A little rain!

We had a 'cold' front last week and as temperatures dipped down into the 90s, we prepared beds to plant cabbage, broccoli, peas, spinach, and lettuces.  Then we had several more very hot days, reaching a total of 85 days of 100+ temperatures.

So we watered the poor little things and kept them in the shade all week.  And today, we're under 100 and even had a little rain (yes, very little, but still a welcome sight)! And, now the fall garden is in and we are hoping for the best!

We're also hoping there will be cooler weather for an upcoming family gathering and for this year's Mamma Jamma ride on 10/1 (see the 'Handcycling for a Cure' link above.)  

We'll post some pictures of the garden soon.

81 and still counting!

Well, we thought it was over, but yesterday was day 81 of 100+ days in Austin this year.  There are a few more in the forecast, but I am holding out hope that the end is in sight. 

In anticipation of a fall that must surely arrive at some point, Mark & I prepared some garden beds.  We will be planting broccoli, cabbage, sweet peas, and lettuce soon.  We are still trying to nurture along a few plants (here & in the church's prayer garden)--they really are suffering from the heat & drought.


The famine in Africa, anniversary of 9/11, the floods in the East, the fires in Central Texas, and unrest in many places in the world remind me that there is much suffering and difficulty in the world.   I pray for compassion and peace throughout the world.  I hope to remember each day that I don't know the struggles of those I meet, so I will endeavor to treat everyone kindly and gently.

39 days and counting!

Ouch! Today was the 39th day over 100 degrees this year. That only tells part of the story since we hit the mid 90s early in April and never looked back!

Mostly we sit here day-dreaming about what we'll do when the heat breaks. So there really isn't much to write about. We had a nice visit with Mark's folks this week. We also had friends from church over for lunch today--and had a lovely visit!

Other than that, we sit around in the air conditioning--Mark picks the mandolin, I crochet, and Oscar sleeps alot! Mark and I are doing some reading too and planning for our next Sunday School class topic--we'll be leading the class in a study of Acts. We're looking forward to it.

We're taking a break from our Sunday School class to attend a 4 week study of Jonah led by our pastor. We always enjoy Keith's sermons (Tom's too) and are really looking forward to this class. If you haven't read Jonah lately (or ever), I recommend it (come on, it's short and it is 100+ outside, so why not?) It is a great story and is about much more than the whale!

More later...