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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2025 55 Life After Loss "e Dog Days of Summer" The phrase "dog days of summer" traditionally refers to a period of intense heat and humidity and is often associated with the summer months of July and August. In Southern California, this period is extended through mid-October. However, the phrase can also be used more broadly to describe any hot, oppressive period. Metaphorically, in the context of grief, the phrase can mean any time of hardship or adversity — like mourning the loss of a loved one or the loss of health. According to a recent psychiatric study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (February 2022), hotter days are linked to higher emergency department visits related to mental health. The mentioned cases included depression, suicide, aggression, alcohol or substance abuse, anxiety, and domestic violence. The Basics of Personal Summer Care: Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of f luids in the day, even if you're not thirsty. Older adults may have a reduced sense of thirst. Seek cool environments: Spend time in air-conditioned places. Dress appropriately: Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing that allows for proper ventilation and breathability. Avoid strenuous activity: Limit your walking during the hottest parts of the day. Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) at least 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply regularly. Guard your mental health: Extreme heat can have a psychological impact on older adults, causing anxiety or confusion. Recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which may include dizziness, nausea, headache, and rapid pulse. If symptoms are experienced, seek medical attention immediately. Check medications: Some medications can increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness, so consult with your doctor or pharmacist. Stay connected with friends/family: Maintaining social connections and mental well-being are crucial during the summer, especially when dealing with grief/loss, heat waves and potential restrictions on outdoor activities. The Life After Loss Group is about "people helping people" who have encountered any form of grief/loss in their life. Should you desire a deeper understanding of what it means to live a more meaningful "life after loss" we invite you to join us. Unless otherwise notified, we meet the first and third Mondays of each month from 1 pm to 3 pm in RCN Room #3. All information is kept confidential. If you have experienced a form of grief/loss and would like to join the group, please text/call Byron Thomsen beforehand at (909) 936-7097 or email him at byron.thomsen@yahoo.com. ~ Byron omsen Our final lesson on the Synoptic Gospels and their parallels was held on June 13, also the day of our summer party. At the beginning of this series, I played "You Say," a song by Lauren Daigle and challenged the ladies to "hear" Christ's message to each woman as we studied His parables, miracles and other events. After the lesson, each woman received a plaque with reminders of what Christ thinks we are — which is the only opinion that matters, and is a guidepost for us to follow. There was also a short quiz about what we had studied, with a resulting prize for the winner. After our lesson was complete, we adjourned to the RCN building for our summer party. This year's party theme was "Hello, Summer!" While everyone enjoyed the lunch provided, the ladies had a chance to chat with one another as well. I had collected photos of each of the women taken 30+ years ago, and that became the next challenge. Everyone had to guess which photo went with which member of the class. Wow was that difficult but so much fun! There was a prize for the photo that most everyone guessed, a prize for the photo no one could name, and several more prizes in between. So much fun! On June 20 we began our next series: 1 and 2 Samuel followed by 1 and 2 Kings. During our study of the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus was often referred to as the "Son of David." In this series we will enjoy an in depth study of the Davidic Covenant and what it means in relation to our Savior. If any of you Four Seasons women are interested in joining a group of amazing Christian women as we study God's Word, we meet every Friday at 10:30 in The Lodge Game Room. Since this is a non- denominational study, any version of the Bible is acceptable. Come join us! ~ Eileen Gilbert-Antoine, (951) 922-6829 or egcellent@ msn.com "Believe …" Women's Bible Study

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