August has arrived

When the calendar is flipped to August, you know the temperatures will flip as well. August brings the typical dog days, where  it is hot and humid, and the monsoon thunderheads frame the eastern side of the county. I love to watch them form and some days they become giants and pick up the shadows and lights from the sun, giving them a multidimensional look. They look almost like the pictures I used to see in the view finder of the View Master, with the circular picture cards. I spent hours looking at pictures through that toy. My favorite memory pictures were of the Swiss Alps.

So, with the thunderheads comes the unbearable humidity and heat. It's the sort of heat that turns a body into a sponge. It's the weather that makes you swell up, be cranky and test all sorts of common decency. It also makes air conditioning work over time and become inefficient. It won't last all that long, the heat will break because the pressure system will change, but it can seem like forever before  it moves. This week will be one of those weeks.

On the work front, we have at least 2 calls a day for an inefficient working a/c. I have learned, over the years, that San Diego has many homes that don't have any a/c, mine included. It wasn't something that was built in during the building booms of the past century, and it wasn't until houses were built in the east county areas that a/c was added or included in home building. So when I get calls about the a/c isn't working I always have to ask this question, "are you certain you have a/c?" You see, since they have central heating, the thermostat has a hot and cool side to it, and people believe that indicates the installation of an a/c system. I've been the bearer of bad news on more than one occasion. The words said most this week are, "I'm sorry but you don't have a/c". Sad day, to be sure. Then there are the ones who do have the blessed cooling system and I have to tell them to change the filter, often a good remedy for a system that is not working well, and they put up a fuss about who will pay for the filter. Seriously, you want to be cool, change the filter. And, last, is the a/c unit that just isn't big enough to do the job you want it to do on the hottest day. Please run a fan, it will help, but they just can't do that and who will pay for the fan. We seriously live in an entitled generation. Please, suck it up and get a fan or go to the mall and enjoy that the stores spend hundreds of dollars to keep cool. When it's more than I can handle, I head for Walmart, they are known for the 68 degrees they keep their store just for my benefit. I agree, it's not lovely, but it's not the end of the world, and you are welcome to put an a/c in your house, if you choose to do so. Then the final insult comes in the mail when the electric bill comes. Yep, it's gonna sting!

August also marks the beginning of school for the Girl. This will be her last fall semester. It has a bitter sweetness about it. Another chapter is turning in her book and we don't have a preview yet of the next. Her load will be light, since she is going part time for the next two semesters in order to graduate with her friends in the spring. I take my hat off to her. Good job, Girl. She has pictures planned soon and we need to start looking at the announcements and making plans for the graduation party. It will be cooler when that happens!

The Husband and I are planning a trip to Atlanta soon. I've never been there, so I've been looking at all the options for sight seeing. I would love to visit a plantation or two, perhaps Paula's restaurant. But I am looking forward to getting away for a bit. I need a change of view and speed from my regular routine. The Husband will be at a training class while I play. I'm good with that.

This month also marked the 80th birthday of my mother in law. I remember when her mom turned 80 and I will say my mother in law is in better health than her mom was at the same age. That made me feel good, since I am constantly concerned about her health and how she is, being alone. I hope she will make it many more years.