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Post by woodeye on Jul 2, 2024 21:40:37 GMT -6
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Post by macmex on Jul 3, 2024 5:42:19 GMT -6
That's so sad! No one can fight with the forces of nature like that. Two weeks ago Jerreth was away for a day or two and I worked like crazy on the farm and in the garden. It was, of course, very hot. I drank and cooled down, but not enough, for the same reason that you, Frosty expressed, I feel I have a lazy streak. However, by nightfall I was indeed dehydrated.
Now keep in mind I already struggle cognitively. Stress makes things much worse. Being hot and dehydrated is stress. I had the usual difficulty, when Jerreth isn't home, of managing to "come in for a landing" and go to bed. When I did, I felt like I was sleeping pretty well when my Fitbit woke me up. Well, my Fitbit and the pounding in my chest woke me up. I'd never seen this before with the Fitbit, but it was flashing an urgent warning that I was experiencing a fib and needed to see a doctor. The next day I looked at the stats. They showed that my heartbeat had zoomed between 39 and 140 bpm!
When Jerreth came home and I showed her, she was all for sending me to the doctor's right away. But then we got to thinking. I had been quite dehydrated and heat stressed when it happened. My Fitbit hadn't warned of any abnormalities after that one episode. So we decided to hold off on the doctor and be more careful with hydration and cooling.
I need my wife's support with this as my default is to feel guilty about being lazy when I go inside to cool off. During the worst heat I am 10 to 15 minutes outdoors and about 30 indoors, cooling off. Last Saturday I bet I drank 2 gallons of water and hydration drink, just to break even.
We've noticed that my cognition suffers when I get too hot and dehydrated. Now, when I start making mistakes we take that as a sign to STOP and go inside.
This is the time of summer that it's extremely difficult to plant or do anything major in the garden. I've been pondering how to better plan my gardens so that I only make brief visits when it's this hot. Not sure if that's possible, but it may be unavoidable.
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Post by woodeye on Jul 3, 2024 12:47:43 GMT -6
macmex , Please take care out in the heat, it's so dangerous right now. It sounds like you have a good plan, I we all hope it works out for you...
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jul 3, 2024 18:59:51 GMT -6
macmex i hate to bring up something dreadful, but it helps me. I do about the same- 10, 15 minutes and more time inside. About a week ago, I pretty much said, ‘nope’ and it was intuition. When my blood sugar is high a type of dementia sets in. I can make mistakes and not even be aware of it. If I’m in pain it is even worse. I tile the rabbits and make certain they have time to cool off at some time during the day and night so they have energy to drink and eat. I’ve been deep cleaning the house now so I won’t need to in winter. I built up some curriculum for Lil Miss to stay busy.
The gentleman that passed did everything wrong. Another of Bill’s coworkers is a certified first responder. The shop had everything they needed for an emergency heat stroke and even a first responder on hand. He couldn’t admit his limitations and chose to take a break in his car so he could smoke. They didn’t find him soon enough.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jul 4, 2024 15:04:21 GMT -6
Today, by about 3:00 p.m., here in Northeastern Oklahoma, it was officially 100° outside, plus there was about a 40% chance of rain; so the humidity was hitting anywhere from 40% to 47%. (A really good combination for some serious heat stroke).
Stay safe you guys. Your health for yourself and your family is way more important than any projects that might have to be put on hold. Like all things, (this too shall pass). The heat is only temporary, but some of the things that it causes can become quite permanent.
So, take a break and don't come back until it's cooler. Anytime it's above 90° out there it will be cooler later on, you can bet your bottom dollar on that.
I try to do all of my work between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., sometimes I push it until 11:00 a.m., but then I call it quits and it's back to the shade until around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m.
To help myself set limits, I take 3 bottles of water with me in the mornings. When the 3rd bottle is finished, I call it quits, no matter what. Some days (like today) that time comes sooner in the game than it does on other days. I've found I have to set strict limits like that or else I'll end up in the hospital later because of my inability to find the 'shut-off' switch otherwise.
Too bad we have to learn so many things the hard way. Sometimes, (especially since the stroke) common sense is not my strong suit, so I have to set limits or else I get myself hurt doing stupid things, (like jumping off the tractor instead of climbing down while holding onto the fender).
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jul 5, 2024 19:15:12 GMT -6
We got some much-appreciated rain last night and much, much, cooler temperatures. Today's high was only 82°, that sure made for an incredibly nice day today!
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jul 5, 2024 21:40:12 GMT -6
I am right there with ya! I was able to mow the entire yard today. Both properties, actually.
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Post by woodeye on Jul 5, 2024 22:06:11 GMT -6
I was once again surprised by a good rain yesterday. I knew there was a chance for a shower, but never gave any thought to actually getting enough rain to do much good. In an effort to not become stressed because of lack of rainfall, I took a nap. After my nap I ventured outdoors, or at least tried to but had to stop at the garage door because it was still pouring down rain. It ended up being 1.25" and I'm so thankful for it. I even saw a rainbow, first one I've seen in years...
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Post by rdback on Jul 6, 2024 8:08:44 GMT -6
It's great y'all are getting wet. You remember the song 'I wish it would rain'? That's what I've been humming lately.
Hey! How about y'all go outside and look to the East, take a great big deep breath, and blow, all together? Maybe I can get some of what you got!
Let's say around noon?
lol
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jul 7, 2024 16:03:51 GMT -6
LOL It’s rare to get this much rain. We are usually a quasi desert. The grass blades start looking like they’ve been freeze dried and the weaker trees start dropping their leaves.
After it stopped raining, I popped outside in the cooler temps and checked off another item from my to do list.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jul 15, 2024 15:32:33 GMT -6
Great day to do laundry with the ol’ convection oven thing going on outside.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jul 28, 2024 20:41:13 GMT -6
This coming week sure will be good for drying tomatoes and other garden surplus out in the yard!
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jul 29, 2024 22:05:29 GMT -6
It would have been good for sun dried produce today. Whew.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Aug 1, 2024 19:32:23 GMT -6
I've got a surplus of tomatoes, yellow squash, and zucchini this week. It was 100° today and is forecast to be 100° every day for the next 7 days. I think tomorrow I'll sun-dry some veggies on my hardware-cloth veggie drying rack to put in my vegetable soup this winter. Some cold, winter day, when I bring home a rabbit a duck, or some deer meat, that ought to be some good stuff. About January or so I'll be glad I made the effort.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Aug 2, 2024 9:46:52 GMT -6
I’m glad to hear the hoppers havent’ taken everything out!
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