It’s like a heatwave!
Here we go. Sticky, hot and humid temperatures with a humidex advisory that will push the thermometer reading into the 40s. This is tropical weather coming from the Gulf of Mexico, and some love it and some hate it.
I’ve recently been diagnosed with allergy-related asthma, so that helps explain why breathing on the spare the air days has been more difficult than it used to be. Except for my misguided youth, I’ve been a bit of a shade-finding, sunscreen-layering maniac whenever I go outside - even - as dermatologists recommend - in the winter.
Now we know the damage that the sun can do to our skin in the form of melanoma and other problems, even as we understand that we do need sunlight for good health. (fortunately vitamin D supplements can substitute!) Experts say baking exposed skin for hours in strong rays is just not wise for anyone of any age.
If you’re like me about the sun - admittedly particular and fussy - you know that it’s difficult to even get entirely shaded under a patio umbrella. And even a brief outdoor swim puts you in the eye of the great golden orb, no matter what precautions you take.
Barbecuing dinner in this weather sends the body temperature soaring. You can’t walk the dog very far, because he’ll overheat.
So tell me, unless you’re a kid who has no perspective on the way today’s behavior can impact their future health, please tell me who these people are who really like this weather, and why?
June 6th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Hi Lisa,
Apart from all the looming economic problems right now, swings in seasonal weather boost or limit consumer spending. From boots and scarves, come flip-flops and shades. Just like no snow in winter, kills ski hills and winterfest, a cold, rainy summer reaks havoc with all associated businesses. Just ask golf course owners how their sales are so far this year. Yikes they’re down.
A cold, snowy winter and a long hot summer is what we want and sometimes it’s just as tough to work through heat as it is to work through cold. I do agree on the air quality when it gets muggy - it sucks! For seasonal allergies try Sabalia by Boiron at health food stores. It’s better than anything out there and all natural. Cheers, David!
June 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Hi Lisa!
I read your blog often but HAD to respond to this one as my partner of 15 years LOVES this weather whereas I am a cool 18-20 degree and sunny girl myself… he works heavy labour (moving rock and the like) outside from April to October. We have a gym set up in our (non-AC of course) garage at home and he will work out in 40+ humidity and chatise the rest of us for not having the same ‘fortitude’ in joining him. He is adamant that everyone and anyone who finds this weather adverse is just lacking the mental discipline to approach it with normal daily activity. I literally ’sneak’ the AC on at home (new aquired by the way and only because we had a new furnace installed)- and we leave it at a respectable 76 degrees…but that won’t be flipped on until mid-July if I am lucky…
June 8th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I LOVE this weather! I love the feeling of sunshine on my sunscreen infused moisturized face. I love being enveloped with the heat of the sun. I love having a reason to walk slow and take things easy as I smell the floral fragrance in the air. I love the excuse to not have to rush in this stressed society! I love the cool, icy smooth deep down cool drinks. I love hot summer nights with the breeze blowing the curtains. I love seeing people out of their cocoon houses and cocoon bundles of winter clothing! I love the barbecues! I love patios and decks and outdoor living in general(especially at the cottage). I love rolling my car windows down and feeling the beautiful warm breeze blowing on my face. I love the sunshine on my shoulders. I love patios and decks. I love riding my bike in the warm breeze. I love the quick cool down the lake provides. I love walking the dog slowly and then offering her refreshing ice water. I love the longer days of summer. I love the freshness of my clothes line dried clothes in this weather. I am not a cold person at all, I like to take it off, bare my shoulders and revel in the heat! Yup Im one of them, I will take the heat anyday! I do feel for those with respiratory problems and those that must work outdoors. But these same people have the same problems, at the opposite end of the spectrum in the bitter bitter cold of winter as well! SO bring on the heat! I am ready for it! ALL of it! lol
Wendy
June 9th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Nicely put Wendy!! Even before I had any breathing issues I found 40 degree humidity suffocating. But I am glad to know that some people truly enjoy this weather. Anyway, like it or not, here it comes so we’ll make the best of it!
Lisa