Everyone’s feeling pretty
It’s hotter than July
Though the world’s full of problems
They couldn’t touch us even if they tried…
— from “Master Blaster” by Stevie Wonder, 1980
One of the world’s problems that Stevie Wonder might not have been considering seriously enough, in 1980: excessive heat.
The planned heat wave headed for the southwest U.S. could rank among its worst in history — both for its intensity and longevity. Or so we are being told. The heat wave will affect much of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, likely peaking during the second half of this week.
The National Weather Service office in Phoenix says it will “rival some of the worst heat waves this area has ever seen.”
I don’t know who is planning these extreme weather events. But I wish they would stop it.
I found this chart (below), suggesting that nearly 300 million Americans will be exposed, on Wednesday, to heat that deserves some kind of careful consideration. Maybe a big glass of iced tea, in the afternoon? The National Weather Service isn’t exactly clear on the steps necessary. They are just saying, “Caution”. Or worse.
This should be a boon for the manufacturers of small, portable air conditioners. I found what might be the most popular such unit on Amazon, a product appropriately named, “Portable Air Conditioner for Personal with 3 Wind Speeds.” A bargain, I assume, at $41. Runs on 5 volts, through a USB cable.
Just take off most of your clothes, pull out your cell phone, and enjoy.
From the Amazon description:
In particular,the AC fan with 7 colors of lights can provide you with a romantic atmosphere and a cool sleep on hot summer nights.
What the hell. Take off all your clothes. It’s July.
(Warning: Do not take off all your clothes if you’re planning to Facetime with someone. Unless it’s a romantic thing.)
How romantic might we be, here in Pagosa Springs, this week?
Looking at the map of “hotter than July America”, it would appear that the southern part of Archuleta County is going to be in the “Caution” zone this coming Wednesday.
Lake Hatcher, I’m guessing, will be one of the safer places in the county, so long as the Chris Mountain Fire behaves itself.
Most of Texas will be “Dangerous”. But that tends to be the case anyway.
Anyway, to judge by the tourist traffic, the July 4th weekend in Pagosa seems to have been extended for an additional week, possibly because people from regions of excessive heat are seeking respite in the Rocky Mountains.
Why people would come to Pagosa during a heat wave, and pay a lot of money to sit in hot mineral water, I have no idea.
…or even, to sit in the (free) hot water at the Hippie Dip…
Some people are trying to blame carbon dioxide for the hotter weather.
I’m blaming the National Weather Service. When you announce, in advance, that the weather in Texas is going to be dangerous, the weather is going to try its best to accommodate you.
We’re all trying to live up to other people’s expectations.
With a few exceptions. My cat, Roscoe, for example, doesn’t try to meet anyone’s expectations. Especially, when it gets too hot. He just finds a shady spot and takes a nap.
I wish the weather were like that.
Underrated writer Louis Cannon grew up in the vast American West, although his ex-wife, given the slightest opportunity, will deny that he ever grew up at all.