Coldest Time of the Year

When you arrive in Texas during the summer after living in Europe for six years there are two things that are striking.  The first is the oppressive blast of heat and humidity.  The second thing to strike you is a wave of refreshment known as air conditioning.  However, it seems that after a few minutes the wave of refreshing cool air turns to bone-chilling cold.  Every public place you go seems to have the air conditioner set to "meat locker."  Many people carry sweaters and light jackets with them to keep warm inside while the outdoor temperatures top 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  It has been over a year and we are still have not acclimated to this paradoxical situation.

Three Nation Celebration

Over a two week period we got to celebrate the freedom and independence of three nations.  On July 1 my son and I were in Canada and celebrated Canada Day.  This was the fourth time in the past seven years that my son and I were able to take in this celebration.

Steinbach, MB July 1, 2019

July 4th, Independence Day my family and I were in  Kansas visiting my in-laws.  It was a special day as it was our son's first time to set off fire crackers and fireworks.  This year was also the first time that I got to celebrate July 4th as an American citizen on US soil.  I became a US citizen in March of 2012 but every year until the current I was in a different country for Independence Day.

Burlington, KS July 4, 2019

On July 13 the French Consulate had a celebration for Bastille Day (July 14) at the Houston Polo Club.  We started the day by going for lunch at a French cafe and then some sampling of French wine at a local wine store before heading off to the Polo Club.  There were no fireworks but there was an exhibition polo match, French food, French beverages and French being spoken.  For a few brief hours we soaked in the faint feeling of being back in France.

Houston Polo Club, Houston July 13, 2019