Behold the Power of the Internet

J. and I wandered out to the back yard a couple days ago - and there was poop on the concrete walkway right near my bedroom windows.  I pondered what critter could have left it.  J. casually mentioned he'd seen them before - most often on the walkway but also sometimes out by the Adirondack chairs in the corner of the yard.  

I Googled a description of the poop - and behold, there is a database of poop pictures!  My search had me thinking a hedgehog.  But no evidence we have those here in Nevada so....I still was unsure.  A little bit later, J. showed me a pic he found - spot on!  It's a toad!  S/he is living the good life somewhere in our backyard and on night patrol for bugs, relieves itself on the walk way.  We had poop again today as we've had every day for a week.  Can't complain about it, really - J. takes care of it right away.  I just wish we could see it!  J. thinks it's triggering the motion-sensitive floodlights on that corner of the house in the night and eats all the bugs revealed.  He even tested triggering the light last night when I was in my room 'cuz he was sure it would wake me up - but it is a very soft light and my shutters are pretty well shut tight nightly so if it is triggering the flood lights, I'm not noticing. 

We have an assortment of lizards including some baby sized specimens.  They clearly love hiding out on the rocks surrounding all the plants - 

Our yard is becoming just what we wanted it to be - a haven for all sorts of creatures.  

90,000 Mile Tune Up

This week, I've finished all the necessary annual health checks.  Finally saw an eye doctor and yesterday, J. and I trekked to Costco - a new pair of glasses and brand new sun glasses as well will arrive in about two weeks.  I'm good to go on health stuff for another year and that feels great!  The timing of things got bumped back with COVID making it hard to get health visits set up - and mostly, I just had some very low inertia.  But all are done and I'm super happy about that!!  I feel relieved to be considered reasonably healthy - like when you get your car detailed or serviced.  LOL. 

We are experiencing super bad air quality - more smoke from the wild fires has hit the valley - we can't even see the hills just south of us - things are really socked in today and into tomorrow.  The wild fires have been horrible and scary.  

Days sort of blend into each other - J. has been a gracious 'wing man' on treks to the casino - we're playing somewhat low and slow these days, easing into another 'reporting period' for our casino benefits.  I went up a level (again) at our local casino and am excited about that - can now cash in comps for free play and they are giving me $100 in gift cards as a perk.  I'm going to get Target gift cards and enjoy going there to explore house stuff.  Haven't shopped there much so it will be a treat. 

I had my first ocular migraine last week - mentioned it to the eye doctor who wasn't concerned.  It last around 20 minutes, took the form of a very 'jagged' line in my right peripheral vision, didn't hurt at all and once I Googled what was happening and read that it most likely would pass within a half hour, I wasn't worried.  It was just odd.  Maybe eye fatigue.  

J.'s brother visited us earlier this week - spent one night.  He and J. played golf at Toiyabe - tried to play here at Silver Oak but it was fully booked with a tournament.  After they played, B. made the six hour drive back home so he'd have yesterday as an 'at home day' - he started back to school today - he is the athletic director for a school in Delano.  

My former district also started back again today - so I've been thinking about their schedule today - Welcome Back breakfast which is the traditional kick off for the year - I miss my friends so much.  

This morning, I headed to the local casino for free play - and as I backed out of the garage and waited for the garage door to close, the most beautiful, huge BLUE dragon fly hovered right next to my window.  Waited there - and as I stared at her, I said 'Hi, Mom'.  She took a small 'dip' then headed off for her day.  It was such a lovely way to start the day.