Riders on the Storm
It was a beautiful, wet Sunday -
it still is, as it is only 3:50 pm.
On Saturday, we enjoyed a gentle, steady rain, which provided moisture to the plants. The almond tree is beginning to blossom, indicating the arrival of spring. The gentle rainfall is advantageous for plants, allowing them to absorb water. I'm sure the yard is enjoying its spa treatment...I can hear them now...Ahhhh!
The area around the pond features a waterfall, Marguerite daisies, and rosemary plants. However, we have a lot of gardening work that needs to be done, particularly the removal of Vinca, which is currently growing in patches on the hill. If I had complete rain gear, I'd go out there and start pulling it up before it turns into a jungle.
The rocks at the base of the pond are my husband's collection of rocks from all over the world. He even has a piece from Guam!
Only a Californian gets excited over a wet patio!
(all of those clusters of green are Vinca)
The husband upgraded the bird feeder by replacing its wooden base with a metal pole for increased durability. Hopefully, the rats can't climb it. To prevent seeds from scattering and attracting rodents, he positioned an old sheet pan from Dollar Tree underneath the feeder to catch any fallen seeds. I'm hoping this modification helps maintain cleanliness while discouraging unwanted pests.
We still have those rat motels scattered around - it looks good that they are probably gone to another yard but we won't know for sure until the spring.
This morning, we drove to church separately due to differing schedules; he needed to arrive earlier. The weather conditions included heavy rain and strong winds, which I found exhilarating. Despite wanting to stay home, I knew that the storm was expected to last throughout the week and there would be time to snuggle down and get cozy!
During the day, I feel braver than at night. I get a little anxious during severe weather conditions, such as heavy winds and rain at night. The sound of the wind can be unsettling, especially in my front yard with large trees.
Several years ago, we were having a significant storm when a neighbor's tree snapped and fell. The sound of the breaking tree was quite loud - fortunately, no one was harmed. To alleviate my concerns about our own trees, my husband reassured me that our cedar trees are strong and resilient.
Rainwater is beginning to accumulate on the side of the house where the oleanders are planted. Given our location at the base of a hill, we experience drainage from the streets situated above. While we are not classified as being in a historical flood zone, all of the homes at the bottom are equipped with pumps that direct excess water into the street. This runoff then flows into the gutter, ultimately leading to Churn Creek and, from there, to the Sacramento River.
Laydee totally hates stepping her cute paws into puddles to pee, which is kind of weird since she loves swimming and playing in the sprinklers.
She gets mighty stubborn, and I practically have to push this almost 70-lb dog outside to potty—most of the time, I resort to bribes of food.
I need to get going...
The wind is howling and the rain is pouring down, creating an electrifying atmosphere!
Oh how I want to stay home.
I decided not to stay to mingle after church - we live about 15 miles east, across the river and the rain was worse on our side.
In Happy Valley, where my friend Margie used to live
My son sent me this as he was biking home from work! It's a block from his house. He said it looks worse than it is—just street flooding, but it seems like a river!
AND Yes, he bikes to and from work. I've mentioned this before. He desires a small carbon footprint. He's all geared up, though—he has three bikes, one of which is electric. He has the rain gear—and it's only four miles! He loves being out in the elements.
One of our VBS themes years ago where I volunteered and took our oldest granddaughter centered on this verse from Isaiah. When God is with us, we can weather every storm that comes upon us. Yes, Debby, may we all hold on to our Savior, Jesus!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteI have always loved this song, with the sound of rain and the tinkling piano. Your yard is beautiful, with all these pretty plants, and I like your patio as well. Gosh, I hope it doesn't flood there!
ReplyDeleteIt won’t flood here. Just some street flooding.
DeleteI would not mind some good strong rain. Maybe things would green up a bit...or at least wash away the last of these snow piles. Ugh. You wrote "showing signs of spring" - my favorite words read today!! I need some signs like that around here!
ReplyDeleteThings are greening up around here. That new spring green is so pretty
DeleteWow.. that is a lot of water moving fast.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how we all have different weather to learn how to survive in. And we do it.
I loved seeing your yard and the green.
I like The Doors. ;-)
Carla
Big country with different climates.
DeleteI always liked the Doors as well. I never got to see them in person.
Your yard looks lovely. Looks like the rain accumulated a lot. We had rain too which was nice. Hope the bird feeder works with keeping the rats away.
ReplyDeleteWe got like 7 inches of rain within a couple of days!
DeleteWow - you are really getting the rain. I know you need it though! I hope it helps fill the reservoirs and doesn't flood.
