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.  

Dark Skies, Small Rain

We got about 10 minutes of rain today.  Almost enough to give those plants with shallow roots a little drink of water.  The big trees need much more water.  The rain was greeted with a happiness that surpassed what might be considered reasonable.  Nevertheless...

Small Rain, Grateful Hearts

It rained for about ten minutes today.  Not enough, but indeed better than no rain.

Drought Takes Its Toll

Texas is experiencing the worst drought on record.  We are in a 30 inch precipitation deficit and the expected land-fall of tropical storm/hurricane Don is not going to bring us the much needed rain we had hoped.

The dead leaves on the Redbud tree that should be green at this time of year is testimony to the drought and heat, despite lots of watering.  The grass in the background is green at great expense of water, now known as liquid gold in Texas.

An evergreen hedge has curled up and died.  Can it make a come-back?  Who knows?

Lots of spots of entirely dead grass, with not even one green blade peeking through.

More dead plants, unable to withstand the horrible heat and lack of water.

 Dead Nandina leaves.

And more...

Rainy Day - A Big Celebration

 Water droplets are visible on the pinnate leaves of the sago palms.

Yes!  It rained today!  The first rain since January, just when I thought that I would lose all my plants to the terrible drought.  

 A real puddle ... something so welcomed today.

A lone pink crepe myrtle blossom floats in the rain puddle.

 More raindrops on the Sago palms.

 I planted this mum last year when I thought it was all but dead.  It is making a slow come-back.

 My beloved variegated ginger, the one plant that survived last year's harsh winter and this summer's brutal heat (so far.) 

The life-giving water finally came down today.  It didn't last long but it was enough to really wet the soil.  I hope my trees got a decent drink.

Calla Lily Emerges

 One day I noticed the shoots coming up. 

 The lovely spotted leaves of the chocolate calla lilies gave me hope for a bloom...

But no luck this year.  Now the temps are close to 100 and I had to bring them inside.  Nevertheless, I am so glad they made it through the brutal winter.