YARD WORK CAN BE DANGEROUS

We are in the middle of a big heat wave here in the Northeast and National Grid (the electric company) has reported that this has been the longest heat advisory and air quality advisory since the late 1990's. Believe me this hazy, hot and humid weather has become old. There was a record high demand for electricity here in the Northeast yesterday with the temperature here in Fort Edward at 99 degrees and a heat index of 103 degrees, dew point in the 70's. We are in our fourth day of an on going heat advisory. You have to understand, that the older homes in this area do not have central air conditioning - just window air conditioners in major rooms to try to cool. Air conditioning is not normally needed here. On the other hand, they have great furnaces for those cold winter months! Life in the 5th wheel has not been fun. We have not been able to cool the interior below 85 degrees. We are plugged into a 30amp circuit here at Michelle's, so we can only run 1 air conditioner and that just can't do it. It figures that we would be here for a "record breaker". No one is going outside for very long - not even the dogs - instant sweat and oppressive humidity is making everyone "narly". Campers on vacation are heading home early looking for relief. Oh, for a swimming pool!!!!!
Outside work has been put on hold or held to a minimum - plants and flowers are drooping, lawns are dry. In addition to the heat, there is also a water restriction in effect - no unnecessary outside watering. This may be a good thing for me right now. I am in my second round of poison ivy since we got here. This time a little worse than the first. Actually, the first rash may have been sumac. Either way - not a pretty picture! This episode started on Saturday, of course, when no doctor's offices were open over the 4th of July holiday. I finally got into an Urgent Care on Tuesday morning, after spending a somewhat miserable weekend. Back on another round of Prednisone ( a little higher dose) for 13 days. Yes I do know what poison ivy looks like! No more mowing along the periphery of the yard - there is so much vegetation along Michelle's lot line that these poison plants are mixed in with everything else and not noticeable. Nothing like having poison ivy with this hot, humid weather. It is taking a great deal of self control not to be itching this blasted stuff that has spread like wild fire this time. Oh well, this too will pass.