104F in west Texas!

There was a hint of rain on Saturday and the 'barometer bushes' were showing their color in our backyard.  Sadly, we didn't get much more than a whisper so it appears the bushes got it wrong!

On Monday we drove to San Antonio to look for a place to live during the year Charles' is at the VA hospital.  Nothing yet, but we've got several leads we're waiting to hear back from soon.

We continued our packing up of Charles' books today - 37 boxes worth!

Packing started today!

 We started packing up Charles' office books this afternoon, overseen by the new kitty!

Warm days in McCamey

chasing the electric mouse

Our new member of the Alkula household is claiming his place and is already a spoiled child!  We're still trying to come up with the 'purr-fect" name!

Making himself at home

 Our house guest, still unnamed, has settled into the rhythm of the Alkula household! 

Our house guest

Wednesday evening Charles heard a sad-meow near his office window (in McCamey) and discovered a tiny kitten.  We left some food out and hoped that the owl that was perched atop the church steeple wouldn't noticed the little ball of fur!

We spotted the little guy the next afternoon and rescued him.  Since we're not sure about our next stop we're looking for a 'forever home' for the yet-to-be-named kitty!

Another rainy day!

We've not been able to say it was another rainy day very often since we've been here, but today we did!  Another .2" fell this this morning/early afternoon with a chance of more tonight!!!

Belinda and her mom were able to get some rest after their quick trip to Colorado last week.  After enjoying the backyard scene including the frenzy of hummingbirds at the feeders, they drove back to San Angelo in the several bits of hard rain!

Charles got a treat today - a box of buttons from his sister, Jackie (from Missouri).  Any day with buttons is a good day for Charles!

Happy Mother's Day!

Greeters at FUMC-Iraan this morning

Charles conducted a baptism this morning in McCamey

Belinda and her mom enjoy the fellowship meal in McCamey

Belinda returned home yesterday evening, along with her mother, after a quick trip to Colorado.  They had gone there to attend the graduation of a family member from the University of Colorado in Boulder.  Lisa earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years.

Mothers' Day morning broke clear, and for west Texas, cool, after last week's rain.  Church members in Iraan reported over 6" and here in McCamey, they reported over 5" of rainfall last week!

No rain today!

While we had plenty of ominus-looking clouds today and a few sprinkels this afternoon the day passed without the rainfall we've been having since Monday night.  Charles recorded 3.1" in four days (Monday night thru Thursday night). 

Charles had a bit of excitement Thursday evening.  He was coming back toward McCamey from the east when he spotted a funnel cloud coming down (from the direction of Crane to our north).  Shortly after arriving home, the bad weather sirens sounded!  Fortunately, nothing much came from the storm other than some heavy rain and lots of wind.
Tonight, Charles was enjoying the cool evening breeze on the back porch when a hummingbird stopped by to check Charles out.  It got so close Charles could feel the breeze from the bird's wings!  Charles also got a nice picture of the finches that have built a nest in the artificial geranium hanging basket.  The finches are a 'talkative' pair!

More rain!

Lillies (from Easter 2010) are back for another year!

female Black-chinned Hummingbird

Male Black-chinned Hummingbird 

We've now enjoyed four straight days with rain - gotta be a record!  The backyard was the place to be today between the morning and early evening rains!  During an afternoon break in the rain, Charles enjoyed watching the hummingbirds loading up on some clear nectar. 

Wet week in McCamey

Rain approach from west of McCamey

Time to build the ark

The rains that began on Monday have been with us off and on through to Thursday afternoon!  So far, we've recorded more than 2.6" of rain this week, seems like more than we had all of last year!

Belinda's Luncheon in "Angelo" Today!

Belinda organized a "May birthday luncheon" for her mother and her two next-door neighbors today in "Angelo."  They dined at The River Terrace restaurant.  It was the first time for them to visit that particular restaurant, which was recommended by Ms. Marie in Iraan.  It turned out to be an AMAZING experience!  The food was delicious.  The views were spectacular.  And the company in which it was all enjoyed ... well, it was splendiferous!  (Belinda's word...)

The May birthdays:  Belinda's mother on the 5th.  Her next-door neighbor Cue on the 7th.  And her other next-door neighbor Debbie on the 3rd.

Afterwards, they all visited Eggemeyer's General Store in downtown Angelo, which is always a fun thing to do!  

Belinda is so grateful that her mama has such lovely neighbors!  Yea, God!!!

Wet & Windy!

We have been on a weather roller-coaster this week!  Sunday afternoon it was 104F without a cloud in sky.  Monday afternoon it started getting cloudy and the winds got really strong.  Overnight the rain started and by mid-morning Charles noted 1.1" of  rain in our backyard gauge!  It didn't get over 65F today - we're loving it!

Still too hot!

 
Here it is, nearly 8pm and it's still over 96F - that is just too hot!  We've been busy this week with two trips to San Angelo and taking care of  things around the parsonage.