Man, I hate that! Hot and dry summer...not as hot and dry as the last one, but still...I'm missing El Nino! And La Nina means more hurricanes, which is bad news for the oil spill areas, as well as just bad news altogether! We haven't had much rain in the last couple of months...need rain!

It's amazing how much difference there is in rainfall approx. a 100 miles away. We've had a great summer and can't complain about the rainfall. Compared to last yr at this time, we're way ahead. Going to run up to the lake this morning to water and mow. Expected to be 100 up there this afternoon.... Don't plan to stay! Last weekend, our grandson fed the Canadian geese (about 20) tortillas off the end of the dock. I have a feeling they've stayed around looking for him to come back....so I may have to take a power washer to our dock. Beautiful, but messy birds....

My niece lives in Gulfport, MS. Their home phone number is one digit off from the new BP Worker #. They were getting so many calls from people wanting to do clean up that they've had to turn off their phone and just use their cell phones. She said people start calling at 5:30 AM and when she tells them they have the wrong #, they ask for the correct one...or direction to where to go to sign up for work. And get angry if she doesn't help them out....

It's much hotter and dryer here in northeast Tx than it was last year! It's bone dry! The plants are suffering, including the drought tolerant natives that are out there pouting; some are getting fried!! It looks like a hot weekend and week ahead. I'm wondering if it will get to 105° today ~ the predicted temp for the next few days.

The spoiled dogs won't even go outside... they'll stick their nose out the door and back up!! The chickens go down to the shady side of the pond, but they are even trying to come in the house!! hahaha Poor things! I keep water bowls full at the front and back door for them....and water at the coop. I'm just a softie & worry about them. Maybe they would like a wading pool?

Ready for rain!!

Well...at least we aren't at triple digits these days, I can be grateful for that. I've noticed the rains in southcentral Texas are very spotty the last few months. One family gets plenty of rain one week and 10 miles away, zip or very little. Been a lot of that going on! I've had people from other states or other parts of the state tell us we must be getting lots of rain because they hear about the floods somewhere in Texas...or even in our general region. Oh well! Guess I shouldn't gripe, because last summer was so bad. But then the fall and winter El Nino rains spoiled me! I guess nobody is saying how long the La Nina will last, other than it'll be around through the summer.

It's the monotony of summer here that really gets my goat. Every day is like the day before and the next day, etc. No cool fronts, no rain, nothing! Less birds, more mosquitos! Guess I shouldn't complain...after the infamous Summer of 2009, this is child's play!

Today was the first day under triple digits in weeks! yay!

and it rained a couple of nights ago!
This cloud really has a silver lining...

Gorgeous photo!

Aaah! I want a silver lining, too!

I'm battling spider mites...AGAIN! Just about the time I think they're gone and let down my guard....they come back with a vengence. Going out to buy more Neem oil, and strip a bunch of leaves. I don't wish a hurricane on anyone, but it sure would be nice to have a little tropical storm somewhere near!
I'm going to cut all my perennials way back out front. The warm rains we had made everything jump. The heat and lack of rain is making all that new growth flop over. One way or the other I'll lose it, so I might as well trim it now and not have as much to water....
Hope everyone's staying cool....

Yes, the a/c's cranked up! I don't know if a hurricane or tropical storm would do much good. Last time didn't do much for us!