Rain, Rain, Rain

August 30, 2006

We're all thankful Ernesto didn't turn into a hurricane. The eyes of Jeanne, Frances and Charley all passed over our house. We were blessed not to have had any damage. A few branches fell - very small ones, and you could seee where a downburst affected two of the oaks. We went to one daughter's and waited out the storm, watching a lot of it from the front porch. The wind was howling so loudly it was hard to hear anyone talk. We heard so many of the huge old oaks crack and fall. It changed the whole face of the landscape. For months afterwards, people were in a minor sort of daze. It was hard to 'get your bearings' because nothing looked the same. In some sections all the trees were pushed over. Even now, looking into the woods as you drive along, you can see sections where so many of the trees are leaning on a 45° angle. SO.. I'm very grateful this is not a destructive storm. Lots of rain expected, not much wind.

Because Florida is a peninsula, our frequent storms do a lot to keep the air quality high and clean. I think the trees overdo themselves trying to cover things with pollen because they know another storm is coming to wash it away.....

Most of my potted plants are looking pretty pitiful. Begonias, impatiens... looking sad from too much heat and too much rain. I think I need to change the potting medium and add either some coarse mulch or perlite. When there is no rain, the soil dries out nearly daily. when it rains they become soggy and its hard to dry it out. One large pretty white begonia simply gave up this week and all branches just laid over and died. Pots are fine, but plants usually do so much better in the ground for me. Perhaps their sustanance is more dependent on nature and less on me.

This is a time of rest nearly over for Florida. Now is the time to be planint the winter crops. So many thing s will do well in the cooler weather. Even tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers will do well. There are many that have short maturation times and can make it before we have frosts. Last year I simply put things into big pots and grouped them together so that when frost threatened I could cover them with an old bedspread.

This picture is from my side porch. Until the electric company "pruned" all the trees, it was a magnificently shaded, cool, peaceful spot to rest. The pruning has eliminated the majority of the afternoon shade, but its still a nice shady spot to start the day.

I've been reading a blog by a lady named "Alice". Its wonderfully descriptive of the life and surroundings in Australia. Well worth reading. She's included many pictures, giving non-travelers a wonderful glimpse of the beautiful, diverse scenery. Some of the most appealing pictures to me are of their gardens. She also writes and encourages others to write "life stories" about things from the past. What a wonderful way to safeguard memories that would other wise be forgotten and not passed down to future generations. Thanks, Alice, for sharing!