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We got 2.5 inches of rain Wednesday evening, over about a 4 hour period. August and Sept monthly averages are 1.4” each. People we know who where nearer the core of the storm got 4-5 inches, so that was a real unseasonable inundation, and pretty much welcome. Yes, there was minor flooding & road damage, but nothing serious, and it filled a lot of normally dry stock ponds. It should also keep the hay coming, as well as the hills green, & reduce the fire danger. High temps also dipped to a very unseasonable 68, but is now back into the 80’s. The reservoir where I fish is also nearly full, instead of looking like an oversized mud puddle that it has been this time of the year during the recent 7 year drought.

Been getting dry pods of Jacob’s Cattle beans the last few days; the plants are loaded with green & yellowing pods, as well as still putting out flowers. The Great Northern and White Greasy Cutshort beans are also loaded with both maturing green pods & flowers.

Also getting slicing cukes, as well as zukes, onions carrots, and apricots. We’ll pick the last of them today, then take care of them tonight. We’ll be picking apples and plums pretty soon; and hopefully we’ll get some of the pears this year. We’re so well stocked from last year that we’re leaving the chokecherries for the wildlife.

Pattypan are starting to put out squash, and the buttercups have a lot of developing fruits. So do the pumpkins.

We’ll have corn this coming week from the Painted Hill; we tried one ear earlier this week, and while good, it wasn’t quite ready. Most well be allowed to mature for dry corn; it makes a really good cornmeal, as well as good in stews & soups. The other corn is making good progress, so we’ll see. The okra is really struggling with the cooler temps this year.

Going to have to dust the potatoes today for both flea and potato beetles.

Oilseed sunflowers are in full bloom, but the Russians are just starting to open.

Thursday & Friday were ‘days off’, as we went to the Custer County fair both afternoons & evenings to see the exhibits, get free dinners, then watch events. Thursday was Barnyard Olympics, and last night, Ranch Rodeo.