Hot and Cold, It's All the Same

It is August and in Texas it is hot (100+ F or 39+ C feel like temperatures)!  Growing up in the Canadian prairies, winters could get as cold as -40 F or -40 C (a mild January day is -16 C or 3 F).

Frequently I have been asked, "how do you handle the extreme heat/cold of (name your place here)?"  The response to both extremes is the same:  appropriate clothes, indoor climate control (i.e. heating or air conditioning), good insulation, a well maintained automobile, plan and dress accordingly for going outdoors and if it is just too cold/hot you stay inside.

Time, whether it be in years or the gradual shift in seasons is a way to acclimate.  Once you are acclimated the extremes are perceived to be more manageable/tolerable.  Personal preference also influences your attitude and comfort level.  I prefer hot to cold which is why I moved to Texas in the first place.

I believe that there is something special about the people that thrive in extreme weather climates for extended periods of time.  Harsh weather builds up mental and physical toughness.  For some people this toughness pushes them to look forward with anticipation to the extreme conditions.  Regardless of the extreme, the preparation follows the same steps.

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

The whole COVID-19 virus thing has the entire world on edge.  People are feeling down, despondent and even a little depressed.  If you turn down the volume and take a moment to breathe and take in what is going on you will see that there is sunshine behind those dark clouds.

One of the biggest impacts of the virus has been the loss of jobs.  On the other end of the spectrum the demands of the virus culture has created jobs.  Many businesses that could remain open found ways to reinvent themselves and what they do.  Grocery stores, pharmacies, delivery drivers and medical professionals are some of the positions that saw a spike in demand.  The web site Work in Texas has almost half a million jobs listed.  A restaurant cook called into a radio call-in show stating that he was working more than ever.  A local car dealership had to hire extra staff to meet demand.  A family member has been stretched to the limit working at the distribution center for a large retail company.  While my heart breaks for those who have lost their jobs I am thankful for those that were able to keep their jobs and for the new opportunities that arose.

I believe that I may speak for many in society when I say that I/we have become so much more aware of and thankful for people and positions we often take for granted.  I must confess it has been humbling and embarrassing to admit I often overlook those that are not in the spotlight.  My resolve  moving forward is to take time to acknowledge and appreciate everyone around me.

As a teacher I have become familiar with some new teaching platforms while becoming more proficient at ones I was already using.  The population as a whole now knows how to have online meetings and post goofy videos to social media.

Freedom is a precious commodity.  I have become increasingly grateful for the freedoms we have as Americans.  I missed the freedom of getting out of the house to manage daily activities.  I am thankful for the freedom we have/had in the US in comparison to some rather strict quarantine rules in other countries.

I have enjoyed the increased quiet due to limited traffic noise, almost no air travel (we live close an airport) and streets filled with walkers rather than cars.  As a family we have enjoyed the lower levels of stress and busyness of life.  Less pollution has lead to cleaner air and clearer skies.  National parks are reporting healthy wildlife numbers due to the lack of visitors.

The greatest rays of sunshine come from everyone working together.

• Neighbors have been helping the elderly and homebound with grocery shopping. 
• Telecommunication companies offered free and/or low cost Internet.  
• Grace period on rent, loans, utility bills.
• Businesses, pro athletes and celebrities funded food drives, provided shelter, provided laptops and other school supplies.
• Online educational platforms have been made free to use and/or added features.
• Neighbors patronized local restaurants.
• A local restaurant received a $1000 tip on a $19 order from a long time patron.
• A pillow company made masks.
• Distilleries produced sanitization products.
• Front line workers received free meals.
• Schools and churches distributed meals and masks.
• A national grocery chain paid an extra $2 an hour to "crisis workers."
• The federal tax deadline was moved from April to July.
• The Texas governor made it easier for retired health care workers to return to work to aid in the increasing demand.
• People followed quarantine rules.
• One of our neighbors set out water and treats for dogs along with a lovely menu board.
• A local church paid off the medical debt of almost 400 veterans, collected 16 tons of food and managed a 700% increase in demand at a local food pantry.
• Families found ways to keep themselves entertained by going on walks, sidewalk chalk drawings, family game night, participating in fun online "challenges," etc.
• Everyone has been working together; individuals, businesses and even government.

It appears that we have embarked on the entrance ramp back to normality.  It will be interesting to see what our new definition of normal will be.  I hope we have learned from this experience.  Perhaps we will adopt some of the positives from this experience and use them daily and not just hoard them for the next crisis.

I see sunshine on a cloudy day.

Smoke on the Water (Without the Smoke)

Water.  What could there be to write about this essential component of life?  There are at least a few points that can be made.

Norway has the best drinking water in the world!  Water from any faucet or tap is perfect for drinking.  The only reason to buy bottled water is that you have a container to put your tap water into.  The Norwegians claim that you can drink the water from any lake, stream or river; a claim that I have not tested but am inclined to believe.

