Mixed Blessing
I could have also titled this post "Be Careful What You Pray For," but I'm pretty sure I've used that before -- multiple times.
It's raining -- again.
After one of the driest summers in a long time, the past couple of weeks have provided a pleasant respite from the heat and drought. But every silver lining has its dark cloud.
For one thing, the allergies that accompany rainfall (mold?) have been rampant; my head is an undetonated IED and I'm going through tissues like, well, tissues.
On the other hand, everything is becoming nice and green.
On the other hand, longtime readers of the Gazette will understand what a problem the rainfall presents to Abbye (see also, Leaves of Death). The problem is compounded now that we have to test her before giving her an insulin shot.
On the other hand, the 90- and 100-degree days are temporarily only unpleasant memories, stirred by the $300+ electric bill I just received. I noticed that Dallas was expecting a high temp today of 106; we're to be 20 degrees cooler.
On the other hand, I really should have mowed the lawn yesterday during a break in the action. (See also, "Allergies and the Lawn Mowing They Prevent")
On the other hand, the rain has not been heavy enough to cause any damage, despite being under a seemingly continous flash flood watch or warning. Some of our friends in nearby Odessa haven't been quite as fortunate.
On the other hand, there's no bike riding in the rain.
On the other hand...well, I've run out of hands. The bottom line in the rainfall bookkeeping is that we'll take it whenever and however we can get it, and if I have to pay a price in physical discomfort and a recalcitrant dog and a jungley lawn, so be it. I'm sure someone out there appreciates my sacrifice for the greater good.
"On the other hand, there's no bike riding in the rain."
Ummm....could someone share that little tidbit with my husband? As a matter of fact, you might add this when you do:
"...at 5:30 a.m. especially when thunder and lightning are involved!"
Posted by: sherry at August 16, 2006 09:23 AMBeth, not radioactive, but Abbye thinks it's acid. ;-)
Our rainfall has been the slow and steady kind, no need for an ark (yet), unless you're on one of our "doubles as a drainage canal" streets.
Sherry, after that account, all I can say is that I don't want to hear any more comments about Aggies. At least we know when to come in out of the rain.
Posted by: Eric at August 16, 2006 09:39 AMIf you find time to mow your yard, and you are still missing your physical activity of riding your bike...my lawn could use a good mowing and you could get a real good workout. Things tend to grow a bit when they don't get cut down since before we left for vacation!!!
Posted by: lyle at August 16, 2006 01:14 PMLyle, whatever happened to that fancy-schmancy tractor you bought?
(And, on a more important note, did the Hammond family have anything to do with the shutdown of the Prudhoe Bay gathering system? That seemed like an awfully suspicious coincidence to me. ;-))
Posted by: Eric at August 16, 2006 01:20 PMThat "fancy-schmancy tractor" is still in Colorado. No time to run up and haul it down. Another idea popped into my head...you want some bike time? I wonder how well you and YLB would make out towing it down here with your tandem??? The down-hills would be very interesting!!!
Ssshhhhh...nobody else knows about our link to Prudhoe and Cindy is still chuckling
Posted by: lyle at August 16, 2006 03:50 PMOn the other hand, my roof is still leaking in spots.....the roofers have promised to make a reappearance.
Posted by: Wallace-Midland, Texas at August 16, 2006 03:59 PMWe already got that $300 electric bill, now could you send some of that rain over here? Thanks!
Posted by: Denise at August 16, 2006 09:11 PMLyle, I don't believe you really have a tractor. What's the point of owning a tractor if you're going to keep it 800 miles away?
Wallace, that's what you get for hiring a roofer who works out of an AMC Gremlin.
Denise, just as soon as we're through with it, we'll send it right on up...
Posted by: Eric at August 16, 2006 09:18 PMAbout the publisher
Random Abbye photos...
Random Thursday: The Abbreviated Tuesday Political Edition
More rattler than meets the eye
Poop happens. And then disappears.
How the West was Won
Beware of Vampire Dog
Tieing? There's no tieing in gymnastics!
NBC Bungles Web Video
Random Thursday: The Monday Olympics Edition
On Holiday
Random Thursday
Chair Play
Book Review: "The Road"
Education is paramount. Well, next to jet skiing.
Warbirds, Old and New
The Neighborhood:
West Texas Blogs:
[Midland unless otherwise indicated]
Other Texas Blogs:
The Business:
The Church:
The World:
You only run out of hands after six?? Um...is this radioactive rain?
Rain is good, but I hear all the other hands as well after our little flooding adventure in this area earlier this summer. Praying for a little moderation for you and, if not, I've got about 1/4 of an ark built that I'll loan you. ;)
Posted by: beth at August 16, 2006 08:56 AM