Thursday, August 12, 2010

Whoooooweeeee, that's HOT!

by Cassondra Murray


No, I'm not talking about this guy.


But he's nice eye candy, don't you think?


I've been running the air conditioning pretty much full time for two months, and I needed something to take my mind off of the impending electric bill, so I decided to post a series of hot guys to distract myself (and, possibly, YOU). For our male readers, I do apologize. This photos in this blog are a direct and blatant bribe for the women in the lair.

Yes, it's hot here. I'm in Southern Kentucky. Actual temps here have been up near 100, and heat indices of 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity? About a gazillion percent.


I'm thinkin' the Dog Days of summer were named because the dog was too dang hot to get off the porch (or out from under the porch, dependin' on your raisin') to bark and wag at somebody comin' up the driveway.


I have never in my life decided to NOT do something because it was too hot. I've not done things because it was too cold, or because it was pouring rain so heavily that attempting to go out would be miserable. But heat? It's never stopped me.


Until now.

If you're thinking I'm not really myself, since there's no post of substance here, you would be absolutely right.


It's just too HOT!


Last night I went to an event called Wine Down Wednesday. A local restaurant does this once per month. You pay five dollars and have, basically, a bottomless glass of wine as long as the samples last. They have bottles of different whites and reds you can taste. It's always popular. But last night, for the first time, the crowd was thin. I parked at the curb, walked up to the restaurant, and bypassed the tables outside on the walk. I went inside (they had the bar-side door shut and were making everyone enter through the restaurant side--I think because they thought they could keep it cooler in there if the door stayed shut.)


And still, it was hotter'n a rat in a wool sock.



I ALWAYS sit outside at this event. I'm an outside kind of girl. Outside the music is softer, the citronella candles on the tables flicker soft ambiance across the gathering, and the atmosphere is a tad more casual...more ME.


Not last night. Last night it was "do not pass go, do not collect $200, go straight for the air conditioning."


Three friends showed up because we had promised one another to meet there, but it was a non-event. Cuz the regulars were all at home in their pools or inside in front of the fan. It was just too bloody hot.


We had a little thundershower yesterday afternoon at my house. I'd been inside in air conditioned bliss, but was leaving the house to go to the Wine Down Wednesday event. I stepped out into the air and I swear, you could cut it with a knife. This humidity belongs in South Mississippi. Not in Southern Kentucky.
What in blazes is going on?


I am not a pool kind of girl, but right about now, I'm thinking a nice dunk in the water would be perfect. Here's a picture of Viggo in the water, which does tend to make the idea of a pool more appealing.
I've abandoned red wine for white. (Yes, for those of you who dont' know me, this is a rare thing.)
The Perseid meteor showers started last night. I would normally be out there, star gazing. It's one of the glories of living in the country. I can still see stars. Tonight? I'm gazing at an iced-down bottle of Riesling and a good book.

The thing is, when I was a young woman, I worked outside on the farm in heat like this, and I was fine. But the other day I was running the string trimmer in the yard and came inside and looked in the mirror. I was all red-faced. Had a slight headache.


Yes, I know what that means medically. I had gotten too hot.


But what really worries me is that when I looked at myself, I thought, Oh. My. Gosh. You've turned into your grandmother.


That's right. I confess. Heat stroke might be bad. But what's really bad? Looking just like my grandmother when she got too hot. All ragged-out and red-faced and a little out of breath.


I hate that "looking like my grandmother" part. Grandmothers are great, but I'm not one, and don't want to look like one.


Maybe it's just a part of growing older, this lower tolerance for heat and cold. Or maybe I've gotten used to air conditioning and have turned into a wuss.


MAYBE it's just hotter now. But I'm betting not. I think it's just me.


In years past I could handle the heat with a tall glass of homemade lemonade or sweet iced tea. Or a rich, ripe watermelon. But now, the only thing I feel like doing is lying around in front of the vent and waiting for the heat to go away. God help us if the power goes out.


It's actually fairly common for the temperature to get up to 100 a couple of times in the summer here in Kentucky. But I don't remember it staying that way for so long. I don't remember the humidity being quite this bad, or disliking it quite this much.


Heck. I just don't remember 100 degrees being this HOT!


Tell me Bandits and Buddies, what are the temperatures like where you are?


If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, tell me about your summers. How hot does it get where you live? Are the summers humid?


What do you do to beat the heat?


Do you have a pool, or is there one near you? Are you a water baby?


What about drinks that beat the heat? What's your favorite summer cool-down?


When it's blazing outside, how do you stay cool and comfortable?


And if you could be anywhere in the heat of summer, where would you be? A mountain hideaway? A cabin on a northern lake? A ski slope? A spa in the city with nary a mosquito in sight? In the pool with Viggo?

What's your dream summer getaway?


Help me cool off, if only in my mind.

69 comments:

Kirsten said...

