Air conditioning and heat

Good Morning and if I hear that 'We buy any car' commercial one more time this morning ...

I have kind of an unwritten policy in the house. It's unwritten, because I can change it any time, but usually don't.
So, when the thermostat hit 90 a couple of weeks ago, I turned on the air conditioner even though it was October. See, the rule is the AC goes off mid-September (the date is flexible). Then it doesn't come back on until June.
I usually stay hard and fast with that one (sorry, PECO), but I did break down when the humidity got too much one day and we were all sweating while watching TV.
The other rule is the heat doesn't go on until November (hopefully not until Thanksgiving). It doesn't go on in October. If you're cold, put on a sweater.
I nearly broke down this weekend, though. Even though I knew in my mind it wasn't that chilly, it certainly felt that way. There was close to some teeth chattering during Saturday night's movie fest.
Close, but not yet.
So, I won't get penalized yet as the heat stays off.

Rise and Shine --- Of life and death

Good Morning and welcome back to summer (at least for a few days)!

OK, tell me today how there isn't something wrong with our weather. Last week, I had to pull out the jackets and sweaters. This week, I'll be searching for a pool (or at least a sprinkler).
Speaking of last week, a few interesting things happened.
A friend of mine had to deal with the loss of a sister. Another was sitting in a hospital room with a child. A third is trying to deal with cancer.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Then I looked into the eyes of a boys celebrating his 14th birthday and the sun shined.
Sure, he's a handful at times (although not as much as other 14s I'm sure). He likes to get under the nerves of his sister and brother (especially his brother, no his sister, OK both).
He likes to pretend he doesn't hear me when I say simple things like: "Put away your socks" or "Set the table" or "Put your book bag away."
He plays too many video games and spends too much time texting (well, so I've heard).
If I leave him in the house alone for even like five minutes, all the cookies will be gone (so will everything else that isn't tied down).
Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Rise and Shine --- The heat is on

Good Morning and was that really George Michael singing during the Olympics Closing Ceremonies?

It was nice to open the door this morning and not be hit by a wall of heat. There virtually no humidity out there this morning.

What a wonderful feeling!

I was standing in the store the other day while the daughter tried on some clothes (her new favorite activity) and somebody standing outside the dressing room said, "It's like we really didn't have a summer this year. It was too hot to even walk outside."

Now, I wouldn't go that far. I mean, it is the Northeast. It's going to get hot, it's going to cool off. Sure, we had one of the hottest July's ever, but we weren't cooped up. I think it's a sign of the times.

When I hear these things, my mind immediately thinks back to my grandparents.

They didn't have any kind of air conditioning. It was hot, they dealt with it.

A few weeks ago, I was at my dad's boyhood home. He showed the children his old room on the third floor of one of those really old houses that have no air flow.

When they asked how he could sleep with it being so hot, he said he had a fan for the window.

I'll be the first to admit I thank the stars for the person who invented air conditioning.

I think, though, it kind of spoils us sometimes.

Not that I'll give it up or anything...

Rise and Shine --- The Backyard

Good Morning and here we are again!!

So, it was nearly 90 degrees yesterday. Remember how happy we were when it hit 70 in January? Well, what's so wrong with 90 in April?
Yesterday, in fact, was the perfect day to sit out in the backyard, crack open a cold beer, put on some music and just veg out.
There was enough of a breeze so the heat wasn't overwhelming. After about an hour or so, I thought, "Hmm, it would also be the perfect evening to fire up the grill."
So, I dutifully got everything ready, then went back outside to start it up.
The thing lit fine, but I soon realized it wasn't staying lit.
Out of gas.
At least I hadn't started cooking when it went out.
So, I cooked inside, but ate outside.
We could use more nights like this.

Rise and Shine --- To heat or not to heat

Good Morning and it's time to change the pitcher!

As this wacky weather year took a chilly turn this week, the first thing I heard after school yesterday was 'It's cold in here.'
OK, you might need to put away the shorts for the season, but it's not cold. Maybe a sweatshirt instead of the T-shirt would help.
One thing that's not happening is the heat is not going on yet. Maybe I'm still stuck in the summer or maybe I'm looking for one month of a decent PECO bill, but the heater will not kick in this week.
Or next week.
My rule is the heat doesn't go on before Halloween. Yeah, yeah, yeah, things could change. The way the weather has been going, would it surprise anybody if we saw snow in October?
Now, though, the after-school crowd is going to have do deal with it. After all, there are plenty of blankets.

