Rain and Drought

   This picture is taken from the back patio last May during a strong thunderstorm.  You can see the water pooling between the shop and garden.  This is a normal occurrence here....usually.
   We had what I would call a "mini-drought" last summer.  Nothing at all like much of the country experienced (and still is in some parts).  Our normal is about 48 inches per year, average of 4" per month, a normal range of 2.5 to 5.5 per month.Last winter was normal through January....February and March were 3" each, so a little dry.  Then just 1/2" in April and along with the higher than normal temperatures, things began to dry out significantly.  May had 2" early, than a long dry spell until 2 more in early June. 
   Now understand, this area has very heavy clay soils with a lot of rock underground (sometimes not that far underground, or even protruding). It drains poorly and then dries out fast.  So by late June, I was feeding hay to the cattle as the pasture literally looked like Rice Krispies.  The first cutting of local grass hay had not been good and prices doubled from $30-$35 per 4x5 round bale to $65 and hay was being hauled in from other states. 
   But then on July 4 we got some rain.  As July progressed, it rained more, the grass started to grow again and we ended July with 8.5" followed by 4.5" in August and a whopping 11" in September!  October was normal at 5.5", November was dry at 1.5" but so far we have 3.2" in December. 
   After the moisture returned in July everyone was making hay all the rest of the season.  I bought 25 bales of first cutting in early June for $30 and then 20 bales of good late season hay for $25 last month, so back to normal.
   I sure pray that this is a normal year coming up for so many of you in drought stricken areas and that you will enjoy many rainbows after the storm.

And many sunsets as beautiful as this Tennessee sunset !!