heat wave...we're having a heat wave...

Just got this email from the local electric company:

Quote :

Please conserve energy to help us reduce electric demand. Between 3 and 7 p.m., limit the use of your major appliances

We've had several straight days of record highs (103+). I've been keeping my A/C at 78, and eating cold foods like salads and raw veggies and fruits, and nuking most of what I do eat hot, rather than heating up the kitchen with the stovetop or oven.

Three to seven is the hottest part of the day. Am I to turn my A/C off? Unplug my fridge?

We got excited last week because a tropical storm was coming, but our intensely high pressure caused it to fizzle as it reached shore.

Maybe we'll be lucky and get a major hurricane next time, except unless the high moves, it would probably just trash New Orleans again.

Ann

8/4/2011


Ann..

Here's your song ..

Cheers..Joe

Hmmmm. I could be wrong, but I don't think that is what Ann had in mind with "heat wave".

We've had high 90's for so long I can't remember it any different thought it drops to 80 at night. I have my air conditioner set at 77, but it says its actually 81 in the house - I don't think the unit can keep up with the heat. The 81 is from about 4 to 8 and it cools down to sleep anyway to the 77.

I had it at 78 but it was 81 more hours. By dropping it to 77, the cool night lasts a little longer into the morning and afternoon.

I can't imagine no air conditioning. It's beyond my comprehension.

I forgot to add that it rains at least every other day - that does drop the temp because the sun is clouded for the thirty minutes or so.

I haven't checked yet this morning, but there is a hurricane supposed to go to our east, but was uncertain (we're in the edge of the cone).

My house gets up to about 81 or 82 in the afternoons, sometimes 83. I don't think air conditioners are designed to cool more than about 20 degrees, which seems right, looking at the circumstances. It gets down to about 78 by early morning.

Part of the problem is the drought. We had a thunderstorm move through the area about 3 weeks ago. It dumped several inches, and raised our aquifer slightly. We are still at "Stage Two" water rationing, which means we can water our lawns for an hour before 9 am once a week, but if we don't get more rain soon, we will be going into more serious rationing.

I've lived here for nine years now, and it had never been this hot and dry. It started in March. We went straight to summer with no spring.

We had a record cold winter last year, and they are predicting another for next year.

Our weather seems to be in the same state as our politics.

Ann

In 1979 (I think) there was a similar situation in San Mateo, Ca. I had returned from S. Korea, where we thought we had some situations of discomfort. We stayed at a friend's very elegant home in the hills. Upon arrival she took us on a tour. Every sink had a bucket under it (the plumbing was disconnected under the sinks). The faucet water was collected to flush the toilet. Their beautiful landscaping was dead. A large rubber tub was inside the tub and shower. Even shower water was collected. The only water that went down the drain was the collected water used to flush the toilet. I was in shock. It was worse than anything I experienced in the undeveloped (at that time) country I had left. Their beautiful landscaping would cost a small fortune to repair. They were careful with towels and clothing to wash less often; the rinse water was collected.

I feel so sorry for those of you dealing with the heat. I have a difficult time tolerating extreme heat. When I read your posts, I feel fortunate. I have a portable AC for emergency use, however haven't had the need to plug it in yet this year. The evenings are cool. I open the window and sleep with a cover.

Wish I had some advice to share that would eliminate your discomfort.

I do enjoy a climate with warm days and cool nights. We have a few of those here. A few.

I have so many small fans trained on me at night (in addition to the AC), I nearly need to lash myself to the bed so I don't fly off and hit the wall.



Ah well...



Fall is coming!!!! eventually.

Dear Rhett,

I went to visit the old Gamble Mansion. It is not far from me. The whole building was built of stuff dredged out of the Little Manatee River way back when many slaves must have done the work and suffered a lot.



When we think we have a hard life, we must look back to those days and wonder about the progress that has changed that old cistern system, every thing that is a new thing that has been built upon the backs of people who did not have a voice about anything.



I am sorry about that.



I love AC and fans, too.



Love,

Betty

Very true, Betty.



I think of all the women who used to wear layer upon layer of undergarments, plus work out in the heat.



I am thankful, always, for living in this age.