Cinderella’s Hearth: Oh No—It’s Summer, by Kate Wolford
- Fairy Tale Magazine
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
I don’t know about where you are, but as usual, summer has arrived far too early in Northern Indiana, and the ever-hotter weather has made me a summer Grinch. From this point on, I’m hunkering down until October, when I come alive again.
I always think of Cinderella living somewhere in Western or Central Europe in the 17th century, with summers far cooler than what we now experience in the Midwest. But of course, Cinderella is a point of view as much as anything, and her story can be told in subtropical or Arctic conditions and still ring true.
In any case, here in real life, I get through the summer by pretending it’s not happening as much as possible. I tend the garden early in the morning, and then spend every minute I can indoors. The AC is kept at 67 degrees during the day and 66 at night. The shades are closed. I’m like a heat avoidant, senior citizen version of Sleeping Beauty. I “sleep” in the AC until my senior citizen Prince Charming comes home from work each day. Then we huddle with the dog in the fake cool air until we repeat I all again the next morning.
Does this seem grim to you? It is. Summer is a burden to many people in the USA because of the brutal heat, and I have no way of sugar coating that.
To those of you who still love summer, I have to ask, why? I’d really like to know. Do you rub ice cubes on your wrists? Do you wear elaborate sun hats? Do you binge Lifetime holiday movies full of fake smiles and even faker snow? Is there a place you visit in your head where it’s always 65 degrees during the day and 40 degrees at night (my dream temperatures)?
I’d love some answers! Let me know. In the meantime, I’ll be melting and reading here in Indiana.
Kate Wolford was the publisher and editor of The Fairy Tale Magazine for many years. She’s now enjoying being Resident Fairy Godmother.
Image from Pixabay.