Springtime in the Hill Country
What a beautiful time of year with wild flowers, birds, young wild life all around. It seems like summer with the heat and drought that we are experiencing. There are things we should be aware of but often are careless about such as:
Water is a precious resource in the Southwest US. Conservation is critical with our rapidly expanding population. Pay close attention to household use and comply with water restrictions for your yard. If done properly watering two times a week will allow for good landscaping. Consider planting native plants that require little water.
It is fun to cook outside but we need little reminder about wildfires. Prepare your picnics in advance and avoid fires outdoors.
Vacation travel :
Given the present state of our economy all of us are concerned about the cost of living and for many a vacation expense requires good planning. One of the greatest concerns is the cost of a vacation which all of us need periodically. Airline costs are up and gasoline prices are moving up also.
Some tips to help at the pump are:
- Find out who has the cheapest price of gas by checking out websites like GasPriceWatch.com or GasBuddy.com.
- Using cruise control while highway driving will help you keep a consistent speed and conserve gas.
- Be mindful of the speed limit. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is equivalent to paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas.
- Not only is carpooling an obvious way to conserve gas–but in many cities those vehicles with more than one passenger have access to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.
- Consider using public transportation.
- The Federal Trade Commission suggests removing unnecessary heavy, bulky items from your trunk–and also encourages you to avoid packing heavy items on top of your car
Consider your health. The season for having outside fun is right upon us. Sunshine is very pleasant and in proper amounts of exposure is beneficial. We derive Vitamin D from the sun but 30 minutes a day is sufficient. The ultraviolet rays make us vulnerable to skin cancer. Use proper sun screens and clothing to protect yourself.
Dehydration is threatening especially to our children and older citizens. See that they drink water regularly when out. Food spoils rapidly when exposed to heat.
Be very cautious with food preparation and storage. Make sure all of the work areas that food is exposed to are thoroughly cleaned. Most contamination is spread by our hands so be diligent about frequent washing. If you are outside where washing is not possible, use the hand wipes that are commercially available.
Don’t forget to watch children closely when around a swimming pool or other bodies of water.