The ongoing heat and drought we have been plagued with this summer is no laughing matter. But, since there is little we can do about it, maybe that is what we need to do — laugh a little.

Like Bob Hanson says, "Is it fact or fiction?" You be the judge."

When life gets too serious the days can get a little tedious. Read with me an e-mail I received from a friend in Texas:

It has been so hot here that we have discovered some new situations such as...

 .....the birds have to use potholders to pull the worms out of the ground.

 .....the trees are whistling for the dogs.

 .....the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

 .....hot water comes from both taps.

 .....you can make sun tea instantly.

 .....you learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.

 .....the temperature drops below 90 F and you feel a little chilly.

 .....you discover that in July it only takes two fingers to steer your car (one on each hand).

 .....you discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.

 .....you actually burn your hand opening the car door.

 .....you break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 5:30 a.m.

 .....your biggest motorcycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?”

 .....you realize that asphalt has a liquid stage.

 .....the potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter.

 .....the cows are giving evaporated milk.

 .....farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

It is so dry that the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling. The Methodists are using wet-wipes. The Presbyterians are giving rain checks, and the Catholics are praying for the wine to turn back into water!

Also, you may not find this if your dictionary is a little on the old side, but while "Googling" for definitions for some of these electronic device terms, I came across two that might interest you.

The first I discovered, Ineptocracy, is a recently coined word found on t-shirts on eBay.  Ineptocracy is a singular word, which is being used to describe our current political situation.

Read this one over slowly and absorb the facts that are within this definition. 

I love this word and believe that it will become a recognized English word after the 2012 elections come to a close.

Ineptocracy is a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with good and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

The second word is pedant. A pedant is a person who emphasizes trivial points of learning, showing a scholarship lacking in judgment. It also means a narrow-minded teacher who insists on exact adherence to rules.

In other words, pedant is what you are when you know something, be it ever so trivial, and you insist on sharing it with others who may not be interested and find it boring.

Enough said!

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. 

If you have news, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P. O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405. 

• Thursday, July 26th: Clara White, her 102nd birthday; Jordyn Marie Wobschall, Kristine Broskoff Routh, Mark Bartness, Jane Osmundson, Amy Radke, Jean Smith, Scott & Cheryl Christensen.

• Friday, July 27th: Ben Groth, Lori Dirksen, Nita Dooley, Mark Helmers, Nicki Spurr, Rick Spurr, Rhiannon Farr, Alison Underland, Dave Schulz, Kory Klecker, Lillian Rose Olson, Steve & Jinny Nielsen, Travis & Ashley Broskoff, Marguerite & Milton Nelson.

• Saturday July 28th: Mike Luhring, Kari Wayne, DeWayne Jensen, Dennis Jensen, Penny Jensen, Eric Lee, Christian Burnes, Donnie Turvold, Jim & Maryalice Hanson, George & Sue Stieglbauer, Gary & Emily Ayers, Melissa & Scott Michie, Ellie & Chad Schutrop.

• Sunday, July 29th: Randy Dokken, Doug Flugum, Candie Underland, Jennifer Huber, Dory Hunt, Jim Misgen, Brent Jepson, Lorrell Beaber, Todd Wangen.

• Monday, July 30th: Tregg Hagen, Sarah Underwood, Levi Horvei, Trevin Andrew Stollard, Scott Briggs, Amy Hohansee VanderSyde, Gary Sloan, Cindy Vaith, Larry Jensen, Kay Cassen, Shane Christensen, Cindy Esplan, Dani Layland, Kurt & Kelly Krumwiede, Nathan & Lindsey Schlaak, Jerry & Tanya Blouin.

• Tuesday, July 31st: Zane Andrew Miller, Michelle Eaker Stevens, Coni Misgen Evenson, Lorie Paulson, Joan Mast, Adena Berg, Brian & Pam Muri.

• Wednesday, August 1st: Wendy Schultz, Dale Mrotz, Karen Vaith, Stanley Jensen, Lonny Thostenson, Tad Cornelius, Karen Brockman, Rick Christensen, Larry & Carol Spear.

Hope you have a day filled with things that make you smile!