It was another sultry morning when I left for my walk, and the atmosphere was just oppressive at 75 degrees and 90% humidity. As I headed east toward the River, I felt a wee bit of a breeze, but when I turned around to come home, the hot sun made me feel as if I should melt into a pool like the Wicked Witch of the West. All that would remain on the sidewalk would be my heavy walking shoes and socks, lanyard and fanny pack. People would remark “I know her when ….”

The canopy of trees along Emmons Boulevard make it very shady to walk when it is so hot out, even though the leaves are falling rapidly now, just like it was a Fall day. The lawns and sidewalks are littered with colorful and crumpled leaves. I heard WJR’s Garden Doctor tell us that the trees are stressed due to the erratic temperatures the last three calendar years. Stressed trees? Hmmm. Well, trees … just join the crowd.

Speaking of trees, every time I stroll down Emmons Boulevard I pass the treehouse that I have written about several times before. I’ve yet to see kids playing outside on the treehouse porch, but it is always early when I pass by. I had to smile when I saw the newest addition … a wicker picnic hamper on a wide rope which must be used to transport lunch from the ground to the treehouse. Those kids have got it “made in the shade” as that rather dated expression goes. I can remember my parents using it to describe lucky people who had it all. I know alot of love and effort went into that treehouse, which, in a very few days will be relegated to weekend and occasional after-school visits only.

Meanwhile my refuge is straying to the shady side of the street, where the trees aren’t stressed, until this heatwave abates.