Still It Rains

The brook which borders our lane was in full spate last week after a night of pounding rain.

We have not since had a full 24 hour span without showers, drizzles, or downpours of various duration.

Heavy rain here creates freshets which pour down the steep ridges, rushing into brooks, creeks and rivers. Sections of the road disappear under sheets of water, bridges are closed, water stands in shimmering pools in fields and meadows;

gravel washes out of driveways and is deposited in the road.

Wild blue phlox has sprung up everywhere in the woods beyond the stable.

This clump was poised on  the bank of the swollen brook.

Violets, lavender-blue, yellow and a few white, hold up their heart-shaped leaves to the pummeling raindrops. 

Grass is growing apace, leaves unfolding on the trees.

All is a patchwork in tender shades of new green.

Our morning walks have been curtailed by the rain.

I put on my tall boots and squelched across the meadow after the first torrential rain.

The path we use along the boundary fence was under water--grass and violets drowned.

I had intended crossing the creek to have a closer look at a spread of blue-flowered plants--the usual fording spot was lost under a rush of foaming brown water.

The plants which I lugged home from the Cane Valley garden are still in their temporary containers ranged along the 

porch of Jim's shop.

The ground is too muddy to work.

My order of flower seeds has arrived in the mail and must be started in small pots.

The bricks I wish to move from a neglected spot at the lower farmhouse are still sitting there.

I'm not one to relish working outside with rain trickling clammily down my neck!

I picked leaves of fresh catnip from the recently dug plant. Bobby and Edward are inspired by the treat. Capturing a good photo of cats in the throes of a catnip high is difficult--much writhing and thrashing.

Jim finished the master closet on Thursday.

I was surprised that he painted the shelf supports red--but he felt that an all white closet was a bit boring. I spent several hours unpacking garments that have been mashed into Rubbermaid bins for the past two months, gathered clothes on hangers from the several tiny Amish closets.

The lower closet rails and shelves are mine--Jim's belongings are on the higher rails.

He hasn't claimed the vacant third shelf--I could find things to put there.

In spite of repeated culling I realize that once again we have accumulated too many clothes.

Never mind that the greater portion of them have been purchased at Goodwill or other charity shops.

Even good labels at bargin prices don't excuse an excess.

I finally finished painting the cabinetry for the upstairs bathroom, although the doors and hardware are yet to be installed.

Jim will not work on the shower there until later.

He painted the walls and ceiling in the master bedroom--oh, the joy of waking early in the morning and viewing my choice of colors--as opposed to acres of shiny light blue paint [the Amish choice in interior decor.] 

                                                                                                                                                               

Gloomy weather inspires me to bake.

Jim and I ate our way through a chocolate cream pie and a lemon meringue in the course of the week.

Flaky crust and the filling home made [no mixes!] and the garnish is real whipped cream.

I justified this indulgence as necessary to raise our spirits during the spell of wet weather--and surely all our hard work will disperse the calories.

I see no upcoming break in the work.

The heavy rains accompanied by wind loosened a roof shingle at the Cane Valley house. The resulting leak brought down a section of the ceiling in our former master bedroom. 

Jim has cleaned up the mess, patched the roof, replaced sheetrock.

I went with him yesterday to sweep and mop while he applied texture to the new portion of the ceiling, which will need painting. 

Today I helped mask and tape the kitchen cabinetry for the lower farmhouse kitchen.

My painting of our bathroom cabinetry became so time-consuming that Jim has opted for the white lacquer finish which the cabinet shop uses. His experience in spraying vehicles and machinery means this is yet one more job he can do.

The electric company office managed to [temporarily] misplace the permits and inspection paperwork pertaining to the lower farmhouse. 

That has now been found languishing on someone's desk, so today the sub-contractors came and cut the small trees which were marked months ago to be removed from the area where the 

line will be run.

We make progress, but the to-do list is a long one.