Mountain City Montage
by PAULINE TOM
The monthly reading at the Mountain City water well showed 38 feet above the pump, the same level as October.
The Stage 3 drought continues, regardless of what the city looks like on the surface – with a mandated requirement of 30 percent cutback in water usage. Our water system does not have a website for specific details; but, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District explains, “Generally, all outdoor irrigation of lawns and landscaping is now prohibited. Groundwater uses are restricted to water for essential indoor demands needed to preserve health and safety with a very minor allocation provided for some non-essential outdoor water uses such as maintaining small lawn areas for fire protection and foundation damage prevention.”
On the surface, with recent rains, the city is green, bright flowers bloom and butterflies float. For that, we can be thankful as we continue extreme water conservation measures. The extended forecast calls for a dry winter.
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Up to a 40 percent increase is predicted on the price of peanut butter, due to the heat and drought. That will affect the cost of “Bird Butter”, a favorite with the birds (made from peanut butter, lard, oatmeal, corn meal and a little sugar). The favorite all around birdseed, black oil sunflower, has jumped three-fold in recent years. The 50-pound bag at Tractor Supply now costs about $30. Syrup for Mountain City’s wintering hummingbirds costs just a few cents. One-quarter cup sugar boiled in 1 cup of water. I heard a hummer on Sunday.
Other wintering birds are arriving. Keep cats indoors for the birds’ protection and for theirs. Coyotes have been seen in Mountain City this fall. While installing outdoor Christmas décor on these warm days, wear gloves: snakes, scorpions.
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While out of town during the holidays, have neighbors watch your house. Reading this newspaper, one of our neighbors saw that a man who did a project at her house was arrested for a burglary. What have you seen? We saw a herd of about 40 Axis deer in a neighbor’s yard. While out and about in Mountain City, watch for tidbits: 268-5678 or [email protected].
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Don’t forget the holiday light contest is Dec. 17 and the Tour de Lights is Dec. 19. Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks! Love to you, Pauline
