Thinking of the heat possibilities for the next ten days, the slow dribble of coffee and rising steam leads me to consider ice cubes in the brew. Shaking off the thought and taking the first sip causes the concern over hot stuff in the summer to fly out the window. Yes, it has been above 100 degrees F (37 C) for the last 28 days. The projection is for records in the above 105 categories (40 C) for the next ten days.
There is no choice but to hang on and pray that the power grid holds. This means dog walks in the morning and anything that needs to be done outside in the morning as well. We are expecting another stage of water conservation which will mark the end of watering any lawns that people have.
We have zero scape, so the water restrictions will not affect our garden. If this heat keeps up, though, I can imagine the time coming that will require a sponge bath in the sink. I think Twiggy will be the only one glad for the water reforms. Her love of bath is only surpassed by her love of a vet visit.
I am surprised that while watching the Weather Channel, the announcer breaks into the broadcast. “We have a message from Linda Hill,” is his lead-in. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pick a number.” Choose a number—any number—and write about it any way you’d like. Have fun!”
Gotta wonder how Linda does it. Anyway, if you would like to see how others handle the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/08/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-5-2023/
Pick a Number by John W. Howell © 2023
“What number did you pick?”
“One hundred is the number.”
“I guess you are all too familiar with it.”
“Yeah. It’s like an old friend.”
“Not sure I would put it that way.”
“You know we call this part of the summer Hell’s Back Porch.”
“So I’ve heard. When’s it going to break.”
“I figure a day before the freeze.”
“What freeze?”
“They are projecting a colder than normal winter for Texas.”
“Does it ever end?”
“Well, beats the alternative as they say.”
“Lucky we still have VoooDoo Ranger.”
“Speaking of that.”
“Uber is here already. He’s right over there.”
“What is that thing?”
“A road grader.”
“Why?”
“You ever ride on a road grader?”
“No.”
“So, a new life experience. Will help you forget the heat.”
“It will be so cool in the pub once we get there. I’ll be grateful right?”
“Now you are getting it.”
“Notwithstanding, I’ll be soaking wet from sweat.”
“Nature’s cool down technique.”
“Fine.”
Fiction Favorites 
“a sponge bath in the sink”? 🤣 I hope the producer is ready with a camera. Have a wonderful weekend, John. I hope the heavens are merciful and send cool breezes.
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I hope for the same, Gwen. It just doesn’t look like it is going to happen. No cameras please. 😁
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I see you are experiencing similar temps as in Spain. Try to keep cool.
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Stay cool as well, Darlene. 😁
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Sounds like a sit under the ceiling fan with an icy beverage and a good book kind of weekend. Stay cool, John!
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I agree, Jill. Happy Saturday to you *sung to the tune of Surrender by Elvis Presley
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A brutal summer and then a frigid winter? You guys can’t catch a break.
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We seem to be in the same area as the dinosaurs were way back than.
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That’s frightening. Hope it ends better for us.
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Me too.
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Interesting that your coming winter is expected to be colder. Our winter has been colder and last summer was also cooler than some previous years.
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The poor planet is stressed.
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I have long suspected it was only a matter of time before the Weather Channel became a division of ACME Looney Tunes Amalgamated. I was really pulling for 42. Sadly 100 fits to overheated state of affairs. Keep cool. Partly with properly chilled bourbon.
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The three finger cooler plays a big part in hanging on.
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I never expected a road grader for a ride!
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I always wanted to ride on one. So here was my chance.
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🙂
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The cowboys in the old westerns would take sponge baths in crude looking tubs. Sometimes a fair barmaiden would do the honor. But they often seem to wear their cowboy hat and smoke a cigar while soaking. Do you have a cowboy hat and cigars, John.
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I do not have either, Steve. I do have a weakness for Cubans but don’t have a smuggler friend. Thanks for the visual of the cowboy. 😊
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Hang in there John, heat relief is coming soon. Those pesky heat emitting incandescent light bulbs have been banned. You should see some relief by this fall as all existing incandescent bulbs begin to burn out.
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Very comforting, Dan. Thank you. 😁
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Over 100 F? That’s hot, John, even for a guy that said “This ain’t hot!” for decades to my wife and kids. 🙂 Take it the best you can.
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We call the season Hell’s Back Porch for a reason. Thanks, Tim.
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The number 100 just about covers the state of Texas. Your introduction describes the state of affairs very well. By noon I am in for the day. My second rain barrel is getting low, but I only water my plants in pots on the patio. Our lawn is cut short and goes with the natural flow. Maybe we will laugh at this when it freezes.
Reading that bit about a sponge bath in the sink reminded me of a bit of an old song or saying from the past. A line was “How in the heck am I gonna wash my neck, if it don’t rain no more,,,no more,,,no more.” Cheers!
