As
Mike pulled on a sweatshirt this morning, he wondered if he slept through
summer and fall. Tough to believe that we should be bracing for highs at 90 by
the weekend – and that’s here at Gilbert at an elevation of 3,000 feet!
When
we came to the farm on Sunday, Mike mowed the lawn while I did two loads of
laundry and checked out the gardens. The next three days would be rainy
according to the forecast, and the forecast wasn’t wrong. We’ve had storm after
storm and sometimes the rain just pours from the sky. 
Mike
looked out to see water spilling over the gutter above the cistern, so at the
first break in the rain he cleaned out the pine debris that was clogging the
downspout. The difference it makes is water to the cistern, and we need to
collect it while we can. We might need that water in August – maybe even
September.
Right
now the garbs and my gardens are enjoying the rain, but one has to think that
it’s been enough for now. At some point the vegetation is going to need the sun’s
warming. I think Mike needs it, too.
We
finally have a hummingbird population here. I saw about eight of them arguing
over the feeder last night. Their nectar consumption really picked up in the
last couple of days. “Herbie the Hummer” presented himself at the window this
morning. “Yo the house,” he called. “We need nectar out here.” I assured him I
would see to it immediately, but first the solution had to be cooked and cooled.
So
what have we been doing during this spell of inclement weather?
Between
storms Mike works with little Bess – you know, the whole sit-stay-come routine
as well as wing training. I think that wing-on-the-rod thing just reassures the
hunter that his expensive new pup really will hunt when the time comes. And, of
course, when Bess is in the house we’re both watchful of where she is and what
she’s doing. She’s not the most affectionate puppy we’ve ever had, but she has
to rate amongst the most fun-loving. She has quite a collection of toys on her
pillow – a slipper, an old shoe, a squeaky toy. She loves to play, and her eyes seem to dance
with mischief as she pesters ol’ Nellie – or ol’ me. 
Nellie
gets her share of attention. She and Mike practice backpacking every morning
with a walk out to the mailbox. They might enjoy a hike around the fields if it
weren’t so wet. They’re getting in shape for the annual Warnock “all comers”
backpacking trip scheduled for the weekend of July 13.
5 comments:
Yes, it's been wet, wet, wet here at the resort, too. Monday night I even pulled the drapes because it seemed to dark and dreary early in the evening. Usually this time of year we just leave them open all the time.
I've been lazy after a very busy week last week. I found some old Hallmark movies (the Jane Doe series) and was able to record three of them Sunday night, and I've been enjoying lounging on the family room sofa watching them a bit at a time. Perfect rainy weather fare.
Love your story about Herbie the Hummer!! What a good woman you are! :-)
Ooops! That would be two o's before "the dark and dreary." Gnashing of teeth!
Ha ha! I left a typo on your blog the other day, Chris. I didn't even have the energy to re-comment. You all knew what I meant. ;)
I suppose you're getting a few storms from us. We've had a couple downpours and even some thunder. We're very much looking forward to the nice weekend. YAY!
As I am reading this, it looks as if the rain is over for a while. Today is already quilte warm and no rain in sight.
I am glad for the warm now as my strawberries were suffering the plague of slugs & when it's dry they are not nearly as bad.
Of course, we will miss the rain later.
Our day at Gilbert was warmer than expected -- 83 or so. We've planned yardwork for tomorrow.
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