Thunderstorm weather, thunderstorm forecast, but, when the time comes, the clouds go. SE Wisconsin now in extreme drought. Plenty of heat and humidity in the atmosphere, but for some reason, the pattern refuses to produce precipitation.
A few drops on sedum the last time it rained several weeks ago.
Nice upgrade, and much less stuff. And, there will be no more salty drip down to the garage basement.
Below, the remains of my recently planted, deer and rabbit resistant shrubby St. John’s Wort. Someting not only chewed it off, but actually dug it out. Meanwhile I have to continually battle with volunteer mulberry and buckthorn.
New sandbox, some play time, a few shade, breaks while Renee got the butterfly garden installed, all wrapped up with Bri’s Green Egg ribs and Mimi’s potato salad.
Awful weather but garage floor finished.
And quite beautiful it is, too. Two youngish guys worked steadily and methodically from 8 am to 6 pm, in what I learned is a much more complex process than I imagined. Fill and grind, then fill and grind again, vacuum thoroughly, apply a first coat of polyaspartic and let set, apply a second colored coat, shake out vinyl flakes, sweep up vinyl flakes, scrape, sweep, vacuum, and apply a final clear coat.
I felt guilty watching these guys work so long and hard in such heat.
Cloudless sky, much warmth, desiccating wind, and not a trace of humidity.
Massive old oak
Phase one of the new garage floor. Supposed to be done in a day, but at least the contractor showed up (which was in doubt)
…working breakfast, with the four other guys who are trying to establish a non-partisan organization dedicated to getting Walworth County voters to think. Tom Gilbert (Human Competence) is providing posthumous guidance.
…if you like perfect weather. However, if you like rain, you are SOL. I would not have the stoicism, fatalism, sangfroid, or whatever, to be a commercial farmer. The new corn in the fields, a few inches high, looks bad.
Meanwhile, the compromised fence has been reinforced and is now impermeable. It doesn’t make sense to bother with the time and expense of building a fence if it only serves as a holding pen for marauding rabbits.
…in spite of the new fence.
I had fun chasing the beast until he finally revealed the entry point by exiting. That will be fixed tomorrow.
And, riding around town, signs are that there is no longer an excuse to have Covid. Too bad conditions are not the same in Ontario.
What started out as a car wash turned into a tree trimming when neighbor Dave came over with his electric pole saw. A few dead or unwieldy limbs were pruned, and that, along with the lilac trimming of a few days ago, made the front of the house visible from the street.
Notes: 1) birch wood is extremely heavy, and 2) the cars did eventually get cleaned.
…also known as neighbor picnic. Big Green Egg slow roasted roast and lots of tasty sides. Sequence and conversation, post prandial. First in-house get together in over a year.
Yarrow
…State Trail.
And, some drone practice, for upcoming photography job.
Day bright and beautiful.
…weather. Pleasant visit with the Caves.
Cold, gray, and damp. Frost warning tonight. But, perfectly fine conditions for sandhill cranes.
What with dinner, Sequence, and lots of chat, the blog got away from me. I’m calling this post May 27.
A mast year for maples.
Sunny, windy, warm, and dry.
Good day for bike riding, especially all around the now deserted campus.
I’m planning to participate in America Talks.
…with rain continuing to recede in the forecast.
Dames rocket (Hesperis matronalis) the beautiful invasive.
Old Maid’s Nightcap (Geranium maculatum), the beautiful native woodland perennial.
But, hark, what sound through yonder window breaks? Thunder, you say?
Yes, and just now a full minute of rain!
This is not what used to be called a thunderstorm.
…at a little party in Cedarburg.
Lots of fun, and an incredibly delicious rhubarb cake made by Mimi. Thanks everyone.
Non native, widely planted tree
The slightly poisonous seeds are called conkers, and while looking like American chestnut seeds, are not nearly so edible.
…with neighbor Patrick, retired attorney from California. Moved to Whitewater a few years ago. Got elected as City Attorney. Serves on the Urban Forestry Commission (which I have recently been appointed to), provides pro bono legal advice to the startup Co-op. Etcetera.
It’s his opinion that the midwest is really the best place to live, and Wisconsin is probably the best place in the midwest. And even poor Whitewater has its charms, especially for someone who likes being involved.
Fun to have a highly educated, sophisticated, articulate friend, especially one who likes bike riding and is skilled in the art of conversation.
Helping a bit with unboxing, and doing a little small game hunting with the boys—worms, millipedes, and even a grump.
Forgot to take photos.
All the silver maples in town let their seeds fly in today’s big wind. Countless numbers.
I don’t know of any wildlife that really appreciates this offering. I find them crunchy, mealy, and green tasting, a bit like raw soybeans. Perhaps a stew of maple samaras and 17 year cicadas would be just the thing.