Our time with Judi came and went all too fast. It was wonderful to have her here … what a perfect first guest! The weather’s been cold and rainy but we were graced with a lovely two day respite at just the right time. We took full advantage of the 65 degree day to take out our just-home-from-the-shop pontoon boat. The motor did great until we docked, then died when idle as before. Still, we (Steve) did a much better job getting her loaded onto the trailer than the first go-round, and the boat ride itself was lovely. Well, the dogs might disagree. It was their first time out and they weren’t sold on the whole experience. Ginger and Dottie really liked sitting on Judi’s lap though … they’ve certainly got her number as the world’s biggest softie ever (at least where animals are concerned!)
Judi and I signed up for a docent-guided hike in the Canyon Lake Gorge, carved by floodwaters in 2002 when Canyon Lake over-topped the spillway for six weeks. The flood caused much devastation downstream, with one and a half times the lake’s capacity flowing over the top. In addition to the damage, a new geologic wonder was formed, revealing 100 million plus year old dinosaur prints and providing a fascinating opportunity for research and exploration. Our guide was amazingly knowledgeable and the day was sunny and perfect for the hike.
Judi has gone home, and our weather is back to cold, with chance of snow on Thursday. The lake continues to rise. The level is higher than when we bought the house now and promises to be full before long … just a couple of feet to go now. Over a hundred lettuce seedlings, several dozen baby tomato plants, as well as onion and basil starts are ready to plant out. Spring can start any time … we are ready!
Then yesterday, I took my turn helping unload on this end. At least, once we got the trailer door open so it could be unloaded. Furniture had shifted during the drive and the roll-up door would only go up about a foot and a half. Through sheer perseverance, (and turning himself into Gumby), eventually Steve got the door open and we were able to get Nicole settled (somewhat) into her new home. Just in time to head home to start the faucets dripping for yet another night of temps in the teens! Nicole, on the other hand, headed back to Rockport to drop off the trailer, and then drove back again, effectively spending her first night in her new home, not at home. She’s a crazy woman! But it’s done! She has a couple more trips to get completely out but the big stuff is moved and she has until the end of January to finish. We’re really, really happy to have her closer to us.
The flower part? Well, our dining room/bird blind became home to our lemon tree last month. First we decorated it with Christmas lights outside to help it stay warm. But night after night, it was too cold to leave it outdoors. Shuttling it was getting old so in it came, to stay, until the chance of frost passes. It had some green fruit, and a few flowers then, but while serving as our Christmas tree, it exploded with blossoms. Mmm… once again, I wish I could capture fragrance online! For my birthday, Mom sent me an amaryllis bulb, forced to bloom “around Christmas”. Its brilliant red flowers have been cheering us up for weeks now. And yesterday morning, with no concern for the freezing temps outside its window, the little hibiscus plant I have tended carefully for months treated us to a stunning yellow-gold blossom with a deep red center. Hibiscus blossoms often only last for one day but this flower is now two days old and it is still gorgeous. Long live flowers!