Sweat Day

Reminder of a Cooler Day – Photo: L. Weikel

It just occurred to me that it feels like tomorrow is going to herald a reverse snow day. Or I should say, the anticipation I feel this evening feels similar to how I often feel the night before the arrival of a blizzard. Perhaps we should call it a sweat day?

For instance, I know I won’t be mowing the lawn. And I know I probably won’t even take a ‘walk around.’ It’s just going to be too damn hot and m-u-g-g-y.

I’m a bit fascinated at the anticipation I feel. I definitely can tap into the little kid in me, who feels like tomorrow will be more special than a usual Saturday. And the specialness has everything to do with the weather – the weather and how unpleasant consequences as a result of it will make it extremely attractive and preferable to hunker down inside and ‘wait it out.’

Snow Day In Reverse

It’s that same sense of being a school kid and hearing the name of your school called out on the radio for a snow day. Again, I think this anticipatory attitude is tied to the prediction that the ‘heat index’ may reach as high as 113 degrees tomorrow – dangerous to pretty much anyone and everyone who does not have air conditioning, and even those who do have a/c could succumb to heat stroke or heat exhaustion if they venture out into the regular air or just even choose to stick it out.

This is a perfect excuse to go see a movie or spend the day at the library. (I’d say go to a pool, but no. Nope. Too hot.)

Bird Bath on a Snow Day – Photo: L. Weikel

All of this – the mindset, the excitement, the danger – they’re all wrapped up in having a day to ourselves. “It’s too hot to do anything but sit inside and {read, write, play cards, journey, meditate, drink gin & tonics, do a Motherpeace reading}…” Fill in your own favorite pastime or two.

Be Safe – Have Fun

You see? It’s the responsible thing to do, too. Running around grocery shopping, mowing lawn, jogging – or really doing anything, even walking, outside in this unbearable heat is as dumb as trying to go about your normal business when snow is falling at the rate of 3” an hour in the winter.

And just as on a snow day, I hope people who are less fortunate than I can find a safe place to ride this weather out. I realize my excitement is a function of my very good fortune to have a window air conditioner and the means to afford to run it. I wish it weren’t so dangerous for so many.

I have to admit, though, I’m excited to be ‘forced’ to spend the day inside doing all the things I’ve been yearning to do for weeks.

So treat yourself to a sweat day.

And don’t forget to make sure your bird feeders are filled and your bird baths have plenty of water.