HUNKERING DOWN FOR THE DURATION

So it's been hot the last couple of days. The temperature peaks about 3 p.m. and both Friday and Saturday we hit close to 106-107. Our thermometers are in the shade on the porch, so one always has to take that into account, too. But any way you look at it, the temperature has been a whole lot hotter than what the sun graphic above would indicate.

I checked Accuweather.com this morning when I got up and here's the forecast:

TODAY Blazing sunshine and hot with the temperature breaking the record of 105 set in 1978. High 108

MONDAY Sizzling sunshine and hot with the temperature breaking the record of 105 set in 1978. High 108

TUESDAY Hot with the temperature approaching the record of 107 set in 1963 with blazing sunshine. High 104

WEDNESDAY Mostly Sunny and Hot. High 96

THURSDAY Mostly Sunny and Hot. High 95

Nevertheless, there are some things I have to be thankful for.

First, that it is Jerry on the golf course this morning instead of me. Imagine! Golfing in this kind of heat. Only a crazy person does that, right?

Second, that we have an air conditioner that works well and is presently working;

Third, that we have a big tree outside our bedroom that shades our bedroom wall all afternoon, thus keeping the temp down in that room.

Fourth, that this is dry heat and not humid heat like my poor cousin in North Carolina gets.

Lastly, that so far there is no Santa Ana wind.

So what are my plans for the day?

Give the plants in pots outside a fresh drink of water this morning.

Make sure there is water in the fancy bowl I keep on the porch for stray cats and possums.

Make sure there is plenty of iced tea in the fridge - and a couple of cool O'Doul's Amber Lites for emergencies.

Remove my new little moon cactus from the window ledge; no use letting it bake in the direct heat.

Batten down the hatches; that is, close all the window shades.

To keep myself occupied I've got 2 videos to watch: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff?" and Gustavo Dudamel's Inaugural Concert; two books to read: Ruth Rendell's "Road Rage" and a highly touted novel by Daniel Kehlmann "Fame"; 2 newspapers to read: the local Press Enterprise and my favorite LA Times; 2 projects to work on: counted cross-stitch and knitting; and of course the best of all time-eater-uppers (or time wasters, sometimes)- my computer.

I'm set for the duration. If I have to remain hunkered down for a few days, I'm ready for it. To be honest with you, I can remain very upbeat even about blistering heat as long as the dreaded Santa Ana winds don't come. And with any kind of luck, perhaps our fall fires will not materialize either.