Pray for Rain

Please.

After just spending two weeks in Illinois and Michigan where we experienced the cool wet summer that everyone is annoyed by, it was a bit of a shock to return to the triple digits here in Texas. We have nearly set a record for the number of days over 100 this summer (the average is 12, we are well over 60). But worst than the heat is the drought. Central and South Texas are experiencing the worst drought in recorded history. Since September 2007, rainfall has steadily decreased. Even last year as the hurricane brought downpours to places like Chicago, the storm clouds simply blew right over us without releasing a single drop. As of yesterday Austin imposed stage 2 water restrictions. These are the sorts of restrictions that prohibit the running of outdoor fountains, require restaurants to serve water only if the customer asks for it, and land you with serious fines for wasting water. But even before these strict restrictions people had voluntarily stopped watering for aesthetic purposes. Around town I would see empty flowerbeds with signs that read "Doing the right thing is doing without flowers." My yard is long since dead, my flowers shriveled, and my vegetable garden barely staying alive. It's forcing us to be aware of how wasteful we can be, and take care to conserve. (and yes, we have a timer in the shower).

But doing without carwashes and green lawns is nothing – those suffering the most are the farmers. Texas is second only to California as a food producing state, but there are entire counties that have lost their crops. Cattle farmers too are suffering as there is nothing for cows to eat. The grass is dead and there is no hay to even be bought – the cows are starving. Losses from this drought are in the billions of dollars. It is strange since this is a localized drought. In this weird world of climate change, much of the country is wetter and cooler than average, so many don't know about the record heat and drought in this corner of the country. But we need rain and need it desperately. Down here instead of "rain, rain go away" the kids are singing "rain, rain come again." While being forced to be better stewards of our water is a good thing, the suffering is extreme. So if you are so inclined – please pray for rain.