The heat here is getting to Alex and me. Now, at midnight, the outside temperature is 83 (F) and the temperature in the house is 85 (F). Today an all-time record high temperature was set for this date here in
I am sitting with three fans blowing on me; Alex is outside, rolling around on the cool concrete of the porch.
It is too hot to sleep or think, much less write, so my posts for the next several days will be, like this one, abbreviated. As Alex says, “OK?”
Ummmm...it's only the first part of June. Does it usually get even hotter in July and August there? Will you be joining Alex on the cool concrete?
ReplyDeleteIt's hotter in Colorado than it was when I was a teenager, but at least it's not boiling hot yet...
I remember at the height on my summer you had a snow storm. And it seemed that EVERYBODY in the northern hemisphere wanted me to send them some of my summer. Well now its freezing here. Well, not literally, we don't get snow. But seriously buddy, share the heat!
ReplyDeletetime to get those ice cubes out! i don't function well in heat so you have my sympathies ...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a long hot summer everywhere this year.
ReplyDeleteWhat little rain last evening didn't seem to bring the temp down here either.
We were in a Tornado watch until 10pm and those scare me now more than earthquakes ever did in the bay area.
I'd just love a little of that hot weather :(
ReplyDeleteI broke down and turned on my AC when I got home from work. First time this season though, usually I have it going by mid May.
ReplyDeleteWe've been dumped into the heat in the north as well. It seemed we'd never get spring, and then we did ... for a day or two!
ReplyDeleteStay cool Nick, and keep hydrated!!
CAROL: We’re running 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the norm for this time of year. It was the same last summer, so I suppose what has been normal is changing rapidly. Usually these 90 degree temperatures do not come until late July and August.
ReplyDeleteI actually thought about trying to sleep on the concrete beside Alex! Exhausted, I finally fell asleep about 4:30 a.m. and slept until 9:30. Alex remained outside all night. I let the furball in as soon as I awoke. He has had breakfast, had his coat brushed—this brushing is now a “desire” he has a dozen or so times a day—and been force fed his morning medicines. Alex is now napping on the floor beside my feet.
PHISHEZ: I am more than willing to trade you some of my heat for some of your cold! I function much better in cold than in heat! One can always put on more clothes to warm up, but take off only so much clothing to cool off. I am sitting here, again with three fans blowing on me, wearing only cutoffs and those because other wise my ass would stick to the chair!
It seems to go in cycles here. About 12 years ago it was very, very hot early in May. (I remember because I was pregnant and it made me sick). Then it seemed to slack off for about 8 years where it didn't get so hot until late June. Now, we seem to be sitting somewhere in the middle.
ReplyDeleteMAXXO: Thanks for the reminder! I have a couple of ice packs in my freezer. Last summer in similar (and hotter) weather I put them on the back of my neck to cool down as I attempted to sleep.
ReplyDeleteCOFFEE MESSIAH: Yes. I fear it will be another long, hot summer. Last night’s low temperature was only 81 (F) and I am concerned for the homeless. Perhaps it is again time for our churches to open their air conditioned buildings for those who are trying to survive in the sweltering heat.
Rain doesn’t help us much here in the Ohio River Valley. The humidity is always high, which increases the distress of the heat. The “feels like” temperatures the weather folk report is usually several degrees hotter than then actual thermometer readings.
I’ve been through three tornadoes and a couple of minor earthquakes. The silence before a tornado comes by—even the birds ease their chirping—is fear-provoking!
I remember the ordeal the heat give you and Alex last summer. I hope you can have your air conditioning repaired soon. The high temperatures and humidity are not good for people with respiratory problems.
ReplyDeleteAKELAMALU: I would share with you all of the hot weather you could stand, if I could!
ReplyDeleteSILVERNEUROTIC: I would certainly have my AC on, too, if it worked!
DANA: If I remember correctly, last year was exactly the same situation: winter, a very brief spring and then—WAMMO—hot, hot, hot!
ReplyDeleteSAINTSEESTER: You could really have something there. I wonder if we’re in the midst of a “hot” cycle. I wonder how long this bloody hot cycle will last!
ANGUS: Yes, last summer, especially August, was literal hell for both Alex and me. I don’t look forward to repeating it. The 10-day weather forecast shows highs in the mid-90s through Tuesday and then in the low 90s and high 80s for the rest of the forecast period. Damn!
ReplyDeleteMr. Nick,
ReplyDeleteWhat's the air conditioner story? I thought the reason you were baking was because a) you wanted to show us how tough you are, or b) you don't like air conditioning. Now I'm hearing that your AC isn't working. Is it really big - as in needs complete replacement?
CAROL: The air conditioning in my house went out about this time last year during my “can I find a few pennies to buy Alex cat food” period. I scraped up the $65.00 or needed to pay the AC repair folks to come out and look at it. The result was $2200 to replace the compressor or $2900 for a new AC. Of course, I could afford nether.
ReplyDeleteAfter the mortgage folks foreclosed on my house and the neat you man who purchased it and is allowing me to rent the house-U-once-owned from him, he said he’d have the AC repaired or replaced by summer. Last week he told me that a repair guy would be by within the following few days to check out the system. No one showed up. He and I spoke by phone yesterday (be telephoned me) and he said he was going to contract with another AC company. Therefore, the repair of my AC is awaiting the pleasure of the AC dudes, who I understand at the moment have all of the business they can handle plus some.
To add to the problems, the AC in my car is also on the Fritz! The estimate for than repair is over $2000. Now of this would really bother me too much except that the heat and humidity make my already difficult breathing much, much worse.
