Heat and No Rain

We have been watering a lot here in the Midwest.  After we got our 2" downpour which filled both rain barrels to over-flow, we have had nothing since.  I have drained out one barrel and am half way down the other.  This does not include all the water that has flowed out of the city water tap as well.  It is very dry everywhere we go.  Corn fields which were stunted by too much rain in the low spots last year are the best looking areas this year.  The crest of the farmer's fields are turning brown and moving downhill in yellow streaks.  It does not look good for the corn or soybean crops this year if we don't get some significant rainfall soon.
On the upside of life we have been enjoying the backyard birds this season.  The wrens fledged another bunch of babies from our backyard bird house, the sparrows in the front.  I have been enjoying a family of chickadees that found some natural shelter to raise their young, but have been teaching them to forage at my new squirrel proof peanut feeder that was a Mother's Day gift.  Up to six birds will be in there at the same time munching away on the peanuts inside.  The woodpeckers have also been hanging around more this summer with the new feeding station.  The cardinals are too large for the openings but have been doing some ground feeding in competition with the large population of chipmunks.  With all the holes they have been digging, I half expect to find the garage sinking overnight.  Piles of dirt are building up all over the yard from their burrowing.  I am not happy when the plants are uprooted from this activity.  I keep replanting and watering in the poor victims of rodent abuse.
The peas are almost done, I did leave a small group that was green and holding on to a few flowers and pods yet.  The ancho peppers were next to the variety that completely yellowed out so they and the Slenderette beans have more room and light to grow.  
I ran some soaker hoses through some of the beds to do some deep watering around the beans and onions.  The onions have really taken off in this heat.  I under-planted lettuce by the pole beans and in a couple of other empty spots.  The lettuce in the shady areas is definitely faring better than the lettuce with more light exposure (heat is also a factor).  The lettuce under the beans is also benefiting from the deep watering from the soaker hoses.
Enjoy the summer while it lasts and enjoy a cold drink in the shade.  Gardening seems to just be getting started, but I know we will be nearing the end sooner than I like.