Weekend Rewind (3-12-12)

We had a relatively low-key weekend because of the rain - so much rain.  I've blogged about the drought in this area and posted pictures of its effects, but Mother Nature -- it really wasn't necessary for us to receive our entire month's worth of rain in 3 days.  I borrowed this image from the Weather Channel online (love that site), this is not the final total for the month - they still have to add in rainfall totals since midnight Monday, so I expect us to be over our average (and further down the drought classification - we are definitely making progress).

graphic from www.weather.com

Saturday we stopped at an art walk in a nearby community - it was their first one and the weather definitely affected visitor attendance and vendors/artist participation.  However with the smaller crowd we were able to talk with the artists and watch a few work without being bumped into (my family doesn't care for crowds).  Those who braved the threatening weather presented some very interesting pieces - beautiful wood carvings, decoratively painted palm fronds, kitchen utensils hand-carved from reclaimed food-safe wood. 

hand carved serving spoons - reclaimed/salvaged woods

The painted palm fronds were mostly fish themed, but my daughter managed to find and purchase one that had been painted and slighted cut (for mouth) into a horse (no surprise there).  This was her first art purchase - hope she keeps it for a long time and remembers how her & her brother initially tried to complain about making this quick sidetrip - only to really find all the booths (and the artists) very interesting. (side story:  my daughter didn't bring any money with her - her brother just happened to have some spare cash on him - so he offered it up - they even hugged each other in public without me prompting them & she said thank-you!!  I've done something right!!)   Some of the artists hadn't quit their "day jobs" yet - they were local and somewhat getting their start.

brightly painted palm fronds become fish - a lot of salt water varieties

The rain - Sunday brought even heavier rains - and the one catastrophe from it all -- my wax myrtle tree.  Although I know the drought had a hand in weakening it; all the rain made it's feet soggy -it just couldn't hold on.  Hurricane Ike really started the tree's decline - it was never the same after losing one of the major branches.

at least it fell AWAY from the house & roof

When it dries up a bit, we'll dig out what is left and replace it - probably with a crepe myrtle - they do well in this area and will add some color with the blooms (and won't take out the house in case of a bad storm/hurricane).  I was a bit surprised the wax myrtle didn't make it - it is a native tree and thought it would have been tougher/adjusted to changing conditions better - guess the drought was too much even for our natives. 

Image details:  50mm lens, SOOC, other than minimal cropping (I know I've used that 50mm a lot lately - it is just what has been on the camera body & it doesn't weigh a ton).


Hope everyone had better weather than we did & able to get outside to do something really fun.  Ironically - many of my past postings have involved our barn/horse activities - the weather was too bad to go to the barn this weekend -- so a horse-free post.  I'd like to hear what you did, so I can be jealous!!  Have a great week everyone!!