It's Been a Summer... a Hot One!

No doubt about it, it's been one hot summer. Very hot. Over the past month, it's hard to find a day where at least the heat index has been below 100 degrees. In the past week during my stay at home for my one-week "summer break," there has not been a single day below 102 degrees.

Hey! Remember the "Snowpocalypse?"

"Snow Brawl on the Quad"
University of Missouri, Feb. 3, 2011

Sidewalk outside of an MU ResHall
Feb. 1, 2011

While I don't think anyone would enjoy reliving a 20-inch blizzard, I'm sure some of us would like a little something to cool us down.

I recently stated that you know it's August when walking on the grass is louder than walking on the driveway. We, here in southwest Missouri need some rain. We had a pretty wet spring, but it's almost like the valve was shut off back in late May. Extreme drought conditions and heat in Texas and Oklahoma have made life miserable for the people there. The so-called "heat dome" that was in place for most of July kept the weather pretty hot.

All of that together made things pretty warm when a southwesterly or westerly wind set in on the Ozarks. Which is pretty much how it's been over the past week or so. Check out the July 2011 high temps in Springfield, Mo. While there were a few low and mid 90s thrown in there, the heat index was above 100. Just to point out, the 108 degrees on Aug. 2 was a tie for the second hottest day on record (since 1888).

But, of course we must always realize things could be much worse. For a basic thought, air conditioners could not exist. That would be sad for sure. haha. But moreover, let's look at Dallas. Today (Aug. 4) is the 36th consecutive 100+ degree day there. The record is 42 consecutive days. Oppressive is an understatement. We, here in Missouri, haven't had to deal with the heat to that extreme, thankfully.

But, furthermore, dwell on this for a moment. Check out Baghdad's weather. It's been way above 100 for a very long time. The men and women serving our country there are fighting - for our freedom and safety - with heavy gear and backpacks all while dodging bullets and explosives.

I'll admit it. I've done my fair share of complaining over the past month. But, thankfully, no one has tried to kill me and nothing has blown up. With that said, things could be MUCH worse.

So, I'm sure I'll mention the heat a few more times in some Facebook posts in the coming week or so. But, I'll definitely be keeping this in mind and not complain.

Today, we shall thank God for the 1 1/2 inch rain. That was great! And a temp of 82 degrees at 2:48 p.m. That's pretty good too.

To close, it will (hopefully) all be over soon. Then we can move on and complain about how cold it is in the winter. haha. It is Missouri after all. There is not middle ground when it comes to the weather. However it never fails; the weather always makes for a good conversation. :)