(Arizona joke: It was so hot I saw a coyote chasing a jackrabbit and they were both walking!)
Those of us who have lived in Arizona for a reasonable
amount of time understand what the place is all about with regards to lifestyle
and the effect that weather has on it.
My wife and I have been permanent residents of Scottsdale
and Phoenix for the last 27 years. Before
that we were mid-westerners having grown up in Cincinnati and later living in
the Kansas City area for 20 years. We
knew all about seasonal changes like ice and snow, humid summers, and raking
leaves. Corn fields were a common sight
as were lush green lawns plus we had daylight savings time.
Living in Arizona is a whole new ball game. As described by local writer S. E. Schlosser in
a hilarious recent column about the differences between Arizona and the more
northern climes, we always carry our own water with us. Most of the time, especially in the summer,
almost everyone will be holding a bottle of water, usually the large economy
size. It’s what one does when the
temperatures start going up around March to a steady diet of 100+ degree days. The record for March is 102 degrees set in
1988. As I write this in June, I still
remember June of 1990 when it hit 122 degrees.
Carrying your own H2O makes a lot of sense under those conditions.
Winter in Scottsdale (usually)
Here are a few more observations from Ms Schlosser concerning
the summer Arizona lifestyle: 1. Do not
expect cold water to come out of the cold water tap (see above listed
temperatures as why that is so). 2. Arizonans consider 90 degree weather as
representing a cooling trend. People
take certain jobs because covered parking is a perk. (Caution: do not touch a dashboard that has
been exposed to the sun for a long period!) 3. Outdoor activities start at
about 5:00 a.m. and end about 8:00 a.m.4. You run INTO the rain instead of out of it (That is assuming that there IS any
rain!). 5.Umbrellas are used on sunny days, not rainy ones. 6. You are happy to see a lizard in your yard
because it proves that something is alive.
7. The local weather report is a looped tape. 8. You would rather get a letter from the IRS
than have to open your utility bill. 9. You’re an expert on ceiling fans
because you have one in every room constantly in use. 10. You buy sunscreen in quart size
containers.
So, why would anyone want to live in such a place? A lot of residents flee in the summer to the
northern climes because of the above mentioned items. In the winter there is the opposite: People flood back to their winter homes in Arizona
because of the nice sunny days and temperatures in the 70 to 80 degree
range. The golf courses are reseeded so
they are green during the winter. Of
course green fees rise also but if one can afford to live in Arizona in the
winter, so what. In short, it is a nice
lifestyle that I wouldn’t trade for anywhere else.
49 comments:
Jim,
Those rules for living here during the summer are all valid. I may add, only in Arizona do you see motorists wearing snow gloves in July to protect their hands when opening car doors or gripping the steering wheel. I recall seeing scorched legs caused by sitting down on vinyl covered car seats. Some of my worst experiences: Attending outdoor high school graduation events in May. Sweatsville.
Hi Joe,
Great to hear from you; it's been a while. I hope all is well and you are still singing.
That's a good idea with the snow gloves. People who come down here unaware of the heat sometimes are fooled and wind up burned as you mentioned.
My wife is an advocate of covering the car seat in the summer. She learned that from experience.
Take care and stay in touch.
Jim
Jim:
I'll take the heat any day over those Pennsylvania winters and blizzards. I tell the folks back East that this is our winter time and we stay indoors or go to the pool or other places that have air-conditioning. Besides, I'll trade 2-3 months of this stuff for 4-6 months of horrible REAL winters any day. It's always easier to cool off than it is to get warm.
Hi Joe,
Good to hear from you; it's been a while.
I agree on the weather. I run and play golf in the summer but make sure that I stay hydrated. It's much easier than freezing in the winter and seeing it get dark at 5:00 pm. I have heard some say that they want snow on Christmas. They can have it; I like those sunny 72 degree Christmas Days.
Take care; thanks for the comment.
