Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Sometimes

it's just too hot to stitch. I usually look forward to stitching during the swim meets, but last Friday was the beginning of our current heat wave. When we got to the pool for the Friday evening swim meet, it was still 105 degrees. I found a shady spot next to the building, but the concrete just radiated the heat back making it too hot and sweaty to handle lovely linens and silks.

DH finally remembered to bring his camera to catch the boys in action. The first photo shows Kyle swimming the breast stroke and the second is of Kevin, black shorts in the center, getting ready for his race.




Instead of my stitching bag, I packed a cooler full of ice and sodas and Gatorade and took along the latest historical novel I'm reading, The Winter King, by Bernard Cornwell, a tale of Arthur and the Britons' fight against the invading Saxons. I have a fondness for historical novels, and especially those involving England's history.

Kevin and Kyle continue to show improvement from week to week. It does seem odd that the coaches usually put Kevin (who is a bit bigger and stronger) in the 12 and under category, then Kyle swims in the 14 and under. Must be fewer swimmers in the older category, but why not Kevin who is the bigger of the two? It makes a great teasing point that Kyle is the more mature of the two, lol!

Earlier in the afternoon, I took Kirsten out to the home of a family whose girls are a part of our local American Heritage Girl troop. They were hosting a campout in their large back yard. As their house is fairly new, they were lacking in large shade trees. So they had rigged up some tarps to make a large shade structure, as well as erecting a couple of canopies. Since it was so hot, they curtailed some of their planned activities, such as the hike up a nearby hill, and ended right after lunch the next day. They kept busy with badge work in skills such as tying knots, first aid, and orienteering (using a compass). When I picked Kirsten up on Saturday lunchtime, she was still ready for more, but the heat had taken it's toll on all the adults and they were ready to call it quits. I so appreciate their work in providing this event for the girls and enduring record-breaking heat!

10 comments:

Leeland said...

Hi Von! I'm awfully late in my blog reading, and off for the holiday on friday. So, shortly, I love your stitch banner, and I really enjoy reading your blog, Von! Thank you very much for sharing all these happy moments!
Lots of stitching hugs!

Wendy said...

Great pictures of your boys in the pool - that lovely blue water looks heavenly! How did you resist the urge to jump in yourself?

Myrna said...

We have also been having record heat...that pool looks very inviting!

I've not been getting much stitching done during the warm weather either.

I enjoy hearing about all the adventures...

catandturtle said...

105! Yikes. I couldn't take it. I am a wuss when it comes to the heat. Give me AC any day. :)

Unknown said...

Gee that pool looks good and we are in the middle of winter here!

Heaps of fun over the last few days in your blog.

Cathy B said...

Your kids are having a busy, productive summer. Those pool photos look refreshing!

We're expecting triple digit temps now for the next three days. Plus we've got high humidity so it is pretty miserable outside!

Looking forward to getting some stitching done today, but right now I'm cleaning kitchen cupboards!

Have a nice weekend!

Lana said...

Wow! Sounds like you are keeping busy! And hot! Try to stay cool!
~Lana~

Anne S said...

I have to admit, I'm not greatly into historical novels, but I absolutely adored "Cross Stitch" and the rest of the series by Diana Gabaldon - I can't put it down once I start it ... I've got the last book A Breath of Snow and Ashes, and I daren't pick it up 'cos I know my stitching will go out the window! LOL. Fascinating reading, though! :D

Anonymous said...

Yes, I agree--it is too hot to do anything!!! Are you enjoying the Cornwell books? I have heard good things about him! I love historical novels!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the girls group had a fun time! I did an all-day orienteering event once and it was quite a blast. One of those team-building things for work that I think actually did the trick!