July 2009

July was stifling; heat waves shimmered off the sun baked ground, cracks opened across parched fields and lawns, gardens withered and died. Temperatures rose daily into the 100 degree range...causing everything, human, and animal to scurry for a shady place to survive. Plants yellowed, drooping and ceased to produce fruit.

July’s blistering heat and rainless days finally came to an end two weeks ago. Much needed rains came in waves, one each week for a while. The cloud covered sky and the rains also brought a break in the days of 100 degree plus days...both a blessing.

The road sides and the un-watered yards quickly returned to green. Our grass was fortunate as we have lake water to keep it green (others suffered if they were part of the city’s water conservation measures).

However, with all good things, it came to an end. Crystal blue skies returned with only puffy clouds to tease and remind us of rain clouds. Temperatures quickly came back, turning the moist ground into a steam bath of evaporation. Oh...did I mention the mosquitoes? They too rejuvenated by the rains have burst forth in ever larger numbers...and hungry!

It seemed like only yesterday that we wished for warmer weather...now (how quickly we forget) we are counting the days until the first cool days of fall begin.

Never happy, always complaining we march through time wishing something else and not seeing the blessings in what we have. I’m looking...really!, for the positives of 100 degree plus dry days...”really!”

July 4, 2009

Well another Landrum family reunion is history (and a long history it is...two years!), the food consumed and the tables cleaned everyone settled in to wait for the evening fireworks display.

Our community of Onalaska puts on a great 4th. of July fireworks display, this year complete with a military “flyby”.

However, as evening approached, the wispy hot wind of the day gave way and the winds began to kick up on the lake (the best place to view the fireworks) and the wave became large and choppy.

A few brave neighbors dared to venture out...”our crew” elected to sit on the dock and see what the neighbors would produced...and produce they did!

As darkness pushed away the scorching sun, homes up and down our cove began a“dueling fireworks display!” It was almost like...”Ok...that was nice but check this one out!” Kaboom...and the rockets’ red glare burst through the night sky. Left bank, right bank, up the cove and down the cove they launched their best to a chorus of “ahhhh and ooohhhh”. (This pictures does not even begin to do justice to the show)

The show in Onalaska lasted about forty five minutes plus a rough boat ride back, for those who dared, (wind and waves)...ours lasted about an hour plus...and we stayed dry...well from water anyway.

The day had been “Texas Hot” (103°) but the air-conditioning and the breeze on the dock kept us cool.

The Old Men and the Boat

Have you ever observed something that caught your imagination? Maybe a dilapidated old barn covered with vines, a old tractor sitting rusting in a field or a boat moored that hadn’t been moved or touched in a long time? What was their history, who were their owners and why had they been allowed to waste away?

Well I recently found one of those questionable old relics. Across from our dock, on the other side of our cove was a large old boat house, covered in cobwebs and bird dropping. The siding came down almost to the dock so it was hard to see what treasury was hidden there. As we would motor past the old building you could tell, hidden inside, that it was a fairly large old wooden boat, maybe thirty feet long or longer hanging on straps.

Recently we observed our neighbor across the way starting to pull off the old siding, re-nailing many of the old dock planks and cleaning up the boat house. Now, mostly uncovered, we could see that indeed it was a large old wooden cabin cruiser. I spent a little time on the internet trying to identify the old boat. I couldn’t find one like it; however, I feel it is a 1930 – 1940 vintage boat.

Curiosity now really had me…so I drove around to the other side of the cove and knocked on the door. Introducing myself I explained my curiosity. Smiling my neighbor explained that he had just bought the property and really didn’t know anything about the boat as it had already been sold and he was waiting for the new owners to come and take it away.

To his knowledge and checking with our other neighbors, the boat had been there for years and that several years ago the old man and another old man began a restoration. Replacing some of the hull planking, repairing topside rot and varnished the cabin, they slowly worked away. Seems they were cranky old men, they were reported to have long, loud and sometimes angry disagreements on how to proceed that could be heard up and down the cove. (I could almost see Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau).

