Forty-five years ago we witnessed the first moon landing, moon walk(s) and moon launch back to Earth. I don’t recall hearing much about it when I grew up. I was aware of it but science discussions to this degree were not part of our dinner table lexicon. Which was ok. We talked at length about each others’ day and all sorts of small-town Americana themes.
As we catch the daily headlines now and hear about economic difficulties, international consternation and the prevailing cluster in DC I find it amazing to believe we were able to focus resources of all manner to accomplish such a stretch goal. It’s worth taking a few minutes for some of us who were too young to remember the time period as it happened.
A second 45 hits a little closer to home. Today marked the 45th day in 2014 of triple digits in The Old Pueblo. That’s about 22% of the entire year at 100+. Crazy. And ouch. After a few years scorching in the desert I think I’ve earned the right to say it’s not just a dry heat. It’s frigging hot. Up to the mid-upper 90’s I’d offer it’s tolerable–even pleasant with a bit of a breeze. Slip into a little shade yet still allow the breeze to flow and it’s nice. Once it bumps up past 98-100 I see my heat rate spike, all my exposed skin redden and my ability to intake enough fluid to forgo feelings of dizziness and complete exhaustion are compromised.
I like the heat–I detest being cold. Actually it’s not how I feel about cold as much as how it makes me feel—purple extremities contrasted against my sweat soaked core make for a miserable contrast 3-4-5 months of the year. I’m ok with being part of a potential run on the local Triple Digit Temps record. If that’s the worst of my feelings about town as I get ready to pack up and move I’ll take it.