July 4
Where have I been, you ask? Right here. My camera broke. Not really. Turns out there is a kind of Y2K (remember that?) problem with camera memory cards. According to the manual, once there are 1,000 pictures on the card, the images cannot be imported to the computer using the standard method–you have to get a card reader to connect to your computer. HUH? I had over 3,000 pictures stored on my memory card, which is huge, and never had a problem. Then–Kablooie. So, we kept going up to the house and I kept taking pictures, but I had no way to get them here until the card reader arrived. Now all is fixed. Back to the regularly scheduled programming and I apologize for the temporary hiatus!
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June 26
technical
Yesterday Arnold, who is a man of myriad talents, sprayed the entire interior of the house–wood and adobe blocks–with linseed oil. TWICE. Of course there was no way for me to capture this historic activity, so today I can show you the end result.
The linseed oil feeds the wood and protects it. The oil seeps into the adobe blocks and keeps them from being dusty, which they naturally are, being made of dirt. This was a big project that required covering the entire floor with plastic, as you saw earlier. Now it is done! I told Steve I was ready to move in now. He said: “Um, please, no!” The house looks so beautiful. I cannot wait.
Remember, please, to click on the first image and open up the BIG Gallery. Thanks!
- Arnold at work spraying the linseed oil on the outside wood
- He did the complete interior yesterday. Twice!
- Calling Dr. Arnold!
- The linseed oil smells like paint, but not as strong.
- You can’t really see the linseed oil on this wood, but I can.
- The oil protects the wood and keeps it looking good
- The linseed oil is also sprayed on all of the interior adobe blocks.
- And the interior wood
- Of which there is a lot…
- Can’t believe Arnold sprayed the entire house twice. This house is big!
- Can you see the oil on the adobes?
- Niles is suddenly camera-shy!
- These adobe blocks will never need linseed oil again.
- Now when I rub my hand over them, there is no dust.
- No dust in the kitchen is really important!
- Another good example of tongue and groove.
- Someone has been drawing on the wall…
- Love all this wood!
- What a clean garage!
- Arnold is very meticulous in his work…
- Which requires a strong back and strong arms.
- At least he has a nice view!
personal
I am not sure about this new walk. We have to drive quite a distance over a new road that is very rocky and full of obstacles. The Jeep is trail-rated but I worry. We walked it today and, sure enough, discovered new stuff that made the trip worthwhile. I suppose that is always the way here in Far West Texas. Wherever you go, you find something new.
- Dung beetles have been carrying off dog poops before I can clean them up! I like dung beetles. 🙂
- This is our new road.
- We are not sure how we feel about it yet.
- These are unexpected!
- So delicate and tall
- Little yellow fluff balls
- Hey, I think there is something in the water…
- But I’ll drink it anyway
- Bella loves the rocks!
- That is Alpine in the distance
- Lots of cholla on this walk, too–dead and alive
- Periscope
- Giacometti sculpture
- This big tree used to grow in the rocks
- This is all that is left of it
- I love the grays of the dead wood
- Wish it were still here–Bella could use the shade!
- New cacti!
- I have to look these up.
- Dangerous!
- This view is growing on me.
- And this! What is this?
- Delicate blossoms growing out of the rocky ground
- Nature may not be forgiving, but it is certainly gorgeous sometimes…
a little jealous of the rain but with monsoon season started maybe we go over average this year, yeeeaaaaa!
It is so green here right now it feels like Houston!
Looks great!
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