Get to Know TJM: Summer Heat!

Florida summers are hot enough in normal times. This year has brought an exceptional heat wave. We asked our TJM staff how they're coping with it.

Shannon Moore

Yeah, the heat wave is something special this year. We're typically business as usual when the heat hits. We have our routines. Outside play is accompanied by a ton of water, both drinking and to play in. If we go to a park or somewhere for kids to play. we make sure to grab ice packs with wet rags, some travel fans, snacks and water.  

Justin MacDonald

Who says I’m coping? I’m now up to a mandatory three showers a day. One in the morning, one after my workout, and one before bed. We definitely have the “IN or OUT” conversation with our kids, their friends, and the neighborhood kids, in an attempt to keep the house cool, but our attempts are futile. So our house looks like a cave during the summer. We close all the blinds and have blackout curtains because our unit just cannot keep up with the demand of our house. 

[Editor’s Note: Justin tells us he has, unironically, uttered the classic Dad line: “Close the door! We’re not paying to air condition the whole outdoors!”]

Fortunately, we do have a pool and we use it often. I suggest to every family that will listen to me to get some sort of pool, whatever you can get, the kiddie pool, the bigger inflatable pools, an above ground pool, an in-ground pool if you’re in that position … but just get something, because it definitely helps break up the heat of those harsh Florida summer days!

Matt Fischer

No real change in routine here, business as usual. We live in Florida so you cannot escape the heat, it’s best to accept it. Personally, I love summer. I like the long nights and all the fun summer activities, like kayaking, swimming, going to the beach, etc. 

I try and remind myself that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices. [Editor’s Note: We’re not sure there are good clothing choices for tropical storms, hurricanes, or tornadoes Matt, but you do you.]  I live in lightweight, moisture wicking material this time of year.  It not only helps with the sweat, but when you eventually get caught in our daily 3 p.m. summer showers, it also helps with the dry time. 

Rick Cundiff

Like Matt, I mostly love summer. I’m a big fan of long days of sunshine. And I’ll certainly take summer heat over winter blizzards in the Land Up North any day.

But when the temperature goes above 100 degrees, and the “feels like” temp is even higher, I surrender. I do my best to go from air conditioned home to air conditioned car to air conditioned business and back to home.

Of course, Stromboli the Wonder Pup makes that impossible at times. He does need occasional trips outside, into the full summer heat. That requires a fallback to Justin’s 3 showers a day routine.

And then I have to laugh at myself, remembering the old days. The days of working summer jobs outdoors, including one that involved washing windows on my college campus 8 hours a day for three months in full sun. Days of driving an ancient VW Beetle with no air conditioning. And not really minding the heat. How times have changed.

Sean Bottass

I was born in Florida, so this kind of weather isn’t exactly a surprise. It just comes with the territory. I’m used to throwing on a jacket, even when it’s blazing outside and still finding something to complain about. And I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a penny-pincher, so you’ll probably catch me outside during lunch soaking up whatever breeze I can find, just to avoid wasting gas. So, to answer your question ... I'm managing!