 Carbonation or ice?  Americans love ice in their water whilst carbonated water is a rare request.   Europeans do not care for ice water but do like "fizzy" water.  In many European restaurants carbonated water is the default when asking for water; should you want normal water you would have to request "still" water.  European travelers to North American are bewildered by ice in water and sodas.

Speaking of water bottles, the Norwegians have extra thick plastic bottles for water and sodas.  Plastic bottles may be returned to the store (you do get your bottle deposit back) where they are collected, cleaned, sterilized and reused.  It is not uncommon to get a soda or water bottle that is scuffed up from repeated use.  In contrast, the plastic bottles in North America are intended for single use after which they may be recycled.

There you go, just enough about water to wet your whistle.

These Boots Are Made For Walking

I was asked by a French national what was one thing I missed about France.  My response was walking and riding my bike around town.

A little background information to help explain my response.  Europeans often commute and/or take care of errands by walking and/or riding their bicycles.  Vehicles are expensive to purchase, maintain and park so not everyone has access to one.  Enjoying the outdoors and getting exercise is important to daily life.  Sidewalks and walking/bike paths are everywhere.  If you live in a town or city you likely have grocery stores, bakeries, etc. within a 15 minute walk.  Older cities (think 500 years and older) were originally designed to accommodate horses and foot traffic so streets may not be suited for modern vehicular traffic.  In summary, walking and/or riding a bike is easy, practical and important part of life.

Let's compare and contrast North America.  The predominant attitude is "I have a right to own a vehicle.  I am going to exercise that right by getting the biggest vehicle I can and drive it as often as I can."  Towns and cities in North America are often in wide open spaces so things are spread apart.  Being a relatively young country city streets were designed to handle vehicles.  Sidewalks may be an afterthought in some residential areas.  The attitude toward cyclists and bike lanes is not always ideal.  Lastly, there are parts of North America that have more extreme weather than Europe making going outside potentially dangerous (i.e. summers in Houston at 95^o+ F (36^o C) with 90% humidity, or winters in Winnipeg at -25^o F (-30^o C)).  In summary, driving a vehicle is easy, practical and a “right” of life.

The North Americans attitude toward being outside, exercise, walking, bike lanes, etc. is improving.  Here in Houston over the past 8 years the city has installed around 100 miles of bike/walking paths, revitalized areas of town creating parks and green spaces, and added bike lanes to many streets.  Walking, running and bike riding are becoming the in thing to do., 

I miss being able to walk and ride my bike primarily because of logistics.  I walk or ride my bike as much as I am able but if businesses are far away, there are limited sidewalks or it is extremely hot out it is difficult.  I am grateful that our neighborhood has some sidewalks and there is a beautiful walking/bike path 10 minutes away.  I do what I can and appreciate what is available.

The Good Stuff

There are two unusual suspects in what we are extremely grateful to have now that we are back in the United States.  A person may not fully appreciate these items until they are in specific situations.

The first item that we are so grateful for is Puffs brand facial tissues, the basic kind with lotion.  Any cold or bought with allergies will validate this claim.

The second item that brings a smile of relief to the face is Charmin Ultra Soft toilet tissue.  No need to explain.

You can get good toilet and facial tissues overseas, but nothing compares to these particular product lines in these particular brands.  There is something to be said for extra smooth and soft tissues.

Flashback

As odd as it seems, through the turmoil and uncertainty of the current global pandemic I/we have been reminded of some pleasant memories of living overseas.  

Some aspects of the European lifestyle we enjoyed were the laid-back attitude, family time, going for walks, enjoying life and not constantly going at full speed every moment of the day.  These days I see streets and driveways filled with vehicles from people staying home.  Families are doing more things together.  Neighbors are talking with each other (at a safe distance).  Going for walks and bike rides is very popular.  With no distractions from sports, concerts, eating out, etc. life has become slower paced. 

As a family we are at the point where we are surviving in a manner similar to when we were new to a country.  When we arrived in Norway and France we didn't know anyone and everything was new and unfamiliar.  Our family unit was the source of comfort, strength and survival, much like what we are experiencing during our current days.

Trying circumstances have allowed us to relive some positive memories.

Evil and Vile

There is one part of returning to Texas that I absolutely hate--fire ants.  For those of you not familiar with the horrid beasts they are ants that are pure evil, they are aggressive and will go out of their way to bite anything and everything giving a burning sensation (hence the name) and they serve no good to the ecosystem.  Many people respond in a way similar to a bee/wasp sting.  I was recently reminded of these incarnations of evil when helping a widow with some yard work-- I stopped counting at 50 bites.  Fortunately I was able to take some Benadryl quickly to keep the swelling and itching down.