New York City, July 26, 2015

★★★ Panhandlers were out on Broadway. There was no pretending that the heat was pleasant, nor was it too unpleasant to go around in. The clouds gathered but didn’t succeed in pulling together; when they were at their maximum, it was tempting but misguided to turn off the air conditioner. The children, on a balance bike and two-wheeled scooter, were willing to go take the old red-and-chrome tricycle to Goodwill, and were almost willing to ride all the way back. After dinner, it really was time to shut off the air and open the window, as a furious ember glow swelled behind the apartment towers.