skip to main content

Home Decorating Conversations

What’s in the water in Texas?

10 days ago

last modified: 10 days ago

Identical quadruplets were born recently near Houston. Four years ago, identical quadruplets were born near Dallas. EDIT I mean Fort Worth. About 20 years ago, I think it was, identical quadruplets were born in Texas. Identical quadruplets (and twins and triplets) occur spontaneously, without IVF etc. There are fewer than 80 sets in the world! and three from Texas? Wow!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Jilly
10 days ago
Ha! I hadn’t heard of them.

I’m trying to think of a way to use the “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” cliche, but it just sounds dirty.
Lars
10 days ago
In El Paso, there is lithium in the water, and I believe that this puts everyone there in a better mood. I've always loved El Paso, partly because it was such a relief to get there when driving from central Texas, over 600 miles away.

I've always found people in El Paso to be very friendly and good-natured (unlike people in certain other parts of West Texas, like Fort Stockton), and I thought it might be because of the water.
Related Discussions
self-watering tomato container in Texas, DFW area
Q
Comments (1)
Check out Earthbox either at their site or Amazon. Also they are ususally on TV on HSN every Spring with a special. I have used them for years and they are built to last. On their forum some still have their original boxes. Their water reserve is 3 gallons. I am in a hot climate also and during high heat you will be watering daily. I could cut down on watering by just planting one mater per box but I always have WAY TOO MANY new ones I want to try. Good luck! Linda
...See More
Incorrect watering or Texas Root Rot?
Q
Comments (1)
Texas Root Rot is a fungal pathogen that is indigeneous to soils in the Southwest. The fungus does not move in the soil. Instead it must 'hitch' a ride on a root that grows into its location. Then it slowly invades the tissues of the root where it causes failure of the vascular system of the plant. If one plant's roots touch anothers, it is possible for TRR to move from one plant to another via the roots. TRR is not causing the problems you are experiencing with your trees. It usually takes at least a year for a tree planted in an area with TRR for symptoms to appear. This is because the roots have to grow into the area with the fungus as mentioned above. Your problems are probably water-related. If the root ball dries out, or if the root ball was damaged during planting it would cause the symptoms you describe. When you apply water you must moisten the entire root ball and then let it dry just a bit before the next application. You don't mention how you are delivering water. Do you use a drip system or a hose? If a drip system you will want to water for at least two hours each time with the intent to push the water to a depth of three feet. If using a hose, just let the water trickle for several hours - at night works well because the water in the hose stays cool. This will depend on the size of the original containers. If you planted 24 inch box trees, you will need to water for a longer period of time. The only way to test for TRR is to dig (not pull) pencil-sized roots, with soil attached, and take them to a laboratory. Do not add water, but keep roots cool in a plastic bag. The lab will look for the fungal strands attached to the exterior of the roots. Good luck. Certified Arborist Here is a link that might be useful: Cotton (Texas) Root Rot
...See More
Is Texas running out of water?
Q
Comments (31)
I have one neighbour, out in the country, that built a small lake on top of a hill. First of all, what kind of thinking is that? Lakes, ponds, tanks, or whatever you want to call them, are built where runoff water will fill them, but what about on top of a hill? The city people keep moving out here to the country, which I have no problem with normally, then spend literally millions on fixing up a showplace complete with lights that stay on all night making their place look like an airport...ok, I'm getting sidetracked. Anyway, they fill the lake with underground wellwater. They come out maybe once a month, but they have to have a full lake to fish in or to just look at. In the recent past drought years, everyone else around them had their stocktanks run dry or get so low that it was undrinkable for livestock, and several wells in the area went completely dry. There are three levels of water here and anyone with a well the same level as the city folks, either lost their wells or had well problems. Does this make sense? Why ruin it for those that need it just so your place looks pretty. Does anyone think anymore? I know of seven places that use wellwater for ponds, all are people who came from the city, and only two are places where the owners live there full time. I know, I sound like I'm against city folks moving out to the country, but I'm not, I'm just stating that people need to consider other peoples needs and use a little common sense. Talk about more money than brains. Absolutely no consideration for anyone else. Kt
...See More
Water Levels in Texas Lakes
Q
Comments (30)
Lake Lavon is now at around 64% full. Still a long ways to go, but much better than the 53% full from a month ago. We need more rain like we got this past week to help fill it back up. The last news I heard about water restrictions in North Texas is that they are delaying the decision to go to stage 4 until July 1, previously it was April 1. So, we can still water twice a month on our designated watering days. We can water our vegetable gardens and anything else that needs it (container plants) by hand because we're controlling the water so there is not any runoff. We still need to conserve water wherever we can - only do full loads of dishes, laundry; take shorter showers, etc. Most importantly since it is still winter and we are not experiencing a lot of evaporation like it is when it is hot, we don't need to water if we receive 1/2-1 inch of rainfall every two weeks. So far since we have gone into stage 3 on November 1, 2011, I have not run my sprinklers at all because we have received enough rainfall for my landscape. It is turned off.
...See More
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
10 days ago
Can't comment on the quadruplets thing...

