Today was scorching, beyond any description. The heat was simply overwhelming. Not a whisper of wind, just relentless, bright sunshine scorching the earth. The humidity was sky-high; even the shade offered no respite from the sweat pouring down. The creek, though, looked like an oasis. It was small and fast-moving, but at a wide bend, the water slowed, revealing a sandy bottom about four or five feet deep. I hadn’t planned on swimming or fishing; I just needed an escape from the house. Even in this oppressive heat, being alone in the woods was infinitely better than the stifling boredom inside.



























