We finally had some rain to fall Tuesday evening…about 18 inches in 15 minutes. Okay…that might be a slight exaggeration, but it did come down hard. Things cooled off and remained cool all day Wednesday…it barely reached 100°. But the rain the previous day was just waiting for the opportunity to evaporate. Breathing felt like sucking air through a hot, wet wash cloth and rivers of sweat (there’s nothing feminine about it) poured down my face and neck, washing sunscreen into my eyes, and making me feel right at home here in Oklahoma. Today the humidity was back to a more normal range (20%), but the temp. was climbing back up again. Luckily, not to the 112° that registered Saturday…and that was not heat index–that was actual temperature reading.
Speaking of Saturday: this is a research experience opportunity, so I did a little experiment of my own. I took an egg out to the parking lot to see if it would cook on the pavement. I cracked the egg, poured it on the pavement, and after six minutes…my feet were cooked! The egg was not, but it was showing some signs of not liking it there. The albumen (the white for those of you who haven’t had Dr. Willis) was turning thinner and continuing to spread the entire time. This could indicate protein degradation. The edges were actually beginning to dry rather than cook. And when I scraped the remains off of the pavement (conscientious researchers clean up after themselves…especially where there might be salmonella) , there was evident cloudiness. So, I theorize that given sufficient time, the egg may have solidified/cooked. Perhaps next time I should use some cooking oil or spray…that would make clean up easier, anyway…and I should wear thicker-soled shoes.
There has not been a single day in July (so far) that the temperature was below 100° or even a day in June when the temperature was below 91° and I am really grateful for the normally low humidity. Everybody I’ve spoken with–that has lived here for a while–tells me that this is the hottest summer they have experienced…some even apologize for it like they have some control over the heat. I know they don’t and they know they don’t, but it’s the thought that counts, and I appreciate it.
So enjoy your 80′s, North Carolina! You may not have missed me, but at least the folks here in Oklahoma will remember the summer I came to Stillwater! Granted, it won’t be me they remember…just the summer.