Water

May 28, 2020

I have always been awed by the power of water.  When I was in California, I would go to the beach and watch the waves crashing during storms.  A single storm could either deposit or erode the sands of the entire beach with its power.  When I lived in Kansas, I would go to the dam outlet tubes and watch the rushing water crash and boil as it was released.  One summer they shut the tubes down.  The force of the water had eaten the concrete blockades away and they were forced to replace them.  That was the first time I realized why the water was so turbulent.  Then there is the Grand Canyon.  Knowing that water’s power source is gravity makes the whole process seem more amazing.

The other power in water is its ability to makes things grow.  I was in the desert for an excavation and we had drinking water delivered to the site and put in a canvas bag.  The water would seep through the bag and as the wind blew, evaporation cooled the water.  The water that did not evaporate dripped onto the ground.  Over the course of the month on site the area below the bag became a lush patch of green grass, in contrast to the surrounding barren desert.   The early inhabitants had built cisterns and aqueducts to channel and flow the rain which fell sparsely.  They used the stored water to grow crops and quench thirst for over 5000 people.  They used water to give life.

This spring has been one of the wettest years in a long time here in Arkansas.  The cooler temperatures and rainy conditions have been a boom for my flowers and vegetables (except for my cantaloupes).  The pansies and daisy in the front planter had died earlier but are now being given a second growth.  One Cardinal feeder was filled with black oil sunflower seeds.  It was self-made and I had not put holes in the pan.  This filled with water and soaked the seeds until I noticed and cut three slits in the bottom.  I now have shoots sprouting from most of the seeds.  The birds do not seem to care.  The water provided them with extra nutrition.

THOUGHTS:  Water is an essential for life as we know it.  The human body is comprised of roughly 60% water, and even our bones are made up of 31% water.  Scientists say a person could go anywhere from one to two months without food but would only last from four to seven days without water.  Nearly 70% of the earth is covered with water, but only about 2.5% of the water is fresh and drinkable.  With so much dependent on clean water you would think we would do more to ensure there is enough of this vital resource for everyone.  We should all be awed by the power of water.  If you venture out, stay safe.