AUGUST AIN'T SO BAD AFTER ALL.

But the early morning vapors rise from the surfaces of our lakes here in Wisconsin.

A seasonal occurrence—cooler nights and cooler early mornings, the first signs of colder seasons to come.

A short autumn approaches. And then winter and snow, from my stand point, the coldest and longest season,  but still some months away.

Then Spring! That's some jump. Let's keep wishing.

We seem to have over 4 months of winter, at least it seems that long to me, depending on when it starts in my mind and on when we begin preparing for it.

Then less than 8 months to be shared by Spring, Summer and Autumn. Not fair.

Hold on. It's still August. Let's keep in mind that August is still a part of the summer. August is perhaps Wisconsin's best offering.  Stop thinking winter.  

Those of us, temperature-sensitive creatures must pay homage to this month.

But in reality, September is just around the corner, what will it bring besides some primary elections and school opening? Snow is not likely, not much history of that.

But September brings us another month closer. Wouldn't it be nice if June followed August. I shouldn't wish too hard, that's what global warming might do.

Well, I guess, winter ain't so bad after all. A fire in the fireplace gives good reason for that investment and for warming the spirit.

O.K., O.K., I know, fires pollute. But how much does that contribute to pollution compared to fires in California? How does it compare to fast boats racing across our lakes and then the hauling of these boats back home on the highways and then of course, there's China.

Should I feel guilty about the fire place when billions of dollars in profit, free market activity, come from burning that stuff on the roads.

Should I be talking against the sacred spirit of the “free market” or should I instead continue using my fireplace in support of free market liberty, especially when the snow is coming down?

How about drilling and the drillers? Drill here and drill there and I guess we'll actually drill ourselves vertically or at an angle straight to hell.

This broader stuff needs the attention of the  biggies. What should I, this little guy in Wisconsin do about this love of fire in the fireplace? Is it my ticket to hell?

What about my gasoline driven snowblower? It does have an electric starter, unfortunately dependent on coal. And yes, what about coal? Now that I think of it, it seems August ain't so bad after all.