We have had rain! Glorious rain and humidity. I know this has been a terrible thing for the midWest, but here on the Northern Plains, especially in the Prickly Pear Valley, it's a joyous thing. Streams that barely trickled in the last ten years have filled their banks. It saved barely and wheat crops throughout the state. Hay production will give good yields.

The only positive thing to say about dry weather is the ban on fireworks. Full darkness doesn't occur until after 10 p.m., a time I'm considering hitting the sack, and that's when the fireworks start popping, fizzing and booming. Dogs yap maniacally. Not conducive to getting to sleep.

But it's only for four or five days. If no brush fires start from people's patriotic celebrations, no true harm.