Summer Swelter

Ugh! I'm just relieved that it's over.

I live on the fifth floor, and I have three windows that receive light all day. Normally that is okay, or even fantastic. When the temperatures and humidity make it about 100 degrees, though, it is not what we call a good time.

I had both fans going, and the AC. You can't feel the AC more than four feet away from the unit, so who knows if it was contributing to anything.

Duh, it wasn't, because I was sweating all day. There was no cooling to be done or had, except in the shower. Then leaving the wonderful refreshing shower, the muggy heat once again took over. Ugh!

The night was the worst, though. I'd hoped, as it had been working well the rest of the time, that having the fans going would suffice. After all, I kept one blowing right toward me. But this time, it was just pushing air at me, not cooled at all, and I couldn't get comfortable.

I've been staying up late reading anyway--cause I can!!--so, and this was around 2am, I turned the lights back on to read some more.

Then I had an idea borne out of sheer annoyance. I inflated my air mattress and put it on the floor in front of the AC unit. From there, I actually felt cool air, a lot of it! Whew, what a relief. I stayed up reading until after 3am, and even with the refreshing artificial breeze, I tossed and turned until well after 3.30. Eventually though, I did drift off. I even grabbed a blanket, to stay comfortable in the thankfully-cooler air.

I struggled to wake up at 11.15. After some television, I had to leave the house to find some cool air. I went once again to Target. Here's a fun twist! I parked in the garage, on the next-to-top level, so the car wouldn't be in the direct sun. Even so, when I returned with my bags, the key turned...and nothing happened.

Nada! It didn't even turn over!

I was perplexed and concerned and at the edge of panicky. What does one do when in a parking garage? Would I have to get a tow? What's wrong with the car? Will they still charge me for all the time if I have to wait for a service person? Does anyone still carry jumper cables? When was the last time I had an oil change?

I kept trying a few more times, and it started to catch and finally, THANKFULLY, the engine turned over and the car started. Oh, PHEW.

I stopped at a gas station on the way home, because one of my tires was really low. I filled it up, and then, the car wouldn't start again. Hoo boy. Once again, though, because the gods don't hate me, the car did start after a few tries. I vowed to park in the shade and remember to pour some water and coolant in the radiator before my next drive.

I went into the city last night and was so relieved upon coming home, as the storm had ended and so had the humidity. Relief!

I slept in front of the AC again, but I probably would have been fine without it. The fans were once again circulating mostly-cooled air. And I went to bed at 2 for real. Good for me!

Must remember to keep drinking cool water to stay hydrated. And I want to work out again today. If I'm gonna sweat, I might as well do something productive for my out-of-shape self.