It is amazing to me how Wisconsin can be so cold in winter and reach the nineties in summer.
As I write this, I am sitting near a fan, listening to its hum as it moves the air. It reminds me of growing up in Florida, except there, it stays hot and humid for months, whereas here, it may last a few days or a week at a time.
Do you wonder how people adjusted to the summer heat without the comforts we are accustomed to in our lives, such as air conditioning or fans?
Experiencing the heat today reminds me of my childhood, before air conditioning. When I was a kid, it was too hot to sleep, so I hung a leg over the bed to stir a breeze. I talked in front of a fan, which distorted my voice, and ate popsicles. The humidity turned shelves and closets into a breeding ground for green mold, which was one of our summer chores: wiping off mildew from books and shoes I didn't wear. I spent the summer barefoot, and my feet became calloused.
It helps to experience the heat of summer so I can describe it in writing, which was especially true in Song of Jaybird. Today, many people, for example, farmers, park rangers, landscapers, road workers, and construction workers, have to work outside in the heat.
Oppressive heat slows the body down, and staying hydrated is essential, regardless of the outdoor activities we are doing. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
I checked my Roget’s Thesaurus Third Edition, which I have had for over fifty years, to find synonyms for “summer heat”. Here are a few I found: toasty, sweltering, sultry, muggy, torrid, and calid. Calid is an unfamiliar word to me; it is of Latin origin and not used often, and it means moderately hot. Here are some other descriptive words: heat wave, dog days, hot spell, oppressive, sticky, or steamy.
Our garden looks great, by the way, as do the surrounding cornfields and soybeans; just enough heat and rain to flourish. We need heat and sunshine for things to grow. Summer comes with benefits. There is something to be said for days you can sit, sip an iced tea, or lie in a hammock under the shade. Swim, cool off in a river, lake, or pool. Splash with a hose or have a water fight! Enjoy doing nothing.
I hope wherever you are, you find ways to cool off if your day becomes calid. What words would you use to describe the heat you experience? I would love to read your comments below.
