Unexpected Cool Front, Preparing for Higher Temps

What a nice welcome, change! Just when I thought summer was here for good, we had a blast of dry air that is making for wonderful nights of sleep, and a bit of extra energy to get everything done. We've been waking up to temperatures in the low 60's for the last two mornings, with another luxurious two mornings of cool, dry air promised.

Summer in Houston proves challenging at best. May and June usually stay in the low 90's with incredibly stifling humidity. July brings temperatures up into the high 90's, sometimes with some dry spells that almost make night time livable. Then comes August and September, with extremely high humidity, the threat of tropical storms and highs in the low 100's. The low 100's may not sound extreme to those living in drier climates, yet you add that dose of high humidity and it literally sucks the breath out of your lungs at 5:00 p.m. each afternoon. You pray for rain storms, then cringe afterwards as the returning sunshine creates a mucky sauna in front of you, steam rising off the urban pavement.

Some people thrive in this hot climate, especially those from the Midwest USA who hate the eternal cold they experience living on the Great Lakes. Me? I become a relic of my caved air conditioning, crawling out only early in the morning or after sundown when the temperatures slowly crawl into the upper 80's or 90's. I do a lot of sewing, laundry and home improvement in the summertime, especially since I'm nearly bonkers from staying in. Insomnia is also a problem, something you'll notice as others like you visit their local Walmart (screaming kids in tow, no less) at 2:00 a.m.

And, back to the present, my calla lilies are starting to bloom, large yellow blossoms that easily fall when the southern winds start to hit them. This year, I've added some dollar store bulbs...gladiolas, etc. to the mix. It will be interesting to see what blooms next. Stay cool ! Terre