DEBORAH CROMBIE: Before we get started I have a
REDS ALERT!
Our next Reds & Readers LIVE event will be July 30th, 5 p.m. EST, celebrating the launch of Rhys's MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE August 5th and Lucy's THE MANGO MURDERS August 12th! Mark your calendars now and be sure to join us!
And now back to our regular programming!
I have been watching all the forecasts for extreme heat across parts of the country and worrying about everyone in places where air conditioning is not the norm. (Map courtesy of the National Weather Service.)
Yikes! So check in, dear Reds and readers, and tell us what's happening where you are, and what you're doing to stay cool.
It is hot here in north Texas, but it isn't anything we're not accustomed to as we approach July. We had a very wet and cool spring--we didn't even set out plants until almost the end of April, which is very late for us--so I suppose we shouldn't be complaining now.
Meanwhile, I suggest a cool drink, a good book, and your favorite summer relaxation. It's cool on our shady patio in the mornings, so when I've finished the morning round of watering, I've been allowing myself a few minutes in the hammock.
This is what I see when I look up.
This is only a fraction of the huge old native pecan tree that grows right up against the back of our house. For the last couple of months I've been hearing a Great Crested Flycatcher (thank you, Merlin!) but I have yet to see it. I thought if I just took a few minutes every day to look, I might get lucky. Alas, not a glimpse so far, but this has reminded me how much I've always loved looking up into the trees, and why I have the hammock!
I watch the leaves moving in the wind and the sun glinting through them, and I try to empty my mind of all the busy-ness--my to-do list and my chores and the daily awfulness of the news--and just be for that few minutes. It's amazingly settling, and now I find I'm looking forward to that small break in my day.
Dear Reds, what are you doing to stay cool, and what summer pastime would you like to revive?
After a couple of REALLY hot days, we are in a few days of a cool-down . . . except for watering the garden and the flowerbeds, we've generally been staying inside as much as possible [a good book, a bit of air conditioning, a mug of coffee . . . what more could you want?]
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me, Joan!
DeleteWonder if anyone here live in homes with solar panels?
ReplyDeleteWe had a heat wave some weeks ago in Northern California. Even in the summer it can be foggy in the mornings.
Hope everyone is staying cool 😎 in this heat.
We have solar panels, which give us a negative electricity bill and quarterly state renewable energy credits (one or two, each about $250) direct deposited into our account. I never mind turning on window AC or space heaters!
DeleteEdith, thank you. So glad the solar panels are working for you. Many years ago when I lived in an apartment, my landlord was having the roof of the apartment building fixed. When I asked them about solar panels, my landlord said it was too expensive.
Deletep.s. I live in a condo right over the garage and our rooms are always cooler even during a heat wave because the garage is always cold.
DeleteWe have solar panels, too . . . makes a BIG difference in our electric bill . . . .
DeleteJoan, that is wonderful! Diana
DeleteWe had 2 record-breaking hot days on Monday & Tuesday in Ottawa (36C/97F feeling like 46C/115 F). It was the hottest day in 5 years. We are not used to this type of extreme heat.
ReplyDeleteBut it has cooled down to more normal highs in the 25/77F range now. Friday morning's low was a cool refreshing 12C/54F so I could open the windows & cool the apt naturally. I only installed & turned on the A/C on June 18!
As for refreshment, I only drink craft beer in the summer preferably outside on a patio (or terrasse here in Montreal).
It was your Facebook post that inspired me to post this today, Grace. Shockingly hot for your area. I'm so glad you've cooled down.
DeleteGrace, so glad it has cooled down to normal highs. I wonder how Satan the squirrel and his family coped with the record breaking hot days?
DeleteDIANA: Satan & his family are hearty survivors. They popped up fine after our record heat wave.
DeleteDEBS: Yes, the flipflopping from extreme heat to cool weather with heavy downpours (today in Montreal) is a sign of our changing climate.
DeleteLike Grace, here in NE MA we had record-breaking temps of 100 and high nineties earlier in the week. It broke the last two days and today is a cool cloudy 62. It'll be in the mid-80s next week, but cooler at night. That's manageable. Your patio is lovely, Debs. I would worry I'd tip out of the hammock onto those paving stones, LOL.
