an early morning view

The colors in the eastern sky yesterday morning were very subtle, but I somehow wish that I had emphasized them more in my sketch. This is from our campsite at Lake Somerville.

a new lake?

Yesterday we went for a drive — Farm Road 1948 is finally open again — and found a new lake where it isn’t supposed to be. Four out of the five years we’ve lived here, Lake Somerville has seen a springtime flood. And the local corps of engineers must hold the excess waters to prevent major flooding further south along the Brazos River.

camping at Lake Somerville

Last Friday through Sunday, we had a family gathering at Lake Somerville, camping in this small southeast corner of the lake. I can't remember another time when ALL of our four grown children, three in-law children, and five grandchildren were together in one place at the same time!

Most of the best camping sites are still closed for repair following last year's damaging floods, but we had what we thought would be a lovely spot under large old-growth oak trees. After nightfall, we discovered that a) there is lots of night fishing going on, b) one of the few open boat ramps is right next to our site, and c) there are some very rude boaters who love to blast their ugly rock music at 2:00 am. Thankfully, that was only the first night. On the second night we were forced to listen to one boat's country music for one loud song at sundown, then they turned it down.

The lake is a bit flooded this year as well; it rose several inches over the days we were there. Camping sites across from our tents (shown in the above sketch) are partly underwater, as is the area to the upper left. More rains were in the forecast but thankfully it held off until Sunday after we left.

I've been a bit slow in getting these sketchbook journal pages posted -- lots of clean-up and errands to get done after returning home. But we had a wonderful time with our awesome kids and grandkids, plus Mikala's friend Bree who came to share the fun with her. Bill and I decided we want to adopt Bree as another grandkid!

coming back after last year's flood

Almost a year ago we experienced serious flooding in this part of Texas. So flooded that many lakes, including the nearby Lake Somerville, were closed to camping and fishing for the whole summer. Most grasses and many trees died after being submerged for so long. But I recently saw a few trees beginning to come out of their long dormancy, though still under some water.

We are planning a family camp out at the lake later this month. Sadly, some of the best camping areas are still closed to the public. Water levels receded long ago but they lack the funds to repair the bath houses and electric hook-ups. (Electric hook-ups? Who needs electricity for camping?) 

 

Meanwhile, I finally drew out a rough plan of what I have planted in the existing rose bed next to our patio. Earlier this year, we removed the herb bed that ran along the walk to the front door -- area flooding had destroyed it and had washed out the sandy soil. Every time it rained, we had sand dunes across the patio! So we are letting grass root along the walk for soil retention, Bill and our son Jeff are repairing the French drain (it was not installed correctly by previous owners) for improved drainage, and I planted some culinary herbs in the rose bed. Just a few for now to see if they do well there. I wish I could find some Mexican oregano to add -- it's flavor is wonderful in chili!

sketches from Resurrection Sunday

Each of ladies attending church this week received an Easter lily . . .  and hiding inside was a sugary Peeps chick! Ms. B.J. is very clever at putting things like this together. Men were given a wee bag of "Scripture seeds" (like candy corn) and children were given lambs on a stick made of marshmallows.

Following the church service, we all drove to Lake Somerville for baptisms. Among those being baptized was the Pastor's youngest grandson Blake -- brought a huge grin to the Pastor! Our eldest granddaughter Mikala was also baptized on this special day, following sunrise service at her home church in Houston. Seems a great way to celebrate the Resurrection!

rain, rain, everywhere

It has actually stopped raining the past couple of days, after weeks upon weeks of rain every day. The drought in central Texas is definitely over, a flooded state in its place.

Our local lake was closed before Memorial Day and will remain so for at least the next two months. Camp sites with their electrical hookups, bath houses & facilities, picnic shelters, boat docks . . . all well under water. This sketch is from an overlook at the dam; the dam road is under, running along the left side of this sketch. Water rapids continue to rush out of the water gates; here water is just about to run over the emergency overflow.

Our own yard is a saturated, soppy sponge. Thank You, Lord, for providing the former and later rains --- Are we done yet?

a few more wild flowers

Yesterday we took a drive along the eastern shore of Lake Somerville . . . at least as far as one can drive before reaching water. Texas flood conditions continue with many lakes beyond capacity and overflowing. This lake is closed for at least the next two months --- water is well over campsites with their electric hookups and boat ramps. Many hidden obstacles out there to run a boat into.

We were able to drive to the overlook next to the spillway to take a look. Even the wildflowers are stressed from too much rain, though I found a few to draw anyway.

a neighbor's birthday

One of our new neighbors is celebrating a birthday in a few days. I once sketched an owl house in one of his trees while visiting on his patio and he couldn't believe I was drawing on-the-spot like that. So I later shared some of my sketchbooks with him, which he loved.

I painted a card for him this week. He and his wife, recently deceased, made many lovely memories fishing together on Lake Somerville.

Quen time

Our grandson Quen (otherwise known as "Q") has been visiting us this week. Very busy . . . but at the end of each day, we can barely remember all we did. Sign of getting older? Or not being able to keep up with a very active 7 year old?

Today, after a trip into Brenham for a little shopping, we went out to the lake. Bill and Quen swam while I tried once again to paint the view.

 

playing at Lake Somerville

Jayna and Bill swam in the lake the other day while I sat on a picnic table trying to paint the landscape. Not very happy with the results . . .

The local drought seems to be over, the lake up to its normal level. Lots of grass can be seen in the water from when this part of the lake was dry ground. Strong winds caused lots of waves to come this way.

Many of the sites along the lake are heavily wooded, but this eastern edge is more open.

 I soon gave up on the landscape and waded out into the water. Found lots of interesting bits of "flotsam and jetsam" washed up by the waves along the sandy, grassy shore. The remains of several fish that had fed local vultures, a T-shirt someone lost while out boating, a soda can . . . and this bit of driftwood and some old fishing lures.

I love Stillman & Birn bound sketchbooks . . . but I wish they were Coptic-sewn like those I make myself -- to lay open flat when working across a 2-page spread or when photographing it.

Kayak for Michael

For Father's Day, our son-in-law Michael received an inflatable kayak. He and Mikala tested it out on Lake Somerville on Saturday.