heat wave
It’s been hot here. It’s the kind of heavy, thick heat that presses in against your chest and leaves your lungs heaving against the moisture in the air. It’s the kind of heat that envelops your body the moment you step outside, your skin covered at once in a thin sheen of sweat that drips from your eyebrows and the backs of your knees. It’s the kind of heat that causes you to stand at the entrance of a book store, light headed and bewildered, wondering why the automatic door won’t open. Then an older gentleman wearing small shorts much too immodest for his bulky, hairy frame steps in front of you and pushes open the door.
I have an embarrassingly low tolerance for this kind of weather. The wading pool calls to my children constantly; they live in their bathing suits during the summer and beg to be outdoors no matter what the thermometer says, and I must supervise. While they splash and giggle and make a general ruckus, I lay flat on my back beneath the small circle of our beach umbrella, the only shade our backyard has to offer. Sweating and panting, I lay as still as I can and pray desperately for a breeze. Inevitably the girls need me for something, and I have to get up to fetch the ball that bounced over the fence or kiss a bruised elbow. But the heat drugs me, making my feet too heavy and my head spin. Jane Austen said it better than I ever could:
“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.”
UGH! I hear you. It’s been over 100 every day for over a week and it feels like all the energy is being sucked out of me. I am so tired. The kids won’t play outside unless we go to the pool. I am dying. DYING!!!!
Comment by Queen Beth — July 24, 2006 @ July 24, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Came out of lurking to say that my daughter loves being outside no matter how hot it is too. 104 degrees? No problem. It’s all fun. Except for me!
Comment by Stephanie — July 24, 2006 @ July 24, 2006 at 8:43 pm
Karli… well, do I ever know what you mean. Hot here is not the same as hot there. Your moist air causes the heat to literally overtake you. I hate that all-over-instant-sweat. Despite our 100 degrees, it just feels like an oven door opening… hot, most definitely, uncomfortable, yes… but, tolerable, breathable, doable by comparison. Your heat ~ entirely different story. I feel your pain, my dear, feel your pain (I used to live in your area). Your moist heat is life-debilitating!
Comment by April — July 25, 2006 @ July 25, 2006 at 6:31 am
As “they” always say, it’s not the heat - it’s the humidity. We have had both here in Minnesota which seems entirely unfair since I moved her from Kansas City to get away from this very weather.
I am counting the days until we head to Portugal where is may be hot but at least there is a beach!
Comment by Vikki — July 25, 2006 @ July 25, 2006 at 6:36 am
Maybe you could position a sprinkler to hit your legs? Bring a fan on an extension cord outside?
It is miserable. How long is this heatwave supposed to last?
Comment by Susan M — July 25, 2006 @ July 25, 2006 at 6:58 am
I’ve felt extremely “inelegant” for over a week now. When will it end????
Comment by Morning Glory — July 25, 2006 @ July 25, 2006 at 9:35 am
Get a plastic lounge chair and turn a small fountain sprinkler on underneath it while you sit. It’ll keep you cool but not get you too wet while you read and watch them play.
I’m feelin’ your pain with this heat wave.
Comment by Karen — July 25, 2006 @ July 25, 2006 at 9:37 am
you need to be here!!! big umbrella, lots of lemonade, slide into the blow-up pool and about ten degrees cooler. please come up?!? I’ll make something that’s your favourite with the lemonade…or buy it if I can’t bear to bake.
bribe, bribe, bribe…
Comment by misha — July 25, 2006 @ July 25, 2006 at 12:35 pm
The heat has been making me tired, too. I desperately want a nap every afternoon, and I’m so tempted to give in, even though it’s a habit I can’t afford to develop. And thumbs up on the Austen quote. She’s the best!
Comment by Caryn — July 25, 2006 @ July 25, 2006 at 9:36 pm