Weird Weather of '09!! ....... #1

All of the duplexes on our street, and half the apartment buildings in town are owned by this family.....it is a trust and can't be sold, strictly rental......I don't know what brought it about.....those of us with pets can keep them, but can't get new ones, and new people moving in can't have pets........hope the companion animals are allowed, other wise when Porter and Heli are gone I will be looking for a new place to live, and aside from this pet issue they are best landlords we have ever had (and we have had a LOT over our years of moving around the country). Buying would be the best solution, but neither of us are really in a position to do that right now.

Lots of flooding going on here in Washington.
Lynn, are you OKay???
I don't worry much where I am, house sets high from the creek, But down the road it flattens out, and the creek floods the road. Turn around go the other way.
But the big problem will come from the hill across the road. Mud slides, Has been a long time since that has happened or the run off that took the road out in 2001 just past my place, not fun. I have 3" of water in my drive and its still raining. Had no real problem with the wind Yet.

They say this could be worse than 2007......take care Tilly and stay in touch....same for all of you....be safe and let us know how things are going with you.....

Thanks for keeping track of us out here Jan, It' nice to have support from across the country! Hopefully you are getting hit too hard by the ice storms out your way either!

Lynn, I sure hope that things start turning around for you area very soon. although if you do venture out again, definitely take your camera. It's good to know what's going on around all of us. I'm glad that you're away from the worst of it.

Trisha and Laura, I agree about looking for places now. It's a good thing to know what may be in store when things get harsh. I sure hope that they allow the cats so that Laura can get that place.

Sofer, I'm so glad that there are people out there who appreciate 3' of snow. I would like for it to stay there and then when I'm missing it, I'll come visit!! :-p

I hope that everyone stays safe out there! I know that we're all giving are best thoughts and hope to everyone who's suffering backlashes from this weather.

Amen to that! Be careful and don't get stuck where you can't get out if you need to.

rc...yes, you're right, it really isn't boring around here. Went to knitting last night, to dinner in Pleasant Hill tonight and I have been invited to join a group going to a Russian dinner on Sat. complete with dancing, etc. The winter birds are here and my feeders are very busy. It's just there's not much color outside right now. Time for the daffodils!!

Red, if it happens it’ll be by bribing my mom or Sage’s Grandfather taking her for a couple of days, aligned with the planets so nothing else is going on for that time frame.

Here's the Diana I got.

Laura your Diana is beautiful. I'm not familiar with her - is there a story?
CNN has dramatic coverage of WA today. 19 rivers flooding and the only access to Seattle is by air. Are you ok there?

rc, my parents bought one of the original lots in Wood River Village about 29 yrs ago. They're in their 70's & 80's now so they're in their forever home. They're both in excellent health (except DD has Macular Degeneration), they don't take any prescription drugs and walk everyday (except when it's real icy).
Sally, do you have family in Pleasant Hill? I have an ex-aunt there, but I still consider her as my aunt, she and her DH own Kessler's Christmas Trees.
I hope everyone is staying warm and aren't flooding.
Susan

We have green grass and sunshine this morning. Can't be better than that. No danger of flooding in our area.

We started out with a little sun, but the clouds have come back in again.......no rain.
We all seem to be okay here in town, but it is a real mess out in the county.....sounds like it could be as long as Sunday before I-5 is re-opened in the Centralia area........so many people down there are not recovered from the 2007 flood............

Willow and Trisha glad you are ok.
Laura, how about you?
Lynn?

Laura lives less than two miles from me and we are both in good areas so flooding is not a problem.....her big problem today is she doesn't feel well and one of the kids she babysits is sick and she has the child all day, instead of a few hours at a time......not good when you don't feel well to begin with.

Hope everyone is safe and dry.....some of the pictures we have been seeing look pretty bad. Everyone that is able, Please Check In!

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/8C7EF0A5-ED4E-4E92-A6E0-DEF0DF80F15F/52467/JanFloods_01_08_2009_0330.pdf

Katie I forgot that you are also in WA - is everything ok with you?
Thanks for the map - it looks like so many areas are affected and so many roads under water.

Portland, It is really the maiden moon, the first part of the triple Goddess, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Goddess

So you could put any number of names with her. Diana is the Roman popular Moon Goddess (Luna is the older Moon Goddess) Here is Wikipedia on Diana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_(mythology)

So for the Roman/Greek could also be Luna, Selene http://www.theoi.com/Titan/Selene.html or Hekate http://www.angelfire.com/biz/MysticalArts/Hekate.html

Possibly Danu from Celtic and Hindu beliefs. Danu portrayed as the moon in relation to the horned God.

