I need to add an important item to the mini-lecture on what not to leave in your car. It would not be surprising to me that every person who owns a cell-phone knows not to leave it in their car, so this might be all taken care of. I locked my cell-phone in our pickup when we cruised Menards for an investment piece of lumber and we had to go to the outdoor lot to pick it up. The way of getting something includes having to call and tell them you are there for pickup. My cell-phone informed me that it would not work until it cooled down! It took quite awhile for it to get back to use after being held in front of the MAX ac.

After about 12 days of above 90 degree days some of us may be looking for a bigger selection of cool drinks. That led to indoor computer time looking up that information. I found the unofficial list of state drinks with alcohol. In-take levels should of course be kept at very reasonable rates, but if you want to know what other states may be drinking I got some interesting facts.

Arizona has the Tequila Sunrise to look forward to each day. It is said that 1930 was the start of this tequila, crème de cassia, lemon juice and soda water drink. California says any of the Napa Valley wines will count and should be an easy task. Florida calls the Rum Runner their special drink of choice. It takes a lot to get one of these drinks together. It includes pineapple juice, orange juice, blackberry liqueur, banana liqueur, light and dark rum, and grenadine. It’s topped off with a shot of Bacardi 151. Georgia has what you may expect if you read a lot and it would be the Scarlet O’Hara. Indiana claims the Jagerbomb as it said that state purchases the most of that product. I personally can’t see why anyone would want to drink Jagermeister and I have some people say they use it for medical reasons. Why I have a half empty bottle of it in my refrigerator is a complete mystery. Iowa has Templeton Rye as their drink of choice. I was sure it would have something to do with corn but I guess they grow a lot of rye and make a very good rye whiskey that can be served on the rocks or made into an awesome Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Kentucky is so easy to guess and if you don’t say it’s the Mint Julep, you have been asleep for many years. When I saw what they said for Minnesota, I felt I must have been asleep for a lifetime. They said a drink called “Bootlegger” was it. I had to look that one up and it opened a whole can of worms. They said is was started during prohibition in the country clubs of the Twin City’s area as a favorite of golfers. At first, I was finding recipes that said to use a bootlegger mix as part of the drink. I could not find any place to purchase that but it said to check with your local country club. I did find a recipe to make a batch mix and maybe that is what most people do. The mix is a blend of mint leaves, simple syrup, cans of frozen limeade and lemonade. Rum, vodka or gin can be used and club soda and mint stems are the topping. Then there is a Johnny Bootlegger and other Bootleggers that appear to be a whole different thing. Oregon has the Sloe Gin Fizz. Perhaps they grow a lot of the sloe fruit. South Dakota makes it totally easy with Bud Light! Wisconsin does a heavy pour of brandy to make an Old Fashioned. Virginia makes it as easy as California and says get any wine made in over 250 Virginia wineries. Would it surprise you to hear Moonshine is the choice of Tennesseans? And for a delight perhaps anywhere these hot days, Texas is the home of the Frozen Margarita. I think it used to very common here but I don’t recall seeing them today on any Minnesota menu. Maybe I have to hang out more!

Also needing a very serious intake of water is the green things in our lives like the flowers, plants and trees. If it’s at all possible to water, do so. Right now they are saying to wait and hope that the lawns will come back but I really worry about the farm crops. I am sure the farmers are even more worried and I pray for them.