YARNELL RE-VISITED

Seeing Kelly walking with no hat & no mitts told me we were finally getting back to some enjoyable morning walks.  Nice to feel our temperatures coming up.  Nice to feel the warmth of the morning sun.

THIS UNIQUELY CHARACTERED HOUSE FOR SALE NEAR YARNELL’S CORE CAUGHT OUR EYE…MAIN STRUCTURE ON RIGHT & GRANNY FLAT ON LEFT

  

GRANNY SUITE PATIO

Decided it would be a good day to stain our porch posts.  Figured might as well do that job now while we had the posts here just lying around.  We knew the hardware store in Yarnell had the stain we were looking for so it was off up the Yarnell Hill with us.  Checked the Jeeps thermometer when we left the house & it said 63F.  Less than 10 minutes later we were sitting in front of the Yarnell hardware store & the temperature registered 43F.  Yep, definitely much colder up on top of the Weaver Mountains alright. 

A VERY ARCHITECTURALLY UNIQUE HOUSE INDEED

 

A FEW PHOTOS THROUGH THE WINDOWS

 

UPPER BEDROOM WITH SEMI-WRAP AROUND DECK & BACK YARD VIEW

GROOVY GROUND LEVEL GRANNY FLAT

 

GRANNY KITCHEN & COVERED PATIO

Found the Cedar stain we were looking for, stopped at the Thrift Store, & took us for a drive around a few streets in Yarnell we had previously not seen.  Drove to the SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH & could see how fire damage had come so close to destroying the whole Shrine.  We could see the gift shop had burned to the ground & we knew the Retreat Center across the road up in the rocks had burned as well.

THIS SECTION OF THE SHRINE ESCAPED THE FLAMES

 

FIRE SWEPT OVER THIS RIDGE…ONLY A FEW BRICKS & STONES LEFT OF THE GIFT SHOP

FIRE CAME DOWN & BURNT SOME OF THE SMALL TREES AROUND THE CROSSES ON RIGHT

We also noticed an unusual number of houses ‘For Sale’ on some of the side streets near the small Village’s center.  A very cozy & picturesque community with many small dwelling nestled into the predominant rock formations.  One place for sale especially caught our eye.  Maybe it was the color, maybe it was it’s unexplainably unique rambling design, or maybe it was just Yarnell itself.   The house was empty so we did have us a look around outside.  Figured out it had a complete detached Granny suite as well.  As with so many houses we have seen here in the South-West this one has fallen on hard times & I would class it as a handyman’s special.  But what a great project for the right person.  Just like our house in Congress I love these old places with all their character, their mysteries, & their old stories to tell.

 

JUST 2 OF MANY HOUSES & PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN YARNELL ARIZONA

YARNELL HAS A UNIQUE WESTERN FLAVOR ALL IT’S OWN

We were back down the hill by early afternoon & it didn’t take me long to get the can of Cedar stain open.  With brush in hand I was soon busy staining our yet to be installed wooden Pine porch posts.  In short sleeves too:))

POST IN FOREGROUND IS DONE, 3 TO GO

On a grueling 9 hour 450 mile drive from Logan Utah to Glenwood Springs Colorado Chinle over there at the SPOTTED DOG RANCH recently recounted a colder time in Steamboat Springs many years ago which resulted in something she refers to as, ‘Popsicle Toes’.  Chinle tells the story as only Chinle can……..

THIS YARNELL HOUSE WAS NOT FOR SALE, I JUST LIKED THE CORAL COLOR

GROANER’S CORNER:((    Three patients in a mental institution prepare for an examination given by the head psychiatrist. If the patients pass the exam, they will be free to leave the hospital. However, if they fail, the institution will detain them for five years.
The doctor takes the three patients to the top of a diving board looking over an empty swimming pool, and asks the first patient to jump.
The first patient jumps head first into the pool and breaks both arms.
Then the second patient jumps and breaks both legs.
The third patient looks over the side and refuses to jump. "Congratulations! You're a free man. Just tell me why didn't you jump?" asked the doctor.
To which the third patient staring down into the empty pool answered, "Well Doc, I can't swim!"

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

MOVED SOME DESERT DIRT TODAY

First thing I looked for when peering out of my bedroom window this morning was the tall dead grass near the road.  Was it moving?  It was not & that told me one important thing…….no wind.   Yay, we had ourselves a fighting chance for a better weather day.  Gave the sun a good head start on it’s ascending climb into the sky before we ventured out.  All was good & I was shedding my outer lined flannel shirt before we got back.  Think we may have even eeked our way up over the 50F mark this afternoon.  Maybe 60 by the end of the week.  Whoa there Buttercup, let’s not get carried away…….

