What's the most comfortable weather of Texas ? (Austin, El Paso: house, landscaping)

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by losttechnician

Cathy, another rep sent your way. While I can't claim a deep familiarity with the entire state of Texas, I will always agree with you about the most beautiful part of the state being Ft Davis/Alpine/Marfa area.

Heading to Ft Stockton this weekend, but can't make the time to get that far down there.

Thanks!! Have a safe trip! I imagine once I get to Alpine (sometime in the fall)--I may wander over to Ft Stockton for Walmart if I don't feel like going all the way to M/O!

No more one-stop shopping in Alpine, LOL!!

One of these days, I'm going to make it all the way to the top of the Panhandle, just for the heck of it! I've been as far as your neck of the woods, but didn't have time to explore!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by High_Plains_Retired

It's downright cool here tonight north of Lubbock. I just went outside in my housecoat and slippers to put my truck away, and to see if we received any rain, and quickly decided I should wear some more clothes. Brrr!

And no, we didn't get any rain of any measurable amount. Just a bit of spitting and blowing. Maybe later tonight...

We didn't get any rain up here (NW NM), either--just dark clouds and some lightning, so I still had to water. Much ado about nothing! We're just under 3 inches YTD.

It's HOT at 8:36 MDT with 80. I have so had it with summer, and I cannot wait for October!

Alpine has had rain, so the country should look good! It was dry when I was there in June, but rained a wonderful gullywasher while I was there. I went outside and just inhaled it. First appreciable rain I'd seen in THREE years.

[joqua]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

We didn't get any rain up here (NW NM), either--

Here in south central mountains of New Mexico I've measured just over 3.5" since July 1. The first rain of the "monsoon" season arrived right on schedule on July 1 (.40"). So far all of the rain has come in brief heavy downpours, which does not have time to really saturate the soil before running off. But it's a blessing, regardless of how it comes!

I just finished reading the 2-volume history of The King Ranch, by El Paso author/writer Tom Lea. It is actually a history covering most of the southern Rio Grande area, from before the Civil War to 1957, when it was published. And because it's about ranching (as well as other things), weather patterns are a large part of the dialog. The cycling of weather from drought years to wet years is part and parcel of the weather history of the western 2/3 of the state of Texas.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by joqua

Here in south central mountains of New Mexico I've measured just over 3.5" since July 1. The first rain of the "monsoon" season arrived right on schedule on July 1 (.40"). So far all of the rain has come in brief heavy downpours, which does not have time to really saturate the soil before running off. But it's a blessing, regardless of how it comes!

I just finished reading the 2-volume history of The King Ranch, by El Paso author/writer Tom Lea. It is actually a history covering most of the southern Rio Grande area, from before the Civil War to 1957, when it was published. And because it's about ranching (as well as other things), weather patterns are a large part of the dialog. The cycling of weather from drought years to wet years is part and parcel of the weather history of the western 2/3 of the state of Texas.

Yes. We'll take the moisture however we can get it--rain or snow! It did rain sometime during the night, but not much. The average rain up here used to be 8-10 inches a year, and 12-15 inches of snow. So much for that!

I'm glad Ruidoso is having a monsoon season. I remember years when the drought was so bad, with dead trees, etc.

The August issue of Texas Highways had an article on Tom Lea that was interesting. I'd like to see his documentation during WWII. That exhibit is stored, but does make the rounds from time to time.

I would also like to read his volumes on the King Ranch. I imagine that the new Alpine public library (small, but very nice) can get it for me on interlibrary loan.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

We didn't get any rain up here (NW NM), either--just dark clouds and some lightning, so I still had to water. Much ado about nothing! We're just under 3 inches YTD.

At sometime last night we received another 0.4" of rain. That makes 3.4" for us since June 1st. I'm not sure how much we have received since January 1st as I didn't start tracking it until June. I do know that, with the help of a visiting brother, I just cut down one of my large Chinese elms that died during the dry spell. I still have two more to get to the ground. Hopefully I won't lose any more of my shade trees.

[joqua]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

The August issue of Texas Highways had an article on Tom Lea that was interesting. I'd like to see his documentation during WWII. That exhibit is stored, but does make the rounds from time to time.

Not like looking at the real art work, but here is the best web site for viewing a large volume of his works, both war time and western themed. George and Laura Bush are fans of his.

http://www.tomlea.net/works/2,000-Yard_Stare.html

Tom Lea was actively working as an artist and writer during my youth and was one of the influences on my own decision to pursue a career in the arts later in life. His most popular book is The Brave Bulls, from which a movie of the same name was made. He also illustrated many books for other authors.

Tom Lea's father was mayor of El Paso when Tom was a youngster.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by High_Plains_Retired

At sometime last night we received another 0.4" of rain. That makes 3.4" for us since June 1st. I'm not sure how much we have received since January 1st as I didn't start tracking it until June. I do know that, with the help of a visiting brother, I just cut down one of my large Chinese elms that died during the dry spell. I still have two more to get to the ground. Hopefully I won't lose any more of my shade trees.

Chinese elms? Those are supposed to be well-adapted to WT...I hope you don't lose any more of them, either.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by joqua

Not like looking at the real art work, but here is the best web site for viewing a large volume of his works, both war time and western themed. George and Laura Bush are fans of his.

http://www.tomlea.net/works/2,000-Yard_Stare.html

Tom Lea was actively working as an artist and writer during my youth and was one of the influences on my own decision to pursue a career in the arts later in life. His most popular book is The Brave Bulls, from which a movie of the same name was made. He also illustrated many books for other authors.

Tom Lea's father was mayor of El Paso when Tom was a youngster.

Thanks for the link! It will be interesting to browse that site.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Chinese elms? Those are supposed to be well-adapted to WT.

Yes they are. Chinese elms came here even before Walmart could import them.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by High_Plains_Retired

Yes they are. Chinese elms came here even before Walmart could import them.

LOL!!

I am thinking of what I want to put in my very small landscape in the back.....I was thinking only a small strip of lawn for the dogs, one fruit tree (probably apricot) and maybe one native or well-adapted small tree.

The lot is very small (which is what I wanted), and I'm going to see what it looks like after everything is finished, including the fence.

The front will be rock/gravel/agave/Texas purple sage.