24 Hours in the Texas Hill Country

Early in the year we had a small break in the drought, but the drought is not over. At one point today our thermometer showed 109 degrees. We have not seen a drop of rain since June 11 and we only had a little over an inch in May. There is no grass and we had to get out a big roll of hay for the cows on Tuesday.

The cows were happy.

The cows are still happy.

Let me introduce the newest member of the herd: New Guy. He was born Tuesday night or sometime Wednesday. Cows usually hide the calves for a few days before bringing into the herd. He looks healthy and strong.


Isn't this a face that only a mother would love? This is the second batch of barn swallows that nest just a few feet from our bedroom door.

I tried to capture a photo of a couple of young bucks yesterday evening, but I'm not up on what to expect from my telephoto lens. All were out of focus as I am still in the learning stage. I spotted the deer when I was throwing the ball to Luc; looked to be four pointers. They could have been ten pointers and they would have been safe from us. We are not into hunting, field dressing, and all that. But, when it comes to the creepy crawly thing below, well, let's just say I have no second thoughts! I grab my weapon and go to work.

Ugh. Horrible isn't it? I walk around barefooted all the time. However, this morning I saw this dreadful centipede in the hallway. He doesn't look too good for I had smashed him with the weapon below.

The weapon is a fireplace shovel. We've lived out here since 1982 and this is the first centipede found in our house and the second centipede that I have ever seen. Last year we saw one heading for the house one night when we took the dogs out for their nightly sentry check. :D It was bigger and longer. We learned something that night. You whacked 'em full force, full body for if you bring the weapon down cutting it in half, it runs off and you can't find it. I've gotten use to scorpions; but if I had stepped on this thing with bare feet this morning, hubby would still be trying to get me to come down from the ceiling. BTW, I'm wearing shoes, no more bare feet for me until I forget about it, but I may have nightmares for a week.

To end on a happy note, here is hubby communing with Pico, the bull.

Until next time, God bless.