The heavenly scent of the purple blooms wafted through the morning breeze, bringing me great pleasure and many, many smiles. Our irises were in full bloom; irises Dixie and I had worked hard to transfer. My young granddaughter, Dixie, and I had dug the flowers with bulbs up out of their original soil two summers ago when her parents were clearing their front yard to the landscape. Dixie, worked hard in the hot sun, helping me dig up the plants, placing them carefully in five-gallon buckets (we ended up with three) until we were satisfied we had them all. Even though summer is NOT the best time to transfer irises, Dixie and I were determined to transplant them because of their beauty; and I had just the spot! The sloping hill behind our house. 

Smiling, I felt the jubilation of accomplishment. As I gazed with delight at the hillside of blooming irises, I felt such a connection to nature for it was as if the irises too were smiling. And I knew how elated Dixie would be with our success. 

“Gorgeous!” I exclaimed out loud. 

“Yep, they are beauties! Good thing they are hardy, or I doubt nary one would have survived!” Cowboy Talltale interrupted my self-gloating moment as he spoke with the conviction of reality. “Irises are a plant we should try to mimic in life. They ask for very little in the way of care, little water, not particularly snooty about soil. They represent one of the most reliable forms of splendor in this world. Even in these times of drought! Trustworthy, steadfast, blooming year after year as long as you thin the bulbs when they get too thick. They smell good, as we all should. They unselfishly release joy without expecting much back. Irises are heavenly. When they bloom, it's like God is sharing happiness.” 

Wow! Pretty deep words for Cowboy Talltale. “This drought is horrible. It’s bad now; but, if the rains don’t come, we will have a drought to be remembered for all time. Bad crops, bad fires, BAD, BAD, BAD,” he continued. 

Funny, how my morning turned from being SOOOOO upbeat with my gardening success to now pondering the drastic state of emergency we might face with the water shortage. In my heart, I knew Cowboy Talltale was in a state of worry himself for he was no stranger to fire danger having witnessed the perils of the Dude Fire, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, the Willow, and the Bush, to name a few. 

“And this drought isn’t just affecting Arizona, it’s running its course in California, New Mexico, Texas, and as far east as Oklahoma.” 

Cowboy Talltale is right. Drought situations are increasing. For example, according to azcentral.com, Lake Powell is sadly experiencing the impacts of severe drought conditions including loss of hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam, boat ramps no longer reaching into the lake, and new protruding rock formations in the water posing a threat to water recreational activities such as boating, skiing, and fishing. Not only is the drought affecting humans, but it is also threatening the habitats of wildlife, fish, and birds. Sadly, Lake Powell is just one of the numerous places suffering from the scarcity of precious water. 

For example, Lake Lugert in Oklahoma is experiencing the effects of drought also. Perhaps the mystery of the drought at Lake Lugert lies in the fact the ghost town of Lugert, once covered by Lake Lugert is emerging from the rocky red sand in an eery manner with pieces of foundations of a town existing and dying decades ago. Various remnants of structures of Lugert are clearly visible as the water subsides and the red earth dries into dust. 

Frank Lugert founded the town of Lugert, Oklahoma in 1901; but when a tornado tore through the small town in 1912, most of the town was damaged or destroyed. In 1926, a decision was made to build a dam across the North Fork of the Red River, which would bury the remains of Lugert. The location of the Lugert General Store was moved. When the dam was completed in 1947, the once-thriving town of Lugert sunk under the water, drowning the history of the turn of the century settlement. 

Yet, just as irises blossom in drought, the historic remains of the small town of Lugert, Oklahoma does too. Amazing! 

Regarding drought, Cowboy Talltale has his thoughts on how to improve conditions if each person responsibly tries to do their part: “We can help be the solution, or if not the solution; we can help make things better,” he declared. “Where permitted, run grey water from your bath and shower to water plants; water plants near sunset which is better because the water will soak the plant overnight instead of evaporating in the heat of the day; and plant irises. They do not take a lot of care or water. Irises have a sense of loyalty and grow beautifully for even the extreme untalented gardener.” 

Thank you for your confidence, Cowboy Talltale! 

“If’n it does ever rain, did you put out your containers to catch the rainwater from your gutters?” he asked inquiringly. And where did my peaceful, upbeat morning go? 

As I walked to find buckets to catch imaginary rain, I spotted a delicate lavender wildflower, growing robustly. Thinking to myself, “Sometimes, it is not the delicate outside, but the powerful stamina inside. Blossoms of a drought. 

Heading into what could be a very grave fire season in many states, I would like to personally extend a heartfelt thank you to all first responders and firefighters. May protection be with you as you fight the fire beast for our forests, our homes, and our safety. Godspeed to each and every one of you! Be safe!