ReplyDeleteI really like your husbands rock collection!
Our Shasta Lake is full. They are having to let water out.
DeleteOh goodness....that really is a lot of rain. I know the rain has been good for helping with the fires and such.. My son-in-law works all over the United States and he collects rocks from many states. So interesting how different rocks can look when coming from different locations. Your backyard looks so very nice and it must be great to live in an area where plants just thrive. You will have to post a picture of the backyard this spring when everything is at it's finest in blooms. Enjoy the rain and get some cozy up time.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the rain and wind as long as it is daylight!
DeleteInteresting days you've been through. I hope the rain goes away soon. We had rain on Friday but not alot when we had a hot water heater removal and a new one in our house. I've seen our our son sing 4 different songs on Facebook. I need to get things done once I get put of bed and eat breakfast. I have issues with coughing at night. I stayed away from church yesterday. I like the scripture that you wrote. Have a good day, Becky
ReplyDeleteWell we don’t want the rain to go - maybe just not all at once! We’ve got some sunny days later this weekend
DeleteI love the rock collection...and the almond tree blossoms already, and seeing things starting to bloom and green up. That does look like a lot of rain. I'm glad you have pumps to take it away from your yard, but still, it looks like it could get dangerous. I didn't realize you were on a hill. I enjoyed your views and the patio pictures, etc. And I also loved "The Doors"...especially that song. That seems like a different life so long ago. Wow. So thankful we have Jesus to take us through the storms of this life. He rides right there with us and buoys us up when we are starting to sink in the floods of life. We are blessed for sure. I enjoyed this post so much.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not dangerous - we’re good. Oh yes the Doors were a favorite group of mine in high school.
DeleteI can’t imagine not having Jesus to get us through the storms of life.
Wow Debby, you got a lot of rain. Ours was a dribble compared to yours. Tomorrow its suppose to be 100% rain all day..we'll see what happens. We do have our pumps set up with the hoses that bring the water out to the street. Hope we won't need it but better to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteLove the rocks from all over the world. I wish we had done that on our travels.
You have a beautiful backyard. Ours has completely gone to pot since we have been out of commission for so long. All our hard work is being undone but that's the way it goes. It looks like our almond tree is about ready to pop too. Its too soggy to get out there yet to take a picture.
Have a good week.
Sue
Our pump is in the ground and automatically kicks in. In the summer we get a lot of water from the street above us and those watering their lawns. I’m sure that must help us in our own watering.
DeleteThat’s crazy you go so little and we got 7 inches! Tomorrow is 100% here too.
Even though it is just street flooding, it really does look like a river. Your pond is lovely, and all those different rocks probably bring lots of memories.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Oh yes and he has a shell collection from all over as well.
DeleteI don't mind hard rain unless their is high wind and booming lightning. I try never to drive when its raining, unless I just have to... Linda from Lindas Life Journal loves storms and sitting out side to watch them. I huddle inside and I don't sleep if its booming until it stops. glad you made it safe and sound and back home and wish you a lot of fun watching the storms and snuggling inside. Love you back yard.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that rainfall looks significant! Like Laydee, I wouldn't want to go out in it either. Our girls are so funny. Come the slightest drizzle, they won't step a paw out back. If I throw a leash on them, however, and go out the front door that's a whole different story. I think they secretly enjoy seeing me get wet.
ReplyDeleteLove the soundtrack you've chosen.
You DID get a lot of rain. Beautiful yard and I'm sure all the plants enjoyed the drink.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's true, Californians get excited over a wet patio! We've had rain all weekend, and more this week! Your plants are looking nice from the rain. That is a cool collection of rocks, and awesome that they came from different places in the world. The rain is really soaking your grass, it will give it a nice green look. Margie's old area is really getting flooded! Oh, I remember Riders On The Storm. It's a classic song, and I will listen to it now.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
**I can't believe there have been 25 sightings of Bigfoot in our county. I didn't know that! I loved when you said Bigfoot just wants to be left alone. ; )
Vinca is SO hard to eradicate! Good luck with the project.
ReplyDeleteMy dear sweet dad planted them to hold up the hill - he also loved the blue flowers! They were beautiful years ago when I would come for a visit - the hill was so pretty but you couldn’t grow anything else. They choked out trees and other plants.
DeleteYou think a stick of dynamite would work? 🧨
My long time assistant at work used to collect small rocks from all over. Any time I went somewhere new on vacation she would ask me to bring back a rock for her. She would write on it where it was from and the date.
ReplyDelete