It's the absolute sodding truth - we are about to have grass

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - For the past three days, the Pink Flamingo property has been a swirl of dust and dirt as we prepare to put down the sod - the end result of what we have labeled the Great Sod-On Project.

Two dump trucks full of soil arrived last night and by mid-afternoon today, the two soon-to-be-sod areas were transformed into beautiful spots, ready the green grass of home. Or at least the green grass of Melaque, Mexico, where they grow the stuff.

The project was started just two days ago, with some quick sketching on the ground of where we wanted the sod to go and a lot of discussion with our neighbor Chon. Then Chon's workers arrived with shovels and rakes and other implements of destruction.

Tomorrow afternoon the actual sod will arrive and be put in place. At least that's what the sod dealer says.


Juliett on top of the topsoil


Rounding the curve



But while life has been ruled by sod and soil for a few days, we did have visitors one afternoon - Greg and Joni from El Tuito. They were in the area, picking up some plants at our local vivero and came by the take a tour of Arroyo Seco.

We did the beaches and town tour (with all four of us on the Honda quad) then had lunch in the palapa while the workers were on break - and while the dust was a little less. Greg brought along his collection of movies for us to borrow. Out of the many films he gave us, for some reason we opted last night to watch about 45 minutes of the classic Gone With The Wind.

I am not kidding. Who would make that up?

Now that I think about it, perhaps it was because April 1 is the anniversary of the day when the Admiral and I first met - 20 years ago.


Rhett and Scarlett

Greg also brought a new cable so Admiral Fox can easily connect her computer to her Earthquake speakers out in the palapa when she practices here violin, or just wants to have some music.

Joni, and our 7-year-old neighbor, Juliett gave the speakers a trial run. The speakers seemed to have passed the dance test for sure.

Dancing under the stars to Steve Southworth

LODI, New York, USA - It was the first dry day we have had in more than a week and everyone took advantage with lawn mowing and cleanup from days and days of deluges.

I took out the chain saw (my least favorite power tool) and whacked down a few small trees at the end of property that were blocking our view of the woods. The acre or so behind the house is actually owned by neighbor Mary Crouch, but we get to view the woods and watch the deer romp around.

Very nice.

As a reward for the hard work (and to celebrate actually seeing the sun), we went out for dinner at the Stone Cat Cafe in Hector with the Admiral's brother David, and his amigos (now our amigos, too). At the Stone Cat, four of us ordered, not surprisingly, catfish.

Gawd, it was delicious.

And then it was time for a quick trip to Wagner's Vineyards where we danced for an hour or so to Steve Southworth & the Rockabilly Rays, the same group that didn't play earlier this summer because Steve was in a car accident on the way to play.

Last night, he made it fine and it was a rockin' good time.