Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Ways to Stay Cool.

 Ways to Stay Cool.

 

First, don’t live in the South or in the West or in Texas. Second, don’t live in the Midwest or the East Coast. Oh, and be sure to have refrigerated air conditioning no matter where you settle. Second, sit on a block of ice in front of the fan and refrigerated AC. Third, remove all unnecessary clothing—yes, ladies, you know which pieces to leave in the bedroom. Clip the sides of a tank top if necessary to vent more body parts. Fourth, don’t go anywhere—even shopping—during the daytime. But if you plan to go out at night, wear eau d’mosquito spray! Fifth, drink. You can start the day with coffee if you feel sorry enough for other folks, but just plain peach tea will do the rest of the time. Finally, don’t share the temperature readings with anyone north of the Red River! It will just infuriate you when they sit there griping about 80- degree temps and humidity. Hello! We can beat that any day! Texans never have trouble sharing their brags—even if it is just about the 117-degree heat somewhere south of Austin. Even so, when we celebrate autumn and football season, it is because we are actually hoping for rain and cooler temps. We deserve a break from summer.

 

Have not actually accomplished diddly squat today—for real! Yes, the chicks got fresh water and a bit of feed, but the old woman just stayed inside out of the heat for the most part. Even trying to read was a bit difficult since the perspiration kept sliding down my backbone. Jennifer wanted to know how anyone could sweat while sitting under the AC. Don’t have a clue why, but Dear Hearts, it goes right on happening. Cut up a tank top and wearing only what is essential. Even the dogs are panting inside the house. Just humid and hot and somewhat uncomfortable. Texas summer!

 

Was asked today to be a character witness for a friend. No problem. The old woman is definitely a character. Ahem. Attitude is not one of those things that just grows on trees. It comes from the way a girl grows up and the way she learns to shoot marbles, shoot slingshots, and gathers China berries for China berry wars! Yep, a brother is an essential element in learning how to climb a tree and hang upside down. Do you suppose that will do for a character? Let’s just hope that the judge knows about old women who grew up being characters.

 

Called Sterling early this morning and sang the birthday song for him. Then read a story about a kid who thought everyone knew and sang about his grandmother since her name was Minnie Moore. Made me grin. Doesn’t take much to make me smile.

 

Patty said she saw this lizard thing that scared her and the trashman both! He threw his glove at it before he reached in and took out the trash bags. Told her it was just one of those Texas striped lizards that eat bugs. They will bite, but not unless they can’t get away from the threat. We had a family of them in the old cedar tree before the storm came and blew it down. Then it moved to the workshop. And yes, it surprised me more than once in there! Was happy to see it leave and a great big old toad take its place. But then a snake came out of a small break in the foundation. A hen took care of that little guy! They don’t live long when a hen can swallow them! Can’t imagine what this hill will look like if all these pullets keep growing and eating everything in sight. If we don’t get rain pretty soon, the grass that is still here will dry up and crumble. Guess a bale of alfalfa would take care of some of the green needed. Or maybe a few heads of cabbage. That’s what the hens used to eat. They could eat an entire head in a day! Anyway, as long as it is hot, the hens won’t be laying many eggs. Simply too hot to get in a box filled with hay.

 

Really don’t feel like discussing anything that matters. Not sure my brain can handle anything other than silly stuff tonight. Hoping that the rest of you have found your own ways of keeping comfortable. May God bless us with patience during this heat.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

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