Hot, Dry, And Blessed

Even though I think this bank thermometer is exaggerating a little it has been a hot, dry week. Despite the brown yards and suffering crops there are some jobs that take advantage of this weather.

The corn crop on the weak soils is nearly lost and the later planted corn looks tough. However much of the earlier planted corn on better soils is amazingly continuing to fill kernels. The weather has speeded up the maturity process. It looks like a very good possibility there could be some corn harvested in late August. 

With all the pastures gone hay has been in high demand. The boys have been baling grass on shares and selling the bales. This is Brad finishing up a reclaimed coalmine area.

Hot, dry weather is perfect for building ponds. This is Mike and his brothers taking a break on a pond they are building for Dr. Mark west of Melcher.

We couldn't figure out what or who was shredding the shucks on our sweet corn. It didn't look like it was something a raccoon would do. We come to find out it was birds going after bugs or worms. Insects like to attack crops when they are struggling even though we water the sweet corn every night.

Karl and Kristin's house got a new roof on this hot week. Here Karl is finishing up soffit and trim. He had an air hose up in his boom bucket to run his nailer and a water hose up there to cool himself off. What a different looking home from two summers ago. Way to go kidos. My hat is off to you.

Mark went to Ames this week and had Dr. Greenwauld rebuild an ACL tendon in his knee. Hot, dry summers are a good time to take it easy during recuperation. Well maybe a little bit easier.

I'm not sure why but sunrises and sunsets are extra pretty during droughts. Someone told me the extra red on the horizons are reflections of the Colorado fire residue.

Watering new trees has become a routine at our house this summer. Our Rural Water bill has gone from 10,000 gallon a month to 100,000 gallon a month this summer. BJ and Cassia got there well working after many years of not being used.

Finally hot, dry summers are great for swimming with cousins at Grandma's house. The weather is minor details compared to a healthy, happy, busy family.

Happy Anniversary Becky and Brian. I don't remember what the weather was like the year you got married however I do remember Becky was five years old the last time we had a significant crop loss because of a drought.