Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Sweating or "glistening"…

“It’s hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalk.” “Don’t go outside unless necessary.” “Drink water, check on the elderly, check on your neighbors, take care of animals.”
These recent warnings are part of daily news reports here in coastal South Carolina. Last week, temperatures were close to 100 degrees with heat index of 117 and more. Air conditioners have been running non-stop. Neighborhoods have been quiet as more people are staying inside and not taking walks until early morning or late evening.
So, what do the Hendersons do? We decide to take a walk in the evening. Equipped with bottled water, sunscreen applied and wearing light colored clothing, we start walking through the neighborhood.
Our pace is slower than usual. A few shaded areas bring welcome relief. Conversation is mostly about the heat and the lack of people outside. One runner (must be a professional) does pass us and two ladies are walking slowly on the opposite side of the street. Small number of folks outside.
After a long walk, as we approach the street to our home, we look at each other with questioning thoughts. “Who had the bright idea of walking in this heat?” At least it wasn’t as hot as earlier in the day and at least we were prepared and followed healthy guidelines for being outside.
Just as I am thinking about how glad I am we are sticking to our walking plan, Alan looks at me and says, “Wow, honey, you are really sweating. It’s running all down your face and neck.” Way to make a girl feel good. No kidding I was sweating. He was sweating, too, but I didn’t mention how he looked.
My reply was “No, dear, I am not sweating. I am “glistening”. Southern ladies “glisten”. We don’t sweat.”
Laughter was with us all the way home. And, yes, I was truly sweating.
We couldn’t wait to get inside the house, cool down, drink more water and take cold showers.
Even in a hot, sweaty walk, laughter can be found.
Have you found an unusual circumstance to laugh? Share with us.
Blessings and giggles,
Mimi

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51 Comments
  • Crissy
    Posted at 12:32h, 06 July Reply

    Ha ha I must remember when our summer arrives, “glistening not sweating”

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:44h, 06 July Reply

      Today will be another hot day here in South Carolina. I’ll try to “glisten”. haha! Have a great day!

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 13:16h, 06 July Reply

    Hot here in Oklahoma and I “glisten” most days this time of year. Thanks for sharing

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:41h, 06 July Reply

      Seems like lots of areas are hot enough to “glisten”. haha! Stay cool and have a great weekend.

  • Carol Souders
    Posted at 13:17h, 06 July Reply

    Love your story. I hope one day you will pull all these short stories together to make a book. Everyday life is full of surprises, some good and some not so good. They all give us a chance to take note and learn. Thanks again.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:41h, 06 July Reply

      Thank you so much Carol. One of these days I intend to publish these blog posts and more. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!

  • nancyehead
    Posted at 13:49h, 06 July Reply

    We glisten sometimes up here in the North too! Glistening this week, in fact. God bless!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:40h, 06 July Reply

      Haha!!! Yes, I hear it’s hot enough to “glisten” up north. Have a blessed weekend!

  • T2Pneuma@gmail.com
    Posted at 14:24h, 06 July Reply

    Maryam and I have been walking evenings since the 1990s when she was recovering from breast cancer and the depression that it brings. For a long time, we were the only walkers in our stretch of the woods, but now it has become an acceptable evening activity.
    It took this week’s heat wave to convince us after 27 years of faithful service to replace our air conditioning system. Like a horse that ran itself to death, our system first ran low on freon; then, the motor on the fan simply died. We kept the technicians busy into the evening on Tuesday replacing the motor. The entire unit will be replaced in the coming week.
    The fourth this year was a joy. I spent the morning down at Lake Anne with my daughter’s in-laws and returned for a cookout here in Centreville with my family.
    Glistening? I have learned a new word.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:40h, 06 July Reply

      Walking can be very relaxing. So sorry about your air conditioning system. There always comes a time when they need to be replaced. Sounds like a great time on the fourth. Have a blessed day!

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 15:06h, 06 July Reply

    We’ve had the same temperatures and heat indexes as you’ve experienced, Mimi. We had no spring. Since I work out a lot, inside the home, I don’t tend to “glisten” too much outside. Derek says he’s “schvitzing.” 🙂 Stay cool!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:33h, 06 July Reply

      Lots of hot weather all over the place. Stay safe outside. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 15:35h, 06 July Reply

    Last night, I did a little “glistening” myself when we took a walk in our southern Texas coastal neighborhood. We’re still adapting to the climate change from Michigan to the coast, and there’s been a lot to learn and to explore. The heat and the rising water levels after every rainfall has been interesting. We’ve laughed a lot, as, you’re right, it seems to be the best way to handle all of this. Joy lightens the load. 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:34h, 06 July Reply

      Laughter definitely lightens the load, as now our air conditioner has stopped working. I am glistening inside the house. But, I am still smiling. Have a great weekend!

  • Invisibly Me
    Posted at 17:17h, 06 July Reply

    Wow, those are high temperatures indeed! I like that – glistening, not sweating – much more refined. You’re right, we need to find more reasons to laugh and to see the light side of things. Stay cool and hydrated – doing the same here as the UK has unusually high temps (comes out of the blue and shocks us all!) xx

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:24h, 06 July Reply

      We all need to drink lots of water and stay hydrated in this heat. Right now, we have storms. Hope to see a rainbow. Maybe the temps will go down. Have a great weekend! 🙂

  • Edna Davidsen
    Posted at 22:17h, 06 July Reply

    Dear Melissa!
    Thank you for sharing this with us. Somehow I always smile when I’m reading your blog posts. I think it’s because of your writing style; it’s so positive and friendly 🙂
    With love!
    Edna Davidsen

