TEXAS LIVING!

GOSH! So many different topics to comment on! Remember, just differences, not necessarily right vs. wrong here. And also just my opinions and may not always agree with yours! WEATHER – Yesterday Dallas Morning News had an interesting tid-bit on house flies. Headline read, “Then came the flies: Wet weather breeds explosion.” And 1st paragraph read, “As if North Texas needed another reason to lament the recent abundance of rain: It’s causing an explosion in the housefly population.” Yet we’re not really having a problem with house flies, as long as we keep doors closed and garbage dumped regularly. We noticed when we first arrived in Texas; we really didn’t see flies like we did in SW Washington. Or other bugs for that matter. Although recently there has been a sudden increase in crickets, but mostly where there are bright lights, like overhead lighting at shopping centers. One other weather related comment! Along with the fly article, the paper gave the July rainfall amount, 4.76 inches in 2007 – the 10th highest amount on record. Normal July rainfall is 2.12 inches! TEXAS DRIVERS – I always thought some NW drivers were bad about lane changes without using their ‘blinkers’ and also following too close to the car in front of ‘em. Oh my! Dallas area drivers may be the worst! Last night we went to dinner downtown for Wade’s father-in-law Dennis’ birthday. Drivers drove 75 in posted 60 mph zones, talking on their cell phones, NOT using their ‘blinkers’ for lane changes and for some, also eating a What-a-Burger’! I suppose it could be said that it is all relative, you notice it more here because there a zillion more cars. And remind me to mention highway signing in another posting! WATER CONSERVATION – Now that our lakes are full, and in some cases, over-full, our drinking water concerns are currently relieved. Since we arrived in December ’05, N. Texas has been under drought conditions, and therefore water restrictions. We could only water one day a week and couldn’t wash cars or hose off cement. With all the recent rainfall, water restrictions were loosened up and we have been able to water twice weekly and now wash cars as long as an automatic shut-off nozzle was used. The North Texas Municipal Water District and the City of Allen are under pressure by residents to cancel all water restrictions. I am opposed to such a move and have written e-mails to local officials addressing my concerns. With record-setting population increases and residential & commercial construction, and the probable return of drought conditions, let’s set a new status quo for water consumption and think about our future. Donna and I had no problem keeping our lawns green when we watered only once a week. I got a speedy reply with great answers from the City, but haven’t heard a word out of the Water District! I praised previous conservation efforts by Clark PUD and gave local officials their web site link to get some ideas! We love livin’ in Texas!