Almost every day this week, Avdi’s back yard has been underwater, with the pump struggling to keep up.  The runoff channel behind the houses, usually just a shallow trickle, was a high, rushing river.  Masses of wetland-loving jewelweed have taken over the edges of the yard.  The garden is soaked, but not drowned.  It’s like a tropical jungle out there.

I spent the night so Avdi could get a chance to go out late, and then take E to a Jewish event this morning.  I planted melon and watermelon, seedlings and direct-sown, on the other side of the garden from the squashes and pumpkins.  I brought out the tomato and pepper seedlings to harden off and hopefully gain some size.  That just leaves the basils, and a few other misc. plants.  I created a sunflower bed for S.  (Now all the kids have their own gardens.)  I continued to weed and clean up other raised areas, and planted the horseradish root from Pesach.  Y and I have been discussing bushes and perennials they’d like to plant around the yard.  In fact, they and I seem to be on good terms now.

This afternoon S had his friend and her mother over, so while they played, we all hung out on the patio with drinks and snacks, and talked.  K sat with us doing his homework and talking about his writing, and Y came out and joined us.  It was too wet for a B&B, but it was the next best thing.  I couldn’t stay for our charcuterie meeting because I had to walk home before dark.