Watering & Persimmons

Went to the country house over Labor Day weekend. All of the trees are still alive although I think I might lose the Sycamore & one of the Maples. It is just too dry. Even when it rains it doesn't do it consistently enough so it dries out to brittle conditions. Each day while there, we got about 30 sprinkles & one very very quick soaker, maybe 1/25th of an inch? We have got to get a rain gauge, but I don't even think it was enough to be measured.

The pond is as low as we've seen it in years. Took the opportunity to mow grasses that are normally in the edge of the water line. Again, no pics I'll do better in the future.

I watered twice while there. Here's my watering 'system'.

A friend gave me a 55 gallon rain barrel complete with spigot. Greg cut me a water hose about 6' long. A full 25 feet didn't work, too hard to handle & it took forever for the water to come out. I fill the barrel with about 45 - 50 gallons which is just enough to water the 25 or so trees. Good exercise too as I have to get off & on the mule at each tree. It takes a little less than an hour to water, not counting the time to fill the barrel.

We also cleared out some of the driveway in the branch area. Beautiful weather all weekend long, could even almost, but not quite, feel a very slight touch of Fall in the air. Leaves were beginning to fall off pecan trees along the fence line but that is most likely due to the drought. We have a clump of pine trees near the gate that we also got cleared. I plan on putting a dogwood tree & some azaleas around them.

While driving back to the house I noticed some red fruit on a tree. Stopped & picked them, persimmons!

My Dad said he remembered that tree but only remembers them puckering him up when he ate them as a child. He must have picked them way under ripe because even though they are tiny they are very sweet.

The passion fruit still isn't ripe.

Trying to get into a retirement routine. I have been walking a mile or 2 most days but don't have a house routine yet. Still trying to get the boxes unpacked & some drawers organized.

Going to get dinner prepared for tonight. I've been wanting to make the cream cheese stuffed chicken, wrapped in bacon that I've been seeing all over Pinterest. My niece made it & said it was wonderful. The pounding of the breast is the hardest part. I'll update on how it turns out.