ReplyDeleteWith the heat this week and due to a combo of factors, I ended up in the hospital for 48 hours on IV electrolytes. I feel much better and was never so glad to see my lovely quiet home yesterday afternoon, plus my own bed, and taste decent coffee this morning.
I love to sit on my deck at the end of the day with a G&T and a good book, or take a picnic supper to the beach after the strong sun is gone. Yesterday I combined lemonade with tonic water (sans gin - I still feel like a truck hit me) and loved it. Maybe I'll sip that this summer, too.
glad you're on the mend Edith!
DeleteGreat news that you are home and feeling better. I also like drinking G&T, again only in the summer.
DeleteGlad you are home.
DeleteLemonade and tonic water sounds wonderful. Will have to give that a try. Glad you're home!
DeleteI second that delicious-sounding drink option! Always looking for a non-alcoholic beverage for summer that isn't too sweet.
DeleteTake it easy, Edith. Ida Rose needs her Grammy fit!
Glad you had a prompt recovery Edith and that you enjoy your home now.
DeleteGlad you are home, Edith. To your continued recovery!
DeleteI'm so glad you are better and it's cooled down some.
DeleteFrom Celia: great news and good too Edith. I've been following you on Fb and glad you're on the mend. Please don't overexert in the heat.
DeleteSo glad you're better, Edith, and that it's cooled down some. I've been struggling with heat exhaustion all week so send you much sympathy.
DeleteEdith, we are so glad that you are on the mend! Do the solar panels make any difference during heat waves? I have wondered about that. I recall that whenever we have heat waves, we are advised to turn off the lights and not use any electricity except in an emergency during certain hours.
DeleteA couple of years ago I had a similar experience. It was in August with typical but not extreme heat. I had gone to the dr for a routine annual checkup. The next morning I received a call from the hospital indicating that my potassium level was too high and I should get in touch with my dr right away.
DeleteHe sent me to the ER for additional tests and I wound up being admitted and kept overnight.
I received IV fluids while I was there. Even though I felt fine the whole time they attributed the
situation to dehydration.
Since I had gone to the hospital for what I though
lt would be a simple blood test and then I would be going home, I brought nothing with me,am I didn’t have a phone with telephone numbers so nobody knew I was there. I had one small pb to read and since I am a fast reader I finished the book fairly quickly and regretted that I had not brought more, but who knew?
I don’t carry a water bottle around with me and up to that point didn’t drink a lot of fluids every day.
I learned my lesson. I try to consume more liquids, especially during the weather we just had-I am in the Boston area which hit 102, a new record.
The other lesson I learned is if I need to go to the hospital for any reason, I have to take more than one book with me.
Dad used to drink grapefruit juice with tonic water when he was working in the garden. Good you are back home, Edith.
DeleteThanks so much, everybody!
DeleteOh Edith, I’m so sorry. Be careful and stay out of the hospital!
DeleteIt was so hot here last week! We can spend mornings on the porch (Tbone's favorite spot) until noonish when the sun starts to hit. Even John wanted AC for 2 of the days, but now cool weather is back and I'm on the porch with a blanket:)
ReplyDeleteI'm envious! Send me some slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes, Lucy. I just bought some oxtails at the butcher shop, which I haven't cooked in decades!
DeleteOh my, Edith...I am so sorry that you were affected by the last heat wave and ended up in the hospital. I agree with you ~ the first thing I am grateful for following any hospital stay is the thought of sleeping in my own bed and enjoying my own freshly-perked coffee in the morning. I am happy you are back home and able to enjoy those things once again. During that record-breaking heat I tried my best to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion but a few times I could feel myself getting dizzy and experiencing headaches. I told a friend that I felt as if I was swallowing the hot air because it was so wet and heavy. It's remarkable how much of a difference it makes when the thermometer moves even just a few degrees from 95*F to 100*F. We had a landscaping crew coming to our home to redo our front yard this past Monday when the temperature hit an all time high. We thought they would reschedule the project until the heatwave was over but seeing as this is their busiest season of the year even postponing one day could prove disastrous reshuffling appointments. So for two days the crew worked in the hot sun and I went through a case of water trying to make sure they remained hydrated and as comfortable as possible. Although they are used to the hot summer weather even they admitted it was a challenge to complete landscaping projects earlier this week. I fretted over their well being and felt guilty putting on my air-conditioning while they were working under such extreme temperatures. I love the summer. The season is short and it seems we wait forever before it is fully underway. However, for those folks who live in areas where the temperatures we experienced earlier this week is the normal I have no idea how you function under such conditions!
