In boxing, the phrase “saved by the bell” means one of the fighters has been knocked to the mat and the referee is hovering above the slumped combatant. The referee is in the middle of the count to “ten and you’re out.” Suddenly the bell rings signifying the end of the round. The downed fighter’s trainer jumps over the ropes and drags the dazed pugilist to a little round stool in the corner to recover and fight again.

The fallen fighter was saved by the bell.

Something fell last Thursday, this Monday and Tuesday early that for the early corn in the fields was like being saved by the bell. Uncle Joe was up on Wednesday, and he said that little corn “was about to be hurt.” After the rains, which totaled around 5 inches, Joe said he could hear the corn growing out there in the fields and “it was knee-high.” That’s what happened. It rained. A good one too.

The young corn was saved by the rain.

Never doubt drought is a fearsome thing. Much of Texas is in the midst of severe dryness. The climate cooperated this past week, but some say that climate is changing and may not be as cooperative in the future.

The future is a fuzzy place, little known and even less subject to prediction.

Climate change has been announced to be upon us. My definition of climate change is “the climate is changing.” Here in Texas they say “if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes.” That’s the way the weather is, always changing. One minute you’re freezing, the next minute you’re baking. Welcome to the Lone Star State.

So, “the climate is changing” must not be what the experts mean by climate change. Perhaps those science types mean “the climate is changing more quickly.” No, that can’t be it, weather by nature changes quickly. Always has. Wait, I got it. Those pocket protectors must be saying “the climate is changing more quickly in one direction.” That’s gotta be it. Like, we’re in a drought, and it will just be getting worse. But, it just rained and got better, and we all want it to keep getting better.

Perhaps we should leave that climate change to the experts and get back to farming.

Down in the country, there are two phrases you hear: “Dunno and “Mebbe.”

Farmers like those words — you even hear Uncle Joe use ‘em.

Lots of truth there, I think, down in the country.

Mebbe leave that climate to itself.

And get back to work.

 “Looks like rain.”

“Dunno.”

Grandpa Jim