Some Like It Hot

We recently spent a week in Phoenix.  Yes, the middle of the desert, in the midst of summer.  I like warm weather.  I like sunshine.  I like being outdoors.  I like swimming pools and gardens and outdoor cafes.  The temperatures in Phoenix were pushing the low 100s, so we spent more time indoors with the frigid air-conditioning than I would have liked.  I hate cold blowing air, but I realize it is a necessity.

Some don’t like it hot.

I would much rather float in a swimming pool to cool off.  Fortunately, our friends have a little pool in their backyard so I got my wish.

Some like it wet.

The desert is an interesting place.  A kind of stark beauty, with cactus and shrubs and the eerily lovely green-barked palo verde trees.  They are a much-needed contrast to the terracotta and sand tones of the desert.  There is very little grass, as there is very little water and what there is fills up the many swimming pools.  All-in-all, I’d say the dryness contributes to the heat.

Some like it dry.

To my very great relief, I did not see any scorpions or tarantulas.  I’m told that the scorpions are usually very small and you can’t see them unless you use a black light.  Seriously.  WTF.  I stored my shoes in the dresser while we were there for fear that one of the little buggers would take up residence in them.  I’m not really sure what I would do if I saw one.  Probably something similar to my reaction of the high-rise hotel in Honolulu.  (see blog post “Defcon Five”)  Is there such a thing as Defcon Six?

Some don’t like creepy crawlies.

There are some pretty cool (no pun unintended) places to live in the Phoenix area, if you are into year-round heat.  If you are an active over-55er, Sun City West would cure you of permanent boredom.  There a several golf courses and rec centers, and when I say “rec center” they are on steroids.  If you ever had one boring day living there, then you are probably dead.

Some like it busy.

Still, I’m not sure I would want to live there.  I like being warm, but I would miss having seasons.  As much as I b*tch about being cold and go nutty long about April, changing seasons is interesting.  The birth of flowers in the spring, orange and red and yellow leaves in the fall, a touch of snow, well it’s the cycle of life.  Plus I would miss wearing my purple [faux] fur coat.  And the leopard one too.

Some like fuzzy stuff.

It takes visiting different places to make you appreciate where you live and what you have.  I like my little neighborhood.  I like the lake.  I like seeing the mountains in the distance.  Right now, I have the window open and I can hear the music from the weekly street fest.  It’s home and it’s where I am happiest.

Some like to call it home.