Meet Mildred

Early one sticky morning, while slouched on an old wood bench nursing my coffee, I heard about Mildred. I confess. I eavesdropped at the dog park.

Nearby, her granddaughter Sarah and a handful of locals swatted flies and swapped stories about the heat wave. Casually, as if it was no big deal, Sarah mentioned her 88-year old grandmother Mildred’s air-conditioning went out.

Mildred, Sarah and Sarah's dog, Dali

“She lives alone in the Midwest. Until the repair man comes, she’s been spending time in her basement.”

I couldn't help butting in. "What does she do down there all day?”