It's been cool here all summer! Barely cracked out of the 60s last week, and thick with clouds, which is a problem if you live in the NW and only get sunshine in the summer.

This weekend promises to be actual summer weather, so we're excited!

Kirsten said...

Wait, did I get the bird? Really?

WOW!

Janga said...

I sympathize. Usually, the experts say, central Georgia has 10-25 summer days with temperatures of 90or above. This summer we've had more than 50--and counting. Summer evenings around here typically means picnics and cookouts galore, but not this summer. Everybody's saying, "Let's wait til fall."

I am grumpy and miserable when I have to go anywhere, even though I only move from air conditioned house to air conditioned car to some other air conditioned space. Even the neighborhood kids are staying inside, complaining that it's too hot to play outside.

My solution to keeping cool? Aside from staying committed to air conditioning and drinking lots of ice tea and ice water, I'm reading Christmas books and dreaming of winter.

Kim in Baltimore said...

Aloha, Cassondra! After spending two months in the Florida heat and humidity, I was thankful to come home to balmy 80 degree weather! The tradewinds keep the nasty weather away.

But imagine Johnny Depp dressed in a pirate wig, costume, and makeup even in this weather. His alter ego, Captain Jack Sparrow, has been sighted filming aboard the Revenge of the Queen Anne in Kaneohe Bay. Rest assured, the Marines on that side of the island are keeping the pirates under control.

But I would rather keep Henry Cavill under control, by the pool, sipping Blue Hawaiians!

Pissenlit said...

Congrats on snagging the GR, Kirsten!

It's hot here...though not the nice kind of hot like the pictures in this post...the gross kind of hot. I'm glad my hair is now long enough to wind into a bun. Drinks that beat the heat incl. giant slushies, iced tea, cold beer and plain old cold water. A cabin on a northern lake sounds really awesome.

PinkPeony said...

I spent the day wearing my Nano hoodie. It's kind of chilly here in the Bay Area! The mercury wasn't quite 65 today. Might warm up to 70 tomorrow. We just had the deck sanded and stained. I bought new cushions for the lounge chairs, but it's too cold to sit outside.

I grew up in the central valley of CA and 100+ summer days were the norm. Every house on our block had a pool. We swam every day. I drank lots of Diet Coke with lemon and iced tea.

Right now, it's 55 degrees and I'm thinking about turning on the heat.

My vote's on Viggo, the blouse man!
congrats on the GR, Kirsten!

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Kirsten,

Hi Cassondra,
We had a mini heatwave that just ended. It'll be the low 80s for the next few days. I think the ac needs a rest. I'm not a pool or a beach person. My choice of refreshments are cold water or Coke. I wouldn't mind spending a few days at a spa and getting pampered.

Grettel said...

Greetings from Costa Rica
It's not so hot here, never.
This week we have had a lot of rain but the temperature is nice. Sometimes I wear a light sweater but can't leave home without my umbrella. This time of the year is our "wet season" and still would be until december.

Deb said...

Here in Iowa it was rainy for most of June and July and not hot and humid like it used to be. We've had thunderstorms for the last 3 nights. AND for the last week or so the heat and humidity have been OPPRESSIVE! Temps of 91-95 with a heat index of 100+. We have an excessive heat warning for today and tomorrow.

Shary has a little pool; 13 ft. x 29 in. DH and I do get in it---if we can stand all of her splashing.

Otherwise, I am a totally inside, A/C kind of woman. Limeade or sweet, sweet iced tea are my drinks of choice for cooling down. Lemonade is 3rd choice. (Hey, a Mike's Hard Lemonade is a good choice, too.) :)

Unknown said...

well done Kirston enjoy GR

Hi Cassondra, it is winter here and we have had a cold day today with a strong cold wind so we have the heating on.... it went to 16C today but with the wind felt a lot colder .....you could send some heat and I could send some cold LOL
In the summer we have to run the air conditioning and can get to over 40C even if you have a pool you still need air conditioning as the pool could feel like warm bath water

Beth Andrews said...

Cassondra, we've had a very hot and humid summer and I'm actually okay with that - especially after last summer which was cool and rainy. If I could be anywhere in the summer it would have to be the beach. I love the sound of the waves crashing against the shore *g*

As for a drink to beat the heat, I love vodka slush! So tasty :-)

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

I have the same temps you do Cassondra, WV seems to have trapped that nasty humidity and it isn't going anywhere. Ever since I have come to a "certain age" I can't take the heat, it never was my favorite anyway and now I hate it. There have been many jokes about my bedroom being so cold you could hang meat in it. I do keep the rest of the house above freezing for my son but if it is hot, I don't sleep. So my little bedrroom air conditioner runs at full speed round the clock.

Helen said...

