How hot is it? When I wash my darks in cold water, they feel hot when I take them out. The only water sports we are doing involve hoses and sprinklers. When the high doesn’t get into the 100’s (rare), wunderground calls it “refreshing”. Our lows are higher than the highs in the normal part of the world. Walking to the car raises enough sweat to make me want another shower. I’m afraid to look at my electricity bill. I’m afraid to look at my water bill. The ground is shifting and the electric gate has started to drag on the driveway. Mia, who normally goes in kicking and screaming when we’re outside, now excuses herself with “I’m going inside. I’m tired.” The crape myrtles have dropped their blooms. The elm tree is likely next with its leaves. Even the basil, which normally runs rampant in the heat, has some singed edges.

The world outside is quiet; the people (and even the cats) are tucked away in the air conditioning. Well, not exactly quiet. Cicadas chatter all day; they sound like rattlesnakes and desert.The flora looks like desert. The fauna is sleeping. We are sleeping more, too.

Who wants to visit?