Jim, as a Valley native I wouldn't live anywhere else. Yes it's hot in the summer but the rest of the year is nice. Now that i'm retired I rarely go outside. Having worked outside for 34 years might have something to do with it.
My official attire for summer is a T-shirt,shorts and flip flops unless I have to go somewhere
which I try and avoid as much as possible.
I basically hibernate in the summer. I keep plenty of beer and sports drinks on hand.
Jim,
I have to agree with you but I still wonder how I ever worked in the heat of the summer inside equipment where the temperature reached 140+ and you had to go outside to catch your breath. We would work in a tag team sort of fashion trading off every 15 minutes or so until the equipment was repaired. Guys would wear raincoats to keep the hot hydraulic oil from burning them when they were changing hoses. Now I stay A/Ced except for getting in and out of the house and vehicles.
Later,
jack in Glendale
Mike,
I don't blame you for that lifestyle. I can take the heat much better than the cold which is what I grew up in as a kid in Ohio. As if that wasn't bad enough, we used to go up to Montreal to visit my mother's relatives at Christmas! It was REALLY cold up there.
Later, I got stationed in Missouri which had some tough winters too then it was back to Cincy. When I married Barb, we agreed that we had enough miserable cold in our lives and that we would eventually move to AZ which we did part time in '87 and full time in '89. Best decision we ever made. I love the heat, the over 100 days in the summer don't bother me. I love summer golf: lower greens fees and fewer people on the courses.
Jack,
140+ Wow! You are tougher than I am. I can certainly see why you spend a lot of time in AC to make up for those days.
I hope all is well with you and your family. Thanks for the comment.
Jim, it is fun to read about our habits here in AZ during the hot weather. I can identify with so many of them. I always carry gloves to wear for the hot steering whee;l. Wasn't it Rudyard Kipling that said the words " only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun". But I find myself going to the grocery store or with Duv to his physical therapy in the mid-afternoon sun. One cannot do everything in the early mornings.
Yours,
Joy
Hi Joy,
Jim it ids fun to read about our habits here in AZ during the hot weather. I can identify with so many of them. I always carry gloves to wear for the hot steering whee;l. Wasn't it Rudyard Kipling that said the words " only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun". But I find myself going to the grocery store or with Duv to his physical therapy in the mid-afternoon sun. One cannot do everything in the early mornings.
Yours,
Joy
Hi Joy,
When I read the piece by Ms Schlosser I had to laugh because we all experience those things. Unless one lives here, the idea of a 120 degree day seems impossible. We get used to it though and it is worth it to have our winters.
One item she left out is how it is common to see cars huddled under the shade of a tree in parking lot not unlike cattle crowding around a water hole.
I forget if I mentioned it to you but Ms Hanson has asked me to speak at the DAR meeting next May 13. That is a while from now but I accepted. I'm flattered to asked again. It's always nice to speak to classy people.
I hope Mr. Wiseman is doing well with his therapy. Please give him my best wished.
Jim, the best thing in Sun City is all the snow birds are gone. Less traffic and better parking spaces at the stores.
In my 34 years working outside I must have drank an ocean of water. After a while you get tired of water so I would take iced tea and soda pop to work just for a change of pace. It was nothing to lose 5 or 10 lbs a day just from sweating.
I've never lived in the cold because I can't take it. That was the one thing I hated about hunting.
Every winter when I talk to my sister-in-law in Montana and she tells me it's 40 or 50 below I know why i live here.
Mike,
It's the same way here in north Scottsdale. I love springtime because all the car hauling trucks arrive to take the snowbird cars back north. Although it's hot, the golf courses are empty and the prices to play are dropped.
When I see the old guys with their sunburned bald heads driving their sporty little convertibles I know that they have returned.
Jim, the golf courses in Sun City are empty too. I don't golf but I go to the rec center from time to time and it's empty also. Life is good in the summer.
