With apologies to George Gershwin (Well not really)

Summertime

And the livin' ain't easy

The state's a-burnin'

And the temps are way high

Asphalt melts

The car handle's searing

It burns off your fingers

Makin' you cry.

Ah, Arizona in June... Four major wildfires now getting under control at last. Time for the chubascos--the summer thunderstorms--to start rolling in. But first we'll have two or even three weeks of teasing clouds and building humidity.

Believe it or not, I love it here in June. Yeah it's hot, but everything slows down for the heat. My son and I went to the movies Sunday morning, and when we came out of the theater (frozen) the searing sun honestly felt great--for the first fifteen seconds, anyway. If you turn your oven on broil and stick your hand under the element (no, don't touch it!) you'll get an idea of what I mean. Seriously, the sun feels that close.

We forget how hot summer gets like a woman forgets the intensity of labor pains--the memory comes back real fast each time you go through it. We forget about door handles and seat belt buckles until that first touch again. Tucsonans fight for tree shade. We ALL buy windshield screens. We keep potholders or towels in the car, wrap carseats in lambswool or terrycloth, and never, ever, ever leave a pet in a vehicle. You can tell the newcomers by the way they think leaving a window partway open will make a difference. HAH! Noobs. And just a reminder: it's a $25,000 (yes 25K) fine to leave a pet in a car in AZ, plus criminal charges if it dies. Sadly, people leave babies and children in their cars, and we all get to read those tragic stories of stupidity.

Anyway, 114 yesterday at my office, 117 on the car thermometer. You know you've become a true Arizonan when 95 feels balmy, like it did last night at 10PM.

Still, I'll take this any time over 80 degrees and 90% humidity.

Summertime

And the livin' is easy...