Editor's note: Anna said this column should run as soon as possible. She sent it last weekend. I've been swamped to use a water analogy. Haha. Anyway it's a great column and the recent rains may make it seem out-dated, but blame me. The photos are still awesome!
Sunday's precipitation brought some much needed rain to my gardens and the surrounding area. Although it most likely wasn’t enough to take some areas out of the "moderate drought" that was depicted in the U.S. Drought Monitor's most recent map. In fact, The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection had issued a drought watch for 16 counties including Butler, Armstrong and Clearfield a few days ago.
Tired of lugging buckets of water to the veggie garden, I watched weather apps on my phone waiting for a respite only to be disappointed. Weekly outlooks brought hopes of rain and then when the dates finally drew near, no rain. (Sorry, meteorologists, I know you are trying.)
I viewed the radar fervently when the colors appeared only to be let down as I saw the rain break up when it finally reached my location. So I would put the phone down and again grab the water buckets. Finally on Sunday, the buckets stayed put.
Tired of lugging buckets of water to the veggie garden, I watched weather apps on my phone waiting for a respite only to be disappointed. Weekly outlooks brought hopes of rain and then when the dates finally drew near, no rain. (Sorry, meteorologists, I know you are trying.)
I viewed the radar fervently when the colors appeared only to be let down as I saw the rain break up when it finally reached my location. So I would put the phone down and again grab the water buckets. Finally on Sunday, the buckets stayed put.
Even with the rain, the dogs, goats and I still went for our walk as we always do no matter the weather. I think the goats might have been looking forward to the rain too even though they usually hate to get wet. They will not step out from the overhang in their pen if there is a good downpour.
This reminded me of the first time they started walking with me. We had to cross a small stream, by stream I mean a trickle. Literally, it was only a quarter inch of water or less and five inches wide.
There was such drama.
The goats would go back and forth trying not to get their hooves wet. They have since toughed up a bit and will cross even the most rain swollen creeks as long as it means they get to eat all the vegetation in sight.
This reminded me of the first time they started walking with me. We had to cross a small stream, by stream I mean a trickle. Literally, it was only a quarter inch of water or less and five inches wide.
There was such drama.
The goats would go back and forth trying not to get their hooves wet. They have since toughed up a bit and will cross even the most rain swollen creeks as long as it means they get to eat all the vegetation in sight.
As we walked Sunday, I listened to sound of the rain. It was so relaxing, I almost found myself dozing off. However once a soaking wet dog, or three brushed past me, I quickly came back to my senses. The sound of the rain has always helped lull me to sleep.
More than few years ago, we had installed a tin roof on our porch. It was a dry summer like this one. The first time it rained that season, the drops on the tin roof woke both my husband and I from a sound sleep until we figured out what it was. Now, the sound of rain on the tin is just like a lullaby.
The smell of the rain on dry earth also has a comforting effect as well. As I was experiencing that, I thought I smelled a wet sweater. That scent turned out to be wet goat. I didn't seem to smell the dogs as much, but I may just be desensitized from it because the dogs swim pretty much every day. The neighbor's pond had gotten so scummy from not having freshwater flow in, that I had considered not letting the dogs swim for fear of less than clean water.
However, the rain helped clear that up.
More than few years ago, we had installed a tin roof on our porch. It was a dry summer like this one. The first time it rained that season, the drops on the tin roof woke both my husband and I from a sound sleep until we figured out what it was. Now, the sound of rain on the tin is just like a lullaby.
The smell of the rain on dry earth also has a comforting effect as well. As I was experiencing that, I thought I smelled a wet sweater. That scent turned out to be wet goat. I didn't seem to smell the dogs as much, but I may just be desensitized from it because the dogs swim pretty much every day. The neighbor's pond had gotten so scummy from not having freshwater flow in, that I had considered not letting the dogs swim for fear of less than clean water.
However, the rain helped clear that up.
We weren't the only ones enjoying the rain. The wet weather also let the hummingbirds feed in peace. Lately the dryness had hundreds of yellow jackets swarming the sugar water feeders. I am trying to be civil with the yellow jackets, but I don't really like them. I gave them their own shallow bowl of sugar water so they would leave the feeders alone. However, they will use the bowls and still swarm the feeders. I think that my attempt to distract them, may have in fact drawn more into the area. However, the hummingbirds were not necessarily feeding in peace. While they usually are battling the bees, they are also fighting with themselves and that was no except despite the rain.
That's just the nature of things 'round here.
Story and photographs by Anna Applegate
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