Living in the Mild, Midwest

By Al Horn

Excuse me? Did anybody notice if September passed this way? You know, the month that follows hot, hot August? Here it is, October the 7th, and it seems like August the 7th was just yesterday. I'm kidding, of course. Had I neglected the entire month of September my wife would have let me know. Her birthday is near the end of the month. Still, the change from August to October happened with little climatic notice.

In June, my in-laws living in the southeast questioned why we would keep the heater running in our hot tub during the summer. When they come to visit next week, I'm sure they will be glad we did. I'm glad we did. If I counted the nights it would have been too warm to sit in our tub, I would only have to use my fingers. Another thing, during the month of September I had power to my house to use it any time I pleased. I know this sounds like I am making fun of them. I'm not. Well, maybe a little.

The fact of the matter is that here in the Midwest, especially around St. Louis, we have had it great. Warm, not hot, days. Pleasant evenings. We have received just enough rain to keep things from drying out completely. I'm told the farmers are doing great during harvest this year. If you didn't know any better, you would have thought the earth forgot to tilt on its axis after mid-May. Maybe the good Lord was trying to tell us Midwesterners: "Hey, you don't have it so bad."

The forecast for the next thirty days looks to be kind. Cool evenings and moderate temperatures through the days. I won't be the least bit surprised to see it nice and warm for the kids on Halloween night. If you're a person of Faith, you can't help but feel you are being smiled upon.

Still, you have to wonder.

As much as my Faith has been strengthened in the past year, I can't help but wonder if other immutable laws of nature will soon come into play. I am told that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Will our summer to die for turn into a killer winter? Will the lack of summer drought mean more precipitation in the form of snow? Will my in-laws have the last laugh?

No, they won't.

If December should descend upon us and blanket the countryside with a couple of really good snows this year, it won't bother me. I'll still have the hot tub and a warm fireplace. Should I wake up and find I'm snowed in, no problem, I'll just stay home from work and take the two grandchildren sledding through the neighborhood. I have no doubt they will be laughing all the way.