I know, it's strange to love clouds and rain- especially if you are from another part of the planet- I remember when I moved here from Boston (almost 20 years ago)that I thought I could never get enough sunshine...and the old timers would shake their heads and give a knowing laugh..."Oh, just wait , little Yankee Girl..that sun will get you!" And they were right.
It's almost cumulative- those first few years here I think I was still thawing out from my years in New England. I was outside all summer long- be it 100* or more- riding my horse- hanging out with friends by their pool (they were in the shade)...and enduring each drive in my non-air conditioned 66 Plymouth Fury with a sense of adventure. Hey, I was innocent! I had yet to arrive at the crossroads- I was still thawing out.
Around 3 years in- I finally had enough. enough heat, enough HISSSSSS of the cicadas hanging out in the mesquite trees, enough of being burned by my steering wheel. Enough already of the heat! I was ready to move on- go back to New England- and perhaps get a Masters degree. So- I lined everything up- get tickets to fly to Boston to scout out living possibilities- and you know what happened? Two weeks before I was scheduled to fly, I had a chance meeting with a very handsome Italian Physicist. He worked for the U of A- we were married within a year, and have now have been listening to the Cicada Symphony for 16 years together.
I have to say I still mind the heat- 100+ degrees - even if it is a Dry Heat- is still 100+ degrees. an oven is and oven is an oven. I even "cooked" a kid in the Tucson summer- Cosmo will turn 9 on July 24.
It's a Tucson thing, you may not understand......however.....
You May be from Tucson if.....................
- You can pronounce”Saguaro”, “javelina”, “San Xavier”, “Ina”, “Tanque Verde”, and “Cholla”
- from June-October you can fry an egg on the hood of your car
- Bragging season? October-April
- Whining season? May- October
- You think someone driving wearing oven mitts is clever.
- You think 60 tons of crushed red rock makes a beautiful yard.
- Vehicles with open windows have the right-of-way in the summer.
- You no longer associate bridges or rivers with water.
- You know a swamp cooler is not a happy hour drink.
- You can hear the weather forecast of 110 degrees without flinching.
- You can make sun tea instantly.
- The best parking is determined by shade…..not distance.
- You know that “Valley Fever” isn’t a disco dance.
- Hotter water comes from the cold water tap than the hot one.
- You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
- Sunscreen is sold year round, kept right at the checkout counter.
- You put on a hat and fresh sunscreen just to go check the mail box.
