I am a weather WIMP! My husband likes to joke that I have about a 4 degree spread before I start to complain, 68 - 72. I don’t like it too cold or too hot, but I would much rather it be cold (you can always add a layer or a blanket). Hot is torture to me, I don’t know why, but I am always really uncomfortable if the temp goes up. I live in metro DC in a Virginia Suburb, so upper 90 degree days with high humidity is the norm in the summer. I try to stay indoors as much as possible, even though the kiddies want to be outside. I really need to work on my tolerance or high heat and humidity. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know (other than just deal with the discomfort and offer it up, I already do that).
Help Me, I’m Melting!
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Just me on Friday, June 05, 2009 3:30 PM
Remember back in January when I teased Rachel about complaining that 26º was a cold outdoor temperature? Because we up here in Michigan are so tough when it comes to weather?
Now is when my words come back to bite me. Or, more appropriately, to roast me. Summer’s hot weather always shows me what a wimp I am.
A month ago I was down in southern Florida for my sister’s college graduation, and the high was in the mid-90s every day we were there. I was in agony. It was SOOOO hot. Three days was enough to melt me.
I looked at the houses on every residential street and thought, “How can anyone live here? It’s unbearable!”
But then I realized that summer for people who live in southern Florida is like winter for us up here in Michigan: it’s the time when you stay inside.
Rachel said exactly the same thing during our podcast last week.
It’s a trade-off. Up here in the north we get long, warm summer days in which to play outside. Down south they can wear shorts on Easter.
I looked it up, and the average daily high temperature during June, July and August down where Rachel lives in Georgia is nearly ten degrees higher than it is in my town. When I’m complaining about the occasional 90-degree day, she’s enduring them as a matter of course.
So for Rachel - and especially in honor of her birthday today - I’m making two pledges today. First, this summer I’m going to enjoy our lovely 82º days when I can sit under a tree and watch my toddler run through the sprinkler and be completely comfortable while I’m doing it. Second, when winter comes around again, I’m going to remember that my neighbors to the south went through their own grueling weather in July and August, and that they deserve to be able to play outside in February.
Because as much as I may posture about my ability to withstand 3-degree temperatures, summertime proves it: when it comes to weather, I’m no tougher than the next guy.
Comments
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I’m an indoor girl. I don’t like freezing cold weather and I don’t like going outside when it’s above 85 unless I’m swimming in the pool or watering my vegetable garden. My secret to surviving the hot summer months is keeping the AC at 67. I eventually get cold enough that I will go outside to warm up. Once I’m warm enough I go back inside.
I live in Austin, Texas, where today, the forecast high is 94. And to think…this will be considered “reasonable” by August! My advice for building up tolerance to the heat/humidity, is to work up to it. Maybe go for a walk for 15 minutes one day, and slowly ramp up. Your body does adjust over time. Also, drink drink drink (water, that is) during the summer months, and make sure that your kids do the same. I also try to rest inside during the hottest parts of the day, even if it means that our family stays up a little later because the kids play outside in the evening, when it is cooler.
I have always hated the humidity in upstate NY. Even when I was a young child and very skinny I hated it. I just hate the sticky can’t get away from yourself feeling…at least in the frigid cold you can always put more on but in the humidity you can only take some much off…...but I offer it up now and think of all of the people that love the heat…big sigh!!!
It is so true. I grew up in Massachusetts and endured the harsh winters without much thought. Now I live in the Mojave desert in CA and get to enjoy mild winters (which I now think are cold) and summers of 100 degrees plus, that last until Halloween. To top it off, we’ve ended up vacationing in Palm Springs in either June or July the past couple of summers (unfortunately this one included….a timeshare thing, don’t ask!), where the weather is about 115-120 degrees during the day and cools off to 90 at night, but it’s a dry heat (as if that’s supposed to make us feel better). Each area of the country has pros and cons when it comes to weather for sure.
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