To quote Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (paraphrasing),“it’s like a heatwave!” Not sure we are going to do any “Dancing in the Streets” (1964) today. Too dang hot! However, the YouTube video is fun if you were around then. It’s Dick Clark and American Bandstand. It was probably filmed in L.A. since Bandstand left Philly in February that year. However, I still ran home every day after school to watch. Rock on!
But kindly rock on thoughtfully if you are also having a heat wave. Heat waves can be deadly when you reach “a certain age”. Jean Coutu, who I think is Quebecois and probably a guy – his stuff comes up in both French and English, talks about the effects of extreme heat on infants and older folks. He says heat can lead to not only death, but some suffering along the way. The list includes heat edema (swelling), heat rash, heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
Jean goes on to say how certain characteristics of the elderly population – and some even especially in the visually impaired, I would say – can lead to greater risk. Certain medications lower our tolerance for heat. Some of us are physically and socially isolated and many of us have lost autonomy. No scooting to the grocery store to stand in the frozen food aisle! Maybe go to the seasonal section and get a lawn chair….what? Well, it might work.?
Short of camping out in frozen foods, Jean has some suggestions. His list includes drinking a lot. And, no, he is not talking about that kind of drinking! In fact, that kind of drinking is not recommended. Why, because alcohol will dehydrate you even more. If the weather has you so distressed, you really need a good stiff one or three or four, follow each of them up with a large glass of water.
Limit outside activities. I was supposed to have yoga in the park tomorrow evening. My yogini canceled because it is supposed to be high 90s F. Even “up dog, down dog” is not a good idea in that kind of heat.
Jean says air conditioning. Wonderful, but I have sweltered in Italy with no AC in the rooms, so I kinda know about the paucity of air conditioning in Europe, not to mention many private homes here. Off to Lifehacker for 10 ideas about staying cool without AC!
Lifehacker agrees about lots of water. They also suggest popsicles and crushed ice to suck on. May I have the cherry popsicles? That has always been my favorite. Some come in plastic bags so you don’t have to keep them in the freezer all of the time. Stock up!
How about building a fan fortress? If you have a basement, put the fan at the top of the stairs to draw the cool air up. Put the one upstairs so it pushes the hot air out.
Or how about building an air conditioner? Put a bucket of ice water behind your fan.
Take several hand towels and soak them. Then put them in the refrigerator. Take them out as you need them. Hang one over your head. Who cares if you look silly? It is HOT!
The article has several more suggestions but you get the idea. I have to get a little something to eat, and by that time it will time for the puppygirls afternoon swimmy. Such a life.?
written July 2nd, 2018