Wednesday, July 14, 2010

dog days


I'll be the very first to admit I am heat intolerant. If temps rise above 75, I sweat, I swell, and sometimes, I even swear. I'm actually counting the days till woolly socks weather. We in Central Ohio have a respite today from the 90+ sweltering heat. It's currently a pleasant, although still hot in my book, 84 degrees. We were chatting at the manor this week about the oppressive heat and humidity in the Midwest and wondered how we ever managed back in our childhood days without air conditioning. But, you know, I don't remember feeling uncomfortably hot, because we were used to it. It was part of life.

In fact, our air conditioned generation has programmed itself to be completely intolerant of summer heat. (Especially me.) Our dear forefathers lived, farmed, fought wars, and fared well in this same heat. In old photos they all seem to be sporting hats and wool jackets in July. Back in the good old summer days, our neighborhoods were chock full of folks out on their front porches. We kids played ball in the street till dark. Now the 'hoods are literal ghost towns in the summer, everyone sealed up inside, with only the drone of the air conditioning units.

Not only has the increased use of air conditioning made us intolerant of the heat, and less sociable, it's contributed to a term known as "nature deficit disorder", the alleged trend that children are spending less time outdoors, resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems, including depression, anxiety and the long term ability to cope with stress and adversity. I was always big on chasing my kids out of the house, encouraging them to dig a hole, climb a tree, or just lie in the grass and look at the sky. Turns out, I was doing them a big favor.

Last, but not least, what about the massive consumption of power used to keep us cool and comfy in the summer. It's a strain on the power supply world wide. So, what's the answer? I, for one, am certainly not going to be first in line to volunteer to turn off my air. But, I did find a few practical summer tips from the Alliance to Save Energy:

  1. A well-maintained cooling system will run more efficiently, use less energy, and lower energy bills.
  2. Reduce the cooling load by effectively shading east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-producing activities such as dish washing until the evening. Close curtains during the day.
  3. During the cooling season, keep your house closed tight in the daytime to keep unwanted heat and humidity out. If practical, ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.
  4. Avoid running a dehumidifier at the same time as the AC. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder.
  5. Turn off your computer and monitor when you are done using them; activate the “sleep” feature so the machine powers down when on but not in use for a while.
  6. Shift energy-intensive tasks such as laundry and dish washing to off-peak energy demand hours to increase electricity reliability during heat waves; do full loads when you run washers, dryers, and dishwashers.
  7. Switch to cold water washing of laundry in top-loading, energy-inefficient washing machines to save energy and up to $63 a year—detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean; clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load.
  8. Keep lamps or TVs away from the air conditioner thermostat. The heat they generate will cause your air conditioner to run longer, running up bills unnecessarily.

By the way, did you know that the Romans referred to the "Dog Days" of summer as diēs caniculārēs and associated the hot weather with the star Sirius? They considered Sirius to be the "Dog Star" because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).
The old Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional timing of the Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11.

So, keep cool in these doggy days, my friends. And don't forget to take your kids and grand kids to the park for a picnic. Let them hug a tree or two. As Martha would say, it's a good thing.


photo from google images

70 comments:

  1. These truly are the "dog days" of summer.... thanks for the info..and suggestions as to how to save energy!
    :) The Bach

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  2. I know I'm less tolerant of heat than I was when I was a kid. And especially now as I find myself sliding toward that "special" time in my life - I spend a lot of mornings perspiring even with the air on!

    Our neighbor kids spend a lot of time outdoors - often in our yard. We don't mind as long as they leave the garden alone!

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  3. That's good about the kids in your neighborhood, Bug, kids need to be outside. And I'm so with you on the perspiring even with the air on thing. Is it hot in here, or is it me?

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  4. Edward hates these dog days. He simply refuses to go out of doors. And personally, I think he's got the right idea. Climate change, anyone?

