Blog Bio Air Conditioning and Gratitude

Photo by Raychan on Unsplash

I didn’t grow up with air conditioning. When we lived in Siren, Wisconsin when I was 5-7 years old, the humidity was almost unbearable during the summer months. Wisconsin has lakes dotted all over. Some lakes were good for fishing, some for swimming and some were little more than swamps—and dangerous at that.

Back in the late fifties, we didn’t even think about air conditioning. When we wanted to cool off we headed to one of the lakes that bracketed our small town. There were no lifeguards and parents didn’t always go with their kids. In fact, we younger children often went with our older siblings.

Eastern Wyoming didn’t have an abundance of lakes or rivers. Many creek beds remained dry except during Spring run-off. Humidity wasn’t a problem. But temperatures often climbed over the 100% mark. Still, without moisture, the temperatures didn’t feel near as hot as much lower temperatures felt in Wisconsin.

The nearest swimming pool was 30 miles away in Lusk. Our folks took us to swim a few times during the summer. Where we lived water was not abundant, so we didn’t just turn on the hose to cool off. Best stay in the shade instead.

Every place I lived as a child was a bit different, but air conditioning was never part of the equation, though, eventually, fans were. Oh, how nice the air felt from those fans.

Even after Keith and I married and my brother built a house suited for my limitations, we had no air conditioning. Paul set the house up for it, but we couldn’t afford it at the time. Instead, during the summer months, we opened windows. It helped some and I liked hearing the birds and the sounds of summer. Nights, however, were muggy and I found it difficult to rest.

We didn’t get AC until our daughter was 13 and had some health issues that led us to install air conditioning. Though we had to close our windows, the cool air felt so good on those steaming hot August days. We don’t turn our AC on in the spring until we’re sure the Winter chill has permanently warmed. (We turned on the AC this year only to have to revert to heat again before the Spring warmth actually stayed.)

With AC my clothes aren’t wringing wet by the end of the day. I don’t have to find the lightest thing possible to wear. If I sit close to our large front picture window, I can still see the trees and flowers and hear the birds from across the street at Collins Park. I know what it is not to have AC and as I sit in my cool home,

I think about those who invented, marketed, and installed the units—and I give thanks. I’ve learned that giving thanks lifts up far better and elevates my emotions much more than finding fault and complaining.

Giving thanks for everyday and small things is a good way to get into a habit of looking for the positive instead getting bogged down in negativity. Besides, I am really thankful for air conditioning, aren’t you?

(c) 2022 By Carolyn R Scheidies

Kearney Hub column published 2022 August 23

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Remembering—Memorial Day 2022

The first Memorial Day I remember was as a first or second grader in Siren, Wisconsin. We were given flags and taken to the cemetery. We watched as the uniformed veterans stood proud and brave for a 21 gun salute. My dad Rev. William Fredrickson, a WW II vet, stood with the other vets. He’d explained why. Back then our people and culture understood the sacrifice. We honored those lost.

While we don’t worship our ancestors, as some cultures do, Memorial Day has expanded to include all our departed loved ones—not only our veterans.

My brother was the youngest of we three siblings. Paul Fredrickson always felt he had to watch over his older sisters. Yet, January 8, 2019, God took him home first. Suddenly Karin and I were two instead of three. We, his wife and our families were devastated at the unexpected loss.

Friday, hubby Keith and I bought a basket of red and white flowers to put on his grave. Yes, my brother and I would argue, sometimes even yell at each other. But we loved each other. He was there in so many ways when I or our family needed him. Flowers seem a small remembrance for a life time of memories.

Miss you, Paul.

Carolyn R Scheidies

Blog Rain more enjoyable with gutters

I remember a time as a child when we lived in Siren, Wisconsin. We lived on a corner property in the parsonage on the same lot as the church. The large lawn faced the main highway north and south.

In the winter, snow piled deep. Late spring and summer brought rain. That day I was inside when I heard the patter of rain on the roof. I listened as I ran to a window.

Rain sprinkled the lawn with a gentle rain that drew me toward the door. Without asking permission, I slipped out the front door and danced barefoot on the lawn, arms extended enjoying the soft rain as it cooled my skin and upturned face. It didn’t seem all that long before Mom beckoned me inside, but I never forgot that afternoon in the rain.

But rain has not always been a friend. Cleaning our gutters was not easy and we looked into new gutters that were covered. As we talked to a salesman and our house was checked, it turned out the areas under some areas of the old gutters also needed repair or replacement.

With spring and summer rains on the way, we ordered the repairs and the whole gutter system. Only installation got delayed with the rise in prices of lumber and elements. That we understood. Over two months later we were notified all the parts were in and a crew would be out to take down the gutters and restore the parts, like fascia, that needed work.

The crew worked hard and in a couple of days they wrapped up. “Someone will call on Monday”, we were told, “to schedule the gutter installation.” That call never came. Days and weeks went by. I called this alphabet company only to be informed that a different crew put in the gutters and all their parts had not arrived. We’d been told everything was in. Not true.

Now what were we to do? We had no gutters. Then came the rain, often in sheets battering against the roof. I envisioned roof damage. The storms continued and I cringed every time it thundered.

I began to call, often once a week. I got excuses. Two months of rainstorms and no gutters. This was not OK, but the company wasn’t listening. Finally, my daughter asked me to send our contract to her which I did. She called the company. I don’t what she said, but at eight the next morning the doorbell rang. The gutter installers were there and ready to go.

Before noon our new gutter system was installed. I wanted to cry with relief. Now when it rains, I give thanks for our gutters that seem to be working fine. The company wanted names of friends to contact. I threw away the form. They send a Husker license plate with their name on it. My husband threw it away.

Even the Bible says not to start a house (or any project) unless you first count the cost or, in our case, have all the pieces parts to complete it. This company needs to take that to heart. Don’t leave a customer without gutters for two months.

I am thankful the work they did was good, thankful for our gutters and thankful our roof wasn’t damaged by the storms. Most of all, when I needed one, an advocate stepped forward.

We like to be independent, but sometimes we all need an advocate to help us. Sometimes we can be an advocate for someone in need. It’s something to think about.

© 2021 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published as a Kearney Hub column 9/13/2021
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