Somewhere in the United States at this very moment, people are inside their homes , comfortable, without air conditioning. In fact their windows are open to a silky breeze that makes the curtains dance. In fact, their actual front doors are open to further appreciate the air circulation. In fact, not a one of them is wearing what I am wearing inside the house: one of those chamois neck cloths that keep one cool.
The fact is that I am no longer in Seattle Washington, blessed by a kinder, more gentle sun, but back in go-ahead-and-fry-your-egg-on-the -sidewalk Memphis Tennessee. The typical Memphis August is one I flee as soon as I clean up my fig preserving paraphernalia. If you have ever experienced it I don’t have to tell you about the punishing heat and humidity that makes it difficult to enjoy any human activity besides imbibing iced drinks and taking cold baths. Those of you who have NOT lived through heat indexes of 104 degrees for days upon end may wonder why I am always complaining about the heat.
Here is why. The heat and humidity combined drain me of any energy I may have hoped to have. It’s hot outside and hot inside. I spend days either in a Twilight Zone of ennui, or else contemplating how I can keep myself from throwing a bag of lemons, one at a time, at the next person who asks,”Hot enough for ya?” All that is bad enough without adding that all sense of decorum or fashion fly right up to the blades of the ceiling fan. But yet I am still expected by this unfair world to wear clothing when I leave the house. So yeah, I rock those tank tops. I go barefoot at work. I sweep that red hair up into a comb, off my neck. And I am CRANKY!
This year Seattle was our refuge. I don’t know what it may be like there the other months of the year, but windows open in August is a BIG DEAL to me. The cooler weather, though warmer than usual, was restorative to my spirit. I felt like myself, a person of Northern European extraction who was not meant to wither in the tropical heat. With my energy restored, I was eager to explore the city with two of my favorite people.
I had no agenda planned for the trip. Because it was too hot in Memphis to think ahead for more than one hour. I just wanted to be revived by my company and my surroundings. My husband and daughter had done the planning, and I was along for the ride. I only had to keep up with my camera, and enjoy the sights,
It was cool here at all times of the day, despite the crowds.
the sounds,
Lots of screaming going on under the water sprayer.
the smells 
and the tastes.
Oh yeeesss. Delencey.
And drink the beer, of course.
I found had no yearnings to throw bags of lemons at innocent citizens. My attire was much more suitable for my age. In a word, I felt civilized. The Woman of Walmart look is not for me.
I write this post to encourage those among you who do not cotton to the heat. You are really NOT the underdressed crab you appear to be. Underneath your apparent contempt for those who stay chipper at record temperatures beats the heart of a decent human being. You just need to get some clothes on girl, and get outta town, if only for a day or two. It doesn’t even matter what you do. You’ll perk right up just like a big hydrangea that just had the sprinkler turned on it.
It wasn’t too hot to go walk down to the market and buy some fresh flowers.
It will still be hot when you get back, but knowing about people somewhere having their front doors open will give you some hope. That’s what Seattle did for me, and I thank her. I owe her a more comprehensive post, which I will deliver… when the weather changes. Now pass me that chamois thing, will ya?
mindfulmagpie 
Last summer I threatened to relocate to Canada until the end of October, but thankfully it hasn’t come to that! I totally understand and sympathize!
You too are of Northern European descent, I see!
I know those days in a Twilight Zone of ennui, oh too well. I plan loads of wonderful things in my long July holidays – and then the temperatures are in their 30ies (Celsius) – and I cannot be bothered.
I consider the heat just as much a weather emergency as a blizzard in winter!
Oh what a perfect trip it was! Maybe we should look into a condo there for the whole month of August.
How about our own condo the month of August? we wouldn’t have to touch many burning hot steering wheels or sweaty car seats!
Good thing you are not a remittance man. I have the impression that they all have to go to India or somewhere in the tropics….
Yes. Some place Graham Greene has used as a setting for a novel of sin and redemption.
We have similar weather in North Queensland in Summer. High Humidity and heat like you wouldn’t believe….yes “fry-your-egg-on-the-sidewalk” type heat (just love this descriptor). I actually used to really like living up there when I was younger. Don’t think I’d survive for even 2 days in summer any more. I live in the South Eastern corner of Queensland now. Mind you the Winter’s are fabulous up north and the landscape is very beautiful in many areas.
I’d love to get a chance to visit both areas!
We’ve had so much rain in Charleston, at times I have wondered if we were Seattle……..and here I have been reading about Memphis before it was Memphis for days.
Rain is fine if it doesn’t turn the place into a tropical forest.
how do you know that seattle is a “her”? on an unrelated topic, i believe in the survival of the fittest when gardening. it is at this time of the year when eggs can be fried on the sidewalk that my precious plants begin to turn brown and i am tempted to save them. i am watering my sweet potatoes, hoping to have a bumper crop to carry me through the winter.
Well, sir. How do you know Seattle is NOT a she? Also I think you are giving your plants a mixed message. First you say survival of the fittest. Then you rush out and try to save them. What are they to think?
I see you anthromorphize plants as well as cities. I think they would see me as their savior.
I can only say that if you manage to save your sweet potatoes I expect you to share the bounty.
The beer and pizza look SO GOOD. Love the beer glass on the left 🙂
Oh my, we’re they ever good! I’m planning a more thorough post and will probably have more to say about beer and pizza!
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