The weather forecast told us it would get up to 110 degrees today, but it only made it to 105, so I guess I should be grateful. What I’m really grateful for is that I work in an air-conditioned office. I talked to one of our neighbors last night who works in a metal warehouse and not only is it not air-conditioned – he said it is normally 10 degrees hotter in there than it is outside. Yikes!
Last evening was the annual National Night Out and about 150 block parties were scheduled all over Salem. We have been hosting our block party on Cottage St. for about 10 years now and of course invitations went out a long time ago. On Monday I told Karen “we’d better cancel – nobody will come out to a block party in the middle of the street when it’s 104 out there.” So she sent out an email poll. She got a great response – our commissioner could take lessons! – and the vote said “go for it!” Our neighbors are tougher than I am.
It turns out we had about 50 people taking potluck in the middle of the street – one of the largest crowds ever. Karen had obtained lots of donated prizes, so we had a good raffle, and the kids enjoyed a piñata. And the temperature was not oppressive – we have quality trees on our block that give good shade.
My EFL team, however, is melting in the August heat. Well, actually in the late July heat too. I know that melted Cheese is supposed to be tasty but it appears that Cottage, well, I’m out of analogies here. You know.
Only one of my Cheese got traded: Sonny Gray. I was kind of hoping that one of my high-priced players would get traded so that I could get salary relief AND prospects but no.
As it is, I can’t accept Sonny’s trade to the Yankees. If the Cheese were in the second division, out of the race, I probably would, but I need to keep my towel (not throw it in, get it?) and do everything I can to stay in the race. The prospects dealt by the Yankees to the A’s look good, but they are too risky, and none of them will provide any help this year. And this may be the only year that the Cheese get to contend for the EFL pennant. I need Sonny’s help, and he’s been looking good.