It's Been a Long Hot and Skeetery 4th of July

Not the best 4th of July ever, or not even close to it.

Since last Friday, June 29, it has been hot, hot and then more hot.  Unmerciful.  And then those skeeters!!  I've never seen them worse.  So, if the sun don't get you, the humidity will and that don't, then it's those doggone skeeters.

Last weekend, it was too hot to go see a parade, and the one in Fox Lake was cancelled because of the heat.  We didn't go see the one in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, either, for the same reason.  Then they had Libertyfest, bands and fireworks which we also didn't see.

Then, today, it was too blazing hot, humid and no breeze at all so we didn't see the Spring Grove, Illinois, parade or go to the festival.  We did go to a friend's home for a party but that heat just beat you down. We didn't stay as long as we wanted.  Nor go to Sunnyside afterwards.

A thunderstorm came through just recently so maybe we'll get a chance to see the Spring Grove fireworks from our front porch if the skeeters don't get us first.

If the Skeeters Don't Get You, the Hot Will.  --RoadbitandStroke

Chain Flood 2017-- Part 9: Another Rain Storm and Skeeters

We did get rain Wednesday night and all through Thursday morning to about 7 a.m..  Just what we needed.  More rain on top of all that we already have had and all the flooding.

Fortunately, the rain wasn't as hard and we had maybe 1-2 inches over eight hours.  Water levels went up a little, but has been slowly receding the last two days.

It is sad to see piles of ruined stuff and furniture in front of some lower homes.  Quite a few homes and businesses are sandbagged.

The boat is still floating as of yesterday afternoon.

But, we are already getting another "present" from all the rain and flooding.  Mosquitoes are all over the  place.  As a  result of their activity, we had to cut short our enjoyment of the Neverly Brothers last night at Antioch's Taste of Summer Festival.  Plus, they are becoming extremely annoying when I'm out in the yard.

I tell you, this flooding is the gift that just keeps on giving.

Plus, we have more storms forecast tonight and Saturday.  Sunday calls for sun and "NO Rain."

What was it they said at Woodstock in 1969?

"No Rain, No Rain, No Rain!!!"  Maybe If Ee Segue Into That Santana Song It Will Help.  --RoadDog

Every Blooming THing: Early August 2015

This is the time of my black-eyed Susans and purple cone flowers.    I have several hundred of them scattered all over the yard and they are just brilliant.  In addition, my daylillies are still blooming with a whole myriad of colors.

The mountain ash trees have their orange balls of berries on them and quite a few of my mums are in early bloom.

My continuous blast of color continues as it has since April.

It is quite dry now, so I don't have to cut the grass this week.  Earlier, with all the rain, I was having to cut some serious grass every 4-5 days.

I have been making it to the various Big Store nurseries in the area, including Home Depot, Menard's,  Wal-Marts and Meijer's as they begin putting plants on clearance, a time I buy a whole lot.

I will soon begin transplanting a myriad of perennials as well as the new, store-bought, plants.

And the mosquitoes are absolutely horrible these days, particularly when there is no breeze.  All that rain in June and July, you know.


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  HARDCOPY--  Pictures looked at when selecting tattoos.

JSS: Deer-- Birdies-- 'Skeeters-- Rainy Season

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  DEER--  About twilight yesterday, I saw a deer in a neighbor's yard.  I thought it was a wayward large dog at first, but when it took off, i saw that white tail.  I've never seen a deer that close to the house before,  but have seen deer in different parts of the subdivision.

2.  BIRDIES--  After a really noisy nest of little ones in the schoolhouse bird feeder (house wrens), I'd say the babies are gone now. We'll clear the nest out and start putting sunflower seed in it again.

3.  'SKEETERS--  With all the rain we've been having this past month (and all spring for that matter), I have noticed that while working on the yard, we have a bumper crop of mosquitoes.

