August 18, 2006
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The Opposite of Hot and Dry
The mayor of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough where I live has declared a
disaster. His declaration isn’t an application for federal
assistance, but just fair warning to residents and putting the state on
notice that the water is rising and there may need to be some rescues,
bridge and road repairs, etc.It had to happen. I would have been surprised if all this rain
we’re having hadn’t caused any flooding. Rainfall has been almost
constant for a week or so, and frequent all summer.My yard feels spongy underfoot and many rocks have been exposed by soil
washing away during downpours. I haven’t needed to water outdoor
plants since May. The tub I placed to catch water dripping from
the roof has filled to overflowing many times between the times it was
emptied for dishwashing and to water houseplants. If I forget to
pick up the outhouse seat and stand it in a dry corner, the drip
directly overhead guarantees me a wet seat next time I go out there.When the rain stops, Doug and I will repair the outhouse roof and clean
our stovepipe. We keep two big thick towels handy in here, one by the
computer desk and the other on my bed, to deal with an unending
sequence of soggy cats. It’s hard to determine which they dislike
more: staying indoors or getting wet.
I caught this pic of Max during a break in the weather a couple of days
ago. When I ducked back into the house to grab the camera, two of
his brothers had been up there with him. I have been trying all
summer to get a shot of the cats in that tree.Doug captured the picture below, an old steamtable liner that’s about half filled with an assortment of my crafts materials.
Left to right: old Auntie Muffin, Max, Faust and Sammitch.
The only one of the Four Horsekittens of the Apocalypse not present is
Buzzy Truffle AKA Fuzzy Trouble.The Horsekittens belong to Hilary’s second litter. It was her
third litter that I rescued from the entangling shreds of fabric on the
bottom of my boxspring last month. Fancy, below in Doug’s pocket,
is the one who was hanging by her neck when I found her. Since
then she has gotten her head stuck in an open space of a plastic crate
in Doug’s room. He had to cut away one of the bars to free
her. His judgement: she has a talent for trouble. She
owns a piece of my soul, too.
Comments (6)
I’m not a cat person by a far cry, but even I have to admit that’s pretty freakin’ cute.
Will this cause mold and all that goes with it? I would think yes
Glad to see you here. Was thinking yesterday that we hadn’t heard from you in a while. I was about ready to email you, or comment “are you ok?”
Auntie Muffin does not look pleased about having her picture taken. Rest of them are really cute.
Perhaps I can find a big carrier bird who’d love to try an Alaskan trip. He/she can bring a raft and pump in case of higher water.
Oh, there will be easy to open tasty rations too–snacks you know!
The cat pics are great fun.
Hope you are feeling better Susu. I feel better than I have in years and savoring each day as it unfolds.
She is precious. I can see the soul stealing aspects in her. lol
I was also thinking that we had not heard from you lately.
Will you have to evacuate?