Coping with the summer heat

Summer is here, and so are the heat and humidity. On a normal day in this area, we have a daytime high in the 90s with a humidity level that starts out in the 90 percent range three days out of four. The humidity level may dip down into the 50 percent range briefly, but it doesn't stay there.

Probably the first requirement is to stay hydrated. Sports drinks are the craze, as well as sodas. But the best still seems to be plain, pure water from cool to ice-cold. Probably the best and least stressful to our bodies is cool water. I still like ice-cold or pretty cool water. With all the additives to our water, I find a little tea added to the water makes it taste so much better. I make the tea really weak.

The second requirement is protective clothing. Nothing protects us like a good hat or cap. Years ago, Wendy had a big, tall gentleman working for her who wore one of those safari hats like they wear over in Africa. I found where to buy them, so that is what I wear. Some have to wear hard hats. There are a number of special adaptations that can make the hard hats cooler. Many wear a cap, but I find my ears just fry with just a cap.

Light clothing works a lot better than dark-colored clothing. Light-colored, lightweight fabric and a loose fit all make for cooler clothing. I prefer cotton fabric. It may wrinkle worse, but when it comes to cooler versus wrinkled clothing, I couldn't care less about some wrinkles.

Sunglasses probably are not a requirement, but they sure make sense. Years ago, I was told repeated exposure to the sun eventually will cause cataracts. Sunglasses not only protect our eyes from harmful sunlight but also from objects that could injure our eyes. I wear glasses, so I have Tom add auto tint to the glasses as well as harden them.

No matter how hot it gets, I still wear gloves. I have carpal tunnel and have had surgery, but my hands are still numb to a degree. For this reason, I normally wear leather gloves year-round, no matter what the temperature is. In the summer, I will wear a lighter glove. By the end of the day, they are soaked with sweat, so I usually prop them up to dry overnight or simply wear a different pair the next day. In the winter, I wear a pair of insulated leather gloves.

When we were building the gazebo in Lightner Cemetery, we had neck bands we would wet and wear. These would cool as they dried on a hot summer day and seemed to help. I also purchased a couple of cooling towel wraps from Bailey's. They work just like the neck bands. As they dry, they cool. One also can dip them in cool or cold water to make them even cooler. They work.

Take a break, and cool down now and then. I normally work for a while and then sit in the shade and cool down. While cooling down, I have an ice water or soda or something cool. Then I go back to work, and when I get hot, I go cool down again. Since I'm diabetic, I'm extra cautious about getting too hot or letting my sugar get too low. Take a break when the sun is the hottest or around the noon hour.

Eat as if you are turning your inner heater on low. Don't stoke up on foods that require a lot of energy to break down, like proteins and such. I love steak and potatoes and corn smothered with butter. Not bad for supper. I also love a couple or three eggs, biscuits with gravy and meat like bacon or sausage. A better breakfast for me is a couple of tomatoes, a little bacon and a piece or two of toast. I love fried green tomatoes, but not the best idea for breakfast.

Watch those around you -- your neighbors, friends and even strangers. If one of them gets flushed and appears hot, intervene if possible. Don't neglect sunblock or a high-number sunscreen.

Have a good one and enjoy the summer.

Until next time.