A volunteer installed new de-flappers to the awning and repaired the tear. Now, rain water should drain off awning into rain barrels. Hallelujah!! ~~ I installed new batteries in new sensor and secured it to a very study ring, and the ring to a tree limb. I defy any storm to take down the new sensor!! ~~ Just for the fun of it, I double-checked separate sensor temperature under tarp shelter.

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When I wasn’t pinching insects or pulling weeds, I cut cardboard into small pieces for the Garden Tower compost tube. Several boxes were ruined due to major water leak so a valuable resource. (Waste not, want not.) It’s 4:00 (four days later) and I’m still waiting for my handyman, David.

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Double-checking the new sensor against my stand-by reliable little clock thermometer. ~~ Always an object to photograph; always a blog message to write. Never a dull moment!!

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Time will tell. I may be my own worst enemy?

Today, a young man trimmed some of my trees. I’ve speculated that my garden needs more sunshine. However, the tropical plants on my patio may have thrived due to deep shade. Yes, “time will tell.” (I’ll report the result.) ~~ Check these pictures vertically and not horizontally. ~~ James cut the big heavy limbs; Lorraine cut them into smaller pieces. (Radical tree surgery because it may be “a cold day in hell” before I have another helper. I’m capable of many tasks, woefully lacking in others.) ~~ Too tired for square dancing tonight. I usually limit my physical activity on Monday so I have energy for square dancing but the helper too valuable to postpone!!

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Postscript, Friday, June 10, 2016, 12:45 PM: I’m a renter. Frequently my wishes are overruled. I won’t complain!! Gratefully, I obtained permission for the tarp shelter, and cement pad for my Garden Tower.

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In a matter of seconds, a cloud burst!! I had to rush out in the rain to put tools–and planters–under the awning. Compare the two pictures (below): The scene changed rapidly!!

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Lorraine’s at war with the insects on her tomato plants!! Yesterday, one plant; today, another plant. Spraying does not seem to faze them so I’m “pinching” them. (I read about “pinching” as I searched the Internet for a description and solution.) Personally, I’m not fond of contact with insects but this seems to be the only effective way to get them off my tomatoes!!

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Handpicking. Ultra-low-tech but effective for organic gardeners, handpicking is just what it sounds like: Spot pests and squish them or brush them into a pail of soapy water (or collect them for your chickens). Keeping a close eye on your crops and knowing how to identify pests are the keys to this method. Pests that haven’t become overwhelming in number and are big enough to spot easily, such as slugs, tomato hornworms and other worm-type pests, are prime candidates for handpicking.

Mother Earth News

Touring my garden, checking my tomatoes, I saw these insects on my first ripening tomato. At this posting (6:00 PM), I do not know what they are.

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Postscript, Saturday, June 4, 2016, 9:00 AM: An Internet search was tedious!! I’d only checked three sites when my WiFi signal stopped. Hours went by without a signal. 😦  I don’t know how to control the problem if I don’t know who my enemy is?! Exhaustive searches this morning supplied what I believe to be the answer. The picture on the right is from the Internet and appears to match my invaders: Leaf-footed plant bug nymphs. Now (if it quits raining), I can attempt to control or eradicate?!

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I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I love the Internet!! So much information at my fingertips!!

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Postscript, June 4, 2016, 10:30 AM: I’m selfish!! That’s “my” tomato and I don’t want to share it!!

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Triple postscript (lol), 1:25 PM: In response to Deb’s comment, I do have cluster tomatoes, too.

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So far, no problems where I live but devastation from flooding just a few miles south (Houston area). Please keep flood victims in your thoughts and prayers!!

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Too bad we can’t truck our excess to California.

Here’s a very interesting article: Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy.

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So hot and humid!! I’m so lethargic, I’m moving @ a snail’s pace!!

“Yes,” I turned on the air-conditioner!!

When my electricity was restored*, Houston television has (had) non-stop coverage (“sights”) of the damage in their area. At my location, a frightening storm last night!! A brief tour of my “site” reveals three inches of  water in the gauge, blossoms destroyed on my plants, downed limbs and debris on the patio and sidewalk. About twenty gallons of water ponding on roof of the tarp shelter. Sixty-six degrees outdoors as I type this (8:00 AM) so a blissfully pleasant temperature to work in the yard. The sun is struggling to shine through the clouds.

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*No power from 7:55 PM until 12:20 AM.

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LATER, 12 noon, sixty-six degrees, raining: Below, images of time spent in the yard.

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I want to save rain water but needed to “Mickey Mouse” a defuser. 

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Below, before and after pictures of Petunias. “Bedraggled” flowers in all my planters.

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EVEN LATER, almost 3:00 PM, a cold, wet sixty-five degrees outdoors.  I have warmth, indoors, with the heater!! I’m heartsick because my plants are getting “too much water”!!

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Two days ago I commented on “extremes.” Today is another example: The furnace is on!! Yesterday, I was using the air-conditioner!!

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LATE AFTERNOON, 4:00 PM: OK, OK, you think you’ve seen enough?! Just six more pictures!!