Category Archives: Weather related
Nineties in mid September? This sucks.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’re having a weird, weird fall. We’ve now broken all records of years with the most days in the nineties. We’ve had fifty-five days of temperatures in the nineties this year not a good record in my opinion. As I’ve said before if I wanted that sort of heat, I’d move south. You don’t see me packing up and heading in that direction do you?
I’d rather head up to northwestern NY State and live near my dear cousins and aunties than move south. My apologies to my friends who reside in the south, but I’ve lived there and it’s too danged hot. In addition, as the song says “All my exes live in…” and that’s more than enough to keep me north.
I do hope that October is comfortable and doesn’t get too cold I’d hate not to be able to wear my new costume this year. All I need to do now is figure out how we’re decorating the porch.
Here’s hoping we have a gentle winter, a warm spring, and a normal summer next year. We can certainly use them.
Posted in Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Heat, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Temperature, Writer, Writing
The rain finally showed up
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’ve been terribly dry here for most of July, August and September so far. Therefore, when raindrops began to ping off the AC unit I was pleased. At first, DH didn’t recognize the sound and asked me, “is that rain?”
Yes, it has been that dry. It was so dry around here the trees were chasing the dogs. It was so dry that the ground was as hard as a rock. It was so dry that…well you get the idea.
At least now, it isn’t dry and the grass is already looking greener. We were lucky that it didn’t come down as a gully washer. Instead, it’s been a good soaking rain. I don’t have to lug water to the gardens today, YAY!
If we’re very lucky, the rain will last for a day or two and give the thirsty ground a deep drink. It will make weeding a lot easier.
Other than a lack of rain, the weather is fantastic. The daytime temperatures are in the mid seventies and the nights drop into the mid sixties. It’s great for sleeping.
Posted in Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Garden, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rain, Water, Writer, Writing
Cool weather chores
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’ve had much cooler weather for several days, which brings to mind all the winterizing chores I need to do. The outside back door needs new caulk all the way around the frame, inside and out. I should also do the windows out there. My neighbor’s son will, I hope, come through and seal the crack in the wall between the back porch and the house.
We still need to find where the leak is in the pond. I’m betting it’s in the waterfall. However, so far we haven’t been able to locate it.
I must purchase some new weather stripping for the front and back doors and figure out some way to keep the cold from seeping into the basement from the outside door. Then there’s purchasing covers for the air conditioners although I think I’ll leave the one in the bedroom alone. It lets in just enough air that I only have to crack the other window to keep the room comfortable for sleeping during the winter. It is the warmest room in the house—too warm.
It’s too early to dig out the elephant ears and cannas. Nevertheless, I have buckets ready for them when it’s time.
Posted in Misc, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Doors and Windows, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Weatherstripping, Writer, Writing
Much needed rain
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’ve had a few days of rain and we are happy. With all the hot weather, the ground was so dry the grass was beginning to die. Of course, I’ve kept the veggie garden well watered and I’ve watered the flower gardens enough to keep them from dying.
I’m certain that three of the cantaloupes are not going to ripen they seem to have stopped progressing. However, there’s a fourth that is growing like crazy it doubled in size over the last two days. We might even have more sugar baby watermelons by the fall since the vines have suddenly taken off again.
The squirrel has eluded capture but I’m not giving up hope yet. It may have been staying out of the rain. I wonder if I can find some peanuts this week to bait the trap. It’s been burying some in the yard so it might go for them.
We’re expecting scattered showers tomorrow. This has been nice not having to lug the watering can about for days. The only thing I’ve had to water is the planters on the front porch.
Posted in My blog, my garden, Weather related
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Some days other things take priority over writing
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I try to write every day. Some days I do more writing than other days. Today was one of those other days. The garden was screaming for a weeding and the weather was cool enough to do it comfortably. I couldn’t wait another day because we are expecting more humid and hot weather tomorrow that will last another week.
Then G came over and we roasted the Ancho and poblano peppers on the grill. We popped them into a plastic bag for fifteen minutes and all but two peeled easily. G went home with half the peppers for her freezer.
Yesterday, I picked two of the heirloom tomatoes and decided to make BLTs for dinner again. I’m so glad I did. Those tomatoes may be ugly looking but the flavor is marvelous. It was so good that as soon as I finished my dinner I ran the second tomato over to G. She had to taste it.
I got there in time for her to serve it with their dinner. Later she phoned to rave about it. I will plant them again next year. There are quite a few on the plant but they aren’t ripe yet. The Big Boy and Beefsteak tomatoes are also beginning to come in I picked two today. DH asked me if there were any plum tomatoes, he could take over to his mother. I brought in a whole basket full for him to choose from and took the rest to G.
Posted in My blog, My books, my garden, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Family, Fiction, Food, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Caterpillars and butterflies
Posted by doggonedmysteries
When I was quite young, my father gave me his well-worn, dog-eared butterfly book. I have very little that was his so the book is highly treasured by me. We loved looking up caterpillars and butterflies when we saw them.
Tonight, I discovered that my bronze fennel has several caterpillars snacking on it. I grabbed the book, looked them up, and they are swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. I won’t kill them. Swallowtails are such lovely butterflies. I hope the little guys hang around long enough to change into their winged beauty. Who needs fennel when you have swallowtails to look at?
This week we’ve had a few days of much needed rain. South of us, they had quite a bit of flooding. We were lucky here. My garden is happy and I’m happy because I haven’t had to water.
The first sugar baby watermelon is almost ready to pick. I can’t wait! DH’s hand is the one holding the cucumber in the pictures from yesterday’s post. A few curious people asked whose hand it was. The cucumber measured 9 inches long with the wide end having a circumference the same measurement.