The Mayan Moon Goddess would fit this general category.

I’m sure there are many others, but that’s what I can think of off the top of my head, but basically the innocent Goddess, Goddess of beginnings.

I'm only a few miles from Duvall and Carnation and the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers, but up on ridge to the west of them, so flooding's not impacting me. I'm blessed.

I think Ladybuggfan is totally cut off, but I think she's on a hill. Poor thing has had her share of difficulty after just moving out here from the east coast.

After having been inspired by yesterday's warm weather and Laurie's wonderful garden photos, I thought I'd come home today and clean out the greenhouse and get it ready to start seeds. Came home to freezing cold high winds. So here I sit at the computer instead.....

Katie is right, our house is at the top of the hill, 500' off base road level and we're stranded - sort of an island area between river crossings. It's raining here again/still. We tried to get a package out today and we can get down our hill and into Duvall if need be. Our base road flooded but is passable now, better in a truck with good clearance. No way in or out of our area for the time being, maybe by Monday if the rain stops. The Tolt has flooded most of the Valley in Carnation and the Snoqualmie has closed the road between Woodinville, Duvall and Monroe. I really feel for those with farms on the valley floor, I hope they were able to move the animals out as everyone is flooded. Hopefully there will be no medical emergencies as there is no service on this side of the river. All is well here, practicing our baking skills today with chocolate chip and sweet potato mini muffins for breakfast on Friday and working on garden plans. Something fun while we wait for the sun to come out and dry things. We're looking forward to getting the light stands set up this weekend and starting daylily seeds.

Hope everyone is safe, warm and in dry homes.

Ladybugg you have certainly had your share of problems! Please be safe and hopefully it will stop raining for a while and let you guys dry out a bit.
The muffins sound good!

Lynn, was thinking of you today, when I finally got to see the news. I know where you are, had friends that used to live there that was years ago. Sorry your first year here has been so triffic.
And I do hope the got the animals out, I remember a flood that hit so hard and so fast that they couldn't, was really sad.
Be safe

Gwen, So sorry. Is it that bad on the Island?

Glad everyone checked in, sorry to hear it's still so awful up there.

Susan...no family, it's just close and the pizza is fair^_^ We live in a manufactured home park and Wednesday is R & R night, whoever wants to. We most always go because it gives me a night off cooking, plus we get mom out to visit. I know Kessler's, pass by there often. We have an ex DIL we kept too. Can't stop loving them just because they split up.

ladybuggfan....boy you are sure having more than your share for a newcomer. Sounds like you're taking it all in stride!

Hope the sun comes out and the waters recede quickly. Stay safe everyone.

We got a little of everything today. It actually got up to 54 deg , but it's supposed to get down to 30 deg tonight and only 40 for high tomorrow. The winds have been fierce at times. But haven't heard of any damage so far. Another example of 'weird weather' It's up, it's down, don't know how to dress.

WE got a little of everything today.....some sun, mostly clouds, a little mist....a lot of wind, the dog WAS NOT a happy camper today as she really dislikes wind.....tonight is clear and getting very cold. We have had enough, it's time for summer....

Just heard that a couple of levee's have breeched in a couple of areas and evacuations are in progress....

I agree...enough is enough already! Sorry to hear more evacuations.

I agree with everyone else, I'm glad to hear that everyone is all right, even if sitting on a now island. But at least your safe there.

Gwendalou, well at least you know that all of us here are sharing the same sentiments about hanging out here instead of outside.

Trisha, how bad are the breeches? I just got home and haven't heard the news all day.

Sally, we're going over to eastern Oregon for the weekend, will you keep me posted here on our river? Seriously! I didn't really want to go this weekend when I found out that we were supposed to finally have a few days of sun. I will be missing being out in the garden. But also we're under floodwatches again due to the melting snow. So I don't like not being able to keep an eye on the water for that long. Anyhow, we'll likely come back Sunday night or Monday morning. But, we can come back anytime if need be! Not only will we be 6 hours away, but they have satellite tv and don't get any of the local news stations. But hey, I'll be well informed of the happenings in Los Angeles!

