You don't know how much you thrilled me, MerryTraveler, calling me a true Michiganer. I sure hope to be someday. Thanks, I needed the lift. Just thinking about the forests, vineyards and the lake make me feel better. IL is fine, but it's just about kicking me out.

I'm lucky too in MI because I'm on a big hill/ledge overlooking the lake, so no matter how much it rains, it's all downhill and away. But I have found some pretty big critters up there with me trying to stay dry. I love nature- but don't relish Grandfather Raccoon, who weighs as much as a small bear, staring in at me through the glass door when his home is flooded out. Last time he was eyeballing the roof- and I know with his claws he could do it.

I had a home/garage in my youth that did the sopping thing. Hope you all get some rainless cold days to dry out.

well, we're very thankful no flooding in our home (yet) but it's been int-er-est-ting watching our creek be a winter river all this season..HOWever--folks you ain't seen MUD until you have horses in the Pacific Northwest!! Dirt plus water plus 1000 lbs =MUD, pure and simple.
maw in northwestern WA

LordBalfor,

I'm sure sorry about your toes. Maybe a good horticulturist could help. We have our problems in AZ too. Today I got a sunburn while playing a round of golf. I had to go to the 19th hole to get some medicine.
8-)((D))

Hey Ken, I have a water issue too, only it is that my 6' X 8' master shower is leaking into my basement and is causing "issues."

I'm hosting a Super Bowl Party this weekend but as my hometown Colts somehow let the Steelers beat them we're calling it a Super Pity Party. Count your freakin' blessings!

So sorry to hear about your situation.
I feel for you. Here in Syracuse NY we have been getting lots of rain too. I hate it! Lots of folks are happy that it's warm and raining but you can't ski in the rain.
LET IT SNOW! PLEASE!
Hope your weather improves! I'll do a sun dance for you :-)

You want real mud you have to go to Eastern Montana when it's wet. They call it gumbo. You'll never see your shoes again.

LordBalfor,
Thank you for letting me know that we had 10 in. in Jan. It seemed a bit much, but since we stopped getting the newspaper (for reasons I'm not allowed to discuss on Fodors) I wasn't sure if it was really that much or my imagination. OK. Well, if it makes you feel any better, we have at least 5 leaks in the roof and my trip to Europe this Spring will have to wait until next year 'cause we're going to have to get a new roof instaed! Oh well.

Having vented and all, I would only add that there in no place else in the U.S. that I would want to live (and I've lived in many including Cal.). Now Spain, well, that's a different story.

But yes, it has been quite a rainy winter!!!

Good/Bad News..
We will get a big storm on the coast tonight and tomorrow, then Portland is forecast to have days and days of warmish weather with nuthin but sunshine!!
I wish the same for you, LordBalfor! ((#))

Please, please send us some of "your" rain...ozarksbill (in SW Missouri)

Artlover -

Yeah, now that the month is finally over we can take a look at the rainfall totals for the last six weeks:

City Dec. 15-31 January 1-31 Total Rainfall

Shelton 12.91" 23.27" 36.18"
Hoquiam 9.71" 22.96" 33.67"
Forks 8.87" 24.39" 33.26"
Olympia 8.11" 15.86" 23.97"
Tacoma 6.63" 12.32" 18.95"
Seattle 6.44" 11.65" 18.09"
Everett 4.24" 7.37" 11.61"
Bellingham 3.68" 7.87" 11.55"
Port Angeles 3.34" 7.87" 11.21"

Our 11.65 inches for January and 18.09 inches since Dec 15th is a lot more than normal. Have to say that it's a whole lot bette than the 3 feet of rain they had out in Shelton (along the coastal area).

Sorry to hear about your roof.

Scarlett -

Yeah, big wind/rain at my house now, but the last few days have been a bit better, with less rain - and you're right starting tomorrow we're supposed to start getting some sun again with highs in the 50's.

YES!!!!!!

Ken

Well, the good news according to weatherunderground is for sun and more sun starting Monday (or are they just saying that to keep us somewhat sane?)

Well, I just had shock. On my front patio I have a big pot with a cattleya orchid that's pretty much just gone wild. We don't really mess with it anymore. We don't feed it - though I do water it during our very dry summers. Anyway, normally I bring the thing inside during the winter, but this year I completely forgot about it. Well this is the time of year when it always blooms and sure enough I noticed today that even being outside all winter long it's got a huge stock of flowers over a foot tall already.

So - I guess there is something to be said for all the rain we've gotten this winter as it has kept us even more mild than usual through the winter. Don't think it's dropped below freezing in the microclimate right near my house for almost 2 months now so now that the sun has finally come out, spring is definitely happening around my house. The crocus are blooming, the daffs are a foot tall or so and will likely be blooming within the next couple of weeks, my flowering plum tree is about to burst and the indian plum bushes that make up the understory in the woods near my house are starting to open their leaves.

Just in time too. Supposed to be sunny and 60 today (though with a brisk wind). Very nice indeed though.

Ken

ken, I am glad to see the sun is finally shining for you!!

i wish i could say that i feel your pain but it's even sunny and clear here in london (very odd for february)

The sun is shining so brightly into our windows that it is heating up the apt and I had to close the shades!
Now if the wind would just die down a bit, it will be Perfect in Portland ((#))

Yes, I had to find my sunglasses again though, lol!

Oh boy, aren't we eating our words!!! What a weeks this has been--gorgeous! It reminds me of what our real estate agent said when we moved here, "It will rain and rain and everyone will complain and complain...and then the sun comes out and ALL IS FORGIVEN!"

LOL , artlover, isn't that the Truth!!
All is forgiven...although I was just tonight told I should have my head examined for living in the Pearl.
What in the world?? Someone is having a bit of Pearl Envy LOL

Artlove, Scarlett -

Yep, that's exactly right. When the weather is nice there is no part of the continental USA that I think is nicer than the Pacific Northwest.

Ken

We had over 5 cm officially (close to 8 at my house) 2+ weeks ago.
Everyone was ecstatic as the dry season is mid OCT - early June.
M