Relocating

Moving out to Tracy, California has been both a very positive and eye-opening experience. The marine layer does not extend out here, and it is very dry, and there’s a lot of wind. In San Ramon, the temperatures were, for the most part, very mild because of the marine layer. There was more moisture in the air. As a result, my plants did very well, particularly the hydrangeas, whereas here in Tracy, I thought I was going to lose every one of them! They were scorched by the sun and torn apart by the wind. I’m not sure if they are tolerant of total sun or require partial shade or total shade, but after moving them around, they do seem to be Improving. Life find’s a way. Think I first heard that line in one of the Jurassic Park movies.

Our home is right on the edge of an orchard, I should add an active orchard, and the farmer plows the soil in between the trees pretty regularly. I believe this is an orchard of almond and trees. Anyway, every time the farmer drives the tractor, it must destroy the homes of the mice, and they come scurrying for safety right into our garage. Sad! The situation is hard to know how to handle because rodents can carry so many different diseases via fleas and ticks. My husband has been filling every tiny orifice with a rodent repellent goop trying to prevent their entry. Little mice are getting the best of us; however, because they are finding entries that we didn’t know existed.

The bugs are the worst, though! Because all the undisturbed soil the bugs have prospered and are quite large and numerous! I don’t know if we have crickets, grasshoppers, or locus but there’s a lot of them. We also have roaches, and the ants haven’t successfully lifted the house off the pad yet, but I’m sure they’re plotting to do so. What I hate the most though are the Yellowjackets/wasps! They’re not pollinators, but I’m sure they serve a purpose I would certainly appreciate it if someone could explain to me what it is! They are vicious! A yellow jacket stung my 13-year-old golden retriever’s foot and caused her great pain. She patiently allowed me to look at her foot but shook from the pain. A quick Internet search on my phone told me that a yellowjacket does not leave the stinger behind but only injects a very painful venom. No kidding!