Saturday morning we awoke to really cool weather and rain. It was a bit of a stormy early morning, according to Vince. He said the thunder woke him about 4:30 but I didn’t hear it. I checked our weather station and at noon Saturday, so far for the month of May, we had received 13.4″ of rain. I guess that’s not so much considering in two days in early May we had 10″.
Just for comparison, Brownwood, Texas has an average rainfall of 29.9″ and here, it’s 45.7″. Based on those figures, we got almost 1/3 of our annual rainfall in half a month. After having lived in central Texas, I’ll never complain about rain again . . unless the water comes into our basement and then I might complain.
Our high Saturday was supposed to be 57 but our weather station said the high was 53. Our low was 46.
It stayed cool Sunday. During the day it wasn’t chilly enough for a jacket but when I was out with Oscar last night, we hurried!
The best news . . with the cooler weather, there were no mosquitoes. I bought some Vitamin B1, which a reader recommended as something she uses to keep the mosquitoes from biting her. I read of other people who are sure it works and I read that studies have proven it doesn’t. I tend to believe people who say it works more than the studies . . which may or may not be sponsored by mosquito sprays!
I also read online that lemon eucalyptus essential oil, mixed 1 part EO with 10 parts carrier oil, would help. Since DEET isn’t safe for dogs, I check to make sure the lemon eucalyptus EO would be safe and it is not but I think that’s more that it isn’t safe to put directly on dogs. I’ll talk to the vet this week before using it but I’m thinking if I put a bit on the back of my neck, a bit on each elbow and then I’m walking out with Oscar on a leash and not carrying him where he’s touching me, I doubt that should be a problem but I’ll make sure before I do it.
The other thing I can do it grab one of Vince’s long sleeve shirt and put it on before I go out. It’s my arms and neck that are getting bit so much.
April L Reeves says
I’ve never really lookup average rainfall before but not surprising at the very top of the average rainfall list. I hate getting eaten up my mosquitos so much (and I do have a mild allergic reaction and swell up and it itches like crazy) that if I had 3 wishes from a genie, the first would be to never be bitten by another mosquito.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I do hope you find a genie and get your wishes and I hope that one to never be bitten by another mosquito can apply to your friends too. I’d also be happy to never have to hear one buzzing around my head!
Nelle Coursey says
We finally got rain here in town! It has been raining all around us and we finally got rain today. I know it rained steady for over an hour and when I looked at the gauge it showed less than 1/2 inch. We are supposed to get rain again tonight, tomorrow all day and Wednesday morning. I am praying it does! It has been so hot! Over 100 most days this month!! Some days up to 107 and that is not usual for May here!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
So glad y’all got rain!! I hope you do get more.
Wanda+Nesloney says
Judy,
You can also use citronella EO to ward off mosquitos. I also keep citronella plants in a container near my front door to keep them away. They aren’t a pretty plant but if I mix a few other plants in they aren’t so bad. Oh I also use lemongrass in the container it is also a mosquito repellent
judy.blog@gmail.com says
We have three citronella plants in pots but when taking Oscar out, it seems like he wants to roam half the county before finding the perfect spot. I have lemongrass too. Maybe I need to spread those things out and make sure Oscar stays within the power of the citronella plants. 🙂
Nancy H says
I wonder if those stickers that are suppose to repel mosquitoes work? I may have to give them a try. We have had a wet spring so I know we are going to get a bunch of mosquitoes this year.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I haven’t seen them but they sound interesting.