May 30, 2006
Summer - Ugh!
Written by Margo Maguire in Jaunty PostI know I’m in the minority and I’ll probably take a big hit here, but I’m going to dive right in … just as I might do if there was a pool in my back yard.
OK, here goes.
I don’t like summer.
There. I said it. In public.
The past two days have been ridiculously hot - in the low 90s, and it was fairly humid (this being Michigan). And they say the heat is going to continue for at least another day. In the meantime, I have no energy to do anything.
We don’t have central air in our 85 year-old house, and it would be outrageously expensive to convert our boiler heat system (with big old radiators) to a forced-air duct system with air. Usually, we put window air conditioners in the bedrooms to get through the worst of the heat, but this is early in the season. Last week the temps were in the 60s so we never anticipated the dog days hitting us quite so soon.
Yesterday, I overheard a guy in the hardware store say that he likes it hot - that his childhood summers in Mississippi weren’t hot enough. The man he was talking to said he didn’t like it when he lived down south, but he weighed over 300 lbs then. Now he’s thin and he likes it just fine. Well, I’ve lost a significant amount of weight since last summer, and I still don’t like it!
Where can I move? The pacific Northwest? Hmm … We went to San Juan Island a couple of years ago and it was 92 degrees the day we arrived. Canada? My friends in Toronto say it’s just as bad there. Ireland? It’s a beautiful place, but (I hate to say it) I was really bored after the first ten days when I visited many years ago. Maybe the Canadian west. My husband and I love it in Banff and Lake Louise. Maybe we could find a place near there.
Except that my husband a sucker for the heat. The hotter the better. In fact, he’d probably move to New Orleans in a second. Sheesh!
As soon as it cools down enough to go into the attic, I think I’m going to get those air conditioners down.
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susannac Says:
Amen and say on, sister! I basically hibernate from late May to sometime in late September. I live in Alabama, so the heat begins as early as April, but mid-summer isn’t much different from when I lived in New Jersey. And having spent one scarily hot July in Arizona, I can confidently say that “dry heat” is just as unpleasant as any other heat. Heat is heat is heat. I like fall most, then spring, then winter and finally summer. I don’t hate any of it, but…
And you know, if you’re cold, you can always put on more clothes. When you’re too hot, there’s a limit to how much you can take off.
Kimberly Logan Says:
While there are tons of things I enjoy about the summer months, heat has never been one of those things, LOL! It is usually stifling and miserably humid around here in the summertime and it can be a trial just to walk outside to the mailbox and back. Margo, I can’t even imagine trying to live in a house with no central air. I’m all admiration that you manage to stand it.
Shana Says:
I’m laughing that you have the air conditioners in the attic. In Houston, we use our AC the whole year. Yes, there is even the occasional day in December when we need the AC on.
The heat doesn’t bother me too much. I think you get used to it if you’re in it enough. But the cold! I shiver and shiver. I don’t think it stays cold here long enough for me to get used to it.
Jennifer Y. Says:
I am not a fan of summer either…or at least the heat of summer. I can’t stand being hot and I live in a house without central airconditioning (and have my entire life). I finally got a window unit a couple of years ago and use it until you would think it is winter in my room. I like the cold, but not the heat, which can be a problem living the south. You would think I’d be used to it by now.
Lacey Kaye Says:
I totally disagree. I don’t think you get used to it! I think some people like it and some people hate it. I moved to the Pac NW 2 years ago (this will be my third summer here) from Florida and whenever people hear I’m from Miami they’re like, “WHY on earth did you move here?” to which I always respond, “For the beautiful weather, of course.” And then they look out the window, where it is inevitably raining, and they laugh. But it’s true! Sure, it rains during the winter. And true, it does get into the 90’s for about 2 weeks. But it’s a very dry heat compared to, say, my college town, which was built on a swamp (and has the requisite alligators everywhere).
I am constantly amused by the fact that there are no a/cs installed in the houses and apartments here (and hearing the reactions of newly-moved people is just as entertaining). In the summer, the strip mall stores throw open their doors. It’s a very friendly way to live.
We have a window a/c and we might have used it three weeks last year. At work, they make fun of me because I walk around in a parka-like coat most of the year (the building I work in also has no a/c OR heat) but really, truly, I moved to Seattle for the weather.
Seriously.
Lois Says:
Totally second that, I hate summer too. LOL The only good thing about it is that it’s baseball season!
(LEt’s Go Mets!) 
Lois
Margo Maguire Says:
Well - it seems I’m not the only one! Looks like I’m in good company :-).
Haven Rich Says:
Margo, your not the only one. I haven’t been able to handle the heat for some time (had two heat strokes a while back, plus meds). But even before I had that happen I wasn’t huge on the going outside and sweating your bum off. I do love spring and fall. You don’t have to worry about the extreme heat.
The sad thing is, we have a pool but since most of the meds I’m on I can’t be out in the sun it’s still of no use. Of course, I also can’t handle the extreme cold either…ugg haha.
BTW San Deigo has perfect weather. We lived there for some time and I loved it. Could go outside, to the beach and have all the fun I wanted, outside.
Anyhow, hope summer isn’t too hot for you.
Martha Lawson Says:
Hi! Born and raised in Miss. Lived here all my life - you DO NOT get used to the heat!!!!! Especially when you get older (hot flashes are hell in this heat) And also, we have days in December when we run the a/c.