Let’s face it. It’s too hot to even get the mail. I’m walking Teller late at night so his little paws don’t get burned. We are such wimps that none of us can do without AC right now. I just heard my third story about friends having their plane departures changed from the middle of the day to early morning. What’s up? Is it related to the heat? Hmmm. I Googled it. Flying when it’s too hot outside can cause performance problems with the planes. Some planes have a maximum operating temperature of 118 degrees, while others can handle 126 degrees. Sometimes it’s not just dangerous, but physically impossible for the plane to take off because of the air density. When the temperatures rise, air density decreases because gas expands and increases the volume of the air. Less density equals less lift. Unfortunately, runways are only so long, usually not long enough for high-temperature take-offs. Just part of our new normal that some people don’t care enough to fix.
We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the Earth as its other creatures do. – Barbara Ward
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii: As I write this the death toll from the surprise fire is at 106 deaths (and only 5 of those identified because remains are unrecognizable), but according to Hawaii Governor Green, the death toll could double or even triple in the next ten days. With 81 mph winds, it is the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, over 2,700 structures destroyed and over 1,000 people still missing. Families were burned alive in their cars trying to escape. Water pressure faded and fire hydrants became useless as they ran dry. They are calling it a “Fire Hurricane,” – something new in the age of global warming. Cadaver-sniffing dogs are working where they are allowed after assessing structures and hot spots are cooled down, but the dogs can only work so long because of the heat. Developers (predators) are already trying to buy the damaged fire-ravaged property from the poor people that just lost everything. Talk about evil opportunists.
Have you ever read the Hunger Games novels, considered some of the best apocalyptic (resembling the end of the world; momentous or catastrophic) and dystopian (relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice) young adult novels? You should read them.
Dear Parent: If you promise not to believe everything your child says happened at school, I’ll promise not to believe everything he says happened at home. Signed, The Teacher
With kids leaving for college, here are a few important questions you should always ask a potential roommate. Do you foresee any time during our lease that you might have trouble paying your part? Will we split the cost of food, or each be responsible for our own? Are you allergic to any food? How much time do you like to be in shared space? Sleep schedule? How often do you clean and how/what do you clean? How often will you want to have your friends and others over? Are they going to sleep over? (Very important question.) Do you think you’ll want a pet in the future? Are you allergic to any animals? How do you relax after a hard day or week of studying? How do you feel about borrowing each other’s clothes? What is your modesty level? Do you mind if someone stays in their pajamas all day or walks around in a robe? Or less? What temperature do you like to keep the thermostat? After having two kids and ten years of their roommates, believe me, all questions are necessary.
Darling, put the martini down and stop high-fiving the other mothers. Some people are actually sad to see their kids go back to school.
A ten-year-old boy was found concealed inside a garbage can in the garage of his mother’s home in Illinois. He had been dead since around December 2022. A preliminary autopsy revealed the boy died from a gunshot wound. The boy’s 37-year-old mother was arrested.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is 87. Singer Paul Anka is 82. Diana, Lonely Boy, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, and (You’re) Having My Baby. Anka also wrote the theme for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson; one of Tom Jones‘ biggest hits, She’s a Lady; and the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra‘s signature song My Way. Jazz saxophonist David Sanborn is 78. Actor-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger is 76. Actor Delta Burke is 67. Actor Lisa Kudrow of Friends is 60. Director Christopher Nolan is 53. Actor Hilary Swank is 49, pregnant and expecting twins. Singer Lobo is 80. Actor Geraldine Chaplin is 79. Singer Gary Lewis of Gary Lewis and the Playboys is 78. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is 58. Actor Dean Cain of Lois and Clark is 57. Singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is 92. Blues musician Robert Cray is 70. Singer Joe Elliott of Def Leppard is 64. Actor Maureen McCormick of The Brady Bunch is 67.
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I was in Walmart using the restroom and just as I closed my stall door, a voice from the next stall said, “Hi! How are you?”
Embarrassed… I said, “I’m ok!”
The voice said, “So what are you up to?”
I said, “Ummm… just trying to handle a little private business over here!”
Then I hear, “Can I come over?”
Annoyed… I said, “Excuse me?!?!.”
Then the voice said, “Listen, I will have to call you back, there’s an idiot in the next stall answering all my questions!”
(Sorry, but I have heard people talking with earbuds in, and thought they were speaking to me…)
A mother of four (a nice positive momma, not a slacker) was called to jury duty in Utah. Her babysitter was on vacation, so she explained that to the court, but they wanted her to show up anyway, or there would be a $1,000 fine. Hmmm. So, she did! In order to participate in her civic duties while lacking childcare, she arrived with her 18-month-old TRIPLETS and her 5-year-old daughter. Torry Scow said, “I told my husband, ‘Don’t worry about it. I bet if I just take them, they’ll probably see me and send me right home. It’ll be fine.’ ” They kept her for two and a half more hours, then dismissed her to go home.
It’s so hot you can wash and dry your clothes at the same time.
One day while shopping, I came across some really pretty felt coasters marked down to $5.00 for four. I threw them in the basket because I hate sweaty glasses on my table. When I got home, I opened the “almost-naked” packaging that stated they’re recyclable, moisture resistant, thermos protective to 400F, protects surfaces and is made of vegan felt. Whoa. Vegan felt? Felt is made from wool and wool comes from sheep. I realize that no animals were harmed in the making this felt, but why do companies now throw around words that make us feel like we are saving the Earth. Natural, sustainable, biodegradable, eco-friendly, the list of words is plenty. Upon closer examination, I saw Made in China, 100% Polyester printed on the skinny packaging. I had been HAD. Read packaging before placing in basket.
There’s a new COVID strain and his/her/their name is Eris aka EG.5, and this subvariant is dominating the U.S. at the moment, expecting to increase around Sept. or Oct. A Burn Ban was issued for Brazoria County on August 10th. It’s time. PLEASE don’t do anything stupid where we end up running for Surfside. Thank you to Ruth, Lancome Sale Associate at Dillard’s. Sweet lady. Nancy for the It Was Always a Cape coffee cup. Love it. Mary for the lemon pasta. Hayman for the okra. Aunt Tina for babysitting Teller. Great people in my life.
Remember: Kindness matters.
😊 LISA
Send comments to Lisa Baker at lisa@thesourceweekly.com
