re the blackout curtains: you'll grow to like them, first when you notice how much they do help keep the indoors from heating up, and second, when you've established your twice or more daily rituals for closing (mid to late morning, or when direct sun announces itself) and opening (early evening). You'll like that ritual. Box fans placed on the floor (on lowest setting) help a lot, more than ceiling fans, imo. A quick mopping of the floors also help cool things down, as does a tepid shower before bed. I'd be a climate change refugee right now (NM or Ft Davis), but my ties here cannot really be replaced elsewhere, so here is where I am, and making do. But I'm really scared of those $500/mo utility bills draining my meagre funds like last summer. I know what to do to keep my home as cool as possible with appropriate methods and behaviors (I grew up without AC, my mom was very savy about how to do it well), but I just can't tolerate the heat like I could when I was younger. So, blackout drapes it is, and they do help some, but sadly, not with parking at Barton Springs. Eventually, though, we'll see each other there!
Thank you so much for this. I am going to adjust my attitude and start new rituals like opening them in the early evening. What a great idea. I, too, dread the electric bill. Last summer mine was around $1500 per month (this includes all the outbuildings and campers, too.) It is breathtaking.
I moved to Maine at the end of July last year because I could not take another minute in the Texas heat (or Texas politics). It took two years to make it happen, but still happy with my decision. Except, most homes in Maine (especially rentals) do not have air conditioning! Last week it was 89 in Maine and the temp in my upstairs bedroom was 85. I felt betrayed, but such is climate change. I will be ordering a small window unit for my bedroom, and another portable ac unit for downstairs. I lived without ac in Austin’s Crestview ‘hood from 1983-94, and I remember the tricks - cool showers, a spritzer bottle in the fridge, and even frozen washcloths. But damn, I am 65 and I need/want my ac! Really hoping for more days when I can have my windows open (like today), but I will be prepared for the heat also. Stay cool however you can!
I love Maine so much. I’ve been to Monhegan Island many times—highly recommend! One summer in Hyde Park—probably around 1997–I challenged myself to see how long I could go without running the a/c. It was a massive window unit that made a lot of sound but produced very little cool. It was an interesting month of June and some neighbors worried about me. I also had an old Toyota Cressida (83?) that had no a/c. People warned me once I got real a/c I’d never be able to go without. Absolutely true!
I suggest the Stalking Gambit: If you idle by the back gate near the Monkey Tree, you can ask swimmers coming out if they have a parking spot. Then just slowly follow them and claim your stake. Usually 5 minutes or less.
I hear you on so much of this. My existential anxiety these days is more centered around the effects of AI (which even now is somehow in this very comment box, offering to complete my sentences for me as I type them), because I think it will dumb humans down to an unrecognizable state unless we fight very hard to keep our faculties.
Climate change does worry me as well, but it's incredible to see the work that various people all over the world are doing to solve problems where they can -- cleaning up ocean plastic, helping coral reefs evolve to thrive in warmer water, rewilding rainforests and preserves, breeding near-extinct species back to survival numbers, etc. That Mr. Rogers quote about "looking for the helpers" always saves me from despair; we are a ridiculous selfish wasteful species, but also an amazingly generous, creative, and resourceful one.
Also, it's profound to realize how many times the Earth has endured mass extinctions, including the loss of over 90% of species (!!!), before humans even existed. Life is resilient; it bounces back, and that should give us some comfort and make us and our actions feel extremely small, in a good way. Check this out: https://ourworldindata.org/mass-extinctions
So...what we can contribute to others in our lifetimes by writing, eating, buying, making, observing, growing, and even traveling, surely outweighs what we think we would atone for by self-deprivation or trying to shrink our carbon footprint to zero (if you want some dark humor on this, The Onion has a hilarious but gruesome satirical commercial for a Prius that saves the Earth by immediately killing its drivers, since that's the "best" way to have no impact on the environment -- check it out if it won't be too triggering, but it should be seen as making a point about how unproductive environmental self-flagellation is).
