The second flood

As you may remember we had some flooding a few weeks back, the first flood was on a Friday and the Wednesday after we had more flooding. The water is now gone, just in time for another flood watch, and I've been working on the clean up. The dirt that was washed in is heavy clay. I sprayed, shoveled and swept what I could and the rest will just have to stay for now.

There is a lot of mulch from the berry fields, stuff from the compost (chicken coop bedding, vegetables), sticks and branches and even a dead bird that all needs to be cleaned up. I haven't been in the garden to pull everything that's left. There is a water line in the trees that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

By the time I was able to get out there to take photos, that water had already started going down and had dropped by about a foot. I wasn't about to wade around in above the ankle deep flood water with my camera! I will say some of the photos are beautiful and quite dramatic. The above photos are pretty close to what I woke up to, the tire swing was partially submerged, as was the step to the deck and the boot scrubber. Below is once the sun came up.

Every time we have a flood warning or watch, this is what I'm going to expect to happen. This way there will be no surprises. Our road was closed for almost 2 days, that didn't stop vehicles from going through. On the other side of the river (which also flooded) the sheriff was pulling anyone over that dared ignore the signs.

Even though we didn't have any damage or loss it is still an incredibly stressful situation to deal with. Last year, we had only a tiny bit of flooding, no where even close to what we just had. With every potential disaster I feel better equipped to deal with the next. Now I understand why my neighbors don't worry about the river. That isn't to say that I will become complacent. Everyday is one day closer to the end of the rainy season, only 3 more months to go.

Getting back to normal

I've been home for a week, our guests left this morning and the water is gone from the yard. There is still a bit of the lake in the field but that's in the ghost river. I'm not worrying about it. We're starting to get back to normal after the week that would cause some to throw a toaster in the bath tub. We're all still sick, various antibiotics are running their course but it's exhausting.
I accomplished nothing in the last two weeks, I had big plans but then life happened. No painting, no finishing the garden. It was underwater after all. Our hose exploded - trying to find a 100 plus hose in November isn't working, Amazon to the rescue.

I haven't been keeping good of track of the egg count for the past two months, we've decided not to force light into the coop to keep up the girls laying and most are having a hard molt. I think we're lucky if we're getting 5 eggs a day, thats down from almost a dozen. The costs have been about the same 2 bags of feed and shavings a month.

The other day, in an attempt to return to the normal routine of things, I emptied the fridge and made turkey soup. It took all day but it was delicious. And bread, I made bread. That's obviously all gone now. I could bake bread all day, everyday, and eat it all resulting in me weighing 7000 lbs.

This week I'm working on a mountain of laundry, dirty house and deck that looks like a hoarder lives here. And it's raining. Hopefully the rain will wash away some of the 4 foot high water line, but I'm not counting on it. Or counting on it not coming back.

This week at A.'s school, they're having a mitten tree. There is a tree in the class room and I assume they kids are going to fill it with mittens that will be donated to kids without. I would have loved to have knit a pair or seven but realistically I won't get them done in time. So again, Amazon to the rescue.

So that's most of what's going on around here.

At the airport

I arrived at 5:15 am, nothing is opened. I bought my $37 bottle of water and $8 muffin and am waiting to board. It seems like everyone is miserable. I'm sitting watch awful Tv with the posture of a teenager listen to people. It's always entertaining. A woman is speaking loudly on her phone complain about her need of wine.
I'm headed to a small town, the last time I was there, the current technology is stuck in 1963. I'm not hopeful for wifi.
I've got some sleeves to work on, on the plane. I hope I brought enough yarn. See you later Internet.

When it rains it pours.

We still have standing water, there is another flood coming today and my grandpa died this morning. I don't have much us to say other then my plate is full, I'm trying my best to keep it together. I can't handle anything else.

Nothing last forever, even cold November rain.

The sun has come up, the water has begun receding and soon we can begin the clean up. There is still a few feet of water in the yard, but the grass is becoming visible in spots, most of the water has drained from the barn. It has since started raining again. We're expecting around half an inch. My neighbor just let me know that the foldaway is already over flowing. It's going to be a long night. Again. I had 3 hours of sleep last night.

