Friday, July 31, 2015

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Not now. Maybe next year.

The high temperature today was at least 94
Corresponding to the number of years Rosie has seen in her life.
The intense summer heat wave of late July penetrates indoors
Where the window fan breeze cools her somewhat as she sits.

We went to her Brooklyn apartment and sat with her talking
Exchanging news of people we know and things we have learned
And heard the story of why she has no air conditioner
As we ate key lime pie sipping lime seltzer in the heat.

There used to be one but it was too much trouble
Having someone lift it in and out of the window every year.
Now there’s one that sits on the floor but she doesn’t run it
Since emptying the water takes more strength than she has.

So Rosie tolerates the heat without complaint
Living the way people lived when we were born
And before that when Rosie was born
Before air conditioners made possible the migration South.

And we talked about what it was like in those days
Remembering sitting in the shade of a tree hoping for a thunderstorm
Ready to run out into the cool wet downpour when it came
Remembering when movies got air conditioned and then supermarkets.

Remembering when it was too hot to fall asleep
Waiting for the sun to go down and the fireflies to dance at dusk
Longing for the evening breeze to come into my bedroom
Listening for the rustling of the leaves in the trees outside.

Sometimes we would escape to the beach or swim in a cold lake.
Sometimes we would take a car ride just to catch the breeze
Hanging my head out the window to be swept by the wind.
I always remember those summer days when I was growing up.

I think for Rosie it’s not such a problem like it is for us
When she grew up used to contending with the heat
When she has lived as an adult so many years getting along
Something she learned to do that young people don’t do.

So Rosie can do without an air conditioner
But you understand that’s not the reason why not.
She doesn’t want to be a bother to anyone in any way
Though she would make us happy to let us help.

We have a spare unit we can bring with us
To set it up in the window when we next visit.
Rosie thought about our offer and decided
Not now.  Maybe next year.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Harriman hike #7

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Sunday, July 26, 2015

Thursday, July 16, 2015

modified Harriman hike #18

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Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Being

Taking the time out to be a human being
Sitting outside in the warm evening light
Watching the birds come and go from the feeder
Dropping seeds under our chairs for the chipmunks

Be still and soon enough so much will happen.
Such a pleasant time together being with you
Not much talking except a remark now and then
Noticing what’s going on around us.

These days our life is an exercise in keeping fit
Standing balanced on one foot with arms outstretched
Leg extended to the side as we are looking in the mirror
Counting the duration as we are holding the pose.

Enjoying summertime birthdays coming around again
We have the gifts of good health and easy living.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Freylinghausen July

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