The Bicycles are Lonely

Just taking up space in the garage
until it cools down outside.

Once again, the National Weather Service has issued an Air Quality Alert because of high temperatures.  An unusually high number of days with forecast highs in the 90s this season has called for adjustments to our summer recreation ideals.  We, especially me, are big advocates about playing outside. 


As I write this, it is Sunday afternoon.  We've come home from church and had our nice lunch.  The rest of the day is wide open to do whatever we please.  My first choice would be to go bicycling or hiking.  As we drove home, though, we saw on the van's digital readout that it was already in the high 80s before noon.  As a result, Ryan is in his room working on his computer (I did mention a blog he could be writing an entry to), his younger brother and sister are upstairs playing Lego, and Darling Bride is catching up on laundry.  Also, thinking ahead to some planned camping trips, I'm questioning the logic of giving up a nice, air conditioned house for the hot outdoors.  At least we have a nice, air conditioned pop-up camper.

To put it in perspective, though, here in Indiana we are experiencing drought conditions along with hot temperatures.  As Darling Bride pointed out, "we are having our August weather pattern in June."  The weather is creating trials for everybody.  Farmers, first and foremost, are having trouble with their crops.  At the farmers market last week, I wondered to myself how our favorite sweet corn grower was going to make money this year.

The lawn mower is no more than a
photo prop until more rain comes.

On the other hand, we haven't been complete prisoners to the weather.  We have been swimming.  Early mornings have been pleasant.  Some of us went fishing yesterday.  Therefore, it is wise to put things in perspective.  Maybe today would be a good day for some down time?  Not only, that, but with brothers and sisters playing nicely right now, that's something to celebrate.  We can also be thankful for modern conveniences like electricity and air conditioning.  We are well.  Weather patterns do come and go.

Has any extreme weather altered your summer plans?  How have you adjusted?