The reason I haven't been sharing many pictures around the house lately is because I've been living in a dark hole.
This Summer, with unusual for here temperatures, rising into the upper 90s and even 100 degrees, it has been unbearable.
Due to this, I've had all the curtains drawn all day every day, for weeks, trying to keep the hot air out.
Funny thing is, I remember the first year I moved here, at the end of August 2011, thinking that I could live without air-conditioning. But it only got into the low to mid 80s, which is our "normal" this time of year.
Last year, it was a little warmer than usual, so I bought two stand up air-conditioning units. One for upstairs and one for downstairs.
Looking back, I could laugh at myself thinking it was hot in the high 80s and low 90s.
Have I mentioned that I'm not a fan of Summer?
Growing up in southern California, it was basically... Spring, then Summer, then Spring, then Summer and so forth.
Judging by all the people that keep moving there, this is everyone's dream.
Not mine.
So, I promised my little girl self, as I watched my brother jumping in the pool, while I watched White Christmas on tv, that when I got older I would live in a place with more than two seasons.
And I've kept that promise.
I just didn't plan on heatwaves.
Anyway, today, just before I drew the curtains on the west side of my home, I noticed the sun streaming in and took a moment to enjoy the light.
And then wished for Fall to arrive very soon ;)
xo
rue
It has been very warm here, too. I have a window unit and it has been running non stop. I normally just like to have the windows open, listening to the sounds of the neighborhood. Usually mid-August the heat crosses the line and I have my dear husband install the unit. This year it went in sometime in June. I feel like I have missed most of the summer, hiding in my house with my drapes closed, too.
ReplyDeleteRue, I know how you feel. Even though we hit some record temps this past weekend in Phoenix, the sun is moving toward fall, days a bit shorter and the normal temps are 104, it's getting there. So in a couple of weeks I'll start putting out some Fall decor and pretend. To me, fall starts when I walk out in the morning sometime in Sept and there'll be a dryness in the air with bit of coolness. No matter if it's in the 90s. Living here since the mid 90s will do that to you. You live in a beautiful town, Kathleen in Az
ReplyDeleteP.s. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley, so I understand.
P.p.s. when electric bill goes down:)
I know it's getting here, but it needs to hurry up! LOL
DeleteMy mom and my brother said it's been miserable down there too. I hope you're staying cool as much as you can :)
xo
Rue, I've lived in California my whole life, and we get ALL the seasons. It is a misconception that we don't get the seasons here. We get Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter - rain and even snow! But we can take the heat in the summer when it's 104 degrees haha. It's not my favorite season, but it's all part of the cycle. I am wondering where you lived cause we definitely get all the glorious seasons here. And my favorite one is on the way.......Autumn. Love the pretty roses.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Oops! I just changed it from just "California" to southern California.
DeleteI grew up in Arcadia, by Pasadena :)
xo
I love summer. Sorry. I am not a winter girl at all. It's not that I don't like the change of season, I do. I just like spring, summer, fall, winter until Christmas and then I am ready for spring again. Unfortunately, winter here seems to last the longest and lately it's been full of snow from November to April. I am tired of snow! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like all of the light and long days of summer, but could do without the heat and humidity. I LOVE fall. I could skip right over winter and back to spring. If I was going to live in a two season place it would be fall, spring, fall, spring! That works, right?!
ReplyDeleteI don't like summer, I am not a happy person with the heat, humidity and air conditioning.
ReplyDeletegasuski@mac.com
Summer is often too hot on the prairie -- 100 degree temp and even high heat index -- sigh! I'm not a fan and I hibernate inside as I do when it is zero!
ReplyDeleteWe have had an interesting summer here in the mountains....most of July was cool and we have a couple of weeks that were hot, but now it's back to being cool. I think autumn is making her presence known as this morning was quite chilly. I wore wool socks all morning just to stay warm! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, dear Rue. Hugs!
