My butt is always either warmed by my car seat or covered by my sweater. I have to keep it at optimum temperature or I could die from mild discomfort.

I grew up in Texas. Everyone had air conditioning. It was a given. I remember hearing about “optional AC” on cars and being completely confused. How could you have a car without air conditioning? You would die. It was absurd.

Summers growing up were about 104 from the end of May through the end of September and at least in the 90’s from the end of March through the end of October. 75 on Christmas was not out of the question. I grew up with central air inside and a pool outside. If we were to go out it was from the air-conditioned house, to the air-conditioned car (albeit it took a while to cool off) to an air-conditioned store or restaurant. The only place to really feel the heat was walking through a parking lot.

Now, being an adult and on my own, I haven’t had the luxury of air conditioning in my home in several years. Not since I lived in Arizona (again, or I would die) and before that not since Texas. It’s a strange thing to grow accustomed to, living with the windows open. I can’t close the shades or I’ll lose my cross breeze. I do have a thermostat in my apartment now, so I can monitor just how warm it’s getting inside my apartment. The last week has been pretty warm here in Oregon (80s and 90s) and I have managed to keep it under 82. I haven’t broken that number yet, and I think that’s pretty good. But, I must admit that sleeping with the fan on, the windows open and on top of the sheets under a light blanket is not adding up to a good night’s sleep and sometimes I long for the comforts of childhood and the AC vent blowing on my bed at night.