Roadwork update

It's hard to tell, because these photos were taken in different lights, and the "after" photo was taken with my cell phone, but the area we worked on looks better to me. The hill is still rough going up; it always has been. The whole road is rough for that matter.

Before (July 27)

After (July 29)

Next time I'm there I'll take a photo with my regular camera. Here's the burner torch at work. My son heated the rock with the torch, then used a sledgehammer and pickaxe to whittle the rock down so it isn't so much like steps.

Next project is to pour some concrete in two spots. Mike Dory said he'd come back soon and help with that. 

Thanks so much to Deirdre Hisler who loaned me her burner torch. I would long ago have given up if it wasn't for wonderful people along the way. Mike and Deirdre are just the latest in a long list of hundreds who have donated their money or work to keep the oasis going. Words can't express my gratitude for what that journey has meant to me, as well as to the visitors who enjoy it.

I found out who the creep was who sent me the lewd emails. I feel certain he's not a danger to me. He hasn't tried to contact me again, so hopefully, that case is closed.

Unwelcome attention

I received several rather lewd emails from a stranger, mentioning among other things, my being alone at the oasis. The world isn't the safe place I've known all my life. I considered making my blog private, but, even with the help of AI, I couldn't make it to where my mailing list could see it, other than the limit of 100 recipients, so I've done nothing for now. 

Here is the patch of cement Mike Dory and I did last week, on the side of the slab at the steepest part. . We patched where water was undermining the slab.

You can see that bad rough area on the lower part of the hill. I'm thinking perhaps a sledgehammer would pulverize that jagged mudrock, maybe with the aid of a burner torch. I can no longer swing a sledgehammer.  Gotta protect what little joints I have left.

There's enough traction to make it up without a problem, but it's terribly rough.

The oasis is very lush these days. 

Got some much needed help

It seems whenever I'm ready to quit, the universe provides a boost. Mike and Kitta Dory heard my pain, and Mike drove from San Angelo yesterday, arriving at noon, and went right to work. First task was to weed-eat so we (and future visitors) could maneuver around.

Then, he spread the dozen or so bags of mulch I had piled up, waiting and hoping for help. And did pruning. We loaded sand from the arroyo for using in our concrete project this morning. It was killer work to pour a long concrete patch on the steepest part of the big hill. Monsoonal rains have been undermining the slab I had poured there several years ago and I didn't want to chance losing it. The road is still terribly rough, but hopefully not as scary going up the slab since you don't have to straddle a big trench now. So disgusted with myself that I didn't take before and during photos. I just get too overwhelmed with the task at hand. It's so steep; I'm so puny; I must not take a fall. That takes all my focus. Falls are the biggest danger for us oldsters. 

After we finished that, around noon today, intrepid Mike pruned along the road where vegetation was determined to take over. Everything is looking awesome! Hope it stays that way at least through fall migration so people can enjoy it. And I hope migration brings lots of wonderful birds to marvel at. We can't change the past, nor control the future, but for today, it's good!

State of the oasis

We've had seemingly endless rain lately and the oasis is miserable. Mosquitoes terrible, and the weeds I'm allergic to (Cowpen Daisies) are shoulder high. The road going in is deteriorating badly. Can barely make it in. And I'm helpless to do anything about anything, except servicing the feeders. I also snip along the main pathways, trying to, at least, keep them open.

I came across some bags of free mulch in Alpine and took it to the oasis, but haven't spread it yet. Need to do weedeating first, and wait until mosquitoes subside. Not to mention, a monsoon could come along any day and wash it all away.

The water feature and viewing station are back there somewhere.

And realistically, although the last couple years have been wet, a drought is just around the corner. I'm sure I won't be able to do the work required to harvest rainwater, and keep the trees alive. So, I'm trying to adjust my thinking to the new reality, and let go. There are no words to express how difficult that is.

The other day, I saw what I think was a Mexican Amberwing or hybrid, but not able to endure conditions long enough to get good photos.

I need to just be grateful to be in as good of health as I am. Nothing is forever. Visitors need to either have good clearance or park when they become uncomfortable with the road, and walk the last mile or less. There is a back entrance that should be driveable, but I'd need to send directions to anyone who is unable to do the walk in.