They’re calling for a high of 100°F today, and it’s already pushing 95°F—the kind of heat that presses against the windows and makes the air feel thick and still. Definitely an air conditioning kind of day.
Morning Routine
This morning I cleaned up a good amount of flower for my sativa stash, the sharp, earthy scent lingering as I worked. Now everything’s stocked, neatly arranged, and within reach. There’s something satisfying about that quiet order—like setting the tone for a long, slow day.
Before the heat fully settled in, I gave the front yard a 20-minute watering, the hose hissing as the soil soaked it up. The grass darkened just enough to look alive again. Hopefully it holds until tomorrow night—every drop counts in weather like this, and I don’t need the water cops knocking on my door or emailing me.
Home Comfort
I also washed all my bedding—comforter, pillows, and sheets—so everything is fresh and cool to the touch. That clean, soft smell is hard to beat, especially knowing I’ll be sinking into it later. I just wish I had someone to share it with.
Evening Plan
Now the plan is simple: stay inside, stay cool, and let the AC hum in the background while I ride out the heat. 🌞❄️
A light soaking isn’t just about how much rain fell. It’s about what it means after the kind of morning you had.
You were out at dawn, irrigating half the backyard. You wrestled a sprinkler tractor that reminded your hamstring who’s boss. Then, instead of the sky staying stubbornly blue, you heard those first raindrops on the roof.
It’s almost as if the weather looked over the fence and said, “You’ve carried enough buckets today. I’ll take the next shift.”
Sure, it wasn’t a gully washer. But it was a little relief at exactly the right moment.
Around your place, I’d call that a Rock Solid Rain Bonus. Not enough to flood the gutters, but enough to make the grass smile, the dust settle, and your back think, “Maybe we’re done hauling things for today.”
Sometimes the best rain isn’t the storm that makes the news. It’s the one that quietly whispers, “You can rest now.”
Version 2
The more I think about it, the more I appreciate it.
A light soaking isn’t just about the amount of rain that falls. It’s about what it means after a morning like mine.
I was out before sunrise watering half the backyard, then wrestled the sprinkler tractor around until my hamstring reminded me it still has opinions. Just when I was wondering if the effort was worth it, I heard the first raindrops tapping on the roof.
It wasn’t a downpour, and it won’t make the evening news, but it was enough. Enough to give the lawn a helping hand. Enough to settle the dust. Enough to let me park the sprinkler tractor and give my back and hamstring a well-earned break.
Sometimes the best rain isn’t the storm that soaks everything. It’s the gentle shower that arrives at exactly the right moment and quietly says, “I’ve got it from here.”
Version three
Before I could even finish my morning coffee, I was out in the backyard playing tug-of-war with the sprinkler tractor. Whoever designed that thing clearly skipped the chapter on ergonomics. My hamstring has since filed a formal complaint, my back signed it as a witness, and both are demanding hazard pay.
Then, just as I was wondering whether I should move the sprinkler again or simply negotiate with the grass, I heard it.
Tap… tap… tap…
Rain.
Not a thunderstorm. Not a monsoon. More like Mother Nature cracking open a water bottle and saying, “Here, don’t spend it all in one place.”
I’ll take it.
The lawn got a free drink, the dust settled down, and the sprinkler tractor was officially relieved of duty for the afternoon. Around here, that’s what we call a successful labor negotiation.
Would I have preferred a good old-fashioned Colorado gully washer? Absolutely.
But after wrestling yard equipment before breakfast, even a light soaking feels like the universe saying, “You’ve done enough. Clock out before your hamstring starts writing letters to management.”
Dakota signed a lease—and I got the grand tour of his new apartment at the Castle Rock Promenade.
Standing there and walking through the place made it official.
It’s real.
As a parent, there are moments that sneak up on you. One day you’re helping your kid figure out the next step, and the next you’re standing in their very own apartment, realizing they’re building a life of their own.
It’s exciting.
It’s a little surreal.
And yes…there’s a little bit of “Where did the years go?” mixed in there.
