The Thaw

April 2001

Deb's parents, Dave and Iva, visited us this spring. They bought an adjoining 40 acres and pick out a spot to build that's about 1/4 mile from us. They plan to move out sometime but still have lives back in Ohio. We enjoy their visits every year.

They found this coyote skull while hiking around their property.
	Iva bought us our first solar powered lamp. We're going to be investing a lot more money in solar power soon.

I fixed the pipes in the pumphouse and added a couple more valves to control water to the pump. It's probably overkill, but I figured while I was replacing things, I might as well plan for everything.

We also used some old paving stones we had to create a patio. The bricks and stones will help keep our feet from getting so muddy when it rains.

Meanwhile, Deb built a sidewalk in front of the cabin. Our friend Al Damron traded us the bricks for a piece of wonderboard I had laying around (I think I got a good deal!).

	Deb and I built some cages for our ferocious trees and bushes. Hopefully, the chickenwire will protect the animals that graze too close. We didn't have enough for all the trees, so we concentrated on the ones closest to the cabin.
Oh yeah! our rat trap worked this time!

My nephew Joe came to visit over his spring break. We hiked all over the Mesa and found an antler and spooked a deer.

One picture that I wish I could show you is of the night sky during the attack of the solar flare. People have compared it to the northern lights, and it was witnessed as far south as Arizona and New Mexico. I don't think a picture could ever do it justice - kinda like the Grand Canyon: you hafta experience it, as opposed to merely seeing it. All I know is that it was a glorious sight that we both will remember for the rest of our lives...

June 2001