The weather patterns are funky again this year. The rest of the country, unaccustomed to the heat and humidity that is standard here in my part of Texas, is getting a taste of what it’s like here. But where I live, we’re enjoying a complete turn-around from last year.
In 2011, we endured several weeks with temperatures over 110, giving us a taste of what it’s like in Arizona. Humidity ran around thirty percent, which helped make the summer tolerable since the heat index hovered closer to the actual temperature. By the end of the summer, our pond looked like this:
This year we’ve had several weeks of rain, and here in the forest, temps have barely climbed over 90. Our pond, while it isn’t full yet, is looking quite a bit better:
The rain is such a blessing. We lost several trees because of the heat and dry conditions not just from last year but from the previous six. Last year was just the proverbial straw, albeit a particularly strong one. Between here and my mother’s house is the Davy Crockett National Forest. As I drive through it, I’m saddened by the sight of the gray limbs of dead trees scratching the sky. Some of the seemingly green trees are barely holding on, barely recuperating. A strong wind could upend many of them–which is also true here. I hope we don’t get a strong wind. I’m not that interested in checking out the effectiveness of our insurance policy.
Still, it’s July in Texas, and we’re getting rain. Mid-summer, and only once has the temperature climbed to 100. I tell ya folks, if that don’t prove the existence of a loving God, nothin’ will.
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
Sometimes I worry about myself because I can never remember past weather details like others do. I don’t remember the “Big Snow” or the “Giant Ice Storm” or whether last year was below normal, above normal, or average. I do remember the Great Hailstorm because our barn went down and our house got “shot up.” But now I’ll have to go look at my pictures to remember the year.
We’ve hit 100 here. Looks like 90’s again all week. Rain around us, too–even three miles north, but none here. Our corn is dying, and leaves are yellowing, drooping, wilting. Our grass is brown and brittle, and we haven’t mowed for weeks.
But it doesn’t disprove the existence of a loving God. He’s good. All the time. 😀
Love ya, girl.
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MSB remembers from one year to the next–and remembers as far back as the summer of ’62. As for me, I’m like you. I remember Hurricane Rita, I remember when the pond froze over and our rare instances of snow, and I remember last summer and the pond drying up. The weather has to be pretty remarkable to be etched into my mind.
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My father-in-law kept a journal/diary. He always started with that day’s weather–before he went on to describe who visited who and what they ate. 😉
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I’m surprised Billy *doesn’t* keep a journal!
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I guess your normal weather has moved north to Kansas/Missouri. We’re getting ready to start our second heat wave of the summer. My son’s birthday is forecast to have a high of 106° later this week!
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Temps of 106 isn’t exactly normal for us either. But I feel for ya. I’ve been seeing your weather reports and Lorna’s and have hurt for both of you. Rough, rough, rough!
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What a beautiful difference in that pond, Linda! It’s beautiful, by the way 🙂
We’re roasting here (our lawn looks like a wheat field) – this week’s not so bad, though. Just need some rain. Any time would be fine 😉
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I feel for ya, kiddo. Summer is miserable!
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Wow. Your pond looks a *whole* lot better than the one around here. It’s literally a puddle right now.
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Hate that. We lost all our fish last year because of the pond dried up and they were easy pickin’s for predator birds and raccoons.
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We’ve been so thankful for the relatively mild summer here in East Texas. However, we have a tree man coming out this very evening to cut down a tree that was a major shade element for my son’s house. Now, because of last summer, it’s a major risk factor to his roof. We have two more in our immediate yard that didn’t make it. Sad. I hate losing trees. So glad that your pond recovered. It’s beautiful. Is it close to the house?
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