Our last comfortable weather day, in Michigan, before the blast of heat arrives

[Siwsan]

The forecast says 96 on Monday. It cools down to the high 80's next weekend. I'm a little worried about the stormy weather that's in that forecast.

My big concern is for the outdoor fur babies. I figure if I run the ceiling fan on the porch and keep plenty of bowls of water available, they should be OK. I've noticed they like to hang out very deep in the thick of the garden foliage, and there's lots of that around my house. No doubt it's much cooler.

The indoor kidcats will be fine, lounging in the AC cooled house. I'm not a fan of AC and only use it when it gets dangerously hot. Even then I set it pretty high.

As for me, I finished the mowing and did a lot of weed pulling, in advance, so I will limit my outdoor activities to sipping on icy beverages while seated on a chaise lounge positioned in the shade of the Maple Tree. Well, and playing with Dylan who, no doubt, will join me.

And now to complete a few more outdoor chores while it's still safe to do so. Hope everyone stays hydrated and can find ways to stay as comfortable as possible. This, too, shall pass.

[marmar]

1. Heat index forecast for Monday in Detroit is 102

Yikes.

[Polly Hennessey]

2. Here in Northern California we are having warm days, too.

Sitting under the maple 🍁 tree with Dylan should work. When I lived in Las Vegas I, along with my neighbors, took care of a feral colony. After a few years we were able to stabilize the colony through the spay/neuter and release program. Seems an older lady named Rose was the genesis of the problem. She did not spay or neuter her cats and let them freely roam.

Anyway, Las Vegas is a pretty “hot” place. The cats did well with lots of shade and water. You are a great 👍 caretaker, all will be well.

[Midnight Writer]

3. Ours was yesterday. Hope my 35-year-old air conditioner holds out.

[2naSalit]

4. When it gets really hot here...

And I have outdoor pets, giving them a cool wet spot is very helpful. Wetting down the ground in a place where it's generally shady, like under a large shrub, they can have the swamp cooler effect under the bush.

If you get the leaves all wet, they will drip down and that helps keep it cool for a while.

Also, if you have shading for the porch, use them to block the sun from heating up the room, you probably already have that covered.

Good luck, eat melons and cucumbers, they'll help you stay cool.

[slightlv]

5. We do the "swamp" effect for the dog when he goes outside.

It's also there for any other animals who wander in when he's not outside. We keep water bowls around the yard, and change out the water as it gets really hot. Not only the wandering animals appreciate that, but the birds do, as well. I don't have a bird bath... just lots of bowls all over the front and back yards! (LOL)

BTW... I wanted to thank you, Siwsan. You mentioned getting yourself one of the small "personal" sized chain saws and using it. After reading your message where you tackled some of the branches with it, I ordered one for myself. It's been wonderful to cut back some of the offending branches around here. Certainly saving us from another "nuisance" notice from the yard police. Mine came with both 6" and 8" sizes. I've done about all the 6" will handle. After the heat wave abates, I'll go back out and tackle the mini-trees that'll need the 8". Thanks so much for mentioning it and how it worked for you. It was a small investment for a large payoff for me!