Island Summer Blazes On
Greetings from the island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing well and staying hydrated and keeping cool in the shade, during these heat advisory days that we have been having lately. Poor Corky spends most of his time in a dirt area on the shaded side of the house, constantly digging down to find that cool spot to lie down in. I’m expecting him to hit water down below anytime now. Such is island life without benefit of air conditioning. How does the saying go. . “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”. . . well I sure hope so!
Working early mornings and late evenings when it was cooler, I finally finished my third garage out here, 12’x26’, in hopes of one day using it to protect a tractor that I would love to have out here. Rigged with a front end loader, shredder and post hole auger, I think I could stay busy and make the payments on it doing island chores and projects for fellow islanders. Maybe one day soon.
On Thursday evening several weeks ago, I took a ride down to the Big Jetties and found me a good spot to sit and watch the beautiful boats fishing the Lone Star Shoot Out tournament. They were leaving POC and heading offshore into the Gulf in search of the biggest blue marlin, billfish and other species to weigh in for big dollar prizes. I loved watching the 53 boats heading out, and I try to do it every year.
Well I added something to my small animal island farm just here recently. . I am now the owner of 10 Indian Runner/Mallard mix ducks! They are mostly solid black, but in the sun a greenish/purply tint can be seen on their wings and head. The Indian Runners cannot fly; they walk upright kinda like a penguin. I got them two wading pools and they love getting in them and splashing and bathing. They just wander around inside the fenced yard in a group, munching on grass and laying in the shade. They love eating watermelon and I primarily feed them high protein chicken feed laying pellets. Thank you, Mary Jo, for giving them to me.
I’m continuing to go to the mainland two times a week to visit with Dad and spend the day with Mom at the nursing home. She has good days and bad, and I never know which it is until I get there. But it doesn’t matter at all, I’ll always be there. She loves going to Skillets for her pancakes, the best anywhere according to Mom, and I take her for errands and to load up on snacks. My older brother and sister, Rex and Sherry, also spend several days a week with Mom and take her to Seadrift to visit, and my little sister from California, Darla, comes down to spend time with her as well.
Oh my gosh, I so badly need rain out here on the island. I know that POC and Seadrift have gotten a few nice showers recently, but those showers have bypassed the island. Everything is so dry right now, and without rain the sand on the island and dune roads is getting soft and deep. A few weeks ago I was pulling my riding mower on a 4×6 trailer behind my golf cart and got stuck in a soft and deep area of sand. Even after unhooking the trailer and pushing it aside, I still was stuck. Thank goodness some fellow islanders were here during the week and helped me push it out. Nearing the end of summer, there are less people coming out to the island. Always obstacles to overcome out here.
In closing, I want to say good luck and do well to all of the kids starting back to school. This summer is going by so quickly it seems. Thank you to all of the wonderful teachers and supporting staff that help guide these children in their education. You are the best.
That’s it from the island for now; everyone have a great day and take care and stay cool.
