Storms

Sure we needed a little rain but 4” overnight and a couple more the next day – the big washout. And lots of lightning to make it even more exciting. But the real action came a few days after the big rain – from the storm that nailed Arkansas on Friday or Saturday. We had plenty of warning but the winds were unbelievably strong – straight line not rotational. My tv antenna was blown off and we lost power for about 5 hours. I broke out the generator when the power company gave us 9PM as the estimated fix time and luckily it was full of gas and started on the first pull. So from the time we lost power to when we were back in business was about 15 minutes. I did note that although the generator was full of gas and would run for about 8 hours, all my other gas containers are empty and that needs correction.

My next big project is replacing bad planks on the dock. It’s been in for over 10 years and the section that is uncovered is starting to rot – not dangerous but unsightly. Even though she can’t see it, Nancy is sure it needs to be fixed. Luckily Joey and Mark volunteered to do the actual work – well actually Joey volunteered Mark. The first thing was getting twelve 16’ planks home from Lowes in my pickup with an 8’ bed. Lowe’s helped load the truck but I had to tie it all down and drive the 20 miles back home and then unload it. Not counting sore muscles, it went smoothly and the planks are in the screened porch waiting for the big install.

We’re about a week away from the first green beans of the season. So far my plan to start them earlier than usual is successful. There’s no sign of any bug attacks which is often the fate of the bean crop. There’s a second crop about a month behind this first one and then another that is just breaking ground. This last planting is not likely to produce much because it matures in the heat of June and near the peak of the bug season. I had some leftover seed and you never know about the weather, so why not try. The worst that can happen is that it all makes it to the compost pile. I picked the last carrot and the last of the “standard” spinach and getting close to the end of the kale. A few more heads of cabbage, a hardy row of Swiss Chard and the collards are all that’s remaining of the green crop – not counting the New Zealand spinach. No surprises except that this is the longest standing, most productive row of Swiss Chard ever. I don’t think I did a thing different but the soil conditions and weather must have been just right. And that’s not just my opinion. One of the bridge ladies that Nancy distributes greens to came over to the car yesterday and told me she’s never had Swiss Chard this good so it is different this year. It’s very rewarding to get those kind of compliments and to see the price in Publix for Chard that doesn’t look as good. Last week a bunch that looked like about 3 leaves was $4.