Sorry to hear about your Dad IC. Cookie

Wow, IC. My sincerest condolences. I'm 42 and I've never lost anyone close to me. My 2 grandmothers died when I was real young, and my 2 grandads are still alive- as are my folks. I expect to be a wreck when it finally does happen, though. I feel for you...

It's been 80-85 here this past weekend. It's now Monday morning and they're calling for severe thunderstorms today, which- call me goofy- I love! Illinois sees 90-105 regularly in summer-time, though until the high humidity goes deep and settles in at about the end of June, it really doesn't get unbearable until then. Until it starts getting humid- 80-90 is actually nice, here. But by the time July and August get all sticky, I'm just miserable! It sounds whacko 'cause everyone always says it- but the humidity makes all the difference! I don't even need to turn on my central air until the humidity in the air rises to about 75% or so. But I miss Alaskaan summers- 80 degrees, ZERO humidity and sunshine 24 hours a day!

Yeah, Keven, everybody says it. But it just ain't true. The fact is, hot is hot, and after a certain point it doesn't matter how dry it is.

I remember my first trip to Phoenix. Daytime temps were 115F. And the folks there said the same thing: It's dry heat, so it isn't so bad. Uh, huh. But I noticed that none of them ever left the air conditioning either.

No question that high humidity contributes to how uncomfortable you feel. But the idea that "it isn't the heat, it's the humidity" is hooey, IMO.

The main thing I notice about humidity or lack of it, Brook, is how our bodys get rid of moisture. If one is sweaty- or if they shower and wash their hair- on humid days it seems we stay moist forever. But on "dryer" days- especially if it's HOT out, we dry quickly. I personally hate feeling damp all day long. Ick!