Sunday, July 10, 2011

The Ugly Side of Summer

At 3:00 p.m. today, the thermometer hit 107* and then dropped to 106.5* for most of the afternoon. No clouds to shade us, just hot, hot sun. Faces feel parched in just a jiffy when we go outside.

So there's no use pretending, not everything is pretty anymore; I have posted pictures of my flowers on Wednesdays when they were in beautiful bloom. Today I'm giving you the other half of the story in pictures: the ugly side of summer. Most flowers have no blooms now, just brown and yellow foliage. I'm wondering if some of them will die.

The pastures are grazed low and are turning brown except in the "draw" where there is still a little moisture for the smart weeds to grow. The cattle don't eat them.


The water in the stock pond is getting very low and has turned a velvety green color, really not good enough for the cattle to drink from. Usually they will come for a wade to cool off, much like the little neighbor children in their pool, but this afternoon I didn't see a cow anywhere; they were all in the shade of the trees.

Finally a little cloud; not a rain cloud, but a welcome shade for a few minutes.

Now I realize some areas are in a much worse drought than we are, and my heart goes out to those who rely on the rains to water their crops. We've probably already put up enough hay, with what we had left over, to feed the cattle next winter; however, if the weather continues to be so hot and dry, we will have to start feeding hay before fall.


But we have hope: "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them..." Is.41:17


Charlotte











7 comments:

  1. it got up to 101.9 here and stayed there for awhile - I'm hope the heat breaks soon but I have a feeling it is sticking around for the summer - hope your animals will all be ok.
    So glad Jeff and Greta got the a/c back on.
    Karen
    http://karensquilting.com/blog/

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  2. I know how you feel, I'll be so glad to see signs of fall. We've had 100 or more for a few days now. The flowers are looking so bad at the end of the day.I have to carry some water from my creek to water them and let everything else go. Fall is my favorite and I'm counting the days..Susie

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  3. Bless your heart..........I am sitting in the same hot spot you are with the same conditions. Hopefully, it will soon rain.

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  4. Gosh you are hot there all the while we remain too cool and wet. Interesting how uneven the weather is in doling out the warmth and the rain.
    I love your post though.

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  5. Oh my goodness-and I thought it was hot here! I hope you get a little cooler weather-and rain tool\.

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  6. I'm not sure where your home is Charlotte, but you are even hotter than we are! And it looks very much like it does here - so dry, so very dry.
    It rained around us yesterday, but we just got a sprinkle. We are praying and trusting He will send rain in due season - for you too!

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  7. That sky picture is so beautiful! :) But yes, it's been painfully hot lately. I want to go outside and take pictures, but everything looks toasted by the sun. :(

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