The deluge finally ended late last night. Yesterday, it rained so hard for hours and hours – relentless rain – that the culverts were overflowing onto the street. We tried to keep our spirits up here in the cottage, but it was a challenge. Later in the day, I went out to get the mail and I noticed all sorts of trash/debris in the culvert on either side of the driveway. You know, people throw things out their car windows and the trash lands somewhere up the road from us and the force of the water flowing very powerfully through the culverts carries all that trash here. So we had to run out in the rain to gather up all the debris. Don was pulling some cardboard out of the culvert and the frog appeared again. Same general area where he was before. We’ve named him Phileas Frog (inspired by the character in Around the World in Eighty Days.)
This morning the water has receded. Where will Phileas go, I wonder?
I can hear the rushing of the river from where I sit in the den. It’s so loud!
It looks like we’ll get a respite for a few days but there’s more rain coming next week. I can see the beginnings of sunshine out there and I’m grateful.
We have wildflowers popping up everywhere in the area around the gardens and the funky patio. It makes for a somewhat cluttered look that I’m tempted to clean up, but then I see these buds.
That become these little flowers – fleabane. And I leave them because they’re beautiful.
The same for the forget-me-nots that are blooming after springing up in the spaces between the pavers.
So I’m going to let it be a bit wild for a while.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
I think fleabane is pretty too. I’m starting to see much of the same. Our rain has stopped — we actually had a couple of sunny days in a row and more to come. It’s even supposed to reach 70 today. It’s amazing what a difference it is to wake to sunshine in the morning.
Today will mean more weeding and mulching. Yesterday I hit the market for herbs and a few blooms. I don’t do much with flowers at home because of being gone most of the summer, so I’ll put some in pots to take with me. And the cemetery flowers. The market was packed and it was almost challenging to maneuver the greenhouses. Prices are up this year so I was careful. Today I need to get some potting soil and we’re off to the races!
Enjoy, Jeanie. When do you head to the cottage? Memorial Day weekend?
Stay safe.
I like surprise little flowers that pop up unexpected. I’m sure your grass and plants will be happy with all of that rain. Hopefully, you will have some sunny days to enjoy your garden.
The sun is here one minute, then clouds the next. That’s the kind of day it is.
Stay safe, Ellen.
That sounds like quite a downpour! We’ve actually had temperatures near the 90s, warmer than average. Today should be a bit more comfortable. How fun to see all the flowers popping up! Enjoy the weekend!
It was torrential!
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia,
We have had over five inches of rain here in the past week too! I was praying for rain… and thankfully, most of it was not torrential… just steady and often and long… but my yard is now a swampy area! We are also due a few days of sunshine and I know the garden will “take off”… It’s a roller -coaster from too little to too much!
I also leave my “favorite” wildflowers… fleabane is high on the list along with Queen Annes Lace, buttercups and forget-me -nots… (not technically a wildflower). At my long ago garden in Vermont the soil was not quite as fruitful and fewer plants self-seeded…. down here in the Valley it is almost Tropical when in rains a lot…. and many plants take advantage of the bounty.
I am hoping now for some “moderate” weather!
My forget-me-nots are from a previous planting many years ago. They like to multiply. We get buttercups on the lilac side of the lawn, and Queen Anne’s Lace later on in the summer.
Stay safe, Betsy.
I haven’t seen any fleabane in our yard yet…but we do have plenty of wild violets growing. I pretty much let them be, unless they are interfering with a perennial. I’ve tried to do wild gardens…but I found out I need more structure in my garden beds lol. (Control freak?) We transplanted a lot this spring…things were getting too crowded. By July, I should find out if that was a wise decision. One thing I was thrilled with was the feel of the soil on my hands…and dirt under my fingernails. Heavenly!!
It’s going to be in the 80’s starting Sunday. I’m not ready for that. Enjoy your day! ;)
Yes, we have lots of wild violets – both purple and white, I really love them.
Structure is why I want to weed wack that area by the funky patio, but I’m making myself hold off.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
hope you get more dry, sunny days soon, in part so you have time to enjoy being outside with those pretty flowers and all the greens!
wish we’d get some rain. any rain. anymore it seems we get maybe half of whatever precipitation is forecast or none at all, like we’re in the ‘donut hole’ of storms. i love it anyway but we really do need rain, especially since it’s supposed to reach 86+ degrees several days next week. not into hot weather anyway and it’s just too soon for that.
i’ve spent more time (including this morning) sorting and moving over things i can safely lift. will take this break, then get back to all the stuff because i’m not doing it tomorrow. my brother is out of town. my sister and i may watch a movie on dvd. we’d both like to see “conclave” or maybe watch “argo” again.
hope you, don and everyone else have a wonderful weekend and stay safe.
kathy
We lived through that last year. Never enough rain, and if it was predicted, it fell everywhere but our neighborhood. We’ve been in a drought for almost a year. This last set of storms have cancelled out the drought.
We loved Conclave.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Glad you and Don survived the deluge and didn’t have to call Noah and his ark to bail you out. We have lots of “volunteer” plants, too. Our sweet lily-of-the-valley is coming up in the grass very close to our driveway. They seem to thrive no matter what. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone . Women seem to have that nurturing instinct so qualify as mothers even if they don’t have children. It takes a village, right? Enjoy your weekend. Hope your girls are planning a surprise for you. Hugs, Elaine
No surprises from the girls, Elaine. Just a low-key day.
Stay safe.
It’s just awful how people still litter like crazy. I can’t believe it, and I’m sorry you have to deal with that. There is a beautiful little wildlife area by our Trader Joe’s, and people toss their litter all over the area right next to the road. I have dreams of going to clean it all up, but it would be a huge and never ending job. Right now I am dealing with allergies and a bad sinus infection, wherein I have lost my voice. I hope you are having better weather, Claudia!!
I hope you feel better soon, Jenny. Rest up.
Stay safe.