Matt sounds like a good one. Such a shame they rarely get to stay as long as we’d like them to. I’m sorry for your loss, even if you hardly knew him, you connected deeply and that’s what it’s about, surely. That, and cake. And verbascums.
It’s too hot. Somehow, it’s hotter now than when it’s exactly this hot in July or August. I think it’s the goddam audacity of it. Adds an extra five to ten degrees.
Can’t believe I’m leaving you a comment while you’re en déshabillé. Godsake, woman, put a hat on.
Advice from a native Texan, whose high school and grandmother’s houses didn’t have AC for years, and moved to Chicago days before the heat wave of 1995 (700+ people died): open the house when it’s cool, if it’s still light, tilt up the blinds to block the heat of the light and still allow air flow. Focus on windows opposite each other to draw the air through. Install ceiling fans, they make a significant difference, and should turn counter clockwise in the summer (there’s a switch. And on low turning clockwise in winter helps with heat). You can also try floor fans or box fans directly in the window, either in the direction of the breeze, or if you have a shaded window that’s slightly cooler, draw in that air. Or you can have a box fan in the lower part of a window bringing in air, and opposite in the upper part pushing out hot air. My grandmother used to hang wet sheets in front of the fans, it can lower the temperature slightly. Have water in the garden, I’ve found it cools nearly as much as shade. Consider a freestanding or window AC, maybe 2. There is no need to suffer because your flat doesn’t have AC installed. You can also try a dehumidifier, though they tend to be very loud. Know where you can go (public library, movie theatre, cafe) that’s kept at a nice low temperature and don’t hesitate to spend the day there. In grad school (Chicago), I installed 2 window units and ran the dehumidifier while I was out for the day, which made it mostly bearable. Have ice available for foot baths, as suggested above, and perhaps drinks. I know you’re British, but this is why Americans, especially southerners, are so fond of a glass of ice tea. Good luck!
These days, Texans cope by moving from an air conditioned office to an air conditioned car to an air conditioned home. It is much hotter for much longer than when I was a child. 33 in March is becoming normal in North Texas. South Texas was 41 on March 1 this year. I would think of these numbers in Fahrenheit and say that’s a little cold for spring in Texas. But no, I wrote them in Celsius. Honestly I don’t know how long it will be habitable.
I don’t like cold or heat either. The first time we went to Georgia 🇬🇪, I sent money to install AC 6 weeks before we got there. Unusual in Tbilisi, but essential in August. Southern Ontario has gotten much warmer in the nearly 23 years I’ve been here. It just hit 25 in Mississauga so I’m inside enjoying the AC. I had the house open overnight for the evening air. Old habits. In summer temps, I garden in the 7-9 window, am and pm.
Just thank you for a lovely read , although sad there is chinks of light and beautiful pictures of your garden My garden is my saviour , working in a garden open to the public I put pressure on myself for my garden to be perfect it’s never going to be perfect a bit like me 😂just taken me a while to realise it.
Can’t offer much advice to keep but my grandma swore by cups of tea 😂
I’m sorry that the world lost Matt but am grateful that you crossed paths with him and can share the tender grit you both embody. I’ve dealt with various mental health issues my entire adult life. Sadly, a trait I passed along to my beloved children now navigating a challenging world as adults. Looking back, I’m glad I’ve made it to “this side” without prematurely abbreviating matters. It’s a precious reminder I wish I could telegraph to my much younger self. It’s also a reminder to be more gentle with myself as lately I’ve been a bit twisted.
And also… that Linaria!!! My unicorn. My White Whale that I’ve been looking for, albeit under a different name, for years and years… keep on keeping on. Wonder awaits. xo
I was thinking yesterday as our temperatures soar to 22C in north east Scotland that my comfort ceiling is 19C. As for Sweden, it can get very very hot there. We go often, and have had several blistering heatwaves. You could go right to the north, but...massive mosquitos.
I know what you mean about the bare soil photos.
So very sorry to hear that for your colleague life was unbearable to that extent.
