Oooo, Patty! If you have tarantula wasps, you probably have tarantulas! Keep your eye open for them, and keep a plastic container and a piece of cardboard handy so you can capture any that get into the house and release them in the yard. (Drop the container over the top then slide the cardboard underneath.) They are quite delicate, if you swat one you're liable to kill it. Better to move them, they're beneficial (and a sign that the yard is a healthy place without toxic chemicals.) Congratulations on getting moved into the house and I'm glad you have a friend in the area to participate in the process. Good luck getting a bed you like!

Having lived in the desert SW for a number of years (in Arizona, and I almost moved to NM), I know the kind of house and furniture you're describing. If you can find anyplace that sells the solid pine furniture that is made in Mexico I think you might enjoy some of the quality and solid pieces they produce. The place that used to sell that here finally closed, but I'm sure the pine furniture is still made and imported. I have some of that furniture here in my house in Texas.

Recycling managed this weekend, kitchen cleaned, and small things like a bit of bleach in a mug to soak out tea stains and also dip my tea strainers in to clean them. Laundry set to run in the wee hours (when power is less in demand) and trash is at the curb (and litter from the street curb area picked up). I had a productive weekend (including the museum tour as a volunteer extra) and lunch planned tomorrow with my daughter.

I decluttered my wallet this afternoon in a push to promote Kamala Harris and I see that others had the same idea. I'm sorry to see Joe step down - he had a plan and work left to do, but it will continue with a new younger leader. Act Blue, the organization that funnels donations to Democratic candidates and causes, raised nearly $50M for her campaign today.