Nope, I ain't going outside. No how, no way. The cats and I are agreed on this.

A/C running in the room I'm currently occupying. It's a feeble window unit, but it does its best and the temp is quite acceptable, humidity greatly reduced.

Got up at 2 a.m. to do laundry, dry, fold, put away. Also to turn on dishwasher, dry, put away. Feed cats, water garden. By 6 a.m. the sun is over the horizon and everything cringes. Yipes! Here comes the sun.

All the windows and shutters closed. When I first came to southern California from Connecticut, I wondered why the windows had wooden shutters with slats. I found out my first summer--curtains just aren't as effective at blocking the light and radiated heat, unless they're blackout curtains.

At 8 a.m. Trader Joe's opens, so I went over and bought a few necessities for the week ahead. With hubby in the hospital, my food bill is tiny (I'm also using up supplies in cupboards, freezer and refrigerator without replacing). My husband has expensive (and expansive) eating habits. And in this weather, I have no appetite at all.

Now I'm hunkered down with an iced tea and my computer. Later, a book. Then a midday nap, though it's hard to sleep in the hot part of the day. Come 3 p.m. when the heat is at its worst, I'll take a shower.

Then dinner and evening time, water the tomatoes and so to bed. How's that for an exciting Sunday? I love the quiet (ignoring buzzing A/C unit) and solitude.

Life is good.