I knew Matt not at all, but am now deeply saddened by his death too ( 41? Just out of boyhood!) What a lovely man he was. And yes, you are vindicated, totally…. What sort of world where one’s job/career choice makes one so utterly overwhelmed and miserable…? Xx
I’m sorry to hear the world has lost another human in that way. It’s incredibly sad. But how lovely you’ve found yourself in gardening. I know the feeling of wanting to be as far from heat as possible. It’s partially the reason we moved to Maine and yet the temps can spike a few days to 90° (32° C) in summer. I’m like the tender shoots in my garden just recovering from winter. Too much too soon and I’m out. Cold cloths on the back of your neck are a relief. I keep a few in the fridge on sweltering days. Feet in a cool bucket of water too. Snowy scenes on YouTube. Ps—Your garden is lovely!
100% ceiling fans, very efficient, would get you through most of the year. And shading your windows from the OUTSIDE, makes a huge difference. Doesn't have to be pretty or permanent, just have a set up for the hottest days.
I was just thinking yesterday that I must find a way to cover the skylights in my kitchen from the outside. Probably just draping a sheet over them would cool us down considerably!
I spent the whole winter wishing for spring, why not spend the spring wishing for winter! I've got a pretty good idea what I'm planting so no harm in just doing some research...
Cornwall is cooler? 27C up on the moor today, and the breeze had died to a sullen whisper of heat when we walked the dogs at 10am. Lunch was Chicken salad and half one of those large yellow melons. Now in sitting room, windows open for the slight draught. Probably about 25C. Hot enough. Dogs lying on granite floor (Bill used to work in one of the local quarries) hence the granite floor and work tops. Very correct, only a mile to travel down to us!
I am so SO glad you gave up working at the bar. My brother trained for a career in law, he was at somewhere called “Inns of court”? But he didn’t practise.
Oooff granite floor sounds lovely in this heat. And even better that it came from up the road! The sea is such a good temperature controller, I do envy you that!
‘Needless to say, we live in a state of silent, mutual, throbbing disdain’ 😂 I love your writing and I feel I need to apologise that this is my favourite line from this piece.. its the sort of comment that can begin a great friendship because you can imagine yourself thinking and feeling the exact same in such circumstances 😂. I hope that makes sense 😅
I have only just read this, and was amazed at how our thoughts met. I was so touched by your comment and now reading of how your garden has helped you, even more so.
I am so sorry about Matt - what a shock to find the news that way.
Like you, I wilt in heat. I now have an ice pack and fan on in bed and long for the cool days of last week!
Your garden is how I live! My neighbor is much like yours. On top of that, he’s a Trump guy. Disdain does not begin to describe what I feel for him.
That heat that is breaking you is normal for summer heatwaves here. And I do not have air conditioning! Here’s a good way to cool down when you feel too hot and panicky. Lie on your back the floor, and place an ice pack (wrapped in a thin towel) or chilled gel pack on the lower portion of your sternum. Keep it there while you do structured breathing. That placement cools your blood and your lungs. It’s also helpful to place the cool pack under your occipital area, just above the back of your neck.
I’m so sorry that your colleague chose suicide. I’ve said this before here on Substack: for some people, living is just too painful. I urge anyone who is in crisis to reach out to your local help line. In the US that phone number is 988. The people who answer calls gave extensive training, and great compassion. They are there for anyone who needs to talk.
Perhaps an Only Fans post?
If I were in better shape I 100% would. More money for plants.
Maybe there’s someone out there with a flower fetish. You never know.
😂
Matt sounds like a good one. Such a shame they rarely get to stay as long as we’d like them to. I’m sorry for your loss, even if you hardly knew him, you connected deeply and that’s what it’s about, surely. That, and cake. And verbascums.
It’s too hot. Somehow, it’s hotter now than when it’s exactly this hot in July or August. I think it’s the goddam audacity of it. Adds an extra five to ten degrees.
Can’t believe I’m leaving you a comment while you’re en déshabillé. Godsake, woman, put a hat on.
