That Texas-Sized Heat

Once as a young teen I had a hankering for some Church’s Chicken.  Somehow my sisters and I had a bit of change to buy it (was that from babysitting money-I don’t remember).  I was the one who had to go fetch it.

Problem 1:  No transportation other than walking.
Problem 2:  It was mid-summer in the middle of Texas.
Problem 3:  Where were my shoes?

For some strange reason I walked, shoeless, several blocks (ten or more maybe) round trip.  Hot, hot, hot!  From my head to my soles - scorching hot!  I remember walking on grass or in shaded areas whenever I could.  But toward the business district there was mostly concrete.  Ouch is an understatement.

 by jplenio on pixabay

I returned drenched, dehydrated, and a bit delirious (sunstroke?).  Whatever in the world made me walk barefoot in the Texas heat to get us some Church’s Chicken?  Bottom line:  must’ve been hungry.  And I love fried chicken.  Church’s had the best.  It sure tasted good.

Memories of summertime youth are at times dreadful, but have hope.  That Texas heat was hard to beat when you had no air-conditioning and lived in a brick/concrete apartment.  Any time I walked into a place with air-conditioning, grocery store, pharmacy, or vendor, I would pause a moment and mentally seize the coolness, wishing it would remain a part of my being.  And it was so, however briefly, until I stepped out into the sun and then even my tears would melt.

A drink of ice cold water or less often a Dr. Pepper was an ecstatic experience.  I remember seeing a commercial, I think it was for 7-Up, where the beverage was continually being poured into a glass with ice.  It kept pouring endlessly.  I had wished so much I could have that magical thirst-quencher.  It’s like a wistful dream, cooling the edges of my warm sleepiness, but then awakening to a reality of an empty glass.

📷 by Ron Kroetz on flickr

Now all grown up I have more choices, and am ever so grateful.  There is air-conditioning if I want it.  I drink lots of cold water (and occasionally Dr. Pepper).  There is no Church’s Chicken franchises where I live now.  There is a KFC.  But I don’t have to walk there in the heat.  I can drive in an air-conditioned car.  With my shoes on.  If I want to.    Theresa M.

         P.S.   Life is good. 😎

📷 by Roger Madden

SHOES!!!! 😉😄😎