40 Days and 40 Nights...

We have a rain gauge in our back yard. It measures 6 inches of rain. Last week when the heavy rains poured from the sky, it was full within a couple hours. I went out in a break from the rain, and emptied it...yes, 6 inches full. By the time the rain bands ended Friday night, it was another 5 inches measured. That means in the week of July 7th during one day, we received eleven inches. No wonder it flooded. The worst part was the sewer system in and around the Coastal Bend; it wasn't working...it wasn't draining fast enough. We couldn't run water from the faucets or flush toilets. What a mess. The river and creeks were above flood stage, and the ground is still filled with puddles here and there. In the dark, I went out on the porch by the street light, and stood in about an inch or rain...the rain water was headed to the garage and the front stoop!!  And no, we don't live in a flood plain, but when we get inches of rain in 30 minutes' downpour, the drainage system bogs down and water floods the streets..then into the yard and if it continues, into the garage and through the doors to the house.  These photos are taken about an hour to two hours of heavy rain.  Before it finished that day, it was about 6 inches from our garage... 

1] just before sunrise, 2] looking from our front porch to street.  3] our sidewalk and submerged mail box, --there is a street below the water,  and 4] across the street, downed tree on corner.





In the meantime, I decided to do another sketch. Long ago, I spotted this online and when I see something that is of possible interest in drawing what I see, I saved it. This one was just irresistible. I had to try it. It made me smile. A smile much needed in these still trying times with economy, lack of government assistance and those scientific "break thrus" that really mean nothing, since one break thru changes over just a few days' time. And the news...oh the news, don't get me started. Okay...anyway: This time, it was total fun; eye lashes and all!! And, admittedly, the easiest and quickest drawing I've ever done. Just lines and round circles. Very little shading, and literally "quick on the draw"...

Ostrich

Named her - "Ostraleah" aka Ostralia


Ostrich Facts of Interest:
1] Ostriches have the largest eyes of all terrestrial animals. Their eyes are even bigger than their brains.
2] Ostriches have three stomachs. In addition to these stomachs, they also have an extremely long intestine, which takes 36 hours to digest food.
3] They have a long and sharp two-toed claw that is capable of killing a predator as dangerous and strong as a lion.
4] A newborn ostrich baby can be as big as a chicken.

source

Will continue with trolls next post.