3/28/14

BEFORE the flooding


We need to think about the changes coming. Many of us already see them. There are fewer butterflies, fewer frogs, seasons come sooner than expected. And flooding, flooding is coming. I don't expect the waters to get high at my house, I'm far enough from the river to not worry. But my home could become an island. It's happened before when we had to drive a long distance to go a short distance. The area between here and there was covered in water. It was inconvenient, for some it was devastating. It won't happen soon. For now the drought dries up the river and everything in it. Fewer butterflies, fewer frogs, swimming holes gone.

The reservoir that now covers the south end of the old family ranch is now void of water. My father could once again walk the land he walked as a boy.

The prompt for Sepia Saturday this week is open to interpretation, as they always are. I see the calm before the storm.

I will leave you with this lovely farm with the river in the distance and the promise that flooding is coming, we just don't know when.


Click on image to see it larger.

22 comments:

  1. It looks so peaceful and lovely. I hope it stays that way as much as possible.

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  2. Mmmhh, you are being contemplative T+L this week. Anything to do with the 5th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, due to be released tomorrow by the United Nations? Obviously I haven't read it yet, but the commentary on drafts seen by reporters is that it makes depressing reading. An average temperature rise of 2 degrees and a sea level rise of a metre by the end of this century seems almost a certainty.

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    1. Indeed. I fear the island of Midway on which I once lived will be no more. A bird sanctuary now, it's sad to think such a beautiful place will be gone.

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  3. I loved the Johnny Cash video.

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  4. I suppose you're going to skip Russell Crowe's movie "Noah" which opens this weekend? Maybe Johnny Cash's song will play when they roll the credits.

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    1. Yeah, Noah and I wouldn't be a good match. I always think of the old Bill Cosby routine.

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  5. I suppose a good rule of thumb is that if you can see a river you are under threat by it. Just looked out of my window and I can actually see a river in the far distance (the River Calder) which, given what I have just proclaimed, is a bit worrying!

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  6. I was on the river this past Saturday looking at a "high water" mark that was about 15 feet up an old oak tree. The tree stood on the bank, and was at least 20 feet above the water level - which was "high" already! It continues to rain here - 3 days running now.

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    1. After a sleepless night because of my sick dog I got up to take him to the vets. I had no idea there was rain scheduled for today, but it's coming down in buckets. Only the insane were driving the speed limit today. And then having my dog get sick in the car and having to keep the windows up…what a grand day it's been. But I'm happy for the rain. In fact I need to get the sump pump out to put out front because lake Oh My Gosh is rising at the front door.

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    2. I hope you and your dog are okay today.

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    3. Actually I just returned from my aunt and uncle's funeral this weekend. It's been a very tough year. Thank you for asking.

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  7. I don't live in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but the fine folks of Hatteras frequently become islanders whenever there's a hurricane. One day there will be no repair possible, I suppose.

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  8. Oh tthat old Cash song...hope not too many play the same here in the midwest as the thaws are underway. I wonder about the farm photo, how far away is that water, and is that a dyke or berm?

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    1. I wish I knew where the photo was taken, but there's no information on it. It's quite idyllic.

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  9. That Johnny Cash video is amazing. Are they his boots by the chair? And I love the old enamel coffee pot and the relaxed nature of the studio. Ah yes I remember Bill Cosby..."What's a cubit?"...my favourite line.

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    1. I was really thrilled to find that video. The song kept running through my head.

      Yes, the cubit! Loved that.

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  10. Your writing this week read like poetry - well done

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    1. Thank you. I chalk it up to a lack of sleep.

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  11. Johnny Cash was one of my first thoughts too for this week's theme.

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    1. It is such a simple yet powerful song and Cash was the perfect voice for it.

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  12. And yes. We need to think about that. Seriously.

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