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I had expected some relief in September from the hot, dry summer. But it’s been three weeks since we had rain, and temperatures are still hitting 90. The forecast for the next week looks much the same.

The fields are full of yellow flowers, though. That’s the best thing about this time of year.

The National Weather Service released new long-range predictions yesterday. For this part of the country, above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation are what we can expect for at least the next two weeks. There seems to be some hope of a change in October.

National Weather Service

Weather Underground

Statistically, the chances of an Atlantic hurricane rise rapidly around Aug. 18. The odds peak around Sept. 10 and remain high through mid-October.

If you’re a weather nerd, as I am, a great source of expert commentary on the weather is Jeff Masters’ blog at Weather Underground. During hurricane season, Masters posts pretty much every day. He explains what’s going on in the hurricane birthing grounds in the South Atlantic, and he tracks any developing storms.

Since I am safely situated 200 miles from the Atlantic, I’m hoping for a good, rainy hurricane season this year to help recharge the ground-water aquifer, which has not really recovered in this area from the severe drought of 2003.

I passed this sign in front of a church on a trip to the Yadkin Valley and back today. The church is on a country road between Siloam and Pinnacle.

The July 5 issue of the New Yorker has a short but excellent essay by James Surowiecki on the high cost of financial illiteracy. Most Americans, Surowiecki says, can’t explain what compound interest is. The less people know, the more they get into financial trouble. Over a lifetime, Surowiecki says, the difference between knowing something about your finances and knowing nothing can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Financial illiteracy also makes people much more susceptible to financial predation, which is raging out of control in our era.

We know that the poor pay more for pretty much everything than do people who are more well off. That, no doubt, is a combination of financial weakness and financial ignorance.

An important point that I have not heard made, though, is that frugality and financial ignorance are not compatible. Frugality requires not merely financial discipline. Frugality also requires laser sharp, Ph.D.-level financial sophistication. Frugality is more than not buying what we don’t need. Frugality also is about paying no more than absolutely necessary for the things we do need — a home, transportation, food, etc.

I am fascinated by conspiracy theories. I figure that there’s always something to be learned from a conspiracy theory, even if the only reality to be learned about is the psychological tendencies of some of our fellow Americans, not to mention their political intentions.

So here’s my contribution to a pretty popular conspiracy theory: black helicopters. Google for that, and you’ll find lots of interesting reading. Why do black helicopters so frequently fly directly above Acorn Abbey, here in the middle of nowhere? To tell you the truth, I’m not sure whether the helicopters are black or dark green, but they’re unmarked. Twice in the last week, three helicopters have flown over in formation. The first time they were flying north to south. Then several days later they flew over on the same vector, south to north.

In addition to the black helicopters, there are frequently orange or blue helicopters. I don’t give them much thought. I figure they have a good reason to be here. Maybe they’re medical helicopters, or surveillance helicopters looking for illegal marijuana crops along the Dan River.

I used Google Earth to try to figure out if there are any landmarks, prominent from the air, that might explain why I’m on such a popular helicopter route. I don’t see anything. My only theory is that the helicopters may be flying over a corridor that is heavily forested and sparsely populated, to attract as little attention (and noise complaints) as possible. But really I have no idea why they’re here.

Solution below. Don’t peek.

The woods are full of the sound of spring peepers, but other than that and some daffodils almost ready to open, spring has not yet come around the corner.

Spring peepers are chorus frogs. Isn’t that a nice term? This time of year they do make quite a chorus. They drown out the birds. The insects aren’t really in business yet.

If we had to have one of the snowiest winters I can remember, even from my young’unhood, I’m glad it was the winter after I was safely moved into a cozy new house with a good heating system and a fireplace.

This photo was taken from the deck behind the house. It clearly shows the slope of the hillside I live on.

It has started snowing again, though this time not much accumulation is forecast.

Hint: She’s black.

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

— Robert Frost, New Hampshire, 1923

The photos were taken under the shelter of my front porch.