It's been two days since the temperature has been above the twenties. I don't mind a bit of cold weather but since most of my hobbies and interests are outdoors, I get kind of cranky after an hour or so of forced sitting. I was thinking about summer and feeling trapped there too because the heat has gotten so overbearing here in Texas during summer. I can't get out and do the things I enjoy because I can't handle the heat like I used to. Big ol' sissy....That leaves spring and fall to enjoy the outdoors. Spring usually lasts about a day and a half and I think we missed fall completely this past year.
When I think back on good times as a kid, those memories nearly always happened in summer. Either the summers were milder or I handled the heat better back then. I get to thinking about summertime in my mind and its kind of like: Sleepy summertime, old dogs, children, and watermelon wine....oh wait, that's Tom T Hall's thoughts on summer. I don't care for old dogs, children are okay from a distance, and I'm almost positive I wouldn't care for watermelon wine.
So, how am I going to keep myself busy here in Texas during the three or four days of winter and the eleven months of summer? I like to write but I don't always have something to say....kind of like now. I enjoy catching up on annoying little details like shoe polishing, arranging my sock drawer, culling worn out clothes from my closet...you know what I'm talking about. Sadly, I've done all of that too. I can even find things in my desk drawers now. I've cleaned my guns, watched all the movies I cared to catch up on, sat with Debbie as she continues following her never-ending British murder mystery shows, and even puttered in the kitchen. I have got to get outside soon!
Oh sure you say, "But Russell, you go to the gym three days a week!" Hello, the gym is indoors and I have to drive all the way from north Hurst to south Hurst to get there. Location is everything and that gym is located too far away. (editors note: Those of you who grew up in Hurst and now live in normal towns or cities are thinking, "But Hurst is just a little town". To this the author replies, "Balderdash!" It takes longer to get from north Hurst to south Hurst than it takes to drive from south Hurst all the way to Arlington.) Even though it's a long drive, my pickup doesn't get warm before I'm there. Same problem on the drive home. Trapped! I tell ya', I'm trapped!
I know, I know....stop complaining! I'm not complaining. I'm whining. There's a difference. I can't enjoy my wood shop because it's freezing out there. In the summertime it feels like a furnace. I wonder how the pioneers handled all this? I'll tell you how: They died young before their bodies had a chance to get as persnickety and old as mine. I wish like everything Debbie and I had buried our roots in someplace like New England. Yes, you heard me! We fell in love with New England last fall. While visiting up there, I mentioned to a store owner how I would love to live in his small and beautiful Maine town. He told me I would hate it in the winter because of the unbearable cold. I checked the temperature up there yesterday morning.....TEN DEGREES warmer in Camden, Maine than here in good old Hurst, Texas. That store owner just did not want me as a neighbor.
Okay, I'm done. The sun is shining outside now. The temperature just hit thirty. I reckon I'll go out and make sure my lawnmower is running well. I'll probably need it by the weekend.
