Green, green grass of home . . . .

You just can't have it all!

You want green grass, you have to embrace rain.

I understand because I grew up in mostly soft falling English rain and

 our grass was always green!

A costly built-in sprinkler system helps, standing for hours with a 

hand held version helps somewhat.

But the real thing is always the best for the garden.

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. . . . . . . . falling from ominous grey clouds and dark skies, 

and how we are getting it here in the southeast US this unusual spring. 

We are already 3 inches above normal rainfall this month and today, starting

 mid-afternoon and continuing through the evening/night hours, we could be

 caught yet again in a severe weather pattern of thunderstorms and more heavy rain.

The fig tree leaves are really opening now - I swear I can see them unfurling

if I stare hard enough!

A handsome male House finch sheltering from the rain on the front porch -

look at those long claws!

The rain is helping wash away a lot of the pollen which is good.

The Japanese maple,  Acer palmatum var.dissectum'Viridis'

is looking fabulous.  My efforts of a light pruning on some branches

in late winter, seem to have helped. 

This was another tree from an 18 inch pot planted some years ago

which has done really well. Of course I am a 'tree whisperer' of sorts, always

talking to them each season and feeding them well!

However, they are still hell bent in draping their loveliness over the grass - making

 the 'mower man' quite upset. He reseeded last fall and new grass has come

in where it was rather bare under the tree. Perhaps with warmer days and

 sunshine those lower branches will lift a bit and the new grass will be safe!

Sorry, I sound like a broken record going on about so much rain.

 We are now promised bright sunshine for Monday and Tuesday,

  Perhaps we can enjoy Easter without rain boots. 

My sandals are at the ready!