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Mar | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the 1st, a medium busy day at the office. Jef & Kathy dined at Pablitos this evening. On the 2nd, Jef did a little work at the office & Kathy took it easy at home, as her homecare patient cancelled. Jef did a lot of weeding on this windy day. Nearing sunrise - planet is probably Venus Backyard got a rosy glow when sunrise arrived Sunrise getting closer Our green "lawn" just before sunrise Mtns are very ruddy from sunrise Turned around to go back in house when I saw this rainbow (with a faint double) Actual sunrise Rainbow moved to left side Meter rising ever so slowly Wind blew over these 2 pots Fresias Clouds later this afternoon On the 3rd, tried walking normal route to work: 72 minutes, or 20 minutes longer than normal,due to fatigue on ascents. Took short route home, which took 10 minutes longer than normal. Another windy day with some wind-blown drizzle from the mtns. Rainbow this morning Outside furniture a little dissheveled by wind Brown-eyed primrose blooming in back yard Wind was blowing drizzle in mtns to Weststar as I started my walk Chuparosa blooming in our side yard Hills are greener than normal Heading up wash with chuparosa in bloom All fagonias seem to be in full bloom for 2nd time this season Saw the 1st monkey flower today Desert groundcherry in bloom Common phacelia blooms Desert hibiscus blooming Stopped at the "step" in this steep section & rested for a minute or 2 High point of hike with peaks in the clouds View of start of my spur trail from the Mall (rightmost one is shortcut to post office) Haven't seen the desert lily on my trail for a year or 2, but still there! Black dots are rain in a parking lot by churches on walk home View to south from Methodist church Woody bottlebrush blooms Meter went south since the start of my hike Sunset this evening On the 4th, a long day at the office made a bit longer with Kathy doing a home care this evening. Red lights signified something happening over towards Glorietta turn off, but never found out what On the 5th, a very busy day at the office. On the 6th, drove Kathy to MD appt in Rancho Mirage, followed by car service and then shopping in Indio. Stopped by flower fields on Henderson Canyon Rd on way there and way back. Weird clouds early this morning Hummingbird Panorama of flower fields on way to MD Flower fields late this afternoon (Henderson Canyon Rd) On the 7th, back to work a long day at the office. On the 8th, Kathy forgot her MD appt (again) followed by a moderately busy day at the office. On the 9th, mostly took it easy this day with Kathy doing a couple homecare patients and Jef doing work at office and checking on Sewanee. Upstairs bathroom with counter ripped out Overview of most of downstairs kitchen with counters removed On the 10th, mostly took it easy at home doing some chores. Also went on little hike onto sand dune nearby. Contrails this morning at WestStar Heading to sand dune on our little walk this day Desert dandelions Purple mat On top of sand dune looking south On south side of dune with Rams Hill behind Kathy Looking NW towards Indianhead Looking east towards Fonts A few desert chickory blooms Mostly south facing panorama Dandelion meadow in stand of cholla & ocotillo Ronan in back & Elias hogging Stacey's cell phone in a zoom meeting with grandkids this afternoon Stacey & Ronan Jef helped Kym assemble hammock she is sitting on here during our repotting project this afternoon On the 11th, back to work a long day at the office. Kathy found a good cork substitute On the 12th, another busy day at the office. On the 13th, Jef drove to SD to get scan of jaw by missing tooth and then went to dentist to have crown installed. Did some shopping on the way home. Kathy cooked some burgers for this evening (and for 2 Jef lunches) On the 14th, back to work a fairly busy day at the office. Sunset this evening On the 15th, a moderately busy day at the office. Santa Rosas got a lot of snow Low clouds in front of San Ysidros Snow extended beyond Villager Menacing clouds this evening Heavy scattered rain to the south On the 16th, Jef drove Kathy to MD in Escondido - counting 250 cars coming down to Borrego in the 15 minutes going up Montezuma, and so Borrego was inundated with tourists all weekend - we were glad to go the opposite way. We did some shopping & picked up some Thai food on the way home, getting a fair amount of rain along the way. On the 17th, Jef walked over to sand dune & took a few pix. Kathy failed to get any sleep the nite before, but we still visited Henry for his 80th birthday party. Met some old BS alumni there. Kathy drove to flower fields so Jef could take some quick pix. We cooked a big batch of boiled ham & cabbage for this evening and coming week. Lots of desert danedelions on this vacant lot on our circle On the sand dune Lots of streets in Borrego are lined with desert dandelions, including here on East Star Brittlebush have been making sporadic appearances, including at this house on WestStar At Henry's party Henry with his cake His cake Cake in hand! Backyard volleyball Late afternoon crowd at the dragon |
