A Little Catching Up

WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS IN THE SUMMER

Yep summer has arrived with a vengeance, but it is DRY heat. Humidity is only 7% - but hot is hot. Coolest it got last night was 95 degrees. It's 9:30 in the morning now and it is 105. 

BUT...wait for it...we got rain one day a few days ago. I ran outside to get proof. Actually had a puddle on the patio. Notice the blue sky - blue all around us but we got about 2 minutes of very heavy rain. We'll take what we can get. And, they are forecasting rain for our area this afternoon. We'll see. 

See lots of rain. We got lucky and were right under the cloud. Bet the flowers and bushes liked it. 

A couple of days ago Bill and I made Argentine empanadas. Meat filling. Boy the pre made dough disks have gotten really small. These are two bite empanadas.  We made four dozen. They are going quickly. No one sells the 6 inch size any more. Unless you want to buy a case of them for like $130!!!!

Not too much to write about so here are a few more pictures of the Sphere. Spices maybe. 

That's someplace I'd like to visit!

Don't remember if I already posted this. This is under Bill's desk. He uses it about four times a day. He uses it on automatic, it does the pedaling and shuts off after 15 minutes. Has really helped with the swelling in his legs and he says his knees and legs feel a whole lot better now. Got it on Amazon for $49 in case any one is interested. 

This is his set up in the computer room. Everything within arms reach. The TV screen is a Roku TV also has Dish TV and his computer connected to it. All in one, makes it easier for him. He's got a big magnifying glass for using the computer. he has a yellow keyboard that is easier for him to see.  And lots of lighting around the area. 

A few more pictures from our 1978 trip. This is on the beach between San Carlos and Guaymas. 

It was the one and only time we put up the screen tent. It attached to the RV. Seemed like a good idea when we bought it. Was a disaster to hook up and take down. 

This is in Mazatlan. Looking down to where the cruise ships docked then. 

Not much else going on around here. I have the recipe and makings for a chocolate tres leches cake, but keep putting off making it. Maybe I'll just make a half recipe as it is very rich to eat. Lots of chocolate, 3 different kinds of mile and whipped cream topping. 

Our son sent over his ladies to clean yesterday, always appreciate that. But when they went to leave, their van wouldn't start. Bill tried to use his quick start charger on the battery but nothing. So they called our son. He came over, turns out the girl hadn't put the transmission in Park. Oh, well things happen. Haven't done any sewing lately. I have some diamond art half done so should finish that. Been rereading the Stephanie Plum books. Always good for a laugh. That's about it for here. 

Walk in the Wetlands to see some of the beavers that live there

Yes beavers live right behind our home in The Wetlands, in the Middle of the Mojave Desert. There are about 84 of them living in the river and ponds in the park. Saturday morning my walking friend and I took a walking tour to see the beavers. $5 to go. We had to be there at 5 a.m. and it was already 85 degrees. Did about two miles and it was into the 90's already when we finished. The park puts on all kinds of walks. We might try to take the bat seeing walk which is in the evening. So we got in a little over two miles. The sun was just lighting the sky. Our first stop was at one of the ponds, didn't see anything there. 

Kept walking towards the river. The sun was still behind the mountains. 

Our guide suddenly said there are some beavers!  So we all looked - it took me a while before seeing what she was seeing. See the ripple in the water. Hard to see them. But one by one each of us saw what she was talking about. 

AND I GOT A PICTURE!  Yes, that is the top of a beaver's head. I know, but you take what you can get. Throughout the park live about 85 beavers. In the river and the ponds. They originally came from  the Colorado River and been here forever. 

A couple more noses sticking up. 

These beavers don't build stick lodges, because of the heat and lack of wood they dig tunnels in the mud to live. They eat trees, bark and tree leaves, herbaceous and aquatic plants. ??? The coyotes, fox and bobcats prey on them. Yes we have all of them in the park behind us. About 15 of us on the walk. It was interesting and fun to get out and  walk again. 

My legs are still complaining through. No used to it. 

Starting tonight we are into Monsoon season, it might  rain anytime in the next week. Will believe it when I see it. We sure could use it though. 

i got my results from the endoscopy on Friday. They stretch my esophagus with a balloon during the procedure so it doesn't' feel like I'm swallowing nails when I eat any more, so that's good. Diagnosis is Chronic Gastritis. So no more drinking, no more spicy food, no more aspirin and like drugs. Well I already do all that, no alcohol, no spicy food or aspirin etc. Also reduce stress. Hummm... guess that means more ice cream. Have also got the "faulty workmanship" leaking fixed on the roof. I also sold my 1998 Mustang. I miss it already. 

The Sphere for July 4th 

And the World Cup. We are still watching, Argentina fans of course. They've had some rough games. 

And that's it for now. Still well over 100 here.

No excuse except nothing to really write about.

Hello from HOT Las Vegas. Hasn't been below 100 for a while and it is just supposed to get warmer through the next week. This picture was about noon one day. Notice our back yard is rock, the preferred landscape here. We do have the edges with flowers though. 

Lots of these Lantanas, I like that one plant can have two or three different colored flowers on it. 

It is a pretty little flower and they thrive in the heat. 

These flowers are from a couple of big bushes we have. Have never seen as many flowers as they have this year. 

Probably because the Palo Verde tree was trimmed and they are getting more light,. 

