Has it really been a week since I last blogged? This heat has seriously addled my brain. I realize that after two cold and rainy summers, I ought to be more grateful, or at least less whiny, but I am just not constitutionally suited to high 30's (95-100+) with stifling humidity and no AC. (Rob, on the other hand, is in his element, and has no end of "this is nothing - when I was in East Timor/Darwin/the Persian Gulf" stories with which to mock me.)
Between the heat and the lack of school routines, each day melts into the next in a sort of befuddled haze, but I am slowly pulling together a little order and productivity from the fog. Up early, put a batch of yarn in the pot, grab a quick bite, walk puppy with the daughter (sort of a girls' date), return to collapse in a sweaty heap with a cold drink and contemplate whether I have the energy to make a bit of jewellery. Pacify a dozen or more heat-induced spats. Work on reading with the boy. Mid-afternoon: apply a half gallon of sunscreen to already-sticky bodies and head to the pool. Delay supper until the sun falls behind the mountain and the patio is marginally liveable. Twilight puppy walk, send kids to bed late, rinse and hang the yarn, stay up a little longer to savour the (slightly) cooler air.
There was a little excitement yesterday, as lightning strikes set the tinder-dry mountain above us on fire. It was up to 75 hectares of intense nastiness for a while, but an all-out effort by air knocked it back considerably, and the smoldering remains are being fought primarily on the ground today.
And that's that. I'm working on both custom and web-destined yarns - just a little every morning, but there will be a new batch to show very soon. The FLS continues, and the body is almost complete - I've got other projects and ideas, but I just don't have the mental energy to work on anything else. Still, I'll try to be less of a stranger this week....
Scary stuff when you can see the smoke- we're off to the Okanagan this week; hopefully it will cool off. I'm with you- I don't like the heat, or the smoke.
Posted by: Judy G. | 31/07/2009 at 07:57 PM
I was thinking of you when I heard about the fires closer to Whistler. Glad it's improving and I wish you a refreshing rain, no breeze.
Posted by: Gillian | 31/07/2009 at 08:12 PM
We are glad to hear from you again and to know everyone is well in spite of the heat. We were lucky when in the Okanagan as we just missed the Kelowna fire and the Lillooet fire. Eowyn seems to have found a solution for cooling herself.
Posted by: Sheila | 31/07/2009 at 08:33 PM
The heat has been amazing in your area and you were in my thoughts. It must be so rare to be so hot in Whistler. Take care!
Posted by: margene | 01/08/2009 at 05:19 AM
We had our first day in the mid twenties yesterday but I wouldn't trade our cool rainy summer for your heat, I couldn't take it. Wish I could send you the rain. I remember being across a road from a brush fire in California as a child, folks had sprinkler systems installed on their roofs - scary stuff.
Posted by: elan | 01/08/2009 at 05:45 AM
I'm suffering with you! I'm in Mount Shasta, Calif., where they are also having (uncommon) highs in the 90s! I love the way you described the days as "melting." Perfect!
Posted by: Caffeine Girl | 01/08/2009 at 08:22 AM
That child of yours has the mose intelligent, most beautiful and most BLUE eyes. Wow.
By the way- it hasn't been quite so hot here- come have a cup of cool and a dip in the pool and a knit on the patio. Your glass of wine is waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Deb from Kingston | 01/08/2009 at 09:59 AM
I'm so glad the fire is under control and that you're all safe. I hope the weather cools soon and the humidity goes away. I don't know how people can function with high humidity. Anything over 20% when it's hot and I can barely remember my own name.
Posted by: Cookie | 01/08/2009 at 10:41 AM
I thought of you when I heard the news about the forest fire near Whistler. Glad to hear that you're ok (not thriving in the heat, but not evacuated either).
Sending cooling thoughts your way...
...I have plenty of those.
Manitoba is continuing a rather daunting spell of 8 months of below average temps. July has seen 0 days of +30 or higher. Very unseasonable. I even pulled out my socks yesterday and am wearing a scarf right now. Yes, it's with a skirt, but still!
Posted by: PrairiePoppins | 01/08/2009 at 11:58 AM