Beating The Heat

Summer's here at last, but with a vengeance. It's a heat wave. Wave? Kind of a misnomer since a nice cool wave would, indeed, be pleasant. We no sooner get our fondest wish for the sun of summer and wham, along come the complaints. It's too hot. Can't stand the heat. Turn on the AC. Most of the discomforts of a heat wave are minor but some are horrendous. Forest fires, floods from the sun melting snows,  holiday accidents and sun effects on frail human frames. Seems you can't win. Strangely, knowing the bad effects of sun on the body, there they are, the sun worshippers, setting  future wrinkles, risking cancer and burns as they lie on the beach thinking that the thin layer of not-frequently-enough-applied sun screen will protect the largest organ of their bodies. While a rich tan seems to mean something to some in spite of the warnings, just wait until the fourth or fifth decade of your life and the effects lying in wait will enter the scene. Don't blame genetics for all the wrinkles, blame your hours in the sun. There is hope, however. On passing a crowded city beach recently, I noticed a number of shelter units that were easily erected. Their four "legs", stuck into the sand, and under the relieving shade were chairs and other picnic items. Seemed like a great idea to me. I am not sure if I want to see hoards of these things all lined up at  waterside but the idea is heading in the right direction. The privacy of designating your own space makes it a good idea, too. How these things are received by park and beach authorities is another question. On a foray to a hot climate lately, I was fortunate to find a hotel that handed out one of these sites at the beach, to each room. No more were folks going down to pool or sea side at five in the morning ensuring a lounge - or, greedily, toweling too many of the best ones.  This method meant that your shelter was pre-destined and it was yours only. It made life on the sand simpler. You went there when it suited you and at any time, it was there waiting. Instead of a rivalry for the best spots, laying competition aside, a feeling of relaxed friendship and camaraderie ensued. You were invited to join people under their shelters or you could invite others to use yours if they had a large group and you would not be there. The arrangement made sense to me. You had the choice of being in the sun outside your shelter, or not. You felt a degree of personal space in which to leave your towels and enjoy the privacy of your very own few square feet reserved for an uninterrupted snooze or read. Ahh, wish I were there now, a nice sea breeze wafting inside my shelter and a glass of something icy on the little table beside me. Sigh.