Heat Wave Tips To Stay and Be Cool.

Dear you,

The first killer heat wave of 2022 is messing with our already messy heads.  We need to fight through and for so much these days; these paralyzing temperatures aren't helping.  Pushing to do this or that becomes more difficult.  Juneteenth celebrations go on, but I worry about the impacts on attendants out there in all this. This applies to Gay Pride celebrations too.  See the weather map.  It's a dome that is going nowhere.  Weeks and probably months of this are predicted.  What can we do to stay cool?

1.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Yes, we know this. But do it A LOT!!!!

2.  Donate, donate, donate. A good way to feel cool and less paralyzed is to remember those who are fighting something deadlier than heat.  We can't let our minds drift away from Ukraine. I am still obsessed with #AnimalsOfUkraine (see above) and inspired by those working to save them. Suggestions for donations: 

International Fund for Animal Welfare - volunteers work with locals to get supplies to wildlife and animal shelters in the war zones.

Veterinarians Without Borders - a Canadian based group of vets on the ground in Ukraine helping wounded creatures.

Humane Society International - the organization partners with the Romanian Red Cross to transport pet food into Ukraine and care for animals in shelters, homes and on the streets.

All three of these groups can be reached online. Go to any, please, and donate. This will lift your spirits, wrap you in a cool breeze of relief.

3.  Rise, rise, rise above the buzz-killers - Anecdote that applies:  On the home front here in Seagrove Beach, an angry old man threw a hissy fit at our Coastal Branch Library.  The library closed all weekend and tomorrow to honor Juneteenth. Earlier this week, the dude, a typical local MAGA-cap fanatic, read the notice posted on the door announcing this upcoming closure and lost his mind.  He stormed to the checkout desk and confronted the librarian, who happens to be African American and a veteran library worker.  "Why are you closed for three days for that fake holiday?  Isn't it enough that you have your Black President's Day?"  The librarian was Teflon, unperturbed, and simply informed him of the re-opening time on Tuesday.  And then she smiled and wished him a "beautiful Juneteenth".

Very, very cool. Impressive rising.  How did she do this?  I could not have resisted the temptation to mock his twisty ignorance. "Black President's Day?"  Really?  Gee, I never knew Obama had his own holiday.  These poor people, bottomless pits of buzz-killing uncool.  Rise above them.

In summary, ways to stay and be cool:

1.  Hydrate.

2.  Donate to help the animals of Ukraine.

3.  Rise above buzz killers.

Done.

Wishing you all a beautiful Juneteenth!

Joyce