ReplyDeleteOur landscaper had one of his crew out with heat exhaustion for two days, and even he was feeling sick and headachy. We've been in the mid 90s but the humidity has been really high and it's that combination that gets you.
DeleteDebs ~ I agree. The humidity is what ramps it up and swallows up any "good air" that may be floating around in the heat. I felt as if I was gulping down the outside air...it was so wet and heavy. Your "namaste" of starting the day in your outdoor hammock while staring up at the sky and your lovely pecan tree is a great way to empty your head of all things stressful even if you can only spare a few minutes. I call that type of meditation "Ten minutes of Me Time"; it can save one's sanity!
DeleteIt was hot from Mon-Wed, then we got cooler temps and I was able to open my windows.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're not broiling, Dru!
DeleteIt was in the mid 90s for several days, but that's not unheard of around southwestern Pennsylvania. It is summer, after all. We're also getting storms almost every afternoon, which I could do without. Rain, yes. Lightning and wind, not so much. Now it's in the 80s for the foreseeable future and very humid.
ReplyDeleteI've been sitting on the porch swing in early hours, before the sun is fully up, but otherwise, I'm a wimp. I venture out to check the progress of our veggie garden and that's about it.
I have been doing too much and need to follow your example, Annette.
DeleteAnnette, how are the cats dealing with the heat? Diana
DeleteHaving never lived in Florida, or even been here, at this time of year, I just figured this is normal. I haven’t heard anyone talking about it being abnormally hot like they kept saying the winter was abnormally cold and gray. Most of our activities are morning and evening and there have been slight adjustments to earlier and later to be cooler. But again, that is normal. Trying to drink more water and seek out shade. I enjoy lemonade, watermelon, and ice cream in the summer.
ReplyDeleteSorry you were hospitalized, Edith!
It sounds like you're having a great time, Brenda!
DeleteForgot to say I just go hang out IN the pool with a sun hat on my head when I feel it is too hot to do anything else.
DeleteWhile you are looking at Debs handy-dandy little map with all the colours, go to the right hand corner where you will find Nova Scotia. Then go to the right-hand corner of that – the little lobster claw area – good, now go to the right-hand corner of that. Note the lack of colour. Yes, if it was coloured, it would be blue as in freezing! Shorts are still in the drawer, and possibly the long-drawers are at hand. Garden is still not planted. Beverage if choice is tea, but not with ice. However, the weather is dry – dry as toast. I was weeding yesterday in an attempt to get the geraniums planted and the earth was so hard it was almost impossible to pull the weeds, and the whipper-snipper just demolished the old dandelions. I heavily watered in the hope that it would sink in enough to plant today. In spite of the cold, there is a definite fear of fire. In that line, there have been community meetings warning us of the chance of fire and how to pack an escape pack. Ours is done, and on the dining room table, with big notes of what else to grab, should we have to run and at that time the brain may not be functioning well. We hope never to have to do it.
ReplyDeleteIn the good news part of it – lots of birds and flowers. The rhodos are a mass of bloom, with the peonies just waiting in the wings for their turn. The ditches are full of lupins in their purple and pink glory. The ninjas (waxwings) are back and gobbling up the haskaps. There are lots of warblers which seem to be camera shy but very vocal. The blackberries have a full flush of bloom on right now – let’s hope that means lots of berries, and the strawberries in the garden are loaded with white berries waiting to ripen. Today locally there is a car show, with a dog-food hamburger barbecue. I will take a gas-X before going and load the burger with ketchup. Jack will look at the cars. The summer moves on according to the calendar. I doubt I will wear shorts.
