Praying for Rain~

 Today, the promised rains - have started with a misty drizzle.  We're well over 2" below normal for the year & ended last year in a deficit. The numbers are sobering.  The forecast is for three days of possible precipitation adding up to hopefully .5".  We need five times that amount just to catch up.  

February 20, 2026

The only real snow we had this winter was four inches in February.  Since then, we've only received a dusting with almost no moisture content.  With the moles digging from below & the squirrels digging from above, as dry as the ground is I can only hope the plants survive.

March 15, 2026 - The Lowlands~

It's been so very dry, it's almost hurtful to be outside for any length of time.  My eyes dry out, my skin feels like I live in the Sahara.  The storms will start across the middle of the country, then split to the north & to the south.  They have missed us, Nebraska & most of the Midwest.

Photo by PR Newswire~

The photos & story's coming out of Nebraska are so horrifying scary.  The scope of the disaster will be felt for many years.  Third & fourth generation ranches, burnt to ash.  Our area has had a Red Flag Warning in place for weeks & weeks. With the winds blowing up to 40 mph gusts almost every day.  20 mph winds have become our new norm.  Many of our local volunteer Fire Departments have gone to help in Nebraska.

3/31/26 The Marsh

Even the lowest area of our property is dry, normally the grass here is emerald, green.  Some years, there were large pools of standing water.  I've been watering all the trees, shrubs & flowers we've planted since last fall.  Our local water bill has climbed, due to new housing developments & the resulting need for a larger sewer treatment plant.

April 1, 2026 - Nika's tree~

This afternoon, we've received .01 of moisture so far.  The air smells so fresh & is charged with negative ions.  To be rid of the dust is wonderful.  When I spoke to Butch this afternoon, he'd driven in pouring rain from the Iowa state line at Walcott 337-miles to Greenfield, IN just east of Indianapolis.  I told him to fill a trailer & bring some back with him!  

The Greens Arrive!

The night of April first, into the morning of April second, one wonderful storm brought us .58 of rain.  Since the wind was so horrific, I think we received more, but it was probably blown out of the gauge before it could be measured!

Literally overnight - things turned green!  After a light drizzle the day cleared to a few minutes of sunshine in the morning.  By the time we left mat making the sky was again leaden gray.  Sadly, we've had no further rain since & the long-term forecast through mid-month is for dryer than normal.  I no longer believe in normal.

4-2 Nika's tree opens its buds!

Today, even though the day started overcast & in the 40's, it was clearing before noon.  I didn't want to waste the opportunity to get out & enjoy the ultra-fresh air.

The Bronco will wait~

At Lake Manawa, it was still very chilly.  It only took as far from the Bronco as I was in this photo to realize I'd forgotten my windbreaker at home! Wearing just my vest, I was freezing & so were my ears.  I pulled out my polar fleece headband & cowgirled up!  

Shadow turns over 700~

My first ride on this bike was March 28th of last year.  Since that time, minus a few miles when the motor is off, Shadow turned over 700 miles.  With the Torque motor I still have to pedal to go forward.  My knees & ankles though, appreciate the assist.  The extra weight the motor & battery add to the bike does requires more attention to balance, starting & stopping.

Pale greens!

Seeing the buds on the trees & grass turning green is a feast for the eyes, after so many months of brown.  Before long, we'll be in the lush months of late spring.

In the first train underpass~

I rode my usual route; I didn't want to try the trail after the rain & my last dog experience.  The park was quiet & the trails smooth.  I just ignore the traffic along the busy streets & hurry along those sections.

From the old campground~

I stopped by the big cottonwood in the old campground.  The view across of the lake is always so pretty.  Leaving the campground, I spotted one of the Eagles at the rim of his nest off in the distance.

From the Indian Creek Bridge~

Cutting back into the park off the Indian Creek trail, takes me back into the most beautiful, southern section of the park.  When the tree's leaf out, I'll miss the views of the water.

At the lake shore~

By late afternoon, the clouds were rolling in again & I could feel the temperature drop.  When I'd first arrived for my break, the sun felt warm.  That didn't last long.  By the time I'd talked to Butch for a few minutes, I was already getting cold again. There were a few boats out on the water & a couple people sitting in chairs, fishing from the shore.

Heading back~

I hustled going back to the Bronco.  The parking lot was warmer than out on the trail with the reflected warmth off the pavement.  