Eventually the restoration stopped, the siding was put up and no one saw the old men or any work being done on the boat. Time went on and the spiders returned and did their work covering the boat barn with cobwebs and the birds decorated the roof and decks with colorful splattering of their droppings.

Our new neighbor has promised to find out more about the old men and to ask the new owners of the boat about its history. So…there will have to be a part two to this story.

Until then…here is a picture of the old boat, the afternoon light dancing patterns across its hull, waiting for “the rest of the story.”

Heat Advisory:

The sun rose over the eastern horizon to an already hot Texas landscape. Soon the morning dew was shimmering in evaporation, adding to the already oppressive humidity. Open burning bans and water rationing are being instituted in our county and surrounding counties. Fortunately we are allowed to pump water from the lake.

Welcome to a hot Texas summer.

An unusually mild spring has abruptly changed into an early and very hot summer. Heat advisories are up everywhere and the sounds of air-conditioner are grinding away, valiantly trying to keep their occupants cool.

Lawn mowers are cranked up in the early morning hour, adding to the air-conditioner hum, to add a wakeup call. However, given the heat, mowing in the early morning hours, while the temperature in “only” in the 80’s, is the only way!

By late morning the neighborhood mowers, yard workers, walkers and anyone liking the outdoors are forced back into their air-conditioned shelters...waiting for the cool of evening .

Air-conditioning...wow, I can’t believe, that as a boy in the 50’s and 60’s, we lived without air-conditioning, and in Houston no less!

Well the lawn is mowed, the water turned on...now it’s time to go back to the cool of the house.

LIFE ON THE LAKE

It is now early June, the heat is really starting to set in and yard needs water every other day. So...sitting down on the dock has to wait until late afternoon. One of the enjoyable parts of our evenings on the dock is watching the ducks. Several of the ducks now have little ones, “ducklings”.

One of interest is a duck that showed last year, a white duck that we named “Aflac”. Now all of our ducks are your basic mallards so a white duck really sticks out! Well “Aflac” is now a mother, having paired up with a “regular” mallard, and has produced an unusual brood of ducklings...two yellow ones and two standard little brown ducklings.

Like the elusive Loc Ness monster, “Aflac” has been hard to photograph, as she stays down the cove from our house and I’ve only been able to get a glimpse of her as I pass in my boat. For now I will just have to show you a grainy photo of her scurrying away with her little brood. This amalgamation of ducks has caused a great controversy up and down the cove...”will the two yellow ducks eventually turn white (like their mother) or will they join their siblings as your standard mallard duck?” Stay tuned for the next episode of the “Darwin Ducks.”

The days are becoming warmer...but hey it's Texas! Bobbie garden is blooming and the first fruits of her labor have already been eaten. Lush, juicy ripe tomatoes are now gracing many of our meals. I really love ripe tomatoes with just salt and pepper...nothing better (yummy...is that a word?). Green beans are now coming off and soon we will have others to add to the boundy of her garden. Eggplant, asparagus, beans, tomatoes, okra and fresh herbs are now available to compliment the catfish, white bass and crappie...all fresh and all deliciously prepared. The Good Lord has indeed blessed us!

The Church on the Lake

We visited a small church on Sunday, on a hill , in the trees and overlooking a lake. A beautiful place for a church...I was moved to capture the moment...here are a few words "trying" to capture those magical moments.

The Church on the lake

Down the dusty road,
thick trees providing a canopy of shade,
glimpses of the lake flicker by,
no hint of the glory to behold

Almost hidden in the trees
a wrought iron gate appears
announcing a cemetery
and a church on the hill.

Up the winding drive you see,
the small neatly maintained cemetery,
grave stones marking history’s tribute
to those passing through.

Then the stone pillared porch framing the door,
that when opened is flooded with light,
mornings glorious light off the lake,
that baths the sanctuary with a heavenly light.

Music made by man pours out
paying tribute to God’s glory,
as the beauty of the trees and lake pour in
showing the best of Gods creation.

Love and harmony,
praise and prayer,
well up from all within,
the little church on the lake.