As temperatures heat up across the country this week, I marvel at the good common sense of our felines. I continue to plow through work and household chores, miserable in this 100 degree heat. They on the other hand seek the cooler ground.
Early in the day they stretch out on the damp concrete patio. As the sun rises, they come indoors and sleep away the hottest part of the day under a ceiling fan or in the cool recesses of a closet.
Lindy, made in the shade
Beijing, looking frail but still hanging in there
The garden, too, knows exactly what to do on these over-heated days. Sinewy roots reach down to capture the cool water below, letting blooms open wide for the sun. Then they pack up shop as the sun sets and store their energy for the following day.
Helianthus, Sunflower
Cosmos and Forget-me-nots, happy in the heat
Even our native ancestors had more sense than we do. I see posts on Facebook of people running in the mid-day heat. Several spectators arrived in Las Vegas area hospitals after suffering from heat stroke while sitting in an outdoor amphitheater in the mid-day sun! And who do you suppose was offering the tomatoes a mid-day drink in the blaring sun? Guilty!!!
So…today I’m taking a page from the common sense manual. I ate an early breakfast with my husband outdoors in the patio shade. I finished my garden chores before 9 and now I’m writing with my feet propped up on the paper shredder under my desk, ceiling fan whirring overhead. My afternoon client has A/C (hooray).
Once back home I’ll try avoiding my natural tendencies to go, go, go by referring once again to that common sense manual. If you need me I’ll be doing (almost) nothing, until the blaring sun recedes for another day.
Hey…nobodies perfect.
Ways to beat the heat:
1. Drink plenty of cool water.
Slinky Malinki has a cool drink
2. Take a refreshing bath.
Mighty Mouse thinks a bath might cool me down
3. Enjoy an afternoon nap.
Shine On
Special thanks to Tamara of Botanical Gardens for including me in her list of Shine On Awards. It’s so nice to be appreciated. Tamara writes:
I am passionate art and nature lover. As I work for the third age university I got the opportunity to develop a new field of education for our seniors-my idea was to start the senior garden volunteers program. I find it intriguing for this program is not only a bond between education and nature, but it mirrors connections between society, ecology, development, individuality. My wish is to start an inter generational project with our senior garden volunteers. So this blog is also about topics dealing with importance of botany education, senior learning,inter generational learning, ecology,garden volunteers, art. Because, as I have mentioned before-it is blog about My Botanical Garden.
Gardening Nirvana 
Great common sense guide to staying cool in the heat. Love how mindful you are of what is going on around you, so that you were able to “see” the cues.
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Linda, thanks so much, both for your comments and for stopping by!
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Your cats are awesome!!!
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Thanks, Tamara! I’m rather fond of the lot of them. They bring us much joy every day.
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I am sure they do, we have so much fun with our dog, too !
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🙂 Honestly, I can’t imagine a life without animals.
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Neither do I 🙂
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Great photo of Mighty Mouse, you can see who is the boss!! Beijing has lovely colouring. I hope you manage to pace yourself and not overdo it in the heat. I can’t really imagine it but liken it to our annual Turkey holiday – very hot for pale me!
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Thank you!
Yes indeed, that cat rules the roost. I’m originally from Canada with a British father. I wilt in this heat, which will last another three days. We’re probably a lot alike in this regard. 🙂
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AC is a must in Nashville! Please stay safely out of the heat – and take the animals with you 😉
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Will do!
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You and Mighty Mouse look like you are having a good time. I was doing my outside chores Very early and I’m more like the cats. Work in the cool, rest in the heat. It has been unbearable here as well.I don’t remembering it ever being this hot here. I had a heat stroke at 10. NEVER want another.
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Good morning my dear friend. Came bye for cheer and was not disappointed. I’m relishing all your kitty photo’s. Especially Beijing, And of course your crazy Mousner photo put a smile on my face. We actually have had really really warm weather here too. Misery for being outside. Big BIG hugs to all. xoK
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Good morning. It’s so nice to ‘see’ you here. You’ve been on my mind constantly. I have a client over the hill this morning. She doesn’t have AC so we are trying to beat the heat. Hope to find you on line later.
Mouse really should see about his own calendar. Hugs dear one. Xox
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xok
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Love it! The cats demonstrating how to take it easy in the heat is perfect.
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Thank you! We have a lot to learn from them I think.
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Great tips and love the photo of you getting a bath!
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Thanks, LB! I’m so glad our heat wave has eased up. What’s the weather doing in your area?
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We’ve had days and days and days of rain. So at least for me, the heat has not been a problem. I’ve been wishing there had been rain out west where they really need it and less rain here where we’ve had flooding. Mother Nature is not happy with humans I fear …
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Sorry to hear about all that rain. The earth is definitely in dis-equilibrium
It’s alarming.
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