Has it been hot lately, or what? I can remember it getting this hot last August, but I happened to notice when I went down to my parents' home on Sunday evening that their atomic clock/indoor and outdoor thermometer was declaring 105 degrees - and the thermometer probe for their device is in the shade! Well let me tell you, that's hot, for a Fourth of July weekend.

And on Sunday night and Monday, I was with some friends in Mobile, visiting and working on a riding lawn mower. Before the day was through I had taken four showers, including the one I took right after stepping outside for my first cigarette of the day.

Not that I am complaining though, because I felt lately like we were going to have to come up with webbed feet and even noticed that people were quacking instead of talking.

Ever wonder how Rich Thomas comes up with those figures that say we are still behind on our rainfall? I bet he wants to reconsider his comment of three weeks ago now…or maybe not.

Weather forecasters are akin to prognosticators and psychics anyway. It's all about the "best guess," even after all those millions and billions of dollars spent across our country on the "latest and greatest new invention in weather instrumentation."

Well let me tell you, nearly two years ago, Dr. Steven Barrington, the orthopedic surgeon that placed metal hardware in my right leg introduced himself to me as the "guy that installed the barometer" in my leg. And he wasn't joking, either. I can tell you two days ahead of the weather people when rain is impending, with at least 90 percent accuracy.

Used to be it was my sinuses that read the barometric pressure in our atmosphere, but not any more…when my leg begins to start aching, it will soon be time to break out the umbrella and boots. And you can bank on that one, buddy.

Not that I am complaining, because I am so proud to be here, wearing a pin in my leg. Kind of makes you wonder though, what would happen in an airport if I tried to board a plane? Would the whistles and bells go off when I passed through the metal detector? That could be embarrassing. Guess I will just have to stick to ground transportation - which doesn't sound like a bad idea anyway. I hear that the pressure is lighter at the heights of a big jet airplane then on the ground. Makes one wonder what would happen when we flew through a thundercloud? How would my leg feel then?

Anyway, I just thought I would shed some new light on the weather, and maybe a little humor as well.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend, and remember, if you are looking for me, I will be that guy covered with sweat, or dodging the raindrops, out there in Deep Left Field.

George Wacha is the managing editor of The Luverne Journal and The Lowndes Signal. He may be reached by e-mail at george.wacha@luvernejournal.com.