Jason's Jive September 2026

August in Dallas is not for the faint of heart. The sweltering heat is a test of endurance. Some days at 1 a.m. the outside temperature cools down to 91 degrees or thereabout. The gardens many of us fought to start are suffering in silence, the ground is cracking up from heat and the rabbits in my neighborhood are eating shrubs meant for my front hedge. The pressure is real.

Humans --- oh, we are acting up in strange ways, Recently, there was a road rage situation on a local major road in Irving, Beltline Road (equivalent to Route 1 in Beltsville) Two motorists pulled over on I 30 and started swinging at each other. A week ago, in full glare of traffic and a police patrol car, an enraged driver rammed into another car and fled. Unfortunately for the fleeing driver, there was a police patrol car sitting at the light on the other side, so a pursuit ensued.

Sadly, in the last week, in Fort Worth another road rage incident took place that resulted in a loss of life. A male driver fired shots at a car, striking the occupant of the other car. Allegedly he fled the scene and apparently (according to police/news sources) he went on into his regular job, as if nothing had happened. Shell casings from the shooting were traced back to him and he was arrested on the job.

It is sad that in sweltering heat, some people have no control of their emotions. I am not a medical expert, but it would be interesting to know if there is a correlation between heat, hydration and human temperament.

By the time this column comes out, the NFL season should be just underway. Is your team ready? Living in Dallas, it is that time of the year when Dallas Cowboy fans start the rhetoric about how their team is going to make the playoffs and win the Superbowl. The fans have come out of the woodwork, wearing their team memorabilia and flying their Cowboy flags with the single lonely star on it (my joke on them). I love to tease the fans at work or anywhere else I see them. This is my favorite time of the year. I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, for life, and as long as we defeat and humble the Baltimore Ravens, I can care less about the playoffs. So who’s your team? What are your expectations? Like I tease Cowboy fans – William Shakespeare will write a new book, his first in a few hundred years, when the Dallas Cowboys make the Superbowl and win.

On to something else. I have been drinking a lot more water recently, thanks to the heat. I envy coworkers of mine when I see them walk into the building with a gallon of water, and that is the only fluid they are drinking – no coffee or tea, no sodas or juice from the vending machines. I want to try and get to that stage where all I drink is water with my meals, when I am thirsty or even when I am out socializing. Trying to step up my health drive.

Doing a lot more fruit, the good ones and vegetables --- oh and I just rediscovered lentils. Lentils are superfood in my cookbook.

How often do you walk? How many steps? Do you have a goal?

Walking is one of the simplest ways to stay active, and I usually tell people that aiming for 7,000–10,000 steps a day is a solid, realistic goal. The old 10,000 step standard is still fine, but newer research shows you don’t have to hit that exact number to see real benefits. Around 7,000 steps already support heart health and lower long term risks, while pushing toward 8,000–10,000 steps adds extra perks like better weight management and improved metabolism. Even consistently reaching 4,000–5,000 steps make a difference, especially if it helps break up long periods of sitting. The real key is staying active throughout the day — whether it’s a morning walk, taking the stairs, or an evening stroll. Movement adds up, and those steps become a powerful investment in your health.

So, get a pair of comfortable walking shoes and start walking. There are lots of areas in Beltsville where one can go on walks. We have a few scenic trails in the area. Alternatively, you can walk round the track at High Point High School or walk from Dar Cars and Route 29, all the way to Shoppers/Route 1 and the back.

Well, that’s all I have for now and hope you have a great day, week, month --- whatever time of day you it is for you.