The stream and waterfalls are finally complete!

Almost exactly one year after T was taken with the waterfalls in the Sanctuary Lodge garden at Machu Picchu we have our own version. It has taken many many hours of planning, excavation, consultation, 2 blind alleys, 2 workshops, and working with various laboring crews, but it is now the beauty spot on the west side of the house. We can sit on the end of the deck and enjoy the sights and sounds of rushing and falling water. It will be interesting to see how the native fauna react to this new piece in the ecology. We will add water plants and goldfish, and my guess is that some local snails, frogs and salamanders will join the inventory.

Sounds of water

Sounds of water, originally uploaded by THOS.

Sylvia, our cast iron frog, sits happily on the sunning rock. The sound of three waterfalls (this is the lowest one) is so nice on a hot day like today. Tonight a real frog was swimming in the pond.

First waterfall resident: Can you find him?

First waterfall resident, originally uploaded by THOS.

No sooner was water flowing in the stream than this little toad decided to take a splash. By the time I found my camera he had jumped up on dry land.

Planting bushes

Planting bushes, originally uploaded by THOS.

Rock work done, now it is time to plant the sego palms, mountain laurel and santolina. More plants will be added later.

Berto and crew

Berto and crew, originally uploaded by THOS.

The 'boss' shows why he is so good at building with rock.

Angel & Tiki Supervising

Angel & Tiki Supervising, originally uploaded by THOS.

Each time a stone was moved or a plant was placed the Cat Crew evaluated the situation.

Deciding on their next move

Deciding on their next move, originally uploaded by THOS.

The men discussing which stone should go where.

Tiki checking out the rock work

Tiki checking out the rock work, originally uploaded by THOS.

Fearless Tiki explored all the new sights and sounds, including jumping into the truck cab. To help on a 95-degree day I made this can full of pink lemonade for the crew.

Moving a 'four-man rock'

Moving a 'four-man rock', originally uploaded by THOS.

Two bolders had to be repositioned. This one required all the muscle they could put into it.

Unloading bolders

Unloading bolders, originally uploaded by THOS.

Berto brought his crew of three strong young men from Mexico and three tons of rock I purchased the previous day.

SWGPS Faculty Retreat In Taos, New Mexico

In early May we met with other Southwest Group Psychotherapy Society senior faculty members at the Fechin Inn in Taos for three days of learning about the dynamics of working with divorced and step-families, exploring the mountains and rushing streams near Angelfire and Black Lake (including a marvelous thunderstorm), breathing the cool bracing high altitude air, eating (too much) rich food and wine, shopping at the seemingly endless streets of shops and galleries, enjoying the springtime sights and sounds and scents of the Indian/Spanish culture, and being with dear friends. In addition, on our way home we stopped at the huge flea market near the opera at Santa Fe for some special gifts. It was a perfect time.

Storm cloud tops

Storm cloud tops, originally uploaded by THOS.

Climbing out of Albuquerque we flew in a wide s-curve around some impressive thunderstorms.

Rio Grande Gorge

Rio Grande Gorge, originally uploaded by THOS.

View on our way back south to Santa Fe.

A at Fechin Inn

A at Fechin Inn, originally uploaded by THOS.

A glass of shiraz before dinner in town.

Lights of Taos

Lights of Taos, originally uploaded by THOS.

From a hill south of town.

A&T at Stakeout Restaurant

A&T at Stakeout, originally uploaded by THOS.

The sunsets in New Mexico are special.

Keyhole view

Keyhole view, originally uploaded by THOS.

Desert view from behind the Stakeout wall.

Rain over Taos

Rain over Taos, originally uploaded by THOS.

Rain at sunset.

Squash Blossom necklace

Squashblossom necklace, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ready to go out on the town with a baby alpaca ruana from our Peru trip and a topaz necklace purchased in Santa Fe that we gave my mother twenty years ago.

Wheeler Peak

Wheeler Peak, originally uploaded by THOS.

View over Taos from the Stakeout Restaurant on a mountain 4 miles south of town.

Lavender bush

Lavender bush, originally uploaded by THOS.

These fragrant blossoms were all over town.

Magpie sings

Magpie sings, originally uploaded by THOS.

I found this musical friend on a morning stroll.

Nicholi Fechin House

Nicholi Fechin House, originally uploaded by THOS.

This Russian artist migrated here in the early 1900's and painted in the studio on the second floor. His drawings and paintings are in each room in the Inn.

White lavender

White lavender, originally uploaded by THOS.

First time we had seen white lavender.

Lavender bushes

Lavender bushes, originally uploaded by THOS.

The air smelled sweet with these bushes outside our room.

