Though it’s almost fall officially, and school has been in session for weeks, it is still summer here. I had an outdoor gig yesterday and it was 96 degrees, plus humidity, heat index of 108 or so. It was possibly the most miserable I have ever been playing the violin, or at least on the hot end of things. I didn’t think ahead to have something to wipe the sweat off my neck, so I kept using tissues and it was just gross. Especially since I detest wet tissues.

I have another outdoor gig today, but I’m thinking ahead and have a cloth packed to wipe my neck as needed. It may be slightly cooler, we will see. The forecast seems to predict that starting Sunday things will cool down, but…I’ll believe it when I see it. This is definitely our payback for those cooler weeks in June, or maybe just our payback for burning all those fossil fuels.

This has been a busy week, well, it’s getting into a busy couple of weekends. I was just getting used to teaching more and now the concerts start. I really just want to go on another trip, can’t I do that instead? We did see a play last night and have tickets for a musical on Saturday night, so it’s not all work, but there’s little time to relax. It’s always the issue with planning things, you know, you then have to do them.

I’ve been keeping up my gym going, which has been a lot of fun. The Wash U gym is a busy place, but I find the mid-morning time works pretty well (I get there between 8 and 9 usually, I bet it’s even a little better around 10 but my schedule usually doesn’t allow that.) I created a weight lifting routine using AI (I know, I know, but it was THERE) and have been tracking it on my phone. I also do the stairclimber for a short while and treadmill uphill when I have time. It’s a 15-20 minute walk each way to the gym so a visit takes at least 1 1/2 hours, which does require planning.

TV wise: I’ve been slowly watching the remake of The Little House on the Prairie. It’s not very good, but I’m watching it anyway. Louie and I finished watching the second season of 100 Years of Solitude on Netflix: I thought it was very good. I have not yet read the book. We started The Gentlemen Season Two but kind of hate it so I think we are going to abandon it for something better. The first season was much better.

Books: I’ve been reading mysteries, plus Their Eyes Were Watching God for an upcoming book club meeting. Have I mentioned reading Whistler and Yesteryear? The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova, enjoyed it quite a bit though it was an emotional read. I need to get into more serious books and stop scrolling so much, probably.

Cat shenanigans.