Mike,
Pretty much the same here at Legend Trail. I don't really use the rec center much but it's nice to see the parking lot empty all the time.
Our golf course charges about $150 a round in the winter because they can screw people and get away with it. I play in the summer when they are happy to get $29 plus the course is empty and can be played fast. I also walk the rough and find plenty of free balls. I figure "Screw them" if they don't like it. It's the way life is in the summer in AZ and i enjoy it.
"Unless one lives here, the idea of a 120 degree day seems impossible. We get used to it though and it is worth it to have our winters."
That's exactly right. It is worth it. Everyone seems to think that AZ is the only place with hot weather in the summer. The east coast is too humid. The south is terrible, from Florida to Texas its too hot and humid.
If you have to live in one place all year, AZ is the best. Except for the west coast and the northwest. But that's like living in a communist country.
Thanks, Steve.
We are on the same page. I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and the summers were misery with the heavy humidity. Winters were bad too but autumn was OK with the turning leaves. We used to rake them into big piles in the gutter and burn them! Try that today!
I've been in AZ since 1987 and wouldn't think of leaving. I would much rather sweat in the summer than freeze somewhere all winter. At least in the heat we can carry a lot of fluid and play some golf. Not so in the snowing, cold climes.
I agree on the northwest and the west coast. Too damn many holier than thou phony liberals for me. I used to love San Fran; no more!
Jim,
Speaking of liberals. Did you hear, Gov. Moonbeam just signed a law in CA, that you need a background check to buy ammo? What a dumbass that guy is. I'm sure all the gangbangers and other criminals will obey the law.
Jim, have a happy 4th of July. If the Founding Fathers could see this place they would probably say, what the hell happened.
I doubt I shall ever return to the southwest, particularly Arizona. I used to have nosebleeds there pretty often, especially using a CPAP. Just picked up a new one today.
I'm stunned that Hillary Clinton wasn't found guilty of wrongdoing by the FBI. Shocked. Yep. 1986 and 2016. What I need to do is move to a place like a lovely beach home on a lake or the sea. A couple of roommates. A supercomputer system.
Donald Trump is only going to lose ground from here on in. He isn't for legalizing weed. He's definitely not getting the Latino vote. You can figure that most of the Republicans live in the ignored hinterlands and rich folks. Clinton's gonna get it because the GOP will be throwing the election. You just watch.
Jim, after listening to the FBI director lay out the investigation of Hillary's e-mails I had hope she would face charges. Instead at the end The FBI director said he recommended that no charges should be filed. I lost whatever faith I had in government. It appears that some people in government are above the law.
Rick,
I wasn't surprised she got nothing. I figured the fix was in.
I'm not sure what the fallout will be. She may lose a few votes but it won't hurt her too much. I notice Trump has done a little better in the polls lately; he has the difference down to about 5 points. It's hard to say. There is always the famous silent majority that may get her. One can only hope.
Mike,
I wasn't surprised. Washington wants her in and they will try to make sure it happens. She is the establishment and Trump is the outsider. Our only hope is that the election is honest and that enough people hate her enough that they will flood the polls to vote for Trump. If we go by the opinions of her posted on twitter, Trump will be in. One can only hope.
Jim, I figured the fix was in when Bill met the AG in Phoenix. I'm not buying the story that they talked about their grand kids. I think Bill made a deal with her.
The Clinton's are a sleazy pair to say the least. There seems to be a double standard when it comes to justice. One for the elites and one for the rest of us.
Mike,
The fix is definitely in. That meeting was no coincidence. Worst of all the public will probably ignore what POS these people are. Coincidentally (ha-ha) I just read where there will be no charges against Hillary on anything. Gee, what a shock!
Hopefully the voters are paying attention and realizing what a total sham this is. Either that or they don't give a damn. How else could those lice like Clinton and Obama still have a chance in politics?
Did you see where Brian Williams said on MSNBC that Obama sounded like Richard Pryor at the meeting he had with Hillary the other day. Funny stuff!
