This year's grape harvest

Well, apparently this year's grape harvest is the earliest in 30 years.  I believe it.  The grapes are usually harvested right before the end of school (mid-June), but they are ready for harvesting now (early May).  I haven't driven out to take photos of the grapes for a while, but I saw this one on a story on Facebook:  WOW!  They are READY for harvest!!!  Actually, they started harvesting them April 23.  With an unusually warm winter, the grapes grew and grew and grew.  Finally, the Coachella Valley harvest, being so early, is BEFORE the grapes in Mexico are ready, so be sure you buy California grapes!

100+ again and Derby results

Well, it WAS 100+degrees here yesterday, and apparently we are headed that direction again today.  However, by tomorrow, and then Tuesday, the temps will be in the 80's and then down to 77.  Must be a storm front moving in Tuesday.

Hubby did really well with a couple of races and doubled his money.  I, however, did horribly with the Derby.  Of course, we both picked California Chrome to win, but the fun is guessing who will be 2nd or 3rd.  And, our horses came in 4th, 8th, and 11th, so no money there.  I mean, how could we go against California Chrome to win?  Great race!

I'm heading up to the horse ranch this morning.  Unfortunately, the ranch owner lost one of her pregnant mares last week.  She broke a leg trying to get up.  She'd had hock issues and a big baby, and now, alas, both the mare and baby are gone...such is the world of horses.  Having lost two dearly-loved horses myself (my mare Beauty and my mustang palomino filly Cali), I know the heartbreak of losing a horse.

On a happier note, my gelding Sunni enjoys his new status as babysitter to the little colt next to him.  Apparently he is doing a great job watching over the little guy!

 Here's the little guy...all legs!

Here's a VERY DIRTY "Uncle Sunni" in the arena after rolling.

100+ degrees here

Well, we're having a couple of days of 100+ degrees here.  It isn't pleasant.  Hubby was home yesterday (he has 4 days off...) and it was 101 degrees on our front porch when I arrived home.  AND, he didn't even have the air conditioner on!  He did have two fans running in the living room and by night time, the temps were falling and we had ourselves a pleasant night.  This morning, it is quite comfortable.  The birds have been fed, there's a yard sale next door, and the coffee is brewing.  AND, it's DERBY DAY!  I wish all the horses a safe journey today.

Photo is of the sand dunes down in Bermuda Dunes.  I often like to drive out that road and see them.

Derby day!

Kentucky Derby day is tomorrow and we'll be watching it from home.    We're planning on having champagne and strawberries!  And, scallops for dinner.

Hey, it's the first Saturday of May, what do you want?

Photo of the sand dunes in Bermuda Dunes, CA.

More clouds

It isn't often that we get sunsets and clouds like these, so when we do, I like to run outside with my camera and take photos!  Tonight might be a good sunset, too...

Storm clouds~SkyWatch Friday~050214

These were the storm clouds in our valley last weekend.  We actually got sprinkles and the horses, up in the mountains, got a real downpour!  It was nice while it lasted.  It is currently 95 degrees out on our front porch and we may hit triple digits over the weekend.  SkyWatch Friday for May 2, 2014.  To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

It's been a hectic two days!

**NOT my photo***

It's been a wild two days here.  Yesterday, a cart came and delivered 16 iPads.  Now, you all KNOW I have more than 16 kidlets.  I have 30.  So, you should have HEARD the howls of displeasure from the 14 who didn't get one.  Well, kiddos, there were TWO requirements:  First, parents had to sign a permission slip (and I didn't get all of those back) and second, PARENTS had to attend an iPad meeting put on by the school to advise them of their responsibilities should an iPad get broken.  So, I have 16 kids who fulfilled BOTH requirements.  Needless to say, one boy dropped to the floor and rolled around and had a temper tantrum.  Then he came over to me and screamed in my face, " I TURNED IN MY PAPERWORK!"  I told him to go sit down.  That's when he had another temper tantrum.  He announced, "I WANNA CHANGE CLASSROOMS!"  To which I replied, "Go ahead."  ...while thinking "Go ahead, MAKE MY DAY!"  :-)  I had to remove him from the classroom because by then everybody was in an uproar.  I honestly don't know what their problem was...only 4 students in another class got iPads, and in the classroom across from mine, only 1 student did.  That's right....only 1 out of 30. I had to have several glasses of wine when I got home and that evening, I awoke at midnight with chest pains.  I stayed up for two hours and drank a whole bottle of Gatorade and that helped because by then, I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

Also, I've been on jury duty "on call" all week.  So far, I'd only had to check in every evening after 5:30.  However, last night, I was distressed to see that I'd have to check in this morning after 10:30.  ACK!  That meant there was a possibility I'd have to leave my class in the afternoon and that's exactly what happened.  I informed my principal and he wasn't too happy.  It's hard to get a sub for only 2 hours and that's what was needed.  And, then I went to the jury room, only to sit there for 2 hours.  Finally, the judge appeared and told us that the case had been settled, and we were all dismissed.  I hope the kids did okay this afternoon...