Last Night's Snow

Now that the sun is (somewhat) up, I took a look outside at last night's snowfall.

Supposedly, we're to get more from this storm today. There is also another storm coming in around Wednesday/Thursday.

I took a couple of pictures of the front yard a few minutes ago:

Yardwork

Above, the front yard after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With all the monsoon rains we've been getting, it is no surprise how the plants outside grew. 

The yard was beginning to look like a tropical rainforest. 

Before it got worse, I decided to do some yard work, which included trimming and mowing the inner yard (that is on the front and east side of the house). 

Above, another view of the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The mower would not fit through the gates, so I had to drive it down the street and around the corner to the utility road that is in back of the property. I have a back gate at the utility road that is wide enough for the mower to drive through.

Above, the view from the deck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

That was no problem. But since the back yard is hilly and rocky, it would not be easy to drive the mower through to get to the front and side areas. After a couple of close calls (of getting stuck), the mower made it in. This is the first time I brought the mower into the fenced inner yard.

Once I got the mower inside the yard, I proceeded to mow it. Had I used my string trimmer instead, the chore would take hours or days to get done. 

Above, yard work done, now it's Alien times.

After I finished, I drove the mower to the back gate (and almost getting stuck again) and back out though to the utility road. Mission accomplished!

When I was done putting the mower back into the garage, it was Alien (Amber Ale) time!

Finished Yard Work

Above, Barking Spider Acre after mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I finished the yard work I started yesterday.

The recent rains have really accelerated plant growth (i.e., weeds) on the property. Before things get too out of hand, I decided to do some trimming and mowing.

It is amazing that I don't mind yard work anymore. In my younger days, I detested it, especially since we had no power cutters of any kind. Since I have the zero-turn riding mower and a string trimmer, I don't mind doing it now.

Above, another view of the freshly mowed Barking Spider Acre. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I figured that I'd best mow Barking Spider Acre now since the ground still has moisture and won't kick up much dust. I was right. Not much dust was kicked up while mowing.

Since I got everything done, I can relax. Today, the Bloomer Trailers Best of the Best Timed Event Rodeo begins. I will likely go either tomorrow or Saturday. It is being held at Red Rock Park near Gallup (only 10 miles away).

Much Greener

Above, the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The area in Jamestown, New Mexico is greening up from all of the rain we've been having.

When I got home from the Wells Fun Run yesterday, I noticed a lot of plant growth in the front yard and at Barking Spider Acre. There was very little plant growth in the yard before I left last Thursday.

Above, Barking Spider Acre is much greener. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

But there's a lot of it now. As soon as things dry up a bit (whenever that will be), I'll have to get the mower out and mow Barking Spider Acre. I'll have to cut the growth in the front yard with the string trimmer.

Above, the front of the house and garage today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Perusing the Bad Boy Mower Catalog

Above, the mower after getting it home two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A while ago, I was perusing the Bad Boy mower catalog that I downloaded from their website. I was checking out their accessories for my Bad Boy MZ Magnum 54 in. Zero-Turn Mower for the heck of it.

A month or so ago, I found the catalog on the company's website in order to get non-flat front wheels for the mower. I noticed then that they have different accessories for the mowers (depending upon the model) that ranged from ball hitches to shades.

One thing that did catch my eye was that the mowers all seem to have a maximum speed of 6 miles per hour. I don't think I've gotten mine up to that speed. 

The mower makes what would be a dedious job (I didn't like yard work during my younger days) into something fun to do. I bought it two years ago this month at Tractor Supply.

To access the Bad Boy mower website, go here.

Warmer Days Ahead

Above, a nice, clear day. The next few days will be warmer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's weather is better than yesterday's. The temperature is the same (about 53°), but the gusty winds we had yesterday has been reduced to a breeze today.

I got word about an hour ago that the gate to Six Mile Canyon/Cibola National Forest has been reopened for vehicles. So we go and have fun in the "playground".

The forecast for the next several days by the National Weather Service is for temperatures in the low 70s, which will be nice.

Above, while I relaxed on the deck, D.K. was hunting in the yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 24. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the evening.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 74.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Yard Work Day

Above, the ol' homestead today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The only Jeep driving I did today was just going down to the Flying J to get my mail and back.

I spent the late morning/early afternoon doing some yard work with the RYOBI string trimmer and fired up the mower and did some mowing around the GOCO Beast Barn and along the side of the road. The growth at the Barking Spider Acre isn't enough to warrant a cutting. It'll likely last a few weeks or a month.

I was amazed that the RYOBI trimmer's battery still had a good charge to it after months of being idle and in cold temperatures. It only took a few minutes to "top it off".

After that, I relaxed on the deck with a cold one (Blue Moon Belgium White Ale) and listened to the radio.

Later, after having dinner, I managed to conk out on the couch for around 3 hours. Must've been the heat (around 80°) or old age.

Tomorrow will be much more leisurely with a likely drive in Six Mile Canyon.

Out In The Yard

Above, "The Great Garden Gnome Massacre" after I righted it. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I went out to the side yard's brick deck to straighten some yard furniture that blew over during the snowstorm of last Friday. The snow melted sufficiently for me to walk through it.

While there, I also noticed my "Great Garden Gnome Massacre" yard statue was also blown over. At least it was undamaged. I set it upright and braced it with a couple of rocks.

Above, the view looking north from the brick deck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While I was doing all this, Sierra was keeping watch on me from the bedroom window.

Tomorrow, I'll be in Gallup to mail a package Asya in Russia and to do some grocery shopping. At least tomorrow's weather will be decent enough.

Above, Sierra keeping a watchful eye on me. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On Wednesday, rain and snow showers are expected to hit.

According to the National Weather Service:

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday

A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Before & After

Before:

After: