PV1,

You chaps really rub it in. More thunderstorms forecast with flood warnings so our summer isn't set to break good any time yet.

The Wells Dressings procession is due on Saturday when we are away but the organizers are famous for choosing the wrong day. There is one blessing, however. In the days of my youth, all the colours in the decorations which were made from crepe paper would run in the rain providing some subtle shades and indelible staining on the participants. Now the paper is colour-fast but the number of people who are prepared to make an effort has greatly decreased. There isn't the same neighbourhood co-operation that there was in post-war times when just about everybody contributed in some way. The spirit of those days has long gone.

Folks,

Gentlemen:

"The grass is always greener...
over the septic tank", wrote Erma Bombeck. We are many miles apart and that is enough to have entirely different climates and weather patterns. Though we complain about it I wonder if we would be willing to trade places? Born in the south, I'll die in the south (possibly by heat stroke)...unless there is a really terrible hurricane that literally blows me away. If so, look up and I'll wave as I go by.

It is overcast and a sight cooler today. Twenty degrees cooler to be precise. We have a current temp of just 82 F./ 28 C. with a dead calm. All this due to a front that rolled down from our good friends in Canada bringing heavy rain to us through the night. Thanks Canadians.

We expect up to 4" of rain across the state before the current weather changes and it heats up again. I must say that the pyrotechnics put on in the heavens last night more than rivaled that which we saw during the city fireworks display on Independence Day.

No major damage has been reported as far as I know. None here at least. Our atmosphere had cooled and settled a bit by the time the storms rolled in. The lights only blinked off once. Of course that was enough to reboot the computer and force me to reset every clock in the house.

Last summer we had several wildfires roaring in counties nearer the coast. The prevailing winds brought the odor creosote and burning brush off and on well inland for 2 weeks. Not pleasant. Funny, a campfire smells wonderful or maybe it is the bacon or fresh caught trout frying that the olfactories so enjoy?

Folks,

Dux:

As I understand the Well Dressing parade or procession it probably originated in pagan times, being thanksgiving to the gods for the gift of water.

You say Derbyshire still has villages that give thanks for their water? Most of the villages that hold Well Dressing ceremonies are supposed to be sited on limestone beds where the water drains through the rock very quickly after a rain storm leaving the ground dry again. Obviously a difficult place to exist in times past with limited access to water.

I am noticing a pattern here. Anytime there are large crowds of people stalking the streets carrying torches or blunt instruments you seem to depart for a safer locale. Have fun in Worcestershire and do remember to bring home plenty of that wonderful sauce. My favorite, that is available in these parts, is the Lea & Perrin brand.

JRT,

You are quite correct about the limestone beds in the Peak District but they are adjacent to sandstone deposits here and there.

We have Lea & Perrins in the cupboard and I love it with any kind of fry-up and on bacon butties. Don't forget to shake the bottle.
Branston pickle and Daddies or HP brown sauce are also a 'must have'!

I'm getting hungry!


With so much water coming from the skies the last few days that I'm getting ready to break out the raft, there is nothing else to do but to munch.

Folks,

I've finally downloaded and installed the free version of Skype. Now my son and I can keep up when one of us is away by using video communications. All it takes is the simple to use software, a microphone, a web cam and a broadband connection. I have a rather fancy smancy webcam we got with our 'green screen' Yoostar equipment but my son just uses the camera on his smart phone.

Dux:

Naturally we have Ketchup and HP sauce here and also 57 and A1 Sauces. I have my own recipe for a knockout garlic and blue cheese steak dressing that I swiped from a restaurant on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. I must however admit that I seldom put any sauce at all on a good, properly prepared, rare slab of beef.

Occasionally for variety I have some sauce on the side for dipping. I have not yet tried Branston Pickle however here is a link to what claims to be a near perfect recipe for same. I understand it is a delightful British standard and considered delicious especially on all types of sammies.

http://www.food.com/recipe/the-almost-original-branston-pickle-recipe-246675

MG:

I have responded to your last e-mail. Sorry you're treading water however, like PV1, considering where you live that cannot be that much of a shock. If this monsoon pattern keeps up much longer around here I'll have to hire a lifeguard so the kids can go out to play in the garden.

Gents,

JRT,

Many thanks for your email re A.A.A.D.D syndrome.

Er....found nothing new there.

Gents,

I bid you a fond adieu this grey and drizzly morn as we are about to head off to the Welsh Marches.

Back on Wednesday.

Enjoy the Lllangochjuinmaligusthochtocjh!

Folks,

I wish I'd typed that. I couldn't have spelled it or pronounced it.

Dux:

R E VerDarchi my friends.

Major Huncrusher and Captain Bumblister agree with me that you have more than earned a good leave from the front. By your return many a Bosch pilot will have had a longer life than they otherwise had reason to expect. Your leav... er...return will also give us a very good reason for a gala HWH celebration.