Non-storm Fern in my neck of the woods

First  thing Sunday there’s a coat of ice on everything. Not going anywhere. That’s my car with the laundry room behind it.

All the salt which had been spread on Friday before the maintenance man went home has melted away.

A bit of snow may have fallen sometime but by 4 pm it had turned to light rain.

Made a stew of beans, left overs and spices- delighting in having elec.

At 4:30 there was only rain falling and no ice on walks, so I went to car where more ice was forming on top of old ice. I just cleared the keyhole and was grateful to start engine and run defroster a while.

Windshield view at 4:30 

Windshield view at 4:50. I remembered that time to raise the wipers.

Sunset with temps still above freezing and puddles around, but no ice except on cars.

 Forecast said about 10% chance of snow or sleet through the night.

Monday morning the sun came out and all is dry here but won't be above freezing for most of several days straight. There were a few flurries mid-afternoon Monday, while the blue sky was above and sun shining. Some clouds continue to slide over the southern ridge of the valley, we'll see what happens next!

Meanwhile the Walk for Peace continues east of Raleigh NC.

I finally found this photo, which I knew I'd saved! Governor Josh Stein, of NC, gave some recognition to the Venerable Monks.

A prayer shared by the Unitarian Universalists

Flowers from Ingles (and our flood yesterday)

 

I picked up more blooms last week at my local grocery, Ingles. They were close to the same price, but in small batches so you could make your own bouquet. I went for the colorful mums. 3 bumches for $10 was reasonable, and kind of crammed into my vase.

When I was arranging them, I got whiffs of mum. But after they sat over night, I couldn't detect that familiar scent. They may last a bit longer...which of course is my aim. They do give me a smile whenever I glance in their direction.

And I have big news (for me anyway!) I heard the Ingles Grocery in Black Mountain was offering booster shots for the COVID vaccines. So after having my blood drawn  Tues. for a doctor visit later this week, I went to Ingles and was given a booster shot of Moderna. Some friends were there just before me, also having the same word-of-mouth source, getting Pfizer boosters. I only had to show my drivers license and my medicare card, and they added the booster info to my COVID-Vaccination card. No waiting to see if I had any side effects either.

And in the weather Tues...we were hit pretty hard by the remnants of Fred, the tropical storm. Here's a photo of Lake Tomahawk, where a lot of rain flows.

 Photo by Michael White

The outflowing chute under the pedestrian bridge.

Lake Tomahawk, Aug. 17. 2021 with flooding from Tropical storm Fred.

Where Pagettetown Rd. comes into 70...right as an exit from I-40 west enters Black Mountain

photo by Matthew Koppi

The paint company parking lot, with Old 70 above (where the woodworking and auto shops are) water flowing down to Hwy 70. about 1/2 mile from my house. I know the Swannanoa River is over its banks, and whatever flood markers are out there, it's probably gone higher.

Tomorrow is due to be dry in the morning. I'll see if I'm allowed to get where the river goes under Blue Ridge Rd. It's bound to be over it at this point.

Today's quote:

" Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break, and all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you." 

- L.R. Knost