Skunked!

We must have a family of skunks (or maybe a few families of skunks) living in the yard, because this is the second time this week Humphrey and Sherman have had a new odor to them.  The first time was just a slight whiff, a slight fragrance - almost laughable really.

But on Thursday evening, it was no longer laughable.  Humphrey must have been sprayed within maybe about 20 feet - the good news was that he wasn't sprayed directly (we went camping with friends one time in Minnesota.  Their dog went skunk chasing and was sprayed up close and personal.  That was unbearable.  Humphrey was nothing like that).  However, Shermie must have not been too far away, because he had that same bitter, nose-pinching scent in his hair.

If you've met Humphrey and Shermie, you know that their hair is several inches long and is very thick.  Ugh.  Baths are a real pain in the... but Tim was up to the task today and at least the weather cooperated.

Humphrey gets his bath in the big tub Tim got from an auction from a school or hospital that used them for people - we've also used this tub ourselves when in need of a big bathtub.

Although now, I'm not so sure I'll want to do that again.

Tim used a combination of Hydrogen Peroxide, Dishsoap and Baking Soda.

Sherman must be... er... ah... secured while he waits for his bath.  He doesn't mind the bath once we catch him...

And since it was such a nice day, Morty got to spend some time in his outside condo.  It's really his summer home, but we let him open it up for the season a little early.  He's been having cabin fever lately.

Weather... the final installment for now

I was uploading these photos yesterday when the electricity went out... lost all the work.  ugh.  Hate it when that happens...

I thought we were over our snow here in Dallas - it is mid-Feb after all.  This is the time when a number of our plants start to bud.  But I hear we're supposed to have more snow day after tomorrow... I hope that's not right.

Here're some of the shots of Sage Creek Ranch in our record snow fall.

The poor roses were completely covered...

The trees bent over double with the weight...

The patio looked like an ice skating rink....

One of my favorite shots - just looking up into the trees in the backyard...

The clothesline hasn't gotten a lot of use recently...

Our front yard...and the pavilion looks like a Minnesota cabin...

Not a lot of golfing gettin' done here.

Goin' down the driveway...

Weather...Weather...Weather, next installment

After the rain came the freeze... (although there was some sunshine...)

 This was the little bit of sun.

 

But then I noticed that the standing water was frozen...

  

Leaves and such stuck in the frozen water in the potholes of the driveway...

I liked this one...

and then it snowed.

Weather...Weather...Weather, in the beginning

Each day brings such dramatic changes, I haven't been able to keep up!  So here's what's it's been looking like around here lately...


So, in the beginning it rained.  And it rained.  And it rained.  And it was cold.

There were puddles everywhere.  The driveway potholes got bigger.  Ponds formed where there were none.

Water settled in every non-flat space.

Fortunately, the garden is (mostly) dormant, so the flooding didn't take out any blooming or growing plants.

There was mud and muck on everything.  The dogs aren't white any more, they are a parchment yellowy color (and it isn't pretty).

The next chapter in the book on the weather in Tioga, Texas is due out shortly.  Stay tuned.