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Too Hot to Blog - Dog Days of Summer

By Elizabeth Bolton

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA

August 21, 2009 01:00 PM

Thermometer in the heat cartoon It seems so long ago.... All the posts about snow this past winter... People don't seem to post about summer weather nearly so often but here I go. It is too hot to blog. Too hot to do anything. We managed to escape the heat and humidity here in the Northeast for much of the summer. It's caught up with us now. Heat and humidity have us in their grasp.

Not too long ago I wrote a post on my blog about how you don't need air conditioning in Massachusetts. Days like these test my convictions. I find myself repeatedly sticking my head in the freezer. If there was a bed at my office I would sleep there. And if it doesn't cool off by Sunday I'm tempted to sit in my air conditioned car at my open house and wave the buyers into the house. Not really - it's supposed to be a bit cooler and less humid by Sunday.

I know that many of you have survived a very hot summer - I remember hearing about it during what seemed like our endless spring. I told myself in July that if we got hot weather in August it would be ok since Fall would be right around the corner. Bear with me while I grumble - Fall can't get here soon enough! And I'm looking forward to the snow posts.

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Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop

NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA

A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

We had a strong heat wave through here about 3 weeks ago. I pulled out my old (Knee deep in snow) pictures from last winter so I would stop complaining. I'll take heat over dangerous icy roads any day!

Aug 21, 2009 01:13 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Colleen ~ I'm really no fan of either extreme. But ask me right now as the beads of sweat roll down my back - I choose winter. Not that I won't moan and groan then too!

Liz

Aug 21, 2009 01:16 PM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Ahhhh... Elizabeth: It has been a slightly-under-the-norm summer here in Fort Worth. Today it was only up in the high nineties I think... mebbe around 98 or so. Just a nice breezy summer day. But... 98 degrees here bears NO resemblance to even 88 in Cleveland... where I lived until 1982. In the DFW area... all homes have air conditioning. A standard 14 SEER is just about what all new homes now come with. SEER means seasonal energy efficiency ratio.

But... then there's the inside. I like it... ummmm... "frigid." I like so see snow clouds forming in my home. Almost, but not quite, ready for a snowstorm. LOL. There was a time when I had the thermostat set on 66... but that usually brought a $300 electric bill with it... so now I have it set ALL the way up to 71. Just kinda conserving here.

But yes... I agree... I do not like it hot. And, I, too, have thought about holding open houses with me sitting in my car, when I was back in Cleveland. Not here though... thankfully. Stay cool, woman. Take care...

Aug 21, 2009 01:21 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Thanks Karen!! Frigid sounds perfect to me. I've only had air conditioning (a couple of wall units) once in a place I owned for less than a year but in the A/C wars at work I'm firmly in the camp of colder is better. So it's true - it's the humidity not the heat? That's what they say... The double whammy sure is brutal. But I feel better after complaining!

Liz

Aug 21, 2009 01:29 PM

Richard Dolbeare

Inactive - Wailuku, HI

Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

I yes, I remember the Dog Days of August from my years in the midwest. We didn't have air conditioning to help us cope either.

Aug 21, 2009 01:36 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Richard ~ I really am in the we-don't-need-AC camp - at least in our houses. It just seems like a waste when it's relatively few days. Plus I'm a big fan of fresh air. Me oh my though it is HOT. Yuck. I could spit!

Liz

Aug 21, 2009 02:15 PM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Liz, this summer I opted for no AC in the house. All was well until.... recently. I come home and barely move from my spot on the couch. The worst is the heat from the laptop, LOL.

But it will break soon. :D

Otherwise as you are suffering know I am suffering right there with you!

Aug 21, 2009 04:31 PM

Joseph D. Federico

MVP Realty - Naples, FL

Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Liz-Finally summer has arrived in New England, I love it! In fact I wish we had this weather more often.

Aug 22, 2009 01:13 AM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Andrea ~ Isn't it amazing the heat that's generated by electrical equipment?! I get so pushed to my limits that I notice every incremental change. Ugh! Interesting about A/C - I don't like window units because I like fresh air and I prefer to hear the birds, etc rather than the roar of the window units. On the other hand my coworker who owns a condo with central a/c said she wishes she didn't get it. She ends up paying to cool the whole place - for a high price - when really just a room or two needs to be cool. I guess my choice is to suffer - but I like to complain!

Hi Joe ~ Glad you're happy! Ha! I did try to control my delight with the long stretch of cool, cloudy weather we had because so many people didn't like it - I loved it. Guess it's your turn now. This too shall pass I keep telling myself. I'm hoping for a long fall - and reserving the right to complain about winter too.

Aug 22, 2009 01:58 AM

Sally Dunbar

Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area) - Fair Oaks, CA

Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

I've tried to get my Mom to move here (Sacramento) and she complains about the heat. But HERE, we have air conditioning everywhere, and everyone's car is air conditioned. There is nowhere you go that isn't, except the park! so the heat is much less intrusive in a hot climate than in areas where it's not typical. There may be days I'm inside at the pute, a little chilly, and leave at 3 only to find it's 108... who knew?

My daughter lives in san luis obispo, where noone has air. The wer over 100 degrees a few months ago.... at the beach even! Killer.

Aug 22, 2009 01:58 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Liz - I feel for you. I remember those hot humid days all too well. Like the heat, but hate humidity. Like the weather always does in NE it will change. It does make you feel rather lifeless, doesn't it?

Jeff

Aug 22, 2009 02:59 AM

John Cannata

214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX

Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Hot weather is the best time to blog Elizabeth. Its a good reason to stay inside, get caught up on blogging, and making calls. :-)

Aug 22, 2009 05:57 AM

Michael Bergin

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA

Northern Virginia Real Estate

Liz -

Grumble all you want. Washington has been amazingly mild this summer so I don't really have a lot to complain about but am happy to chime in with everyone else. I think you should just go to the Cape - and take me with you! We were in Chatham last September for 3 days and I would kill to go back . . .

Michael

Aug 22, 2009 08:18 AM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Sally ~ 108 - knock me over!! I can't imagine that and I had no idea Sacramento got that hot. I've long thought I should be in San Francisco - that's just my type of weather.

Hi Jeff ~ I'm useless in this weather. But I'm on this schedule at the computer so there I sit, cursing, as sweat rolls down my back. I keep waiting for the change in weather but it keeps getting pushed out. And not one of my listings right now has air conditioning.

Hi John ~ That works if I did it from the office - which is actually where I'm sitting right now in air conditioned comfort. I'm usually at home at the computer at night - no a/c. Not pretty.

Hi Michael ~ The Cape sounds good!! The only good thing right now is that everybody has that idea so it's the last time for months that you can easily find a parking space in Cambridge.

Liz

Aug 22, 2009 10:32 AM

John Cannata

214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX

Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Oh My... its too hot to NOT have AC. Good luck.

Aug 22, 2009 11:08 AM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi John ~ That's the truth! I'd stay late at the office but the cat needs company. He and I are sweating it out together and dreaming of colder weather.

Liz

Aug 22, 2009 02:36 PM

Sally Dunbar

Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area) - Fair Oaks, CA

Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

But it's a dry heat.....

Aug 22, 2009 02:39 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Sally ~ I guess that's one of those things that everybody says that must be true - it's not the heat it's the humidity. My ideal is about 70 but the 60s suit me just fine too.

Liz

Aug 22, 2009 02:53 PM