July 22

AC unit started dripping today. Texted K for instructions. Standing on a chair, pulled out filters and vacuumed them and put them back in. Still dripping.

Called Carrie. "You have a package down here anyway, why don't you come hang out until Paul gets home and then he'll have a look."

Couple of extra minutes getting to the Wickander's because goats blocked the road and surrounded the truck. (Sorry to go here, but goats' testicles are shockingly big.)

Glass of wine and showing of quilts - she really does beautiful artistic work, and her enthusiasm is inspiring. Opened package from StitchFix and admired new outfits (yay, box of new things!).

Paul says the AC needs to be off overnight so built-up ice can melt. Fortunately it shouldn't take more than overnight because it's freaking hot, and getting steadily hotter in the house. Also fortunate, there's a window unit in the bedroom. We won't cook.

As I'm leaving Paul quips "Drive safe, it's a long way." I like those two a lot.

* * *

On the phone with my mom and whispering because I'm sneaking up on an animal that turns out to be a skunk. Me: Excited that I've gotten like 10' away. Mom: "ANI. TURN AROUND. WALK AWAY FROM THE SKUNK."

When it's your Mom, you hear the all caps.

There is a lot of stuff happening with people who represent home to me and I want to be there. Best I can do is send love from Texas. Since everything is bigger in Texas, hoping my love is amplified loud enough for you to feel it in your foot-bones.

* * *

Just reached that yes everything is going to be okay place. There's an armadillo on the lawn, and a cat sleeping curled up next to me; earlier on FT with Matt there was a giant beetle on my sleeve that made me shriek and giggle, I'm up way too late but it doesn't matter. Every moment counts. I've lived a rich life and expect that to continue.

Gah it's so hard to go to bed around here!

July 21

Binge-watched the stars coming out, and bats swooping in the twilight. Listened to very vocal cows going home for the night, and crickets and frogs singing.

The chickens took dust baths and ate zucchini and sipped cold water from an upturned bin lid. And pooped on the porch. Given the choice between hosing poop off the porch or removing weird bugs from the "studio" every day I decided I choose hosing.

This morning Randy came over with his dog Willow to have coffee and look at paintings. We had a fun visit. Willow is a love and very good company even if she did spill coffee on the rug (stain came out easily).

Thankfully Randy took a dozen eggs. The girls have been productive and the snake hasn't been eating its share.

Broke 100 today. Nearly swooned on my foolish midday walk. Now though? Delicious 85.

A little lonesome on a Friday night but appreciating solitude, cats' company, and insane grasshopper that keeps dive-bombing my hair.

(Cats' company + insane grasshopper = no more insane grasshopper)

 

July 16

Fed goats. Appreciate Ottmer cousin's husband's suggestion that I keep the tubs close to the fence so I can pour feed over, because goats lack boundaries when there's food involved.

Avoided scratches all over by giving the dogs love through the fence, too. They are mostly very large, and prone to full-body hugs. Except for Smiley, who is small enough to wriggle under the fence and get his affection close up. Sweet pea.

Stopped to say hi to Chuck (first in-person exchange I've had in maybe 3 days) and talk about putting up electric wire around the perimeter of the porch so the chickens won't poop all over it. The chickens are good company, but man, the poop.

Later Chuck came up to get a tool and a dozen eggs, and looked at some paintings. Good feedback. He saw peonies, and horses, and horses, and horses. "That one's my favorite" he said of my favorite. "Course it looks like its neck is broke, but I think it's a good one." I appreciate Chuck's sense of humor. 

I also truly appreciate his perspective. There is nothing like being a 5th-generation "libtard" Californian spending a summer on a ranch in Texas for opening a mind.

Typical high of mid-90s here at the house today, and am thinking that I'm going to freeze to death when I come home. 

Other highlights of the day: wasp sting between my toes (and the wasps STICK, it's not easy to brush them off), nice long walk after my toe stopped stinging (wasn't really so bad), shirked some responsibilities because it's Sunday.

Also pics of last night's toad. Which sounds suggestive but is actually literal.

 

* * *

Nothing new, really

A toad on the porch

A deer grazing on the lawn

Listening to rain approaching across the pasture

A tiny dead bird on the porch sofa this morning

(Why aren't there more bats? And why only one deer?)

The chickens have pegged me as not-scary and bringer-of-delicacies so they've taken to the porch, where they give me chicken-eye and, unfortunately, poop. I've told them to poop in the grass and not on the porch, but my powers only go so far. On the plus side they are keeping the bugs down, but watching them kill and eat a walking stick was discomfiting. And one of them got into the geranium and tipped the pot, trapping herself against the wall, and had to be rescued.

All nine remaining chickens are tucked in for the night but It is once again hard to make myself go to bed.

** Update: The dogs are barking, I think I just heard coyotes, the deer is lying down on the lawn, and I've got at least a half-dozen more mosquito bites.