June may be my favorite month in Kansas. I love watching the wheat fields turn from green to gold and then watching the harvest. There are few things I have seen that are as beautiful as a landscape made up only of blue and gold.

That being said, I wish our landscape was a little more grey and muddy than bright and sunny these days. Every time it clouds up and it starts to sprinkle, I go to the window, hoping that a downpour will begin and last for several days.

No such luck … yet. Rain will come, and when it does, I fully intend to stand at the window and watch until my thirsty brain is convinced that the water is not a mirage.

Notwithstanding the drought, did you know that part of the reason western Kansas is so dry is because it is in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains? Ah yes, those Rocky Mountains we all love so much are a big part of why we receive so little rain. As moist air from the west heads to Kansas, it has to climb the Rocky Mountains. When air rises, it cools and condenses causing rain showers on the western side of the Rockies.

The air, which is now dry, continues its journey east. This leaves the land in the leeward “shadow” of the Rockies with far less rain and more arid conditions. In homage to the rain shadow, I’ve created a display in the basement of the library illustrating the principle, juxtaposed against pictures from the great floods of Hays.

I suppose one advantage to dry weather is that there isn’t anything, other than heat, to prohibit outdoor activities. Saturday, June 7, is National Hiking Day, and to celebrate, I’ll be leading a hike at the Dr. Howard Reynolds nature trails near the Sternberg Museum. If you need transportation to the trail, please meet at the library at 9 a.m. Otherwise, the hike will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the trail head. Please dress coolly and comfortably, wear sunscreen and bring a bottle of water. The trail head is located on the west side of the Sternberg Museum.

On June 12 at 5 p.m., I’ll be hosting the quarterly installment of Kansas Cooks! If you are a lover of pie than this is the program for you! To participate bring your favorite pie and a copy of your recipe. Participants will sample each other’s pies and swap recipes. I’m having a hard time deciding between French silk, strawberry rhubarb and coconut cream as my pie of choice. Too bad there aren’t any gooseberries around here…gooseberry pie is one of my favorites!

Speaking of favorites, I’ll be showing “The Wizard of Oz” on Thursday, June 26th at 6 p.m. This film has been a family favorite for generations and never fails to entertain people of all ages. I’ll be providing free popcorn, soda and movie theater candy. Beat the heat this summer with “The Wizard of Oz” and complimentary refreshments.

My next staycation is happening this month. I’ll be taking a group to Prairie Lavender Farm, north of Salina, for the fourth annual lavender festival on June 21 at 9 a.m. Transportation, but not admission to the festival will be provided. Admission will be $5 and you will also be responsible for any food or extras. I have one spot left, so make sure you call me at (785) 625-9014 or email me at [email protected] to reserve your spot. In July we’ll be heading to Abilene and Greensburg, so call for more information if you’re interested.

Finally, I’ll be sponsoring a Red Cross Express Blood Drive on June 30 from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. Up to 14 people can sign up for this blood drive. Participants will receive a free T-shirt. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in donating blood and helping meet the need for blood donations during the critical summer season!

The Kansas Room is located in the basement of the Hays Public Library and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and by request.

Lucia Bain is Kansas Room librarian at the Hays Public Library.