Well done Kirsten have fun with him

Cassondra

I love those pictures YAY you have warmed me up here in Oz it is breezy and very cool here tonight and yes I love it I am sooo not a summer person. We get very hot summers here and very high humidity at times and last summer was really hot and I agree with you they are getting hotter (or maybe it is my age showing) I was so looking forward to winter this year and I have been loving it. But the days have been lovely and the nights very cool some days lately you can almost feel spring in the air.

For me a summer holiday is by the beach but one that has trees to lay under and keep me cool when not in the water and we have and AC that works pretty much none stop at my place in summer but I pay a bit each week off the electricity bill so as when I get it every 3 months I am in credit the only way to go LOL.

Stay cool Cassondra I am off to the Australian Romance Writers Conference tommorw by the beach at Coogee in Sydney so will catch up when I get home on Sundy

Have Fun
Helen

Gillian Layne said...

It's been 100+ for several days here in Kansas, and we've had warnings about the evident lack of humidity (we need rain!). They said everyone's throat hurts because when we breathe in this dry air it actually sucks the moisture from our bodies? Yuck!

Our electric bill this month may necessitate macaroni and cheese the rest of the month. :)

Christie Kelley said...

It's been a miserable summer in Maryland. I really don't remember a summer with so many 90+ degree days (and yes, we get the humidity). I awoke to rumbling thunder and a nice shower. My first thought was maybe this will cool things down. Probably not.

We do have a community pond to dunk ourselves in but my 13 yr was at sailing camp last week and got swimmers ear. And that probably happened because the river was so warm that bacteria is growing (my opinion only). So no swimming for him.

As far as cool drinks...forget the alcohol (I can't believe I said that!!) and stick with iced tea.

My summer vacation is done now but it really would have been the perfect summer to go to Iceland.

Stay cool!

gamistress66 said...

While age might have something to do with it -- I think this summer is HOT. In DC area, triple H's not uncommon but I don't think this many upper 90 or higher 100+ heat index days in such long stretches or as many as we've had this year. I love cooking out in the summer, but not this year -- too hot to go out much less stand by a hot grill. By the time the temps ok to cook out, it's after dark and past dinner time (& I typically eat late). I'm not a heat wimp, my a/c is set btwn 80-85F but I'd die without it this even more so than normal. I've loved the few days in the 80's we've had when I could enjoy the porch, turn off the a/c & open the house some to fresh air -- though the dog still goes hides in the basement for the afternoon :) Try to stay cool, we'll soon be wishing for summer again ;)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Cassondra, Nice eye candy today!

As for HOT?

Girl, I live in Texas.

It's been near, at or over 100 for more than a month, here. In fact, it's 8:30 here and currently 88 degrees with a forecast of 103 this afternoon and maybe a chance of showers.

Sigh.

When I get done here, I'm taking Rocky-the-wonder-dog for a brief walk. Why now? Too dang hot to do it later!

My air conditioning runs non-stop until like mid October. Now add the I'm having my own personal summers these days, and Hot doesn't even begin to describe things!!!

My big blessing?

A GIANT SWIMMING POOL in my backyard.

After the walk? Rocky and I will be swimming for an hour. Then the air conditioning will actually feel cool at 75!

gigi said...

I live in south Georgia about 35 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida and it has been HOT and Humid for a long time now. My husband asked how much longer until Fall arrives.
This week temps are in the high 90's for the past few weeks we have hit 100 degrees or more in the shade on my back porch.
Needless to say we are staying inside a lot more. The humidity and the gnats are awful right now.

Cassondra said...

Okay y'all, I'm up.

I've come out of my air conditioned bedroom, into my air conditioned kitchen. I'm keeping the air turned way down and cool this morning, so I can have nice HOT coffee. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to drink it. And something's WAY wrong if I can't have coffee in the morning.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I'm in the state over (MO) so I'm in the same heat advisories as you are. Miserable. Glad to go to work because their AC is even better than mine. I used to live in an old farmhouse with no AC and all summer long I never missed work because it was my only opportunity for cool air. After work, I'd dawdle in the library, movie theaters, friends' houses with AC, or grocery stores until it was cool enough to go home. *LOL* Now I have AC so I can go home and crank it.

I don't remember ever being a hot weather person. I never liked it. I never minded the cold or even the rain...but heat, UGH.

People are always doing summer things, not me. I'm reading, inside, in the AC!

Cassondra said...

Kirsten, you got the BIRD!

Well, he'll be glad he's not going anywhere hot, that's for sure.

That's difficult to assimilate--that even in August it's been in the 60s where you live. Heck, that's sweater weather to me. Is this normal for you? I mean, how hot do your summers usually get? What a bummer for the kids if it's been that cool all summer--too cool for the pool!

Hey, we must have gotten our summer AND yours all at the same time this year!

Cassondra said...

Janga said:

My solution to keeping cool? Aside from staying committed to air conditioning and drinking lots of ice tea and ice water, I'm reading Christmas books and dreaming of winter.

Oh! Maybe I could put on my Christmas CDs! I really can't stay...Baby it's COLD outside... That's a great idea about the Christmas books.

