Butterflies, Mosquitoes and Purple Sage

This week we have been hit by swarms of little butterflies. They are everywhere and are a great source of enjoyment for the kittens who love to chase them.

Last week I think it was Wednesday, August 15th we had heavy rains in the neighborhood of 4 plus inches. The severe drought we have experienced this summer gave way to greenery and blooming purple sage.

We have also had winds and that has lessened the hearty blooms on the purple sage bushes.  I have not been able to take any pictures as the back way into town is a heavily transited two-lane road with no place to pull over.

Of course, no heavy rain event would be complete without the presence of pesky mosquitoes.  Those varmints are everywhere.  Last year I bought this roll-on Bug Bite Relief at Dollar Tree but had not had the opportunity to use it until now.  I am impressed, it does make the sting go away.

Today I had to go pick up a prescription at HEB which I try to avoid due to the large number of people always there.  I was happily surprised that being a Friday afternoon there was a lull in the crowds as well as at Walmart.  Perhaps the triple-digit temperatures played a role here.

Speaking of Walmart, I was in the cat aisle when I spotted pelletized cat litter.  I had to smile as it never occurred to me to use it for that purpose then I remembered that I caught Paquito using the one I put around the trash cans that collect the rainwater and scolding him for it. They are outdoor cats so there is really nothing I can do about it, at least it does not stink.

If you do happen to use pelletized cat litter you are better off buying the large bags of horse pellets as they are much cheaper.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Visual treat

Last Thursday I woke up to gorgeous blooming purple sage bushes after all the recent rains. Purple sage is one of my favorite plants as it needs no maintenance or watering on my part.  For some reason it is also soothing and relaxing to contemplate.

For once have not minded having to do the dishes when I have such beautiful scenery to behold (minus the high weeds).

Please excuse my choice of pictures as I am using my two older computers to be able to upload photos to my blog and I can barely see what I am doing because both lack a battery and even plugged to electricity the background is dark.

I need to purchase a new point and shoot camera but I have no idea which one to buy.  This old camera does not do justice to the beautiful purple hues.

Headed out to Lake Amistad this afternoon and I was not disappointed with the beautiful vistas I was treated to.

So, so pretty...

I was so calm and relaxed that perhaps I over did it.  I was a few blocks from the house when my tranquility was rudely interrupted by flashing red and blue lights.

I supposedly ran or did not come to a full stop at a stop sign.  As much as I try to replay it in my head, I do not recall not coming to a full stop.  The last time I got pulled over was three years ago by Del Rio Police Department after almost twenty years of going without an infraction. Now three years later I get stopped by the Val Verde County Sheriff's Department...the good news is that like last time, I was able to get away with just a warning...life is good!

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Quick trip to Big H

This past Monday I took a quick trip to Houston.  I can hardly believe that it had been three years and five months since I had been to my house.

To think that the things that attracted me to the big city as a young adult are the same things that now repel me.

On the way to Houston I filled up in San Antonio at a very reasonable price.

The next time I make a trip home, I think I will keep it to myself.  I enjoy talking and spending time with my HOA lady friend but she takes a lot of medication and I think it has severely affected her judgment. I had less than 24 hours to take care of business. the last thing I needed was someone taking up my valuable time with conversation of meaningless things and of people I do not even know.  She came by my house twice!

It was a good thing I took some jello and crackers because I did not even have time to go buy me dinner.

I left early the next morning after only three hours of sleep.  All I could think as I drove home was how hungry I was.  Stopped off in Sealy, Texas and headed to a Whataburger for breakfast. When I think of cheating on a diet, I picture myself eating a pizza, a juicy hamburger or some succulent pasta dish...never a breakfast platter at a fast food restaurant!

It wasn't that good but the people that work there were very friendly.  I did appreciate the two cups of coffee I had as I needed to wake up.

Though gasoline was cheaper in Houston, I did not feel like stopping and besides I only paid $1.95 a gallon in Sealy.

I enjoyed the stretch of highway between Uvalde and Del Rio.  The purple sage is blooming and it looked absolutely beautiful.

My camera needs replacing and I need to upload the pictures I took to my old computer or I am not able to post them on this blog.  Oh where is my computer savvy TWC (tall weathered cowboy) when I need him? :-(

This trip really took a toll on me, I can no longer do one day back-to-back trips.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Back to more mundane things

Last Saturday I was getting ready to watch one of the NBA playoff games when the television went dead.  Mom was in the living room fixing to watch Lawrence Welk (her favorite show) and she lost reception as well.  Tried everything I knew but both sets said "Complete Signal Loss".  Called it in and they said they would be here Monday between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  They lied, got a call at 5:45 p.m. that they were tied up and could not come till Wednesday.

