Tuesday, July 23, 2019

4th heatwave of the year



     
I actually went riding today because I'm stubborn and don't like cancelling on Ani.

That was stupid. I drank two bottles of ice water and still had to sit on a bench for a while because I couldn't go on. Mag was so wiped from the heat he almost fell asleep right there at the bench.

Today is baling day, so we'll be doing that in 95F.

I was watching my favorite YouTuber, a guy from Portland Oregon living in Germany, and he's just like me about hot weather and complains incessantly about the lack of AC in Germany. He posed the question today, "OK Germans, are you finally gonna admit that it's hot enough for AC?" (Cuz Germans will almost always tell you, "Oh it doesn't get hot enough here, so we don't need it, you environment-hating Americans.")

We had the hottest June this year since weather recording began. 

It's gonna get over 40C/104F on Thursday. The inside of my house is 23C/74F right now. So if I stay in here, I can survive.

13 comments:

AareneX said...

Have you tried making a swamp cooler?

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2015/06/no_ac_a_homemade_swamp_cooler.html

TeresaA said...

40 degrees is unbearable. I hope that it ends soon!

lytha said...

Aarene, I have an AC unit, one of those floor ones cuz German windows don't slide open. Thank goodness we have a cat door so we can vent the thing.

Teresa, ah, you're familiar with 40: ) Yesterday at the grocery store I asked the checker, "Aren't you glad there is AC in this store?" She shook her head, "No, it's not healthy to use AC."

We just went outside to watch the baler because we are dying to know how many bales we'll get. But just standing there in the shade watching was unpleasant so I came back in. In another hour, the hottest part of the day, we'll have to collect them and store them. Not sure how I'll manage that.

Nat D said...

Cold wet towel wrapped around your head and neck. Put them in the freezer an hour or so before you go outside. And keep a steady slow pace. And nap between 2-4 in the shade. ;-)

And go pick some blackberries for sustenance.

Nat D said...

oh ... and mister fans! Handheld or suspended. I survived Vegas with those things in 45 degree heat.

AareneX said...

Why not collect the bales in the evening...or at night? They won't run away or anything.

lytha said...

ND, I've never heard of a mister fan. But I've seen Americans in Germany put wet towels in front of fans.

Right now, and every Summer, I have a frozen towel in my freezer, all the time, unless I'm using it, wrapped around my neck. Hey that's a great idea, to actually wear it tonight while we're gathering and stacking hay! Thanks!

There are no blackberries, only thorns. We have a black/raspberry hybrid called a Tai Berry that grows on our house and they are so awesome. They don't have the nasty growing habits of blackberry, they just stay on their trellis. And they taste so good. I picked handfuls for J and froze a few ziplocks for smoothies. I don't eat sugar for the most part but I do snack on a few of them.

I'll let you all know what happens in a few.....we're waiting for the hay trailer to come.

lytha said...

Aarene, interesting idea. He's on his way now, though. 17:53 in the PM.

lytha said...

UPDATE: We've been working for 3 hours and we're 3/4 done stacking and lofting 190 or so bales, each tightly pressed and quite heavy for how dry it is. I have pics and video before it got intense. They are taking a break now and I just rushed to bring the hay farmer and his son each a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Germany's cheap ice cream is much better than the best ice cream I had in America. I hope they like ice cream. I'm selfishly sitting here in my cool house with my ice towel, before I go another round.

As I said in my video, I look like I've been dipped in a vat of boiling water. My face is totally red and my hair is soaking wet.

lytha said...

UPDATE 2: I'm done. We got 180 bales or so. The guys are sitting out there chatting in our driveway (full of hay bits) after their 4 hours of work. I kicked off as soon as I took care of my animals (cleaned up poop, etc) and said TSCHUESS, peace out, the immediate American style goodbye which takes a lot longer by Germans *lol*

My throat hurts, we breathed so much hay dust today.

OK J just came in and it's a really good thing we have a Roomba (must recommend!) because we were both too exhausted to strip to our undies before entering the house and we were covered in hay. I threw my melted ice towel on him and well, he's German, so that's no good.


HHmplace said...

We should start comparing heat waves! We're not breaking records though! Had a light rain move through & the did a # on the humidity! LOL! Give that man a break! :-)

lytha said...

HH, this week the humidity dropped so I feel like I'm in Las Vegas. The grass makes noise when I walk on it. Usually it squelches like a sponge *lol*

HHmplace said...

Now, our heat/humidity is due to climb, then moderate into the mid-80's for next week. I'll take it! Enjoy your cool down!