Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Scorching Heat and I Took a Tumble

 

  


      You see that temperature above?  That was yesterday afternoon on my porch in the shade.  It was hot enough that it melted the glue that helps hold the roll up blinds on the porch in place and the middle blind fell off!




      I heard a thud in the afternoon and went out to find the middle blind down.  Upon inspecting the hardware and then the blind itself, I could see the melted glue on the blind.  That is the blind, now waiting for the heatwave to pass so I can fix the stupid thing!


   We have a Swamp Cooler to keep the house cool and it normally works great, but it would not compete with this freakishly hot heat wave.  My hanai sister/neighbor/friend called me yesterday afternoon to see how I was doing and I told her I was hot.  Apparently she could tell by my voice that I was in trouble even if I did not realize it myself at that moment.  Being the amazing, generous and loving person that she is, she immediately sprung into action and got her extra air conditioner over her, along with a huge fan.  She and Jeff got it installed and going.  I did not realize that I was experiencing heat exhaustion because I could not think clearly.  After about 20 minutes, I could think clearly again and my body temperature was back down to normal.  Everyone needs a sweet friend like Shannon who goes out of her way to make sure those she loves are safe.  I cannot thank her enough!  Midgy cat was also having trouble with the heat and I had been putting ice packs on her to help cool her down.  Patchy was at the vet's office having surgery (she comes home today) so she was fine there and the AC will help keep her comfy while she further recovers at home.


   This heat is taking a huge toll on the wheat crops all around me.  You can literally see the wheat drying up in the fields (we do not irrigate fields here).  The projected yield this year was already low before this heatwave hit and now I fear the farmers are going to take an even bigger loss.  If this continues, it will affect the other crops as well and being that we are the biggest split pea and lentil producing area in the world, this could be a HUGE hit not just to the farmers, but to the food supply as well.  Meanwhile, my friend in Illinois posted pictures of the corn fields completely flooded in her area.  It's not looking good folks...not at all!


   This morning I woke up to the temperature outside rising quickly.  It was 7:30 a.m. and we were already getting close to 90F.  I quickly got dressed and went over to Shannon's to let her dogs out to go potty and then to give them and her kitties some lovies since she had to very leave early in the morning to go pick something up in Portland, OR.  When I got home I decided the best plan of action was to get the berries picked before I had my coffee.  Big Mistake.  Apparently that magic elixir is much needed for my brain to work properly.  My brain and feet were not communicating and I took a tumble down the back deck stairs.  Thank God there are just a few of them and I was able to land on my rather well padded behind, but not until I had screwed up my arthritic foot and become the proud owner of that much coveted "fashion accessory" of scrapes and bruises, which I will now be sporting for the rest of the week at least.  I also managed to tweak my already bad back...Yay me!  NOT!


   After all this I have decided that my recliner and I will be spending a lot of time together today.  I have the swamp cooler on (before it gets to the point where it is not cooling the inside air and then will switch over to the AC) and have the big fan going too.  At the moment I am still feeling cool and comfortable.  I will be taking a shower soon and not blow drying my hair.  If my neighbors see me, they will have to deal with the wild haired woman that I am if I do not style my hair.  Tough cookies for them...LOL!  They all know I am semi crazy anyway, so it is nothing new. 😆


   While I am home in my recliner, our sweet Heather is doing a Costco run and picking up some new microfiber sheets for me.  They have the queen sized sets on sale for $14.99 so she is picking up two of them, one for our bed and one for the guest bed.  I love microfiber sheets and have been looking for a great deal on them for ages.  They just are so soft and with my fibromyalgia, I need super soft sheets that do not bother my skin.  I am so blessed that she asked me if I needed anything from Costco today and that the sheets I want are on sale there. 😌


   I'm off to get yet another big glass of water to drink.  Praying that everyone reading this is safe and staying cool or warm (whatever your need is).  Have a great day!


   


   


   


   



   

16 comments:

  1. Glad you were helped out with the AC - nice. Sorry about the tumble. Take care and TRY to stay cool.

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    1. Thanks Cheryl. :) The AC is making such a difference. It is 101F outside when I am typing this reply. The swamp cooler was turned off because it was just blowing in hot air and I now have the AC and the big fan on. As long as I stay in the living room where the AC unit is, I am good.

