It’s summer, still no job and I’m almost settled in to a daily routine after one month in the Yarnell house with Sierra. Now we wait for rain.
I’m still hanging out in Yarnell with Sierra changing my sleeping pattern to an earlier rise than my normal biological clock at 7 am. At least we’ve compromised from her initial peskiness at 4:30 or 5. She really just wants the door opened for her convenience. I also turn on the stove for espresso making and the computer on the way to the bathroom. TMI. While I’m prepping my coffee cup Sierra is not so patiently waiting for her water and food bowls to be refreshed. Do all cats like really fresh cold water from the fridge? Every time I fill my glass throughout the day she is on the counter helping herself to the top 1/8th inch. I seem to have become one of those, here’s a photo of my cat, type of people.
I’m currently thinking of local job hunting as a “side hustle” from my real job. At least one business person in town might be interested in my services as a social media manager. Joann owns Station of Imagination and is a multi-talented artist: painting, sculpting, puppetry, theatre, and storytelling are listed on her individually painted business cards. When we met she handed me a pile and let me pick. Was a tough choice. She creates amazing stories using puppets and records them but they are not on YouTube just her Facebook page and that needs to be remedied.
Because I’ve been using Berta’s car for my minimal running around and it was time according to the mileage sticker in the windshield I took the car in for an oil change. This little Toyota has always been such a low maintenance car. However, this time cost a bit more than usual because I had to replace the air filter that had been saturated with Packrat urine, feces and a nest the size of a football. I’ve never had that problem before. But then I’ve never spent summer in Yarnell. I checked under the truck’s hood as soon as I got home and all’s well. I will be more vigilant.
Rain was predicted for last weekend and anyone willing was doing a rain dance in Arizona. Clouds are a typical tease as monsoon is anticipated. Doesn’t always bring rain but frequently provides nice sunsets. Temperatures dropped by at least 10°, wind picked up from the southwest, humidity rose enough to feel sultry. Oh yea, so over 30% is sultry in Arizona. I experienced the smell of rain coming to our parched landscape. Overcast with a light breeze brought a few drops Friday afternoon.
Then it rained lightly over night leaving petrichor and puddles in the morning. Gray sky hung low over the Weaver Mountains. Dripping occurred. A friend’s gauge measured .52”.
Father’s Day. I miss my Dad, like many of you who’ve lost parents. And if you’re lucky enough to still have a father in your life I hope you think of him every day. I was bored, tired of sitting constantly at the computer all day labeling photos. Keep thinking of moving more stuff into the house but then am sure as soon as I do that I’ll get a job offer somewhere and have to move it all again. Including Sierra. I guess if I don’t have a job elsewhere by the end of June, I for sure won’t be Rangering this summer. That’s really hard to take.
I find living under the demands of a cat to be entertaining. From a sound sleep to frantically running from one of the the 55 feet to the other, shedding along the way. Charging the door with a surprise attack. (It’s usually open for her convenience.) Meows I don’t understand. Out exploring for 10 minutes then in for a two-hour nap. Body rub on legs then outside to guard the door with the same basic view I do. Think she needs to get out more? Am I talking about Sierra or me?
I use the portable black-light every night to check the bed for scorpions. Also walk around the house and have gotten to recognize the other unusual glow-in-the-dark places otherwise never noticed. The dead scorpion still glows behind the picture above the stove. I haven’t figured out how to photograph that. Body fluids glow so stay out of the bathroom unless you’re a serious clean freak or have a strong stomach.
And I’ve been fighting ants. They are so small as almost not to be seen if they weren’t marching in a line for… at this point I don’t know what/where as the kitchen is cleaner than I’ve ever seen. Especially for my kitchen. Nasty spray only solved the problem briefly. Borax wasn’t available at the last grocery store I was in. Once again, hats off to the Yarnell hardware store for stocking Terro, a proven ant killer in my house. Sorry, I don’t really like to kill anything and can sit watching ants for hours, outside. The main ingredient is Borax, a natural mineral also commonly found in other household items including hand soap, laundry boosters, mouthwash and toothpaste. Although it is not generally toxic to humans or pets, borax disrupts the ant’s digestive system and slowly kills them. Please don’t judge me, it’s working.
So tomorrow is the first official day of summer and would have been my mother’s 92nd birthday. I’m hoping that means monsoon is on its way to quench the earth and bring on some awesome sunsets, and maybe even a few sunrises. Stay tuned for whatever’s next.
