Do you think we have that oddity now happening all over the world? I do. Of course I still recall going water skiing 12-25-1959 … because the weather was in the high eighties! The water had not gotten the memo and we skiers didn’t last long. But it was already too warm back then. I still remember the new motel below Jackson, Ga. having a sign that said they had air conditioning. A couple of stores on the Square also touted that new arrival. We liked going to ‘the picture show’ on a warm afternoon because it was already cooled off via a big unit on the outside wall. When my parents had their first home built on Indian Springs Street, there was just a furnace in the crawl space though we did have a fan in each bedroom. In 1956 a window unit was installed in the dining room and my parents’ bedroom. And of course there was no air conditioning in the Henry Hilton when I moved into my dream home. Once again the furnace was in the crawl space and I became adept at inching through the dirt to change the filter.

  After Norman and I married, he installed a Kodiak wood stove in the fireplace and that made it easier to use the chopped firewood from the back yard. I loved the above ground pool and we spent a lot of time there on warmer days. But, eventually I caved and our newer heating unit was able to cool the entire house. I still remember sleeping in the back yard on an inflatable mattress with my three sons and our German Shepherd. Of course we camped out in Indian Springs, and once in Fernandina Beach, Florida. I’m sure we weren’t in either place in the dead heat of the summer though. I loved driving to Fernandina Beach in my 1965 Chevelle. That car had no AC so we would leave around 4:30 in the morning, my sons all asleep as I enjoyed the air coming in through the vents I pulled out before leaving home. My first Ford Fairmont had air conditioning and, of course, all cars that followed had that wonderful amenity. I do remember riding with the windows down, and enjoying the aromas and the sounds of nature. Now, I open the windows as soon as I crank the Camry, letting the hot air escape and turn on the air before I pull out of Henry Street. I go for my morning swim, hop back in the car and immediately punch the AC button as I sip my ice water.  I do watch the meteorologists on television showing today’s temperatures and also those in the past that have reached what we are experiencing today. And, it looks like we are hotter than usual and much later in the year. We used to get out our warmer clothes after Labor Day and I know of some public pools that closed after that last cookout gathering of the year. So, I am fairly certain we have climate change. It’s up to ALL OF US to do what we can to correct that. I’ve already taken some steps of my own. I had become a shopping addict, and would make a daily trip to Publix, and several weekly trips to Food Depot and Walgreens. Well I’ve cut back, way back on my shopping outings and actually my August grocery spending was a good bit less than usual. I’ve started stocking-up again, and cooking ahead, then freezing the leftovers. I didn’t lower my thermostat but it was already set at 75º, a bit higher than in the past. Lastly, I’m praying every day, for God to help us heal our climate!