Wow, Margo, I sure hope your emergency pack doesn't need to be used.
DeleteMargo, ditto what Karen said! Your car show with burgers sounds great fun. I will be cooking our on the grill tonight and we will have them with tomatoes, lettuce, corn, and watermelon, all from this morning's trip to the farmer's market.
DeleteFrom Celia: I agree, fire is a terrifying force. Please stay safe.
DeleteWe've been so fortunate here! The last three days have been cloudy --two of them with a lovely morning drizzle that almost counts as rain. Highs got to the low 70s. My kind of weather. We'll be on a warming trend this week.
ReplyDeleteAfter my morning walk, I love to sit on the deck and "meditate". When I'm outside, I don't try to go totally inward, I just listen and watch whatever I can perceive. The other morning a little finch was sitting on the highest dead branch of the red willow, singing its lovely song and the territorial male Anna's hummingbird kept dive bombing it. I love it when the tiny hummers dive bomb other birds. The hummers motor up, up, up and then descend suddenly in a swooping arc, coming pretty close to their target.
The Annas must be very territorial! I've never seen that with the Ruby Throats we have here.
DeleteIt's been hot and muggy here, in the high 90's, and the fan on our air conditioner went out last weekend, naturally. But we got it fixed with a temporary motor, pending a who-knows-when-it-will-arrive ordered part. The repairman said "it could be a year". Okey-dokey. The sun, in particular, has been brutal. I can't imagine being in those violently purple areas on the map. Stay cool, friends.
ReplyDeleteThis is the time of year when I thoroughly enjoy iced coffee on the back porch, sweetened only by a dash of vanilla extract. My husband loves watermelon, and he will make a huge mess for the next few weeks slopping sticky drips while blending it up for his evening cocktail. I usually drink it sans alcohol. Have to admit how refreshing it is. I am with Edith on the G&Ts, even without the G. Tonic with lime is so tasty, and just says summer, doesn't it? I learned to like gin and tonic on safari, when that traditional drink is served while observing the sundown at precisely 6:15 PM.
Debs, I so admire your pretty yard. And your skills at maneuvering a hammock! I've never quite gotten the hang of it, myself.
DeleteKaren, I"m going to post garden pics tomorrow. You will enjoy! (I hope others will, too.)
DeleteKaren, give us your husband's cocktail recipe! And I'm going to make a trip to a big liquor store to get some Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic. So good, with our without the gin.
DeleteDebs, he just puts chunks of watermelon and ice cubes in the blender, no real recipe. He adds either tequila or rum to preferred strength. Next time he makes it I'm going to salt the rim of my glass, and add lime.
DeleteKaren
Hmm. Wonder if it would be good with gin... Just carted home a quarter of watermelon this morning! Rick loves watermelon and I put a container on the table for him to snack on after dinner.
DeleteYes, I have added gin. A twist of lemon is a good garnish.
DeleteKaren
Edith, glad you're on the mend! And Margo, smart move to make yourself some notes in advance of any trouble! Here the temps got high enough to make even the shade uninviting. I only over-did it once--let the dog out to mosey around and decided to pick up branches from the recent storms. Most of the yard was shaded, but by the time I got the dog inside I reminded myself not to do anything that stupid again! The humidity and bugs are the worst, though. Can't go out for any reason without a bite or two or more. :-(
ReplyDeleteOur mosquitos are terrible, Flora!! Thank God for picardin, because I don't think I could stand to slather on Deet every time I go outside.
DeleteThanks Debs - your hammock under the tree canopy looks so relaxing!!
ReplyDeleteAlong the coast here in So Calif, it's been cloudy and cool in the mornings with the fog giving way to sunshine late mornings. We are in the low 70's throughout the rest of the day.
Ahhhh. This is why people live in California... So lovely.
DeleteI live five miles
Deleteinland. No fog and over 90 every day in June Yesterday was 102, hotter today.