Oh, but wait. Summer is my season. I HATE winter. Past the first snow, I want no more of it. Hate the cold. That's what's so frustrating. I absolutely love summer, when being outside is usually so pleasant. Not this time. :0(

jo robertson said...

Clever post, Cassondra. We seem to be having weird temperature changes throughout the world, don't we. Hmmmm, wonder if it's Mother Nature saying, "Ya'll better keep your stuff in line!"

Northern California is usually a moderately dry heat (not like Utah, not like Death Valley), but tolerable. We've had a mild summer with only a few days in the 100's and this week has been mid-eighties and quite nice.

Yikes, I sound like the weather girl!

Cassondra said...

Kim in Hawaii said:

But imagine Johnny Depp dressed in a pirate wig, costume, and makeup even in this weather. His alter ego, Captain Jack Sparrow, has been sighted filming aboard the Revenge of the Queen Anne in Kaneohe Bay. Rest assured, the Marines on that side of the island are keeping the pirates under control.

Oh, now I realize I'm just being a wuss. Having to work in this heat--and be creative--in a wig and makeup--that would be an awful job. I've had a job where I had to work outside in the heat as late as a couple of years ago. It never bothered me this much. But of course I wasn't in that heavy garb. That would be torture.

jo robertson said...

WTG, Kirsten, you got him and you didn't even know it!

Oh, forgot to say, Cassondra, I'd jump in that muddy creek with Viggio any old time LOL.

Cassondra said...

Pissenlit said:

It's hot here...though not the nice kind of hot like the pictures in this post...the gross kind of hot.

They're nice to look at, aren't they? Especially that first one. He's the kind of sexy I would have fallen REALLY hard for as a young woman.

I'm glad my hair is now long enough to wind into a bun.

You know, I spend a lot of money on haircuts, and I haven't had my hair down for months now. Maybe I should just cut it all off at this rate. Of course, hopefully it won't STAY this hot. We had kind of a nice spring. I'm hoping for a nice long fall rather than one where it goes from hot to COLD all in a day. Then I'll wear my hair down some.

Cassondra said...

Pink Peony said:

I spent the day wearing my Nano hoodie. It's kind of chilly here in the Bay Area! The mercury wasn't quite 65 today.

Another cool place! Wow. I can see why California is so appealing to so many people with that weather. However, I wouldn't like it never getting warm enough for shorts and tank tops.

I grew up in the central valley of CA and 100+ summer days were the norm. Every house on our block had a pool. We swam every day. I drank lots of Diet Coke with lemon and iced tea.

Do y'all sweeten your tea out there? I thought the south was the only place you could get real iced tea--the kind with sugar already in it. ;0p

Cassondra said...

Jane said:

We had a mini heatwave that just ended. It'll be the low 80s for the next few days. I think the ac needs a rest.

Ooooo...how hot did it get? What's normal for you? The low 80s sounds WONDERFUL. Exactly how I'd like it to stay for most of the summer. I don't mind it getting really hot for a week or so, just so we appreciate the rest of the year, but this STAYING at 100--that's just crazy stuff.

I'm not a pool or a beach person. My choice of refreshments are cold water or Coke. I wouldn't mind spending a few days at a spa and getting pampered.

I'm not a pool person either, though I love love LOVE the beach--but not when it's this hot. My experience has been that if it's hot, it's usually HOTTER at the beach. Although that's not entirely true if the beach gets a nice breeze, which a lot of beaches do. The ocean seems to cool it.

And yes, a spa does sound WONDERFUL. I've just taken up tennis for the second time in my life and my muscles are so sore. I could use a massage right about now. (wide grin)

Cassondra said...

Grettel said:

Greetings from Costa Rica
It's not so hot here, never.
This week we have had a lot of rain but the temperature is nice. Sometimes I wear a light sweater but can't leave home without my umbrella. This time of the year is our "wet season" and still would be until december.


Wow. It NEVER get super hot there? That sounds lovely. Oh, but I wouldn't like a consistent rainy season that long. Here it rains off and on at every season, though summer tends to be the season where we get drought if we're going to have it. I have to admit, that I love four seasons and I like having rain and "not rain" through all of them.

Cassondra said...

Deb said:

Here in Iowa it was rainy for most of June and July and not hot and humid like it used to be.

Wow, seems like everyone's weather has gotten turned on its head. I think of Iowa as VERY hot in the summer--that whole prairie thing--which may or may not be accurate of course. I've been through Iowa only a couple of times.

We have an excessive heat warning for today and tomorrow.

Yes, ours started on Tuesday and goes all the way through Friday. :0/

Limeade or sweet, sweet iced tea are my drinks of choice for cooling down. Lemonade is 3rd choice. (Hey, a Mike's Hard Lemonade is a good choice, too.) :)

Oh, now see...I wasn't thinking alcohol, but a cold beer when it's very hot is wonderful. And a Mike's hard Lemonade actually sounds GREAT!

Cassondra said...

barb said:

Hi Cassondra, it is winter here and we have had a cold day today with a strong cold wind so we have the heating on.... it went to 16C today but with the wind felt a lot colder .....you could send some heat and I could send some cold LOL

I think that's a terrific idea! Wonder how much the shipping would run on a box of this heat? Couldn't be much, could it? Of course, we'd need a really big box! I'd like to be rid of some of it.

In the summer we have to run the air conditioning and can get to over 40C even if you have a pool you still need air conditioning as the pool could feel like warm bath water

Whoa! I just had to go find my C to F conversion formula. That's 104, right? Did I do that correctly? Pretty dang hot. About like us. Do y'all have the humidity along with it?

Cassondra said...

Beth said:

Cassondra, we've had a very hot and humid summer and I'm actually okay with that - especially after last summer which was cool and rainy. If I could be anywhere in the summer it would have to be the beach. I love the sound of the waves crashing against the shore *g*

Oh, me too! I grew up in landlocked Kentucky, but I absolutely LOVE the beach. I think I was born with a palm tree in my soul. And I'm like a little kid--I can just sit in the edge of the surf and try to catch sea shells all day. People think I'm crazy. I guess it's because I never got that fascination out of my system--the waves are so constant. Reliable.

As for a drink to beat the heat, I love vodka slush! So tasty :-)

Oh....Vodka slush. Slurp.

Cassondra said...

aka Dianna said:

I have the same temps you do Cassondra, WV seems to have trapped that nasty humidity and it isn't going anywhere.

I bet that's true! Especially since Charleston seems to sit kind of in a little bowl surounded by mountains. I bet the heat and humidity just hang there.

Ever since I have come to a "certain age" I can't take the heat, it never was my favorite anyway and now I hate it. There have been many jokes about my bedroom being so cold you could hang meat in it.

The same thing has happened to me. As I've grown older, I can't sleep at night unless the room is very cool. I used to freeze at night in a cold room. I still like lots of covers, but I just can't breathe if the room is warm. I'm wishing that we had two separate air conditioning systems. The rest of the house does not need to be that cold at night. But if the bedroom's not, I don't sleep. I keep it like an icebox. Not so cool in the day. I have to have it up near 80 during the daytime.

Donna MacMeans said...

That's it - Let's all go invade Kirsten's house. There's been heat alerts all week here in Ohio. I'm ready for some lovely autumn temps. Even a gentle breeze feels like a blast from a furnace.

I'm hibernating in the air conditioning, Cassondra. Wish we had a pool - we don't. I wonder, though, if that is even refreshing in this weather. I wonder if it feels like bath water after so many hot days - ugh.

I'd like to be somewhere north - like in the Canadian woods, sheltered by trees near a crisp cool lake. Or by the ocean, where I can feel the ocean spray. There's always a nice breeze on the shore and the beckoning waves. Besides, if it's not cool along the shore - I can always leave it to go have some crabs - yum!

Cassondra said...

Helen said:

I was so looking forward to winter this year and I have been loving it. But the days have been lovely and the nights very cool some days lately you can almost feel spring in the air.

I LOVE that feeling. There is nothing like that hopeful, sort of lightening-up feeling that you get when winter gives way to spring, is there?

For me a summer holiday is by the beach but one that has trees to lay under and keep me cool when not in the water and we have and AC that works pretty much none stop at my place in summer but I pay a bit each week off the electricity bill so as when I get it every 3 months I am in credit the only way to go LOL.

Oh, I'm liking that idea--I think that's called budget billing here, and I know they have it for winter heating. I don't know about air conditioning. I might need to look into it.

Stay cool Cassondra I am off to the Australian Romance Writers Conference tommorw by the beach at Coogee in Sydney so will catch up when I get home on Sunday

Have a great time Helen! Slurp a yummy drink with one of those little umbrellas for me!

Cassondra said...

Gillian Layne said:

It's been 100+ for several days here in Kansas, and we've had warnings about the evident lack of humidity (we need rain!). They said everyone's throat hurts because when we breathe in this dry air it actually sucks the moisture from our bodies? Yuck!

Oh wow! I have to say that I've never been in that kind of dryness. We've had a shower or two right here, but the farmers just south of us have had NONE since mid-June. They need rain terribly. Corn and beans are drying up. That's kind of scary, the outside air sucking moisture from your body. Cue the music to Dune.

Our electric bill this month may necessitate macaroni and cheese the rest of the month. :)

Yeah, us too. We definitely have to stop eating out that's for certain.

Cassondra said...

Christie Kelley said:

It's been a miserable summer in Maryland. I really don't remember a summer with so many 90+ degree days (and yes, we get the humidity). I awoke to rumbling thunder and a nice shower. My first thought was maybe this will cool things down. Probably not.

I love waking up to a gentle thundershower, and yes, it often does cool things down. However yesterday we had one and it actually made the humidity worse, which felt really weird--for the rain to make it hotter rather than cooler.

Sorry about your son's swimmer's ear. :0(

And yes, a vacation anywhere north sounds fantastic right about now.

Cassondra said...

gamistriss66 said:

While age might have something to do with it -- I think this summer is HOT. In DC area, triple H's not uncommon but I don't think this many upper 90 or higher 100+ heat index days in such long stretches or as many as we've had this year.

Oh, good. It's not just me. Yes, I think it is hotter than normal. I also think we set some kind of record a couple of weeks ago for the hottest day (for that date) ever.

I love cooking out in the summer, but not this year -- too hot to go out much less stand by a hot grill. By the time the temps ok to cook out, it's after dark and past dinner time (& I typically eat late).

Me too! We normally grill out several times per week in the summer, and I ALWAYS have fires in the evenings--very small fires--in my firepit, where I sit out and sip a glass of wine. But not this summer.

Try to stay cool, we'll soon be wishing for summer again ;)

Isn't that the truth? And I know it even now. I'd still rather have this than the cold of winter.

Cassondra said...

Suz said:

My air conditioning runs non-stop until like mid October. Now add the I'm having my own personal summers these days, and Hot doesn't even begin to describe things!!!

My big blessing?

A GIANT SWIMMING POOL in my backyard.

After the walk? Rocky and I will be swimming for an hour. Then the air conditioning will actually feel cool at 75!


Suz, your swimming pool sounds lovely.

I have a question though. 75 seems really cool for daytime air conditioning to me. Maybe it's not. I keep mine closer to 80 because mid-70s seems cold. Especially if I'm coming and going from inside to out. Is it just me, or do people in the deeper south (Texas, Florida) keep their air conditioning turned WAY down cooler than we do elsewhere? I've never understood that, but when I go to Texas or South Georgia or Florida, I FREEZE in their air conditioning. I have to carry a sweater around with me all the time for when I go inside!

Cassondra said...

Gigi said:

This week temps are in the high 90's for the past few weeks we have hit 100 degrees or more in the shade on my back porch.
Needless to say we are staying inside a lot more. The humidity and the gnats are awful right now.


Yes, that's hot. 100 degrees in the shade is just plain hot. And that's the thing about the deeper south. The bugs. Summer bugs are bad here but nothing like there.

catslady said...

I'm in PA and we're in the 90's and breaking all kinds of records. Our electric bill actually doubled!! I'm staying inside with the air conditioner as much as I can. I actually love a vacation on the beach but only if there is a constant breeze lol.

Cassondra said...

MsHellion said:

I used to live in an old farmhouse with no AC and all summer long I never missed work because it was my only opportunity for cool air. After work, I'd dawdle in the library, movie theaters, friends' houses with AC, or grocery stores until it was cool enough to go home. *LOL* Now I have AC so I can go home and crank it.

I grew up in a farmhouse with no a/c too Hellion! But I was okay with it. That's what keeps me wondering. In fact, up until ten years ago we lived in a little farmhouse with no a/c. I knew how to keep it cool at night, so sleeping was no problem. NOW? With no a/c I would pass out. I'd get no sleep. I wonder if it's just that I've gotten spoiled to the cool air so my body has adjusted and now I can't take the heat? I kind of don't like that--losing my ability to regulate my body temps.


I don't remember ever being a hot weather person. I never liked it. I never minded the cold or even the rain...but heat, UGH.

Interesting. Obviously it's not always where you grow up or what you're used to.

Cassondra said...

Jomama said:

We seem to be having weird temperature changes throughout the world, don't we. Hmmmm, wonder if it's Mother Nature saying, "Ya'll better keep your stuff in line!"

I HAVE been wondering about that. The heat and fires in Russia are heartbreaking.

Northern California is usually a moderately dry heat (not like Utah, not like Death Valley), but tolerable. We've had a mild summer with only a few days in the 100's and this week has been mid-eighties and quite nice.

Sounds lovely actually. Although when I was out there, I couldn't breathe. (I wasn't in NoCal, but when I was out there in San Francisco and LA) Something blooming out there did a number on my sinuses---something we don't have here, so I'd be up a creek living out there.

Yikes, I sound like the weather girl! LOL! Maybe you missed a calling to a third career! Teacher, writer, now weather girl!

Cassondra said...

Jo said:

Oh, forgot to say, Cassondra, I'd jump in that muddy creek with Viggio any old time LOL.

He's yummy, isn't he? There are some really awesome pics of him floating around the web. He's one of my favorite "stare at and drool" movie hunks.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Cassondra,

Since I have to sleep during the day, I keep mine between 72 and 75 during the summer. In winter, I keep it no higher than 68.

I guess because we live with air conditioning for half the year, we tend to keep it cooler inside. But when I go to the movies or to a meeting, I have to take a sweater with me, too.

