Wednesday, April 30, 2014

When the dust settles

The wind finally stopped blowing. For now.

I could sweep off the back porch but it would be pointless. It's a chore best left until the end of May.
And who knows? I might get lucky and the wind will blow the opposite direction and sweep it for me.

When I moved here, I knew I would have to deal with the wind and the shifting sand. This is the desert afterall.
I planted a natural hedge of chamisa around the yard to help divert the dirt. I even started a lawn.
It seemed like such a good idea at the time. The picture below was taken in the spring of 2006:


Wynonna, Waylon and Willie were the designated groundskeepers.



The natural hedge idea sort of worked. I can't imagine how much more dirt 
would end up on the porch if the chamisas weren't there.


A giant sand dune now slopes down across my once-level lawn.



Smooch doesn't care. 



She much prefers the giant sandbox to a manicured lawn.




Every desert dog needs a pink water bowl – the better to find it in a dust storm.



20 comments:

  1. Wow, what a difference. I'd hope for a nice rain storm with the wind in the opposite direction so the porch and windows get clean. Probably too much to ask for, huh?

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  2. I don't know anything about living in a desert, your pictures are educating.

    The picture of Smooch and her pink water bowl is beautiful.

    Laurie

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  3. At least you don't have to Mow!!

    Rhonda

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  4. You need an electric leaf blower. It will make short work out of your porch sweeping chores! (Best gift my husband ever won at a work raffle!)

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    1. Genius! I never would have thought of this. I'm buying one and will name it after you. Seriously. I've been sweeping that damned porch for nine years and I'll never have to do it again. I'm beside myself. I wonder how it will work in the house? Ok maybe not in the house. But the garage? Look out. Thank you!

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    2. We've got a gasoline-powered leaf blower that is a backpack. You can go all over the place with it and your arms don't feel like they're going to fall off afterward. My Dave slings his over one shoulder for short jobs like blowing debris off the sidewalk to the house. They're wonderful.

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  5. 3,4, 5 and 6 are just the best ever of Smooch... love her and the background.... the leaf blower that C mentioned is a great idea.

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  6. C suggested what I was gonna say. I gave up sweeping the patios many moons ago and have never looked at a my broom quite the same way, tee hee. Power up cowgirl. Oma Linda

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  7. Wynonna and the goats were pals?

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  8. Get a battery (rechargeable) powered one. Then you don't even have to fiddle with an electrical cord. Eric has a Ryobi. It great because I can go anywhere with it.

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  9. There is nothing like a new toy that will do something important for you! Good luck finding the best one.

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  10. I go thru the same thing. The wind is howling right now, and there will plenty of sand to sweep up. I like the blower idea.

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  11. I didn't know you had goats at one time? Dare I ask what happened to them...? Finding something that will grow in spite of high winds is a trick I haven't quite mastered yet...

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    1. Waylon and Willie died of old age about a year apart - that was back in 2009/2010.

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  12. I love this post. Reminds me of living in Barstow, California when I was 8. I hated it. But you gotta go where your Dad just received a huge promotion. We were there just a few years, but that is where I learned to ride a motorcycle and play with scorpions, I mean horned toads.
    The red dirt in the windows...drove my mother nutty.

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  13. love the pink water bowl!

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  14. Love that pink bowl!

    That is a LOT of sand! Holy cow! Although I have to admit - it does look like a ton of fun to dig in!

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  15. An American in Tokyo4/30/14, 5:54 PM

    Wow! I can't believe your landscape has changed THAT much! Good thing you thought ahead and planted greenery. =)

    I love Smooch and her pink water bowl, it fits her perfectly. Please give her a big hug from me!

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  16. Great post!!! I think everything looks wonderful...especially the dog's pink bowl! LOL

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  17. Weve been having crazy wind here in So Cal but nothing like you... Holy moly!!! I had sand and dirt in my teeth this morning! Yuck!

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