A few days ago I wrote how the proverbial marine layer tends to protect South Bend from extreme high and low temperatures. While this is generally true, there are a few days each year when the clouds go into hiding. Today happens to be one of those days! Thus far, the temperature has topped out at 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
I realize that many locales across this globe experience such temps and higher on a regular or not infrequent basis. So, 100 degrees in and of itself is no biggie. However, in the context of weather in Southwest Washington, it would be like hitting 130 degrees in New York City.
Our average high this time of year is around 72 degrees. Up until this week, we have had no more than a handful of days when the temp topped out above 80. Anytime we have a high above 85 or so, it's big, BIG news here.
Of course, because of the general dearth of hot temps here, few people and businesses have air conditioning. We certainly don't have it here at Taoist Manor -- we're sweating are gills off! This heat wave should only last for another day or two before we get back to our seasonable 70s.
To help the body cope with the stress that comes from excessive heat, we're following the number one recommended course of action -- hydration. But we're not solely drinking water. Our fruit and vegetable juicer is getting quite a workout! In the heat of the day, we're drinking fresh cantaloupe juice -- a definite yin food -- and in the evening we're consuming cucumber juice.
According to the marvelous site, "Juicing Book",
I realize that many locales across this globe experience such temps and higher on a regular or not infrequent basis. So, 100 degrees in and of itself is no biggie. However, in the context of weather in Southwest Washington, it would be like hitting 130 degrees in New York City.
Our average high this time of year is around 72 degrees. Up until this week, we have had no more than a handful of days when the temp topped out above 80. Anytime we have a high above 85 or so, it's big, BIG news here.
Of course, because of the general dearth of hot temps here, few people and businesses have air conditioning. We certainly don't have it here at Taoist Manor -- we're sweating are gills off! This heat wave should only last for another day or two before we get back to our seasonable 70s.
To help the body cope with the stress that comes from excessive heat, we're following the number one recommended course of action -- hydration. But we're not solely drinking water. Our fruit and vegetable juicer is getting quite a workout! In the heat of the day, we're drinking fresh cantaloupe juice -- a definite yin food -- and in the evening we're consuming cucumber juice.
According to the marvelous site, "Juicing Book",
Cucumbers contain a lot of water and the people of the Middle East and Central Asia are known for drinking Cucumber juice. In these countries, people drink Cucumber juice on hot days to help cool their body.
If people who really know a thing or two about extended hot weather drink this juice, that's good enough me.
Right now it's 91 in Port Angeles. That too is equal to 130 in New York City.
ReplyDelete2 summers ago it went up to 96 for 2 days in a row, but it wasn't as smoggy then. Today the orange-gray air looks like Southern California.
Wow, that is hot. We haven't even seen a day close to a 100F this summer in Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteAs to the cucumber juice. I spent a lot of time in the middle east and it is hot there pretty much all the time. While cucumber juice is refreshing, men drink it for its purported aphrodisiac properties and not because it is better at cooling one down than water with ice and a pinch of salt and some lemon juice. Water with a dash of salt and some acid (usually citrus but many times with vinegar)will hydrate you very quickly.
lemonade is my hero. :) we've been having a pretty cold july up here in wisconsin, though, i'm surprised. but also delighted, as being pregnant in hot weather with no air conditioning is highly uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear your report for today. I heard on the radio this morning that they are predicting the highest temp ON RECORD for Seattle today. That said, it doesn't seem as hot here today...yet!
FM,
An aphrodisiac, eh? Hmm. Maybe I'll drink a gallon of it. :D)
Iktomi,
Me like lemonade too -- but my wife is diabetic, so I try to stay away from sugar-infused beverages (well, except for my chocolate milk).
staying away from sugared beverages is wise, anyway. i admit, shamefully, that i am a sugar addict, something that i am struggling to correct. for the most part i eat healthy but i always somehow end up consuming too much sugar. i allow myself the lemonade though, because i find myself not eating much lately and in need of both the calories and the refreshment.
ReplyDelete