The recent heatwave we have endured here in Oklahoma reminded me of previous scorching summers.
Working outdoors in Oklahoma through the summer is brutal! My responsibilities are different now, and I spend a lot of my time at a desk, and I only occasionally venture back into the elements. I have not forgotten the misery of surviving Oklahoma’s summer heat, though!
Several years ago, when Vance and I were Better Barns all by ourselves, we left the shop early one day to do some work on a couple of buildings. Our task involved working inside a couple of sheds we had built previously, installing insulation, and doing a few other things.
I despise installing insulation! The stifling heat made our job more difficult as the day wore on.
When we rolled up on the second job site, we were surprised to find another man already there working. He greeted us as working men do. Then, he seemed to be upset that we had arrived. He became aggressive and threatening.
There were two of us and only one of him and we could have probably handled any physical violence. Both of us had a hammer and we were not really afraid he would harm us. Nevertheless, it was a bit unsettling to be treated with such unkindness for no apparent reason.
Vance suggested that he could call the man who had hired us and straighten the situation. The man then laughed and asked if we knew any of the Perrys. Those of you who know JD Perry and his family might can see where this story is headed. After we affirmed that we did know David Perry (JD’s dad) and several others, he explained himself.
Turned out, the man was kin to JD. I do not recall exactly, but I think he was a cousin of either JD or JD’s dad, David. He guessed from our manner of dress and our behavior that we were affiliated with the church that David preached for. Sure enough, we were and still are.
He got a kick out of our reactions to his treatment of us. We laughed along with him now that we understood the situation. Fair warning for all the rest of you, the Perrys are known to be ornery!
Anyway, he left after finishing his work there, and we slogged on through the hot afternoon. Our water ran out and we were parched, but it was a little way to the nearest store and Vance wanted to stay and finish. Once everything was done, we packed up and headed to the nearest town.
The city of Shawnee was our destination. Vance pulled the truck into the parking lot of the first convenience store on the route and we both scrambled in. We were thirsty!
Some of you may remember the period of time before bottled water was so readily available. Even more of you will remember how things were before all the different flavored waters crowded the coolers. These events happened during those ancient times.
Vance went straight to the cooler that housed the bottled water, opened the door, grabbed a bottle, opened it, and downed about half the bottle in one swig.
The spitting and sputtering started immediately. You can imagine his surprise at the raspberry flavor of the drink he was expecting to be pure water! The episode was indeed hilarious.
He found some regular water and we paid out. Back in the truck, he declared his animosity toward flavored waters. As far as I know, he still despises them.
We drove back to Byars, and thus ended yet another day in the life of two shed builders.
