One would surely think that 2 months of constant windy weather would at least blow up a bit of rain. Most of the folks that I’ve been visiting with on the subject as of late have been keeping their fingers crossed for the percentage promised the past few days. At this writing, we are expecting a cool front to come into our Fair Valley of the Pecan, probably by the time you are reading this. I haven’t been paying very much attention to the weathermen on the tube lately, but Marvin Riggs keeps me pretty well informed down at the Fuel Stop over across the tracks. He’s about the most dependable regarding the weather now that Calvin Hector has departed for better fishing holes. I know we’ll appreciate any moisture received, but we surely need to have to slop around in the mud for a few days.

Drought, dry spells, and the shortage of water usually bring about some changes in our normal activities. Some that I’ve noticed the past few months are a lot more folks buying new tanks to haul water with, several new irrigation systems being installed around the County, as well as water well service vehicles and drilling rigs staying pretty busy all over the area. We are pretty lucky to live in an area of geological faults, fissures, and underground caverns that lend to a lot of springs. San Saba County happens to be listed as being the number 2 County in Texas in the amount of caves, has several artesian wells around the County, and quite a list of strong springs. There are a lot of things that we’ve learned to get along without during hard times, but water is not one of those.

There are several cultural & social signals of the advent of Spring. A few that we’ve noticed over the years happen to be increased activity in the yard, garden, orchard, and fields following the extended dormancy of the winter months. One of Daddy’s time-honored aspects of this factor was that of Jackrabbit Reyes ordering a new load of top-soil dumped in his garden up off Annex. Ernest didn’t like to use fertilizer, but insisted that a new load of Daddy’s “dirt” each year was all that was needed. The new “dirt-dust” twins now are Dixie Hewitt & Lisa Schulze up on Commerce. If you ever happen by there, you will notice that their diversity of landscape resemble a nursery or garden center.

Now, getting back to the watering issue. Dry, droughty periods help remind us of plants needing watering. We’re seeing several folks around town & the country turning on the hydrants to help lawns, gardens, trees, and other landscape plants break bud & initiate new growth. We should have watered periodically during the dormant months, but too often seem to forget or procrastinate on the chore. Anyhow, a number of the Pecan producers are irrigating orchards & bottoms as well as some hay & grain fields. The San Saba seems to be keeping pace even with the increased irrigation activity, but reports of several wells being at a lower ebb or even dry have been noted. A good rain will help some, but we’re going to need a good bit more to get out of this dastardly dry time.

I enjoyed a short visit with Ernest Laird at the Town & Country coffee counter early Tues. morning. He & Nana Sue were making their way up to Brownwood with a whole host of grandkids. He also sent word from a golfing buddy of his around Seguin that many of us ol’ Armadillo ball players remember from our Llano games, namely, one Dexter Smith. Dexter was one tough running fullback that is reported to have set a scoring record as a Texas freshman back in the days of the Aggie Fish, T.C.U Wogs, and t.u. Shorthorns. Anyhow, good to hear from an ol’ friend from High School ball days as well as Coppers Cove. I shan’t divulge Laird’s school days nickname, but it seemed to be borrowed from a comic strip character.

I had a few more items of interest for the “News” this week, but time & space compells this humble scribe to move on with the Mayor out around——————————Harkeville!!!!!!!!