I loved summer when I was younger, but it is now my least favorite of the seasons. I am in Utah and enjoy all four seasons, but autumn is definitely my favorite. I hope it cools down for you soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melodee :)
DeleteI'm sorry to see that you closed your blog. I'll miss your posts.
xo
I grew up in Hawaii where the seasons were hot and humid or hot, rainy and humid. I was so glad to move to a climate that had all 4 seasons but we too have been sweltering with this heat and are now in one of the worst fire seasons around. Our skies are filled with smoke from all the fires in the Washington, Idaho and Oregon areas. We need rain without lightening as many of these fires were lightening strike started.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Hawaii where the seasons were hot and humid or hot, rainy and humid. I was so glad to move to a climate that had all 4 seasons but we too have been sweltering with this heat and are now in one of the worst fire seasons around. Our skies are filled with smoke from all the fires in the Washington, Idaho and Oregon areas. We need rain without lightening as many of these fires were lightening strike started.
ReplyDeleteLiving in s.e. FL the humidity makes summer awful. Our temps have been in the high 80's but with the humidity it feels like the low 100's.
ReplyDeleteI noticed a tiny 'hint' of fall coming a week or so ago and that got me excited. We've still got September to go through, but August is almost over. Hurray!
I have one window a.c. unit in this tiny cottage (675 sq. ft.) and it keeps it cool in here. I will be glad when fall weather finally arrives, and hurricane season is over.
Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady
Summer without whole house air is different from summer without, I know :(
ReplyDeleteSummer without whole house air is different from summer without, I know :(
ReplyDeleteWe only have a handful of hot humid days during the summer months, but during those days I can't survive without window air conditioners. I always look forward to the day we remove them, which was Monday. It's actually been a little too cool, but today it's warming up to a nice mid to upper 70's during the day and 40-50 at night. Perfect! I hope the days turn cooler for you soon so you can enjoy the sunshine without the heat!
ReplyDeleteWe have all four seasons and I love that.So far we had five heat waves and I sure hope we don´t get anymore.I like summer but not this overwhelming heat :( .I`M in love with your beautiful mirror.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Caroline
We have had a very hot summer here in SC too. This week it has been in the mid to high 80's which is a relief from the high 90's to the low 100's we were having.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Southern California. When I was little we had no AC. Then we got a pool and that helped a lot. Later we moved to a home nearby with central air. When my husband and I got married, one of our first realizations was that if we wanted to stay married we needed AC for these hot summers. lol. Fast forward thirty plus years to the SFV again. This summer has been a bear. I get up at 5 am just because I always have, open all the windows and turn on fans to air everything out. About 9 or 10 am I shut all the windows again, close the blinds and stay inside. I keep the AC turned up to 78 or 80 degrees and hope for a cooler day tomorrow. I can't wait for fall, which should show up by Halloween if we're lucky. *Big Sigh*
ReplyDeleteA pool would definitely help. My mother has one, but it's an hour and a half from me lol Thankfully Fall seems to be here or at least starting. I hope it gets to you soon as well :)
Deletexo
Summer is not my favorite, but I couldn't live without all four seasons. We've had much cooler temperatures the last two days.
ReplyDeleteHi Rue,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand living in Florida. I am NOT a summer person at all but I love Florida so I just grin and bear up until it cools down.
Here's to Fall for both of us.
Have a happy weekend.
xo
Barb
I enjoy 4 distinct seasons, but I want my seasons to be fall, winter, fall, winter....maybe a few days of 70 degree weather every other year or so. I am totally a fall/winter person and dislike hot, humid summers immensely! Try to stay cool...think winter thoughts! :-) Hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Rue. We are extremely hot and humid right now in New England. I am also looking forward to fall. I just wish it wasn't accompanied by shorter daylight hours. I don't like that it gets dark so early in the fall and winter. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteUpon reading this my reaction was Rue, Rue, me too! Whenever I read about folks who love summer I bitterly presume they've never spent one in Texas. When I worked full time I left at 4 o'clock and vividly remember how amazing the first time it was each year in October or maybe later that the heat didn't feel like a physical blow upon exiting the building. We normally have high temps and equally high humidity, so you can imagine how wonderful the past couple of days with rain have been that knocked those down into the 70s--heaven!
