My sister, the one who runs the organic farm we wrote about way back when, reports that it just won't stop raining in Maine, and it's wreaking havoc on the farmers there.
You need long stretches of dry weather in order to hay a field. When you don't get it, your choices are to bale up moist hay, which then rots, or you let it continue to grow and time ticks away. Soon the winter comes, and you don't have enough hay to feed your animals. You then either have to sell some animals at unfavorable prices, or you pay usurious prices for someone else's hay -- if you can find any.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay area hasn't had a drop of rain in months. Water rationing is already in place. Christy and I can be fined for overuse and probably will be. Life sometimes isn't fair, you know?
And it continues,Sam!Thick ground fog this am and heavy rain predicted this pm. 30 to 60% chance rain every day this week.Pastures are mud holes, hay is going by (no nutrition left) vegetable gardens are either stagnant (no sun) or literally rotting, mold, mildew etc. My major cris currently is how to cure(dry) my 1000 bulbs of garlic. They are supposed to hang in an area not in direct sunlight (no problem) that is well ventilated (no problem) and in dry air. A major problem!! Will keep you posted.
Posted by: Linda | August 11, 2008 at 03:25 AM
Wenham Lake is almost up to Route 1A. Amazing. Helen mentioned last night that the North Shore is 50 percent above normal in rainfall.
Posted by: Sam Whitmore | August 15, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Another East-coaster here...just coming out from under all the RAIN - seems like WAY more than 40 days and 40 nights. I was just talking to some of my West coast gang about how it's fire on the west coast and water on the east. Though it's easy (especially as a New England Yankee) to complain about the weather, having a bi-coastal perspective definitely helps you to appreciate what you have...either way.
Posted by: Jamie Lee | August 20, 2008 at 07:30 PM