  

ON OUR MORNING WALKS IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR US TO SEE A RED TAIL HAWK PERCHED HIGH ATOP A STAND OF ROCKS SCANNING THE DESERT FLOOR BELOW

IN A FLURRY OF FEATHERS THE HAWK LEAPS INTO THE AIR SPREADING HIS POWERFUL WINGS & FLIES OFF TO THE RIGHT

Hauled ourselves home two more loads of dirt today.  That completes another small Cactus garden in front of our house.  No idea where all these little landscape projects will end up but no matter, I enjoy what I’m doing. 

 

EVERY LITTLE BOY HAS TO HAVE A SAND BOX……RIGHT:))

 

AN INTENTIONAL TIGHT FIT & PHEEBS SOAKS US SOME WARM SUN

BACK OFF BOOGALOO >>>

An electrician fella was here today putting a new receptacle in my bedroom plus rewiring & remounting my bathroom ceiling light which had been hanging loosely by a couple wires.  He also repaired some frayed wires in our fuse box as well & will be back next week to replace a couple old receptacles.  Always something to do with older houses.

Little bit of talk on our morning walk about Winnie’s next mini-trip.  We’re still leaning towards Arizona’s Lake Pleasant area but it will depend on a couple things with weather being number one.  Not sure what day Les is coming over to put our porch posts up so we’re just playing things by ear at the moment.

Wasn’t sure on the ID of the Hawk in Monday’s post.  Looking at photos in my ‘Audubon Field Guide To The Southwestern States’ book I thought the head & color markings could have been a Red Tail Hawk as well.  It was the bands on the tail that made me guess at a Cooper’s Hawk.  JUDY, our in house all knowing ‘Bird Lady of Blog Land’ confirmed in a comment it was indeed a Cooper’s Hawk. 

GROANER’S CORNER:((   A policeman pulls a man over for speeding and asks him to get out of the car. After looking the man over he says, "Sir, I couldn't help but notice your eyes are bloodshot. Have you been drinking?"
The man gets really indignant and says, "Officer, I couldn't help but notice your eyes are glazed. Have you been eating doughnuts?"

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

LATE THIS AFTERNOON WE HEARD A ‘THUMP’ AT OUR DINING ROOM WINDOW

About 5 this afternoon there was a thump at our dining room window & Kelly hollered, “come look at this large bird”.  I recognized it as a hawk right away & I am guessing a young Cooper’s Hawk.  Figure it was probably pursuing another bird when it zigged instead of zagged.  It didn't appear injured only stunned.  We have bird’s fly into our sunroom windows in Bayfield from time to time & I have learned to just leave them be.  They generally regain their bearings after a few minutes, pick themselves up, dust themselves off, & fly away.  Quickly grabbed my camera & took a few photos through our dining room window.  Could have stepped out on the porch for a better photo but I did not want to stress the bird more than it already was.  We just watched it sitting there looking around trying to get it’s bearings.  Took about 7 or 8 minutes for it to orient itself & with a quick flurry of wings it was gone.  By the way that is the brand new Ikea chair I just assembled that this fellow is sitting on. 

 

Woke up to colder temps than the folks back home in Bayfield Ontario.  We were at 29F & they were 32F.  I could feel the colder morning soon as I got up & knew we had us clear skies overhead.  Kind of a good & bad thing about clear winter skies here.  They bring us warmer days but also colder nights.  However, with a stiff 15 mph North wind this morning we kept our activities inside.  We even forewent our walk.  Just too uncomfortably cold as our temps remained in the windy low 40’s.  Had planned on bringing a few loads of dirt home today, but……….

IF IT WASN’T FOR A DOG SITTING ON MY LAP A LOT TODAY & A HAWK FLYING INTO OUR WINDOW I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY CURRENT PICS FOR TONIGHT’S POST

More than a few RV’ers were/are unfortunately caught up in the bad winter storms crossing the country at the moment.  George & Suzie now out of it in Deming New Mexico sure had their troubles getting themselves across Texas a few days ago.  Here is just one of those days…FROZEN WATER PUMP 

 

  

Wind did die down later in the morning & I was able to get a few things done outside.  Kelly, who has been having a little trouble with the cold seized the opportunity to  head off to Wickenburg in the warm toasty Jeep for a couple hours.  Pheebs & I watched a couple ‘Corner Gas’ shows this afternoon.  She has been a big help in keeping me warm these days.  No sooner do I sit down in my recliner & she is on my lap all snuggled up keeping me warm.  

