Bicycle and fence~Friday's Fences~030113

I LOVE this little house and fence and bicycle.  It's up in the mountains near where I board the herd.  I often drive by it and dream that it belongs to me!  Friday Fences for March 1, 2013. To see other fences, please go:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/  Then, just for fun, I went to PicMonkey and added "zoom" to the photo and got the second photo!  :-)

Hot Walker

The ranch owners are putting in a used hot walker in the mustangs' old corral.  I'm glad that something is going in there.  It was really depressing looking at where Scout and Cali used to be, especially without Cali.  Scout is now moved down across from Quad.  I don't really think she likes it there because there isn't that much room.  There's another huge corral next to their old one and I may take her up there for some exercise.  She doesn't really like the round pen, either, as she can't see any other horses from up there and she screams.  Of course, now that she doesn't have Cali, maybe she won't scream?  It should be a nice weekend, with temps here in the desert in the mid-80's!  YES~can you believe it?  We MAY drive out to Anza-Borrego state park on Saturday, however, to take photos of the wildflowers (that is, if hubby isn't working...).  If he is at work, I'll drive up to the horse ranch.  Here are a couple of pics of work on the hot walker.  You KNOW it's cold if you see Cathy, the ranch owner, bundled up in a hat and jacket!!!

I'm going to be a grandma any day now!!! :-)

Our daughter, who is 8 months pregnant, has been having lower back pains.  Her dad drove her to urgent care Friday afternoon and she left her school (she's a middle school band teacher).  She went to the hospital Saturday because the pains were worse.  Turns out little Ellie (her soon-to-be daughter) is shifting positing and getting ready to ... EMERGE!  Ooops~  She really isn't due until April 1st, so this would be 4 weeks early!  ACK!  Jennifer also went to her doctor yesterday and was ordered HOME for complete bed rest for the rest of the week....biting nails...Apparently little Ellie is ready to come into our world!  I told her I'd stop by her house and sit with her every afternoon right after school, since her house is right on my way home and I'm only 10 minutes away (actually more like 8...) in case she needs help or her water breaks.  Her husband works in Palm Springs, which is a good 30-40 minutes away.  She returns to her doctor on Thursday for another checkup.  Neither one of my two children were early, but, then, I had 2 C-sections and I never went into labor.  So, we'll see...I will keep you posted!  My spring break is the last week of March, so I imagine I'll be pretty busy with a granddaughter by then!   :-)  Photos are from her baby shower, February 17, 2013, which was 120 years from my grandmother's date of birth!  I'm sure Grandma was there with us, enjoying the party!!!  :-)  This will be my second grandchild, first granddaughter!

Gusty!

According to the weather forecaster, it was "gusty" yesterday.  Er, uh...no, it was VERY WINDY and COLD!  It was especially cold up at the horse ranch.  I rolled down the window on the way there and my hand could feel that the air was nearly freezing!  Brrrrrrr!  Hey, for a native Californian like myself, it was cold!  How cold was it up at the ranch?  There was still leftover snow along the northern parts of the horse corrals and I spotted this ice on an empty corral.  But, the sun will be out for the rest of the week and by the end of the week, it will be in the mid-80's here in the desert!  Whoo, whoo!   :-)   All the horses were fine, but they all whinnied for their extra noontime meal!  They sure appreciated it!

Timeshares at sunrise~Sunday Stills Challenge~022413

I haven't done a Sunday Stills challenge for some time now.  However, when I saw this week's challenge, I remembered the photos I took this week!  :-)  I often go to the city-owned golf course in the morning for a brisk walk.  And, the day after our last storm rolled through, it was a BRISK morning!  Our local mountains were covered by snow.  The ranch where I board my horses actually got 8 inches of snow, which hasn't happened up there for several years.  I'm driving up there today and I'll take photos along the way.  Aren't the mountains gorgeous? Those are the timeshares in the photo.  Sunday Stills Challenge for February 24, 2013.   To visit SSC, please go to:   http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/the-next-challenge-sunrisessunsets-with-a-building/#comment-10081

Had a scare Friday with our daughter...

I missed the whole event.  I had put my cell phone in my purse because I didn't have a sweater or jacket with pockets big enough for it that day.  And, I NEVER have time anyway to check my phone at school.  I tucked it in one of my drawers and never heard a thing all day...drove home, threw my purse on the couch, and went outside to hose off the front porch.  Of course, I got distracted by other things, like picking up the dog poop, and I was outside for an hour.  Hubby came fuming home about 5:00 and didn't say a word except, "Don't you EVER check your cell phone?"  Huh? That's all he said.  I even left it in my purse overnight without charging it, so when I checked it (FINALLY) Saturday morning, there was a message from him, "At Jennifer's".  So I asked him what that was about and he unloaded...apparently Jennifer, our daughter, who is 8 months pregnant, had back pains at her school (she's a middle school band teacher).  Her husband was at work and couldn't leave and she needed somebody to take her to urgent care.  She got hold of her dad, and off they went.  He drove her to UC, sat in the waiting room, and then sat in the car when she had to return to school for something, and then he drove her home.  I was completely unaware of any of this.  LESSON LEARNED:  When your child is 8 months pregnant, KEEP THE CELL PHONE CLOSE!  :-(    I apologized to her profusely, but the truth is, I can't leave school without getting somebody to cover my class.  Her dad CAN leave his work, as he has another employee to cover.  I'm going to alert my principal that, since she's this close to the end of her pregnancy, I MAY have to leave one day...Photo taken at her baby shower last weekend.

