Good Lord willing ...

I really want to post about the last two days of my glorious trip to California back in December (see part 1 and 2 here and here).  But I took so many pictures because it was SO PRETTY I can't work up to sorting through them.  So, today, I'll post things of here at home, at the JustB :o)

It doesn't rain a whole lot in our part of Texas.  Last summer brought us brutal drought conditions. It was so hard to see the JustB shrinking in the heat.  There were cracks all over the ground that went clear to China.

But spring always brings the hope of rain, and rain we've gotten!  Our property is bordered on three sides by creeks that are sometimes wet, sometimes dry.  They run south to a lake that is sometimes wet, sometimes (nearly) dry.   I grew up in the Texas Panhandle, and I was convinced that wind is the most powerful force of nature.  But I've changed my mind ... I think it's water.  The drastic effect (affect?) of lots of rain on the creek fascinates me.

Here's what the creek looked like before the rain ...

and here's the same spot after ...

Part of the creek bank crumbled into the water right while I was standing there. 

The banks of this creek are about 20 feet at their highest.  

Another spot before ...

and now after ...

A spot with lots of debris and trees falling into the creekbed before ...

and after ...

the water clears all the stuff right out.  

Here's a video ... remember, the creek was a shallow, slow-flowing stream the DAY BEFORE ...

Amazing power.

I could hear a waterfall and braved the weeds and vines to see what was making the water rush ...

 LtDan calls these spiky things "Wait A Minute" vines, and for good reason ...

Here's what was making all the noise:  a downed tree, with green leaves sprouting.  The roots just weren't strong enough to withstand the waterflow.  Goodbye, tree :o(

The treeline is normally dry ... but with heavy rain, a small river runs through it and you can see the water flowing from the back porch, 50 yards away ...

My sister asked my 93 yearold Dad if he wanted to go out and see all the flooding.  

His response?  "Oh, I've seen water."

Perhaps that's how you feel?  Okay.  Next I'll post pics of California.  

Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.