Boom Sticks!

What do you do when

You find out there is a snake den in the ground under your house,

It's May, and

You don't have any other plans for the day?

You drive an hour to New Mexico (where selling fireworks is legal year-round) in hopes of finding some potent (snake-repelling) smoke bombs!

Road Trip!

* * *

We had a road trip car picnic on the I-10...

I ate a juicy red D'Anjou pear...

...and eventually took the Rodeo exit and found Phantom Fireworks...

It was an impressive warehouse...




...very organized...

Hayden was in heaven...

Just in case you're wondering what $700 would buy you...

(Note: everything was buy one, get one free...and THIS box was about 4 feet tall.)

Reminder: We are currently in NEW Mexico, not Mexico...

(Incase the flags in the background are confusing you.)

Hayden had to go "shoeless" after blowing-out a flip-flop at the picnic breakfast that morning...

Even Ella was enjoying strolling down each isle...

Fireworks labels are very entertaining:

I think they recycle a lot of the same fireworks ideas with a variety of different names. They are still funny, though...

PS: We set off three smoke bombs, but apparently the snakes weren't "home" at the time. Instead, we turned all the cobwebs (around the mouth of the snake den) purple.

The snake den hole is under the clothes dryer vent. Those clever snakes have the closest thing to "forced air heat" that any wild animal could possibly have!

Creepy-Crawlies

Check out this spider we saw (the other night) in one of the shops!

I did not have a zoom lens, so I actually tip-toed and bent-over the nasty thing in order to take this picture.

(It was about the size of a small lemon.)

I've held taranchulas in my hands.

They seem gentle.

Less like a spider and more like a small, hairy, gentle, slow-moving animal.

Really.

Is there such a thing as a blonde taranchula? How about an albino taranchula? (Oh wait, this one didn't have hair.)

Come to think of it, when we chased it away it ran SUPER fast (unlike all the slow-moving taranchulas I've always seen).

Well, then...I guess it was just a really huge spider.

Gross.

* * *

I told the kids to give me their best "Scary Face" in order to chase the spider away. This is what they came up with:

Erin's scary face (more like a SCARED face)...

Emma's scary face (reminds me of SNL's church lady face)...

Mia's scary face (the temporary tatoos might help instill a little fear)...

Hayden's scary face...





We'll keep working on it...

Oh Yes...It's THAT Time of Year Again!

See snake....

See snake tail rattle...

See Rich stack patio chairs and use hockey stick to push snake away from house...


See Ben shoot snake with rifle...
"SHOOT, Ben, Shoot!"

...Maybe NEXT time, snake should think twice before coming to my house and biting my dog!

"Oh, wait...snake is now headless? Nevermind."

"Good shot, Ben!"

The End.

* * *

Maggie is fine now, by the way. Her head looked like a giant marshmallow puff over the weekend, but she is now happy and healthy once again.


See the black and white stripes by the rattle? That means this is a Western Diamondback:

(...and since we aren't talking about baseball here, I am happy to announce that I will NOT be cheering for the Arizona Diamondbacks today.)

You can read about the snake that almost killed me last year HERE.
Or, to "brush-up" on the deadliest local snakes, click HERE.
In rememberance of the giant snake we found in the barn, go HERE.
For my visual explaination of the effect of a rattlesnake biting a dog, go HERE.

A Guessing Game

What do you think is going on here?

(I'll give you three clues and we'll see if you can figure it out, okay?)

CLUE #1:

CLUE #2:

(I didn't get an actual picture of the second clue, but here is my own re-creation:)

CLUE #3:

OKAY!

Moment of truth....

Why are these vehicles having their diesel inspected?

They are searching for:

A.) illegal farm diesel

B.) illegal drugs from Mexico

C.) cheap diesel being brought to the US from Mexico

D.) homemade BioDiesel (cooked-up out of discarded fast food vegetable oil)

And the answer is.....

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(Wait for it....)

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(Keep going....)

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A!

(Farm Diesel)

Farmers use a lot of fuel to power farm vehicles and machinery: tractors, generators, well pumps, and pick-up trucks (to name a few).

Since they buy SO much at one time, they buy it at a discounted bulk rate (just like you buy your peanut butter by the gallon at Costco) and it is stored in large tanks on the property. The nozzle is similar to that of a regular neighborhood corner gas station in the city and you pretty much just park in front of the tank and "fill-er up".

Here is an old, rusty pump attached to a small empty fuel tank next to our house and the garden (I'm thinking it just might date back to the 50's):
So, what (you ask) is a "bulk rate?"

