We had fawns (only a week old or so) visit us yesterday afternoon.  Snapping pix through the window isn't ideal, but of course better than nothing!

I was surprised that they browse at such an early age, 

but Terry says that's normal.

Turns out I was wrong about Karen's schedule; she is also working today. Tomorrow she'll fly to Denver, where Mark will pick her up.  She thanked me for the pix I took last night, saying she "almost feel like I was there. Can't wait to see everyone tomorrow!"

Elinor & Richard, and Hilda, joined us for dinner last night.  It's a happy bunch, and we sure laughed a lot.  Especially hearing Elinor and Richard's description of last weekend's camping trip with Hilda.

  Mark and Karen had picked up gifts at the opera house in Portugal, and they were most appreciated.

Hilda is a big Maria Callas fan, 

so they figured she 'needed' this Maria Callas fan.

A friend of Mark's wrote one of the chapters in this book.

Meanwhile, Richard was enjoying the book about the Santa Fe opera.

I spoke to Tom this morning.  It's still hot there (no real surprise!) and yes they did experience that 80-mile wide haboob the other day.  That storm had come from the opposite direction we usually experience, so he was hoping <g> that the wind would possibly help tilt the orchid tree back up.

On the plus side, it apparently is still alive and thriving... just at a 40 degree angle.  So if it stays (which I hope it does! ) it will need to be trimmed so it's not resting on the peach tree.

The ditch work is all done, and turned out well.  (Tom did start the work himself, but I'm happy to report that he decided rather quickly that he does not need to be doing hard physical labor like that, especially in the heat, and got some laborers to do it!)  When the work was completed he invited the WMID zanjero, Terry, to come by to see the finished product. Terry was properly impressed, and told Tom he wishes everyone would keep their ditches in that kind of condition.  

ALL the properties up-ditch from us are in serious need of revamping.  The property owners have received warning letters, and the hope is that by now they have begun their own renovations.  In theory their deadline is before the next cycle, which starts on August 13.

Tom has decided he is still going to make a trip to Oregon when I get back.  He should be able to still dig some fire obsidian at a second location (which unfortunately is not as primo as the one that has been closed), and also do some fishing.  At the very least he will be out of the oppressive heat!