Jimmy, it's been said that I'm part of a conspiracy in a secret sub government run out of Scottsdale. We are behind everything, Jimmy. Some rich dude has discovered our secret that we in fact run the United States, but truth is Obama isn't listening to us, Jimmy. I think we will allow him to remain quietly in office until January.
All in favor, say Aye. Say Nay if you are against it.
Oh and Jimmy brought up the idea of drug testing the police and that was tabled, but I vote that we allow the DOJ to do just that, particularly steroids.
I also raise a motion that the Second Amendment finally be put off limits to the federal government for the simplicity of the language is too complicated.
Jim, looks like a war on police. Not only do they have to deal with scum most of the time but now they have to worry about people that want to kill them. In the Dallas shootings cops were the main target. Luckily the black shooter was blown up.
Last night in Phoenix a "peaceful rally" led by the race hustler Jarret Maupin turned violent and the police had to use pepper spray and make arrests.
I blame black lives matter, race hustlers and to some extent Obama for these incidents.
Jim, people like Obama,Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and that twerp Maupin just keep stirring the pot. They don't like cops or guns. After every shooting all Obama talks about is guns and more gun control laws which won't stop shootings.
The left always talks about guns and never the shooters.
Race relations are as bad under Obama as the 1960's.
Mike,
A lot of people who haven't been around as long as we have probably are shocked over this rioting. For guys like us who have gotten used to this nonsense every summer, it is simply a matter of routine. Guys like Maupin are in every city; we had them in Cincinnati in the 60s when I was living there. With obama in charge, they have encouragement; it's exactly what he wants. They are too stupid to realize that they are setting back their people another 100 years every time this shit happens.
Nothing to do but let it simmer down on its own; it's become a normal part of summer under Obama. We just have to hope that the citizens are vigilant and wait it out.
Be sure to "lock and load" whenever you leave the house. One never knows.
Jim,I'm always locked and loaded every time I leave the house. Pays to be careful. All my guns in the home are loaded as well.
The Civil War has been over for over 150 years but one would never know it today. There's still this idea that blacks aren't treated fairly. Obama has been fanning the flames of racism since he was elected.
Mike,
I agree. I always take my .38 with me every time I leave the house and I always have it by my bed at night. The chances are I will never need it but I can't be too sure these days. I definitely want to be able to squeeze off a few in the situation arises. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Speaking of the term "sorry" it's hard to believe we would have such a sorry ass president of the United States. He has been nothing but a divider his entire two terms with his general attitude and beliefs. I have news for him: He may be destroying this country a little bit at a time but he will be beaten down eventually. We have been around too long to have him change the course of history. I remember when every classroom in school had an American flag and we would say the pledge of Allegiance to it daily. I think those days will return once we get rid of his ass. He has managed to brainwash some of his followers but the intelligent Black citizens can see right through him as the phony divider that he is.
Jim, I carry a Ruger .380 when I'm out and have a Ruger 9MM. with a 15 round magazine with one in the chamber on my nightstand. It pays to be careful.
I've taken Deb to the shooting range and taught her how to use the weapons in case she's home alone.
There's no doubt Obama is a failure as president. If Hillary is elected it will be more of the same. I'm not sure if Trump is the answer but it would be better than what we've had.
Mike,
It's a hell of a way to have to live but guns on nightstands are probably very common in these troubled times. My old .38 never leaves mine overnight. I also take it with me in the car anywhere I go. One never knows when it might be needed and if it is, I want to be ready. I shot expert with a rifle in the USAF so even with a pistol I think I could be fairly accurate. I would not advise anyone to test me.
The polls are constantly changing but today's version is encouraging for Trump. He is doing well in some key states so maybe he is getting the point across. I think every time we have a Dallas he gains ground because a lot of people put the blame on Obama which is only right since he is one of the big reasons we have the racial strife.
Only about 4 months until election day. It should be interesting.
