We're on the path out of chaos now that we're completely moved in to "The Farm" and no longer subsisting from boxes and half-used rolls of packing tape. Movers were the best investment we've made, and we highly recommend Texas State Movers (www.texstate.com). George and his crew made the actual day quick and painless, and they're very accomodating in both price and changes to loads. Family and friends, no doubt pleased to be spared from the actual loading and unloading this time, rose to the occasion to help with the unpacking and setting up. Really, it was a textbook experience, and we're overwhelmed with gratitude to each of you who joined in.
The boxes, once they're stripped of any plastics/tape etc. and washed of inks, will be laid out and sod-stapled down to decompose over the winter and suppress weeds in the areas in which our spring gardens will be laid out. It's a simple recycling concept given to me during my talk a few weeks ago for the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists--and with the quantity of recycled cardboard we have onhand, it's extremely useful!
Let's see...a few notes from our first week in the country and our many, and varied, discoveries:
First off, we inherited a farm kitty:
We met him during the buying process, but assumed he would go with the sellers--evidently, he's a permanent fixture, and we're happy to have him join the family. Although the picture doesn't make it clear, he's a bobtail, so we, of course, have affectionately dubbed him "Bob". Robbie has taken up the effort to make friends with him, and Bob's happy to have regular meals served on the porch in the evenings. We're happy to have Bob on patrol for various critters, so everyone wins.
Next, WATCH WHERE YOU PUT YOUR HANDS! And where you step, and sit, and check your shoes too, for that matter: here's a picture of one of our (swiftly removed) houseguests, discovered on the second night:
(Photo from Charles & Clint from article at EarthSky.org, not one of our actual visitor)
It's a Striped Bark Scorpion, Centrurius vittatus, which is perhaps the most commonly seen scorpion species in Texas. Ours was discovered and removed from the house, but a couple of its friends have already been found in the pool...so take that advice above seriously. Yes, they can deliver a painful sting, but it's akin (by most reports) to a nasty wasp sting, and subsides quickly. They do serve an important biological role in controlling the populations of other critters, so we'll just have to agree to be neighbors. And we'll invest in improved weather stripping, too.
Here's another guest, luckily not (yet) found inside the house, but frequently outside:
(Photo from Jason Wilcox, McDavid, Florida, from Website www.wildflowers.jdcc.edu/Cow_Ant.html)
This striking lady goes by the names Cow Ant, Velvet Ant, Cow Killer, Velvet Wasp, etc.--she's actually a wingless wasp species, specifically, Dasymutilla occidentalis. These wasps are predators of ground hornets (of which we also have plenty) and are generally very shy unless stepped on or otherwise molested. If one were to make that mistake, however, they have a painful sting to offer in return--one that I hear is far worse than any scorpion...
So. Do pay attention to what and where you grab when you visit, and don't plan to go barefoot too often, either.
Moving announcements will be mailed this week, finally:
I found these great paper-airplane style cards at Peartree.com and ordered enough for the main part of our address book. Of course, I failed to correct the fact that I used Robbie's former sirname before the change to his family name of Macomber, and the return address on the envelopes may cause confusion (or those of you who receive them will see a cover-sticker)...just when you think you've perfected editing your own work.
It's always nice to know that although the to-do list might be longer than we ourselves are tall, we can always grab a cold beer and head for the pool. The gardens and meadows haven't even been touched (not in record heat, with today to top 108, I believe) but it's already been greatly appreciated. Here's Sugar getting some water kisses from Robbie during our first day:
The sailboat in the background is another project, and another story, for another day...
Lastly, week 1 was ended with a trip to Canton for First Monday Trade Days last Saturday, which turned out to be a fantastic experience. Various reviewers will tell you there's lots of tchotchky and yes, there is, but there are treasures to be found, as well, like the Duncan Phyfe dining table that now lives with us:
Recovering seats will be a tidy little project, but anything indoors this week is a good project, in my mind. Along with this find, we came home with some great coral pieces that will go into succulent creations, some incredible antique prints and photographs from a Taos, NM dealer, and a 1940s menu from the Hotel LaFonda there in Taos, our favorite getaway spot. In those days, according to the menu, a sirloin steak dinner was $1.75, and one could have dessert and coffee for an additional $0.20. Sounds good...very good.
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