Thursday, May 08, 2008

These endless summer nights

It's the height of summer here in the Philippines, which translates a lot of times to mind-numbing, libido-killing (for a nanosecond), energy-sapping heat. Sure, we have a few scattered thunderstorms, but most times so far they've lasted only a few minutes, after which it's hotter and more humid than ever. It leaves me boneless, spineless, tendon-less. A limp noodle, that's what I feel like most days because of the mugginess and heat. Air-conditioning is all well and good, but when I go out the heat is even more palpable; it's like a physical assault.

Of course, there are sights and sounds of summer that I enjoy. The following are some of them, chez Lizza:

The sun is bright, the bougainvillea is blooming.

A single mother has made our home hers - and her kittens'. These little ones make me and mine laugh with their adorable antics. And yes, DaddyP, they can be called LOLCATS.

See that legion of little critters congregating in the light of the streetlamp? You'll have to click on the image to see a bigger picture. Those insects are called gamu-gamo. They're like flying ants, except they don't bite. What's weird is that tonight (my son took this photo a few hours ago) they were congregating at the streetlight in front of our house; those lights a few feet away they left untouched. Folklore has it that hordes of them appear to herald the coming of the rain. We've been getting some rain the past few days, but does their appearance foretell the outpouring of an abnormally large amount of rain in the lives of this household's members?

I can't speak for the others, but I sure hope it rains hard - and soon! Complete with thunder and lightning, though I'm normally afraid of lightning. This time, I want it. I don't care whether it rains water or cats or dogs or men, hallelujah. Lovely and bright as the sun is, I'm tired of the glare and heat. Just so tired...of so many things. I need a change.

19 comments:

Photo Cache said...

I hear you. Those Philippine summers can really wreak havoc on one's physical and mental well being, and burn a hole in one's pocket too. Imagine the soaps you need to use for showering constantly :) and when you're out of the shower for an instant, you have to be chomping down halo-halo to keep cool.

Kidding aside, I missed it too ---for a split second :)

Hang in there, the rain's coming soon.

Lizza said...

Photo: Barely out of the shower for a minute and I start sweating again already. Yeah, summer sure takes up a lot of water from showering several times a day.

But...I don't like halo-halo! I just drink ice-cold water - or beer. :-)

Daddy Papersurfer said...

They actually look like lollcats.
Blimey they must be feeling really sweaty wearing those fur coats an' all. Perhaps you ought to shave them.
There you go!!!! Shave your hair off!!! Brilliant [please don't thank me - your adoration is more than enough - tee hee] - *hugs*

Daddy Papersurfer said...

[sorry - didn't realise you were in the shower - do you want me to dry your back?]

Lizza said...

DaddyP: I'm too chicken to come within an inch of those tiny claws.

Also, I'd shave off all my hair but the sight of my conehead and face sans eyebrows and eyelashes would scare my kids silly.

*hugs* to you too, you silly man. Don't bother drying my back, it's going to be wet again in a few. Appreciate the offer, though.

Mimi Lenox said...

I love the bougainvillea. It's beautiful. And the kitties are adorable. I only have a virtual cat so this is something new to me....I do hope you get rain soon and cool down a bit.
You hot Filipino woman you!

Anonymous said...

I love summertime. Though it can be scorching hot but I like the heat. I'm not such a big fan of rains.

:P

Anonymous said...

I just hate those gamo-gamo. They never fail to wreck a good night. LOL. So, is this change of layout recent? Sorry, I've been reading your blog through Microsoft Outlook.

H said...

Aww. things will change Liz dear. Soon.

You've set it in motion.

Liz Hill said...

Change can be scary but it is good;-) Summer is a bear here as well---but it's something I wouldn't miss.

Miss kitty is so lovely!

Glamourpuss said...

Lovely pictures!

Puss

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Give me HEAT

I love me some summer

Lizza said...

Mimi: The flowers are lovely, and the pussies too. We did get some rain last night. Heavenly!

Kyels: Come visit now, before the terrific rains start. You'd love it!

Dean: I welcome the gamu-gamo, except when they enter the house, which they rarely do.

The blog look is fairly new, a week old or so. Haven't been able to make all the rounds, will make up for it!

H: We will see, my dear soul sis.

Turnbaby: There speaks the voice of experience. I identify with you more than you know, sugar.

Puss: Thank you!

Bond: If I could send you this heat, I surely would!

Kiyotoe said...

Summertime in Atlanta, GA. sucks!!
Heat and humidity consume you and stick to you like a pair of old jogging shorts from 1986.

But anyway, how are you Lovely?
;-)

Anonymous said...

oh wow your son is SO cute

lastlifeinmyuniverse said...

aw i love kittens! i hope you got to play with them!

we've got those insects too here. they mostly bother us while we play tennis at night. other than that, i think they're harmless.

you know.. i think people here eat those things. :-s

Anonymous said...

I want some rain too
It's been hot here, very hot too
However just enought to keep the heat away is good, don't really hope for too much as flash flood is not good either

Travis Cody said...

We should be in the midst of a lovely spring...but those April showers only brought May showers and no flowers.

It's chilly too. I'm beginning to think the one day we went to see the tulips was the only real spring day we're going to have.

Anonymous said...

That mama cat and her kitties are so cute!

We're mid-spring, with coolish temps today and lots of rain making everything lush.