Too Hot to Handle

I know it's July, but really, when will this heat subside?  Since moving to Oklahoma over twenty years ago, I don't remember any other summer as wicked as this one.  

We are experiencing our third week of temperatures over the 100 degree mark.  The average daily temp has been 104 with no rain predicted. Ugh!

We are fortunate not to be operating under water restrictions (not yet anyway) and while we water daily, our lawn and  trees are suffering from the excessive heat.  Even a quick trip outside to water a few container plants or pull a small patch of weeds produces BUCKETS OF PERSPIRATION!
The trees are dropping their leaves as if it were November instead of July.  He-man fills the bird baths daily, but the water practically boils before the thirsty winged creatures can indulge in a morning dip.

Is this temperature change due to global warming?  Many say. "Yes indeed, I told you so." But there are almost as many who say, "No, it's the tilting of the earth's axis."  I don't know what it is, other than, unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

What in the world did my ancestors do before the invention of air conditioning?  And they worked in the hot sun all day long.  Makes me feel like a total puny butt.  I know I could not work as they did.  I would lay down and expire before I got to the end of the potato row, or wheat field or whatever kept them out there working all day.

All I can say is kudos to those who lived before AC and thanks to whoever invented it.


The grand kids don't seem to mind the heat as much as I do.  They love to be outside and pay little attention to the sweat rolling in their eyes, blurring their vision.

 One steamy afternoon Bluebird wanted to show me how tall the sunflowers they had planted in the Spring had grown.  As much as I like flowers, I was a bit apprehensive about going outside for anything.... except that it was Bluebird's invitation and I am not good at resisting her sweet song.


Bluebird's house is built on a hillside where many steps lead from the driveway to the front door. Bluebird gingerly made her way down the rocky retainer wall to greet the blossom at the height of the sunflower.  While Bluebird might have a spirit of grace, her body does not.  She can trip over a snail.  So when I watched her scaling the wall, I positioned myself close by.  However, I did manage to click off a frame or two while spotting her balancing act.

She made it without a fall where she planted herself on a rock and began conversing with the flower as only a bluebird could do.

Of course, her younger brother wanted to scale the wall too, but I convinced him to let me take a picture at the bottom instead.  Don't know how I ever persuaded Clone to sit in a chair instead of climb a wall?  Maybe it was because his last mishap from a climb was still sporting a mark on his noggin.

I suppose there will be many more mishaps in an active Cloned life.  But I pray that none are critical and that he learns the lessons he needs to limit the amount of band aides his mother buys.

I hope you stay cool and comfortable today.  I hope those who have not a home or air conditioning or sunflowers to sing to are taken in by those of us who do.  I hope we give mother earth the care she requires. 

Thanks for visiting.