"What's that? You don't care?? This can't possibly be the same Diane?"
Well, it's true. It's been a scorcher lately. But only the second heat-wave of the season. We don't have a/c at our house, though our kids have window units in their bedrooms. And I've been sleeping on the screened porch on the really hot nights. What's different about this year, though, is that it's really not bothering me. I'm not complaining about it. I'm not losing my appetite. I'm not panicking when I get caught in the full sun. I first noticed this at a traffic light on the bike one afternoon. When you're cycling, the breeze (hot as it may be) feels good. When you stop, the breeze does too! That's when you notice how hot it is. But I've just not had the panic as I have in the past, standing in a crowd watching a parade, for example, feeling like I'll die (or at least pass out) if I don't find some shade.
Nobody can believe it's me.
This is also the first summer ever that I haven't had a sunburn followed by peeling at least once. It's also the first summer that I've been outside every day swimming, biking and/or running. I try to aim for the early morning or late evening, but often the hour-plus bike rides begin at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. And believe me, I try to wear as little as possible. Over this past weekend with the heat wave, I did all three... swim, bike, run to try to give myself a taste of what the August 3rd race could be like. I think I'll do ok. That race is notorious for including an oppressively hot run. I, the notorious shade-seeker, feel prepared. What's with that?
I am the FAIREST of the fair skinned. Nobody has more transparent, awful skin than me. But this year, I'm also a bit "tan" (if you can call it that) for the first time ever. Without sunscreen I'd last about 10 minutes in the sun before I'd begin to burn. After half-an-hour, I'd been in big trouble. I've been using this stuff I found in March... Coppertone Ultraguard SPF 50 "Waterproof, Non Greasy, Moisturizing." It doesn't feel heavy like all the other sunscreens I've used, and I guess it's more effective! I can even use it on my face and it's just fine. With my luck they'll stop making it. I should probably go get another bottle while I'm thinking about it.
Has something physiologically changed with me? Is that possible? I know my body has gone through some pretty amazing changes this past year or so, but nothing has been as surprising as this to me. I like it! A lot!
