Happy For Spring and Rain
Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and taking advantage of this extra hour of daylight during the evening. I certainly prefer the daylight savings time of the year, and being able to spend those extra minutes outside enjoying the outdoors and island and beach time. I also like the early morning wake up time when it’s still dark outside, and watching the sunrise while having that first cup of hot black coffee. Coffee is my friend.
Well, after several months of only spotty rain showers, adding up to under an inch, last week finally brought some much needed rain to the island. A solid 3” came down and saturated the ground, replenishing the underground fresh water supply for the wells, nearly filling my tanks, and giving everything a drink just in time for the beginning of Spring.
Fresh water is vital for existence, and out on the island is no different. Even though on a clear day I can see the Port O’Connor mainland from the island (about 4 miles away), it’s endless supply of fresh water might as well be 4,000 miles away from me. A person simply does not realize the importance of fresh water, or how much they use on a weekly basis, until it is no longer available. Being conservative is a huge priority out here, whether it be fresh water usage or 12 volt solar power consumption.
It looks as though, for all intents and purposes, winter is pretty much behind us now. For the most part, it was a very mild winter on the island. Not a single morning did I wake to a freezing temperature reading, nor was there even a frost on the ground. Yes, there were some cold nights, mainly from the strong north winds howling across the bay before slamming into the island, but no bone chilling temps that threatened water pipes or froze the chickens water containers, as has happened in previous winters. And you know what, I’m not complaining one iota! These are what south Texas winters should be like, as long as there are enough chill hours (between 32-45 degrees), for my peach trees to produce, then I’m very happy.
Before long, the migrating birds will begin making their way across the Gulf of Mexico and the island, heading north to warmer temps. I love this time of year as the various colorful birds stop along the way, and I get to see the beautiful Painted Buntings and Baltimore Orioles and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. And then shortly after that, the Barn Swallows will begin returning to their mud nests under the deck above the downstairs porch, and hatch out one or two families of baby birds. This will be the 10th consecutive year that the swallows will be using the same nests under the deck. Yes, Spring is a good time on the island.
Well, that’s it from the island for now; everyone take care and have a most splendid day.
