Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Falling Leaves

 I think a lot about my blogging friends in the South in this year of extreme drought and fire.  It was brought to mind even more clearly yesterday, when I looked at my yard, and saw all of the leaves down.  These aren't Fall leaves, they are green, but dry, crumpled and deformed.  The leaves on the trees look the same.  These leave are a product of the moderate drought we experienced this Summer.

That drought was over by August, when the rains finally started.  But, the damage had been done, and the results are still manifesting themselves.  I think to myself, if the comparatively mild drought we had here can do this, what damage is being done to all of the living things in the severe drought areas, damage that may take months, or years to show itself. 

I can't do anything to help, to make this horrible drought go away, or to stop the fires.  All I can do is say how sorry I am that all of you good people are going through this, and how much I wish that the rains would come -- nice gentle rains that fall at a steady, but not overwhelming, rate for days.  Rains that would sink deep down into the Earth, renewing the soil and refreshing all that it touches.  Rains that would fill your lakes and ponds, and put out the fires that have taken so many homes and taken away so much of your way of life.

So much hurt, to so many good people and, all I can say is "I'm sorry."

17 comments:

Samantha said...

I was just thinking about this!
We have so many leaves coming down..just dried up..but I can't imagine how terrible it is in real drought areas.

Sharon said...

We have lots of leaves on the ground already, crunchy and brown, so odd for September. Pretty sad, yep.

TexWisGirl said...

you just made me cry. ;)

Dreaming said...

The weather patterns have been really kookie. I hope things return to 'normal'!

Jim said...

An 'I'm sorry' can do wonders! Great things (gestures) come in small packages.

Thanks for your comment today.....I agree to the extent that 'things' better change soon for your country....because what happens to the US happens to the rest of the world.....at least for now. Hope is always important and voting for individuals who feel the same way.

My Mind's Eye said...

Well said and a very thoughtful caring post.
Hugs Madi and Mom

JJ Roa Rodriguez said...

I am so sorry myself. My prayers for everyone experiencing this. God bless!..

Take care everyone!

JJRod'z

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Hello Louise!! I'm slowly getting caught up on everyone's blog, and I've enjoyed reading yours this evening. I love the name of 'Tucker' for your stray cat, it suits 'him!' I've not seen our stray in a long time and hope 'she' is okay too!!

I feel the same way you do about the drought--We had pouring rain again tonight and I wish that our friends in Texas and other places would be able to have some of it--I'd gladly share with them if I could, and I know you would too!

chickenunderwear said...

Your leave are a little more advanced that the ones we have in Brooklyn. Our's are still sticking to the trees.

Terry said...

We've been very dry since the start of July, but it's been pouring all day. Maybe elsewhere too?

ME said...

I would also like to say sorry just like the way you did. I wish rains come and put an end to the drought which has created havoc in the lives of so many people.I will remember them in my prayers.
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John Going Gently said...

you have a big heart louise

KB said...

You are so sweet and empathetic. I feel very sorry too. That was us last fall and could be us again sometime soon.

Folkways Note Book said...

Louise -- yes, the deep south has suffered from a long drought. And I agree with you the extent of damage is yet to be revealed.

There is a good site online that shows the areas of drought and discusses them in a historical context. This is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Climate Data Center.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/drought/

This site gives a good overview of the present and past problems of drought. I thought you might like to check it out?

-- barbara

Anonymous said...

Barbara, the broad scale overview that shows the 1930s to 1950s were characterized by prolonged periods of extensive droughts with little wetness helps to see things in perspective. Thanks for the link.

Louise, you have a kind heart. Don't be sad.

Vicki Lane said...

We are dry -- but not in drought conditions. Rain, gentle, moderate rain, is such a blessing.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Awwww. Such a beautiful heartfelt post.

We've been dealing with serious drought and fires for over a year. Our monsoon season barely lasted two weeks last year and only gave us a couple inches. Winter was also meek and stingy with the moisture.

But this year's kooky weather has given us a heavy and lengthy monsoon season with almost daily rain storms, some that have even lasted for 4-6 hours, when we are used to sudden bursts of rain, which then subside in 15 minutes to an hour. The temps have really dropped quickly here and it's down right cold at night and into the mid 40s. We're all grateful for the moisture because we so desperately need it, but we haven't had rain this late in the season for more than 16 years.
A friend who lives a little higher than us at 8,000 ft elevation told me yesterday that they had a snow flurry the day before! This just all makes me nervous about what this year's winter will bring.
With the hay shortages, a bitterly cold and snowy winter could prove devastating for those of us with livestock.

~Lisa