Cooked

Hope you are staying cool.  Yes, I'm complaining about the heat although I know pretty much every one on the West Coast is experiencing this weather oddity as well as those of you who get this every year. Here in Eastern Washington we are getting pancaked by the heat. People's tires going flat, people ending in the ER dehydrated. A neighbor had the glass top on his patio table spontaneously shatter in 1000's of pieces. Fortunately it was too hot out for anyone to be anywhere near it. Today is supposed reach 116 degrees, the latest in a week of broken records. These kind of temperatures usually show up gradually and not until August, and not this high. While most of us have A/C (but not all) we were not prepared.  Many of us here were hoping the city would ban fireworks but there is some archaic WA State law that says we have to place the ban a year ahead of time. Say what?? We've already had small wildfires around here, some inside the city limits, eek. 

It's cooling down in Western WA, where almost no one has air conditioning. We Eastsiders are in for at least another week of 100+. Yesterday around 5pm my eldest son showed up at my door on foot and quite red in the face. He came in, went straight to the fridge and downed a liter of flavored water. It's smother-you hot outside here.  Also he's 50 and an insulin dependent diabetic.  This sends my "MOM-me" persona into overdrive.  He had gone down to his apartment's laundry room to start his wash and realized he had forgotten his key (including car keys) in his apartment. And his phone.  The manager wasn't home. It was 114 outside. He used my phone to call the company who manages the building and made an appointment to meet him and let him in. For $75. I drove him over and we waited in the shade in my air conditioned car. They did show up right on time though. For $75. He called and said he skipped the laundry and took a cool shower. He was sitting in front of the air conditioner. 

I guess this is just one more way the Universe reminds that I am in charge of NOTHING. Keeps happening, I guess I must be a slow learner.

Signs of Life and Changes

Yesterday I got email from the local theater group, The Little Theater of  Walla Walla. I had completely forgotten about them after two lost seasons due to the "Plague."  They hoping for a season this fall/winter and there's a meeting for members the end of July. I was going to start volunteering when they had to close  so this was good news for me. I can still paint scenery and like getting out and delivering posters to businesses.  Then I got something in the mail from Fort Walla Walla Museum opening again. I used to volunteer for them too. It has several buildings and on the downhill side a pioneer village. It's a great place to take the kids because it is entirely fenced, only one way in and out, and even a small child running can't really get away. Plus there's a small playground.

I do have grandkids next week for a day. The last of their kind. They're 9 and 10.  All the others are older and busy. The 14 year olds I had last summer will soon be 15 and are picking strawberries and deliver newspapers all week. Actually since they are experienced pickers they are working in the "shed" sorting and packing berries. It's out of the sun and pays better. 

Photo: Walla Walla Union Bulletin

It's sort of the second coming of Empty Nest Syndrome.  It's probably time though.  The day after they're here, no matter how helpful they are, I nap a lot that next day.

Thank you for your Service

 

Late posting but every day is a good to remember all these people. This is Willametter National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.  Family members are here. Love and miss you all.