CORRECTED LAST COMMENT (I really need to proof these better):
ReplyDeleteCAROL: The air conditioning in my house went out about this time last year during my “can I find a few pennies to buy Alex cat food” period. I scraped up the $65.00 or so needed to pay the AC repair folks to come out and look at it. The result was: $2200 to replace the compressor or $2900 for a new AC. Of course, I could afford neither.
After the mortgage folks foreclosed on my house, the neat young man who purchased it (and is allowing me to rent the house-I-once-owned said he’d have the AC repaired or replaced by summer. Last week he told me that a repair guy would be by within the following few days to check out the system. No one showed up. He and I spoke by phone yesterday (he telephoned me) and he said he was going to contract with another AC company. Therefore, the repair of my AC is awaiting the pleasure of the AC dudes, who I understand at the moment have all of the business they can handle plus some.
To add to the problems, the AC in my car is also on the Fritz! The estimate for that repair is over $2000. None of this would really bother me too much except that the heat and humidity make my already difficult breathing much, much worse.
Hang in there, Rev T!
ReplyDeletewe never believed in the need for air conditioning but with the gradual warming each year, it is getting harder to resist. Of course the cost makes it easy to resist.
ReplyDeleteSweating here in WI too this weekend, and it is horridly humid. Just make sure you stay well hydrated Nick.
too hot especially s. c . 99-101 here 95 with a small breeze
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send you an ice chest big enough for Alex and you to live in.
ReplyDeleteWell Nick I'd gladly send this southerly that just blasted through here up your way, but sadly that is not one of my superpowers!
ReplyDeleteNow if you needed someone to calculate a 15-20% tip on a restaurant bill, then I am your man ...
Stay cool, Nick!
(((((Saintly)))))..... cripes, it onlys seems like a few weeks ago that you were snowed under..... your weather sounds just so awfully hot and uncomfortable at night...... ya will have to sleep naked with no covers with the windows open lol......
ReplyDeleteand hey, fanks you for your special thoughts...... oxo
x
Yikes, I live in the semi-arid desert that can hit those highs in the summer, so I know it can suck.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for you and Alex surviving the heat. Lukewarm showers (cold is too much of a temperature shock)will help you and a misting fan is always nice too :)
EX-LOUISVILLE GUY: We are doing our best to “hang it.” The temperature is now down to 89 (F). Alex is sprawled out on the floor beneath my desk. He seems to have found that carpets and nests created with towels and clothing are snug when its cold, but bare floors are cooler when it hot. He must be having a dream at the moment ‘cause he’s meowing in his sleep.
ReplyDeleteSASSY MAMA BEAR: The weather is changing—hell, it’s already changed! I understand that there are now affordable alternatives to central air conditioning. You may want to check them out as I did a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I could tolerate this heat if it were the dry heat of the desert, but the high humidity in this valley makes it unbearable. I am drinking a lot of liquids and am adding a crushed ice cube to Alex’s drinking water. He seems to like that, but generally waits until the ice melts before sipping it.
SANDY: That is much, much too hot! I hope you have AC. Are you near the coast so that the breeze is a cool sea breeze?
ReplyDeleteLUCKY OWL: Thanks! If we had an ice chest big enough for Alex and me to live in, we’d be in it!
ReplyDeleteBROOKSIE: We’d accept that southerly (from the Antarctic?), too. You know, I learned to calculate tip in my head when I was about 9 years old (my uncle taught me) and would go to town and eat in fairly nice restaurants with my aunt (his wife). My uncle told his wife to let me figure the tip. Otherwise, she always left a tip of between a dime and a quarter, which was worth more then but still too little for the meals we ate.
MARMITE TOASTY: Yep, the weather changes quickly in this crazy valley. I suppose that the only weather that is constant is high humidity.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I spent the afternoon: sleeping nude with the one window open (and a double fan in it) and a third fan blowing on me from the table. Before I jumped into bed, I soaked in a cool tub of water with Alex napping on my chest.
The computer tells me that the outside temperature has dropped another degree to 88(F). That’s only two degrees higher than the thermostat says the temperature is in the house.
MEGHAN: I really love the desert. The dry heat is wonderful, as are the cool nights. Also, I have much less difficulty breathing in the desert than here in the valley. Thanks for the advice: I think a shower is next on my list, although I know Alex won’t join me under that “nassy water.”
ReplyDeleteWell, hearing about your AC woes, now I would change the way I'd spend my billion dollars. I'd add an AC for your house and car to the list. And I'd buy back your house for you.
ReplyDeleteHell, I'd do all of that if I had only a MILLION dollars! :-)
When my first husband and I lived in Little Rock, AR with no AC in our home or car, we'd drive our hot car to a restaurant and eat very little - maybe only drink an ice tea - but enjoy the AC of the place for as long as possible.
Nick,I hear ya.I hate when the temps start pushing high 80's and 90's.it make thing hard on the breathing.I know it does for you as well. Try to stay cool my friend.
ReplyDeleteThat's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I pray that the “young man who bought (your) house” is able to have the air conditioning repaired soon.
ReplyDeleteI also know how attracted you are to the desert, Rev Saint. As I am sure you are more than aware, my desert villa is always open to you and Alex.
I am praying for Alex and you.
Sit on ice. Seriously. It keeps me cool - especially at the small of the back.
ReplyDeleteI've tagged you for a meme...stay cool!
xx
pinks
:(
ReplyDelete