I know how all of you feel who did not receive rainfall yet in July and who are suffering from severe rain deficits this year. Last July we did not receive any rain at all, and it was much hotter then than it is now. It was horrible. I hope rainfall relief arrives soon. Carol, That's the driest I've ever seen it in your part of the state and Scott's and Dorothy's as well. Y'all are having my typical drought conditions, but in an area used to a whole lot more rainfall than my plants ever dream of having, even in a good year. I would imagine that makes drought much worse for your permanent plantings since they are used to abundant moisture most years. Heather, I've noticed your area, and the Norman area as well, are incredibly dry this summer. Scary dry. You doing ok there? I cannot imagine being pregnant in this heat, and I hope you're staying inside and staying cool and comfortable. I thought I'd throw in this comment since mosquitoes often follow rain. Yesterday the local news media reported we had a confirmed case of West Nile Virus in Carter County. The woman was treated and recovered. She was lucky. They've already had some WNV-related deaths in the D-FW Metroplex this year, where the WNV is at what they are calling almost epidemic levels. Since I am closer to DFW than OKC, I've been following the WNV progression very closely as it has moved our way. The Carter County case was the eighth WNV case in Oklahoma so far this year. I worked outside this morning early, but as soon as a mosquito started buzzing around, I came back inside. Remember Jay's words of wisdom every time rain has missed his area these last 4 years of drought in Kansas. He always says that today he's one day closer to rainfall than he was yesterday. I repeat those words to myself when we're in the midst of a dry spell here. Even in the worst of drought years, rain does fall. It just doesn't fall when we want it to. Hang in there. I've linked the 'last 30 days' rainfall map. Look at the pattern of the rainfall--mostly around some of the edges of the state, especially in SE OK which still is desperately dry despite the rainfall. There's a nice little wet spot SW of OKC where there's been good rain, but otherwise the interior areas of the state really haven't had the rainfall. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful:

Good Morning, As the kids used to say- "Go Jasmi, Go Jasmi, It's your Birthday"!!!! 'Slim in 6' sounds like a killer that just may work if you can hang with it without getting hurt. I can't wait to break into the 150s. We've moved DH's 76 year old aunt in with us. She has no children, has gotten her finances in a mess, and is getting feeble and forgetful. It is hard on me because she has been alone for quite a while and doesn't want me out of her sight. She walks slowly with a walker and wants to sit and talk all of the time. I've got to carve out time somewhere in the day to get in my treadmill time. I had to go to the grocery store late last night after DH got home, dinner was over, and she had gone to bed. She wants to eat all of the time. YIKES!!! But, she is sweet and has been very good to me in the past. So... life goes on in the wierdest way. My scales said 165 this am. I hope it is true. Come on Ek, get on those scales. It can't be that bad. We still love you! Take my advice and throw that carrot cake away. She is not too dear if she is giving you carrot cake when you are trying to diet. Wish we could get more garden planted. DH tried to plant tomatoes Sat and a storm started before he could finish. Sounds like you have a great one going. Maybe I can get a nice fall garden going this year. We are zone 7 and can extend it into early winter with some protection (according to the books!) I really need more green leafy anything and groceries are REALLY getting expensive. Helen, I love retirement. But, I have been busier than I've ever been since I retired! Have you found that to be true also? I know what you mean about thunderstorms. Last night when I went grocery shopping the sky was lit up continuously with lightening and it started pouring before I could get back home. Crept the last 4-5 miles straining to see through the wall of water. I backed the car right up to the deck steps and carried all of the bags I could get on both arms in at once. The rest stayed in the car overnight. DH brought them in this morning before leaving for work. The driveway has ruts washed in it from the storm. Bummer. Where are you, Harold? Have a great day, Betty

Dust BUNNIES! from Washington! Hi guys! Well, the couple we had over for dinner last night arrived 1/2 hour late and were quarreling and complaining about each other most of the night...short version is he's having a midlife and decided to stop working and forgot to tell her---! Now they'll have to sell their house (a villa, really) and downsize. She is SO mad at him---uh, I can see why. But it saddens us to see this happen. He says she works too much and he is lonely now that he's not working. We just listened and didn't offer advice. It seemed better that way. Anyway...we've having another couple over tonight and the wife just called and said they are haing problems too! He thinks she is too immersed with the children and her work and is not paying enough attention to him. We'll see how tonight's dinner goes....! DeeMarie~ I know what you mean about the cost of dinners. But it seems like everyone is so busy that if I don't have dinners, I'll never see my friends! :) I don't do the lavish thing any more, just low-key, but yummy foods and I am practicing with making appealing and attractive food presentations! Chives, rosemary, tomaotes, and red peppers are my friends there! It's pretty fun! BTW, how's your hair? AMY!!! I talked to a guy at the feed store and they have some cool, animal-friendly live-catch mousey traps. I'm picking a couple of on Monday and will get them in the mail to you on Monday afternoon. The guy there said peanut butter works well to lure them in to the "hotel." Then you can take the traps outside, away from your place, and set them free---unharmed! Raeanne~ Glad you got a firepit. I want one too! But I'll wait until we move to the island in 2008. Chimineas are very good to use around here because of all the rain---they crack when you use them when they're wet. Bah. Well, I guess that's all for me...for now...

Good Saturday morning! It's 89 F. and partly sunny here today, and I don't have a thing on my agenda (well, except for trying find that darned passport!!!). I loved reading so many posts from everyone! What a great start to my day seeing Marci, Suzanne, Dee, and Jan back and busy writing. It feels like home now! I chatted with Patti on FB the other night. She returned from her Texas vacation last Saturday and said to tell y'all 'hello'. My wrist is no longer swollen, but it's still tender and needs TLC for a while yet. I'm still wearing the bandage when I'm doing anything, and that's helping. The Divas event by the Chamber of Commerce was last night, and it seemed to be a big success. Big crowd, lots of smiling faces from the attendees, the pamperers, and the vendors, so I take that as a success. I got home a little after 11 last night as cleanup went very quickly. I'm hoarse today because the music was a little loud, and I had to talk over it to answer questions all evening. I had something nice happen last night: the chairman of the event recommended me to the principal of the local high school when she asked for advice on how to do a 'Divas' event for high school girls. We'll be getting together within the next month to begin brainstorming. Today is my oldest Dson's 32nd birthday. His dad and wife are there today, so I'd asked him to call me when it was a good time to talk, and he did a bit ago. I got to wish him a 'happy 32 years and 6 hours old birthday'. I could imagine a smile in his voice when he thanked me. :) QOD: I intend to rest my voice, my wrist, my feet, and my back today and do as little as possible. I do have to go into the depths of my messy closet and locate my passport, but dh is going to help me with that because of my wrist. Dinner tonight will be southwestern chicken in the crockpot and more doing nothing but lying around and watching movies. Church tomorrow. Jan, I WISH I'd stuck with my WOE back in January like you have. I've lost nothing. I'm praying for motivation to get serious once again and start losing like you. You're just doing so great! Dee, happy new car! I'd love one, but unless I want to get a job, that won't happen here. Marci, it's great catching up with you as always. Suzanne, hope the chick/hen party goes well this weekend! Raeanne, wishing you all the best if this is the weekend for your big show! Hope everyone's day is everything you need it to be!