Where's the summer, where's the rain?

Where's the beef? Remember that old Burger King commercial? Or was it Wendy's? It could have been Arby's or McDonald's or Hardee's, or Sonic. It really doesn't matter; it's the "meat" of the ad we remember.

The question today isn't about burgers. The question is, "Where's the summer?" or "Where's the rain?"

The boob tube weather casters spent several days last week prepping us for a good rain; but as the days progressed, the rain evaporated or went south -- something which it has had the habit of doing this year.

The NOAA station in Gravette recorded a measly .09 from the much publicized/promoted non-storm forecast. We need it, the rain that is; we're still almost eight inches short so far this year. So the jingle we need to repeat -- you know, like the changers who dance for rain or who dry ice the clouds -- "Send us the rain; we gotta have rain."

So much for rain. Now the question is: "Where's the summer?" By-gonies, those forecasters had it right when they promised us cooler temperatures. A nice relief which made the 90-degrees more bearable. It -- the thermometer -- dipped down to 50 degrees last Wednesday, July 16, right on schedule. But it wasn't a record low for the day. That occurred 84 years ago in Gravette when the temp dipped to 49 degrees July 16, 1930. There's always a spoiler. My thermometer's always colder (or hotter) than yours. It rained more on my side of the street than yours. Ah, yes; the weather is always a good conversation topic. And it's a lot safer than politics or religion.

Anyway ... back to the original question: Where's the summer? The weather conditions have been on a roll for some time now. With two dry years (that was 2011 and 2012?) coupled with a respite last year, I guess it's time for a little variety. It's always been that way. Just ask anyone who lived through those devastating Great Depression days of the '30s when the weather was on a real whirlwind. The temp hit a sizzling 114 degrees in Gravette one day in July (I don't have that record sheet in front of me) and it tumbled to 23 below zero on a winter day in the '30s. Now that's real climate change.

It's amazing how the deliverers of doom used to call it "global warming," and now "climate change" are the charmed two words.

The "CC" frenzy is about to change our living habits, or will in a few years. If "they" get their way, the whole adjustment period we must go through to prepare for those doom days is going to cost us a lot of geetas. That word dates me, doesn't it?

I could ramble on and on about the weather. Those of you who read the Westside Eagle Observer have read my weather ramblings with all types of statistics gathered from the local NOAA weather records which I like to look through. They date back to 1926 (I wish I had the earlier ones) and they're filled with mind-boggling information supplemented with comments by the various observers (I'm on my 36th year of setting the thermometers and checking the rain gauge every day).

Here's one example penned by Elson Schmidt, who kept the statistics for many years. In his monthly report submitted to the weather service he wrote, "July 1954 was the hottest, most dangerous month ever experienced, with 19 days at 100 and above during the month."

But I'll bet you can remember 2011 and 2012 when July both years saw 100-plus degree temps for 24 days. Yep, the climate is always changing. There's very little, if anything, we can do about it. And that's enough said!

Dodie Evans is editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer and an ongoing contributor to the publication.