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  5. I can't believe you wrote about this..I just had this very conversation with a friend yesterday! How did we ever do it?
    But it got me thinking about feeling things...on your skin..almost a must for being there...I really think it is important to feel,smell,taste the seasons...maybe that's why kids seemed happpier way back in the stone age when I grew up...Does a fudgebar taste the same in airconditioning? I think not
    and oh the feeling of diving into the pool...ooh that cold feeling..how all the heat of the day just makes it better...
    we have insulated ourselves
    I think of my mom's friend who just passed away... wanting one more day, one more feel of hot air on his skin and the warmth of sunshine
    wanting to FEEL the outside not just look at it...I think he had something there....
    Oh and you and Bug...this too shall pass

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  6. ugh. we had it last week with 4 days over the 100 mark...and i was definitely having nature deficit disorder b/c ilove being outside...much cooler this week...80s & low 90s...i can handle that

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  7. Suz, I so agree with you on the beauty of savoring the seasons. As much as I dislike the summer heat, I would hate to live in a temperate climate. The variety is the spice of life. We really have insulated ourselves.

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  8. Especially annoying--when the AC is cranked so high that I am shivering at my desk! I don't mind so much at home, when my boyfriend wants it cold--it means I can snuggle! I do mind at work, when I've worn summer appropriate clothes and feel I should be wearing long johns and sweaters instead!

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  9. Oh, I hear you, boy do I. I live in Phoenix and we are currently under a heat advisory. I think we're expecting 116 for the next two days. Every year, around this time, I start with the "WHY DO WE LIVE HERE?" I remember growing up (here) we would stand outside, barefoot and see who lasted the longest. HOW?

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  10. What a great post. I am so with you on this one. You are smack on in pointing out that not only do we forsake our earth's gifts by abusing energy sources, but also in turning away from nature.

    Canadians are notorious for complaining about the weather, and it seems no one's happy in any season.

    I'm not as heat-intolerant as you but strongly dislike air conditioning and I only turn it on when it's unbearable. There is little more lovely to me than a breeze coming in my window on a summer's evening or morning. I gravitate to the outdoors as if it's my last hold on freedom.

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  11. Willow -- I hope that I am not the only one on your comments section that will come clean and say that they do not have an AC by choice.

    Like you when I was young -- no one had an AC.

    My great uncle used to take the bus to visit us wearing a wool suit and wool vest and long underwear underneath. This was in the dead heat of summer on a hot bus for two hours. He never complained. He lived a long life and was extremely healthy. It's what you get used to.

    If everyone were to turn off their air how much energy would we save. Has anyone figured it out?

    Change is good so try and turn off your air at least during cool nights. I think we need to re-think our energy consumption. It is not something for the other person to do, it is for us as individuals to do. -- barbara

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  12. I remember those hot summer nights...everyone outside on the porch for good reason...the house was an oven and we all waited for the sheets to cool. I agree though on the good feelings of 'dog days'...ice cold watermelon, and a shocking jump into cool water...ahhh summer.

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  13. Kudos to you, Barbara! You are brave and noble. More of us need to be like you. The world would be a better place.

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  14. I love this post willow - although I must admit that we don't use AC in our house in spite of the high humidity we have in the summer - I don't like the 'shut in' feel of it. Also, your comments about children not spending as much time outside as they should is so true - it what my blog yesterday was all about!

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  15. Ooh, I really feel for you and here I am enjoying a really chilly morning, with the sun shining and very dark rain-threatening clouds!

    My last post was about my grandson, who had never seen a frog until two weeks ago! Trouble is, my daughter is afraid to let him out of her sight outside but stranger-danger has always been there!

    Yes, air-conditioning has made us more unsociable; I too remember the whole family in the backyard on a hot summer evening.

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  16. I have no tolerance for hot weather any longer (I'm 71), but when I was a child it was simply hot or cold or whatever, with nothing more than the acknowledgment of the weather.

    Today it's 84 deg. in my California home and I am comfortably at home with the AC running - and solar energy to keep it affordable.

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  17. made me smile to see you at Farmhouse right now...i hope Teddy likes that little baby meatloaf :-)


    and you sound like me...i haven't said anything...but I got out my scarecrow and put it by my kitchen door...i can't wait for FALL !!!!

    kary and teddy
    xxx

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  18. I used to tell mine to go outside and get the stink off of them.

