time, so, maybe I can start it! Glad you came to see the tree trimming.... glad too that I count you as my friends.... have a great day.

Good day yesterday...off day today...

Just not feeling myself this morning. I do not like the person that is here today....just not feeling too well, nothing major, just my stomach is unhappy. A few pills and I hope by the time noon rolls by I will be okay. I think it may have been the brussel sprouts last night... but they were so good.Yesterday was a nice day. I got to visit with Debra and learned how to add beads to my tatting.

I did a practice piece and today will start the Christmas Tree with beads ornament! I have to get use to the new larger shuttle, but as long as I move slowly with it, I will feel more comfortable. Just when I finally felt comfortable with the regular one.  I am using some inexpensive multi colored seed beads for this one, then I will make one with nicer beads.
On Wednesday after our visit the tree trimmers arrived to take care of the palm trees....

to watch him climb to the top of this swaying tall skinny tree....then using his very very sharp cutting tool, off come the palm branches... a mountain of debris that is quickly picked up by the workers and put through the  shredder.  Our courtyard has 9 palm trees and as soon as it is started, he is finished. The Grackles swoop in to grab any seeds and bugs.... the lawn is raked and by the time Mr H was up, he did not know they were even here.
We found a possible bee colony. I was watching a bunny on our front pathway and I saw this bee enter the bottom of the frame of the front bedroom window... he did not come back out and then another slid in. Never knew there was a space there! Mr H immediately sprayed the only insect spray on hand and we taped off the window bottom. Last night one tried to leave but got caught in the tape. Today Mr H will seal it off permanently. Just how long has this been going on?  If this continues, I guess we will have to call someone in to check. I do not want to hurt the bees as they are so important to pollination for the flowers, but I also do not expect to allow them to build nests in the outside house wall. Never a dull moment around here. This  morning as I picked up the newspaper, a lizard scooted  from under it....thank goodness it decided to run the other way and not into the garage. That has happened once before..... took a few days before it found it's way out. Well, think a cup of tea is necessary.... glad you visited today.... thank you for the kind words and emails that I so enjoy. Have a wonderful day...

Blah Blah Blah and Palm trees

Oh, I am having one of those days. I have no ambition. I did browse my stash...... I did sort some trim...... I did clean my work area..... I did have a second cup of coffee.... I did put a wash in...... but did I stitch? No. Did I find a new project? No. Blah Blah Blah!

Ms Zoe needs to be taken to the vet this morning around 8 am. That means I will have to wake her, take her out and hope she does what needs to be done then drop her off to the vet for a few hours. She has been having UTI's and her white blood count is so very high, they want to get a very sterile sample. She went on Monday but I had to take her back home. So today is another try. She will be 12  this July 12th and I do think she is starting to fail. I wish Mr H could be more in tune with this, but he is in denial that this is happening. I think I am stressing over today with her and that is probably why I am in this mood.

Today is trim the palm trees day. What a job these men have...

They climb up and into the top of the trees which here are about 40 feet high. They really do get into the tree completelyand as you can see... disappear! The palms fall and are heavy enough to actually dent the lawn when they land. The job requires the 2 men who climb and trim and then the 2 guys who clean up and one who chips the palms. The Grackles are here to find the bugs and seeds. Both female and male birds gather. Today there were at lest 10 of them scouring the fallen palms. A big bird, the female is about 15 inches and the male around 18.  Our Association has about 18 Palm trees, with 9 of them in our courtyard! Always an event!
Well, guess I better finish the wash... and get ready to wake baby girl and get off to the vet.It will be an anxious day waiting for the test results. I m glad you stopped by today. Thank you for the kind words and emails.... I love hearing from you. Hope your day is great.