Footyfried

Freo Falling

No, that is not a typo. Three weeks ago Fremantle looked like they were going to finish in top four and get a double chance with the second finals game guaranteed to be at home. Since then, with two losses and a draw, they may miss the finals altogether. The Dockers are in sixth place just above Carlton, who have managed to lose three of their last five.

Freo travels to Melbourne to play the Western Bulldogs, a team that is a game outside the eight. A Bulldogs could vault them back inside the eight and a game and a half behind the Dockers. A Dockers win would virtually ensure they make the finals and give them a realistic chance of a first final game at home.

Zzzz……

I didn’t realize I was tired until I woke up at 7 tonight. I got a solid seven hours of sleep. I rarely get more than four without waking up needing to go to the bathroom.

Cats win, clinch finals berth.

Geelong beat the Western Bulldogs 94-66 and guaranteed a place in the finals. Because the Bulldogs were the ninth place team after the loss, Melbourne and Collingwood also clinched finals berths with victories this morning. Brisbane can do the same tonight if they win.

The pretenders are dropping like flies. St. Kilda’s win over Hawthorn eliminated both Hawthorn and Essendon. Greater Western Sydney and Adelaide were eliminated the week before. Unless Carlton has an epic collapse the last three weeks, it looks like Richmond will battle the Bulldogs and Saints for the last finals berth.

Rain at last

We got about an inch of rain today. It’s not enough to add to my water storage, but at least I won’t have to worry about watering what’s left of my garden. Today felt like fall and if tomorrow is the same I might catch up on yard work.

Keep on droughting

Five weeks after having no drought status, we have achieved severe drought status. Rain is expected tonight and tomorrow night, but we will be lucky to get back to moderate drought status by next week. At least the temperatures are below average until Tuesday and will be average for the foreseeable future.

Taking advantage of a break.

I was waiting for this break in the weather to transplant some pepper plants into bigger containers. Some were put into fresh containers and some replaced plants that have died during the heat wave. I think I will plant some okra in the grow trays to replace the peppers.

We only got a trace of rain this morning, but should get an inch or so each of the next two days. It won’t get us out of moderate drought status, but it will help.

Heat wave breaks

Starting today there will be five consecutive days of high temperatures below 100 degrees. With lows as low as the 60s, it is time to pull the window AC out and put the fans back in. I might even get a chance to ride the bike during the break.

Four legged locusts, Part two

I thought the deer would leave the okra alone this year. They thought better late than never. They won`t touch the tomatoes, watermelon, squash or peppers. Even the sweet potatoes, whose leaves are edible, are spared. They just destroy the okra. Something is wrong with these deer.

Wally World Hurting

Wally World released its forecast today and it is bad. Bad on toast. Grocery is doing ok, but general merchandise is not selling. Apparel has been up to 40% off and is still not selling. People are tapped out and not buying anything they don’t have to. The only reason Gatorade and water are still flying off the shelves is because it is over 100 degrees every day.

I hope to hold out for another five years, but I have made up my mind that if I lose my job after this year, I will retire early. The wages around here barely pay the bills and with my family health history I don’t expect to live to 70 anyway.

Relief this week

Temperatures are still reaching the 100s, but the Weather Channel is calling for lower temperatures and rain this week. Highs could get down to the 60s by Friday. My garden is dying as we speak. It is not the daytime temperatures that are the problem as much as the lows that don’t drop below 80. It has not rained the past three weeks and even the grass will not grow. If my garden was not in the shade, it would be gone. And August is supposed to be the hottest month.