Everything else I've seen has been on the Internet. Although I've heard the voices of people passing along the bike path, and the next door neighbors talking in their back yard, I haven't spoken a word to anyone since I was at Trader Joe's yesterday evening, and the only person I've seen was a guy watering the lawn across the street when I went to the mail box. I've been wondering if I should order a pizza to be delivered, just so I can be sure I'm still visible, and haven't become a wraith without realizing it.
I know Chico is still inhabited, as I can hear the usual traffic on the freeway. I know the world beyond Chico still exists (at least in part) as I've heard trains passing and airplanes flying over. I could probably get further confirmation by finding a live feed of some sort on the Internet, but I've heard those are easily faked, so I won't bother. A couple of times this evening I've caught myself talking to myself. Who would have thought a sedentary day and a bit of ennui could get me quite this crazy?
Well, maybe I'll get out for a bit tomorrow, though since it's going to be just as hot as it was today probably not. It's still 81 degrees out right now, and isn't expected to get below 71 all night. 71 is a delightful temperature for a day at the beach, but not for a night in Chico. There's not much hope I'll go any distance on Friday, even though it's predicted to be only 93, since neither of the bus-accessible stores has anything that would entice me to make the effort. But I might get over to the Plaza Friday evening, to check the book selection at the Goodwill store and maybe pick up more beer and a loaf of bread at CVS.
Getting through July in the valley is not easy. Getting through August is likely to be as bad. I hope we get a mild September, at least, and maybe a bit of early rain. Right now I'm going to go listen to my crickets for a while, then make a sandwich (it was too hot for a cooked dinner again) and read something. I doubt I'll be able to turn off the air conditioner and open the windows until very, very late tonight.