A number of tourbusses like this were in town Still a lot of cars at Henderson flower fields Tourists in flower fields Pushy photographer Panorama with lots of tourists On the 18th, back to work a fairly long day at the office. We had some moderate rain this day, as we did 2 other times in the past week On the 19th, another moderately busy day at the office. Sunset this evening in back yard which was recently worked on by Hector (removing all wildflowers) Pool, unmaintained by Kym, looks pretty black On the 20th, met Jam and JB at the office for training. We and Rebecca had lunch at La Casa. Kathy did some homecare & Jef did a little work at the office. Noticed that this bag (Holley's old cheerleader bag) was chewed into by a rat and 3 food containers had also been chewed: the parmesan cheese container was seriously chewed and no cheese remained, boulion cubes were not reached, nor the ponzu sauce, but both of these lids were chewed into Somehow meter inched north over 100 kwh in past 2 weeks! Guesthouse meter is 1050 kwh north of where it was just over 6 weeks earlier, implying hot tub/kym's house used over 150 kwh/week in this time On the 21st, back to work an only moderately busy day at the office due to 3 cancellations. On the 22nd, a very busy day at the office. On the 23rd, Kathy did a homecare patient, and Julie & Johnny arrived from NM. Julie & Johnny after arriving We had a nice rainbow this afternoon At the post office, we noticed our 3 birth years were at eye level A windy day, we were heading to check out the closed library after a brief tour of the local park View of Sunset Peak from the library On the 24th, visited the Rickards who suggested we visit the Borrego Music Festival, which we did. We also saw some of the Candlewood art & walked around downtown. Julie spotted this rainbow-ish feature in the mountains this morning Meter had inched slightly northward Jef took Julie & Johnny to check out flowers by Henderson Canyon Road Although a few colourful splotches, flowers were definitely on the decline Flax flowers with their distinctive lemon yellow colour Johnny & Julie by the nearly burnt out main flower field Poor Julie is so tiny that she could be eaten by the large Borrego grasshopper Johnny to the rescue... but what's that to the right? From one peril to the next! At the Rickards Preparing for a concert after Linda arrives Julie playing cajon & Johnny his low profile Fender from Ensenada Music is out of this world! Julie & Johnny at the music festival Jef & Kathy Kathy, Johnny & Julie at the BAI One of the Candlewood outdoor installations One of the unusual components of this installation Kathy, Julie, and Johnny at the old Borrego Health conference table Julie taking a pic of some art - part of Candlewood Ravens circling up with Indianhead in background 2 members of the "survey the Borrego Art Garden group" Julie annoying an art garden critter Leaving the community garden Back by the BAI The branch that broke off & got stuck in wind storm from a couple months ago finally fell down Johnny & Julie did a little mile walk, briefly hitting the sand dune Looking east from sand dune Haven't yet tried to seal off the bees from our attic space Sunset this evening At the Krazy Koyote Storm over Santa Rosas Exposed construction of new under-pool bar entrance Sunset over pool In the dining room Moonrise over the pool on the way out On the 25th, we took a day off from work and took Julie & Johnny to Coyote Canyon, a few statues, and Glorietta.. Stopped to check out the dragon Snow capped Toro Peak Jef messin' with dragon Messed with dragon Jef noticed this and a few other desert lilies by the statue Grabbin' the dragon by the tail Flowers at mouth of Coyote Canyon We had to walk from the gate due to road being impassable Hiking up creek As creek was re-routed, roadside flowers are now creekside flowers Kathy by lupines Julie taking pic of Jimson weed Heading to the now-dry 3rd xing Backpacker heading up first steep section of bypass trail - nice not having to worry about 4-wheeled competition for camp space! We turned around at this point Turnaround point Creosote Jimson Brittlebush & chuparosa |
