In my first life, I was a computer programmer in Dallas.
When I finally moved to Mountain Thyme to begin my current life, I rediscovered something I had long forgotten: It is a lot hotter in town! As a kid, I spent time each summer with my grandparents who were farmers.
They lived a long way from town.
I can remember many hot days on the farm, but I don't remember the nights being that bad.
And they didn't have air conditioning.
Have you ever noticed that, in the city, when you walk across the parking lot at 10 o'clock on a summer night, the heat feels just as oppressive as it did earlier when you went to lunch? A 98 degree day is one thing, but a 92 degree night is just not right! In the city, the asphalt, concrete, and bricks absorb heat all day long.
When the sun goes down and the air begins to cool, they all begin to radiate that heat right back into the air.
This phenomenon has been studied for 30 years or more.
Any Internet search on "Urban Heat Island" will list a number of references to discussions and studies on the subject.
The implications, causes and possible "cures" are really interesting.
One point made is that the effect is felt more strongly at night.
During the day, breezes, (some generated by the UHI), tend to mitigate any "extra heat" feeling during the day.
But at night, the ambient temperature can be considerably higher in the city due to the heat being radiated back from the bricks and mortar, and being trapped near the ground.
It is different out in the country.
As the sun goes down, it actually cools off pretty quickly! A temperature in the 70s is a much nicer way to end a hot day.
And you may find that it is much easier to face a 95 degree day when it starts out at 70 degrees then when it starts at 85.
So, if all the traffic and rush and summer heat is getting to you, try getting away to the country for a weekend.
You don't have to fly to the Rockies or drive to the ends of the earth.
Just get out of town.
Imagine sitting in a rocker on the porch one summer evening, sipping from a cold glass of lemonade.
Instead of bumper-to-bumper traffic, you see the squirrels trying to rob the bird feeder or the humming bird trying to defend his feeder from all the rest.
Instead of horns and sirens, you hear birds and tree frogs.
As the sun sets, the whipper-will begins its song.
And the day feels much cooler then it did earlier.
It is actually really nice out! You will be amazed at the differences you notice.
You will especially be amazed at just how relaxing and rejuvenating it is.
Perhaps enough to help you face the rest of the summer back in the real world with a little better attitude.