Greetings From the 4-H's! !

For those of you thinking I mean the youth organization administered by the United States Department of Agriculture whose symbol is a four-leaf clover with four white H’s on it to represent the focus of the organization - head, heart, health, and hands - think again! I mean heat, humidity, haze, and horrible which is what describes the weather here in Connecticut for the past several days. To say that it’s been gross would be an understatement – it’s beyond gross!

Thankfully there is an end in sight to the heat and humidity though from what the forecasters have been saying, we’re going to have to go through some major thunderstorms to get there. The area with the greatest threat of severe weather is going to be a bit south of us but the way the weather has been going both this year and last, you just never know which direction Mother Nature is going to turn and who she’s going to slap next.

As much as I love New England – and I do, I do! – I can’t really say that I love the weather when it gets like this; it reminds me of the years that I lived in Florida as a kid and in Mississippi when I was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. Even in the early hours of the morning or the late hours of the evening, you could walk out the door and get smacked in the face with a humidity level so high it would almost knock you over! Even though I lived in both of those places many, many years ago, I still remember how that would feel and how it just sucked the life right out of you – like your blood would get as thick as the air around you and wend its way through your veins in a slow crawl.

No matter how much I wrack my brain (which granted is not what it used to be as I’ve probably forgotten more than I’ll ever remember), I just don’t recall it being that bad here in Connecticut when I was younger though it has certainly become that way now. Even just looking out the window at the haze hanging in the air or watching a forecast where they have the guts to tell you how hot it really is out there and then wish you a nice day, you can feel the life just being sucked out of your body along with any motivation or ambition or desire to do anything except sit in front of the air-conditioner with a tall glass of iced tea in your hand as you try not to melt.

We were talking about the weather at work the other day, how none of us remember it being as hot and humid during the summer months as it has been lately, so at least there’s some comfort in knowing I’m not the only one who doesn’t remember this kind of weather but maybe that’s just that whole “misery loves company” adage at play or maybe our brains are just fried as when the temperatures go up, so do the number of 911 calls and other emergencies. It’s kind of like when there’s a full moon … things get nuts.

And that’s when I start thinking that a nice vacation to somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere where in July it’s winter and not a hot, nasty, gross summer like we’re having now would be a really nice thing. Maybe somewhere in Australia or New Zealand or the Fiji Islands or perhaps somewhere off the coast of Africa like Mauritius where at this time of year it’s a lovely 22° Celsius - or for those of us who don’t speak metric - a lovely 71.6° Fahrenheit. Sounds like the perfect temperature to me and when you pair that up with white sandy beaches and blue, blue water I think it’s about time to start looking at flights! Why I bet there are even some tropical drinks to go with those sandy beaches and blue waters. So what do you say? Anyone want to go with me?!? I'll buy the first round!

As Summer Fades Away

You can always tell when summer is coming to a close - there's a certain look to the sky, a certain feel to the air; night comes quicker and the cicadas stir up quite the racket in the process.  It just feels different than it did in July and it looks different too. It looks and feels almost like summer is packing up and getting ready to go having enjoyed its visit but knowing that it's time to move on and let another season take its place.

Not that I mind one iota as I'm just not a summer kinda gal.  I much prefer the crispness of autumn and the fantastic foliage of fall.  Granted, I wish that autumn stuck around longer before it got rudely shouldered out of the way by Old Man Winter but still, it's my very favorite time of the year and it's fast-approaching.

With it, though, comes the big question of what to do about Amanda not being able to return to Montserrat this year?  It was our hope that she get the first year behind her and hopefully things would fall into place after that but alas, that didn't turn out to be the case at all.  Still, it just doesn't seem right that she not pursue her love and study of art in some way, shape, or form as the kid has talent but her options are pretty limited at the moment.

That said, I'd like to ask  you all to keep your fingers crossed that perhaps she'll be able to at least take a few courses at the local community college.  I got in touch with the FAFSA people yesterday and had her information sent to Three Rivers Community College which does offer a few Fine Arts classes though not as many as a regular art college does.  Still, something would be better than nothing and if we can work out the financing, I'd rather see her go there then not go anywhere at all.  It's not cheap - at almost $500 per 3 credit course plus the cost of materials the State of Connecticut won't really be cutting her any breaks but with any luck maybe she'll qualify for enough to at least get her into a few classes while she also tries to find a part-time job.

It might not be ideal and it sure wouldn't be the same as going to Montserrat but I refuse to give up hope completely that she can't do what she loves and what she's good at.

Five on Friday - The Summer Version

Driving home from my 16-hour dispatch shift last night I was kicking around ideas for songs that might be good for this week's addition of Travis' Five on Friday meme when the word 'summer' popped into my head.  With this week being the first official week of summer it seemed like the perfect choice for a set of songs - particularly after the 90 degree heat and humidity that had blanketed Connecticut on Thursday.