At Doris's, no one answered the door.  I went around back & found Doris raking the pedals that had fallen from her magnolia tree, in full bloom!  It's so huge & so magnificent!  I told her it would be the perfect place for a wedding.  The tree so gorgeous above us & with the pink pedals on the bright green grass.  

At home, the sun was setting lower in the west, soon to drop over the hill behind the woods.  We've been on the spring roller coaster of weather, more gray days this year than I remember in the past.  I'm a spoiled sunshine girl now!

Tornado - Wabash Trace Trail~

 On the 21st., the rain hit & within just a short time, we'd accumulated 1.57 inches!  It came down fast & furious.  During the afternoon, the tornado sirens were blaring & we received another .20 inches.  It was a scary afternoon. 

By Wednesday morning, the sun was shining & the air so very fresh & clean.  It was like the earth breathed a sigh of relief after receiving such badly needed moisture.

North from Silver City~

After mat making, I decided to load Shadow & head to Silver City.  I spoke to Mari Jo & we compared rain & tornado information.  She told me a tornado had crossed the trail between Mineola & Margaritaville.  I decided to go see if I could find the area.

Just outside Mineola~

I crossed the bridge & Barrus Road.  I'd just ridden a few feet when I came to the washout above.  I'd heard that Barrus had been covered with water & now I know where it came from.  This mud is very slick.  I had just enough room to walk the bike along the far edge.

This must have been a waterfall~

The washout area was large & it was obvious that a huge amount of water had gone through this area.  Corn stalks had been pulled from the culvert under the road.

Keg Creek~

I could hear Keg Creek before I got to the bridge!  You can see how high the water had gone up the banks by the flattened grass along the sides.  Probably close to double the volume of a few weeks ago.

Tree down~

Farther along going north, this tree was down & ready to fall on the trail.  There was enough room to get under it, but I hustled!  I actually thought maybe this had been the path of the tornado.  I was wrong!

Tornado's path~

Another mile & seeing blazing sunshine ahead was the first clue & as I approached, the damage was impossible to ignore.  Here was where the tornado had crossed the trail.  It had wickedly torn the trees apart for a section probably 150 ft. long. Volunteers had come through & cleaned the debris off the trails surface.

Margaritaville~ 

The cyclist hangout had been spared by only maybe 100 feet.  There's a house too, just out of the above photo that had been narrowly missed.  I stopped to sit up on one of the benches & call Butch.  It was such a gorgeous afternoon.

Dumfries underpass~

I continued on, planning to turn around at the area I call the Lookout, just a few miles south of Council Bluffs.  I dismounted & started to walk Shadow around the edge of the mud, (my prints on the far right) when I saw a truck with two trail volunteers coming from the north.  I was sinking so deep & Shadow's tires were covered in mud.  

I decided just to forget my plan, trying to step backward into my own prints.  The truck made it through - I made it out - mud squishing under my feet.  Yuck is all I can say...  I tried to get it off my shoes & ran the bike through some grass, but it was a mess.  I turned back toward Margaritaville.  

Looking south at the Tornado's path~

Returning south, I again viewed the damage to the trees from the tornado. It's scary just how ripped apart this small area is & think of the destruction done to homes, businesses & entire towns this season.  No one can remember a year when the sirens have gone off so often.

My electric horse~

It felt funny riding with all the mud coming off the tires!  I was happy I had fenders to catch it before it came flying up at me.  Getting it all off the underside of the fenders was another story!  

Mineola~

I stopped one more time to admire the view just outside Mineola, thankful that the town didn't have any damage.  The last four miles back to Silver City I saw two Woodchucks!  One came up & started to cross the trail, then stopped right in the middle!  As I took evasive action, I narrowly missed his tail!  

Back at Happy Trails, Mari Jo was just closing the shop, but let me use the hose to get the worst of the remaining mud off Shadow.  What a mess is all I can say.  I washed my new tennis shoes & made the drive home with wet feet! 

The Thunder Rolled ~

 With the welcome rain, the heat & humidity have soared.  The end of last week was close to miserable.  I'd go out & be soaked to the skin in minutes.  Any exertion felt like I was carrying a heavy pack.  Today was supposed to be a few degrees cooler - if the upper 80's is cool.  The humidity too - had dropped just a little.  

