Moon Over the Bayou

Tonight, a view of the moon was fairly clear with some buttermilk clouds that dispersed into bigger clouds.  The day was filled with intermittent rain showers, some heavy at times.  We welcome the rain because our gardens have been so adversely affected by last year's drought.  This rainy season has brought life back to our grasses and trees.

Yet, the rain has filled up the bayous and low-lying areas with water perfect for breeding grounds for mosquitoes.  We are plagued with mosquitoes constantly biting us.  They are even in our homes!  One cannot open the door that they do not fly inside ready to feast on our blood.  Some humans in our area have come down with West Nile Virus.  Even the geckos cannot keep up with the opulent feast of their favorite food.  It is the worst mosquito season I have ever experienced. 

Purple Sage Blooms Once More



This purple sage plant is a beauty. 

The Last of the Pansies



The weather has been consistently warm and the pansies are beginning to show the stress of the warm weather.  Soon it will be time to plant something else.

The combination of lavender and yellow pansies has always been a favorite of mine.

Dusty Miller Looking Good

This Dusty Miller plant is looking healthy.

Rain Brings New Shoots

New shoots on Sago palm.

At last, Houston's drought seems to be over and the plants are again thriving; however, the days are getting warm and summer will arrive sooner than expected, again this year.

Rain Comes to Houston

On Monday, January 9th, Houston got a good soaking and a few tornadoes.  The trees at last had a deep, deep drink, down to their deepest roots.


The streets in my area of town were impassible, as a few drivers found out. 


Unfortunately, the pansies I had just planted a few days earlier in the balmy weather washed away.  Along with the pansies, the top soil and mulch swirled and receded to the storm drains, too.


It was warm enough for shorts and I ventured out; however, when the water was three inches above my knees, I retreated to higher ground.

 A driver who took his chances without a good result.

 This fire hydrant is normally at the curb of my yard.  You can see the concentric circles the rain drops make.

 One row of pansies already doomed.

 Deep water.  The mulch is swirling around in about 2-3 feet of water in the yard.

 Rain drops obvious in the deep pool of rain.  Rain continued to fall the entire day and night.  A real good soaking, so desperately needed after a year of drought.

That little island of grass is actually the yard across the street!

The two stumps are remnants of pine trees that died in this past year's drought.

The Moon Mesmerizes

There is nothing like a full moon to mesmerize... especially when it is shadowed by clouds.