Ninety-Nine Degrees
My next-door-neighbor, George, is grandfather-age and his number two goal in life is to take care of me and Amy. (His number one goal is to have the best grass in the neighborhood.) Last week George was outside in a wife-beater, boxer shorts, and a pair of black dress socks, checking his thermometers at 5:00 in the afternoon. (Even though it is probably against the homeowner's covenant of my neighborhood for him to dress like that.)
"How hot is it, George?" I called over to him as he padded around the driveway in his Sunday-stockinged feet.
"Too damn hot," he shouted back. "Get inside!"
It is unseasonably warm, even for The South, and every time I go outside to run or ride my bike I have to sneak away, or George comes charging out his front door shouting at me about heat strokes and heart attacks and whatever else the sun can do to you. Friday afternoon I was wheeling my sister's bike to the front porch so she could come by and pick it up when George spotted me and yelled, "You already exercised today!"
"It's for my sister!" I yelled back.
"Has she already exercised today?" George shouted.
"I don't know!" I said.
"Well, if she has, tell her it's too damn hot to do it again!" George yelled. "Now, get back inside!"
Fortunately, George goes to bed at 7:00 p.m. Near dusk, we can stay outside as long as we want.
Comments
It's so hot.
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True story.
Posted by: Jennie! | June 9, 2008 09:39 AM
Everybody needs a "George",
Posted by: themanmaw | June 9, 2008 10:12 AM
Everybody needs a "George",
Posted by: themanmaw | June 9, 2008 10:12 AM
Everybody needs a "George",
Posted by: themanmaw | June 9, 2008 10:12 AM
Everybody needs a "George",
Posted by: peefer | June 9, 2008 10:41 AM
This George loves is, quite frankly, overwhelming.
Posted by: heather anne | June 9, 2008 10:52 AM
It's the Georges in the world that make it go 'round. Also, who wears black dress socks in 99 degree weather? Take 'em off Georgie!
Posted by: broke bertha | June 9, 2008 01:04 PM
Awww George... yours is a tough row to hoe, friend. But SOMEONE has to look after Heather Anne and Amy, and I'm just glad we can rely on you until 7 p.m.
Posted by: shari | June 10, 2008 12:34 AM
Hey, look on the bright side...one less degree and you would have had a boy band. ick.
xoxo
Emms
Posted by: Emms | June 10, 2008 01:47 AM
how is scout?
Posted by: sarah g | June 10, 2008 10:13 AM
I love your neighbor. I bet his lawn is amazing.
Posted by: churlita | June 10, 2008 11:30 AM