Helping During The Heat

 The heat way  that consuming the wolrd is horrible. everyone is suppfering from the young to the elderly. What we all can do to aalieviate the heat is just be there for each other, namely with a cool drink.

This is a good time to check on  elderly neighbors. The high temps may be too much for them (especially when they don't have air conditioning which is a big problem in Europe). Add their shopping list to theirs. Make sure they have the heat wave  staples  like ingredients for salads and bread for cold cuts. Get them the bounty of the season such as tomatoes and corn, as well as eggplants. water is a must. Try to get them a twenty-four pack of water. This will last them for a week and it will also come in handy if there are water shortages or problems. Also make sure they have plenty of ice. You can always give some of your own if you have multiple trays in the freezer or buy a bag at your local grocery. Also check in on them once or twice a day too. The same applies for those parents with little kids or newborns,. They may be too swamped to go out and get proper groceries. Make sure they and the little ones are getting enough hydration too. Of course the heat wave affects animals as well. Put out bowls of iced water twice a day for any feral cats or wild life like deer. Place their food in cool, shady spots in the yard or woods too.

Heat waves can bring about friendsships too. It doesn't take much to invite neighbors, friends and family over for barbecues. It's a chance for people to escape the humdrum of staying indoors and get some fresh if hot air. Make simple stuff everybody can eat. Think hamburgers and hot dogs on rolls. Have a table with two or three salads (or people can bring their own for a pot luck.) Macaroni and tomato salads will be much appreciated. along with salads full of greens and harvests from neighborhood backyard gardens.Kids can enjoy homemade popsicles ( consider storebought ones of if there are a lot of little ones about.) Young and old love s'mores, so have plenty of marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers on the ready. You can do a more sophisticated version by subbing in dark chocolate for the milk and chocolate graham crackers for the orginal ones. Also have bowls of washed berries for easy snacking too. Elderly neighbors or those on their own may appreciate just an invitation for dining al fresco in the backyard.

This heat wave is brutal. Yet it's a chance to reach out and help those who need it. Keep everyone cool with warm gestures.

An Oasis Of Cool

Hot weather and heat waves are good for bringing families and neighborhoods together. Like blizzards the extreme weather proves to be too much, especially for the elderly. It's time to reach out and help in big and small ways.

The recent heat wave had everyone reaching for bottles of ice cold water. During our next heat wave - and we will probably have more  - reach  out to neighbors and even those with young children. Make sure that they have water and offer to take them shopping or share a 24 or 12 pack with them. Check in on older relatives and friends to make sure they're cool and hydrated. If they have just fans and limited air conditioning, then invite them over to chill and relax. You can easily make  homemade lemon or limeade or iced tea.  Flavored water is also a nice treat. If the air conditioning is a bit much then sit out in the shade or in the garage. This is a good time to buy a fridge for the car port. Store water in there for when you and the family need it. Also , if you're feeding feral cat colonies or just a few strays, have bowls of iced water for them too. Animals can have heat stroke as well. Also put their food in cool, shady areas.

Hot summer nights can be unbearable too. Again invite elderly neighbors over for a cooling drink and maybe a bite to eat. It is easy to make any fruit ade. It starts with a simple syrup - one cup of sugar boiled in one cup of water. From there mix three cups of fresh  lemon juice with four cups of water. Serve with a lot of ice.Change it up with lime ade. Another cooling idea is buying ice cream or Popsicles for everyone. Everyone - no matter what his or her age  - will enjoy a frosty sweet on a 96 degree F night. It's a communal way to keep chill and along the way  a chance to hear interesting back stories. Another way to keep neighbors , family  and friends cool is inviting them over for a no cook dinner. Introduce them to hummus, salad Nicoise or gazpacho. All three  dishes require no cooking , only mixing and blending. You could even have a minimal cooking meal such as pasta crudo which is a great way to use the veggies of the season.

Make your house and yard an oasis of cool. Invite friends , family and neighbors over to enjoy frosty treats and company. Us these hellish days for heavenly connections.