Shade Tree Wisdom 2/22/09

Cool today, and sunny again. So far the report is that we are 4 inches short on rain for the season. Let us pray the Lord sends it now for the spring.

So many events are asking for comment that I will not comment at all. Instead, let me talk a little about a canoe trip down the Brazos river through Fort Bend and Brazoria counties in Texas. It is in connection with the Brazos River Trail, which represents the second phase of a Wilderness Preserve which will eventually form a 650 mile-route of green space through 24 counties around Houston.

While it offers hiking and biking, it also offers canoe trips from launch sites between Sugar Land and Freeport. No, I am not planning to take that since I am no expert in any water craft, but reading and studying about it makes for a pleasant and relaxing half hour or so. The canoe trip offers sights of many birds. A great egret spreads its great white wings and lumbers off in flight from a log. A belted kingfisher shoots down the river, and two red-shouldered hawks skim trees along the river front.

One morning, as the canoe eases down the river, a flock of anhingas, birds they say look like flying snakes, erupt from their roots and spiral into the sky. And later, several dozen wood storks swish their beaks in the low water for tadpoles and minnows.

Canoeing the river is a trip through Texas history. In East Columbia is Bells landing, built by Josiah H. Bell in 1823 for his sugar plantation, and it later served as a ferry dock during the Texas Revolution and as a river port in the early days of the Republic.

Sounds interesting, and soothing, calming and a thing to rest the weary bones and ease one's soul. Why, one might even be tempted to burst into Song.

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works Thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
O Lord, How Great Thou art.”

GPD 2/22/09