Yep that is how I had my shade cloth this summer but I took it off a month ago because it will prevent snow from sliding off the roof My 10x12 HFGH has survived 80 mph winds but mine is in a location where it has a good wind break Soon will be going into it's 4th season no problems so far.

Dave: Thanks for the update - it is encouraging and a relief. I was concerned about the loss of leaves so early in the season. When a hurricane or TS comes through, it strips the leaves from trees but this happens later in the season. I used to worry but the trees come back, often stronger than before. In September, a tropical storm hit and stripped the leaves off the persimmons that grow in beach sand, added more than a foot of sand around the trunks - and turned the fruit ripe. The orange fruit hung on the leafless tree like Christmas balls. I took this photo the next day; That persimmon has grown at least 2 feet since the storm. Re: water bills. Thankfully, I have a crock well for watering. We built a rainwater catchment system for the house - water quality is excellent and the water is free. I found the device you recommended. My husband invents new things and improves old things. He may be able to make a similar device that will do the trick. Thanks for the progress report and advice. You had a rough time last year but if all your trees survived, all is well. Pam

Diana, sounds like you've been really busy, as soon as your ponds finished we want pics of it and your garden. I never knew until recently why people painted their porch roofs blue, I've never seen it done up this way. Because of the extreme summer we're having my garden is fried but still alive, I was prepared for the same ol' same ol' no ripe tomatoes etc., etc., etc. HA! so whether we get a hot summer next year or not I'll be better prepared. The funny thing is we had so much winter damage, lost so much a couple of vines I thought were dead came back late and then put on unbelievable growth. Since it has cooled off here I hope to get the rest of my bathroom painted, I had to quit it was so hot the paint was drying streaky. If you haven't seen it the saga of the renos we are doing is in conversations, it all started because of a spark LOL. Not fancy by any means but do I ever love my new floors. Besides the unprecedented hot dry summer we're having the damage done by the pine beetle has turned BC into a tinder box, some of the fires were of course started from people being careless but the majority have been started by lightning strikes. I'm sure some have also been started by broken glass acting like a magnifying glass, so if seen it's a good idea to pick it up and dispose of it safely. There's a couple of fires burning on VI but nothing close to us, fingers crossed. The woods are crispy dry around here so until we have a few good rainfalls it's hold your breath time. In the link you can see the damage that has been done by the pine beetle, we really need a few really cold winters to knock this little beast down, until this last winter they have been too warm so as much as I whine about them we really need a few more really cold winters. Annette Here is a link that might be useful: Pine Beetle damage

into 2nd snow here in NJ, right across Delaware from Philly. watched wind/snow blow until it got dark last night. township plow came thru my little circle around 6 last night. listened to wind howling and things thumping all night. can't really tell but looks like my CRAZY GOOD neighbor had been in and out of my/our driveway several times, so snow at the street looks pretty squished down. had PT scheduled for 3 this afternoon. car is in garage but will still need warming up... pt place is only about 5 minutes away, so teeth would still be chattering if car wasn't warmed up. just got call saying if i wanted to come in at 10:30 that time is open. only shoveling i plan to do is clear room to shuffle from front door to car door. dug out hat that will make me look sufficiently deranged when out in public. if i don't look crazy with it on, i will when static electricity takes hold when i pull the hat off. got robo call from water company!! they're experience more water main problems than usual?? that's scary! i think worst would be if power goes out... keeping fingers crossed and knocking on my wooden head!