Summer. Again.

It's that time of year once again. The time of year when my hibernation begins. The time of year when I do not want to move and I groan at the thought of any activity, especially one that may take place in the sun.

I do not like summer.

Indeed, I would go so far as to say that I hate it.

This is true for two reasons:

1. I am really, really white. I have lived upon this Earth for nearly 37 years and I have never had a tan. My skin simply does not do it. I am given the choice between white and red. Since sunburns hurt and itch, I tend to go with white. I wear sunscreen every day. When I know I will be outside for any length of time, I even bump it up to 60 spf. And yet I burn.

2. During the cooler months people are always amazed at how I can stroll about in a jacket while they are wrapped up in a winter wool coat, hat, scarf and mittens. They always ask "Aren't you cold?" And while I do feel the cold, I do not mind it. During the summer, others likely feel just as hot as I do, but they do not mind feeling hot. Well, I mind it. Quite a lot, actually.

If my world would just remain at a constant 60 degrees (15 degrees Celsius) I would be a very happy camper indeed.

Well, actually not. Because "camping" tends to be an activity that involves heat and bugs. But you know what I mean.

Back in the United States I would deal with summer by going from my air conditioned house to my air conditioned car to my air conditioned work...

Well, you get the picture.

That is not an option for me. See, because Europeans do not "do air conditioning." It is not needed here. It never gets too hot. Well, occasionally there is a bit of a hot spell, but it's rare and goes away quickly.

At least that is what we hear over and over again.

Here's a question? At what stage do people acknowledge that "rare and unusual" heat waves that occur every summer and last for longer periods of time each year may actually have become the norm?

Today we went shopping to prepare for the upcoming summer. We purchased some heavy duty fans and (dare I type the words? Yes, I do...) two window air conditioners to be used when we simply cannot stand it anymore and the air refuses to cool at night.

There, I said it.

And I refuse to feel ashamed.