Right now, Tropical Storm Bill has received a lot of hype. It finally made landfall but hasn’t been the major storm predicted. However, we may have problems in the hours that follow. (Houston NBC-TV has been broadcasting weather news continually since ten o’clock last night.)

For your amusement: This morning, I spent over an hour in my recliner with a damp wash-cloth over my forehead–and fell asleep. (I had a sleepless night, and I’ve had a major headache!!) I was surprised to open my eyes and see SUNSHINE. It was raining earlier… and will rain again. 

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Two-forty PM and raindrops drove me indoors. Within seconds, very hard rain, lightning and thunder!! What’s a gardener to do on a rainy day?? Pull weeds (and check the rain gauges)!!

Two-fifty PM and–suddenly–the saturated soil had an inch of water standing on top!! Lightning must have been very close because the thunder was deafening.

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When the storm is over, before the awning goes out again, I’ll trim those low hanging limbs. I’ve been concerned because the limbs were rubbing the awning. BUT it was impossible to get to them because the rain barrels and planters hog that area and no way to set up the ladder. No end to projects in my garden!! (Keep me in your prayers as I climb the ladder?!)

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The rain comes and goes. The TV meteorologist’ call them “rain bands.” A **lot** more rain is forecast!!

The TV news is scary!! A tropical storm will hit within twenty-four hours. “Tuesday and Wednesday, bulk of the storm” according to meteorologist. “Five to eight inches of rain per hour.” Houston will be hit harder than the recent disastrous Memorial Day flooding. (Really depressing morning news at six o’clock, six-fifteen, six-thirty!!)

…to the best of my ability!!

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I don’t have enough “odd stuff” to use for sturdy frameworks for plant covers. Many planters are too heavy to move. We’ll just survive the best we can!! (See the blog message with pictures of earlier flooding in my yard–affecting my veggies.) ~~ I’m already feeling sad for the families who will be impacted by the flooding. 😦

How often have I said “Too soon old, too late smart”?? Before 2:30, I inquired of RV-savvy guys “Should I bring in my awning??” (Personally, I thought the awning should not be left to suffer during a tropical storm.) The answer was “yes,” so I had to confess that I don’t think I can do the task by myself. Volunteers were recruited to help me. Too late!!! It started raining HARD. See the force in the pictures of rain on the storage building roof. ~~ We’ll need to wait until it stops raining (if it stops raining). ~~ Dumb Lorraine!! Why didn’t I think of this earlier in the day??

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In light rain (“the leading edge of the storm”), I did a few other out-door projects. I’m wet as I write this (at four o’clock) but it feels so cool and comfortable.

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The awning is still out. I was told “Don’t worry; it will be OK.” Less than one-half inch of rain from “the leading edge….” 

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Update, postscript, Tuesday, June 16, 2015, 8:10 AM: Gratefully, the awning is “in.” I attempted, unsuccessfully, to put it in last night. I had a sleepless night!! Aggressively, I approached volunteers early this morning for help. Two men struggled… and “twisted” the awning to a closed position (but not snug enough to latch). Now I have “peace of mind.” (I don’t have dollars for major repair if the awning was ripped off and damaged the side of the trailer!!)

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Genetically white woman now claims self-identify as black: If you can choose your gender, can you also choose your race? What about your species? Can a human claim to be a llama?

…try, try again!!” I’ll attempt–one more time–to successfully grow tomatoes.

Veggie plants are growing poorly in the smaller containers. Perhaps the “giant climbing tomato” will do better in a larger planter?? We’ll see. The burlap-bag tomato planter was an impulse purchase at Tractor Supply. It’s cute–and large!! Two bags of planter soil “large”!!

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Pepper plant is sickly so I’ll get another one started.

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We will have rain off-and-on all weekend. Such sweet relief from the heat!!

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Call me crazy!? I just checked the Old Farmer’s Almanac for planting information according to the moon. Maybe that will help me, and my garden??

Yesterday, I spent time and energy on an “indoor” project. I wanted the summer-weight long skirts stored under the bed. The top of the bed had to be unloaded before it could be lifted (and, intentionally, no picture of the clutter). All the closet organizers, and clothes, had to be removed from the pole. A lapse of several hours between start and finish. First: Lunch in Livingston with Escapees RV Club Chapter Ten. Second: Root-beer float and socializing in the CARE Dining Room 2:30 and following. Third: A one-on-one visit with a friend recently returned from travels. Finally: Return the closet organizers, and clothes, to the pole. Whew!! A lot of work!! Now, most Winter items are under the bed. Eventually: Seriously reduce my large wardrobe!!

No mention of the garden or the weather in the previous post.

(Granted, weather and garden mentioned in the two links.)

Didja?