Ugh. It's been the first hot week of the year here. (*I* think we hit 90* yesterday, even if the "official weather stations" don't admit to it).

And of course, the a/c in my building isn't working so well - it's cool enough in the classrooms (which I suppose I should be grateful for) but it was 86* in my office yesterday afternoon. (There's a wee tiny bit of cool air sliding out of the vent this morning, so maybe it won't be so hot today - at least, until they turn UP the temperature for over the weekend, which they say they are doing at noon on Thursdays).

And - I got home, and thought, "Man, my house feels warm." Followed up by, "Man, the fan on the a/c sounds strange."

Took a look at it - things were iced up.The outdoor unit had shut itself down and the fan was just running and running. Not good. Shut the whole mess down, waited for the ice to melt, fired it up again - everything came on and a small amount of cool air was produced. (And fortunately, my house "holds its cool" well, thanks to the large trees I have). So I made it through last night although it was a bit warmer (78*) than what I usually like for sleeping.

I am calling the company this morning; it seems to me - best I can diagnose from the "DIY" book I bought when I bought the house - that the thing needs a coolant recharge. (I'm hoping that's all it is. And I'm hoping that the HVAC place isn't so crazy-busy that they have to put me off. If worse comes to worse, I'll rent a hotel room if it gets too hot to sleep at night - yes, sleep is that important to me - but I don't want to do that. And no, I don't have a basement to repair to, like we used to do when I was a kid and it got hot).

I will say ceiling fans are a big help.

I wish I had one in my office.

****

I don't know if anyone would be interested in this, but I find myself with an extra set of the Owly "Free comic book day" comics ("Splashin' Around" and "Helping Hands"). If you'd like one, drop me an e-mail with your mailing address (link is on the sidebar, remove the stuff that says NOSPAM). I can pop it in a manila envelope and send it out to you.

(These are considered "all ages" comics - they're appropriate for kids [and non-jaded adults]. So if you want one for your kid that would work too).

If I only get one request by Monday or so, that person gets both comics. If I get two requests, each person will get one. If, by some chance, several people e-mail me, I'll randomly draw two names and they'll get the comics.

Oh, if you do e-mail me, please put "Owly" somewhere in the subject line so I recognize the e-mail. I get lots of spam e-mail with blank subject lines and so sometimes I just batch-delete the blank-subject-line ones.