Too hot, too long

It's been over 95º, sometimes (like today) over 100º, every day for the last 8 days. At night the mercury doesn't dip to less than 85º, so there's no opportunity for the sidewalks, streets and brick buildings to cool down. Pavement is beginning to buckle. The heat index -- the way the air feels on skin -- is 125º.

It continues into tomorrow. It has not been this hot, this long, since 1995. (THIS JUST IN: It hasn't been this hot, this long, here in Chicago since the 1940s.) It's hard to take. I feel like I'm being held hostage indoors -- just the two block walk from the el stop left my t-shirt stuck to my back with sweat.

Worse, the little window air conditioner in my bedroom has quit pulling its weight. It's better than just the fan -- much better, in fact -- but it's still not cool. I think it's all that unremitting afternoon sun. I have cleaned and recleaned the filter and removed as much cat hair as I could from every nook and cranny I could reach. I want to give it a fighting chance.

Tomorrow night it's finally supposed to rain and then (bliss!) finally dip down into the 70s. I dream of being able to walk outside again!