It has been a hot, humid, intermittently rainy week.  Thunderstorms have danced around the homestead.  Any outside activity results in clothes being wet and clingy with even minimal movement.  The garden likes it, and friends have reported they have happy gardens too.

What to do on a sticky summer day?

It was another busy chore weekend on the homestead.  While Hubby took on the final touches on Dixie, I took on the job of adding a new coat of weatherproofing on “the trout”.

A few years back, it was decided a large maple tree was growing too close to the front of the house.  I could stand on the front porch and literally reach out and touch it.  It stood well beyond the top of the house, and I could not wrap my arms around the trunk.  I did not want to lose the tree, but understand it could damage the house.

The last adventure for Dixie I reported was the tune up and our friend Young Steve helping us get her out on the road.  We decided to bite off a big chunk and replace all of the wiring.

Did I mention it was a big chunk?

I was not quite prepared for how big.

Last week while the Internet service was down, the rest of country living continued onward.  We have had enough rain to keep the grass growing which means mowing continues weekly. 

Mowing is a form of therapy for me.  It is a methodical routine.  When I listen to the mower, the rest of the world is blocked out.  I can think, or not think.  When I am done and look at the fresh-cut grass, I have a sense of pride of a job well done.  I feel good.

The garden has been doing well in the hot summer weather.  When the rain has missed us, we have kept up with evening or early morning watering with the hose.  Fortunately, we have a good water supply. 

The zucchini and summer squash have been particularly impressive.  I have learned that we do not need many plants to get a good harvest.  This year, I only put in three of each plant.  They have spread out to almost four feet across and almost three feet high.  They are producing some beautiful veggies!

A week ago on Sunday, our Internet access failed. 

Oh, the end of days!

Okay…perhaps it was not the end of days.  It did prove to be an inconvenience in many aspects.  Thankfully, smart phone capabilities are up to par (despite iffy cellular connections here in the country), and I was able to keep up with necessary tasks.

Sadly, blogging was not one of them.

Today started with a bang.  Literally! 

Thunder.

I am thrilled it rained today!  We got a good, long, soaking rain.  It has been hot and humid the past few days.  It was wonderful to hear the rain on the roof and listen to the low rumble of the thunder.  I love the rain.  The garden and lawn also love the rain.  Jaxon does not love the rain.  He dutifully goes outside as necessary, but with ears back and head down. 

Poor Jaxon.

After slug-day this week, I decided I needed to be more forgiving with myself, and go with the flow.  I also had a burning desire to bake something.  It is funny how my mood can affect how and what I think about food.

Disclaimer:  This is NOT about health food! 

Today I feel like a slug.  No offense to slugs.  Nature created them to do a job and I am sure they do it well.

I am having one of those days.

The summer weather has made for interesting times for garden maintenance.  I am grateful for the past few days as the rains eliminated the chore of watering in the evenings.

The garden had a slow start this year.  After Hubby got the tilling done, including mixing in the fertilizers, I got to planting.  Our garden consists of tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini and yellow squash, and a horseradish patch which will finally be ready for harvest this fall.  I put in just a few cauliflower plants as an experiment as I have never grown it before.