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In an unprecedented turn of events the recent early April dry spell has been replaced by unusually wet conditions. Today was the third day in a row with considerable precipitation. It started on Wednesday with rain. Yesterday came hail. (Hey G-d, next time, please watch out for me - you almost got me on the head with some of them marble-sized pieces yesterday.) And this morning, there was even some snow - real pretty.

I certainly appreciate a good downpour around here. Although, please, not like the last year's flood. One of the benefits of all the moisture coming down from the skies is that it beats down the fine dust from last year's weeds and chicken droppings and that helps relieve my seasonal allergies. It is also good for the plants. Speaking of which, I am finally done with tree and bush planting for the year. Instead of new plantings, this year I concentrating on replacing lost plants and transplanting volunteers.

The five xeriscape "mop bushes" (as my brother-in-law calls them) that came from my sister's place are now mostly in place of failed Mulberries. The six of the eight CSU extension Hackberry seedlings that I picked up from the West Adams County NRCS Service Center are now by the side of the road, in place of the ash trees that were killed by the borers and the voles. The three Locusts that I grew in pots from seed last year are in previously dug holes, as well. Also replacing past casualties are a Perfection Apricot and a Bartlet Pear that I picked up from Home Depot on the two-for-one Garden Club member sale. A tiny apple tree that grew from the root of an aging one in my parents' back yard and developed its own root, took a spot of a potted pine tree that never made it.

In their new permanent locations are the eight Blueberry bushes, one of which I started from seed and others I bought as seedlings and potted up last year. I also moved one of the Cottonwoods that volunteered in the backyard out to the front, where it should have more room to grow. What looks like a Poplar that volunteered next to the apple tree, I moved out of the way next to the greenhouse. In the same area I put the remaining CSU Hackberries, two tiny Juniper seedlings that came up in the backyard and all the lilacs that volunteered from seed last year and I kept potted up 'till now...

On the other hand, all that water has made a swimming pool out of the playground area. Tommy dug is last Saturday in preparation for building this weekend. As the result, building of the playground has been preempted. Strangely, Sofae is not complaining. Did I already teach her that patience is a virtue, or does she more likely not understand the consequences of all that misplaced water? Perhaps, she has simply forgotten, not having the opportunity to go outside to inspect the progress for a couple of days.