See how dry and brown the lawn is? That’s because we’ve been experiencing sweltering temperatures in the upper 90s and low 100s, and it’s been humid, with no rain. I don’t even want to run around the yard, so I walk around inspecting the yard with my nose. Then I enjoy a roll on the dry, crunchy lawn.

Then I lie like this and look at Mom. When she says, “Okay, Harper, let’s go in,” I run to her, then up the wooden steps onto the deck, where I wait for her to get up the steps and open the patio door, and we retreat into the comfortable air-conditioned house.

I will mention that yesterday we did have a thunder storm that poured some wonderful rain down for a short period of time with a few minutes between two downpours, and it amazes me how green the lawn looks this morning. But the temperature is already near 90 and it’s just 10:30 a.m.