Currently, I'm not sure because it's always fluctuating. It used to be (recently), however down to almost half the price of the diesel you would buy at the local gas station. Half! So, if "Road Diesel" is $3.00 per gallon at Circle K, farmers would be paying about $1.50-$2.00 for farm diesel.

(Wait a second...Did I say pick-up trucks earlier?)

Yes!

One stipulation, though:

If you fuel up your pick-up truck with farm diesel, then that truck should NEVER, ever leave the farm or ranch. Even after that tank is empty and refilled with road diesel, traces of the residue can still be mixed-in and detected for quite a while.

How would anyone ever know?

Because "Farm Diesel" has a red dye added to it. If you are pulled-over by law enforcement or the Arizona Department of Transportation (above) it is possible that you will be inspected. They test for it by taking a long cord and slipping it down into the fuel tank (sort of like checking your oil).

Is the consequence worth the savings?

Well, you'd have to decide that for yourself, but in my personal opinion: A minimum fine of $5,000 and MANDITORY JAIL TIME is enough of a deterant for me to never even think about it.

* * *

We know of a guy who was running "Red Diesel" in his fleet of local dump trucks (big no-no). One truck was in an accident and ended-up spewing a little red "fuel" on the road. The ADOT officer didn't make much "noise" about it, but found all the dump trucks around town and pulled them ALL over at the same time (with the help of other officers). The owner of the company ended-up owing $75,000 and did, in deed, spend time in jail.

Now, about those other possible answer options:

B.) A stash of empty drug mule backpacks was found on the ranch last month.

C.) Many locals DO bring cheap fuel up from Mexico.

D.) BioDiesel is a very real thing, totally legal, AND better for the environment.

(...but those are all stories for another day.)

* * *

*CORRECTION: Ben has just read this post and corrected me on a minor information mistake. Apparently you CAN drive a farm pick-up truck (containing Red Diesel) off the ranch. However, you have to have the truck registered as a "farm vehicle" and you have to be within 150 miles of your ranch.

"Oh, so THAAAT'S why all these trucks driving around town have 'farm' plates. I guess the weekend trips to Vegas are out, though."

A Journey to the Center of the Mountain

When Ben first approached me (late 2006) about leaving our home in the city and moving to the farm and ranch lifestyle, I remember him joyfully trying to convince me by saying, "C'mon! It'll be an ADVENTURE!"

I wasn't amused.

And I still hear those words echo in my head today.

Oh, but it has been so much MORE!

I have grown-up and struggled and learned so much about myself.

It has made me a lot stronger than I was before.

It has been a whole bunch of adventures, wrapped-up into one ginormous adventure.

During the process, I have been repeatedly forced to face some of my biggest fears out here (sometimes even on a daily basis and for long periods of time). Some have been known fears. Others are things that I never knew I was afraid of in the first place.

My newest self-realization:

I'm Speluncaphobic

(I'm not making that up...it's a real word.)

*NOTE: Technically we weren't in a cave; We were in a mine shaft, but according to Google there doesn't seem to be an existing term for "fear of mine shafts" so we'll just make-do with what we've got.*

Spelunking is the term for "Cave Exploring."

This area could be considered a Spelunker's DREAM (and actually IS a popular local hobby)! There are geological spots everywhere and mining is a HUGE deal: Copper, Uranium, Silver, Gold....the list goes on.

Bisbee has been a Copper mining town for over a century.

Tombstone was a hot spot for silver.

Even the ranch we now live on has a Uranium mining claim.

If you are ever near Benson, make sure you visit Kartchner Caverns: Discovered on our friend's private land (in the late 60's) by a couple of college Geologists, it is now the only state park in Arizona that actually MAKES money. The cave is alive, and takes 4 days to (literally) inhale and exhale.

So, late yesterday evening, Ben came home and announced that we were going to have another adventure that day. We packed up the kids and he drove me to a spot not far from the ranch. We climbed the Dragoon Mountains (by way of a goat trail) and ended up on a tiny perch, over-looking the valley.

Ben had already been here, so he led the way....
(They are actually preparing to "run" cows out here, so they are trying to set-up a way to get water. There is a natural spring in the "cave" that they are running a hose from and down to a storage tank below. The hose is visible in the photos. That's pretty much the only way to get water out here. Good luck trying to drill a well through thousands of feet of granite mountain...it's just not going to happen.)

Do you see the mine shaft yet?

Eureka (We found it)...

I thought the rocks around the mouth of the opening were cool....

Hayden stood at the entrance of the shaft. All of a sudden, as I looked in the black hole I felt an unexplained fear. I thought this was the end of the road (for me at least), until Ben returned with three big flashlights. He gave me the million-candle-powered spotlight; Maybe he thought it would make me want to enter the cave....