    I was happy to note that I do all of these things except go without a/c. Thanks for posting this reminder to not take cool air for granted and like all things, it has its consequences.

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  19. Willow,
    You are so right-on Willow; across the board.
    Of course if there were no air cooling in the OR there would be much less surgery and more errors committed in those that were done.
    Heat, excessive heat, it sucks the energy right out of me especially if it's humid. Nature does that on purpose; so as to make us slow down and recoup our energies from spring's work and rebuild our stamina for the fall harvest.
    Yes we were meant to spend most of our time out-of-doors, using the shelter of our homes for sleep and protection from the night things.
    It'll right itself in time, italways does. ;)
    rel

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  20. I wish I could relate to all of the comments, but here, in San Francisco, we have had an unusually cold and grey Spring and Summer.... it rarely climbs above 60...and hovers in the 50's....

    Willow - you would love it. As for me, I would love some heat and although I am not fond of humidity, I would even take that.....I guess it's the "Grass is Always Greener Syndrome"...

    I like Suz's comment though...and it even realates to your previous post on tomatoes and onions.... everything smells and tastes better when you experience naturally..

    Still, I wish you some cooling breezes if you send me some sunshine and a few 75 degree days!

    Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  21. Yes,this brings back a lot of memories of growing up on a farm in Minnesota... the Midwest has a summer of its own making..but delightfully full of life in the ditches and meadow..sounds unheard in many parts of the country...nature should be the playground for children....bkm

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  22. Really enjoyed this post, and the delightful comments - well, who doesn't like to feel superior, especially to AMERICANS

    75 degrees Willow? You a wimp or something? And I bet you mean Fahrenheit as well.. For what most of you spend on AC you could build a house out of stones and mud like mine. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer and cash in your pockets for iced coffees all day like me.

    When you come (to Corfu)to relearn how to live in the real natural world Willow, because you used to know such things, and I know you are coming, you will have some impressive posts to write after.

    You have lovely friends and I know they are listening to you.

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  23. Well have to say we're not experiencing that kind of heat in the UK but it's warm enough for me in the sixties! I don't know how you survive that heat.

    Because we live in the North we never need air conditioning in houses, just open the door. When I go into shops with it I'm usually freezing! I can't stand it on aeroplanes either, I always take a jacket and wear socks.

    I've never heard of dog days, had to look it up. Maybe it's because we never get any! The Romans obviously did but not when they came to Britain. They must have been frozen poor things with those little short skirts!

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  24. oy...i've been trying to open the house during the day, but this humidity makes living intolerable. it is certainly impossible to sleep thru the night without the air on. Only another month or so and we'll be around the next bend!

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  25. Winifred, I'm sure you never use the term "Dog Days" of summer because you just don't have them over there, you lucky dogs!

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  26. We're used to the heat and mugginess here in NC, but I don't like it. It's hard to be out and about when it's so draining this way. I do remember it being much the same in NJ when we were kids, though, and as you said, somehow we managed. But we're good about trying to conserve and get some fresh air when we can. I do think it's sad that you don't see kids outside very often--our neighborhood is atypical--we actually have a little cul de sac here where parents are so good and go out and throw lawn darts with kids and play catch and run with the dogs and catch turtles in the local streams. We're very fortunate to be a part of all that. It's rare now...stay cool, Willow!

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  27. When we first got married we lived in an older house (1920s vintage) that had wonderful large windows. We only turned the air conditioner on when the temperature was pushing 100 degrees. When Son #1 was born, we put a window unit in his room so it would be cool for him, but Hubby and I continued to go without.

    However, now we live in a newer tract house that isn't built for air circulation, so we're resigned to closing up the house when it gets hot and using the air conditioner. I miss hearing all the outside noises at night and early in the morning.

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  28. "even swear"..haha..me, too! I am always my most cranky when I'm hot!

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  29. In Australia we have winter at the moment, so I am very fortunate I love winter, but our summers are horrid, but we do try to spend as much time as I can tolerate outside though.

