Snow in the Mountains

 Sunday night it started to snow, we had 50mph winds, gusts to 70. This proved to be a disaster as it blew out the heater in my solar shed. This resulted in my water lines freezing, as the pump that moves the water into the house is in the shed. Normally, that is not much of a problem, but because of the cold and snow I lost electricity.
It got so cold the solar panels were working overtime, without the sun, they love it when it is cold. So, I had to go out and cover some of the panels to cut down on the light hitting them. As the clouds got thicker I had to uncover and then cover/uncover throughout the day, so I could keep charging my batteries. 

I relit the heater and waited for the pipes to unfreeze. That night, Monday, I heard to pump running, though there was no water coming into the house. I went out to the shed to prime the pump, unfortunately the line for the storage tank was still frozen. I shut the pump down and figured I would fix it in the morning.

Got up on, Tuesday, and went out to work on the pump. I turned it on and water went everywhere. The flange that attached the pump motor to the turbines had cracked in two places. Went in and found the invoice for the pump and called my pump guy. He called back and I explained what had happened, I then sent him some pictures, as he requested. He called back within the hour, he could get a new pump the next day or a flange in 3-5 days. The price difference is about $400, I will wait for the flange, besides he can't get here for 5-7 days as he is booked. I, also live in the mountains on two miles of dirt road, which is currently inundated with snow and snowdrifts, so I doubt that he would be able to get here for at least 5 days. Fortunately, I plan for this and keep a case of water on-hand.

This morning, Tuesday, I went out to clear the snow off of the panels and feed the birds. Since, it was a "warm" 20 degrees out I took a walk around my property. so quiet and peaceful all covered in snow.

Wolf Moon and other things

 I went to set up my camera equipment to get ready for the Wolf Moon, as I was taking a few quick pictures to adjust the setting I spied this Hawk outside my window. As I went to take some picture it flew off, but it returned a few minutes later. It came over to the bird feeders I have out. I thought it had scared all of the birds away, some had taken refuge in the Juniper bush and some movement caught the hawk's eye. It flew into the bush, out flew two Finches and the the Hawk was on the fence with dinner in its talon.

Click the image to view full size

After getting a few shots it flew off. As I went to set the camera down I noticed some movement and took the camera to the other side of the house and caught this Coyote walking by outside my kitchen.

Click the image to view full size

By now it was time to haul the tripod and camera outside and set up for the moon rise.

Click the image to view full size

The Wolf Moon is just cresting the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside Santa Fe New Mexico.

Mostly Madrid

 Just a quick note that I am moving into, Mostly Madrid, this gallery is right across from where I was.

Here is a sunrise picture from this morning.

Click to see the full size image.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope you have survived this final year of the most failed administration ever. May this year bring some much needed changes.

Now on to the book review.

"FACEBOOK BLUES"
by
Trixie Bloom

My friend, Trixie, sent me a copy of her book. This is not the genre of book I would normally, choose to, read: Chick/Lit, Rom/Com.

I have put books down because; they are boring (though I usually finish them), or perhaps I wish to prolong the outcome.

I have never ever, before, had to put down a book because it hurt my stomach or blurred my vision to read it. This book had me laughing, so hard, on almost every page that I had to keep putting it aside every few pages. 

I will not give away details (sex, drugs, clubbing, more sex) of this delightful book, read it.              

5 STARS

Trixie Bloom Website

I will leave you with some recent yearend photos
Link to my:
WEBSITE

A New Heart to Heart Maze

Been Awhile

So to pick up where we left off. 
I finally gave up on Lowe's and John Deere's ability to resolve the issue, so I took the plow back. I then went to the dreaded, Home Depot, where I ordered the plow from them. They where able to deliver it within a week. It came with the hardware, or most of it. I had to supply a couple of washers and nuts. Be aware this time has to have some adjustments, jury-rigging, to make it work. Best to order the chains if you want this to move over snow and ice. 

Unfortunately, do to the virus we were forced to close the gallery for a couple of weeks in November. Good news is that my online sales have been picking up.

Have been capturing some really nice sunrises and sunsets. You may check these and others out at my website. CLICK HERE

I have, also, complete another Heart to Heart Maze.

I have been capturing some nice shots of the birds. CLICK HERE

I will be at the Tapestry Gallery every Saturday in December.

Gypsy Plaza

5 Firehouse Ln

Madrid, New Mexico.

Hold My Beer

I ordered a snow plow blade for my John Deere Lawn Mower a couple of weeks ago. I was informed that it had arrived and was ready for pick-up. I should note that I read all the reviews and the worst problem seems to be not receiving all of the hardware needed to put all the parts together. Didn't think that would be much of a problem. HOLD MY BEER!!!

On Saturday I awoke early to make a run into town to get my plow and do a few errands, I like to combine as much as possible into one trip. When I got to the store to pickup my plow it turned out the top of the box was open, but everything should be inside, I was told. After I got home I put everything away and left the plow for Sunday.

I was walking by my window when I spotted a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, so I grabbed my camera and started to shoot some pictures.

All of a sudden all of the birds took flight and cleared the area. That usually means....

a predator has entered the area, in this case a Copper's Hawk. He decided to stick around for awhile allowing me to get a few good shots.

After spotting some prey running under the hot tub he swooped down to attempt to grab a meal. He left here still hungry. Click here for more pictures

Sunday, rolls around and it is time to put together the plow. I go out and open the box, pull out all of the parts and check them against the parts list. Everything is accounted for, except, the hardware to put it together. I am not talking about a missing nut or bolt, I mean every single nut, bolt, cotter pin, you name it it is not here. I figure I probably won't get much help on a Sunday, so I put everything aside and waited to call the store on Monday.

Early on Monday I call the store, the Head Cashier answers and asks how she can help. I explain the problem, her answer is for me to return it and they will refund my money. I explain that I want the plow and can they send the parts, NO. Return and get a refund. I ask for a manager. after being on hold for about 10 minutes I am hung up on. Call back, no one answers I am put on hold for about 10 minutes and then disconnected. Call back, someone answers, I ask for their name, they will not give it after five requests I ask to speak to a manager. I am put on hold and after 10 minutes I am disconnected, again. I call back again and request a manager, I am finally connected with a person who actually does something. I have now spent an hour on the phone. He takes all the information and says he will get back to me.
I receive a call that afternoon giving me a number to call at the manufacturer, they want to verify with the customer before sending the parts. I call the number, I am told that they can not help me until 30 days after the purchase, before that the store has to make the request. No amount of explaining on my part will change her mind.
Call the store, after four attempts and three disconnects, I am speaking with the manager again. He apologizes and says he will call them and find out what the problem is. He calls back and says their customer service department had closed and we had been connected to another department that basically knew nothing about how to handle the situation. He said he would call the next morning and again attempt to resolve the issue. 

to be continued....

First Day back at the Gallery

Woke up this morning and checked my e-mails. During the night I sold four masks, from my online site, to 3 different customers.

I prepared to go to the gallery, I brought a few more pieces to fill in the wall and new price tags for all my work.

Drove down early so I could take care of everything before opening. Another artist was there hanging some new pieces. We chatted a bit and aided each other with hanging our work.

Just after she left a couple came in and bought two of her paintings. Later I sold two copies of my book to two different customers. Unfortunately, that was all for the sales today.

I thought I brought enough piece to fill the wall, I need at least three more pieces. My mazes are on the left, my sister, Denise's, oils are in the middle and my photography is on the right.

Hopefully, with more pieces showing and having them displayed together, will help with the sales.

After arriving home I check my e-mails and found someone had purchased a tee shirt online. Later in the evening someone purchased a mask. Online sales are picking up.