Simply Practical: storms

It seems like just as soon as the hubs gets the pool wall all level, along comes the wind to knock it out! This time, one whole side fell completely down! I feel so sorry for him, working in the 107 degree heat that week just to have it knocked out from under him! It happened the night before July 4th. The skies were getting kind of cloudy, but I wasn't sure that it would rain. It was just about dark, so we came in for the evening. We were sitting at the kitchen table, when all of a sudden, the wind kicked up like crazy, the rain was beating violently against the windows, and things were crashing on the porch! Then just as suddenly as it began, it stopped. We could still see out since it wasn't completely dark, and realized damage had been done. It reminded me of the morning the twister came through and pushed over huge trees in our back yard, that fateful day last year. The next morning, we could see what damage had been done. A persimmon tree had fallen on the fence, right behind the beehive! Boy, were we glad it didn't take out the hive! Got a pear tree and sweet shrub bush, though. A planter was knocked down on the front porch and evidently a glass jar was on it because it shattered all over the porch. The swing was knocked over, which happens any time a strong wind comes through. We thought the canopy over the grill was a goner, but the hubs got it fixed. The heavy Primo grill was knocked of its wheels and the inside was busted! That was a heart breaker for the hubs, since that's what he uses to smoke and grill on. It was a little salvageable, so he cooked brats and burgers on it that day. Wow! The weather is so unpredictably predictable! If that makes sense. Now, I wonder every evening if we are going to get blasted! A couple of nights later, storms came through and knocked the power out for a couple hours, right before bedtime. It came back on, just as I went to bed. The storms that caused the outage wasn't even bad, like the one that did the damage! I couldn't believe the power went out then and not the other time! Mother Nature!

We had a great time on the fourth, as my Dad came out. He looked so good walking around inside, then he went walking outside. Of course, accompanied by someone at all times.

I just received some Amish sweet potato slips in the mail that I ordered earlier in the year. It is so hot, but I've got to get them into the ground. What was I thinking? They sure do taste good, though! I hope they make it in this heat! I'll keep ya'll posted on how they do. My tomatoes are beginning to come in, a little here, and a little there. The nectarines are still mostly hard. I'm not sure if I should pull them and let them ripen on the counter, or let them ripen on the tree. I guess if I'm giving some away, I should pull them before they ripen completely. I really need to get some more jelly jars! And Sure Jell! Hope ya'll have a good weekend and stay cool! Blessings from Bama!

They're learning how to smile for the camera!

I'm surprised she'd put the hat on long enough to snap a photo!

She loves the Brown Bear book. Lil' bit loves Barney.

Say cheese!

Helping Aunt FeFe clean up.

They love Uncle Randy!

Ms. Personality!

Love this dress!

My Dad with his feet propped up.

They can't wait for the pool to fill up!

They're helping Uncle Ran.

Fun times. We had our Collie groomed. They had to shave her because of the mats.

I couldn't resist this picture!

Damage done by straight line winds.

The Primo is so heavy! How on earth could winds move this thing?

The once level pool.

The swing. Figs are not getting ripe yet. Weather?

Neighbor's persimmon tree on our fence.

Look at all those vines!

Hope ya'll had a great weekend. It was literally a whirlwind! Storms kept me awake two nights. Did you sleep through the storms? I've been catching up on laundry and other things, and am still behind, but I'm getting closer to getting my kitchen clean. Hubby and I worked outside Friday night until about 10:30 trying to get two raised beds built before the rains. We got them made!