This Heat Wave

Normally, we don't have - what are often referred to as the hot "dog days of summer" until later in the end of July and eary August. This year I hear that sections of the USA are having a great heat wave with tempertures in the range of 100+ F!

This is happening in Canada too. We were warned last week that a high-dome heat wave was coming in from the north, and north-west. It started in B.C. and has already rolled over Alberta and now in Saskatchewan this week. Our temperatures are about 35+ Celsius.

I heard on the radio that a small place, called Littleton, BC, has had temperatures in the high 40s Celsius and broken some major Canadian and North American all-time records. The next day they broke even that new record of the day before!

(Personally, I think the whole earth is groaning for the coming of the LORD, to redeem all of us and fix this earth!)

I have been blessed with a window-box air-conditioner that I bought when I first moved in here, with a gift of $100 from Uncle Bill in Toronto. Normally, I just run it for a few hours and when the kitchen is cooled down, I turn it off. But this week, I've got it running all day, and a fan in the middle of the living/office room is forwarding the cooler air under my desk. So I'm quite comfortable all day long.

I do turn off the A/C in the window and the fan for the night, and I manage to sleep fine. But when I get up I know it won't be too long before I'll have to turn on these whirly-gigs again to keep things cool enough in here.

How about you? Have you got ways and means of keeping cool during the heat-wave?

Things are to come down a few notches on the thermometer this coming weekend, so I look forward to more normal summer days soon.

I did decide yesterday that it was time to eat sandwiches instead of cooked meals. I may stick to that and my raw apples and oranges for a few days.

<*> TIPS & SOLUTIONS: <*>

When the Birds Get Too Close for Comfort

Lately I've had young birds land on the window-sill right in front of me. Often they peck at the glass. (I was once chased by a rooster as a young girl, so I'm always nervous around birds that come too close for comfort).

I did some quick research this morning and found some answers.

They are looking for a safe place to land - probably because they have just learned to fly. They are especially attracted to windows with plants just inside. (Which I have!) Also, they may see themselves mirrored in the glass and think there is another bird wanting their territory, so they peck at the image.

When they fly directly at the window they are getting angry enough to want to attack the apparent rival they see in the glass.

The best way to discourage them is to put decals, stickers, sun-catchers, and mylar strips (that flicker different colours) or even just masking tape and sticky notes on your window. They should be close enough together to prevent them from seeing their own reflections.

How do you keep birds from pooping on your window sill or patio?

Hang up streamers or shiny balloons that keep moving in the breeze. Birds will be wary - maybe even somewhat afraid of these moving non-bird shapes, and keep away a distance.

[Back to Archives Index ] ~~ [Back to Main RoseBouquet Page]