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  2. Oh, no! Stay cool in that heat! So glad your neighbor was able to give you her extra a/c and she and Jeff managed to install it! I put my rice filled heating pad (something I made, myself) in the freezer when it is hot and wear it around my neck when it gets really hot over here. If you don't have a similar heating pad, put a dampened towel in the freezer and use that, instead. It helps.

    Sorry to hear about the tumble - but, glad you didn't break anything or injure yourself too badly. Take it easy and rest!

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    1. Bless, that is a great idea about the rice bag. I have several of those that Jeff heats up when needed. Thanks! I'm glad I did not break anything also...health insurance does not kick in for another few days. ;)

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  3. The heat has been truly incredible - glad you got the A/C. By the time people realize they are in trouble with over heating it has often reached to danger point.
    I had thought that you were in the US but you must be somewhere in the Canadian prairies (largest producer of lentils & split peas) - I hope that you all get a break very soon and some rain to help with the crops. I'm afraid that food prices are going to rise significantly in this next year or so. Take care.

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    1. I'm down in the Washington Palouse area. We did get some rain tonight, but we also got lightening and it has started some fires. I'm afraid my son, who is a volunteer firefighter and acting chief of his fire station, will be really busy tonight. He still has to work his regular police job also.

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  4. We have been having rain for a while almost every day for quite a while. When it gets into the high 90's then we have bad storms. Our grass stays too wet to mow. In the early morning when I open the door everything smells like mold. Very strange weather, but the weather where you are and in your part of the US is going to go into the history books.

    I hope you will heal quickly after your fall and that your son will be safe. Those forest fires are terrifying.

    Take care.

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    1. Hi Susie...I am so sorry about everything smelling like mold. YUCK! My son is out on a fire right now...luckily it is a small one caused by lightening last night and should be able to be out out fairly quickly. They caught it before it spread (lightening struck a tree and set it on fire). Praying for you also!

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  5. I actually gasped when you said you fell on the stairs. I would say be careful, but I know you are. It is so hot here. I am having trouble keeping enough water on the flowers.

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    1. I have been thinking about you down there in the valley. (((((HUGS)))) I cannot imagine how downright miserable it must be with eve higher temperatures than we have.

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  6. Falling is one of my big fears. So sorry you fell off the stairs and got hurt.
    The heat is really something. The news this morning said there had been 486 deaths since Friday due to the heat in BC.
    Bless your hanaii sister Shannon - give her an extra big hug for me. What a hero! To know you were in trouble and be able to help out.

    My little portable AC unit on wheels and vented through the patio door has been amazing. It keeps my tv room cool enough and has been a life saver. Also many cool showers throughout the day, a cool/damp towel at my neck and no actiivty at all after about 830am.
    Yesterday our high temps broke and I could turn off the AC and open the windows. Same for today so far. But now the air quality is horrible due to the wildfires. At least we're not having triple digit heat with the bad air.

    Saving grace - I have actual tomatoes forming. And I've alread started harvssting zucchini..

    Take very good care of your self my friend.
    Cheers, SJ in Vancouver BC Canada

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    1. SJ, how close are those fires to you? I saw the news footage and was absolutely heartbroken for all that lost homes and especially for those who have lost loved ones. Please be careful with that smoke too...I don't want it making you ill.

      I have tomatoes forming on my tomato plants too and one of the yellow cherry tomato varieties is even starting to ripen. I can't wait to eat that thing!

      YOu take care of yourself too...I do worry about you!

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  7. Coffee First before the Things!! Hope you heal quickly and are staying cool. We finally got rain today, it's managed to bring the temps down some.
    http://arunnersmomandmore.blogspot.com/

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  8. Glad you are ok after the fall.
    Stay cool and in that recliner!
    I don't blow my hair dry in the summer either.
    It makes me too hot!
    Have a cozy evening!

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    1. Hi my friend! I'm in my recliner as I type this with the fan blowing on both Patchy cat and myself. ;) You take care!

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