Random crap with Uno.

[Rusty Edge]

I colorized a Mesoamerican carving the other day...

I really like this.

I have been to Cozumel more times than I ever intended (4?). It happens because we make plans to go on a cruise, and the new people usually want to see the Western Carribean. Cozumel, Jamaica, The Caymans, etc. Then something happens and people change their mind about going or can't make the payments or get sick and they drop out. The awesome part about cruising is that it is basically traveling with your hotel room so that you can visit multiple destinations without packing and unpacking.

But the end result is that we keep going to been there, done that destinations. The excursion tour that includes the stingless bees( they look like flying ants, but they make honey and they bite like ants) has Mayan artists making jewelry and things like obsidian knives. The trouble is that as awesome as a carving of the rainbow god might appear, as a Christian I don't feel right about wearing a pagan deity around my neck, and I don't want to disrespect the culture of the artists who take it seriously. So I just admire the art while I'm there buying honey and propolis products. something about the unique style appeals to me.

[Geo]

But the end result is that we keep going to been there, done that destinations. The excursion tour that includes the stingless bees( they look like flying ants, but they make honey and they bite like ants) has Mayan artists making jewelry and things like obsidian knives. The trouble is that as awesome as a carving of the rainbow god might appear, as a Christian I don't feel right about wearing a pagan deity around my neck, and I don't want to disrespect the culture of the artists who take it seriously. So I just admire the art while I'm there buying honey and propolis products. something about the unique style appeals to me.

Hey Rusty,
Long time no see. Glad to hear you're still enjoying life.
Regarding Mayan trinkets, it must be your inner pagan speaking.

[Buster's Uncle]

It was MY boredom speaking...

[Geo]

...Side by side for comparison...

Is that... an Scottish Hallowiener?

[Rusty Edge]

Hey Rusty,
Long time no see. Glad to hear you're still enjoying life.
Regarding Mayan trinkets, it must be your inner pagan speaking.

I'm a little more indulgent on Celtic knotwork art/trinkets. Good to see you, too. I'll admit that the trip was worth it just for the Jamaican single malt rum that isn't available here.

[Geo]

Hey Rusty,
Long time no see. Glad to hear you're still enjoying life.
Regarding Mayan trinkets, it must be your inner pagan speaking.

I'm a little more indulgent on Celtic knotwork art/trinkets. Good to see you, too. I'll admit that the trip was worth it just for the Jamaican single malt rum that isn't available here.

Ah... Celts... I as yet have still to visit their hearthlands on the West-European coast.

[Buster's Uncle]

Wait - you live in the Celtic heartland, don't you?

[Unorthodox]

Been on "vacation" and the site was down the other day when I tried to check in. 



You can see the plan coming to unfold.  The path is 90%.  We still need to get the rails on, joint sand, and get the plate compactor to even them out a tad.  The raven grass is a little sparse with the moving shock, but it will be a practical wall around "the circle' in future years. 

I'd point out those pumpkins peaking out to the left.  Those are 60-100 lb size.  They're likely staying right there to be carved in place.  That pumpkin foliage is above my knee and they're poking out over it. 










The easement, my 4 oclocks have finally taken off.  3 years of fighting to get them established.  Those pots have not been watered since the 4th of July.  The yard, you can see the plan, if the weeds took advantage of my inability to go hoe for a month there, the plan is apparent.  The ice plant  is filling in nicely.  Focus next hear will be on filling it's gaps in. 







The sunflower field has been fun, and I gotta look up what variety these were.  Perfect height for what I wanted plus multiple heads.  letting them go to seed here, but I want to expand the coverage. 







The transition from front to back paths is better than I had feared.  We ended up extending the back out to meet the front at the corner.  The boss counts 48 pumpkins of carvable size in the yard.  I can guess at varieties for most of them, but there's a few mysteries. 

[Buster's Uncle]

The neighbors must love you more than ever, I bet.

[Unorthodox]

...Side by side for comparison...

       

Or....

[Buster's Uncle]

Not sure how to work in the EoL, but saved for cutting out...

[Unorthodox]

I need to get you a better angle for that.   

[Unorthodox]

square on like the first one.

[Buster's Uncle]

   I'm game.

[Unorthodox]

The neighbors must love you more than ever, I bet.

The across the street guys made some snide comments when I started.  People have been stopping and rolling down windows to tell me how much they like it, however.  The neighborhood in general has at least a dozen yards moving to the xeriscaping.  Mines one of a handful attempting an actual garden instead of rock, and of those...Not to be boastful, but mine is easily the most thought-out.  Not yet the most complete, but the difference between years of planning and either googling or trusting the nursery for what will do well is apparent in plant selection.  Then, accounting for sizes, and planning for negative space are not exactly things people keep top of mind, especially if you've never done it.