NOT Out Of The Rainy Spell

 That's some kind of spell. Significant rain overnight again, 63 F this morning, and more rain is likely late tonight. And then maybe the rainy spell will be over. It is very soggy this morning but the cool temps feel good. The mosquitos are here with a vengeance and nothing but a repellant heavily laced with DEET will keep the suckers away. I've got bites all over me. Tropical diseases, anyone? I'm enjoying cold drinks with tonic water and grapefruit juice, spritzed with lime. A little dose of quinine each day might be helpful. Actually, that concoction is very refreshing. I use Ruby Red juice with no added sugar. 

Lubbock is rarely green. I have a meadow full of wild flowers near me. And the playa lakes near me are close to overflowing. I am on high ground and have no fear of flooding. 

Out Of The Rainy Spell

 It'll be good to dry out a bit. But it might not rain again for months. We'll be in good shape for a week or so and then I guess I'd better start watering again. The soil here is rather sandy and it drains quickly. The rain supercharged my garden area, what I like to call my jungle. So I have some more photos taken back there. 

I enjoy that space a lot. It's a lot of work, too. 

No Rain Overnight

 I think we are transitioning out of our odd monsoonal situation. It will be nice to have some time to dry out. 

Tuesday it might be dry enough for me to do more yard work. 

Storms Return

 We had another good thunderstorm overnight and a decent amount of rain, but the flooding gets a bit worse and the mosquitoes have finally arrived. Temps are on the cool side in the morning. I am putting more effort into controlling the jungle. I have to. 

I don't see anything wrong with having a bit of color now and then. 

Heavy T-Storms!

 Yesterday afternoon a lot of rain fell across the plains, here, and even finally reached the recharge area for one of the reservoirs we use, the newer one, and although the storms were heavy and produced heavy rain and spawned at least one funnel, I have heard nothing about large hail. I got no hail at all, but a heavy rain, again, on top of all the rain we've had recently. This is simply amazing and the current temperature this morning is 56 F, which is decidedly cool for this time of year. Today we are supposed to have a break in the monsoon-like conditions but Sunday and Monday heavy storms are again in the forecast. Flooding is an issue, with Highways 84 and 87 flooded and blocked, at last report. I know 87 used to flood a lot at a certain location near Lamesa, but the roadbed was raised substantially years ago. If that spot flooded again, the water must be very deep just off the highway surface, and on the highway perhaps a foot or more of water. I've driven that stretch of road many times over the years-- many, many, times, but I will never drive it again, having no need now to do that. I don't think I'll miss 87 at all. As for 84, I can't see myself ever having an interest in driving that route again. I intend to be a real stay-at-home, to the extent I can, and never venture outside of Lubbock County and rarely leave the city limits. I certainly don't want to venture into any areas being developed, or any areas where construction is snarling traffic. 87 is a mess in the area that used to be "the strip", and all this rain must be delaying construction considerably, much to the sorrow of businesses that are still on "the strip". What a mess. For that matter, 19th Street near Lubbock High School has been torn up for over a year, with no progress apparent. That's a fiasco, and it could be fatal for business there as well. 

You know, I really wish people would stop breeding. It's more than a little stupid when you think of it. Screw your brains out if you must, but use BIRTH CONTROL! Better yet, get sterilized.