Nice weather we’ve been having lately…nice weather for ducks, that is. It just keeps on raining and raining like there’s no tomorrow, but tomorrow always seems to arrive after today, which it just did once again… and what do you know, it’s raining again.
Oh, it’s raining again, oh no my love’s at an end. Oh, no it’s raining again and you know it’s hard to pretend. Oh, no it’s raining again, too bad I’m losing a friend. Oh, no it’s raining again, oh, will my heart ever mend? You’re old enough, some people say, to read the signs and walk away. It’s only time that heals the pain and makes the sun come out again. (“It’s Raining Again” – Supertramp – 1982)
Which reminds me, did I ever tell you about the time it was raining cats and dogs and I stepped on a poodle?” Well, it seems that I already used that one, so I won’t mention it at all…Oops, the cat’s out of the bag now!
One of my neighbors, whom I encountered while he was constructing an ark in his front yard, stopped me to inquire how long a cubit is, so I suggested that he measure the distance between his elbow and the tip of his middle finger, which he proudly pointed at me…ahem. (By the way, it’s approximately 18 inches.) Then he proceeded to tell me he was certain that the end must surely be near because he had personally witnessed cats and dogs sleeping together, as well as water running uphill. Now that’s something I haven’t seen since my last visit to the “Mystery Shack” at Calico.
Time to get serious now. After seeing all the homes damaged or destroyed by floods and mudslides in the canyon areas of L.A. and Ventura Canyons on the TV news, I realized that this same scenario could happen here in our own mountain communities. Those of us whose homes are perched on hilly terrain may want to think seriously about taking extra measures to reinforce any slopes located above or below our properties to protect them against any of the kind of erosion-caused damage we’ve seen on TV.
In some cases, a retaining wall may be of assistance. One of the best ways to prevent erosion is a healthy covering of vegetation. This may include the replacement of recently lost trees and shrubs, whose root systems can help in preventing soil erosion. I have found that vinca works quite well in holding soil firmly in place. Vinca is an extremely hardy and attractive vine with an extensive root system, which seems to thrive in our area. I can tell you from personal experience that once you get vinca growing on your property, you’ll never get rid of it because it grows like a weed.
Well, that’s enough blabbering for this week. Hope the sun comes out again soon.
You’re old enough, some people say, to read the signs and walk away, it’s only time that heals the pain and makes the sun come out again.
Keep it flyin’,
Uncle Mott
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