NO END IN SIGHT!

With anticipation of an abundance of news, I am sorry to say I fall sadly short.  I checked my 'junk' emails regularly, and whilst I was not victim to a reprobate child, I did not have any really exciting headlines. The only thing on most people's mind's this week was to get out of the heat and into the cool.  It was hot!  Record breaking temperatures, with no end in sight.  At least that is what the local news were reporting.  "No end in sight".  Considering the 'long range' forecast is only really good for ten days, and it generally alters from day to day, the "No end in sight", could be for the next forty eight hours!  Thankfully, the overnight temperatures dropped sufficient enough to make the sun work harder to get us up to the 'unbearable', although the humidity helped push it higher.  

"Did you do what the air conditioning maintenance man told you to?" I asked my husband, almost sure that I knew the answer and trying not to sound like a mother chastising her child, much less a nagging wife. "What did he tell me?" came the answer.  My confirmation.  The strange little monitor on the wall was giving out all sorts of strange messages.  I remembered the situation last year, when it told me that the battery was dead, that the system was not connected to the internet, that I had run out of eggs, and that my teeth were due for cleaning.  Perhaps the last two messages were not the exact printout, but it was as bizarre!  The first message was that there was no connection to the main power source.  I knew there was a problem.  

The 'shop vac' that I had purchased was going to be put to good use.  It was not expensive, and not of industrial strength, but my trustee mechanics, e.g., Grant and Samantha, who between them could probably build a house, a car and make their own appliances, (we often joke that Samantha could crochet a house!) came to the rescue and with a cylinder vacuum cleaner, managed to dislodge the offending scale that caused my h-vac to become tone deaf!   Dana stood and watched, with vague memories of the maintenance man doing the same thing last year, and a glimmer in his eye that made me think he was recalling the instructions given for a healthy unit!

Temperatures soared, and whilst they never quite tipped the century, the humidity had us well over!  The green tomatoes that had formed on my plants were turning a bright red during the day, and I was concerned for their welfare, as the scorching sun caused a sauna like effect in my garden/

My new neighbours moved in last weekend, and whilst I still have not met them, I am aware that someone is next door.  Occasionally I will hear the front door close, and there are lights on at night.  I left a card on the front porch, welcoming them to the neighbourhood, and with my phone number, should they need anything.  I did not want to seem like the overbearing nosey neighbour, but at the same time I wanted them to feel welcomed.  It is an odd feeling to think that I am one of the geriatrics!  Having lived here for eighteen years, I am considered one of the matriarchs.  They appear to be from North Carolina, per their license plates, so we have something in common! My son-in-law is from North Carolina.  Of course, not one of the largest states, North Carolina is actually bigger than England, although half the size of the United Kingdom of Great Britain.  To say my son-in-law is from the Tar Heel state is like a drop in the ocean.  "Do you know them?  They live in Manchester or is it Liverpool, or is it Scotland.  Anyway, they live there" I barely knew my neighbours at the other end of the road in which I lived, so anyone in the next town, village or county would have been by pure coincidence.  I decided when I finally get to meet them, I will mention that my daughter's in laws are from North Carolina and let them ask the questions!  Perhaps they will know someone from England!

Movement from the other side of my house was rather prolific.  Moving in or moving out, I know not.  The previous official resident's truck was parked in the driveway, and I was not sure if he was coming back to stay, or just clearing out his belongings.  I have a horrible feeling there is going to be some renovations going on, and can only hope that they are not as extensive, or offensive as the other other side.  The young lad who lived in the condo (whose truck is in the driveway currently) used to hide from me, I am sure!  I would only say "Hi" and enquire as to his welfare, but I always had the feeling that he thought I was 'watching' him.  I do have better things to do, but apparently the rest of my neighbours think that I do not!  They think I am the Oracle and know all that happens in all units!  Well...perhaps a few!

Having been swimming for a few weeks, I found it odd that there were not as many people utilizing the area as there could be.  Of course, although we are experiencing 'record heat', with 'no end in sight', like one swallow does not a summer make!  It is still early May and until the water temperature emulates that of a hot tub, most of my neighbours 'fear to tread'.  "Wow, it must be like sixty degrees". said one.  "Eighty five", I corrected.  "It was sixty in March".  Okay, so I am the Oracle!  Telling them that the outside temperatures make it feel colder, as their body temperatures are attuned to that of the outside temperature, in my eyes, makes me look like a bit of a 'know-all' and a bit condescending.  However, it appears that they think I am also a scientist!  Perhaps they are being kind when they tell me "Oh yeah.  Never thought of it like that". Like the one swallow, a university degree does not a genius make!  Perhaps now I am being unkind!  It is hot!  Record temperatures!  No end in sight!  I have an excuse for being slightly unbearable!

