Weather: Phoenix hit 114 last week. Too bad we missed that - hah! However, we had a hot spell of our own at 104 that lasted almost a week. Even the Ohio River warmed up to bath water and wasn't all that refreshing when we went out on the boat. The humidity is usually no lower than 60% so that is taking some getting used to. In Phoenix, the sweat would be absorbed into the air. Here there's no room when the air is already saturated. Have had a couple of great cool evenings sitting on the patio which could not be done in Phoenix because even at 9pm it's still hot, hot, hot!
Landscape: It's all so green! Big difference from rock yards with patches of grass, so the color I most often associate to Phoenix is brown. Brown is boring. Here, the trees are lush with leaves, flowers are blooming, grass everywhere. There is kind of a drought so the grass is not as green as it should be but there's lots of it. Have passed a couple of nurseries and dream of having a garden and flower beds again. Sigh.
Outdoor living space: Phoenix homes are surrounded by block walls. Block doesn't just describe the construction material but also "blocks" out any view or interactions with neighbors. Typically you get into your car in the garage (because parking on the street or in your driveway is insane), leave, return and pull into your garage. No chance to ever see your neighbor unless you take out the trash or do some yard work which is usually not necessary because it's all rocks anyway. Here, if a yard does have fencing at all, it's chain link or wood rails. You actually have an opportunity to see and interact with your neighbors. And while there's no such thing as crime free neighborhood, it feels safe. Because your neighbors are looking out for you and leaving something out in your unfenced yard just doesn't disappear overnight.
Stuff to do: We are big euchre players. A deck of cards goes with us everywhere and we've been known to play while eating lunch, dinner or having a drink with Deb, Kirt, Dave, Peg, etc. We also learned a new card game called "Booger" (gross I know) but everyone can play instead of only four in euchre. Geoff, Deb and Dave have been playing some tennis. Dave lent Geoff his clubs so he and Ed have played some golf.
We are still not sure how long we'll be here. Did get some encouraging news yesterday that the UK is finally processing the Appirio company paperwork. If that goes smoothly, we'll then apply for Visas which takes about two weeks and then we can be on our way. Expecting maybe another 3-4 weeks. And while that's a same old song, now at least, we know our paperwork is in process.
In the meantime, I'm working and that's a good thing! I got a great assignment which took me to New York City last week which was fun. Cathy and Ed have been wonderful hosts and I will be forever grateful for their taking us in.
So until there's new news to print, we'll keep having fun in Kentucky in the summertime with all our peeps!
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Nate, Geoff, Deb, Kirt, Dani
At Nate's house for a grillout
