Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are enjoying this Fall-like weather we have been blessed with lately. This past weekend felt so nice, with the cool crisp air and the north breeze blowing across the island.

The days should begin becoming much more bearable now with Fall soon approaching. It sure seems as though the older I get, the less I can tolerate the sweltering south Texas summer days. Between about noon-5p.m., I simply seek the haven of shade, drink some iced tea and read some gardening magazines and seed catalogs, after taking a nice nap of course.

It’s such a nice feeling, actually invigorating, to wake up in the early morning and step outside and be greeted to the coolness in the air, after a long hot summer. Watching the steam rise from that first cup of hot coffee, gazing at the seagulls and pelicans soar overhead, and hearing the rooster crow and the chickens cackle and squawk to be let out of their pen in search of yard bugs and green grass.

Fall and Spring are by far my favorite times of year on the island. Beach combing, fishing and the anticipated start of gardening are my Spring passions, with floundering, cleaning out the melon patch and the arrival of cool weather being my Fall favorites.

Speaking of melons, my cantaloupes and watermelons are about finished, having gotten a late start this year. I had a fair crop of both, with some jumbo cantaloupes, one weighing in at 11.8 pounds. Trying to compensate for the lack of rain, I probably over-watered some of my melons though, as a few of them were full of water and mushy on the inside. My uncle Charlie Ray later informed me that a once a week good soaking is sufficient for melons. Always something to learn in gardening, and asking questions of seasoned gardeners is priceless.

My fishing partner Charles and I landed a mess of trout in the surf last week, and the occasional light northers now should keep the beach water calm and clear to hopefully stock the propane freezer for the winter. Our tried and true pink Corky’s did the trick, enticing the yellow mouthed beauties to strike them.

Well that’s it from the island for now. Everyone take care and enjoy the cooler weather that’s just around the corner.

Clint Bennetsen is the only full time resident on Matagorda Island Peninsula, and writes a monthly column for the Dolphin Talk telling of his island adventures. To ask questions of or comment on his column, contact him at ccbennetsen@yahoo.com or dolphin1@tisd.net.