4.  RAINY SEASON--  It's official, this June was the Chicago area's rainiest June ever.  Almost seven inches.  Same with Illinois' rainiest for June.  A new record.  I have not even hooked up the hoses yet as I haven't had to water the plants.  Sadly, not only do we have the rain sessions, but also there is a threat of rain forecast almost every day and plenty of menacing clouds, most of which don't amount to anything.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog


THE WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:  Never slap a man who's chewin' tobacco.

JSS: Skeeters-- Heat-- Boating

JSS-- Just Some Stuff

1. SKEETERS-- One unpleasant aspect of all the rain and floods we had this past spring is an overabundance of some really bloodthirsty mosquitoes. Poor Liz is essentially a walking mosquito bump. Working in the yard is clip, clip, slap, clip, clip, slap. I'm beginning to think my ears have a constant buzzing in them.

2. HEAT--  And, ever since Saturday, we have had quite the heat wave and, even worse, no breeze.  I can stand most any kind of heat as long as I have a breeze.  With no breeze, I can work up a sizable sweat just sitting in one place.

Plus, breeze tends to keep those skeeters occupied and away from me.

3.  BOATING--  This lack of breeze has also caused problems with boating.  Yesterday, between threatening storms and the big heat, we didn't go out.  This past weekend we didn't go out either because of the heat and way too many weekend warriors.

I'll be leaving in a couple minutes for some early morning boating, maybe over to McDonald's for breakfast..

Just Some Stuff.  --Skeeter-Hating Dog

Hot Enough For Ya?

We have a heat advisory in effect until Friday with highs of 92 degrees both days. In addition, it is very humid with heat indexes between 100 and 105 both days. It is SO HOT, I have curtailed my outside wanderings. It wouldn't be so bad if we had a breeze, but usually there is no air movement. It's the type of day where you sweat when you're outside even if you are sitting still.

If there were a breeze, I wouldn't mind going out, regardless of the heat.

We didn't go out on the boat yesterday or the day before, but I'm thinking of going out later this morning. I just have to get out on the boat some.

Maybe old Uncle Al was right. At least he got rich off all his dire predictions.

THEM SKEETERS

Of course, another reason I'm spending more time inside is the bumper crop of mosquitoes we have this summer because of all of that rain earlier on. Wherever you go, clouds of the blood-sucking varmints rise up to greet you.

Yesterday morning, I was chased off the front porch by them. It was no fun drinking my coffee and forget reading the paper. Read, read, swat, read, swat and repeat as needed.

Is there anything as worthless-to-exist as mosquitoes, oh yes, Japanese beetles, but at least they haven't been bad this year.

And, I Like to Be OUTSIDE During the Summer. --RoadDog


DIDJA HEAR? In a democracy, your vote counts. In feudalism, your count votes. Your history lesson for today.

Perennials---Lake County Historical Society-- 30th Day Boating

Yesterday, I planted the rest of my perennials thanks to the cool temps and we finally had some wind which grounded most of the skeeters. Without wind, they rise up almost in squadrons reminiscent of WWII movies about bombing raids. I sure hope I don't break down again and buy anymore perennials. I need to STAY out of garden nurseries!!!

Gas is DOWN to $2.99 (that's $2.98.9 to most people). Still WAY TOO expensive, but at least it is going in the right direction.

Drove to Mundelein in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs, and met up with Clancy for some NTN and pizza at Emil's Sports Bar on US-45. They also had a special on something they called white bean chili that looked really good.

We then drove over to the nearby Fremont Library (Fremont Township) where we were going to provide support for our SCV, Sons of Confederate Veterans, commander who was giving the keynote address.

These folks were primarily interested in genealogy. When I introduced myself as a guest, someone asked whose surname did I use to get into the SCV. I replied "Hood." John, our commander, told them where they could look for information on Confederates ancestors and talked about our organization and Camp Douglas where 6000 of 12,000 Confederate prisoners died. That number shocked the crowd. Everyone always hears about the tragedy at Andersonville, but not about how bad the Union prisons were as well. There was also a discussion about slavery and whether it was the real cause of the war. These people really heard "the other side."

