muscular hydrostat...

Made an Alpine run for extra plumbing parts and paint for the exposed PVC.  Pricing out pavers for the greenhouse courtyard and finding that it aint gonna be cheap so I gotta do some more thinking about how to best create the 800 sq ft patio.  Ran into my friend Julie and came away with a sample of her homemade goat cheese...goats are the only livestock option I'm considering at this point because I simply can't give up cheese and I'd rather not attempt to milk a longhorn.

FIELD LAB BLOG CONTEST 

First person to comment correctly on the significance of tonight's post wins a special hand made Field Lab tshirt.  Hint:  it has nothing to do with the subject of the post or any of the rapture predictions.

   88,99,52,0,B

quick sand...

Got my sand quicker than expected.

First time I've noticed the holacantha stewartii blooming.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/holacanthastewart.htm

A view of some cryptobiotic soil crust

http://www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/wildaboututah/110428cryptobioticsoilcrusts.htm

85,101,69,0,B

addn to the dam...

My friend Fred Porter began the final phase on the dam project today....more material on top and a spillway to be added tomorrow.  Just ordered 7 cu yds of sand to be delivered next week to level the courtyard.  Planning another Alpine trip again soon to order pavers and obtain an outdoor welding permit.

Had some off time this afternoon and took advantage of an opportunity to upload a new video to YouTube.  Benita is not usually in the mood for interaction when she is laying down.  Today she was in the "zone" and appreciated the extra attention.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0SyTzOXffs

Yet another new critter scooted by The Field Lab this morning.  And no...I won't kill them unless they pose a threat or become a problem.  This badger ran off right after I took his picture.    90,101,69,0,B

drat this drought...

Got some more pieces prepped for the west doorway.  Because of the super dry conditions and recent brush fires, I am going to have to get a permit before I can do any outdoor welding.  Plenty of other chores to keep me busy till I can get the OK. 

"The Brewster County Commissioners Court on Monday, May 9, adopted by unanimous vote welding guidelines for use during the emergency burn ban.  Anyone wanting to weld must apply for and receive a permit from his/her County Commissioner. For more information, contact the County Judge's Office, 432-837-2412, or the Emergency Management Department, 432-837-9876.  Persons violating this order may be arrested and fined up to $500."

Saw a new critter today scooting by The Field Lab.  88,100,53,0,B

meditation tuesday...

89,99,59,0,B

west end...

Began the task of framing in the west end this morning.  Had to notch out my concrete headers to fit the beam in.  This section is 14 gauge 4" square tubing - top chunk is 24' long and 104.64lbs.  Easy to move with a hand truck at one end and easy to lift one side at a time.  82,93,54,0,B

plumber sunday...

Plumbed in the second downspout on the north side and both downspouts on the south side.  Forgot 3 sets of reducer bushings so the drain valves will have to wait....no rush because we are in a drought and no sign of rain for at least the next 10 days.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/05/09/eveningnews/main20061265.shtml

One of my palo verdes didn't make it so I popped a new sprout into the waterboxx that had the faulty plant.  I'm happy to report that my weird new fivefingers shoes have been worn for 11 strait days with no ill effects (other than they have gotten rather stinky, so I washed them today). 77,91,63,0,W