When I went to Ohio, everything was green from Baker on east. Coming home, it was dryed out grass from Billings on west. When I got home non-irrigated was dry grass and grain turning yellow. When I got out of the pickup, I noticed a jillion grasshoppers about 1/2 inch long. They are now up to 3 inchs long and all the edibiles are going fast.
The good thing is that the USDA notified me that we can officialy get drought aid.

Quick! Get some meat chickens, Dale. They'll feast on those grasshoppers and fatten up for your freezer! Seriously, though, sorry there is drought out your way. We've had an unusual amount of rain here in Wisconsin and it has been a hassle getting enough sunny days put together to make hay. My big fear is that we will again get drought in August like the last 3 years. I have finally put 200 small squares into the barn. Need about 600 more! If the rains hold off, will do that when we make hay on the ridge later this week. It will be a very late first cutting.

here the last two weeks we are starting to see little grasshoppers, we have been having some rain every week, sure hope you all get some to.

Hi Dale -

we're in the same weather pattern as you. Today is the 10th consecutive day over 90F and looks to stay that way until the weekend. Saw lots of hoppers in the windrows after cutting hay ...... also lots of bluebirds on the power lines waiting for supper.

We have been over 100 for a while. Not enough smoke from the fires to block the sun. Get a little rain from the thunderstorms, mostly just enough so we aren't getting more fires. That one is about 30,000 acres I heard.

I usually count on turkey hens to bring their chicks out the first week of August to devour the grasshoppers, but we had a lousy hatch because of the late wet cold spring. I saw 3 hens herding 2 chicks last week. Fortunately not so many hoppers yet for the same reasons.

I had hoped that after an especially cold winter and a dry spring( the rains didn't really come till June) the bugs ( Blister beetles and grasshoppers) wouldn't pester us, but they still do.

Heard you made it to H.P.D. Dale, glad you got home safe. Wish your weather was a little more cooperative.

Dale - I know you're a ways from the fire but still stay safe. That thing just ran off the other night .... those poor folks in Pateros.

Yo Dale,
I emailed you a couple days ago, and sure hope your outfit is safe. Western Oregon is fine and dandy, east side is going up about as bad as your area is. Take care of yo' self and yers.

Harry, need to get my computers overhauled before I can do e-mail again. Got some virus in them. For a while I could go to town and use my laptop but it caught a bug also.
The big fire is west of me about 50 miles. If I hear thunder, I will sit up all night looking for fire. We are really dry and that wind won't quit blowing. One fire east of me burned over the ground so fast that it could re-burn worse than the original.

Sorry bout the computer problems, We don't have that monkeybusiness with Apple, ever. We have had worrisome conversation here about the situation up there. Wednesday am it is RAINING its' butt off down here.10-4
I know all your RH friends hope you folks get through this safely