Posted in My blog, my garden, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Days of record-breaking triple-digit temperatures
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We need rain. We haven’t had any for weeks. The heat is making my garden produce like crazy. However, it wouldn’t be doing that if I didn’t water every day.
So far, I’ve harvested nine banana peppers, five Hungarian sweets, a large patty pan squash, and one lovely cucumber that I shared with G. I’m keeping my eye on two sugar baby watermelons that are growing rapidly. I’m also hoping that two won’t be all I get from the vines.
We finally have a couple of tiny cantaloupes going and the tomato plants are loaded with green tomatoes. The tomato plants in the back garden are taller than I am.
I have two very AC spoiled dogs. They only want to go out when they absolutely have to go. I can’t say that I blame them this heat has been miserable. DH, the dogs, and I have stayed indoors as much as possible. I hate this because I normally spend my summer outside as much as possible.
When they coined the saying, “the South shall rise again,” I don’t think this is what they meant. This heat can go back down south where it came from.
Posted in My blog, my garden, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Food, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Hot weather, painting, and a new houseguest
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The heat is back on. Darn it, the past few days were wonderful. The temperatures were perfect. We had mid to upper 70’s during the day and mid 60’s at night. With no humidity to speak of, what could be better.
The neighbor’s son came through and the painting of the shed has begun. It will be nice when it’s finished. We did have to exchange most of the spray paint for brush on and change the color of the roof. The hammered copper didn’t look nice. How disappointing. At least this will give the shed several more years of life.
The rising heat has already started up Gavin’s itching. He looks forward to his daily dose of Benadryl…of course that could be because he gets it with peanut butter.
Somehow, we’ve acquired a new houseguest of the rodent type. It probably got in one of the many times when DH left the back door opened while he had the dogs outside. Both DH and Gavin saw it run under the couch yesterday. The traps are set. I’m hoping we’ll rid ourselves of it in quick order.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
DH and the dogs are air-conditioned couch potatoes
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I have one empty pot sitting out on the walk. I’m trying to figure out what sort of vegetable I’d like to put in it. Sure, I could do flowers but I so love fresh veggies. Maybe I’ll pick up some beet seeds and try them in the pot. I used to grow them in my garden when I had a huge veggie garden. We’ll see.
After the rains, we had yesterday and last night, all the veggies, whether in pots or by the back fence, have doubled in size. I found it rather surprising since I’ve watered them every day. Unfortunately, two of the patty-pan squash blossoms fell off…Sigh.
The southern flow of high heat and humidity has worn DH down to a nub. He’s barely functioning after he goes outside. The air conditioners are on and running for him. Heck, even the dogs are happier inside. They’ve become air-conditioned couch potatoes already.
We are both looking forward to the cooler temperatures and lower humidity heading our way from the north. It will be nice to be able to weed the gardens without having to take a million water breaks.
Posted in Dog related, MS related, my garden, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Is it a bear or Sasquatch?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
There’s a man, who walks his dog past our house. Sometime in the future, he will be a character in one of my books. He wouldn’t be a main character or even a minor character. He’d be a walk on.
He’d be one for one reason only and that is for the way he dresses or…um…doesn’t dress. The only reason I dread hot weather is that this man wears teensy shorts and goes shirtless or he wears a tank top with his shorts. It hit 92 degrees here yesterday. Someone gimme some bleach because I need to scrub my eyeballs.
Gentlemen, if you have more hair on your back than your Pekingese has on his whole body, wear a shirt. If you are hairy enough all over to be mistaken for Sasquatch when you wear shorts and go shirtless in the summer, you need to put on long pants and a shirt in public. Please not a tank top because that only emphasizes your hairiness.
If in addition to the hirsuteness, you have a beer belly that extends so far out you haven’t seen your feet in at least ten years, cover yourself.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Too hot too soon
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Wow, did it get hot today. The temperature leapt to ninety-one. If you add to that a lot of humidity, you can be sure that DH was miserable. He turned on the AC.
The pups were happy since they like the AC and they squabbled for the best place on the floor in front of the unit. Share? Are you kidding? It’s like living with perpetual three-year olds.
I like the heat so it didn’t bother me. I did some work outside and then took advantage of the heavily shaded hammock. All was fine while there was a breeze, but when that stopped, I decided it was time to retire to the house where it was cooler.
I hadn’t realized how hot it was outside until I walked into the kitchen. The cool non-humid air hit me like a tall ocean wave and felt as refreshing. However, I do hate sitting in the house all the time so I was soon back outside.
I harvested the rhubarb and took some over to G. Then I baked a rhubarb custard pie for tonight’s dessert—pure heaven. DH was more than a little delighted.
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Frost? Really?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
After the lovely warm weather we had Last week this week wasn’t so nice. We’ve had strong, damaging winds and chilly days. There’s even a frost warning tonight. Geez, I wish it would stay warm. So much for the iris that are in bloom right now. By morning, those blossoms will be mush. I do hope the ones that haven’t bloomed will be okay.
DH isn’t minding this cold spell since it doesn’t sap his energy as the heat does. He has his mobility cart up and running so the dogs are enjoying running walks around the yard with him. At least they’re getting their exercise.
Since it was too windy and cold to go out and garden I finished printing my cards for the conference. That project took forever since I can only print one page at a time. The ink is running low in the printer but I don’t think I’ll buy more. What I’ll do is shop around for another printer. Old faithful is dying a slow death.
With four days left, until I leave for the conference, I packed a little more tonight. By noon on Thursday we’ll be on the road to Lancaster.
Posted in My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pennwriters, Pennwriters conference, Writer, Writing
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