Yes, also California, south end of the Bay Area. Always hot here from April to November.
Hi Anon! It is so interesting that in San Diego the coast line is as I described pretty much year round. But we have so many different climate zones. Just a few miles inland and the temps rise about 10 degrees. Then we have the mountains and then desert all within San Diego County!
DeleteTwo years ago I had a wall heat pump installed mainly to save electricity but I appreciate that it can also cool the house during a heat wave like the one we had at the beginning of the week.
ReplyDeleteI love the summer’s morning with the fresh air and the bird’s singing. The sun is just good, not too hard on the health. It’s the best time to walk and watch nature .
I agree, Danielle. If I can, I take my toast and tea out on the deck and watch the birdfeeders and the garden while I have my breakfast. Our deck faces due west so you have to enjoy it in the morning.
DeleteHere in Atlanta it's been mid to upper 90s with heat index in the 100s for a few days. Thursday evening a storm blew through and it was a lovely mid-80s late afternoon. We may get a bit of a reprieve (mid to upper 80s) early in this coming week, but then back to 90s again. I take my walks early in the morning and then spend the days indoors. Nights haven't been too bad since there is a 20-25 degree drop in temps from daytime highs so it feels rather nippy sometimes. Drink lots of cool water and read many books! -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteTake care, Victoria!
DeleteDebs, I might spend all morning in your hammock watching the sky through your pecan tree! I live about 40 minutes southwest of Edith so have had the same weather. Tuesday it was humid, humid and HOT-103 was the high. No gardening at all. Yesterday’s weather was lovely-mid 70s, sunny and not humid! Gardening, a walk at Great Brook Farm State Park in the next town over, and reading on the shady deck in the afternoon. Desultory gardening, walks, and reading are someof the best summer activities for me.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had those lower temperature breaks. But I suspect that from now on it will be hot, hot, and hotter.
DeleteThis business of staying hydrated is tough. I had an episode like Edith's a few years ago (glad you're home again, Edith) but had thiught I was
ReplyDeleteStaying hydrated is tough. Since I started menopause, I have been so dehydrated that I went to the ER twice in one year. Yesterday I went to the local pharmacy and bought various hydration boosters (packets to add to water).
DeleteContinued...Whoops-cat pushed against my hand, demanding a head scratch! I was just going to say I had thought I was plenty hydrated even as the friendly firemen EMTs inserted the i.v. line. How much water, lemonade, iced tea is enough?! A quart? A half gallon? For those of you in that scary red map today, take care.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Susan. I did too much outside last Saturday, and although I drank what seemed like gallons of water I still got smacked and am still not up to par. I read somewhere recently that Gatorade doesn't really help, you're better off drinking water, but it seems to me that Gatorade makes me feel better. I wish I'd followed my instincts and cracked open a bottle.
DeleteDebs, I use packets from Gatorade instead of the bottles of liquid Gatorade.
DeleteA friend recommends sports drinks as an option between glasses of water - potassium, etc not available in water.
Deletebananas alternating with water.
DeleteI like the Skratch hydration powders.
DeleteLisa in Long Beach, thanks for the recommendation. I will look for Skratch. Diana
DeleteFrom Celia: I so enjoy reading everyone's news and heat reducing tips. As for me although I would normally be enjoying my lake and hopefully hosting friends for cool drinks and nibbles. It appears that this is not what the gods had in store for me this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm sharing with you now but am not sharing in Fb. I received bad medical news following my Victors death last December. I am now a patient at Dana-Farber and hope to share something more positive with you after an appointment there next month.
So where am I? Well to be closer to D-F than Limerick I'm currently living in Sudbury near my family as I recover my strength following a hospital stay. I'm being very well looked after but I have limited mobility right now so am most grateful for family and friends (Julia in particular), who shop for me and generally help out. Last night G'son #1, ordered, delivered and shared an Indian here with me in my small apartment. What a treat.
I'm grateful for all the books, streaming recommendations and other ideas for occupying time that I can garner from our Reds community and I look forward to being more involved again.
