i taught in N Texas from 98-01
at the time it set a consecutive days over 100 record and a days without rain record
there was also some convergence of 2 different cricket swarms ( a 5 yr cycle and a 7 yr cycle) which meant that every bldg on campus had between 2-4 feet of cricket carcass against the outer wall (not an exaggeration)
no bodies of water - -nothing pleasing to the eye to see
and yet everyone from there could not shut up about how awesome the place was
i was thinking god is sending literal plagues at you - -what is there to be proud of?
once i left my mantra was 'my shadow never has to darken texas soil again'