Aug1

Coping with Southern California’s Heat and Humidity

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A few blogs ago I posted about on Adapting to our Southern California weather, however what I didn’t mention is how this heat, and humidity effects us personally.

Everyone isn’t the same!! That seems obvious I know. Many people have been raised in the heat, and humidity. I was, but I sure can’t take it now. The older I get, the more difficult it is to put up with all this climate change.

Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, that’s in Los Angelous County in California. I wasn’t born there, but I was raised there. The heat, and humidity didn’t bother me as a child. Even after I was grown, and had started a family, the heat didn’t bother me. But, as I get older, it becomes evident that I can’t take it, and I didn’t pay for any of this.

Now living in San Diego County, I realize our weather is changing, and not for the better. Yes we do have months of beautiful weather, and yes other parts of the country have much more severe weather. That doesn’t mean I’d move there. As I’ve said before, here in Southern California…”we are pansies.”

My fate was sealed when my parents moved from Michigan to California many years ago. I was then three years old, and my father was transferred to California for his job. Mom, and Dad were excited to be out of the snow, and into a place where it was sunny and warm! It was once said, “It never rains in California!” As opposed to the rest of the country, that’s probably true.

I think back in the day, you were told anything to get people to head west. Almost like the covered wagon days, only without the Indians.

My energy is zapped, and I don’t have any desire to do anything. This is not good! My best advice is to keep hydrated, stay out of the sun, and lessen your activities.

I’d love to know how you as readers cope with this weather. Does it bother you, or not? Do you have tricks to keep cool, and deal with the humidity? Your input, and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I know sometimes it can become a little scattered, and you might not get my point. That’s OK! Sometimes I don’t even know what my point is! . It’s all me!

Stay cool, until next time. Karen

Jul26

Are We Keeping Our Pets Safe IN The Heat?

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Somehow it’s easy to forget how vulnerable our pets are. Whether our animals are big or small, they all need love and care. Heat isn’t good for them either.

I’ve had big dogs all my life, except for three. The big dogs ranged from Irish Setters, Alaskan Malamutes, Great Danes, and Pitt Bulls. In the more recent years it’s been Jack Russels, Bechions, and now a French Bull Dog. I have loved them all, and all needed my care especially in the extreme weather.

The big dogs are more durable, work harder longer, but they still need attention. Water, good food, exercise, well you get the picture. All of our dogs were indoor dogs because I believe they need a family to be around, and live with. Not everyone feels this way, and that’s your preference.

We now have rescued the sweetest not so little, Frenchie. She is white, has a loving personality, and wouldn’t harm a flee. Maybe a cat, but definitely not a flea.

I found a pearl necklace (collar) for her, and she loves it. How do I know you ask? Well, I took off her collar and put it on the table before putting on her pearls. When she saw the pearls, and was wearing them, she picked up the old collar with her teeth, and threw it on the floor. What do you think? Was that letting me know she didn’t want the old collar any longer?

To get back to the topic. French Bull Dogs, along with some other breeds like, all bulldogs, Boxers, and anything with a short nose have breathing problems. It is important to treat these dogs with care. I would imagine cats would be the same. They need lots of hydration, and cool places to lye down out of the sun.

For some reason cats seem to be more tolerant of the heat, and some have faces that look like they ran into a train. They need care also…..

Some have cooling jackets for the animals that really can’t and don’t do well in hot, humid weather. Just consider your pets as you would a baby, or the elderly. Love them and care for them, they give us so much in return.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog. Stay cool, keep your animals cool and all of you stay hydrated.

Karen

Jun20

Adapting to SoCal Weather: A Goldie Locks Perspective

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I’m sure I underestimated June gloom. Many of us expected it to stay cooler for just a little bit longer, but we were wrong. Even though we have cooling trends here in Southern California, that means a few degrees cooler. For me it’s not enough!

You see, I’m a Goldie Locks Girl! That means it can’t be too hot, or too cold. It’s been this way since I was in my early twenties. We all deal with what we’ve been given, and that’s one of the things I was given.

Some of you are thinking, she doesn’t know what she is talking about. In a way that’s true. Here in Southern California our temperatures are temperate, sometimes even mild. For us, this is hot, and if you live in a highly vegetative area, or close to the coast it can get humid as well. Yuck!

What I’m trying to tell you is this, most of us are from a different part of the country, and after moving here we have become Pansies!!! Our blood thins, our tolerance becomes much less tolerant, and a lot of us whine a lot! This can only be attributed to the change in climate, and an annoying personalities.

Other parts of the country get much more severe weather, and they have to adapt.

Just look at Alaska for instance, or Wisconsin, Michigan, or Hawaii. Well, the first three are definitely a challenge, but we can’t even compare Hawaii. Although, I have been there when the humidity was so oppressive you could hardly breathe. (That was my opinion based on I’m a Pansy.)

We get colds, and flu more often. Our resistance has weakened. It might be a beautiful place, but our resistance is not the same.

What’s the moral of this story, darned if I know. I’m just here stating the facts! I can complain about the heat, but what good would it do? The thing is, you can put a coat or sweater on if you’re cold, but there are only so many things you can take off if you’re hot! I think the moral of this story would then be to “Stay Cool.”

Stay cool ladies, our lives depend on it!

Until next time, I appreciate you, I wish you all the best, and most of all take good care of yourself.

Much love, Karen

Jun6

June Gloom…..

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June Gloom…..
Current image: Foggy coastal beach with ocean waves, cliffs, and people walking on sand

As we start the beginning of the end of the half way point in 2026, I am surprised at the amount of cold, breezy weather we are having here in California. Yes, here in San Diego County at the base of California.

