Wow no rain during the day!!! We calculated what our total rainfall was for the week and it was around 15 inches which is hard to fathom(no pun intended) for these mountains. There was several rainfall tragedies with a huge sinkhole in Sparta and part of route 21 that comes up the mountain to the continental divide washed away. The big tragedy for us was our company was here the whole week and we nearly mildewed and that I lost most all of my small seedlings of lettuces, beets, radishes and sugar peas. Several of the local houses around sprang leaks in their roofs as well.
Monday had its share of overcast skies with what a appeared to be rain clouds but for the most part it was sunny and pleasant with just enough coolness in the air to make for a good outside working day. After the usual spot of tea and a few moments to reflect, give thanks and lift up those we know who need some special considerations I started the day with a leftover buckwheat cake then headed out to check on the gardens and yard. The slugs are still eating their way through as much green foliage as possible during the night and the Japanese beetles are back so I corralled and squashed a cup of them. The wine berry bushes are just loaded this year and it looks like a banner crop. I think I will save enough for some fruit of vine makings as soon as they ripe.
I loaded up the golf cart and headed out to the backwoods yard to tackle the moss problem as its taking over and it seems the best while not the easiest way to rid the yard of the problem is with a 4 prong rake. I loosened up several loads of the green stuff and transported it into the woods. I try to take one section of the yard and rid that area completely then add lime to the grass that is surviving in the moss sections. I worked at that job until it was time to take a hike literally to the top of the mountain with Nancy. We stopped and visited with Norm and Joe who had a project going on then headed on down to visit with Jetta for a few before heading back down for a bite of lunch.
After lunch I was back into the moss bearing yard albeit was in the shade areas so that made it comfortable to work. The sun light was very hot when you were directly in it and it wasn't long until we noticed some of the flowers wilting despite all the rain. The sun was that hot. I worked for a couple hours and then we headed out to the mailbox to get the mail and noticed the Grant and Shirley were up at their cabin and learned they found a leak in their roof. We came up with some ideas of how and why the leak occurred after several years of no leaks as its a metal roof like mine. We then stopped and visited with George and Gail for awhile and learned the garden fairy was them via neighbor Gerald. They have a home and garden down off the mountain and it seems to be doing well so they brought some of their bounty to share with the folks in the mountains.
Well I piddled around outside after a supper of leftover smoked chicken and tossed salad and then finished the last of the peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream, yeow was that ever delicious but not exactly good for my spare tire. I'll work outside another day raking up moss and hoeing the garden so that should help with melting some of the fat away. I watched the Ray's vs the Twins on the Internet after dark and they won again; so they are holding their own and now have their Cy Young Award winning pitcher back so that should help with their bid for the pennant race. After a hot shower I headed into the reading room and it was soon lights out, LATER
