OUR WEATHER...

July 1998 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

OUR WEATHER...AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
by Jack Hardy

In her Royal Palm Fronds article in this issue of the Journal, Betsy Bracey says "The weather has been ideal..." What did Betsy mean by ideal? She didn't mean springtime in the Rockies or the Sussex Downs.

The latter part of May and the first few weeks of June were an early taste of summer. It was so warm that the AID sign in Marsh Harbour recorded 100 degrees on 15th June, though that did not reflect the ambient air temperature which would have been a few degrees less.

After such a disturbed winter and spring, it was so pleasant to get back to normal and be able to complain about the heat and humidity that we really love, even though we gripe about it. It was high SPF time, the sea warm as bathwater, and smooth seas. Not quite summer, however. The almost daily thunderstorms we associate with an Abaco summer day were very few. Two in the last month, according to where I was.

By the way, ladies: Do you realise the warm and humid Abaco summers are kind to the skin ? The dry heat of Arizona and New Mexico wrinkles your into an imitation of a prune. Abaco's climate inspires a protective layer of perspiration that coddles and protects the skin.

But please take care about going out in direct sun. Even natives who live here year round are mindful to respect the sun's power. "Why do people wear so many clothes?" I've heard from visitors. There's a reason. Take a note of how many Bahamians wear protective hats.

If you are on Abaco this summer and do overdo the sun bit, ask a native for Aloes (pronounced AL-OH-ISS). It's God's remedy for sunburn and you can apply to Him for a rebate if you're disappointed. You won't be. Just cut a juicy leaf lengthwise and apply the sliminess directly to your skin. Instant and long-term relief. It stains, however, so don't lean back against the soft furnishings of a rental cottage while you are enjoying your respite from over-indulgence. Aloes is also the perfect remedy for scalds and minor burns. It is one of nature's unqualified miracle cures.

This Issue Table of Contents - - Previous Issues

Other Abaco Bahamas Links
Home Page (oii.net) - Message Board (AbacoBoard.com) - Latest Happenings (AbacoToday.com)