Hot August

We have been hot in Northern Kentucky for about a month now. Temperatures have hovered in the mid to upper 90’s and have even crossed the scorching line of 100 degrees a few times. Humidity has been unbearable too, so that has only added to our “heat index” numbers.

In late August, hot is just plain uncomfortable. Hot makes you sweat. Hot makes you cranky. Hot is the topic on everyone’s lips, and brows. Being hot makes you crave cool things; ice water, iced tea, ice cream and ……for real relief, Long Island Iced Tea.

Hot is typically something that you want in the middle of January or perhaps on your enchilada. Everyone would like to look “hot” occasionally. And, if you are at a casino, you hope your luck to be “hot”.

The reality is that it is not January and I am not looking so “hot”. And, the only luck I want is for the weather to cool down to more seasonal temperatures.

In the meantime, I might be ordering that Long Island Iced Tea, just to cool down.

Back to School (Letting Go)

For many years now, it is in August I prepare for the upcoming school year for my children. Although the ranks are dwindling down – from five school children to only two – the procedure is always the same. With the first back-to-school ads we start buying the essentials for school. Deals on new shoes to new notebooks can be found around every corner. Unfortunately, for some odd reason, last year's old scissors, protractors, backpacks and binders just “don’t work” for my kids. So, out come the school lists and we buy everything bright, shiny and new.

Yet, the “first day” back to school always sneaks up on me. Without fail, I always wonder where the summer has gone. Every year I regret that there were so many things I wanted us to do, but somehow never got enough time. So it seems, the first day back-to-school always turns into a day of reflection for me. My mind inevitably rewinds to all the other “first days” taking my children "back to school."

The first days of Kindergarten seemed to be the same for all five of my children; John, Amy, Philip, Katie and Michael. They were all ready to go. There were never any tears on their part, just an excitement and wonder about what this whole “school” thing was about.

Like any mother, I was truly happy about this transition for my children. I worked so hard preparing them for this new adventure, endlessly looking for opportunities to teach them the alphabet, words, colors, numbers, and how to read. Off to school they all would happily go. On each of their first days of school, it wouldn’t take long before the teacher would have everything under control and it would be time for the parents to leave. Although I was happy and proud of my little ones, I would always find myself crying outside in my car, not wanting to drive home.

I am not absolutely clear as to why I always cried those first days. Perhaps, I cried somehow knowing that the natural separation had begun between the strongest bond I would ever know, that of a mother and her “baby.” They were “my” children until that first day of school. There was a painful knowledge that this “letting go” was to be the course I would be on for many years to come.

Yesterday, my youngest child, Michael, went back to school. He is in the eighth grade and will finish his last year at the school where he began Kindergarten. I am remembering his “first day” there. Michael was such a little fellow back then, but already so smart. I remember leaving him at his seat in his kindergarten room for the first time. I just didn’t want to leave. He turned to me, smiled and said, “Mommy, I love you. I am ready for school. I am a big boy now. It is OK to go home now.” Seeing the tears in my eyes he added, “I promise I will come home.” And, he did.

This past week my youngest daughter, Katie, started her first day of college. So many memories of her first day of Kindergarten, First grade, Second grade, Third grade, Fourth grade (and, well, you get the idea), all floods my mind. It is very hard for me to even write about.

As Katie drove away to her first class, she smiled and yelled, “Mom, it’s OK. You know I will be home later.” And, she was.

Pride, excitement and tears, still sweep me away.

This “letting go” that started with their “first days” of school has not stopped haunting me. I have been trying for many years to get this “letting go” thing mastered. I can tell you the truth, I haven’t.

Spontaneity

Last week Saturday was getting a little boring. Not much to do, especially with the last 10 plus days having boiling temperatures in the upper 90’s. We were thinking that we should do something that required little effort and was "cool." We started in the afternoon by going to get a bite to eat at a restaurant in Hyde Park called the Echo. It is a little diner that had really good food. Next, we went to Graeter’s, a Cincinnati favorite for ice cream, and had vanilla waffle cones.

Soon, Michael and Katie wanted to know what was next on our agenda. Of course, they know me all too well. (I don't need a "plan" to have fun.)

What to do? Hmm… I started by getting on Interstate 71 and driving north. Surely I would see something that would spark an idea. I drove for about 100 miles and needed some breakthrough on what to do. I saw a road sign that suggested Wheeling, West Virginia. What’s there I wondered. Nothing I could think of. So, I stayed on course north. To be honest, I really had no idea where to go. But, I insisted that we were going to do something fun. Another 125 miles clicked by and I saw the signs to Cleveland. For a moment, I pondered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…

Wait, what was this I-90 to Pennsylvania? Hmm… the kids have not been there… Blinker on, next exit, east to Erie, PA.