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:20h, 06 July Reply

      Edna, thank you for your kind encouragement. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • ordinarilyextraordinarymom
    Posted at 00:54h, 07 July Reply

    It has been so hot!!! Glad you guys are able to find the humor 🤣

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:06h, 07 July Reply

      Yes, and yesterday our air conditioner broke down. I think I see another blog post idea. haha! Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Karen
    Posted at 00:55h, 07 July Reply

    Love your story, Mimi. In Texas we joke about “glistening.” It’s been around 106 before the heat index for many days now, but I do enjoy walking in the evenings when the sun is setting. Delightful. Wishing you a cooler July! xoxo

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:07h, 07 July Reply

      Oh my!! That is really hot!!! Wow!! Stay cool and enjoy a great weekend! Hugs. 🙂

  • Tessa
    Posted at 03:43h, 07 July Reply

    It’s so neat that you are pointing out how unexpected circumstances can lead to a lot of laughter, because I was just reading an article about humor earlier today and thinking that I need to be less serious and enjoy laughter more often. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:05h, 07 July Reply

      Laughter helps me through a lot of situations. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • baileythurley
    Posted at 12:39h, 07 July Reply

    I think we are so tired from our long days that almost anything seems funny in the evening. Also, I am always sweating and stinky and it’s just not super sexy. Haha but thankful my husband loves me anyway

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:32h, 07 July Reply

      I know what you mean about anything being funny in the evening. Some days, we just laugh at our tiredness. Have a great weekend!

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 13:08h, 07 July Reply

    LoL, Melissa. This is a great story and love the “glistening” for southern women.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:33h, 07 July Reply

      Karen, today is another hot day. We may go to the beach to take our evening walk. Have a nice weekend! 🙂

  • JEN Garrett
    Posted at 20:42h, 07 July Reply

    Living in California, I know all those advisories – and it’s possible to fry a frog on the sidewalk, but I have yet to try an egg. I think it has to get at least 106 before egg frying is possible.
    (No, the frog didn’t get fried on purpose – I just saw its poor black corpse after the tragedy.)

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:44h, 07 July Reply

      I am laughing loudly!! I have never heard about frying a frog on the sidewalk. I learn something new everyday. haha! Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a blessed weekend!

  • Diana Manley Rockwell
    Posted at 17:39h, 09 July Reply

    Dear Melissa, we had an all time high of 118 degrees in Ramona, California. I have to take my little dog out to walk and our walks were for the sole purpose of getting her job done so she could earn her cookie. In the short trips that day I truly glistened. LOL, Love your blog.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:03h, 09 July Reply

      Wow, 118 degrees! That is way too hot!! Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings. 🙂

  • Paula Frances Price
    Posted at 20:06h, 10 July Reply

    Loved the story! The other day we were walking outside. My sister was pushing both my toddler and her 3-month-old in a double stroller. My Toddler said, “Aunt Mae Joyce did you spill on yourself?” It was sweat all over her cute linen dress 🙂 I love hot southern days!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:01h, 10 July Reply

      Thank you for sharing that story. I am laughing!! 🙂 Have a great week!

  • debwilson2
    Posted at 22:45h, 10 July Reply

    Melissa, I laughed with you. And good for you for keeping your schedule. I’m one in the AC taking laps around my house!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:15h, 10 July Reply

      The AC sounds good. Ours broke down last week. All is fixed now and we are enjoying the cool air. 🙂 Have a great week!

  • Sydney Meek
    Posted at 22:51h, 11 July Reply

    I “glisten” almost every day here in Texas ;). Thank you for this post, it is so uplifting and encouraging!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:52h, 11 July Reply

      We have family in Wimberly TX and they tell us about the heat there. Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a great week!

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 23:54h, 11 July Reply

    Glistening. That is such a great answer and so true! I hope the heat has been turned down as I know it can be tough on the elderly etc, but may you still be glistening!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:57h, 11 July Reply

      Lynn, the heat has returned but not as bad as a few weeks ago. We enjoyed a few days of nice temperatures. As the weather forecasters say, we are in the dogs days of summer so heat is to be expected. haha! Stay cool.

  • colarnold
    Posted at 23:56h, 11 July Reply

    I’ve been glistening myself lately here in Virginia! Not yet over 100 tho….

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:59h, 11 July Reply

      We are from Virginia. We moved to South Carolina last year to be near son, daughter-in-love and first grand baby. Virginia heat is bad, too. 🙂

  • onelostcoin
    Posted at 19:09h, 12 July Reply

    I always tell my husband that! We glisten in the Carolinas!!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:19h, 12 July Reply

      Yes, we lived in NC and now SC and we definitely “glisten”. Today is one of those days. 🙂

  • Chandra Lynn
    Posted at 05:27h, 13 July Reply

    You are braver than I am. I simply cannot tolerate the summer heat. It seems the older I get the more intolerable it becomes. It has been nearly impossible to get a walking routine going because if it isn’t extremely hot, we’re dealing with storms. Ugh! C’mon autumn!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:55h, 13 July Reply

      I love autumn, too. Hubby and I have missed some walks recently due to this heat and storms. We did take a nice walk the other evening, until the bugs starting chasing us. We forgot the bug spray. haha! Have a great weekend! 🙂

      • Chandra Lynn
        Posted at 01:30h, 17 July Reply

        Yeah…heat and bugs…definitely reasons to stay indoors during summer. 😀

  • Robin
    Posted at 00:59h, 20 July Reply

    Atta Girl for keeping up the walking regime! We’re not quite that warm here in central Kentucky, but it’s pretty close. And I HATE sweating….ain’t no glistening about it.
    Thanks for following me! 🙂

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