David Lefkowitz

In the wild, herds of horses will synchronize their heartbeats to sense danger more effectively; if one pulse rate jumps up, they all feel it. When dealing with trusted humans, studies have shown, horses can also sync with people, which can, in turn, help the human calm down. According to experts, this makes horses uniquely equipped for therapeutic purposes.

Cast your mind back to 1935. Prohibition, which had outlawed (if not prevented) the sale of all “intoxicating beverages” for 13 years, had been repealed two years prior. During that time, “near beer,” limited to 0.5% alcohol by volume, had been the only commercial option. Even once beer could be sold again, it was available only on draft or in glass bottles.

by David Lefkowitz (@gymshortsdave) Summertime in Memphis presents a different kind of suffering. First of all, it’s hot – really hot. Triple digit temps are so routine by July that 85 feels like a break. Things take on a hallucinatory effect, every vision of the city rippling with the billowing heat rays that drift up all sleepy from the street. Every car seat sears your legs, every seatbelt burns to touch, and the AC never starts blowing cold until you reach your destination.