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  30. I turned the AC off last year. Surprisingly, it's not that bad. I have become much more acclimated to the heat. I don't go to an office during the day, so I am never in AC. That's how we survived it in the past, we were used to it.

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  31. I'm not sure that you're old enough to remember cars that had no AC. Everyone rode around with the windows down and your windblown locks were usually stuck to your sweaty forehead well before reaching the destination. I remember my Mother telling me that families used to sleep outside the house on the lawn on the very hottest of nights. We've just survived travel in Europe where the standards of air are much less than in North America. I'm loving my air today, and I'm totally with you on the woolly socks thing:) How about a trip to Sweden? :)

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  32. It is 14 degrees C here in the north of New Zealand at present - 3 degrees this morning. A wonderful clear sunny day.

    Our winters this far north are quite mild in comparison to those further south.

    I must say I prefer the cold to the extremely hot. One can always put another layer of clothing on but it is very hard to cool down.

    Love your Blog.

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  33. Wow, another great topic, Willow! I know that we get used to the heat when we're forced to, but am not so sure our ancestors bore it without a murmur. When visiting a remote village in the tropics a few years ago, around noon I found myself almost unbearably irritable. I mentioned this to one of my companions, and he said, "Yeah, there's a reason Southerners talk about 'the days before air conditioning.'" (Perhaps summer was the season when family feuds really heated up? I could understand it.)

    Re: outdoor deficit disorder or whatever it's called, I once had a friend from Chicago who absolutely could not understand the attraction of going up into the mountains. And we were living WITHIN SIGHT of some gorgeous mountains! She had other consolations (music), but maybe if you grow up without it, you lose the ability to enjoy it.

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  34. PS *Jen* - Don't know what you do for work, but if it is practical you should invest in some of those beautiful pashmina style wraps. You can get them in any color to match your outfits, and they are a classy way to stay warm when dressed for summer.

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  35. No A/C here -- we make do with fans in every room. I know from experience that if we had A/C, the heat outside would be all the more intolerable. And on a farm, one pretty much needs to get outside.

    On the worst days we limit our outdoor activities to early morning and late afternoon. And we sweat a lot -- but how glorious the evening shower is!

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  36. Don't forget trying out a new swimming hole each day. I'm a child of a mother who threw us outside every day.

    Where I live, it will be warm through October. After living in the cold most of my life, I don't mind. I'm used to sweating now. And I still seek out swimming holes.

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  37. Since we moved to the coast, anything over 70 feels hot and impossible to us. Fortunately, our summers are in the low 70's. No wonder my relatives all come visit us.

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  38. Susan, I totally agree. If it's cold, you can always slip on a sweater...but if it's hot, it's hot!!

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  39. Grew up in Houston. Lived more than a decade in the tropics of South East Asia. Oh, and three years in Saudi Arabia. Heat? oooh yes...I love it!!

    Folks here in Western NY gripe eight months of the year about the cold, then act like the world is coming to an end when it reaches 70. Imagine what they yak about now that it's been over 90 for four days. Yeah, four days. give me a break!! Last ;year we barely reached 70 all summer and finally had two weeks of "warmth" in August. Then cold again.

    Damn that global warming! Big disappointment for me! About 20 years ago I was SO hoping to see palm trees along Lake Ontario. That was when a professor at SUNY said that in 15 years NY would be sub-tropical.

    Still waiting. But 90 again tomorrow, and I'm gonna love every sweat drop of it!!!

    Rick

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  40. And the word 'canicule' in French means 'Heatwave'.

    My answer (the French answer) is to get up early, work till mid-day, eat well, sleep well, start again at 7pm.

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  41. I have wondered the same thing, Willow. How DID those people survive? I am already trying to figure out how not to die at an outdoor wedding on Saturday when our weather will be a lovely 106 degress. (I have already warned our children that we will not help them with their weddings - and perhaps not attend - if they get married in the summer.) :)

    We have dry heat here so evaporative coolers work pretty well and cut electricity costs by two-thirds. We only run the air when it's over 105. Unfortunately, that happens pretty frequently this time of year. Ugh.

