I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of ourresources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford
Travels With Maggie
It wouldn't be summer without sunflowers. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Summer has finally arrived here at Lake Walcott. Until this week, I think we’ve only had three days where the temperature got up to 90 degrees. This week, however, the mercury made it to 95.
Weather is always an easy conversation icebreaker with the strangers I meet at the park. It’s the one thing everyone living on this planet shares.
“Hot isn’t it,” a camper commented as I passed by during yesterday’s evening walk with Maggie.
“Yes,” I replied. “But I’m not complaining. I’m escaping Texas’ awful heat.”
“You’re right. It’s a perfect day. We’re from Tennessee,” he responded back. Neither one of us needed to say more.
Not only have both states been suffering from 100-degree plus temperatures – over 110 degrees at times in my native Dallas – but the high humidity in both states has upped the heat index even more. Yes, it’s been perfectly wonderful, weather-wise, here in Southern Idaho.
In the spring this tree graced us with fragrant pink blossoms. Now, in the summer, it's gifting us with apples. -- Photo by Pat Bean.
Most of my children and grandchildren live in Texas, and have not only had to endure the long hot summer, but they’ve done so mostly without rain.
“It’s almost as if we wish for a hurricane to give us some relief,” one of them said back in July.
I thought about that statement as I read this morning’s headlines, which are all about Irene. This vast hurricane is moving into eastern coastal states even as I write this blog. Headlines say there is the possibility of it affecting 65 million people if it surges into New York City late tomorrow as expected.
What with the heat, the recent earthquakes, both drought and flooding, and destructive tornadoes, I have to say that Mother Nature is getting her revenge on us for the way we’ve treated her planet. But then perhaps it’s just the planet’s normal cycle of weather tantrums that has nothing to do with its inhabitants.
I hope this planet continues to support beauty, such as the cabbage white butterfly that I couldn't resist photographing. -- Photo by Pat Bean
The answer to this issue is quite a polarized one, with everyone having their own opinions.
I, personally, think it’s a combination of factors, and that we humans certainly have to take responsibility for making things worse. And I think it’s time we started thinking about what each of us can do to treat earth more kindly.
From walking more and driving less to planting trees and not dumping hazardous waste into our waterways, from reducing our personal footprint on the land to conserving water, there are many things we can do.
So let’s start doing them.
OK! End of soap-box oration. I know better than to get started on a subject so dear to my heart. I really wanted this blog to go in the direction of simply expressing thankfulness for my wonderful summer here at Lake Walcott, and to send well wishes to those in the path of Irene.
My computer keyboard, however, had other ideas. I’m sure the writers among my readers understand what I’m saying.
Pat Bean's blog 
We drove from France last week, with 40degree heat to the UK with 12. A bit of a culture shock. But its been good to see everyone. Although the car is broken at the moment and we now have to change our plans to rescue it from the middle of the boonies. It will be OK but we will spend some time looking at other cars next week.
I agree with you, scientists, sceptics and assorted politicians seem to speak in black and white over this issue. Where the reality is as you say a combination of factors and we need to address our part in it. The world is finite and as we would tell our kids about sweets etc. When its gone its gone, so we need to be careful.
Jim
The information that makes headlines, especially about environmental issues, is the tail ends of both sides of the spectrum. The more reasonable views, the ones that usually mean compromise, seldom get put out there. For every environmental issue I covered as a reporter, I discovered hundreds of views, most of them legitimate. It’s much easier for politicians, and these days the media, too, to ignore all but one of the two extreme ends. This is a situation that has long frustrated me. It’s everyone’s fault, too. Too many of us want quick answers and quick solutions to problems that don’t have them. Thanks for you comments Jim. Hope your car situation gets solved.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
My best source of weather info, I think, comes from the Old Farmer’s Almanac. I subscribe to their newsletter, and there is a weather blog every week. The lady who runs it is a “historical climatologist” (didn’t know there was such a thing), and I’ve learned a lot about how the weather operates from her. There is an interesting piece this week on the MJO “Madden Julian Oscillation” which takes place in the Pacific around Singapore and affects the hurricane formation in the Atlantic. I figure OFA has been predicting the weather for a long time with 80% accuracy so they probably know what they are doing and don’t get too worked up about fad science.
I sit here in Austin wishing for just a little, tiny, harmless hurricane to bring rain. Re weather changes: It seems to me we need to conserve and find better sources of energy, conserve and clean up land, air, and water–even if we’re not causing the warming. So maybe the discussion should be reframed. But that’s just me.