It's Flag Day

Alert, long-time readers of this blog know I’m a big fan of Flag Day. It’s not particularly something of a patriotic fervor – although I do love our country, warts and all, and with a son in the military there is a bit more straightness to my posture when it’s time to face the flag during the National Anthem. Rather, the appeal of Flag Day for me has always been of fond childhood memories of “field day” at our elementary school – held on or near Flag Day most years – and of deliciously warm (but not too warm!) weather and the impending end of school, a sheer delight for any kid through the generations. The weather on June 14 – then and now – remains generally delightful (although, as I type this, there are thunderstorms rumbling overhead). I think it’s neat that long-graduated Forever Foxes recall my affinity for this “holiday” with early-morning texts to “wish me” a Happy Flag Day. Neat! And thanks.
 
Alert, long-time readers of this blog also know that June and July are lean months in terms of posts. It’s just the nature of the cycle of the months. We don’t have a lot going on in terms of team-related news or activity during this time of year. And so, the blog posts are less frequent. “For everything, there is a season.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
 
Over at my “other” blog – petecolaizzo.substack.com – there is a bit more to write about and I continue to move forward in that area. (Shameless plug = please consider a paid subscription at that blog, to support my freelance writing pursuits, especially in the summer. Thank you for your consideration)
 
Last week Over There, I wrote about the Air Quality Issues we had because of the Canadian wildfires. Fortunately, the atmospheric crisis was short-lived and we are back to “normal” air quality with no impact on running (or living, for that matter). The impact on running (and living, for that matter!) was felt during those few days last week when the AQI (air quality index) soared into the hundreds. Not good! The silver lining? We now have a better idea of what AQI is and we can now add it to our environmental metrics – especially on hot and humid days – to determine the safety of running and working out in those conditions. For now? Enjoy Flag Day and the late spring/early summer weather before the heat and humidity starts to kick in. OK!