Rain . . . what a blessing. I know that areas in the Northeastern US may feel they've had too much. But here in Abilene we've been dry. Plenty dry. So these rainy days have been deeply appreciated. Seems that the rain refreshes our spirits as well as our senses.

And on top of the water we've been blessed with cooler weather. Who would ever have believed a maximum temperature of 68 degrees F in the middle of August?

Along with the blessing of renewed water supplies, two problems have already been mentioned. The first is mosquitoes and the second is humidity. I don't think anyone considers Abilene to be an Eden. (Note: I lived in Eden, TX for 3 years and it is NOT paradise.) But most of the time we're spared the swelter of humidity. As for mosquitoes I've pondered for years why the Good Lord bothered to create such whiny creatures. I don't have it on any sort of scriptural basis but here's my idea. Mosquitoes abound in lush locales so I'm thinking the Maker brought in those demons as reminders that this is not Paradise. . . And then the devil exported them.