Hot Time in the City.

Ever wonder why Congress takes a long break in August?

Because August in DC is also referred to as "Hell's Sauna".

For example, the temperature right now is 92. Hot, but definitely tolerable (and actually pretty pleasant). But on top of that, there's the humidity. It's actually low right now at 54% (it's been in the 60-77% range lately). And then there's the dew point. Currently it's at 73 degrees. That's not good.

All told, it feels like 100 degrees outside, with the air akin to walking into a wet towel.

Everyone left in town after Congress leaves loses their will to live in August. You give up trying to maintain good hygiene. The little bit of clothing you're wearing is sopping with sweat, your makeup runs off your face, and your hair is both simultaneously limp and huge-- not sure how that one happens, but it does. You actually forget what it feels like to not be damp. If the guy squished up next to you on the Metro smells like a wild goat died in his pocket, you actually feel badly for him instead of being grossed out. And if you can make it to work and back home, you've succeeded for the day.

This being our first summer with Alice, we weren't sure how she'd react to the heat, but since she's part-pug and it being so darn hot, we knew we had to be cautious with her. We never take her on driving errands anymore, and there definitely haven't been as many trips to the Dog Park (though when we go, it almost always results in a dip in the river, which is fine by her).


A while back, it was so hot one day, Alice only had the energy to flop around the house. Oddly, her belly generates a huge amount of heat (heaven help you if she decides to spread out alongside you at night; you'll catch on fire), so she lays on her side, just splattered.






We pretty much just started leaving the air conditioning on all the time after that. And like a plant getting water, she perks right up and gets wonderfully obnoxious again.

Something else we've learned cools puggles off? Popsicles.


Last Sunday morning, it was too hot and humid to get out of bed. So we had popsicles in bed for breakfast. Alice thought that was just about the best thing since tennis balls.



Growing up in the Midwest, I could never imagine saying this: I'm kind of looking forward to the fall and cooler weather. Seeing how homebound Alice is, I think she might be looking forward to it, too.

Though the popsicles might need to stay.