It's Getting Hot Up In Here

Well, hello there. I'm easing back into this writing thing. And my easing always works best when prompted with simple, straightforward questions from those smart bastards at Friday 5. I have about ten lengthy and witty blog posts that I need to write, full of photos and friends and family and travels and cool buildings and antique crap and anecdotes that will charm your pants right off. But I'm easing in. Like dipping my toes in a very hot, hot tub so I don't keel over from all the steamy heat. I gotta test this thing out. So here we go, easing in. Are you still there? Ok, I'm writing now.

1. As the weather in the northern hemisphere begins to warm, how do your days and nights change?

The windows are finally cracked open, those storm windows traded for screens, letting in a warm, humid breeze during the day and a crisp, still slightly chill spring breeze at night. We switch out our heavy winter comforter for light blankets. We get the occasional allergy sniffles, but push through because the days we can actually leave the windows open are so few. Soon it will be nasty hot and evil humid. Soon, but not yet. Oh, not yet. Now it's 75 and perfection. The dog starts shedding and so everything and everyone finds itself covered in a thin layer of black fur. I go through twelve lint roller refills by June.

2. In what way do your dining habits change as the weather turns warm?

I like roasting things. I like using my oven. But as soon as the weather is warmer than 80 degrees, I pretty much just want to eat watermelon, ice cream, chicken salad and anything fresh and crispy. So we are into sandwiches and salads and fruit and grilling out and recipes where I can actually use all the crazy amounts of mint, sage and rosemary that are growing in our herb garden. And sun tea, I love minty or lemony sun tea. And maybe a roasted vegetable now and then, because sometimes a girl wants roasted potatoes. And pizza. Sometimes I want pizza. Ok, all the times.

3. What’s the best thing unrelated to weather about the warm-weather months?

Flowers and green, lush grass on barefeet, and mosquitos. Ok, that last part is a lie. Sitting out on our deck on weekend mornings, talking and drinking coffee. Long walks on the walking trail. Ice cream cones. Putting on sunglasses and a scarf and tooling around in Joe's convertible. Fireworks. Vacations. Eating outside on the Plaza watching shoppers pass by. Reading sillier books than normal. Seeing family and friends more often since everyone seems less busy and more relaxed. Hot dogs on the grill. Cicadas. Air conditioned movie theatres. Chlorine and pool noodles. 

Summer is coming.

4. What are some strategies for dealing with those especially unbearable warm nights?

Air conditioning, showering and going to bed with wet hair (also leading to some epic and nearly incurable cases of Medusa bed head), light tank tops and underpants only pajamas, sleeping with just a sheet, iced coffee, iced everything, and a ceiling fan. I couldn't live without a ceiling fan in the summers. Also making the dog sleep on the floor, because he's like sleeping with a freshly microwaved Hot Pocket.

5. What words of encouragement do you have for the you of six months from now?

Hang in there. Good things are coming. Just keep doing what you're doing. Keep working hard and being kind to yourself. You have no idea in what form or package or delivery method the good stuff is coming in, but it is coming. Keep believing that.  And you will be ready for it all. Or you'll pretend you are, until you really are. And then Christmas will be here. You love Christmas!