See now, I knew using the word 'naked' would distract from every other word I wrote!
Twice! I think you used it twice!
TWICE!
Twice is nice. (Heat has now addled my brain)
I’m so sorry about your colleague.
Advice from a native Texan, whose high school and grandmother’s houses didn’t have AC for years, and moved to Chicago days before the heat wave of 1995 (700+ people died): open the house when it’s cool, if it’s still light, tilt up the blinds to block the heat of the light and still allow air flow. Focus on windows opposite each other to draw the air through. Install ceiling fans, they make a significant difference, and should turn counter clockwise in the summer (there’s a switch. And on low turning clockwise in winter helps with heat). You can also try floor fans or box fans directly in the window, either in the direction of the breeze, or if you have a shaded window that’s slightly cooler, draw in that air. Or you can have a box fan in the lower part of a window bringing in air, and opposite in the upper part pushing out hot air. My grandmother used to hang wet sheets in front of the fans, it can lower the temperature slightly. Have water in the garden, I’ve found it cools nearly as much as shade. Consider a freestanding or window AC, maybe 2. There is no need to suffer because your flat doesn’t have AC installed. You can also try a dehumidifier, though they tend to be very loud. Know where you can go (public library, movie theatre, cafe) that’s kept at a nice low temperature and don’t hesitate to spend the day there. In grad school (Chicago), I installed 2 window units and ran the dehumidifier while I was out for the day, which made it mostly bearable. Have ice available for foot baths, as suggested above, and perhaps drinks. I know you’re British, but this is why Americans, especially southerners, are so fond of a glass of ice tea. Good luck!
Wow, Celia, thank you! I was actually thinking of you as I was typing. Now I know how Texans cope!
These days, Texans cope by moving from an air conditioned office to an air conditioned car to an air conditioned home. It is much hotter for much longer than when I was a child. 33 in March is becoming normal in North Texas. South Texas was 41 on March 1 this year. I would think of these numbers in Fahrenheit and say that’s a little cold for spring in Texas. But no, I wrote them in Celsius. Honestly I don’t know how long it will be habitable.
I don’t like cold or heat either. The first time we went to Georgia 🇬🇪, I sent money to install AC 6 weeks before we got there. Unusual in Tbilisi, but essential in August. Southern Ontario has gotten much warmer in the nearly 23 years I’ve been here. It just hit 25 in Mississauga so I’m inside enjoying the AC. I had the house open overnight for the evening air. Old habits. In summer temps, I garden in the 7-9 window, am and pm.
Just thank you for a lovely read , although sad there is chinks of light and beautiful pictures of your garden My garden is my saviour , working in a garden open to the public I put pressure on myself for my garden to be perfect it’s never going to be perfect a bit like me 😂just taken me a while to realise it.
Can’t offer much advice to keep but my grandma swore by cups of tea 😂
And I do, too! Thank you, Sarah ❤️
I’m sorry that the world lost Matt but am grateful that you crossed paths with him and can share the tender grit you both embody. I’ve dealt with various mental health issues my entire adult life. Sadly, a trait I passed along to my beloved children now navigating a challenging world as adults. Looking back, I’m glad I’ve made it to “this side” without prematurely abbreviating matters. It’s a precious reminder I wish I could telegraph to my much younger self. It’s also a reminder to be more gentle with myself as lately I’ve been a bit twisted.
And also… that Linaria!!! My unicorn. My White Whale that I’ve been looking for, albeit under a different name, for years and years… keep on keeping on. Wonder awaits. xo
IS IT THE ONE YOU WERE LOOKING FOR?!?? THIS IS EXCITING!!
by a different name - but that apricot pink bloom is !!!
I was thinking yesterday as our temperatures soar to 22C in north east Scotland that my comfort ceiling is 19C. As for Sweden, it can get very very hot there. We go often, and have had several blistering heatwaves. You could go right to the north, but...massive mosquitos.
I know what you mean about the bare soil photos.
So very sorry to hear that for your colleague life was unbearable to that extent.
