Have you noticed on weather maps the dark red blob seemingly anchored in land owned by Warren and Marla in Kansas? It designates the 100-degree zone. What of Kansas will survive? Warren and Marla, are you still there?
Meanwhile we received two rains yesterday. I emptied the water barrel into smaller containers between the first and second rains. Things look brighter today; the butterfly bath is full.
“Indeed, this summer’s record-shattering weather across the United States has created a heightened level of interest in and concern about the consequences of climate change,” writes Eric Klinenberg (New York University) in today’s New York Times. He documents the effects of heat on urban dwellers and tells of “water wars” in poor neighborhoods. He insists that not just personal habits but policy changes are mandated. “Americans’ growing concerns about global warming will mean nothing if our national leaders are unwilling to seize the moment and do something about it.”
We are here!
We had a 1.17 inch rain on June 21. Since then we have had 31 days of 100+ degrees and 0.04 inches of rain. We are watering our tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, lima beans and young trees. Otherwise we are hoping our well holds out to keep the livestock watered.
We have made 24 quarts of spaghetti sauce, 16 pints of ketchup, 12 pints of “JB’s” famous salsa, have a quart of dry limas and a couple pints of blanched limas. We plan to plant a Fall garden…hope springs eternal!