Saskatchewan summers of late haven't had heat waves like we've experienced in the last while, with temperatures hitting 30C or higher every day for over a week.
Because of this, many of us forget how to deal with the heat; how to best stay cool and comfortable even while the earth is baking around us.
Some enjoy the hot temperatures. They will lay out in the sun, sweating, for hours and be perfectly content.
For those of us who do not enjoy the heat, the only thing keeping us from ripping out our hair and running around screaming is that requires too much energy. We would much rather just lay on the couch in a pool of sweat and complain.
For that last group, here are some suggestions for what to do or not to do in a heat wave.
Do stock up on supplies like a new air conditioner, if you need one, or window fans (which are a great invention) before the wave hits, or even just one day in. Go to the store after a week, when you just can't take it anymore, and you will be greeted with the words, "Air conditioners? Ha! No, we're sold out!"
Don't run around your house, trying different measures to try and cool it off that don't work, when you should be sitting in a chair, trying to stay cool. If you need to do something, do it calmly and slowly.
Do try to train yourself to sleep no matter what is blowing or running in your house - there's nothing worse than finally getting the house cool, only to find you can't sleep because of the noise of the fan.
Don't depend on the forecast. Just expect it to be hot forever. That way you can be pleasantly surprised when it finally does cool off.
Do take advantage of the heat to make poor decisions about what to eat. This is the only time of year you can argue that eating ice cream for supper is good for you.
Do not make any major life decisions while slightly delusional due to heat exhaustion. Though moving to Siberia, or other northern climes, might seem like a good idea at the time, you may come to regret it later, like during a Siberian winter.
Do think cool thoughts - about polar bears and mountain tops and ice cold pop. It will either make you feel better, make you crazy, or make you crave pop. Sometimes, it's all three at once.
Don't try to cook anything. This is the perfect time of year to use the excuse that it is just too hot to cook. What do you eat? See above note about ice cream.
Do spend as much time in air-conditioned climes as possible, those of you without a.c. Window shop, stroll around the grocery store, take your time doing stuff, see a lot of movies, eat out a lot, and drive slowly. More time in cool places equals less time in your hot house.
Don't tackle household projects that you've put on hold throughout the year, like painting all the doors in your house with oil paint, in an effort to distract yourself from the heat. You will only regret it. Your house will stink, the paint won't dry and your doors will end up with weird marks all over them because you moved them when they were still wet. Not a good idea.
Do stockpile good books, movies and television shows - things to entertain you while you are sitting, sweating on the couch.
Don't worry. It will end sooner or later. Everything does.
