Lessons from Life

:cheers:We got up to 106 today, but it only felt like 103.
I'm goin swimin'

And still, high school football teams are practicing. Go figure.

High today in Buffalo, Wyoming - 83 F. That's a major reason we've headed north for our vacation!

Hope it cools down soon for you, Star - those really are brutal temperatures.

Wow. Sounds like my idea of the perfect summer nightmare - I think 85f is about as much as I ever want

Keep in the shade, and make sure you keep some ice-water handy!

Made it to 108 today. Just reading a book makes you sweat.

Can you send some of the heat over please? I think I'm going to drown in rain soon here...
(Although we've actually had a couple of days of real summer this week, which was *really* nice! :yay: )

"The weather station is broken."

It probably melted.

Hang in there. It'll be over -- well I don't know when but it certainly does have to be over at some future point.

You know my mom saw this report on television where this one movie theater had on its marqee "Who cares what's playing -- we've got AC".

Here in Chicago it's been very hot and humid too. I was down at Grant Park and walking by Lake Michigan and the sun was beating out of a blue sky and I'd left my cap at the hotel, boy was I hot! Great feeling to walk into a bar/cafe with AC and then just sit down with a cold drink.... iced strawberry lemonade tasted real good! But you know, I never would have imagined I could later get caught in a warm downpour of rain while I was strolling along Chicago avenue. One moment it was hot and sultry humid, the next moment someone up above turned a sky faucet on and torrents of heavy rain poured down. I hopped and jumped and ran through a wall of water into the nearest dry place. That was a MacDonald's just by the subway, and then into the rest room to remove my t-shirt , wring it out and dry it under the auto hand-drier machine for 10 minutes non stop. That ol' drier was smoking by the time I had done My short pants and socks were another thing altogether and I kept those on of course.

Nice to be here on your page again Star

John, in Chicago, Illinois

Originally posted by Stardancer:

Isn't it fun running through a downpour like that? Especially when it's so unexpected.

sure is! .... haven't done that for a while, Star :happy

.....this is my last day, today Tuesday, in Chigago .... I'm out of O'Hare this evening..... BUT .. I take back with me happy memories, many photos, many good vibes of your beautiful country and in particular of awesome wonderful courteous Chicaogoans!

Thank you USA! .... and especial thanks to you Chicago! I sure am gonnaa miss ya!

My Chicago! post will continue the thread as I got a lot of pics to post there when I get back

Thanks a lot Star, this trip brought me closer to you and all our friends in the USA and that's something priceless

John, Still in Chicago, on this my last day of vacation here
8.07am Tuesday, 9 August.

Oh Star, I wish I could have had an opportunity to be seeing the rest of the country. My relatives live in Ohio and they came to Chicago and we all met up and it was a great and happy reunion. They love living here - I mean there where you are because now I am back home trying to fight off jetlag and convince myself it's nearly 4pm and not nearly 7pm. In Chicago I rented a car and drove around Lake Michigan to Indiana, and stopped at a place called Dunes State Park. It was so hot that day, must have been well over 100F on the beach there as I stepped out to make some shots of the shoreline, juggling a big ice cold strawberry lemonade drink in one hand and the camera in the other hand.

My relatives from Ohio all sat under big trees a ways back from the shore - sensible people! ...because it was the mid afternoon and I guess at dusk or in early morning the temp would be lower and more bearable to folk like me. The locals were all happily down at the shore line sitting, laying, swimming of course! ... because to them it was another hot day in a beautiful place and sure as heck they were going to be out on the beach whatever the heat.

Let me pause here and tell you I am an 'ordinary joe' - I mean this truthfully and sincerely and without a hint of false modesty. I have been around and seen some beautiful places, but the sheer beauty of your country, the two week glimpse I had from the Chicago and Indiana perspective, was so wonderful. In trying to describe what I feel about the way I was treated and the things I saw I am thankful that there still exist people of kind heart, warm nature, courteous disposition and filled with hope and always ready to smile and give a helping hand.

I don't know how else I can adequately praise you and your fellow Americans, those I met each day. It has been a humbling experience to see this sort of spirit thriving among people. Perhaps it is only in America. that such a thing comes so natural to folks. I felt very much at home in your amazing and wonderful country and that's down to a combination of all the things I have mentioned.

I'm "missin' you already".



God bless all of you.

Oh Star, you are right about 'faults'... and all countries have their share of these, but what marks the USA out is the sheer professionalism in the services industry, whether one is buying a computer or a burger. Cynics will maybe argue that looking after customers is all part of the job, but to see a smile and a courteous phrase used each time every time is not only a mark of professional quality service it's also a real boost to the customer and makes their day. Well I can tell ya Star, it sure made my day and those smiles brought smiles back, no matter whether I was talking to the doorman at the hotel, or the gal in Macey's or the guy in the computer store. And as well as this there is such an air of friendly help when I asked directions. Star, you have to live in another country to experience the contrast. And you are right. It's all about having a generous spirit and a kind heart, on both sides. I felt all of this coming over, each and every day.

Thanks a lot for what you do here for me and for everyone who calls by. You are the epitome of the things I have been describing, my dear friend Star.

I was in Louisiana one time but never been to Arkansas. I can imagine how beautiful it must be. Good night from across the Atlantic, Star, have a happy and peaceful day. and take care. Sure am glad I made your day. That cuts both ways, so thank you kindly, ma'am