As I left Glenwood & turned onto Gaston Rd., the clouds turned dark & the rain hit hard.  The wipers were hardly clearing the windsheild, even on high.  But just a couple miles later; in Silver City, the clouds were off to the west & it was dry.  

A couple were at Happy Trails & had just come in off the trail from Malvern. They said the trail south bound was in pretty good condition, with only a few soft spots.  I decided to go. 

Lush & wet~

When I left, I didn't think I'd go all the way to Malvern.  But after reaching the Trestle, the sky was clearning & the clouds were to the west.  The rain had dropped the temperature & there was a light breeze.

Silver Creek - west from the Trestle~

Plenty good enough for me to continue on south.  The creek was muddy & higher than it's been in forever, so good to see.  Just as I stopped - I saw a deer standing right in the middle of the creek!  By the time I got my phone out to snap that perfect photo - she'd crossed into the woods.

Clouds to the West~

When I reached the open section of trail at the dirt road crossing, the clouds seemed to be moving to the north.  It looked like the further south I went, the more rain had been received.

At the Pond~

When I reached the park, the sky had changed!  It looked like the storms were moving in from the east, unusual for us.  The clouds were heavier & more ominous looking than earlier.  I called Butch, but we didn't talk for long.  I had a feeling I'd better move on & start my return  of eight + miles soon!

At the Trestle again~

By now, it was obvious the afternoon had changed!  I could hear the sound of the rolling thunder from both sides of the trail.  No lightening so far, thank heaven!  But the loud booms of thunder were more than enough to keep me motivated.

Silver creek~

Looking down - I saw the strangest pattern in the water!  It looked like rain drops were hitting everywhere, but it wasn't yet raining!  The wind wasn't blowing either, but the thunder was almost non-stop.  I decided standing in the middle of a steel bridge - over water - was not the smartest thing I've ever done!

3-miles to go~

We'd no more than cleared the Trestle when the rain hit!  It was instantaneous & the wind was gusting from the east!  Every stroke of the pedals became tougher as Smokey's tires started sinking into the softening surface of the limestone.  It gets incredibly slippery too, as does the wood decking on the bridges.  It was a long three miles until we reached the concrete at the edge of Silver City.

Looking back the way I'd come~

Mari Jo was standing under the cover at Happy Trails watching for me.  She said they'd received a good downpour while  I was gone & there was a weather warning for another strong storm & hail.  She kindly got out her hose so I could wash the grime off Smokey before loading the bike.  In the few minutes that took - the rain hit town again.

Smokey & the Explorer~

I was more than happy to be inside Happy Trails & out of the rain.  I stayed long enough to wipe the water off, before heading home.  At home, even though we'd received .05 while I was gone, the sun was breaking through the clouds.  The weather predicition is for more unsettled weather this coming week.  No complaints - rain is welcome!

May Rain ~

 Today, we enjoyed a really nice rain!  Just enough thunder & lightening to scare Nika.  Today is also her tenth birthday.  Butch called to wish her a happy birthday & she's had special treats all day long...''

8-14-2012 When the ferns are bigger than you are!

It doesn't seem possible ten-years have gone by since we brought her home from Trout Lake, WA as a tiny puppy.  We sat on the porch together & watched the rain.  The smell alone was so wonderful, we stayed until the wind came up out of the north & resulted in a torrential downpour.

Original flower bed~

My timing couldn't have been better!  I'd spent the morning weed whacking along the creek.  After lunch I planted the blue iris starts I'd won at our Garden Club white elephant sale yesterday.  I also planted the last of the hosta's Clara had given me on Saturday.  They had broken off the main plants, so I'd soaked them in a bucket of water to revive them.

The Cabin~

Clara, with her beautiful gardens, has been a godsend to the Home Place woods.  My very first friend in the neighborhood.  Every year she has invited me up, then sent me home with wheelbarrows full of plant starts.  Even though I hadn't caught up with the mowing, she walked the place with me on Sat. & could reconize how those early starts have gained a foothold.  It's great to see them starting to add so much - to what had been a invasive brush covered no-man's land.

I took the video above during the first bout of rain.  The second was even stronger & we're due for more tonight!  