The sunny state that never rains here, and always has great weather! That’s what we were told when we moved here in the olden days. Yup, I moved here with my family when I was only three years old.

It was our first plane trip, and what an experience it was for a small child. I was allowed to walk the isles, and pretend I was serving water to the passengers. Would the airlines allow that now? I really don’t know.

My father was transferred to Los Angeles from Detroit, Michigan. It was a huge change from the snow, and ice we had in winter to rainy, gloomy days in California. Never the less, it was to be our home from now on.

From now on means to me seventy nine years ago. Yikes! I guess I am that old, but I usually don’t feel that old. Even though I can no longer do many of the things I had been use to doing, I’m still painting, and still writing. My kids have all grown up leaving us with an empty nest long ago. Their kids are now leaving their nest, and that seems very odd to me. Where did the time go? How is it time flies when we get old, but drags when we are younger?

What this means to me is this….We spend a few short years growing up, and thinking we know it all. Then because we know so much we find a partner, and have a gaggle of kids. Some find themselves with more, some with less. After those sweet, wonderful kids peck you to death, they leave the nest.

Leaving the nest doesn’t mean they are totally on their own because we all still feel responsible for their success. Emotionally, we continue to worry about their future. Financially we also continue to worry about their future. If we are able, we help out. If we aren’t able, we really suffer with them. Somehow we all survive!

But our nest is still empty, and if we aren’t careful we allow ourselves to hang our happiness of the children that have left, and are busy trying to find their own way.. In short, we need something to do to keep us happy in our Golden Years.

Most towns have senior centers and this is a place that often has a gym, occasional movie night or afternoon. There are many things the centers offer to help keep us engaged. This is a good thing even though we don’t consider ourselves a senior.

There are also many groups to get involved with through those centers. Many have lots of younger people taking classes as well. Also Community Colleges have programs for continuing education, classes for fun, and some are even free. Check into those if your interested, you may be surprised at what is offered.

Let me know what you find, and how it fits for you.

Thank you for reading my blog, it is much appreciated.

Until next time, keep busy and don’t forget to be happy! Karen


May30

Man’s or Woman’s Best Friend

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How many of you have given up the privilege of caring for a pet? It doesn’t have to be a dog or cat. It can actually be a bird, fish or anything else you can think of…

In our home we’ve had spiders, snakes, parrots, bunnies, lizards, skunks, and just about anything else you could think of. If you are wondering why, four words…I have Two boys! As the last child, my daughter was a Tom Boy (go figure), and was into anything her brothers were.

We have lost many animals, as many of you have. It’s always sad when you loose a companion regardless of what it looks like. Sometimes it takes longer to get over the loss of a pet than it does a family member. (Remember, You can’t choose family, but you can choose a pet!) Family can be very critical, but our animals give us unconditional love. I’m sure our families do as well, but they seem to be adept at surrounding that love with criticism.

Peppa meditating

How many of you still have pets for companionship? Are they birds, cats, dogs, or something else that gives you pleasure? Many people love little birds like canaries, or parakeets. In my eyes, as long as they bring you joy, it’s a wonderful way to get pleasure, and be happy. After all, it gives us something to get up for, take care of, and have purpose for.

We just adopted a French Bull Dog, or a Frenchie. She is stubborn, a little crazy, loving, and a couch potato. Perfect for anyone not having a lot of energy! Perfect for Us!

Peppa and Papa being lazy!

Let me know what kind of companion you have, or that runs your household. I find all our pets are not for us, we are for them. And to prove it, they run our households.

I appreciate you taking time to read my blog, and hope you are all well.

Until next time, with Gratitude, Karen

May16

Essential Tips for Staying Cool this Summer

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Yes, and although I love the warmth, the sunny skies, the long days, I am a Goldie Locks Girl! Meaning, for me to be comfortable, I need to have the temperature just right! It can’t be too cold or I get stiff, and lock up. It can’t be too hot, or I get heat stroke. I told you I was a Goldie locks girl!

For me a perfect temperature is in the high 60’s or the low to mid 70’s. Now, here in Southern California. it is in my range a lot of the time. But, much of the time I’m either freezing, or melting like chocolate on concrete during a heat wave.

What is the answer to the heat problem?

Older adults we are at risk of heat stroke. Although California isn’t as hot, or as cold as much of the country, I think here in the Southern part of California we have thinner blood and are pansies. We seem to have more colds, and more illness because we have lost our ability to stand up to harsh winters, and blazing summers. So we are pansies!

Since we are now into Spring, we should talk about the heat. We are also at risk being older, and should be very careful about things like hydration, staying out of the hot sun, wearing hats, and sunscreen to protect us from the suns rays. Of course, this should have been done from the beginning, but who could have told us?

Remember the day when we would lie in the sun slathered in Baby Oil, and Mercurochrome. That mixture gave us a stained false tan, along with a severe burn to go with it. It was also so much fun pealing our skin after the burn healed. It was almost worth getting the sunburn for.

Today of course most of us use a sunscreen for protection. The kind of sunscreen is subjective, but we are needing it more and more as things warm up!

My doctor tells me to stay out of the sun, but wear lots of sunscreen, and hydrate.

I have found that closing windows, drapes, and doors seem to be the best way to keep the house cool. Fans help a great deal, and don’t cost much to run. Some of us have air conditioning, we are the lucky ones.

Again, I would go to YouTube for info on keeping cool in summer heat. Although most likely all of us at our age already know how to protect ourselves for heat.

I hope all of you stay cool, healthy, and out of the sun this summer.

I thank you all for stopping to read my blog. Gratefully, Karen