I was taking my after supper walk (usually a mile), and could feel the heat emanating from the asphalt pavement. Many toads get run over sitting in the road after dark, gathering in the warmth. (I hate seeing squashed toads.)

When I take a walk or cut firewood in the woods, I notice how much cooler it is. The same is true in the shade of my 70 some trees around my house on one acre.

After this upcoming heat wave, we will have over 40 days of above 90 degree temperatures this summer--same as last year. Those temperature readings are from the Purdue (W. Lafayette (IN)) airport. However, my thermometers always read 5 degrees cooler.

In putting all these facts together, here's what I'm saying: it's much cooler in the shade.

I believe "global warming" is not just the result of greater emissions of gases, but the heat from engines and exhausts, and the lack of shade from trees, woods, and native forests.

The sun beating down on city pavements and buildings raises the temperatures to unnatural extremes. Urban areas experience much higher than usual temperatures. Unprotected surfaces cool very slowly, preventing the nights from cooling down. The following day heats up rapidly.

Because I have many shade trees (except around my garden), my property and house stays quite cool, despite "record breaking" heat waves. I've used my AC two days all year--due to the humidity more than the heat.

We need to be planting more trees in America's cities. My preference is fruit trees! I'm currently enjoying not only the shade of the old apple tree, but its fruit--along with pears and peaches. Life is good.