This past week or so has found me sweating. No, it’s not because I’m looking over my back
for the law, rather it is because the weather has been so hot. The thermometer currently reads 107 degrees. A pleasant 107, though.
Our old house was built in the 1800’s without the benefit of
insulation, both heating and cooling this wooden tent is quite a
challenge. Two window air-conditioning
units are gasping for a reprieve while Smokey the cat is ardently searching for
a cool place to situate his fur coat. It
is so hot, the feral cats are lying-in-wait in the shade.
Every store on The Shore employs at least one amateur comedian
who feels compelled to offer, “Is it hot enough for you?”
I feel equally compelled to retort with, “Yes, but it is not
humid enough.”
Of course, the person doing the inquiring is seated in a
well air-conditioned room with an ice cold beverage.
To add insult to injury, local radio and television stations
give advisories during such sizzling times to avoid strenuous outdoor
activities, drink plenty of fluids, and stay in air-conditioned surroundings. Perhaps these listeners are seen as too
stupid to do so without these inane warnings, akin to turkeys drowning by
looking agape into the sky at rain.
Anyone with a brain will gladly stay indoors sans notices from the media and
government. But, there are those who
must be outdoors to eke out a living.
Grass cutters - aka. Lawn mowers – do their business outdoors, as do
roofers, house painters, and watermen. Indoors,
air conditioning folks climb about attics where the heat is unbearable to
enormous levels.
Even Smokey the cat is panting from the excessive heat, most
likely because of his furry coat. And he
is indoors reeling with sympathy pains.
Then there are those who feel compelled to drive to the
beach and swelter in the hot sun without the benefit of a beach umbrella. These sun gods and goddesses claim that a dip
in the ocean cools them off. I don’t see
how a romp in 90 degree water is refreshing.
This year is no exception to the warm water bringing in the
jellyfish and their prey, sharks.
Even golfers are refraining from visiting the links on such
hot days, and I believe the mosquitos are slowing down, too.
Standing in line at the Chincoteague Carnival for an oyster
fritter caused me to sweat from merely waiting motionless, although everyone
else seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Rambunctious kids running around like idiots provided the only cooling
wind.
Shade has become a premium in which to cool down, if only by
five degrees, or so.
The good news is that succulent watermelons are in season,
giving one time to subtly chew them with little effort and receive tasty
benefits of hydration and a reason to sit.
Eventually this torrid weather will break and cooler
temperatures will prevail, at which time I will pen another story about how
cold it is and warmer days are needed.
Until then, I’ll write and complain about today.
