Only On The Walters Post

Well, folks, I’ve been looking to the sky, watching the wind directions, and thinking back on years gone by, and I figured I’d share a few thoughts about the summer ahead here in Port Loring.

From where I sit, it’s looking like a summer that’ll have a little of everything. We’ll get our hot spells, no doubt about that, and the rain’ll show up when it’s least convenient, as always. Thunder might roll in now and then to shake the walls, and make you glad you brought the laundry in early.

Now, there’s plenty of chatter these days about global warming and climate this and that. But truth be told, the earth’s been going through its own ups and downs since long before we had names for it. Back when I was farming down in Southern Ontario in the ‘70s, we saw it all. I remember one summer where the fruit trees bloomed early and got caught by a late frost — set the whole orchard back. And another when the heat settled in so early you’d be sweating before the sun was even over the barn roof.

Some years we had rain every second day, while others you’d be praying for it and watching your lettuces wilt right in front of your eyes. But you know… nobody called it a crisis — we just called it farming. You worked with what you got, hoped for the best, and kept your boots by the door.

So what’s coming this year? My guess is a summer that reminds us of a few we’ve had before. Warm, maybe a little sticky, but with those bright, clean mornings that make you glad to be up early. A bit of thunder here and there, a few heavy showers, and plenty of days that’ll tempt you to forget what month it is.

It might not be perfect, but it’ll be ours — and that’s good enough for me.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW