The Heat Is On!

Whew! As Austin summers go, this had been very mild in June and July with lots more rain than usual and cooler temps. Nothing over 100. Meanwhile the likes of DC, NYC, etc. were getting the hot stuff. Well, no more. August arrived with a heavy blanket of heat, humidity and windlessness that is the usual oppressive stuff we get here. And so it is with great anticipation that we head to Maine soon where it barely tops 80 degrees most days and we get to party on behalf of a helluva guy named Ben who's getting hitched.

But, in the meantime, much to report and you'll note that most of it ends up getting back to cool water where we can relieve ourselves from this heat. First the overdue wrap-up of Papa and Yaya's visit a couple weekends ago. They headed down for a long weekend, leaving behind just-as-hot temperatures in the KC area so we didn't feel too bad. They arrived on Kelly's 32nd birthday and we all enjoyed pizza, beer and wine at the Little Deli in the neighborhood. It's BYOB and we ended up with Pabst for the beer side. I've been buying 12-packs by the $5.99 incessantly ever since. It needs to stop. It also reminded me of this one scene in the movie "Midnight Madness." What is that movie? Good question. For some reason I watched it repeatedly when I was a kid. If you have the means, I highly recommend trying it out. Michael J. Fox (credited only as "Michael Fox" apparently) was in it, "Flounder" from Animal House was in it, and there was a scene on this scavenger hunt in the movie where they go to the Pabst brewery and this sing-song comes in: "Pabst Blue Ribbon...whoa oohhh, ohhh, ohhhhh!!!!" Can't find it on youtube, but "Midnight Madness" is on the top of my queue with "Long Wait" on Netflix (WTF? Why? Who else but me every watched this movie?). WAIT! I found it. Yes! Anyway, the evening was very enjoyable indeed as we also opened presents back at the ranch with margs too. Bunch of drunks. Grace was happy:


Then the grandparents watched Grace for the day while we worked and then Kelly took the Friday off so they could do all kinds of fun stuff. Like trying out some bananas (and Pabst?) and then a happy hour jaunt to the neighborhood pool, which is always great on Friday after work (no crowd, refreshing end to the week). Storyboard!


Then on the weekend we did a couple little excursions. With young one, you always do "little" excursions (whether to "Little Deli" or no...ha ha ... ha...ha?) First to the big winery/restaurant out in Driftwood that is the Italian food answer to the Salt Lick. And later to "Barking Springs" -- the free little area just outside of Barton Springs where, once again, you can beat the heat in some water.

Grace, how would you describe it?

She took a break at the springs.

Then a BBQ Sunday night before heading out Monday. Of course Grace helped out for the food prep:

Good times indeed. So, yeah, I originally said "First...." when discussing what we'd wrap up here right now, but I think we'll stop it there and not go for a "second" tonight. I'm pretty tired and it's almost 10pm. Hey, babe! Toss me another Pabst before bed! Careful with that...too many Pabsts and you'll start seeing things. Like . . .