What is it about cable, telephone, satellite and basically all the trades people that they never show up on time?  I missed three playoff games and that was the main reason I got Dish...grrrr!!!  Yes, I know this is rather mundane.  On the bright side I finally got to watch some of the taped episodes of my Brazilian soap opera that ended a month ago :D

Got a call early Tuesday morning that they could be here within the hour...we were asleep!  Not wanting to miss another game I told them to come over.  The technician was from San Antonio and he and other Dish personnel had come to Del Rio to replace the light bulb looking thingies on the dish ( I forgot the name he used) that the hail storm had knocked out through out the area.

BTW thank you for all the suggestions you have been kind enough to e-mail me about getting rid of mold on my Kodiak Canvas tent.  I used the 5 parts water to 1 part vinegar that the manufacturer suggested with no luck, so I will be trying the others as soon as the rains and humidity let up.

I usually place beer cartons or cardboard then the ground tarp to protect the tent flooring from prickly desert plants. I set up the tent back in October when it wasn't raining and besides I needed the beer cartons for the tent I never set up at the Chili Cook-off in Terlingua. Yesterday I put some beer and cereal boxes around the edges to help with the moisture issue.  Both Walter (the horse) and Pedrito (the stray) kept on sniffing and moving the cereal boxes.

The strong winds turned off the gas water heater so I am going to have to spend some time looking at YouTube videos before I decide to call the plumber.

The purple sage is finally blooming. I am surprised that it had not bloomed sooner.

NBA Playoff Corner

Stephen Curry's daughter Riley is an adorable two-year-old.  With that said I do not think children of players have a place in press conferences. The first time I half way tolerated it but to pull this stunt twice, in particular after winning their conference to advance to the NBA finals shows a total lack of respect for the reporters that are trying to do their job and the fans that tuned in to listen to him speak, not to watch his daughter sing and yawn.  End of rant.

Purple sage almost in bloom

Went to open the gate and noticed that almost overnight the purple sage had started to bloom. Unfortunately there was a strong wind blowing out of the ESE at 19 mph gusting to 28 mph and their pretty flowers were being shed fast.

 

Decided to drive to Lake Amistad where the sage puts on a spectacular show but was disappointed that either they had not bloomed yet or the winds which typically are more intense in that area had zapped them.

There was a strong breeze

Not too many people at my favorite campground Governors Landing, as a matter of fact only one couple in their VW bus was camped there.

Sure hope more people come down for the 4th of July weekend.  The lake has risen some with the recent rains and it was a very pretty green color.

For my friend...and you know who you are...decided to take these two pictures just for you :)

Stopped at Church's on the way back to try out their super spicy chicken that they have been advertising lately. My goodness it was NOT spicy at all...and it was dry...will not be wasting my money on that again!

It got to 98 degrees today 36.6 Celsius so waited until almost 7:00 p.m. to go to Walmart to pick up the things I need to make the homemade mosquito repellent.  I was going up and down the aisles looking for lavender oil and finally found a salesperson to help me.  She told me she had had a lot of inquiries lately about said oil but that Walmart does not carry it.  Asked me what I was going to use it for and told her.  Just then another lady asked for it too, lol.

Someone was kind enough to leave some
firewood for the next camper.

I will check out Walgreens in Uvalde the next time I am there. I would really like to make the mosquito repellent now as the mosquitoes have been quite unrelenting.

Had not reached 98 degrees yet when we were out and about.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Purple Sage / Governors Landing

With the recent rains the purple sage has decided to gift us with its last show of the season.  Everywhere you go around town you see it.

The sage is always prettier going towards Lake Amistad.  However, we have had a lot of wind lately so many have lost its foliage.  Decided a drive to my favorite campground Governors Landing was in order.

Wish I had a better camera to pick up on the deep colors as I do not feel these pictures do it justice.

The good news is that the lake levels seem to be going up.  Water is starting to encompass larger areas but we still have a long ways to go.

 

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Mesquite Pods / Purple Sage

The heat and the wind combined to make it a stay at home day.  However, tomorrow is trash day and since mother and I hardly generate enough to even fill up the trash container half ways...I knew I had to put on my big girl panties and tackle raking those darn mesquite pods!!!

They are everywhere and the winds have only served to shake the trees and allow more to fall.  If it wasn't for Cliff and friends who cut some pesky mesquites on the northern part of the property...I would really be crying in my milk.  Thank you guys!!!

I had a near accident when I dropped the camera.  I was trying to photograph Walter and the beautiful purple sage that has began to bloom after the recent rains.  Thought it was a goner but I finally managed to fix it...thus allowing the lens to go back into its compartment.

The horse flies were getting to him so he started shaking his head and ruined his photo op...but the sage is still quite pretty!

When I finished raking it was too dark to take a decent picture or for that matter bundle them up.  I guess that means I will have to get up early tomorrow morning and finish the job. :(

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.