The Cat's Out of the Bag!

Now that Kendra knows, I can write about my quick trip back to Texas for her birthday! It's nice to be back here even if only for a few days. I'll check on all the systems, do a bit of yard maintenance, and then fly back to Oregon where Steve and Molly are so we can continue our travels.

It's a good thing it was hot the last few days I was in Oregon, as it prepared me a little for the time here, where it's even hotter and much more humid. 'Over 100 all this week, with the humidity varying between 73% (in the early morning, when it's about 75 degrees) and 20% late in the afternoon. As the temp rises the humidity decreases, so when it was 103 we were sitting at 19% humidity, for each degree the temp dropped during the night, the humidity went up a percent or more. I actually watched the effect on our little weather station sensor last night.

We've been gone from the ranch since June 6, so it's interesting to see what the effects have been. Kendra has taken care of the mowing so we look pretty civilized, but there are other points of interest.... like, the coyotes have moved in, bugs have moved in to the bird feed stored in the shed, and there are some really horrid stickers trying to take over the place.

The coyotes visited when we were gone before, so they aren't a new problem. How do we know they're here? They leave scat (droppings) all over the driveway! On the white gravel it's pretty hard to miss! They apparently are dining on the mesquite bean pods. According to the articles I located mesquite can make up 80% of their diet when available. Sort of surprising for animals I've always thought of as carnivores. I spent a half hour yesterday picking up after them. Then this morning there was "evidence" that 4 or 5 visited again last night. Wish I could catch the little devils in the act but they probably come while I'm sound asleep.

Gentle Annie

The "stickers" that are taking over are "spiny burr grass" (Cenchrus longispinus) also known in Australia as "Gentle Annie". . . just love that Aussie humor!

The nasty burrs it produces are anything BUT gentle, as a single one in the side of your foot will send you limping and yelping until it's removed. Steve worked hard last year at getting rid of the seeds, but a few plants came back this year and it only takes a few seeds to start the cycle all over again. Roundup, the weed torch, and every other method at hand will be employed - wish me luck!

As for the bugs in the bird seed - they aren't weevils so I don' know what they are. I put a little of the seed out in the feeders and the birds didn't seem to mind the extra protein, so if it doesn't all get used up before I'm ready to leave it will go in the feeders and compost. I don't really want the garden shed full of bugs! Next time any leftover seed will just be put out for the squirrels or stored in a freezer. 'One of those "lessons learned" about leaving for long periods.

The next few days will be busy, doing outside chores early, before it gets hot, and helping Kendra get ready for her "un-birthday pary" a'la Alice in Wonderland!