Dog days of August....

My husband, Dave and I live in Mesa, Arizona, a city just 20 minutes outside of Phoenix. Arizona touts, "It's hot but it's a dry heat," as if somehow, it makes the weather more tolerable. Actually, once you get used to the heat, it's kind of true.

I'll take 105 degree weather without the humidity anytime over 105 degree in 50% plus humidity! At that point, you walk outside and start dripping. It's lovely, like having your own personal sauna. The only catch is you have to wear all your clothes. Summer's not too bad, evenings it cools down to the balmy 90's, and the humidity climbs even more! Local merchants and restaurant owners will even add fine spraying misters to lure you outdoors to their patios. Mmmmm...nothing like a warm spray of water when you're already sweating like a wrestler, stuck in a half nelson, nearing unconsciousness because you can't breathe.

But, I have to say that most all of the homes in Arizona come equipped with central air conditioning and most all cars have cold a/c, as well. That being said, I'd take the dog days of Arizona any day over the record heat that is pummelling the central U.S. to the Eastern seaboard. Or the crazy tornadoes and hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast on up through the Mid-West. Dave loves the heat and says he'd rather be hot than cold. I'd rather be comfortable but, all things equal, I love Arizona weather.

The lightening and thunderstorms make the skies crackle and boom as if the gods were competing in a bowling tournament of epic proportions. The cloud formations take on the shapes of animals, people and mythical things. The sunsets rival that of any tropical paradise. And the winds blow and blow making the storms rather short and sweet.

So, here's to another balmy day, I think I will enjoy a book in the sauna!