Not that I'm complaining

[stgulik]

Northern California has some of the mildest winters in the country. But summer is a pain. We are being threatened with 105-degree temps every day this week.

I won't complain, though. I'll just tell you how my family survives this time of year.

1) Don't bother to water the lawn very much. In the first place, it's less a lawn and more a beautiful green prairie we happen to mow weekly. In the second place, Evolution fashioned the prairie to survive by dying back in July, only to flourish again when the first rains come in October. It will do fine.

2) Water the other plants every evening. They didn't ask to be here, especially the hydrangea.

3) Plan the Fourth of July barbeque party with optional indoor seating.

4) Carry a water bottle with you every time you go outside. Please understand: EVERY TIME.

5) Sunscreen is more important than soap. Though soap runs a very close second. You know what I mean.

6) Don't feel guilty about pulling back indoors before 10 a.m and watching Netflix in the middle of the day. Nature hates you this time of year, and doesn't want to see your face again before, say, 7 p.m.

In related news, I have a prediction. Global warming will soon prompt somebody clever to invent the stilsuit, the water-conserving suits they wore on the desert planet of Arakis in Dune. When you see it, invest in it.

Comments

[celestialbeing1.livejournal.com]

Well, there is a comedian who said the earth is fighting back against everyone by protecting itself. Because when I heard about places being in triple digits??? Scary.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Next come the horrid wildfires. Nature may be trying to smoke us out.

[celestialbeing1.livejournal.com]

Oh hell no, I really pray that doesn't happen, not after those firefighters :(

But nature did drown everyone on this end not so long ago...nature is all sink or swim, mofos!!!

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Here in Delaware, we've had nothing but torrential downpours almost daily. We've had THREE times the normal rainfall just in June. Lots of trees have fallen due to high winds and too much water. And they are saying we can look forward to at least two more weeks of this.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Your summer survival list must be completely different than mine. Seriously, though, that's some crazy weather. Take care of yourself!

[darklotus1211.livejournal.com]

Living in the Great Southern Land where most of the country has very similar or much hotter, drier conditions to California, if I saw the opportunity to invest in a stillsuit manufacturing venture, I'd go for it with no qualms!

As for watering lawns, well, we have constant water restrictions in most of Australia, so there's really no such thing and hasn't been for many a year. I actually feel sorry for the kids who didn't ever get the chance to play under the water sprinkler on a hot summer's day - my 17 year old among them. It was a great source of simple joy and the thought brings a smile to my face when I remember the fun it was.

Staying indoors during the hottest part of the day? About half and half down here, but my motto is the old adage 'Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun', so I'm with you.

As for all of your other hints - you'd fit right in down here! We have a massive incidence of skin cancer down here and younger generations are much better than we were with the sunscreen, which is also a lot more easily available and incorporated into most skin and hair products now, thank heavens.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

Welcome to that Texas state of mind. Temps here are normal, it is basically 90 to 100 anyway.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Nothing's quite so boring as reading a blog that constantly complains about the weather. I'm determined this will be my last - until there's a hurricane or something.

[delphipsmith]

Sunscreen is more important than soap. Though soap runs a very close second. You know what I mean.

Oooh yes...

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Priorities!