Max stood still, letting the pond water soak through his thick fur. I watched him from a patch of shade on the hill above and marveled at the miracle of this pond.
Rain is a distant memory, the lake has become a river, triple digit temperatures and blue skies seem neverending, and area wells are drying up … yet here this small bit of water remains, nestled in the hills above the curve in our road.
We made a beeline for it this morning. I hadn't walked with the dogs since Thursday. Daniel filled in for me these past few mornings when I just didn't have time, but the puppies seemed happy that I was joining them again.
Even in a drought, even when the flowers are fading into memory and few of the photos I take are worth sharing, my morning walks feel like an indulgence, a quick retreat from the world where I can sort through my thoughts, pray and breathe.
I've missed them.
I've missed the quiet and the sunshine and the morning breeze and the dogs racing into the woods after imaginary prey or rough-housing on the road. I've missed stopping to snap photos of them running ahead of me or the clouds above me or sunshine splashing on everything…
..or flowers, what's left of them, like the ones below.
The Mexican Hats have lost their hats…
Mornings are the only time to walk these days. The heat lingers well after sunset.
Which reminds me of this little poem…
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Ode to Texas
The devil wanted a place on earth So he picked out Texas. He dried up the streams in the canyons Then over his barren country Now the home was much to his liking First he made the rattlesnake Then he made scorpions and lizards Then he ordered the sun to shine hotter, Hotter and hotter still.
Until even the cactus wilted And the old horned lizard took ill. Then he gazed on his earthly kingdom 'Twas summer now and Satan lay "By Golly," he finally panted, Coy D. Martin
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My brother-in-law sent that to me. (Thank you, Ralph!)
As a Texan, I found it rather offensive in some parts (Texas is heaven, not hell!) but the last two paragraphs describe our summer weather so well that I found my sense of humor and felt I should post it.
Plus, I just happened to have a recent photo of a prickly pear…
Have a great week and stay cool!
P.S. I just had a call from my mom – Daddy has been released from the hospital! Yay! The doctors still aren't sure what was wrong, but whatever it was, it's all better now and he's been thoroughly checked out and given a stamp of approval. Thank you for all of your prayers and good thoughts!
Saying my own prayers of thanksgiving now!
Long Hollow 
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