It looks like the drought is with us… still… again… seemingly forever. The reservoirs are low. Lake Powell, at a historic low level, is looking like a name change will be in order: “Pond Powell?” Lake Mead, which supplies water to about 25 million people, is also at a historic low.

People who understand the drought are concerned. Some are scared. I know boat owners who are considering depression medication.

I bring up the subject of drought every once in a while here. It’s a situation that we all have to cope with.

I talked to a local rancher three or four years ago. He said that was the worst year for drought he’d seen. He said that he remembered back into the 1950s.

Some of his property at an 8,000-feet elevation was like walking on corn flakes where normally it would be green and lush.

I know this is a tired subject. I’m wondering whether to even plant much of a garden this year. I probably won’t be able to resist putting a few tomato plants in the ground, but I don’t know if it’s worth doing much else. I’m afraid it’s going to be a long, hot summer.

We soon will enter the “dog days of summer.” The thermostat is turning up on us here in Sanpete. I gather that the Greeks and Romans watched for when the very bright star Sirius, the Dog Star, rose right about the same time as sunrise.

This event began the hottest, most sultry, days of summer – the “dog days.” Many cultures, both ancient and modern, have different beliefs and traditions relating to the “dog days.”

In Sanpete, the tradition is that it’s just plain hot and dry. People here use two “D” words. Drought and Derby. It seems to me that we use those words every summer of every year of the world. Actually the Demolition Derby and Drought get talked about all year long.

I suppose that lack of water really shouldn’t be surprising to us though. After all, we do live in a desert.

At this time of year, everyone is working hard to keep their lawns and newly planted gardens from wilting and drying up and blowing away. Some of you have considered me to be an expert gardener and yard keeper. (That same group of people attract squirrels because you are nuts.)

I may have shared some of this here before, but in my “expert” capacity, I would like to now address some of the questions that Sanpeters have this time of year as they anticipate the extraordinarily hot and dry part of the summer. I’ll use the standard Question-and-Answer format.

Q: Merrill, is it normal for my lawn to be “crunchy” as I walk across it?

A: The short answer to that question for the hottest part of the year is “Yes.” This condition is the lawn’s normal response to the simple fact that it’s getting no water. While this crunchiness of grass can be distressing to some, if the right attitude is used there is some fun to be had.

Those old enough to remember the long running ad campaign for “the only cereal that talks” will know what I’m referring to. Rice Krispies had three little cartoon characters named, Snap, Crackle and Pop who were in the television ads. I think of them as I walk across my “talking” lawn.

Q: Could it be that our droughts in Sanpete are some sort of divine judgment from above and that we should be living better?

A: Umm – that’s not really a yard and garden question. But since you asked, I’ll give you my quick theological observations. Have you noticed the plagues of grasshoppers that routinely come upon us? Has anyone seen someone who resembles Moses, maybe a “Ten Commandments” Charleton Heston look alike, with a long white beard and a staff?

Somewhere in the good book it says that it “rains on the just and the unjust.” Conversely, I would assume that it “doesn’t rain on the just and the unjust.” But to answer the last part of your question, yes – we should all be living better. But I don’t attribute drought to God. I place the blame where it rightfully belongs. As far as I’m concerned, that Kevin Eubank weather guy on Channel 5 is responsible. (I would never blame Alison Krogan from Fox13 for anything)

Q: Last year I planted corn three times with no success. I know that you’re known as the king of corn. What’s my problem?

A: There is symbolism in the fact that you’ve planted three times with no success. It’s a baseball concept that applies here. The corn gods are saying, “Three strikes and you’re out!” Corn can be a tricky crop. Could it be that your problem is related to the two tons of “hot” turkey manure you applied or is it that pesky “no water” thing?

Q: My husband spends hours staring at the sunburned rose bushes while holding a garden hose, which has no water running from it. I’m a little worried about his mental health. Am I justified?

A: Don’t worry. His behavior is attributable to just plain old force of habit. It’s stronger than nicotine. It may be a bit non-productive, but hey — at least he’s home and not at the pool hall.

Q: I’m landscaping a new home here in Sanpete. Any suggestions?

A: Yes, I’m full of suggestions. Start with saguaros. You know that tall cactus that Taco Time has for its logo and signs. They’re big and impressive. The rest of the yard can be done with prickly pear, barrel cactus, yucca and century plants.

Well folks, it’s time to wrap up this Q and A session. Enjoy your dog days of summer. Keep the lemonade supply high and the dog’s hair short. — Merrill

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