Ain't Settin' No Records Round Here
>> 9/5/11
My wife and I arrived in Texas on the tail end of the summer of 1980 when heat records of legendary proportions was set round these parts. Back then the temperature hovered at 113 degrees fer more days than folks wanted to count.
But I reckon they had to.
And because they was a countin’, that’s the summer by which all others is measured round here. The diablo’s breath wind enveloped you in a skin scorchin’ and soul roastin’ embrace that seared the life right out of you.
It was a might uncomfortable.
People’s eyes git wide and their voice gits passionate when talkin’ bout it. Never been a summer like it before. Never been one like it since. Appears the current one comes in a distant second bout any way you kin measure.
Which is unsettlin’ fer some folks.
You see, the summer of 2011 may fall jest shy of breakin’ the record for the most days of over 100 degree heat. The record stands at 69. The current count sits at 68. Close but no sarsaparilla.
What's got their undergarments in a wad?
By breakin' the record at least we’d have something to show for this summer of percolating perspiration. They fear the sustained sizzlin’ sufferin’ we’ve endured will be fer naught if the record ain’t broken.
After all, they’ve already forfeited the record for the longest strang of consecutive days over 100 degrees. They don’t take kindly to bein’ denied the record for the most total days at 100 plus at the same time.
Seems a lot to ask.
That would purdy much strip them of any braggin’ rights for survivin’ the summer of 2011. So some of ’em are a rootin' for more hot weather.
That’s right. Some people are hankerin’ fer thangs to be worse than they are soes they can talk about it longer. Some say that’s only human nature.
Crazy talk from people left out in the sun too long if you ask me.
I take no pride in the swelterin’ meltdown we’ve incurred. There ain’t nothing noble about the witherin’ draught clingin’ like a plague to the Lone Star state. Conditions are bone dry and wildfire ripe. Everythin’ is crispy brown and water starved. Whole communities are sufferin', not just the livestock.
It ain’t paradise, people.
Somewhere in the comprehensive annals of meteorological statistics there lurks a summer with the fewest days of over 100 degree temperature. Why in tarnation don’t anyone promote that prodigious milestone?
The record I'm a covetin' is fer a Texas summer where there ain’t a single solitary day of 100+ heat. Now that would be somethin’ to be skinnin' and grinnin' about. Cause for a gen-u-ine celebration.
Most of us are forced to confess that this ain’t the worst summer on record. But it has been a rough one.
Fer that reason, I’ve been a waitin’ till the temps moderated a might before movin’ back into this runnin’ thang. My outin’s this past weekend was two 3.5 mile walks. The first order of business is to lose some weight while tonin’ muscles gone unchallenged fer far too long.
What’ll take even longer is fer the lungs to develop enough aerobic capacity to sustain motion through the neighborhood. By the time that’s accomplished cool air will be caressin’ the body on the nightly excursions. That’ll feel good all over better than jest about any place else.
After the heat of this summer, I’ve made a commitment not to do no complainin’ about the cold weather that follers while runnin’ this winter. Even if we was to set the record for the most days below freezin’.
You have my word on that
But I reckon they had to.
And because they was a countin’, that’s the summer by which all others is measured round here. The diablo’s breath wind enveloped you in a skin scorchin’ and soul roastin’ embrace that seared the life right out of you.
It was a might uncomfortable.
People’s eyes git wide and their voice gits passionate when talkin’ bout it. Never been a summer like it before. Never been one like it since. Appears the current one comes in a distant second bout any way you kin measure.
Which is unsettlin’ fer some folks.
You see, the summer of 2011 may fall jest shy of breakin’ the record for the most days of over 100 degree heat. The record stands at 69. The current count sits at 68. Close but no sarsaparilla.
What's got their undergarments in a wad?
By breakin' the record at least we’d have something to show for this summer of percolating perspiration. They fear the sustained sizzlin’ sufferin’ we’ve endured will be fer naught if the record ain’t broken.
After all, they’ve already forfeited the record for the longest strang of consecutive days over 100 degrees. They don’t take kindly to bein’ denied the record for the most total days at 100 plus at the same time.
Seems a lot to ask.
That would purdy much strip them of any braggin’ rights for survivin’ the summer of 2011. So some of ’em are a rootin' for more hot weather.
That’s right. Some people are hankerin’ fer thangs to be worse than they are soes they can talk about it longer. Some say that’s only human nature.
Crazy talk from people left out in the sun too long if you ask me.
I take no pride in the swelterin’ meltdown we’ve incurred. There ain’t nothing noble about the witherin’ draught clingin’ like a plague to the Lone Star state. Conditions are bone dry and wildfire ripe. Everythin’ is crispy brown and water starved. Whole communities are sufferin', not just the livestock.
It ain’t paradise, people.
Somewhere in the comprehensive annals of meteorological statistics there lurks a summer with the fewest days of over 100 degree temperature. Why in tarnation don’t anyone promote that prodigious milestone?
The record I'm a covetin' is fer a Texas summer where there ain’t a single solitary day of 100+ heat. Now that would be somethin’ to be skinnin' and grinnin' about. Cause for a gen-u-ine celebration.
Most of us are forced to confess that this ain’t the worst summer on record. But it has been a rough one.
Fer that reason, I’ve been a waitin’ till the temps moderated a might before movin’ back into this runnin’ thang. My outin’s this past weekend was two 3.5 mile walks. The first order of business is to lose some weight while tonin’ muscles gone unchallenged fer far too long.
What’ll take even longer is fer the lungs to develop enough aerobic capacity to sustain motion through the neighborhood. By the time that’s accomplished cool air will be caressin’ the body on the nightly excursions. That’ll feel good all over better than jest about any place else.
After the heat of this summer, I’ve made a commitment not to do no complainin’ about the cold weather that follers while runnin’ this winter. Even if we was to set the record for the most days below freezin’.
You have my word on that
5 comments:
Austin did break the record. By a very long shot. And not the one we all would like to break...
It's rather chilly these days though. I laughed with my son last evening as we exited the gym and shivered that the whole country would be taking us to a mental house if they hear us say we're freezing...in 92F. Mornings are even worse - or better, depending how you look. We've been sleeping with windows open! Another record we broke - the highest electric bill for August in my 3 summers here. Hated it.
Welcome back, Rev.
I noticed from Larry's post that you had significantly more days above 100 than we've had. I haven't shivered on any of my outings as yet.
Put in 18.5 miles my first week back at it and have some aches and pains to prove it.
Wow, that's a great number, welcome back! Bigger than my fat zero for sure:)
Well, I reckon you'll just have to brag about somethin' else because that 68 days has got to be over, right? Ouch. Here's to cooler nights and runnable temperatures!
Craig....I'd take no pride either... When I run over 60F I am fried and begging for mist/rain... I take pride in the 100+ consecutive days with rain or without sun.. Or in the records for inches of rain in a day... No heat for me... not at all... Love my Seattle, deeply. Love your post as usual... Love the language!!!
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