Without further ado I give you five of my favorite songs of summer and suggest that if you like to listen to different types of music that you check out Trav's Thoughts - the home of Five on Friday and links to those who are playing along in this fun Friday meme that gives you the chance to share some of your favorite music with others.  Perhaps you'd like to join us one of these Fridays and share some of your favorite music, too?

Back to One

I get the feeling the house is going to seem a little emptier now that Jamie has returned to Tampa and that's probably going to make some people happy ...

... but it always makes me sad to put my baby on the plane at the end of her summer with us ...

... I just try not to show it.

Where did the summer go??

I've Got a Question - You've Got an Answer

Rumor has it that it's summer and even the calendar proclaimed it as such on June 21st but you'd be hard-pressed to believe it here in New England where a lot of us are beginning to think that somehow the country was spun around and we are now living in Seattle! The sun has been virtually nonexistent this year - or so it seems - and truth be told, it's getting a bit depressing - particularly after the brutal winter we went through.

Mother Nature occasionally teases us with a nice day, though, just to give us a glimmer of hope or a reminder that the sun is still out there - somewhere - doing what the sun does best in the summer so I thought I'd take a moment just to ask everyone -

What are your summer plans?

Personally I've been craving a train trip of some sort but that's probably because I've been taking way too many pictures of train tracks! Currently, though, there aren't any plans to go anywhere in particular or do much of anything except perhaps a short visit to see the cousins in Massachusetts while Jamie is here.

How about you? What are you up to this summer?

Ah, Summer and Camping ... Not!

With schools starting to let out for the year and people welcoming summer with open arms, I'd be willing to bet that a lot of people will be heading out into the great outdoors and participating in that wonderful ritual called "camping".

Now, my version of roughing it - as camping is often called - basically means a hotel without free wireless internet but for millions of people there is nothing in the world like becoming one with nature and heading out into the wilds armed only with a pop-up tent, a sleeping bag, a flashlight, a water canteen, and dehydrated foods. Oh, and bug spray and sunscreen and bandaids and ...

Have fun, folks, I'll meet you over by the free Continental breakfast when you get tired of the great outdoors!

Beach Dreaming on a Winter Day

We here in New England are getting a taste of what winter is going to be all about with temperatures dipping into the teens at night and barely making it into the high 30's, low 40's during the daylight hours. According to the calendar it's still Fall but it sure doesn't feel like it outside and I get the sneaky feeling that we're going to be in for a long haul with lots of cold days and cold nights.

So what does one do to stay warm when the temperatures are too cold to barely step out of the door, when you have to warm your car up for at least ten minutes before you attempt to drive the thing for fear of feeling like you're sitting in a rolling icebox, when you've got to bundle up like an Eskimo before even walking out to the mailbox? Well, you stay inside under a blanket or two, spend way too much money on the various methods to keep your house warm, and dream about warmer days at the beach!

Even though I'm not big on lying in the sun and baking, I enjoy spending time at the beach relaxing, fighting the waves, and people-watching. One of the things I'd like to try someday, and I'm sure would be good exercise, is trying out one of those beach cruiser bicycles that I've seen other people riding up and down the beach on. Cruising along the beach with the wind blowing through my hair, the waves breaking along the shore, birds circling and diving, the sun shining and warming my face and shoulders ... that just sounds so nice right now as I'm sitting here with a cold wind blowing outside, the night coming on way too early, and a constant chill in the room.

Is it too early to wish for summer when it isn't even winter yet??

I've Got a Question, You've Got an Answer

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As evidenced by my most recent Wordless Wednesday post depicting the thermometer (that's thermometer, not clock!) showing over 80 degrees in the shade at 9:00 at night, summer has arrived in all of its scorching glory.

It has been a miserable three days here in Connecticut with the three H's - hazy, hot, and humid - in full force but it hasn't officially been a heat wave, the definition of which requires three days of 90 degree temperatures or higher. Because it's supposed to cool down significantly later today with incoming thunderstorms, we shouldn't have the required 90 degrees or higher for a full three days. It's only going to feel like we were having a heat wave!

I'm going to be honest here - I truly dislike hate Summer! It is my least favorite season of all which is going some because I am not a big fan of Winter either! If I could find a place that had Fall all year through I think I'd move there in a New York minute (defined as significantly shorter than a real minute!) - especially at times like this when you just feel like you're melting as soon as you make the mistake of going someplace that doesn't have air-conditioning.

However, I know that some people not only list Summer as their favorite season - they revel in it, worship it, dance when it arrives, and grieve when it's gone! For those people, the hotter the better (though I've got to think they're referring to a dry heat and not heat that makes you think you live in a sauna!). I'm not going to say they're nuts as I fully believe to each their own but still ... ugh!

So, now that I've mumbled and grumbled about the weather let me ask you this week's question - which is actually several questions but don't tell anyone!

What is your favorite season of the year? Winter? Spring? Summer? Or Fall?
And why? What makes it so special to you?

While you contemplate that, I'm going to go chew some ice cubes while I dream of pumpkins, crisp apples, and the glorious colors of Fall foliage ...

