Facia

There have been clogged gutters on 420 Grand for many years.  They have become so bad that they are actually wetland habitats, growing moss, bryophytes, and tadpoles.  Well.  Maybe not the last one, but certainly all the rest.  I don't really see the need for gutters where the roof drains into flower gardens and no one needs to walk there.  So, instead of repair, I've opted for removal.  Which leaves the rotted facia.  That should be replaced, but the house also needs a new roof, and I don't want new facia without a new roof.  So, I've simply scraped and Kilzed.  Stopping the rot for now.

Forty Days and Forty Nights

I know that my reader is probably tired of hearing about this, but I continue to be amazed at the length of these seasonal droughts.  This summer we went more than one hundred days without a wetting rain.  When that dry spell finally broke at the end of September, I assumed that it was the beginning of an autumn cycle that would include a few clouds.  No.  It hasn't rained since.  We passed the forty day mark yesterday and I have begun watering the shrubs at 420 Grand because I can see that they are desiccated.  Oh, but the Susan River is still flowing.

Surfing the Slide

After spending the morning bringing in a heavy load of firewood, EDO wanted to take me to one of her favorite hiking places in Center Creek.  Of course that meant we were going for a steep scramble.  Sure enough, we climbed 500 feet out of the canyon on a slope of loose rock (above).  On the way we stopped for a picture in a small sandstone keyhole (below).  The return trip required surfing the rock slide.

Sheep in Wolf's Clothing

I'm not sure what this is.  I'm not sure whether it is country or gospel, but because it came out of a reflection on Matthew 10:16 it is probably the latter.  So, to steal a lyric from John Hiatt, I don't think Ronny Milsap's gonna ever record this song.  Of course, if the Milsap people want to talk with our publisher, that might be OK.  Listen here.

First Among Mortals

EDO's cross country team took second at the Utah State Cross Country Championships yesterday.  They lost to their regional rival, and perennial powerhouse, Millard (the New England Patriots of Region 2 Cross Country).  But, they partied on the return trip to Parowan with no regrets and plenty to celebrate.