All in all, it was a pretty good weekend in my home valley called Santa Clarita. The weather cooled just enough to be pleasant, and it nearly rained.

I heard someone complain about the humidity Sunday. Obviously they’ve never been in the Southeast in the summer. At least here when you sweat, it tends to evaporate and help cool you a little. In the Southeast, your sweat just pours from your body, soaking every piece of clothing you’re wearing.

I moved to Virginia from California in 1989 and bought a new home there with a rather large pond in the backyard. About the third morning we were there, we opened the blinds and saw fog filtering the sunlight. We were so happy. The marine layer had moved ashore – or so we thought.

Fresh cups of coffee in hand, we rushed out onto the deck, ready to breathe in the cool ocean air. Instead we entered a steam bath. A steam bath as big as all outdoors. We turned around and headed back inside.

We had just had our first experience with ultra-high humidity.

I don’t miss it at all.

Yesterday some folks on the beach here in Southern California were hit by lightning.

That is a rare occurrence here. But it has happened before. What really worries us is when we get “dry lightning,” because it can start a fire. There is one burning now near Yosemite that was started that way.

The folks from Val Verde will be gathering tonight at the Embassy Suites Hotel near the I-5 and Newhall Ranch Road. They are going to be listening to the officials from Chiquita Canyon Landfill and the Val Verde Community Advisory Committee. The show starts at 6 p.m. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to be there. Remember, it is very difficult to suppress an active and informed community.

This is the season of the summer doldrums. It is too hot even for our City Council to heat things up. I hope folks have decided to enjoy the summer rather than the usual ranting about our local political climate. I do have to admit that it is pretty boring when nothing goes on. Seems like something is missing.

I almost forgot. A few meetings are scheduled around the area concerning the high-speed rail issue. You know, the last time I looked, the rails were just sitting on the ground. It is the trains that go “high speed.” Can we start to call it the “high-speed train?”

Is everyone ready for school to start? I know it is only late July, but by this time of the summer, lots of parents are wondering what ever possessed them to not want classes year ’round. Got to find something for the kids to do that will not permanently deform them or various parts of the house. I personally like the Escape from Duct Tape Game. A simple game because you just wrap them in duct tape and time them breaking free from the tape.

I know you’re tempted by this time in the summer, but please don’t cover any mouths.

Seems like everyone is complaining about ants getting in the house or taking over the yard. I’ve heard that a few slices of orange peel will drive the ants away. You might want to try heavy chemicals. But try the orange peeling first. Please.

I’m still waiting to hear from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority about the weed-tree genocide in Mentryville and Towsley Canyon. Just so everyone remembers. I find it enlightening that the federal EPA has provided money to the MRCA for their work on saving the ecological treasures of the L.A. River. Something about being ecologically aware, etc., etc.

For those of you who may have had a few too many glasses, cans and bottles of some adult beverage the past two days, take heart. I’ve got the perfect solution to the Monday hangover. In fact, it is brilliant. Works every time.

Here is the formula:

If you don’t drink, you won’t get drunk and you won’t embarrass everyone within a 10-block radius of the party location, and Monday mornings are pretty good.

That is pretty simple.

Now, I could try to put that in the form of a federal regulation, but I’m not allowed the 2,500 pages it would take to do that. Look what happened with the Affordable Care Act. Once again, the feds want to build a mouse but ended up with an elephant because of all the regulations. Happens every time.

Now let’s have a great week in the unique and wonderful Santa Clarita Valley.

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].