Here's what we're dealing with less than 24 hours later.

The view from out neighbor's driveway

Everything is covered in grey-brown dirt, beetles included.

right in the center is water spewing from the ground.

The water was up to the top of the second tread.

This debris is mulch washed in from the berry fields. It is everywhere.

A lot of the water has receded but there is still a lot left.

I have no idea how this flower isn't grey. It is surprisingly inspiring. 

The kid's sandbox washed across the yard, cover and brick along with it. 

There is tiny bubbles all over.

I assume the helicopter is checking extent of the flood.

what's left behind as the water recedes. 

worm tracks

there's my garden and my brussel sprouts I was planing on having for thanksgiving.

water lines in the barn

water lines in the barn

water line on the house and left over flood water.

We have another flood watch until Wednesday. I'm hoping most of the water is gone tomorrow. We also have a lot of cleaning to do but that isn't going to happen until the flood watch is over. I was pretty calm yesterday, now I'm getting pretty anxious. I haven't decided yet if I need to start moving furniture to the upstairs yet. I am going to get all the laundry done before Wednesday.

Here's the aftermath from last year's flood.

Cold November rain

So. This is happening.

A mere few hours ago there was nothing, barely even wet ground. We've moved everything that we could and now we wait. The river crested hours before we were wet.

This was our barn tonight. I went to bed a few hours ago and was woken up to check on the barn. when we first went out, the water was mid-calf, no where near the top of my boots, probably around 11:30 and now at 1:30 am its over the top of my boots. The river crested and, according to maps is dropping quickly. I thought I could see the floating debris heading back out towards the river, which is a good sign, that might have been from our walking though.
Yes, I know it's terrible idea to walk in flood waters but we had a few things that we weren't prepared to have soaked, like the car.
While I'm pretty anxious about it, I'm surprisingly calm. I expected to be freaking out and maybe even crying but as long as it doesn't get in the house, I'll be fine. We'd need anything 4ish feet of water for that to happen. It is supposed to rain all weekend though, we'll see.
I will take real pictures in the morning of whats left, we're already preparing for the clean up and preparing for next time.
I'll be staying up at least until the bottom step to my porch are visible again.

I apologize if this is riddled with typos, I'm sick and a wee bit distracted. 

WIP Denali Sweater part two

Here we go, round two of my Denali sweater by Brooklyn tweed! You can find part 1 here! We have been sick and sick and sick some more around here. I'm amazed that we're all still mostly upright. I play a game of "Allergies or am I getting sick?" almost daily. It's really fun! Here's how you play, wake up with a sore throat and start sneezing 5 or 6 times every 10 minutes. Take a guess, Allergies or sick? Then wait a little while until your nose is completely blocked and still dripping like a faucet. Hmmm which could it be? It's really a great time to be had. I suggest avoiding it at all costs.

And now, on to the WIP.
(Yes, I'm singing Salt N Peppa's push it, but as WIP it because that's what I do!)

This picture, is almost the same spot in the knitting as I was last month, except there is one big difference, I was working on the back last month. PROGRESS! HURRAY! Once again, I'm using 85 stitch markers, it worked for me last time so why mess with a good thing. I put on my big girl pants and used the slant-bind off as per the directions and didn't just go at it willy-nilly. 

The cable pattern is super simple to memorize and work while watching TV, but a tad too difficult to do while falling asleep watching TV. I know my limits and the last thing I want to do is rip back cables and hope to get them back on the needles in the right spot in the pattern. 

As far as I can tell I haven't messed it up yet. I was a bit skeptical until I blocked the back (and of course didn't take a picture), and made sure it was going to fit Scribs. I have yet to weave the ends for the back for the reason above. I can see how it is all going to come together, hopefully I can keep on the no-stupid mistakes path. 

Until next time Denali, I hope I'll be working on sleeves this time next month. 

I do have some non-knitting posts coming up, I swear!