Jim, sadly times change but not always for the better. When I was a kid my parents never locked the doors of the house or their car. Can't do that anymore. Now people have home security systems and car alarms.
My son's a Policeman and his advise to me was if you have to shoot someone put two in the chest and one in the head.
I heard that Trump is tied with Hillary in swing states which is good news. I'll be watching the convention next week to see if the Republican elite will try and screw Trump over.
It feels like I'm in Arizona and it's monsoon season. Storms off and on for the next couple of days.
I've read Facebook comments that people are nervous about worsening events, so I would imagine there's a number of people sleeping with a handgun on the nightstand, or under their pillow. It's why dogs are necessary to sound the alarm when the power goes out.
RentaCenter is going to find me a computer, Jimmy. They have one that's a monster and should handle the video editing programs okay. The experts say that this computer, bought used, is dying. And I want to do some outdoor videos with music. Another storm.
Mike,
I remember people leaving their car out at night in the '50s with the keys in the ignition. I don't remember the cars ever being stolen. Nobody even knew the definition of "security system" unless if their dog was being mentioned.
Now we have the 100 or so killed in Nice, France on Bastille Day. It just keeps happening in Europe, especially France, and I'm sure we will get hit again soon. 9-11 must have faded from memory for too many people. I'm sure Obama's response about France will not blame Muslim terrorism. He is a Muslim himself so he will probably endorse it and say it's our fault.
I saw that about Trump catching up with Hillary in the polls. I hope he can win. This muslim shit is getting out of hand and Hillary is not one who could ever handle it. Meanwhile, the Republic is glorifying that Black kid who took his shirt off the other night to confront the Phoenix cops. Sometimes I wonder what these idiots are thinking.
I remember Jack Nicholson as George Hanson in Easy Rider (1969) saying "You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it." In reply I would answer him in two words: Barack Obama.
Rick, here is a comment I just left for Mike about worsening events. Now we have the bloodshed in Nice, France.
Here is my answer to Mike which kind of covers "worsening events."
Now we have the 100 or so killed in Nice, France on Bastille Day. It just keeps happening in Europe, especially France, and I'm sure we will get hit again soon. 9-11 must have faded from memory for too many people. I'm sure Obama's response about France will not blame Muslim terrorism. He is a Muslim himself so he will probably endorse it and say it's our fault.
I saw that about Trump catching up with Hillary in the polls. I hope he can win. This muslim shit is getting out of hand and Hillary is not one who could ever handle it. Meanwhile, the Republic is glorifying that Black kid who took his shirt off the other night to confront the Phoenix cops. Sometimes I wonder what these idiots are thinking.
I remember Jack Nicholson as George Hanson in Easy Rider (1969) saying "You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it." In reply I would answer him in two words: Barack Obama.
Good luck with the new computer. It sounds like you are really getting into that.
Jim, times have changed. We had our lock car stolen out of a restaurant parking lot about 5 years ago. The police found it about a week after that with a flat tire and scratches all over. The insurance man said it looked kie they took it down to the border to bring back illegals.
Someone stole the hitch off my truck in my driveway. Nothing is safe anymore.
Mike,
Someone stole your trailer hitch? That's proof that nothing is safe.
I see where Maupin had his rally at 24th and Camelback last night and drew about 100 people. Pretty bad showing. What a joke he is along with those who follow him. Naturally it makes the front page of the Republic with some nice color photos in support of him. Big deal.
It amazes me how they feel so threatened by the cops. You and I and most other people have no problem with the cops. Why should they? Gee, maybe it's because they ASK for trouble with their ridiculous behavior. They never consider that.
We have laws and accepted types of simple behavior that are expected in a civilized society. One of their problems is that they have never been able to accept the responsibility required to be accepted in an organized and behaved society.
Jim, It's true they ask for trouble. My son who's a cop tells me about it all the time. If he stops a car with blacks in it the usual response is you're just stopping me because I'm black.
