Texas climatologists have determined that Texas suffered the worst one-year drought since 1895 this past year. Streams were running well below normal and reservoirs were at fifty percent. The land at the Mountain Pasture certainly suffered this past year. As my husband and I hiked through the pasture last weekend, we couldn’t believe the dead trees that we came upon. Trees that had been here for many years are now decaying. We were saddened to see the results of the drought, but were overjoyed to see that the rains of this month of February have put water back in our tanks/ponds and brought the bluebonnets to life and given the countryside as well as its people hope for the future.
Results of the Texas drought of 2011 at the mountain pasture pictured below:
…and then there are always the survivors:
bluebonnets, tank water, and water running into the dry creek bed!!!!
countrylivingdreamer 
On Sunday morning last week, I got on my mtlcroycoe in Austin, and got onto HWY 290 just a few minutes ahead of Lady Bird’s cortege.The 40 mile ride into Johnson City was an emotional and moving experience — the entire route was lined with thousands of people. Almost every person seemed to be holding a US Flag, a Texas flag, and handfuls of wildflowers.Every sign I saw along the ride expressed the same overwhelming sentiment: gratitude.I wasn’t sure if I were more proud of being an American that day, or of being a Texan.IF you ever doubt that patriotism is dead in this country, I’d advice a long, slow drive through small-town Texas.The other thing that stood out to me along the route: Men in hats. Nearly every man on the route was wearing a hat (mostly of the cowboy vareity).I was proud to stop in Johnson City and stand in the streets as the cortege passed just a few feet from me.All in all, a very moving day.