Summertime: Seeking Relief from the Heat

Summertime

Since I was a child, I have always looked forward to summer and the vacations my family would take. We did a lot of camping throughout the country, but I especially enjoyed it when we visited the beaches along our eastern seaboard. A short drive from our home in Pennsylvania to New Jersey meant getting up in the morning and having our toes in the sand later that same day. Later, we enjoyed going to Myrtle Beach, which sometimes required an overnight stay in a motel with a pool.

About three years ago, I finally decided it was now or never, and moved myself to the coastal town of Wilmington, NC. I haven’t regretted it for a second.

Hurricanes and Heat Waves

Like any place, life at the beach is not without its challenges. Hurricane warnings, along with hot summer days and nights, are our norm. But this summer, the heat index has been higher, with several weeks of “feels like” temps in the 90s and even reaching 109. We have had to stay indoors more than usual, and I find myself asking God to bless the Carrier family often.

So Very Grateful

Willis Carrier is credited with inventing the first modern air conditioning system. In 1902, he designed a system to control temperature and humidity at the Sackett & Wilhelms printing plant in Brooklyn, New York. This system, which used cooling coils to remove heat and moisture from the air, is considered the foundation of modern air conditioning. Carrier later founded the Carrier Corporation, a company specializing in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, according to Wikipedia.  Since Willis Carrier died in 1950, I can’t thank him personally, but I can ask God to bless his legacy. It seems a small thing to do in exchange for my personal comfort. A way to pay it forward.

Ways to Cope

Last evening, my neighbor and I were remarking on what a lovely, cool evening it was. The temperature had dropped to a comfortable 87 degrees. She said, “Just think, when it gets down to 70 something, we can break out our sweatshirts.”

Since it has been way too hot to spend a whole day at the beach, I try to go for an hour or two early in the morning. When the parking is free, and the sun hasn’t reached its skin-burning zenith. A friend invited me to join her in early (7 AM) worship at Wrightsville Beach. This guy, Kirbi, has been bringing the music and a sand sculpture word to this beach every morning (except for a few exceptions) for seven years. At first, it was hard to get up at 6 AM and be out the door by 6:30 to get there on time, but now I look forward to it. A lot. It is a great way to start my day.

And I have adopted a few other fun ways to cope with the heat.

A Good Book is a GREAT Escape

This heat has given me one more excuse to read a good book. And I have many.

So far this summer, I have read a ton of fiction titles and the following:

Steps by John Ortberg – I love John’s conversational writing tone. He has a gift for distilling complex premises into easy action steps. I highly recommend this book for anyone working on recovery from their hurts, habits, or hangups.

Pray Bold by Joel Osteen – This one surprised me. It takes a deep well to simplify biblical truths in such a way that we can pick them up and run with them. That is Joel’s gift. When I become overwhelmed with life, Joel has a gentle way of reminding me of the simplicity of the Gospel and the abundant life God has provided me. This book revived my joy and deepened my trust and faith in God.

I am now experiencing the deepest contentment I have ever known. That is the power of a great book.

On My TO READ List

As a birthday gift to myself, I purchased the book, A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene Peterson, the translator of The Message Bible. I look forward to settling in with this book next.

And, The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner is sitting on my bedside table. Susan is a beautiful writer, and I highly recommend all of her titles.

Coping Suggestions That are Working for Me

I consider myself a crafty person. When I was young, I sewed all my clothing on a treadle sewing machine. Coats, dresses, even my prom gown.

I have been collecting seashells for years with plans to create jewelry with them.

 

But right now, while I am pet sitting and not yet in my own place, I have taken up watercolor painting. I find it less intimidating than I was led to believe. And it is a way to create small gifts for my friends.

 

 

 

 

And next, I am going to attempt to create a bird mosaic out of glass tiles a friend supplied me with. First, I need to break the tiles up, and then I will glue and spackle a masterpiece I can hang or gift. I will be sure to post pictures when it is completed.

 

 

In what ways have you been keeping yourself cool and entertained this summer? Please let me know in the comment section below if you have been inspired by this post to cope or create in a new way.