101°F at 9:45 p.m. August 13, 2008
I’ve never enjoyed hot weather. Not even when I was a kid. Well, especially not then, as I grew up in an area that got quite warm, and we didn’t have an air conditioner. Dad and I would go to a local high school pool and go swimming to cool off… when he had the time. When I was in high school I had some surgery—life-saving surgery, so it’s not like I regret it or anything—that results, partly anyway, in my being, um, uncomfortable in hot weather. Extremely uncomfortable.
Southern California, where I currently live, is a desert. At or near the edge of the Mojave Desert, to be precise. 
And this week, being in Las Vegas, I’m pretty close to the center of the Mojave, in August. Not a good combination for someone who doesn’t like hot weather. Oh, and yes, we drive right through Death Valley to get to Vegas from where we live. (It was 117°F when we drove through Death Valley a year ago in July. Ick.) Anyway, I think you get the picture. It’s a desert here, and the humidity is currently only 12%, but when I’m outside I’m generally, er, well, let’s just say that though I abhor air conditioning in general, I’d rather be in an air conditioned room than outside in the desert. In August.
Just a few minutes ago, though, Dave and I were outside looking at all the lights. I sat in one of the deck chairs. Did my back exercises. And the heat was… sensuous. There’s really no other way to describe it. The heat caressed my skin, warmed my bones, felt divine. I think the darkness helped. I don’t really know how to describe it. The absence of the sun. The twinkling lights. The (very) few stars that sparkle above. And the heat. It’s night in the summer in the desert, and I’m glad I’m here.
I’m also quite glad that our room has an enthusiastic air conditioning unit to keep the room tolerable during the day. And when we want to sleep.
Kathryn August 14
I really don’t think I could cope with that extreme heat! Thank goodness for the air con - it’d be difficult to knit without it!
Danielle from SW MO August 14
I also dont tolerate the heat well so no Mojave Desert for me!! :-)
Air Conditioners here in the Central US are life savers especially when the temp is 90 (or higher) with humidity of 90% and the heat index is 113 like earlier this month. I have been comfortable and knitting all summer thanks to the little window ac unit in my kitchen that cools most of the house!
Angela August 14
One comment to cover three posts…. the horror.
Vacation sounds awesome! So glad you are having a good time! :) Nothing worse than a vacation where things (like the weather) don’t cooperate.
~Kristie August 14
I’m so sorry you’re having a rough time with the hot weather. You must be missing your chiropractor quite a bit.
I’m not a huge fan or even a little fan of heat either. I’m happy right around 75 to 80 degrees. Personally, it would be nice to be in a climate where handknit sweaters were needed.
Jocelyn August 17
Yup. Hate the heat. Hate it. And I grew up in Sacramento, where 115 degree days were not uncommon in August. No wonder I go back as little as possible! The one nice thing, though (as you say), is long evenings outside in the warm, which aren’t always possible here on the coast. Hang in there!
KeanaLee August 17
Makes you seriously wonder what people did before A/C? They never covered that issue on Little House on The Prairie
Sue August 18
I so dislike the heat, too. I grew up down in your present county, and it is a lot cooler there than out here! It has taken me over 20 years of living out here to get much more tolerant of the heat.
People like to blame being overweight as the reason someone like me is uncomfortable in the heat. I’ve been hot my whole life, whether I’m super svelte or fat. You too are living proof of it–being that you’re in tip top great slim shape, and you’re uncomfortable in the heat.
Take care, GF.
Angela August 18
I DO enjoy the hot weather; hot is relative here in the Pacific Northwest, however. We have quite a mild climate. But I like summer MUCH better than winter.
However, at work the air conditioner has been broken and we’ve been having to work all day in 99-100 degrees inside the building. That’s just TOO hot.
Jason Frovich August 23
I enjoy weather in the 80’s to 90’s with little or no humidity , anything higher that that and I’m staying inside with the air-conditioning. I couldn’t imaging 117, I was in Florida a few years ago when it was 100 and that was a killer.
Sydney August 26
I am SO with you!!! I grew up in Houston, Texas, which has to be the furnace of the world: incredibly hot {”cools” down to 90F at night}, always 90-100% humidity and roaches the size of mice that FLY at you. I, too, grew up without air conditioning and wonder how I survived it? I’ve often thought the ultimate in luxury would be enough wealth to follow the weather. I lived in Ottawa, Canada, for three years and winters there are the opposite extreme of Houston, but the summers are AWESOME. Every night we needed a light sweater/jacket and most days the temps were in the 70s. Wanna meet in Ottawa? :-)