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A dog’s property rules:

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If its in my mouth, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If I'm chewing something up, all the pieces are mine.
6. If its mine, it must never appear to be yours.
7. If it just looks like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If its broken, it's yours.

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

NICE MORNING FOR SOME OUTSIDE PUTTERING & WARMER WEATHER HEADED OUR WAY

A heavy cloud cover overnight kept the pre-dawn temperature from rattling our teeth this morning.  No wind earlier today & with old Sol radiating his heat earthward from a clear blue Arizona sky it was a fine & comfortable time to be outside puttering at odd jobs.  Some days the odder the job the better it is sometimes.  Our air got to about 45F today but if one stayed in the sun it felt much warmer than that.  Not exactly a short sleeve shirt & shorts day but no matter, I’m not a shorts guy anyway.

 

Burned me up some brush & old cardboard boxes.  Removed a few dozen nails & screws from some old sticks of lumber I have been saving & figured I would try assembling a tin storage shelf we had found at a garage sale awhile back.  Got me the flimsy tin shelves, legs, struts, braces, & a package holding a million nuts & bolts out of the box.  Sat in a lawn chair for a few minutes contemplating what I was about to attempt.  Contemplating turned out to be the most important tool for me as I carefully put all the shelving pieces back in the box.  Didn’t figure there was any point in me ruining my day wrestling with a flimsy bunch of tin.  Maybe someday we can sell it at a garage sale for half the money we paid for it & still come out ahead. 

A PAIR OF CACTUS WRENS ON OUR NEIGHBOR’S CACTUS

I think the only news oriented program I can tolerate anymore is CBS’s SUNDAY MORNING with Charles Osgood.  Charles Kuralt hosted this show at one time.  Show was good then just as it is today.  That’s the way news used to be before it became an entertainment spectacle with all the giggling, over the top back & forth banterings, & ratchet jawed anchor people spewing forth their attention grabbing quips & asides.  Check out CNN’s early morning show sometime as an example.    Those ‘Happy Gang’ morning shows started years ago on commercial radio & was the driving force which drove me away from that kind of annoying schlock into the waiting warm & soothing arms of Satellite Radio.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Sirius XM.  But getting back to TV…..how nice Sunday mornings to sit quietly & listen to a single newsperson present a well thought out maturely produced educational & informative news program for a change.  Far as I know it is probably one of the last news oriented programs not to use a whole gaggling herd of over opinionated babbling heads.

I have heard it said short wheel based & light Jeep Wranglers are tricky to handle on snow & ice covered roads.  Fortunately we have not had to find that out yet but not so fortunate for JANNA & MIKE up there in wintery Montana.  A deer suddenly crossed the road in front of them & Jana can tell you what happened next:((

A DROP OF MESQUITE TREE SAP

An increasing heavy cloud cover brought a bit of wind with it & by mid afternoon my outside puttering moved inside.  Managed to finally plug a problem hole leading from the original house to my bedroom addition so that should end any more critters getting in that way.  Weatherman says we are in for a sunny week with warming temperatures.  Yahouie Louie:))

Chile for supper tonight so that broke our 3 day Turkey gorge.  Turkey porridge for breakfast, turkey sandwiches for lunch along with turkey, dressing, & mashed potatoes with gravy for supper every night had run it’s course.  Even so I’m already looking forward to turkey sandwiches for lunch tomorrow.

Although we have never spoken of the idea I’m sure we both have thought of Dally as a second dog for Pheebe.  But there’s a problem.  Dally is very hyper & we can only let Pheebs in to play with her for a few minutes because Dally runs Pheebs into the ground.  They get along great but it’s too much for Pheebe.  And it would be too much for us as well.  A second dog sometime is not out of the question but it would have to be exactly the right dog.  We have Pheebe to think about as well as ourselves & I don’t think it would be wise for us to get a second dog with way more energy than we have or are prepared to deal with.  I’m sure Dally would make just a super companion for the right person.  We stop & pet her over the fence every morning & I can tell under all that young starved for attention exuberance she has a kind loving heart. 

Kelly brought home a couple DVD’s last week & we watched one called ‘Lincoln’ with Daniel Day Lewis.  Seemed like a good movie but both Kelly & I had trouble following it.  Neither one of us are politically minded so it was a bit of a stretch understanding some of the terminology therefore making it hard for us to understand what was going on.  We had a little trouble with some of the audio as well.  Other than that it looked like a well done movie. 

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A driver tucked this note under the windshield wiper of his automobile. "I've circled the block for 20 minutes. I'm late for an appointment, and if I don't park here I'll lose my job. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he came back he found a parking ticket and this note: "I've circled the block for 20 years, and if I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.