"They" say . . . the Science of Hot Weather

"They" say: it isn't the heat, it's the humidity. I don't know about you readers (and you three know who you are....) but for me, "They" are wrong - it's the heat. When it's hot, I'll do what I have to do, but I do it so much more *s l o w l y*. There's a certain outdoor temperature, typically in the mid-80s, above which all ambition simply ceases. I will do only what I have to do. In scientific terms, this is known as the "DO" point.

And I can safely say that I get everything done that I want to do, as well. The trick to getting done everything you want to get done is simple:

want less

Lower your expectations. So, when I want to do nothing because it's so @$% hot, well... nothing's exactly what I set out to do, and by golly I git 'er done, too.

Thanks for listening and contributing. For up-to-the-minute thoughts, come on over to twitter.com I'm @dimbulb52

Angels Among Us

I offer the above photograph as proof positive that actual angels walk the earth. Real angelic beings -- quietly going about their angelic business, doing good with an occasional mischievous twinkle in their eye.

Saturday.

The question hung in the air. If the Mrs. didn't get the answer she wanted, there was going to be scolding...

"... I distinctly remember putting that loaf of rye bread in the cart, Luv. Beefsteak rye, the kind you like, with those obnoxious caraway seeds in it.... well, maybe I'm thinking of last week..."

"I unpacked the groceries myself, and there was no bread in there. And you forgot the garlic powder too. You're such a schleppoch sometimes..."

"Recall, dear, I had to do the shopping very very early in the morning, because this is the Saturday I had to go in to work. "

"Well, you always have enough time to chat up the grocery store ladies... Was Jan there? With all the other old farts lined up in her lane to wish her good morning??? And who's that other one, the one who packs the bags -- Sherri?"

"I'll look in the car, maybe it fell out of the bag." ... That week I had to go to the bakery for some rye bread.

Another Saturday, another grocery run. When I checked out, Jan accosted me: "Did you eat a lot of bananas this week?" Such a strange question, I was momentarily speechless while she reached into the bottom of her register drawer, and brought out a small white register tape with a short grocery list on it:

• Beef Steak Rye
• El Rey Garlic Powder
• 8 oz Whole Mushrooms
• 5 Bananas

I had left an entire bag of groceries sitting on the counter the previous week! And Jan and Sherri had taken the time to write down everything in the bag on a register tape, so I could retrieve it the next time I came in. So, I took Jan's list, and went on a mini-shopping trip to retrieve the forgotten items. It was very moving that anybody would take the time to do such a kindness for me.

Of course, now every time either one of them sees me at the grocery store, they're sure to remind me "Be sure you don't leave your groceries lying around after you pay for them, Gary!" Never will I live that one down. But I love them both. Really. Angels walk the earth. Look carefully, and you may meet one today.

Thanks for listening and contributing. For up-to-the-minute thoughts, come on over to twitter.com I'm @dimbulb52

Bill is Gone

It's a sad day. My friend - everybody's friend -- Bill Pokel - died suddenly yesterday.

He was an elementary school principal in a central Wisconsin town. I met him in college, through my buddy Norman. He was a nut case like the rest of us - never taking life too seriously, and yet that was the most serious part of it all. Through mirth and mayhem he helped the University of Wisconsin Marching band maintain its reputation for wild fun.

Bill once traveled down to Milwaukee to see a play I had written. He starred in many community productions in his own area, and so it was quite an honor to have him attend one of ours.

And as an educator, he wanted all the students within his reach to share in the joyous transformation that can be worked upon the world through the arts.



http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/Beloved-Neenah-elementary-school-principal-dies-101695903.html

Bill's final lesson - appreciate people while you have them with you.

Thanks for listening and contributing. For up-to-the-minute thoughts, come on over to twitter.com I'm @dimbulb52