UNDER THE HEAT DOME

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

A summer under the heat dome was rough, with months of almost daily thunderstorms and temperatures around 100° that usually felt like 112 or so. Idalia blew through a few days ago and took with her some of the heat and humidity. The heat of summer isn't over, though. 

Idalia brought only a few raindrops, but the wind left a mess in the yard. I'm still cleaning up leaves and sticks. Late Thursday evening, storm over, the dogs and I started at a THUD of unknown source. Friday morning, I discovered some large tree limbs had fallen on the roof. I texted my wonderful neighbor, Penelope's beloved Auntie Maureen, whose yard guy had just mowed her yard. He quickly returned to remove the branches from my roof. 

I asked how much I owed him and he said, A cup of cold water. I returned with the water and a bottle of blackberry-infused water I hope he enjoyed. I have a number of tree limbs that need to be cut down, which he said he could take care of in the future. What a relief it always is to find someone nice to do some work.

 The cicadas have been going strong. I let the dogs out one night and they found a cicada on the deck. They went after it. That bastard buzzed like a stuck doorbell, then went after me, heading toward my face and neck. Finally, he flew away.

The next night, one flew in the house and landed on the light in the laundry room, where it tried to set up housekeeping after attacking me while I folded laundry. I had to get a broom to dispatch it. 

You haven't seen much of me because I've been so busy with work. Although I've missed you, I'm happy for the job security. We weren't nearly as busy a year ago. More about work another day.

We rejoiced over indictments. I don't know what will become of the orange blob (215 lbs. snicker). I worry about 2024.

I didn't have time to watch many shows, but I did take in the movie Till (2022), starring Danielle Deadwyler in a moving performance as Mamie Till Mobley and an unreconizable Whoopie Goldberg as Mobley's mother. 

Telling the same story in a slightly different way is Women of the Movement (2022; streaming on HULU; six episodes), starring Adrienne Warren as Mobley.

I think––I hope––most Americans know the story of Emmett Till.The movie and the series focus on his mother's story and the work she undertook in her grief. 

I had my eyes checked a couple of weeks ago. The doctor and I were shocked when I couldn't read anything on the chart with my left eye. New glasses will be ready in a couple of weeks. 

In spite of the heat, the summer has gone by quickly with the business of work. My desk is the center of the dogs' world. I'm grateful Franklin is still with us. The cancer hasn't returned. He is either 15 or it's fast approaching. His annual wellness exam is next week. Penelope remains my darling Penelope. She had her check-up. She's doing well in spite of her "arthuritis" and an occasional limp. Princess learns every day. I'll write more about her on another day as well. We all love her.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug