Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Rain~My Heart's Not Into Writing



My heart is not into writing a post~We've had heavy and constant rain since early Saturday morning~18 inches of rain have flooded our city and surrounding counties. More thunderstorms are forecast with 3 to 4 more inches of rain expected. I think about marmee in Leipers Fork, where most of the roads are closed. I heard that Spring Hill was pounded, that's where Dave lives. Donna how are you doing out there in the country? Irony of ironies~fairegarden needs rain and none has made it over the mountains.

It was too dark to take photos this morning~the sky was heavy with rain...but, I can report that the stairs from the Garden Of Benign Neglect make a beautiful waterfall and the french drains are not water spouting. That's good, they're still working. The crawl space is flooded~Mr I can deal with that while I am out of town.


It was so dark this morning I couldn't tell if there were any blossoms left on the flowers. It's light enough to see that Phlox pilosa and columbines are still standing, although, they will never be the same! The garden will survive...I am worried about my city and the folks who have no flood insurance. It's flooded where it's not supposed to flood. Cars have been carried off, even a hospital basement is under water and many people have lost everything. Davidson County has been declared a disaster area and both the governor and mayor have requested that folks stay inside and off the roads.

I listened to a news story last week about climate change. They mentioned that monsoons are decreasing in India and how devastating it has been for their lifestyle. I am trying to imagine a culture built around heavy rains....The little bit I was out yesterday has made me appreciate our usual weather!

Gail

48 comments:

  1. Gail,

    Hoping it dries out there soon! Around here we could use any rain! Clouds and a chance of rain today, betting it never happens. Talked to a gardening friend yesterday, she says she's just giving up on watering. If we did that 10% of our plants would be dead in a week.

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  2. We had those kinds of "500 year floods" south of here a few years ago. It was just awful for people, including a hospital that had to basically shut down and rebuild for a year. I even heard of a new garden center that had just opened, and then found itself a few weeks later under five feet of flood water.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone around you.

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  3. Carol, Thank you~

    Randy, I hope the rains move on and gently fall on your gardens

    Gail

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  4. Oh Gail I'm sorry to hear that you're getting a bit too much of that rain - I was over at Lona's blog and she too has had the rain but I don't think to the same intensity. I hope there won't be too much damage done to the blossoms or to the surrounding property. Take care :) Rosie

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  5. Gail, I've been reading about the devastating flooding in Tennessee. I hope that things dry out soon and that your personal loss is minimal.

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  6. I've been watching TV and have seen the flooding in your area. I was wondering how my blogging friends were coping. So glad to hear that your damage is small. There is no feeling like watching out the window, while the rain comes pouring down, and you are helpless to do anything. Take care...
    Balisha

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  7. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone in your area.

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  8. Hi Gail. We are getting a pounding here in Ohio too but I think it is much worse for your area. Weather seems to come in extremes anymore rather than the norm. I hope everyone makes it through alright.

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  9. I was wondering how you were faring up there. We drove through Nashville on our way back from Missouri this afternoon. Let's just say I don't ever want to do that again. Almost all of the main roads were flooded, and the cars were in standing water. We barely made it through and I don't want to leave my house for a month or two. :) Hope you and yours are going to be okay.

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  10. I am glad to hear that you are ok. I have been seeing the horrible results of so much rain on the news. We haven't had near as much as your area and our irises look just like the one pictured here. Be careful.

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  11. So sorry to hear about all that rain. I hadn't been around to see the news this weekend so hadn't heard. We had some unusual and terrible flooding near here like that a few years ago. I always feel so bad for people whose properties get flooded.

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  12. My heart goes out to all those who are flooded. Here in eastern NC we remember Hurricane Floyd and all the flooding it brought. Just two blocks from my house are several empty lots where houses once stood.
    We have relatives in Nashville who are stranded in their neighborhood - though they are fine.

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  13. Gail, too much of a good thing [rain] is definitely too much.

    Funny how some places are overwhelmed, and others are so dry they are begging for rain.

