Dog Days of Summer

I know I have talked a lot about the Texas heat this summer, but I thought I might add one more post about "The Dog Days of August" — Texas Style 🤠☀️

Bless our hearts… we have officially entered the dog days of August right here in Texas.  When I step outside it feels less like I'm just going outdoors or to the pool and more like I'm opening the oven door to check the biscuits. 😂

The grass is begging for mercy, and the cicadas are carrying on like they’re being paid by the decibel.  The pool has the kind of visitors that I don't really like to welcome..WASP and YELLOW-JACKETS.  They are thirsty and are in need of a drink.

By noon, the steering wheel is approximately 475 degrees, the seatbelt buckle is considered a branding iron, and nobody in their right mind is touching a black leather car seat wearing shorts.  Thank goodness that my car seats are not black....

Truthfully, we don’t ask, “Is it hot outside?”

We ask, “How bad is it?”....😳

My grand-dog "Lucy" looks at me like, “You  go ahead and go outside. I’ll hold the couch down.” 🐶

The sweet tea is flowing, the ceiling fans are working overtime, and the air conditioner has officially become the most respected member of the household. The thermostat stays on 72 and by the time the evening sun is straight above us, it is struggling to stay at 72. (I think it prefers the morning hours)

And the Texas humidity? Honey, you don’t walk through it—you wear it. Hairdos surrender. Somedays I just pull my hair up into a ponytail and thats it...Honestly, it's everyday during the summer.  Makeup waves the white flag. And any plans involving the words “outdoor activity” are immediately reconsidered or rescheduled.  

But somehow, we Texans survive it every year.

We complain about the heat, pray for rain, sit under the shade tree, swat mosquitoes big enough to have Social Security numbers, and remind ourselves that cooler days are coming.

Eventually.

Probably.

Maybe by Thanksgiving. 😂

August—when the sun is blazing, the tea is sweet, the AC is humming, and Texas is reminding us once again that she does absolutely nothing halfway.

Shug....  🥵

*The dog days usually span from July 3rd to August 11th ..... however, this year they have decided to stay a while longer...

Not Just Any Ol' Light

 This is not just any ol’ light.

On Friday night, this light shined on 43 very special residents at BVT—and somehow, it seemed to shine a little brighter than most.

BVT is the home where my niece, Tammy, lives. It’s a home for adults with disabilities, but Friday night wasn’t about disabilities. It wasn’t about what someone could or couldn’t do.

Friday night was about TALENT. Courage. Joy. And having your moment in the spotlight. ❤️

They held their very own “Breckenridge Has Talent” show, and let me tell you, they definitely have talent!

One by one, the residents stepped into that beam of light and shared something special. There was music, laughter, applause, and plenty of moments that made your heart swell. Some may have been a little nervous, some a little shy—but when that spotlight found them, it was their time to shine.

And shine they did.

There were four judges, but you wouldn’t have found a Simon Cowell in the bunch. 😂 Every contestant received encouragement, praise, and the kind of positive reviews that made smiles stretch from ear to ear. There were no losers that night. Every single person who stepped onto that stage was already a winner.

And then came my Tammy. ❤️

She stepped into that light and sang “El Shaddai.” And yes, this aunt was proud.

But as I watched her—and all the others—I realized that beautiful beam of light represented something much bigger than a talent show.

For a few minutes, each person standing beneath it knew without question:

I am seen.

I am heard.

I am important.

And this is my moment.

Sometimes we spend so much time looking at what makes people different that we forget to notice all the wonderful things that make them extraordinary.

Friday night, there were 43 reminders.

Forty-three people with personalities, gifts, humor, courage, music in their hearts, and something worth sharing with the world.

So, no…this is not just any ol’ light.

It’s the light that shined on 43 stars at Breckenridge Has Talent. 🌟

And judging by those smiles, I have a feeling the people sitting in the audience walked away shining a little brighter, too. I know that I did!!

Happy Sunday,

Shug....

Riddle Answers

 Riddle Answers:

* A man shaves several times a day but still has a beard.  Who is he?   Answer:  A Barber

* You see a boat filled with people, yet there isn't a single person on board.  How is this possible?

Answer: Everyone on the boat is Married...no singles

* What five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

Answer:  Short.    (Shorter)

* What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

Answer: The Letter M

* Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

Answer: Mount Everest...it just had not been discovered yet.  

* What English word has three consecutive double letters?

Answer: Bookkeeper

Thanks for playing Y'all.  

Lunch with Friends.....

Yesterday, I had lunch with my friends...

Joyce, Susie and Vicki.  

We chose to eat at the Clubhouse, which was a smart idea. 

This was our monthly lunch outing and since our 55th High School Class Reunion is coming up on the 22nd, we had much to discuss.  

This makes the 11th Reunion we have all planned together.  Hey, we are pro's at this now days.... 

Sadly, a few of our classmates said they were not going to be able to make it due to health issues.

Anyways...(I have to tell y'all...the word Anyways most likely will not ever be invited to a fancy grammar party, but it keeps showing up in MY vocabulary). 😂

Anyways....

Our meal was so good.   As you can see from the picture above, I had a Patty melt with a side of sweet potato fries. 

The other's had quesadilla's and Susie had a chicken sandwich with avocado dressing.  

Sooooo Good!! 🩷

Oh....y'all are gonna love this!!  We met at 11:00 A.M. and we finished up around 3:00 P.M.  You might say we enjoyed a LONG lunch date.  Many times we found ourselves discussing far off topics like where we plan to travel to next. Many places came up on our list:

A cruise

Ireland

Branson, Mo.

Alaska

The Blue Ridge Mountains

Kentucky to see the "Ark"

Train ride across the country

And....A River Cruise

It's fun to make plans even if they never happen or if trips have to be delayed.  Are hearts are traveling diva's but our pocket books are like...still recovering from our last great idea..   By the way, did you know you can wander around google maps for FREE. 

Other conversations consisted of what to wear to the reunion, or how to cover up wrinkles!  LOL.  And yes, we discussed our ailments.  

It was a GREAT day...

One of my favorite things about the day was coming home to a very clean house.  My house cleaner came and my house smelled so clean and looked so good.  

Did I mention that it was a GREAT DAY?

Love and appreciate each of you...

Shug...

Fun Day!!

 If you're happy and you know it say AMEN...

Amen!!! 🌼

Lets have some fun today!!!..... Who enjoys solving riddles?  ME!! I do...

Here are a few just for you!

* A man shaves several times a day but still has a beard.  Who is he?

* You see a boat filled with people, yet there isn't a single person on board.  How is this possible?

* What five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

* What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

* Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

* What English word has three consecutive double letters?

Answers Tomorrow!!

Shug...😂