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The Heat Is Still On
27 Jun 2025 10:12 amThe house is no longer holding the winter's cold. It almost lasted until July. Makeshift beds have been made on the lower floors. It's uncomfortable at best. Each person has been issued a fan to sleep in front of. We are lucky. The nighttime temperatures are still going down into the 70s. That is such a blessing. I can't imagine what July and August will be like.
Today still has a heat advisory. Even with dry bulb temperatures in the upper 80s, the wet bulb temperature could get up to 100. Most days, I can function until about 10 am. Then there is no point until evening. By then, the unstable atmosphere causes storms. I won't do dishes when it is lightning. Our previous dwelling was hit by cascading lightning. I won't put my hands into water (water carries the electricity). We live in hill country. Lightning can hit the top of the hill and can cascade down from roof to roof. Not much is getting done.
The poor plants on the porch! Some died in the heat while I was at work. The rest are struggling in tiny pots, root-bound. Today's accomplishments are 4 more flowers into the ground. Last night 3 went into the ground. What plants? Two different colors of Rudbeckia, strawflowers, snapdragons, and a carnation. I'll take that as a win.
People passing by always love to see what is new and blooming. They are amazed at how I keep different plants blooming all summer. The answer is that I procrastinate. By planting my stragglers late, it looks like I spend all my time dead-heading. Who has time for that?
Now with all the farmers missing workers due to ICE raids, I am thinking about my fall garden and other crops for food. It could be real important. Climate change is already screwing with squash production. It has to be under 85 degrees in order for them to produce viable flowers and produce fruit. That sure didn't happen this week. It'll be a while before we get zucchini. The last of the peas have been harvested. Tomatoes need to be clipped to their supports. That rain is causing even more of a jungle. I have my eye on a scythe to cut it back. The yard is still full of cleavers and skunks. The basil drowned. I need to start more seeds. It's been pretty scary. At least our local farmer had plenty of produce at the Farmer's Market. We picked up cherries blueberries, strawberries, and peaches as well as pickling cucumbers and potatoes. At least there is that. Since I work most Saturdays, the big Farmer's Market in Pittsburgh has been impossible to get to. The other car is still in the shop which also hasn't helped. (We're waiting for a solenoid to come in for the transmission)
At least we have flowers.
Garden tour video: https://youtu.be/z9BqgtOCFLk?si=lIc9bnP0phmmEFZP
PS - Hey, Florida, come take your weather back home. We don't want it.
Today still has a heat advisory. Even with dry bulb temperatures in the upper 80s, the wet bulb temperature could get up to 100. Most days, I can function until about 10 am. Then there is no point until evening. By then, the unstable atmosphere causes storms. I won't do dishes when it is lightning. Our previous dwelling was hit by cascading lightning. I won't put my hands into water (water carries the electricity). We live in hill country. Lightning can hit the top of the hill and can cascade down from roof to roof. Not much is getting done.
The poor plants on the porch! Some died in the heat while I was at work. The rest are struggling in tiny pots, root-bound. Today's accomplishments are 4 more flowers into the ground. Last night 3 went into the ground. What plants? Two different colors of Rudbeckia, strawflowers, snapdragons, and a carnation. I'll take that as a win.
People passing by always love to see what is new and blooming. They are amazed at how I keep different plants blooming all summer. The answer is that I procrastinate. By planting my stragglers late, it looks like I spend all my time dead-heading. Who has time for that?
Now with all the farmers missing workers due to ICE raids, I am thinking about my fall garden and other crops for food. It could be real important. Climate change is already screwing with squash production. It has to be under 85 degrees in order for them to produce viable flowers and produce fruit. That sure didn't happen this week. It'll be a while before we get zucchini. The last of the peas have been harvested. Tomatoes need to be clipped to their supports. That rain is causing even more of a jungle. I have my eye on a scythe to cut it back. The yard is still full of cleavers and skunks. The basil drowned. I need to start more seeds. It's been pretty scary. At least our local farmer had plenty of produce at the Farmer's Market. We picked up cherries blueberries, strawberries, and peaches as well as pickling cucumbers and potatoes. At least there is that. Since I work most Saturdays, the big Farmer's Market in Pittsburgh has been impossible to get to. The other car is still in the shop which also hasn't helped. (We're waiting for a solenoid to come in for the transmission)
At least we have flowers.
Garden tour video: https://youtu.be/z9BqgtOCFLk?si=lIc9bnP0phmmEFZP
PS - Hey, Florida, come take your weather back home. We don't want it.
