Death Valley BLOOMAGE

Flowers in the desert are especially appreciated.

Early Morning

Not a morning person,
but my job calls for minding children
at early hours.

One perk of my dawn awakening
is I witness the only moment
my dark apt ever gets close to having
sunlight pour in...

Early morning sun manages to make even
porch clutter look lovely.

Kitchen Update: The Contact Paper Movement

Since the day I first saw my new home, these cabinets have rubbed me the wrong way. Who would pick such an orange/gray? Maybe it is a remnant of early 70s discount paint. It is difficult to capture their ugliness--the flash somehow improves them. 

We've worked hard to cover the chipped linoleum, the ripped grip tape on the steps, and much more. It's been a fun challenge making this place the best it can possibly be using temporary "renter" measures. But I can't quite bring myself to repaint these cabinets, knowing in a few years I would have to do the tedious task of recoating ever cranny and corner back to Rotten Gold.   So, I grudgingly accepted them.  But a week ago, while cleaning out a cabinet, I found an old roll of contact paper I bought.  I googled "contact paper on cabinets" and discovered a recent movement in apartment therapy.  It's been done with positive results.

After easily removing the hardware with a screwdriver, I smoothed a $7 roll of white contact paper over the orange surfaces. I left a bit of an overhang, which I removed by dragging an Exacto knife around the edges.  It was so fast and simple.  The best part is the white reflects much more light from our window. Along with the 3 mirrors I've put up in there, it really helps to brighten our little kitchen.  And when the season arrives in which we depart, it can easily be peeled off. 

Birdfulness

My new bird house! I found it at last weeks farmer's market. The ceramicist we bought it from said her work is popular with Mel Gibson and that she often sees local boy Jeff Bridges at our favorite studio.

Little cute handmade things make me immensely happy.

Baldwater Basin, Death Valley

 

Among the throngs of tourons (mostly European) we explored the lowest point in the western hemisphere.

Cold snow or hot salt? 
Taste test time!
Two recent chemistry PhDs were in our party.

This is what happens when you travel with scientists.

Proof I was there.

I've retired these to garden-only status. My sister says she wants more blogs about me. I'll try, still working on my style.

Ghost Town Gallivanting

According to a Death Valley park ranger, Rhyolite, NV is the second-best-noncommercial-ghost-town in North America and if I'm at all interested in human history it's a must see.  And oh, how I am!  Plus, it was my very first time ever in the glitzy/barren state of Nevada.  While it was far from thrilling--the idea of a ghost town had sounded utterly romantic and eerie to me--I gave it my best shot...  Enjoy. 

The Old Bank Building.

 Magnifique! Rhyolite sprung up as a mining town in 1905 and grew to around 5000 wanna-be prospectors overnight.  It emptied out about as quickly as it grew.

The Warning: Rattesnakes signs posted throughout the town kept me on the beaten path.  I saw zero snakes in Death Valley so I got the sense it was to keep bottle-collectors and antique-scavengers away.

You could almost hear the ghostly pitter-patter and haunting squeals of the children of yesteryear...

 

I hoped for a tumbleweed and creaking saloon doors. This general store was the best I got.  The clap-board-front can also be found in Makawao, Maui or Sisters, Oregon.

Stylin'! 

The famous Joshua Tree hangs out in this National Park too. 

Utterly bizarre 20 foot statue next to a tourist trap on the way out of "town."

More Signs of Spring

Lunch dates in the garden.

Feathered friends gather nesting fodder.

Impromptu bouquets.

Asparagus--eat it raw when it's this fresh.