New plants in pots

This is my latest, a Golden Barrel Cactus. Those prickley prickles kept stabbing me as I was trying to plant it.

I planted this a few weeks ago, it's a Pygmy Date Palm.

This is another one planted after I got back from St George. It's a Hawaiian Ti "Red Sister."  It needs lots of sun; this corner is not a good spot for it, because even tho it sits on the driveway and the sun hits the driveway throout the day, because it's in the corner it gets almost all shade.

Actually I think I planted the last 2 when I got back from Seattle. Or maybe not....

Lots of rain

We got 4 plus inches in the last 3-4 days. Very much needed, it raised Lake Travis 6 inches. Unfortunately it needs to be raised 40 feet.

Everything looks very green and pretty. The rain cooled down the temp and so the rest of the week will be in the mid 80s. Won't make the pool warm enough to get in now or for the weekend. And we had been swimming for the last 2-3 weeks.

I got another pots (Paige said when I blog make sure I make all my pots plural, don't want a visit from ATF, bashing in my door in the dead of night with a "key to the city"). I'm going to put a cactus in it.

This is for Paige: I cleaned and organized my pantry!! Now she doesn't have to do it when she comes in July. Rick asked me if it was fun to do, since Paige claims organizing something is great fun. No, it wasn't great fun. But I did have some interesting podcasts to listen to so the 2 hours didn't seem like 2 hours.

Ain't she purdy looking?

Macy at her smileiest

During Sunday School yesterday Rick was looking at his pics. This one is from our last summer in Philly, so it would have been 2011 (I think). Macy is giving her best smile for the pic.

Vote Run off

The Austin Republican Party called and asked if I would help for the run off, which is May 27. I really didn't feel like helping this time so I told him no. I said I really enjoyed doing it, please keep me in mind for another election. Actually, I told him I couldn't, I wouldn't be available. That sounds better. Not a lie, I already know I have things planned for that day. I have things planned for every day.

But I will help in the next election.

Rain Storm

Texas is in a pretty bad drought right now, and has been for the last 4-5 years. We need to get a sustained rain of about 20 inches over a month or so.

Last night it poured and pounded and thundered and lightninged. I love storms, so I really loved last night. It lasted 45-60 min, and then was over. I went out and checked the rain gage - 1 inch. Not bad, but not enough.

A little rain today, gray skies, but just won't produce.

I remember the first hurricane in Philly, not the second one that did so much damage in Jersey and New York City, we got 20 inches in a week, maybe 2. That was the one that knocked out our sump pump and we got 6 inches of water in the basement. Fun times.

Visitors

Braden and Anika, and their two little boys spent the weekend with us. It was enjoyable having them. Went to some garage sales, the farmer's market and bought some kambucha, a probiotic drink that we really like (but only from a brand called Buddha's Brew), then ate at Torchy's. They learned how to play pinochle at Thanksgiving, so we played a lot of pinochle. Swam in the pool. It was a relaxing and fun weekend.

Spring has made everything green, leafy and flowery. I really enjoy nature, seeing it, walking in it. It is a place where I can commune spiritually.

Kincade Facetimed us yesterday and it was so much fun seeing and talking with the 3 little ggrrls. We love them to pieces.