"Downwind"
Cook County is located in the Northeastern Corner of
Illinois…41º N Latitude, 87º W Longitude. These geographical coordinates
place the county in the Midwestern area of the United States.
As a result of the location Cook County enjoys 4
distinct seasons known in my circles as winter, spring, summer and fall
(can’t you just hear a little James Taylor right now?). The area’s
"natives" identify the 4 seasons, primarily by temperature… "cold"
represents winter…cool to moderate define spring and fall. Summer is
"hot". These same natives love to add humidity to the summer talk as well.
"Are you with me so far?"
People living in the Cook County area expect certain
weather patterns to be consistently true. For instance, in the summer, it
is safe to assume it will be hot (and humid). One does not pack their
parka when they leave the house in case a cold front comes through.
Despite this everyday experience by the 5 million
residents of the area, the weather still makes the lead story in the news
all the time. Hello!
"Live at 5…it’s August and it’s Hot in Chicago!"
These weather features sometime receive a boost by
those that want to take advantage of it. Surprise, surprise.
Here’s a new twist I heard recently…
There are some Cook County schools considering the use
of SNOW DAYS...in August! Not because global warming changed weather
patterns and buckets of snow are piled high this August. They want to
close because it is "hot and humid."
"Live at 5…it’s August and it’s Hot in Chicago!"
Air Conditioning, once considered a school luxury, now
is veiwed by some as necessary for learning! Chicago Teacher Union
officials have suggested, for instance, that Chicago Public Schools call
snow days to cancel classes due to heat.
Somebody has got to say it…We really gotten wimpy! We
live in the Midwest where it gets hot. I survived 12 years of non-air
conditioned public school and I turned out alright. Okay, bad example…but
you know what I mean.
The topic of heat and humidity carries me back to my
childhood…an "air conditioning free" zone. In fact, I simply need to head
back to the farm today to re-enter that AC free zone. (Mom and Dad don’t
believe in those types of luxuries.) Some view the heat and humidity as
nature’s torture but I’ve never felt that way…perhaps because I was raised
without air conditioning?
I connect some great memories with heat and humidity on
the farm…
Fat kernelled, juicy sweet corn
The sounds, sights and smells of the Fat Steer Show
The oppressive heat and wonderful aroma of the
newly filled haymow with the glorious weariness of having helped to
fill it
Homemade ice cream (vanilla) (see last month’s
column)
Walking beans…my pants saturated in the early
morning from the heavy dew
The quest for random entertainment such as a
watermelon seed spitting contest with my siblings
Heavy hot air circulating the bedrooms with an old
black fan as my brothers and I talked deep into the night about how
glorious our futures were going to be
A frozen baloney sandwich, tasting like a King’s
meal, after putting in a full day by noon detasseling corn
The satisfying slug of the ice cold sun tea after a
bone weary day of sun, humidity and sweat
Living at 41º N, 87º W with the heat and humidity does
not have to be a bad thing…it provides numerous opportunities to
appreciate small things that memories are made of…which could include
watching the teacher sweat!
2010 Downwind Columns
2009
Downwind Columns
