We are in the midst of the "dog days" of Summer .. you remember those, don't you ?
Hot, humid, the nights are no relief and the big weather excitement comes when there is a thunder storm and the wind blows and it cools off for an all too brief spell.
Walking down the street, we hug whichever side is in shadow, staying under awnings and close to the walls, avoiding any more sunshine and freckles and other things that tend to be worse when it comes to skin exposed to relentless sunshine.
We go into stores that we might never be interested in but they have good air conditioning and they are a welcome break on the walk to the bakery.
I can often be found, loitering in the frozen food department in the super mercado.
If I actually bought something, it would be thawed out by the time we got home. A block away.
Flowers in the sidewalk vendors kiosk are all wilted and sad.
They were much happier out in that field with a breeze and less exhaust and heat coming off of streets, sidewalks and from cars, buses and taxis.
Not to mention, the quiet.
Even a flower will wilt when there is so much noise.
A new Subte (subway) line is going in ... under the street that runs in front of our building.
We see nothing, feel nothing, hear nothing.
They are way down deep by now.
But walk a block or two in either direction and there is so much traffic , the cars above make much more noise than the work below.
I wonder if it is cooler down there .. hmmm.
Thanks to a President who seems to think that People will like her if she gives them enough holidays, there have been three and four day weekends since before Christmas.
And now with Summer holidays, the city is much less crowded, traffic is not as horrible and it is actually very quiet on Sundays.
More shops and stores are closed too.
I saw a bag in a shop window.
Went home and mulled it over.
OK ... I obsessed over it for a day or two.
Then decided to go back and take a really good look at it, feel it and hopefully buy it.
I walked over there and the shop is closed,
Vacaciones ..
She went on vacation for 3 weeks !!
What nerve .
I quit cooking.
I will make a salad and will put together a sandwich.
If it requires cooking, it is not happening in our kitchen.
It is acceptable for someone else to do the cooking , in their kitchen, but not here.
My kitchen opens in the Autumn.
Wherever you are, remember, there is a place where the parrots squabble high up in tall palm trees, tiny birds hop around on the ground catching crumbs that ladies with scones like to throw for them, Mounted Police Horses like to nap under the tall trees in the park, street dogs ( and people) like to nap under those trees too and doves sit in nests, high in trees ( outside of someones windows) and feed their teeny tiny babies .. in the Summer time .