The most exciting thing here the past month was our Home Warranty contract actually finally paid for a repair. Our garbage grinder quit working. And American Home Shield actually paid to replace it. We we now have a $6000 grinder. That's what I figure we've paid over the years for the warranty. I keep thinking about cancelling it, but that would be when the washer or dryer or refrigerator would go out. So I keep paying. 

Haven't posted any pictures of the Sphere lately so here are a couple. Grains and spices, I guess.

We learned a couple of other things the last couple of days. We've been buy containers of cut watermelon for a while. Costs $7,99 lots of pieces of melon and very good. Well Bill saw a watermelon slicer on Amazon, of course, and decided to buy it and a watermelon for $8.99. Well he decided it isn't worth it to go through the trouble to slice it for a dollar more when he can buy it already cut. Yep! Then he bought a bag of nice big oranges for $5. We have an electric juicer so he used that to juice the oranges. he got about 12 ounces of orange juice. When we can buy an 11 oz bottle of pulp free juice for $2 that also wasn't worth it. Oh well it gave him something to do. 

This is pretty. no idea where it is. 

Started this this morning then had to stop, my keyboard decided to quit. Ordered a new one from Amazon and got it in a couple of hours. Making a lot of mistakes as it feels really different. 

Last four sided inspection we had I was told we no longer could keep my car in the carport in the back of side yard. So it is now residing at our son's house and he going to try to sell it for me. Never drive it any way. It is 28 years old and in great condition. So fingers crossed.

Been watching the World Cup soccer games. So far USA and Argentina are winning. Long way to go though. Wednesday Bill gets his eye shot and Friday I get an endoscopy. Not looking forward to it. So had to arrange transportation for me on Friday. They won't let me take an Uber home unless someone is with me. Son will send his driver over to ferry me around. Only going to be 111 out both those days.

That's it fir now.

Not doing much lately.

The weather has been hot and cool. Have managed on the days that were cool to get out and walk in The Wetlands. But we need to get going by 7:30 because by 9 o'clock it is too warm for me. I love the quietness and serenity of the park. Most of migrating birds are long gone. Even the bullfrogs have stopped calling for mates. 

There is a new sign up on the cement trails. Check it out. Funny. I do like the fact that parents will be held accountable for damage done by their kids. 

One day Bill and I were out walking there early. Saw a couple of these birds. No idea what they are, maybe some kind of Ibis. They were pecking in the big grass meadow. 

Construction is still going on. This trail used to be an easy way to the Nature Center. Sure wish they'd finish it. 

This little flower is smaller than a dime. Very pretty. 

In the playground there are a lot of the animals found in the park drawn in the cement walkways. 

Road Runner out for a stroll.

I took this from Facebook. It will stay like this until end of July. The flag is 100 feet by 300 feet. 

We have rock lawns but the edges of our yard has lots of flowers and blooming bushes. This is the most flowers this bush has ever had. 

Very pretty flowers. 

I haven't done any sewing lately, looking for a project. Been having some problems swallowing      (sometimes it feels like chicken claws going down my esophagus) and with my stomach, so will be seeing a gastroenterologist next week. UGH. 

Our last walk,yesterday, we saw this tiny, tiny bunny - about the size of my fist. He was in the trail and ran a few steps then didn't move a bit. 

Lots of sunflowers growing by the river. My favorite flower.

And that's about it around here. 

Summer has arrived with a vengeance

Well at least it is DRY HEAT!  Temperature is 105 feels "like temperature" 101. Like that really makes a difference. Tomorrow it is supposed to cool down - to the high 90's - goody. 

Needless to say no walking - at seven o'clock in the morning it is already 78. So these are pictures from our last walk a couple of weeks ago. Was told this is a green heron. Too far away to get a good picture. 

One of the information signs that was destroyed in last years big fire. The other two sides are fine. The park has built wooden fences all around this walking area, looks really nice. Now just fix the sign. 

Another new sign about the flow of water in the Vegas basin. 85% of the water used in buildings - homes, business etc. is collected, cleaned and returned to Lake Mead. And it flows right down here through the park. 

And this is part of it. A small glimpse of the new fencing. 

Nice view why we love to walk out here. 

It was such a pretty tree. Completely destroyed by the fire last year. 

We got in our first 50 miles of this year, so waiting for our reward. But will probably drive over to the Nature Center to pick it up. Sure hope it cools down one of these weeks before summer really arrives.

I finally finished the quilt. It is about 40 x 40 inches, so not a big one. Just really tricky to put together. 

The back of it. I didn't quilt the whole thing like I usually do, just tacked it enough to keep batting from moving. 

Used a little flower design that is on my embroidery machine to do it. 

This month of May doesn't have any real decorations. I had made these pillow covers when we lived in Indiana, so pulled them out. 

My Cinco de Mayo decorations for the month of May. 

Downloaded some clip art from computer and did this. Adds a little color to room. 

Nothing too exciting going on with us. Have a few weeks with nothing important to go to. Relaxing and enjoying it. 

The jasmine was blooming like crazy this year. The whole house smelled good. Too bad it doesn't last long and only blooms once a year. 

The sewer construction continues behind us. They are actually working quite a ways from us, but every truck that comes and goes - has to come in the gate right behind us. Also that area is used to store things. Like piles of rocks and big metal things...

Son texted, he is sending his cleaning ladies today. Just in time. I was getting ready to vacuum and mop. Doing either of those just wears me out lately. Bill cooked me Mother's Day dinner. Chicken piccata, mashed potatoes and salad. Delicious.