The news that my car had been 'inspected', and the paperwork filed
My morning routine got off to a good start. I finished my first job, then completed my 'shift' at the second. The chairs at the pool have never been so clean! I wont say that they are lovingly attended to, but they are clean! I was ready to head off in the big red truck to receive the fantastic news that I did not have to take my car back across town!
No one told the weather that we were heading into September. Autumn, or 'fall' by tradition is meant to bring forth cooler weather. Monday was hot, as was Tuesday. If this was an English Cricket score, everyone would be cheering! However, the century run was to come to a rather startling stop!
Raul returned to work on Wednesday, and my extra weekday job was over, at least for the time being! I welcomed him back with suitable emphatic joy, and felt a sense of relief that I did not have to climb on to the rock to retrieve the key to open the door of the shed that housed the spray bottle, and many things that scuttled away as the light hit! I have no idea what lurks in the corners, nor do I want to know, but I open the door cautiously, and let things settle before stepping in! The promised rain did not appear. My car sat outside, hoping to be doused but remained covered in the summer dust that seems to settle upon it throughout the season, despite being covered.
The drop in temperature on Wednesday was quite significant. Clouds rolled in and the thermometers struggled to get to ninety degrees. I left work early and headed home. I watched the clouds but they did not seem to be angry enough to make a difference. Everything was very dry. Where as brown is a traditional warm, autumnal colour, it appears to be the national summer hue of Texas! The grass was crying out for a sip of water, and the flowers were holding their heads to one side, wondering why no one had turned on the air conditioner!
Someone forgot to tell the wildlife that I do not play well with others when it comes to sharing the pool first thing in the morning. A large clump of something was drifting a little too stealthily in the corner as I completed my first circuit. I approached, bravely, to find that it was not a bunch of foliage that had dropped from the trees, but a rather large amphibian! I do not exaggerate when I say large, as this thing had a body length of at least six inches. It was also fairly well rounded. "Flippin' 'eck", I called out, quite surprising myself that I did not say anything more offensive. I was not going to swim around it, and certainly was not going to share! I climbed out and looked for something with which I could remove this unwelcome visitor. Alongside the fence was a broom with a handle of about twelve feet. This was perfect. Not only could I get the creature on to the broom head, but I could stay at a safe distance. It was only a toad, and how dangerous could a toad be? Read on! The broom was not such a great idea, as the head was rather thin, and the monster was reluctant to play the game. In fact, he (I did not get near enough to check its gender, but assumed) was not quite finished with the water aerobics class he appeared to be giving to the small swarm of mosquitoes that had gathered. Being that dawn had just broken, these flying man-eaters (and by man, I mean woman, which in turn means me) should have been on their way home, but someone, probably the toad, had announced there would be 'after hours fun' this morning, and guess who was 'piggy in the middle'! However, I persevered. After all, I wear a Stetson, cowboy boots, ride in a truck and make sweet iced tea. Why would I not hunt down giant frogs with a broom! Texans go 'frogging'. Apparently, there are rules for 'frogging' and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have policies about such thing! I was not 'frogging' per se, more like 'de-frogging'. Eventually, the mosquitoes must have been called back to base, and as the amphibian had lost his audience, it decided to catch a cab home. As there were none available, he hitched a ride on the nearest vehicle available that happened to be a broom head. Off to the wall he went, and then, with the help of a slight (yes slight) push, he went over into the woods.
When I gave my rendition of the morning events, the size of the frog was in question. I decided to check it out. It appears that the larger varieties could, indeed, be poisonous. It looks like I came across the 'highly invasive Cane toad'. Well someone should tell the mosquitoes!
"Are you wet?" asked the clerk from a Courthouse about two hours drive to the west of us. "Not yet, but we live in hope", I responded. It seemed funny to want to have a wet weekend, having longed for hot summers for so long. I could cope with rain, and storms if it meant respite from the record breaking temperatures. It is also strange how it can be 'too hot' for the time of year. If the temperatures are over the century at the beginning of September, they feel hotter than 104 at the beginning of August. The nice lady from the courthouse and I had a chat about how everything was summer brown, and after about ten minutes we said cheerio!
By Thursday afternoon the temperature had dropped again, and a sigh of relief could be heard. The rain started some time during the night, and a thunder storm passed through around six thirty.. I wandered down to the pool at seven, and looked at the sky. Against my better judgment, I called Dana and asked if his weather radar said there would be storms. He reminded me that I do not like the programme as it is always correct, and 'outside' is often wrong. Apparently, I had about thirty minutes to swim. I could do that. Thunder rumbled afar off, and I continued to listen, as the previous storm made its way out of the city. Storms never form over Austin, unless, of course, they do! They did! Suddenly, from nowhere, a thunder clap, preceded a split second earlier by a lightening bolt, cracked overhead. I dashed to the side of the pool and got out. I made my way up to my condo, with the storm raging. The puddle that formed inside my house, caused by me standing for a couple of seconds, would have filled a child's paddling pool! I was not only soaking but dripping from my hat, my towel, my flip flops, my fingers and my ears. Shortly after I moved from the spot, Samantha and Grant waded in, bringing a second pool's worth of water!
The storm continued throughout the day, until around four, and then subsided, and the sun came out. By the tie I left work, I was ready to go swimming. The water was pleasant and the outside temperature perfect. As I exited the pool, there was a clap of thunder. Storms never form over Austin, unless, of course, they do! They did! I waded up to my condo, with my clean, dry towel, now soaking wet, my previously dried cap now soaking, and my feet pruned from so much water, and created another pool. It was a quick storm, lasting for the time it took for me to walk from the pool to my house! Shortly thereafter everything was dry and the sun was shining. The sunset was beautiful!
Saturday morning started early and the water was cold. I braved it. I'm English! It appeared that the rain had departed for a few days and Samantha came to collect me in the big red truck. I decided to embrace the Texas way, and opened the window to rest my foot on the wing mirror. I moved the seat forward, and had to sink down into the seat to get my foot to reach. Of course, my daughter took a photo! I decided this was another Texas tradition that would not be for me! Thankfully, the humidity was lower and normal seasonal temperatures resumed.
I did not encounter any more amphibians, although they could be heard all around. I checked in and around the pool before getting in over the weekend. The mosquitoes on the other hand could not be heard, but they were felt! They seem to enjoy the spray I use. It is like an appetiser to the main course!
It is hard to believe that it is Labor Day tomorrow. The summer has come and gone, and now we are heading towards slightly shorter days. My swimming days will have to come to a close, which is sad. "We really feel bad for you when you can't swim", say all my neighbours. (Even those I don't really know!) Interestingly enough, I still feel like a foreigner, but a welcomed one!
No work tomorrow, and perhaps I will do something exciting. I know what I shall not be doing, and that is 'frogging'. The appeal just isn't there! I shall let you know in ...... another story!
No comments:
Post a Comment