ReplyDeleteI just spent a week with a friend who doesn't have AC, and it was the hottest week of the summer so far! We went to the beach where there was a nice breeze, but the idea at home was to sit quietly, and not exert ourselves too much! A siesta with a fan was good in the heat of the day.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate my AC, but I hate to have to use it. I love fresh breeze blowing through the windows, and for the next two and a half months in Michigan I will enjoy our best weather of the year! Love the fall best and actually winter second best. Since becoming a certain age :), I don't do well in hot and humid.
Hang in there, Rue!
Hi Rue, I've done the same here with the high temps, closing blinds and curtains to try and keep out the heat. It would be very difficult to live here without the ac in Texas. I grew up in Michigan without it and in the summer, with the humidity, is was unbearable. I too am looking forward to fall with open doors and windows. Have a great weekend and stay cool.
ReplyDeleteHugs. cm
Well, I think you know how I feel about summer...it's too short! Then again, I live in Massachusetts so it's quite different, plus if it gets too hot there's always the lake a few feet away.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling Autumn is in the air though. To be truthful, autumn is my favorite season. I just don't like what follows.
I am SO with you.
ReplyDeletehence my own last post about cool rain.
it did come. it lasted about two hours. now back up to 94 and like a sauna out there.
I am an autumn girl. ALWAYS have been. it can never come too soon for me.
that fireplace is just exquisite! I love it.
there is something about natural light streaming into a room.
I hate having blinds closed in the daytime.
if it's dark and cloudy for days on end outside... it doesn't bother me in the least!
but to have to live day after day with blinds closed gets to me. so I understand completely.
I have a/c and still have to have them closed... or it would run even more than it does already!
it's coming darling bean... it's coming soon!
watched the documentary on PBS the other night of the making of gone with the wind. thought of RUE the whole way through it!
I can't imagine living without air. But then again...I can't imagine living with only 2 seasons! We've only had brief bouts of unbearable...not weeks and weeks of heat! Hope it cools down for you soon! ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine ever going back to a place with two seasons. I hated it. Thank goodness it's gotten cooler :)
Deletexo
We had a 'not as hot front" yesterday that plunged us to 81 degrees. Ahh! It had me dreaming of Fall and pumpkins...or maybe I was suffering heat stroke. One of the two.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it seem like the temperatures are rising all over? I'm in Southern Texas and woe. We've been here for almost eight years now and we have Summer until about January then we get 2-3 weeks of awful cold and ice then it goes to about 2-3 weeks of Spring and back to Summer until the next December or January. It's horrible. Not having the four seasons plays very hard on me emotionally. We are still in the high 90's usually 98 or 99 after being in the 100's up to 108 for the last two months. I would give anything to just see 90. Unfortunately it won't be comfortable here until the end of October if we are lucky. I'll pull our my Fall items and dream of the day we can retire and leave here!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day.
Wow... I'll stop complaining now LOL Seriously though, I feel for you. It truly sounds awful. I hope you get to retire soon, so you can get out of there.
Delete(((hugs)))
rue
We're having a weird rainy season (the past two weeks)…very unusual for Central Alabama this time of year. I hope it cools down for you very soon!
ReplyDeletexo,
RJ
I live in Oklahoma and we have all four seasons, however Spring and Fall seem awfully short while Summer and Winter both drag their feet. My favorite, by far, is Fall! I don't like the extreme heat or extreme cold so Summer and Winter are miserable for me. Spring brings allergies so I am ok with that season going by quickly!
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace
After living in central FL for 3 years I was so thrilled to return to TN. I hope this is a freak hot summer for you, Rue, and that next year it will be much more manageable. I don't like having the light blocked out either, opening the curtains is the first thing I do, but there have been summers here where I keep them closed, even with room air conditioners going in this old house. At least we're normally 8 degrees cooler here than in the city, as I'm sure you are most of the time in the mountains.