Every Friday night I watch a live stream service from Central Synagogue in NY. During the service they offer an opportunity to include someone to the prayer for healing. I will add your name.
DeleteOh Celia, I am so sorry that Fate or whomever decided to pile onto you when you were already grieving for Victor. I will hold positive thoughts for good news after your next appointment. I’m happy that you have a good support system. Please take care of yourself. — Pat S
DeleteCelia, I am very sorry to read this news. You are definitely in my prayers!
DeleteCelia, we are thinking of you. We miss seeing you here! Please let us know how you are doing, and if there is anything we can do for you. xx
DeleteSo sorry to hear this, Celia. I will be praying for you.
DeleteThinking good thoughts for you. If I can get you another library card to enjoy a greater variety of books, just let me know. I utilize 5 libraries, and find each has different collections. Audio and ebooks are easy to download.
DeleteCelia, I'm sorry to hear this news! I'd love to send you a selection of my books to keep you company. Shoot me an email at edith@edithmaxwell.com and let's chat.
DeleteCelia, you are such a dear person to all here at Jungle Reds, and my heart hurts for you that you are going through a health crisis, especially on top of your grief for Victor. Your body and mind need lots of rest, and I'm glad you have people around you who will make sure you get it. And, of course, I know Julia would walk over hot coals for you.
DeleteCelia, much love to you, and energy for a swift return to your heartier self.
DeleteKaren
From Celia: my dear friends, community, sister and brother Reds, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your comments and those from other friends carry me through this uncertainty. Thank you also for other offers of help, library cards and other goodies. It may be helpful if you wanted to email me wakefieldpro at gmail . Com. Being added to prayer lists makes me realize what a big family we really are and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
DeleteBlessings to you all.
Celia, I am so sorry to hear of your medical news. I am so glad you have supportive people. We always enjoy reading your recipes here on JRW.
DeleteDiana
Oh dear, Celia. I wish we got our years from Amazon. I definitely would box up 2024 and 2025 for my money-back return to Amazon. Xo
DeleteHope you get some good news at your appointment Celia! Glad you have people near you that can help you out.
ReplyDeleteI cheated on Tuesday, which was the super-hot day here in Maine: I went to author Jessica Ellicott/Everett's beach house. Normally, the breezes from the ocean are more than enough to keep you comfortable on the coast; that day, we were both grateful for the air conditioners! Very, very short dog walks that day, and it knocked the pooches as well as the people out.
ReplyDeleteMy normal hot-period routine is to open the windows overnight, put in window fans to bring in the cool air, and get up before the sun rises to close them and close the curtains where the sun will come in. If it's going to be really hot, I also close the storm windows, which can help keep heat out in the same way they help keep the cold out in winter!
Part of living without A/C is letting yourself get used to the natural temperature. I can be comfortable in an 80° room with a fan blowing on me, if I'm not spending much time in artificially cooled spaces.
I can barely remember living without airconditioning when I was really little, but I think we must have had our first window unit by the time I was about five. Our house had an attic fan which pulled in the cool air at night, then was turned off during the day. We've tried for years to figure out a way to put an attic fan in this house, but we haven't managed it. The lined Roman blinds go down in the west-facing sunporch by about one o'clock. All the southfacing blinds stay mostly closed, and when the temperatures really get up to the 100 degree level, we close everything. It makes the house like a cave but it does help some.
DeleteWhen we were kids we would visit with my grandmother in Prince Edward Island. It did get warm there compared to Nova Scotia. However her stove in the kitchen was wood, and was used for cooking all meals for farm people, so had to be big meals. That meant the stove was on to scandalous all day long! Sundays, you could have a cold plate (salad) as no work was done. That was hot!
DeleteStay safe an cool everyone! Speaking of cool, Irwin and I are shivering in Terminal E at Logan. Sending ❤️ and maybe a photo or two! XXOO
ReplyDeleteJudy! Where are you off to?
DeleteGreece, I think!
DeleteYes, Greece. Our big adventure begins. XXOO
DeleteMy daughter in Greece said it has been over 100 in Athens. I hope it is much more pleasant shipboard, Judy. Have a wonderful Aegean adventure!
