"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Summertime


"Summertime......and the livin' is easy" - unless you live where I live.  It is blisteringly hot this week.  We were spoiled by a late, cool and wet spring and we are now paying the price.  I think yesterday, we were the hottest in the nation according to the heat index and with the humidity, it is steaming.  The news was showing eggs frying on the street.  I can function outdoors when the temperatures are in the 80's, but not in the high 90's.

It will be a two shower day and right now, I am fiddling around thinking of things I need to do indoors.  I planted this morning and fed the waterfowl which left me dripping in sweat and dirty.  So, I'm clean and drinking a glass of Bigelow's raspberry, hibiscus and rose tea.  Won't be able to drink hot drinks until fall.

I don't even want to go back to the plant store and/or get out to run errands.  How did they live before air conditioning?  

26 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

LOL this is the first home we have had air:)
And it has to be swealtering for us to use it..
Heat waves ..can be dangerous..keep hydrated:)
Love the vignette:)Did you paint that beautiful horse?

donna baker said...

That sounds wonderful. Oh for a summer with temperatures like that. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you about the painting Monique, but I bought it at Hobby Lobby cause it reminded me of Gracie. I'm going to take a picture of it and email it to you as it really is beautiful. I thought I would use it as an underpainting and add to it, but it has grown on me and I left it as it is.

La Table De Nana said...

I got it..and it is BEAUTIFUL..Gotta love Hobby Lobby..wish I had one..

Truly..it looks great over the fireplace!!

donna baker said...

I thought so too. And, it was on sale. Probably Chinese, but it does look pretty over the fireplace and I haven't painted in ages. Hopefully soon.

Doc said...

There is always tomorrow, best stay in with heat like that. I talked to my twin brother in Phoenix 116 temps and his sprinkling system has problems so he is out watering twice a day to keep things alive.

Elephant's Child said...

My heart goes out to you. In our summer (which I call the sweaty season) I do my best to turn into a troll and only come out at night. And to do any housework before first light.
Stay as cool as you can.

Frances said...

Donna, I grew up in Virginia with its summertime heat and humidity, in a time when air conditioning did not exist. Fans, iced tea, and cross ventilation helped us through June, July ...and August (the big test.)

I sort of keep up that tradition here in my apartment, thankful for the cross ventilation. It's been oddly cool so far this June, while all that heat sticks around in your part of the country.

Your glass of iced tea looks so refreshing! xo

donna baker said...

It is just so frustrating as 'mother nature,' I would rather be outside than in.

donna baker said...

Sigh, I am Child. Sometimes, I can make it in the shade, but when humidity is high and heat too, it is unbearable.

donna baker said...

You need to try it Frances. It is good for you and not sweet at all, just flavorful. I'm going out in a few minutes.

ellen abbott said...

We've been in the 90s with the heat index in triple digits all this week. We've had rain nearly every day for weeks, months it seems like. three days after the last time it rained (Sunday) the ground was starting to crack.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Donna ..... it must be so difficult to function in those temperatures ....... it's a bit chilly here at the moment but should warm up next week.
Keep cool if you can !! XXXX

donna baker said...

It just plain sucks with the weather this year so far. We had no warnings or easing into the extreme heat. I got all my running of errands done this morning and in Target, the cashier told me she'd heard that a lot of folks are getting heat strokes and such.

donna baker said...

I will Jacqueline. Stay in the house which is not my preferred place as I love to be outdoors. I think it doesn't bother children as much, but at my age, I simply can't tolerate it. I hope it does not portend a long, hot summer. Where is climate change when you need it;)

elaine said...

Oh Donna I couldn't bear it either. I only just manage here in England in summer. I do 't like being indoors either but when it gets too hot I suffer from heat exhaustion , so I close all the curtains, open doors and windows and only go out early morning and evening. I sympathise.

donna baker said...

No AC Elaine? That must be nice. We aren't used to not having it around here. I do remember when traveling abroad, I did make sure the rooms had air-conditioning when booking.

Frances said...

I'll give it a go, Donna. Many thanks for the recommendation. xo

Michelle said...

It was 95 degrees here yesterday and I was still hot in the house with the AC on! I can't take it like I used to! lol

angryparsnip said...

Oh dear it is much too hot almost everywhere.
I plant for summer. Usually (but not the last 2 years) up early water clean pool jump in do exercises. Or get dresses and run errands back home no later than 11.
Then work inside where it is cool.
Cleaning my closet and pantry this summer. And as always design and print my Christmas Cards, When I worked for Hallmark we always worked in the hot muggy KC summer in a nice cool studio working on Christmas.
If we are lucky Sunday will be 115 + but for me one it gets over 110 who cares it is all HOT !

cheers, parsnip and thehamish

donna baker said...

Me either. 115 here according to the heat index (with the humidity.)

donna baker said...

What a job. That sounds fascinating. I always plan to paint my own Christmas cards, but don't think of it until too late. Above 90, you're right. When the sweat is running down your face and in your eyes it's all bad outside. I did the errand thing yesterday and got home by 11. Didn't go anywhere again that day. I try to sit out on my beloved back porch, but then the sweat starts running and I go running back in the house. The yard workers all wear long sleeves and pants. I can't figure it out.

Bea said...

Oh, my word! I can't even function when the temps are in the 80s. I think I would wilt straightaway down in your neck of the woods. That tea looks mighty thirst-slaking. :D

donna baker said...

I know Bea. I cannot do anything outside when it is so hot; can't even think straight. I went to Florence one time and it was so hot, I couldn't even enjoy that.

Share my Garden said...

It sounds as though the weather is extreme everywhere; floods in Paris, dramatic storms overhead and you absolutely sweltering in the heat. I hope that things will settle down soon, with some gentle rain for you and some sunshine for me!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What a gorgeous fireplace, and even prettier in the depths of winter.
It seems we have left the cooler weather behind, and jumped right into summer :)
~Jo

Deborah Nolan said...

Wow it does sound hot there. It gets warm here too but so far have only turned on the air once this summer. Well take care and enjoy that tea. Sounds delightful.