I've spent over 45 years protecting and beautifying my land. It's an endlessly wearying battle. Went down today to discover the crew that buried the new fiber optics cable had left an ugly mess. Of course I complained and will be meeting with them Thursday. Not sure how fixable it even is.
Here's where they destroyed my lovely rock and concrete low water crossing. Wish I had a before photo. It never occurred to me that I might need one, unfortunately. Makes me really sad.
I've always kept my roads as manicured as possible and never would have tolerated ugliness like this alongside them.* I cleaned up a bunch of rocks and brush near the guesthouse this morning, then raked as best I could, but I'm physically no longer able to clean up such messes. Maddening.
They came in my east gate, not via Snake Road, so it's not an area birders normally see, but to have that ugliness on my property is distressing.
On a brighter side, the rain two weeks ago has left blooms and beauty everywhere else. (Big Bend Silverleaf, Senna wizleni, and beebrush)
The oasis is almost overwhelmingly fragrant. I water this Texas Sage all the time, but it refuses to bloom until it rains.
My Trifoliate Orange at the oasis bloomed for the first time ever. (Some of you may remember way back when I planted my little "citruseria" in March of 2016.)
Summer rainy season is almost over, without the oasis tanks being filled. Just gotta hope we get some fall rains.
Fall migration is underway. Here are a couple of oasis migrants.
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| Rufous Hummingbird by Amy Boyd |
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| Plumbeous Vireo, I think. (photo by me) |
I've noticed I haven't been getting comments on this blog since I set it to moderation. Is it not allowing comments?
UPDATE: Thanks all for your patience! I found the problem and fixed it. It was as simple as going into settings and clicking on "email comment approval requests." I won't miss them now. So sorry.
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*There are some ugly gigantic boulders near the road at the top of the big hill. I've done the best I can with them through the years, but it is an ugly spot. Dynamiting into the hill to make a road that wasn't impossibly steep is the cause. It was the only way to have a road through there. Even so, the steepness required me to have concrete put on it so cars could make it up. The price we have to pay. The ugliness on the other road is not a necessary evil.
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13 comments:
I posted a comment on the Aug 19th post. I’ve never seen it. I think it had to be approved.
Hi Caroline,
I think I can comment. So sorry to hear about the mess. I hope the new fiber works well, and that fall rains fill the tanks!
Benjamin Schwartz
Thank you for the update, Carolyn. I hope the road destruction issue can be resolved. Flowers and birds are beautiful as ever.
Testing your comments.
Wow - they really did a number on your road! Hope they make it right by you! ~Matt
What a beautiful riot of color! Leigh Baker
So sorry. Didn't know they wouldn't send me an email notification. Gonna try to fix that. Thanks all for your patience.
Thanks for emailing me and letting me know. I'm going to try to find out how to get a notification when a comment needs approval.
I think they will to the extent they're able. Doubt my destroyed low water crossing will get fixed. They would have to hire someone to redo it, or give me the money to.
Thanks.
Thanks. Got it fixed now.
I hate that they did that damage. I know how hard you’ve worked for decades there, and the pride you take in the CMO (as you should). But, I am so glad to see all of the blooms. Praying for more rain.
It’s always beautiful to me! I love the Birds, plants, rocks, everything! Lea Simmons
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