A whole host of folks should be absolutely elated by the fact that it rained before St. Patrick’s Day. You see, it’s been said that once it rains a lot of people will try to take credit for the rain coming to our fair Valley of the Pecan. St. Patrick’s Day & the Irish are fabled for the “Luck”, so we certainly feel a lot more lucky than we were prior to precipitation.

St. Patrick’s Day is a day for a lot of fun & foolery over our land that was originally observed mainly by the Irish immigrants in the cities of the Northeastern part of the Country. They had so much fun celebrating one of their national holidays of their native Emerald Isle that the rest of our citizens decided to join in and give them a hand. Back in Kerrville, the VFW Post held a day long celebration with Irish Stew, Corned Beef & Cabbage, washed down with green tinted beer. The County Judge, Judge Julius Neunhoffer, was one of the most loyal patrons of the day-long activity. My two most favorite folks of Irish descent around these parts happen to be Ms. Lillian Adams & Lady Z. I usually fix them a dish or two for the day, such as Irish Lamb stew or Corned Beef, with cabbage, onion, & Irish Potatoes. Anyhow, they both enjoy it immensely & it keeps me off the hook for a short while.

Now, back to last week’s rainfall. I made myself a list of amounts in certain gauges and reports from several folks around the County, but alas, this humble scribe has lost the list. Anyhow, I’ll try to do the best as my ol’ memory will serve on “estimates” around the County. Daddy’s gauge had about 3.60” over at the house, 3.55” here at Tony’s “Onliwon-Pecan Place” on our joining fence post, and 4.05” registered at the Garvin on Johnny Brown Lane close to Five-Mile Hill. Mike Ivy reported 4.1 across the river at the Pecan Plantation, Jr. Goode got nearly 4” between Fairview & China Creek, with R. Trujillo turning in 3.60 for Algerita. Ms. Sue said the Cherokee School station measured a bit over 5” and Randy said that he & Tammie registered right a 4 ¾” down on the Creek. I think Holland Hill said about 3.60” at the McDowell and Happy Holler was running well when Son, Will & I crossed down at the ol’ Towerton Place. Richland Creek was running down behind the Baxter at Harkeyville, the San Saba was about a foot-flushed, Rough Creek was well over the slab down at the ol’ Parks’ Mill, and many of the stock tanks ran around or at least, nearly filled. It is somewhat short of amazing how a 3-4 inch rain can put so many smiles on faces following an extended dry spell. A good rain might well be the best invested “Stimulus” package we should get around our County.

Pecan producers are still planting some new trees in “skips” in the orchards, chiseling the middles & aerating, finishing up some pruning, and putting down their first application of fertilizer. It might be wise to make this application a bit heavier than the next ones, as fertilizer might be as good of a price as we will see during the season. In regard to the rainfall, the Pecan orchard managers might be most responsible for the rain as most of them had just finished their initial irrigation of this season. The Mayor & I really don’t care too much as to who might take the credit as long as we keep receiving our fair share out around—————Harkeyville!!!!