As I mentioned, I’m building an addition. And we are under the heat dome that is making the Northwest hotter than it’s ever been since records started.
I spent fifteen years doing landscape and irrigation in the Texas heat, so I know how to work in the heat and not kill myself. And yet, I’ve had three people in as many days tell me how to stay safe. And all of them know what I used to do and where!
I could get upset about that, but I understand it’s a concern born out of these folk’s love for me. So rather than get miffed, I thank them. Although I did have to tease the friend from Alaska who was telling a Texan how to deal with the heat! Being upset at folks expressing concern for me would be wrong, don’t you think?
So let’s look at this in our marriages. How often does your wife give you advice/suggestions/warnings that make it seem she thinks you’re an idiot? Is it possible she is really expressing her love and concern for you? And if she is, how do you think your annoyance or anger makes her feel?
I suggest you go with the benefit of the doubt mixed with grace and move on.
Photo by MayoFi on Unsplash
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Some of it is the idea that if we don’t say something and it happens, we feel a responsibility to it. My mom is like this. She has a superstition that if she doesn’t pray about it, then the bad will happen. Like, if she forgets to pray for her son before he drives to work and his tire pops or he crashes, it’s because she forgot to pray.
It’s like God is up there just waiting for mom not to pray so He can go, “oops, mom didn’t pray. Guess a deer is going to run out in front of you! See you in a few minutes at the Pearly Gates!”
I completely understand dealing with admonitions about dealing with heat – I used to live, hike, and run long distance in Aussie 100+deg heat (48degC….118F); now I’m in Texas and hearing people tell me kids can’t play outside during the heat of the day! I let it amuse me more than upset me.
Truthfully though…being used to heat/sun hotter/stronger than Texas, I am prone to dismissing it more than I should; going from midday summer sun burning skin in 15 minutes to hours easily leads to recklessness.
To be fair, 108 F at 13% RH is only a dew point of 47 F. As long as there is adequate ventilation, moving air (fan), and lots of water consumption, it shouldn’t be that uncomfortable…especially in the shade.
Houston’s current conditions (at 3:30 pm their time) are 90 F/55% RH, which is a dew point of 72 F (pretty uncomfortable for most people). I’d almost certainly choose your conditions to Houston’s. (Note: I don’t live in TX, or even in a hot/humid climate.)
I’ll agree with Scott. Having hiked in 90s in high humidity, and dry 110s I much prefer the dry heat.
@David – Absolutely. Austin in June was brutal, with temps and humidity in the 90’s. The 108 here last week was with 16% humidity and it was much easier to deal with – as long you you keep drinking water!