I recently returned from my annual week of pioneering spirit — hubby and I took to the roads of the Great Plains (and *gulp* a bit of the deep South) one day at a time, seeking interesting weather to experience, photograph, and (to use somewhat cliche terminology) chase. Being something of a planner, I sacrifice 10 days of each year to going with the flow (literally… the flow of the atmosphere), not planning ahead where we’ll be any more than a few hours in advance, and finding roads less traveled. It’s the rare chance to be free and explore, and I welcome it every spring as a break from… well… me! The fruits of our labor are being added to the photo side of our page, courtesy of hubby; check out the additions at http://www.bousteadhill.net/2011.html.
This has been a terrible year for tornadoes, something that I’ll certainly discuss later. For now, I’m just glad that my home and my city have been out of the path, and my heart goes out to those who have been affected. Please, if you are able, take a moment to help your neighbors (near and far); so many of those who have been hit are starting again from nothing.
The heat and humidity of summer are here, and we’re doing our level best to turn on the air conditioning only when our sleep is at stake. Hard to think of the pre-AC days of heat and humidity. I can take a few nights, but a whole summer? Makes me appreciate modern conveniences that help us adapt to (or, more specifically, avoid) the weather conditions around us. It’s not the hot days that get to us humans; it’s the hot nights. Medical research has shown that to be the case. Should climate change scenarios pan out as most indicate, across much of the U.S., our summer nights will get warmer and stickier on average, even if the daytime temperatures don’t change much on average. That’s worse for our health, as humans. What are your favorite ways to cool down at night that don’t involve cranking up the AC?
Now that summer is here, my expectations for myself on this blog are high! Look for more frequent posts as I develop a habit :).
No AC here in this old house. Our house was built in the ’50’s and lacks the duct work required for AC. We are on the waiting list of a close relative who can do it and we’ve been waiting 8 yrs! It’s been no big deal to us (or else we would have hired someone else :)). Our house is surrounded by large trees so it doesn’t get too bad at night unless there are several hot days in a row. We do have an attic fan and that saves us. I just love when it kicks on and draws that cool night air in.