Rise and Shine --- Swimming

Good Morning and welcome to (supposedly) a break from the heat!

The plan at the beginning of every summer is to join a pool and take advantage of it when it gets really hot. The plan falls apart every summer when I remember how much it costs to join a pool.
So, we take advantage of Grandmom and Grandpop's hospitality and jump. As the summer sun continued to bear down last week, their pool was a welcome respite.
When the heat was there again Saturday morning, I thought it was a good idea to stay in the air conditioning. So, we hit a couple of stores and saw a small, throwaway pool for $3.
OK, I thought, it would be perfect for those days when I didn't feel like driving. Saturday being one of those days, we got the pool home and filled it up.
So, with bathing suits on, one foot went into the water when the unbelievable came.
"It's too cold!!!"
Too cold, I said, it's like 150 degrees out here today. Walk around the house once, then you'll be ready to go in.
"That's not going to work. The water is too cold. It needs to be heated!!!"
OK, I continued, we'll stay outside until you're ready to get wet.
Lasted about 10 minutes. Now, I want it too stay hot for a few weeks.

Rise and Shine --- Oh that A.C.

Good Morning and where's the nearest pool!

A decent Facebook discussion yesterday centered around air conditioning. The crux of the back-and-forth was the need for air conditioning. After all, there was a time when there were no air conditioners.
I remember talking to my Grandfather once about it and he said something like it wasn't something you thought about. Some had fans. Others just opened the windows and hoped for a breeze. I even heard about people who would put shirts in the freezer.
For the first time in my life, I have central air in the house. It certainly has made a difference the last couple of days.
I used to be one of those who would just grin and bear it. There were ceiling fans, floor fans and a couple of window units to keep area's cool. Most of the time, the air conditioner stayed off.
Which is exactly what it was like growing up. We had air conditioners in the bedrooms, but the rest of the house was A.C.-free.
Somehow, we survived, sure, but it's a lot nicer surviving in a cool house.
Here is some history of air conditioning

Rise and Shine --- Oil like boils

Good Morning and welcome to a brand-new, spanking week!

One thing I do every year is have a debate in my head when it is time to turn on the heat in the house. See, I have oil heat, so it's not as simple as getting the temperature up.
I have to check out the price of oil. Check the weather reports to see how long I have before it actually gets "cold." Check the price again. Check the gauge on the tank. Check the price one more time.
Usually, I try to make it as close to Thanksgiving as possible.
When a 5-year old girl, though, wants to put on her heavy coat while eating lunch, I guess it's time to break down and turn the temperature up.
That doesn't mean I don't continue to check the price and the level on a daily basis.
Now, I'm waiting for a nice week of 70 degree days. Guess that won't come until May.

Rise and Shine --- Is this October?

Good Morning and welcome to the day before the start of the World Series!

Anybody who stepped outside yesterday got the feeling there was something strange in the world. OK, not strange, but the odd feeling was there.
You could see it in the cars as they drove past and in the people as they were walking around.
Even though we've seen it last few years, it still feels a little strange to be able to head outside without the jacket in late October.
Listen, I'm not complaining. I'll take this weather the rest of the year, but I know that's not going to happen. The chill will come back. The jackets will be pulled down off the hook and the heat will have to be turned up.
Still, we can enjoy it while it lasts.
Which, actually, is something Phillies fans should think about. I've heard more 'fans' over the last few days talking about how bad the season was or how disappointed they were in not making the World Series.
I just have to shake my head. For those with short memories, the Phillies weren't always a team with World Series hopes. Even like six years ago, we would have been happy with a .500 record.
So, at least we are in a pretty good stretch where there is something fun to see during the summer.
Don't think so? Talk to Pirate fans.

Rise and Shine --- Curse the rain

Good Morning and welcome to the final stretch of summer!

As we sweated through June and July, the one call was always for a little bit of rain. The grass needed it. The flowers needed it. Heck, our psyche needed it.
The rain, though, never seemed to really come. Sure, there were showers here and there, but not enough to keep the ground wet.
So, with summer winding down, Friday seemed like a good day take a little day trip.
With the little ones buckled down in their seats, it was time for a drive to Lancaster for a day at Dutch Wonderland.
As a youngster, our family seemed to go to Dutch Wonderland every year. Eventually, we would grow out of the 'Kingdom for Kids,' but it was always a fun place.
Driving up Route 30, it started to become obvious the day wasn't going to go as planned.
"Uh, it looks like it's drizzling," I announced.
A few miles later, after driving through some sizeable puddles, it became obvious it was going to be a little wet.
By the time we got to the park, the drenching had started. We pulled into the parking lot and watched it get harder.
Now came a dilemma. It's not like you can turn around and go home after the children had seen the park. Do you wait in the car? Do you wait in the (horrors) gift shop? Do you bang your head on the steering wheel?
They wanted to go in, so we took the gift shop option. A few hours and a few (hundred?) 'No, you can't get thats' later, the rain slowed and eventually stopped.
Now, if it can stay off the softball fields tonight.

