Dang it's hot!!

When you live in the south, it's just common knowledge that it's going to get hot in the summertime. Usually it's hot enough that sweat starts forming on your upper lip about 20 seconds after you've stepped outside. Depending on where you live, humidity can be a factor, too. In this case sweat isn't the first reaction because, it's so dang humid the air is wet enough to make you feel like you're sweating. Even if you aren't. It's hard to stay fresh in these conditions. Ironed clothes wilt, hair falls flat, makeup slides off, stains appear under your arms - even if you're wearing deodorant. It's just plain yucky.

It's no secret that most of the U.S. is experiencing a rather harsh heat wave. We Texans have ourselves a good chuckle when we hear that it's 95 degrees up north. Heck, that's a cool day for us! It hasn't been 95 in over a month! Even at 10:00 at night, it's at least 95! Did I mention that it's just plain yucky?

I have the privilege of working at a building that has a parking garage. This means that I don't have to arrive at my car after a long day of work, and wait for 15 minutes for the hot air to escape. Heck no, my car is a crisp cool 85 or so degrees. It only takes a few minutes for the air conditioner to do it's job. I'm spoiled.
When I am out and about and have to park in the sun, I employ one of those shiny window shade thingies and keep my windows slightly cracked. This usually lowers the internal temperature by a few degrees, so when I put my bare skin on the seat I only get 2nd degree burns instead of 3rd. Thank gosh for that.

I am not lucky enough to have a swimming pool. I have a water hose and sprinkler though. So when I have to do yard work, I tend to do it with the sprinkler running. And I slowly walk through it - quite often. If a northerner were to drive down my street and see me working in the yard, they might think I was having my own wet
t-shirt contest but I'm not. I'm just trying to keep my flesh from frying.

Swimming pools are great. It's so nice to throw yourself into after you've mowed the lawn in 104 degree temperatures. It's kind of the equivalent of rolling in snow after sitting in the hot tub. That 90 degree water just takes your breath away. Very refreshing. People who own pools complain that the water is like bath water since they get to jump in the thing all the time and feel it when it's really cool. But when you've only got a hose and a sprinkler, a tepid pool is just about as good as sweet tea in the shade.

Thank gosh for water. Not the humid type, mind you, just pool or sprinkler water. Oh, and nice cool showers. They're nice, too.

Burn on