Cassondra said...

Donna said:

I'd like to be somewhere north - like in the Canadian woods, sheltered by trees near a crisp cool lake. Or by the ocean, where I can feel the ocean spray. There's always a nice breeze on the shore and the beckoning waves. Besides, if it's not cool along the shore - I can always leave it to go have some crabs - yum!

Donna, that sounds wonderful from start to finish. From the cool woods (I can just smell the pine needles and see the droopy hemlock) to the breezy beach to the seafood! Yum. I LOVE seafood.

Minna said...

It was so hot in here for over a month and we have no air conditioning. Fortunately it's a bit cooler now, although it should be hot again at weekend. But to stay cool in the near tropical climate I wore a damp T-shirt and I kept my hair wet. I even wore a damp T-shirt when I rode to the village by bicycle (otherwise I would have fainted on the way). It was all dry by the time I got there. And in my water bottles I had water that was frozen solid. It melted fast enough in the sun and the water was nice and cold.

http://www.offthemark.com/summer/summer.htm

Buster Poindexter - Hot Hot Hot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrhf_zgtmAg

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Cassondra said...
I keep it like an icebox. Not so cool in the day. I have to have it up near 80 during the daytime.


Even during the day if it is above 70 anywhere in the house I feel like I am smothering! My son just came in and was shivering, I told him to take it up to 70, I had it at 67 and was quite comfortable. If you guys hear of me croaking from pneumonia don't be surprised.

Cassondra said...

Minna said:

But to stay cool in the near tropical climate I wore a damp T-shirt and I kept my hair wet. I even wore a damp T-shirt when I rode to the village by bicycle (otherwise I would have fainted on the way). It was all dry by the time I got there. And in my water bottles I had water that was frozen solid. It melted fast enough in the sun and the water was nice and cold.

Minna, those are great ideas for staying cool! I've been known, when working out in the heat, to take the garden hose and just turn it on and hold it over my head. I figure I'm sweaty and icky anyhow, so I won't look much worse soaking wet! I used to freeze bottles of water too, and when I worked out in the heat all day, my husband would make homemade lemonade and freeze bottles of lemonade so I could take that with me to work. It thawed through the day and was a wonderful treat.

Cassondra said...

aka Dianna said:

Even during the day if it is above 70 anywhere in the house I feel like I am smothering! My son just came in and was shivering, I told him to take it up to 70, I had it at 67 and was quite comfortable. If you guys hear of me croaking from pneumonia don't be surprised.

Okay now I would freeze to death in that kind of cold. I keep it about 72 at night, but once I get up and moving around, it has to be above 78. Girl, you need to live in Florida! They keep their a/c freezing cold down there. (Although at the RWA conference in Orlando week before last, I thought the hotel was hot. They did NOT have enough a/c power in that place.)

Cassondra said...

Suz said:

I guess because we live with air conditioning for half the year, we tend to keep it cooler inside. But when I go to the movies or to a meeting, I have to take a sweater with me, too.

It's interesting to me that they keep public spaces so freaking cold. I understand that restaurants keep their a/c cranked up so that people hurry up and eat and leave so they can turn the tables (which I think is kind of mean--making you freeze while you eat so you'll eat and leave) but movies? Malls? They should want you to STAY, shouldn't they?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Kirsten, I love you, I'm coming to visit you and not coming home until the mercury drops into the 70s in DC.

Okay?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Ooops, forgot to say Congrats on grabbing the chook!

Cassondra, I'm with you on not remembering the heat being this bad. Seriously, I usually only have to hibernate in August. This year, I've been hibernating since late JUNE.

I can't do the heat, esp. with massive humidity, which we've had. And the power bill....don't even get me started on that. *Wince*

I'm going to go get camp boys and come back to the blessed AC and answer your REAL questions though...

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

Cassondra, I'm with you on not remembering the heat being this bad. Seriously, I usually only have to hibernate in August. This year, I've been hibernating since late JUNE.

I can't do the heat, esp. with massive humidity, which we've had. And the power bill....don't even get me started on that. *Wince*


Ha! I knew you'd chime in on this one cuz you hate the heat. That's one of few things we don't have in common--your love of cold weather. Brrrrrr.

I don't like this heat, but I'll take it over the long hard winters ANY year.

Pissenlit said...

Cassondra - Maybe I should just cut it all off at this rate.

That's usually my plan every summer. Well, not ALL off but I tend to let my hair grow out till I get bored with it and then cut it really short(hairdressers don't believe me at first). But I also tend to not get around to it unless I have a wedding to go to or some other sort of deadline. So now, at this rate, the summer might be over before I get my butt moving in which case I may decide not to get a short haircut when the weather cools down. Right now, this upcoming week looks to have temperatures in the feels-like high 30's to just over 40 with the humidity. Ick. My hair is so not coming down anytime soon.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Kim said: Rest assured, the Marines on that side of the island are keeping the pirates under control.

