Rain, Rain, RAAAAIIIIINNNN.....

Before last night's (and all day today) rain, we were on track for the eighth wettest October for the Dallas Fort Worth area. We were expected to move up several notches with the heavy rains that started last night.

It was still raining this morning when I left for the airport; it was still raining when I got on the plane. I am now in north Mississippi, where it is expected to start raining tomorrow and then rain all day.

It just gets into your bones after a while. It makes everything, including one's mood, soggy.

This was a busy week. Sales meetings, longer hours at choir while we practice the Messiah, a fund raiser gala event in Dallas Friday night, city planning meeting Saturday morning, Lord's acre Saturday afternoon, The Promise musical Saturday night with friends, and back to church Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon, before the rain, we just chilled. Watched TV, visited with Ashley, who was home for the weekend. We also managed to get a bit more clearing done. No wonder I was so tired this morning when the alarm went off!

Tracy has graciously accepted the job of getting gutters put on the house. We interviewed one company and have one more tomorrow, then will decide who to go with. I have to get it done now in order to protect the "yard" that will be going in before November 7.

I have oak logs in the fireplace, just waiting for the perfect, low wind cool autumn evening. So far, even though it has dipped into the 40s, it hasn't felt cold enough inside to light a fire. Even without the heat on. and the windows cracked. I guess Glen knew what he was doing with the windows and sun and rock wall design.

Sleep awaits. And a long day tomorrow. Happy dreams to all.

Here Comes the Sun!

Looks like we are making progress with the vultures. No landings this week. However, a hawk has decided to make the upper deck corner his new perch. Although his dinners consist of “fresh” meat, his droppings are still laced with animal hair. Nice.

In Fact, we’ve had all sorts of animal activity around the house this week. Seems like everyone is happy to FINALLY see the sun. The ground is still very wet, but the skies have been beautiful after yet another rain Monday and Tuesday. I spotted a praying mantis on the back deck and the master deck. I think it was the same one, because he hung out for several days. We’ve had huge grasshoppers on the windows- they are a few inches long and quite amazing at close range.

One sunny afternoon this week I heard a strange honking sound in the sky and looked up to see three great blue herons flying together. I’ve never seen more than one at a time. The same afternoon Tracy saw about 100 geese very high in the sky, headed south in a V formation. There has been a very active, large group of crows in and around the valley. We’ve had several deer hanging out in the area, including a young buck, about a six-pointer. And the usual array of birds, bees, dragonflies, rabbits…

We are gearing up for the housewarming party on November 7. So far there are 50-plus people coming. I really look forward to it, and I am praying for a sunny, cool autumn day.

There is a lot to do in preparation. We’ve been clearing in front of the house and have a nice fire pit going. I met with Blaine, my landscaper from Grace Street, to talk about doing phase 1 of the front of the house. I am shooting for a xeroscape area that seamlessly blends into the natural grasses and trees around the front of the house- and cover that blasted red dirt they call top soil around here.

Tracy is looking into finding someone to put up gutters. I sure hope it doesn’t “ugly up” the overall look. Regardless, it has to be done in order to keep the rivers and ravines out of the ground in front of the house. As ugly as the red dirt is, I don’t want to buy more of it.
No matter how much we get done before the 7th of November, the party will go on. My friends will certainly understand, and I only invited friends. So there!

Back on the Hill

Finally! I have been on the road for eight days. That is about five days too long for me. I was working the booth at both of our largest conferences for the year, which were, unfortunately, back to back this year. Tracy house sat for me, so at least my cats were in good hands. It was comforting to finally drive up 2012 and see the lights on in the distance and know all was well.

Apparently it rained the whole time I was gone. It is raining now. Even the plants that really needed rain seem to be begging for a break. The bluebonnets popped up a month early, confused by the weather and water. If they can make it through the winter, it looks like we'll have a banner bloom next season.

Most of the electronics are up and running after the big lightning storm. I am only waiting for the sound system guys to look into the lost zones. What a mess all that was. I am still waiting to see if the tree lives. I don't have a lot of experience dealing with trees hit by lightning.

I got to visit my nephew Coy this week while I was in Baltimore. I drove down to Annapolis to deliver McDonald's to him and his roommate. They were most appreciative. Coy took me on a tour of the splendid campus. The architecture is ornate and substantial and the trees enormous.

Last weekend I got to visit with Coy's parents, my sister Mary and her husband, Barry. We all watched the Paluxy peddlers climb "The Wall", which is my hill. The riders who make it to the top get a patch for their efforts that reads "I Climbed the Wall". I keep saying I will earn one for myself one day. We'll see! We went to the A&M verses Arkansas game later that day to watch A&M get romped. At least I got to see the new Cowboys stadium. I am getting all kinds of flack for not being overwhelmed by the size and awesomeness of It. What can I say? It is a very large stadium. With a really big TV hanging over the field.

Tracy and I started two good fires today. It was the first time I really warmed up since I got back to Texas. The cold rain is permeating.

I hope all of you who read this blog can make my housewarming celebration on November 7 from noon to midnight. Tracy's brother is smoking brisket, sausage and chicken. If you remember, bring a side dish and something to sit on, as there remains a dearth of chairs here on the hill. Also, I am having a book exchange, so feel free to bring or take a book for or from the library. Until next week, peace from the hill.