NOONTIME CHILLS REMIND US IT'S NOVEMBER

A brisk chill that moved into the Cape Girardeau area at lunchtime Thursday reminded us that it is almost the middle of November. Southern breezes in recent days have brought unnatural temperatures. And along with the warm wind has come more than a normal share of weather comments. Everybody talks about the weather, and this week the weather has been the top topic of conversation.

Not all of the warm-weather news is good, however.

It hasn't rained now for over a month. After one of the driest summers in recent years, heavy rainfall in early October showed signs of returning to normal. But then the skies cleared. And the nights have stayed warm.

Despite the unusually warm weather, some pumpkins managed to gather a bit of frost, especially in rural areas where city streets and brick buildings weren't around to hold the daytime heat.

The warm winds and dry weather have combined to raise the possibility of grass fires to an alarming level. A countywide open-burning ban is in effect. Across the state, visitors to Department of Conservation-managed areas are being asked not to light fires.

In spite of the warnings about the fire danger, it is interesting to see how many lit cigarettes are still being flicked from car windows as motorists speed along the interstates and other highways. Little do they realize the damage that might result from such careless habits.

Meanwhile, departures from normal weather continue to fuel nationwide and worldwide speculation about sinister trends in our planet's climate.

Take your pick.

For many, the odd weather is a blessing, although deer hunters are wondering how they will manage with all that camouflage apparel when short sleeves would be more comfortable in this week's early-morning temperatures. Golfers are making the most of the warm days, as are fishermen and some gardeners.

Flowering plants that should have succumbed to heavy frost or freezing temperatures by now are flourishing. And many Cape Girardeau residents will remember that there were flowers like geraniums in bloom last year until the week before Christmas.

The worst thing about this warm weather, of course, is that we too easily adapt to it. When winter's cold finally arrives and it will, it will we will need a long time and a lot of coffee-time conversation to deal with it.