Incoming storm~SkyWatch Friday~022213

I guess now I should have warned my fellow bloggers in New Mexico about this storm.  It dumped a LOT of snow on our local mountains and even the ranch where I board my horses got 8 inches of snow.  THAT hasn't happened in the 6 years I've boarded them up there...sigh...The ranch owner had to drive her TRACTOR to work.  She works for the local vet and the only way she could manuever down her long dirt driveway and a very slippery and icy street was to drive her tractor!  The mountains are beautiful to see from down here in the desert valley, however.  I haven't seen this much snow for several years!  SkyWatch Friday for February 22, 2013.   To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to this link:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

"F" is for food~ABC Wednesday~022013

Our daughter had her baby shower this past weekend and believe me...there was plenty of FOOD there!  Cake, cupcakes, wraps, veggies, fruit, berries were all there for people to enjoy.  And there were plenty of guests...some from her high school days, and some from her college days, too.  Lots of FAMILY and FRIENDS!  But, of course, I enjoyed the FOOD!   :-) Yes, that's our grandson eating his cake!  ABC Wednesday for February 20, 2013.  To visit ABC Wednesday, please go to:   http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/

Finally~some horse time today!~

Yes, I made it up to the horse ranch this morning~~FINALLY!  And, of course, an Alaskan storm is aiming for our local mountains, with snow forecast down to 1,500 feet and a winter storm warning is in effect.  They are forecasting anywhere from 12" to 18" of snow!  Oh, boy!  No wonder February is our coldest month!  Anyway, I bought 4 bags of pellets for the herd, unloaded all of them, gave them psyllium and pellets, and brushed them all!  Phew!  Busy day!  The ranch owners bought a used hot walker and were busy pouring the cement for it.  They are putting it in the mustangs' old corral.  Good.  I have to admit it...I was pretty down after losing Cali.  I mean, I went into a depression~a real funk.  Of all my horses...Cali?  She was the sweetest one.  But, it looks like I'm inheriting Lucille, who is 1/2 draft and 1/2 Tennessee Walker and who is gaited!  Her owner is so far behind in her board that the owner notified her and advised her to pay up or else and she admitted she couldn't pay her back board.  So, Lucille will become a member of the herd!  :-)  While she cannot replace my "pocket pony", Cali, she is a great mare.  She's very calm, she ties, she cross-ties, and, like I mentioned, she's gaited.  She's also HUGE!  She's actually taller than Quad!  But, she'll be a great horse for the grandkids (YES! our daughter is pregnant and due April 1st...she's having a little girl!).  I went up and groomed Lucille today.  I've always fed her whenever I gave pellets to my horses because she never got much attention.  She always nickers when she sees me now and we have bonded.  I'm really excited because now I actually have a RIDEABLE horse!   :-)  I just couldn't let her go to auction or to an unknown person who might send her to auction.  She's a real sweetheart!  I'll be posting more about her in the weeks to come.  So, here are some pics from today.  Here's NOSY Quad and Lucille...That's her "before" photo.  Can't wait to get some Integrity Senior in her!   :-)

Cottonwood Springs

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in the desert, with high clouds, so hubby and I decided to drive through Joshua Tree National Park, starting at the Cottonwood Springs entrance.  That entrance is about 25 miles east of Indio, CA, right off Interstate 10.  So, we headed out about 8:30 a.m.  We passed through some BLM land where people can pull off and "boondock".  That means they can stay for several days and not have to pay fees.  They basically are out in the desert.  I now follow several RVers who boondock and it seems quite interesting.  You just pick a spot on BLM land, register, and VIOLA! You don't have noisy neighbors, except for a few birds!  :-)  Anyway, I went for a short hike along one area and took some photos of the washes.  I saw lots of animal tracks, including coyote ones.  Then we drove to the visitor center/ranger station/weather station at Cottonwood Springs.  Hubby now has the free Golden Adventure pass (you get it free once you turn 62, I believe...), so we no longer have to pay to enter national parks.  See, it's GOOD to bring him along with me!   :-)  I was busy taking photos and I didn't see this couple walk right in front of me, but aren't they cute?  The cottonwoods were all bare yesterday, but, with the clouds, I didn't care!  I almost took more photos of the clouds than the landscape!  I'll continue our trip tomorrow.  That's looking west, toward Mt. San Jacinto in the top photo.  I don't know why it looks so washed out...sigh...The next two are BLM land.

