It has been a very dry winter this season unlike last winter when it seemed as though we were being rained upon almost all the time. Everything was so saturated and one storm was particularly intense as it blew in from the southwest, smashing against the house with high winds.
I remember that I had a problem with water coming in underneath the front door and into the hallway. Ha, ha…lot’s of fun. I’m outside in the driving rain, completely covered up in rain gear and attempting to cover up the front door in plastic as everything was whipping around me but all the time I kept thinking how lucky I was that I wasn’t someone that was faced with losing their home in a flood as they were back East at the time.
Then I had a temporary flashback of a particular El Nino year when it seemed the state of California was going to drown and I had a leaky roof. I would climb up on it when it was raining (Not the smartest thing to do) with huge rolls of plastic and attempt to hammer it down and keep the inside of the house free from leaks, all the while making sure I didn’t slide off and get hurt.
(One of my more enjoyable experiences of being a single Mom. And a “thank you” to my son Ryan who was right along beside me, building his character.)
But the storm from the previous winter ruined the wooden front door although somehow my flooring survived the assault and out of this, one of my sons gave me a beautiful new front door a few months ago.
So, I’m digressing here…I think I was talking about the lack of rain we’ve had this year and I have been doing some supplemental watering in the garden. I’m disappointed that none of the wildflower seeds I had sown a few months ago, have appeared. But the poppies are plentiful and I noticed this morning that one has a cheery, orange flower bouncing upon itself.
A couple of days ago I purchased four large bags of shredded bark and this weekend I plan on spreading most of it out in the areas where things are a bit bare. All I need to do is get them out of the trunk of the car.
Where’s a man when I need one?
As I was saying, the weather has been odd this winter. I few weeks ago it was hot and that’s when I had a rattlesnake in my sitting area and then yesterday, it became very cold (Something I hate) and it hailed!
So what’s next? I think most of us are still hoping for more rain, as we certainly need it but in the meanwhile my garden still looks beautiful. And at the end of the day, I can enjoy the tranquility and peace it provides to me and know that life is good and each day brings it’s blessings if we are only paying attention.
