Dog days of summer

I did some traveling last weekend to another Benedictine monastery where I had never been  - Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, ND.  Perhaps not too many people would be excited about going to Bismarck, North Dakota, but I was.  I figured because it was further north,  it would be cooler than the 100 degree temps we had been experiencing in Missouri.

So when I got there I stepped out into...100 degree weather.  However, just like they say in Arizona, it's a dry heat.  Oh well.   The Benedictine hospitality, a lovely cruise on the Missouri River (between meetings) and watching a gorgeous sunset over the Missouri River valley made up for the hot weather.

This is our first summer in our renovated monastery here at Clyde.  We put in an updated HVAC system so now we actually have air conditioning in all of the rooms.   Previously, we had some select rooms with AC such as our refectory, chapel, library and some offices with computers.  In our old monastery temperatures would get up to 90 degrees on 3rd floor where most of our bedrooms were...and with a humidity of what felt like 99.9%!  I would spend most of my summer sleeping in a 1st floor guest room that was about 10 degrees cooler or on the floor of a room that had a window AC unit.

St. Benedict was mindful that summer heat could call for a change in the normal Rule.   In Chapter 40 - The Proper Amount of Drink he states, "The superior will determine when local conditions, work or the summer heat indicates the need for a greater amount."  (this was in the days when they drank mostly wine and so he also had to be concerned about his monks not becoming drunk...but then again Italians STILL drink a lot of wine.)  And in Chapter 41 - The Times for the Meals he states, "Indeed, the abbot may decide that they should continue to eat dinner at noon every day if they have work in the fields or if the summer heat remains extreme."  (this was in the day when the first meal would be about 3:00 in the afternoon on Wednesdays and Fridays because those were the days they fasted)   Apparently breakfast was not eaten centuries ago in Benedict's monastery...the first meal was at noon or mid- afternoon and was the only meal during certain seasons.  

Our sisters who entered in the 1940's and 50's were the tough ones of the bunch.  They talk of having to work out in the gardens in the hot sun picking beans wearing their full length black habits.   I guess since sun screen hadn't been invented, it at least kept their skin safe!

What we really need is rain.  Sadly, many of the farmers have no crops now after this extended drought.  Last August we had a terrible hail storm which wiped out many fields.  To have 2 years of crop failure is a hard thing to stomach.  

We are praying for cooler temps and much needed rain...