    We are always soggy around here, and up country they don't have enough water.

    Sorry that you are experiencing so much flooding, hope that it stops soon. Grey days, and too much rain are never nice. Maybe it will move on to where it's needed soon.

    Jen

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  14. Gail,
    I'm sorry to hear that you're having such devastating rain.

    Here, we have had no significant rain and are suffering. It's all I can do to keep the annual seedlings going with moist soil.

    Hope you get clear skies and we get rain--in moderation.

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  15. I hope all is clearing. We flooded very badly in Dec. with the same amount of rain, but then we always flood so I think folks are more prepared for it.

    That kind of weather is not good for the soul. Hang in there.

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  16. Gail that is terrible. 18" is twice as much as most hurricanes deliver. For your crawl space to be flooded -- is it ground water or is it that the water just can't drain around the house fast enough?

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  17. My heart goes out to your county, you and everyone else affected Gail. I can't even imagine receiving 18 inches of rain. I agree it seems like weather is happening in the extremes these days ~ I'm scared to think what that means down the road. We've been hard pressed to reach 70 degrees, staying cooler than normal and rainy here too (but not what you're experiencing). Let's pray it ends soon so you can all start drying out and cleaning up.

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  18. Wow, that's a LOT of rain. Hope everything is OK in your garden and for the friends you mention.

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  19. Dear Gail,
    It is really awful there and I'm so sorry. Marmee has rivers run through her property. Her daughter (and family) came to dinner and can't leave for there are no roads clear enough.

    It is amazing how damaging water can be when it comes in so fast. I do hope you stay high and dry. My prayers are with you and the surrounding counties.
    Meems

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  20. Hi - I am writing from India - we work in the world's rainiest place where it rains non-stop for months training women artisans to work with bamboo ........ a different experience for sure !! In India we are so dependent on the monsoons with most of our small farmers practising rain-fed farming ...food for the whole year depends on how good or bad the rain is !! Right now in Delhi where I am based it is 42-45 degrees centigrade - we could do with some cooling rain ! Looking at the lovely pictures in your blog makes me feel cool and give me hope for a nice garden - all my plants are burnt out now !!

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  21. So sorry to hear about the rains. It's so sobering how vulnerable we really are. Hope it will dry up soon.

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  22. Hi Gail, speaking as a resident of flash-flood alley, I'm AMAZED at this storm. We're not sissies, the heavens open with a vengeance in the Texas Hill Country. But this rain is hurricane level wet.

    The city and county will have major clean up. Hope help comes for those who've lost homes.

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  23. It is so scary to see those images on TV and online, dear Gail. I am so glad you are safe and your property is unharmed, that you are aware of. Everyone who has experienced this biblical type of rain is in our thoughts and prayers.
    xo,
    Frances

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  24. Geez and I was complaining about 3.8 inches.....I'll hush now.

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  25. It seems like it's always feast or famine -- I do hope your destructive rains soon diminish and that everyone is able to recover with a minimum of permanent damage. Keeping your beautiful state in my thoughts and prayers. Stay safe.

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  26. Oh my goodness, Gail; I haven't been watching the news the past two days and didn't know about all the flooding in your area. I hope that the rain stops soon, and people can get back to their normal lives. We've had a little rain, a good thing for the garden, but too much of a good thing can certainly be devastating.

    My PPPP are blooming! I'm off to Portland to visit my daughter, so I'll show the blooms when I return. I know you and Frances are traveling even further this week--have a wonderful trip! I can't wait to see all your photos and hear all about it.

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  27. Oh, Gail, I'm sorry about all the mess in your garden but at least you are ok and your home is sound. I'm worried about Marmee. I don't know exactly where her home was located. Hoping she will check in if she can and let us know her family is alright.

    Good luck, hope this ends soon.
    Marnie

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  28. Gail - I'm so glad you're safe - what devastation there seems to be surrounding you!

    It seems these kind of '500' year events are becoming more common.

