SOME LIKE IT HOT

The current heat wave reminds me of the days when I used to play a lot of baseball and later, as an adult, softball. Intense heat never seemed to bother me when I was playing. In fact, it somehow seemed to energize me. I loved to pitch, and I always thought that if I was in excellent physical condition the extreme heat could become a disadvantage to my opponents, but not to me.

I still don't mind the heat. I will take it over cold and snow any day. When I step outside and feel a searing blast of scalding air, it makes me long to be back on the mound with a baseball in my hand. In my mind's eye, I can see the tableau of the batter, catcher and umpire awaiting my delivery. I can perceive the sweat rolling down my back as I realize that all eyes are on me, waiting to see what will happen. I can feel the stitches of the ball snapping off of my fingers as I drive my body toward the plate to complete my delivery. And I love it.

The heat causes me to recall some great times--times when I felt very alive and very powerful. As I am finishing this posting, it is currently 90 degrees outside. The forecasters are saying that it will reach 95 degrees later today. Unlike some, I will not be complaining about the weather. Instead, I will enjoy the warmth and revel in the memories.