"The coldest winter I ever saw, was the summer I spent in San Francisco."
-Mark Twain
The Bay Area has been experiencing some pretty severe weather the last couple days. Unbearable heat, no air, no breeze, and temperatures that are breaking records. Livermore is estimated to reach 110 degrees later today, which is nearly 20 degrees above normal. Here in the East Bay hills it has been so oppressive, that there wasn't even the sound of children playing outdoors yesterday. That is sad indeed, because isn't that one of the very best sounds of summer? I heard very few birds today, and there hasn't been the usual visits in the night by the opossums. That worries me. Twice today I have gotten "Severe Weather" desktop alerts by the Weather Channel, and right now as I type this, it is 97 degrees in my cottage at 12 midnight.
Elvis isn't doing well, so I have had to be especially careful with him. I make him have some water every couple hours, and I wash him down three or four times a day with some cool water from the bathroom sink. He and I haven't been able to go swimming this year, my foot is too swollen from the dampness of the weather. In order to get into the pool I would need to take my pain medicine, which makes me woosey. I don't think it would be a good idea with Alan at work to swim by myself, so Elvis and I just dip our toes in. The sun overhead has been too much. And to think, on the 4th of July, it was 45 degrees on top of Twin Peaks in the city with winds at 35 miles per hour. The Bay Area microclimates can be difficult to handle, especially if one isn't used to them. Funny thing about the above quote by Mark Twain, according to Snopes.com, Mark Twain never said that! He may have mused on the strange weather patterns in the Bay Area, but he actually never said that particular quote.
Have I mentioned that I am longing for autumn? LOL. One thing however, the sunset on a Bay Area summer day can be stunning! This is a photo taken at the Berkeley pier, facing Angel Island. :) The scene to the left, is a magnificent view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fort Point. Even on a day like yesterday, when the summer heat was so hot I couldn't seem to even think clearly, my camera will always help me find the relief I seek. :) I am not used to these temperatures, or the pain it is causing in my leg. Sigh. Send me some cool thoughts please. :)
By the way, we have an upcoming Round Robin Challenge, which is taylor made for a hot summer day. "Ye Olde Watering Hole." There is still time to sign up for the challenge, it's easy. All you have to do is pay a visit to the official Round Robin blog, and leave your name, your journal/blog's name and the full URL in the comment thread and you are all set. So tell me, what is your favorite summer drink, and where do you most enjoy having it? Or better yet, take a photo, and join us next Wednesday for the challenge!
KGO Heat Wave To Last Through The Weekend
-OndineMonet
"Berkeley Sunset"
July 21st, 2006
9:20 PM
Note: Thanks Redsneakz for the great error catch!
8 comments:
There seems to be "unusual weather" all over lately. re: tornado alley has has near to none. Here in the east coast there have been severe electrical storms a few times a week (so much so more trees have come down during these storms then do in most hurricanes or even the cat.2 tornado that hit in NY!) I know my computer has been off more then on the past 2 weeks with more to come!
poor Elvis...the cats at this house mostly stay downstairs in the room with the air conditioner in it lol.. no dummies here! Just me who stays in the 92 degree room!
Girlfriend, I'm with you on this weather. I just posted about the "severe weather warning" for the L.A. area here as well. It's 8 p.m. and 101 degrees right now. It's definitely freaky. Can anyone say GLOBAL WARMING???
HI sweetie. I'm right there with you. I am ready for Fall and the cool, crisp air.
Our heat has broken a bit but it's still hot and humid.
Hopefully you will get some relief.
Kiss Elvis on the head for me.
Deb
there has been weird weather here, too, but not too severe one way or the other. new england, always changing. i'm sorry you guys are having it so rough. ok - cool thoughts: ::orange creamsicle:: ::pedestal fan on high after you've taken a cool shower:: ::polar bears:: ::standing out in a blizzard in the middle of january::
do those help?~! =) love !!
::grin:: Take it from me to know that - the actual quote is "The coldest WINTER I ever saw..."
I hope you're surviving okay.
Yep :::Grinning also:::
You are completely right, the quote that never was should indeed read winter. LOL. My brain has officially melted. Thanks for the catch! See, this is why I love my readers so much...they have my back! :)Now, off to fix the quote.
It's just as bad here. I wish it would rain long and hard and clear the air, instead of ten minutes and over with.
And that's another great photo, by the way!
I think it has been brutal all over. We went through several days where it was completely unbearable. Finaly, it has broken on the eastern seaboard!
The photo takes my breath away!
PS...does Elvis really enjoy the pool?
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