West Texas Wildflowers

Our part of the state is better known for tumbleweeds than wildflowers, but when we get a little spring rainfall, things change dramatically. I took a 30-minute stroll yesterday morning, and within a three-block area found sixteen different varieties of wildflowers. OK, most of them are technically flowering weeds, but, you know, potato/potahto. Some of… Continue reading West Texas Wildflowers

Spring Blooms

I look at the flowers on this lantana and think, “God, how do You do that?”

Dusk Storm

We were at the end of a post-dinner walk around the neighborhood and the sunset was striking. I had no camera other than my iPhone, but that seemed to work out pretty well.

Texas Mountain Laurel

The Texas Mountain Laurels are beautiful this spring. One of ours has been loaded with clusters of blooms that looked more like grapes than blossoms. They also smell like grape juice. I wish the flowers lasted longer. (Click for a bigger version.)

Baby Pome

Ever wonder what a pomegranate looks like in its very beginning? Well, wonder no more: To get a sense of the scale, those are my fingers holding the branch.

Snow Report: Historic but not Impressive?

Midland’s official snowfall yesterday totaled 4.5″ which, as some commenters implied in the previous post, is not worth sniffing at compared to what they’ve had in their northern climes. But put it in perspective: that total was the 9th heaviest snowfall in our area’s recorded weather history. Midland has never had more than 10 inches… Continue reading Snow Report: Historic but not Impressive?

“Snowpocalypse,” West Texas Style

We Texans pride ourselves on our fierce, independent toughness, able to overcome any obstacle with aplomb. Any obstacle, that is, except for 3″ of snow. I’m sure every West Texas-originated blog will carry reports of the snowfall that now blankets our area. That snowfall has practically shut down all public activities, including all local schools… Continue reading “Snowpocalypse,” West Texas Style

More Fog

Our weird winter weather continues today as we awoke to some of the thickest fog I can recall around here. It wasn’t quite as bad as the Tule fog in Bakersfield (which is so thick that cautious drivers stop at intersections with windows rolled down to listen for cross-traffic), but it still slowed down traffic… Continue reading More Fog

Oh, Snap!

We were giving two of my aunts a tour of our neighborhood’s walking path and ponds and I spotted a unusual shape in the stream about fifty feet in front of us. I rushed to the side of the stream and Could. Not. Believe. My. Eyes. (that’s how the cool kids express extreme surprise). That’s… Continue reading Oh, Snap!