Dragonfly Ranch

I keep expecting to hear the Hound of the Baskervilles.

PG&E decided they needed to replace a power pole, so we’re going to be without electricity today.

Power outages (planned and unplanned) are a fact of life around here — though not more so than in the Bay Area when we lived there.

Arlin decided to rent a generator so he could work.

We have a new roof and snazzy gutter guards. Just in time for the rains.

Well, the timing is coincidence, and we’re all paying for it, but it feels like a present.

The roofers have put in seven days so far and should be done in two or three more days.

The new shingles are supposed to give us a bit more solar insulation. We’re also getting more ventilation in the space under the roof.

We had to have quite a few sheets of plywood replaced before they could re-shingle.

The worst area was the one under the HVAC units. We had a leak here last winter, which is why we absolutely had to have this done before it rains again.

We were taking a bit of chance in waiting until this late in the year. It usually rains at least a bit in early November, but luckily it’s been fine weather for roofing.

Carlton joined us today. Age approximately 13. Stray from the streets of Fresno, fostered by Lab Rescue, and delivered to his new home at Dragonfly Ranch this morning.

You can see how well he fits in with the rest of us.

But how do I know which one is Carlton and which is Ella?

Sent from my iPad

How else to explain one sunflower plant with more than 30 blossoms?

Or the tarantula hawk wasp?

Sent from my iPad

Our tasteful Yosemite Sam living quietly in the cactus garden.

And his alien on steroids cousin in Fresno.

Sent from my iPad

You are probably thinking ballpark nachos, right? But really it’s the best way to get your dog to take a pill.