And I love all the curtain metaphors. I agree with everyone who suggests opening them in the morning and evening so you can still enjoy some of the light and views during the summer heat. You've got this. <3
re the blackout curtains: you'll grow to like them, first when you notice how much they do help keep the indoors from heating up, and second, when you've established your twice or more daily rituals for closing (mid to late morning, or when direct sun announces itself) and opening (early evening). You'll like that ritual. Box fans placed on the floor (on lowest setting) help a lot, more than ceiling fans, imo. A quick mopping of the floors also help cool things down, as does a tepid shower before bed. I'd be a climate change refugee right now (NM or Ft Davis), but my ties here cannot really be replaced elsewhere, so here is where I am, and making do. But I'm really scared of those $500/mo utility bills draining my meagre funds like last summer. I know what to do to keep my home as cool as possible with appropriate methods and behaviors (I grew up without AC, my mom was very savy about how to do it well), but I just can't tolerate the heat like I could when I was younger. So, blackout drapes it is, and they do help some, but sadly, not with parking at Barton Springs. Eventually, though, we'll see each other there!
Thank you so much for this. I am going to adjust my attitude and start new rituals like opening them in the early evening. What a great idea. I, too, dread the electric bill. Last summer mine was around $1500 per month (this includes all the outbuildings and campers, too.) It is breathtaking.
You grow to like them a lot! Just be sure to add Vitamin D to your daily vitamins.
I moved to Maine at the end of July last year because I could not take another minute in the Texas heat (or Texas politics). It took two years to make it happen, but still happy with my decision. Except, most homes in Maine (especially rentals) do not have air conditioning! Last week it was 89 in Maine and the temp in my upstairs bedroom was 85. I felt betrayed, but such is climate change. I will be ordering a small window unit for my bedroom, and another portable ac unit for downstairs. I lived without ac in Austin’s Crestview ‘hood from 1983-94, and I remember the tricks - cool showers, a spritzer bottle in the fridge, and even frozen washcloths. But damn, I am 65 and I need/want my ac! Really hoping for more days when I can have my windows open (like today), but I will be prepared for the heat also. Stay cool however you can!
I love Maine so much. I’ve been to Monhegan Island many times—highly recommend! One summer in Hyde Park—probably around 1997–I challenged myself to see how long I could go without running the a/c. It was a massive window unit that made a lot of sound but produced very little cool. It was an interesting month of June and some neighbors worried about me. I also had an old Toyota Cressida (83?) that had no a/c. People warned me once I got real a/c I’d never be able to go without. Absolutely true!
I suggest the Stalking Gambit: If you idle by the back gate near the Monkey Tree, you can ask swimmers coming out if they have a parking spot. Then just slowly follow them and claim your stake. Usually 5 minutes or less.
Excellent strategy. Thanks
I hear you on so much of this. My existential anxiety these days is more centered around the effects of AI (which even now is somehow in this very comment box, offering to complete my sentences for me as I type them), because I think it will dumb humans down to an unrecognizable state unless we fight very hard to keep our faculties.
Climate change does worry me as well, but it's incredible to see the work that various people all over the world are doing to solve problems where they can -- cleaning up ocean plastic, helping coral reefs evolve to thrive in warmer water, rewilding rainforests and preserves, breeding near-extinct species back to survival numbers, etc. That Mr. Rogers quote about "looking for the helpers" always saves me from despair; we are a ridiculous selfish wasteful species, but also an amazingly generous, creative, and resourceful one.
Also, it's profound to realize how many times the Earth has endured mass extinctions, including the loss of over 90% of species (!!!), before humans even existed. Life is resilient; it bounces back, and that should give us some comfort and make us and our actions feel extremely small, in a good way. Check this out: https://ourworldindata.org/mass-extinctions
So...what we can contribute to others in our lifetimes by writing, eating, buying, making, observing, growing, and even traveling, surely outweighs what we think we would atone for by self-deprivation or trying to shrink our carbon footprint to zero (if you want some dark humor on this, The Onion has a hilarious but gruesome satirical commercial for a Prius that saves the Earth by immediately killing its drivers, since that's the "best" way to have no impact on the environment -- check it out if it won't be too triggering, but it should be seen as making a point about how unproductive environmental self-flagellation is).
And I love all the curtain metaphors. I agree with everyone who suggests opening them in the morning and evening so you can still enjoy some of the light and views during the summer heat. You've got this. <3
Thank you Meredith! Not the first time you have reminded me of good reasons to set aside despair. I’m so grateful. And I love the Onion. And you!