106 degrees (Fahrenheit) with a “heat index” (“real feel”) of 120 degrees. That’s 41C and 48.9C. Miserable, in any world.
I love the heat. Bring it on. Ninety and up. Problem is, my body no longer regulates my temperature and heat melts me. I blame this on a heat stroke I gave myself the year we went to get our first Wirehaired Pointing Griffon from Idaho. I have never recovered. I’m also in my mid-sixties and slightly overweight.
Florida was hot. Oregon is hot right now. I am already sweating at eleven AM (Pacific Daylight).
But the trade-off in Florida was getting to see all six of our son’s children in one place, a first for me since his funeral in December of 2020. They have changed so much, yet not at all. Funny, mischievous, nerdy, righteous, smart. See my son’s gestures and facial expressions displayed in their young faces was cathartic and joyous. They are beautiful people.
Our daughter, Arwen, Kaysie, Justin, Erin, Myself. Korinne, Nolan, John, Micah, Miss V (Arwen’s “mini-me”). And only two of the five dogs.
There are also a tortoise, a monitor lizard, and (at the time of my visit): untold number of Fowler’s toads courtesy of the two younger girl cousins.
We spent part of a day at Emerald Coast Zoo (https://emeraldcoastzoo.com/). Justin and I burned out in the heat. The big hit was (as always) the parakeet cage. If you ever are in that part of Florida, you must take the kiddos!
A highlight of the day was getting to see my nephew, his partner, and their four children.
We visited Levi’s headstone and left him an offering of Key Lime Pie and a bottle of whiskey.
The rest of that day was spent “chilling” on Pensacola Beach. the water was warmer than most swimming pools, clear, and calm. The beach was not as crowded as I would have expected and everyone I observed picked up ALL their garbage when they left. All.Their.Garbage.
The coastal birds were not exactly what I was looking for, but they were quite friendly. (Okay, there were Laughing gulls and brown pelicans, but the rock dove was the one who posed for a beach photo.)
Most of our time was spent inside the house with the television on and children sprawled about.
I had four days to spend with these miscreants. Too little time. School has already started for some of them, football practice, cheer practice, music, theater, and those boring “three R’s”. Birthdays have already come and gone and time marches forward, ignorant of our losses, our joys, our pains, and our accomplishments. Time spent with family is the most precious time of all.
Jaci Dawn 