Toady

Good thing I saved a few pics of non-rain stuff to look at, because Rain Toad is getting a work-out these days...

This year I had to touch up the paint on Rain Toad, due to many bright white scratch marks, n possible gnawing around the edges.

I'd remembered similar color-themed, permanent, Pantone Markers bought decades ago for a college art project, n went to search them out from the old shelves out back. Years ago I was taught to store markers on their side to last. N wow, can you believe the over 20-year-old markers still worked?! I was amazed n greatful they did, as it made the scratch covering quick n painless, plus, they weren't ready for the barrel yet after all- (They were 4 bux each).

I noticed more, similar toads this year at the store where I'd got it, but none with the water meter, which is my fave feature. The old tube also cracked on one side, so I used wateproof clear tape to patch it so I can still get a reading.

Which reminds me, that Mississippi River flooding is unbelievable! So many folks are put out of their homes. I heard they closed the river to barge traffic too. Yet another excuse to raise prices of goods. Also, Lake Champlain where I vacationed as a young child, n near where My mother grew up, is way past flood stage. I wonder if the Connecticut River is next...?

I'd thought the Coral-eyed Phlox look a bit rough there, now it's totally beleaguered! At least it survived the winter in it's container. Now the Lilacs are blooming unseen in the fog. Today I didn't even get out in the daylight due to feeling under the weather. Between tooth-aches n a stomache-virus it's amazing I'm even blogging...