LOOKING UP!

When I came out from my appointment yesterday--

the sun was really filtered behind so many layers of clouds. 

 It built to several storms throughout the afternoon but in between---

really good views like this.

Even when I was home--the clouds were like this between each burst of wind and rain!  I enjoy looking up...

We have a new purchase--our old golf card died; 

 it's been gasping for a year now and it finally quit.

The new-to-us ride is amazing--power and control;  speed and brakes!  I will enjoy going out to the pond again!

I played in the garage on the lathe in between the storms--I completed the eighth and final square grapefruit bowls!  

The grain on this one doesn't disappoint! 

And the prompt was...Watch.  This one is imagination all the way.

The Fruits of Our Labors

 Unbolt all of the seats, rip off all of the layers of old vinyl so

 that you could cover the seats with new bright blue vinyl,

 and end up with clean new seats....

 for the golf cart!

 So we could take rides and find beautiful wild life like this box turtle,

who held still for our photos.

 Even the gopher tortoise peeked out at us!

 The sandhills were looking for frogs.

And we tried to count the bananas on the trees!

Yup, the golf cart is an essential vehicle for our numerous adventures each day!

A Comfort and Comfortable!

 I became a bit turned around piecing my Around the World Christmas quilt 

but after spending time with a seam ripper, I got my bearings again!

So much so, that it was completed with a border even!

 And then I began seat cushion number 1 of 4 for the golf cart!

The old seats have long outlived their beauty but they had some structural decline, too.

I had to trace out the new plywood for this first-Bill used the jig saw to cut it out.

I cut out the heavy vinyl and then began stapling it in place.

 Removing the old vinyl off the foam cushion with its original 1,000 staples is what took the longest!

Upholstery work is 90% muscles  and only 10% mathematical!

In no time, I had it finished and ready to screw in place. 

I'm pretty sure this seat will now outlive the rest of the cart!

Come on our Golf Cart Ride!

Bill has cleared and maintains paths all through the different terrains of our yard.

One of the highlights for me is this tunnel of Live Oaks.

 If you look toward the back on the ground, a branch of the tree grows on the ground and then back up toward the light.  It makes a great bump for us to enjoy!

Next, we visit the blackberry patch and the Maple tree forest.

The blackberries are done but one of us continues to look for them,

just in case! 

Way back is the pine forest.  When you sit and hold still you hear all the birds busy in the trees.

The pine trees even sing when there is a breeze.

It's wonderful. 

We drive quietly and slowly by the Sandhill Cranes so we don't scare them.

They are back here to enjoy the shade and to hunt frogs in the pond. 

This is the pond where we count lily pads and throw dirt balls.

Heading back toward the house is the desert area;  this was all sand with no greenery until Bill worked his magic and spread wood chips and lime into the sand to help grasses grow so it wasn't a wasteland any more. 

We do leave several (5 right now) hillocks of wilderness for the gopher tortoises.

We check them every day to see if anyone is home!

We see fresh sand where the tortoise is kicking out the sand but rarely catch anyone home.

Today we saw this one in the act of digging afresh!

Quite exciting! 

Also in this middle ground, Bill hauls dead trees for cutting into burnable chunks and burn pile stock.

I love the way the stump looks on this tree!

I hope you enjoyed our little tour!