Wow. Cool. :>

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Pink P said: The mercury wasn't quite 65 today. Might warm up to 70 tomorrow.

OMGosh. I want to be there...sigh.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Gillian said: Our electric bill this month may necessitate macaroni and cheese the rest of the month. :)

I've been thinking this too, Gillian. Sigh...

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Jo said: Hmmmm, wonder if it's Mother Nature saying, "Ya'll better keep your stuff in line!"

I think so! hahaha! Remember that old butter commercial? "It's not NICE to mess with Mother Nature!"

Sarah Simas said...

LOL Here I was feeling sorry for myself and looking at your temps well... you got my sympathy!

I'm central CA and it's pretty hot here. Mild compared to summers gone by, but for me, it's miserable. (But what preggo lady ain't sweatin' bullets in the heat? LOL) What was I thinkin?!

I used to work on a dairy farm milking cows and feeding calves while in college and I don't remember being sensitive to heat. Since I stopped working outdoors years ago I noticed my tolerance went down. When it gets HOT, I like a very cool house and big ole glass of ice water. Big wuss= ME! :)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

You know I'm not a water baby, I am a mountain gal so I adore anyplace cool. I want to go to Banff.

And if Viggo is in the creek or pool? I'm there!

Dianna Love said...

Cassondra -

I keep telling myself to read the post, but...hard to get past all the eye candy. ;)

I used to be acclimated to the heat when I worked outside in it all day, but I'm not much for being out in it these days. I'm counting days until fall when we can enjoy sitting on our screened porch at night again.

I keep the lights off everywhere unless i have to turn them on. I doubt it makes any difference, but in my mind it feels cooler.

Nancy said...

Kirsten, congrats on the rooster! I hope you keep him too busy to make mischief.

Nancy said...

Cassondra, the heat here has been awful. It's actually not as bad now, with temperatures in the low 90s, as it was in mid-July, when the temperature was in the high 90s and the heat index put it over 100. I haven't gotten in the car lately and had the dashboard temperature gauge inform me it's 101 outside, which I tried to tell myself wasn't accurate, that I had to allow for the effect of heat reflecting off asphalt.

The humidity is bad, though. I took the boy for his back to school haircut yesterday. The AC in the salon was out, had been for a couple of days, apparently, and it was muggy in there. At least the glass front did not--thank you!--get direct sunlight, or it would've been unbearable.

No pool handy, alas. We huddle in the AC, and I write or read. Having been to the beach in August a couple of years ago, with a heat index of 110+, I don't find the beach appealing. I've also been very hot in the mountains, up around Asheville. But I'm still more inclined to try the mountains for relief.

Cassondra said...

Sarah said:

I used to work on a dairy farm milking cows and feeding calves while in college and I don't remember being sensitive to heat. Since I stopped working outdoors years ago I noticed my tolerance went down. When it gets HOT, I like a very cool house and big ole glass of ice water.

Hey, I milked cows at the university dairy when I was in undergrad too! And yes, it was WAY hot, and stinky. But I was fine. I grew up on a tobacco farm--out in the heat setting, cutting and housing tobacco in the very hottest part of the summer, and it didn't bother me.

Now? Walking to the car makes me start whining. I am so with you on the wuss factor.

But hey....when you're preggers, you have an excuse. I have none.

Cassondra said...

Dianna Love said:

I used to be acclimated to the heat when I worked outside in it all day, but I'm not much for being out in it these days. I'm counting days until fall when we can enjoy sitting on our screened porch at night again.

I keep the lights off everywhere unless i have to turn them on. I doubt it makes any difference, but in my mind it feels cooler.


Ha! I'm laughing at you turning the lights off to make it feel cooler. I LOVE screened porches. We've been planning one on the back of our house for three years, but still haven't gotten there. I want it complete with ceiling fan for ready-made breezes on the hottest days.

Y'all have had a hot summer there in Atlanta too, haven't you. I've been watching the temps there when I check the weather. I think your humidity may be even worse than ours.

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

No pool handy, alas. We huddle in the AC, and I write or read. Having been to the beach in August a couple of years ago, with a heat index of 110+, I don't find the beach appealing. I've also been very hot in the mountains, up around Asheville. But I'm still more inclined to try the mountains for relief.

See....I've never gotten the point of this. Going to the beach in the summer. Choosing the hottest part of the year and going somewhere even hotter--to lie in the sun and get even HOTTER. Blech. Spring and fall are when I love the beach.

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

You know I'm not a water baby, I am a mountain gal so I adore anyplace cool. I want to go to Banff.

And if Viggo is in the creek or pool? I'm there!


Well, I love the mountains for the energy and scenery. And for the trees. I'm a tree nut.

However, Viggo could lure me to pretty much anyplace.

Then said...

Um, how much to I have to pay and to whom to get Vigo Mortensen to do that for me??? Seriously.