At this point I had invested some significant time and gas into this adventure. On the way to Erie, I had a grand idea –Niagara Falls! (Hey, we were only one state away at this point.)

Now, with a legitimate destination, the sun was going down. After over 6 hours of driving, I found a motel for us in New York. Then, our next stop was to a Walmart to get a cheap change of clothes, along with some necessities.

Sunday, we woke up and drove about an hour and arrived at Niagara Falls.

We were all amazed at the size of the falls, especially the Canadian side. All we could compare Niagara to was Cumberland Falls, which is located in our home state of Kentucky. Cumberland is equally beautiful but not half the size of Niagara, although Cumberland does boast it is the only waterfall in the world that has a “moonbow.” (At one time this distinction was shared with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Africa but due to forest cultivation Victoria Falls has lost its moonbow status.)

After admiring the vastness of these waterfalls, we rode on the famous “Maid of the Mist”. Although we had rain jackets on, the mist was overwhelming as we were sprayed continuously by the falls. Nearing the falls the waves got more forceful as our boat rocked more aggressively. Strangely, it felt like we were in the middle of a hurricane! Yet, it was so much fun!

Once we were back up to the observation deck and dried off, Katie and Michael decided we needed to cross the bridge to Canada to have lunch at the Hard Rock Café. Sounded like fun to me. So, we crossed the border and ate lunch. Afterwards, we drove around to check out the local sights. We decided that we would have to come back another time and plan for a longer stay. But, for now, it was 2:00 P.M., Sunday, and I needed to begin the 8 hour drive back home. Yes, I had to be back at school bright and early on Monday morning.

Although it was a long ride home, we talked and laughed about all the "cool" things we experienced in the last 24 hours.

This was an adventure that sprung from nowhere. No roadmap, no plan, just going with the flow... Yet, it will certainly be a precious memory for many years to come.

Spontaneity – I highly recommend it.

Diary of a Paper Girl

Have you ever had a love/hate relationship in your life? You know, the kind where you can make a list of all the reasons to love it, yet, you could equally list all the reasons to despise the relationship.

This is the diary of a KY Post delivery girl.

When I purchased the route five years ago, it was like all new relationships. I was optimistic and saw a future with this new partner. We were going to go places. It didn’t take long to learn that this wasn’t going to be all fun and games. I had to put a lot of work into this relationship.

This relationship has taken up all of my Friday nights for the last 5 years (putting the ads and TV guides together.) Saturday mornings getting up at 3 AM has not been easy (to go to the warehouse to pick up the papers so all the ads and guides could be inserted into one neat, tidy paper.)

This partner was always demanding my time – six days a week, every week of the year.

But like all relationships that come to an end, I am starting to remember the good times. I remember the good people I have met because of this association. I remember the long drives during all the seasons of the year. And, the payoff for all of my labors (at the first of the month when the payments came in) was especially gratifying.

We will still hang on a little longer, but the writing is on the wall (last publication will be December 31st, 2007.) I will have to say good-bye to the good and to the bad. I will not miss the ink on my hands, clothes and car. I will not miss filling up at the gas station 3-4 times a week. I will not miss the late Friday nights or early Saturday mornings.

However, I will miss the long rides along the country roads in Campbell County. I will miss the wonderful people that live on those roads. And, of course, I will miss the extra income it provided.

I am getting ready to let go. I will soon need to look for a new “relationship.” I may be flirting with Ebay in the near future…

Delivery – A Four Hour Window - Not

OK, the entertainment center has been on order for two months, and finally it is scheduled for delivery today. I have been quite anxious to get our new entertainment center, but to tell the truth, it has been so long since I have seen it in the showroom, I have almost forgotten what it looks like.

Yesterday I received a call to tell me about the “four hour window” in which it would be here. It had to be right in the middle of the day, between 12 to 4 PM. No going out to lunch for us today. All plans will have to be put on hold until my delivery arrives.

Not that I expected them to get here exactly at noon, but I did sit by the front window, just in case. After about an hour, Katie walked by with a look that said they probably wouldn’t be here until much later. I didn’t want to think that. I wanted to see the truck pull up the street any minute, unload my entertainment center, set it up in the location I had sitting empty in the family room. After that we could take a break to grab some lunch. And, finally, what I was really looking forward to, I would like to arrange all my Rookwood, colored glass and favorite pictures on the 20 glass shelves that were on this massive piece of furniture.

By 2:00 I moved back to the family room and listened for the truck to arrive. It felt more practical to think they were coming any minute after 2:00, being right in the middle of their "four hour window."

By 3:00, I started a load of laundry and turned the TV on.

By 4:00, Katie walked by and said I had been duped. Hungry, she was ready to leave for a bite to eat.

I decided to call the delivery number and ask where they were. I was told they would be here any minute. No longer than 40 minutes the woman said. Hmm… perhaps they should have called me; after all, they were late on their “four hour window.”

