It may be what it is in Abilene, but we still a say in how it will be

Not to steal any thunder from President Trump but "it is what it is" in Abilene as we roll into August.

There is some normalcy to our lives. But then, there isn't.

It's hot, for one thing. Always is in August. We just missed our 16th summer day at or above 100 degrees Friday.

But also Friday we recorded our 22nd and 23rd Taylor County deaths attributed to COVID-19.

This weekend, families are shopping tax free for school or just to save 8.25% on purchases that qualify.

However, the tax-free weekend led the Mall of Abilene to extend its hours ... to near normal. Hours were curtailed when the mall reopened after closing upon order of Gov. Greg Abbott in the spring.

Some shoppers were ordering essentials online for at-home delivery or curbside pickup instead of venturing into stores, even if crowds were limited.

Growing kids often need new clothes and footwear, and those who follow style trends need to stay current. But how important is that if you are not planning to go to school?

Preparations for school are picking up. That happens when the calendar turns from July to August. Teachers prepare rooms for students while orientation for new teachers continues. Bus drivers practice routes.

But those preparations this year also include super-duper sanitizing of campuses, students and families deciding whether to attend classes in person or from home, and moving student seating farther apart in classrooms. 

Will there even be a meet-the-teacher night at your campus?

Fall sports workouts have begun, as they do the first full week in August. But, this year, only at Class 4A and smaller schools for now.

No marching band workouts at any school.

Restrictions are in place in hopes of keeping the student-athletes healthy.

It's not the time of year we see the mayor out and about much (it's hot, and there are budgets to set), but Mayor Anthony Williams this year has a different excuse. He tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating. This wasn't a precaution - he got sick, but is doing better he said.

Local bars remain closed, and gyms are urging those coming to exercise to wear a mask when they are not engaged in an activity, such as running or walking on a treadmill. 

Instead of events ramping up, we are continuing to see events called off or pushed back. Sometimes several times.

Outdoor activities, from graduations to stage plays and concerts, seem to be working out. Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden has been the site for family events on recent weekends.

Fall, when it gets here, is the best time of year to be outdoors in this area. As temperatures cool, some entertainment events could be scaled back and moved outside.

Why not more theater or concerts outdoors? We have venues. 

Applause for McMurry University for not canceling its summer theater program, revived in 2019, but instead staging shows at the campus Quad. There is plenty of room for attendees to spread out. It's a model others could follow.

It seems that indoor entertainment will be the final frontier in our return to normal — as normal as the future may be. Many events has been pushed off until 2021 and those still scheduled for later this year seem to be in jeopardy.

Or being tweaked.

The Grace Gala will be a virtual event this year, with no honoree.

The West Texas Rehabilitation Center will have its summer show, but without a headliner out of Nashville. Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen will fill in.

The first showdate on the Paramount Theatre calendar now is Aug. 22. What a year it has been for the iconic showplace celebrating its 90th year.

The Abilene Philharmonic, according to its website, is a go for its 70th season season, which begins in less than a month. Trouble is, the first concert is scheduled for the Paramount, which has been closed for months.

It is what it is, Abilene. 

That sounds trite, especially regarding COVID-19 deaths that have topped 160,000 nationally and when new local businesses set to open cannot or barely are making it.

August is going to be a telling month. If school and sports work out, and Taylor County's summer spike in coronavirus cases retreats, we'll know more how to proceed with fall. We're a month out from the West Texas Fair & Rodeo. 

If things get worse, Friday night lights will be fewer and more "closed" signs will be seen in windows.

While the Nov. 3 election is hugely important, that can't be all we have in front of us.

We're in this together and we will make it through it.