Two good examples of how the government HELPS us . . .
Beavertail Cactus Transplants
About a year ago, we had the landscape installed at the house. I wanted to plant some native cacti to compliment the color of the gravel, so we collected some beavertail cacti from the back half of the property and transplanted them to several spots in the front and along the RV drive. Most of them, like the cutting shown in the image have sprouted new paddles.
We’re hoping for some of the brilliant pink flowers to bloom this spring. If they don’t appear on the transplants this year, we’ll give them time since I have a couple of mature beavertails elsewhere in the yard which are likely to produce flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
Spring is Springing Up All Around
I went around the yard today, watering all the flowering plants and vegetables as per my usual routine. I noticed that the creosotes have spring flowers, the mesquites are showing green leaves, my Argentine Giant cactus has a couple of little flower buds and both of our hedgehog cacti also have dozens of little flower buds.
Other than the creosote, none of those are in bloom yet. But, this lovely bunch of daffodils that I bought at the supermarket yesterday is going spring-happy. Click on the image to enlarge.
APC Sighting
I took this photo yesterday of an eighteen-wheeler transporting what appears to be an Armored Personnel Carrier. The truck was northwest bound on US 60 in the general direction of Nevada (?). Perhaps this load is destined for one of the areas up there where war games are played. We saw the vehicle as we were pulling our new travel trailer home.
Commemorative Eclipse Shades
I checked the PO Box today and lo and behold, the custom Eclipse Shades had arrived. The minimum order for this item is 25 each. No problem – if there are people at the campground that need a pair, we’ll hand ’em out. We will also hand out some to our Wickenburg neighbors who will get a partial eclipse that day if they stay here in town.
I tried to hold one of the lens filters in front of the camera today, and that didn’t work out, so I’ll be in the market for a lens filter. I’ll also need one for Damsel’s SLR. Since the eclipse will occur near sunset, perhaps a filter may not be required.
Meanwhile, the new travel trailer will be ready for us to take possession tomorrow. We will probably tow it home and park it in our RV drive while Damsel and I get it ready for the eclipse trip. We’re also planning to tow it later this month to our friends’ place in Earp, CA, down by the Colorado River near Parker, AZ. That will be a good shakedown for us.
The Scale of the Universe
If you’re even slightly nerdy, then you must visit Astronomy Picture of the Day and explore all things from micro to macro. A very well done Flash animation.