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  42. I'm reading this on the cusp of posting about a "Lockdown" we're having here in the high desert, which means, it's so darned hot, everyone & their dog (literally) stays indoors. Period. 119 degrees isn't fun, even with a/c house/car/mall. That's death temps, there.

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  43. We're experiencing "dog days" here in Germany ~ no AC and can't tell you how many times I've said I'm looking forward to moving back to the land of AC! LOL Because we've always included hours of outdoor play and nature strolls to our days, I have to run my kids inside when the temps hit 90-100. Unlike me, they seem to be more heat tolerant and just like being outdoors.

    I grew up in South Carolina where our summers were much like the ones you described ~ playing outside til dark and the adults sitting and chatting. No AC; no sitting in front of the TV. I liked it!

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  44. Modern day Italians speak of "Sole Leone" and does it have teeth!
    We live in darkness afraid of the tiniest wisp of heated light. What a difference with Holland where all huge windows went mostly curtain-less to let in as much light as possible!

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  45. My grandmother referred to 'dog days' too. She always warned us not to pester the family hound during hot spells. Sound advice, as the heat can affect dogs the same way as it can affect humans. They can get pretty prickly!

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  46. Sending you some winter coolness from down under. We are having a spot of the loveliest weather in NZ .. I wish I could make a parcel and post you some.

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  47. While you are sweating and suffering indoors, I'm glorying in these 90 degree temperatures! The minute I can get outside, I go, spending every evening after work out in the heat. I love it! Recently our home air conditioning died of old age, and we were without in the hottest part of the summer. It didn't bother me a bit. I wear wooly socks when it's 70!

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  48. I am one of those people who refuses to run around wringing my hands about using energy.

    Why?

    Because there are several sources of natural energy that our country just refuses to acknowledge. Refuses to use. "They" want us to stay enslaved to petroleum power, and so we are.

    The vineyard I work for wanted to put up a wind turbine to make the place self-powered. It took them FIVE YEARS of fighting and arguing and rallying and stomping their feet at town meetings to be allowed to put one up on their own property.

    Solar power is so expensive to get set up that many home owners (like myself) find that it is not an option. Because the power companies want us to pay them.

    When things like this happen, I say PLUG IT IN!!!

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  49. Ooops. Typo. That should have read "the vineyard I workED for" - as I no longer do! 8-)

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  50. Dear Willow,

    I usually only have 2-3 days that are hot here on the coast of Maine. This year I just had the window unit put in ,Toooo hot.
    Thanks for the info.. yvonne

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  51. There are so many interesting thoughts in this post! I don't know which ones to address . . .

    We are in Portugal right now, and even though it is probably 90 degrees of so, we don't have the air conditioning on. The house is made for heat, with cool tiles on the floor and sliding doors that allow for cross-drafts. Also, (most importantly), a pool for dipping one's toes in!

    My mother, who grew up in a pre-air-conditioning Texas, has talked about the porches which people slept in during the summer . . . and socialized on during the hot afternoons and evenings. It's sad to think of everyone huddling inside, in their artificially chilly space. Better to find a shady tree . . .

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  52. Yes life in the Midwest, it sure do make the corn grow don't it.

    I remember those days trying to sleep in front of the oscillating fan in my soft seersucker jammies, then as the sun rose again I was off to play under my favorite shrub with my farm animals...ahhh, the good ol' days...WHEW!

    Stop laughing already...I have a bump on my brow this AM...LOL!

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  53. It's good to know the exact date of those "dog days"...I never did. No a/c for me here in CA but I would be lost without my ceiling fans.

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  54. I can feel very superior. We don't have air conditioning and therefore we don't waste all that energy trying to keep the temperature down. We rely on a tried and trusted old method - living in a country which is either cold or wet or both. As I - in the middle of summer - reach for a sweater I dream about emigrating to the mid-west.

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  55. Ah, Alan, then let's swap dreams, since I long to be in a cool, damp place. I'm sure it's my DNA tingling again.

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  56. Sister, I am right there with you about the heat!

    But for me humidity is the factor that pushes my toleration level out of the roof. I can't stand being in a big box store in the summer. The temp is cool enough, but there is something about the humidity level and lack of moving air in the stores that makes me start sweating. Am I the only one that has this problem?

