June 28, 2013 A Very Wet June



Fawn tracks along our road.
So tiny!



Pink Yarrow





















Wednesday, 6/26.  A quick early shower and then it stopped.  We have had lots of rain but we haven't had to water the garden, and there are already two potato plant sprouting.

We were going to drive MAX down to our rope gate to check out the shape of the road and post a sign I bought in Maryland, but MAX had a problem with one of the front wheels (chain came off?), so we walked down instead.  On the way back up I pulled a LOT of knap weed.  There is probably less than 1/4 what we had the first year Up Here, but we have been attacking it each summer.  Unfortunately if you miss just one plant, the following year there will be a patch of them there.  And that's what we have right now, several patches along our road. 

It started sprinkling as we came up the driveway, but it wasn't until we were all settled on the porch that it really started raining, but just for 15 minutes or so.  From the looks of it, that may be the last of it for a while.

JB called the tractor shop and asked if it could be delivered tomorrow morning.  When they are done teaching us how to use it, we'll follow them back down in both cars.  JB will pick up some diesel gas and I'll take the dogs to the vet for their annual shots.

I made fried chicken and gravy for dinner.  Mmm, mmm, mmm!  After eating I went out to do some weeding.  The dogs were with me and JB was on the porch.  He watched as a 2x2 buck in velvet, along with a doe, walked along the south ridge to the solar panels.  The buck took a few steps down the road, at which point JB stood up to get a better look.  They eyed on another for a few moments, then the buck turned and went down the other side of the ridge with the doe following.  The dogs were none the wiser.

Thursday, 6/27.  So much for making plans.  I'm sure God is laughing this morning.  It started raining about 3:30 am and as of 9:00 am, it is still coming down.  So, once again, JB called the tractor shop to cancel the delivery.  When the hot weather does finally arrive, NOAA predicts the temperatures will be into the triple digits.

Meanwhile we will start getting ready for our July 4th event.  It is looking like we may have up to eleven guests, including three under four years old.

I had put a tarp over the hole that RJ dug down the the water pipe.  Yesterday we dumped the water that had accumulated in it and discovered a kangaroo rat that had drowned in it.  So sad.  Years ago, before our son was born, I had a pet kangaroo rat.  Until he escaped from his cage.

It stopped raining round 10:00 am and as soon as the sun came out after lunch, so did we!  We cleaned out the south side of the outhouse that we were using for storage.  I put the bags of pine needles in the wood shed and JB put the boxes of bottles in his shop.  He has been saving them for glass cutting projects.  Then I weeded around and in the gravel where we park the cars and on the other side of the fence.  A big project!  Between pulling weeds yesterday and today, my hands are shot.  Definitely an ibuprofen night.

Since it did not rain for the rest of the day, JB called to have the tractor delivered tomorrow morning, and I have a 2:00 pm appointment to take the dogs to the vet.  On Sunday, I plan to go to the laundromat after church, and maybe pick up some non-perishables for the 4th.  There we go, making plans again. . .

Friday, 6/28.  Sunshine and blue sky!!  Ding Dong, the Rain is Gone!  JB is like a kid at Christmas with the tractor finally being delivered this morning.  But we are in for several days of heat.  Supposed to be 90 Down There today and tomorrow, and then it rises into the triple digits through Wednesday.

Thought for the day:  Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.  Robert