MeXscape

I don't mean one of those groups where everyone reads the same book and then tries to sound erudite while sitting around and discussing it. That would never work here. Forget trying to find the decent wine and good cheese for such a gathering, finding enough English language copies of the same book for everyone to read would limit us to Harry Potter. I'm thinking more of a book swap meet. We can all get together each month and bring the books we've finished reading and trade them for treasures we haven't yet discovered.

I know I have been talking big about the no air conditioning life. Lots of bold, brave words have been printed here. But the heat just won't stop. Last Saturday, according to the thermometer in the truck (which is usually accurate within one degree), it was 104. As if that weren't bad enough, someone gleefully told me the heat index was 120. I decided to make a change in my definition of appropriate air conditioning.

Last night was Mazatlan's 1st ever, and hopefully annual, Gay Pride Parade. There weren't that many participants – two floats, a couple of trucks, a limousine, and some walkers and roller skaters. But in a city that has historically refused port to gay cruises, I am in awe of the brave souls who participated.

It's that time of year when you see everyone from age two to 100 eating ice cream at all hours of the day. It's not unusual for me to see someone enjoying an ice cream cone at 8:00 in the morning. I see people eating ice cream while walking their dog, driving their car, and riding their bicycle. The summer heat in Mazatlan makes ice cream an enjoyable and welcome treat.

Geez it's been hot this summer. It got hot early in the season, and the temperatures have just kept on climbing. And I don't think we have had nearly as many rainy days to bring relief. It has just been hot and humid. I had to quit keeping track of the weather when the heat index hit 107°F on Thursday. I just don't want to know. It makes it feel worse.