I spent the next forty minutes back in the front room watching out the window. No one came.

At 5:15, I called again. Where are they? It shouldn’t be much longer.

At 6:00, I finally heard a truck pull up the street. I watched as they threw my precious pieces of furniture on the street. The boxes were ripped open in the rain and then carried to my family room. I immediately dried the wood and glass. As the sixth and final piece was about to be carried in the delivery fellow asked me to come out to the truck. He pointed out a manufacturing defect in the most prominent piece. We can leave it or take it back he said. Oh my, another two months to wait, was my immediate reaction. So, I called the place where I made this purchase and asked for the manager. Customer satisfaction was my goal. I was told they would replace it and to keep the damaged piece until it could be replaced.

The delivery men left at 7:20.

Famished, we ate immediately.

Then, as I looked so forward to placing my favorite objects on the glass shelves, there were no hooks to rest the shelves on. In addition, there were scratches on the wood and two damaged shelves.

This “four hour window” turned into almost a “SEVEN and a half hour window.”

Actually, I think a “two month, 7 ½ hour window” would be more accurate. And now, they will probably have to add another couple months to get the right pieces. More accurately, this will be a “FOUR MONTH plus window”… and I am not waiting by the door.

Dental Appointments

It was very hot and muggy today, one of those lazy, scorching summer days. All I wanted to do was stay inside with the air-conditioning and the remote.

However, Katie and Michael had appointments with the dentist today. This would be their first appointment with their “new” dentist. Their old dentist has cancelled several appointments and it seemed harder and harder to get in to see him. So, today they were going to a new, woman, dentist.

Once I reminded Michael that the appointment was today, he immediately went to task. He went straight to the bathroom and starting brushing. He brushed to make up for all the times I told him to brush but only spent 30 seconds brushing. He brushed so long as if he could hide the fact that he hasn’t put a whole lot of effort into his oral hygiene.

Katie on the other hand had probably already brushed 10 minutes this morning before I reminded her about the appointment. She is quite conscientious about her teeth, after all, she had braces for several years that not only straightened her teeth, but also taught her the discipline of proper brushing and flossing.

We drove to the new office. It was in an older house that had been converted to an office. It was a small, but friendly office. It had yellow walls, a fireplace, TV and comfy couches. It felt like you were visiting an old relative.

For the next two hours I watched a couple episodes of Andy Griffith and then The Peoples Court - from friendly neighbors to vicious adversaries. I really can’t complain, though. I relaxed on the couch in front of the TV while the ceiling fan tried to lure me to sleep. I knew how hot it was outside so I had a real appreciation for this cool, cozy waiting room.

Finally, the dentist called me back. The verdict was in. Both kids, no cavities. Katie needs her wisdom teeth taken out soon. Michael needs to brush longer. As for the new dentist, we all agree, we like her.

And, I did get to relax in the air conditioning and watch TV after all.

Moonlight Swim

It is that time of the year when not only the days are hot, but the evenings are hot, too. Earlier today we saw a bank thermometer that showed the temperature was 96 degrees. Later, my computer said that it was 84 degrees at 9:00 PM. It is on just such a night like this, that the kids and I like to swim… by moon light. Yes, we love taking a “moonlight swim.”

So, Amy, Rachel, Brandon, Michael and I met down in the backyard at our pool. Oh my, was the water warm. It felt like bath water, as they say. There was no effort getting used to the water. Unlike my 30 minute adjustment period to the water, tonight it only took seconds.

We floated around and enjoyed just lounging in the water. The only lights around us were the flashing fireflies. And, the light that shines on the American Flag over at the ball field.

In the darkness of this evening while in the pool, we seemed to hear more sounds around us. It was easy to hear the cicadas (which are still hanging around our area, even though it is not their "official" year to be here) and the rhythmic chirp of the crickets. We heard a couple airplanes fly overhead toward the airport. We could hear the occasional sound of a dog barking. We even heard the music of a distant ice cream truck. It was so peaceful to be in the pool tonight.

Although, Brandon did create a little stir when he mentioned that he threw his “dog tags” (he likes to pretend he is an army man) up onto the deck. Since it was so dark we were not sure where they landed. We made Brandon reenact how he threw his arm when he tossed his dog tags to the deck. He did this over and over but we couldn't find the dog tags. Eventually, Amy had to get a flashlight to scour the yard, but still no luck. Then, as Amy’s last resort, she called on St. Anthony. Within the next two minutes she noticed Brandon’s army tags hanging from a board at the side of the deck.

Finally, it seemed like time to go back inside and get dry PJ’s on, as it was getting late. Once we got out of the warm water, it only made the air seem so much cooler. Everyone scrambled for their towels.

The pool is empty and everyone is now home. And, even though it is still pretty hot this evening, I feel like I need a blanket. Maybe this is why we like “moonlight swims” so much.