Long Hollow

It rained today. A real honest to goodness thunderstorm shook things up around here, one that erased the blue from the sky and lasted for more than just a few minutes. Deer galloped in groups across the golf courses near me and huddled under trees like they were confused yet excited about this wonderful, refreshing change in the weather. Have we been wilting in the heat and sun so long that they'd forgotten rain?

A great blue heron glided across the length of the Hollow just outside my kitchen window; swarms of dragonflies crisscrossed through the clearing and out into the woods, celebrating like drunks on New Year's Eve.  I could hear them buzzing. Cheering! The heavy heat had lifted and flying things wanted to fly!

It's not a moment too soon, either. My crape myrtles and periwinkles were puckering up, the ones that had defiantly continued to bloom despite the heat and lack of rain until last week. I've been carrying buckets of water up to them every few days, trying to get them through the drought. That's one reason we haven't planted much of anything out here, just left it wild except for that one little domesticated triangle. The rain is just too undependable… either staying away too long or overstaying its welcome.

Today's rain appears to have good manners, moving on in time for the sun to peek out of the clouds as it sets.

Up until this afternoon, it's been so hot here that I planned to share these funny observations that my cousin Bill sent me last week. I think I'll go ahead and share them; knowing Texas summer rain, by this time tomorrow we'll be baking again, forgetting about this brief respite. The deer, the dragonflies and the heron will be moving in slow-motion once again, weighed down by the heat, if they emerge at all from whatever shady spot they find, that is.

Here's wishing you the right balance of sun and rain, laughter and tears… I hope this adds to your laughter like it did mine. Thanks, Bill!

IT'S SO HOT IN TEXAS…

…the birds have to use potholders to pull the worms out of the ground.
…the trees are whistling for the dogs.
…the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
…hot water comes from both taps.
…you can make sun tea instantly.
…you learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
…the temperature drops below 95 degrees and you feel a little chilly.
…you discover it only takes two fingers to steer your car.
…you get sunburned through your car window.
…you realize that asphalt has a liquid stage.
…the potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter.
…the cows are giving evaporated milk.
…farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

IT'S SO DRY IN TEXAS…

…the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling.
…the Methodists are using wet-wipes.
…Presbyterians are giving rain checks.
…and the Catholics are praying for the wine to turn back into water!