A/C but not Europe

Happy Saturday Morning – we’re back on track! This week Marcia and I joined ‘some’ people in their chase: the ‘some’ people line comes from the sage words uttered by ‘some’ anonymous wag:
“Some people chase happiness. I chase well-cooled rooms in July.”

Starting Tuesday morning, we felt the HVAC fan pushing out air that got warmer and warmer by the minute. It wasn’t all that long before the room temperature exceeded 80; that’s when I felt like a European.

By then I’d already received notification that a repair team stood at the ready – between the hours of 8 and 10 next FRIDAY morning. I tried a couple more ‘heat-hero’ companies and got similar stories. With careful window treatments adjustments, we did survive the 90’s temperature last week. Now, meaning as of the Friday morning’s fix, all is well!

By Friday afternoon Marcia was complaining that “it’s cold!”

Doing it Right – The company that came out for our A/C repair did it right. Twenty minutes prior to the tech’s arrival I received this text with an attached photo of ‘my’ tech:

“Hi Dirk Pastoor,
We wanted to let you know that G*** M*** is on the way.
G*** is a skilled HVAC Service Technician from Cincinnati, OH, who has worked at Thomas & Galbraith since June 2022. He proudly holds his Kentucky HVAC Journeyman License along with Nate, EPA and OSHA 10 Certifications. In his free time, he enjoys basketball and all other sports.”

On a more somber note, yesterday I got word that my French cousin, Guillaume (‘Jan Willem’ in Dutch), had passed. He lived his adult life in Lisieux Normandie. Apparently, he passed peacefully while asleep after having spent time with friends the previous evening. RIP Guillaume.

Guillaume with George, Sandy, and Dirk at Joe’s Stone Crab restaurant, Miami Beach

The Remains – mid-week it would have been Marin’s birthday. That very morning my mail contained a notice from Spring Grove Cemetery letting me know that that very evening there would be a live concert in their Rose Garden. On the stage would be the 1960s 70s and on music performed by a group going by the name of “The Remains”. They are local and first were seen nationally on The Ed Sullivan Show in December 1965.

Marcia chose not to go, Adrianne came over to chat with her mom, and I made it out to hear The Remains. In a sense it was an odd way to celebrate Marin’s birthday, but considering it all, it was the perfect way.

Screenshot

Being there by his resting place, listening to my favorite music on that special summer evening, made me remember this thought: music and laughter form the shortest distance between people who love one another, now and forever. Love you bunches kid.

“I know a bank where the wild Thyme blows where Oxlips and the nodding Violet grows”
William Shakespeare

Insight – Our Monty Python hero, John Cleese explains football versus soccer. This is because I understand that some of my readers are a bit unsure on the differences between the two sports. Hence, I am inserting this here now that the 2026 World Cup games are reaching their crescendo. Cleese, as is his usual style, makes perfect sense:

Now that you understand all of the football/soccer differences, here is an introduction to each of your 2026 Fifa cup favorite players. Sit back for 6 minutes and watch footwork ‘par excellence.’ Footwork like you’ve never seen.

Just remember that there will be two great games, one at 5:00pm & another at 9:00pm ET on Fox TV

Food Pantry – on the radio the Reds baseball organization announced that anyone coming to the game bring a nonperishable food item. This reminded me of Marcia’s Doctor’s office. There, once you reach a ‘certain’ age one of the social questions asked is whether or not your food needs are being met.

But it gets better!

Last Doctor’s visit while at the counter setting up a future appointment behind us the door to a walk-in closet was open. Staff there were busy working to restock a wide array of food items. Marcia’s Doctor’s office is also a food pantry!

They really take the “are you experiencing any food issues” question seriously. You gotta love it!

This week’s Interlude – During the 1970s and 80s there were probably a handful of songs which aside from being played over and over on radio, were on every stack of your player’s 45 singles, and sung – way too loud – driving car (no AC and arm out the window). This week we lost one of the members of that entourage. Your hint is the singer was born Gaynor Hopkins and not in the USA. The name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Now I need to just stay calm and wait. Brother Art is traveling between California and Doylestown, PA. (it’s a long story). The plan is for him to stop by later today for a hearty meal and a hug or two.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Marketing is a huge part of how we navigate our day. Most of us understand that watching auto advertisements, hotel wonders, and the latest clothing trends gets us motivated in their desired direction. What we overlook is the degree to which grocery stores manipulate our food purchases. Here is a list of ways we’re being influenced. Which on this list is not normally a psychological strategy conducive to what you end up buying.

1. Last minute coupon release
2. 2 for $$, or any multiple items for a single price
3. Consolidate items like marshmallows with chocolate
4. No price change just a new, glitzy big, tag on the shelf
5. Needed items nowhere near the front
6. High-cost items always at eye level
7. Free Samples
8. Must have quick pick-up items near checkout.

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 7
Answer, this week’s Interlude: Bonnie Tayler “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”