48 HOURS AND 9 INCHES LATER

Well, that was an interesting couple of days! We got 9 solid inches of rain in a 48 hour period. That's way too much water.

The good news: we can see where our low spots are so we can fill those in when it dries up.

The bad news: we've got lots of low spots to fill in when it dries up!

It sure was good sleepin' weather - if you were a goose. But not so much fun for the hens. They spent most of their time looking for dry land.

So far today, there's been no rain. They called for an 80% chance, but it looks like it's trailing north of us. Knock on wood. I guess the "5 to 10 inch" prediction for the coast was right on the money this time!

HURRICANE #1: WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

I'm reading over the post I started Wednesday evening. "Poco and I are sitting on the front porch watching the hurricane roll in ... the 5 to 10 inches of rain they've predicted for the coast is only up to an inch right now." WHAT WAS I THINKING????? Less than 48 hours later and we're quickly passing the 8 inch mark. And it's still raining - I mean POURING.

Here's what the "dirty side of the storm" looks like.

This was at about 6 pm yesterday evening. We braved the storm to get some chores done. We poured out the rain gauge, with the sinking feeling it might fill back up. The hens were happy to come in for some scratch and shelter. Big John stapled a trash bag over the vent fan - which is really a huge gaping hole with a fan stuck in it right now (no time to build and install louvers for just such an occasion!) I fed the horses while Big John checked the water tanks - both FULL!! 2050 gallons of water, just waiting to be used. Kind of wish we'd gotten the 3000 gallon tank now ...

Sure 'nough, this morning we'd had another 2 1/2 inches.

We planted that grass in a big hurry - determined to capitalize on those "showers" we were going to get. I think we got our money's worth. Let's just hope jigs can be watered in.

The animals have differing opinions of the weather. Ranger and Roxy have had about enough. (GREAT timing on that gutter installation, Big John!)

Walker and Tribett, on the other hand, are wondering where this rain has been all there lives! Sleepin' in the rain - what a life!

I'm beginning to wonder if the 10 inch prediction was a little conservative. This is turning out to be the complete opposite summer from last year.

Rain IS a Good Thing!

I didn't want to say the "d" word (drought), but it was definitley on everyone's minds. After the dry year we had last year, this winter's rains were like a band-aid. They helped the situation, but we needed moisture. And we just weren't getting any to speak of. I've even started putting out feelers for hay - from out of state, if necessary. We're hoping to avoid feeding stubble again this year.

Well, the weather man pulled through this time. The rain started yesterday evening. We woke up this morning to this beautiful sight:

And then this morning, God blessed us again!

We're now up to 3 1/2 inches, with a possiblity of more this weekend!

The rain stopped just long enough this morning for Big John and me to trim the tomato plants and pick some beans and squash. It'll be amazing to see how much better everything does on rain water. I've started to worry about the strain we're putting on the well - we've looked at some holding tanks and discussed the possiblity of drilling another well, but it all costs money. Rain is free!

And just like the song says, "Rain is a good thing!" Thank you, Lord!

IT RAINED!!!

It rained on Saturday - for 1 minute and 23 seconds (I timed it.) Needless to say, it wasn't helpful. Due to a badly planned summer spraying (not our doing), even the saltgrass is dead. There is literally nothing for the cows to eat. On the upside, farmers are baling corn stubble and selling it as fast as they can bale it. Wish I were a corn farmer this year. Please continue to pray for rain to come our way. Isn't it hurricane season? Seriously!