I changed my tactics, slightly, this week with the telemarketers.  I really do wish I spoke the caller's language as well as they speak mine. I am unsure as to how many different ethnicities I speak, but they all have the ability to speak English well.  Some are overly polite and some are very abrupt, which would give some indication as to their natural heritage, but I am not going to make statements based on my opinion.  After all, if I had a dollar each time I am asked if I am Australian, I could not only afford a first class flight to 'down under', but a ranch with a compliment of hands!  However, I digress. (It's hot!)  "How are you doing today, ma'am?" asks the caller.  "Well!  D'ya know I have felt better", I responded.  There was a slight hesitation, the first time I said this and the caller was stumped.  It did not prevent them from telling me about my healthcare plan, which they appear to know all about, and how I can 'up' it to take care of teeth and eyes.  "Does it cover my h-vac system?" I asked.  "Ma'am?" comes the response.  I shouldn't play, I know, and most of the time I just say "No thank you".  They have a living to make, and I should not be stopping them despite my penchant to want to want to make them walk along the straight and narrow path!  Do they believe in what they are selling, or is it just a job?  

Our work day was busy at the beginning of the week, with a lot of papers being served on cases that have hit the news, which is always interesting.  Getting to see 'both sides' as it were.  With enough work to keep me out of trouble, for the most part, it was not until mid-week that my husband found that most of his work emails were being diverted to his junk mail.  He also checks, periodically, but being busy, he had concentrated on those in his 'inbox' until someone called saying they had sent something that had to be done on a rush basis. He checked his folder, and there was another day's work in there!  "Why does it do that?" he asked.  "Because it can", I said in my conspiratorial voice!  "Can you serve this doctor.  He lives in Washington State.  We need it done today!"  How do you answer that?  The client knew not his address, nor where he practised.  Miracles we do at once, the impossible takes a little longer!  Dana was just about to quote a sign that used to hang in a clerk's cubicle at the local courthouse.  "Your bad planning does not constitute an emergency on my part!"  However, he found the doctor!  It was, apparently, not too hard.  Despite being a fairly common name, it appears that not many people with said common name, decided to practice medicine in Washington state!  Thank goodness for a cool head and air conditioning!

The week came to an end.  We went to get some tacos on Friday night and it was quite dead.  No one appeared to be out.  Normally the hot weather brings people out in droves, as they cannot be bothered to cook, but it appears that they may not be bothered to eat.  Record breaking temperatures, with no end in sight, had taken its toll for the week.  Or had it?  Who knows.  However, the people at the restaurant were very pleased to see us, so much so, they gifted us our chips and queso!  On a slow day?  Apparently customer appreciation does not always happen when it is ultra busy! We were grateful.

Shopping was not easy.  Everyone was driving around trying to find a space near the front door.  This is Texas.  Despite being used to the heat, locals do not like it!  They hate the cold, and they hate the heat! We parked in the middle!  It is not so much the heat that is the problem, but going from hot to cold, and back again.  You acclimate very quickly!  We left the first store, and headed into the furnace, and back into the truck, where the air conditioning worked overtime.  It is May!  We have the summer to come!  No end in sight!

By the time we reached the warehouses, it was midday and the sun was high in the sky.  One of the ladies on the promotional stands shouted out to me.  I know her from many years ago, when she was a waitress at a restaurant we frequented, and she is always happy to see me.  It always makes me laugh when I 'know' someone here!  A colleague was taking over her stand, and we chatted for a while.  "Would you like a sample?" asked the colleague.  I took one.  "They are good.  I made those!" said my friend.  The colleague asked if she had any corn and other vegetable mixes to add to the tuna that they were promoting.  "What's wrong with you.  It's tuna.  It should sell itself!  Don't spoil it".  The ladies went on to discuss their preference. It was amusing, and they were not fighting, merely expressing their preferences, which does not usually happen, but it was hot outside. Record temperatures. No end in sight!  Their banter was mot very aggressive.  They could not really be bothered.  

I came home to find a bean on my plant.  Just the one, and I know, like the swallow, a bean does not a feast make, but it is a bean, the first bean and I hope one of many.  My peas are not as prolific in their growth, and I am thinking that maybe they need less sun.  It is all a learning curve, and the heat has made me slow down and take into consideration the fact that there is a learning curve!

Speaking to my friend Beverly made me stop moaning about the record temperatures. (Did I mention that they said there was no end in sight.)  She asked if I was in bed.  She was never sure if we were six hours behind or ahead.  I told her I was by the pool. "Oh thanks.  It's miserable here, and raining tomorrow".  Are we ever satisfied.  You can't please everyone!

Sunday morning, and it was pleasant.  Before the temperatures hit unbearable, I watered my garden and swam. I did not take a jacket to the pool, but it would not have been out of place!  (To wear after the swim, of course!)  I checked the temperatures for the coming week as another email had hit my inbox, "Record temperatures continue. No end in sight", and continuing on with the prospect of rain and a drop of about fifteen degrees!  I would say that there was an end in sight.  Fifteen degree drop may not be freezing, but it is pretty significant!  However, I do not have a meteorological degree and therefore, like the swallow, one thought does not a weatherman make!

I have my final lot of tomatoes to plant today, and some more onions and carrots.  It would be marvelous if they all survive.  All I need now are a few chickens, cows, sheep and geese!  I don't know that an agrarian way of life would suit me, but who knows what the future will bring!  Am I going to start a new life?  I doubt it will be next week but there may be something new in ........... another story!