HOMAGE TO A LITTLE BLACK WIDOW...

During my morning climbs to the top of the stairs, there was a black widow spider that built its web at the bottom of the access door to the top of the building.

For the last seven or eight months every morning, I would see it before it would see me and scurry under the door. Some days she would remain motionless as if to say, "Oh, it's you again."

Our encounters were brief.

"Good morning, little lady."

Now, I don't like black widows, but this one was different. It somehow found its hope at the top of the stairwell. Isolated from the world. Maybe didn't see the light of day. There was no mate for her. She was small. Didn't have the large abdomen like other black widows I had seen. I assume food was scarce. I once thought of bringing crickets for her to kill and eat. I didn't do that.

Last night or this morning, someone had killed it. Her body smashed against the wall. Tragic ending to an innocent life.

I placed her remains in one of the flower gardens where she will be able to see the sunrise. Maybe for the first time. If not in life, at least in death.

I will miss our encounters at the top of the stairwell.

I will continue to wish her, "Good morning, Little Lady," each time I ascend to the top floor in her memory.

So long, little black widow.

ON THE 50TH DAY...

My wife submits her retirement paperwork.

F-RAIN-ALLY!!!...

Rain finally fell this evening in our area after 128 days of no precipitation: 0.15 inches.

There was some lightning accompanying the storm.

LONG, DRY SUMMER...

For the first time since we have lived up here, the Sierra foothills never received precipitation for the entire summer.

As of this date, we have had no rain for 119 days...

The last measurable precipitation was on May 26, 2018.

Hello, autumn. Let's make up for it.

BASS LAKE HISTORICAL GRAVES...

Bass Lake Historical Graves

100 DAYS

Today marks the 100th day of no rain.

We haven't had rain since May 26, 2018.

FERGUSON FIRE...

Today, the Ferguson Fire is 100% contained.

96,901 acres.

Our condolences to the two firefighters, Braden Varney and Brian Hughes, who lost their lives.

Nineteen other firefighters were injured.

Highway 41 into Yosemite National Park will be opened at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 24, 2018.

There is still September and October.

As of this day, there has been no rain for 85 days.

D...D...R...R...Y...Y...

Back to back rainless months.

No rain since May 26.

For July, 100°+ days (21): 1, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31

Ferguson Fire still burning.

High temperatures.

Let's see what August may bring...

11 YEARS AGO TODAY ON THIS DAY...

A bristlecone pine sapling...may you grow to age 3,000 years...I named it after my wife.


At the place where it all began...


Tufa formation at Mono Lake.


Ghost ship...

Today, we celebrate our 11th anniversary.

FROM JUNE BRRRRRR TO JUNE DRYYYYYY...

From 37.9° to zero inches of precipitation this month.

2014: 0.01
2015: 0.03
2016: 0.34
2017: 0.27

The hottest day up here was 103.3°.

What will July, August, and September bring? Well, little rain for one and high temperatures for sure.

4,000 DAYS

I was tinkering with my Excel spreadsheet.

I was calculating elapsed days.

Well, according to that spreadsheet, today marks the 4,000th day we have been married.

A WEDDING...

WE'RE DONE...

The last of the house renovations has been completed with the installation of the east porch light.

Finally, we're done.

All that is left to do is the patio cover, the storage shed, and carport.

Easy peasy...

HAD TO GET ONE...

THE EAST PORCH...

THE FIRST "CENTURY"...

Temperatures hit 100° for the first time this year.

100.8°.

On June 1, the lowest temperature ever for June was 37.9°.

First of many until October...

JUNE BRRRRRR...

Got down to 37.9° this morning...

That is the coldest first day of June ever.

D M R A Y...

Another May dry.

Only 0.17 inches.

2014: 0.54
2015: 1.87
2016: 1.83
2017: 0.13

REMEMBERING TOBY...

It was a year ago today that my MIL had to put Toby down.

We still miss him.

TRAINING WHEELS...

We ride our trainers for 30 minutes for the very first time after work.