Poof! Overnight, the Ocotillo have bloomed and when the wind stirs the stems, the orangeish blooms wave. Exhibiting their spring finery, they seem to be saying "Hey,look.... I'm here."
http://aneyefortexas.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/the-splendid-ocotillo
I ordered 500 Ocotillo seeds as they're used as a type of hedge. I'll get some grown plants too but the 6 footers go anywhere from $20 to $125 so the hedge won't be complete in my lifetime.
Another first this month was the sighting of a javelina, mistakenly called a wild pig and a/k/a the collared peccary.
The one I saw was out for a stroll on Patton - a paved road. As I sped along at 65 mph, the little stinker got the lead out and gallumped across the road quite smartly. He looked pretty funny but I hear that they can be aggressive so I was glad I was in the car.
That was not the most exciting part of my day though. Chuck was going to be taking the RV out for repairs and I was concerned about a part of the road that would cause a side to side rocking. Out here, if you don't like something about a road, you go around and forge a new one....which I did. I was on my way to Big O tires as we found a nail in one tire and when I got there, they asked what the heck I'd been driving through!. Well hey, it was just a few Cholla Cacti that I drove over...requiring two new tires. Guess people forge these roads using something other than a low-slung Chrysler convertible. We've been looking for an old workhorse truck but until we do, the convertible will continue to take a beating. Like the RV, I'm glad the car was old to begin with.
Chuck now has our solar totally up to speed and is happy that we don't have to continually make runs into town for propane. We should start drilling our well tomorrow and will be overjoyed to discontinue water hauling...this will enable us to take long showers and be able to install a clothes washer! Wahoo!
Our other news has nothing to do with the desert. I was recently voted on as an Intern Board Member (no voting rights yet) for MUFON. I'm honored and excited. MUFON's new Headquarters is in northern Kentucky so I'll be flying there four times a year starting the end of this month.
While installing our new solar panels, Chuck started thinking about how to protect them from EMP (electromagnetic pulses). This led to the filing of a provisional patent which would have an amazing number of applications if his idea works as he thinks it will. So - now I'm involved in trying to find a company or companies to align with that would assist in testing, manufacturing and sales. The largest solar panel company in the world is right here in Tempe so we've contacted them and are holding our breath to see if they get back to us.
We feel, at 65 years +, that we're reinventing ourselves....using our minds and having fun. If only our bodies were going along with the program.....
We won't be doing anything special for Easter but will thinking about all of our friends and family.
Happy Easter -
Vicki and Chuck
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