The Summer of My Discontent

 Like Tom wrote a couple of days ago, I've begun writing a totally new series, though I'm enjoying it very much, it's so different from anything I've ever done that I'm feeling quite insecure about it. However, writing it has been a lifesaver for me, since this has been a horrible summer, and I'm not seeing any immediate relief on any front.

Joe

First of all, the extended Casey clan is undergoing a crisis. My youngest sister's son Joe Potter suffered multiple organ failure (due to his heart) over the Independence Day holiday and had to be transferred from a hospital in Tulsa to Oklahoma City where a team of specialists have inserted a pump into his heart (an impella), and put him on a machine to oxygenate his blood (an ECMO). He has been on life support and in an induced coma since the 6th. As of yesterday, my sister informed us he is doing better and they are going to try to wean him off the machines. Needless to say the whole family is in shock. Joe is 46 years old, married with three children, the youngest of whom is eight. He's big, energetic guy, and nobody was expecting such a thing. Which goes to show you, things happen fast in this life, and you cannot take a minute for granted. Joe was a smart, funny little kid, who loved to eat 'maters' off the vine, and I can't help but still think of him that way. If you have good thoughts and prayers to spare, Dear Reader, please send them his way.

Less important but certainly not helping my mood is the fact that it is hot as hell here in Phoenix. I mean, this is no surprise for southern Arizonans, but this is particularly hard to bear right now. We have not had a day below 110ºF since July 1, and it's just supposed to get hotter over the next week In fact the forecast high for this coming Saturday, Sunday, and Monday is 117º. Actual degrees, not heat index.

So all in all, I hunker down, wait for news, try to stay cool, and write.