Hot Topics of the Week: #1 The European Heat Wave, #2 Left Forum in BKLYN NY...and More

I saw a post on FB about people suffering a terrible heat wave this week and likely into next (we can always pray for the winds to change and the rain to fall...) in Europe. The article cited was from Grist with a headline "It's so hot in Europe, the temperature map is screaming".

The article included a map of the heat hot spots and such which had a resemblance of "The Scream" (also pictured.) They also relayed that a heat wave like this one in 2003 was related to 30,000 deaths. Extensive forest fires in Spain were among the pressing matters 'making things worse.'

. A list of precautions included not going out, not letting the sick or elderly or others become dehydrated or anyone jump into cold water in such heat or exercise too much (a few people had suffered cardiac arrest after doing so. Whille they were elderly there are plenty of people who likely push limits and get heat stroke or other serious conditions.

Every country and state could take time to make a comprehensive list of 'Do's and Don'ts' for various kinds of heat, drought, cold or weather concerns. Everyone could plan to travel with more 'leeway' for important events and overall not plan such important days for the warmest time of the year.

As for the Left Forum, check out the 'Coup D'etat' documentary by Jeff Cohen, and each site for more resources and possible coverage of the talks given over the weekend in Brooklyn NY June 28-30, 2019. Lots to consider and share..

.Next up is Canada Day  July 1st...and the 4th of July for America., and Bastille Day July 14th in France. See other recent posts for the concerns that have filled my heart in a more personal way this past month due to remembrancce times and unfortunatlely a difficult sudden loss of a young  adult community member og the NWCT area.

Treasuring the people in our lives and keeping the memory of those who have crossed over close can help steady the challenges of life. Staying cool in times of sadness is another skill and art every country, state and area could promote with support lines and online resources for starters, ideally linked to counselors and places like 'cooling centers' to deal with the heat (or warming centers in the colder times to get warm.)

More networks to encourage everyone having a few people in their daily and weekly 'check-in' teams would make sense on many levels. I hope this blog can serve as an ongoing 'bulletin board' and forum for sharing and caring about one another in practical and other ways. 

Meanwhile as you nod off to sleep tonight and awaken to birdsong (and hopefully a decrease in any heat wave) know that many good-hearted people are gathered singing and playing music, at Old Songs Folk Festival near Albany NY.

Knowing that every area has its challenges, lean into the idea that 'there's a song for everyone that's hurting' and one that can be helping people who 'don't even think they need it...' and ways to inspire change for the better for humanity to 'Rise Up' (as one song book packed with hundreds of lyrics is called.) Wanda Fischer plays lots of great folk music on the Hudson River Sampler on WAMC.org Saturday nights...so tune in that way any Saturday night (or hear replays or google other good music to soothe your soul and help you stay cool come what may.

Tomorrow is Another Day and we are learning to make the most of each one, together with greater awareness and game plans to help everyone feel valued and included....and far less deluded. Thanks to all working tirelessly for decades and eons and to all those who suffered over the ages.

Reparations and deep gratitude and greater apologies for wrongdoing, crimes and denying those for hundreds of years 'may take a while', but more are dreaming out loud to help us move in a more equitable direction. See the speakers from the Left Forum program and consider joining good causes and getting more information as part of your amazing summer when you truly become more cool than ever before.