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Love that song. I hope you stay cool, Jo. Thanks for the laugh.
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Hades. Texas has become Hades. Aye aye aye.
Thank goodness for VooDoo and wine tonight!
And coffee in the morning is not dependent on the outside temps, of that I am certain! Now, if you wanted one in the afternoon (or after the muy-importante morning brew), then, sure, Iced Coffee is a delicious beverage 😉
Happy Saturday and we’ll toast you tonight, Jefe!
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And I will toast y’all right back.
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🍻
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🍺🍷
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Love the Weather Channel prompt delivery. Of course you picked 100. I won’t tell you what our temps have been, that would be unkind.
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At least I know you are comfortable. That is a good thing. 😁
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😎
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Keep cool, John. A visit to an A/C pub seems like a good plan.
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A very good plan. Thanks, Barbara.
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You continue to have my sympathies (and make me realize I need to stop complaining about the heat by comparison-besides ours is a ‘dry heat’). Enjoy the weekend, just not the 100 part.
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We will try to enjoy the weekend. Thanks, Monika.
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You’re getting the heat even worse than we are, John. Hang in there!
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Yes we are. Thanks for the encouragement, GP.
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I’m not sure what’s worse, the heat or the humidity. My feet look like balloons, lol. Hang in there, John, winter’s coming 🙂
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I forgot to say I love the new header!
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Oh thank you. 😁
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Yes our summer should be over my Thanksgiving.
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Great post! So ready for the over 100 days to end.
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Me too.
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Soaking wet from sweat is Nature’s cool down technique. Nice positive there, John.
A sponge bath in the sink sounds so cute. Oh, wait. That’s not Twiggy–that’s you! 😲
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Yes that is me. Definitely not cute. Thanks, Lois.
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Ha! That’s the truth. Thank goodness for air conditioning. I hear you about the heat, John. Our stretch of days at or above 100 started on June 19th. I got a kick out of “Hell’s back porch.” I used to joke that maybe Dante had gotten control of the afterlife and that this was really hell. Lately it doesn’t sound like a joke.
Hot coffee definitely works better for my wake-up and for my irritated respiratory tract, but I’ve been saving leftovers for an iced cup in the afternoon. Mixed with plenty of milk and sometimes some coconut cream.
Take care. Hugs.
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Thank you for the iced coffee idea. I just may do that. But like you I need my hot coffee in the morning.
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Ha ha ha! It is not quite as bad up here. But every summer I think that the hot weather is a reminder that if I don’t want to go to hell, I had better behave.
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Good way to look at it, Pam.
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I’ve been in Texas whe it’s been 100+ degrees. The sidewalks don’t cool off at night. Hope you get some rain soon.
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Maybe on the 17th when I have to fly.
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Hope you don’t have severe weather…
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If I’m flying it will be severe.
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Of course….
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We’ve had a couple of weeks over 100 here. For some reason it cooled off this weekend. Feels nice.
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I’ll bet.
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I’m sorry to be late, John. I was waiting for it to cool down. Consecutive days over a hundred is not a metric I even want to record. I hope it breaks sooner than planned. Good job on the prompt, even better on the non-scape.
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Still going strong. Could last until September. 🥵
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100 bottles of VooDoo on the wall
100 bottles of VooDoo
If 1 of those bottles should happen to ranger
99 bottles of VooDoo is stranger.
99 bottles of VooDoo on the wall
99 bottles of VooDoo
If 1 of those bottles should happen to ranger
98 bottles of VooDoo is stranger.
98 bottles of VooDoo on the wall
98 bottles of VooDoo
This should keep me busy today!
😬𝖃😵💫ꭓ😱Ẍ🥴⧗
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This is so funny, Resa 😬𝖃😵💫ꭓ😱Ẍ🥴⧗🤣X
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I love a good laugh! 💋😬𝖃😵💫ꭓ😱Ẍ🥴⧗🤣X
🎼56 bottles of VooDoo on the wall……………
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💋😬𝖃😵💫ꭓ😱Ẍ🥴⧗🤣X🍾
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💋💋💋💋
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😊
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It’s cooled down a bit here and I hope it does for you soon as well!
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We got a glimpse of the fact that above 100 days may last until September. 🙄
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🥵
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Yes indeed.
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That heat is relentless! It’s been hot here but nothing compared to what you guys are getting.
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Ten more days forecasted.
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That is some hot soup right there. Good thing you’re so cool.
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🤣
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This intense heat is putting a strain on everything. I feel very lucky that the power grids are holding so far. Fingers crossed that they continue. Great use of the prompt, John!
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Thanks, Jan. 😊
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