Clint & Barnacle

Fall, Rain & Mosquitoes Are In The Air

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and have benefited from the rain that has fallen from the sky lately.

I went pretty much the entire summer here on the island with no real measurable rain, and now in the past two weeks I’ve gotten 9 inches. The rain was very much needed for my water tanks that provide my inside water use, and also for the underground water well for outside needs.

My water well is only eleven feet deep, so if we go an extended period of time with no rain, especially during the summer when evaporation is worse, the underground water level can and will drop below my well casing, meaning that I cannot pull up fresh water. Fresh water is vital for existence anywhere, especially out here where it would be very labor intensive to haul it from the mainland.

Of course with all the rain and standing water, comes the dreaded devil-winged mosquitoes. They haven’t been too horrible around the house, mainly because I keep the grass mowed and use a propane fogger, but if I drive around the island through standing water or tall grass, they swarm like crazy crack demons. I just keep a supply of OFF on hand for Barnacle and myself, and grin and bear it.

The recent rains have made for cooler weather though, and the mornings have been very enjoyable with a light north breeze. You can tell that Fall is approaching and will officially be here in a few days, thank goodness.

I so enjoy the Spring and Fall seasons out here. There is like a spiritual quietness on the moonlit nights, the salty Gulf breeze faintly kissing your skin. The gentle sway of the hammock on afternoon naps, lost in thoughts of mermaids stopping by for a visit. HEY! – An island guy can dream/fantasize once in a while, can’t he?! I also enjoy sitting by the fire pit on those cool Fall and Winter nights, transfixed on the colorful flames and the crackling sound of the burning beach driftwood. Occasionally twirling the spiked stick that has a marshmallow attached to the end, smelling the sweet gooeyness (possibly not an actual word) of melted sugar that it becomes. Not to mention venturing out on those cool October and December nights and sticking a few flounder to have for supper. Yes sir, life could definitely be worse. Thank you Lord for this adventure.

Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and have a great day.

Clint Bennetsen is a retired police detective and now lives full time on Matagorda Peninsula Island, writing a monthly column for Dolphin Talk, telling of his life and adventures. To contact Clint with questions or comments, you can reach him at ccbennetsen@yahoo.com or dolphin1@tisd.net.

Clint’s Fire Pit for the cool fall and winter nights.