No, it's not bad here. It was just unexpectedly cold with those winds yesterday. Actually, I feel bad saying anything since people are being evacuated from their homes, stranded, and the like, from all the flooding. As far as I know, there are no flooding problems on the island, except along the shore in some of the little beach communities, and that is more from tides and stuff. I saw a friend who lived in one yesterday and she didn't mention anything so this type of rain doesn't affect them I guess.

I'd rather have the snow than this flooding.

Sally, I had a pretty good idea you would know Kessler's. Next time you go have pizza have a piece for me too! Thanks, LOL!
Susan

Gwen I agree. I'd rather have snow with slow melting. I feel so badly for all those in the flood areas. Hopefully it will be dry for a few more days.

Shelly, Haven't been where i could get much news today, all I had on the breach in the dikes was that they had broken and people were being advised to evacuate.

With all my weather experiences the past few weeks I will definitely take the snow...didn't have any problems at all with that , it was the warm up, melting and rain that have caused most of the problems......don't care what my other half says, I will take snow!!

If it was a choice between snow and rain, yes I'd like the snow. But that darn ice on the roads make it harder.

rc....glad to keep an eye on the river. I'll be spending the weekend cleaning out cupboards, so the break will be much appreciated. LOL We went to town today and it was about the same when we crossed the bridge. You can still check the news on line.

We were dry all day, hopefully it goes up north too. The pictures on the news are just awful.

Susan...I've been craving a veggie supreme lately (has artichokes), hope that's O.K.

Would you believe the frogs have been croaking the last two days? I doubt that it will last long though, it's turning cold again.

yeah, don't like the ice.........

I have had acouple of little frogs talking to us the last few days also.......my granddaughter loves Frogs!

So do I, it just seems a bit early.

Well, I think that i'd take our usually amounts of rain over the snow. I think that the snow is actually a large part of the problem right now, then it warmed up and our normal rain returned. Generally not so good combination. However, If if somehow the snow would manage to melt very slowly, I guess that would be all right then. Either way, I'm looking forward to spring and summer all ready.

Thanks for the updates Tricia and Sally. Yes, I can check the news online. But, they don't usually cover my area with much detail. They give a decent regional review, but none of it could give me as much real detail as whatever someone standing downriver of my place can tell me about it!!

rc...these were in the paper this morning. Look interesting, but don't now if it covers your area. Others might want to take a look too. Since it's northwest you can navigate to WA.

Willamette dams graphic: www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/willamette/

Reservoir status: www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/graphics/willproj.html

River foercast: www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/

You might have these already, but I thought I'd pass it along anyway.

Sally that information is so interesting, especially the one from noaa. Thank you for that.

It is dreary here today but at least we have no flooding problems like so many others have. Not feeling too well today - had a lot of coffee over the past week (I love it so) and with celiac disease it is not a very good idea. I knew I shouldn't but I did it anyway! This morning I put the coffee maker away.

If any of you have an REI store nearby they are having a great sale. A lot of clothing 50% off. Got a great hooded fleece jacket and of all things a "Planet Earth" monopoly game. My dog does not like any of the toys I got her - balls, stuffed moose, rope thingy - nothing strikes her fancy. Someone at the dog park said she runs like a coyote. She's amazingly fast and does have a different looking run from the other dogs. Do I sound like a new mother?

Sally, that sounds good to me! I love artichokes! I like any kind of pizza as long as it doesn't have anchovies on it!
I sure hope everyone gets dried out and back to normal and the floods disipate.
Susan

Our snow is almost gone except where I shoveled it into piles. I can see a few hellebores. I found 12 dead fish in my deepest pond. The others all seem fine. Will have to get out and do a few chores as soon as we get the sun they keep saying is in the forecast. We have slight rain today and cool.

Susan...no anchovies is my kind of pizza!

Portland...yes you sound like a new mommy, but that's a good thing! You'll find what she wants sooner or later. My cats don't want the toys, just the bag they came in. I quit buying toys for them a long time ago, just wad up a piece of tin foil or give them a box.

It's been dry again, partly sunny...nice and warm. Up to 54 woohee!

rc....went back to the river. It's running fast, but not real high. Down from what it was. Remember before it was over the grass.

Here's the rest of it. I'm off to that Russian dinner tonight. Won't get back til around 8, so I can't check later. But I'll check in the morning.

Sally, it looks like that riverbank has broken away in the recent past. Hopefully more land won't float away. The Willamette here is very high and turbulent. I think some private boats that don't get the bridges to raise for them may not fit under a few bridges.
I love this dog. Right now she is enjoying the warmth of the fire with her greenie treat.