I have been absent since last fall.  The month of May was 1.17" below normal.  It's been 2 weeks since we had over 2" of rain, but the hot sunny weather is drying surface moisture out. I dug down about 8" in planted farm fields and the soil has little moisture left in it.  Gardens need regular watering. Lawns are thin and not lush. Farmers had great weather for first crop hay.  Crops need rain soon. Field ditches are low or drying up.  Marshes and frog ponds are receding as well as sloughs.  The Baraboo River is 2 to 3 ft below normal. It has been great weather for outdoor construction and activities.