ReplyDeleteWell, I've lived in southern California all my life, and we do have fall and winter here-- it's just a very, very mild version of fall and winter. Of course, I know it's all relative. Someone visiting from Minnesota would probably find a brisk 60 degree, January day here to be balmy. I, on the other hand, break out my heavy, winter sweaters whenever the temperature dips below 78 degrees. That said, I would say fall is my favorite season, even the pale, very bland version that we have here. We get our best fall color from two ornamental tree imports: liquidambars and crepe myrtles. If I want to see truly intense, native fall color and feel real fall crispness in the air, I just head north to the Sierras-- nothing can beat a beautiful October day in Yosemite Valley.
ReplyDeleteWe HAVE to have air conditioning here. I fear I would suffocate in the humidity if we didn't. My aunt used to live in Arizona and I remember loving her weather because the air was so dry. My hair would love some dry air :) I guess it's a tradeoff, because when we visited Oregon this year, it felt cold without the humidity. It's a love-hate situation. Have a great weekend Rue!
ReplyDeleteI have done something similar with closing the light out. My front and back door have storm doors...but they don't keep the heat from creeping in and stealing my cool air. Here in the South....it gets HOT and Humid.....! So...I have closed them both and it is dark. A little depressing but not as depressing as HIGH power bills. I am so so ready for cooler temps!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, Rue! Your roses are gorgeous! I love that crystal pitcher! Kathleen said it perfectly, the other morning, it was 84, and it really felt like Fall was coming. Then we got a monsoon, and it felt like living in a sauna! Thankfully the temps are cooling off to around 104F. Looking forward to somewhat cooler temps up there today! Enjoy your weekend! =)
ReplyDeleteLike u - i lived in So Cal and the summers are so darn hot - so i moved up to the mountains and we do get 4 seasons ...our days have been hot because so cal has had periods of being over 100 so it makes us in high 80's at times but... by September when it will be boiling down below (i so dislike sept and oct due to Santa Ana winds) we should be cooling down and even having chilly nights. The fall leaf drop up here is amazing and I'm so glad to get to experience that again - like when I was a kid in Kansas. I love your living room and these photos are absolutely gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI am beyond ready for fall as well. It was 94 degrees here today and the humidity is unbearable! So ready for cooler temps! Try to stay cool! Your room looks so lovely with the sun streaming in. Love the trinket box on the tray. Does it have violets on it? I have a collection of violet patterned china. :) So pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, we go from spring to summer. The last few years we haven't had a winter or fall at all.
ReplyDeleteBut, we really do have seasons on the beach. The sand is different each season and so are the tides reflect.
I can't imagine living where I had to keep the curtains drawn.
Autumn is knocking on the door here...
ReplyDeleteWishing it to float over, to where you are...
Gentle cooling hugs...
Well it got to 81 in my part of the UK yesterday and that's too hot for me ... I love 73 or 75, but of course we don't get a choice we just have to manage the best we can. Stay hydrated in the heat it can help and is important.
ReplyDeleteLove your roses.
Hope it cools soon
All the best Jan
Well it got to 81 in my part of the UK yesterday and that's too hot for me ... I love 73 or 75, but of course we don't get a choice we just have to manage the best we can. Stay hydrated in the heat it can help and is important.
ReplyDeleteLove your roses.
Hope it cools soon
All the best Jan
I think it's been quite an extreme summer for most of us across the U.S. I know that Long Beach, CA had quite a heatwave a week ago or so, and we here in Virginia really were hit by heat as well. I just want October to get here and stay forever! Hope your heat disappears soon and you can open up the curtains and let the light flow in again. xo
ReplyDeleteHi Rue! Oh, I don't like the heat either! I get angry when I get hot! :) Well, where we've moved the summer's are not as hot as when we lived on the Texas Gulf Coast, but I've still got my air conditioning running at night! I'm too old to sleep hot! ;)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I'm with you I"m not a summer hot weather kind of girl. I do love summer because of my gardens. This year as been a weird year for weather up through mid-july cold and rainy, then bamb hot and humid. Its the humidity that does me in...I just can't take humidity. It rained last night and today is in the 70's and have been sending the whole day outside. I think I might sleep out in the vintage trailer tonight with it getting in to the 50's. I love fall but then winter comes!
