Last Monday in August
This vibrant sunflower from my archives perfectly captures how I feel as August draws to a close.
This summer has actually been one of the coolest in our 17 years here. Typically, we see temperatures soaring into the 100s, but thankfully, we didn’t reach those sweltering 115+ degrees this year. Just last summer, we endured a blistering 119* a couple of days after the 4th of July.
Honestly, once the temperature hits a certain point, it blends in a way that’s hard to distinguish. It's still just HOT AND DRY. I really notice when the humidity rises above 20%! I'm so accustomed to the comfort of below 10%—
As I've gotten older, I've realized that being out in the heat is just plain HOT and I'd rather be inside where it is cool. I'm just not "into" it anymore.
From my archives
One reason I prefer not to swim in lakes is the mystery beneath the surface! A few years ago, at Shasta Lake, a very big sturgeon was caught and then released back into the water. It sparked local legends of massive sturgeons, weighing between 400-500 lbs., lurking in the chilly depths!
I prefer a sparkling clean pool!
Which reminds me...
I'm now in my aqua-aerobics class. I've chosen the time slot of 1:15 to 2:15 pm because that’s when I would usually experience a dip in energy and would want to take a nap. Now, this swim time gives me the energy I need to fit in a few extra productive hours during the rest of my day, and I can still go for my morning walk as usual.
Plus, I don't feel as hungry for dinner. Tonight, just some chicken, fresh garlic parmesan green beans, and sliced tomatoes - from my son's garden.
Every morning, I feed my Grand-cats Ed and Harry. I like to try to spend some time with them, but it is mostly with Harry, since Ed is shy and stays under the bed. I have not seen him yet—only his small, beady eyes and a growl coming from under the bed. My husband takes the evening shift. Navy and his wife come back on Wednesday. I know Ed will be thrilled.
Sad News.
A month ago, Sara's brother-in-law passed away due to complications related to diabetes at the young age of 42. Carrie, Sara's sister, is selling her home to move in with Sara and my son before purchasing a house nearby to be closer to her sister. I met Junior just twice, but he appeared to be a kind young man. It's really sad. She'll be moving in at the end of this week.
Enjoy your evening, and I hope you all have a great sleep.
Debby
We're never too old to be a complete winner!
I think that a nice pool would be my pick when I look at that rather prehistoric looking fish.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the water aerobics class.
God bless.
They have a long lifespan. Heck, maybe they are prehistoric! 😉
DeleteFor a time, I was plagued by that after lunch nap syndrome, too, Debby, but two things really helped me to stop doing this. !) I quit drinking orange juice in the morning to avoid a spike in sugars, and 2) moving around/getting out whether it's to the store or in the house. I'm so glad that the water aerobics are addressing this so well for you. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYoure Right. Fortunately I don’t drink juice for breakfast. Straight black coffee. I think for years, in childcare I got accustomed to putting the children down for a nap that now in my senior years, I’m wanting to put me down for a nap. I only take a nap maybe once or twice a week but yesterday I was revved up all afternoon and I enjoyed the energy I had.
DeleteI like the 3 wins!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really cute picture of Ed.
I'm with you, a pool is better. That is a huge fish!
Ed is a character for sure.
DeleteI am so sorry about this death; so young!! This is an adorable photo of Ed. Yes, you never know what's in the water! And this year it seems more and more people are being bitten by sharks. Not to mention jellyfish, which our family got bitten by many times last month. The Lion's Mane ones are awful.
ReplyDeleteYes, diabetes is a killer and nothing to mess with. I used to love swimming in lakes as a child. Ignorance is bliss.
DeleteGlad to see you back, dear Ginny. I missed you.
Ed is so cute. We have Sturgeon in our river. In one spot is their breeding ground. There are only 2 weeks every year where anglers are allowed to fish for them. I was once on our dock and saw that a fisherman must have caught one in a very small boat as that fish was pulling him down river. It sure was a sight to see. Sunflowers are what I call my "Happy" flower. Have fun swimming too! Janice
ReplyDeleteSunflowers are my happy flower too. I didn’t grow any this year. I usually have a lot if them.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by! I can not take the Summers here in NEPA...Anymore , our humidity during the Summer frequently reaches the tropical range...Tropical in PA??? Really...We also had quite a few 90 degree days with that humidity and I could not even leave the house. I have auto immune disease where I suffer from heat and sun sensitivity so Fall and Winter are my best months and my favorites too!! I hope you are enjoying your week...We finally cooled down into the 70's with low humidity!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble blog
Hi Debbie. Enjoy that beautiful cooler weather. I don’t know how you all cope with that dreadful humidity. It’s awful.
DeleteI got #3 but the first 2 wins are on the back burner, unless bending, stooping, crouching and wiping are counted.
