Sprinkler in place and activated.

Although now in North Orange County we're only 83° , lower than forecast. We'll heat up later this weekend. No A/C for me.

Stay cool Mr. Bear!

My AC broke last year. We have fans, and I got a small room AC for my elderly mother (it gets really hot upstairs). I'm able to keep my room at 78 so far, which is comfortable. Outside is another matter.

With thunderstorms building, big ones that are dropping over an inch/hour. Flash flood warnings on the radio.

Thunderstorms have three things about them that require attention: lightning, it can hit you or it can start a wildfire; Hail, it can get pretty big and be driven by harsh wind; Flooding, flash floods in any terrain or mudslides or both.

When they aren't trashing everything in sight, they are amazing. Eagles are attracted to the thermals created when the build-up is taking place, saw one a little while ago and see one almost every day along with other large birds catching the elevator to the top.

The internet went out once and the radio went out twice a little while ago as some monsters were firing off between me and the repeater or the repeater and the broadcaster. Took a few minutes to come back. Also, town and the whole area has been pretty quiet while they're picking that train wreck out of the river a ways down the line.

The simpler yet excitable things in life.

My walk to the mailbox this morning was trying. It is now 5:00 PM and the temp. is 99 with a heat index of 108. I think that Spring is over.

On track to be at least 108 by 5pm.

stay cool.

Body can't stand heat anymore.

I have lived in the Anza - Berrego Desert and it gets into triple digits up north now-a-days so I learned a few things for surviving prolonged heat events.

Wear light weight and colored, loose fitting clothes. Best are cotton, open weave natural fibers like silk or linen. Spandex and polyester make you sweat and they hold in body heat.

Drink water but take it moderately, avoid downing a whole glass at a time. But water isn't enough for extreme conditions, you need other stuff so foods and beverages to supplement are melons, all the wet ones including cucumbers have electrolytes and will help keep your body temp down. Herbal iced teas are also helpful. Sport drinks are okay but because of the sugar they really aren't a good idea as your metabolism needs to stay low in the heat.

Don't make a meal of anything, just eat lightly and make sure you have plenty of leafy green stuff and veggies/fruit that are juicy. Have some starches and proteins but go easy on those until the heat lets up, you will feel better for it.

External things, evaporation is your friend, a spray bottle on "mist" to spray at yourself when you get too warm or wear a bandana or hand towel draped over the back of your neck. Put your bare feet on a wet towel, place a trash bag or something under it. Wet the backs of you knees and ankles, wrists. I used to tie a few wet bandanas around my waist and one around my neck when I was busy but needed to stay cool.

If you go out, use an umbrella or a big hat, you can burn badly in just minutes, think subzero logic - you can freeze in moments, in the extreme heat you can burn just as fast.

Avoid pavement when possible. Limit your outdoor time and give yourself a cool down period when you come back in. This is extreme stuff, don't push it.

Stay safe my friends! I'll be in it by the end of the month.