ReplyDeleteI used to LOVE summer as a child, but the older I get the less I like it. Colorado is much drier in humidity than it was in NY and the summers here are not usually that bad, but we do get some days in the 90's and on those days I am happy we have central air conditioning.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite season is autumn. I love everything about it--the temperatures, the changing leaf colors, the harvest and the holidays :)
So sorry about the high temperatures. The sun does make for beautiful pictures, though. It's pouring today here and the cats are longing for some sun... Life's unfair ;)
ReplyDeleteBless your heart!!! Here in the Carolinas, we're use to those summer temps (although I still don't care for them, lol)! Your pictures are great though! The cut glass pitcher/vase is gorgeous! Hope you have cooler days ahead in the near future! ~Rhonda
ReplyDeleteGood Hot Summer Morning to you my Rue!! I, too, am so not a fan of summer - other than my granddaughter Summer! ;-) I was born on the first day of summer.... you would think I would love it.... but no! Not Florida summers for sure! The heat and humidity are just not my friend.... and it is not my season to shine! I cannot wait for the light to soften, for the air to be lighter, for the evenings to be cooler... and I will love every second! So I am with you on this (and so many things) I hope you have a great week ahead.... I love you dearly!
ReplyDeleteKim
Here, where it rains from the first day of school, to, practically, the last day, I really love our summers. In Oregon we get paradise for our summer; few or no bugs, pleasant temps., and lush green with flowers. We pay for this all the rest of the year. I'm sorry it's been so hot for you. I really like pretty light in your lovely room. Kathi
ReplyDeleteI am not a big fan of hot weather either, but I do love a lot of sun. I live in the Santa Cruz area in CA and it doesn't get too hot or too cold, but I do wish we had more of a changing of the seasons. Bummer it has been so hot for you and I hope it cools down soon.
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful, and I'm sure it will be cooler there before here, and I do the same. I was hoping I missed the worse part of summer like last year, but I have not been so fortunate. I stay for the good weather the rest of the year, because I can't tolerate the cold. xoxo Su
ReplyDeleteI understand completely. I've walked around opening and closing curtains to keep the house coolish. I know I will be missing Summer as Autumn sneaks cooler days in but September is usually a doozy down here so I'll just have to go with it's not over until it's over and by then I'll be complaining about something besides triple digits.
ReplyDeleteMy mother does the same... complains that it's too hot and then when it's too cold. She's only happy in the 4 degree range of around 75 lol
DeleteI hope you enjoy the rest of the warm, but not too warm season :)
xo
My dog & I understand this completely. When it's HOT, we lie in the shade in the yard and sleep forever. Wishing you a cool cool breeze.
ReplyDeleteOh Rue, I feel ya on this one. We have two very strong seasons: summer and winter - and I don't like the discomfort of either, but I would pick winter over summer,. because at least in winter one can add more layers of clothing....summers are unbearable, hot muggy with tons of mosquitos. YUCK. And THIS summer it rained 2/3 of the summer......and I hate to want to rush fall here, life is short enough........but this week has been nice. Hoping for perfect weather this weekend, looks like the rain is going to hold off till Sunday (thank goodness!)
ReplyDeleteSorry I have been MIA. Life has been crazy busy. Hugs.
Rue,
ReplyDeleteah, one of those polite dinner party topics...the weather... We all have parts of our locations' weather that are hard to live with. North Texas has some harsh winter days with ice and snow, followed by glorious springs filled with wildflowers that go by so quickly, then onto blistering days of summer with little to no rain... July had 100+ degree days almost every day and no rain. October and November will be wonderful Fall months that will allow us to spend time outside. Thank goodness for central heat and air conditioning. I cannot imagine what people did before Heat/AC became available. Pioneers were hardy stock.
Keep cool...
Judith