Pushing your comfort zone to get outside every day, regardless of the weather, is a normal part of “The Open Air Life.” But so is knowing when it’s time to call it quits. – Linda Akeson McGurk, Swedish-American Author of “Open Air Life” and “There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather”
As a kid, we were outdoors as much as possible. – Jim Breuer, American comedian and actor (1967-)
We had a magical thing happen just outside our kitchen window but first let’s get into how and what to do when the heat is stifling. I enjoy getting outside planting flowers and seeds, moving pots and trays from place to place, hanging the Boston fern here or there, and dragging the water hose around making sure every plant has what it needs. However, when temperatures rise to the 100’s we are in the danger zone-all of us, plants and people. Following are some weather tips from author Linda Akeson McGurk:
Keep a more leisurely pace on very hot days-lounging in a hammock with a good book. Seek shade while you’re out and wear a sun hat, sunglasses and UV-protective clothing. Light colored clothing and loose-fitting clothing. Clothing that is quick drying includes polyester, nylon, or plant-based fibers like lyocell, bamboo viscose. Cotton and linen are okay though they absorb a lot of moisture, slow drying, and can lead to chafing.
If it’s hot dip your clothing in cold water before putting them on. Evaporation will help cooling. Be ready to hydrate with chilled water, sports drinks with electrolytes, and other nonalcoholic drinks without caffeine.
Stay hydrated and look for places with ponds or lakes. Sticking your hands and feet into even a bucket of water will cool you down.
Usually, temperatures on a hot day will be the hottest between 10am and 3pm. Early mornings and late evenings are better suited. Try walking out under the sky before bedtime or sleep under the stars. Imagine the wonder.
Learn to recognize heatstroke and dehydration: fever, confusion, nausea, rapid breathing, racing heart, headache, and what you should do beforehand. Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
Know that babies are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures than older children and adults, do not leave them unattended in very hot weather. As a child playing in the sprinkler, a hose, a plastic swimming pool, or a homemade “slip n slide” and drinking water from the spigot was great fun.
We are avid birdwatchers here at home. The American goldfinch family settled their brood into a glass candle holder hanging from the back porch. She had five hatchlings. We were able to watch the hatchlings raise their heads and open their mouths while parents fed hour by hour until nightfall. Last week the hatchlings became fledglings as the parents moved them one by one. Standing still I observed parents and fledglings chirping to each other and trying their wings. It was a magical wonder of nature.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