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  57. I was outside every chance I had when I was a kid. But I grew up in southern California, no humidity like here in the mid west. We had fans and sometimes would have big chunks of ice by the fan but I didn't feel heat unless we drove into the desert. Then we felt it!

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  58. Stevie, Sistah, I am hearin' ya!! That humid stagnant summer air in stores is the worst. It makes me sweat like a pig. Do pigs sweat? Well, I sure do, and I hate it.

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  59. Hello Willow,

    Hope you're keeping cooler. Glad you enjoyed your time with E and found some treasures too. I enjoyed your tribute to the taste buds and a love of life's relish!

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  60. I'm with you on this, Willow. I'm very heat intolerant, too. I can't be out long at all in this heat. We have a high of 95 and humid today. It's supposed to storm late afternoon or evening. But the heat completely zaps my energy. At least it's cool here at work and my car is parked in the shade in the parking garage. Keep cool as a cucumber : )

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  61. I can't stand the heat either but we have been lucky this year... it has been sunny but not too hot here in Wales anyway. And it has been very rainy recently (sorry).

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  62. There was certainly no air conditioning when I was a child growing up in New England...I don't remember being too hot...and I don't remember my parents complaining either...but things have certainly changed, including me. It took a long time but two years ago Mr O and I gave in and bought an air conditioner.
    Today it is in the 80's and the ac is turned off...and I am fairly comfortable as long as I'm not doing anything:) Still I couldn't live without the 4 seasons.

    I completely agree about kids not being outside enough. When we were young we didn't want to stay inside...maybe there are too many rules, regulations, fears, and organized activities for kids now. I have been enjoying our new neighbor's kids who are outside all day...lots of noise but it always makes me smile...

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  63. I am a woolly sox gal myself, so I hear ya. But I am grateful that my job requires me to be out walking in all weather. There are days when I think to myself, only little kids and mail ladies are out in this stuff today! It keeps me in touch with the rhythm of the seasons, and I like that.

    But please do have another look at those old photographs. The people in them often look much older than they actually were. Then again, it was probably kids like me, sending whiffle balls bouncing onto the roof, that did them in, lol.

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  64. Went through 4 pregnancies without air conditioning in the unpredictable dog days of Canadian summers.
    With the new house and baby five we put air and a dishwasher and I used disposable diapers. Imagine.
    It's been 12 years and I can't see living without the AC, the others no big deal.

    I remember my first apartment , which was really the converted attic of an old stuffy house, and spending my first night sleeping in the bathtub!

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  65. i hate the heat.
    HATE IT.
    ...and so i live in florida?????
    how did this happen?

    xxx

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  66. It's not so much the heat, as the humidity here. Nothing a good breeze (or a good thunderstorm) can't cure. I just wish it would hurry up!

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  67. I totally adore the hot weather Willow, so I'm very envious. I would sell MOTH & all the kids for the chance to wander around the house barefoot at the moment. Brrrr, it's icy cold here in the this great Southern land. Stay cool.
    Millie ^_^

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  68. When you posted this I was suffering from heat stroke, something I've had once before many years ago. In Toronto the added pollution raises the humidex, and on Friday it went up to 42.

    Your suggestions are ones that I would heartily agree with. As I only have a dehumidifier and a fan I keep all my windows closed and blinds shut throughout the day, only opening the windows after midnight when outside has cooled off sufficiently. I have to shut the windows before 6:30am otherwise I lose that cooler air too soon.

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  69. So glad to say that we've already instituted the 'saving energy' recommendations you so graciously posted for all. Like you, I'm heat intolerant and do everything I can to keep it, and the humidity, outside where it belongs... until the wonderful weather of fall is once again upon us!

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  70. It has been hot everywhere, and I have been reading blogs and posting in the cool environment of my office! I have become a night gardener and a visitor to cold grocery stores and movie theatres. At my age, I am always very hot!! I loved finding your blog this afternoon. I'll have to dabble with some poems. I wrote a ballad to my Newfoundland I'll have to share one day!

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)