Wordless Wednesday - In the Shade at 9:00 PM

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I've Got a Question, You've Got an Answer

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Summer officially arrived at 2:06 PM EST (for those of us who reside on the East Coast) on what is known as the longest day of the year or the Summer Solstice. There are two solstices, the time of the year when the sun either tilts closest towards or furthest away from the Sun, one in December and another in June. After today the days will start to grow incrementally shorter again as we start to slide back towards Winter. Now there's a depressing thought, eh??

But for now it's summer and most people's thoughts turn to vacations whether they be full-blown affairs requiring all sorts of logistical wrangling or just a casual jaunt to the local campground to get away from it all.

I know that a lot of my friends in the Blogosphere have already made their summer plans while some are currently enjoying a holiday but what about the rest of you?

What plans do you have for this summer?

Here We Go Again ...

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As some of you who have been reading this blog for some time now might recall, I was none too happy about my youngest daughter Jamie not being able to come home to Connecticut for Christmas. This made the holidays less than joyous and I was quite happy to put them behind me while I looked forward to Jamie being able to come home for a longer period of time during the summer. In order to ensure this happening, I fully intended on buying a plane ticket early when prices were low and I wouldn't have to sell an arm, leg, and various other body parts to medical science in order to afford it. Good plan, right?

Yes, yes it was - until the ex-husband once again managed to throw a monkey wrench directly into said plan. Not that this surprised me, mind you! Oh no - if there's anything my ex is good at it's still making a hash out of my life despite the fact that we'll have been divorced five glorious years this coming March (ah, but who's counting??). Matter of fact, I rather suspected that something would happen as invariably it always does and I was not disappointed.

Soon I am no longer going to be able to make reference to the State of Kentucky when it comes to the ex as he has decided to transfer to a different job within the company he works for in Florida. Florida?? When he told me of this my first question was, "but I thought you had to stay in Kentucky because that's where the new wife's ex lives and she can't move her kids without his permission which he doesn't want to give" - or something to that affect! Apparently I haven't been paying close enough attention to the passage of time as her oldest son is going to be 18 and on his own soon and her youngest moved in with his dear old dad over a year ago so she no longer has the same restrictions and is now free to move about the country.

Well isn't that special? "So why not come back East?", I queried. Not that I really want the man back in the vicinity but it would be fantastic to have Jamie living close by and maybe, just maybe, the man might think about starting up a relationship with his oldest daughter again if he lived in the same State or close to it. "Well," says he, "that's always a consideration but we have decided to move to Florida to be closer to the wife's aging parents." Oh really now? Those would be the rather wealthy, aging parents, right? Cue not-so-new-anymore wife in the background stating "They aren't really that old!" but apparently they're old enough to warrant more consideration than his daughters. Again, why am I not surprised?

So ... rather than living 900 miles away in a place that she has come to know as home, Jamie is now going to be moving almost 1,200 miles away to the Tampa/St Petersburg area of Florida. Florida. I suppose it does give Amanda and I a more viable vacation option should we choose to go visit than Kentucky did but still ... Florida. Rather than being closer, my youngest will be even farther away.

And this is where the monkey wrench comes in ... the ex has no idea when Jamie will be moving to the Sunshine State. He, himself, will be moving down the 1st of March to begin his new job and will be living with his in-laws (oh lucky them!) while Jamie stays in Kentucky with her step-mom and soon-to-be-18-years-old stepbrother waiting for the house to sell. The house could sell quickly, the house could be on the market for months - it's a crap shoot at this point in time - and that means that I have no idea whether I should buy a plane ticket from Louisville to Connecticut for June or from Tampa/St Pete.

Every time I talk to Jamie on the phone, she talks about the plans she has for our summer together and even at the age of 13, she knows that it's cheaper to buy a plane ticket ahead of time and has dropped hints regarding that. But as of right now, I don't know where she'll be living when summer rolls around. Her hope is to stay where she is until she can graduate from 8th grade but I get the sneaky feeling that her dad and the love of his life are not going to like living apart for very long and it won't matter how much it disrupts Jamie's life if they move before she can graduate. Not to point too fine a point on it but my ex has always had problems putting anyone but himself first and I don't see that happening with this either. Even if the house doesn't sell, I foresee an early move to Florida. But I could be wrong. History could be rewritten and a leopard just might change his spots but were I a gambling woman I wouldn't bet on it!

In the meantime, I wait and play a guessing game while I keep my fingers crossed that airline costs don't skyrocket too high like they inevitably do and I won't be able to fly Jamie out. 0h, and just to add a little more icing to the cake, he called the other night and told me that he hoped I was making plans for paying for Jamie's ticket as he wouldn't be contributing anything to it and she would be very disappointed if she couldn't come out. Very disappointed.

Does anyone remember that old AT&T ad campaign from back in the 80's with the slogan "reach out and touch someone"? Well, trust me, I really wanted to reach out and touch someone that night but I remained quite civil while squeezing the phone so tightly I thought it would have indents and clenching my jaw. The man is impossible.

Sigh ... can anyone tell me why life has to be so difficult sometimes?