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The Rural Voice, 2006-08, Page 62 THE RURAL VOICE Carol Riemer Hot times: summer in the countrg Carol Riemer is a freelance writer who lives with her husband and ht'O children near Grand Valley, Ontario. A thick. smoky haze just hovers over the horizon. As another day dawns, the temperature has reached 25 degrees. The forecast indicates a high of 34 degrees, but factoring in the humidity, the weatherman says it will feel more like 40. After another fretful night of tossing and turning, while alternately listening to the mind -numbing, repetitive click of the overhead fan and the incessant whirr of our aging air conditioner, I find myself wishing for the cool, crisp days ahead. Between yawns, I roll over and, with one eye half -open, I squint at the alarm clock. I'm barely awake, but I know that, with this heat, it's best to get an early start. After stealing a few more minutes of precious sleep, I struggle out of bed to make coffee. In the background, the radio announcer reports something about there being another smog alert. Smog should be more of a concern to city dwellers, I think to myself. But, acid rain and carbon emissions from fossil fuels know no bounds. They affect rural areas, as well as cities, impacting on the atmosphere, crops, soil, air quality and indigenous wildlife. That low-lying ozone you sometimes see floating over the fields not only aggravates existing respiratory and heart problems in some people, but can also cause symptoms like eye and throat irritation in those that are healthy. With elevated temperatures and humidity, the risk of thunderstorms is always a constant consideration. Rain 12th Annual SAUGEEN ANTIQUE POWER & STEAM SHOW presented by Saugeen Antique Power Association Inc. at Cedar Rail Camp, Scone August 26-27. 2006 Featuring: International Harvester n Harold Keith Ryckman - 519-323-2158dill - CO"93 Ron Gadke - 519-364-3238 Antique Tractors Plowing Demos Antique Cars & Trucks Gas Engines Hw T w urtoo ToO Owen SoundThreshing Camping Saw Mill Live Music Food Booth Steam Engines Wagon Rides Crafts Roast Beef Supper 5 pm Sat. Tom g N e RCedar RaUCamp Auction Sale of antique tractors, parts T°a ''" & equipment Saturday, August 26 at 10 a.m. g`°"` T Hasovor Consignments Welcome! Advertisement sponsored by Jtd1 ., ,seance ales, - r.,n .w ,�,� Specialists Chesley 519-363-3510 James Cavil! Fuels 1110 Chesley 519-363-3553 Maluskie Farm Equipment Ltd.[ Markers Farm Machinery Branson] TRACTORS 3Parker St., Elmwood Desboro 519-794-2053 519-363-2731 iii0Caro&n's Xtchen TLTZ SALES 8 SERVICE Home Cooked Meals Mno. - Sat. 7 am - 8 pm; Sun. 9 am - 8 pm 66 Main St., North Elmwood 519-363-9839 Hwy. 9 North, "Service that Saves Mildmay CASE HI 519-367-2672 1-800-829-2672 2 THE RURAL VOICE Carol Riemer Hot times: summer in the countrg Carol Riemer is a freelance writer who lives with her husband and ht'O children near Grand Valley, Ontario. A thick. smoky haze just hovers over the horizon. As another day dawns, the temperature has reached 25 degrees. The forecast indicates a high of 34 degrees, but factoring in the humidity, the weatherman says it will feel more like 40. After another fretful night of tossing and turning, while alternately listening to the mind -numbing, repetitive click of the overhead fan and the incessant whirr of our aging air conditioner, I find myself wishing for the cool, crisp days ahead. Between yawns, I roll over and, with one eye half -open, I squint at the alarm clock. I'm barely awake, but I know that, with this heat, it's best to get an early start. After stealing a few more minutes of precious sleep, I struggle out of bed to make coffee. In the background, the radio announcer reports something about there being another smog alert. Smog should be more of a concern to city dwellers, I think to myself. But, acid rain and carbon emissions from fossil fuels know no bounds. They affect rural areas, as well as cities, impacting on the atmosphere, crops, soil, air quality and indigenous wildlife. That low-lying ozone you sometimes see floating over the fields not only aggravates existing respiratory and heart problems in some people, but can also cause symptoms like eye and throat irritation in those that are healthy. With elevated temperatures and humidity, the risk of thunderstorms is always a constant consideration. Rain