Johnny & Julie after we walked a little bit up-creek Heading back to start of hike Beavertail blooms Panorama after again hitting impassable road New trail parallels closed road Getting closer to start We found this mortero after reaching the car & looking for a place to sit & drink while looking at the creek Julie heading back to car Halfway up to Glorietta, stopped to look uphill at desert dandelions Looking downhill towards snow capped Toro Peak Starting up main wash hike Brittlebush about a week away from blooming Lotsa monkey flowers on this hike A very healthy chuparosa Kathy trying to avoid stepping on flowers Vertical panorama with monkey flowers in foreground We turned around here, just before reaching the first living juniper Heading down back to car One last pic of desert dandelion area Stopped by the dinos Julie messin' with a dino Jef giving it a try Dino in the verdant desert Julie pulling dino back from eating Kathy's head Kathy lovin' the dino Uncomfortable position to be in - between the fightin' dinos 3 dinos with view of valley behind them Grace & Jim came by & visited WestStar for about an hour this afternoon On the 26th, back to work a very busy day at the office. Julie & Johnny toured the valley by themselves this day, hitting Crawford Overlook, Fonts Point & dump area. Johnny took us out for a nice dinner at Epicurious - we inherited the leftover pizza when they forgot to take it when they left early next morning On the 27th, Julie & Johnny took off to NM while we slept early this morning. Took Kathy shopping in Ramona and to MD near Palomar Hospital for her hand. Drove back thru Henshaw on way home. Front yard flowers this morning Panorama of cattle grazing by some wildflowers near Henshaw Wildflower close-up Close-up of some cattle Looking toward the lake On the 28th, had a moderately busy day at the office. Kathy decided to take off the next 10 days to give her ailing hand a rest. Sunrise this morning Meter finally heading south Sunset this evening On the 29th, Jef went in for part 1 of getting a physical after doing some work at the office. Stopped by Sewanee to pay for last installment of work for new counters - here is the upstairs bathroom A couple of panoramas of desert dandelions Some brittlebush are blooming this day Only living juniper in wash behind Kathy Monkey flowers & a couple of poppies Kathy trying not to step on monkey flowers Jef & Kathy with monkey flowers in foreground Lots of monkey flowers Kathy from perspective of monkey flowers We turned around at this point, as a lot of bouldering is needed to go further View at turnaround point Kathy went up steep part at end of wash a little Climbing milkweed blooms Jef at reclining chair rock Jef by only juniper still alive in this wash Leaning barrel of Glorietta On the 30th, a sprinkly day. Kathy did some homecare & Jef took it easy. Moon setting this morning with only tops of San Ysidros in sun Looks kinda like a Starship Enterprise set of clouds Our front yard with storm clouds over Santa Rosas on the 31st, Jef walked to the office in about 62 minutes - about 20% above normal, so still suffering from post-Covid syndrome. By the time he left home it was 11:25am. At 11:28am, it started raining. Going up-wash the sun briefly came out, but before reaching the top, it started raining again. Jef did some work at the office & while there, it started pouring. Sunrise this morning Our house at sunrise Meter went a little south Apparently someone needed a lot of help getting unstuck in lot behind us Panorama taken in the rain as I reached the research center Heading upwash as rain ceased and sun came out Nearing steep part of hike - sun came out for most of my hike up wash Lots of desert hibiscus blooms Fagonias doing well Raven took off as I neared it on the trail - indianhead in background View at top Heavy rain in Palm Canyon It was raining as I neared the bottom, and Fonts Pt is hazy due to intervening rain Didn't see this desert lily come up last year, but it made an appearance this year Ground was wet when I arrived at the Mall, and after I was working about 20 minutes, it rained cats & dogs - but Kathy came and picked me up Kathy invited Morgans over and we had spaghetti | |||||||||||||||||||||
