Rose Cottage Ltd

While some parts of the US are on fire, and other parts are drowning after too much rain – many of the rest of us are not having fun either. The 2011 drought in the Piedmont area of North Carolina has just about tapped all the water resources we had.

Here is a photo of the lake – September 2009:

And here it is – September 2011:

Same geese – different September!

Not the greatest pictures for comparison, but if you see where the pedal boat is sitting in the first picture, you can see its former location in the second picture – with about 10′ of dry lake-bed behind it. The boats haven’t seen this end of the lake since April.

This is great stuff for the geese since temperatures here yesterday were mid-90s. The former lake area is damp and cool and they’ll sit there and sleep for hours. They aren’t as dumb as people think they are.

This (normally) 4-acre lake is suffering not only from lack of rain this year, but we never really recovered from the last drought year of 2007. We “maintained” but never got back what was lost then – so we have less resources to fall back on in 2011.

Water meal continues to be a problem – although even it seems stymied by the lack of water in which to grow and prosper. My “Come On Labor Day” wishes for rain have so far, not yet been fulfilled.

The fountain is providing aeration to the poor fish, who are by now probably living a condo-type life – compacted into living areas that are the remaining deeper channels of the lake. But, without significant rain in the next week, I will have to unplug the fountain. By then, the fountain will not have enough water to function. Without the added aeration, I would expect to begin to see dead fish floating in what’s left of the lake.

It makes you stop and think how bad things can get if it doesn’t do something as simple as rain.

We, myself included, take clean water and clean air for granted – like breathing, you don’t pay much attention to it until you can’t have it or can’t do it. I don’t care whether you believe in global warming or not, but extreme weather conditions are impacting our planet to a greater not lesser degree.

Cause and effect?

It’s here and it’s ugly:

This dock now looks a bit ridiculous since it is surrounded by no water. In fact, the dock spent nearly two months UNDER water in 2006. For a 4-acre lake to have lost this much of its substance says a lot about how dry things are – everywhere really – but specifically in my Piedmont North Carolina location.

Local farmers are having to arrange water deliveries to manage their livestock – shallow ponds and streams are dry. I usually enjoy a trip to my local Southern States but lately, it is a rather depressing visit since everyone is experiencing increasing difficulties.

99% of the local area is on well water. Wells, particularly more shallow wells, are also a concern during a drought. Some thoughts on well water were mentioned in this prior post.

If anyone, anywhere, doesn’t think that having enough water is important, and that having enough clean water is vital – you just aren’t paying attention….

Fortunately, the Southern Environmental Law Center IS paying attention.

TGIF – and still praying for rain…

Swimming in the lake! Down to 3 from the original 4 geese that hatched May 19th. Fingers crossed for the rest. Temperatures at 100 degrees here today at noon. An incredibly hot Summer seems to be in store this year…

Or two, or three…

It will be interesting to take another picture of this in about a week….TGIF!

At least in the Piedmont area of North Carolina! Not surprised to see this much bloom this year since we had a 75 degree day here Monday, February 21st.

Posting this cheery image for those still suffering through winter weather. The official first day of Spring is coming – you just have to hang in there until March 20th!

Pink Hyacinth – Planted Fall, 2010

I have no doubt that man is ruining the environment so this is not a political ad…

However, I do notice when there is a decent amount of snow, global warming of a local nature is very obvious

We got about 5″ of snow over the holiday. All banks were evenly covered. One side of the lake is back to soil and grass as if nothing happened. The shaded side still has some 3″ of snow.

Guess to be more accurate I should title this post “Solar Power.”

Really a cold week for December this year. 16 degrees yesterday morning (snowing this morning so a little warmer,) gave the lake a very cold perspective:

Brrr…16 degrees at 0600.

Fortunately, inside the cottage looked and felt quite a bit warmer thanks to my Century Hearth wood stove:

Century Hearth FW240007 wood stove

Dragon not included, but I got mine via Plow & Hearth.

It takes a very hot fire for the dragon to steam so this is a great shot on a really cold day. Humidity yesterday morning was 22% – very low and very dry for North Carolina – adding a little moisture to the air is a good thing.

Winter is nearly enjoyable with a wood stove! Read more about it on the Rose Cottage Ltd web site…

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And easy to grow…

Lots of visitors to the lake yesterday morning – all stopping by for breakfast.

Having not been able to get a decent picture of the Kingfisher for several years, she has apparently decided to just deal with the papparazi and let her photo be taken!

A little later I noticed the lake’s Heron had also stopped by for a little early morning fishing. This is probably helped by the fact that the water level in the lake is so low right now. Fish will have to practice stealth mode in the rocks if they are to survive to swim another day.

That “eagle eye” doesn’t miss much!