It wasn't a toad-croaker of a storm, but the smaller gullies are washed.

[havocmom]

Got the call at work. That storm coming in could be trouble. Two inch hail just outta town and heading in.

Had already shut down all the computers and even unplugged everything, as the power had blinked and the winds were up. Power outages here are common in storms and can mean a couple weeks of no juice out in the countryside. Here in town, it comes back fast, often too fast and not too predictably.

Storm hit, but we just barely got a glimpse of hail. Havocdad had the old plywood up on the west windows just in case. Nice change that the chore fell to him. It is usually me home alone trying to put them up in a high wind. He is probably thinkin' that pergola he wants to put across the west side for some protection just went up the Priority List a couple notches

He had put my trays of seedlings in the shed so they were safe.

We got about an inch of rain here. Two inches just outta town a bit! All those chaps who did their farmin' in tractors instead of the bar (bitchin about luck that never brings them a good crop) are sitting pretty now.

Big rain early last week, then very warm and now another big rain. The hills are green! Cow mommas have some protein-rich fresh feed with which to make good milk for calves. Frisky calves in giant pastures is a damned fine sight and lowers your blood pressure for sure!

The deer and antelope will stop playing anytime now and start adding young to the critters on the range. May means good grass when things go right and Nature times things, hoping for the best.

Bunnies are out of burrows they retired to for birthing and getting their young strong enough to face the world.

Birds, large and small, are nesting. Swallows are swooping in areal ballets and Sand Hill Cranes are high-steppin' through fields near creeks and marsh patches, picking up what they want from green shoots and delicious bugs.

Frogs are singing near newly formed swimming holes just the right size for tadpoles. Butterflies and moths flit about, checking the progress of my garden, and sipping water from the mud at puddles.

The tulips are up in splendor, carrigannas are opening their big production number of yellow blossoms and the lilacs are applauding in waves of purple scented heaven. Apple trees wait in the wings of Nature Theater for their opening act any time now.

Absent are the bees.

[commander bunnypants]

1. It is gonna bee scary

if something is reallly destroyiong bee colonies

CB

[havocmom]

2. Hey there CB!

Yep, we are holding our breath as the carrigannas start to open. If we don't get invaded by thousands of bees soon (neighbor is a bee keeper) we will know we are in SERIOUS trouble. Find myself literally holding my breath when I go out there in the garden.

I usually have to put out saucers of nectar substitute when I work as the bees know our place is THE place to go for flowers. They usually hover around us in a cloud when we are planting. It is like they are telling us to hurry and get those flowers up and running! The nectar in saucers has always made them happy and keeps them from where I am trying to work.

This year? Damn, I would be tickled pink just to get a buzz.

Doing what I can to make sure your child has a sweet future, but it is looking scary indeed.