Feb | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the 1st, Kathy was too ill to come to work, so Jef did some work at the office, including cancelling everyone. At sunrise looking west Kathy's BP was very low this morning It was rainy most of the day On the 2nd, Kathy was unable to do anything, so stayed home while Jef did some work in the office including cancelling the day. Meter still heading north Apparently, hummingbird nest in our front patio was too small, resulting in these casualties Still a few puddles from prior day rain Solar is still working, as meter did go south during the day On the 3rd, Kathy was better & even did the 1 mile walk around the circle, but with difficulty. Kathy starting on walk around circle with cool clouds in background At halfway point walking around circle Still snow on Toro this afternoon On the 4th, Jef moved kitchen sink originally meant for Weststar renovation & moved it to Sewanee. Helped Jan understand streaming so she could dump satellite. Kathy did okay to do some chores around the house. Most of the rain clouds dispersed this morning Meter still heading north On the 5th, Kathy was well enough to return to work (again) for a medium busy day at the office. Cloudy sunrise this morning Low clouds over by Clark Lake this afternoon Still going north On the 6th, we got early morning rain before a fairly busy day at the office. We got some on & off rain during the day. Sun almost poking thru clouds this morning Low clouds Noticed this rainbow on walk to the PO Clouds had some structure this afternoon Clouds remained as darkness loomed On the 7th, we had some fairly heavy rain in the wee hours of the morning. Kathy, Kym & Black Bark walked around the circle & Jef did some work at the office. Big puddle in driveway this morning & still drizzling after sunrise Snow got down below 5000' in this storm Looking towards Toro Snow capped peaks behind our house Meter still heading north Desert lawn looking very green with snow-capped peaks this morning Kym & hot tub are using 40kwh/day Kathy, Black Bark & Kym starting on hike around circle Kathy & Kym returning from hike - Kym brining in trash can, 31 minutes after leaving (circle is about a mile) On the 8th, back to work a long day at the office after a good dousing of rain early this morning. Just after sunrise this morning Backyard panorama Faint rainbow in front of Indianhead |
Panorama of Palm Canyon Drive More snow in nearby mtns below 5000' Fresh dusting of snow on Toro On the 9th, back to work a moderate day at the office. Sunrise this morning Jef stopped to take pic of clouds on way to work, but it took a couple minutes to get car started again at this spot On the 10th, Kathy was not feeling well, so delayed MD visit to following weekend. Jef did a little weeding & work at the office. Sunrise this morning Snow in Santa Rosas today Toro got a good dusting On the 11th, mostly took it easy at home with some weeding. Snow in both San Ysidros & Santa Rosas On the 12th, Kathy was too nauseous to go to work, so Jef cancelled the day at the office, but did some work while there. On the 13th, Kathy felt well enough to go to a busy day at the office, but wasn't 100%. On the 14th, Jef forgot to take out trash (which was nearly full) and met Dave at Sewanee where we discussed demo of counters, installation of new sinks, and then installed several fixtures: Dave finished installing first fan and then installed a 2nd fan. He then installed a couple light fixtures. Jef replaced 3 exterior sconces and the light above the kitchen sink. Jef didn't do anything for Valentines Day, but Kathy did, so Jef has to make it up later this month. Installed new outside sconces this day These Navy choppers circled us a couple of times before returning the their base in AZ Dave installed this and another fan, replacing old ones, as well as the "eclipse sconce" which has this nite-lite mode at the top of the stairs On the 15th, a moderately busy day at the office. On the 16th, a busy day at the office. Meter had gone pretty far north since last reading Contrailly day Remnants of head-on collision on the grade a few hours earlier - Pam waited 3 hours to get by and was the one who called 911 Taken with Canon camera On the 17th, took Kathy to MD in Escondido, did some shopping on the way home. Skirted a serious T-bone accident at N end of Hwy 76. Went out to dinner with Morgan's at the Krazy Koyote, which was for their 58th anniversary, we found out. Meter managed to hold steady for the whole day Dinner with the Morgans Work area for underwater bar, which Ramon reports should be done before summer Looking lengthwise down pool towards underwater bar area Just before leaving the restaurant On the 18th, Jef checked out progress on demo at Sewanee and then did some work at the office. Mostly took it easy at home this day. Dave removed oven Kitchen sink counter half demo-ed New bathroom light fixture Kitchen sink will be demo-ed, as well - this is before pic New lower bedroom fan Mess in kitchen from above New upstairs bathroom light fixture Guess Dave had problems removing old kitchen sink After we got rid of mouse, rat continued the terror - we had to hide food in rat proof places - this 5 gallon bucket with dog food was all that was left for the rat, who proceeded to chew up the lid - we got rid of rat by next day, however |
