It's damned hot out here in this field, that's for sure. I mostly run through it and hope I don't collapse before I can get to the air-conditioned space at the other side.
This is a big cicada year; they've been racketing all summer. Usually they don't start until late summer. Clearly, there was a warning there, if only we had heeded it; we could have moved to Canada while there was still time. Now, all our car tires are melted to the asphalt roads...
Also there are these huge grasshoppers everywhere. Yellow ones about 1.5 inches long, and orange ones over 2 inches long. I've only ever seen them like that before in Florida and Georgia. It's creepy, but they are kind of beautiful. I say this, hoping I won't wake tomorrow to find they've eaten the foundation of my house.
Ken, as many of you know, has been in treatment for throat cancer this summer. I have been able to be with him for much of the time, thanks to a very supportive workplace and several hundred hours of vacation that I've saved up, working for the State of Texas over the last 27 years. However, I would definitely say that this qualifies as "the worst staycation ever," to quote a young friend of mine. Maybe it would be worse to be washing all my windows, given how hot it's been outside...but, no. This is it. The ickiest.
I've been so fortunate that my sister in-law Gail has come to stay several times and been a huge help and support and friend through this. Sister Sarah has come to clean house, brought meals, and checked in regularly. And many others have prayed, brought meals, prayed, sent us a prayer quilt (thanks to St. Patrick's of Pagosa Springs!), prayed, sent cards, prayed, sent waiting room games, and prayed, prayed, prayed.
The end is in sight. Thanks be to God.
I had my hair shined today...this time the shiny is called "Copper Gold." The stylist asked how I felt about strawberry, and I said, "I was born strawberry blonde." So now I am again. I'm still getting used to it. But it was nice to just sit still and have someone fix me up for a little while.
I hope all of your summers have been amusing, edifying, or just plain peaceful.
