If you haven't heard ... Western Washington and Oregon are in the midst of a record breaking heat wave.
Now, I realize that some of you are probably laughing ... "What are they complaining about? We get 100 degree temps all summer long."
What you might not realize, however, is that since this is quite unusual for our part of the country, our homes and businesses are not all equipped for such heat. We don't have air conditioned homes; and even many of our businesses are not air conditioned. I went out to dinner with a couple of friends last night, hoping for air conditioning ... but only found fans.
Speaking of fans ... our wonderful large fan keeps overheating. It can't even keep up with the heat in our home.
Tonight, the temp outside is supposed to drop below 70. Right now, at 11:45 pm, it is still 75 degrees out. However, inside our house is still over 100. (I am dripping with sweat, at almost midnight, as I write this.) Not only do we not have air conditioning, and our fan has overheated once again, but we have several rooms with beautiful, big windows ... that don't open. So, we have no way of bringing the "cool" 75 degree air into our 100 degree rooms. My office is now known as my sauna.
Oh ... and just in case you are wondering ... many of you that regularly experience 100 degree weather do not know about the affect of humidity on heat. With our 75 degree heat, at almost midnight, we also have 100% humidity. That's right. 100%. Thus ... the dripping with sweat aspect. Yes, I know, those of you "down south" do understand humidity ... I have visited Atlanta in August. But ... most of you probably also have air conditioners.
In contrast, we visited friends in Sun City a few weeks ago, and enjoyed their 100 degree weather ... from inside their air conditioned home and their beautiful backyard swimming pool. Tonight, it is 61 degrees in Sun City, with 86% humidity.
Across the state, we have Spokane. The east side of the state is also known as the "hot side" in the summer. They have NOT had the 100 degree weather ... just into the 90's. Tonight, it is 68 degrees ... but with only 40% humidity. We have always enjoyed our 100 degree vacations in Eastern Washington, because the lower humidity makes a huge difference.
Anyway ... I just thought I would let you all know (those of you who aren't experiencing our heat wave) why we might be complaining a bit about the heat. Could we borrow your air conditioners for a week or so???
I have a LOT of paperwork that I need to do, after our 3 week vacation (2 weeks in CA followed by a week with out-of-town company here). But ... it's too HOT. I stayed up late tonight, to work, but I just can't focus when I'm dripping in sweat. All I want to do is sit outside, since I've hardly been able to sleep the past 3 nights (in our 100 degree bedroom).
Tonight, since I wasn't accomplishing anything at home, we did take the kids out to the beach from 7-9 so that they could cool off in the water. Jim and I enjoyed a couple of hours sitting in our beach chairs, enjoying the sunset. Sadly, though, I forgot to take my camera.
Thanks for letting me complain for a few minutes. I wanted to say "hi" to all of you, my bloggy friends, but didn't want to talk about The Crisis ... or Our Surprise. I'll keep those topics for another day.
Update: It is now 1:30 a.m. and the temperature is RISING. We're almost back up to 80 degrees. I did get my fan working again ... and got some paperwork done. Now ... off to try to close my eyes for a bit.
Yep, in the south where we do average 98 degrees this time of year...and humidity stays between 80-100%, but we do have AC. However we live and work at a Christian camp so much of our time is spent outside too!!! I do have sympathy though. When our AC goes out- at night- that is not fun!!!!!! Especially trying to cope the next day!
ReplyDeleteIt has been SO so hot - over 100 with no air conditioning - here in Oregon as well. Our kids have been sleeping outside for several days, because the house has been too hot. Finally today, it seems to be cooling down a bit. I'm so thankful.
ReplyDeleteWow, i feel like i'm living in another world...last night i slept with two pairs of socks, two pairs of pj pants, a long sleeve thermal shirt and a sweatshirt...
ReplyDeletei guess being cold is not so bad...
This is crazy!!I have become the crazy with which doors can be open in our house, when to shut the windows and draw the blinds, I think I am a bit cranky! Good luck to you! ;)
ReplyDeleteWe took the kids to Denny's last night for dinner and sat there for two hours- we were that desperate. One of the fans broke (we HAD two left only). We called around all evening and the entire county is out of fans of course!
ReplyDeleteI am getting the house clean and getting out of here. It was over 90 INSIDE most of the night.
Wow. Yes, here in NC it frequently gets into the upper 90s and often with high humidity. BUT, we have AC which is certainly a blessing.
ReplyDeleteHope your fan works again soon!
Ann ... my kids are sleeping outside, too. Jim went to open up the tent trailer so that he and I could sleep outside in our "bed" ... but the trailer crank broke. :(
ReplyDeleteCarissa ... is enjoying winter in Argentina. She even had snow this week.
Momto14 ... I didn't even try to find a new fan to buy. I knew we would be out of luck.
Beaver Bunch ... hope you're enjoying your AC. We're jealous!
On a PRAISE note ... I've been quite concerned for my 90 year old Daddy in this heat. But, a friend that had recently purchased the last window AC's in the county, was nice enough to sell one to my dad and his dear wife (who is in very poor health). So, as long as my Daddy is okay, I'll try not to complain about the heat.
We must be having your weather. And you having ours. It has been nice down here in Cali..
ReplyDeleteDo what our Southern grandmothers did on not steamy nights - sleep outside. Many Southern homes turned a porch into a "sleeping porch". If you can somehow manage that or tents, you might be more comfortable in the evenings at least.
ReplyDeleteAlso - I'm going to mention these things, you probably know them already, but just in case. . .
Southerners also learned to "shut up the house" to keep the cool night air in. Before the sun gets too high pull all the drapes/curtain/blinds and close up all windows. I know this seems counterproductive, but your house is made to hold temperatures(thus the 100-degree indoor temps when it is 75 outside).
Then open it back up in the evening and put fans in the windows to blow the cooler outside air IN. Box fans are a must for this. They are worth the investment, but you don't need to spend a fortune. (Can you even find fans now?)
My husband grew up in swampy Washington, DC with no AC. His mother is still in the same house and still doesn't have AC, and this is what she does to survive the hot, humid DC summers. (Every bit as hot and more humid than Atlanta.)
I hope you weather will break soon. I do sympathize. We southerners feel the same way when we get an unusual cold period or lots of snow. Our northern friends snicker at us, but they forget our homes, cars and towns are not equipped to handle it.
I just checked the weather for Silverton, OR for next week. Right now, it's looking like 70s and 80s, but with a chance of RAIN everyday. I love rain (and I really really miss it right now), but I do hope it doesn't rain on us too much at CRC. Nevertheless, if it does rain, I may decide to go for a loooong walk in it because it sounds so wonderful right now.
ReplyDeleteHope your house is a bit cooler tonight. From what I've heard, it's supposed to be a bit better. When I stepped out of the office for a bit today, it didn't seem quite so hot or humid. The Oliver's have AC, so I have been very blessed. (and very glad they came back from Mexico on Sunday. I'm not sure how to work the AC...)
Laurel--
ReplyDeleteWe escaped our 108 degree weather from here in Southern Oregon and headed to the Oregon coast for two days to enjoy 58 degree weather. Glad I remembered the jackets or Hannah would have froze!!! LOL. Back home to at least 105, but thankful for air conditioning!!
Delight in Him