My daughter's exercise routine got off to an early start. Instead of the same pattern that she has been following for the past few months, with slight variations, she decided to find a completely new 'workout' programme. It was very different. I swallowed a great deal of pool water whilst attempting to swim, and not to laugh, as I watched her and Grant prance about beside the swimming pool. Of course, it was a variation on a theme, as all exercises are, but the added twists made them look like they were auditioning for a sixties movie about 'flower power'., perhaps, 'Hair!' "Let the sunshine. This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius", I started to sing, without thinking that it would cause me to swallow more water, and stall my attempts to make it to the other side. Why was I not sticking to my common practice, and swimming with my eyes closed!
The sun did shine! It shone late in the afternoon even though Aquarius was as far away as it could be on the astrological calendar! Despite my longing for a 'nice day', I have become increasingly aware of the lake levels, and our need for rainwater. Hard rain is good for the rivers and springs, soft for the ground. I don't ever remember being so conscious when I lived in Blighty, but then I do not think my emails were from local news stations reminding me that there is a heat advisory warning, and the 'aquifer' details. (There were not enough local radio stations or television channels to send emails!) Austin sits above the (apparently) 'environmentally-sensitive' Edwards Aquifer. Had you asked me 'what is an aquifer' twenty years ago, my geographical, and geological challenged mind would have told you "something to do with water?" The question mark would have been there as I know 'aqua' is water, but did it apply? Of course I knew 'aqua'. It's Latin! I am not always aware of how much Latin I actually know, but I do know the English language is full of it, along with several other languages, which are not American. However, I digress. There are signs here that tell us we are entering the 'Edwards Aquifer', and it is pertinent, when living somewhere, to know exactly where it is, or what it is to which you are 'entering'.
I had often wondered, 'Who the heck is Edward?' Actually, it is not 'Edward's', but 'Edwards'. Haden Edwards was born in Virginia and moved to Texas, not unlike my husband. However, his wife was not English and probably knew what an 'aquifer' was! Again, I digress, but again, when you enter into the 'Edwards Aquifer' region, you are entering my neighbourhood! Obviously, you could be anywhere from the boarders of Colorado to Arkansas and still be in 'my neighbourhood', but that is taking it to the extreme! Suffice it to say, that when you find out that you are in same region as one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world, you either want to know what it is, or what 'artesian' means, as it has a red 'spell check' line under it! Or maybe not! Either way, it is here, in Texas, and 'Let the sun shine' is a given!
I was actually 'away with the stars' for most of the week. The astrological clock does not define my days. My birth 'zodiac sign' gave way to a lion, and I did not even make a note! Not quite the dawning of the age of Aquarius but more like the 'midday' of another 'hot, hot, hot' Texas summer!
"Are you Tracie", asked the delivery lady, who appeared to be weighed down by what looked a not very heavy package. I nodded, and confirmed that indeed it was I. "Oh, they said I could leave this with you. The lady across the hall. She said that you would take this for her. Is that okay?" I nodded. "Which suite?" I asked. The delivery lady looked at the package and told me. "She said I could leave it with you. You sure that's okay?" I nodded again, and the asked, "Is she expecting this?" The look in her eyes was of thorough confusion, and I suddenly realised what I had said. "Of course she isn't! That is why she said I could leave it with you! Silly moose!" No, she did not say that, but I may have done! Having the knowledge that you are sitting atop one of the worlds most prolific artesian aquifers does not a genius make! I may look like I know what I am talking about, but sometimes this 'artesian well' does not run as deep as it looks! I accepted the package and watched a shaking head walk out of my office!
The lakes were not replenished during the first part of the week, and 'our Edwards' was probably sighing. Although not exclusively reliant upon rain water, it helps. (Yes, I have done my homework! More than I did when I was given geography homework at school! Don't tell my mum!) By Wednesday, it looked like we were in for a dry spell with no end in sight.
I drove across town on Wednesday for my nail appointment and left work early to go home and get supper ready. The previous evening had seen about six or seven neighbours come and go, which is a lot for our pool! I thought I may have to swim 'around' people again as I was home earlier. This was not the case. No one was there. I got in and started to swim. Half way through my laps my neighbour Jenny came down and sat herself on the side. It was unusual for her not to bring a 'floaty' or at least get in the water, but she sat on the side. When I finished, I heard her say something, but thought she was on the phone. "You didn't get the email?" I did not answer. I then realised she was talking to me! "What email?" It appeared that a stolen delivery truck was spotted and police had given chase, said chase ending at the entrance to our complex. The male driver had jumped out and ran into the wooded area. Animal control had been called, although Jen was not quite sure if the animal had escaped, or if it was sick, but either way, the police had advised everyone to stay inside until the area was deemed clear. She had come to sit with me so I was not alone. What wonderful neighbours I have! I was extremely grateful.
