During a drought...

Unless you live in a current events bubble--like we do (what actually happened to Malaysia Flight 370?)--you know California is in the midst of water crisis. OR maybe it's not actually news? Like that one time I texted all my "friends" to assure them we were safe during the rim fire and no one actually knew about the rim fire?

I mean, this is a pretty big deal, we ARE the bread basket of America--the land of fruits, nuts and flakes--(get it, mom?). Except no, we aren't actually the breadbasket, that title goes to the Midwest (whoop, whoop). California is more of the food basket. Much to my surprise, we grow/sell more food than any other state. Why does California have to win everything?

Joking aside, this water situation is pretty dire. We are on our third year in a row of "less than average" rainfall. And while the rest of the country was suffering through the worst winter in recorded history. We were basking in sunshine and mild temperatures. I knew it was trouble, but I enjoyed it A LOT, I still feel like Mother Nature owes me something from my five years in Michigan...

My only "drought" experience prior to this was in Indiana in '88.  I vaguely remember it being really hot, but I don't remember the lack of summer day sprinklers, but maybe it was because I was seven.

This shizit is real. And this is how we have to deal with it...

• I think if I had to pick the happiest part of my day, it would be my shower. But my days of throughly enjoying my scolding hot showers are over. I hardly shave my legs and when I do, I have to turn OFF the water. 
• We obviously can't water our grass/plants/garden, essentially using our hose is off limits. We save our water from our showers & bath to do the watering. It's time consuming, especially since we don't have a watering can. But, there is no I in TEAM. Everyone has to do their part!

• Excess water goes into an outside rain barrel, to use for other outdoorsy needs.
• If its yellow, we let is mellow, and then we eventually flush the mellowed yellow with water from the shower.

Fortunately, we've had some late rain, enough to make everything look green and pretty in time for Easter--but it will be gone in the blink of an eye and the hot summer temperatures will be here before we know it. Reminding us to do our part, no matter how inconvenient it may seem. It's also an invaluable lesson for boys, because as long as we live in this state, water will always be a "thing."

If you didn't stop reading after the title and are interested in learning more, two great books--recommended by the water people in my life-- here and here.