Apopheniac

Hail Storm!

About 5:45 this morning I heard a loud "Thunk" follwed in about 30 seconds by another. I wondered what Jean might be up to to cause these noises but that was answered as many thunks began and it was clear that hailstones were hitting the roof. I remembered that the windows were down on the car and headed out with the umbrella to roll them up. Hundreds of hailstones were falling along with a good deal of rain. Most of the stones were marble sized but there were a few as big as golf balls.

After the sun came up, we went out to see what had happened to the garden. The plants had been hit pretty hard as these pepper plants show. The tomato plants in cages were damaged but should recover but the one that hadn't been caged yet was simply shredded. This was my first west-Texas hail storm since my youth and wasn't even a particularly savage one. The radar indicates that the worst of the storm went north of us.

Code blue! Code blue!

I am blogging this from another machine because mine is in intensive care. I came to my computer perch this morning to find the screen frozen. When it would not be revived by even ctrl, alt, del, I powered it off and on and it would not boot. Subsequent attempts at revival have been to no avail. Though in good hands the prognosis is bleak. Soon there will be nothing to do but harvest the organs. Alas.

Twenty-four Years Ago Today

What now seems long ago and far away and fresh as yesterday, we formalized the love we had each been seeking our whole lives and found in each others eyes. The days before seem ashen by comparison, the days since bright as this morning's sunrise. Of all blessings in my life, there is none for which I am so grateful as my life with you.

Happy anniversary

Grandson Jaxson Fournerat

Jaxson Conor Fournerat, 5/17/05, 12:25 am, Dallas, TX 7lb 12oz
Mother and child are doing fine.
He is a Taurus with Aquarius Rising and a Virgo Moon.
Click here to see his full horoscope.

Jaxson Fournerat is on the way

Got the word from daughter Jessica this that she is into labor this morning and grandson Jaxson will soon be here. Our love and prayers go with her. I'll post news (and Jaxson pics) as they arrive.

Fresh Fruit

Our 6-foot peach tree is sporting 48 peaches . . .

and the first of the strawberries are here.

Lifehacker highlights efficiencies and shortcuts

Lifehacker is my new favorite source for shortcuts and better ways to do things.

This year's garden is begun.

Here are the peppers and tomatoes.

And last year's purple sage is back in force.

Visiting Peacock

Last night at my evening break I walked to the window to see a large peacock grazing outside our building. Camera phone in hand I headed outside to "capture the moment." It was dusk, so the pic is not fully sharp but the bird was quite tame and was comfortable with me getting within about 4 feet. Apparently he wandered over from nearby County Line barbeque, which has an outdoor eating area with a pond and birds.

The Roses Have Shifted into Gear

Here at the changing of the month, the roses has put forth in earnest.