DeleteKaren
Have a wonderful time, Judy!
DeleteJudy, I’m green with envy! Bon voyage and take lotsa pictures
DeleteI've never been to one of your live events. I'm assuming it will be streamed or on zoom. How do we sign up? I'd like to make sure I have the date saved.
ReplyDeleteBetty, it will be on our Reds & Readers Facebook group. Here's the link to join the group, if you haven't already done so: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6835060499909032 It's lots of fun. I hope you can join us!
DeleteAnybody want a hammock story? When we were kids (early teens) my cousin and I hung out together as we lived next door in the summer. She was older than me by 2 years, and possibly I was a wimp. We had two hammocks – they were old sea hammocks for sleeping in on ships – that stunk of rotting canvas, but my father strung them up between 4 trees. Ginny decided it would be a good idea that we should sleep out overnight in the hammocks.
ReplyDeleteOne was good. One was auto-dump. Guess who got the auto-dump one. Never mind, the story gets better.
There was a horse owned by the neighbour. Noone liked him – the horse and the neighbour, and he the horse ran free. We decided to run lots of rope around the trees making a corral with us in the middle. Good idea.
Night comes on, we do our last pees and get under the rope and into the hammocks. I am holding on for dear life and trying not to move for fear of landing soilside. The night is long and for me sleep is minimal. For Ginny apparently not, as there is a lot of snoring from her hammock. Eventually, I manage to get to sleep, only to awaken at dawn still in the hammock. I look over to the other, where Ginny is sound asleep, and see that Dusty the horse is leaning over the rope, gazing at her with a great gob of green drool hanging from his lips over her face. She woke up to me laughing hilariously. Karma!
Cackling here, Margo!!!
DeleteMargo, I have hammock stories, too, featuring cousins. Oh too be young again and squished in one of those canvas hammocks at the cottage with my cousins!
DeleteIn the mid-nineties for at least a week, with a heat index of something like 106. I've been staying in, only went to the cemetery one day for a brief period of time to sit. I hate the heat. Give me the cool mountains and a cabin and a stream. No baking on the beach for me in the summer. Luckily, our air conditioner is keeping up and doing its job. I do remember growing up without air conditioning until we finally got a window unit for the living room. We moved when I was 15, and that house had central air, except the upstairs bedrooms could still get warm, so window units to compensate. My schools, from elementary to junior high to high school, were all without air conditioning, but, of course, they had those very large windows that were opened. It was actually rather nice hearing the outdoors while in the classroom. It also wasn't as hot as it gets now. The temps are down today. I think the high is 82. Rain expected next two or three days.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine not having air conditioning in schools now.
DeleteIt has been in the high 90s (37-39C) here in Carcassonne. The old stone house that was cool to start with is starting to retain heat from the cumulative days and nights - I imagine it is pretty toasty by August. Happily the AC in the bedrooms is working great.
ReplyDeleteWe are enjoying sitting under the big leafy trees and umbrellas having cool drinks on the square, walking on the shady side of the street, and having lovely cool gazpacho for lunch. Walks up to the medieval town have to be in the mornings.
Good data points as we figure out where to land long-term in France.
Sounds heavenly, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteSwitzerland is also experiencing a heat wave, which here means high 80s/low 90s, with no air conditioning (never needed here until recently). We close up all the windows and shutters before 11 a.m. and don't open until it's dark at 11 p.m., when there are cooler breezes. Thank goodness for fans — we have two that we carry from room to room as needed.
ReplyDeleteKim, my daughter and family arrived in Nice this morning, then are going to Paris on Monday. I'm afraid they're going to be hot!
DeleteWe survived the days of 104 this past week and now we have the rain and humidity for the weekend, of course. Next week looks a bit better, but we are going to escape to our suite on a cruise ship from Boston to seven stops in Canada on the Atlantic coast. No internet. No meals to prepare. Fresh towels poolside. And no one to annoy us with any concerns. We will pack our books as we don’t have to worry about the weight of our bags. The ship also has a library! Escape! Escape!
ReplyDelete