Oh Mercy!

Let me whine a little. I'll feel better:)

I am tired of this summer already, & it's just arrived four weeks ago.
It's hot.
It's so hot, it's depressing & oppressive.
Not only hot, it's been hot for so long it's exhausting....& it's only July 22nd.
(Dare I think about August?)
Unrelenting heat.
100 degrees is becoming normal in every weekly forecast.
The low 90's is a cool spell, a respite, the weather people say....
We're headed for a record of 90+ degree days in NC.
And I haven't even mentioned humidity yet.
Sigh....
Doesn't it make you tired? Makes one yearn for cool breezes & cool evenings & a cool rain.

The temperature colors every conversation, every newscast, every thought of walking or biking, at least for Keith & me. Actually we've given up on biking this summer. It was too cold this winter, too wet this spring, now too hot:( Maybe fall will be our season?
I have to walk Wyatt each morning. If not, I simply can't get motivated in the evening. So now I get up early even on my days off, to take him out by 6am, or else he'll have heatstroke!

I'm sure we had plenty of hot spells when I was growing up. We didn't have air conditioning either. But, kids aren't affected like adults. Then again, adults, if possible, rested inside with the curtains drawn or sat out on the porch with a fan, & didn't pretend to work during the heat of the day back then. Work was done primarily early in the morning & late in the afternoon during the summer months. Today we must be doing something constantly, rushing here & there, non-stop (or we feel guilty). Maybe we should slow down & be still & pace ourselves. I mean, we do have August & September to get through.

I'm already praying for mercy; cooler air, gentle rains, thunderstorms, trips to the mountains, or a visit to any place that offers a respite, & last but not least, for patience--& for fall to arrive sooner than usual!!

July Happenings Part 3

Now, blog, it's Monday morning in Beaver Falls:) Our final day in Pa.

Skye & I got up & out the door by 9, walked to the local coffee shop, ordered our favorites, & sat outside savoring our Americana & Skinny latte, hoping for a breeze:) It was a pretty warm start to the day in BF!

Later on Jeannie & I drove to the Salvation Army to look over the clothes, etc.--it's one of our traditions, & they were having a sale. After a while Skye & Molly dropped by to check out things--they didn't want to stay as long as the moms do:) All of us found some deals:) I, for one, got a great fitting pair of jeans:)

After having lunch together the Mc clan set out for Pittsburgh & The Home to visit Mom & Dad for the last time this trip. The Carson crowd decided to stay in Beaver Falls, but planned to meet us in Cranberry for dinner/supper, before Nick needed to head back to his apartment & Scottie to soccer practice.

We had an especially good visit with Grandma & Grandpa. This afternoon Grandpa was quite interested in Cameron's iPhone & figured out how to flip photos right away, with Cameron's help. He even asked about the phone plan!

Grandma enjoyed the pictures also:)












Ending our day in Cranberry, at Max & Erma's, was a neat idea, courtesy of Nick(his idea). The food was delicious, & a good time was had by all:) Goodbyes were said to Nick, then the rest of us departed, back to Beaver Falls, to spend the evening together at the Carsons', & finally, on to our B&B for one last night.

The "B&B" is Ken's uncle's & aunt's home, located a few blocks from Geneva College. His uncle & aunt are presently living at The Home in Pittsburgh where Mom & Dad now reside, so their home is unoccupied.
It turned out to be a great help to us & we really appreciated the 'home away from home':)

Tuesday morning was last minute packing, then we dropped off the house key, & were southbound by 7am!
A special vacation time with family; such a blessing!

July Happenings Part 2

Sunday morning we attended College Hill Reformed Pres. Church with Ken & Jean, Nick, Molly& Beth:) The singing was especially beautiful -- acapella harmony is glorious:)

Afterward we had lunch with the Carson's. Then the 4 of us Mc's, plus Ken, Jean, & Nick, drove to Pittsburgh to visit Mom & Dad. It's hard getting use to driving an hour to see them--each way! And the Home is up quite a steep hill. The area reminds me of pictures of San Francisco.

Dad was pretty responsive & talkative, & Mom was pretty much as sharp as ever. She's taking good care of Dad, watching over him like a mother hen:) (This was our second visit with both Mom & Dad. We had stopped Friday evening on our way up to Beaver Falls--Dad asked both times about Seth:))

After debating a day or two on whether to try seeing the fireworks in downtown Pittsburgh, Nick & Jeannie encouraged us to go. So, after saying goodbye to Mom & Dad, us Mc's parted ways with the Carson clan (they were celebrating Rev. Carson's 81st birthday in Beaver Falls), ate at Chili's then headed down toward the Three River's Point. We had no trouble finding a close parking lot ($10 close), & found a spot to set up our chairs just a few rows from the waterfront--super viewing:)

Then we people-watched for a few hours while waiting for the show. The fireworks were a spectacular display of color, one finale on top of another!!  Way to go Pittsburgh!!! Fabulous:) It was worth seeing:)

Happy 2010 Fourth of July! Third day next blog.....

July Happenings

July has continued June's spell of hot weather---which wears at me & is exhausting:(
Just listening to Greg Fishal's forecast is draining.
The previous 2 days here have passed the 100 degree mark, with yesterday breaking a record in the Raleigh area.

Last Friday, taking a long Fourth of July weekend, we packed up, dropped off Wyatt at Town & Country kennel, & drove north to Pa. to visit Keith's mom & dad---Keith, Cameron, Skye & me.
(At the same time Seth & Kelley headed in the opposite direction, to Florida, to see 'best buds' George & Leigh)
Those of us heading north were hoping for a cool respite!!
That evening we arrived at Keith's sister & brother in law's home in Western Pa. After settling into our designated "B&B" for the night (Ken's uncle & aunt's home--their story later), we met at Jean & Ken's Saturday morning for breakfast.
Afterward Keith, Skye, & I headed to Pittsburgh to pick up Grandma to take her to New Castle for a noon picnic/reunion with her family, she being one of three daughters of Ira Irvin & Goldie Gladys Kennedy Brown, & their children, & children's children. (Their baby brother, Uncle Russell, died a few years ago)
Jean & Ken & their gang met us there.

Aunt Beryl hosted the gathering, with food & chairs spread under a huge (Elm or Ash) tree. The large branches shaded the entire yard! After eating, everybody lingered, reminiscing, catching up, enjoying seeing cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandchildren:)
Cameron showed off his new Subaru:) And John showed off his 1940 Ford:)

 A day of sweet reunion:)
 To be continued.....