These are socks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These socks are getting into the car because something has happened to the weather. It is chilly. This is the middle of May in Texas, and it is chilly. Normally, this is the season when bare feet ride in sandals and boat shoes. Now, an emergency car sock or two is needed to fill the gaps within from the drafts without.

On our old street in Houston, May 15^th was dubbed the unofficial start of “High Summer.” In many parts of the Lone Star State, this is about that time in May when the air conditioning is turned to run unstopping day and night to the middle of September and beyond.

This is not the case these days.

“The heat is upon us, me hearties.” On his peg leg, Long John Silver leaps from the pages of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 “Treasure Island” and brandishes his pirate’s cutlass at the scorching sun sailing high in the sky. “Shiver me timbers, laddies, we won’t be a’shivering for many a day. Get to work now. Man the yardarms and tote them bales. The doldrums of summer are upon the waves.”

Only, that is not the case here. The heavy heat is not upon us, yet. The waters, though, have very much arrived.

There is liquid water a’plenty. Some would say far too much. In December, the reservoirs around these parts were low and the water levels dropping. Of those reservoirs, it is said that every lake in Texas was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers and is man-made. Today, those man-made bodies of water are stretched to capacity and aching to release their contents and overflow in relief. What a change has been wrought from the drought and dry of recent days?

To that, we owe the rains a’plenty. Sunday last, some parts received over twelve inches (30.48 centimeters) of rain. Sadly, there was flooding and damage to property. Even more sadly, from the tornados spawned by the storms, there was loss of life.

With damp smiles in morning light, new blooms shed their tears for day’s passing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a strange and sad spring.

Now, half way from the vernal equinox (the first spring day of equal light and dark on March 20, 2015) to the summer solstice (the first summer day of longest light and shortest dark on June 21, 2015), we wonder what more will happen and when it will.

A sense of reluctance hangs in the air. Things are slowed by the wet and rain. Reticence is evident in the hesitant expression of bud and bloom.

Hidden between lush greens from too much rain, I almost missed the delayed appearance of the first red hibiscus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More days of wet are predicted. Over the weekend, we talked on the phone to Uncle Joe where he sat in the dark at the farm. The storms had taken the power and left the fields wet filled with rain.

Perhaps a pause.

The crops could use the sun.

There, I see it – it is peaking out now.

On a walk, I was surprised to find these appearing.

Cactus buds had braved to burst in bright buttons of yellow bright.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, there is a sign and a good one – at that.

Perhaps dry days are in the sights.

Hope does spring eternal.

Lift the glass &

Sneak a

Peek.

It’s what

Pirates do &

You can and should too.

Me Hearties, fine weather to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Grandpa Jim