A once barren hillside~

Last season, another friend, Laura had purchased a house in town & offered me all the Hosta's I could dig.  They were in flower beds, so overgrown over the years they were stunted.  I filled every feed tub I had & made several trips.  They looked miserable last year & I could only hope they would survive.  Not only did they survive, but are now thriving!  

Bleeding Hearts~

The bleeding hearts have had a tough go of it.  Most of them came from one huge specimen growing along Clara's driveway.  I saw it this year & you'd never know it had been touched.  Last spring, a late frost had burned them back, no blooms at all.  But this year - they've doubled in size!

Hyacinth & Violets

Our first spring, when Butch & I fought our way around the woods, we found two little spots of Hyacinth's.  This year, for the first time, there was a nice large patch of them to the side of the trail behind the cabin!   Combined with the wild violets, they are the perfect spring ground cover.

Lily of the Valley & ferns~

The photo above is a product of two-years of waiting.  My friend Jean gave me the Lily of the Valley starts & it's taken them a couple years to establish.  I've planted I don't know how many ferns.  This spring, they are emerging.  I don't know if they're what's called "Common" or not, but I love ferns & have missed them so much. 

Just since the fist of the month & even with the strange weather, it's wonderful to enjoy such a beautiful seasonal renewal.  

Speedy has a Screw Loose!

We finally had rain!  It started early this morning - hit from the north - with wind so strong the rain was coming in waves!  Lightening too - that took part of a tree about a block away & put it through the roof of a house...  In Glenwood we had 2.5 inches!  I could see the water in the creek, from the house.

From the Trestle - Silver Creek~

 We lost power for just a moment.  I went to matt-making this morning, we're working toward our  500th matt!  After a fun lunch with Laura & Karen, I decided to call Mari Jo & see what condition the trail was in.  Silver City hadn't even had a quarter inch of rain!  The Wabash would be sticky, but still rideable.  Malvern, on the other hand, had received four inches of rain!  The question would be -  how the trail was - further south.

It was just after 2 p.m. as I left Silver City.  After only the first mile, Speedy had an annoying rattle?  I stopped several times to see if I could find a reason, but there didn't seem to be anything amiss.

On the trestle~

 At the trestle, I could tell things were much wetter than in Silver City.  I continued on, meeting one other rider, heading north.  I asked him if the underpass at Hwy 34 was clear of mud & he confirmed it was OK.  A bit embarrassing, to be rattling along on Speedy.

Stinging Nettle Bloom~

 This beautiful bloom caught my eye!  Such a pretty color, I think it's a stinging nettle.  The sun broke through the clouds & as it did, the heat soared!  By the time I reached Agriland, I was soaked with sweat.  Butch was waiting for me, he'd wondered if I'd be able to get through.  I circled him - Speedy making the rattling noise.

The Problem~

 My husband had Speedy upside down in no time & had assessed the problem.  A loose screw attaching the fender to the frame.  It's amazing the screw was still there, after eight miles of limestone.

Butch works on Speedy~

 Speedy was a bit embarrassed, but handled it with aplomb. :-)

Rear tire back in place~

 With the tire back on, Butch noticed the brake pad on the left side, was rubbing on the rim.  No wonder it had felt a bit more difficult peddling - which I'd attributed to the sticky trail.  The brakes are floating in place.  With several adjustments & a trial ride around the parking area, we were back on the trail.  Sunny, my 3i,  had disk brakes, which I like better but aren't available on the 7D.

Heading north on the concrete~

 Back on the concrete, Speedy was quiet as a mouse.  No more rattle, rattle!  I'm still not sure the brakes are as they should be & Butch is going to do some research, but at least the pad wasn't rubbing on the rim.

Speedy & the countryside~

We stopped on the trestle just long enough for me to take a drink of water & one more electrolyte.   That's when I noticed we had a hitchhiker!

Our hitchhiker!~

A beautiful one at that!  I don't know the species, but he was determined to ride along.  Even after I got on & started down the trail, it took him a second to fly away.

Butch met me at Silver City.  I'd covered 17-miles in two-hours.  Speedy now has over 350-miles to her credit!  Most all on limestone & carried on the bike rack over the bumpy country roads to get to the trailhead.

The corn is starting to sweat & I've done a lot of it myself!  I told Mary Jo not to expect me if we get into the triple digits in the next couple weeks.  As much as I like riding - that kind of heat/humidity is no fun!