The "Dawn" of a New Era

That sounds ridiculously serious, but it's sort of true. While I will be teaching from home most days, I had to be physically present this week to assemble and distribute student supplies. We handed out textbook, laptops, crayons, glue sticks, spiral notebooks, and on and on. 

California has been blasted by a massive heat wave that is about as intense as our weather can get. Our highs have been in the 100s with lows in the 80s. We're also deep into our monsoon season which means humidity but without any rain, at least here in the valley. On top of that, firefighters are battling hundreds of fires across the state. Most were caused by lightening strikes created by the recent thunderstorms that are a result of the monsoon.

Internet photo of San Jose, California

The way the air currents run in California, all of the smoke and particulates generally get pushed our way. Our air has looked like the above photo. The ridiculously bad air combined with high heat and humidity have created air quality that meteorologists are classifying as hazardous. All residents are encouraged to stay indoors. Thank you, 2020.

We have great flood lights!

But, equestrians. You know we just can't/won't stay indoors. So, several mornings this week, I was at the barn by 5:00 a.m. and riding by 5:30. It was pretty dark as we walked, but by 5:45, the sky had lightened just enough so that I could see the dressage court. That was all I needed.

7:00 a.m. and ready for my real job.

After giving Izzy a shower and feeding both boys, I stripped down to my unmentionables and "showered" with the hose. I toweled off and slipped into a t-shirt and shorts. I braided my sticky hair and slipped on a pair of Keds. Fortunately, the dress code has been pretty relaxed this week.

I am working from home this morning, so I can spend a few extra minutes at the barn today because I don't have to drive quite so far. Next week, I'll be teaching virtually, but I don't have to be at my desk until 7:45 a.m., so as long as this weather persists, I'll be doing morning rides.

Thank goodness it's Friday. Enjoy your weekend. And if you have kids, bless you and good luck.