I’m proud of Dakota for taking this step. Signing a lease is more than getting an apartment. It’s a commitment, a responsibility, and another chapter of becoming independent.
Congratulations, Dakota!
Here’s to new beginnings, new memories, and a place to call your own.
The day got off to a great start with a good shower. Sometimes that’s all it takes to feel human again before tackling the day.
After getting cleaned up, I headed outside for a watering session in the yard. The lawn got its turn, and everything was looking pretty good when I finished.
I also took another step toward modernizing my watering setup. I jumped onto Amazon and ordered two Orbit Wi-Fi hose timers. Amazon had a deal where buying two cost the same as buying one, so that was an easy decision.
Claire was ready to get moving after our long day yesterday, so she was encouraging me to hurry up and finish the order. Mission accomplished.
The package is supposed to arrive by 6:00 p.m., which gives me plenty of time to get everything installed and tested. Since I already have an Orbit Hub, setup should be a complete no-brainer. Once they’re paired, I’ll be able to control my sprinklers and hoses right from my phone.
If everything goes according to plan, the new watering system will officially go live in two days when my regular watering schedule starts. It’s pretty amazing how far this technology has come. Instead of dragging hoses around and watching the clock, the Orbit system will handle the schedule while I focus on enjoying the yard.
I’ll post an update once everything is installed and running. Sometimes progress comes in big moments. Other times, it’s a hot shower, a watered lawn, and a little technology making life easier.
Today wasn’t about big accomplishments. It was about recognizing the small signs that recovery is moving in the right direction.
A welcome overnight downpour gave the backyard a much-needed drink, allowing me to postpone most of the watering until later in the day. I still hand-watered a few dry spots, but Mother Nature handled most of the heavy lifting.
Most of the day centered on my left hamstring. It’s still talking to me, but not nearly as loudly as it has been. I noticed several encouraging signs: I could keep my leg extended longer before the pain showed up, the heating pad on the warm setting brought real relief, and my left butt cheek wasn’t hurting by the afternoon. None of those are headline-grabbing milestones, but together they paint a picture of gradual progress.
The biggest challenge continues to be patience. Not being able to work out the way I want is frustrating, but healing has become today’s workout. I also realized I’ve needed a nap four days in a row. Rather than fighting it, I’m choosing to see that extra rest as part of the recovery process instead of a setback. The nap turned out to be time well spent.
Missy added a little comic relief. She sampled the flower garden by eating grass, then promptly decided to return it a short time later. After a couple of rounds of throwing up, she was back to her normal self as if nothing had happened.
Looking back, today reinforced a simple lesson: progress isn’t always measured in miles or milestones. Sometimes it’s measured in a few extra minutes without pain, a good nap, a warm heating pad, a rainstorm that saves some work, and a dog who reminds you that life has a sense of humor. Those small victories are worth celebrating because they add up over time.
First thing this morning, I picked up my completed DMV medical forms from the doctor’s office. One more hurdle cleared. I also went online and scheduled my DMV appointment for Saturday, July 5, at 10:00 AM. After making multiple trips and waiting more than a week for paperwork, it’s amazing that what should amount to a 15-minute transaction has turned into an eight-day project. That’s bureaucracy for you.
I considered leaving negative feedback when I was asked about my experience, but decided against it. The comments would have been attached to my name, and with Claire working just across the street, it simply wasn’t worth creating unnecessary friction. Sometimes it’s better to finish the race than argue with the course.
This afternoon brought another round of weather roulette. Forecasters have been warning of heavy rain for days, but all we’ve managed to see is a few minutes of light mist. Rather than gamble on promises from the sky, I gave the newly seeded lawn a thorough watering. If a good rain finally arrives tonight, great. If not, at least the grass seed won’t be waiting on a forecast that never showed up.
Some days don’t make headlines. They just move life forward one completed form, one scheduled appointment, and one watered lawn at a time.
The backyard remains on an as-needed watering schedule today.
Rather than watering first thing this morning, I’m going to let the yard ride through the morning sunshine and see how it responds. The soil still appears to be holding moisture, and with the grass beginning to establish itself, there is no sense in adding water just because the calendar says so.
