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SAMHAIN'S PAGE

THE SKY IS FALLING

[Pic links will have to be without mouseovers, since that handy link seems to have changed – anyone know what we’re supposed to use now?]

So, there we were, minding our own business – wondering when the Mama was going to come in from the garden and walk us. The Papa took pity on us and decided to do it without her since she was trying to get the seeds planted for her Sunflower House before the rain was supposed to start. the 2nd phase of the Sunflower House

When it came time for my turn, it started raining. Well, a little is OK, but it was coming down pretty good, so we came back to the house. Meanwhile the Mama had just finished putting in the last sunflower seeds and was thinking she’d better bring the flats of tomatoes, peppers and annuals in before they got completely waterlogged. Around here in this climate, everything has to be started indoors under lights first, then hauled out for sun and wind hardening-up for increasingly longer intervals. Today is the day designated for the average last frost day, though we’ve had frost into June before, and once in August! The plants are all hardened and ready now to be planted out, but most everyone waits for Memorial Day, and the Mama will probably do that, too.

So, she and the Papa are rushing through the pelting rain, carrying plant flats into the greenhouse when it starts to hail. [A note about the greenhouse. You might wonder why we can’t just leave the plants in there instead of carrying them in and out – it’s because the fiberglass paneling is old and doesn’t let in near the amount of light it did in the beginning. It’s a good 2nd step from the indoor lights, but to give the plants the hardening-up they need, there’s no substitution for the real thing – in graduated doses.]

The Papa had retreated to the porch to watch the storm, but the Mama was standing in the greenhouse dumping the excess water out of the flats when the REAL storm began. They weren’t exactly golfball size, but they were BIG. The storm lasted for several minutes, during which time the Mama was pressed up against a wall, hoping the roof wasn’t going to cave in! No way was she taking the short run from the greenhouse to the porch while all that was going on! the hail

Afterwards, the pawrents went to inspect things for damage. Amazingly enough, there was little to see: leaves down, hailstones everywhere, some shredded leaves of plants in the garden and rivers of water washing through all the low spots. Otherwise, the garden looked fine. And the Papa took me for my walk once the rain stopped – yay!
hailstones with quarter for scale
hail in the garlic bed

I HAVE A COMPLAINT

It is snowing...AGAIN. (sigh)
This is no longer amusing.
End of story.

THE REAL SCOOP

OK, everyone's always talking about poop on Catster, so I guess I will add my "two-cents worth":

There is nothing so freeing, so satisfying, as being able to do one's business au naturale - that is, out in the open, under the great blue sky.
To paw that raw earth, let loose, and then cover with the real thing - dirt, grass and dead leaves. Oh yeah. Thanks, Mama, for bringing me out here.
[She says I'm very welcome - one less poop to scoop!] Hehehe...