I still didn't want to, but they made me. I'm usually a good sport about "exploring," but for some reason just peeking-in at all the tunnels and crevices started to really scare me...

...and for the first time in my life, I felt claustrophobic; to the point of actually feeling panicked. Dizziness followed. It was a strange new feeling. Now, I've been a little aprehensive about situations with heights once in a while, but never to the point where I would choose NOT to get on the gigantic rollercoaster (for example). THIS was the first time in my life that my body seemed to freeze and refuse to move forward (but I forced myself onward)...

I tried to keep my lamaze-style breathing quiet. I was just trying to breathe through it and focus on taking pictures. Ben kept asking me, "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," my loud words echoing against the stone, "Just learning that I finally have a phobia of something!"


Ben pointed out some veins containing gold deposits ("So, why don't you just chip some of that out while we are here? What? It isn't our claim? Aaaaand?")

Another old shaft: Now being supported with railroad ties....

(Just the sort of thing that would come crashing down--in the movies--and block our exit. I doubt we would have a cell phone signal in HERE! "Um, does anybody out THERE know we are in here right now? No? Fantastic.")

We finally made it to the back of the shaft....

Hayden has a "thing" for science. He had recently returned from a field trip to Kartchner Caverns, so my little science guy turned into "Hayden the Geologist" and started pretending as though he was giving me a tour of the "cave"....

I was actually very impressed because he started pointing out Geological formations. He sounded quite convincing because, well, he was RIGHT!

First, he pointed out a "baby" stalactite...

He then pointed-out a "fried egg stalagmite" which he found all by himself....

I recieved explainations about the definitions of various formations and how they develop. It was quite educational, but I was mostly concentrating on NOT passing-out.

He kept reassuring me: "You don't need to be afraid of this cave, Mom." Then, he would shine his flashlight around and look for more things to explore....

Yet, I was relieved when we started to leave the mine shaft/cave.

Everywhere that is marked with pink paint is where the miner thinks there might be gold deposits (although I don't know how old these markings are OR when the last person was in here)....

Hayden points-out another shaft filled with spring water....

Then, my two adventurers decide to take a closer look....

Ben gripped Hayden's arm tightly (just to make sure he didn't go for a swim)....

"Thanks for the adventure, Ben (and Hayden). Now, that I'm sitting on the couch and again in the comfort of our home, I AM glad you made me walk to the very back of the scary, dark, damp, stinky mine shaft. Good times....Good memories!"

FYI

FACT: Hayden's friend's dad is a Spelunker. He says that they carry plastic spoons with them (labeled 1-100) and as they journey into a cave, they wedge the spoons into rocks (in numerical order). They are then able to find their way back out, thanks to the trail of plastic spoon "bread crumbs."

Men on a Mission

(*Hayden and my dad, enjoying a "picnic" of chocolate milk, strawberry milk, and Pringles*)

*NOTE: This is Part II of my Mother's Day Story. You can find Part I HERE.*

* * *

My dad is an 85-year old World War II veteran.

I'm fortunate enough to have a father (my dad) and a husband (Ben) who get along like best buddies.

....and sometimes this friendship of theirs includes conspiring and keeping secrets from me.

Which was why when THIS Williams-Sonoma Salt Keeper (that I had been coveting for THREE years) was suddenly permanently discontinued, unavailable online, and nowhere to be found on ebay OR Amazon, these two conspiring men relied on their alliance and set to work devising a secret plan for my Mother's Day surprise.

It just so happens (after numberous calls to WS stores all over the state of Arizona) Ben found that there was ONE Provence Salt Keeper on the display shelf (only) in Scottsdale.

PROBLEM: We live 3-1/2 hours away from Scottsdale now.

SOLUTION: My dad lives approximately 25 minutes from Scottsdale.

NOTE: There is a very nice lady named Patty who works at the Williams-Sonoma store in Scottsdale and who (allegedly) upon hearing my sad sob story, was happy to carefully wrap-up the last remaining Salt Keeper (in AZ) and tuck it away in a safe place.

THE NEXT STEP OF THE PLAN: Ben called my dad and explained the story. I can just picture it now: My dad quickly whips out his map and asks Ben for the address to the mall in Scottsdale. He studies his map with the rectangle maroon magnifying glass that he has studied maps with for as long as I can remember.

(FACT: My dad loves studying maps just about as much as I love studying the Williams-Sonoma catalog.)

Ben reminded him, "Now, they will hold it for you until Friday night."

My dad thought carefully for a minute and then replied, "I will call you when the mission has been completed."

Apparently, Ben received a brief phone call the next evening. "Ben!" My dad's voice boasted on the other end victoriously and with purpose, "the mission has been completed!"

