For folks who get plenty of rain, or even those who are getting too much, it’s really hard to believe what life can be like when there’s a terrible drought and the rains just aren’t coming. This area doesn’t get much rain when we’re not in a drought but with the drought, it’s just been unbelievable. The area has water restrictions . . some can water on Monday, others can water on Tuesday. Your day is determined by whether your street number is odd or even. We’ve been in Stage 3 of our drought plan. There’s been much talk of going to Stage 4. It was pretty much accepted that when the water board meets for their August meeting, we would go to Stage 4. That means everyone is supposed to cut their water usage by 50% . . figure that one out when folks have been working so hard to conserve already. All outdoor watering was supposed to be stopped but the water board was trying to find a way to still allow residents to do some smaller amount of watering.
Typically, July and August are months when we get no rainfall but this year has blown that statistic and we’re all so happy for the rain. Some folks about 30 miles from here have reported receiving 11 inches of rain. Last time I checked, the lake was up 4 feet. The ground is saturated so all the rain that falls in the lake’s watershed now is running into the lake. The water for most of this area comes from that lake. People are almost giddy with the amount of rain we’re receiving.
Ranchers had gotten rid of their cows last summer or the summer before and some who were hopeful had brought in more cattle but many were taking those to market due to the dire conditions we’re been experiencing. Pecan trees, which are a big cash crop in this area, were being affected adversely by the drought. The grasshoppers are even caused by the drought and they’ve destroyed everything from my own tomatoes to acres and acres of hay .. not to mention that they ate the screens on the windows last year. It seems that during spring, when grasshopper babies are hatching from their eggs that were left behind the previous summer, if it’s a wet spring, there’s a fungus that kills off many of the grasshoppers. If it’s a dry spring . . they all survive and thrive and since we had such a bumper crop of them last year, they left behind lots of eggs and we have a double bumper crop of them this year.
At our house, our rain gauge showed that from Sunday through yesterday we had gotten about 3-1/2″ of rain. Today we’ve gotten close to 1/2″.
Water!
The pictures are a bit blurry . . they were taken from a moving vehicle through a dirty window but at least I wasn’t driving! It’s so rare to see water in the tanks (ponds if you’re not in Texas). There was water pooling on any low spot in the fields we passed.
Green
This field could have been one that had been irrigated but it looks like weeds so I’m not sure if it was green because it has been irrigated or because of the recent rains. It’s rare to see anything this green around here in July.
Storm Clouds
Before we left Abilene, another round of storms was moving in. No one was complaining!
Rain
Driving in the rain! Vince said “How long has it been since we’ve driven through rain?” I could not remember the last time we had to use the windshield wipers.
As we got closer to Brownwood, the skies became blue, without the gray rain clouds but we hadn’t been home long when the rains arrived here. For the first time in the two years that I’ve been here, there’s a little standing water in our yard. The ground is sandy so it isn’t terribly muddy and again, no one is complaining.
The only thing more fun than trying to catch four little chickens before dark is trying to catch four little chickens in the rain before dark! So . . out we go . . 🙂
Toni in TN says
We were in extraordinary drought for two years before ending about three years ago. I never complain about the rain now even though we are overrun with ants this time. So grateful for every little drop.
Sherrill says
Aaahhh!! The cooler temps are nice, too!!!
Rhonda says
I’m so glad you all got some rain, too. So far we’ve gotten around 2 inches. I even did a happy rain dance and videoed the rain coming down and posted it……LOL….it may be a while before I see rain again.
Take care.
Dora Scheer says
Oh, I’m so happy for you and your rain. We’ve gotten a few drops at my house–nothing that could be measured–although a lot more has fallen around me. However, we are still in a drought.
Diana in RR, TX says
We have ended up with about 1.25 inches according to our rain gauge. Some parts of Round Rock got more-a closer to I-35. It did bring our 2 big lakes up as of yesterday 8 inches, but considering they are down over 40 ft. there is a long way to go. But every little bit helps and like you we are grateful for it. No one is complaining and if they are they haven;t lived here very long!
Terri says
Living here in the Great Lakes, we don’t have to contend with drought very often, and when we do, it’s not like you experience in Texas. We do have water rationing though, especially when it’s very hot out and water use is high. Our water comes from Lake Michigan and when demand is very high, the pipeline just can;’t keep up. We’ve had lots of rain this year so no rationing so far, but we’re in a heat wave right now, like most of the country, so it may be our turn soon.
Janna says
I try really hard not to complain about rain or snow here in Montana, we can go from having a good year to a forest fire in the blink of an eye. So glad Texas is getting some rain–may it drown all your danged grasshoppers!
Susan says
I’m so pleased you’ve had this much rain! I hope it means the water restrictions will ease. I know you have the well, but it’s good to replenish the aquifer for that, too! I hope this is a signal that the rainy season is coming and the drought is over.
Cathy says
I know exactly what you mean about the rain. I’m down in San Antonio and the drought and water restrictions are pretty much the norm. But….my house flooded out with 11″ of rain in 24 hours in May. We pray and pray for the rain that even after that, we can’t stop praising God for sending it. And this July as been wonderful for the rain. Loving it!!!
AngieG9 says
Our rain has slowed down a bit, so maybe it came to Texas for a long visit. Hopefully that will mean there will be ripe tomatoes before the season is over here. Now go wade in a puddle, and enjoy your green fields. It’s about time for you.
Nancy Angerer says
Glad you have had rain! I am sorry about the grasshoppers. Would be lovely for the rain to get rid of some of those critters.
Patty says
When I saw that Texas was going to get rain I was wondering if you would be receiving some. Happy for you and your neighbors!
Linda Steller says
We’re still without rain. It tried on Tuesday, and I felt a few of the tiny drop that fell from the sky on my skin, but I don’t think any of them ever made it to the ground. It’s a good thing I live at the confluence of two huge rivers, or I think we’d be in a world of hurt for moisture right now. I’m waiting for some rain, but the forecast doesn’t have any showing. I have a booth at an outdoor quilt show next Friday, so if there’s any chance, it will be that day!
Ranch Wife says
I have a very similar picture through the windshield for tomorrow’s post. So happy to see all the rain y’all are getting. I drove through there on Friday and it looked mighty wet and green!