Our prayers and rain dances were finally answered at the very end of June, after a parched month. We had half an inch of gentle rain Friday night. Yesterday, Saturday, was still hot, and we still needed more rain. Storms arrived midday and the heavens opened. We had six inches of rain, and it was not gentle. No complaints, but there will be a considerable job fixing washouts this week, and the big erosion project is postponed. Not far north of here, in Silex, where Nathaniel lives, the big rain missed them completely and they are still desperate for moisture. We feel very lucky.
As the rains subsided, I set off to Wentzville on an errand yesterday, late afternoon. The roads were flooded. I drove through one patch of water, which was deeper than it looked. I was glad to be in a Subaru. When I crested the next hill and saw an even worse flood ahead, I turned around and went home. Today, all roads are safe and dry, and my errand accomplished.
Well, stepping back to last Wednesday, I accompanied Jane and Derry to Columbia to see Dr. Kramer and the Lameness Locator. Dr. Kramer has been at the University of Missouri for a very long time. I think I last saw her 20 years ago. She is middle aged now, and we are old. But the news was good, and Derry is confirmed to be sound. It was an interesting visit, with a happy outcome. Derry’s show career continues!
We had a visit from Bill and Pam on Friday. They struggled through awful traffic in blistering heat on the way out here, with the beginning of the holiday weekend. It was a brief, but fun, time together. Pam is a fellow Sacred Heart girl, so she enjoyed seeing the clay Mater sculpture, which is soon to be repurposed.
We are seeing many young birds out the back window. Maybe I was not observant enough in years past, but they are a delight this year.
There are other birds entertaining us, of course.
The dogs and cats are well, as we rocket into July. Most of the animals here are not bothered by fireworks. The horses and cats don’t care, Cedar and Nettie are deaf, and only Weedy quakes a little under the rockets’ red glare. We are greatly relieved to have had rain before fireworks, which are selling in record numbers this year.
The rain not only damped the dust, it brought a rare July day of pleasant weather. Jane and I rode, and Harry got a picture today.
I stopped in to the studio, where Harry was hard at work, with Weedy keeping him company.
Be safe, be well, enjoy the magical world around us. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
I cannot tell you, Anne, how much I am enjoying your blogs! I look forward to them all the time, even while traveling abroad! Everything looks wonderful there, as green and lovely as the Irish countryside! Having a blast!
Thanks, Gay!
I expect Ireland has better weather than we are having here. What fun!
Anne,
Beautiful photos—thank you for sharing. Love those of Derry, Weedy, the other dogs and cats**—and especially the birds. Is one of the Ravens named Poe by any chance? We had a pair of red-bellied woodpeckers at our home in Florida. It took me awhile to identify them and I never understood why they are called “red-bellied,” which they aren’t, but maybe I’m missing something in their life cycle.
**I’ve been looking for an old photo (circa 1945) of Harry and me which I remember but so far can’t find. But I came upon an invoice from the Tom Morris Golf Shop in St. Andrews from the time my Dad and I played the Old Course in 1954. He bought me three Persimmon woods (driver, brassie, and spoon) and a putter all with Tom Morris’ name—and all four for the exorbitant price of 13 pounds! I wasn’t intending to mention it, but seeing your cat of that famous name I changed my mind. I’m at the Beach now but when I’m back in Baltimore will photocopy it and send it to you.
Again, many thanks—and keep those photos coming.
Steve
Thank you, Steve! Those black birds are crows, not ravens, but I will definitely call one Poe, once I learn to identify them individually. I only just learned the difference between those two species, both Corvids, and very similar. Their tail shape and calls are different enough that I do know we have crows here. As for red bellied woodpeckers, they are poorly named. You really need two look closely to see the reddish color underneath them.
Tom Morris will enjoy seeing the receipt of your golf clubs with his name on them! Do you still have the clubs? I expect they are worth more than 13 pounds now (though the exchange rate was about $3 per pound sterling back then).
Thank goodness for the rain. We had just over 3 1/2 inches, though welcome, the grass is still triscuit colored.
Love seeing all the animals and the people of course.
Glad to see everyone doing well!