Here in my part of the world we’re trapped in that same heat bubble that is covering a huge chunk of the country. Yesterday we broke local records with a temperature of 104 degrees and the old thermometer on the side of my garage here at the studio was showing 114 at one point- in the shade. In some places you expecty this heat- the deep south and southwest, for example.
But we’re not used to it here. At least, I’m not. This morning at 5:30 the temps are already over 80 with signs of another scorcher on the way. I will probably spend my day in the basement — my studio is not air-conditioned which under normal circumstances is no problem– where it is cooler, stretching and prepping some large canvasses. At least, I will feel as though the day is somewhat productive. It seems a far cry from when I used to spend my summers working all day in the sun, shovelling and wheelbarrowing in the extreme heat. Or even when I worked as a candy cook at the A&P plant, when the temperatures in our cooking areas would approach 130 degrees in the summer. I don’t think I could do those things for even a short time now and when I think of the roofers and pavers out there, I realize how easy I have it now.
But enough about the weather. Here’s a nice version of Heatwave, the old Martha Reeves and the Vandellas classic. This one is from Joan Osborne from the documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown which tells of the great Funk Brothers band, playing on this track, which backed most of those Motown hits that became our soundtrack for the 1960’s and 1970’s. Joan Osborne became famous for her song One of Us (What if God was one of us? / Just a slob like one of us / Just a stranger on the bus / Tryin’ to make his way home?) which was played into the ground. I never paid much attention to her until I saw her in a show with the Chieftains at Carnegie Hall on St. Patrick’s Day a number of years back and was really impressed by her voice. She does this classic number justice.
Anyway, enjoy and stay cool!
Redtree Times 
I was talking to a friend in Johnstown last night, and the poor thing sounded both plaintive and resigned. I hope the heat breaks for you sooner rather than later.
The first ten years I varnished, I worked through the summers without a thought. Now? When the heat showed up early, in May, all I could think of was retirement. There’s a reason for siestas beging a part of life in hotter climates, and laziness has nothing to do with it!
I have often wondered how you worked when the extreme heat hits down there. Do you start early and try to get in as much as possible before midday or do you just work though it without a thought, as you said?
Planning’s key. I do start early (or as early as the dew will allow) and generally can get a good four hours in before noon. If I have any shady spots, like under a bimini, those are good for mid-day. And I often go back around six and work until dark.
This summer’s been especially bad because we’ve been under high pressure with no clouds, and it hasn’t cooled off in the evenings. Let’s put it this way – early afternoon is a great time for grocery shopping and errand running! If only I could settle myself to write in the afternoon – it doesn’t seem to work, for some reason.