I Survived a Weekend of Performing in 90+ Degree Heat!

I was worried. Real worried. But I prepared. I went to the gym, worked out with my wonderful friend and fitness trainer Jeremy, who was mindful of what I was facing. I think he was a bit concerned too – and wth good reason. I am a 55 year old obese woman with two bum knees and I was scheduled to do two days of back to back outdoor performance in the heat and a private event. But I did the work. I worked out. I stayed hydrated. I ate bananas for a good source of potassium and I fueled up on good clean food each morning. I not only survived, I triumphed! But none of it would have been possible without the great support and enthusiasm I got from those audiences. They buoyed me. They made me work and give it all I could, and all the while I paced myself. The one thing I didn’t want was to do was run out of steam halfway through my shows.

What a weekend it was! The Chicago Blues Festival, Wells Street Arts, Andersonville Midsommarfest – all of these were outside. Luckily the humidity was not awful and there was always a breeze blowing. It also helped that I lugged my floor fan to each event and made the stage crew place it at my feet, tilted up. I had such great audiences, so much love. My band The Shivers were glorious and full of energy. It was a life-changing event. I sang hard and from the heart. I gave it my all (without passing out in the heat) I fought back tears of gratitude and I marveled at the joy that is my life. God is Good. And girls just wanna have fun.