The
last few days have been unbearably hot – Everyone is feeling it;
there is no way around it. They've warned folks to stay indoors if
they don't have to be out; keep hydrated; wear a hat; use your air;
and check on pets, neighbors and the elderly.
 |
| BREAK TIME, by Stacey Torres ART |
The
older I get, the harder it is for me to tolerate the heat, and so
I've had a lot of difficulty. This is A Long Hot Summer – in every
way.
We
are now in a world where people are hateful, rude, crude, angry,
bitter, accusing, fearful, paranoid, blameful, shameful, evil,
spiteful, revengeful, mean, prejudice – did I say fearful? Fear of
the unknown makes things hotter, more volatile and explosive. And,
worse – people feel justified in their behavior. A nation that is
torn apart in multiple directions smolders on the brink of more
burning turmoil. Folks don't trust what they don't know – what they
don't care to know – what others have told them – without finding
out and understanding the truth for themselves.
Are
we nation of sheep – following this one or that one aimlessly in no
particular direction … without bothering to read their own map
first … Marching through A Long Hot Summer?
The
heat, along with some new medications made me terribly ill this week.
My blood pressure shot up and I panicked, paying a visit to the ER
for safe measure. I'm still reeling with spotty dizzy spells and
being lightheaded. The ER doctor warned me to remain inside this
weekend and stay cool … And, I tried. But, yesterday, I
left the house. I was craving lemonade, so I drove to the Speedway
station and got a 52 oz lemonade with lots of ice to nurse on all day
while I painted and did some M&R (max and relax) under the air
conditioning.
There
was a friendly sort of guy in there joking with folks and having a
conversation with the cashier. When I got to the register, my coupon
for a free drink had expired, so I reached in my wallet to pay. But
he, in a very Lancelot kind of way, handed the cashier a $10 bill,
and said, "It's on me."
In
the midst of A Long Hot Summer, with everyone eyeing each other with
suspicion and guilt and horrible thoughts, he Paid It Forward! It was
very kind of him, and I thanked him. There was a time when this was
the norm. When we cared about each other, whether we knew anything
about them or not. His timing could not have been more perfect. So,
if you see the friendly guy with the green t-shirt and suspenders -
Give him ANOTHER thank you for me, please. This Long
Hot Summer is hardly over yet.
As published in The Courier-Times, 7/2016
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I would love to hear from you regarding this post. Please feel free to leave your comments. All the best, Anastasia a/k/a Stacey