Actually, lightening is very good for the earth. It regenerates the magnetic field and stimulates things to grow. I tie pieces of nylon stockings on my tomato cages to help generate static electricity created by the wind's friction to help stimulate my tomato plants. Without the wind and the static it creates (lightening being a major result of that), plants would actually do very poorly and would die. We are having yet another cold spell - this is the fifth time that Winter has returned to Oklahoma (Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri too). I just set my tomatoes and peppers out this past week, and normally I would begin harvesting Early Girl tomatoes by May. We are getting lots of wonderful rain and I am greatly thankful for that, but these cold spells are ruining everything and preventing us from being to start a garden. All the plants that the local nurseries and garden centers have put out have been ruined over and over again. I am putting pots and buckets over my veggie plants, but cannot plant anything else or sow warm weather crops until this is finally over...and who knows when the heck that is going to happen? Even the Weather men are stumped by this crazy weather. What few roses have started to bloom (that usually bloom in April) are all ruined and puny looking things. They ain't fit for even the bugs to eat! Phooey! Now the weathermen are saying that with the tornado season just kicking off (May is our peak month), it is predicted to be the worst year for tornadoes ever. More of them and stronger ones too. Swell! Can't win for losing.

We've had about three quarters of an inch in the last two days. We didn't have any ice at all here, but I've been driving to Weatherford every morning this week to work and I got about halfway there this morning and had to turn around because the roads got icy. My car was never meant to handle ice and I'm not about to test it. It's pretty crazy how the road can go from fine to horrible in just a few feet. It's very dangerous. I love the rain but I'm ready for it to be nice out. I have a lot to do before it's time to plant and I'm running out of time. I'd like it to be dry and warm long enough to get everything done and then it can rain as much as it wants. I'd add "but not too much!" to the end of that, but it's not like it would ever do that here anyway. lol Leslie

I have so much painting and wood rot repair to do - however NOTHING is drying out - or it might start to, and then we get another massive dump. What do pro's do - is there anything you can do besides sit and wait? Have thought about hanging a giant 20 x 30 tarp on the one side of the house in most need of work (where rain tends to hit it) but would that trap moisture IN as much as it keeps it out??????

Still no rain here, but I'm happy for my friends that are getting it.......I grew Stokesia years ago. Wasn't true blue here either. Aside from not liking the plant itself (looked rather weedy as it grew I thought), it didn't grow well in my amended clay soil. I gave it to my neighbor who tried it in her border. She often had different taste then mine and sometimes different results. Not with Stokesia. Out it went for her too. I think our heat/humidity/soil may have been the cultural problem. It may do better (if you like the plant itself) further north. Yours looks appealing in your picture I must say.......Maryl