Rain, rain, beautiful rain

The 4.5 inches of rain last week at my home was actually more in some North Texas places and filled a number of lakes by at least a foot.

I don't know if it was the long absence of roads flooding that caused so many errant drivers stalling out in four feet of water ormore, but parts of the Metroplex had their share. Reporters interviewing hapless drivers afterwards got inarticulate responses to the effect they did not think it would be as deep if they just drove slowly. I scratched my head over that one but heard the response from at least three persons.

Then there was the optimistic man who had to be rescued by the fire department from his car stranded in about four feet of water and didn't seem to understand that the water had to recede considerably before a tow truck could rescue it.

So the fire truck was heading back to the station when they learned this literally cockeyed optimist had gotten back to his car, was soaking wet in 42 degree temps and needed rescuing again.

They did pull him out the second time, this time adding a ticket for their trouble.
He declined interview, I believe....

This morning, however, the severe drought designation was lifted for the North Texas area I live in. That's good news, and rain is forecast again tonight and for tomorrow. However, a dry spring is also forecast so Stage One drought precautions (watering twice a week max) is staying in effect for most of the area.

Amazingly, January was the wettest one on record, starting 2012 off right so far as most of us are concerned. It is 72 degrees today as well. Last year on this date, we had ice, snow, a low of 13 and a high of 20 degrees.

Texas Monthly magazine noted that in the last 20 years, Texas has had 18 wildfires that singly burned more than 50,000 acres each. To give you an idea how bad the past year was, six of those 18 huge wildfires occurred between April and November.

What will happen in February? No one knows. It's the iffy part of the year. We've had snows in March. On the other hand, two or three years ago we had our first 100 degree day in April.

Poor Jerry Jones and Cowboy Stadium. This year would purely have been a beautiful one for the Super Bowl. Heard today the weekend will see four hotwings devoured for every man, woman and child in the country. Not sure I believe that, but if so, someone is getting a double portion on my behalf.

I can literally think of only one couple I know well who will A)give or attend a party and B) watch the game. The rest of us plan other stuff Sunday afternoon.
Especially if it's a sunny afternoon.

Maybe we all ought to be investigated.

Not Much to Talk About

Except for the summers, temperatures and weather in Texas are frequently changeable. I've enjoyed Thanksgiving meals eating al fresco in short sleeves and bermuda shorts. I remember one delightfully cozy Thanksgiving when it was sleeting, and we ate while enjoying the hearty fire in the fireplace.

The weather has been so up and down lately, the Barrett pears are confused and blooming. I notice a stand of them in a stretch I know was well-watered over the summer is not blooming. The blooms may have something to do with weather shock.

We already have been told the state is losing about 20 percent of its trees due to drought. That's a lot of trees. I took some pictures in August and September. They don't show up so much now that an early freeze has started yellowing the leaves and more are falling off. Frankly, a lot of us are waiting breathlessly to find out if we watered enough or started early enough to save some favorite sweet gums, pecans, oaks, magnolias. It will be spring when we know.

Folks who are particular about their lawns and flowers actually rake the leaves up. They want the landscape to show to best advantage. The rest of us may scoop a few around the bushes as mulch and let the rest go. Fall winds, due any minute, will whip most of them away. (I am aware, yes, that a number of the leaves in my yard are from someone else's trees because the trees those leaves came from don't grow in my yard.)

I still need a quick mow now that the yard is green again, more than half weeds. It was still so dry in September, I didn't dare fertilize, or put out pre-emergent. So let's see. The grass is maybe three inches in places. It hasn't been mowed in a full five months.

Meanwhile, need to dry mop assiduously. Don't know if it is her age or what, but Gracie now is shedding heavily. I hadn't really noticed on the hardwood until I dropped a sweater this morning and picked it up covered with hair. She's six months old and having a painful all-day visit to the vet on Thursday. It's going to hurt and I really feel bad about it. Another reason to mow--don't want her tender tummy getting muddy. A good corgi video I saw said, "Corgis are just big dogs with short legs." I'll agree with that.

I've got to buy more white cotton socks. Gracie has eaten the toes out clear to the halfway point on a pair I carelessly didn't pick up. (I'm learning, Gracie! I'm learning!) She can't have anything to eat after 9 p.m. tomorrow. I guess I'll have to police the place in case this includes rawhide chews, paper, cardboard or random cotton items. She's 16 pounds now. Sure feels like more when we play tug.

Almost no local news now except criminals. Yesterday a man running away from the police in a stolen car crashed into the home a family had lived in 40 years and burned it to the ground. The man was arrested.

At least he won't be released in a day or two due to jail overcrowding.