How hot is it? Too hot!

Summer is here with a vengeance. The glass windows in our house drip with moisture. It feels like we live in a terrarium. Everything is moist and organic. More often than not, storms arrive late afternoon. The skies grow dark and ominous, distant rumbles become louder and louder, and we hope it brings rain, but often it does not. Sometimes we get the rain we need. Steam rises from the garden. The moisture permeates everything. The lawn is squishy and it seems the grass is growing before our very eyes. Wasn't the yard service just here? Hard to tell.

How do we know at our house that summer has arrived? The washing machine runs constantly. Whether the Big Guy and I are working in the yard or just running errands, we come back with hot, sweaty clothes — another load of laundry. The thump, thump of the washer and dryer is a constant in our summer time lives. Damp sandals and athletic shoes line up by the back door.

It is even too hot for our screen porch. We miss our morning coffee and adult beverages at the end of the day, enjoying our porch and watching our two dogs, Andy and Katie, explore the yard and try to catch the pesky rabbits. The rabbits always win.

When the temperatures start to climb, we find ourselves checking the temperature gauges in our cars and adjusting our activities. Very hot, humid days knock me off my feet. I sweat — no glistening for this girl. My face turns a less-than-attractive shade of red. I know to be careful. Back to my tennis days, a trip to the emergency room was a wake-up call. Heatstroke is the result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical activity in hot weather. The very young and very old are the most vulnerable. I fall into one of those categories.

Heatstroke occurs when your body temperature reaches 104 degrees. Symptoms include excessive sweating, difficulty breathing, nausea, lightheadedness, and feeling faint. Our tennis coach taught us a quick response to the danger of heatstroke. Cool or cold water on the back of the neck will offer immediate relief. If not treated seriously, consequences can occur, which include stroke and kidney damage and, yes, even death.

Our media warns us about the dangers of heat and urges us to take action. Drinking lots of water is obvious, but there are other tips. Mayo Clinic recommends 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters a day for women. The addition of electrolytes to your drinking water is a good idea. Wear light-colored clothing. Avoid midday activities outside. It is essential to think of those around us, especially our pets. They feel the heat too and have the disadvantage of fur coats and no shoes!

Careful what you wish for. Many of us moved from places where the dreaded cold of winter and inches of snow made Florida the perfect place to live. Well, it is mostly. Hot, humid weather has its challenges, too. We are not complaining, just adjusting. I would rather sweat than shovel snow any day.