"Drought 2008 and Other Things"

Weather, weather everywhere turned upside down by the gulf stream and highs and lows. When it is severe in one area of the country it is usually severe in other areas. Well, for us during the past several weeks we have been experiencing a drought. Last year was the wettest year on record and so far this year it is the driest year on record. The daily temperatures reach a 100 degrees. If you live in Texas you know this is the way it is. We like to think we can get use to this, but in truth we don't like it. For us the greatest danger is a fire. We are remote, and with the strong winds that have accompanied the drought, a fire would be devastating. We also are mindful that wells do go dry. We clean the live scorpions out of our kitchen sink every morning as they look for water. Enough of the negative stuff, want to here about the funny, good events that float into our life as a result of a drought? Well, here is how it is here at our cabin in the woods, as everyone tries to beat the heat.
We realize it is difficult for all the wild animals to find food and water as we continue to receive no rain. So, Gypsy and I decided to get the metal wash tub out of the garage, fill it with water, and put it out at the feeding area located next to her five foot high, cedar post, rabbit fence. (by the way, rabbits can get under it) She wanted it close in case some wild critter showed up to get a drink and eat. All our birdbaths were full of fresh, cold well water and we kept the tub at Gypsys fence full as well. We doubled the amount of corn and grain we were putting out at the feeding area and hung a new log cabin birdfeeder outside our kitchen window, where we see the Painted Buntings everyday. We put an old retired bird feeder out by the bunkhouse. We were ready. All we had to do was sit back and wait.
Now, we realize it is hot outside, but a wiley, fox squirrel showed us just how hot. Gypsy was inside snoozing on the big, navy blue leather sofa she has claimed now that it is too hot for her bed on the small, navy blue leather sofa. I was house cleaning the cabin when something out in the Angel Patch (inside the area we fenced for Gypsy full of angels, flowers and housing a birdbath)caught my eye. I stopped and took a closer look. A fox squirrel was sitting in the birdbath, with its front feet on the edge facing the cabin. It was making sure it was not surprised if I happened to open the porch door and let Gypsy out. Its tail was in the water as well as its derriere. It actually looked pretty content, so I didn't tell Gypsy it was there. She was also content napping on the sofa on a very hot Texas Hill Country afternoon. Her right, rear knee has been bothering her, so she has had to rest a bit more than usual, or she just likes to sleep. I miss her company on my morning walk to the monastary.
Every Spring the animals that live in the woods give birth to their young. There is always a chance thay have not yet identified Gypsys area as off limits. As you probably remember we had a cat that almost didn't make it after being shaken like a rag doll after it wandered unknowingly inside Gypsys fence. I just happened to have that pan of water in my hand that was destined for Gypsys water bowl, which I threw on her so she would release the cat. She did and the cat got safely up a tree.
A young inexperienced rabbit looking for some greens to munch on entered Gypsys area through an ever so small opening under the rabbit fence. I just happened to see it and post haste went out and chased it back under the fence. Later, I went out and piled stones blocking the hole under the fence. Now, when I fill the water tub I let it run over so there is a small patch of yummy green grass and stuff. The rabbit puts its front feet on the tub and gets a big drink and then proceeds to eat the green grass. Jane Doe comes to eat and drink every evening. One time a fox and a rabbit met her there. There are many who come to this spot to eat and drink. They share well. Their hunger and thirst bring them out of hiding. Gypsy watches.
There have been other interesting events that I think relate to this dry weather. Each morning a blue jay chases a fox squirrel through the trees trying to prevent it from getting to the bird feeder on the opposite side of the fence from the feeding area. Even as the squirrel sits on the feeder the jay grabs its tail and pulls on it. The squirrel does not seem to be bothered and the jay finally gives up. Desperate situations give rise to desperate tactics.
This next story has nothing to do with the drought. It is just about life events at the cabin. Our first litter of feral kittens was born in my rock pile. Lucky is a good mother and after many weeks is still watching over her babies like a hawk. They are old enough now to come and eat on the porch. It was evident that Bobtail, Luckys mother, was expecting as well so, when she had delivered I searched for where she might be hiding her babies. I could not find them.
When David the plumber came to repair my broken septic line, he plugged his cord into the old outlet in the pumphouse. I suggested he unplug it from there and use the new outlet on the eletric poll nearby. He did. Later that day I found a dove had flown through the kitchen window of the bunkhouse and there was broken glass everywhere.(the cats got the dove before I could have it for dinner) After boarding up the window and cleaning up the broken glass, I started back to the cabin. I remembered that David had left the pumphouse door open. It occured to me there might be a cat locked in there as they tend to enter any door that is left open. So, I checked and sure enough Bobtail was in the pumphouse. I let her out and closed the door and went back into the bunkhouse to be sure I had turned everything off. Just because I am an incessant checker I decided to check for maybe another cat that might have been shut in the pumphouse. Sure enough there was a cat in there. But, wait, it was Bobtail. I had just let her out a few minutes ago. I checked closely and much to my surprise I saw three, tiny kitten tucked back in a corner. Bobtail was hissing at me to stay away. I returned her hissing by giving her a talking to for dropping those babies out on a hard, dirty cement floor. I checked around at the back of the pumphouse and noticed she had made an entrance where the hole was that would allow water to run out if the well pipes started to leak. I went back in the bunkhouse and tore up an old, flowered sheet that had been left there in an antique chest. I then went back to the pumphouse and spread the pieces of torn sheet on the floor for the kittens. It is a good place to have your kittens, dry and safe. Bobtail is a good mother and watches over her babies well. Soon they will be joining the others eating and playing on the porch.
The cats are off limits to Gypsy. She would get them if she could. She has decided to ask the vet not to weigh her again when we return Friday for her check up. Last visit he said she needed to lose five pounds. She thinks her collar is fitting a little looser so she is pretty sure she has lost those five pounds she had put on during the Winter. We think her leg gets alittle worse as we make a fuss over it and gently message it. She seems to limp less when she is pursuing a squirrel or chasing a vulture. We don't think she would fake it just to get attention, but we aren't sure. The fact is we are getting older and know there may be a few aches and pains that go along with this timely process. We know as long as we have each other our days will be rich and full. Merrick the seven year old son of Bill, who keeps this place running was here for a visit last week. After we had done a few things in the cabin and he had spent some time with Gypsy he said," You know what, you are really lucky to have a dog like Gypsy." I know.