We've had gully washer after gully washer come through tonight, some just hard rain and others periods of one thunderstorm after another parking right over top of us. Right thrillin'!

Sum Yung Sun is listening to "the Young Dubliners" behind me and singing along to celtic rock versions of trad. tunes.

Yes, Alice, I will be intrigued to observe the changes as, at first there is much more sun on that side of the yard, and then, slowly, the younger, but still decades old oaks that had been overshadowed slowly add width to their canopies.

Bobert, I've grown more pickling cukes than not for a number of years.   As you say, they are prolific, tasty, with small seeds, and in my experience, the plants last longer in the garden. Still like a good slicing cuke, though, for the short period of time I can usually grow them unless I fuss over them more than I have the time to do.