Yesterday was a work Saturday, as most are, but with the focus on house & Newf cleaning that consumes the day and requires a full investment of energy resources. As a proactive measure for flea control, all of the floors are sanitized and all Newfs bathed on the same day. The flea life cycle is about 15 days, so this is part of a typical two week process. However, this time it was another two weeks behind. (Summer is also the season for Tent Theatre and other activities.)
In addition to the usual demands, the long and wonderful spring was met by a sudden and fierce arrival of summer, precisely on schedule. We were supposed to receive a break from the triple digits on Saturday. The temperature was supposed to drop to 96. When a weather forecaster (aka meteorologist) must report bad news day in and day out, he becomes very enthusiastic about the possibility of a change for the better. However, the 10 p.m. reporter was more ambivalent, reporting a high of 99 with less enthusiasm, and with some apprehension about making the 6 o’clock reporter look silly. Without looking at the actual high, I have doubts that it was below 100 F.
With too many interruptions, and after sleeping a little late to accomodate the late return from the Tent Theatre, bathing didn’t begin until 11:45 a. m. I hadn’t remembered to start the air conditioner, and that would take too long at this point. The grooming room is in a rock building, which moderates temperature change very well. This also results in a cooler temperature inside during the day, at least while the nights are cool, so it wasn’t too warm inside the building. That is, until I began using the warm water for bathing. With two windows and the door open, and a fan moving air on its high speed setting, the humidity jumped so quickly that sweat was rolling down my face and into my eye lashes before half of the bath for the first Newf was finished. I wondered whether we both may melt before we began the cold water rinse. The Newfs seemed to be tolerating it better than I was.
The nice thing about hot dry weather is that you can blow-dry a Newf completely in 20 minutes. Under typical conditions for Missouri, this takes about two hours. For drying, I moved each one to the outside table, avoiding the lingering humidity inside. The table was in the shade of the building for the Newfs, but not for the person holding the dryer nozzle. The shade cloth for this table is still in the box, but that will change soon also!
It took two Dr. peppers and a Gatorade, along with two very old reruns of The Beverly Hillbillies before I was ready to finish the cleaning in the house. The Newfs took naps by the air conditioning vent in the kitchen on a cleaned floor.
This morning, it is quiet and peaceful as I enjoy a freshly brewed, strong cup of cofee in the company of two lovely, clean Newfoundlands in a clean house. This phase of clean congruity won’t ast long. It’s “clean sheet night” (Dharma & Greg) at its best!
Now the coffee mug is empty, and I am being snoogied and given the paw. Parker has a remarkable intuitiveness in many ways, and he knows when a video or television program is almost over, and he knows when something I’m writing or working on is almost over. His breakfast has been cooling, and it’s time to move on.
A pleasant Sunday to all, and to the Canadians, happy Canada Day!
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