5:32 AM

I was accidentally up before dawn in time to catch a rare colorful June sunrise.  Actually, I don't know how rare they've been lately because I haven't been up this time of day.  I do know that we've had a lot of nice puffy clouds around during the day, so perhaps...

I say accidentally because I fell asleep sitting straight up in the recliner last night.  When I woke up around five o'clock I had my lap desk across my legs with an empty bowl of chili and pasta - my late dinner from the night before.  It's a good thing I don't move much when I sleep.  The television automatically shuts off after four hours of inactivity. 

I plan on hitting the sack tonight.  I'd like to get up early tomorrow.  Beth comes to clean at 8:00 and I like to get up two hours before she arrives - so I can clean. 

It was actually pretty nice to be outside this early this morning.  I was able to keep the door open for about an hour, too, so I could listen to the birds.  First time in a long time I've been able to do that.  I keep my thermostat set on 78º so before dawn it was a few degrees below that.  The forecast for the next three days has been adjusted to 111º every day.  Unbelievable. 

I had to drive to Tucson for an MRI on my knee and my car read that high in a part of the city.  I have to go in again tomorrow.  I will bring about nine bottles of water with me.  I used six today.  I have to go out again on Friday for a meeting at the bank but that's local.

I have a pretty good system for keeping my car cool less hot while it sits in the sun:

Ø  Seek shade at all costs no matter how far you may have to walk to your final destination.
Ø  Place silver reflective screen in windshield to block sun
Ø  Roll driver side and passenger side windows down slightly.  Place a hand towel slightly over the edge of the window (horizontally).  Then gently roll up window so that the towel acts as a sunscreen.
Ø  Cover all coolers with white towels.
Ø  Use a reflective cover for the steering wheel (It's made specifically for that purpose.)
Ø  As I get out of the car, place another silver reflective screen over the seats and gear shift.

Feel free to use or adapt my system!