Drought is not known for being a good thing. It kills the crops, it kills the flowers, and it ruins the local swimming hole. Alabama was hit hard in 2007, and until the rain started to fall again, I never realized the benefits that came with a drought. We may have been six months without rain, but we were also without mosquitoes or fire ants or the horrible chore of mowing every week.

It was a wonderful summer - even the Forth of July was celebrated with out stinky, sticky bug spray to keep us from being covered by mosquito bites. We spent our days at the water park, free from the attack of the aggressive fire ants. Even more valuable was the time we saved NOT mowing.

And then the rains came. Now the mosquitoes and ants and grass are all back with a vengeance. The time we had free from the pests is quickly being made up. Even with all the tricks and poisons and cooperation, the task is never ending. Just for added fun, the rain has brought the humidity with it. Going outside is like walking into a sauna, only not as fun.

As for the awful pests, I don’t know what to do. The mosquito seems to thrive on my blood, so at least the kids are safe if I’m around. The fire ants seem equally attracted to me (I got bit – in the water – at the water park). It would be nicer if they could finally come up with an environmentally save (and kid save) solution to the annoyances. Until that day, I have to debate if it’s really worth the relief to pray for another drought.