All the weather
prognosticators keep saying the same thing —it’s hot. Who would have thought
that since it’s the middle of summer?
It never fails to astonish me at how adept TV weather folks
are at stating the obvious while making it sound as if it’s something unusual.
Well, here it is July 20 and it’s going to be a hot one with
temperatures in the 90s. Meanwhile, the sun rose in the east this morning.
Got it, wouldn’t have known that otherwise. Telling me it’s
hot in summer is telling me what I already know. Telling me conditions are
right for a Sharknado at Big Flat, now that’s a forecast.
Sure, I gripe about the cold weather in winter, but that’s
griping, not weather forecasting. I don’t say “It’s cold,” I say “I really hate
the cold.” Big difference, griping vs. stating the obvious, although by now it
probably is obvious I hate the cold.
Anyway, with summer on us in all it’s 90-plus-degree glory,
and the likelihood of being even warmer in August, it’s time again for us to
consider ways of staying cool and coping with the heat with grace. Or, at least
being as comfortable as possible with it.
Staying in where it’s air conditioned is an easy way to keep
cool. And an obvious one, but you still can be creative.
Go to the movies where you can sit in the dark with what they
used to call “refrigerated air” and sip on a big orange drink filled with ice.
Hang out in a favorite coffee shop with a frozen cappuccino you can drink
slowly while reading a book or perusing the Internet on a laptop or smartphone.
Go walk through a favorite store, seeing what’s new and maybe
even getting ideas for Christmas (there are only 157 days until Christmas, you
know).
If you’re not a fan of air conditioning but enjoy a cool
breeze, try hanging out in the fan aisle at Walmart or any other store that
sells electric fans.
There’s usually several on to demonstrate their cooling
abilities and you can stand there as they circulate the air and blow your hair
back. It’s sort of like a dog hanging its head out a car window.
Ceiling fans are great, too. If you’re one of these folks who
sleep with the windows open, you know how great it is to lie in bed as the
ceiling fan whirls above you, moving the still-cool morning air around the room
while you brace yourself for the coming day.
Sitting on a front porch, or a back porch, or a shaded patio,
or even in a shady spot in the yard is a good way to pass a summer evening.
Gathered around a patio table imbibing a chilled beverage with friends or family,
listening to crickets, frogs and other night creatures come to life, can be
pleasant. Add a little pickin’ and grinnin’ and then you have an
honest-to-goodness country evening.
Swimming always is a good way to stay cool, whether it’s in a
pool, lake or river. You can just float and let your cares float away, too. (Of
course, if you’re in a river you could wind up floating downstream.)
This is good during the day or at night, although night
offers more ... interesting opportunities for enjoying the water (unless you’re
at a public pool).
Cooling yourself from the inside out is pleasant, too. A
light meal with sliced home-grown tomatoes, cucumbers, a little onion, even raw
squash and zucchini can be quite refreshing.
Or try sliced tomatoes with a bit of mozzarella, some basil
leaves and olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
These alone can make a meal without heating up the kitchen.
If you do cook, freshly shelled blackeyed peas with cornbread, a slice of
onion, a little pepper sauce and some cold cantaloupe is great. This was a
favorite summer meal when I was growing up.
Watermelon is the ultimate summer food, and around these part
the Cave City melons are coming off now. You know it’s a true Cave City melon
if it has an official Cave City sticker. They’re so sweet and juicy, and they
not only satisfy your appetite but your thirst and your craving for something
sweet and delicious as well.
Try making homemade ice cream. With today’s electric ice
cream makers, you don’t have to sit there and crank them for a long, long time.
Just fill them up with the necessary ingredients, plug them in and let the
makers do the work. Soon you’ll be spooning up a sweet treat you’ve made
yourself. This is great when you’re sitting on the porch/patio/lawn, or beside
the pool.
And, of course, nothing beats a tall glass of iced tea, sweet
in the Southern style or unsweet if you prefer. With today’s healthier sugar
substitutes you can enjoy sweet tea with fewer or no calories if you’re
counting them.
Lemonade, or limeade, is another excellent summer thirst
quencher. There also are adult beverages which are good at wetting one’s
whistle when you’re trying to stay cool, too.
I have no particularly favorite way of coping with the heat.
It’s usually whatever seems like the best idea or opportunity at the time. I
will say either sitting in my recliner with the air conditioning on, a tall,
cool beverage at hand and reading a good book (traditional or Kindle) while
listening to music, or just sitting on the patio after twilight and relaxing
are two of my more preferable ways of coping.
Now, go find yours.
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