While

While sitting out in the afternoon sun counting the bees flying by, I frequently ponder the best way to describe the droplets of sweat that form on my scalp and unroll down my face and neck and back. I wear a bee-suit jacket made out of thick cotton and a veil that covers my head, which is better than being bareheaded and bare-armed for many reasons, among them the copious sun exposure and aforementioned insects. Today the thermometer reached 44 degrees Centigrade, or around 111 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature's beginning to climb into summertime.

I was really worried when I moved here that I wouldn't be able to handle the heat. It was pretty intolerable in Boston, especially on top of the humidity, and reduced me to a sodden torpor for most of the summer. But it hasn't bothered me that much here--not as much as the generally poor air quality. The lack of bother is probably because of the modern convenience known as central air. For that much I am grateful, as are the other residents of this burgeoning region.

Well, the last-minute work keeps piling up, so I'd best be off.