September 9, 2015
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September Update
It's been a while since I've posted -- I've been busy putting my house back together after a spring and summer of trim repair and painting, each of which required moving everything off the front porch and the patio, and now getting ready for termite fumigation, which was delayed from a couple of months ago and will happen over the next 3 weeks (mine is among the first slated for next week. It's a long story, but there has been little sensitivity to homeowner needs and safety. I will not again buy into a Homeowners Association. In addition, the weather has been brutal, with temperatures over 90 for a week at a time (our average is roughly 80), and humidity considerably higher than our normal. Over the long weekend, we had some wonderful thunder clouds against the mountains, and I happened to be out around sunset to see very colorful clouds. These are not composed shots -- I simply picked up the camera where I happened to be, and took the pictures.
In addition to getting the house ready for fumigation (which basically involves removing all food (or double bagging it) and valuables, I have taken the opportunity to do some "fall cleaning" and repairs of my own. One day the plumber came, another the blind salesman, and again the blind installer. I have had miniblinds in my bedroom for the last 20 years -- one of them has been inoperable for several years, so I have simply left it in the down position -- this was time to replace it and the others in that room. I decided on honeycomb shades with a "top-down/bottom-up" feature, meaning that I can open them from either the top or the bottom. The goal of this is to allow for privacy while allowing some air flow and light to come in. The next shot is of two windows in a corner, with the shades opened from the top. On the left side, you can see the neighbor's house behind me -- that's the top of their bedroom window. This is why privacy becomes super important. I awoke this morning and saw a hummingbird sitting on a branch of that tree!
The next is an angled shot (not very good!) of the larger window, with the other two reflected. It also shows the shade opened from the top! I think when I get used to how I want to se them I'll be very happy with them. I was absolutely amazed at the immediate effect they had on the temperature of the room, too!
Yesterday evening we also had some beautiful clouds.
And as I came out from the restaurant where I had supper, I saw this reflection on the windows of a nearby office building (I think the camera was a little confused about focus!).
Turning around, this is what I saw.
Our summer continues, with a second heat wave in full progress. As often happens in these late-summer heat waves, we also have had some fires. Wherever there are brushy areas, there is a risk of fire right now -- the brush is dry, super-heated, and any spark can catch. Fortunately, the fire fighters are also out in full force, and they have stopped most of the more urban area fires very quickly, and we haven't had devastation of residential areas thus far.
Comments (17)
Such a busy time. I really like those shades. Such beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
Hoping you will not have fires in your area and that soon you can get back to "normal" - whatever that is.
It's been very busy -- and I've not been happy that the HOA has demanded an entire summer at their bidding! As soon as the house is put back together after fumigation, I'll feel better about having a slightly more 'normal' life (i.e. my life, not that of the HOA)! So far, no fires in my immediate area, though there was a nasty one yesterday afternoon about 40-50 miles from here. It's terribly scary times, when the temp is around 100, there is a wind coming up, and the grasses and brush are so dry!
I had spotty relations with the HOA, where I last lived, and we were all living almost on top of one another- I could hear my neighbour cough- from inside his house, and i was in my kitchen, with the windows closed.
I wish you safe travels, to/from SB.
Thanks, Gary -- our HOA has generally been ok, but they're a little out of control on this one! I'm just about to leave for the week.
I love the shades! The look beautiful and so useful - the top down feature is brilliant!! I hope you can get life back to normal after the fumigation. The reflection of the clouds in the office building windows is a great shot - just wish the focus hadn't been off. It might have been a prize winner!
Thanks, Val -- I am going to love the shades! Glad you like the photos!
Great pictures. I never saw blinds like that. I love the last two pictures.
Thanks, Doris -- the blinds are wonderful -- they provide privacy, but light and air!
Good Morning Janet. It is hot where I live as well---much norht of you. My single minded daughter has just installed heat blocking blinds in the bedroom we use.
Love you photos. Very beautiful.
Praying for rain.
Nice blinds. I'd like some like that someday. The sky shots are so beautiful. I like the office building slightly out of focus one. It's looks very artistic.
I think of then of you since we waw fires in California . I hipe you are not threatened .
Love
Michel
Thank you Michel -- the bad fires are about 300 miles from here, so I'm not threatened at this point. But it is so dry here now, that such a conflagration could occur anywhere and at any time. We are always wary!
I believe you knew sister Mae . A sad news :
https://icediamondeyeddragon.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/sad-news-for-xanga-friends/#respond
Yes, how sad. She fought a valiant battle.
We just returned from California ~ we happened to be there BETWEEN the heat waves ~ how blessed is that!!?? And ~ we visited the Calaveras Big Trees ~ and now there is a horrible fire near there ~ we feel privileged to have seen them before that ~ oh how we pray that Cali will get rain soon!
Hi Janet! so good to get on here and feel a bit connected. Sorry I have been out of touch. Still caring for the big boy, but he is still improving, just micro mini steps.
The heat really hit me this last week...I guess the addition of humidity.
Those blinds look so nice. I think they are the best for privacy and adjustment.
Hi, Jenny! I've been away for the last week while my home was fumigated -- the HOA did all 197 units in a 2-week period! Nasty stuff to finish out a summer of disruptive projects! I will give you a call soon -- would love to see you! Glad you like the blinds -- they are great for privacy and light and airflow! Am still getting used to them, but I'm going to really enjoy them.
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