Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Heat stress

A month without rain and few weeks with temperatures soaring into the triple digits has about everyone in Lincoln in a foul mood.  Over the weekend, we investigated 46 assaults. That's really pretty typical here in the big city, though, so I can't declare these assaults to be the result of the heat.  I'll tell you what, though: I've lived here for 45 years, and I just can't recall a summer as hot as this for as long as this--and it's only half over.

On the positive side, I haven't mowed the lawn in a month.  Apparently the grass is suffering from heat stress, too, which suits me just fine at the moment.

17 comments:

Steve said...

Back when I was a kid, we needed a really hot summer. The winters were so cold, the flame from the oil lamp would freeze, and we had to wait for summer to thaw it out.

Anonymous said...

We burn the flame from the "midnight" oil lamp at * O Clock: sign of age I guess.

Anonymous said...

During weather as we have now, always remember the opposite: Bitter, sub-zero wind chill, a foot and a half of snow to shovel, streets and cars covered with ice that you have to scrape off your windows and slide all over on during the trip home, etc etc etc. I much prefer our current situation.

Anonymous said...

I saw a robin use a potholder to pull a worm out of my lawn.

Steve said...

The squirrels chewed their way into my garage to put their nuts in my beer fridge!

Anonymous said...

...I saw a field of corn--completely popped!

Anonymous said...

This little item can give you an accurate idea about just how hot things can get on days like this.
http://www.harborfreight.com/infrared-thermometer-93984.html
I bought this item over a year ago. Today I am going to see just how hot a motorcycle helmet can get in the sun.

Gun Nut

ARRRRG!!!! said...

It's over 100 degrees today. And I thought it was hot during May.

Steve said...

Last year, middle of August, I was riding my Harley through Death Valley. People would be donning jackets out there in the weather we're having here now.

The temperature that day got to 120in places. When you put gloves on to keep your hands cool, that's hot!

Anonymous said...

So hot the trees are whistling for the dogs.....

Anonymous said...

I filled an empty three liter Clorox jug with water that I measured at 98.5 degrees. I strapped it in to an old motorcycle helmet and set it on the concrete driveway at 3:47 PM today. Five minutes later it had heated to 119.9 degrees. BTW the temperature on the driveway was only 112.4 degrees. On a ride to the S.E. Walmart some of the new blacktop pavement gave readings over 140 degrees at 4:30 PM. I am convinced wearing a helmet on hot days is a hazard. At least the rider should be allowed to decide.
Gun Nut

Steve said...

Gun Nut:

I'd settle for making it a secondary offense like seat belts or texting.

Anonymous said...

Glad you don't live next door to me.

Anonymous said...

Glad you don't live next door to me.

Anonymous said...

I've always said, regarding helmets, that whether or not you think that your brain is worth protecting, you're probably right. I wouldn't ride a MC without a full-face helmet, even in the Mojave summer.

Pastor Fuller said...

I griped about the heat and the Lord seemed to say to me, "Why not be thankful for A/C!"

Tom Casady said...

10:50,

The fire hydrants are whistling...