Lucy and Ethel

We still love Lucy (and Ethel)...

 

What is it about Lucy and Ethel's friendship that I find so endearing?  I think it's the openness and the quick forgiveness that makes it so attractive to me.  Lately, I have been gathering all things 50s for a bridal shower for my daughter.  It began with some red dish towels with cherries on them that I saw she had registered for.  It was easy after that.  I printed up some recipe cards with cherries and distributed them with the invitation (which had a picture of Lucy and Ethel with captions).

Along with Lucy and Ethel's complete confidence in one another, I love the simplicity of the everyday normalcy of the 50s.  Things were pretty much black and white then (including the t.v. screen).  Even though it made for good entertainment, there were lessons to be learned in watching two zany women finagle everything from competing for the same dress to perform a song in, to out- doing their husbands in not caving into modern conveniences.  There was a camaraderie that I love.  Lucy was herself, and didn't put on any airs.  Ethel was patient, but when she had enough, she made it plain; and Lucy, as strong willed as she was, was able to bend for her dear friend.

It makes me think of my friends and sisters.  I am grateful for having those who put up with my zany ways.  We laugh a lot at life.  I guess this is what you do when you realize that sometimes, you can't change circumstances, but you have the blessing of having those around you who hang in there with you.

And the Heat Goes On...

Whoa... We're two thirds into this month and the heat goes on.... To the tune of the Sonny and Bono song, "The Beat Goes On",  we keep going forward, maybe at a slower, withered state...

We've been experiencing over 100 degree temperatures for the last two weeks.  I wrote the following email to several friends and family members recently about my observation of others (including myself) during this heat wave and am recounting it below....

So, what do people do when the mercury reaches over three-digits?

----SNIP...People cut corners. They jaywalk to not have to walk more steps to the crosswalk. They snip their hair-- just notice how many people are at Super Cuts getting a impromptu cut to get their hair off their necks. Even clothing takes a "snip" of a sort-- lots of rolling up of sleeves and pants or shirts untucked and tied at the waist or left hanging loose in order to get more air in the waistline

----SNAP...Unfortunately, this is part of the swealtering heat. People get mad for the smallest things. I've seen this in the post office (too long of a line), the intersection (people's car conditioner may not be working and they're fuming that the pedestrian walking across the street is taking too long), and at the Dairy Queen where the single attendant can't get the ice cream cones made fast enough for the crowd standing in the heat.

----FAN...It has been quite amusing to me how inventive people become when they need a fan to bring down the temperature. I've seen fans made of the following~ their hand, bank statement, keys (this didn't work so good), magazine from the newstand, brochures, and receipts. Additionally, people even try to make a fan out of the items they're about to purchase. This includes, (but isn't limited to) the following~ merchandise boxes, packages of underware, and school supplies (spiral notebooks are popular as this is an essential Back to School item).

----SIGH... I've heard so many. They range from soft, loud, mean, defeated, repeated, and obnoxious.

----SWEAT.. Oh, yeah. Yuk... it's hard to be around this. Even the coolest building now is experiencing the sweat of its patrons. Usually it's the men that sweat the most, but I've seen lots of ladies too. Usually though, it's only the men who are brave enough to wipe it away shamelessly.

----DRESS INAPPROPRIATELY...Either too much or too little. (Need I say more?)

----ROLL THEIR EYES..Brings back memories of my kids growing up... (You moms know what I mean.)

----BARE... I've seen too much. I don't want to see anymore. (Bellies, tattoos in strange places, lines, wrinkles, and bulges.)

 

Hope this makes you smile, and maybe even chuckle. Remember that good humor keeps you cool and relaxed. As for me, I think I'm going to go and pour myself another cold glass of water.

All About August or AAA

August has always been for me an uneventful, hot month.  I've written about it in the past, but am re-visiting it once again.  However, I learned this week that August has been slated as the month that 'National Neighborhood Day' is held.  Our neighborhood plans on recognizing this day on August 7 with a barbecue/potluck and featured guest speakers from the police department and other city resources.  I think I'll go check it out.  I learn quite a bit from talking to our neighbors.  For example, a couple of days ago, one neighbor told me about a garage fire that ocurred down the street. Our local newspaper made no mention of it.  So, it caused me to re-think whether I should continue my subscription with the Press Enterprise.
So, this hot August month, my goal is to enjoy the nothingness of it:
-Adjust to the heat and humidity
-Attack the weeds in my backyard
-Allow myself to relax with nothing but hot summer days to bask in...

How's that for all about August?