We have all the windows in the house open to the outside air, ceiling fans rotating at maximum angular velocity, and a floor-standing fan positioned in front of the screened door to the back deck.  Guess what?  It’s still damn hot.  We may have air circulating through the house now, but it’s still air that is 86 degrees Fahrenheit at 85% humidity. 

Now if it was the same temperature coupled with low humidity, it would only be hot, not damn hot.  In fact, it would be more tolerable.  But down here in “Arkansaw,” the humidity is unforgiving and manages to stay constantly above 80%.  It’s getting to the point where I’m ready to find the nearest 24-hr Walmart (they’re everywhere here in Arkansas, you know) or grocery store to escape this sauna.  Heck, we can’t even get a respite from the heat by going for a drive in our car as the A/C in our car doesn’t work either.

The worst part of it is, it’s only June and the daytime temperatures are already in the mid-90s.  Not good.  Especially with the two hottest months of the year still yet to come.  I don’t know how people managed to live down here in the South before the invention of the air conditioner.  I guess I’m just a spoiled child of modern technology. 

It’s so hot and humid in the house that as Jen works on her Photomosaic 1000-piece puzzle (which is 1000-pieces too many for my taste), the pieces keep sticking to her arm as she places it on the folding card table upon which the puzzle is strewn out.  Ariel is sleeping with a wet towel on her head, and the cats are lying on the cold, stone fireplace.  You know it’s hot when the animals are uncomfortable and seeking refuge. 

Even after a cold shower I still feel hot.  And having lived in the past both in very hot and humid conditions (i.e. Washington D.C.), and very hot and dry conditions (i.e. Austin, TX), I’d like to think that I’ve built up some tolerance to heat and humidity. 

In fact, here is my heat tolerance resume:

• I survived twelve brutal DC summers which isn’t much different than the summers here in Arkansas.
• I made it through a transcontinental 3-day car ride from Montana to Texas during the peak of summer without A/C.
• I endured a 6-week geology field camp, half of which was spent in West Texas (read most desolate place on earth) during the hottest months of the year.
• I suffered through a 20-hour train ride through the rural parts of China in a car without A/C and 99% humidity.

You can also see the heat taking a toll on the kiddos, poor things.  Ariel seems to be a bit testier and more ornery than usual.  Braden seems to be more fussier and seemed to be crying for no reason at all when we were putting him to bed last night.  I think Jen & I are holding out ok, although we certainly aren't comfortable by any means.  We may have to endure it, but we sure don't have to like it.

The weather forecast for the next few days isn't much better.  Highs in the mid 90s, lows in the 70s.  Not until Wednesday are we to see a mild cold front come through that will drop the highs to the upper 80s.  Joy. 

I guess until then, we're just going to have to suck it up and endure the best we can.  At least I get a break from it in my nice, air conditioned office.  No such paradise for the rest of the family though.  Perhaps Wild River Country or the mall will be their choice destinations over the next few days until the A/C can be repaired.

Don't get me wrong, even with the extreme heat and humidity down here in the South, I still love being here, just as long as I have my Acme Super Deluxe Instomatic Arctic A/C 5000 which keeps the temperature at a frigid 75 degrees.