The Blessing of Rain

Finally got a little rain last week.  Just short of one inch.  This was due to a storm that came in from the Gulf of Mexico.  We were hoping for much more.  We were on the outer bands of storms that came through North of where the storm hit.  It was ever so good and it cooled things down a bit too but not for long, nor was it near enough rain.  We have been back up in the 100+ temps since then with Sunday being a scorcher at 103 with dead air and high humidity.  Then a weak cool front moved through in the evening threatening rain.  It cooled down quickly from 103 to 78 a couple hoours later.  Very welcome relief but '0' rain.  All we got was the pleasant smell and the cooler temps.  The rain we did get last week came the day before it was my 'allowed' watering day.  I watered regardless of the rain.  It helped green up the little grass I have left.  With that the deer that have been very scarce were out in force, eating the newly green shoots.  The habitat is severely stressed after at least 2 years of drought and severe freezing temps in the winter.  Everything gets eaten by the deer, even the deer resistant plants if they have any green on them.  I have put out a tub in the yard with water in the yard fo the deer.  I rarely see them use it but it will be nearly dry come morning.  The wildlife are stresssed.  More high heat is expected this week also but some rain is possible.  Fingers are crossed.  

They are predicting a very cold winter for our area this year.  It includes a lot of moisture also.  Having gotten one major concern taken care of with the trees and their limbs resting on my roof when they get icy, we are looking to get a generator.  I have one picked out,  It won't run the whole house but at least we can run some small heaters and the refrigerator.  Having a place to store it and then run it when needed is what we are working on now.  It is a dual fuel and has a CO2 sensor that shuts it off.  With the grid here in Texas not being reliable and even less so in the winter, this will be a good investment.  At least that is what I tell myself.  

Happy Trails