The Post in Which the Official Countdown Begins

Unhappy Cat's Whiskers, Orthosiphon aristatus

Catch up, cats and kittens ... 
Don't get left behind ...   
Paul McCartney,  RAM*

The Head Gardener and I would have gladly chugged a few gallons of Monkberry Moon Delight had they been available yesterday as we labored in the  insane heat that is afflicting my corner of Katy. The temperatures have soared over 100 degrees each of the last four days: on June 1st, Houston's official temperature was 102 degrees, the earliest date in 109 years for Houston to reach triple digits.  At 4:45 pm this sunny Saturday afternoon, the Weather Underground personal weather station located in my subdivision recorded a temperature of 103.1.  The Head Gardener and I are doing our best to keep newly installed plants hydrated but we can only do so much.   We might as well lay our pajamas to Billy Budapest and bow three times for all the good it's done in the case of some upright white Pentas.  Even drought tolerant Pink Skullcap and the Serenity mix Verbenas have taken exception to the weather.  At least the Autumn Ferns we scored on clearance at Lowe's seem to be settling in nicely ... amazing what some shade can do.  

In previous years, we at least had the consolation of knowing that our neighbors' pool was available for use as needed.  But, alas, the old neighbors have retired to the country to raise chickens, cows and llamas and while the new owners expressed their willingness for us to use the pool, an unforeseen mishap has rendered the pool out of commission.  "So I stood with a knot in my stomach and I gazed at the terrible sight": If you live in an area with shifting soils, do NOT under any circumstances drain your pool just before a torrential rain, unless you WANT your pool to float.  My neighbors plan to have it removed and create the backyard of their dreams.  Sigh.   The HG and I are doing our best to keep a stiff upper lip but this weather makes it extremely difficult.

So without further ado, it gives me no pleasure whatsoever to declare that the official countdown for 2011 has begun.  As of today, we have 150 days of awful to endure before November 1st, when the Head Gardener and I can breathe a sigh of relief at the knowledge that the mercury will not rise above 90 for a good six months.  Readers who followed the countdown last year will note that I have changed the date from October 1st to November 1st, due to the number of hot and humid days in October of 2010.  The Head Gardener and I might as well prepare ourselves for it ahead of time!


*Yesterday's choice of music to garden by

Comments

I'm glad the Autumn Ferns are doing well..those were a great buy! Sorry about the rest though...
Pam/Digging said…
A pool does make a huge difference - I'm sorry. And, yeah. Summer in Texas is a marathon. But I always count May, so the way I see it, we're already one month down! (And I leave off October. Let me keep my illusions!)
Lynette said…
I feel your pain in Atascocita, Cindy!
Gail said…
Cindy, Oh my, that is just brutal! I will continue to visualize rain falling on Katy! gail
Cypresslily said…
Lucky you on the rain! We had about 1/1000 of an inch of sprinkles Sunday!