It's raining lilies!

It's raining lilies, thanks to cooler temps and an abundant amount of rain fall. The lilies have been putting off a spectacular show.

Deer Loving Planters

When I removed chubby a few weeks ago, I started preparing a new garden bed in his place. I observed an opportunity to show off my curving stairway which in the past was hidden from view. I dug out some pots in my work area and filled them with a good mix of soil, leaf compost and well rotted manure; headed off to the local nurseries to find some interesting selections. I planted a number of different plants but I found out that the deer seem to be passing on most species and chowing down on the new flowers on the Gerbera. They like both cultivars. Out comes scarecrow number five. Tonight they will be getting a surprise when they go to feast on the last remaining flower.

"Chance of rain; no punch backs!"

Like many parts of the country, Pittsburgh is getting its fair share of rainfall this year. It has rained at least five out of seven days for the past several weeks. Needless to say, it has severely hindered my efforts to complete one new garden bed that I started weeks ago. And the location for my new rain garden is currently under water.

My husband and I have a new game we play, like the one my students and I play while wait for their bus to arrive. (I am one of the bus monitors at my school, and like the post man goes outside each morning and afternoon to make sure our precious cargo gets home safely.) My motto: "Neither sleet, hail, rain or snow, will stop us from getting those buses loaded." And of course my partner in crime and I must be out making sure that it happens. Without fail, we arm ourselves for whatever the elements are throwing at us.

My teammate, was like a green gardener; eager to be a part of the action, but lacking much of the necessary equipment. So, me being the more experienced one, took her under my wing. She now wears silk, long underwear under her slacks in the winter. I've introduced her to 180's and ear bags...gifts of the holidays. She now has a face shield, insulated gloves and goretex jacket. She wears waterproof muckers and is understands the thermal qualities of a down jacket.

Seeing that our school is on top of a hill, we can count on wind chills and rain that blows horizontally. It is important to make sure that the derriere has sufficient coverage or else our students will think we didn't make to the bathroom in time. She is now armed with the biggest dang umbrella money can buy. It covers all body parts and is resistant to gail force winds up to 65 mph. (If we get higher winds than that, we won't be standing there to find out if it works.) "Ah grasshopper, you have learned well." She asked me how I learned so much about the weather and I told her that I was a girl scout and I am a gardener. "Be prepared or be miserable." But I digress.

Back to the game. Aside from the weather, we often must find ways to entertain our students in order to keep them from getting restless. Sometimes I raffle off a pencil or gel pen to the person who comes closest to guessing when their bus will arrive. Some times we spy a parent driving a VW bug. When a person spies a VW bug, that person must yell out the color of the VW and say "(color of vehicle) punch buggy, no punch backs", and immediately punch the closest person in arm. If you don't yell, no punch backs, you will get punched over and over again. Honest, it is not child abuse. (I am the one who is usually abused.)

My husband and I are playing the rain version of the game with our neighbors and family. We call out "Chance of rain, no punch backs!" and hit the person softly in the arm. It is helping me keep my sanity and have fun in the process. So arm yourself for the elements because a little rain (or a lot for that matter), never stopped a gardener from gardening. When you are out there dodging rain drops, remember; "Chance of rain" and don't punch your significant other too hard.
Have a happy Fourth of July!