Veranda at Fechin Inn

Veranda at Fechin Inn, originally uploaded by THOS.

We stayed at this lovely retreat near the heart of Taos, from which we walked to the square and many many shops and galleries.

Rio Grande Gorge

river gorge, originally uploaded by THOS.

Just south of Taos the river runs next to the highway, cutting a deep gorge in the plain.

Taos from highway

Taos from highway, originally uploaded by THOS.

Driving up from Albuquerque through Santa Fe to Taos took 3 1/2 hours on local highways.

E&K engaged!

E&K engaged, originally uploaded by THOS.

We were invited over to see Ethan and Kelly's new house this afternoon, and they told us that they are engaged. They are excited and we are too. He carried her over the threshold, got down on his knee, and asked her to marry him. He is so romantic. They aren't talking a wedding date, but next spring or summer is a good bet for a garden event.

Horseshoe Bay Resort

Horseshoe Bay Resort, originally uploaded by THOS.

We spent a relaxing weekend at the Marriott Hill Country Resort near Marble Falls, Texas for Kristin Bell and Adam Brink's outdoor wedding. We had a delightful time with good friends, good food and good wine, thanks to her parents, John and Mary Lou.

Reading in Garden

Reading in Garden, originally uploaded by THOS.

Reading the morning paper inside a pagoda in the garden.

Resort Water Garden

Resort Water Garden, originally uploaded by THOS.

The resort has done a beautiful job of transforming a grove of oaks and pines into a garden for meditation and inspiration.

Yacht Club Garden

Yacht Club Garden, originally uploaded by THOS.

The 'members only' swimming pool is surrounded by beautiful cascades.

Chiminea

Chiminea, originally uploaded by THOS.

A cool evening in early May.

May 6, 2005. It's working!

It's working!, originally uploaded by THOS.

Next is Berto to complete the rock work and the plantings.The gurgling and splashing sounds are wonderful.

Splashing pond

Splashing pond, originally uploaded by THOS.

The pond is full with water falling over the spill rock.

Spring and stream

Spring and stream, originally uploaded by THOS.

The water is flowing out of the spring into the rocky stream.

Tiki Sunning

Tiki Sunning, originally uploaded by THOS.

Sweet Tiki loves to sun himself on the deck on cool mornings.

Titmouse feeding chicks

Titmouse feeding chicks, originally uploaded by THOS.

A tufted titmouse family has moved into the birdhouse Elizabeth made for T. We moved it farther away from the deck so the cats could not get to it, and the male (left picture) seemed confused and sat on the wire listening to the little cheeps for several minutes. Finally, he found the door (right picture) and deposited the worm in the hungry babies. The female followed close behind with more food.

Brunch

Brunch, originally uploaded by THOS.

We had brunch at Trudy's with Kelly's parents, Mildred and John and K's sister Julie and husband Damon after inspecting E&K's new home.

E&K's new house

E&K's new house, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ethan and Kelly have purchased their first house. It is in a quiet tree lined neighborhood in north central Austin close to E's work and K's school. They will move in May 12th.

Smoky sunset

Spring sunset, originally uploaded by THOS.

A 'cloud rainbow' in the sky as the sun sank behind the hill. We are having these dramatic colors thanks to the seasonal burning in Chiapas, Mexico.

Deer at sunset

Deer at sunset, originally uploaded by THOS.

The sun came out from under a bank of clouds just before it set, bathing the meadow in golden light.

Firecracker rose

Firecracker rose, originally uploaded by THOS.

This bush climbs on the pergola by the pool along with Confederate jasamin and Lady Banksia Roses.

Rocks and Roses

Rocks and Roses, originally uploaded by THOS.

The rose bushes below the rock wall and the salvia greggi above are amazing this spring.

The west side waterfall: Boulders and bridge in place

Boulders in place, originally uploaded by THOS.

This is the stream above the waterfall. Tiki is checking out each stone. Melanie from Hill Country Water Gardens will install the pump and filter May 6th, and 'Berto' and his crew will complete the rock work and plant the sego palms, dwarf yaupon, santolina, river fern and mountain laurel May 21st. So, come on down and enjoy the new waterfall!

Lift that rock!

Dwaine and T struggle, originally uploaded by THOS.

Sometimes we just had to man-handle the rascals.

Watch your fingers!

Watch your fingers!, originally uploaded by THOS.

Using the rock bar to lift the edge so T can level the boulder with some rock shims

Put it right there

Put it right there, originally uploaded by THOS.

Dwaine is an artist at placing the right boulder in the right orientation.

Easy does it

Easy does it, originally uploaded by THOS.

Placing a boulder looks easy if one knows how.