[Cross-posted from my MovableType Blog]

I used to think my mother was crazy when she would close all the windows and curtains during a beautiful summer day. It really is amazing how as you get older, your parents get smarter.

This morning E and I closed up the entire house around 9 am. We shut every window. Closed every curtain. We hung towels over the windows in the dining room and bathroom. And you know what? It worked. At least during the morning hours. I did have to close the kitchen door most of the way because that room (which gets the eastern/morning sun) was much warmer than the front of the house. But with the fan blowing at the couch we were quite comfortable.

By the time mid-afternoon hit, it was a different story. The front of the house gets the western/afternoon sun. We opened up the back of the house, but it was still 85 in the living room. Again, certainly livable, but warm.

Once the sun set over the houses across the street we opened up all the windows. I wish the cats didn't want to go outside so much because I'd have the front door open right now if I could. We are getting a nice cross breeze now, and it is really rather pleasant.

Unless you go upstairs. It's currently 99 degrees upstairs. Now I understand why our landlady had her bedroom on the first floor. We slept in the guest room last night. I think we will again tonight.

I still count us lucky though. We are making it through this heat wave in pretty good shape, and without using any air conditioning. Which I feel pretty good about, especially after seeing An Inconvenient Truth yesterday. The weather is so fucked up - and it's only just beginning.