    Your garden may be different from now on, but I'm sure mother nature will lend a hand in ensuring it's beautiful again.

    Stay safe and not long until your great adventure begins!

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  29. Gail,
    I'm so sorry about the deluge of rain and ensuing flooding and hope it dries out soon. I was thinking about your garden and your gardening friends, and the rest of Nashville this morning when I was listening to the reports of flooding.

    All the best,
    Lisa

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  30. My dear Gail,

    I want to wish you all good luck and I send hopes that the sun soon shines and that life can get back to normal.

    I am usually the one praying for rain (California), but in this case I am praying for sun and mildness for you.

    All joys and love,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  31. Gail....my heart goes out to those who are experiencing such serious flooding. The effects on peoples lives is huge. I know, our friends have been flooded three times in the last two years.
    Climate change is here....I believe we can all do our bit. It does not matter how small....it all adds up.

    I do so hope the rain stops Gail and people can start to get their lives into some sort of order.

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  32. Hello Gail,

    It is hard to imagine that much rain falling in such a short amount of time. I do hope this week brings lots of sunshine to help dry things up.

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  33. Thanks for putting the gardening frenzy I'm currently experiencing. into perspective. Will be praying for the folks of TN who are having tough times with all this rain.

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  34. Oh dear, I'm sorry things are so soggy there. We're no strangers to periodic deluges either, but thankfully for us this year our storms had nice breaks in between so things could dry out. I do hope the sun shows itself there soon so you can dry out, and get back in the gardens.

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  35. Oh Gail, how dismal and discouraging. I can't even imagine 18" of rain (although my first thought was - that would have been 180 inches of snow) Hideous. No rain here last month - and plants have their chins on the ground. I'm going to do my best to send you our blue skys. Good for you for writing on such a miserable day.

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  36. It wasn't that long ago that all of you in Tennessee were praying for rain. It all seems so unfair. I hope everyone is okay and that your garden is still there when the floods cease.

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  37. I heard about all the rain in Nashville and immediately thought of you. It sounds as if you survived with minimal damage and I am glad. I hope things will be back to normal soon, and that you can have a great trip without worrying about home.

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  38. I've been thinking about you and hoping all is okay. Although basement flooding does not sound good at least you all are safe and sound. Climate change is indeed wreaking havoc in so many places. I hope your city recovers very soon. Stay safe.

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  39. Gail, I was hoping against hope that you had escaped the heavy rains. :( I am just glad to hear you are safe. The gardens will come back, maybe not this year..

    I will say a little prayer for you and all the others. And I wish you a wonderful trip! Have fun take lots of photos and don't let Frances get west of west! :)

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  40. I hope you stay safe & dry. Also Marmee. Dave is another person of interest.
    I don't remember ever hearing about so much rain there before. Henry Co. {my hometown} hasn't had it so bad. It too has some very low lying grounds.
    Prayer are for all.

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  41. I do hope the weather will give you all a break soon. Flooding is so devastating. We once had a house that flooded every time a high tide and high winds coincided. Such a mess to clean up, but at least we could prepare for it. It's so hard for people to have such damage especially without insurance as you say.

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  42. Living with cyclones, tropical thunderstorms, torrential rainfall and floods is a way of life for many of us who live in the tropics ... but I can imagine just how devastating flooding can be for those who do not normally experience it. I do hope you yourself have not had too much devastation on your property ... and here's hoping the weather clears quickly.

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  43. How awful, Gail. My thoughts are with those affected by the flooding. I'm glad you, Mr. I, Coal, and your home are ok.

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  44. Yes, I heard about the flooding and all the wild weather here and there.

    Our city just voted to allow the city to post bonds to build an arena next to a historic part of downtown where a rail yard used to be. The vote was fairly close. They have to clean up lots of contaminants from the area, and move the railroad tracks. They said they wouldn't have the final estimate of the cost of the clean up until after the vote. The area is in a 100 year flood plain. Isn't that nuts? I voted against it.

    I hope the clean up from the flooding is going well in your area.

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