The dog days of summer & ways of keeping cool

[pbnesbit at msn.com]

Hi, everyone,

I work at a historic rice plantation just outside of Charleston, SC & 
I can always tell those folks who are from places with high heat & 
humidity from those who aren't.  The ones coming into my shop asking 
if I'm not absolutely burning up in all that clothing & complaining 
about how horrid the humidity is are usually from places like 
Washington, California, the UK...people who come in looking chipper & 
cheerful are from places like Georgia, Texas, Lousiana...they just 
grin & bear it because they by golly want to see Middleton Place & 
what's a little heat & humidity? 

The shops where we work were originally used for farm equipment 
storage & tractors & trucks really don't need cross-ventilation. <g>
They *finally* put a ceiling fan in my shop--the temperature in the 
morning has been measured at 98--*at 9.00 in the morning*!

We hit 90 the first weekend of April, then it turned cool (Spring 
came on a Wednesday this year) & then it was back in the 80s.  We've 
been hovering around 90+ since May (factor in the humidity & its in 
the 100s).  Talked to some Texans on Sunday & they said it was 107 
where they were.   

Funny story concerning that--for several years, the garden guides 
(who are volunteers)didn't have to work in July & August.  Now they 
do & they're *complaining* about how hot it is in the morning.  
Stableyards guides (also volunteers) have always worked year 'round--
no matter how hot or cold the temperatures.  

To stay cool (& still be historically accurate) I wet a couple of 
sweatrags (large triangles of cloth--bandannas would work too) in the 
coldest water I can, then put them in the freezer overnight.  One 
goes on my head as a headwrap, the other around my neck.  I manage to 
stay pretty comfortable. 

Peace & Plenty, 

Parker