Samantha walked on Thursday, checking on me as I swam. I felt fairly safe as I took my early morning dip, as the dog walkers, and Raul would be wandering. The dawn was still yawning, and Aquarius seemed to asleep. She would be bearing no water today, obviously, but the sun would be shining in! Again! I had checked the local news and there had been no report of the events of yesterday. I could only assume that we were in the 'all clear', but felt a bit disloyal to Jen, because I had not yet received confirmation. Having said that, I had not received anything to say that we had been told to stay inside! Obviously this aquifer was not one of knowledge!
Raul told me that there had been a disturbance, and that the 'fugitive' had ran up the side of our complex, to the neighbourhood above, and not to the wooded area behind the pool. I had assumed he had run down rather than up, but then I assume you would run in the opposite direction of those who are trying to capture you, no matter if it is a harder run or not! Dana told me that we had been given the all clear! He had no idea what it was all about, but he knew it was over! The chihuahua had been rescued, (the enormous wild animal that I had mentally drawn in my mind's eye,) and taken away. The two females that the driver had left behind, (how gallant!) had been taken away too. Later in the day I saw Jenny and she said that there had been a problem with the 'block' emails and although the Chair had sent them out, he himself had not received one. Technology at its best! It was safe to swim!
Beams of smiles from the rocks that comprise 'our Edwards' could be felt as the rain started to fall on Friday afternoon. It fell, and fell. Lightening lit up the skies for nearly three hours, and thunder rumbled overhead. It appeared as if Aquarius had slipped and fallen, causing the entire contents of her cup to spill! A myth that 'our Edwards' would have totally debunked! We arrived home just as the skies started to show signs of that sunshine! I swam in between storms and the rain ceased by sunset, which was the most glorious sight!
I got quite wet, again, on Saturday. It had nothing to do with 'our Edwards', Aquarius or falling into an artesian aquifer. It as care of my daughter. We headed out on our way to the shops, and discussed the 'secret' plans for my husband's birthday 'party'. He knew we were going out for dinner, but had no idea who would be joining him, other than me (of course), Samantha and Edward, and perhaps Chara (who was in on the surprise). I had been calling the restaurant every day to change the amount of guests, and they had been most co-operative. When we got to Sams, we wandered around to the 'soda' section, where Samantha selected a pack of plastic bottles to put in the trolley. Unfortunately, and I can only assume it was a stacking problem, as she lifted one pack up, another fell. Four bottles (thankfully plastic) dropped to the floor, and exploded into the air, saturating her, and dowsing me in the process! A fellow shopper looked on in horror and checked to see if she had been hit! We stood and laughed. There was nothing else to do! Talk about a 'sticky situation'. Where was the artesian aquifer when you needed it! An employee witnessed the event and went to get some 'clean up' materials. As he came towards us, I thanked him, and he nodded. "Sorry. It was her fault", I said as I walked off and left her with the trolley and dripping from head to foot!
The birthday 'party' was fun. Dana walked into the restaurant, and was ushered towards the far end. He knew where the guests were sitting, as his step-daughter had three balloons attached to a chair by the wall. 'L' 'O', and 'D', but not in that order! Joe and Gail were there and so was Grant, who had parked at the back, not realising that when we go to that particular restaurant, we always park at the back! However, Dana did not notice his car. It was a surprise, and he enjoyed himself immensely. My husband always tells us he does not want a fuss on his birthday, and we have adhered to that rule hard and fast over the past few years, after he said he joined in for our sakes. However, it seemed like a good idea to have a good night out! Samantha and I repeated our 'anniversary story', as it was sixteen years ago, on Dana's birthday, that we said our farewells to 'home' and flew across the seas. Dana was late getting to the airport, and I was beyond consoling. I don't remember it quite like that, but it makes a good tale!
As glorious for sun worshipers as it seemed on Sunday morning, 'our Edward' had probably been praying for rain. At around midday the skies suddenly went very dark, and ominous looking clouds weaved their way overhead. Cracks of thunder were preceded by exceptionally long forks of lightening. The drops that had evaporated before reaching the ground, last week, were replaced with continuous tears ]rolling down the tiles and splattering onto the ground below, this time without apology. Swimming this afternoon? Oh I dare say! This is Texas y'all! Come on, you know the drill....'If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes....or so!'
'Our Edwards' will no doubt continue to be one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. It has been there since...well since the dawning of the age of .... well I have not done enough homework for that one, but the dawning of something! Aquarius will be the star sign after Capricorn, and 'Let the sun shine', the words to the theme song which is still the most 'controversial' show of my childhood! As I watch the storm clouds pass, and wait for the ground to soak up the residue of this latest storm, I have confidence that summer is still here, and within an hour, the ground will be as if it never saw a drop of water. Love it, hate it. It's Texas!
No new plans on the horizon for next week. I shall wait, with 'our Edwards' to see what pans out. Enough for now, more no doubt, in ....... another story!
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