Spring is coming to the desert~Orange you Glad it's Friday~021513

Yes, I'm GLAD it's FRIDAY!  Yesterday was Valentine's Day at school (AND my birthday), so it was pretty hectic.  I must say, however, that the kiddos were well behaved and all went well!  Phew!  It was an exhausting day, though, and I fell asleep in the middle of one of our taped TV shows last night, about 7:30 p.m.!!!  Anyway, SPRING is coming to the desert.  That has its good and bad points.  A good point is that, for the next week, we'll have nice, warm temperatures (in the 80's today, then down to the mid 70's).  No more of that "cold stuff"!  The bad thing is that if we have an early spring, then we get an early summer, and that means we have to start using our...AIR CONDITIONER!  ACK!  I'm NOT looking forward to that!  As desert residents, we get a break on our bills from mid-June to mid-September.  However, if we have to use it before or after those dates, Southern California Edison REALLY socks it to you!   :-(  This acacia blossom is on my acacia which is right next to our side fence and driveway.  I'll take more photos of it this weekend, but the blossoms are already out.  Now, I'm just hoping we DO NOT get a hard frost!  OYGIF for February 15, 2013.  To visit Orange you Glad it's Friday, please go to:   http://www.hoodphotography.com/2013/02/orange-you-glad-its-friday-26.html

Desert view~SkyWatch Friday~021513

Just a pretty view of some of our mountains here in the Coachella Valley.  That's looking out toward Mt. San Jacinto and Palm Springs a couple of weeks ago.  More clear, warm weather is forecast for this next weekend.  SkyWatch Friday for February 15, 2013.   To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Desert fence~Friday's Fences~021513

I was out driving around Sky Valley one weekend a few weeks ago and came upon this gate and fence.  I love all the shade in this yard, don't you?  Those are some big and old trees, like the ones we have in our front yard.  Trees like that are valuable shade for desert homes in the summer.  Friday's Fences for February 15, 2013.   To visit Friday's Fences, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

A simple puddle of water~Nature Notes~021413

While out on my two hour walk Saturday morning, I came upon these robins at a little puddle of water.  You cannot imagine the joy they were showing!  There were about 5 of them getting a drink.  There would have been more, but a golf cart came by and scared them off!  What simple pleasures!  Nature Notes for February 14, 2013...my birthday!   :-)  To visit Nature Notes, please go to:   http://ramblingwoods.com/

Desert view~Our World Tuesday~021213

I think I overdid it Saturday morning.  I was out for a 2 hour walk and yesterday and today I'm feeling it!  My bronchitis is WORSE and I've done nothing today...sigh...another day lost to COPD!  But, we had a spectacular view of our local San Jacinto mountains.  That's Mt. San Jacinto on the right.  The Palm Springs tram goes up to the top of it.  Do you know that I've lived here for nearly 40 years and I've NEVER been on the tram?  ...sigh...maybe this year! (I always say that!).  Anyway, there is enough to see and do here in the desert!~ :-)  Our World Tuesday for February 12, 2013.  To visit Our World Tuesday, please go to this link:   http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

"E" is for eating~ABC Wednesday~021313

I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but I have the day off today and I figured I might as well get ahead of things, so I'm posting my ABC Wednesday post now.  "E" is for eating.  I found these photos of various animals eating!  That's important, right?  So, enjoy these "eating" photos for ABC Wednesday!  :-)  To visit ABC Wednesday, please go to:   http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/

Whitewater Preserve

Hubby was off all weekend, so I didn't get up to the horse ranch to visit the horses.  Instead, on Saturday, we returned to the Whitewater Preserve.  This is in a canyon way up by the San Bernardino mountains.  Yes, the mountains where the fugitive is hiding!  (or was...)...Anyway, it was such a cold and windy day up there that I sat in the car most of the time!  We headed back home and I took a 3 hour nap.  I did get out for a 2 hour walk in the morning, but, by noon, I was worn out!  I'm still recovering from the flu and bronchitis I had last weekend.  I'll probably just stay home today and REST!!!

Quail fence in Pinyon ~ Friday's Fences~ 020813

This adorable fence is on a ranch up in Pinyon Flats near one of my friends' homes.  I often travel this side road just to view the mountain behind the fence, but on this day I was more interested in the fence!~Friday's Fences for February 8, 2013.  To visit Friday's Fences, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Another storm is on its way~SkyWatch Friday~020813

I took this photo last Friday afternoon, after school.  I was out driving around and I was about halfway up to the Santa Rosa mountain visitor center when I spotted these unusual-looking clouds.  Another storm is coming our way tomorrow and will be here over the weekend, with rain forecast for both Friday and Saturday and snow down to 2,500 feet!  Oh, what fun!  I haven't really been in the snow in our local mountains yet this year!   :-)  SkyWatch Friday for February 8, 2013.   To visit SWF, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/