The weather has changed

It is no longer summer here. We're definately into fall. Given that I have never experienced the end of summer and beginning of autumn in New Mexico, I'm not 100% sure that summer is fully gone, but these last few days seem to be a clear indication that the air conditioning is no longer needed.

Temperatures have been in the 50s at night and the 60s and low 70s during the day. For a few days we had really overcast skies but today is bright and sunny. On Saturday, Chris and I took advantage of the cloudiness and spent the morning weeding. We filled up an entire garbage can with weeds and assorted plants that didn't seem to be in the right place. And that was just for one side of the yard. Next weekend we'll tackle the east side; which, fortunately, doesn't seem to have as many weeds. It does, however, have this groundcover stuff over about 1/3 of the yard that I would like to pull out. We're in the desert after all, so who needs packasandra-like bright green groundcover all over the place? Colored stones and cactus seem much more appropriate to me.

The ground cover is incredibly quick growing and has taken over most of the side yard and two sets of steps. Little tendrils crop up virtually overnight and snake their ways down the side of retaining walls, across stairs, through flower beds, etc. The plan is to cut back all of the new growth next weekend and maybe pull the stuff out entirely over the winter. I'll post some pictures of the project as it happens.