Meter finally heading south! On the 19th, back to work a busy day at the office. Sunrise this morning Clouds today were somewhat menacing Peanut's new home Moon dog this nite On the 20th, another busy day, but shorter than yesterday. Got some sprinkles in the afternoon. Sunrise this morning was pretty cool Cloudy day. Rain over in the Santa Rosas On the 21st, drove to SD for dental appt and shopping. Snapped a pic on drive home, but missed the best opportunities, as in a hurry, as usual On the 22nd, back to work a medium busy day at the office with Kym helping out, as Lisette came down with Covid. Sunrise this morning Cool cloud stretching all the way across the sky seems to be a contrail that expanded into a wide ribbon Just before sunset Moondog this evening On the 23rd, another medium busy day at the office, made difficulty with no aides. Sunrise this morning Cool clouds this afternoon 3rd day in a row with moon dogs On the 24th, Kathy did a home care, Jef dropped off supplies at Sewanee & did some weeding at Weststar. Sunrise this morning Ruddy glow in backyard from this morning's sunrise Dave mostly completed demo in kitchen at Sewanee Some sort of activity requiring lots of light across the way on Wagon this evening & car on grade On the 25th, Jef did more weeding and washed Kathy's car, but basically stayed home all day. On the 26th, back to work a moderate day at the office. Kym got us this hummingbird feeder that attached to our bedroom window - here is a hummingbird feeding Looked dark & menacing to the north with heavy rain in Santa Rosas, but it never reached us Sunset this evening On the 27th, another moderately busy day at the office. Still a few tiny specks of snow on Toro Sunset this evening On the 28th, worked on details with countertop guy, had video conference with new CPA for taxes & did a lot of weeding at both houses. Kathy did homecare & mostly took it easy at home. Noticed we now have a new rat On the 29th, back to work a moderately busy day at the office. Up for the month, but slowing down | |||||||||||||||||||||
Jan | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the 1st, Kathy took it easy at home all day. Jef walked to the office & did a little work - 53 minutes. He took short way home, tho, so only 4.5 miles. Sunrise this morning Walking to the office - note the green on the shoulder - desert lawns are starting! Saw 2 hikers on spur trail! Somebody lost an item of clothing along the trail Note a faint "desert lawn forming here" Sunset this evening On the 2nd, back to work a fairly busy day at the office. Discontinuity in contrail Late sunset this evening Later sunset this evening viewed from inside treatment room 2 On the 3rd, a moderately busy day at the office. Somewhere, over the rainbow seems to be where this raven is headed Clouds this day On the 4th, a busy day at the office. Toro got a trace of snow last nite Orion rising above our driveway this evening On the 5th, a short day at the office due to no-shows and cancellations. Just before grabbing pix of Charles for his memorial the next day On the 6th, attended Charle's memorial on Anzio near pile of construction remnants of old dome house near the end of the dirt road. Jef laid down in a bush, suddenly, & due to low blood pressure, did not get up for a while. Meanwhile someone at memorial called 911 & paramedics came out to assess him. After half an hour, they left & Kathy drove Jef home. He was tested for covid and found to be positive, so was relegated to guest bedroom for quarantine. Got to see some good TV for a change. Remnants of old dome house Panorama of party before paramedics left On the 7th, Jef continued quarantine, until Kathy informed him she, too, tested positive for Covid. Positive Covid tests for Jef & Kathy On the 8th, Jef did a little work at the office after Lisette had cancelled every patient for the week. Finally got Kathy's Hallmark for 2023 & put it on tree On the 9th, continued with taking it easy. Kathy stayed home & Jef went out on chores. Coldest day of the season, so far Clouds this day Panorama around sunset Sunrise this morning On the 10th, continued taking it easy. On the 11th, a severe wind storm took out internet early this morning, followed by a 12 hour blackout. Jef & Kathy set up a bunch of candles & started playing chess just before power came back on around 6pm. Got a little rain this morning Furniture blown into this corner also had a bunch of broken branches mixed in with it - glass top on table flipped over, but didn't break! A couple of downed trees at the Mall from storm prior nite After setting out a bunch of candles, Jef got chess set ready to play & only had a few moves before power finally came back on On the 12th, Jef did a little work at the office, but mostly took it easy at home. On the 13th, Jef surveyed storm results at Sewanee and wound up only putting on bar-b-q cover that blew off - mostly took it easy at home. Clouds this day At sunset On the 14th, mostly took it easy at home. Jef made quick trip to Sewanee to erect new street number sign. That evening, Jef made Kathy some spaghetti. New street number sign |
