Getting By In The Summer Heat And Humidity

Here in our neck of the woods, it feels like we have been into summer for months. The truth is, we're only a few weeks into summer. Summer is already a douzy. It wasn't that long ago when we experience a nice spring. During most years, we do not receive such a gift from Mother Nature. I can’t complain.

Even though as I write this, we're having a drier than usual week, but overall, this has been a rather wet season. We had storms one moment and then sunshine and resulting humidity the next. It’s quite an ugly feeling. The only good to me that comes out of it are those occasional rainbows.

Speaking of weather, there is something else to think about as I write this post. A dust cloud from the Sahara Desert shrouded the Southeastern U.S. in June. On top of that, bubonic plague and even swine flu have been a threat. Many of think that locusts are next.

I took on the challenge of attempting to get a run in each morning. This is known as “streaking.” Some folks commit to streaking year-round, while others choose specific dates to start and end a streak. Runner’s World magazine challenged readers to streak from Memorial Day to July the Fourth. Whether it’s a mile a day of running at any pace, it all qualifies as streaking.

The idea of running every day was daunting -- what with life’s obligations in the way. Compound that fact with the actual act of running and if doing the activity outside, then there’s the weather. Typically one can get a quick run in outside during the early morning hours since it doesn’t rain or storm all that much during those hours in this region. For me, once it’s 10 a.m., I am not hitting the great outdoors for a run. The intense heat and sun are too much for me until after 7:30 p.m. Certainly, I can hit the treadmill in those hours, but there’s something special about doing some outdoor scenic running. Some folks label the treadmill as, “the dreadmill,” but one has to simply get in the mindset of getting on that machine.

Aside from running, the stores seem to be getting back in shape under the banner of “the new normal.” One-way aisles, masks, register shields and so forth are part of the scenery in most retail outlets and grocery stores. Restaurants are doing their best at social distancing, which is working well since there are still many who are not seeking to venture out at the moment -- although business does seem to be picking up in the dining world.

Still, it’s a bit nerve-wracking in our “COVID age,” so while most things are “coming back online,” adhering to the safeguards is of the utmost importance.