But ha, Lars - I had to look that up 😄

It's true there's lithium in the water, but according to El Paso Water's site:

"Is lithium present in El Paso’s water? Does it have an effect on people’s moods?

A small amount of lithium occurs naturally in El Paso’s water. The amount is considerably less than a medical dosage. Lithium is sometimes use by doctors to treat mental disorders. To get the same amount of lithium as one standard capsule, you would have to drink about 600 glasses of water."

https://www.epwater.org/our_water/water_quality/water_quality_faq

I think it may have been higher in the past tho - this article is from Time Magazine in 1971:

https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,905404,00.html

And who knows? Maybe trace amounts have a cumulative effect.
Bestyears
10 days ago
The Houston couple who just had the identical quads also have a three-year-old and an 18-month-old. All I can say is I'm glad I got pregnant before I moved to Texas!
bpath
Original Author
10 days ago
When I lived there many, maybe 40, years ago, I recall a story about a Texas family that started with one child. A year or so later they had twins. A year or so after that they had triplets!

Definitely something in the water!
lizbeth-gardener
10 days ago
The odds for this happening naturally is astronomical and they weren't even trying for another. So nice they had two little boys and now have four little girls.
lascatx
10 days ago
Maybe it's a good thing I moved to CA after we got married and returned to Texas after my kiddos were born.
OllieJane
10 days ago
Wow! That is very strange.

Related Stories

LIFE Data Watch: What’s Great, and What’s Not, About a Smaller Home

By Erin Carlyle

Houzz asked more than 200 U.S. homeowners about life in 1,000 square feet or less. Here’s what they said

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: What’s Old Is New Again in Texas

By Becky Harris

A fresh update brings back a 1920s kitchen’s original cottage style

ARCHITECTURE What’s Fueling Austin’s Edgy Modern Architecture?

By Mitchell Parker

A look at the blossoming design scene in Texas’ capital city — and what’s behind all the experimentation

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Delight in Summer’s Garden Glories — Here’s What to Do in June

By Annie Thornton

Wherever you live in the United States, these guides can help you make the most of your summer garden

LIFE Houzz Call: What’s Your Perfect House Size?

By Erin Carlyle

How big is too big? How small is too small? Please tell us which home size is just right for you

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS What’s the Difference Between Quartzite and Quartz Countertops?

By Marie Flanigan Interiors

Weigh the pros and cons of these popular kitchen countertop materials

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy

FUN HOUZZ Houzz Call: What’s on Your Refrigerator?

By Becky Harris

Magnets, menus, children’s art, coupons, perfect-attendance certificates, song lyrics — what is fridge-worthy in your house?

BATHROOM DESIGN What’s Your Bathroom Style? 9 Great Looks to Consider

By Mitchell Parker

See what creates a bathroom’s style, whether you like farmhouse, contemporary, industrial or your own brand of eclectic

HOUZZ CALL What’s Growing in Your Edible Garden?

By Becky Harris

Tell us which fresh crops you look forward to enjoying this summer

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES

More Discussions

Moving to a New Old House

37

Have any of you been to Milan?

24

In search of a LED rechargeable makeup mirror

16

New Drivers License Photo

40

Looking for input and guidance

10