Roller coaster weather

South Florida has had record-setting weather, rainfall specifically, for the last few months. Starting last November, we had the dryest season on record, for a period of 6 months, and the dry conditions have spawned fires, plant losses, all the results of little or no rain coming down. Our fire index for the local counties has been in the RED alert zone---until just the last couple of weeks, that is.

Now, we are approaching the end of May, and the latest weather report is that we are going to set a new record for the largest amount of rainfall, for the month, for a recording period going wayyyyyyy back. We have had flooding in parts of the state, particularly up around Daytona, where they had areas getting 18-20 inches of rain last week alone.

Locally, we have had substantial rain, to say the least. Just this afternoon, we had a sudden, short, 'monsoon' rain, that dropped almost 2 inches here at the house. Ours has been spread out just enough to avoid any damage, but even close by there have been flooded streets, clogged drains and lots of puddles. Seems we have been getting ours in about 2 inch increments, and quite a bit has soaked in. The grass has really perked up. I think the yards are having growing parties!! I did mow the yard yesterday morning, and it was not hard to see where the mower had been, unlike the last couple of times, when only the undesireable weeds had been tall enough to need cutting, and most of the rest barely high enough to reach the mower blades.

I hate to have to go to the doctor tomorrow! We have had my wife's sister here for a two week visit, from Indiana, and we have been hitting a lot of places to eat that we try to avoid most of the time. I have NOT been on the scales, the whole time she has been here, and dislike the idea that the nurse is going to start right off, tomorrow, by checking to see if I have lost any weight!! HA! Not at all likely. And we still have a fair stock of left-overs in the frig, which will need to be gotten rid of, before the possibility of weight loss can be considered. I should have scheduled this visit for just before her visit, not just after. My only chance is to build a 'rack' to sleep on tonight, and try to extend myself about 4-6 inches. Fat chance of that.

Couldn't get the photo to copy, sorry.

In a special news conference yesterday, GovernmentMotors announced its new concept car.... The new GM (Government Motors) proudly introduces the2010 Obama.... This car runs on hot air and broken promises. It hasthree wheels that speed the vehicle through tight left turns.It comes complete with two Teleprompters programmed tohelp the occupants talk their way out of any violations.The transparent canopy reveals the plastic smiles stillon the faces of all the "happy" Democrat owners.

What, no bridge tonight???

No, a very unusual Friday evening, and not sure Carol will survive the traumatic experience! Because her sister is here, visiting from Indiana, we elected not to play, both last week, and this week. I think part of the group did get together last week, but actually, this week, everyone seems to be taking a break.
Of course, this is the start of a holiday weekend, along with graduation time, so people had other things to do that were a little more demanding, since bridge can come by on lots of weeks.
We have had great rains the past few days, after one of the driest 6 month periods on record. Lawns had been looking bad, wildfires happening in a lot of places, no fires allowed, all that sort of thing. We missed the forecast rains on Monday, here at the house, specifically, but we got about 2 inches on Tuesday, got missed again during the day on Wednesday, but got another 2 inches Wednesday night, almost 3 inches Thursday and last night, and after emptying the gauge this morning, we got about another 3/4 of an inch while we went out for late lunch today. The grass has really greened up, (mowing time again,) and we have had a good drenching to help keep the fires from happening. Actually heard that Daytona had 17 inches in places, and Daytona Beach had 20 inches reported. That should help considerably.
It will help the water bill as well, not having to sprinkle the yard to keep from losing the grass totally. Fringe benefit.
Our fosterising neighborhood cat has still been staying close. Here every morning, before we get out of bed, waiting for her daily treat of wet cat food, and then back most days, afternoon or around suppertime, for a little handful of 'kitty treats'. Even has been using our carport as a dry haven during some of the weeks rains. Wonder where she really lives?????????

Finally, I got thru-------------------

No, I did not die, or get lost. I made a slight mistake, just after posting on 4/30, and have been unable to get back online to write. I was trying to post a comment, to a blogspot written by a Grandson, and added a 'gmail' address for myself, to be able to post the comment. Since that time, I have been thwarted from getting to this site, because it kept insisting that I write under the gmail name, but would only take me to a brand new page. I have tried dozens of times. in the meantime, but finally got to it today.

Hopefully, I can now get back more easily. I don't have a lot of time at the minute, but keep looking, and I will try to get backagain soon.