The garden took a beating last night. We had a fierce storm slowly move through--vivid lightning and strong winds, not to mention nearly 2" of rain.

As I look out over the yard and garden from my second floor bedroom -converted- to- computer- room window, I see sticks and limbs from two willow trees littering the ground. Anything not attached was blown away.

But the worst thing is my sweet corn. It is flattened. And it couldn't have happened at a worse time--just beginning to tassle. This happens EVERY year! I get so frustrated. So either I try to upright each stalk, packing mud at the base, or ignore it and hope they "come back". Irritating, but that's the life of a gentleman farmer.

On other fronts, my sister (Barb) invited me to a July 4th dinner and to watch fireworks from her patio (great view!). She's made amends of sorts with our father--at least they're speaking.
My Honduran grandchildren will be with their aunt (daughter Emily) for three weeks. I'm going to visit sometime. Not volunteering to have them, however. They are monsters, from what I hear (8 and 10, boy and girl). Their grandmother, my ex, is staying there to help. Emily can't do it by herself--she works (hygienist) and farms, and has her own little boy (and is pregnant!). Perhaps I should (underline) volunteer to take them for a couple of days. We'll see.

That's all from the "crossroads of America". Happy 4th!