Rise and Shine --- Nah, nothing wrong

Good Morning and here's hoping we don't melt today!

So, here we have a report today saying we just went through the hottest June in history.
Anybody who had to peal themselves off the couch yesterday knows we are probably headed for the hottest July in history. Woo Hoo, can't wait until August.
Now, the heat in itself wouldn't be a big deal if we weren't coming off a winter with so much snow we were calling for the heat.
So, here's where we sit. We are a nation of extremes (we're talking weather here not Tea Party).
Still, looking back, it doesn't seem the winter was all so bad. You go out, shovel, go back in, have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, then craw under a blanket.
The heat, though, is something completely different.
There is only so much you can do besides sitting in an air-conditioned room (something PECO full-heartedly endorses). So far this summer, we've tried the mall, the movies, grandmom's pool, the basement and the Franklin. It all gives a break for a little bit, but the heat comes flying back.
So, I'll leave you with this as I try to figure out if putting ice in underwear is the next, best step:

Rise and Shine --- It happens every summer

Good Morning and welcome to the second day of Summer!

So, with the heat bearing down yesterday afternoon and not wanting the little ones to sit around watching TV all day, I pulled out the pool.
Earlier this year, when the spring heat hit, we noticed the 'old' pool had a hole in the bottom. Sure, it could probably be fixed, but it would eventually leak, so we went out and picked up a new one.
This time, instead of sitting for an hour blowing the thing up, we went with one of those solid pools.
So, anyway, I asked if anybody wanted to go outside.
'It's too hot,' came the quick response.
How about if I fill up the pool.
'OK'
So, the grass killer was set up on the lawn and the hose was started.
A few minutes later (although it seemed like two hours to those waiting to get in), it was filled enough to cool off.
For about 15 minutes, it was splash, dunk, play. Then, came the question: 'Can we go back inside?'
No, it's a nice day out and you have a pool. Have some fun!
'Ah, we'll just play here.'
It was hot, but at least there was some fresh air.
Maybe today, they'll last 20 minutes.

Rise and Shine --- The heat

Good Morning and welcome to a brand new week!

One think I really like to do is procrastinate. As long as I can remember, I put things off until the last minute.
Some would call it lazy. Others get frustrated (you know who you are). I, on the other hand, say it's because I like to work on deadline (sounds good, doesn't it?).
It's gotten me in trouble more than once (or more than a million times), but, you know, I would miss out on the fun.
So, after playing some baseball on the front lawn Saturday afternoon and losing the ball in the jungle-like grass, I figured it was time to pull out the lawn mower.
Then, glancing over at the hedges, saw I also needed to grab the cutters.
Of course, it's not like we could have a normal spring. So, in heat that seemed more suited for August, I was out there Sunday cutting hedges and grass. Much to the humor of the neighbor.
After spending most (the whole?) day cutting through the tundra, it was done.
Now, I can get to the kitchen. Well, at least that's the plan.
Then again, with somebody heading to Boston to take a ride in an Osprey, there are other things to worry about.

Rise and Shine --- Happens all the time

Good Morning and welcome back to the soup!

So, you finally break down and put all the air conditioners away. You start to pull out the fall jackets and sweatshirts. You do this all in time for oppresive humidity to take over the area.
Happens all the time.
Meanwhile, it's nearly a month into the school year and the beginning and end of the day is still ridiculously hard. Rush to get everybody to bed, rush to get them up, rush to get them breakfast, rush to get them out the door. Of course, it's all forgotten with one smile. Think about it for a minute. There's an old saying about a smile being your umbrella. Just when it looks like all is dark, somebody's smile brings out the sun.
Happens all the time.
Really, when it rains in Florida it rains. After getting things together (after ballet and Cub Scouts), I thought it was perfect for a few minutes of baseball. Clicked on the Phillies, watched a little bit then the skies opened up. Thankfully, I went to bed before Brad Lidge could rain on the Phillies march to the playoffs. Yeah, they'll still get there, but it doesn't seem the road will be as easy as last year. Then again, they did win the World Series last year, so anything this year is just gravy. Right? Right? By the way, ever notice how a manager is a genious one year, then a bum the next? Charlie Manuel, despite wearing a ring, better watch his back.
Happens all the time.
So, that nutcase Glen Beck gets higher ratings, which scares Rush Limbaugh. So the original hate monger goes a little further. The loudmouth actually called for segregated buses. It's not even worth commenting on except to say it's becoming increasingly clear this lunitic fringe needs to be ignored. Let them keep spewing hate, but don't listen.
Or, maybe laugh:

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Rise and Shine --- The heat is on

Good Morning and welcome to another sticky August day!