On the 15th, Jef drove into town & did a little work at the office. Sunrise this morning Largest branches that blew off tree in last storm that made it to the ground Largest branch broken off, but still hung up in tree On the 16th, Jef cleaned up part of front yard & took out trash after doing some work at the office. On the 17th, Jef did a little work at the office. Clouds this afternoon As sun sets behind mountains State of big branches after Jef cut up & put about 1/3 in the trash yesterday Cool clouds Crack forming by big mesquite in front - last windstorm made slight progress in blowing it down Panorama nearing sunset Last panorama of cool clouds this afternoon On the 18th, spent most of day at home, as Kathy was very ill, doing chores. Late that afternoon did a quick trip to the office & did a little work. Cool contrailly clouds this afternoon On the 19th, did a little work at the office, but mostly took it easy at home. More cool clouds On the 20th, did a little work at Sewanee and the office, but mostly took it easy at home. Jef thought he heard a mouse in the kitchen prior night - and it looks like there is one this morning On the 21st, made progress with doing taxes at the office, but otherwise took it easy at home. Low clouds this day On the 22nd, a rainy day. Jef checked on Sewanee house - no leaks & small creek in back yard. Mostly took it easy all day. Both Jef & Kathy tested negative for covid, but Kathy wanted to take another week off before returning to work. Rain in backyard before it really started coming down Jef cooked fritatas this morning - mostly for the doggies With the rains came flooding in the sun room Just before starting to absorb water with rags Rainy deck at Sewanee house Creek in back yard Flood deflector working great Most of wood storage behind small shed has collapsed Other wood storage structure is also in trouble Rain pouring on back patio Rotted wood - not sure how water is getting in here View of house on rainy day Water coursing along BS Rd One of statues on rainy day Run-off from Glorietta access road Looking up Glorietta access road with free campers |
Weststar house from road Indianhead shrouded in clouds Looking at low clouds to the south on BS Rd Panorama of low clouds in San Ysidros from Tilting T & West Star View from WestStar house On the 23rd, Jef did some work at the office while Kathy took it easy at home. Before sunrise this morning Fogbank in valley looking east Sunrise colour Sunrise Part of fogbank to the east looks like a landed flying saucer Indianhead with cloud above and WestStar house below Little snow on Toro, perhaps down to 7000' Fogbank drifted over us for a few minutes On the 24th, Jef did a little work at the office. Kathy not doing well hung out at home all day. Sunrise this morning On the 25th, Jef went to the office & did a little work. Sunrise this morning Moonset this morning On the 26th, Jef did a little work at the office. We got a working meter at WestStar On the 27th, Jef drove Kathy to MD, but found his schedule changed, so just did some shopping, visited Big Rock house and Jef got a haircut. State of front yard at Big Rock house Getting new gate installed State of back yard Nice sunset at Staters in Ramona - Kathy still hasn't taken off her "shopping mask" On the 28th, took it easy. Jef did a little work at the office and did some weeding. Meter has inched up, so still haven't determined if solar is still working Another contraily day On the 29th, back to work a fairly difficult day at the office. Kathy had a slow start, as she is still recovering from Covid and this is the first work she has done for 3 weeks. Sunrise this morning Moonrise this evening On the 30th, a fairly busy day at the office. A contrailly day Sunset this evening On the 31st, went to Sewanee house to get estimate for countertops. Kathy rescheduled MD visit in SD for a few months, as she was not up to going to SD and took it easy at home all day. Jef did a little work at the office. Lawn forming in back 40 of Sewanee house Narcissus & aloe blooming Another brittlebush blooming at Sewanee Clouds this day Sunset this evening Meter still heading north Guesthouse meter | |||||||||||||||||||||
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