John Anderson and his wife, Pat, dropped by to answer some questions about the water well.
The distance between the water level and the pump is now 52-feet, down from 58-feet a month ago. When rains are plentiful and the aquifer is full, the distance would be 90-something feet. According to John, the current level is no reason for alarm. Mountain Cityians cut back on water usage three years ago, and we continue to conserve.
With Stage III drought conditions in effect (“Groundwater uses should now be limited to water for essential indoor demands needed to preserve health and safety with a very minor allocation for non-essential outdoor water use”), Mountain City Oaks Water System will talk with residents who show excessive water usage.
•••
Pat noticed mullein growing wild in my yard and asked for some seeds. Seeds? She (or anyone who wants some) is welcome to harvest mullein.
Pat started mullein capsules from the health food store to help with her allergies and sinuses. And, help they did. She experienced drastic improvement.
The Garraways know mullein as “mules’ ears.” Other common names include Hag’s taper, Aaron’s rod, Clown’s lungwort, and Candlewick plant. Yes, mullein was used for lamp wicks before cotton became available.
Oh my, deciding on a few interesting tidbits about this plant proves difficult. Google “mullein” for a full day of reading.
Ask.com says, “Mullein leaves have been used throughout history as a tonic for the entire respiratory system as well as an herbal remedy to relieve bronchiole congestion, asthma attacks or a deep, dry cough.”
Some smoke mullein leaves or use it with mixtures.
Livestrong provides several articles on various uses (including yellow hair dye) with the advice, “The FDA does not regulate the cultivation and production of herbal remedies, so there is no guarantee of their effectiveness, safety or quality. See your doctor before using herbs to treat medical conditions.”
What a shock to learn that the plant is an invasive alien. The National Park Service shows the plant as an ecological threat.
Several sources say Virginians brought mullein from Europe in the 1700s as a fish poison.
Now, if only mullein would poison scorpions! We found three in the house over the weekend. KissMe gets credit for finding one.
•••
The Garraways and The Polks get credit for seeing their first male Painted Bunting of the year in their yards this past week.
The Garraways backyard (looking more like a nature preserve every week) hosted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak week before last.
Our oval driveway hosted a Screech Owl and her cute little owlet last week. She flew as we drove in, with the little one left behind. As we reversed, neighbors walking in the moon light gave word, “She has been bringing it food.” We knew to leave the baby alone so she could return and to tend to it.
Interestingly enough, that very day my OwlShack from Cliff Shackeford (www.owlshack.com) arrived and RonTom installed it on a tree by the driveway, where we can see it from the kitchen and our office.
Stay tuned for updates on bird sightings and whatever else pertains to Mountain City neighbors made possible by tidbits supplied by readers like you. Email [email protected] or leave a message at 512-268-5678.