Oh YIKES. Heatwaves and massive mosquitos?! I will be reconsidering my plan.
I hate mosquitoes.
I knew Matt not at all, but am now deeply saddened by his death too ( 41? Just out of boyhood!) What a lovely man he was. And yes, you are vindicated, totally…. What sort of world where one’s job/career choice makes one so utterly overwhelmed and miserable…? Xx
I’m sorry to hear the world has lost another human in that way. It’s incredibly sad. But how lovely you’ve found yourself in gardening. I know the feeling of wanting to be as far from heat as possible. It’s partially the reason we moved to Maine and yet the temps can spike a few days to 90° (32° C) in summer. I’m like the tender shoots in my garden just recovering from winter. Too much too soon and I’m out. Cold cloths on the back of your neck are a relief. I keep a few in the fridge on sweltering days. Feet in a cool bucket of water too. Snowy scenes on YouTube. Ps—Your garden is lovely!
I love this advice for staying cool, thank you Kelly! I wish I lives in Maine!
100% ceiling fans, very efficient, would get you through most of the year. And shading your windows from the OUTSIDE, makes a huge difference. Doesn't have to be pretty or permanent, just have a set up for the hottest days.
I was just thinking yesterday that I must find a way to cover the skylights in my kitchen from the outside. Probably just draping a sheet over them would cool us down considerably!
So heartfelt. Thank YOU ☺️
Bulb catalogues have started to arrive in the mail… how about planning and ordering your autumn bulbs??? Doesn’t sound to heat producing 😊🙏
I spent the whole winter wishing for spring, why not spend the spring wishing for winter! I've got a pretty good idea what I'm planting so no harm in just doing some research...
Cornwall is cooler? 27C up on the moor today, and the breeze had died to a sullen whisper of heat when we walked the dogs at 10am. Lunch was Chicken salad and half one of those large yellow melons. Now in sitting room, windows open for the slight draught. Probably about 25C. Hot enough. Dogs lying on granite floor (Bill used to work in one of the local quarries) hence the granite floor and work tops. Very correct, only a mile to travel down to us!
I am so SO glad you gave up working at the bar. My brother trained for a career in law, he was at somewhere called “Inns of court”? But he didn’t practise.
Oooff granite floor sounds lovely in this heat. And even better that it came from up the road! The sea is such a good temperature controller, I do envy you that!
Eat an ice-cream? That seems to me quite productive given the circs ... beautiful foxgloves!
Oh and I have eaten several. It's the only thing that makes sense.
‘Needless to say, we live in a state of silent, mutual, throbbing disdain’ 😂 I love your writing and I feel I need to apologise that this is my favourite line from this piece.. its the sort of comment that can begin a great friendship because you can imagine yourself thinking and feeling the exact same in such circumstances 😂. I hope that makes sense 😅
I have only just read this, and was amazed at how our thoughts met. I was so touched by your comment and now reading of how your garden has helped you, even more so.
I am so sorry about Matt - what a shock to find the news that way.
Like you, I wilt in heat. I now have an ice pack and fan on in bed and long for the cool days of last week!
I too have Sultan's Palace , isn't it sumptuous!
Your garden is how I live! My neighbor is much like yours. On top of that, he’s a Trump guy. Disdain does not begin to describe what I feel for him.
That heat that is breaking you is normal for summer heatwaves here. And I do not have air conditioning! Here’s a good way to cool down when you feel too hot and panicky. Lie on your back the floor, and place an ice pack (wrapped in a thin towel) or chilled gel pack on the lower portion of your sternum. Keep it there while you do structured breathing. That placement cools your blood and your lungs. It’s also helpful to place the cool pack under your occipital area, just above the back of your neck.
I’m so sorry that your colleague chose suicide. I’ve said this before here on Substack: for some people, living is just too painful. I urge anyone who is in crisis to reach out to your local help line. In the US that phone number is 988. The people who answer calls gave extensive training, and great compassion. They are there for anyone who needs to talk.