He then hung-up shortly after telling Ben how beautiful it was. "It's hand-painted in Italy or something. I didn't know they even still MADE such a thing!"

(How cute is THAT?)

I received my Salt Keeper just in time for Mother's Day!

(Now, I'm going to steal this next video idea from Cjane:)

Receiving the Salt Keeper for Mother's Day was nice enough, but the action was even sweeter because it made me feel just like THIS. (It's almost 10 minutes long. Fast-forward it to 6:40 if you want, but you should still watch it.)

I just love how when she calls out (from the stage) for her dad, that he doesn't hesitate for a second before letting her know that he's there for her.

It's nice to feel as though I have at least TWO dear men in my life who are always there to "whistle" for me (or secretly conspire behind my back...whatever necessity is calling for at the time).

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(NOTE TO SELF: Maybe I should re-post this in a month for Father's Day.)

My Mother's Day Lesson

I like Roses.

I also like Daisies and Irises.

...I'll take ANY of them on Mother's Day (or any OTHER day, for that matter).

Look closer at what's in the background, though.

...There's a story about this:

Do you know what it is?

A lot of people don't because they aren't commonly used, but I've wanted this one for over THREE years! Month after month, I would study my Williams-Sonoma catalog and covet this Provence Salt Keeper.

Yet, every time I would get close to actually ordering it I would think of something ELSE I needed to spend money on and felt guilty. I really contemplate my purchases.

A few months ago, Ben and I were in a Williams-Sonoma store and I lovingly held this Salt Keeper in my hands. Ben watched me for a while and then piped-up, "You've been watching this thing for years, why don't you just buy it?"

"No," I answered (trying my best to be strong and disciplined), "Not yet; This is a WANT and there are too many other NEEDS right now." I painfully placed it back on the display shelf and quickly walked out of the store.

It wasn't long after that when I decided to just do it. I turned to Ben while we were in the kitchen one evening, "I'm going to give you a Mother's Day gift-hint!" I skipped over to the computer and pulled up the site. Typing "Provence" into the Williams-Sonoma search bar, I tapped the Enter key and all that popped up were napkins. "WHAT?!"

The Provence Salt Keeper was officially DISCONTINUED!
Not only that, it was NO LONGER AVAILABLE online.
(My heart sank.)

I proceeded to check Amazon and eBay religiously for the next couple of weeks.

Nothing.

I was sad.
Mostly because I realized that although as a Mother it is common to consistantly sacrifice your own wants for the wants and needs of other family memebers, it isn't always necessary or good. It was just a silly salt keeper, but it was a representation of me not making a better effort to take care of myself too. I could have afforded to buy this piece of art years ago. The thought of owning this simple beauty frequently brought a smile to my face. My husband even TOLD me to buy it, but I refused to. Ridiculous.

I believe that moms need a little something personal and special once in a while. You know, to feel pretty and beautiful; As a reminder that they are important and not just the maid, the cook, the nurse, the taxi...
Maybe it isn't something to be purchased. Maybe it's a regular pedicure, bubble bath, or 30 minutes of excercise. Or maybe it IS occasionally something out of a catalog. Who knows. It doesn't really matter. What matters is recognizing the need to "fill the tank."

I think it will make us better moms.

* * *

Have I mentioned yet that these Salt Keepers are each hand-painted (and numbered) in Portugal?


So, there I was: desperately searching the internet for ONE Provence Salt Keeper to finally buy (and call my own), but to no avail. SO! How did this Salt Keeper end-up in my kitchen, filled with coarse Kosher Salt? I'll have to save THAT part of the story for another day this week because 1.) I need to go bathe children, and, 2.) I'm tired of typing.


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PS: What do you do for a Mother's Day dinner when the nearest nice restaurant is over an hour and a half away and you're tired of finding an "all-day" baby-sitter?

You throw a couple of Safeway lobster tails in the steamer, broil a bunch of asparagus, and toss a salad. We were very proud of ourselves. Neither one of us had ever prepared lobster before, but were relieved to find out that it is fun and easy. ("Thank you, Google!")

I'm glad we decided to have our special dinner a few days ahead, since Mother's Day weekend ended up being spent with an entire household suffering from a stomach virus. I spent my holiday standing in the driveway of a friend's ranch, locked-out of my car, and covered in baby throw-up. The finale involved me twisting my recently sprained ankle (while trying to cross the dirt driveway in yellow heels) and falling helplessly on the ground. I sat there on my knees in the dirt, unable to cry OR laugh. I would have thrown myself flat on the ground in a desperate act of surrender, but I was wearing a skirt.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

*Now, go do something special for yourself (whether it's Mother's Day or not)!*