The plan is simple: observe, evaluate, and react.
If the backyard makes it through the morning sun without showing signs of stress, I should be in good shape by around noon and may be able to skip watering altogether. If the grass starts looking thirsty, then I’ll give it what it needs.
After nearly three weeks of watering, waiting, and watching for sprouts, the project is entering a new phase. Less emergency irrigation, more careful stewardship. The goal is to encourage the roots to search deeper rather than keeping the surface constantly wet.
For now, the backyard gets a chance to speak for itself.
Backyard Status: Monitoring Watering Plan: As Needed Morning Outlook: Sunshine Test in Progress Estimated Checkpoint: Around Noon
The grass has graduated from the intensive care unit and is now in physical therapy. 🌱😄
The day started with a check of the backyard grass project.
After nearly three weeks of watering and patience, the lawn is showing scattered sprouts. Some of the new growth appears to be from recently planted seed, while some may be older grass reclaiming territory beneath the canopy of volunteer trees that have grown rapidly over the years and now stand roughly 25 feet tall.
The grass isn’t charging ahead. It’s moving at the speed of a Colorado tortoise wearing snowshoes.
But it’s moving.
I spent part of the morning evaluating the moisture situation and thinking about what comes next. The backyard still had plenty of debris from spring winds, mulch, old plant material, and large leaf stalks that needed attention.
My hamstring, however, had other ideas.
Rather than forcing the issue, I listened to my body and took a break. A full nap never arrived, but I did manage fifteen minutes of pure relaxation. No sleep. Just a chance to let the body settle down and recharge.
Meanwhile, the day included a freshly ground sativa session and a package of cinnamon Pop-Tarts. Not exactly the breakfast of champions, but it got the job done.
Progress Inside and Out
The backyard received a thorough watering, helping the young seedlings continue their slow climb toward becoming a lawn.
After that, attention shifted indoors.
The downstairs got vacuumed, and a substantial amount of dog hair was removed from circulation. The battle is far from over, but important ground was gained.
The house felt better afterward.
So did I.
Mission Accomplished
As the afternoon progressed, the yard dried enough for action.
The rake came out.
The remaining debris was gathered, the leaf stalks were removed, and everything was bagged up for disposal. What started as a day that looked like it might be devoted entirely to recovery turned into a productive maintenance day.
The day started early. I was up by 6:00 AM, getting moving before the Colorado heat settled in. One of the first tasks was picking up the hose in the backyard and tidying things up while waiting for 10:00 AM to arrive.
It’s funny. It feels like I’ve accomplished more this morning than I actually have. Maybe it’s because I’ve been awake so long. The coffee is gone, the vitamins are down, and the forecast is calling for temperatures in the upper 80s this afternoon.
I’ve had four pulls from a sativa blend this morning and feel pretty dialed in. Not racing, not dragging—just comfortably in that zone where the day feels manageable and my mind stays engaged.
The plan for later is simple: get the mowing done and, if all goes according to schedule, celebrate with a half-gram joint afterward. A little reward system never hurt anybody.
The morning seems to be moving in slow motion. Every glance at the clock feels like only a few minutes have passed. Then again, maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After everything life can throw at a person, a slow, quiet morning isn’t a problem to solve. Sometimes it’s a gift.
For now, the backyard and mower both wait, and the day is still young. The coffee has done its job, the cannabis has settled in nicely, and the only real mission is to keep moving forward one task at a time.
Yesterday, I didn’t water the backyard at all. After the soaking it got the day before, I decided to let nature handle things for a while. This morning the soil was still holding plenty of moisture, so I only gave it a light sprinkle, but the weeds are showing up just as enthusiastically as the grass. They’re getting pretty substantial back there, and weed patrol is moving higher on the priority list. A little time spent pulling them now will save a much bigger battle later.
For today, the lawn seems content. The soil is moist, the seed has what it needs, and the garden hose gets a well-earned break. The weeds, unfortunately, have other plans.
🌱 Backyard Reclamation Project continues. One sprinkle at a time.
It’s My Life 