COVID Cases on the Rise Here

Looks like many parts of the country are having spikes in cases of COVID-19; San Angelo is no exception. We've been fairly fortunate here, I suppose. Our infections have always lagged behind our West Texas neighbors of similar size, like Abilene, Midland, and Odessa. But we seem to be having a higher daily average of infections now than we did a month or two ago. I suppose people are just unwilling to practice social distancing. I'm always alarmed when we go out by the number of people who do not wear a mask. There is just a part of our population who do not take this pandemic very seriously. Now, if they lived in a vacuum, it wouldn't bother me. But what they do impacts anyone they come into contact with. Hopefully, a vaccine will be developed soon, but I'm not holding my breath. And when one is developed, how long will it take to reach the general public.

On to other things . . . .

It looks like we're settling into a summer routine here in the Concho Valley. Daily highs flirt with that century mark, sometimes going over and sometimes hovering just below. But I've been happy with our early morning temps of the low 60s. That is some pretty good walking weather. We really have a nice neighborhood to walk in, and so many folks are walking nowadays. Since ours is a very small community -- probably about 500 people live at RCW -- we know most of the walkers, and that is a very comforting feeling.

Our walks are somewhat marred, though, by the new construction at the entrance to our property. As I reported in an entry a couple of months ago, Shannon (our large hospital) is putting in a long-term care facility at the entrance to our property. It's a pretty big operation and is really just getting started. Several small sections of wall have been erected, and they are now being joined by framing. It's often noisy down there, especially when cement trucks are going and coming. I'll be glad when it is all over, but that is going to be quite a while.

Part of the new construction. Another large area to the right of the picture is just now getting underway.

Donna continues to work the yard. I'm thinking about hiring her out to bring in some extra cash. But she's doing a good job, and the yard is looking better all the time. Unfortunately, we have no control over the sprinklers or the mowing, so we are handicapped in our efforts to some degree. I dabble in the back yard from time to time, but I don't get as enthusiastic as Donna. We have a few tomatoes coming in, and we've been eating some pesto made from fresh basil from Donna's efforts. That's some good eating!

Unfortunately, there are some grass fires going on in our part of the state. Currently, I'm aware of at least 3 wildfires: one to the north in Coke County (near the town of Robert Lee), one to the east in Coleman County (east of the town of Ballinger), and one to the south in Sutton County. There are 3 to the north of Interstate 20 between Big Spring and Abilene, and another out west near the small town of Iraan. When it is as dry as it is now, it doesn't take much to start a fire out here -- a spark from a welder in the oil patch or a discarded cigarette can easily start a blaze that spreads quickly across this dry land.

Be smart out there!