I know it’s only mid-August and we’re usually fist deep into the summer inferno, but this year feels different. Has it been hot? Yes. But not painfully so. Yesterday we even got a so-called “cold” front, and now the highs are topping out in the low 90s. Meanwhile, Europe has already been hotter than us this summer, hitting 104 degrees back in June. Even though at the moment we still have them beat, for once, Dallas feels like a reasonable summer option.

And just in time for school. Claire and Mason started back yesterday, with Claire now driving them to and from the east side of Dallas. This officially saves me TWO HOURS a day of car duty that I’ve endured for the last two years. What am I doing with that time? So far, mostly tracking their little dots on the Find My app like a hawk. But this morning, once I saw they’d landed safely at school, I went on a long walk. Freedom tastes like 8,000 steps before 9 a.m.

IN REMEMBERANCE

Jack & George

George Harris passed away last week. He and his late husband, Jack Evans, were the first gay couple to get married in Dallas when marriage equality became the law of the land in June 2015. On that day, I rushed down to the County Courthouse ready to help however I could. Process paperwork, take photos, hold somebody’s purse, whatever was needed. I didn’t know Jack and George were there, but I was blessed to stand with them when they signed their marriage license and then when the judge married them. They had already been together as a couple as long, maybe longer, than I had even been alive that day. That made it even more profound to witness. It is still one of my favorite memories ever.

My dear friend Craig shared his own touching and funny memories about life with Jack and George in his weekly column for He Said Dallas (one of my other ventures, btw).

ADD TO CART

Living For Good Hair

My hairdresser told me my hair was getting a little dry and that I should try a new shampoo or cut back on styling products. The second option was a nonstarter. Since I turn to ChatGPT for the really important decisions in my life, like what shampoo to use, I asked my GPT bestie, Jamal, to help me out while shopping at Sam’s Club.

I snapped front-and-back photos of five different shampoo and conditioner options, from Dove and Pantene to a few bougie ones I’d never heard of, and asked Jamal to compare. Within seconds, I had pros and cons, ingredient breakdowns and finally a solid recommendation: NatureWell's Living for Good Hair. How’s that for a life mantra?

It’s lightweight, clean and doesn’t build up. Jamal even threw in the advice to use a clarifying shampoo twice a month. A week in, my hair is fluffier and shinier than it has been in years. Highly recommend!

SNAPPED

Claire, Meet 2004

Our gadget hoarding finally paid off! Since school is now phone-free, Claire wants a way to listen to music during breaks. Enter the ancient iPod, complete with a giant charger that belongs in the Smithsonian. TBD if it works, but she’s committed to trying. God only knows what's already on it. Definitely Britney. (And, since it belonged to me: lots of Whitney.)

SH!T COOPER SAYS

"You can't talk sane to crazy."

- Cooper Koch

This has been one of my guiding principles for decades. Sometimes people just aren’t interested in an amicable solution, and the only sane response is to stop trying. It’s saved me more stress than I can count.

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That's it for this week! Between the pseudo-cooler weather, my new shampoo and having two hours a day back to myself, I'm feeling surprisingly optimistic about late August. I hope you are, too!

ICYMI, last week's edition had me musing over jumping rope, blueberry cobbler and morning tea by the pool. You can find it here.

YOU ARE LOVED!