The seasonal changes these days don’t represent the images with which we grew up, or at least the timing of seasonal changes. For example, Wednesday’s high temperature was 96°. There was some moderation on Thursday and Friday, but temps are expected to return to the mid-90s Saturday and Sunday.

Kay played golf on Wednesday morning while I played pickleball; we were both soaked from perspiration as a result of high temps and humidity.

Our church offered flu shots and COVID boosters, and Kay and I took advantage of the service. Sure to form, a reaction to one or both injections began occurring just a few hours later..

Thursday was pretty much a bed/sleep day while experiencing the reaction to yesterday’s injections—fever, slight headache, and joint aches and pains. Fortunately, this time it was only a 24-hour reaction compared to the 48-hour reactions for the previous COVID shots. Kay played pickleball at Diamante; she is improving each day and now banging at the net against her opponents.

Friday, Kay celebrated a milestone birthday. She and Karyn spent most of the day together, shopping and having lunch with Ron and Cheryl. Afterward, we had dinner with Karyn, Matt, Ridge, and Aker at Texas Roadhouse in Benton. To celebrate her birthday, the server brought out a full size saddle, and Kay rode for the entire eight seconds! Yee Haw. (No photos of this milestone event were made!) I did manage to get a few shots in the yard.

Saturday, we worked on the sprinkler system, changing sprinkler heads and clearing debris from the lines. I also took a few photographs in the back yard. Interestingly, birds flocked to the sprinkler as we tried it out.

Most of Saturday afternoon was spent in Maumelle, attending Ridge’s soccer game. Because of lightning, it was called at halftime, to be continued in the future.

We both took it easy on Sunday. We did play pickleball in preparation for the upcoming Diamante CC championship. The seriousness of the game increased, and some good pickleball was played. We resumed Sunday night social bridge with Jim and Jackie, and of course, Kay came in first and I came in third, out of four!