BENTON COUNTY — “Hot as a firecracker” could easily describe the first week of July as we had record-breaking temperatures a few days.
Yard mowing has slowed down as the hot weatherhas set in, a few damaging wildfires have been reported in the state and area farmers are beginning to worry about the scarcity of hay.
High fire danger prompted most of our neighboring communities to cancel planned fireworks shows, but the Gravette firemen carried on with their usual impressive show which was enjoyed by many. Sister Nancy and her grandson came to watch the show with us, and afterward Austin put on his own display.
In “Grundy’s Special,” a short story I read recently, author Jean Hill recalled how difficult it was to tend garden, tag after childrenand shop on days when the temperature soared over 100 degrees. A schedule which she’d kept easily in milder weather “nearly killed me,” she said. “I thought I’d roast in the oven-like heat.”
Mr. Grundy, the proprietor of the local service station, gave Hill some good advice. “You want to go out in the flower beds or to the stores only in early morning or late evening,” he suggested. “Schedule inside work andfun indoors under air conditioning for afternoons. Best idea, if you can bring it off, is to nap afternoons with the kids so you can be up late in evenings. Most of all, don’t let yourself dread the scorchers. Dreading just makes the summer start sooner and last longer.”
Jim had a dumpster delivered the last week of June; and his helpers worked a few days filling it with shingles, tile, scraps of siding, glass and otherdebris we’d accumulated from his remodeling jobs. They tried to heed Mr. Grundy’s advice and start their days early. They finished their cleanup last Tuesday and Jim and I took a load of scrap metal to the recycle yard that afternoon, so we’re beginning to improve the looks of our surroundings.
We’ve been enjoying the abundance of fresh veggies which friends and familyhave shared with us. I went up to Nancy’s and picked green beans the last day of June and we had some beans and new potatoes for supper that evening. She gave me a small head of cabbage, so a couple of nights later I cooked cabbage and smoked sausage. On the 4th we dined on corn on the cob from the boss’ garden and fried zucchini. The next evening I prepared stuffed peppers with peppers from the farmers’ market which continues to have an excellent selection of quality vegetables, fruits and craft items.
On weekends we often treat ourselves to a takeout meal. After a busy week, it’s a joy to eat a meal someone else has cooked - and there are no dishes to clean up! Last Friday night we enjoyed taco salads from a local restaurant. On other recent Fridays we’ve ordered pizza and hamburger steak dinners or purchased deli chicken and potato salad. This Friday, my friends and I plan to join the folks at the Senior Activity Center for pizza and a showing of the movie “War Horse.” And on Saturday, the family will get together at Aunt Leta’s home to help her celebrate her 101st birthday.
One writer in an old women’s magazine suggested letting the youngsters be responsible for some meals during their summers home from school. Give the children an easy-does-it cookbook and ask them to plan the menu and prepare dinner. Offer to go to the supermarket and shop for items they might need, then go out for a long walk or a bike ride. They’ll love the role switch and so will you.
I’ve created a few new scrapbook pages duringthese hot summer afternoons. And, of course, reading is always my prime entertainment when I have a little free time. I discovered a new favorite author recently when Aunt Mary brought me a copy of Jan Karon’s “At Home in Mitford.” I’ve just finished “A Light in the Window,” the second in the Mitford series, and plan to check out the third when I visit the library this week.
The local library is a real treasure trove of information. American publisher Malcolm Forbes said, “The richest person in the world, in fact, all the riches in the world, couldn’t provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available at your local library.” It’s worth investigating. Library memberships are free.
Susan Holland, who works for the Westside Eagle Observer, is a lifelong Benton County resident.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 07/11/2012