By SUSAN DROMEY HEETER, InDepthNH.org
July is the Mario Andretti of months, the Usain Bolt, the Flo-Jo of time. July is Josh Hawley on January 6th. Today, Joyful Musers, I celebrate some of the highlights that snuck in this speedy month, lots happened and if you blinked, you might have missed it.
First off, those January 6th hearings. If you did not watch, listen, you missed out on history in the making, on astonishing rhetoric, presentations, content. All hearings are available online – and soon, those missing texts from the Secret Service will be too. It is stunning. And in this hot July, perfectly aligned with the weather.
This July, the House passed a bill to ban assault weapons. As an educator, I can only hope and pray my students, my colleagues, my school does not become victim to some deranged young man who bought an assault rifle as easily as a pack of gum. July is generally safe for my high school cherubs, as school is not in session, school shootings are not in the lexicon of summer. Far too soon, this may be in the news again. And I pray the school year 2022/23 is as safe as July. The House vote is a start.
July 2022 is a month to watch what is happening at Gunstock. If you are not paying attention to one of New Hampshire’s favorite ski slopes, do read InDepthNH.org’s stellar reporting. Your skis may be in your basement or garage in July but watch and read the news of Gunstock. You’ll want to know as you reach for those skis in the winter, this is the news of July that affects you in December.
This July, Water Bans are everywhere. And, interestingly enough, in contrast to the Assault Weapons Ban, there are no protesters, no trucks with raggedy American flags flying down the road announcing, “Don’t take away my rights!” Huh. Funny how that works. But it is something to watch, water is something I’ve observed this July as many locales suffer from drought, from parched lawns and flower beds. July has been warm and sunny but lacking in a good soak.
So much to think about this July 2022, Joyful Musers, and I celebrate that you observe this passage of time, this quickness of the 7th month. Be well, stay informed, support local journalists and do the Josh Hawley workout if you’re so inclined. It’s quick, it’s light, it’s fast. But you might need some water after your sprint. Let’s hope there is some.
Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Dover who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.