Kay Wade
Summer
The jet stream is not moving; high pressure is holding the hottest air of this summer over South Carolina like a lid on a boiling pot of water. Outside, one of the gray squirrels is spread-eagle on the porch railing, panting in the shade. Birds hide from sun in front yard trees. Weed leaves curl tight, trying not to transpire. Even the cicadas are quiet in this heat. Humans, though, we humans leave air-conditioned homes to jump in air-conditioned cars and head to Lake Jocassee, seeking the sweet relief of cooling water.
The line approaching Devils Fork State Park gets ever-longer as the temperature rises, and a steady stream of boats are launched and retrieved throughout the day. Summer. ~K