What to do in the heat?
Sure, you can stay inside and relax with the air conditioning, but something feels just wrong about that scenerio.
In the dead of winter, with cold air (not so much snow for us the last few years) blowing outside, it's an easy decision. You stay in the heat and watch dead leaves blow around the yard.
The summer, though, brings a completely different view. The sun is shining and it looks like a perfect day to head outdoors.
Then, you open the door and ... BAM. That wall of heat hits you like a ton of bricks.
That's when the brain starts to click around (or burn out in my case). Go outside and enjoy the summer or stay inside and keep cool?
What to do? What to do?
In the end, I suggest, it's better to get out in the air. Turn off the air conditioner and sit under a tree.
Let the children get all sweaty (maybe, just maybe, a little tired) and it all seems OK.
That is, until the ice melts.

Rise and Shine --- Is this it?

Good Morning and welcome to the heat!

Yes, it looks like summer may finally be arriving. The temperatures are pushing into the 90s and the humidity is going up, up, up.
So, now what do you do? You want to enjoy the nice weather, but, when the heat is turned on, it makes it tough to spend a lot of time outside.
Staying inside? Did that all winter. Enough of looking at the walls and counting the number of stitches on the couch.
Besides, sitting around with the air conditioner running all day only makes PECO happy.
Here are some other ideas:
Go to the movies: Now, I know the prices are out of hand, but there are ways around it. Matinees are a great deal (if you can swing the time). Hit the dollar store before and bring your own snacks. Enjoy.
Go to the library: Once again, it's a great place to get lost. There are a lot of programs running in local libraries to keep the little ones busy. So, grab a new book, start reading and let everything fade away.
Head to the park: OK, now that doesn't necessarily clear up the heat idea. The key here is finding a park with a couple of trees and a playground. You can sit under the tree, sip some cold water and let everybody else get their energy out.
Window shop: Leave the wallet at home and hit the malls. It's always cool to check out new stuff. Walk around. Get some exercise. Enjoy somebody's air conditioning.
Play: Hey, it's hot. Deal with it. We've been looking forward to summer all year long. Get out and sweat. You can always take along some water.
Sleep: When all else fails, put the head down on a pillow. Then again, what's the chances of that?


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

A day later, 14-month old Nicholas McCorkel clings to life.
Everybody is rooting for the little boy to pull through. To be able to overcome being left in a locked car for five hours while the heat rose into triple digits.
Some of the comments about the incident, though, leave me wondering.
How anybody, I don't care what the circumstances, could leave anybody in a car for five hours is just unbelievable.
There are no excuses. To say you forgot is unacceptable. You can forget your lunch in the car. You can forget to bring your movies back to Blockbuster. You can forget to take the bills to the post office.
You can not forget a 14-month old in the back of a car on the hottest day of the year. If the law says there is no prosecution for this, the law should be changed.
Done and done.

Now that I have that off my chest, how about something lighter?
For some reason, Forbes.com has to give us a list of the most powerful celebrities in the world.
Do we really need to know who is a powerful celebrity? Why do we care so much about celebrities and who exactly makes them powerful?
This year, the top five are: Oprah, Tiger, Angelina, Beyonce, Beckham.
If you care, HERE IS THE COMPLETE LIST
Great, Oprah has a lot of money, so that makes her powerful. Tiger can play golf and has dumb razor commercials. Angelina and Beyonce act or sing or something. David Beckham is a soccer player.
Somehow, they are to the cream of the crop. They can do anything. Great for them. How about helping the rest of us.
By the way, the list goes to 100 with cook Paula Deen bringing up the rear.
So, if Paula Deen shows up on Oprah, does she say: "OK, Y'all, I'm knocking you off your perch. Watch out, here comes Paula Deen. Y'all"
Probably not. I think you are stretching for a list that includes not only Paula Deen, but Racheal Ray (No. 76) and Judge Judy (No. 40), but doesn't include Homer Simpson.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com