Today, I went out in the boat for the 30th time. I put in five more gallons, which brings me to 20 gallons used for the season. I know people who go through up to 50 gallons on one day. And gas on the water is usually about 50 cents to a dollar more than on land. Of course, I usually go for a short cruise and then just float. I really enjoy sitting out there, reading a newspaper or magazine, and listening to tunes from a cassette (yes, I still use cassettes) or the Drive, 97.1 FM.

I'm hoping to get to 40 boating expeditions before we put the boat up in about a month.

Came home, and had to do some yardwork and cut the grass again. All this rain and cooler temps is grass nirvana.

A Bad Day of Boating is Still Better Than a Good Day at Work. But, Being Retired...--RoadDog

Weather Just Couldn't Make Up Its Mind

All day it threatened to rain, then the sun came out, threatened to rain, few drops, sun, more threatening, one minute drizzle, and more threatening.

I had planned to go boating, but don't particularly enjoy boating in the rain.

I did, however, get the yard cut, which really needed it again. That grass has been going bonkers this last month with all the rain. However, it hasn't rained for a week.

We finally did get a ten minute deluge, but that was it.

I did get some yard work done. I put out mulch, weeded, trimmed, and planted six perennials. We actually had a breeze off and on and that kept the mosquitoes mostly grounded, finally.

Our subdivision is called Orchard Bluff and that name actually applies since we are sitting on a bluff on one of the highest points in Illinois. We also had apple orchards along with cornfields at one time. You can still see many of the trees around the neighborhood. Our lot was out in the fields, though. We could just as easily named our subdivision Windy Acres as we really get some wind, just not lately. That coupled with an overabundance of 'skeeters is not a good combination.

Come On Weather, Give Me a Break. --RoadDog

Stills, Yup, We STILL Got 'Em

1. STILL have those rotten Japanese beetles. They're after the geraniums and marigolds now. I refer to my killing excursions as "Search and Destroy" as that is exactly what I do. I go out in the morning and evening and occasionally at other times. I'd sure like to have a "bug count", but that would be impossible.

2. STILL have a huge number of very hungry mosquitoes.

3. STILL can't go out boating. The water is still over the pier.

4. STILL a Sox fan even though this is going to be a "long season."

5. STILL cutting the grass. I cut it Monday and again today. You can almost hear it growing.

6. STILL got those ridiculous gas prices. We even had it jump up nine cents around here since Tuesday. Most be the "Labor Day" gouge.

Come On Water...Go Down!!!! I need to go BOATING!!!! -RoadDog

Fightin' Japanese Beetles, Mos-Quitoes, Grass, and The Chain

Took a walk around the yard this morning before A & E showed "24" and caught up with some old "friends" of mine, the ever-eating Japanese beetles. They had a feast over the last four days as I was not around to kill 'em. Used the bucket of soapy water where I knock them off the leaves. It is a very effective but time-consuming way to eliminate them. I would estimate that I got about 400.

While doing it, I had to fight off the mosquitoes which are in worse numbers than I've ever seen. They rise in mass whenever you get near bushes. You don't even have to bump a bush. They just sense your presence. Quite a few of them met their maker, but, unfortunately, a few got through so I'm doing some scratching. I guess I'll have to slather up with Off whenever I work in the yard for awhile. I don't much like doing that, but it's hard to work and slap those little biters away.

Fortunately, I was able to cut the grass last Tuesday when we had a rare day without rain. However, it rained Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday so it is high again. I hope to cut it today (probably at the highest setting) and again by Wednesday. Lots of dew on the grass this morning, and, unfortunately the sun isn't shining to dry it out.

The Chain is open for no wake, but warnings are out for the increased bacteria level and that people should not come in contact with the water- no swimming. Let's hope the water drops by this weekend. Labor Day usually marks the official end of the season although you can still do boating until the end of October, which I usually do.

Still Hatin' Those Lousy Beetles!!! And NOT Too Crazy 'Bout Them Skeeters Either. --RoadDog