ReplyDeleteI would not swim in that lake. perfect time to swim, we always swam at 5:30 a,m when the Y opened. I walked in the pool while Bob swam from 2006 to 2020, and also used the machines in the gym
You’re just in a different season right now. It happens to all of. It’s just something to think about. I usually don’t do afternoons in the summer but it works for me because I still have my mornings. This particular class is only in the early afternoon.
DeleteHaving grown up boating, skiing and swimming in the Sacramento river at least twice a week in the summers and usually two weeks at Shasta Lake knowing full wellv that my dad fished for those river monsters during the cooler months it doesnt really bother me. I love swimming in cool clear lakes and will even be one to jump in when others are saying it is too cold. l havent been in the Sacramento river is about 20 years though and don't really have a desire because of all the homeless camps and the reports of e.coli in the waters.
ReplyDeleteOh I hear you about the river. I see encampments by the river. Our town even had to shut down some water fountains due to “bathers”
DeleteI'm so sorry about your loss. He certainly was young but diabetes is awful.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of Ed. That is a prize winner and should be framed. Maybe a great Christmas gift.
Those Sturgeon really are prehistoric monsters. My dad fished for those in the lakes of Minnesota. Too creepy for me.
I love your 3 Wins and try to do all 3. #3 is done everyday.
Also love the sunflowers and would love to grow some for next year.
Happy swimming !
Sue
Sunflowers have to be the easiest flower to grow from seed - and very rewarding.
DeleteThat big fish is still in the lake. No way I would go in it either. Give me the nice clean pool!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I want to be able to see my feet!
DeleteIsn't it lovely how even a drooping sunflower can be so beautiful? I do believe the sunflower is my favorite of all. Goodness, I do not ever swim in a lake, a pond or a river unless I can clearly see what is underneath me. It's a mental thing for me, but I just don't want my legs and feet to be dangling for any kind of water creature to feel the need to investigate. lol. Your three wins are so neat... Swimming is so good for us, but for some reason this year, I just have not had the desire to get in our pool. I think I have been in maybe 4 times.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny. Our imaginations can surely instill fear in us, often irrational. My husband always says, 'They are as leery of you as you are of them." If I had a pool, I'd like to think I would be in it all the time, but knowing those who have pools seems they are only in it when they have a family gathering or company.
DeleteGosh, that sturgeon is creepy! I'd no idea!
ReplyDeleteI, too, get a bad case of fatigue each early afternoon. While water aerobics aren't in my wheelhouse, I'm sure there are plenty of other activities to help me push through the desire to close my eyes. Love those 3 Daily Wins ... good stuff!
The key is "fun" activities.
DeleteHer moving closer? Did I get that right. That sounds like a good thing. Hey, neat. You guys have you own pool for everyone in your family? How neat is that.
ReplyDeleteNO, that pool is from the YMCA. That would be neat though.
DeleteYes, Cassie is moving in with my son and her sister until she buys a house up here.
Glad your weather wasn't as warm and usual. I would definitely be afraid of that lake. What a huge fish. I'm glad you are in that class. Good for you! We have been eating a lot of tomatoes from our garden this year. Nice of you to feed the cats. That is very sad news. So sorry to hear that.
ReplyDeleteHI Debby - thanks for stopping by. I can't wait till cooler temperatures though.
DeleteThe 3 wins - yes, I do it. :)
ReplyDeleteWow that fish is huge, I'd stay out of the lakes too!!
The picture of Ed is soooo cute.
Ed is very photogenic if you can get him.
DeleteThe pool at your Y looks very inviting. Your list of 'wins' is a sensible way to have a well-rounded life.
ReplyDeleteYou’re right that list of wins is a good way to create a balanced life.
DeleteAugust is all but over, I like your list of wins
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo-Anne
DeletePraying for Sara and family.
ReplyDeleteThat's a big fish. What a fright swimming with that! I like your cat.
God bless always.
I’d freak out if that fish swam up beside me.
DeleteI don't think I have a frying pan big enough.
DeleteYou’d have to share with the neighbors.
DeleteHi, that fish!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for Sara and family.
I am in love with Ed... what a cutie.
Hi Carla. Yeah Ed is a character.
DeleteGood morning, Debby.....You were lucky to have a not-too-hot summer. Not here. We had a lot of very hot days with HIGH humidity. You'd run for the hills for sure. The heat seems to have broken now and it's actually cool at the moment. The late afternoons heat up again but mornings are lovely. I even have the front screened door open so I can feel fresh air coming in. Debby, thanks so much for your visits and comments to Writing Straight from the Heart. They mean a lot to me. Sincerely, Susan
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a huge fish! The pool aerobics looks fun!
ReplyDelete