Who says Northwest Arkansas can't have a hurricane ? Old Gustav proved it, didn't he ? Well, perhaps it wasn't a hurricane that hit Gravette and the area last week but the copious amounts of rain had earmarks of tropical downpours - I'm guessing. I've never seen a tropical downpour.
At any rate, Gravette ended with almost four inches of mostly-gentle rain over a 36 hour period, much less than areas south of here. There was some runoff but nothing spectacular. Even Beaver Lake, which drains from areas that received as much as 8-10 inches (if you can believe the reports ) was not adversely affected.
However, according to estimates, it will be November before the effects of earlier season rains are overcome throughout the White River drainage basin. Some campgrounds on Beaver are still not open.
The moisture this year has been welcome and unusual. And now that autumn is upon us, we have entered the wind-row season. I mean, that between showers and fresh-growing grass, by the time a person can get around to mowing the grass it is so tall the mower leaves wind-rows. Some almost big enough for baling.
This has been a good hay year, most farmers say. Since I've never been on a farm I really can't appreciate all the trials and uncertainties of farming that challenge. If you read Bill every week, those experiences can really result in some of the challenging opinions Bill relates.
I'm writing this Saturday morning, September 6. After work Friday I managed to get most of the back yard mowed and figured I'd get the rest mowed this afternoon. It takes at least half-a-day for the grass to dry enough to do a good job. Make that "fair "job when you consider my mowing.
But the sprinkles and a cloudy day will probably have to postpone the rest of my mowing until next week sometime. Then I'll really make the wind-rows. That's still better than shoveling snow or scraping ice, isn't it ? Autumn is upon us. It's a pleasant season, especially if it is long-lasting and fall colors are bright and cheerful before we enter those drab, dreary December days. But winter has its bright moments too. Nothing can be prettier than snowflakes settling softly on the terrain. Nothing can be more fun, especially for kids, than playing in the snow, the enjoyment of hot chocolate or cider and being warmed by a toasty fire. Four-seasons weather really is a blessing and we're situated in an area where we can enjoy all four of them. Sometimes they overlap disproportionately, but it's good to remember: There's always next year. Till next week. Or sometime.
-Dodie Evans
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