Shame on The Rain and Fat Boy's in The Barn!

Claudette seems to have spurred off activity to mess up the flow of things around here. We have been dealing with some rain. And we’re being told to expect the same for the next several days. Not good news. The wind and the dumping of rain have reached all the way under our porches. Dwayne picked up extension ladders and a walkboard – on loan from a friend at work. But we’re not able to make any progress on getting the power-washing and re-sealing completed on the house. I’m afraid this spell of rain may shove us right into fall with temperatures sinking fast. Actually – things are looking a little strange around here. Despite all the rain we’ve had this year – leaves have already begun to fall from the trees for the past week now. I just have this really bad feeling. I think we’re in for a pretty rough winter this year. About the only thing we have been able to do is fight with all the mowing – in between the spells of rain. Never fails – every time we get caught up to a point where we can actually enjoy a nice looking carpet – we get more rain. And before we get the next break – we’re looking at setting the blade box to #4 – once again. I am looking so forward to getting that tractor next spring. We have what they call “Dallas” grass going nuts here. It’s okay for a yard – I guess. Well, let’s just say – it’s not okay for pastures. The growth and spreading into horse pastures this year has caused some serious problems with animals – especially horses. The moisture that this grass can hold is incredible. We can go a month without rain and with temps in the high 90’s. This grass will remain wet at the surface of the dirt and in between lower layers of blades. Most people don’t maintain mowing their pastures like they do with the yards at their houses. This grass has made for a perfect environment for a fungus to develop that is showing up around the coronary bands on the hooves of animals. This can be – and usually is – fatal. Treatment is a pain in the butt. And it can be costly if you don’t deal with it full-force and immediately. Even worse – the animals must be removed from the pasture until the grass is dealt with and soil tests come back clean. While tomatoes continue producing and ripening at a much slower pace – I have put my foot down and called it quits on canning anymore of them! I have jalapenos yelling from the refrigerator. I go out and look at my watermelons every chance I get. Got so mad about not being able to count without losing track. So – I took a Sharpie pen out there. LOL Yep – I actually gave everybody a number so I can stop losing my mind. It’s helped track the four new babies I found yesterday. I dunno – they must like all the homemade compost I’ve been spreading under them. But I think fourteen watermelons between two plants is a bit much. I’ve decided to do some sacrificing once I can get out there and safely thin ‘em out. Busted the Groundhog heading for the barn a couple days ago. I haven’t seen a mate. So – I’m not all that worried. If anything – he’ll keep the weeds down around the metal gates. As for the veggie garden – if he can get over that fence without doing any damage – he can have at it! I just want a chance to watch. Fat Boy must weigh about 25-30 pounds. Wouldn’t that make for a Kodak moment! Yesterday was a day of running – all the way to Farragut – to Lenoir City – and back home. Got the bills paid – got some groceries bought. But the one thing I was shooting for – smoked mozzarella cheese – none in stock until next Saturday at the Fresh Market in Farragut. Go figure. I did do some window shopping in one of the antiques and crafts shops. But I got fed up with the “Made in India” crap going on and walked out empty handed. Okay – I’m outta here. Promised to make a cake for lunch snacks this week.