Coping with Covid and a heat wave, too
Elections and politics fill the news these days, and with many others, I will be glad when that’s all over, whether the results are hoorays or disappointment! It always feels good to see that those we voted for were elected, but there are always some disappointments, whether major or minor. But we accept and move forward.
Secondary to all of that information is the Covid-19 virus news, with two fairly distinct sides, and we have family and friends on both sides. We adapt to where we are and who we’re with, as we see positives on both sides. Of course, masks where required. Hubby says he’s washed his hands so much that he’s worn off most of his calluses, so is experiencing more pricks when he’s working with his mill.
As I write this, we’ve just had our hottest day in years! I don’t take the excess heat well, which is why I enjoy our climate here! I recall my first experience with excessive heat. In June of 1959, six months married, we took a trip across the country, visiting family and friends as we traveled.
We’d camped at Jenny Lake in the Tetons where the morning temperature was 33 degrees, and headed east.
Expecting warmer weather, I wore light shorts and a loose halter top. As it warmed up, we used our “4-60” air conditioning — 4 windows down and 60 mph.
Soon I had my bare feet up on the front of the dashboard (prior to seat belts!), drinking a lot of water and complaining I was hot.
“This isn’t hot for Nebraska,” said Hubby, who had traveled this area before.
We stopped for gas and a refill on our water supply. Hubby saw that the garage door attached to the gas station looked dark and cool, so went in and checked a thermometer on the wall
He came out and reported, “I guess you can be hot now. It’s 104!”
Carrying on a family name
Our newest great-grandchild we’ve seen only on Tiny Beans photos, but plan to see him closer very soon. He’s been named Ransom, for one of his great-great-grandfathers! That man, Ransom Luther Higley, the only grandfather Hubby knew, was one of his heroes and an important part of his life. His middle name was given to Hubby and one of our sons, his first name to a grandson, and now another generation has been added to that list!
Our dahlias are blooming in abundance now, and surprise, a dogwood in full bloom, too! We know that happens at times but have never seen it on one of ours before. The other recent surprise was that the last rhododendron bloom lasted until August 10! That’s a record for us.
End of August and time to prepare for school, right? This year is definitely different.
Online education — positives and negatives — a grandson in college will be home and online for at least the first part of this school year. That’s fine, as family is moving. And the high school gals can manage that, too.
But for the grandkids starting first grade and kindergarten? Yes, they’ll manage because of who their parents are, but for many children it will be a serious challenge.
I heard that some teachers fear parents will listen in and give their children other information than the teachers present. Oh? Then I’d recommend all parents who can should watch and listen. That’s a plus situation in some, perhaps many, cases.
I was startled, but appreciate what one store clerk said recently. Instead of the usual “Have a nice day,” she said, “Have a safe day.” I like that and pass it on!