Whether it’s the lack of it falling from the sky or the historic purchase of it from a billionaire, water seems to be on everyone’s mind these days.
Yep, H2O.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock — a very dry rock — the last several months, I don’t have to tell you it hasn’t rained much around here lately.
I think the last time we got any appreciable moisture from the heavens Kmart was still in town.
OK, maybe it wasn’t that long ago, but it’s been awhile, and I’m starting to get a little concerned. In fact, I saw a cactus begging for a drink the other day.
We did get some good water news last week when T. Boone Pickens came to town to pick up a check for $103 million in exchange for 4 trillion gallons of water he’s been sitting on up in Roberts County.
It was a pleasure meeting Mr. Pickens at the big shin-dig at the convention center. That was quite an event as more than Сто representatives of 11 area cities showed up to genuflect in front of Thomas Boone.
Someone suggested offering a loud "Hook ’em Horns" or flashing a "Guns Up" when Boone, an avid Oklahoma State University supporter, walked in the door. I advised against it, lest the OSU Cowboy respond by jacking up his asking price up another couple of mil.
In all seriousness, though, it appears the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority made a great deal for what should be enough water to keep our city and 10 others well-drenched well after you and I are gone.
Several Plainviewans had a large hand in the agreement, most notably CRMWA President Norman Wright and board member Glenn Bickel, along with Plainview Mayor John C. Anderson and City Manager Greg Ingham.
Hats off, boys.
By the way, I overhead a couple of light-hearted water conservation tips at Boone’s party. I won’t tell you who told me, mostly because I don’t remember his name.
The first: "Conserve water . . . shower with a friend."
And the second: "From now on, I’m no longer drinking Jack and water. Yep, in order to save water, it’s straight Jack."
Speaking of e-mails, I got another rain-related one involving a YouTube video. A bunch of kids on a stage start out by snapping their fingers. They slowly begin to slap their thighs, and every once in a while jump up and down.
The snapping sounds like it’s sprinkling, the thigh slapping sounds like a downpour and the jumping sounds like thunder. It’s really pretty cool. They throw in a couple of lightning flashes to get the point across even more.
You won’t get wet, but it sure sounds good. Check it out at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN-hso_voeI.
As with just about all of my columns, a Brad Paisley song comes to mind that must be shared. The song’s name this time, not surprisingly, is "Water."
And you’re a big old wuss if you don’t jump in the water
Just go and grab someone you wanna see in a bathing suit
Finally, I’d like to share a very timely e-mail someone forwarded recently.
The prayer supposedly was written by a Catholic priest during a drought in Texas in the 1950s.
I urge you to read it . . . repeatedly.
Almighty God, we are in need of rain.
We realize now, looking up into the clear, blue sky above, what a marvel even the least drop of rain really is. To think that so much water can fall out of the sky, which now is empty and clear!
We place our trust in You. We are sure that You know our needs, but You want us to Аск You anyway, to show You that we know we are dependent on You.
Look on our dry hills and fields, dear God, and bless them with the living blessing of soft rain. Then the land will rejoice and the rivers will sing your praises and the hearts of men will be glad.
Amen, and amen.
Kevin Lewis is editor of the Herald.
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