Phoenix, AZ

The Weather. What I like about the weather is that you can set up a call with a relative in the Midwest in winter and say with great conviction: “Brrr! It’s 55 degrees out here!” See what kind of reaction you get!

Yesterday, I talked about walking — let’s talk about swimming.

In Phoenix, swimming is an all-year around activity to take of advantage of. The heated pool is relaxing in the winter (unless you have icy-water lovin’ relatives from Minnesota who like to wake up with a dip in the pool instead of a cup of coffee) just as a sun-heated pool is in the summer.

My favorite time to take a swim is in the summer not long after the sun goes down. Last year, Hubby and I joined my parents-in-law in their pool after suppertime. We have what is called “noodles” to float on while we “walk” around in the deep end, or lean back on one end of the noodle to relax to see if we could catch sight of stars coming out to play for the night. A hot breeze came along a time or two, but it actually felt nice…as long as we were in the water. Another funny thing is we’d be in the pool long enough that when we got out to refill a drink we’d be chilly and make a beeline back into the pool where it would feel like a satin comforter on a mountain winter night. If I had more leisurely time in my life, a swimming pool is where I’d be, either “beatin’ feet” around the deep end, or relaxing on a floating mattress, with sunglasses, SPF 55, and a sun hat reading a book.

As relaxing as it can be, one does need to be careful around the pool. Of course, we would do well to look after ourselves along with the kids and “furkids.” I’ve lived in the Valley since 1999, and every one of those years I always catch the TV channels around here do their best to let us know a rather life-saving thing to do: Watch you kids around water. I’m not a parent, but I “get” it. I “get” that campaign so much that I watch anyone I care about around water; they can be 2, 24, 58, or 65, I have their six o’clock. This is because I love them and that the most able-bodied person/pet could end up wrong in a pool.

On the subject of being responsible, I’d like to add something from my veterinarian about cooling off pets in the summer. If you think your pet is overheated and want to putting them in the pool will cool them down…think again. The action of placing an overheated pet in a pool will cause the cool water to compress the heat of the body to its center, which may cause multiple organ failure. The best way to cool down your pet is to take them to a shady spot, wet their fur and feet and cool them with a fan. If you are able, call your vet for added support. Even better here is to make sure pets don’t get overheated at all. They may want to play ball, but 120 degrees isn’t the temperature to be doing it in.

Man, today’s forecast is putting us in the triple digits, at least 102. >yawn< Kick on cooler!

Why do I say that? Well, the first thing Hubby and I did when we bought our first home was put a “swamp” cooler on, in addition to the air conditioner. It would do well for newbie homeowners to put that addition right off the bat, because when this dry heat is around you can cool your house down without breaking your bank account paying the utilities. Believe me, there is a difference between energy usage of the two units.

Now, if you stay through until the “end” of the summer, you could experience the wet heat of the Valley…the monsoon season. The swamp cooler is useless, and you’ll love and hate the turning on of the A/C. Love it, because you can still be cool in 100-120 degree weather. Hate it because it’s gonna show on your electric bill…triple digits, just like the temperature. Yay.

In relation, we had a taste of some “odd-early” monsoon weather about two weeks ago, strong enough to whip up (and rip off) shingles. It was so strong at one point, a neighbor’s house shingles looked like they were doing The Wave. Kid you not!