Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Monsoon Weekend

Monsoon

This morning, we were awakened to the sounds of booming thunderclaps and moderately heavy rainfall on the roof. Yesterday, The National Weather Service forecast for an eighty percent probability of thunderstorms with the usual flash flood warnings.

Damsel checked the Wickenburg P.D. Facebook site and saw that Sols Wash (a major feed into the Hassayampa River) had flooded Vulture Mine Road, about a mile from our little house. While walking the dogs, I checked for erosion and damage from the little wash that flows along the road in front of the house and found only minor indications of water flow.

In the past, we have seen heavy flooding of the little wash and water flowing rapidly enough to generate whitewater and rooster tails over submerged objects. It’s quite a sight when that happens and usually causes erosion along the front of our landscape.

The forecast is for more thunderstorms tonight and through Monday. We’re battened down here and expect to be safe. The red circle in the image above shows our approximate location.

24 Aug 2013 by Arizona Environment

Transplanting Cacti


We have been avoiding transplanting a couple of prickly pear cacti because of the hot (107° in the shade) daytime temperatures in August. We finally had a cool cloudy day today, so I grabbed the shovel, loaded up the potted cacti into the wheelbarrow and set about the task.

These two, along with one other (to be transplanted later) were grown from cactus paddles Damsel brought from one of the prickly pear cacti at the California house. They grow very aggressively and had to periodically be cut back in California. Damsel saved some of the cut paddles and planted them in pots in the Arizona house courtyard. Of course, they rapidly outgrew their pots and needed to be taken to Damsel’s rock and cactus garden on the west side. We hope they will be aggressive in their new environment. They should do well since we see cacti like these all over town.

Click on the slideshow image above to see the two transplants after I plunked them into the ground.

22 Aug 2013 by Arizona Home & Garden Retirement

Magenta Asian Lilies

Magenta Asian Lilies

We’re still here despite taking the extended weekend off from blogging. Too many sports events plus other personal business. It’s all good, though, and we’re doing OK.

I took this image of some Asian lilies in my vase in the great room. We bought them last week and after opening, they look very pretty. Click on the image to enlarge.

20 Aug 2013 by Flowers Photography

Sun Rays

Sunrays

As we took the dogs out this evening we saw this gorgeous sky view with sun rays extending skyward. I was not carrying my camera, but Bob managed to capture the view from our driveway. We sure do love our Arizona environment. Click on the image to enlarge.

16 Aug 2013 by Arizona Environment Photography Retirement

Selective Law Enforcement

Ramirez‘ depiction of AG Eric Holder in the capricious act of picking flower petals to determine whether to enforce the law is somewhat inaccurate. Make no mistake about it – this administration will only enforce the laws necessary to drive America into ruin and Socialism.

Selective Law Enforcement

14 Aug 2013 by Beltway Kabuki Whacko Politics

Hedgehog Cactus Framed by Palo Verde Trees

Hedgehog Cactus Framed by Paloverde Trees

If you take a walk up the east property line, you will see many native desert cacti, trees and shrubs. About ten yards from the north property line, there is this view of a hedgehog cactus cluster framed by palo verde trees on either side. This image was taken when the sun highlighted the hedgehog from the rear.

The planted landscape ends at the RV drive and everything to the north of that is natural desert. Click on the image to enlarge.

13 Aug 2013 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Screened Patio

Screened Patio

When we were finishing the retirement house two years ago, we felt it to be imperative that we get our back patio screened in. Thus far, that has been the right decision. The screen keeps (most) flying bugs out and provides a relatively safe place to confine the dogs when we’re outside.

I took this image of the patio from the hill behind the house today, just after I hung up Damsel’s seed bell and thistle feeders for the birds. Click on the image to enlarge.

11 Aug 2013 by Arizona Home & Garden Retirement

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