Yes, I'll have a great time in my yard for a whole day. Happy Fourth of July gardeners!

I'm trying to think of a place but nothing is coming to mind... There used to be a place just on the north end of Ruskin but I'm thinking they're closed so it must be some place else. Tell us if you find it ok? Suzanne

Carol, I am glad you are home close to your storm shelter. I cannot imagine being in the RV during severe weather. The photos and video we saw of the demolished trailer park last night was sobering. It reminded me very much of Lone Grove after the EF-4 tornado hit it a few years back. I am appreciative of all the technology too. The storm spotters sure had these storms figured out even before they really started developing and were in place to provide incredible video and lots of warning for folks who were watching and listening to them. Some of them were closer to storms than I've ever seen them before. Once Reed's family had to seek shelter, Tim, Chris and I did nothing but track the storms via media and chaser reports, each using some tech device. The TV was on The Weather Channel, which used lots of KFOR's live reports, we were in constant communication with friends affected by the storm via smartphones, and all three of us had our laptops or tablets tuned in to various weather websites too. It is incredible what we can see live and in real time. The NWS warned us for days that this was coming and I believe all the warning saved many lives. Wbonesteel, maybe today you can post more photos before the next storm hits. They could provide inspiration and encouragement, especially for anyone with a damaged or destroyed garden who is going to have to start over from scratch. Also, this was such a stressful event, even for those of us watching it unfold from the safety of our homes far away from the damage. Looking at garden photos is a great form of stress relief!!!! Hey James, I haven't seen you here much lately. I am sorry the weather is making it so tough for you to garden this year. Some years it is just so hard to get the planting done in the spring. I think you are absolutely correct in believing your excess rainfall has affected the sweetness of your strawberries. That happens with lots of other veggies and fruit too, including melons and tomatoes. At least y'all are out of drought there. My county is still in extreme drought with a tiny portion "only" in severe drought and it is ridiculously dry. It is hard to have a good garden in these conditions. I sure am dreading the summer months. I have had to water more in May than I've ever watered in May since moving here. Despite watering, even the ground in the garden is cracked, which is rare. Usually it is only the ground outside the garden that cracks. We likely will get some rain here in Love County today or later this week and we surely will appreciate every drop. Dawn

thought I had posted this already. The house is a traditional brick on 2 glorious acres. It has a sort of park-like front yard, mature shade trees filled with birdhouses, some trees have flowebeds beneath, a pond with fountain, black elephant ears (will try to post that one as well). The beach path goes in front of the courtyard, so you can get from the sidewalk that leads from the drive to the pond area. There are 3 huge Lady Banks roses on her front fence, & a row of variegated privet at the outside edge. They're in bloom now, & they smell like an old-fashioned grandmother's garden! Heavenly! Here's the path: black elephant ear & pond: