AN OASIS OF HOPE IN THE DROUGHT
That desperate picture of a dying person dragging themselves through the merciless desert to a distant oasis; has suddenly become very real in our lives. And for the first time we know; this is no mirage! After many years of drought (with a very occasional sprinkle of raindrops) we have been blessed with an 18ml shower! Literally overnight the plant life that hasn't died is a profusion of colour. To celebrate, here on Steemit I am posting for both the @old-guy-photos #treetuesday and #colorchallenge by @kalemandra
Within a couple days it seems like we have gone from famine to feast. It is a remarkable transition. Granted most of the countryside is still a barren bowl of dirt. However there are now vivid patches of green with splashes of the yellow of the blossoming thorn trees, so common here in our South African country home.
A few weeks ago I walked our homestead to view the extent of the drought damage to our once flourishing lands. It was heartbreaking. Even a number of the hardier semi-desert vegetation and thorn trees have died. As many of you know we have slowly sold off livestock and downscaled both fields and gardens as the water crisis escalates. My flock of 60 goats has dwindled to 7. It breaks my heart. And suddenly with the downpour hope wells in our hearts (pun intended ;)
Many of the thorn trees that appeared dead are suddenly a mass of vibrant green and yellow. The one field we have been putting all available boerhole water on, to feed our few goats, sheep and calves has exploded with growth overnight. My precious goats are celebrating the end of their famine.
The air vibrates with life. Everything seems to be fresh and filled with hope! It is a wonderful and electrifying feeling. We are so grateful for the life giving rain. We hope that this is the turning of the terrible drought which has destroyed so many lives and homes.
The sunset at the end of the day of rain was such a breathtaking one. The colour orange, for me represents both anger but also change. It is a mixing of the passion of red with yellow which is such a happy colour. The orange sunset with deep hues of purple really expressed the mood of our homesteading valley. Such relief. Such joy. And such hope for more rain without which we fear the drought may continue. But for today our oasis will sustain us and our precious country home with all our beloved two and four legged creatures.
Thank you @pixresteemer
That billy goat looks great. Great post
Thanks @bowentroyer! We named him Shlomo although unlike King Solomon of old his harem consists of 3!
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Hooray for the rain! I hope it will revitalizes things soon <3
Lovely photos, that last one is simply amazing * __ *
Hooray indeed! Thank you for the compliment @veryspider
Hope is such a beautiful thing! I'm so glad to hear you guys finally got some much needed rain; I know how much you love your land and animals ... it's wonderful to hear your happiness in this post! <3
LYNN!!!! Hi! How special to read your comment dear @lynncoyle1! I am not around that much but I went looking for you recently and was saddened to read your last couple posts. I trust the time is truly extended for you and Brian
Awww what a great reply! You really know how to make a girl feel special ;) Brian is hanging in there still, no worse. Honestly, whatever is going on, it's all pretty slow moving. I'm sure there'll come a day when it's not, but for now, I'll take whatever I can get!
What kind of tree is this? Is it leguminous? Edible?
One of our many indigenous thorn trees. And edible to my goats! Most of the wild herbivores will graze the leaves, branches and bark with relish. Humans? Not so much. This is one of the acacia thorn trees. They are prolific in our area, and generally extremely hardy. Although these photos all belong to the one we have allowed to stay in our orchard as we built the chickens house around it (will have to take a photo) It looks like the tree grows out of their house and gives them shade year round
Ooh, I'd love to see that!!!! Sounds lovely :)
Pretty sure our mesquite trees are acacias as well. Acacias are nitrogen fixing. If there's a safe way to do it (watch out for those thorns!), It might be worthwhile to plant some things around them and take advantage of the fertility from that increased nitrogen :) a fruit tree could really love the nitrogen.
They're a species that helps grow things. Around here, most folks consider them a weed. But like most weeds, they have an incredibly important job to do. They prepare the soil for successionary species. That's a treat of a tree ;)
Yay for the rain! It really is amazing how fast plant life responds and revivifies after a good soaking.
It is @carlgnash! It's incredible and so encouraging
Isn't it wonderful how quickly life returns when the rains come! I hope it wasn't just a one off.
It is! And I'm amazed at how resilient nature is!
I love the way you write. Very happy that the rains came and brought you hope, @buckaroo. That sunset looks wild.
Thank you @puravidaville. We're all celebrating!
:)
From 60 goats to 7? Sounds like a bad situation..
Hope you recover well.
It was quite heartbreaking selling them. They are all named and loved.....