My friend, Karen, gets up at 5:00 a.m. to drive her dog to a patch of grass two miles away. He does his business, then runs around like crazy for a few minutes. The rocks and sidewalk around her house are already too hot for his feet.
At 5:30 a.m., Kathy leaves the house in the golf cart for a 6:07 tee time. Her cooler is stocked with sports drinks.
I hear the neighbor’s outdoor workmen who begin 6:00 a.m..
By 7:00 a.m., I’m grocery shopping. I smooth out the reflective screen across the window, grab my insulated grocery bags, but leave my extra-large yeti cup filled with ice water in the car. When the car is out longer, I drape a towel over the steering wheel.
On the way home, the softball teams are finishing their game by 7:45.
Two hours later, I attend my weekly quilt meeting. Afterwards, I walk across the courtyard and do two miles on the treadmill at the fitness center. Some days, I go to the indoor pool.
In the afternoon, I have a hair appointment. It’s close enough to walk, but today, I drive the car.
Yes, it’s hot in Phoenix. The national news likes to report that every night, followed by stories from our local news. We don’t need to hear it any more. The hottest July on record, the most number of days over 110, the hottest low temp of 96. The list goes on. Our trees and bushes are so stressed, the leaves are turning yellow, even though the roots are watered. The tops are simply getting sunburned, enough that I’ve seen some folks cover them with old sheets.
A Michigan friend has invited us to come and stay with her. Another friend checks in every few days. In the beginning of this streak, I told my sister that I was imagining the time as snow days and staying inside, playing games and sewing. The truth is, we never had this many consecutive sub-zero days.
Fortunately, we have solar so I don’t wince every time I hear the air conditioner run, and we keep the temp at 79, slightly cooler for sleeping.
Life in the frying pan continues to sizzle and we continue to move on, just earlier and often, slower. Kathy has more time on her hands as her pickleball schedule has been curtailed until the temps come down to 105 at 6:00 p.m., her court time. My biggest concern? Boob sweat, unlike any time in my life. Yep, you read that right.
The high temp in a week is supposed to be 102. I feel a celebration coming on! And if boob sweat is the worst issue for me, I have a mighty fine life.
I love your writings!
Thank you! This is such a kind thing to say.
Honest commentary from you as I have wanted to ask how you’re coping but figured why. We are sweltering here on Turkey vacation too. We’re only in upper 90s and low 100s though.
Boob sweat? I’ve been using my underarm deodorant there for years!!.
Thanks, Carol. Stay cool in Turkey, and btw, what a great idea.
While reading this it took me back to summers in Arizona. It seems like you’ve had enough and hopefully you will soon get cooler weather.
Well, it’s been a long month. Thanks! I really wanted friends who can’t imagine what life is like here to understand it a bit better.
You made me laugh at the “boob sweat.” Glad you didn’t say, “but it’s a dry heat.” Steve says that I get “crankier” when its hot, guess he thinks I am cranky all the time. Wasn’t cranky in the Arctic though.
Headed to Miami Beach for a wedding this Friday. So now I have to worry about heat, humidity and “boob sweat.”
Glad you have found ways to survive!
Ha! Funny, I’m less cranky when it’s cool as well. Truthfully, doing fine.
😂🤣 Just to funny! I do love your blogs, they are up lifting.
No boob sweat here but I’m feeling a little stressed like the trees!
Time for a vacation north to feel the 90s again.
I hear you! It has to end sometime, doesn’t it? Thanks …
I take great joy when I read your blogs! Here in Texas, we are in the frying pan also and, our AC has been out since last Wednesday. Home ownership isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially if you purchased an older home. Glad we have the backyard pool and a high privacy fence as skinny dipping has become the norm! And boob sweat — if you are older and have saggy boobs, just take a skinny dip and your nips will rise right up to perky! Just sayin’
Yes, I know it’s also been scorching in Texas and so many other places. Hope the a/c is working now. You’re advice about the pool is too funny. Hope there are no drones in your neighborhood.
Hi Pam,
First, thanks for writing a second book. It was an engaging read, and I appreciated the reality of Ann’s situation. Second, I must admit that we’re on second, three-week vacation in Canada, where the temps are quite reasonable and we’ve most of the smoke going south. But then, we still live in Michigan in the winter….
So good to hear from you and thanks about the comment on the book. Very nice. Keep enjoying the cooler Canadian air, and glad you’ve been able to avoid the smoke.
I love your blog and glad i am not the only one with boob sweat!😂 . However we are in a cooler place for the month of Aug. See you at club in September.
Good to hear from you. Enjoy the cooler time with your family as well. Thanks.
I have always thought you a survivor who will somehow find a way to make it through. A month long heat wave such as this is a real challenge. We have not had terribly hot weather here, but lots of thunderstorms and wind which has meant power outages and cable outages, so we have some cranky people without a/c and entertainment.
Your sense of humor is priceless!
Thank you, my friend. Such a kind thing to say.
Just finished The Lone Jackass. Loved the many references to Michigan. A very hood read. Sounds like you are enjoying your retirement in the Southwest, such a beautiful area. Always look forward to reading your blogs. Darlend
Thank you and yes, I’m loving life in the Southwest, but not always the heat. Am so glad you liked The Lone Jackass. It was fun to write.