Having been in Texas for almost 5 years now (and before you all get your knickers in a twist - no this is not a 'bash the great state of Texas' rant) and I've noticed a few things different than where I used to live.  For instance, we have 'bug of the month' and I kid you not. May was fleas, June was cicidea month.  July was grasshopers...the little ones which are just annoying and the big suckers which fly at you.  August...now we are looking at crickets...and damn it all if there isn't one in the bedroom and while I've been told repeatedly by those 'who know' that it is bad luck to kill a cricket in the house...if I find that little sucker whose been keeping me awake nights by singing to me his primordial need to find a mate -- he's gonna get fed to the turtles...(my reasoning being that technically the turtle will be the one to do the dirty deed.  BTW, the turtles have their own timeline...being destined to be turned into pouches for renn faire. 

We've been in a drought situation now for months. Hay is off the charts, the price of meat is dropping (people are being forced to sell their stock since they can't feed or water them), some arre breaking out of their pens searching for feed and water, which is not to say that the ranchers are getting a good price for any of their stock.  People are turning their pets loose, so I predict a rise in a year or so of wild dogs attacks, and a rise in feral cat populations.  Animals are coming down out of wild places, there is no food and they come for water -- snakes (the dog found a copperhead snake the other day in the back yard), ardvarks, raccons, deer, possoms, squirrels, mice, and the birds...all come to the water bowls I leave out. 

Plants are stressed, no matter how much I water -- I've lost 2 more roses I brought with me from my last garden - one very special to me which I've slipped and moved for 6 gardens is no more.  One of the 3 last maple trees went too....a rare one given to me.  As much as this upsets me, the Mother has planted Her own replacements in their place  - Texas elm and oak, red 'Mexican' salvia, bulbs of yellow, red and white pop up where I carefully transplant some of them into my flower beds and put a few in a pot for transport if necessary. 

As I walked up the road home from work today, I hear crows.  Crows are not common around me and only 2 people possess the ability to send them - Carrie and  Jackie.  Jackie can reach me anytime, Carrie is most likely - I know her son has been ailing with bronchial issues - tho this seems 'over the top' for even her.  I note that the vultures (black chickens as The Man calls them) have begun cleaning the latest 2 skulls put out.  Lady hawk cries and swoops around the freshly mown field, searching for small prey. 

The full moon is coming ... and the moon phases affect me strongly.  Tonight it rained and not just a little gentle rain either.  I could hear the last few cicideas' singing their frenzied mating song before they pass on.  Their bodies litter my porch and are fed to the turtles, a small aided circle of life.  The crickets are quiet suddenly as the wind kicks up.  The trees bend and cry out...stressed as parts break off and hit the tin roof of the garage.  Rain comes, whipped by the wind...sideways.  I stand out in it listening to the thunder of Thor (wondering what why my brother sends me his flashes of temper) and the answering flash of lightning --in an age-old mating dance of the Sky God and Mother Earth, rain being the blessing of their union poured out upon us.  I dance, let my body sway and become wet to the skin...calling upon the Goddess and the God to bring us more rain......not caring if the neighbors see this old woman talking to the sky and calling in the rain with her hair wet and mud on her ankles.  Yes I know it is dangerous to be out in the thunder and lightning...if the Goddess wants me...believe me...She has my address. 

I come in, wipe up the puddles of water, put on a pot of lima beans and sausage...gonna make it thick like a stew with veggies for Sunday.  Homemade biscuits.  A small spinach salad with tomatos, sweet red onions and yellow bellpeppers - blue cheese dressing is what I've planned for The Man and I to eat.  The 'stew' will cook for slowly for about 8 hours to incorporate all the herbs and veggies into it. 

I contemplate a shower and bed...not out of the realm of possibilities....before mid-night....double shift at work tomorrow.  I mentally check off my list of hings to do, what should be done, and what will have to wait....*Sigh....