Tomorrow is Mr. Tbend's birthday, and I just barely remembered it, but by chance, a couple of days ago I'd mailed him a check to deposit in his personal bank account, so he thought that was a birthday gift. Maybe the card I mailed today will reach him on Saturday.

I like this picture of a farm auction in the 1930s. All the shapes and angles formed by the barn roofs are so interesting, it would make a good study for an artist.



I moved my zucchini plants (started inside) outdoors yesterday, protected by these cozy water wall things:



Even if it got so cold the water in the channels around the outside froze, the plants inside would be protected.

The instructions say if the ground is frozen, put these out, and it will thaw out inside there, ready for seedlings. They also say for cooler climates like mine, they can be used all summer for peppers and eggplant - they like it warm. I might try that, too.

We have a 70% chance of rain tonight, and I am praying that we will get a decent amount of precipitation.

The mountain snow pack is only 48% of normal coming into spring this year. Last year it was 120% of normal, but most years it has been less than normal. I wonder when they are going to re-set the definition of 'normal.'

2012 April 24:


Last year April 28: