WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2022 - LET’S FINISH SUMMER WITH A FLOURISH

 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2022 - LET’S FINISH SUMMER WITH A FLOURISH

We are almost done with July - the daylight hours are shrinking.  On June 21, the sun rose at 6:30 and set at 8:36 in Austin - or 14 hours and 6 minutes.  Today (in Austin), the sun rises at 6:47 and sets at 8:28 - or 13 hours and 41 minutes.  On September 1st, sunrise is 7:08 and sunset is 7:54 - or 12 hours and 46 minutes.  (And, of course, September 22 is the fall equinox - basically 12 hours of daylight).

It has been hot in most parts of the United States this summer (but, hey, summer is supposed to be hot!!!)

REMAINING SUMMER ACTIVITIES:

GET OUT AND WALK.  

I’ve been trying to walk from 4 to 5 hours a day.  Now that takes some dedication and time.  I can walk a mile in about 20 minutes, so in one hour and 20 minutes, I can get four miles. I generally do a morning and an evening walk.

I live in an apartment complex that has an exercise room.  I don’t have a television but there are things that “numb” my mind when I walk using the treadmill in the exercise room.  If I walk from 10 to 10:45 I can watch “The Price is Right” (I try to guess the prices).  And if I can make it to 11:00, I can see their “showdown”.  If I walk from 2:00 to 3:00 I can see “Let’s make a deal”.  If I walk from 4 to 5, I can see two episodes of Jeopardy.  I was walking late last night and watched Family Feud.  I also can watch sports (or sports reruns).  Again, “numbing” activities - but enough to keep me going.  When it cools down a little I’ll do more outside walks/hikes.

I’ve walked most of the Georgetown trails this summer (early morning) and will be going more of those.  

I don’t always like treadmills, but the apartment exercise room is close and I don’t have to drive, so the treadmill is my only choice at the apartment exercise room for walking.

My second favorite summer walking place is at the Georgetown Community Recreation Center.  There is a walking oval overlooking the basketball courts so generally there is something to watch as I walk - plus people (many who have become friends) to say ‘hi’ to.  This is a good location, air-conditioned, friendly, with showers, restrooms, and other activities.  (I have to drive about 10 minutes - and with gas prices coming down, that is better).

*****

RELAX

I don’t always feel like I can take the time to walk (after all I “have” to write my daily blogs!!).  But I frequently take my phone and headset and listen to an audiobook or music.  (And, with certain music, I conduct the piece.  I am a “gifted conductor” for the Firebird Suite Finale (ha).

I’ve also done a lot of jigsaw puzzles this summer.  I can get a 300-piece puzzle at the library and it stays on my table for about 5 hours.  Really, it stays on my table for a couple of days.  I do the edges in the evening on one day, then I come back to it periodically during the next day, finish it that evening and let it sit - finished - on the table to admire for one more night.

Twice I’ve made the mistake of getting a 500-piece puzzle.  They take too much time for me.  Do it, get it done, and move on!!!

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SOCIALIZE IN PERSON

Summer is a good time to socialize.  I have three major ways to socialize.  My favorite is my weekly bridge group.  We’ve been together for about three years - with little changes - and everybody is my friend.  (Last week we did an ice cream social - with lots of laughter).  This is a SOCIAL bridge group - nobody is bragging about how well they played.  

My second method of socializing in person is that visit friends for coffee or iced tea.  We can sit for an hour and just talk.  This also can be a meal or just a meeting for coffee.  I’m meeting BB this Friday for coffee.  

The last is infrequent, but some “fringe” groups periodically have “meetups” (there is an app for this), and this coming Saturday we are meeting at a local brewery for beer.  I don’t always go, but have a good time with less familiar friends.

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SUMMER CLOTHES

Hey, it is summer - switch out the wardrobe.  I’ve been wearing sundresses and shorts most of the summer.  Note - think of where you are going.  I wore a sundress to my dental appointment and they have their air conditioner set too low (for me - but then, I’m just sitting there while they are moving).  Take a sweater if the AC is going to be too cold!!

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DRINK LIQUIDS

Note - drink water or positive liquids.  While I do drink beer on rare occasions, it doesn’t hydrate all that well.  

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FINALLY

MOVE - get up and get out.  Next winter you’ll be thinking “I wish I could get outside” - this is the time to get up and out.  Ride your bike, walk, jog, hike, walk through your neighborhood and pick out the best and worst houses (and yards) on your walk!!!  (And, go early if the day will be hot!!!)

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ENJOY YOUR LIFE - ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!!

LOVE WINS

Karen

July 27, 2022