Over the years my son has been punched,kicked and spit on. He always keeps his cool which is more than I would do.
After the cartoon from Benson about the cop stopping a black driver and calling for a body bag I've decided to end my subscription to the Arizona Republic. Benson is a POS and always has been
I have read the Republic since the mid 60's and it used to be a good paper but now it's just a liberal rag. I'm also going to stop using their blog site. Paying $34 a month is not worth the money.
Mike,
I quit subscribing to the Republic in September of 2014. Enough was enough. I don't even look at their website anymore and have never paid for it. Benson is the absolute worst; a total POS.
This lawless crap happens every summer so I guess we should be used to it by now. Just to be careful I always check my .38 when we go out. One never knows these days.
Now we have the Baton Rouge nonsense. It just keeps happening happening with these losers. Thank the lord they killed the SOB. It's really sad that this stuff keeps happening because I have had black friends over the years that have been smart upstanding people; especially during my time in the USAF where I lived in an open bay barracks with a lot of black guys who were great troopers. I think that if the military draft had not been discontinued more guys, black and white, would be more productive citizens today.
I have to lay a lot of the dissension at the top which is Obama. he is a divisive SOB who should never have been elected once much less twice. But, this country has been moving more to the left for a long time and idiots like him tend to come out of the woodwork swaying the mindsets of what used to be responsible people. Hopefully the tide will turn if Trump can win. If we get Hillary we are in deep trouble.
Jim, I've had the Republic for 45 years but it got too liberal for me. It didn't help when Gannett took over. The blog site was nothing more than a liberal love fest. They have to be losing customers every day. The papers days are numbered.
Obama has set race relations back more than anyone. He's a divider always stirring the pot.His legacy is shot and he will go down as the worst president ever.
Mike,
I think of all the losers down there, Benson is the worst. I don't know where they get these clowns like him, Valdez,, and the rest of them but it isn't helping their sales. The paper keeps getting thinner and most of the guys there I worked with when I was doing columns for the Scottsdale section are gone.
They are in a bad situation: Their content is getting worse while at the same time people have been getting news from better and faster sources anyway so they don't need a paper.
I'll open the celebration champagne when they finally disappear.
Jim, the Republic has quite a collection of liberals on the payroll. They call themselves journalists but in reality they're just opinion writers. I just got tired of their opinions. What sent Deb over the edge was the Benson cartoon showing a white cop stopping a black man and the cop calling for a body bag. The cartoon insinuated they white cops want to kill black men which is not true.
When the Republic folds I'll be glad to pop a top and celebrate.
I'm with you, Mike. The sooner the better. With their circulation steadily dropping and the shrinkage of the pages it can only be a matter of time those dummies will be working at McDonald's. They have even ruined the neighborhood editions. They used to have local writers in each part of town contribute stories. Now, they have fools like Montini and Roberts doing them.
Have you been watching the convention? I hope the plagiarism think dies down. That's not a good thing and I'm surprised they didn't screen Melania's speech more.
Jim, yes I've been watching some of the convention. I listened to Cruz's speech but was disappointed he didn't endorse Trump. This morning I got an e-mail from the Cruz campaign asking for money. I wrote them back and said no way. If he can't back Trump I'm not sending them money.
I feel the same about Flake too I already sent his office an e-mail saying if he can't back Trump he can forget about my vote next time.
Mike,
Cruz has been a big disappointment. When he won the Iowa primary, I expected a good speech from him but got the opposite. He sounded like a preacher at some revival and i thought he would never shut up. The repubs are better off without him.
As far as Flake, her is just another RINO like McCain. i don't like either one of them.
Jim, I have no use for Republicans that won't back the Party nominee, especially those that said they would vote for Hillary. They should be kicked out of the Party.
Mike,
Ryan, Cruz, and Kasich are the three I detest the most. Selfish bastards, they should be helping Trump. Jealous pricks!
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